Catching Up: The Faces of Summer!

I've been doing a lot of it this summer.  This is a summer of catching up.  And I love it!

What does that really mean?  "Catching up" with people isn't just about updating iCal regularly and borrowing my mom's car to go on road trips (thanks, Mom!).  And, although I love coffee shops, Panera Bread, Applebee's, Rita's Water Ice... it isn't even about the venue.  Catching up means sitting, laughing, listening, praying, just being together.  It's letting our souls reconnect, sharing challenges and joys.

I have been so blessed to have time with family and friends during my 6 weeks in the States.  I've had the opportunity to spend quality time with immediate and extended family, friends from all walks of life, and even new friends.  How special to not only see so many who are dear to my heart, but also share deep conversations, pray for one another, and "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24)!

Here are some of the "faces of this summer"...

 Spent time on the GCC campus with Crista and Devi

...and another college friend, Elise

My BFA roommate, Brittany, with her grandma
(our hostess while we were in Alberta, Canada)

So fun to catch up with Amy, who student taught at BFA in the fall!

Loved flying to MI for a weekend with my cousins... and new cousin-in-law!  

Congrats, Becky and Kaleb!

Spent time with my friend (my mom's college roommate's daughter), Linda

Enjoyed yummy ice cream with Anne, a friend from church

Explored South Jersey with my college roommate, Kristen

Took a walk and made smoothies with long-time friend, Sarah

Ate breakfast at "our spot" -- Einstein's -- with Kelly, a high school friend

Had lunch with Lauren, a friend who teaches in China

Treasured family time spent playing games, eating meals, talking, and traveling together

Thank YOU, dear ones, for investing in me... for making it possible for us to spend time together, encouraging me in my work at BFA, allowing me to get a glimpse into your life, and welcoming me back to the States for this short time.  May the Lord bless you for your generosity and love for me!

Summer Project Progress!

Thank you to those of your who have generously contributed to my summer projects!  As of today, I have $1500 toward purchasing an interactive whiteboard, buying a video projector, and funding a short-term missions trip at Easter break.  Wow, God!

I appreciate your prayers for this project and for all of the lives that they will impact.  If you are interested in giving toward these summer projects in particular, please download this form and mark it "Heather Brown - Summer Projects."  Thank you!

I am confident that God is able to do way more than I can ask or imagine!  God, please take these summer projects and use them for Your glory.

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

Longing for Heaven

Anyone who has traveled has felt it, and those of you who travel a lot know exactly what I mean.  It’s that unsettling feeling you get sometime between getting dropped off at one airport and picked up from another.  You’re torn between two places, two realities.  You miss one so much – and then when you get there, you miss the other.  You find yourself at home in both – and yet out of place at the same time.

Such is life for many BFA students.  They face a myriad of emotions every time they board a plane – to visit their parents on the mission field for a few weeks, to travel with parents on Home Assignment, to visit friends where they used to live, and to return to BFA.  Even for the students who love their parents’ country of service and truly enjoy living in the BFA dorm, this transition from one place to another is difficult.  Where do you put down roots?  Do you allow yourself to connect deeply with others when you know these relationships are plagued with goodbyes?  And, where is “home”?

Although I didn’t grow up as a missionary kid, I’m getting a glimpse into the life of a BFA student as I experience some of these feelings this summer.  While I am serving in Germany, I think of friends and family in the States often.  I feel connected to my hometown and home church.  I sometimes crave an Applebee’s appetizer or a Panera salad.  I strive to maintain connection with close friends. I wish I could be closer and could invest more in those I love.  I wish it didn’t take a couple hundred dollars and eight hours to see them in person.

Yet it’s only natural that BFA is on my mind as I spend time in the States on Home Assignment.  I miss my fourth graders, from whom I learned about teaching and life this year.  I miss my small group girls, whose enthusiasm and openness challenged me.  I miss my friends and mentors, who have encouraged my heart in a land of unknowns.

I am coming to the realization that this longing for familiar people and places is the reflection of an innate longing for heaven, my true home.  Try as I might to find satisfaction in this world, there is no fulfillment apart from Christ. 

My prayer is this:  Wherever we travel this summer, may we always remember that Heaven is our home.   In spite of the goodbyes we say and the longings we feel, I pray that we find our true hope and joy in Christ.

"These all [the characters in Hebrews 11] died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.  For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.  If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had the opportunity to return.  But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.  Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city."  Hebrews 11:13-16

Couldn't Have Said It...

... better myself.

