Happy Fall

Fall is such a wonderful season. 

While I love all the seasons, how they are each so unique and different, there is something special about fall that I appreciate more and more each year. Perhaps it is watching the trees slowly change from greens to brilliant yellows and oranges. Maybe it's the seasonal foods like fresh apples and pumpkins straight from the field. Or perhaps what makes fall so special is the many traditions that occur in different places that communities and individuals look forward to each year! 
Experiencing fall here in Germany has been so much fun. There are many things about fall in Germany that are very similar to coming from a Pennsylvania fall. The colors of the trees, different festivals, produce from local farms are definitely pretty similar. But, every place has unique seasonal activities that are fun to be a part of. 
Here are some pictures that document some of my fun fall weekend adventures!

Every fall, the town of Kandern where I live has a wonderful pottery festival where potters from the area sell their beautiful work in our town center. 

 I really enjoy walking around and looking at all the different styles and pieces from the various artists. Too bad it's too expensive to buy much! I like it all!

Here is the pretty creek that runs by my house where now the leaves are starting to change color. Here they are still pretty green. 

 On October 3rd, Germany celebrates Reunification Day and not only is it a chance to celebrate a unified Germany, but it also is a day off from school! On that Thursday I had the chance to travel a little over an hour away to the cute French town of Colmar where we walked around and enjoyed a beautiful fall day!

 Another fun festival in the area is in the village of Holzen. Here we had some of the favorite pumpkin soup and fresh apple cider! It's so good! Last night Amy and I made our own pumpkin soup from scratch and it was SO GOOD!

They were pressing the apples right there for the apple juice. It was some of the best I've ever had!

A new fall tradition I experienced this year is watching the cows come home! Every fall, after spending the summer up in the mountains, it's time for the cows to come back down to different pastures. The lead cows wear wreaths on their heads and the herdsman keep them all together as they walk in a parade-like formation down the mountain. In German it's called, "Viehscheid".  It was lots of fun to be part of this traditional celebration in the beautiful setting of the Black Forest!

 One of the lead cows with the wreath on his head. Afterwards, the wreaths are auctioned off to eager buyers!

A look at the hillside in Münstertal

 After the parade of the cows, there is a big celebration complete with a traditional band and delicious German food!

There are lots of fun things to do for fall. I enjoy bringing some traditional fall activities into the classroom as well as we learn about leaves, apples, and the seasons. This Thursday our class is going to go to the local apple orchard to learn some more about pressing and harvesting apples. It should be a blast!

One thing that I appreciate is that every year the Lord brings each season, but with new experiences, new lessons to be learned, and new people to share life with. I'm so glad that our seasons of life don't continue endlessly. Instead, God faithfully brings us through different seasons of life so that we continue to learn from His loving and guiding hand. While some seasons of life may be sweeter than others, each offers the goodness of walking with the Lord through each day. 

May you have a blessed and beautiful fall wherever He leads you!

School Update!

"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 

1 Thess. 5:18

It has been a busy start to the school year! But, there is much to give thanks for. It is so good to be back and to be starting my second year teaching second grade. I am so thankful to be able to pull on my experiences from last year and to start the year knowing more about how our unique school functions and how I want my classroom to run. 

I am also very glad to be working with my German partner teacher again this year! It is such a joy to work together every day and we are such a  team. Starting year two together makes such a difference as we know so much more about how we want our classroom to run! We were thrilled to be able to start the year with clear goals and expectations for our students. This is us together on the first day of school. Below is a photo of our classroom the week before school. It's nice and clean and ready for students! 

The first day of school is quite a whirlwind as we hold a special celebration for our incoming first graders. The celebration, called Einschulungsfest, is a big ceremony for the first grade class as they start school. Grandmas, grandpas, aunts, uncles, and parents gather to send their child off for their first day of school and to present them with a special cone filled with school supplies and candies. The second graders always perform a skit for the new students and this year our whole school sang songs to welcome the new students. Here is a picture of the many people gathered in the front lot of our school for the ceremony! 

This year I have 22 students in my class. 17 of these students are German students coming from the surrounding community. 5 of my students are English students several who have parents working for BFA or international mission organizations centered here in Kandern, Germany. I taught this group of students Social Studies last year and was pleased to see how they grew up this summer! They are so much fun to teach with a love of learning, lots of creativity, and full of smiles and great stories. There is never a dull moment in my classroom. 
Naturally, having 17 German speakers in my class this year means that there is a lot of speaking and hearing German in our classroom. It has been really cool this September to see how much German I have learned throughout this last year and to be able to help more with the translating in our classroom. It helps a lot! The kids really do teach me a lot and it is amazing to see how fast they learn English too! Their young minds can soak up so much language and so quickly!

This year I have some unique additions to my teaching schedule. I am helping to teach first and second grade library this year which is so much fun. I love helping them pick just the right books. I also am assisting with our elementary chapel band and have been enjoying helping the students prepare to lead worship for the entire elementary school and to come up with easy motions to go with the songs. 

