We Are Family - Going Back to the Roots!

"Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts." ~Author Unknown

*Sidenote: We have a lot of nuts in this family... in fact, we're all a bit nutty. I like it that way. It gives us character - a little something extra.

"I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich." ~Dan Wilcox and Thad Mumford, M*A*S*H

About two weeks ago, my family touched down at the Dusseldorf International Airport. We rented a car, packed up, and drove all around the Netherlands and Germany for an eight day escapade. It was pretty fantastic, and somewhat epic. I mean, that many Struiksma's in a foreign country could cause a little havoc, but I think we did alright.

So... I'm just going to give you a little sneak-peek as to what we did while my parents and sister were here in Europe.

Sidenote: My dad has lost almost 80 pounds in the last few months and I am very proud of him... My new, skinny dad is below! Well, he's gettin' there!!! :) There's a really cute picture of him and my mom in front of some windmills, and you can't tell, but his coat was HUGE on him - very cool for him.

First, we ventured off to the Netherlands where we saw a TON of extended family and had a great time seeing Amsterdam (I had only driven through a TINY bit of it, but this time we drove through almost the entire thing) and Northern Holland. We even stopped at this really touristy little town called Zanze Shanze, filled with wooden shoes, old-fashioned windmills, little homes, and everything else in a tourist trap location... and I loved it! It was fun, AND my family and I got to take pictures inside of a giant, wooden shoe. It's a winning situation all-around! Haha...




While there, we spent time with family and I got to see one of my favorite cousins, Klaas, again and spend time with him and his kids - Douwe and Hetie (not sure if they are spelled right...). They are two of the cutest children and so funny. I just adore them! On Saturday, he took us around to tons of random sights in the Northern Netherlands that our family originates. It was amazingly sweet of him, and nice to see some new and "obscure-to-tourists" places. We went on a drive through the country-side of Northern Holland, and through a few smaller town (one where we stopped and got some Dutch cuisine - haha!)... Here are a few tender moments captured:





On Sunday, we all went to lunch at his parents house (I love them!) and them Klaas took ME to a pro soccer game! The Friesland (a "state" in the Northern part of the country) area's team, Heerenveen was playing a Southern team and we defeated them 5-0... It sounds kinda like a boring game, but it was SO good! I actually caught THREE of the goals on my camera (alas, it would not load the videos)... I'm that good. The picture to the right is the Friesland flag in the stands during halftime - the flag has a bunch of hearts on it, yep.

My FAVORITE part of the whole trip up, aside from seeing all my family, was going to the Struiksma Bakery! Yep. I have been before, but this time I got to go with my parents and enjoy the trip together. It was really nice... I don't know, but it always makes me feel like there is a piece of myself halfway around the world from my home, and I'm proud of it. It seems simple, and it is just that - a simple pleasure.

This mini-trip was a great way to start off the time with my family... the perfect way.
*muah*

Song of the Day: Okay, so I am completely in love with this new song by Justin Beiber... Yea, yea, say what you will, but I'm still gonna be jammin' out to it on my new 160GB Ipod, courtesy of my parents for my Birthday/Christmas gift - a little shout out there. Haha! So, here is Justin's new song, Pray. Don't knock it till you try it... Enjoy!

Halfway Through Goes to Kate and Bekah!

Day 15, a half a month of these entries is upon me and I have yet to blog about other things in my life... and yet, I just don't care. Haha! I really am enjoying writing these. I could keep going and going.

Today, I want to take the time to thank two wonderful individuals from the ward I left behind to come to Germany. There are two girls in particular that really helped me grow and strengthen myself in many ways. They are SUCH caring and genuine people, and I sometimes just sit in awe at the strength they exude forth. I mean it. There is a literal strength and drive that the give to others just from being around them. They are dedicated and hard-working young women who love the Savior and show it. They know how to have fun and bring happiness to those around them. I am so impressed with who they are, and how they take the time and make the effort to lift others.

Today, my thankfulness entry is dedicated to Kate King and Rebekah Evans!

You two girls really are such examples to me. You blessed the lives of others just by being you... It's remarkable. I feel blessed to know you and am thankful for the opportunity that I have had to share with your testimonies. It has made me a much better person. Thanks for your examples and GOOD, GOOD hearts. Today, I am thankful for YOU ladies!
*muah*

Song of the Day: You Had Me, Joss Stone.

