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.

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.