Two weeks ago it was the second grade class' turn to lead chapel. Katharina and I developed a chapel all about giving thanks for the blessings God has given us. Our students illustrated the verses to an old German hymn and read the lines of the verses to the school. We sang songs of thanks and the first grade class all shared something they were thankful for. It was a great time to celebrate the many blessings we have been given. Here are the German words to the chorus of the hymn:

"Alle gute Gabe kommt her von Gott, dem Herrn, 

drum dankt ihm, dankt, drum dankt ihm, dankt, 

und hofft auf ihn."

It reminds us that all our blessings come from the Lord and that we need to always give our thanks to Him!!

Fall is such a wonderful time in this area! There are local festivals to go to and beautiful weather. (Future blog post coming about my fall adventures! Stay tuned...) Pictured below are some fall items collected outside by our students from their homes and the school yard. Then we created little fall creatures and decorations using all natural materials. It is such a fun time of year with so many festive activities to go with the change of the season. This Thursday our class is going to visit the apple orchard like we did last year, to see how our local apple juice is pressed and made! I can't wait :)

I feel so blessed this year to work with an awesome staff of teachers. These people truly are my family away from home. I am so thankful for each one of them and what they bring to our school team. We had a fun staff dinner the other night and pictured below is one of the tables of teachers during our Asian dinner night! YUM. This year is very special, and with staff always changing from year to year, I am cherishing all the moments I have with these wonderful people!

Thank you all for your prayers and love! It means so much to me as you share in my experiences teaching here in Germany. Stay tuned for more updates!

Impact Day

This last Wednesday was "Impact Day" for the BFA high school and middle school. During the school's Spiritual Emphasis week, students were given the opportunity to go out and serve in the community of Kandern and the surrounding areas. The high school students went out to serve in a variety of projects such as cleaning up outside, baking in the dorms, weeding, etc. 

When I heard the students would be divided into work teams based on their weekly small groups I wondered if I could join with my small group to work with them even though the elementary school isn't involved in these events. 

I was so glad I was able to find a sub for the day and come and work with the girls in my small group during Impact Day! My small group was assigned to come to Wollbach, where the elementary school is, to help with some much needed work at the front of our school. The girls worked hard all day long digging holes, shoveling stones, and planting grass!

We had a blast working together and setting a good example of servant hearts that the elementary students certainly saw! It was also really special for my small group girls to see where I work every day!

These girls never complained about the hard work and showed incredible strength as they carried around heavy loads of rocks. 

The Mayor of the village of Wollbach worked with us throughout the day. It was great to serve the community and to be a positive example of serving together. 

"Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing." Psalm 100:2

The beginning of the school year is busy with lots of planning, getting used to a new schedule and new students, and finding a routine. However, in the midst of the busy, the preparation, and the new, there is something about taking time to serve and work with another that reminds you what's really important. I was so proud of my small group girls for their hard work and for the chance for them to shine their light for the people and students in Wollbach to see. What a great day!

Starting Year 2

August 9th marked my one year anniversary of living in Germany. It's amazing to think how much I have learned and done in the last year! I feel so blessed and fortunate to live, serve, and teach here. 

My new house in Kandern. Amy and I live on the second floor. 

I remember this time last year having to figure SO many things out. Things such as, where to put my garbage, how to register as a resident of the town, how to get food, what I was teaching, how to set up my classroom, and so much more. Friends and I would often say how our brains felt like overflowing sponges that just couldn't take in any more information about what we were doing and where we were living!

It is so wonderful to see how far I have come and to be starting year 2! I know where the garbage goes and how to weigh and price the bananas at the grocery store. It is nice to be able to continue in the friendships formed last year and to be excited about greeting and helping out the new BFA staff. 

What a difference a year makes! I can look back and see how far I have come and the process of transitioning to this special place. 

School starts on September 2nd and I am looking forward to this new school year. There is still lots to do in this next week with new curriculum to work on and prepare, cubbies and desks to label, and new materials to sort. This year I will have 21 students in my second grade class. What is unique about this class is I will have 16 German students and only 5 English students. I am excited to get to know this group of students even better and to guide, love, and teach them throughout this next year! 

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement as this new year begins! I can't wait to continue to share my experiences and stories with you!

Here are some pictures of the preparations:

Sorting the book in my classroom library!

New Guided Reading books ready to go!

The 1500 books that Amy and I organized this summer :)
Can't wait to see them in use!

Thanking God for a year of His faithful provision and guidance. It's great to be starting year 2. How has He blessed you in the last year? 

Deutschkurs- "German Course!"

"My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. "

Psalm 145: 21

Since coming to Germany I have really been enjoying the opportunity to improve my German language skills!

I always wondered why I had such a strong desire to take German for so many years in high school, rather than Spanish, which is so important in the education field in America. It made so much sense when I found out about Black Forest Academy, an international school in Germany. It was so clear how God had been orchestrating this position for me and how He saw the big picture.

