My new passport

I have my new passport! YAY!!! Praise the Lord for His provision. I fly to the US on Wednesday, so the timing is perfect! God is good.

Oh yeah...as for leaving...I am pretty much packed and ready to go. I am very much looking forward to seeing my family and friends, but am not naive enough to think there won't be any reverse culture shock to deal with. Oh the joys of transitions.

Christmas and the Cross

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent. I’ll admit I’ve never really celebrated Advent. I think I want to change that though. A few months ago, I read a book by Lauren Winner entitled girl meets GOD. Winner grew up practicing Judaism, converted to Orthodox Judaism during her college years, and then converted to Christianity (attending an Anglican church) during graduate school. I am not sure I completely agree with everything she said, but her thoughts on Christmas and Advent challenged me. Allow me to share with you some of what she said:

“Perhaps the problem is that we don’t know what the meaning of this holiday, of Jesus’ pushing into the world, is. If we did, we wouldn’t have to worry about consumerism; if we knew what the Incarnation meant, we’d be so preoccupied with awe that we wouldn’t notice all the shopping…

Jo Bailey Wells has an Advent rule. She doesn’t go to Christmas parties held before Christmas. She says Advent is about anticipation, not about celebrating weeks before His birth. The waiting, she says, is meant to be a little anxious. I picture Jan Austen heroines. They never are quiet sure if their intended will come. We Christians can be sure, we can rest easy in the promises of Scripture. But we are meant to feel a touch of that anxious, handkerchief-wringing expectation all the same.

The calendar tells us that this all culminates on December 25th, but really the whole season slouches toward Easter. Jesus becomes incarnate now, in that manger in Bethlehem, but if His incarnation is meant to make Him more relatable to us, if we are meant to have better access to God because our God has a body like we have, if we relate to Him better because He knows what it is like to weep and throw up and be tempted and suffer, then the Incarnation that starts on Christmas isn’t finished until Good Friday. And the miracles that start in the strange, inexplicable Virgin Birth aren’t finished until the Resurrection. As Reverend Barbara Cawthorne Crafton wrote of the Virgin Birth, ‘Hard as it is to swallow, it is nothing compared with what we’ll have to deal with come Easter morning, a few short months from now. Look on it as a little something by way of a warm-up.’ Even his birthplace takes us to the Last Supper: Jesus, the Bread of Life, is born in Bethlehem, bet lechem, ‘house of bread,’ and at the Last Supper He will break bread for us, and then on the cross He will break His body. Nothing in Scripture, even the names of birthplace towns, is coincidence.” (p.35-36)

I’ll admit, I don’t know much about Advent. Who celebrates it? Why? (I need to do some research.) But I think I like it. It seems more Christ-like to spend this time before Christmas focusing on Christ and what He did for us rather than focusing on shopping and Christmas parties. I’m not saying that fellowshipping with friends and family is bad, but what is my focus?

Yesterday at church the first Sunday of Advent was definitely commemorated. The service focused on darkness and light. Christ came to give us light (John 3:19) - to rescue us from the darkness – that we might have our thirst quenched by the Living Water (John 7:37-38) and a Shelter in the storm (Psalm 55:6-8).

Recently I’ve definitely felt the darkness of my own imperfection. (They say that transition makes you more aware of your weaknesses. I think they’re right.) Sometimes I can temporarily pretend my depravity isn’t as deep as it really is, but soon that façade comes crashing down and I’m left staring my weaknesses in the face. Thankfully, God gives grace and mercy. Little by little, He is making me more like Himself. Sure it’s hard. Sure it’s probably only happening one-tenth of a millimeter at a time. Sure it’s sometimes one step forward and one step back. But this is life on earth. I am thankful for the promise that I have the promise that one day I will spend eternity in the presence of my Savior, where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).

My Trip To Hungary That Wasn't Meant To Be...

So I was supposed to go with some friends of mine and a group from their church in Heidelberg to serve at an orphanage in Hungary over Thanksgiving. I went. But I didn't get past the Hungarian border. I lost my passport a few weeks ago (I don't know how). I am waiting for my new one, but in the meantime, I have a temporary one. Evidently that wasn't good enough for the Hungarians, so after spending two hours at the border, I started a very long train ride (on Thanksgiving Day) back to Germany. :)

Of course, nothing in my life is ever simple. I had left some of my stuff in Heidelberg, so I headed there instead of back to Kandern.

Oh and get this - after January, there won't even be border guards evidently.

I didn’t travel back to Germany alone. Two military guys on the bus also were refused - they evidently don't have passports and normally military orders are good enough. Two different group leaders had called the US Embassy in Hungary before the trip and been told those two guys would be okay. Well, they weren’t. So the three of us set off on an adventure back to Heidelbeg - which was an adventure. :) It took us a while to figure out how to get out of the little town on the border that we were dropped off at. We had food at a hotel (see picture at right) - the lady was very nice and helped point us in the right direction. I had some Viennese coffee (yum!) and some cake (chocolate with cherries, etc.) Not a very good breakfast, I know, but at that point I didn't really care. (After being on a bus all night and then facing a long day traveling back to Germany.) It sounded good so I had it.

