God's Gifts

I'd have to say that the gifts that I appreciate most from God (besides the greatest - salvation) are family, friends, health and really nice weather. The problem is that I'm finding my happiness, or my emotional highs, too often attached to these things . . . an issue of immaturity that I'm working hard on lately. That being said, I've really enjoyed the last 4 days. My "best friend" growing up is here this week. Other than my cousin, Keri, Trisha is probably my closest female friend. We've been great friends since my family moved to PA in 1989. We met and connected instantly. Her visit to Berlin has been a blast, and on top of it, the weather (for the most part) has been beautiful. (Monday got up to 70 and yesterday was freezing - winter coat temps!) I'm including a picture of a pedestrian-only shopping street that Trisha and I spent hours on Monday. We sat at an ice cream cafe for over an hour soaking up the sun in short-sleeves (unlike the Germans who were still bundled in coats, hats, gloves & scarves ?????). The next day was in the 40s, evidenced by our coats (which weren't warm enough!). We posed next to a giant Easter egg made of flowers in Berlin's biggest train station and then took a rickshaw ride through town. We felt really bad for the rickshaw driver since Trisha and I are both close to 6' tall and not light-weights! Every time the guy stopped peddling to explain something of interest, we were afraid he wouldn't have the strength in his legs to get the thing going again! However he was stronger than we gave him credit for. :-) Good times.