Saying goodbye...

MUNSTER BRANCH!
What a group. Not all the members are in this picture, but most of them are present. This has been our branch for the time that we've been here in Germany. We love these people. Words can not describe how much we have enjoyed helping the branch grow and how much we love these people. We will miss all of them.

INLINGUA!
We had so much fun with the other teachers at Inlingua. Everyone came from all different parts of the world, with different backgrounds, opinions, and different languages. We all had one thing in common and that was speaking and teaching English. We hung out with the teachers, went out for drinks and picnics, and really had great discussions together. We are really going to miss these guys. Tschuss.

Flying over Germany

Today Henk took us flying over Germany. These pictures are posted especially for Kandi (McCord's mom). She said if we were ever going to do something dangerous, like fly in a small aircraft, or skydiving, etc, to NEVER tell her. =) As a side note: the weather was quite stormy and they didn't know if we were going to be able to get the little plane up in the air in the first place. So, here's to you - Kandi Lu.

End of Classes #2

The end of our classes for this month is done. McCord didn't get a picture with his class, but I did. This is my class. It was so much fun teaching this group. They all have an opinion and aren't afraid to share it. We had a lot of fun playing pictionary, mafia/werewolf, and psychiatrist. Hope you guys do well with your customs training. Good luck.

USA, Patriotism, "Why"

PATRIOTISM...

Patriotism - we miss the most. Here in Germany the only time, that our students have told us, that the Germans had pride for their own country was at a soccer game in 2006. In America, doesn't matter what state you are from, what party you vote for, or your religious views - there is patriotism within the hearts of the people! We decided that America is based on one word "WHY". When we first became our own country, England said they'd be the boss, and americans asked "Why". Every day, as Americans, we ask "why". "I want to be president" a candidate will say. We ask "Why". Even in the small things like crossing the road, what we should buy, etc. We always ask "why". We miss that. We miss the free thinking, the questions, the citizens finding their own solutions to problems (big or small). We miss the love for the country. The shameless patriotic pride for where you live. Being in Germany has taught us so much. Also helped us feel a deeper appreciation for the United States of America. We love the USA!

Spring flowers in Münster, Germany

Thought that I'd take some pictures of some springy flowers that we see on our way to work every day. McCord and I love spring. We love Germany and have had a fantastic experience here. One more week of classes at the BWZ (customs university) then our students will go off into the world with the English that we've taught them. Love you all in the states. Hope you enjoy the photos.

Divide and Conquer

It's official. Lisa is coming home on the May 7th. She'll leave on 8am on May 7th from Germany, layover in NJ, and arrive at the SLC, Utah ariport at 8:30pm. It'll be cool to be flying into the past. Super!
McCord will stay in Germany until the beginning of June until the next session of BWZ classes end. He'll be working probably 60 hours a week and coach a couple more football games until he flies home. While he's working hard in Germany, Lisa will find a job in the states and find an apartment.
We are excited for this plan because we hopefully will not have any time without income during our transition. It will be hard to be separated for this month, but we know that it will be okay.

"Ice" "Ice" Baby

Ice cream in German they call "ICE". The ice cream parlors here are phenomenal!!! All 4 of us are now dreaming of opening an ice parlor in Utah. It would do so well. =) They just pile on the homemade ice cream and decorate it with real fruit and unsweetened whipped cream. Mmmm. We will miss the german ice cream.

This is Margaret and her ice cream concoction. She treated us all to ice this last weekend when she came to visit.

Weekend of Castles

Castle #1:
This was McCord's favorite castle because it is older and more of a castle than a palace. He loved the 3 moats and stories that came with protecting the castle from invasion. This was a pretty small castle but we loved the ancient architecture and the traditional stories in history that were told about it.


CASTLE #2: The second castle was Lisa's favorite because it was HUGE and impecably gorgeous! We loved the gardens and the inside was beautiful. This castle once belonged to a hot-headed bishop and his family. They were so obsessed with impressing everybody with their huge house, fancy clothes, silk walls, statues, etc that when they died, after selling all of their belongings, were still in debt $2 million. Interesting story. Beautiful castle.

1st black president, 1st black general authority

We are both excited to be able to tell our grandchildren that we were alive when the USA received it's first black president, and excited to tell them that in the same year The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints called their first black general authority. What a year in history!
Link to general authority article:
http://www.sltrib.com/ci_12148790?source=email

Spring has sprung

Spring has sprung, our allergies have risen.
More students to teach in the BWZ "prison".
The flowers are up and trees blooming pretty
More bikers running into people in the city
The bunnies scamper all over the ground
We know in Utah they are never around
We'll teach our classes 1 or 2 rounds more
wish we had more time to site-see and tour
The time is approaching that we soon will be back
We definately will miss what Münster has and lacks
So wish us luck with teaching, church, and football
And we will soon be home to give hugs to you ALL.

Mammuts Exhebition vs. Padaborn Dolphins

(McCord couching Hillmer)

These are some pictures of the first game for the Münster Mammuts. The final score was 46 to 6 Dolphins.

PRAGUE VACATION: Trist"Czech us out!"

Prague, Czech Republic is by far our most favorite place we have been in our lives. It was absolutely spectacular. We loved it, to say the least. Hope you enjoy the views that we were able to see in Prague. We hope everyone has the chance to go there some day.  It is FOR SURE the place that we would choose to have a summer vacation if we could.  We can rant and rave about this place ALL DAY LONG.  It's just exquisite.  Our favorite place in the world!

Tristan Carlisle, Sarah Carlisle, Lisa Larsen, McCord Larsen

If we had the money for a vacation home, it would be right here.

Heels clicks for Prague!  at the biggest castle in the world courtyard.

"Pozor" means Warning in Czech.  We got lost and found these signs...

Windmill to power the houses.

Our rental car was in meters, not miles.  Looks funy.

The gas prices were in crowns and not dollars.

4 in front of the jewish cemetary.

All the buildings were beautiful and had art on it like this one.

Biggest Castle in the world at dusk

Biggest castle in the world view from behind.  It was too big to get the whole thing in one picture.

View from the castle at the village

Sarah Carlisle and Lisa Larsen waving as we walked down the stone streets.