Here is a summary of our adventurous journey back to Germany:
- The bus dropped us off at a train stop (not worthy of being called a station) in a small town in eastern Austria called Neusiedl am See.
- We then walked (after “breakfast” at the hotel) a couple of miles to the real train station on the other end of the village.
- From there, we took the train to the Vienna South train station. (See picture at right)
- Oh, but trains to Germany don’t leave from the south station – they leave from the West train station. So we took the tram to the West train station.
- From the Vienna West station, we took the train to Frankfurt, Germany.
- From there, we took another train to Heidelberg.
- I then took the S-bahn (another train) to the town outside of Heidelberg that my friends live in. I arrived at their house around 11:30 Thursday evening. (I had been travelling almost constantly since I left Kandern at noon on Wednesday.)

Side note: I have a CU friend who lives in Vienna (See picture at left), but I didn't have a phone number for her with me, and it was Thanksgiving Day, so I didn't try to contact her. I had the thought that I should make the most of being stuck in Vienna, but at the same time I just wanted to be home, you know?

After hanging out with their cat, exploring their town, and otherwise relaxing and resting, I headed back to Kandern on Saturday (which involved trains and a bus).

So that is how Kari spent Thanksgiving 2007. Oh, but I did have a lovely Thanksgiving meal on Sunday with some wonderful friends here.

I know this post is getting long, but allow me to share with you some reflections, now that I’ve had some time to process all of this:

* I have added Austria to the list of countries I’ve been to. But I do hope to go back.

* I have mastered public transportation in Europe. I can get wherever I need to go.

* Am I on a blacklist and won’t be able to get into Hungary? I don’t think so, but I’m not sure. I’m going to try to find out.

* At first, I was beating myself up over this. I feel some personal responsibility in this. Not just in that I lost my passport, but that I should have known it (the temp passport) would not have been good enough. Had I known this would happen, I wouldn’t have gone. But as someone reminded me, that’s pretty obvious. More so, I am reminded that God has a reason for everything that happens in our lives. For some reason, He didn’t want me in Hungary. I don’t know if He was protecting me from something, or what reason He had. I just need to trust His sovereignty.

* I have learned more about which countries are EU and which aren’t. And that it is not just being EU that matters. There’s evidently this treaty known as the “Schengen Agreement.” This agreement evidently allows people to travel freely between the countries that have signed this treaty. Note: Not all EU countries have signed this treaty, but more are. That’s important to know.

* Money is money. As much as we’re supposed to be wise stewards of our finances, sometimes you just have to spent money. Like on train tickets to get from the Hungarian border back to Germany.

* So the moral of the story is to always travel with a valid passport and never lose it. I’m trying to decide what to do once I get my new passport so that I won’t lose it. EVER. I think I might sew it to myself. Anybody have a better idea?

Another Year Gone By....

A few random thoughts with Kari:

*This past Saturday I went to Titisee - a small town in the Black Forest - with a friend. I had been there after English Camp in 2004. While I thought it was a beautiful place, it wasn't my favorite place because I thought of it as a bit of a "tourist trap." (And probably because I was tired after two sessions of camp:). Well, on Saturday I was refreshed by the beautiful snow-covered scenery (see above picture:). There were people milling around, but it was not crowded. As we perused the shops and admired the buildings, Black Forest culture abounded.

*Yesterday was my birthday (my 26th, in case you're wondering). I've been thinking about why we celebrate birthdays - I mean, isn't it kind of selfish and egocentric? Perhaps. But maybe moreso it's a day to celebrate who God created us to be and to remind each other why we appreciate each other. But shouldn't we be doing that everyday? Yes. (I think there are a few Bible verses that talk about that.:)

*Yesterday I learned that I have been a very bad German. It's amazing that my apartment isn't falling apart and rotting away due to mold. Evidently because of the way German houses are built and the way the heating systems work (neither of which I can explain to you), you need to open the windows every day for a little bit. Don't worry - I opened them this morning for the necessary amount of time.

*Tomorrow I leave to spend the next several days in Heidelberg and Hungary. I'm going with some friends (who live in Heidelberg) and a group from their church to serve at an orphanage in Hungary over Thanksgiving. So that's how I'm spending my first Thanksgiving away from home. And I'm excited about it!

*My trip back to the States is quickly approaching (I fly the 12th of December), which I am excited about. I am a bit anxious about all of the details that still need to fall into place, but I know that God will cause all things to fall into place in the way He wants them to.

I am praying that you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving however or whereever you're celebrating with family and friends! Take some time to stop, step back, and remember all you have to be thankful for. God is good!

Snow is in the air....

On Wednesday, I saw my first snow of the season while driving to the embassy in Bern, Switzerland (That in and of itself could be a post, but I won't bore you. Suffice it to say that I lost my passport, don't have a clue what happened to it, and needed to get it replaced. God has been good and provided in many small ways through that adventure.) By the end of Wednesday, it was snowing here in Kandern. Thursday morning, the scene above of snow-dusted rooftops is what I awoke to. I LOVE the peacefulness that a fresh snowfall brings.

