Sunday, September 26, 2010
In the Classroom and Out...
Enjoy this movie about the opportunities for ministry God has given me here in the Black Forest. Thanks for praying!
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Zwei Monate!
This week marked "two months" in Germany! Wow. Praise the Lord for His faithfulness! This movie is a long time coming... hopefully it will give you a taste of my first month or so in the Black Forest.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Weekend Highlights
Some highlights from the weekend:
-- Friday afternoon -- I ended the day with a special treat for the kids... cleaning their desks with shaving cream! I was pleasantly surprised at not only the cleanliness of the desks, but also the relatively little chaos that ensued. :)
We finished wiping the desks down, washing hands, and getting all of the paper towels in the trashcan with plenty of time before dismissal... but somehow, even lined up at the door, we didn't hear the cowbell signaling dismissal... and the entire third/fourth grade missed the bus! The chaos that we had avoided in the classroom suddenly broke out on the front steps of the school as I tried to reassure all of the students that they would get home or to their bus connections as soon as possible. Fortunately, there were enough teachers with cars there that they could shuttle the kids quickly (in time to make connections to Basel!). Phew!
-- Friday evening to Sunday afternoon -- I spent this weekend with BFA staff in a chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland, surrounded by astounding views of the Alps. The relaxed schedule, later mornings (sleeping in until 8am!), encouraging conversations, and beautiful location were so refreshing. I was also really challenged by the discussions on "teaching from within." I am called to teach through an expression of my identity -- my relationships, my past experiences, my personality, and most importantly, my identity in Christ. I pray that my teaching would be an honest reflection of Christ's work in my life!
-- Friday afternoon -- I ended the day with a special treat for the kids... cleaning their desks with shaving cream! I was pleasantly surprised at not only the cleanliness of the desks, but also the relatively little chaos that ensued. :)
We finished wiping the desks down, washing hands, and getting all of the paper towels in the trashcan with plenty of time before dismissal... but somehow, even lined up at the door, we didn't hear the cowbell signaling dismissal... and the entire third/fourth grade missed the bus! The chaos that we had avoided in the classroom suddenly broke out on the front steps of the school as I tried to reassure all of the students that they would get home or to their bus connections as soon as possible. Fortunately, there were enough teachers with cars there that they could shuttle the kids quickly (in time to make connections to Basel!). Phew!
-- Friday evening to Sunday afternoon -- I spent this weekend with BFA staff in a chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland, surrounded by astounding views of the Alps. The relaxed schedule, later mornings (sleeping in until 8am!), encouraging conversations, and beautiful location were so refreshing. I was also really challenged by the discussions on "teaching from within." I am called to teach through an expression of my identity -- my relationships, my past experiences, my personality, and most importantly, my identity in Christ. I pray that my teaching would be an honest reflection of Christ's work in my life!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Getting Plugged In
So, there's more to my life here in Germany than just teaching third and fourth grade. Writing lesson plans, creating materials, and designing tests take up a lot of time... but getting plugged in outside of my job has been so refreshing and fulfilling. God has called me here to be a teacher AND a mentor, leader, friend, and learner.
Tuesday nights: Each Tuesday I am meeting with 7 other single ladies from the community, including my two roommates, for Beth Moore's "Esther" Bible study. I am so looking forward to this opportunity to really dig into God's Word with other like-minded believers my age. Although there were plenty of opportunities for accountability at Grove City College, I was never involved in such an in-depth study as this one. Please pray for diligence and discipline to make this study -- and ultimately, God's Word -- a priority in my life.
Wednesday nights: I am thrilled to be leading a small group of 6 freshman girls! The small group program at BFA matches several students with an adult mentor from the community for a three-fold purpose: getting into the Word, praying for one another, and building relationships. Last night we played Catchphrase, sang a few worship songs, and worked on creating a time capsule to open at the end of the school year. Already I am overwhelmed with blessing from these high schoolers. They made me cookies, brought cupcakes to our second meeting, and bubble over with enthusiasm. God is good!
Our group has decided to study the book Crazy Love (by Francis Chan) every other week, alternating with fun activities they have suggested (such as a spa night, baking together, Christmas caroling, or a scavenger hunt). We discovered last week that we all like fruit, chocolate, and music, so I am anticipating a lot of those three things! :)
Thanks for making it possible for me to serve these girls. Please keep praying as we grow together!
Tuesday nights: Each Tuesday I am meeting with 7 other single ladies from the community, including my two roommates, for Beth Moore's "Esther" Bible study. I am so looking forward to this opportunity to really dig into God's Word with other like-minded believers my age. Although there were plenty of opportunities for accountability at Grove City College, I was never involved in such an in-depth study as this one. Please pray for diligence and discipline to make this study -- and ultimately, God's Word -- a priority in my life.
Wednesday nights: I am thrilled to be leading a small group of 6 freshman girls! The small group program at BFA matches several students with an adult mentor from the community for a three-fold purpose: getting into the Word, praying for one another, and building relationships. Last night we played Catchphrase, sang a few worship songs, and worked on creating a time capsule to open at the end of the school year. Already I am overwhelmed with blessing from these high schoolers. They made me cookies, brought cupcakes to our second meeting, and bubble over with enthusiasm. God is good!
Our group has decided to study the book Crazy Love (by Francis Chan) every other week, alternating with fun activities they have suggested (such as a spa night, baking together, Christmas caroling, or a scavenger hunt). We discovered last week that we all like fruit, chocolate, and music, so I am anticipating a lot of those three things! :)
Thanks for making it possible for me to serve these girls. Please keep praying as we grow together!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Roller Coaster Ride!
