ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- In 2024, our family decided to move to Germany, where my husband, Lt. Col. Matthew Neil, who is the base civil engineer for the 139th Airlift Wing, accepted a one-year position at Ramstein Air Base. We left our home, family, friends and community to experience life in Europe.
The logistics of renting out our home in Missouri, enrolling our three children in DoDEA schools, furnishing and renting an apartment off base, selling and purchasing vehicles, and completing extensive paperwork were challenging. It was also absolutely worth it.
Living in new communities, both in a foreign country and on a large military base, we found ourselves learning new rules, customs and ways of life. The stress was high, but there were always people willing to help if asked.
After settling in, I reached out to the Military and Family Readiness at Ramstein AB to volunteer. The team partnered me with Silke, an M&FR staff member, to create social media videos designed to help American military families navigate life in Germany.
I enjoyed creating fun and informative videos for the Kaiserslautern Military Community. Time spent with Silke helped me understand Germany and its people in ways I never imagined.
I also volunteered with the creative team and children’s ministry at our church in the village of Ramstein-Miesenbach. As a graphic designer for the creative team, I designed a sermon series graphic titled Constructing Community. I also took professional photographs at the church for future outreach efforts.
While in Germany, our family prioritized travel whenever possible. We visited a dozen countries, hiked countless trails, toured more than 40 castles, attended festivals, viewed priceless works of art, explored ancient architecture, used multiple forms of public transportation and created lasting memories.
Matt and I hope that when our family looks back on our time in Europe, we can say we not only saw incredible places but also connected with incredible people. We believe that wherever God leads us, it is the people who truly make this a beautiful world.
Helping others through volunteering is more than giving our time; it is receiving a gift — the gift of community.