As I walk around town (with my cold hands shoved in my pockets:), I notice the contrast of the hills surrounding Kandern. The hills closest to Kandern are covered with the last remnants of fall colors. The hills further away, which are at a higher elevation, are covered with snow-laden evergreens. Ah. How beautiful!

Thursday as I walked to work (all bundled up in my winter coat...I have finally broken down and started wearing it), I was refreshed by the snow. In some ways, it reminded me of home. Having spent the past 8 winters not in NNY, I have come to appreciate life without the inconvenience of a spontaneous foot (or 10:) of snow. However, to me, winter is not winter without snow. I'd much rather have the beauty of a layer of the "white stuff" than look at the browns of dead trees and grass all winter. So, I'll pay the price of bundling up to enjoy life in a winter climate. :)

Contentment

"...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

This is the end of Philippians 4:11. Earlier this week, I was reading through Philippians (more on that in a bit) and this verse took me back to the beginning of my freshmen year at CU. You see, that verse was hanging on the wall of the lounge in my unit (suite). My roommate's Mom pointed out to me (an almost 18 year old who probably refused to admit how scary it was to be starting college 600+ miles from home) the humorous truth of that verse - she said "whatever STATE - Ohio, NY, etc." It's true - God asks me to be content wherever He places me geographically, whatever He calls me to do, and whatever circumstances I'm in. I am thankful that the last few days I have been blessed with the peace of contentment - that I know I'm where I'm supposed to be, doing what God has called me to do.

Back to why I was reading through Philippians. Recently, I've started helping to co-lead a small group of BFA 10th grade girls (an AWESOME group of girls, by the way!), and they are studying Philippians, which is why I was reading through that book. (I've been reading a lot of Paul's writings lately and am very encouraged and challenged by them....perhaps because I can currently relate to his relationship with his supporters and those he was ministering to?)

While I was considering whether or not I should agree to co-lead this group, I had some times of good reflection and confirmation. During this time, God confirmed to me three of the main passions He has given me: youth, cross-cultural ministry, and short-term missions. Co-leading this small group definitely fits within those parameters. These girls are TCKs (Third Culture Kids) who have experienced more places and cultures than I ever dreamed of at their age! I have a feeling I am going to learn a lot from them and that they are going to bless my socks off! (They are already!)

Praise God for all He has done and continues to do in my time here!

The Beauty of Fall

Note: The picture above does not do justice to the beauty I am currently witnessing.

As my alarm clock goes off, my eyes suddenly open. Out the window, I see the grayish white sky of early morning. Five minutes later, the sky is a brillant blue and speckled with a few dainty clouds. As I stand up, I see that the trees surrounding The Monument are tinged with orange and gold. The hills around Kandern are covered with the beautiful colors of fall. Soon - too soon - these leaves will be gone. Until then, I will enjoy their beauty and the majesty of their Creator.

Tag der Deutschen Einheit

Yesterday was German Unification Day, so I had the day off. This day commemorates the two Germanies (East and West) becoming one on October 3, 1990. (The Berlin Wall "fell" in 1989.) I think to most Americans my age, communism is something we read about in our high school history books. However, it becomes more and more evident to me that there are still are communist(ic) governments in the world, and its legacy lives on in many other countries, affecting many people's lives. I think many of us tend to think of Western Europe and Eastern Europe. However, the other day someone referred to Western Europe (countries that never were communistic), Central Europe (countries that were communistic and no longer are, but still feel the effects of it), and Eastern Europe (countries that still are communistic or otherwise very controlling).

God has given me a heart for Europe. I know I don't understand the history of this region and how that history affects the people as much as I should - may God deepen my understanding and make me more sensitive to the spiritual needs of the people in Europe.

Dreiländereck

The area I live in is known in German as the "Dreiländereck" ("three country region" or something like that). It's the area where France, Germany, and Switzerland meet. Nearby is the Alsace region, which the German and French fought over for centuries. It is interesting to have such a mix of cultures nearby! In Cincinnati, you cross the (Ohio) river and you're in Kentucky. Here, you cross the (Rhein) river and you're in another country - either Switzerland or France, depending on where you are!

A few weekends ago, I went with some of my new friends to Weil am Rhein. In the picture below, we are standing in France, and looking back across the Rhein (which we had just walked across...on the bridge, obviously:) toward Weil am Rhein. BEAU-TI-FUL!!!!!!!! I love seeing God's majesty in creation!

(I have to give credit where credit is due - Meghan took this picture, not me. Thanks, Meghan!)

Excitingly Crazy

Today is Sept. 28th. I was just told that one of our camps for 2008 is already FULL! That is encouraging to me, because it means that the campers enjoy camp and want to come back, and that God is at work! It also helps me remember why I am spending many hours in front of a computer organizing details, etc.

Is this culture shock?

Those of you who know me well know that McDonald's is pretty much the last fast food restaurant I would go to....I'm just not a big fan. So Thursday night I had a McDonald's cheeseburger (group peer pressure) and it was DELICIOUS!!! Why? - I don't know. Am I craving beef? And American culture? Perhaps it's a (minor) sign of culture shock?

