Breakdowns

We have had the priviledge to experience breakdowns in several countries. Andrew kicks into "get us back on the road mode". I kick into "what can I do with the kids to get them out of the way of Andrew mode". The kids love these times. Bizarre but some of our favourite memories are of breakdowns. The photo of Derek with the kids a few days back was a breakdown outside of Boston. First photo is Hannah taking her first steps on a parking lot island while broken down outside of Philadelphia. Other favourite memories are: Making flower wreaths with Zea in the hedgerow next to the winnebago in the U.S. Northeast somewhere.
Krirstin in Germany where in walking Kristen to the train station Andrew found the perfect little German town and family campground with multiple pools (we actually needed family time after the intensity of Freakstock and God just made it manditory). The massive breakdown with Jessica in our  "Velvet Revolution" motorhome in Italy. Reinhold came to our rescue in his new van and it broke down too. He did say that he was coming down to get us partly because he wanted an adventure. He was the master of organization and calmness and operated seamlessly in at least half a dozen languages. A master at work. Our most recent breakdown, again in Germany, with Shannon in which Samuel found the ultimate toilet, the climax of his round the world quest (glowing blue and a rotating, self-cleaning toilet seat) and had a great time walking into a German village and spending hours in a relaxing playground. More times than not breakdowns are times that God is saying to us stop and take time and we have great times together. This is not necessarily recommending breakdowns but saying there can be good in bad. Funny thing is that the kids shift into "redeeming the breakdown" mode much quicker than me and Andrew.

Comments

[kristen]

i remeber that germany breakdown! Andrew and I walked to the nearest train station (he's hard to keep up with!) I waited for a couple of hours on the platform a train to Frankfurt and than the same to catch a red-eye train back to Amsterdam. I also met a German girl at the Frankfurt train station and we talked about Jesus while men kept coming up to us to ask if we would have sex with them. I love to tell that story! Miss you guys.