Californication

Hey!

I realize it's been over a week since my last post so there's some material to cover.

Today:  It's a gorgeous day out.  Forecast is to hit 70 ish and sunny.  At this point, the weather man hasn't been a paid liar today.  

 (Chris man enjoying the sun after a great lunch)

Yesterday:  After lunch yesterday, we went for groceries and got some new additions for our garden.  We've got a project to accomplish at some point, when Momma makes us, but the backyard has started to bloom and looks pretty good thanks to all that German rain. 

 (Here's what we got)

The common question I have received when being here for 8 ish weeks, boy how the time has passed, is: How do you like Germany?  Germany is great, the people are incredible, and the food is good.  Whether that being good food or attributed to Momma Klietsch's cooking, you can decide that.  The only thing I would change is the stinking weather, up until this point it has seemed to rain a good majority of the week and hasn't seemed to get much above 60 degrees, but that looks to change for the summer weather is coming.

 Ryan "Nails" Naylor and I had a conversation before our presentation on Monday, one of his questioned was would you have prepared differently?  Maybe change some of my wardrobe but that's about it.  Although coming over here happened so quickly, a calmness was over the whole situation. Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."  

(The one nice byproduct from the German rain)

Other events that have been going on:

This past week has been May Week in town.  Big weekish long party, kind of looking like a fair or carnival back in the states or Riverfest, Dawson MN, on steroids.  Booths ranging from chocolate covered strawberries, to cotton candy (mom, I never got any), to caramel corn, to pizza, to chinese food, to of course beer.  I think we've counted nearly 5 or 6 different stages set up in town where music seems to be playing constantly.  It's great...  

Marv, Chris and I went last thursday night and cruised around checking out the sights.  Running into a few people we knew and heard some good stories.

Tuesday: Chris and I left for the night around 7 ish and found a couple Tiger's players, Marcel, Alex, and Witali, which was the kick off to a pretty fun May Week night.  Sat outside a cafe and bar for a couple hours through the rain and listened to some music.  Later, we decided to hit up the Moonfluge, probably spelled wrong, which was hopping with high school seniors who had just finished their finals for the semester.  As always it was a late night, I think we finally stepped back into our house around 5 a.m., but I will say McDon's BigMac does taste pretty good at 4:30 in the morning.

Sunday: Got to church and had a grand old time with the 7 other members of the congregation.  So blessed to have been set up with this church over here.  Hebrews 12:1, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

What's left:

I'm almost a graduated college student.  I had a group presentation for international business last monday night, I finished the  last remaining paper for my Monday night P course on Thursday afternoon, and all that remains is a International Business final next Friday.  It's crazy to think 4 years ago, I stepped onto the campus of BU for nearly the first time and now I could basically count the times I'll ever be back.  Hopefully I'm wrong with that comment because I have applied for a traveling admissions rep for the school which would be a great opportunity once returning to the states.

Tonight we are going to have a BBQ and watch the Bayern Munchen (spelling again) vs. Chelsea play in the final tonight.  Should be a great time with some friends and food.

Tomorrow: the Osnabrueck Tigers head down the road to play the Essen Cardinals.  Weather looks to be great and great hope of a good game.

Updates:

Ankle is feeling pretty good, maybe 95% so I'm moving at least.  Team is slowing coming back together, a few players have recently been in the hospital but were at practice tonight.  Thank you to all who have kept us in your prayers for team health.  It's a long season yet. 

Prayer Requests:  Continued healing for the team, strength, wisdom and discernment to live as He had lived.

Love you all.

Joshua Aakre

Micah 6:8, "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Bella Vista

The greatest Italian spot in Osnabrueck.

Bella Vista is a little hole in the wall pizzeria, which serves the best Pizza and baked pasta, we have found.  

 (Chris man: enjoying some of Germany's finest)

Story time about Chris...  Hope he don't mind.  So when it comes to food, he is a very well rounded guy who will try and eat about anything.  Is not picky what so ever, which is really nice when it comes to eating because nothing is off limits.  But, when it comes to Bella Vista, he won't venture past the Pizza Hawaii.  I guess when you've found the best dish, why dabble around.  We've been there roughly 6 times and every time, without a doubt it's the pizza hawaii.  He did say next time he was going to get the Calzone, that was 3 times ago, and nope he sure hasn't.

This was the first spot Marv took us; it's become a weekly tradition. 

 

(It's all about the pasta)

I'm all about the baked pasta, comes out boiling and it is so good.  I guess Chris could argue that all I've gotten is the pasta and not the pizza, but I've gotten different pastas.  They are soo good.

Last week we met a photographer on a tour of Europe who was from Atlanta.