Culture shock...people will tell you that culture shock is a process of fun-fight-flight-fit (or something like that). The fight and flight stages consist of being angry at the way things are done in the culture you live in, etc. If someone were to ask me if I am experiencing culture shock, I would say no. Probably partially because of pride, but moreso because I'm not angry. However, I realized/admitted over the weekend that I am experiencing culture shock - at least to some degree - but not in the "angry" way. For me, it seems to be more fatigue - it is physically and emotionally draining to not know how to accomplish seemingly simple tasks (go to the bank, get insurance, etc) and to not be able to understand the language around you - not understanding bills that come in the mail (that's 20 euro for what?) and to sit through meetings that are conducted in German (especially ones that last 3 1/2 hours). Also, the "quiet Kari" seems to be the side of my personality that is most prevalent these days. I think it's because I'm trying to absorb everything around me, and because it takes so much energy to be social, etc.

I don't mean to sound negative...things really are going well. And I think the fact that I am aware of these things and willing to admit them is a good thing....as is the fact that being aware of them then enables me to make conscious decisions to counter these effects of transitioning to life in a new place. I'm feeling tired? I need to go to bed earlier this week. I'm feeling like stepping out of my comfort zone takes too much effort? I need to do it anyways, so that I know that #1 - I am making the most of my time in Germany and #2 - that I am faithfully obeying what God has called me to do.

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"

~Colossians 3:17 & 23

TEFL fun....

Monday and Tuesday I attended a TEFL seminar that GEM (Greater Europe Mission) did at their offices in the area. It was good to network/connect with some other TEFL people - there are so many amazing people here! It was also good to be reminded of stuff I've learned in the past, and to think of it in how it fits in my context here. i.e. - How can I use my TESOL background/education to help improve/strengthen our program here? How should conversational English be taught in a TEFL context? (TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language refers to teaching English in a non-English speaking country - such as Germany or China, whereas TESL - Teaching English as Second Language refers to teaching English in an English-speaking country - such as the US, Canada, or Australia.)

Good stuff.

Immersion Course vs. Connecting

Last Monday was a day of relief…relief because of some decisions. As most of you know, I had been planning to do a German language immersion course this fall. Well, doing so would mean “relocating” (or a very long commute) for a month or two. It would also mean not getting as well connected around here, since a lot of the activities start up at the beginning of the school year (just like in the States). Not feeling connected around here was weighing heavily on me, so for that reason (and some others), after much prayer and deliberation I have decided not to do an immersion course at this point. I have started going to a German class that BFA offers for its staff two days a week, and I think I’m going to take a course at the Volkshochschule (a community ed program I think we would call it in the States?) that starts in October. I am also going to be part of a women’s German/English Bible study that starts this week. So even though I’m not doing much formal language study at this point, I am trying to be more deliberate about studying it on my own and getting plugged into the German community around here.

Last Monday I also received word that I won’t have to go back to the States to raise more support at this point. This is another source of relief and decreases my anxious thoughts! PTL for He is good, even when my idea of good does not match His!

Day by day I am feeling more connected here – a fact for which I am thankful. But it does feel like I am on a rollercoaster sometimes – which I’m told is normal.

It would be easier to connect with people if my phone worked! To make a long story short, my home phone has not worked since camps ended (over a month ago). I am hoping that it REALLY gets fixed this week, as it is beginning to frustrate me a bit, but it reminds me to keep things in perspective.

I am really trying to commit to putting forth the effort necessary to THRIVE here…no matter how long I end up staying in Germany, I don’t want to look back on my time here and know that I didn’t make the most of it. Pray that I have the strength and courage to do that…to build into the people I meet and to engage in the culture around me. As Jim Elliot said “Wherever you are, be all there.”

My Job Description

Many of you have asked me what exactly I'm doing now that camps are over...well, that's a hard question to answer. For the same reason it's hard to really list my "job description." Why is it hard to list? - because there are so many little things that need to be done for the camps to happen, and because you never know what a day may hold. At this point, we're still wrapping up loose ends from this summer, but we'll soon be jumping into the big projects for next summer. Here are some of the things I've done in the past week or so:
- Reorganized the garage (storage area) - which included taking apart shelves and putting them back together (as well as getting very dusty:)
- Making a list of all the tasks that will keep me busy between now and April - a whole flip chart page worth. :)
- Sorting through and reorganizing the linens that our summer staff use
- Collecting and reviewing staff feedback (general, cooks, activities coordinators, etc.) to help us evaluate our program
- Sat in on a budget review meeting
- Otherwise organized and evaluated information.

One thing is for sure - there's definitely not an opportunity to get bored or stuck in a rut! :)

Swiss Camp video

Here's a link to a video of the JT English camp for French-speaking teens in Switzerland: click here

Stories...

As we reflect on and discuss how camp went this summer, I hear more and more stories that tell how God worked this summer. Let me share a few snippets:

*A staff member said "I knew I could love the loveable, but I learned this summer that I could love the UNloveable.

*Staff members eyes were opened to the spiritual needs of German teens, and they feel God possibly leading them to minister to Germans in the future.

