Community....

I am moved by what Peter Hoover, a friend wrote about visiting a christian community:

Our trip to the Danthonia Community goes down as one of the best trips we have ever taken -- relaxing, thoroughly enjoyable, and the kind one can spend a long time thinking about and learning from.

The most valuable thing, for me, was to see how an entire community can function so well with so little preaching and so little emphasis on rules and order. Yet, through opening themselves to the Spirit's leading, and to one another, the brothers and sisters living there have to a very large degree attained exactly what all of us strive after and long for. They live one with another in peace. They enjoy one another's presence, and they have a large number of eager, spiritually-minded young people throwing themselves into the cause.

What it takes, the Danthonia believers told me, is for everyone to become inwardly silent to where we can hear God speaking to us. Too many times we meet, not to listen, but to tell one another everything we know. That way nobody learns anything and no one can hear the voice of God at all.

Spring-new

I want to have more space for guests in my apartment. A friend assembles things for me. If he does not need me as an assistance, I am painting the apartment and the balcony. Ok, painting is exaggerated. I walk through the flat and paint over all the corners, where streaks on the wall or dirt strip, the remains of murdered gnat or tea spots can be seen. I like it ... in an hour, the whole flat will look a lot better.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, March 07, 2009 @ 09:57

Feelings of happiness

The last few days were intense. I visited my sister, two days at the booth of Down to Earth + partners in the Congress of Christian leaders, a swing evening in Dusseldorf, a wedding in Berlin and at Burg Rabenstein (the ceremony) - all combined with very short nights. In Dusseldorf I slept on a killer sofa bed with a wooden part in the neck area and shared the room with my one-year-old nephew. In the middle of the night he had several times thirst or was simply in the mood to tell me stories, la la. And of course, nights are always short on weddings ... So the thought of my own, quiet bedroom and my comfortable bed gives me deep feelings of happiness. To the 160 emails and 20 letters, which I got, I will worry about tomorrow!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Sunday, March 01, 2009 @ 19:21

Logistics

With an hour delay, I arrived with a huge jumbo jet in Dusseldorf, where I will have a booth for the next two days at the Congress of Christian leaders. The reason for the delay: The machine was on its way to Berlin one hour late. It came straight from Cuba! No, the logistics and planning of Air Berlin, I do not have to understand ...

Kerstin Hack on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 @ 15:27

Record in slowness

Yesterday I was with a friend in a pub, which I might propose to the Guinness Book of Records - for having the slowest service in the world. Even in the restaurants of the former GDR was the service faster. We sat for about 15 minutes at a table before the publican stopped his conversation with a friend to get our order, the delivery took just as long again, and the ordered chili con carne, I received about an hour after we had entered the restaurant. .. we had to call three times for the bill (at intervals of each 10-15 minutes)...

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 @ 15:19

Colorful Christians in Boston

Before my eyes fall down and I will (hopefully) have a good round of sleep, a few snapshots of the worship yesterday.
A for U.S. conditions small community (60 - 100 persons), which has been for 40 years (!) in a rented room in a former slum area of Boston which developed, like all slums in the city to a slightly better, although still relatively poor region. Throughout the city there is no real slums more - earlier, there were dozens. This has, among many other factors also with the Christians to do, which is actively committed to their neighborhood and the people involved and a lot of social programs launch or participate in existing programs.
What this is like, I could see on Sunday morning. Around 60 people came despite the snow storm to the "Church", whose windows were laminated with blue insulating film to keep the cold outside. "Nice, that the pastor has turned up the heating, which he does not always." told me a black American.
By drinking coffee and tea, which stood on a wobbly old desk and which was organized by Carmen, a Hispanic woman who no longer could see, but the better cook, we came into the conversation.
On that day these people were at the church:
- About 30 white, 10 Hispanics, 10 Asian and 10 African-American
- Of which about 10 homeless people or people who have just returned to the connection to the company found that several drug addicts (three told me directly and openly of their addiction problems, I suspect there were more), some employees, and also still about 10 teachers and Students at Harvard University.
All guests were greeted (there were about 5 new people), when the pastor asked, to tell what people had experienced with God a woman told that she finally found an apartment(and does not live any longer on the street), while another said, that it is just shitty, and that he no longer knows what to do next and then a man thanked a couple from the community, that they helped him as he had a relapse of the drug. And a man told how he called his dealer and had asked him to bring drugs but then didn´t take them.
After the sermon, there was still an issue that was discussed in small groups, and then we prayed together.
Lively, close, pretty realistic, I was very touched.
Doug told me, that out of this community have developed many other communities - in Boston and other places - where Christians with the same "genetics" of care, love, openness and honesty with each other lives and shape their environment. A team has looked at how many similar projects / communities have emerged through this community and its offshoots. There are about 400 subsidiaries and grandchildren and grandgrandchildren communities. This has touched me greatly.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Monday, January 12, 2009 @ 19:50

