What I Miss (and Don't Miss!)

I have seen before where other m's (and people living overseas) post what they miss about being out of the States, and what they don't miss. Essentially, what we love about living life abroad and what we don't love! So, I have decided it's time for me to do an "initial" list. That way, in 3-4 years, I can look back and see if I really do miss these things or if I have learned to fully adapt to my new culture. So, without further ado:

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN GERMANY(therefore don't miss from "the other side"):

--Eating healthier! We eat more fruits/vegetables and less fast food than when in the U.S.
--The Yogurt! They have every kind/flavor you can imagine. (Some being quite gross, actually, but they are all healthier here.)
--More family time together. We are not near as "busy" as we used to be. I love that we are home together every night!
--Learning a new language. Is it hard? YES. Do I get frustrated? YES. But, hey, call me a nerd, but I love learning!
--Learning a new way to "do" church. This will be a post all in itself at a later time :)

THINGS I DON"T LOVE ABOUT LIVING IN GERMANY( henceforth, I miss from "the other side"):

--My washer and dryer :( Laundry here takes about 2-3 days rather than 1-2 hours like it does in America.
--Playing the piano at church. However, I did get a nice keyboard for my birthday and am so excited that I get to play again!
--Even though we do spend a lot of time at home now, I do miss some of the restaurants that I love (Outback, Mexican!!!, "my" Chinese :))
--The convenience in the States. Everything here is, well, difficult. Enough said.
--Of course, the only "real" thing I miss is my Family and Friends. Our friends, who are m's on even ANOTHER side of the world :) said it best and I hope they don't mind, but I am sharing their hearts with you today. Because their words express so well how we feel everyday-- "....We are so thankful for each of you and are glad we have people like you to miss…this kind of sadness comes from a happiness found in knowing you all! So, we miss you…we are thankful for you…we are where we need to be! Somehow that all fits together and makes the tears of a 5-year-old worth it in the long run…For his glory…together."


With all that said, and I am sure I will say this a hundred more times while we are here-- We are where we are supposed to be for this season of life and regardless of how "hard" it may be at times, I wouldn't have it any other way.



P.S. Thanks "twins" for letting me "steal" your words!! Love ya!

I'm Still Here.......

So it has been a long time since I updated here.....lots going on the last few weeks and to be honest, just not motivated to write it all down. Not sure if anyone actually reads this, and if they do, are they really interested in my mundane life??? I am striving to be honest and transparent here.....
We had a good Christmas as we spent our first Christmas EVER away from our families and friends in the states. We were blessed afterwards with my parents and my brother and his family coming in to see us for a few days during New Year's. We had an awesome time showing them around the area and even made it up the mountain for a little sledding. We had 7 kids all together, and heaven knows things are never boring when 7 kids are together!! We did miss all the other "Simpsons" as well as Len's family during the holidays- maybe they will all take a trip this way soon!!
The kids start back to school on Monday after being out for 3 straight weeks. I think Abigail has gotten a little used to being at home and maybe somewhat hard to convince that she has to go back! We'll see come Monday.
We have officially decided that we will be moving to Dresden, Germany after our language study ends here. We are excited to be joining a family and a journeygirl who are already at work there in the city. We aren't sure of the exact date yet, but please be praying for us, especially the kids, that the move and adjustment once again will go smoothly. I think we are all ready to go and get somewhat "settled", although I have a feeling the life of a missionary is never "settled".
We did receive some Christmas boxes and cards from several of you- Thank you so much for blessing us as you have done so much since we have been here. We are so thankful for all the prayers and love you continually show us while we do His work here. May God bless you too!!
Well, that about wraps up what is going on here.....hopefully, this finds you all striving to be who Christ wants you to be in this new year! Love to you all!

We think Piglet has come for a Visit!

Have you seen all the cute little cartoons of where Winnie the Pooh and his friends have secluded Piglet for fear of getting the "swine" flu? Well, I think Piglet has come to see us. Although we haven't had a test to confirm it, Leonard has displayed almost every symptom of having the swine flu. We are going on day 5 of fever, chills, and coughing. He is just plain pitiful. (But isn't that true to being of the male gender??) Seriously, please pray that he will heal quickly and that none of the rest of us will get it! We have company coming from Prague for Thanksgiving weekend and really don't want to expose them to this!
That is about all that is going on around here. We are trying to finish up a unit in language this month and will be starting to prepare to take our drivers license test in December/January. We NEED to pass it the first time, so be praying for us! Besides the sickness, the kids are doing just great. Leonard has had 2 invitations to playdates with his friends from school and LK has been invited to parties, sleepovers, etc. so they are making some great friends. Abigail is of course being the typical baby saying "It's not fair that I don't get to go to someone's house!" She doesn't understand that she is younger than the other two!
I hope you are all beginning to pray about and think about what you can give to Lottie Moon this year- it will be here soon. We know that His people can and will step up and support our organization through Lottie Moon Christmas offering. If you don't go to a church regularly, you can always go to the IMB website to give. This offering supports thousands of m's all over the world in doing His work and bringing others to Him.
One last thing- we have had several people ask us if there are things we need/want that we can't get here. Although we don't need much, if you would like to do something for the kids, I have an idea. We didn't bring any Christmas stuff with us, so if we want ornaments and decorations we would have to go buy it all. I would love to have ornaments and stuff from the States so that the kids can feel a little closer to "home" as this will be our first year away. If you want to send them something for Christmas, please leave me a comment with your email address or contact us by email and we will give you more specifics. Thanks so much for loving and praying for all of us! Love to you all-
Amber

We're Back...