*Campers have already registered for next summer because camp this summer was "boththumbsup!" and"oberhammer" (which I'm told is really strong - means something like REALLY awesome).

*A camper who is struggling with self-mutilation approached a staff member after chapel one night, confesses her struggle, and says she wants to be free from this.

*Campers are eager to learn - and hungry for - the truth of the Bible. For example, when the Bible speaker tells them to turn to a certain verse, they keep looking until they find it. If the verse is in Matthew, many of them start looking in the front of their Bible (not realizing that Matthew is in the last half) and keep looking until they get to Matthew.

*A camper who is struggling with unhealthy eating habits finds hope when she begins a personal relationship with Christ.

...And the list goes on.... The stories that we do hear excite me greatly. At the same time, I know that many seeds are planted...the fruit of those seeds will only be truly known when we get to heaven. And that will be OBERHAMMER! :)

They say that a picture is worth a thousand words...

...so what's a slideshow worth?

It's the little things....

The best of intentions....well, it's hard to believe that two weeks have gone by since I last posted. Since then, camp has wrapped up - all of the campers and staff are gone and I've caught my breath. From the things I've heard, all of the camps went well this summer! God was definitely at work in many lives this summer - PTL!

The whirlwind has ended...I must admit that as amazing as camp is and as much as I love it, it's nice to have slowed down, regained my sanity, and not have every day feel as though it's two days long. :)

Learning to live in a new culture....A lot of times in life, it's the little things that matter or make the difference. This is especially true when living in a new/different culture where you don't speak the language (I'm working on that - I promise!). It is also important to this story that I tend to be very critical of myself. Yesterday, I took the bus by myself for the first time (and actually, I've only ever taken the bus once or twice ever in Germany). I got on the bus, and told the bus driver where I was going to and he said "2.70" (He said it in German and to my surprise, I understood what he said!) So I put my 2 euro coin in the little machine thing and out comes 30 cents. So, being confused, I start to take the change and the ticket (but I was not walking away). So the driver repeats "ZWEI.70" (in german, obviously, emphasis on the zwei/two). So I put my 1 euro coin in the machine, take my change and ticket, say "Danke" (Thank you), and go sit down.
As I was sitting down, I was reminded of something one of my fellow TAs told me near the end of the school year. (I can't remember her exact words and my paraphrase won't mirror the power of her statement.) She said something along the lines of "Learn to place the label of idiot on the right person." In other words, don't always blame myself and don't feel like I'm an idiot. That's important for me to remember, especially living her. 'Cause you know what? I successfully paid my fare and got where I needed to go. And at the end of the day, I doubt the bus driver even remembered who I was.
I'm sure I'll misunderstand plenty more things and make many more mistakes in learning to live here, and I need to remember to not be overly-critical of myself - to let things roll "like water off a duck's back."

I've been working on paperwork stuff (in follow-up to English Camps) for most of the day - I'm soon going to wrap things up, head home, and then go to the store to replenish my empty fridge. :) And oh yes - I'll post some pictures soon!!!

A Camp Update

To continue the saga of Kari driving in Germany: My driving abilities continue to improve. Today I drove a van that was stick that did NOT have power steering. And we were on some crazy narrow twisty mountain roads. And we took a couple wrong turns so Kari had to turn the beastly van around. But have no fear - we arrived safely at our destination!

Oh how quickly the days pass by...but at the same time it seems like this camp has lasted for weeks (or maybe even years) - but in a good way. We have a great group of campers and staff and we're keeping pretty busy from sun-up to sun-down (well, actually, after sun-down:) - having fun and most importantly, watching God work. And working He is! At least 5 campers have made decisions, and many more are searching - it's exciting! But our hearts are also heavy as we see the huge struggles they are facing - possible eating disorders, tough family situations, trying to make decisions about their futures, etc. Please be praying praying praying for them, and that God will give us the words to say for them.

My role as director keeps me on my toes - trying to keep all of the details flowing so that camp goes smoothly. I really can't complain - I have a great staff, who thankfully accepts me regardless of my weaknesses (and gives me a ton of grief in the process. Hey - I guess I'm good for entertainment value!:) I'm learning a lot about leadership and organizing. I'm also learning that #1 - I'm not expected to be perfect and #2 - You have to pick your battles.

We have two full days left and then the campers leave on Saturday. Please pray for the campers:
- For those who are believers to be strengthened in their walk with Jesus
- For those who are searching to realize the Truth
- For those whose hearts are hard to be softened

Danke und Gute Nacht! (Thank you and Good Night!)

One Day Down!

So the campers are here (and hopefully tucked quietly in bed:). They are on the younger side (closer to 14 than 17), but seem like a great group. There are a few familiar faces in the group, which is always exciting to me (and part of the reason I am thankful that I have been able to come back year after year)!

Today was one of our staff member's birthdays, so we were able to sing to her (multiple times:) and have a cake for her.

Now it's time to go to bed so we can tackle the first full day tomorrow! Pray for God to work mightily!

Trusting.....