Lobster

I have just eaten the first lobster in my life. The area is famous for its lobster. Those things taste really good - even if it's very difficult to eat. The art of eating it sophisticated, I have not learned!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Sunday, January 11, 2009 @ 01:58

Boston

Today, Judy went with me and two other people who also wanted to explore the city, across the city mileage. We have seen all the sights:
- The place where the Declaration of Independence was signed
- One of the warships from the War of Independence, which the Americans call Revolution War
- The oldest still in service restaurant, Ye Olde Oyster House, in which Benjamin Franklin liked to eat lobster
- Port of the Boston Tea Party - triggering the Movement of Independence
- The place of the massacre at Boston, where all five - in numbers 5 - people have been killed
- Some places of historical battles
- The neighborhood where there had been big street battles between the different population groups in the 60s
- The Irish pub in which Good Will Hunting was filmed.
- Districts with high proportions of immigrants in which a small church next to the other stands. Judy told me that 1969 were around 300 churches in the city. Today there are approximately 600. The reason for the growth is simply that the Christian divided life, and - if it made sense because of space, social or other reasons - they split and founded their own communities. No major events, actions, programs. Just a normal life with one another and with Jesus. Now it is estimated that the number of active Christians in the same period increased from 3% to 14%. Slowly, thoroughly, but surely. Many are also involved in education for socially vulnerable groups, care for the poor, etc. Every 20 days opens statistically a new community - some of the old die naturally and are also closed, but the new weigh on.
Driving by car through the city, was a completely different experience as to explore a city like New York only by feet. I had the feeling to stay more like an observer ... but it was also ok.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Sunday, January 11, 2009 @ 00:25

Compliment

When I was at an airport kiosk, I heard behind me a man saying to a woman: "You seem to me somehow familiar. Are you perhaps a Model?"
What an unusual form of pulling, I thought, and was even more surprised when I heard the answer: "Yes, until two years ago, I worked as a model .. for Marie Claire magazine and others ...". Then came the cold shower "I stopped when I was pregnant and had a child." The message was clear: You have no chance.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, January 10, 2009 @ 01:57

New York - Boston

It was not that easy to move away from New York. First of all, because it is a pity, not to see Doro and Lucas for a while, where I spent the days. Then also, because I haven´t felt as a visitor in New York, but so at home, which is quite funny ... very strange ...
But it was especially difficult to leave New York, because I went to the wrong airport ... on my online ticket was only New York, New York ... I went without further reflection to the John-F-Kennedy airport, queued in and knew half an hour later, when I finally reached the end of the queue that my flight goes from another airport. So I got into a taxi ... little hectic ... but I was relatively calm and it has worked well ... even if it cost me more money than nerves ...
Here in Boston, I am the guest of Doug and Judy, who worked for long years in the work of the Emmanuel Gospel Center - a similar, only much larger work, such as "working together for Berlin". We have talked a lot about attitudes and values that are necessarily needed for a successful networking. .. exciting people to know ...

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, January 10, 2009 @ 01:46

Fit as a trainer

It was wonderful that I spent the whole week in New York without any back pain. That was probably due to the comfortable shoes that are now completely worn out and which won´t return to Germany ... Lucas says that it is because like in no other city you have to use your neck so much ... because you have to move it up to see something ...

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 12:33

Unexpected

What surprised me about New York
- That I heard less police and fire sirens in a week, as in a standard one-hour Hollywood movie
- How expensive everything is, despite the exchange rate is good: food, clothing, shoes, paper, ... probably only the gasoline is cheap, which I have not needed.
- How much advertising and information on topics such as climate change in the streets can be seen.
- How little frantic New Yorkers are (ok, I haven´t seen the morning rush hour).
- How beautiful and quiet Brooklyn is (here I think I could live)
- How good duck feet taste (ok, it had to be mentioned again)
- That there is many more Starbucks here than there are McDonald (I've never seen Burger King) ...
- That at least Manhattan almost completely can be explored on foot (the upper end of 13.6 miles long island I did not go to, but the 2 / 3 of the bottom I have in large parts walked
- How tame the squirrels in Central Park are ...
- ...

