Cheeeeeeeeeeeese Borger

For my birthday, I was given a beer stein by my sister.  But not just any old beer stein, this one was actually very special!  It is from an Oktoberfest held at the Laon NCO Club on Laon Air Force Base.

If you read through my really early posting on this site, you know that we were interned at Laon for a few years during the Cold War.  Laon was a NATO base with American’s, Canadians, Brit’s and a few of us Germans running around.

Once I was 10, I was allowed into the NCO club.  I was so excited!  It was just a like a Denny’s/VIPs/Shari’s with a bar in the back.  But it was still exciting to me.  My favorite meal there was a cheese burger with a chocolate shake.  When I was 12, they then would let me have tea!  Oh boy big time!

As I held the mug in my hand, a rush of memories came back, mostly revolving around cheese burgers and tea!  I laughed to think about the waitress – worse accent anyone could ever have!  We rarely could understand one another.  And she always kept her hair in the wildest arrangements!

“I would like a cheese burger with a cup of tea, please.”

“Cheeeeeeeeeeeese borger.  You want man-yan-aise on Cheeeeeeeeeeeese borger?”

“Huh?”

“Man-yan-aise, you want man-yan-aise?”

“Mayonnaise?  Oh sure.”

“Why growing boy need tea?  You need milkshake.  Tea for sick old people!”

“No really tea will be fine.”

Grunt, stomp off.

This was played out at least once a week for years.  It was worth the $.85 once a week just in entertainment value.

So, I hopped on the internet to see if there was a way to know which Oktoberfest this mug came from.  And surprise, surprise, what do I see?  The waitress at a reunion!  She married one of the airmen and now lives in Texas!

Oh, and yes, she still has the wildest hairdo I have ever seen!

Its That Time Again!

A Question of Faith

I will admit this past month was a real low point for me in over three years.  Between work, family and church politics – life has not been easy.  And, as I approached the holiday season my faith was severely shaken by the antics of my children.  Yes, I understand they have wills and choices to make, but somehow I had become complacent they would be protected even from themselves.  Best laid wishes of a father.

Last night, as I lay sleepless yet again, I thought on this.  I was reminded of the many miracles I have witnessed in my walk as a Christian.  How during some of my darkest hours – for instance - behind the Iron Curtain, God was there protecting me, leading me and showing His might against those whom would oppose His Word and its spread.

In essence, which is harder for God: to keep me out of the clutches of the GDU or to wrest my children from the poison of culture?  To three times remove me from KGB holding or protect my daughter no matter the means?  To heal me of cancer or to give me what I need day to day to make it through?

Obviously, nothing is any harder for God than the next; the question is how hard we make it for God to work around us.  I may want to slam the lid down on troubled daughter – but in my spirit I know this will only lead to further rebellion.  She needs to be lovingly drawn back to Him, not alienated into the arms of culture.  This is going to be hard!

So here is to 2007, Kris letting go, Kris once again on crutches to walk by faith, Kris thankful for those whom God has provided, Kris … yah, getting his act together.

A Question of Faith

I will admit this past month was a real low point for me in over three years.  Between work, family and church politics – life has not been easy.  And, as I approached the holiday season my faith was severely shaken by the antics of my children.  Yes, I understand they have wills and choices to make, but somehow I had become complacent they would be protected even from themselves.  Best laid wishes of a father.

Last night, as I lay sleepless yet again, I thought on this.  I was reminded of the many miracles I have witnessed in my walk as a Christian.  How during some of my darkest hours – for instance - behind the Iron Curtain, God was there protecting me, leading me and showing His might against those whom would oppose His Word and its spread.

In essence, which is harder for God: to keep me out of the clutches of the GDU or to wrest my children from the poison of culture?  To three times remove me from KGB holding or protect my daughter no matter the means?  To heal me of cancer or to give me what I need day to day to make it through?

Obviously, nothing is any harder for God than the next; the question is how hard we make it for God to work around us.  I may want to slam the lid down on troubled daughter – but in my spirit I know this will only lead to further rebellion.  She needs to be lovingly drawn back to Him, not alienated into the arms of culture.  This is going to be hard!

So here is to 2007, Kris letting go, Kris once again on crutches to walk by faith, Kris thankful for those whom God has provided, Kris … yeah, getting his act together.