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

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!