"For All That You Have Done"

Just before Christmas break, I listened all the way through Rend Collective Experiment's latest album, Campfire Christmas.  As much as I enjoyed the folk-infused Christmas carols, it was the last track that caught my attention.  I recognized the tune as "Auld Lang Syne," but I was captured by Rend Collective's new lyrics.

Your grace will never be forgot
Your mercy all my life
Will be my source forever song
My story and my light

From mountain top to valley low
Through laughter and through tears
Surely the goodness of my God
Will follow all the years

You know our failures and regrets
You've always led us home
Redemption's arm has raised us up 
Our triumph in the storm

In unity we'll stand as one
As family we'll go
Shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand
Into the great unknown

For all that You have done for us
For every battle won
We'll raise a song to bless Your heart
For all that You have done

As I've listened to this song on repeat over the last few weeks, it has quickly become my self-proclaimed "song for the year."  These words are a heartfelt offering of thanks to God "for all that He has done" in the past, a reminder of His work in the world in this very moment, and a declaration of my trust in Him for the future.

I shared this song with the middle schoolers at chapel on Friday, and I'm hopeful that it will remind us of truth as it comes to mind.  God is good, and I will continue to raise a song to testify to His faithfulness!

(I'm hiding behind the piano in the picture above!

I loved getting to lead chapel worship with some of my friends this week!)

Seek.

It's a new year, and we are once again surrounded by goals and resolutions.  My experience with setting New Year's Resolutions in 2011 has led me to focus less on the goal-setting and more on the lesson-learning.  I want to begin each year - and live the whole year! - with more of an awareness of how God is at work in my heart and in the world around me.

Rather than having a check-list of must-dos, I gravitated towards the idea of having "one word" for 2015.  I asked God to help me discern His word for my year - a year that will bring lots of change and transition, bittersweet goodbyes and new beginnings.  So, it's not a surprise that I first thought of the word "trust."  Trust?  Really?  It seemed a bit trite.  I even told a friend that it was too obvious - of course, trust will be a big part of this year and should be every year!  I wondered if this was the word I was supposed to settle on.

A few days later, the Lord brought the word "seek" to mind.  Immediately, I began to think about how this word connects to my current situation.

I am seeking His leading and guidance for this fall (where to live, which grad school program to choose, how to connect with people), as well as the months and years to come.
I want to be intentional about seeking out meaningful conversations with others, both in this community and wherever I live next.
Most of all, my heart's desire is to seek Christ and know Him more, but I want to learn more of how to seek Him.

Yes, "seek"!  I did a quick Scripture search and found this:

God wants me to seek...
His face (Psalm 27:4 and 8, 105:4)
His strength (1 Chronicles 16:11)
His righteousness (Matthew 6:33)
His will (Proverbs 3:6 NLT)
The Kingdom (Matthew 6:33)
Justice (Isaiah 1:17)
Peace (Proverbs 34:14)
With all my heart (Psalm 119:10, Jeremiah 29:13)

There is no mention of seeking answers, solutions, or shortcuts.  Seeking isn't a means to an end, but a valuable process in and of itself.  I pray that this year will be one of actively pursuing Him - not just to figure out what He wants me to do, but to truly know Him more.

Taken from: http://tinyurl.com/mx3fm9v

As I "seek" this year, I'm claiming these promises...
God rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11:6)
I will lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10)
All my needs will be met (Matthew 6:33)
The Lord is good to me (Lamentations 3:25)
I will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13, Matthew 7:7)
He will answer and deliver me from my fears (Psalm 34:4)

What is your "one word" for 2015?

Taken from: instapray.com

I'm linking up with Velvet Ashes, where women around the world are sharing their "one words."  #OneWord365 

Month at a Glance: January 2015

January 1:  New Year's Day

January 7:  All-Staff Breakfast

January 8:  Classes resume
January 16:  Walking Together Movie Night

January 21-22:  Middle school midterm exams

January 22:  Middle school basketball

January 23:  Teacher work day

January 23-24:  Home basketball games

January 26:  Beginning of Quarter 3

January 30-31:  Home basketball games

Happy New Year!

Christmas at the Middle School

Life with middle schoolers is never dull!  I love the students who fill the halls of BFA Middle School.  Their energy amazes me - especially just before Christmas break!  Last Friday we had a Secret Santa gift exchange before our closing chapel.  Here are some shots that attempt to capture the pre-Christmas excitement!

