Become a Mobilization Advocate!

Networking is a big part of my new role with TeachBeyond.  I'd like to invite you to partner with me by becoming a Mobilization Advocate!  Here are some ideas:

• Refer Others to TeachBeyond.  When you hear of someone interested in serving overseas, consider telling them about TeachBeyond and connecting them with me.  While we are primarily looking for teachers, we also need residence life staff, chaplains, maintenance personnel, administrative assistants, accountants, school nurses, camp volunteers... the list goes on!

• Share Your Church.  TeachBeyond seeks to partner with churches in the sending process.  You can introduce me to the missions director or board at your church, whether in person or via email.

• Make Connections in Education.  Are you involved in education?  You could be the bridge to valuable connections with schools, colleges, and campus ministries.  In addition to recruiting at Career Fairs and Missions Festivals, I'd like to share with education classes, dorm Bible studies, and informal gatherings of students or teachers. We can brainstorm about this together!

• Another Idea?  I'm open to your ideas that would help to share TeachBeyond's vision with others!

Click here to indicate your interest, and I'll be in touch with you soon!

Another way to partner with me is to make a financial contribution or become a monthly donor!  You can visit this site to make a donation.

#tbt Week 8: A Weekend Away

As I embrace this season of transition, I am taking time to reflect on many memories with special people in meaningful places.  It is neat to visibly see changes over time, knowing that God has been transforming us through the experiences of the past five years.

Each Thursday this summer will be devoted to a #tbt (Throwback Thursday) post, highlighting various "then and now" comparisons.  Enjoy!

#tbt Week 8: A Weekend Away

Last weekend was an entire "throwback" weekend!  The parents of one of my close college friends invited a group of us to stay in their pre-Civil War farmhouse in rural Virginia for a few days, and we welcomed this opportunity for refreshment and reconnection.

What a gift it was to be together again!  It was fun to not only recall memories from our college days, but also create new memories together.

Just before graduation, June 2010

Making new memories, August 2015

The weekend was tinted with a bittersweetness, as our dear friend Erica, who passed away in a car accident on Good Friday, had been so very excited for this reunion.  The Lord was gracious as we had the opportunity to remember Erica's devotion to Christ and passionate service to Him.  Although we miss Erica, we are inspired to live intentionally, love deeply, and give generously.

To these friends - and the many others reading this blog and following my journey - I don't take your friendship for granted!  I see Jesus refining you and using you as lights in a dark world (Phil. 2:15-16).  I see your daily dependence on Him for health, financial provision, joy, and energy.  I see your desire to glorify God in decision-making.  You, friends, encourage me to run this race with perseverance (Hebrews 12:1-2).

It's nothing new, but I feel it more now than ever before:  I'm grateful to Jesus for the gift of connection across time zones and miles.  

How do you balance remembering the past and making new memories?

How have your friendships shaped who you are today?

#tbt Week 7: Those First Days

As I embrace this season of transition, I am taking time to reflect on many memories with special people in meaningful places.  It is neat to visibly see changes over time, knowing that God has been transforming us through the experiences of the past five years.

Each Thursday this summer will be devoted to a #tbt (Throwback Thursday) post, highlighting various "then and now" comparisons.  Enjoy!

#tbt Week 7: Those First Days

Thanks to Facebook's "On This Day" feature and a nostalgic roommate, a few of my very first photos from Germany have recently resurfaced.  In fact, I think they've gotten more "likes" now than they did when they were first posted in 2010!

Five years ago, I was settling into my apartment in Riedlingen, attending new staff orientation at BFA, and trying to figure out my place in my new community.  In those days, making a simple meal was an significant accomplishment - it was my first time cooking for myself and we were navigating grocery shopping in my second language!  A few years later, these food photos seemed humorous: "Did we really think these meals were worth posting to Facebook?!"  Now, they are snapshots of those first memories with dear friends.

Our adventures involved IKEA runs, driving through roundabouts, and washing loads of laundry!

Those days were full of emotions.  At times, I felt courageous, excited, hopeful, and alive.  Other times, nervous, frustrated, overwhelmed, dependent, confused...  Many days, a mixture of all of the above.  

And these days aren't too different.  Very soon, with emotions swirling, I will be settling into my apartment in Pittsburgh, orienting myself to my new job, and trying to figure out my place in my new community.  

When I left for Germany five years ago, I felt incredibly supported.  Although many miles from my hometown and the people who knew me best, I was surrounded by God's presence and the encouragement of my "home team" from afar.  Today, that supportive network has only grown.  Spread over several continents, I am blessed by friendships that continue regardless of our location.

"Those first days" were monumental steps of following Him.  "These first days" are the beginning of another chapter of trust in His provision!

Thanks, Jesus, for being my Great Pioneer as You lead me into the unknown.

Changes in Plans

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."  Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever experienced a change in plans that had you shaking your head and shrugging your shoulders, but taking steps forward because you just knew that it was right?