Still have rehab for the ankle, today a offensive lineman came in from Serbia and will be living at the practice facility, and each day graduation is itching closer.

Thank you for all the prayers.

Joshua Aakre
Micah 6:8

TGBTG

"To God Be the Glory"

I guess it's appropriate to start off back a few days, last Tuesday was a gorgeous day in Germany.  Chris and I took a little tour of Osnabrueck with all it's sights given by one of our cheerleaders, she loves the arts and is very knowledgeable about the cities history.

 (Us standing in St. Peter's Cathedral)

Traveling around the city you start to notice many common features.  One of the symbols that has great significance to Osnabrueck is the wagon wheel, although I have no idea what it's for; it was seen all over. 

 (Chris man and the wheel)

Osnabrueck suffered heavy damage during WWII and only some of the old architecture still remains, while there is a lot of modern ideas seen in the newer buildings.  

Osnabrueck Tigers vs. Hildeshime Invaders 

Colossians 3:23-24, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

 It was a glorious Saturday on the battlefield of Hildeshime.  We were met with 55 degrees and on and off showers, which made for rather difficult offensive game for both teams.  The first half ended 6-0 in favor of the Invaders as they scored during the mid first quarter on a short field after a slick ball escaped our punter.

The second quarter was uneventful on the score board as both teams registered goose eggs for the quarter.  At half time, we came together as an offense and as a team to "regroup" for the second half and discuss what we were looking to accomplish.

The third quarter started off with a bang after Chris nearly housed a punt, "I decided to fall over," he later said, "just so you could score."  He's so kind.  We did score on the next play and with a successful PAT took the lead 7-6. 

Don't really remember how the next scores fell but we were leading in the fourth quarter 17-12 when Chris got loose on a route and scored, on what would have been a 70ish yard TD, but a penalty on our sideline for an infraction costs us that big play, I guess it's a penalty that costs a down as well as 15 yards?  Better check the rule book.  "Welcome to Germany!" yelled one of the chattiest defensive backs I've ever heard.

Later that quarter the invaders scored on a long deep bomb that would put them up 18-17, and after a few ball exchanges we had the ball with roughly 2 mins left and on our own 30 ish yard line.  We drove the field, scored on about a 10 yard slant-out and Chris man caught a curl for the 2 point conversion.  Putting the Tigers up 25-18 with only 30ish secs left. 

The Invaders were unsuccessful in their attempts to drive and score before the clock ran out.

(Postgame photo: we look good!)

We start the season off 1-0 in GFL 2 play. Alles klar.

Nothing too serious in the report of injuries after the game but I'll ask for continual prayers for healing with roughly 11 guys still on the IR.  

Church this morning was great, the 9 of us had a blast, and coming home to pancakes was a delightful treat.  Momma Klietsch sure knows how to feed two football players.

School is down to 3 weeks, only a paper, project and a test still eludes my graduation.  It's getting close.

Joshua Aakre

Osnabrueck Tigers QB

Psalms 100

Blessed...

Best German Birthday Ever!!!

(Here's where the tiger mobile sleeps every night)

Last night we had some birthday festivities at our practice facility.  Just to have a fun time with the Tigers, we celebrated saturday night in the gym.

(DJ Chris getting the night's beats ready)

We did have a fun time, roughly a dozen ish Tigers made their faces known Saturday.  Little BBQ, tunes, football (who would have guessed) and conversation made the night a heck of a German Birthday.  Summed up by the classic Happy Birthday singing at midnight to kick off my 24th year.

(Outside eating: grill master Flo and Coach B in the foreground)

You know you're blessed when...

(Host family has special candles for the celebration)

(Host Mom makes you're favorite breakfast dish: company french toast)

"Plan your party..."  I got some recipes and Momma Klietsch sure did it well.  Tastes so good.

(You receive gifts after someone has only known you for not much longer than a month)

(You've got a teammate/roommate/new friend who'll pose with you)

(Mom and Dad)

You've got parents who from thousands of miles away, separated by the Atlantic Ocean, and 7 time zones can make you cry with a birthday card.  I've been blessed by these two and haven't been loved more by anyone, besides my heavenly Father.  

Thank you to all who have my birthday special.  

Joshua Aakre

Colossians 1:10-12

Peach Iced Tea

Saturday...

Boy it's finally gorgeous outside.  70 degrees reads the thermometer on the edge of the house.

(It's us: Chris, myself, Pappa Klietsch, and Momma Klietsch)

Like I said it's nice out.  First day we've all been able to enjoy the outdoors  on the back patio.  Cappuccino and peach tea for myself all with the infamous sour cream raisin bars that turned out really great.  The tastes of home.  

