Photo Journal

I've never been good at keeping a journal or diary of my life. I would often start a journal while I was growing up and then stop a few days later when I ran out of time or didn't feel like writing. I realized though, that I love to take pictures to document different events and moments. While I don't have an iPhone to keep right in my pocket and pull out whenever there is a photo moment, I try to keep my camera with me still and capture significant or fun experiences while living and teaching in Germany. I enjoy being able to look back and see the smiles and faces that I have shared memories with through the years.
Here is a look back at what I have been up to this fall! I have really enjoyed moments with my students, colleagues, and friends when we have been able to experience the beauty of this area. I am very thankful for the opportunity to strengthen relationships and invest in the lives of others. Here is a look at some captured moments from September through November.

The school year started with BFA Opening ceremonies. The high school seniors parade in carrying flags from their home country where their parents may be serving as missionaries. Every year I have to teach on this day and I have never been able to attend. This year I was able to be at the Opening Ceremonies and it was so special to see.

 

I love getting to meet with my small group every Tuesday night. My girls are juniors now and we have so much fun sharing life together.

 

Throughout the fall I love getting my students outside for learning. It is so fun to watch them explore God's creation and look at how it changes through the seasons.

 

The students are looking for different signs of fall. Now, most of the leaves have changed and are on the ground. It's getting much colder and the days are a lot shorter!

Winter is coming!

 

Fall means lots of fun festivals in Germany. My favorite every year is the pottery market in the center of our town. I love looking at all the beautiful handmade pottery and buying a few special things for gifts and for my collections.

 

This was my third year taking my students to the local apple farm to see how the apples are picked, sorted, cleaned, and made in to apple juice and many other products. We had a great time this year seeing how they make fresh, homemade bread, apple juice, and the workings of the farm. It was a beautiful day and I love that we can walk there from our school!

 

On our one school day off, some of my colleagues and I decided to drive to Switzerland to spend a day soaking in the beauty of the mountains. I am so thankful for these colleagues and friends and being able to hike together in the Alps!

 

There was a special exhibition at a church in a nearby town showing the story of Moses from the basket on the Nile to seeing the Promise Land. The story is shown through small figurines and really helps the Bible story come to life.

 

It was amazing to walk through the displays with the students and talk about God's faithfulness to his people. I loved the questions and comments from my students and how seeing the Bible stories in this unique form really made them think about what happened long ago. And God is still faithful to provide and protect his people today!

 

On the way back from seeing the Exodus display we stopped at this huge slide at a local museum. The students (and their teachers) climbed to the top and slid all the way down! This was definitely a highlight of the day!

 

I loved the slide and my students greeted me at the bottom!

 

 

In October we attended the teacher retreat with our partner school that is located in a nearby city. This is a large private Christian German school that my school, CSK, is partnered with. I was really blessed by this weekend away to give God thanks for blessing and growing His schools in Germany. It is amazing to see how students are coming to know the Lord through Christian schools in this country. I am blown away that I get to be a part of His work in this part of the world. Pictured are the German and English speaking colleagues that I work with everyday. We enjoyed a weekend away with LOTS of other teachers at this retreat center in the mountains of the Black Forest.

 

In November we celebrate St. Martin with a lantern parade through the village. Students and their families come to remember the work of St. Martin who gave sacrificially to the poor. Our students sang, "This Little Light of Mine" and then walked through the town carrying our lanterns and singing songs. Of course, we ate bratwurst and hot cider afterwards!

 

Also in November we celebrate Thanksgiving! The parents organize a really fun event for the students and they rotate through stations of games and crafts that relate to American Thanksgiving. At the end we share a traditional hot meal together and have a lot to be thankful for. I took this picture our of the window of my classroom looking down on some of the festivities below.

 

This last weekend 8 of my teacher friends and I went on a little get away to Adelboden, Switzerland. We stayed at a chalet run by Janz Team and were so refreshed by our time together and a relaxing weekend. I am thankful for wonderful friends and beautiful mountains.

 

It has been a busy season! These pictures are just a few of the fun and meaningful moments I have been able to experience.

I continue to help lead our school's chapel band each week and have enjoyed talking to the students about worship and praising the Lord.

I am really blessed by my wonderful 19 students and watching them learn and grow. It is amazing to see them learn in two languages and understand more and more about one another and the Lord.

