Want to Join the BFA Team?

Does this blog convey how much I absolutely LOVE living in southern Germany, teaching at BFA, and being a part of this community?  I hope so.  Black Forest Academy is a very special place, and I'm so privileged to be a part of all that God is doing here.

So... will you prayerfully consider joining the team at Black Forest Academy?  In order to provide quality education for missionary children, BFA needs passionate, qualified professionals.  

Needs for 2011-2012 School Year

HIGH SCHOOL:

--Vice Principal

--English 

--AP Biology and Chemistry

--Physical Education

--Math

--Bible

--Coaches

--Counselor

--ESL/ELL

--Applied Business

MIDDLE SCHOOL:

--Vice Principal

--Math

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:

--Receptionist

--Physical Education

--Art

RESIDENCE LIFE:

--Dorm Parents

--Resident Assistants

SUPPORT STAFF:

--Personnel

--Maintenance

--Nurses

--Finance

--IT

--Front Office

--Library

--Graphic Artist

If you'd like more information, email the personnel office.  Is Jesus leading you to apply?  It'd be great to have you serve here at BFA!

Resolutions for a New Year

We have already experienced 21 days of 2011, but I don't think it's too late to talk about goals for the new year!  I've always been a goal-setter and list-maker, finding great satisfaction in achievement and completion of desired tasks.  So, it is no surprise that I decided to write some New Year's Resolutions for this year.

On the (very) long plane ride back to Germany earlier this month, I tapped out about 35 goals on my ipod touch.  These included...
-- hospitality (inviting new friends and long-time BFA staff members into our home)
-- reflection (analyzing student needs and assessing how to meet them)
-- connection (continued accountability and fellowship with like-minded believers here in Germany)
-- communication (continued contact with friends and family in the States)
-- devoted prayer (for family and friends around the world, for my students, for BFA, for my neighbors)

It really was a great list.  I thought.  And then, it happened.  While I was doing a New year's goal activity with my small group girls, I accidentally pressed "delete."  With no "undo" option on the ipod, my well-crafted list was gone forever!  The first thing I heard come out of my mouth was this: "Well, I guess God didn't want me to have those resolutions!"

I was reminded of this important lesson: As much as I plan and put pressure on myself, God is ultimately in control.  While the goals still remain at the forefront of my mind, I believe that surrender is far greater.

I can't think of a better way to start 2011.

A New Classroom!

Today's move from one classroom to another went so well!  Thank you for your prayers.  I am so thankful to Brittany and Kristi for their help during the day!  Here are some before and after shots of the classrooms. 

My old classroom before the move (Christmas party):

My old classroom during the move today:

My new classroom at the beginning of the school year

(so there were some changes during the fall semester):

My new classroom... all set up!

Kristi did a lovely job with the classroom library!

Culture Shock!

I'm back in Germany, gearing up for semester 2 of teaching at BFAS!  It seems like much longer than 3 weeks that I have been away from the classroom... hopefully the students and I will adjust well when we start classes on Tuesday!

Surprisingly, the "culture shock" I experienced the most this break was not re-entering Germany, but adjusting back into American culture.  Although I have lived in the United States all my life, something about being out of my home country for 5 months changed my perspectives, routines, and expectations.  Here are three of my biggest (and humorous!) "culture shock" moments from my three weeks in the USA:

1.  Walmart.  The very first place my friend took me from the Pittsburgh airport was Walmart.  I wasn't desperate to visit Walmart -- I promise!  :)  I thought I had lost my liquids bag, so I needed to replace those items.  Walking into Walmart was a bit overwhelming.  Everything seemed so inexpensive, and I was able to purchase apples, clothes, makeup, a wallet, and shampoo all at the same store!  That is pretty rare here in the small town of Kandern.

2.  Einstein's.  I met a high school friend at Einstein's bagel shop for breakfast one morning.  Kelly and I have kept in touch over the past 5 years as we have experienced college in two different states and now have entered the "working world."  I got my drink and was walking over to the table to join Kelly when I passed by another person and said "Entschuldigung!"  My voice trailed off as I realized I had just said "excuse me" in German, not English.  I don't know if the other customer realized what I had done, but Kelly and I enjoyed laughing about it for a minute or two before beginning our breakfast!

3.  How do I get out of the house?  On New Year's Eve, I planned to meet my parents at our friends' house for dinner and a game night.  I had walked the dog and was ready to leave, when I realized I didn't know how to close the doors to the house.  There was no garage door remote in the car I was driving, so I decided to close the garage doors from the inside and go out the front door.  However, I couldn't find the hide-a-key to lock the front door!  I called my mom and she gently reminded me of the garage door number pad to close the door from the outside... oh yeah, I totally forgot we had one of those!  Oops!

I am also preparing for the "shock" of getting back into the school routine next week.  I move all of my stuff into a different classroom tomorrow afternoon, so I'll be redecorating the walls and rethinking routines this weekend.  I'm preparing my heart and mind for teaching only fourth grade and would greatly appreciate your prayers as I embrace the challenges of transition into the spring semester.