Ich bin ein Beliner! Wait... Ich bin Beliner! Besser.

Sidenote: For those who don't know, the first phrase in the entry title means "I am a jam doughnut." The second phrase, without the infinitive, means "I am a person from Berlin." President Kennedy stated the FIRST phrase years ago... I will not make the same mistake, but because I love Kennedy (as most Germans do), he is forgiven.

Plus, it was really funny... and meant to be really powerful.

Thus, ich bin Beliner, for a weekend...

So, this entry is not one of the "thankfulness memos!" I love writing those, but I have to also take time to update everyone on the real happenings in my life! What's the greatest is that even though this is not a "thankfulness memo," I am indeed thankful for all the events that have taken place in the last few weeks... I'm going to need a few entries to cover it all!

First, I went to Berlin with my friend Luise! She was a pretty amazing tour guide and hostess, if I do say so myself.... and I do. Haha... We had a great time hanging out with her family, and she showed me all around the city - very awesome!

Second, my family came to visit me! We went to the Netherlands together and visited extended family. We traveled all over this area of Germany as I showed them some of my favorite places, and as we explored some new sights together. We even had a traditional, American Thanksgiving at the Miller's home - a family from my ward here in Bonn - with a few American families and the missionaries! It was a fantastic week...

Now, I'm not going to write HUGE entries about everything, but I WILL have to break it up a bit to fit in even the basics. Haha! So, let's start with.... Berlin.

Three weekends back, I headed up on to Berlin on a Friday evening with Luise and a random guy (he drove us, and we paid him 30 bucks) that dropped us at her parent's home. I was so excited to see the city sights and live for a weekend in a place with so much history. I was most excited to see some of the WWII sights and the sights of the Berlin Wall. I had a feeling that I would have powerful emotions thorough-out the weekend, and I was right... It was SUCH a great experience!

On Saturday, after a traditional German breakfast with the family, Luise and I set out to see the sights of Berlin. The first place that she took me was Check-Point Charlie. We headed down the way to take signs by the old booth and sign reading, "You are now leaving the American sector..." Right next to the old booth and memorial was a history wall with facts about the wars and the Berlin Wall, how other countries helped in the crisis that followed each event, and all about Germany, and Berlin in particular, have helped reform themselves. It was really cool! I stood and read half the wall, walking slowly down to take in more and more, as Luise waited patiently for me to finish. Haha!

We continued down the street and came across to unknown highlights of Berlin. One, the mini-cooper store!!! It was totally cool - you could design your own mini-cooper and order it there to have it delivered anywhere. It was a BIT out of my price-range, but it was still fun to take pictures and see all the different kinds of minis.

Second, the Ritter-Sport Chocolate store. Can you say, HEAVEN? I can. Ritter-Sport Chocolate. That's right... BAM! In the store you can get all their chocolate for CHEAPER, AND you can have them create your very own chocolate bar right there in front of you. I picked Milk Chocolate with Jogurt Chips, Erdbeer pieces, and honey-roasted almonds (cause, I need more sugar, right?)... It was the most expansive and best-tasting chocolate bar ever... Totally worth it.

As the day went on, we headed toward other major sights like the Berliner Dom, Museum Quarters, Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz, Reichstag, and even the spot where Hitler's Nazis actually burned books in 1933. There was a quote from Heinrich Heine printed there, which said, "Wherever books are burned, human beings are destined to be burned too." It was really powerful and very cool... The sight had a large glass window over the ground, looking into the empty library shelves. It wasn't the most amazing-looking sight, but it was one of the coolest spots for me.






We headed on in the early evening to the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. It is a really cool design of different sized, rectangular pillars, and one must go underground to get into the actual museum. I thought there must be some specific reason for all the different sized pillars, but there is no specific reasoning... It's just what the architect chose to create. It's kinda random, but I loved it. We had fun walking through the pillars and taking pictures, and then had a sobering experience inside the actual museum.

After the memorial, we headed into a part of town where pieces of the original Berlin Wall stood... It was cool to see, but I was disappointed that some people had come along and drawn on them. YES, I know people did that back in the day, but people had written "2009" or "We Rock 2005!" in bold over parts of the wall... They had stick gum all over the sides... I wish they hadn't, but I guess it could be argued that it adds to what once was for the wall when it was in place. Still...