English Camp is an intense experience, but it is amazing to watch God work! Yesterday I heard of 3 boys who accepted Christ the night before - PTL! We pray that this is only the beginning of how God will work this summer....

Even my own life is a bit of a roller coaster...I'm learning to trust God in new ways, especially in terms of finances. It's definitely stretching me, but I know it's for my best.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me,

And lead me in the everlasting way.

Psalm 139:23&24

Sink or Swim?

So you know the analogy of teaching someone to swim by throwing them in the deep end, and they either sink or swim? That's kind of what happened today with me and driving. I have basically no experience driving a stick, and then you have the differences of German roads, signs, km/hr instead of mph, etc. One of the JT guys had given me a driving lesson the other day, but we were on the back back roads and we didn't do any practicing of reverse. SO...today was the big grocery shopping day for the camps, and there weren't enough drivers, so I had to drive. Many Germans probably wondered how I got my driving license, but we got to Marzell and back safely. Reverse and getting into first gear are not any where near smooth, but once I'm moving I'm fine. :) I will learn, I will learn....

It's all about You, Jesus

And all this is for You

For Your glory and your fame

It's not about me

As if You should do things my way

You alone are God

And I surrender to your ways

Jesus, lover of my soul

All consuming fire is in Your gaze

Jesus, I want you to know

I will follow you all my days

For no one else in history is like you

And history itself belongs to you

Alpha and Omega, You have loved me

And I will share eternity with You

We sang this song in church on Sunday, and it was such an encouragement to me. It echoes what I want the cry of my heart to be, and the reason I am here...

...and the reason I have made it through this past year, and this past month. Looking back, I realize how CrAzY this past year was, and that it was only by the grace of God I got through it, and got through it well. And this past month - what a whirlwind! (...sorry - I intended to post more often but it didn't happen...) I finished up at WSU, went home to NY, went to Winnipeg for Orientation, and then safely arrived in Germany (where I will be for the next 15 months:).

I got off the plane last Monday and jumped into English Camp preparations - our first group of staff arrive next Sunday the 8th and the first group of campers arrive the 12th. Today we put together the extra bunk beds that we put in the dorm - it's like putting a giant puzzle together - figuring out which pieces fit together. Those of you who have been here before know that it can be a headache at times, but things went pretty smoothly today - PTL!

I'm going to head home and eat dinner now. Hopefully I'll keep this updated more regularly, as well as post some pics of my new home and this summer's camps!

Cause For Rejoicing!

I have been reminded recently to praise God for the many "little" things He does in my life, but this is a BIG thing to be thankful for!:

"Congratulations! Your MA portfolio passed. You may pick up the hard copy from me at your convenience. Also, your TESOL portfolio is a pass."

That's an email I received yesterday from the English Dept. that caused me to breathe a sigh of relief and say a prayer of thanks!!! That's a big milestone on the way to finishing my Master's!

Things are winding down with school. Today is the last day of classes. The list of things I have left to do: one self-assessment essay, one research paper, a stack of student portfolios to grade, and final grades to calculate. In non-school things, I need to pack up this chapter of my life and figure out how to say good-bye - my roots here in Ohio are deeper than I previously realized or would have admitted. As much as I'm anxious to get home to NY to spend time with my family, I need and want to make sure that I spend time with and say good-bye to people here. By God's grace, I'm moving through this transition phase one step at a time.

Excited about the unknown

This has been an emotional week, but it's ending on a higher note. Even though I don't know exacting what the next year will hold and I am a bit (ok, maybe more than a bit at times) apprehensive about the transitions, I am excited about what God has in store for me. I know that He is faithful and that His plans are so much better than mine - I just need to be faithful to follow and obey.

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Cor. 2:9

Four years ago, even one year ago, I wouldn't have guessed that this is where I would be headed. I am thankful for God's leading and am excited to see what He has in store for me in this next adventure!

Also, God continues to provide financially - my support is currently at 48%!!

"Redeeming the time..." & Provision

One month from today, I will say good-bye to my family and get on an airplane. I will spend a week at orientation, and then fly directly from there to Germany. One month. I must admit the thought brings tears to my eyes. Three weeks of that month will be spent finishing my Master's Degree (there's a mountain of schoolwork I have to finish between now and then.) and wrapping up my Ohio life. Even though I always knew I wouldn't stay in Ohio forever, I'm realizing that my roots here are deeper than I previously realized or admitted. So I'm trying to "redeem the time" - make the most of the time I have left in the States....to finish school well but yet also make sure I spent time with family & friends and say good-bye adequately (but how does one do that?)....



Last weekend I went home to NY for my brother's college graduation. It was a wonderful time with family, but I was also reminded of God's provision. My car hit a blown-out tire that was in the highway (that's the short version of the story), but I am continually thankful for His provision - the situation could have been SO much worse.



Another example of God's provision in my life is how my support is coming in...I'm currently at 31%. I am most thankful for how God uses people to provide for my needs. I need to be at 75% before I can leave, but I am confident that God will provide, and I know that if He doesn't, then He has a better plan in mind. But moreso, I'm just trusting Him to provide.

The "lasts" have begun...