Although I hadn't taken German since high school, it was so helpful to have a framework for building new vocabulary and for understanding more and more of the language when I came to Germany last August. Because I teach at a bilingual elementary school I have lots of opportunities to hear, read, and use German throughout my regular day. I have also been attending a German church which has also been a huge blessing. I am so thankful for what I have been able to learn throughout this last year!

Going into this summer I had been thinking about taking a German course while staying in Germany, but hadn't taken the time to research language schools or any other options that might be available. However, this July I came across a great opportunity and was able to commit to taking a course in a nearby city for four weeks. I'm so glad I did!

Today was my last day of class and I certainly had mixed feelings as the course came to a close. I have learned so much and wish I could keep going onto the next level! However it was also a huge time commitment along with lots of homework and I welcome the break to catch up on other summer projects as the new school year is quickly approaching!!

My course books and handy dictionary I borrowed from Amy :)

Here are some of my favorite parts about my German class:

• My class was super diverse and I got to meet various people from all over the world that are currently living in German on Switzerland.
• My classmates all come from different language backgrounds and so we are forced to practice and use our German together as the only means of communication!
• It was an intensive course! My first week in class started out with the theme "entrepreneurship" and what it takes to own your own business. I quickly wondered, "what have I gotten myself into?!" This was followed by other topics such as environmental issues, government and politics, addictions, etc. In the end, it was a great challenge!!
• I feel more comfortable in skills such as speaking and writing in German where I previously felt more insecure.
• One day during our politic unit, we were put in groups to run a campaign for a class mayor. The class ended up voting for me as our "Bürgermeister" or mayor!! Very fun :)
• I made some great new friends and got to hear about different people's unique life experience!

Some of my Deutschkurs classmates/friends before we walked to a café together!

God truly knew the plans He had for me all those years ago when I started learning German in middle school. It is my hope to keep learning Deutsch and am so thankful for what I have been able to learn, use and practice!!



Summertime in Germany

Summertime in Germany has been lovely. Since early July it has been in the 80s, sunny, and low humidity. What a gift! I love spending time outside in the beautiful weather. Here are some things that I have been up to this summer.

My parents left on July 2nd to return to America. On my last blog post I shared some of our adventures from our first week of travels together. During our second week, we went and stayed in a town called Adelboden in Switzerland. It was a beautiful area! Each day we drove into the Interlaken area and traveled into the Lauterbrunnen valley to see beautiful sights and go on some spectacular hikes through the alps.

On our favorite hike through the mountains.

It was hard to believe, but during some of our hikes it was snowing up in the mountains! How strange for the end of June! The highlight of the trip there was taking the train through the mountains and up to the top of the Jungfrau, the third highest mountain in the Bernese Alps. We loved looking out over the glacier and up at the mountain peaks. What an experience!

At the Jungfraujoch- top of the Jungfrau mountain

After returning from the alps we returned to my home in Kandern and did some day trips to nearby places. We traveled into the Black Forest to the waterfall in Todtnau and did a day trip on my Birthday to Riquewihr in France. It was really special to have my family here in on my Birthday.


Mom and I on my birthday in Riquewihr, France



The parents by one of the smaller waterfalls in Todtnau.

It was hard to say goodbye to my parents and then to transition back to life here in Kandern. My summers are usually busy at camp, with friends at home, and time with my family. It felt as though I should be returning to America with my parents and then heading to camp! However, even though, I miss friends and family in America, I am really glad that I am in Germany for the summer. The Lord has provided some really cool opportunities for me while I stay here and I feel even more established in this new home. It's not just somewhere that I teach, it's also somewhere I live.

I was able to sign up for a German course to help improve my German. I have been so thankful for the chance to practice my grammar, writing, and speaking. Even after only 2 weeks, I feel like I have learned so much. So, I decided to sign up for next week as well!

My afternoons and evenings after German class have been filled with lots of different things each day that keep each week exciting and eventful! I have been able to get to know different people this summer that I haven't connected with throughout the school year. I have been able to help friends move into new homes and begin to prepare for my move as well. (Coming up in the next 8 days or so!) I have been able to go on some fun trips with different families. I have been able to help at the elementary school with different field trips and projects for the German students who finished school a week ago. I also practice my German at home and work on my heaps of homework from German class. Finally, I have enjoyed spending some time at the local community swimming pool. :)


Day trip to Heidelberg with some special friends :)



Last night I went to see the play, "Jedermann" that was being shown next to the castle. The play was all in German and I could understand a lot! It was an awesome presentation of the Gospel message in the city!

This next week, I will continue my German class as well as go into the elementary school to work on organizing our new curriculum and guided reading books. There is so much to do to get ready for next year! I know it will be a busy next month as we prepare for new students, new materials, new staff, and a new schedule. As the summer progresses I am getting more excited for what the Lord has in store for the next school year. It will be exciting for sure. I will post more of the details for the next school year in a future post.



The 600 pounds of books (I think its around 1500 books) that Amy and I will be organizing next week, and probably for the next month...!



I do miss connecting with many people and would love to hear from you if you are around. May God continue to bless your summer!

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!