What is it about a dimpled little boy coming towards you at full tilt, a small plastic goblet in his hand, pinky extended as he crows, "Tea! Tea! Tea!" and holds the cup out to you? Even a girl who is tired from trying to make her very English brain work in German can smile at that.
Today was the second day of German class, and while it's easy for me to keep up with the teacher and comprehend what she is saying since I've had lots of opportunities to get familiar with the language (and I am starting with the most basic course), it does require some effort to sit in a room and hear only German for four hours. I do think it is fascinating to get to know my sixteen classmates who hail from France, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Australia, Turkey, Portugal/Angola, Japan, Poland, Kenya, Senegal, Chile, America, the Philippines, Iran, and Pakistan. (Don't be too amazed that I can rattle off this list after only two days together. You don't know how many times we've asked and answered the questions, "Wie heisst du?" and "Wo kommst du?")
At home this afternoon, I left behind the cultural experiences and got into more familiar (and definitely very American) territory: baking pies for Thanksgiving! With flecks of snow in the cold air outside our big window and Twila Paris singing to us in our cozy kitchen, and many willing baker's helpers, Heather and I enjoyed mixing and rolling and slicing, and now four pies -- two pumpkin and two apple -- are looking luscious on our counter.
Besides eating pies, I am also looking forward to Christmas markets, and mailing a large and delightful box of Christmas cheer home, and those moments when three children converge on me at once in an all-around snuggle, and coffee with Emily at a charming cafe tomorrow afternoon, and a Brazilian brunch on Sunday with friends from my small group. My list of thankfuls this year is not going to be easy to contain. "Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits."
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