A backward glance at my life

Hallo my dear friends and family & welcome to my personal blog!

I hope you will enjoy this as much as I do, because you are the very reason why I write this blog. My life is about to take quite some interesting turns, not only because I will start my semester abroad in Uruguay, but also in more general terms and I wanted you to be able to know what´s going on in my life despite the distance that will separate us. So feel free to read, comment, follow and share my blog ... Enjoy!!!

Mauritius, the giant turtles & ME

The changing point in my life has been my mission, that I had the honor and pleasure to serve on the beautiful Mascareigne Islands of the Indian Ocean off the shore of Africa (Madagascar, Mauritius, La Reunion). I spent 2 years of my life in dedicated service to my Savior Jesus Christ and the wonderful people of these three islands, which I grew to love with all my heart. I served 2 months in Madagascar (Tamatave), around 6 months on La Reunion and 14 months on Mauritius (for those of you who paid attention: the missing 2 months were spent in a missionary training center in the States to learn the language and how to be a good missionary). During this time God blessed me greatly inasmuch as I am now fluent in French and Kreol and was able to get by in Malagasy. I met many interesting and great people over there and am honored to call some of them my friends now.
But all this would have been vain without the many lifes that I´ve seen touched and changed by the love of God and the power of his Gospel, starting with my own ... Now I can say that I know he lives, loves us and cares about us, because I have felt it and experienced his influence in my life. I could probably write an entire book about the lessons, experiences, people, countires and stories of my mission, but that would probably be a little too much for this blog. (for more pictures of my mission check out my facebook page)

Daily life in Tamatave (Madagascar)

So after I got back from my best 2 years, my view of the world was changed and as I had discovered a genuine love for people, languages and cultures I decided to study International Management at Deggendorf University, with a complete program in English, an additional foreign language (Spanish) and two compulsory semesters abroad. The Lord continued to bless me and I got accepted in the program, was able to find  a cheap car and an appartment in Deggendorf and was granted financial aid by the state. I must admit that it was not easy, after 2 years of unequalled awsomeness, to get used to "normal" life or even student life (and to be honest it still isn´t :P ) So I passed these last three Semesters sometimes better and sometimes not that great, and spent lots of my time travelling to different countries in Europe and visiting and catching up with some good old friends.
I also really loved my two church callings as a Primary teacher every sunday for the kids and as President of the YSAs (young single adults) of the Munich stake. Both callings helped me and also many of the concerned to grow and to love each other more fully, and I was able to attend various YSA conventions in a couple of countries, which were a blast!!!
I also fell in love a few times over the last year and a half, and sometimes it worked out for a while and sometimes not at all ... but I will keep on trying and one day she will be right there :)

La Reunion - Piton de la Fournaise (Vulcano)

During all this time my family was of great support to me and I love them! Especially my mother, who is simply the best you could possibly get! I am also greatful to all my friends, but especially to my LA gang, who welcomed me back after 2 years of absence and who are still the best! And of course all my YSA friends allover the world but especially here in Munich ... I will miss all of you!

So, there it is ... in less than 4 days, I will get on an airplane and leave you all behind with a tearing eye, but the other one is looking ahead and facing new adventures to come, in my wayfarer´s life ...


"The future is only as bright as your faith." - Thomas S. Monson (and yes I´m an incurable optimist)