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!