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Thursday, July 31, 2014

Two Weeks and Many Miles

To Boston and Back.
As many of you know, I will be taking on a new role as Middle School Literacy Coach at BFA in addition to teaching English 6 again this year.  I'm excited for the opportunity to build our literacy program, work directly with students and staff, and continue to grow professionally... but also a little bit overwhelmed at the thought of all that entails!  I was SO glad to get to spend a week at Lesley University in Massachusetts studying about literacy coaching with some of the nation's top reading researchers.  I left the conference feeling much more equipped to do my job this year.

It was also great to connect with other literacy coaches and administrators from the Boston area, as well as various other locations further away.  I had my first real experience with attempting to share about Black Forest Academy and TeachBeyond without using buzzwords like "ministry," "God's leading," and "support raising."  As it came up in conversation, the other educators at the conference were baffled at the thought that an entire school could operate without paying any of its employees.  Beyond the obvious (yet unspoken) question of why I would choose a job like this, they wondered why anyone would give money for me to teach overseas.  I attempted to explain the concept of shared vision and generosity, finding it nearly impossible to convey God's supernatural work through an earthly lens.  I pray that they saw something different in me as we interacted - that the comparison would not come down to salary and continent, but to salvation and calling.


Westward Bound.
On Sunday I braved several severe thunderstorms to travel to the west side of the state for a visit with friends.  Although slowed a bit by the effects of a lingering cold, I was so grateful for the "many miles" covered in meaningful conversations with college staff and a mini reunion with friends.  I was again reminded of God's goodness during my time at Grove City and how He continues to bless me through the relationships formed while there!



On my return trip (in contrastingly beautiful weather!), I had a God-arranged visit with Jin, who was in my BFA high school small group for freshman and sophomore years.  For the past two years, Jin has been living with her parents in Hawaii (they serve there with YWAM), and she just so happens to be spending a few weeks in PA on her way up to NYU, where she will begin her freshman year of college this fall!  What a blessing to hear how the Lord has been working in her life since she left BFA and how to pray for the next steps ahead.


Many Miles Ahead!
It's hard to believe that I am heading back to Germany on Monday night!  As with every back and forth, I'll say a bittersweet goodbye to this place and the people I love so much - in order to say hello to another place and people I love.  Perhaps this year holds more hesitancy and even more bittersweetness than others as I consider what lies ahead.  LASTS.  Lots of them.  This year is my "last" year at BFA, at least for now, as I will be returning to the States indefinitely next summer.  There are plenty of new things that lie ahead for this school year - new staff and friends, new mentoring ministry, new job, new students, new curriculum.  I would appreciate your prayers for intentionality and focus this year as I embrace these new things and endeavor to "end well."  It's all for His glory!

Thursday, July 17, 2014

BINGO!

Couldn't make it to the Bingo Night earlier this month?  This blog post is for you (although you won't have a chance at winning any German candy)!


B is for…
… Black Forest Academy.
… Blauen dorm.
… Bible investigative research project.
… Boston literacy conference next week.
… Brother-sister time this summer.
… Big changes ahead for the middle school.

I is for…
… International community.
… Investing in chapel band.
… Interns from JBU that I'll be hosting next year.
… Intentional relationships through mentoring.

N is for…
… New apartment.
… New teaching methods.
… Next year's new class.
… Night of prayer for high schoolers.
… New TeachBeyond members and BFA staff.
… What's next?!

G is for… 
… German.
… Geography 7.
… Global conference for TeachBeyond.
… Graduation for my small group girls.
… Goodbyes.
… Grad school potentially beginning after this year.

O is for… 
… Opportunity to host a student teacher.
… Outer Space fall party.
… Operation Christmas Child.
… Organizing Experiential Learning Week for 6th grade.
… Orientation for TeachBeyond youth this summer.


Please join me in prayer for the coming year...

Beginning a New Job:  Please pray for creativity and wisdom as I transition into the role of Middle School Literacy Coach.
Intentional Relationships:  Pray that God would continue to clarify the vision for promoting mentorship in the community.
New Staff:  Pray that the new staff will be fully supported in time for school and that I will be an encouragement to them in the transition.
Guidance for Next Steps:  Pray that I would sense the Lord's leading for whatever comes next after BFA.
Other Opportunities:  Pray that I would be aware of other ways that I can serve and grow in the coming year.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Ten Girls

There were 10 girls in the "older" group at TeachBeyond orientation two weeks ago.  They represented 5 different families heading to 5 different countries.  Some were anticipating boarding a plane in a few short days (and are already at their destinations!), while others have a year of support raising ahead of them before going overseas.  Their passions and fears, talents and frustrations, shone beautifully throughout the week.  They asked thoughtful questions, reflected deeply about transitions, and shared openly in group discussions.  (They also sang "Frozen" hits and showed off their gymnastic skills in every spare moment.  They're girls!)


You may remember last year's adventures with five kids (4th-8th grades) and my co-teacher Miss Katie.    TeachBeyond Orientation is a time for families to become more familiar with the organization, prepare for cultural adjustments and emotional transitions, and get connected with other TeachBeyond members.  I'm so grateful that Katie and I were teammates again this summer to communicate God's love and grace in transition to middle and high schoolers.  We did some of the same activities as last year - culture shock skits, team-building exercises, collage-making, journaling, and lots of games!  What a joy to share the week together again and to have another amazing group eager to study God's Word and trace His faithfulness through the process.

Researching host cultures at the public library

An English teacher's dream - kids enthusiastically taking notes from non-fiction sources!

Studying the book of Ruth together

Our culminating project this year was a music video for the song "Walk on the Water" (Britt Nicole).  As we listened to the song over and over to plan and shoot the scenes, the words were again impressed on my heart, and I pray that they stick with each of the girls as they move overseas.  These words are for you, too… for all of us.  I pray that we will boldly follow Him wherever He leads!


Get out and let your fear fall to the ground
No time to waste, don't wait
And don't you turn around 
And miss out on everything you were made for
I know you're not sure
So you play it safe, try to run away
When you take that first step into the unknown
He won't let you go

So what are you waiting for?
What do you have to lose?
Your insecurities try to hold to you
You know you're made for more
Don't be afraid to move
Your faith is all it takes 
And you can walk on the water, too!