So, now I am off to Boston!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 12:33

My last day in New York

Morning: Once again a walk through Central Park and a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art - exciting to see how long American art was based on the European art until it was by Tiffany and others emancipated of the european and went their own way.
In the afternoon: Apple Store, Barnes and Nobles - a great bookstore, where there were lots of Obama books, not what I actually looked for ... I also miss Jimmy Carter, who will soon speak there ... unfortunately I am already gone. Even a trip to Macys, the largest department store in the world, its ancient wooden escalators!, which does not seem to fit to the contemporary fashion displays ... but I liked it.
Dinner with my girlfriend and then meeting with her cell group ... and now packing... because in the early morning I have to be at the airport in order to fly to Boston... Adventure Part 2 ... ..

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 04:56

Apple Store

Today I was at the Apple Store - the Apple store on 5th Avenue. Actually, I could have written a blog entry from there, because computers, iPods, iPhones and other i. .. s are everywhere, where you could play and try. Somehow this store seemed to bring together New York: children and mums, blacks, whites, Asians, lovers, business people ... I really liked that.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, January 09, 2009 @ 04:48

Money, Money, Money

In the morning: Beautiful walk along the old harbour of Brooklyn, where there also is the headquarter of the "Watchtower" (Jehovah's Witnesses), which got its name really from the watchtower on the water. Then under foggy dreamy pastel sky over the Brooklyn Bridge. Breathtaking views of Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and the amazing suspension bridge architecture.
Then to Ground Zero, which again was smaller than I had imagined, and the World Financial Center opposite, where some banks have their homes ... when they built it, they apparently still had money. The huge entrance hall is full of marble and 16 real, large palm trees. Next to it the Dow Jones building - no idea what they do with all the floors. A block further: The Federal Reserve Bank, in which are in the five floors below ground 1 / 4 of the global monetary reserves store - more than at Fort Knox.
Moving: St. Paul's Chapel, which is on the other side of the World Trade Center,has survived the collapse of the towers without damage. The entire cemetery and the roof of the church was full of debris and dust, but the church had not even a broken window pane. It was in the 9 months after 9 / 11 the center for 14,000 volunteers, the firefighters and others who worked at Ground Zero, supported them with food, advice, prayer, a place to sleep for the people, some of which were working 12-18 hours at Ground Zero. I was very touched ... a place full of hope ... Christians who opened the doors and sacrificed a few "sacred cows" in order to do what was most important: to serve the people. The "holy bank", which belonged to George Washington has been converted in a examination couch during this time. People who worked at Ground Zero, could have their feet massaged. That has impressed me more than all the money in the world.

Orginally written by Kerstin Hack on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 @ 15:48

Duck feet and Chinatown

Today I was in Chinatown in a Dim Sum Parlor with a friend ... a typical Chinese restaurant where the employees pass Chinese delicacies on trolleys and you can choose what you like: crabs in rice, beef "spring rolls" and even duck feet ... Yes, I've tried ... of course they were a bit gristly and greasy, but the sauce was good.
The restaurant itself was so traditional that at the end a Chinese chapel came, ánd played in full volume background music for a Chinese funeral society, almost none of whom spoke English - in the heart of Manhattan.
Then I have gone through 50 blocks from the South to the East of Manhattan, what is named by the Native American Manahatta ( "Many Hills") - for me the best and most beautiful way to explore a city.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 @ 03:07

Weekend and everyday life in New York

My first three days in New York I experienced surprisingly calm. This is certainly because of the fact that I have a beautiful view on a park where dogs and humans play and run from the window of the apartment of my friends. Another fact is that my first day here was at the weekend, where the city is not so full. Now I will read a bit and then pray and I'm anxious to see the New York daily routine.
Yesterday we were in the service of the Redeemer Church,which was very formal, the sermon on "It's not good that man is alone!" was very good, with many new thoughts. That is all the more remarkable because I am a woman, who leans more by talking and reading, rather than by lectures.
Then we drank tea and ate muffins in the Church (yummy...!)... as an appetizer for "Hot and Crusty pizza", then we went through the Upper West End, fascinated by the many museums of the Museum Mile as well as of the order of the puppy dogs of a pet shop. .. (price $ 3000) and the Guggenheim (from outside). After a leisurely walk through Central Park, there we had a cup of tea at Alice Teacup, a sweet small teahouse in the style of Alice in Wonderland (the prices were not cute and small, but one must get used to this in New York).