I also spend lots of time working on my course work for my online graduate classes. I am really thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow professionally and find the courses interesting and challenging. I love that I can take what I am learning and apply it right into my classroom. I am still figuring out how to balance the work and deadlines with a busy schedule. But, God has been showing me that he is so faithful to provide the strength and energy I need for each day.

 

I hope that you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and take time to give God thanks for the many wonderful blessings He has given to us!

 

Back to School

I'm back in Germany and school is up and running once again! It has been quite a busy month transitioning back to life here and to getting ready for the new school year. 

Here is a bit of a look back on what has been happening. 

It was wonderful to be back in America this summer and to be able to reconnect with family and friends. I'm thankful for the opportunity to share about my ministry in Germany with so many different people and with various church congregations. God opened many doors for me to be able to share at different churches about how God is at work in amazing ways. It was a growing and stretching experience for me to speak to so many people, but it was a huge blessing. 

I was so encouraged by the prayers and kind words from many. I was amazed by the interest and thoughtful questions from eager listeners. And I was blessed by the willingness of others to give and support this incredible ministry serving and teaching missionary kids and local German kids. 

Thank you again! 

Here are some pictures sharing at different churches and places this summer. 

"Sunday Morning Live" at Kochenderfer church where I was interviewed on the talk show!

Sharing the morning message

Open house at my parent's home in Orwigsburg, PA

Talking with people after church

I came back to Germany on August 15th and early the next week my mom came to visit. It was great to be able to show her around again and she offered to come and help me set up my classroom for this next school year. Before all the work began we went on a short "get- away" near Innsbruck, Austria to soak in the natural beauty of the Alps. Then, it was right to work trying to organize, clean, and figure out lots of new things at school!

Mom and I hiking in Austria

Enjoying Innsbruck!

School started on September 8th and I made it through our first few weeks back! I loved seeing all our students faces again as they were eager to come back to school. It is really fun to know many of the students at our school from previous years and to be able to continue my relationship with them. 

This year in my class I have 18 (soon to be 19) students. This is less than my previous two years having 23 students and feels a little different! I have 11 German students and 7 (soon to be 8) English students. These students are such a joy to have. They are creative, fun, and eager learners. I am really enjoying once again to see the interaction between the German and English students and how they develop in their language skills from year to year. 

This year also brings some changes to our teaching staff. I began the new year with my new partner teacher, Frau Schneider, and have loved getting to know her! We are going to make a great team and it is exciting to have fresh, new ideas in the classroom. I think it is going to be a wonderful year!

My lovely roommate and friend, Amy and I on the first day of school. I am so thankful for this friend!

Isabelle and I in our lovely classroom! It's going to be a great year :)

Prayer Requests
I have a few prayer requests and would really appreciate your prayers in the next few weeks. 
First, I started a graduate program through Messiah College this summer. I am really excited to be able to do graduate work online this year and to learn lots of great ideas to use in my classroom and to develop more as a teacher. I am still figuring out how to balance my graduate work along with my school work and would appreciate your prayers for energy, strength, and careful planning to be able to balance both work and school. 
Second, Black Forest Academy has asked the staff to decide by the end of the month about what they will be doing for the 2015-2016 school year. I am prayerfully considering where the Lord is leading me after this year and would appreciate your prayers as well as I discern the Lord's leading as to whether I will be staying in Germany or leaving for somewhere else. I'm still not sure what I'm going to do! 
Thank you so much for your prayers. It really means a lot to me!

This morning at church I was really encouraged by the words of 2 Peter 1:3-11. Verse 3 and 4 say, "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." God truly provides for us in so many ways and calls us to live a meaningful and purposeful life. I hope this encourages you as well! 

Sending love from Germany!

You know you're NOT teaching in America when...

You know you are not teaching in America when...

• You ask your students to design a town together and they all tell you they have to include a castle.
• Your students leave their shoes outside the classroom door on December 6^th for St. Nicholas to fill.
• Your school takes two weeks off for Pentecost.
• Your second grade students bring their passports for a class trip less than a half hour away.
• Your emails, letters home, and report cards go out in two languages.
• Your students remark, “I’ve learned so much German, all the English went out of my head!”

This photo clip is edited by Amy Collins. Thanks Amy!

You know you are teaching where God wants you to teach when...

