Follow Us to Africa!

The fourth graders have each chosen a country in Africa to research.  While we can't actually take a field trip to the continent of Africa, the students have really gotten a feel for their countries via the Internet and books from our library.  I set up a class blog for the students to use as a springboard for their research, so it has been a lot of fun introducing the students to the world of blogs!  Miss Brown, how easy is it to make one of these things?  Can we post on this next year when we're fifth graders?!

We have also talked about some tough issues like apartheid, poverty, and malaria.  We've also tuned into the news about unrest in Libya and Egypt (northern Africa).  The students struggle to wrap their minds around the injustice, tragedy, and violence of these issues:  How could white people think they are better than blacks?  Why is there so much disease in Africa?  Why is there so much fighting?

Through this social studies unit, my students are realizing the importance of praying for these complicated circumstances in Africa.  Moreover, they have decided to give their money to help the cause of the Africans!  In the next six weeks, the students and I will be saving our money to give to WorldVision for the purchase of mosquito nets.  The fourth graders are ready to make a difference -- and I'm thrilled to be along for the ride!

The Power of Prayer

When I was on the leadership team of Women of Faith at Grove City College, a friend and I created prayer stations for the RA staff.  I adapted those prayer stations to use with my small group girls last evening.  What a powerful way to focus on Christ and refocus in the middle of a crazy busy week!  Please continue to pray for this group as we study, pray, and seek God together.

Thumbprint -- God created you and loves you for who you are.

Gifts at the cross -- God has given you strengths to use for His glory.  We offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Him.

Hearts on a line -- Present the burdens of your heart to Him, and He will hear and respond!

Stones -- Place the stone on the pile to remember that God faithfully keeps His promises.

Broken roses -- We are broken, hurting, overwhelmed, weak before Him... and He restores us.

BFA dorm map -- We pray for unity and strength for the RAs, dorm parents, and boarding students at BFA.

Decorated cookie -- Taste in the sweetness of different personalities united as one in Christ.

"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:28

A Rockin' Good Time!

On Friday I took my seven 4th graders on an afternoon field trip!

First stop:  Miss Brown's Apartment!
Thanks to parent volunteers, we made the quick trip to my apartment for lunch and several activities.  It was cool having my class in my home -- like two different worlds colliding!  I surprised the kids by playing "Blessed Be Your Name" on the guitar, and they all gave me a sticker for my guitar learning sticker chart. :)  After that, we did a logic puzzle about rocks, read a story about a rock collection, and then looked around my yard for different types of stones.  Soon enough, it was time to head to our next destination!

Second stop:  Rock Shop!
We ran down the 100+ steps from our street to the next one down the hill, where the rock shop is located.  The kids (and I!) were amazed at the many crystals and fossils located inside the apartment.  After an informative presentation, the students were able to pick out some rocks for purchase at a really reasonable price.

Last stop:  Back to school!
Back in our classroom, the students shared their rocks with one another.  Their teacher was exhausted, but it had been a great afternoon of fun, learning, and adventure!

Happy Anniversary!

Today commemorates the one year anniversary of this blog, “Joy in the Journey.”  I think it’s worth remembering God’s leading, celebrating His faithfulness, and focusing on His glory in the coming year.

To those of you who have faithfully read this blog since March 11, 2010…  I am so grateful for your enthusiastic partnership and continued support of my ministry at BFA.  I couldn’t be here if it weren’t for my wonderful “home team”!  So, thanks for sticking with me.  For commenting on my posts.  For sending your love and encouragement halfway around the world!

To those of you who have joined me somewhere along the journey… I am so blessed to have you along for the ride!  Life here in Germany is a wild ride sometimes – but even more, life with Jesus in the driver’s seat is an unbelievable adventure!  Thanks for being a part of what God is doing at BFA and in my life.

To the Giver of the “joy in the journey”… I am indebted to You.  I am incapable of living and loving apart from You; there is no purpose without You.  But, I take great delight in what You have done for me, in me, and through me!  Thank You for filling me to overflowing with joy, even in the tough times.  You know when my heart feels free and when it is broken – and You “fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand” (Psalm 16:11).

Somehow, I don’t think March 11 will be just another day on my calendar anymore.   Not that the advent of a blog is the only reason to celebrate.  No, today is just one day out of 365 days every year to remember that “He who began a good work” will continue to lead me moment by moment (Philippians 1:6).  Thanks for being a part of this journey with me!

That's What It's All About

My students never cease to amaze me with their creativity.  They have found a new way to sit on their chairs in the classroom...  It doesn't work when I'm teaching a lesson, but it works for silent reading time!  When they lined their chairs up in a row and began reading 5 minutes early, I smiled.  I was thoroughly amused to see them laying there in a row.  I sighed with contentment that they were all on task -- and excited to be reading.  This is what teaching is all about!  I pray that each of my students develops a love for studying, reading, and growing that will produce a lifelong love of  learning.

Girls' Night!

On Friday night I went to a worship service put on by some of the high schoolers.  I was so blessed by the talent of the worship team and the passionate worship of the students in attendance.  We spent two hours praising God through singing and prayer.

After the worship night, my small group girls came back to my apartment for a sleepover!  While I melted chocolate and some of the girls cut fruit, others played "Pit" (one of their favorite games) at the table.  We all indulged in a homemade chocolate fondue party with apple, pears, grapes, pretzels, marshmallows, crackers... mmm!

Soon it was time to transform the living room into a movie theater for a few films before bedtime.  In the morning, the girls awoke to the smells of homemade croissants.

The overnight was a great opportunity to give the girls some time away from their dorms to relax and enjoy one another.  Please pray for these students, as well as all of the high schoolers, as they go on their weekend retreat to Switzerland this weekend.  Pray that God would speak to their hearts in new ways and that I would know how to follow-up any issues that arise through the retreat.  Thanks for praying!