Frohe Ostern!

We often remind ourselves that life in Germany is not better or worse, just different.  Celebrating Easter here was just that ... different.  I couldn't help but take note of many comparisons this week, so here are some of my observations.

Easter Observations:
- Plenty of Easter bunnies, most of them Milka chocolate.
- Lots of plastic eggs, many hanging from trees in people's yards.
- Casual dark-colored clothing instead of fancy bright colors - and very few white shoes.  (Somehow I don't think Europeans follow the North American fashion rule that you should break out the white heels on Easter Sunday.)
- Schnitzel instead of ham at G5's Easter dinner.
- No familiar Easter hymns or choruses in our Sunday morning service, but we sang German songs about the power of the resurrection!
- Many families in the Easter service, with kids even included on the worship team.  (I loved that!)

I'm so thankful that, despite the differences in celebrations, Easter in Germany is still about a Savior who conquered death to give us life.  Jesus is alive, and that's worth celebrating every day!  Frohe Ostern!

My very first Easter bread - the almond glaze was delicious!

Lead Me to the Cross

Yesterday my roommate and I hosted a Good Friday service at our home.  We set up prayer stations, some of which were the same as the ones I set up for my small group over a month ago.  We sang a few songs together, spent some time going through the prayer stations individually, and then closed by singing "In Christ Alone" and "Christ is Risen."  It was great to have that time of worship and reflection with our friends.  

How easily we forget the depth of God's love for us, that He would send His Son -- and the significance of Jesus' sacrifice, that He would die for our sins.  May we be reminded of God's amazing grace and unconditional love this Easter and always!

Brittany setting up the projector for our singing time

Prayer stations set up in our living room

Cut out magazine picture to represent the world's view of love

Hammer nail into log while confessing sins

Thankfulness banner in the shape of a cross

Offering strengths and weaknesses as gifts at the foot of the cross

Prayer requests written on hearts

"Lead me to the cross where Your love poured out / Bring me to my knees, Lord, I lay me down / Rid me of myself, I belong to You / Oh, lead me, lead me to the cross."

Prayers Answered!

One of the ongoing prayer requests I've shared this semester has been for a new school building.  Last fall, we put in a bid to rent a school building in the nearby town of Wollbach, but were told that we would have to wait... and wait... and wait.

Finally, we have received the official approval for BFA's elementary school and bilingual program to relocate to Wollbach's vacant school building!  The other staff members and I had an opportunity to tour the facility (including a separate physical education building with a full-sized gym!), so I wanted to share a glimpse of our visit with you.

The front of the three-story building with lots of parking!

The spacious front entryway

View out the back of the main building toward the recess yard and gym

Full-sized gym with a stage!

Please continue to pray for the staff and students as we prepare for a big change... saying a sentimental goodbye to the Sitzenkirch school, packing up and moving materials, and establishing a new routine in the new location.  God has so clearly provided this new building, and we know that He will continue to provide for us as we make this move!

Spring Break!

It's spring break for BFA students and staff!  If you had been in my classroom this week, you would've known without me telling you... :)  Here are some highlights from the last week of school before break!

Small group bonfire in our backyard!

Painting egg cartons for "Resurrection Eggs" 

An early birthday celebration with my class!

Friday night worship concert in Freiburg

One Year Ago!

As I unlocked the door to the guest house room, there was something very familiar about it.  Yes, it was the room that I had when I stayed here last spring.  This weekend I welcomed my parents to Germany... exactly ONE YEAR after my first visit to BFA!

The view out of my window a year ago...

My parents' visit to the same room this year, March 2011

My visit to the school, March 2010

My dad in my classroom, March 2011

A lot has happened in one year.  I have graduated from college, traveled, made new friends, and begun a new life here in Germany.  I'm different because of these experiences.  They are part of who I am.

But despite all of the changes, God is always faithful.  He has a perfect plan, and He's in control!  Praise God that He is unchanging -- and that He is still in the process of changing me.