• Your student says, “What makes this school special is that God is in the middle.”
• Morning circle time turns into a testimony time of students sharing how they accepted Jesus into their hearts.
• You leave the room for a moment, come back, and hear your class singing “How Great is Our God” in English AND in German.
• While leading worship during chapel you get choked up because the entire school is worshiping God by singing their favorite songs complete with hand motions.
• A student shares at the school Spring Fest in front of parents, friends, and neighbors about how she accepted Christ for the first time and that it was, “the greatest decision of her life.”
• Your students’ parents who are missionaries can continue serving in Germany because they know that their child’s education is in good hands.
• Your students pray for one another, help each other, and learn together even though they come from different backgrounds.
• Your English speaking students all finish the year reading at or above grade level! Oh yeah!

I also got this graphic from Amy. She is so great!

Thank you for your prayers and financial support over the last two years.  They have made such a difference.  As I prepare to renew my commitment for a third year of mission in the unique setting of Christian School Kandern, I hope you will renew your commitment to be an important part of my support team.

There are several ways to join my support team. The first is through your prayers. I ask that you please be in prayer for our school and for our students that they may continue to learn about the amazing love of Jesus. I also have listed some prayer requests on the side of my blog.

I also ask for your support financially. I am looking for people who would be willing to join my monthly support team each month. These donations help with my living expenses in Germany. I need $250 more each month in monthly pledges for my third year. Would you be willing to give at perhaps $25 or $50 a month?

If you are already a monthly supporter, thank you! Your gifts make all the difference in building God’s kingdom in Germany. If you would like to continue your support for my next year of service, that’s great! You don’t need to fill anything out, but if you would let me know via e-mail it will help me with my records.

Finally, if you would like to make another one time donation to my ministry in Germany, it would mean so much to me. Your gift truly helps to serve both the children of missionary families as well as the children in our local German community.

To give you can click on the "How to get Involved" tab at the top of my blog or you can follow this easy link:

https://give.teachbeyond.org/usa/cc/

Living on support is very humbling and not always easy. I often need to redirect where I am placing my trust and remember that God is so faithful to provide for our every need. This spring the pastor of the German church I attend shared a quote that really encouraged me. It says,

German: “Ich vertraue nicht auf Reichtum, sondern auf DEN der mich reichlich versorgt!

English: “I will not trust in riches, but in Him who richly provides!”

The church I attend in Germany!

God certainly is faithful to provide for our every need no matter what it is. He has shown me again and again that He knows our needs better than we do and that He can wonderfully provide for us.  

Thank you for following along and joining me in this journey of serving the Lord. Your prayers, encouragement, and love along the way has meant so much to me!

I hope you have a fun and blessed summer!

Summer Update

This Saturday I am hosting an Open House at my parent's home in Orwigsburg, PA. Please stop by anytime between 12:30-4 for lunch and to see pictures and hear some stories about my ministry in Germany. I would love to catch up with you!!
Here are the details:

 

I hope to see you there!

 

This summer I have already been busy sharing with others about life in Germany. I am so blessed by the encouragement of others and their willingness to hear how God is at work around the world.

 

Here are some pictures of what I have been up to so far!

First, I have had the opportunity to speak at a few churches so far. I was a bit nervous at first to give the message at these churches, but God is so good! He gave me the words and confidence to share some things that have been dear to my heart. I am so thankful for the kindness from these congregations and their interest in serving missionary kids and the German community. See my previous blog post for a list of where I am speaking at throughout the summer.

Worship outside at Temple Church

 

We had perfect weather and the perfect place to share stories about my ministry in Germany.

 

I also had the opportunity to share with the women from the Bangor Bible Study. These women have been so faithful to pray for my ministry. So of course, I brought them some German chocolate! It was so good to enjoy time together again and to then have lunch together.

Picture taken at church where we had our study.

 

Then, it was off to lunch!

It was so great to catch up with these ladies.

 

Thank you all for your encouragement and love.
Photo credit: Thank you Maureen B.!

 

Finally, I was able to go on vacation with my family to visit my brother who lives in South Carolina. We were able to explore Charleston, SC and enjoy all the history, food, and fun sights. It was great to have a break in my busy schedule and to see a new place!

On a boat in Charleston Harbor.

God gave us the most beautiful sunset!

It has been so great so far to be back in America to see some familiar places and faces. I am looking forward to seeing more of you in the weeks to come. I would love to see you at the open house on Saturday! Also, I ask that you please continue to pray for the needed support to come in so that I can return to Germany to teach and serve in a variety of ways for a third year.