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Monday, January 05, 2009 @ 14:51

Wall Street and Downtown

Despite freezing temperatures, we have participated on a guided tour in the Wall Street district today. Somehow, the entire corner is a lot more comfortable and cozy to me than I had imagined. Even the stock market is in a small side street and is much less massive and impressive than the television images ... you do not guess how much power is concentrated in this building.
Anyway it was not always pleasant there. At least not in the beginning of the 19th century as a carriage filled with dynamite exploded and 30 people killed and 400! were injured. To commemorate this first terrorist attack in the history of Manhattan, which went probably to the account of anarchists, the damage to the facade is still not repaired.
At the top of the stock market is a figure: "Integrity, protecting the works of men." Lady Integrity seems to suffer from age weakness in the last years. She does not do its job well.
From the water the city looks certainly very impressive and far less comfortable than on land.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Sunday, January 04, 2009 @ 01:00

Symphony of Life

Today I look forward to hearing the different sounds of life in New York. Lightning Blue sky is waiting for us. Later, we intend to participate a "guided tour" along the Wall Street.
Wall Street got its name from the long wall, that protected "New Amsterdam" (Today's tip of Manhattan) against that the slaves of the Dutch settlers who lived here would escape, and also protect against Indians who could rob the treasures of the settlers. There has not changed much until today. Even though the physical wall is gone, the function of Wall Street, to protect the rich, has remained ...

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, January 03, 2009 @ 15:22

Walking Tours

Today we have walked large parts of New York: Meat Packing District, Soho, Times Square, Broadway ... again and again with breaks, to recharge our batteries or warm up, although fortunately it is not so cold ... even the 45 minutes queues, at MOMA were bearable ... not least because we used it for a year review by saying nice memories from last year, which began with different letters... D, K , V, Q. ...
Now we have a hot chocolate, and then I will go sleeping! I'm excited about what tomorrow will bring.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, January 03, 2009 @ 03:38

2008 - My year in numbers - personally

For me personally, I also have a small list of the highlights of the year.

1 training: Systemic Coaching and Supervision (intense, several seminars)
2 training: process-oriented methods / Nonviolent Communication
2 Special gifts to me: 1 beautiful summer jacket / 1 recumbent bicycle
2 Cultural Highlights: Martha Graham Dance Company, a Mozart opera in the metro
3 new sports: Bollywood dancing, archery course, climbing course
5 for me, new places (or new corners at known places): Vienna, Sweden, Copenhagen, Antwerp, East Portugal, Rheingau
8 readings and cinema visits - cherry blossoms was my personal favorite, and a reading by Mary Karr (author of "The Liar's Club")
10 stories and read biographies: Highlight Dreams from my father (Barak Obama)
10 inspiration and spiritual books: Highlight: The Shack, A long obedience in the same direction (Eugene Peterson), Velvet Elvis / Sex God (both: Rob Bell)
13 training books read: Highlights: Nonviolent Communication (Marshall Rosenberg), Rich Dad - Poor Dad (Robert Kiyosaki), Energy Competence (Verena Steiner)
20 Issue visit: photography, art, museums. Highlights: Farina Fragrance Museum (Cologne), Vardi Kahana (portrait of an israel. big family, from liberal to ultra-Orthodox Israeli) ...
+ ..... Countless beautiful, interesting, deep, sad, funny encounters, and Café - Restaurant and visits with people who are important to me. A full, rich year!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack Tuesday, December 30, 2008 @ 08:22

Who wins

Yesterday I was with a friend in the Berlin Museum of Natural History and viewed in addition to the dinosaurs (cool!), especially the photo exhibition of the best wildlife photographs 2008. The one I liked most was a snake where half a frog was in its mouth and the frog takes his arm, and clutching her neck. The photographer writes:

The snake could not swallow the frog, but the frog couldn´t escape. After three hours one surrendered - the tired photographer.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Thursday, December 18, 2008 @ 08:46