Hang on! Every day seems like a roller coaster ride!
Each morning I greet my students at "porch time" on the front steps of the school. From that spot, the green hills with grazing cows touch a radiant blue sky. I greet the children with a smile, and we walk through the entrance to the school. Almost immediately, there is a crisis because someone forgot his folder at home and another student dropped her lunchbox. The adventures of the day have begun!
"Did you have a good day at school?" my roommates often ask at the end of a long day. How quickly I answer with a story about my frustration at what we weren't able to accomplish, the students who got on my nerves, and the lesson that didn't go as planned.
Today, a colleague shared an article with me about the ups and downs of teaching. These roller coaster rides of emotion aren't just from year to year or even class to class, but moment to moment. As a teacher, I am emotionally engaged in trying to help my students grasp the material, wondering how much they understand and whether they even care.
Although there are undoubtedly moments when I struggle to find a connection with students who are disrespectful, apathetic, or distracted... I can trust in the Almighty God who never changes, who uses my weaknesses for His glory.
There have been so many moments of joy here in Germany! It is good to give thanks to the Lord and bring praise to His Name...
-- Successfully greeting the grocery store cashier auf Deutsch
-- Praying with other elementary school staff members
-- Laughing a LOT with my roommates!
-- Going on a good jog early in the morning, while the sun is just rising
-- Skype, blog comments, and emails from back home
-- Meeting my students' families and knowing that they are praying for me
-- Picking wild blackberries just down the road to put on my cereal
-- Looking around the classroom to see walls covered in student work
-- Traveling to the Alps, just for the afternoon
-- Meeting the five high school freshmen in my small group! (more about that coming soon...)
-- Hearing a parent tell me that I am his son's "favorite teacher ever"
These moments are reminders of God's provision and His faithfulness. And so I keep hanging on. Because I know that this is not just the ride of my life, but the one He has prepared for me.
Each morning I greet my students at "porch time" on the front steps of the school. From that spot, the green hills with grazing cows touch a radiant blue sky. I greet the children with a smile, and we walk through the entrance to the school. Almost immediately, there is a crisis because someone forgot his folder at home and another student dropped her lunchbox. The adventures of the day have begun!
"Did you have a good day at school?" my roommates often ask at the end of a long day. How quickly I answer with a story about my frustration at what we weren't able to accomplish, the students who got on my nerves, and the lesson that didn't go as planned.
Today, a colleague shared an article with me about the ups and downs of teaching. These roller coaster rides of emotion aren't just from year to year or even class to class, but moment to moment. As a teacher, I am emotionally engaged in trying to help my students grasp the material, wondering how much they understand and whether they even care.
Although there are undoubtedly moments when I struggle to find a connection with students who are disrespectful, apathetic, or distracted... I can trust in the Almighty God who never changes, who uses my weaknesses for His glory.
There have been so many moments of joy here in Germany! It is good to give thanks to the Lord and bring praise to His Name...
-- Successfully greeting the grocery store cashier auf Deutsch
-- Praying with other elementary school staff members
-- Laughing a LOT with my roommates!
-- Going on a good jog early in the morning, while the sun is just rising
-- Skype, blog comments, and emails from back home
-- Meeting my students' families and knowing that they are praying for me
-- Picking wild blackberries just down the road to put on my cereal
-- Looking around the classroom to see walls covered in student work
-- Traveling to the Alps, just for the afternoon
-- Meeting the five high school freshmen in my small group! (more about that coming soon...)
-- Hearing a parent tell me that I am his son's "favorite teacher ever"
These moments are reminders of God's provision and His faithfulness. And so I keep hanging on. Because I know that this is not just the ride of my life, but the one He has prepared for me.
Monday, September 6, 2010
Take Your Stand!
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:10-13)
BFA's school-wide theme for the year is "Take Your Stand," based on this passage and the verses following about the pieces of the armor of God. I introduced the theme to my class last week by creating an aluminum foil suit of armor! Somehow, I don't think those kids will ever forget those lessons with Miss Brown decked out in tin foil. Quite entertaining -- but also a great foundation for the rest of the school year as we continue to put on the armor to resist temptation!
Tonight was the Parent-Teacher Fellowship, which gave me an opportunity to meet all but two of my students' families. No, I did not model the suit of armor for them, but it was on display! :) It was a wonderful evening -- what a supportive community! It makes it a lot easier to work with struggling students when I know that their parents are fully behind what I am doing.
One final note: I am continually updating the "Please Pray!" tab with day-to-day prayer requests. Even if you don't see a new blog post, there may be new prayers/praises posted there. I so appreciate your faithful prayers as I serve God here at BFA!
BFA's school-wide theme for the year is "Take Your Stand," based on this passage and the verses following about the pieces of the armor of God. I introduced the theme to my class last week by creating an aluminum foil suit of armor! Somehow, I don't think those kids will ever forget those lessons with Miss Brown decked out in tin foil. Quite entertaining -- but also a great foundation for the rest of the school year as we continue to put on the armor to resist temptation!
Tonight was the Parent-Teacher Fellowship, which gave me an opportunity to meet all but two of my students' families. No, I did not model the suit of armor for them, but it was on display! :) It was a wonderful evening -- what a supportive community! It makes it a lot easier to work with struggling students when I know that their parents are fully behind what I am doing.
One final note: I am continually updating the "Please Pray!" tab with day-to-day prayer requests. Even if you don't see a new blog post, there may be new prayers/praises posted there. I so appreciate your faithful prayers as I serve God here at BFA!
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