Past couple days have been good.  Was at the doctor on thursday and he said to take the weekend off but the ankle is sure feeling great.  Next week is going to be exciting with the conclusion of the week playing Hildeshime.  Here come the Tigers.  

We had pictures last night at practice, which means we got our jerseys.  Pretty great to be suited up in a Tiger's uni.

Tonight we are having a belated Chris and early my birthday party at the practice facility.  Tomorrow we'll just have some goodies at home and relax.  

Joshua Aakre

Hebrews 13:5

Only in Germany...

Couple days since the last post, but nothing too crazy we'll say has happened.

Monday and tuesday spent some time working out at the gym, practice monday night, icing the ankle, and doing homework have filled up most of the days.  I had a treatment on my ankle, basically an ankle massage, which felt really great and every day we're gaining back some mobility and can nearly walk without a limp.

Got up this morning and had a great skype session with some of the boys from the house.  I guess they do miss me a little.

With regards to school, roughly 3 weeks left and finals, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It's coming.  So exciting...

So with that treatment on tuesday, I thought I was going to get Kenisiotaped on my leg afterwards like I did on saturday after the game.  So to prepare for it, I took a trimmers/shaver to my leg to clean up the wooly mammoth legs that I had going on.  But I didn't get taped so now I'm walking around Germany with one (left) shaven leg, although it does feel nice, only in Germany.

Only in Germany... Today we had sauerkraut with potatoes and ham for lunch.  Salty cabbage is what it tastes like, makes sense because that's what it's made of.  Will I eat it again?  Probably dabble with it here and there if it's offered but it wasn't a personal taste sensation for myself or Chris.

Momma Klietsch said we had to plan our own birthday party for this weekend. I never done that before.  the past 3 years I've been at school and hid my birthday from everyone so I didn't fall to teh spanking machine at spring ball practice, and before that mom took care of everything.  It's weird throwing/planning yourself your own party.  I can host stuff like no one's business but planning is jut different.

Life is good, God is good.

Only in Germany...
Joshua Aakre

Matthew 6:34

Self Inflicted Wounds...

Saturday April 21, Hamburg Germany

Hamburg Blue Devils vs. Osnabrueck Tigers

We left our stadium around 9:30 to make the trek up to Hamburg.  I initially found my seat next to Chris on our double decker coach bus, but soon after our departure, I found my common travel position (between the seats, on the floor with my pre-game nap).  After a couple stops, one bathroom trip to the woods, and roughly 4 hours, we found ourselves in the City of Hamburg.

(Picture of the Harbor in Hamburg, it's huge)

We arrived at the stadium a couple hours prior to the game.  The weather was a comfort mid 50's and without rain, but during our pre-game warmups it started to poor for nearly 20 ish minutes.  After getting dressed, our pregame warm-up, and equipment/personal check (they make sure you are who you are), we took the field infront of a crowd of 2500 fans.  

(Mr. Blue Devil; he must work out)

We haven't gotten our jersey's yet, so we are in the whites.

(Coin Flip: Myself, Dean, Jens, and Flo)

They won the opening flip, so we took the ball to start.  Our first drive stalled after a few plays and we had to punt.  After a couple plays, by the Blue Devils, they ended their drive with a 60 ish yard run.  They're up 7-0.  Next drive we moved the ball 70 yards which ended in a score.  7-6.  

(Right after we took the field)

After our first score, a complete confidence/peace came over our team knowing that we do belong on this field with this GFL 1 team.  We are the Tigers!  We are not to be messed with.  The score at half time ended up being 21-8 and the final was 28-8. 

(Deans: the meanest running back in all of Germany)

Although the score said we lost by 20 points, I do not believe it was a correct representation of how the game went.  First real game, always comes with some dumb penalties on both sides of the ball.  A few offensive penalties killed some drives, these are fixable now that we have actually played a game.  Defense built walls at times, but I feel they also have things they can easily correct.  

Two weeks before our division opener and we will be ready.  After the game, it's obvious we came out a little beat up.  A few normal joint tweeks, but also a couple broken fingers and one dislocated shoulder.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." -  James 1:2-4

What do I think after one game of professional German football?  I love it.  Football is football where ever you play.  

Thanks to Silke, oldest host sister, I was able to make it to church this morning.  Small english service, 8 of us including the pastor.  They incorporated me into the service and let me read the first reading.  It was good stuff.  Thanks to my involvements with the Agapes, a youth Christian choir, and football at BU, I knew the songs we sang this morning.

Man at church: "You have a strong name... Who was the greatest Joshua?"

Prayer Requests:  Team health and injuries to be able to come back for our division opener in two weeks.  

Joshua Aakre

Joshua 1:9

This is not a perfect report on how our game went so check out:

gotigers.de