No good thing will He withhold... Germany and a surprise visit to Greece

What have I been up to these past 3 weeks? As most of you know, I've spent majority of the time in Germany, with my friend, Steffi... So the bigger question really is what didn't I do or explore here?  I've travelled north, south, alone, with Steffi, via train, boat, car and foot, old castles and new towns.  Plus, on top of that, I had a quick, unplanned visit to Rhodes Island, Greece for 4 nights.

So wait, let's start at the beginning... Germany!  I really don't know how to summarize my time here.  Almost everyday exploring a new town.  I travelled to Cologne, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Berlin, Dresden (my favourite!), Frankfurt, Wiesbaden, Rudesheim and a boat ride on the Rhine, Black Forest, Dachau Concentration Camp, Neuschwanstein Castle, Lake Constance (or Bodensee as it is called in Germany) and Heidelberg.  I even attended a German Wedding!  So yes, was a full 2 weeks!

I can tell you, Germany is a country with a lot of history (and very recent history with Hitler and the persecution of the Jews), beautiful landscape and country side, beautiful architecture, good traditional food and then probably the country I am aware of with the MOST castles!  Man, it felt like every town had a castle :).  But as they say - a picture speak a thousand words, so in this blog, I will tell my Germany story in pictures (and not words).  Just know, it is impossible to post everything (oh, I wish I could), but this is a snapshot... Snapshot with A LOT of photos... Haha! 

Cologne Cathedral

German Wedding Photobooth

Beautiful city of Hamburg (it has more bridges than Venice and Amsterdam combined - just a FYI)

Berlin - small remaining part of the Berlin Wall

Berlin - Reichtag building

Berlin - Jewish Memorial

Berlin - East Wall Gallery - Longest remains of Berlin Wall

Amazing, Beautiful city of Dresden (def a favourite)

Wonderful time with Steffi and Hannes

One of numerous castles - this one is one of 13 on the river Rhine boat ride

Black Forest

Dachau Concentration Camp - One can never leave here untouched!

Schloss Neuschwanstein (do you see the familiar Disney Castle?)

Beautiful Lindau at Lake Constance (another favourite)

Roses at Insel Mainau

Thanks Steffi for an absolute wonderful time in Germany!

WOW Heidelberg!

With Steffi and Lisa (one of my new friends that I met in Romania) in Heidelberg

But, my time didn't end here.  Very impulsive and unplanned, I spent 4 nights on Rhodes Island, Greece.  I had a wonderful time of rest - physically, but also emotionally and spiritually (with the last two a definite testimony of God's goodness, grace and faithfulness!).  What a blessing!  The weather was nice and sunny, so I spent my time on the beach, exploring the old historical city of Rhodes and Lindos village and going on a jeep safari. Oh how I forgot how potent the Greek sun is (my body had the evidence... Ouch!)  

4 Beautiful sunsets (no editing on the photo!)

Old historical Rhodes town

Jeep Safari

Lindos Village

One of the hardest things for me to deal with is dissapointment.  Either in people (which does happen) or in plans (things didn't or isn't working out as I've planned).  And then it becomes this snowball of thoughts in my  mind.  While in Greece, the Lord had to bring me again to a place of complete surrender to Him - with EVERYTHING... including my plans and my thoughts.  He spoke to me through Psalm 84, which I want to share with you...

How lovely is Your tabernacle,
O Lord of hosts!
2 My soul longs, yes, even faints
For the courts of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
And the swallow a nest for herself,
Where she may lay her young—
Even Your altars, O Lord of hosts,
My King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in Your house;
They will still be praising You. Selah
5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in You,
Whose heart is set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca,
They make it a spring;
The rain also covers it with pools.
7 They go from strength to strength;
Each one appears before God in Zion.

8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
Give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
9 O God, behold our shield,
And look upon the face of Your anointed.
10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord will give grace and glory;
No good thing will He withhold
From those who walk uprightly.
12 O Lord of hosts,
Blessed is the man who trusts in You!

This Psalm is just full of promises and blessings.  Blessed is the man whose strength and trust (vs. 5&12) is in the Lord.  And did you see the promise in verse 11?  The Lord promise me (and you if you are His child) that if I walk in His will, He will not withhold anything that is good from me.  Yes, I might be dissapointed that things are not working out as I've planned - but if He promise that He will withhold nothing that is good, then what He has planned is just so much better than my plans.  

Just two Psalms later, in Psalm 86, the Psalmist describe God's character as: 'But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, Longsuffering, and abundent in mercy and truth"  If this is the character of my Lord, and He promise me not to withhold any good thing if I walk in His will, then I can sure trust Him!  And so can (and should) you!.  He is in control.  He has it all planned out. He has the battle plan ready.  He just ask for my obedience.

I can't believe that it is only 3 more sleeps until I set my feet again on South African soil.  Oh what an amazing exploring, learning, adventurous, soul searching and growth experience this has been.  I thank the Lord for His faithfulness, goodness and guidance through it and through this all, He was (and still is) the best travelling companion because HE NEVER LEAVE ME NOR FORSAKE ME!

Much love,

xxx