Anyway, we walked around downtown, saw some of the sight, had a GREAT dinner at Maredo's, and then headed back to Luise's house. The next day I went to church in her ward, which was different... Here in Bonn, most people speak English, but there it was not as common. However, Luise translated during Sunday School and RS, and they had their Primary program during sacrament meeting, which was universal... Little kids are clearly hilarious everywhere. LOVE IT.

That afternoon, we went on a walk by Luise's house where she took me on the path of the wall. She remembers playing on it as a child, where she was when it fell, and feeling like it was too loud after it came down - haha! In the picture to the right, I am straddling the line right next to her home. We walked by the memorial to the last person who gave his life trying to cross the wall - right next to her home. It was really cool to see, and crazy to think it was all in her backyard. The walk around the area made me think of 9/11 and it's effects... Interesting.


So, after dinner and hilariously trying to play games in German with the family, we headed home to Bonn... It was a good, fulfilling trip. I am SO glad I had the chance to visit Berlin before I left Germany. I would have greatly regretted not doing so before I left. Berlin, I think I kinda love you.
*muah*

Song of the Day: I was debating between two or three different songs, but today's song is going to be one that my sister introduced me to. I am in love with it... Here is Brandon Flowers (the lead singer for The Killers) with his song, Crossfire.

Day Fourteen - The Best Friends I Have Are the BEST!

Day 14, and I still have so many names on my list of people to thank. However, today I just need to thank someone who has become one of my BEST and CLOSEST friends in the past six years. I am SO grateful for the person that she is, and how much she has taught me about life, and about myself. She has helped me see the potential I have inside of me, and encouraged me to dream big... She really cares about me and my success. She wants me to be happy. I know that I can talk to her about anything, and everything, and she will never turn her back on me. As I have watched her testimony grow and develop, mine has done the same. I am compelled forward by the momentum of her being... Sounds intense, but it's true. I just mean that she helps me see the bigger picture and work toward bettering myself. She makes me, and has made me, a better person. I am SO grateful to have her in my life, and to know that I will always have her in my life.

Today, I need to make this thankfulness note for Sarah Ray!

Sarah, you are an inspiration to me. You have helped me through some of the darkest times in my life, and taught me more about myself than almost anyone else has. You have stood as an example to me when I most needed one. I am a better member of the gospel because of your influence and heart. You have a spirit about you that is SO pure and good. I am impressed by how GOOD you are... and you can deny it and roll your eyes all you want, but it's the truth. SO many others would agree with me.

You are amazing. You are SO amazing, and you don't even know it... It's incredible how the best people in your life don't often realize the impact that they have had on you, and how much they really mean to you. In the words of a over-quoted (but still so good) musical, "Because I knew you, I have been changed FOR GOOD." I love you, Sarah - you're amazing. Thanks for being you... Today, I am thankful for YOU, Sarah!
*muah*

Song of the Day: There are a MILLION songs I could say remind me of Sarah - really. "Love Again" from the Perfect Man soundtrack, "Ocean Avenue," "Bring on the Rain," "Way I Are," Rascal Flatts songs... SO many others. However, this one is a classic for us and I dedicate it to her. Here is "For Good," from the musical Wicked - sung by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel (A cool video too!). Enjoy!

Ich bin ser dankbar vor EFY... & the Men I Met There!

Thirteen is suppose to be the unlucky number, so I hear, but today it's a number to celebrate! Okay, that was dripping with cheese, but it is what it is. Today's thankfulness note has to go to a group of people that have really helped form a piece of who I am today. I am grouping some of these boys together because we all came together in the same place...

Alright! Alright! Alright, Alright, Alright - HEY! *clap, clap, clap clap clap* *clap, clap, clap clap clap* *clap clap clap* *clap clap clap* EFY!!!!!!!!!

Haha! Yep - this entry it dedicated to some of the greatest guys that I know from the EFY teams and sessions I have worked at over three summers. I apologize if anyone feels as though they are being "lumped together" with others. That is not my intention. I just thought it would make the entry more fun, and let everyone know that I am not only thankful for you men, but for the program of EFY itself.