• To you, it's a black binder sitting on beige carpet. To me, it represents A LOT of work, and a milestone (hopefully) completed (unless I get it back for revision). What is it? My graduate portfolio and independent paper. It was due this past Wednesday; a feat that would not have been accomplished without the encouragement and prayers of many of you, and I MUST give a BIG thank you (or, GRACIAS, rather:) to my friend Sofia, who saved my sanity on Tuesday night and helped me realize I could do this! (Don't worry - we celebrated with chocolate ice cream on Wed. evening!)

• It has hit me this weekend that my time in OH will be over before I know it - I'm down to about a month left here. I'm starting that list of "lasts"...seeing & hanging out with people for the last time, etc. My sis and I hung out in OH for the last time on Fri....being in the same state as her this year has been a HUGE blessing, and something I will miss next year. CU graduation was this weekend, and I had some friends in town for that. I've seen them for the last time (for at least a year and a half or so...)
• I want to make the most of these lasts - to see people and hang out, to make the most of every moment, but yet finish school well. I'd much rather spend time with people than with books, but I must be diligent in my responsibilities!

Present vs. Future

I should be focused on the present. Instead, I find my mind wondering to the "what ifs" of the future.

The Present: I am sitting in front of a computer screen (something I've been doing A LOT of lately), attempting to write my independent paper that is due Wed. (a graduation requirement, part of a portfolio.) I'm writing about the supporting role of first language literacy in learning to read in English. So if you need me between now and Wed., I'll be in front of a computer type type typing away. =) And if you're really intrigued and want to read the paper, email me and I'll send it to you (when it's finished). Otherwise, prayers are appreciated for focus and efficiency.

The Future: What does the next year hold? What does God have for me in Germany? Will I be able to learn the language (easily? at all?)? What new friends will I make? How do my gifts and abililites fit into the English camp ministry - to help change the lives of German teens?

For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Just as God promised the Israelites that He had plans for them - plans that were in their best interest, that would give them hope - I know He promises to take care of me....

But for now, I am called to be here. at WSU. And part of that is writing this paper and completing this portfolio....

It's Official!: Destination D'land!

It's official! Just this week I received official acceptance from JTM to serve in Deutschland (Germany) for the next year! I'll be helping to coordinate the English Camps from June 2007 through Fall 2008. There are lots of details to be worked out, but I am confident of God's leading and am excited to see what He has planned for me over these next several months! One of the reasons I love this ministry so much is definitely the people - the relationships I've been able to build with staff and campers alike, and how I've seen eternal differences made in people's lives! I'll leave you with some pictures that contain so many stories and memories for me!

The CrAzInEsS of my life....

CrAzInEsS

Now, I realize that I have the special gift of tending to live a crazy non-stop life, but I promise that it is not always on purpose! In my last (long-ago) post, I made a comment referring to "ten more cRaZy weeks" before graduation. Well, folks, we are finishing up week 3 of this quarter. I had NO idea how insanely busy and demanding this quarter would be. While I have considered giving up, I realize that is irrational. When I step back and look at the big picture rationally, I realize that I am too close to graduation and have worked too hard to get here to give up now. I am reminding myself of some things:

#1 - Take it one step at a time.

#2 - It's okay to ask for help and admit my utter incompetence.

#3 - Resting in His grace.

...and I am resolving to get through this and attempt to do my best.

Winter Weather Travel

In the time since I last posted, I seem to have developed an affinity for winter weather travel - not an affinity I care to keep.

At the beginning of March, my dear roomie Linds and I went to MN to visit our beloved friend Kristi. To get there, we travelled through the blizzard that plastered the Midwest that weekend.

Driving through Iowa...

My precious friends...

Later on in March, I headed to NY to spend my spring break with my family. Before I was barely an hour from my apartment, I hit some black ice and lost control. PTL for his provision and protection. (Note: that is NOT an experience I care to repeat - EVER!)

I can't decide if he looks scared...

For Easter, my sister and I travelled to TN to visit a family friend. It was a wonderful and refreshing weekend, but there were snowflakes in the air for most of our trip there - in APRIL folks! Crazy!

My crazy sister...

So, other than winter weather travel and schoolwork, in the past month I also moved and attended the lovely wedding of a precious (now former) roomie!


Back to the mountain of schoolwork...
Now that I have given you all a taste of what I have done over the last month (when I'm not buried in schoolwork, that is:) I should probably get back to that schoolwork...my task at hand is an annotated bibliography and proposal for my major paper for my Pronunciation/Listening/Speaking class...anybody have any topic ideas? I might see if I can find anything about accents....I'll start there and see where I end up!

How I'm Getting Through Grad School...

In honor of the fact that this next week is Finals Week for Winter Quarter (and after that there are only ten more cRaZy weeks until I have my Master's), allow me to share with you the three things that are getting me through grad school:

Plenty of:
- coffee (I may be addicted, but I limit myself to one mug a day, usually)
- chocolate (particularly European, but any form will do)
- grace

...not in that order. Heavy emphasis on the GRACE. I came across a wunderbar-ly fitting quote by Brennan Manning today:

“Grace abounds and walks around the edges of our everyday experiences.”

