Thank you so much!! Given who I am, who our family is, our quiet village and very quiet street where we are basically the circus 😂, I’m sure there will be more!!! 🤣
I was dying during the cookie exchange translation—dying! 🤣 I would be the exact same way. I loved this whole piece, especially your insights at the end on how to love your neighbors.❤️
Joy I loved this!!! This was so feel-good and relatable even to me, the person who has never lived anywhere long term but rural Maine 😆 What a reminder that being kind and loving our neighbors is such a precious and needed thing. Even if we feel awkward! Even if Google translate does us wrong---again!! 🤣 The bidet translations sent me LOLOLOL
That bidet! What the heck?! 😆 I loved this and admire your dedication to obey that still small voice you heard. You have such a way of blending humor and insight.
Oh, that’s not even the wildest “translation” I saw! 😵💫 It’s just one I remembered to take a picture of. I will give Google Translate this, though: they kept our lives very entertaining. 😂 Thanks so much! 💕
I LOLed at your transliteration of your last exchange with Friedrich!!!
I have told people that learning a little German goes a long way with German people, and ultimately kindness is well-received once you break the ice there. That's been true for me when living there, and it was nice to read about that here.
Ultimately, this was so fun! Like a huge, happy sigh of relief.
Yes, but breaking the ice can be so scary! 🫣😆 Another thing: in Korea, taking gifts to neighbors without obvious reason could be scene as bribery (ie bribery not to complain). It’s tough to navigate all the differences in cultures! Thanks so much for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Oh the trials of being neighborly! I have definitely felt this with many neighbors. Also - there is nothing more vulnerable than the act of reaching out to another human in good faith. What will they do?? Meet you halfway or punish you or embrace you completely? Of course you are the person who makes the hard steps forward to meet people where they are - what courage.
Oh I loved this story! And your translated exchange was so good 😂👏🏻 and what a true thing - neighbours see parts of family life that no one else does. It's always a good reminder that we have to shine our light, even in the house when we think no one can hear 🙈 we have a very uh... Loud and deep-feeling middle child who likes to rage-scream and every neighbour we've had has commented (nicely!!) on how loud she is. But thankfully they've always showed understanding in the fact that she's just a kid 🙈😅
I love that your neighbors say it with kindness! One of my kids used to rage-scream as well. So thankful that era seems to be over. Thanks for reading!
Joy, I laughed out loud several times during this piece, gosh, thanks for bringing a smile to my face and warmth from the sweet experience of these moments with your neighbor. Also- the bidet translation 🤪 classic. So good friend.
Joy. This was delightful! You’re doing amazing. I only speak one language and I butcher it! Sharing food has to be the universal language of friendship though 😉
Oh Joy, I did so laugh but also smile at how God draws us to the people He chooses and blesses all involved. This has been such an encouragement and at the same time brought a smile to my face .
As always, this was a beautiful read. And a great reminder that being kind to those around us usually leads to more kindness. An important reminder!
Thanks so much, friend!! 💕
This was such a delight. Give me all the awkward and wholesome neighbor interactions!!
Thank you so much!! Given who I am, who our family is, our quiet village and very quiet street where we are basically the circus 😂, I’m sure there will be more!!! 🤣
I was dying during the cookie exchange translation—dying! 🤣 I would be the exact same way. I loved this whole piece, especially your insights at the end on how to love your neighbors.❤️
Thank you so much!!! Honestly, just thinking about it (*after* the fact!!! 😅) made me laugh so hard too!!
Joy I loved this!!! This was so feel-good and relatable even to me, the person who has never lived anywhere long term but rural Maine 😆 What a reminder that being kind and loving our neighbors is such a precious and needed thing. Even if we feel awkward! Even if Google translate does us wrong---again!! 🤣 The bidet translations sent me LOLOLOL
I’m so glad you liked it!! Thank you!! 💖
That bidet! What the heck?! 😆 I loved this and admire your dedication to obey that still small voice you heard. You have such a way of blending humor and insight.
Oh, that’s not even the wildest “translation” I saw! 😵💫 It’s just one I remembered to take a picture of. I will give Google Translate this, though: they kept our lives very entertaining. 😂 Thanks so much! 💕
I LOLed at your transliteration of your last exchange with Friedrich!!!
I have told people that learning a little German goes a long way with German people, and ultimately kindness is well-received once you break the ice there. That's been true for me when living there, and it was nice to read about that here.
Ultimately, this was so fun! Like a huge, happy sigh of relief.
Yes, but breaking the ice can be so scary! 🫣😆 Another thing: in Korea, taking gifts to neighbors without obvious reason could be scene as bribery (ie bribery not to complain). It’s tough to navigate all the differences in cultures! Thanks so much for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Oh the trials of being neighborly! I have definitely felt this with many neighbors. Also - there is nothing more vulnerable than the act of reaching out to another human in good faith. What will they do?? Meet you halfway or punish you or embrace you completely? Of course you are the person who makes the hard steps forward to meet people where they are - what courage.
This vulnerability is such a good point, part of that weird intimacy, right?
Thanks so much for reading!
The bidet translations (and your caption!) had me rolling!! Too good. Also, that is my fave PB cookie recipe!
Thank you! Am I the only one who didn't know this recipe yet?? It's my favorite too!
Oh I loved this story! And your translated exchange was so good 😂👏🏻 and what a true thing - neighbours see parts of family life that no one else does. It's always a good reminder that we have to shine our light, even in the house when we think no one can hear 🙈 we have a very uh... Loud and deep-feeling middle child who likes to rage-scream and every neighbour we've had has commented (nicely!!) on how loud she is. But thankfully they've always showed understanding in the fact that she's just a kid 🙈😅
I love that your neighbors say it with kindness! One of my kids used to rage-scream as well. So thankful that era seems to be over. Thanks for reading!
Oh the conversation with Friedrich... I'm told "you speak Spanish perfectly" all the time and I still have conversations like this.
That’s so good to know! Thanks for reading!
Joy, I laughed out loud several times during this piece, gosh, thanks for bringing a smile to my face and warmth from the sweet experience of these moments with your neighbor. Also- the bidet translation 🤪 classic. So good friend.
Right?! 😂 It’s definitely one of those IYKYK things, isn’t it? 🫣 Thanks for reading, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Joy. This was delightful! You’re doing amazing. I only speak one language and I butcher it! Sharing food has to be the universal language of friendship though 😉
Oh Joy, I did so laugh but also smile at how God draws us to the people He chooses and blesses all involved. This has been such an encouragement and at the same time brought a smile to my face .