Here is the link again if you would like to give: TeachBeyond Giving Form

 

Hope your summer is blessed!





Summer Plans!

The school year has ended, goodbyes said, and the suitcases are out to be packed! It has been a great year, but I am really looking forward to a much needed break. I am leaving and will be arriving in America on June 19th. During my time in America I am planning on reconnecting with family and friends and sharing about the amazing ways that God has been at work in Germany over the last 2 years.

Reading to my students on our final day altogether.

If you are interested in meeting up or hearing about my mission serving in the Black Forest here are some possibilities. I will be sharing at different churches on the following Sundays.

June 22- Friendship United Methodist Church 11am (Coatsville, PA)

June 29- Temple United Methodist Church 10:30am (North Coventry, PA)

July 13- Kochenderfer United Methodist Church 9am and 10:30 (Lebanon, PA)

July 27- Salem United Methodist Church 8:45 and 10:45am (Orwigsburg, PA)

August 3- Bethany United Methodist Church 10am (Palmyra, PA)

August 10- Milton Grove United Methodist Church 9am (Mt. Joy, PA)

I also invite you to join my family and I at my parents house on July 12th from 12:30-4 for an Open House. Lunch and dessert will be served and there will be an opportunity to see pictures and hear about the mission work I am doing. We would love to see you!

I will be in Western, PA from July 14-18. Please contact me if you will be in the area and would like to meet up!

Finally, thank you all so much for your encouragement, prayers, and support over the last 2 years. God has worked in amazing ways in my life and in the lives of the students and people I work with thanks to your support.

I humbly ask you to consider making a contribution or commitment to support God's work here in Germany during my third year of service. Your generosity means so much to me!

Click here to make a donation!

My small group of high school girls that I meet with weekly :)

Hope to see you soon!

May Reading Month

The month of May at CSK has been "Reading Month"! In order to promote reading in both German and English in our school, the teachers put together some fun activities to motivate our students.
It is now the end of the month and it has certainly been a success. My students were such enthusiastic readers over the last few weeks and were eager to read different types of books and in different languages!
 
Here are some of the activities we did!
First, we created a giant castle. For every book that the students read OR for every 50 pages read, students (and teachers!) could fill out a castle brick. Our goal was to fill the castle by the end of the month.
The different colors are the different grades. Way to go third grade with all their green bricks!

 
This picture was from a few weeks into our program. Now, the castle is almost filled to the top. Hopefully we can finish it this last week!
 
Next, each Friday during May we had a special activity to promote reading.

The first Friday was to dress like your favorite book character. My class had lots of characters come visit! There was the mouse from "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie", Kaya from The American Girls series, Fly Guy, Clifford, Gandalf, knights, and pirates. There were also characters from A to Z Mysteries, Peter Pan, and Spiderman. I dressed as one of my teacher inspirations: Ms. Frizzle!

My colleagues all dressed up as well!

 

Amy and I were teacher opposites! She was Miss Viola Swamp!

 

We love to read!

The next Friday's activity was to bring in a picture that shows you reading in an unusual place. It is true, reading certainly takes us places! Here is my picture reading in a tree. The students were very creative and brought in pictures reading in fun places. Some of my favorites were reading on a horse, in a trash can, and upside down!



 

 

Pictures of the student's reading in unusual places!

 

Our third special day was "Mystery Reader" Day. I was excited to welcome my lovely friend Allison Stroud to read a "Harry" book to my class. I also had my mom Skype in from America to read a fun Eric Carle book. My dad even made an appearance as well! The kids loved it!

 

 

 

Finally, we had a comfy "Pajama Day". The students brought blankets or a stuffed animal and we spent some extra time reading. I didn't take many pictures on this day, but we did have a closing chapel and Amy took some sweet photos of the students worshiping together. My heart was so blessed hearing and watching these students praise God! It has been such a joy to help lead our chapel band this year and to help lead our school in our praise and worship time.

We loved having pajama day and spending extra time reading as well!

 

 

 

My friends and students know that I certainly love to read. I love how books open up new worlds, take us to new places, and help to expand our thinking. It is my hope that my students will learn the joy and value of reading. I was so thankful for this month of intensive reading and seeing how reading can be lots of fun. In addition, the students are reading more and more in their non-native language and what a gift that is!