Life on the Vine

A couple weeks ago Tom asked what I wanted to do over the long Memorial Day weekend. Shortly after we moved to Germany we learned that one of Tom's old Army buddies, Tony, and his family are currently living in Vicenza, Italy. It had been 15 years since they last saw each other. I suggested we travel down to visit, figuring it would be a good first trip to Italy. After confirming with Tony that they would be home and were open to company, we made our plans to drive down Friday and come home Monday. We decided to drive, taking two different routes. Going down we drove through Switzerland and Liechtenstein, coming into Italy north of Milan and then driving east across northern Italy. Coming back we drove through Austria, heading north from Verona and driving through Bavaria. Both routes involved driving through the Alps and we had everything from sunshine to rain to snow. Here are some pictures from the drive. Is it what you envision when you think of the Alps and E

I originally wrote this blog for Far Reaching Ministries but I thought it was worth posting on my own blog too. Before moving to Stuttgart, Germany my husband and I attended Calvary Chapel O’Fallon in St. Louis, Missouri, and it was there that we learned about Far Reaching Ministries and the selfless service of Wes and Vicky Bentley.  I think anyone who has a chance to meet Wes or Vicky and hears about the ministry can’t help but be touched by their work in Africa and the beauty of the believers there – pure joy and faith!  We have been supporting and following the ministry for close to five years now.  My husband Tom traveled to the Sudan in September 2005 for a mission trip with our pastor Lorn Dunn, who taught the book of Leviticus at the chaplains’ school.  While there Tom taught on a Sunday morning, ministered to the chaplains, visited soldiers at a local military camp and supported women's ministry outreach efforts.  It was at our church's women's retreat last

Thanks for indulging me as I discussed the sale of our house in Saint Louis and the purchase of property in Arizona.  I know that neither has anything to do with "Exploring the European and African Unions" but had to share those important events. It has been a whirlwind two weeks for me.  On Sunday May 9 I helped cover a visit by Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron to U.S. Africa Command and Germany.  I wrote a story about her visit and took a video of her with GEN Ward, AFRICOM's commander.  She was supposed to sing the National Anthem and speak at a conference in Garmisch on the 9th but the Icelandic volcano had other plans.   Thus the video, which you can watch on YouTube .  A second story was done about her meeting with AFRICOM staff reference our HIV/AIDS work with African militaries.  Click here for that story.   On Monday the 10th I drove to the airport and Tom and I switched places.  Tom was just arriving from an overnight flight, returning from the U.S

Well, slap a huge "sold" on the front of this sign because Tom and I just bought 40 acres in southern Arizona! Within a week of closing on the sale of the house in St. Louis we turned around and bought property in Arizona.  I know that may seem sudden but Tom and I have been talking about buying property for several years now.  Tom has been dreaming about owning property basically since I've known him.  He had a horse growing up and hopes to have one again some day.  We've even talked about running a head of cattle...perhaps organic beef. We had been looking and talking about Arizona or New Mexico.  We both love the West.  Tom is originally from Arizona, born and breed.  I was born in Utah and went to college in Utah so if asked where I consider home...it is probably Utah.  Over the years I have loved going home with him to Arizona.  I always feel at peace there...happy and content.  I gladly follow him to Arizona.  Off and on we have looked at websites adver