I miss seeing these smiling faces each day!  For now, I think we're all grateful for the break from the normal routine to spend time with family and friends and be refreshed.  See you in 2015, BFA MS!

Month at a Glance: December

December 1:  "The Gathering" Young Adults shared meal
December 4-7:  Experience Christmas markets in Heidelberg and Cologne
December 10:  Lead literacy professional development for elementary school staff
December 11:  Christmas market in Kandern
December 12:  Middle School Christmas Party and closing chapel at high school
December 13:  Christmas break begins!
December 15:  Fly to the States
December 20-23:  Family reunion in Newtown
December 24:  Christmas Eve services at Grace Point
December 25:  Merry Christmas!
December 29:  Fly back to Germany
December 31:  New Year's Eve fireworks in Kandern

Five Years of Thankful

Last night marked the fifth and final annual Thanksgiving celebration with friends here in Kandern.  Brittany and I have so enjoyed the tradition of hosting each year.  I am deeply thankful for the different people God has brought to our table over the past five years.  In this transient place, I don't take for granted the many individuals that the Lord has provided to encourage and shape me in this season.  Our shared meal marks a moment in a year-round posture of gratitude.  What a wonderful opportunity to fix our eyes on Him, the giver of all good gifts!

I'm thankful for roommates who have also embraced our calling to open our home to others.

I'm thankful for friends who join me in sincere celebration.

I'm thankful for student teachers, whose short months at BFA impacted me significantly.

I'm thankful for countless supporters, whose prayer and sacrifice have made it possible for me to continue to serve at BFA for five years.

I'm thankful for my piano, which I've been able to play for worship each year.

I'm thankful for candle light, which sets the mood for meaningful conversation.

I'm thankful for cooler weather, so that we can store food outside while we await the delivery of our new refrigerator.

I'm thankful for Scripture, which reminds us of all that we have to be thankful for and leads us in giving thanks to our Maker.

Thanksgiving 2010

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving this year!

Although I'm not sure who will be around the table with me next year (or who will continue this tradition here in Kandern!), one thing I do know: There will always be so much to be thankful for!

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work in us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen."  (Ephesians 3:20-21)

What's a Literacy Coach?

This school year, in addition to teaching sixth grade English, I have also taken on the role of Middle Level Literacy Coach.  So, what does that mean?  I have a much lighter teaching schedule this year so that I can accomplish literacy-related projects (like the ones described below) and work on curriculum development.  I also love the flexibility to invest more in people - mentoring teachers at the middle school, meeting with other BFA English teachers and our Curriculum Coordinator, connecting with friends to cultivate community here, and spending time with my mentor.

 Benchmark Assessments:

One by one, I'm meeting with each middle school student for a benchmark assessment conference. Students read part of a text aloud while I take notes.  Then, they finish the text independently and we have a conversation about what they read.  The assessment allows me to determine a "benchmark" reading level (based on the Fountas and Pinnell leveling system) which we can use as a guide for reading instruction.  More than that, talking with a student about their reading provides me with invaluable data about student strengths and weaknesses in reading, which will help us to provide individualized instruction to help meet their needs.  It is so interesting to see how each benchmark assessment is different - a great reminder of the uniqueness of our students.

VOICES Writing Instruction:

We are again using the Six Traits of Writing to guide writing instruction this year.  My fellow English teacher, Katie, and I are introducing these strategies to our students and encouraging them to implement the Six Traits into their own writing.  Katie and I had the opportunity to attend a Six Traits conference in Switzerland last month, which was a great springboard for new ideas for writing across the curriculum.

Resources:

This is the shelf above my desk.  Besides just loving the sight of a stack of good books (I'm a nerd!), I am grateful for these resources right at my fingertips.  Some of these books were gifts from friends this summer or resources included in the Literacy Coach training I attended in July, so I am still doing my own reading and reflection as part of my new role this year.

Building a Book Room:

This is still a work in progress...  As we incorporate more small-group literature study, there is a need for multiple copies of various types of texts on different reading levels.  I am developing this cabinet of book sets as a resource for the English teachers to be able to do more differentiated literacy instruction.

Teaching English:

In addition to literacy coaching, I am still teaching sixth grade English.  Although it is my third year teaching this class, each year is different!  This year, I am trying a number of new things (from Pinterest, a summer conference, and friends' suggestions) and am blessed with a class of students who are eager to learn.  

One of the new lessons to kick off the school year was a week-long genre study, which culminated in a book sort.  Students worked in small groups to determine the genre for each book in our classroom library, labeling each cover with a sticky note.