Check out this blog from my friend, Kristi:  http://kristidahlstrom.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/a-year-on-the-map/

I echo what Kristi says about home.  Yes, I have made a new home in Germany, where I spend my days and develop my routines... but that doesn't diminish my love for friends and family in America, memories of afternoons on the quad at GCC, loyalty to the Philadelphia Phillies.

We each have a place we call "home" for now.  But, we are also shaped by our past experiences and long-time friendships.  I am so glad that YOU are a part of that for me!  You have helped shape who I am.  You have invested in me.  And I value the precious time that I have with you this summer.

So, although I have changed and grown over the past year, I am still me.  Thanks for welcoming me "back" -- to my "home" away from my current "home."

Home Assignment: Phase 1

This summer is broken up into several chunks as I travel from place to place to visit different friends and family.  Home Assignment "Phase 1" was spent mostly in my hometown of Newtown, PA.  It was a blast to have Brittany, my roommate from Germany, here with me also.  Here are some highlights from our time in Newtown (and the surrounding area!):

-- Running to catch our flight from Frankfurt to Toronto... and all of our bags made it to North America!

-- Phillies game with my college roommate and my family (Brittany's first baseball game!)

-- Quick (but wonderful!) two-day trip to western PA to visit friends from Grove City College

-- Sundae Celebration to share about my experiences in Germany with friends and family

(SO special to have all of these friends in the same place at the same time!

Sarah since we were really little, Kelly from school days, Kristen from college, and Brittany from BFA!)

-- Appetizers at Applebee's, one of the restaurants I have missed! :)

-- Met our new roommate, Megan, for lunch in King of Prussia!

-- Overnight in Ocean Grove, New Jersey

-- Taught a German song ("Wir Trauen Dir" / "We Trust You") to my home church, Grace Point

Next stop:  Alberta, Canada, to visit Brittany's family!

Summer Projects

I am back in the United States now!  I have really enjoyed seeing friends and family over the past week.  It is great to hear what God is doing in their lives and share about how He has worked in me at BFA.  What a blessing to testify to His goodness and reflect on the year.

In addition to visiting people while I'm home this summer, I'm also raising money for three specific projects.  Financial gifts given this summer will go toward these things:

·    Interactive White Board:  Having an interactive white board in my fourth grade classroom would improve technological literacy, increase participation, and promote international connections.

·    Short-Term Missions:  During Easter break each year, BFA sends out about five short-term mission teams of high schoolers and staff.  Although the destination is still unknown, I hope to help lead one of the trips this spring.

·    Video Projector:  The projector my roommate and I borrowed last year is no longer available to us, so we’d like to purchase one to use when we lead worship in the high school dorms and at our apartment.

I invite you to participate in these "Summer Projects"!  The total goal for the summer is $4,000.  Can you help me reach this goal?  If you would like to give toward these projects, please download this form and mark it "Heather Brown - Summer Project."  Thank you in advance for your generosity!  Whether or not you are able to give, please pray that God would use these projects for His glory.

Thank you for prayerfully considering how you can get involved.  You are an important part of what God is doing in southwestern Germany and around the world.  I am so thankful for my "home team"!

Counting Down... Here I Come!

Tomorrow, June 14, has been marked on my calendar for 6 months.  The day I fly to America.  This week ushered in the final countdown...

4 days...  On Friday, my roommate and I helped paint the old elementary school / future middle school.  It was fun to paint my old classroom with a fresh coat of white paint so that it can be used next year as the middle school faculty room!  I'm sure it will be weird visiting this building in the fall when it has been transformed into a different place, but I was glad to be able to help with the painting process.

3 days...  On Saturday morning, I got up and went for a run on my usual route.  I have been battling a cold for the past two weeks, so it was refreshing to actually have energy enough to go on a run again.  As I ran, I reflected on the challenges of the past year and how ready I am for the summer.  As I came out of a wooded area, I was a greeted with familiar -- but still magnificent -- view of rolling hills and fields.  I actually slowed my pace and stared at the view.  It was like God was whispering, "See, this is the field to which I have called you.  Keep following Me.  Be faithful to tend the crop which has been planted."  In that moment, I sensed a renewed purpose for teaching another class of fourth graders next year.  Thank You, Lord, for reminding me of Your calling and Your faithfulness to me here.

 

2 days...  Yesterday I went to G5 for the last time until August.  In the afternoon, I was able to get into my new classroom to at least put things in the center of the room.  Heavy furniture was placed on dollies so that it will be easy to move when I finish setting up in August.  I was so thankful to have several friends help with moving desks and boxes into the room.  Finally, my roommate and I had dinner at the home of one of my (former?!) students.  We played "Just Dance" until we couldn't move anymore, ate pizza, and just talked.  What a great way to end the day!

