Life with Jesus: A Backpacking Trip

The elementary school chapel speaker yesterday was BFA's interim director, Phil Peters.  Mr. Peters is an avid camper and backpacker, so he used his large pack to share with the children about life with Jesus.  He called on students to guess what was inside his pack.  These 1st-5th graders have obviously been camping before, as they guessed many of the items correctly!

I was struck by the parallels between the backpacking essentials and life lessons...

Sleeping Bag:  "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28
Food:  "I am the bread of life.  Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."  John 6:35
Water:  "Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst."  John 4:14
Clothing:  "Therefore put on the full armor of God..." Ephesians 6:13
Tent: "I long to dwell in Your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of Your wings."  Psalm 61:4
Flashlight:  "Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."  Psalm 119:105

This is the journey of a lifetime!

Welcome to 4th Grade!

Some numbers...
7 live in Germany.  3 live in Switzerland.
3 have parents working at BFA.
1 used to live in Azerbaijan.  1 lived in Kenya.  1 lived in Kazakhstan.
2 have never been to North America.
And they're 8-9 years old.

Some faces...

At the end of the school day yesterday, students gave tours of the new school building to their parents.  It was fun to hear the fourth graders describe our routines and the parts of our classroom to their moms and dads.

One week of school is complete...  Please pray for wisdom and energy as I show God's love to the enthusiastic students in my new class!

Classroom Transformations!

At the end of last school year, the elementary school changed locations from Sitzenkirch to Wollbach.  It was a big job moving all of our furniture and supplies to a new school, but this larger building is much better suited to our growing school.

I found out at the beginning of the month that I would be able to have different (bigger and better!) classroom than originally planned.  Although this meant moving all of my furniture and supplies up another flight of stairs, having this new classroom is a huge blessing.  Check out the classroom transformations!  (Wow, this feels like deja-vu from last year!)

BEFORE: The classroom was empty except for stuff left over from the German class before me.  The walls were also a plain tan color.

DURING: lots of boxes to unpack and furniture to get into place!

PROGRESS: Boxes have been emptied!  Walls are a fresh coat of white!

Still waiting for my real white board to be delivered and the bulletin board to be hung...

Teacher supply cabinet filled

"Teacher Corner" with my desk and shelves -- and white board is now mounted

"Library corner"with books in book boxes and comfortable seating

"Job squad" chart and textbooks in cubbies

One more bulletin board to do...

The most important part, though, is the fourth graders who will fill these seats and use these supplies in the coming months!  I can't wait to see what God has in store for the fourth grade class.  Please pray with me that I would be His hands and feet as I teach my students this year.

"In Transit"

The "in transit" tags attached to each of our checked bags were truly God's provision for a long journey!

God answered our prayers from the very beginning of the trip back to Germany.  We were so thankful for a customer service agent who...
...let us by with bags weighing 50.5, 52.0, and 49.5 pounds!
...didn't charge us anything for checking extra bags!
...gave us "in transit" tags, so we didn't have to reclaim any of our bags in Toronto or Frankfurt!

After going through security in Philadelphia, we found out our first flight was delayed, which meant that we would have much less time to make our connection in Toronto.  When Brittany and I got off the plane in Toronto, we hurried up an escalator, down a hallway, and through passport control (fortunately, without any lines!).  It was then that we heard the "last call" for our flight!  So, we ran even faster (of course, with pillows, rolling carry-on suitcases, backpacks, and purses) -- and made it!  Thank You, Jesus!  We just hoped our "in transit" bags would make the plane along with us.

Little did we know what we would encounter on the 8-hour flight from Toronto to Frankfurt.  About 2 hours after take-off, we hit significant turbulence that shook the plane.  Listening to the carry-on bags shift above us and feeling the plane vibrate was unnerving... but not as much as the announcements from the flight crew: "We have received word from air traffic control that we need to drop to an altitude of 6,000 feet" and "Please close all window shades."  Needless to say, Brittany and I prayed for safety to make it over the Atlantic Ocean to Europe.  What a relief to be back up to regular cruising altitude for the rest of the trip and back on solid ground when we arrived in Frankfurt!

Our third flight was not as eventful.  Somehow running through another terminal, hearing another "last call," and having to wait for our boarding passes didn't seem so bad after that second flight.

And, the "in transit" tags worked!  We made it back "home" to Riedlingen with our 3 checked bags, 2 carry-on suitcases, 2 backpacks, 2 pillows, 2 purses, and 1 guitar!

Sitting here in my bedroom after hours of traveling, I can't help but consider God's power and sovereignty.  Only He can calm the wind and the waves -- and carry our airplane safely through a storm.  Only He could prepare the way for us to make each of our connecting flights -- and allow for our bags to make it, too!  And only He has the power to lead and guide me in this coming school year -- and use it for His glory.  Praise God for He is all-powerful!

100 Blog Posts!

One hundred blog posts over the course of a year and a half.  One hundred about fears and celebrations.  One hundred to trace the journey of a lifetime.  One hundred to remind me of God's faithfulness.

Some of you have read every single one of those 100 entries...  Wow, that's pretty impressive.  But, a huge thank you to all of my blog readers, whether it's been 1 or 100 entries!  I'd love to hear from you... What was your favorite blog entry?  What has stuck with you from what I've learned/done over the past 18 months?  What have you learned in the past year and a half?

It's ironic that my 100th post will be the last from this side of the Atlantic for awhile.  As I head into a new school year, I also begin a new chapter on this blogging journey.  I hope that you'll continue to join me on this adventure with Jesus!

With "joy in the journey,"
Heather

One Week!

Time seems to go so quickly -- but at the same time, slowly.  Have you ever felt that way before?

The summer has flown by -- and yet, it feels like forever since I ran through the Frankfurt airport to catch my flight across the ocean.  I've done so much, seen so much, learned so much -- but there is still a long to-do list in front of me.  I am ready to return to my European home -- and still, I'm not anxious to rush my departure.

The realization of this dichotomy of time reminds me to savor every moment, wherever I am and whatever I'm doing.  However, it also reminds me that everything on this earth is just a blip on the timeline of eternity.

One week til I board a plane to go back to Germany.  One week.  Plenty of time for memory-making and picture-taking, but I know it'll go quickly!  Thanks for praying for me as I pack my bags and get ready for another year at BFA.

Sundaes on Sunday!

Sharing with adults and the children's ministry at my home church, Grace Point...

...and with friends and family in the evening at the Sundae Celebration!

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