Christmas In USA - New Year In Germany

For the first time in three years, I was able to spend Christmas at home in Michigan. God worked the timing of my next assignment to Korea perfectly so that Lana and I could be at home for the holidays between assignments. My sister also was married while I was home, so another blessing. Our time in the States didn't involve too much as we just wanted to relax with family and enjoy the time off. There was plenty of snow this year, and with my Dad's 4-wheeler and a buddy's snowmobile we enjoyed the snow a lot. We also did some "redneck" sledding...10 sleds pulled behind a John Deere tractor. Sometimes you have to be creative when the land around you is so flat!

A few days after Christmas, Lana and I flew back here to Munich to help her get settled into the new apartment and spend a few days with the Germany side of the family before flying on to Korea. On New Years Eve we took a day trip to Berchtesgaden in the southeast German Alps, near Hitler's Eagles Nest and Lake Königssee. I had been to the Eagles Nest previously, so we spent most of our time at the lake. Most of the lake was unfrozen so we were able to take a ferry ride to a small town on the lake that is only accessible by boat or a long hike over the mountains...no roads. There is a very popular church in this town, St Bartholomew's Church, which is in the picture below. Lana and I enjoyed a nice walk and then had some hot chocolate to warm up a bit. Later than night we celebrated with Lana's grandparents near Lake Chimsee. Lana of course loves Europe since it's her home and my time here has given me a great appreciation for traveling and seeing other countries. We hope to make it back to Europe sometime in our Air Force future!

In a few days Lana and I will fly to Seoul to begin my tour at Kunsan. Thankfully it worked for me to fly on the same flight she's working...another Godsend. We'll spend a couple days in Seoul together during her layover and I'll head on to Kunsan when she flies back. Once I'm settled a bit at Kunsan, I'll post more.

More Pictures:

Lake Königssee