I love the way our book boxes turned out!  For the most part, the students labeled the books correctly, but some will need to be reevaluated.  As the sixth graders read books from our library over the course of the year, they will be able to verify the current genre identification or submit it to me for revision.  We're off to a great start in 6th grade English!

'Tis the Season...

... for another Operation Christmas Child collection!  Each year that I've been at BFA, I have been involved in this project - and each year it grows a little bit bigger!  It has been a true joy to see middle schoolers lead this project and the whole school (all three campuses!) work together to share God's love through the tangible gift of a shoebox.  This year, a number of high school small groups wrapped shoeboxes, and many families helped to collect boxes and purchase items.

Middle schoolers trained to be "box checkers" doing their thing at the Packing Party!

Enthusiastic Christmas spirit!

I got to check some boxes, too!

Waiting in line to have their boxes checked!

Elementary, middle, and high school students - along with their parents and teachers - packed 116 shoeboxes this year!  

This sweet lady, Gerdi, collects shoebox items year-round and has turned her home into a local collection center!  This month, a Weihnachten im Schuhkarton truck will pick up over 600 shoeboxes from her house!  It has been a blessing to partner with Gerdi while planning the Packing Party for the past three years.

Who knows where I'll be at this time next year, but I'm sure that I'll be packing shoeboxes again... and  I hope that BFA will continue this tradition of generosity in years to come!

Month at a Glance: November

November 1:  TeachBeyond Games Night
November 5:  Operation Christmas Child collection ends
November 6-8:  School musical performances
November 10:  Operation Christmas Child Packing Party
November 14:  Middle school class parties
November 21-23:  Trip to London (visiting one of my small group girls!)
November 25:  Spaetjahrsmarkt (market in town)
November 29:  Celebrate Thanksgiving with friends

Walking Together

During my time at Grove City College, the importance of "pouring in and pouring out" was really impressed upon me.  As I served through various ministries, it was important for me to also surround myself with others who would invest in me.  Community was and is a huge value of mine.  In college, I developed close friendships, found accountability in a discipleship group, and served as a leader of our campus women's ministry.  I knew I wanted to carry with me the "pouring in and pouring out" model beyond the GCC bubble.

Over the past four years of living here in Germany, the Lord has provided countless opportunities for me to serve, as well as many people who have poured into me professionally and personally.  In the midst of my "pouring out" through my teaching and small group leading, God brought others into my life to listen to me, accept me, and care for me through my transition into life overseas.  I'm so grateful for my mentor and her sweet family, who have helped me to feel like I belong in this "home away from home."

Lately, I've been sensing that God wants to do something bigger in deepening relationships among women.  And so "Walking Together" was born, with the purpose of connecting women in this community.  It's been His vision all along, and I am glad to be a part of it!

Last weekend, over sixty women joined this conversation about building intentional relationships.  Some came hesitant and curious, while others were whole-heartedly committed.  But regardless of our expectations for the evening, I think we all resonated with the desire to go deeper - with God and with others.  It was a beautiful evening!  With giveaways and games, coffee and conversations, women were able to catch up with friends and meet people they'd never met before.  Our hope is that women in this community will continue to connect and go deeper as they "walk together" in the direction of the cross.

It seems like last weekend's event was a climax from my vantage point, but I have a feeling that this is only the beginning!  God's big-picture plan amazes me.  I can't wait to hear more stories of how He continues to knit hearts together through the gift of mentoring!

* * *

Before the event began, we moved furniture, set tables, and prepped the room for the event.  Isn't this venue amazing?  It was fun to work together with the planning team to create a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere.  So many of you joined us in covering this event in prayer - Holy Spirit, You are welcome here.

Laurie led us in an activity to spark conversation with people who share similar interests.

Of course, there were yummy desserts to eat with our coffee and tea!

I was humbled to share my story and my heart for mentorship - truly, His story and His heart for women to connect.

These are some of the ladies who have gotten on board with this vision!  But it's so much bigger than us.  Who knows where we'll go from here?  Only God!

Truth is harder than a lie

The dark seems safer than the light 

And everyone has a heart that loves to hide

I'm a mess and so are you

We've built walls nobody can get through

Yea, it may be hard, but the best thing we could ever do

Bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine

'Cause love can heal what hurt divides

And mercy's waiting on the other side

If we're honest

[Francesca Battistelli // If We're Honest]