I RODE A BIKE TODAY!!!!

Yes, it's true. For the first time in about five years I actually rode a bike. And it was scary and awesome all at the same time :)

So this morning I woke up. Per usual. Except this morning I was able to sleep in until 9:45 am because the kids did! Woohoo! So for breakfast we had lunch-type food...aka sandwich fixings. Then after breakfast, I taught the kids how to sing "I Love Him Better Every Day." After that, we started making books all about us! We have the first 3 pages made. I'm excited. After we're done with the books, I will try to post either pictures or video of the books for you.

When we were working on the books, Alwina said, "Let's go for a bike ride after lunch!" And I got really...excited...? Lunch was spaghetti noodles and potato soup with a buttery/milky type broth. It was good, albeit a bit bland. Then we went on the bikes. I ride like a 3-year-old. Seriously. Lionel is 7 and he rides better than me. Anyway, so we came home from the bike ride and I was very sore. Already. I can't even imagine how I will feel tomorrow.

Dinner consisted of PANCAKESSSS! But they're not your every day American pancakes. I will post a picture or two here for you :)

As you can see, the pancakes are very thin. They make the batter runny and purposefully try to get the pancakes as thin as they can. Then they put on toppings such as sugar, jam, butter, sour cream, and/or some kind of sauce made from sugar and milk.

It was sooo good. But I like America's pancakes better. They're more substantial :)

After dinner, I put on a skirt (blech) and rode with Alwina to her orchestra practice at church. She plays the flute. The whole time I was sitting in the church listening to the orchestra play, I was missing Amy (there was someone playing the cello, except they weren't as good as her), and I was also wishing I had brought more skirts. haha I feel like a heathen walking around in jeans all the time, when all the women here wear skirts.

After orchestra practice, we came home and had devotions with the kinder (the children), and did our prayers. The psalm we read tonight was Psalm 51. I LOVE that psalm so much. It is really amazing. If you haven't read it, you should. I also sang for Wilhelm and Alwina the song I know from Psalm 51, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me..." You know the one :) And if you don't, you should. After we prayed and the kids went to bed, it was only 8:30 pm. I was so excited!!! I was thinking, "I have time to watch a movie! Or do my own devotions! Or actually write a really good, in-depth blog post!" So I got in my room and started Skyping this lovely lady and her beautiful child...and their dog?

About 5 minutes into the call, Alwina knocked on my door and said her parents were coming over so Wilhelm could cut her dad's hair, and then we were all going to have tea together. ...So much for going to bed early. haha It was a good time of fellowship, though. I absolutely ADORE Alwina's parents even though they don't speak a word of English. Her father rebinds leather hymnals and Bibles as a hobby, and her mother is a seamstress. Basically, they're awesome. And her father sometimes preaches a message in the church. They both sing and play instruments, too.

If I could direct your attention to the left, you will see a picture of Wilhelm cutting Alwina's father's hair. Such a fun time :) After Wilhelm finished, we did indeed partake of tea and other accoutrements (sp?) outside on the patio. As we were sipping the tea, Alwina's parents asked me questions about America and Faith Baptist Church while Wilhelm translated back and forth between English and German. Then, Wilhelm told me the history of how all the Russian-German Mennonites (sp?) came to be in this area of Germany. It was soooo interesting. And inspiring. And now I'm Skyping with Hannah. And Amy. And writing this post. And my back hurts. And it's late. So I'm going to go to bed.

Also, Levin asked me if he could sit in my lap today. It made my life :))))))

AND, if you say, "Wilst du auf mein schoss sitzen?" you are asking someone to sit in your lap. If you say, "Wilst du auf mein schloss sitzen?" you are asking someone to sit in your castle. Just proof of how 1 letter can change the meaning entirely. That is all. Goodnight!