A Wonderful (yet crazy) Trip to the Pacific Northwest...

WONDERFUL because I spent this past weekend with my wonderful dear friends Kirsten and Kristi. CRAZY because I flew to OR for the weekend (sane people would have spent more time there after flying clear across the country, but hey - you do what you can do with the time you have!)


BUT I am not to blame - this wasn't my idea - I just jumped on board! Kristi decided that it would be a perfectly acceptable idea to fly to Oregon for a long weekend to visit Kirsten....yes, that's three time zones away and I spent several hours flying to get there, and yes I left Friday morning and came back Monday evening, BUT IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT!

So, allow me to provide you with a few anecdotes and pictures of our fun....



First - Multnomah Falls....I know, I know, the picture doesn't do it justice. And yes, those are raindrops on my camera lens (the Pacific Northwest lived up to its rainy reputation:). But Kirsten and I had a lovely conversation while we hiked up to the top!





On Saturday was the Great Adventure - a goal/dream achieved - I WALKED IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN. Well..., walked might not be the right word...."Ran awkwardly in such a manner as to ensure that my pants became soaking wet" is a more accurate description (And yes it was rainy and 45 degrees:)

Us - standing at the edge of the ocean...

My feet IN the Pacific.

My friends who possess the coordination necessary to run through the surf without getting their jeans wet.

In this picture, my precious friend Kirsten is comforting me while I say, "Man my legs are cold and I don't think I can feel my feet." But it was worth it! An experience to remember (but one that was not yet over...)


So what do you do when your jeans are SOAKED from the knee down? Well, of course you then proceed to a nearby State Park to hike through the woods, which ensures that your jeans (and shoes) become covered with MUD. (Again, I was the only one of our trio who had this problem.:) While hiking, be sure to take plenty of fun pictures and carry on wonderful, honest, enriching conversation. :)

Crescent Beach...I know the picture is grey, but that's really what it looked like that day!

A fun picture of some tall skinny trees...

While I always love seeing and exploring new parts of creation, words and pictures cannot adequately describe how thankful I am for the laughter, tears, and cherished friendship shared this weekend. I am so b l e s s e d in the friends that I have. Memories that were made this past weekend that will last a good long time. Memories that will soon be carried across a different ocean as I venture to D'land...

Life's Always An Adventure

Snow Days, Roto-Rooter, and the Carpet Cleaning man....what more can I say?

(well, plenty actually, but I'll spare you the details :)

Overwhelmed vs. My Foundation

Looking ahead over the next 4 months of my life, quite frankly, is scary and overwhelming. (A brief overview - 4 more weeks of winter quarter, finals week, one week of Spring Break during which I will be working on my Independent Paper and Graduate Portfolio hopefully at home in NY, then 10 weeks of Spring Quarter, then finals week which will be finish-up-school-responsibilities-pack-up-all-of-my-OH-life-and-move-everything-home-to-NY-ASAP before leaving for D'land for a "year plus.") Just typing that all out is overwhelming. A mixture of emotions - fear and excitement, fulfilling some hopes and dreams while being acutely aware of my own failures and shortcomings.

Before falling into the downward spiral of my own emotions, I'm reminded of what and who my foundation is....that is where I need to rest and put my trust. Faithful is he who calls you, and he also will bring it to pass. I have too much to be thankful for to complain or worry!

As for "Destination D'land" - the next "year plus" chapter of my life, more details will follow...when I have them. I am refraining from making a general announcement until I have enough info to satisfactorily answer the barrage of questions my loving and caring friends will bombard me with.

A Weekend in PA...

Last weekend, I went to the lovely (and snowy:) state of PA to visit my awesomely wonderful crazy adventuresome friend Gretch and her husband Aaron. It was great to reminisce and catch up with Gretch (we always have been good at late night conversations:) and get to know Aaron better. The weekend went by too quickly, of course, but I am thankful for the time we had together.

And can I just say that I enjoy driving the curvy mountainous roads through WV? :)

Christmas at Home on the Farm

Holidays with my family are always a blessing! Christmas was no exception - we were attacked by a nasty stomach flu the week before Christmas, but thankfully we were all back to our normal selves in time to enjoy the festivities, food, fun, and fellowship!

A rare occurance in Northern New York State - a green Christmas!

My sibs and I on Christmas Eve

My cousin (who might as well be my big brother) and his wife had their baby right before Christmas. This adorable little guy is named Ty, and I was very thankful to meet him before I left NY State!

My December Trip to China

In December, I was privileged to have the opportunity to spend 2 1/2 weeks in China visiting my amazing CU friend Jessi. It was wonderful to see her again, and to be able to "experience" her life in China!

I saw lots of poor English translations in China. This was one of my favorites. I (yes, I!) was taller than these "perilous hills!"

Ancient Culture Street in Tianjin

Yes, I successfully ate with chopsticks.

Jessi and I at the Wall...

The Wall and lots of mountains that you could see if it weren't hazy...

The Forbidden City

Amazing Architecture at the Forbidden City

A guard at Tiananmen Square (These guards in the green jackets were everywhere in China!)