First, Donny McClellan. This guy is one of the FUNNIEST guys that I know. He has a good heart and really lets people know how much he cares. He is a fabulous individual and has always is willing to lend a hand to help out. He also makes the BEST funny faces I have ever seen - including "Blue Steel," which is quite classic. I LOVE this kid! He is an amazing person, and I am bless to know him.

Second, Ben Bailey. He was my EFY muse in many ways - someone who has helped me grow in my comfort in public singing and being willing to be myself. He is a free spirit who teaches others to be comfortable in their own skin, and builds all those around him... He brings a spirit with him wherever he goes, and is such an example of Christ-like love and selflessness. He is incredible, and I love this guy. I am thankful to know him.

Third, Jon Halladay. He is a true leader, and has taught me a lot about how to disciple with love. He is SUCH an example of how to look ahead and see a situation before it becomes a problem. He has a joy about him, and brings that to others... He is our giant teddy-bear! I love Jon, and feel blessed to have learned so much from him... I feel more prepared for life and all it has to challenge me with, because of him.

Fourth, Dru Brown. Dru is AWESOME! He makes me smile because his happiness is infectious. He has a pure heart, and is SO focused on the right things in life... He's an example to all those around him. He makes me want to be a better person. When I am stressed out, I think of how he would handle a situation and it brings a smile to my face... because I know that is what HE would wear on his face. He is an amazing man, and I am blessed to know him.

Fifth, Chuck Donaldson. Chuck is HILARIOUS! He always makes me laugh and always wears a smile. He knows how to ease tension in the room, and has SUCH a great heart and spirit. He brings comfort to those around him... and he is a great example of a positive attitude in all things. I am SO thankful to know him, and to have sung "Love Today" with him in the car... many times! Haha...

Sixth, Tyler Goodspeed. WOW - this guy is one of my closest confidants over the years. Even though we have not seen each other in quite some time, I know that I could always turn to him in ANYTHING. He is a fabulous conversationalist, and always knows how to help someone out - is always willing. He cares about others, and puts others before himself always. He is one of the most thoughtful people that I know. I am SO thankful to have him as a friend - he's one to keep. (Note: NOT an attractive picture of me... HAHA!)

Seventh, Mike Lundberg. This boy does not realize how amazing he really is... He is one of my favorite people on the planet, and I do not see him enough. I have learned SO much from him about being a great teacher and leader. My testimony is stronger from hearing his testimony. I know that others feel the same... He's fun and one of the greatest dancers! I am so thankful to know him, and to be able to call him a friend.

Eighth, and last (yet, not last), is Turell Woodbury. Turell is on amazing person who has become one of my best friends over these past few years. He is one of the most fun individuals that I know, always willing to dance around and find me the best new jam. He has his heart focused on the right things, and is never afraid to share his testimony. He has taught me how to be a better missionary, and a better person. He is a smart, talented guy who has helped me grow and improve in SO many ways. I am blessed and thankful to have him as a friend.

To all of these men, and the many others who have been a part of my life through the EFY stages of my life, thank you. I am a better person and have a more full life because of you all. I am eternally indebted. Thanks so much for all you have taught me, and I love you each dearly like brothers. Today, I am thankful for YOU!
*muah*

Song of the Day: If anyone does NOT know what song I am about to write down, you are SO out of the loop. Today's song is the Vengaboys' classic EFY jam, We Like To Party. Enjoy!!!

Day Twelve is a Blast From the Past!

Day twelve of the thankfulness memos is for a person that was there for me when I most needed, and didn't know that I needed it. She taught me right from wrong. She dared me to be a little better, and stand a little taller... and she led by example. She is talented in SO many areas and one of the most beautiful girls that I know. I see her now, with her kids and family, and am in awe how much we have grown up... She was my best friend in sixth and seventh grade. I know that she truly cares about others, and always had a way of making me laugh. We shared some pretty epic memories - camping with her family and in her backyard, school dances and first boyfriends, volleyball and gymnastics, long bike rides and Friday night football games...

Today, I dedicate my thankfulness entry to, Kendra Bryant Ware!

She was a light for me in tough times, and shared the trials of youth with me - as dramatic as that sounds. Haha! She never let me fall to the wayside even though I was a little awkward sometimes, and she truly did tell me when I wasn't being the best person that I could be. In real terms, she was a real friend, and a true example. I am thankful for YOU, Kendra!
*muah*

Song of the Day: Wannabe, Spice Girls.... ENJOY! :)