Growing naturally

"For he (God) grants sleep to those he loves," one says. I experience this again and again. Tonight, I woke up and had the title "Growing naturally" for a new impulse booklet in my head and the rough idea on the topic of "maturity", which I obviously have quoted immediately - without ever having planned the subject. I found that pretty cool!
But then I could no longer sleep because the brain was so inspired. Bad luck, if the Lord grants sleep to those he loves, but then they themselves can no longer sleep. But now I try to write down all good ideas, so that they are not lost. If anyone of you want to read the finished product and to tell me whether my night-thoughts also stand up to daylight, you can tell me!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, December 05, 2008 @ 13:34

Climbing, restrictions and joy

Yesterday I was for the first time in my life in a climbing hall - with a small group of people and a very good instructor. After the experience of Bollywood dancing (coordination beyond my abilities), I had success when climbing and Jan, the coach said I had talent and a good feeling for this. That is really me. At the end I´ve even climbed - totally sweaty - a Route 5 (quite challenging for absolute beginners). My hands are still red and rough, but it probably hast to be like that ....
A few times I thought about a scene from The Shack in which Jesus wants to catch a trout and can not catch it. The main character asks him why he does not simply snap his fingers and uses his divine force power to let the trout bounce into his hands. Jesus replied: "Sure, I could do that, but then where would be the fun. It is precisely the restrictions that makes life rich." I found that this is a tremendously exciting idea ...

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, November 28 2008 @ 09:18

Small and huge

Recently I had a conversation with a woman with whom I usually get on well. But in this conversation, I became increasingly insecure, felt attacked and treated from above and began to defend myself.
Later I realized what had happened. During the conversation she sat on a bank, almost 40 cm above me. She was the "Big" above me. I was the "Small", which had to look up to her and felt helpless and dominated.
Most women are smaller than most men. I wonder if much of what constitutes gender-specific behavior is classified because of the size difference unconsciously evokes certain patterns that are less with gender than with in childhood shaped patterns have to do: The Great determine the kids have nothing to say who must obey.
It would be exciting to explore how far these patterns even within the sexes are (large and small men or women among them) or what happens if small men communicate with large women.
But since I am only watching amateurish and not as a scientific researcher, this question I will leave to others.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, November 08, 2008
@ 07:30 0 Comments

A new day

I am pleased with the result of the American elections. That it was so clearly and proceeded largely without mishaps. In Obama's autobiography Dreams from My Father, he is a very clever, reflective and reconciliation seeking man with a brilliant language. The word "underwhelming", which he has created himself, has particularly pleased me. I trust him that he will govern his country well and wisely and that he has also the world in his mind.
But I don´t share his opinion in all political matters. I probably would not have started the action "Leben und leben lassen" (live and let live) if I would believe that abortion is the best solution to pregnancy conflicts. I believe much more that we humanly and politically should do everything in order to create conditions that allow life.
Nonetheless. I am pleased with the choice of the Americans and had to celebrate the day with wearing new clothes. Ok. Quite new is only the underwear and socks. They are in a few weeks or even months no longer so fresh. But now it feels good at first.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Wednesday, November 05, 2008 @ 08:32

Watching

The beauty of defoliated trees is that one can see the squirrels jump around - as in this morning.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Sunday, October 26, 2008 @

Travelling - and still being there

In recent weeks, I was travelling very much, mostly business related, but also private. Since 1st September, there was no "normal week", just 5 days office and weekend in Berlin. I had many encounters that moved me. Actually, I'm longing for peace only to let everything sag and that things that have changed me find their place in me. I would prefer simply being here, writing, drinking tea, reading and working a bit.
But that's not possible so fast. Till 8th November I have a lecture in the Odenwald, a seminar in Berlin and one in Cologne. Phew.
I hope, despite my longing for peace and time for me, that I will not only finish off the dates, but as well as I can, getting involved with the people there. And as well as it currently could be using time for processing and sorting. Going to a cafe after work, writing. Sauna. Going for walks and tranquility.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, October 24, 2008 @ 11:57

From what one lives

A Catholic friend wrote to me about a moving encounter:

Every Sunday before Mass stands a homeless in front of my church with his collection cup - and he collects I think quite a lot of money. I had never seen him in the church. Two weeks ago he came in, shortly before the Our Father- to the bank, where I sat with a friend. He remained there until he received the Holy Communion and then left the church. When outgoing my friend said to me (friendly): "He has taken his breakfast." And I replied that this might well be: "But I have seen the warmth and enchantment in his eyes when we shook hands in peace and I am convinced that this handshake has fed more than any host this world. " The man does not live by bread alone.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, October 24, 2008
@ 11:54

