The Last Month

It's hard to believe that a month has gone by since my last blog post! At the end of the school year time seems to fly by. Many things have happened in the last month that I hope I can sum them up for you and paint of picture of what is to come this summer!
 
My first year of teaching has come to a close and I couldn't have asked for a better year. I have had so much fun teaching and learning with these students over the last 10 months. They have been such a joy and it has been truly amazing to watch them learn and grow.
Some of the highlights from our last month together have been:

• Our Poetry Reading Celebration
• Field Day
• Eating lunch outside on nice days
• Studying Outer Space
• Sommerfest- an open house and concert at our school for the entire community
• Making pizza together
• Reading and watching "Because of Winn Dixie" by Kate DiCamillo
• Sharing our "favorites" from our year and writing notes to each other

Making pizzas and cutting up apples on the last day of school

The last day of school for the English students and teachers was June 13th. I felt such closure as we celebrated the students' achievements and our wonderful year together. I have learned and grown so much and truly think second grade is the best! :) God has worked in wonderful ways in the lives of these students and in my heart as well. Because of the way the German school schedule works the German students and teachers will continue until about mid-July.


Last day of school hugs and love with my partner teacher too!

Here's what my summer looks like!
My parents arrived on June 15th for a time to vacation together and to show them where I live! It is so nice to have them here and to be able to explore a beautiful part of the world together.
One of the highlights of our trip so far has been going to school to see the German students and acting out the story of Lazarus and Jesus in the Bible. It was so fun to introduce the students to my parents and to act out this story together.

My parents in my classroom with the German students.

We then traveled to Munich, visited Dachau, explored the city, and drove down to Salzburg for a day. We made a beautiful stop in Schwangau, the sight of Newschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles and did some lovely hiking. On the way back to Kandern we stopped in Meersburg along Lake Constance and also in Titisee a beautiful town on a lake in the Black Forest. What a week!
We are looking forward to some great hiking and sights in Switzerland this next week.

By Wolfgang Lake outside of Salzburg in Austria

 

Dad and I at Neuschwanstein castle

 

Mom and I in the Mirabel Gardens in Salzburg on or way to a piano concert.

Once my parents head back to Pennsylvania, it is my plan to stay in Kandern for the summer. While I will miss returning to the States with them for the summer, I hope to have a busy but relaxing summer in Germany. I will be working on several projects at the elementary school as we bring in some new resources and curriculum for next year. I am also working on our school's handbook. In the beginning of August I will attend "Teach Beyond Institute" which is like part 2 of my mission organization's training program.

Another big task of my summer will be moving apartments. Because many people come and go at Black Forest Academy they would like to use our apartment for a family because it has several bedrooms. In our small town there can be limited housing and they often need to shuffle families and individuals around. This means that I will be moving around the end of July. I am sad to be leaving the apartment I am currently living in. Not only have I enjoyed living with my 3 other roommates and in a great space, we also have had very affordable rent and can split expenses four ways. Unfortunately, because I must move into a 2 bedroom apartment (still in town with my lovely roommate Amy) my rent and expenses will increase.

I tell you this for two reasons. First, I ask that you would please pray for this transition and change as I pack up and move down town. In addition, as my supporters and friends I ask that you would prayerfully consider joining my monthly support team to help with these additional living costs. I will send more information about this later, but please let me know if you're interested in becoming a partner in ministry here!
God has been so faithful to provide for me in so many ways. I know He will be faithful to continue to provide for all my needs. I am so thankful to be able to use his gifts, resources, and love to serve and live here in Germany. I will send more information both financially and about this past year in my next monthly letter. Let me know if you'd like to receive these letters via email!

My roommate Amy and I picking tulips!

More pictures and stories to come!