1 day...  Today is the big packing and cleaning day at the apartment.  We leave tomorrow!

I have so enjoyed teaching fourth graders, running through the beautiful scenery, and exploring the area.  I'll miss those things.  But it's time to see family and friends, share in churches, travel back to my Alma Mater.  I'm ready for rest and relaxation.  I can't wait to spend time with YOU.  I'm excited for summer!

Ready or not -- here I come!

Pack, Move, Settle In!

We survived the school move!

Step 1:  Each of the teachers packed lots of boxes!  During the last week of school, I started taking things off the walls and shelves and putting them into boxes.  The boxes got really heavy very quickly!  I had to divide my teaching manuals and textbooks into different boxes to distribute the weight.  Besides packing lots of boxes, I also vacuumed rugs, wiped down the desks, and taped filing cabinet drawers shut.

Step 2:  We were blessed with many moving helpers!  On the day of the big move (yesterday), we had lots of BFA staff helping us out.  I was glad we had lots of strong men to carry the heavy shelves and cabinets down the stairs and out the front door.  :)  Some people stayed at the "old" school, while others helped with unpacking at the "new" school.

Step 3:  We're getting settled in our new school!  There are still boxes throughout the school, but we're making progress.  Tomorrow will be the first day of school in the new building for the bilingual first and second grade classes, as the German students have school for another month.  Unfortunately, I am not able to set everything up in my classroom just yet.  Because the walls in my room are 2/3 tile, they need a few extra coats of paint.  The painter told me today that he will have to come back on Tuesday to finish the job.  (And I'll be on my way to America by then!)  I will be able to move in some furniture this weekend, so that will be helpful.  And even though I have to wait, I am very excited about the fresh paint on all of the walls.  What a beautiful classroom this will be!

So since I wasn't setting up my own classroom today, I was able to help other teachers.  I helped set up the first grade room...

...And also organized some of the art supplies!

How thankful we are for a new school building.  It has been a school for many years, so we don't have to do any major construction.  The rooms are freshly painted and in great condition. Thank you for praying for this move -- that God would provide this building and that the move would go well.  He has answered our prayers beyond what we could have imagined!  Please continue to pray for the teachers and students as we establish new routines in our new building.  May the Lord be glorified as we serve Him in a new place!

Summer Sundae Celebrations!

Come hear about my first year of teaching at Black Forest Academy!

Sundae Celebrations with special German giveaways!
Monday, June 20th, 7-9 p.m.
Sunday, July 24th, 7-9 p.m.

The Browns' House in Newtown, PA

Please Respond to HBrown@teachbeyond.org by June 17 to let me know if you can attend one or both of the evenings!

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples.  For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise."  Psalm 96:3-4

First Year of Teaching: Complete!

And just like that... it's finished.  A school year filled with lots of laughter and learning has come to an end.  Here are some highlights from "the end"...

Knighting Ceremony: All of the students earned enough medallions to become "knights"!  Each promised to follow the code of chivalry and be the best knights they could be.

End of the Year Celebration:  We played a trivia game about our year!  The students loved it because it was a quiz they didn't have to study for... they had lived it! :)  We ended the party with a watermelon seed spitting bulls-eye game on their paper plates.

Last Day of School:  In the classroom, I gave each student a Fourth Grade Award, and we wrote encouraging notes to one another.  Then we had closing chapel, where we prayed for the students and staff who are leaving Germany.  Finally, we ended the school year with Field Day activities in the high school gym!  Here is my class after chapel.  (As one student said, "Miss Brown, you're good at cheesy pictures."  Well, thank you!)

I'm so thankful for this year...
... God's provision, strength, joy, and peace.
... A beautiful place to live and work.
... New friendships here in Germany and continued friendships back in the USA.
... "Home Team" of financial and prayer supporters who made it possible for me to serve here.
... A wonderful class that challenged me, made me laugh, enjoyed my humor, and encouraged me.
... Amazing co-workers to learn from and grow alongside.
... Laughter and tears, joy and frustration, and God at work in every circumstance.
... Opportunities to travel and experience new cultures.
... And so much more!!!

Thank you for being a part of this year by encouraging me and praying for me.  I am excited to see how the Lord works in the 2011-2012 school year!

(Also, check out my friend Kristi's blog that sums up perfectly the uniqueness of BFA's graduation!)