We had a wonderful trip to Dresden and enjoyed everything about our trip. Well, except for the coming back part. Len ended up in bed all day on Sunday due to his back being out from dragging luggage from train to train, and I have been in the bed since Monday night due to an awful head cold. I am putting off going to the doctor for several reasons- one being that I don't know one and it isn't the easiest thing to find when you don't speak much of the language! Maybe it will run its course soon. I just hope none of the kids get it.
Back to the trip- We loved riding on the train! We ended up getting bumped up to first class which was awesome. The family we stayed with had 4 kids who are very close in age with ours, so you can imagine our kids' joy of being around English-speaking kids who are also TCKs (MKs)! The city was gorgeous and I couldn't believe all the landmarks and old, beautiful buildings. If you don't read Len's blog, you should go there and check out our video we made of the trip. We caught Abigail at some really cute moments. (web.me.com/lenphegley)
So, please pray for us as we decide if this is the city God wants to use us next. We were excited to see some of the work already started there, and loved dreaming about what could happen if we do end up in Dresden. Thanks for all your prayers! Love to you all-
Amber

Wir Gehen mit dem Zug!

Well, another first is about to happen in the Phegley's lives. On Monday we are taking the "Zug" (train) to another city in Germany to visit some colleagues. We are going to see if this is the city the Lord has planned for us to move after our year here in language school. From what I hear they are doing some tremendous things for Him in Dresden and we are excited to see a glimpse of that, whether or not this will be our landing place!
We have yet to ride the train, but we are about to embark on an 8 hour journey on this fast train. We are all excited and nervous just because it is a first, but I feel it will be better than riding that many hours in a car all together. We can get up and walk around, eat, play games.....lots of things you can't do in a car. Especially when your husband is a nervous wreck driving. Not that MY husband is a nervous wreck when driving. I'm just sayin'. :)
So please keep us in your prayers next week- Monday we travel all day and then spend 4 days and travel back on Saturday. Please pray for our safety, that we will switch trains easily in Frankfurt, and then also for our minds and hearts to be open to what God will be telling us these few days.
Thanks for all that you are doing for us. We are enjoying all the packages we are receiving, both from friends and family back in TN. They are always a blessing and come just at the right time. The times when one might say "What in the world are we doing?". Not that WE say that ever. I'm just sayin' :)
Love to you all-
Amber

A New Normal

Many days of our lives are special for different reasons. Just a few of those for me are: my birthday where Sallie and I had the chicken pox, many nights driving to Savannah for dance lessons, being surprised Christmas Eve with my new car, first day of college, my wedding, and of course all my children's "birth" days. Life changes every time we have one of those days. And then there are the days like today. A day where, many years ago, I first experienced death. When Eddie was killed, I know a lot of people wondered why. After all he had been through, why then, when his life had just gotten straightened out. I never questioned it. Sure, I hated it. I didn't sleep for weeks. I cried. I got angry. But, I never questioned it. It was then that I truly realized God had a plan for each of us. And his plan for Eddie was to come home. That simple.
So, since that day in October of 2000, we "Simpsons" began living another life. A new normal. A life without Special Ed. Since then, we have grown and changed so much! We have welcomed LOTS of kids into the world, we have moved and moved (and moved :)) and we have welcomed new members (we love you Jeff!). Even in our loss, God blesses us.
Today I am reminded of how fleeting this life truly is, and how we should live each day to the fullest. How Jesus died, too, just so that we won't have to! We each have a choice. We can make the choice to live a "new" normal- A life for Him, not for ourselves.
Oh...And be sure and tell those around you how much you love them. We never know when the new normal will have to come. Love to you all-
Amber

A New Side of Paul

When we were in Virginia at our 8 week training earlier this year, we read through some of the New Testament together. So I decided that I would just continue to read through it as my quiet time here, and I am just about through. I have enjoyed studying about the NT Church and how much we have "changed" what church is really supposed to be. (But, that is not what this post is about-I am sure that could be another post in itself!) What I have noticed is a new side of Paul. It has never stood out to me how much Paul longed to be "at home" and with other Christians. I guess since I have never known that feeling, these verses have never stood out to me like they do now. Now, don't get me wrong. I am in no way comparing myself to Paul-I am and never will be on the same level as Paul. But, it is good to know that even he, the strongest of all missionaries, had feelings like this! AND, he not only longed for home, he wanted to know that they were striving to be the best for Christ while they were "at home" and he was away. SO, that is what I want from you! I want to know that YOU are living for Him. That you are sharing Him with those around you. That you are striving to be the best you can be. This will make us stronger while we are here, away from "who" and "what" we know and will push us to be those things while we are here. Because, this is where God has put us and we wouldn't want it any other way! Praying for you all-

Amber