thank you england

4 years ago today i moved from germany to the uk. (crazy how time goes, isn't it?!)

it has not all been easy but overall it has been an amazing time. i have grown a lot, i learned more about how amazing the living god is, i found a church which i now call home, i got more excited about church planting, i got a bachelors degree and i fell in love with a very handsome, intelligent and funny guy. (to only name a few significant events.)

even though i miss germany and especially my family the uk has become my home and i love this country and its people. 

feels appropriate that on this 'anniversary' i am in london, seeing some of the amazing places and sights of the capital of england.

royal albert hall - i really want to see a concert there now. such an impressive building.
 

view from the tate modern. loved the art but the view was stunning also! was lucky as some random pensioner took me as their plus one into one of the exhibitions that you have to pay for. if you get a chance definitely visit 'the world goes pop' exhibition at the tate modern. so interesting.

on my way to my exam yesterday morning. felt like a londoner in the midst of the rush hour traffic but still managed to be a tourist and take pictures.

after my exam i went to the bank of engalnd museum (i know how to celebrate, right?) and then enjoyed the stunning weather by walking from there along the themse to westminster, than through st james park, past buckingham palace and to victoria station. felt incredibly blessed by being able to see so much of london, being able to linger when i wanted to and to enjoy the sunshine.
london, i'll definitely be back. but for now i am looking forward to going back to my beloved north-west tomorrow!

summer according to the photos on my phone [a selection]

as october officially feels like fall, i decided it's time for a little summer recap. this summer was so full of blessings. i worked the best job i could ever imagine and enjoyed many hours with friends and family - going for walks, knitting, exploring and enjoying the sun.

lake district

(england)

windermere

kirkby lonsdale

ostsee

(germany)

oh glorious fish!

home 

outdoor craft times

gardening

fireworks in basle

black forrest

taking walks

enjoying views

picking flowers

celebrating the birthday

humble and happy?

source

i read this quote last week and it thought yes, yes that is true. but then i thought: how do i spend less time thinking of myself? 

two weeks ago i listened to a preach in my church, and the preacher told us that he always prays when he is in the car on his way to work. 

when i am on the bus on my way to uni, i usually think about what i need to do that day or i lose myself in daydreams of my future house, husband, children, job etc - and in these dreams i always are in the centre of attention. this is not really the definition of humility. also i don't think that these dreams of the future where everything is better than now, are particularly helpful or constructive.

i felt really challenged this morning to consciously choose not to think about myself but to recalibrate myself again and again and set my focus on jesus. 

it is my experience that when i occupy my mind with him, all the other things come into perspective. things i worry about or that make me feel scared are not as daunting and important anymore. funny, how thinking of myself less, actually makes me more calm and satisfied.

rather than dreaming of the future i want to thank god for this day, for the people who surround me now and i want to be open and perceptive to where i can be a blessing to others. 

my beautiful lancaster... ♥

best time of the year

one of my favourite things to do is writing. 
when i sit down with pen and paper, that is when all the chaos in my head suddenly makes sense. writing somehow makes me able to express what i think and feel and wonder. the things i experience become more real, deeper, when they are captured in ink. 
when i write regularly, i am happier and calmer. giving outlet to creativity somehow nourishes yet another idea and makes room for more inspiration.
sadly i often don't find the time in the midst of my everyday life to sit down and to wait for the words. 
but yesterday i wrote some haikus about spring, that i wanted to share with you. i love haikus. they are just perfect for a little revision break. 
one in english and one in german...  

again it is the season
that keeps my smiling for no reason
spring

ein regentropfen
lauer wind in meinem haar
englischer frühling

have a lovely, creative, inspiring day! 

dazzled by the sun