Big trifles

Yesterday I could not decide in the organic grocery shop, which honey I should buy ... Clover, summer flowers, acacia, lavender (too expensive), Forest .... Today a neighbour gave me 2 jars of honey, which her father , a beekeeper, had made himself ... or more accurately his bees. How beautiful! I am very pleased about these "trifles", the unexpected gift of life.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Wednesday, October 08, 2008
@ 19:15

Sky above Berlin

In the last few days I was very fascinated by the sky. Yesterday morning it looked like cotton-wool balls - as if Monet painted it. Later in the morning there was a gray ceiling with a light edge next to it. At noon, it was bright blue and clear, so that the sun could break through. And in the evening I went under deep blue sky through the city and later, when the sky above me was already black I went back. This morning it was fascinating gray in gray and rainy. And now suddenly it is again clear and dark. Just beautiful!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Wednesday, October 08, 2008@ 19:03

Thanksgiving

This morning I celebrated Thanksgiving with a girlfriend from the USA who is on a visit here. After a good breakfast, we have written on cards and told each other what has grown this year. We wrote it on colorful notepads and I cut pictures out of magazines, which were symbolic of what I've appropriated and in the end we had a colorful box full of pictures.
It was very moving. Some change God has "simply" given as a gift, another was a hard piece of work. We were both surprised by the variety of changes. Next to the notepads of the internal changes and learning I have set up on a table all the impulse booklets, Quadros, materials, projects, which I produced or initiated in the past year. It is doing well, to see what one has created and like God in the Creation to say: "Yes, it is good!" (even though that does not fit with everything like God does). It is nice to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Sunday, October 05, 2008 @ 19:43

Refurbished

Luckily my brother has driven a few dents in his car. That bothered my parents (not him) who didn´t like the look of the car and payed him the buckling. Because for them it is very important that all children should be treated equally, they have given me money earmarked for improving the appearance. Since I have no car I will use the money for clothing - I am glad about the unexpected gift!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Thursday, October 02, 2008 @ 13:44

Archery

I am a little tired because I was on an introduction into archery by world champion Annette Tunn yesterday evening. She is a pleasant woman without any airs and graces. She has explained everything so well that even beginners like me soon have taken quite well. It was good fun ... I think that I could go again!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 @ 14:24

Cars and children

A few days ago I met a woman from the new federal state. She told me that she has five children. "But this is quite unusual in the East!" I said. She told me: "We had only three. It was clear that more children are not possible because it was almost impossible, to get a Wartburg with more space. And in a Trabi there is only space for three. After the Fall of the Wall we thought "Now we can get other cars, so we can have more children and then came with 8 years of distance again two children."

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Monday, September 22, 2008 @ 16:09

Age difference

Today I spent the day with two very (age) different ladies. In the morning I gave a coaching for a woman who proved to be the post-war generation. I think it helped her to get her own feelings on the track and get closer to a solution.
The rest of the day I kept an eye on the three-month-old Anna so that her mother could visit her seriously ill father in the Berlin Charité clinic. Between the two "ladies" were probably around 60 years. These were two very different meetings, but the needs of the two were similar: interest, careful attention, sensing what might be good for them. I've enjoyed with both.
Now I am going to take care about the "lady" in my skin and who has got the same needs. I think the first is to get something to eat and to drink.

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Saturday, 23rd August 2008 @ 18:53

Nice week end

This week I mainly concentrated on the new Quadros, inspirational books for a month. Next week they should be printed. The slogan "prayer book was yesterday - Quadro is today!"
Just as I wanted to shut down the computer, a mail from a girlfriend reached me. She wrote:

Today I phoned my dad and he told me that he was using the impulse booklet "faith questions" on the last senior circle.
And time passed by very quickly and he even had to break. A man who is not yet a Christian, was completely moved and touched and my father was very excited about this "little assistance".

Cool. I had not been aware until now about elderly as a target group, but it is all the more better if it still meets.
A few months ago, a friend told me that she had a week with her father, who is approaching the 100. She was afraid of the meal times because she feared they would not know what to talk about. She took the impulse booklet "questions of discoverers" in the handbag, used it as a "crib sheet". So she was inspired for questions and had wonderful conversations with her father in which she learned much about him. And she said for the next holiday I should supply some new questions. I will do my best.
But for now I am pleased about the people who encounter through my things together!

Originally written by Kerstin Hack on Friday, 22nd August 2008 @ 22:24