The past few weeks have felt a little like that.

Back in April, I shared my plans with you - plans to move to Maryland, take on a new role with TeachBeyond as Mobilization Coach, and begin my master's program.

Some of those plans aren't changing.  I began my new role with TeachBeyond this week and am already enjoying communicating with potential TeachBeyond members and mapping out my recruiting trips for the fall.  I am also enrolled in grad classes beginning soon.  I'm grateful for these next steps that bring purpose and structure to these sometimes chaotic days of transition.

However, the Lord made it clear to me about a month ago that Maryland was not where I was supposed to be in this next season.  I was surprised and confused by this redirection, as I had been planning this move to D.C. since the spring and was excited to live with a college friend.  I believe that I listened to His leading in making that decision months ago, so why the change?  I'm not sure if/when I'll ever know why, but the Spirit clearly directed me to take a step back and listen again.

Since then, I have pursued housing opportunities in western PA, a more accessible location for my primary recruiting campuses.  God provided a roommate who is also transitioning back to the States from an overseas experience and will begin law school this fall.  She and I signed a lease on a duplex in Pittsburgh two weeks ago, which will be a great "home base" at this time.

Thank you for your prayers in these months of transition!  And thanks be to God for His peace, which passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

#tbt Week 6: Literacy Cohort

As I embrace this season of transition, I am taking time to reflect on many memories with special people in meaningful places.  It is neat to visibly see changes over time, knowing that God has been transforming us through the experiences of the past five years.

Each Thursday this summer will be devoted to a #tbt (Throwback Thursday) post, highlighting various "then and now" comparisons.  Enjoy!

#tbt Week 6: Literacy Cohort

Most Wednesday mornings at BFA began with a late start for students and early-morning professional development for teachers.  Sometimes these meetings included all faculty together in a large group, while other times we signed up for cohorts on various topics.

This spring, I had the opportunity to lead a cohort about literacy.  Our group included teachers from all different departments - elementary classroom teachers, middle and high school ELL, foreign languages, middle school English - which brought a healthy diversity of perspective.  This also provided a challenge for me: to share information that would be relevant to a wide range of teaching contexts and styles!  With only six morning sessions together, I carefully selected topics and gathered resources.

One week, I decided to model a management strategy ("literacy stations") while also presenting a few different instructional methods.  Teachers went to several centers for hands-on practice with these methods.  Each activity was also linked to our prior conversations about The Continuum of Literacy Learning, our primary resource for the literacy cohort.  

Rainbow Editing:  

Students use different colors to represent different phases of editing, such as marking all end punctuation in red.  

NewsELA:

This web site provides variations of the same article for different reading levels.  A great tool for differentiation!

 RRJ (Reading Response Journal):

I provided copies of actual journal entries from my students, and teachers had to determine how they would grade them based on the expectations I had established with my class.

Word Wall:

Teachers created displays for their classrooms as visual reminders of key concepts and terms, from sight words to academic vocabulary.

Leading the literacy cohort was a great learning experience.  I loved being able to share resources and tips that I have found, as well as learn from the ideas of my colleagues!  Hopefully our discussions and activities will be helpful to these teachers as they plan units and establish classroom routines for the benefit of their students.

For my fellow literacy nerds:

Have you tried any of these strategies?

What has worked well?  What suggestions do you have?

You're Invited!

I am overwhelmed as I think about the many people who have faithfully prayed, sacrificially given, and enthusiastically followed my story over the past five years.  You have encouraged my heart and made it possible for me to live and serve in Germany.

You're invited to join me in celebrating God's faithfulness!  I want to say thanks for standing with me during my time of service at BFA and share about my new role with TeachBeyond.  Let me know if you can attend this gathering on August 30!

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to Your Name be the glory, because of Your love and faithfulness."  Psalm 115:1

#tbt Week 5: A Weekend of Celebration!

As I embrace this season of transition, I am taking time to reflect on many memories with special people in meaningful places.  It is neat to visibly see changes over time, knowing that God has been transforming us through the experiences of the past five years.

Each Thursday this summer will be devoted to a #tbt (Throwback Thursday) post, highlighting various "then and now" comparisons.  Enjoy!

#tbt Week 5: A Weekend of Celebration!

This weekend, the wedding of my dear friend Megan, naturally brings to mind a nostalgic walk down memory lane.  We have shared so much of life together for the past four years - spontaneous trips to Starbucks, teaching middle school, our birthday celebration in Barcelona, visits in her office after chapel - but most of all, we've shared countless hours of conversation, laughter (Megan has an infectious laugh!), tears, and really knowing each other.  I'm so grateful for our friendship, which has grown and deepened during our time serving together at BFA.

 

I also love that this celebration brings other BFA friends to my hometown for a mini reunion!  What a joy it has been to share some time with these friends.  Thanks, Megan, for giving us a reason to celebrate!

