Germany, Here I am!

St. Sebaldus Church, in the heart of Nürnberg

Having been here for almost three weeks, I find that I'm being stretched in so many ways. I never imagined being placed in a situation like this. Having
to live in a house with over a hundred people and sharing a room with 15 emotional girls. And it's reasonable to be emotional, because being here is unlike anything you can imagine. But here I am and it is good. 
It's a place like none other, here in the city of Nürnberg. We're living in an old office building with white walls, a bounty of puzzles from the
big orange thrift shop around the corner, and massive amounts of free bread. There's also a bounty of languages and language barriers. Everyone is learning about different cultures and lifestyles. There are people here from Germany, England, Holland, Canada, Malaysia, Columbia, Mexico, USA, and some other countries. Because of that, the variations of how we all live are extensive, but also very interesting to discuss and discover.
I'm surprised at how much I have retained in such a short time. Also, I've never actually been a foreigner, so when they refer to us as such, I feel as though they are talking about another group of people. Being a foreigner is exhausting, but not bad. I think learning the German culture has been interesting, because being an American is pretty different when it comes to human interaction. In general, Germans are fairly reserved with their emotions and affection. I have seen exceptions, especially in the house, but in public places sobriety is expected of you. At first I was surprised to see how little people interact on the streets, U-bahns, buses, and shops. They say as few words as possible and never wave at people they don't know. I have had much experience waving and smiling at people on the street while walking or biking, and receiving nothing in return. I will still continue to smile and wave though. You can blame it on being American,  I guess.

A really big "brezel" and Frauenkirche.

When I left two and a half weeks ago (feels like a lifetime ago), I felt like I didn't know anything about traveling or surviving in another culture. I was apprehensive about how well I would be able to sacrifice my habits but still be comfortable. I imagined myself panicking about things like sleeping (which becomes a very major thing if you are not getting any), eating (also can become a major thing), and what peoples' first impression of me would be. Since I would be meeting a lot of people, I assumed they would make assumptions about me. Ironic, I know. But so far, I've met the most lovely people and connected on a level that I was not expecting so soon. We've become family already and I feel at home.

I also had many fears about the "track" I chose, which is music. I am excited that I got to have a couple conversations with Corey (my track leader) and I think I have a better understanding of where he is coming from and what he has in mind for the track I can now call myself a part of. I seriously considered switching to another track, but I came here specifically for music and to stretch myself in that, so it would not be fair to God or myself to ignore that and choose a possibly less stressful track. When in fact, I won't know what I am capable of until I put myself in a situation that I expect will be difficult for me. 

The place I call home...

I've come to the conclusion that even if being in the music track is what I expect it will be (a hard experience), I am able to make it whatever I want it to be, for me and with God. Having a God encounter and taking my experience to learn how to minister and reach people who need His love, as I did and still do need His love. It's not about me anyway. It's about God reaching people through me. It's about the love of God.
The truth is I don't know what to expect, but I live in Germany for now and am enjoying myself thoroughly, getting to know this way of life and making myself at home for the next three months with the people around me. I even bought a bike for 20 euros and spray painted it a peach color. I pinned my canvas map up over the end of my bed, which is just a mattress, and made a little shelf out of some boxes that were going into the recycling. The little things make this place like home... Like the candles that a girl is burning across the room from me, the vases of flowers that a couple more people put around the house, and the laundry hanging on the line behind me (we have to hand-wash our clothing for the time being, until we get a washer and dryer installed).

Happy to be in Germany!

There's so much to tell, and so many photos to share! I hope this satisfies your curiosity about what my life is all about now, as well as the pictures I've been posting on Instagram and Facebook (though very few). I still love my home in Oregon, but for now this is a wonderful place for me and I'm so happy to be here.
A big thank you to those who supported me in getting here! Please keep me in your prayers and I'll do my best to keep you posted on my current adventure.

Blessings to all who read!

Love, Hannah

P.S. The mailing address you can send letters and packages to me at (if you wish to) is written like this:

Hannah Babcock
Raudtener Straße 9
90475, Nürnberg
Germany