Right now, I'm filled with gratitude as this #tbt leads me to consider wonderful memories with friends.

This weekend, we'll look ahead to what God has in store for Megan and Randy as He joins them together in marriage.

What a wonderful weekend of celebrating God's faithfulness!

How have your friendships grown over time?

How can you see the faithfulness of God through friends?

#tbt Week 4: Home Away from Home

As I embrace this season of transition, I am taking time to reflect on many memories with special people in meaningful places.  It is neat to visibly see changes over time, knowing that God has been transforming us through the experiences of the past five years.

Each Thursday this summer will be devoted to a #tbt (Throwback Thursday) post, highlighting various "then and now" comparisons.  Enjoy!

Home Away from Home:

Unlike many BFA students, it's easy for me to identify my hometown.  Besides my four years of college, I've lived in the same house since I was three, attended the same church my entire life, and still have many roots in my hometown.

Over the past five years, Kandern became my "home."  Yes, there were the furniture purchases and rent payments for my new house, but it was really new friendships and memorable explorations of the area that made it feel like home. 

One of my favorite walks in Kandern / August 2010

Same spot! / June 2015

Enjoying the gorgeous views / Fall 2010

Savoring final memories together in Kandern / June 2015

Having moved overseas and back again, "home" takes on a totally new meaning.  Wherever I am, I feel like part of me is left in the other place.  There is always something to miss about "there" while I am "here."  Along the way, wise friends have reminded me that this is a longing that can only be satisfied in Heaven, my true Home.

I resonate with the Bible characters described in Hebrews 11:  "They were foreigners and strangers on earth [...] They were longing for a better country - a heavenly one.  Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

As I transition back into life in the States, I am anticipating another move to an entirely new place.  Again, I'll be purchasing furniture, paying rent, making friends, and getting to know the area.

But wherever I go on earth, I'm a foreigner.  This is not to discredit the value of my hometown or wherever I reside.  I deeply treasure the feeling of belonging that comes from walking down familiar streets.  But it does mean that, ultimately, the pangs of longing for another place are heavenly hurts.

We're strangers on this earth.  Let's live each moment in light of eternity.  

Where do you call "home"?

How is God calling you to live here in light of your true Home?

#tbt Week 3: My Favorite Day Trip!

As I embrace this season of transition, I am taking time to reflect on many memories with special people in meaningful places.  It is neat to visibly see changes over time, knowing that God has been transforming us through the experiences of the past five years.

Each Thursday this summer will be devoted to a #tbt (Throwback Thursday) post, highlighting various "then and now" comparisons.  Enjoy!

My favorite day trip: The Alps

In my first few weeks of living in Germany, my roommate and I were invited to join our neighbors (Jonathan and Valerie) on a day trip to Interlaken, Switzerland.  The Lauterbrunnen Valley quickly became our favorite day trip to share with visitors, and we have returned to this place many times over the past five years.  The breathtaking beauty of this area truly reflects God's majesty.

On one of our last days in Germany, we returned to the very same pizza place that we had visited with Jon and Valerie back in 2010.  It was a lovely afternoon to "say goodbye" to this place and remember all of the people with whom we have shared the Swiss Alps.

September 2010

June 2015

Many wonderful memories in Interlaken and Lauterbrunnen...

Goodbye, Alps!

What places are important to you?  

How have they become imprinted on your heart?

#tbt Week 2: My Students!

As I embrace this season of transition, I am taking time to reflect on many memories with special people in meaningful places.  It is neat to visibly see changes over time, knowing that God has been transforming us through the experiences of the past five years.

Each Thursday this summer will be devoted to a #tbt (Throwback Thursday) post, highlighting various "then and now" comparisons.  Enjoy!

Week 2: My Students!

As many of you know, I had the privilege of teaching some of the same students during my five years at BFA.  During my first year, I taught a combined 3rd/4th grade class.  Those students were this year's 7th and 8th graders.  What fun to have taught them throughout these five years!  On the last day of school, we recreated our Fall 2010 class photo.

Studying the original photos...

My First Class

Fall 2010, Spring 2013, Spring 2015

Silly pose!

Fall 2010, Spring 2013, Spring 2015

Combined 3rd/4th Grades

Fall 2010, Spring 2015

We have all changed since our first day together!  It's easy to see that they've gotten taller, our styles have changed, and even the tree in the background has grown.  

With Liz, Spring 2013 to Spring 2015

Sometimes we can't see such tangible evidence of change.  From these pictures, it isn't evident how these students have developed in their athletic, musical, and artistic abilities.  There are only hints to their personalities and passions.  You can't see how they have wrestled with doubts, persevered through difficulties, and embraced opportunities.  

Our visible growth testifies to the invisible ways that God is at work in our hearts and our lives - transforming us to be more like Him.

How can you see His transformation in your own life over the past five years?

In what ways are you visibly and "invisibly" different?