PTL they're coming!!

Over the past year, I have been eagerly anticipating the arrival of my soon-to-be-full-time-co-workers: the Kraines. I have gotten to know this amazing family over the past few summers, and have been excited about the prospect of them coming to work here full-time. Russ will teach at BFA and Diane will be a part of our English Camp team. We have been praying that God would provide for them to be able to arrive here mid-July. Well, I received an email from them this morning saying that they have been given the official okay by JT to come in July! Praise the Lord!! Continue to pray for them - that God will continue to provide for all of their needs and everything that needs to happen during the next few weeks.

One year

It was one year ago yesterday that I arrived in Germany, suitcases in hand, anxiously excited to start this new adventure that God had for me. It hardly seems possible that it has been a whole year already, but what a year it has been. The word rollercoaster has often come to mind. Ups and downs. Laughter and tears. Blessings and challenges. But through it all, God's faithful hand has been evident. He has carried, stretched, and grown me (and hopefully made me more like Him). I am learning more and more what it means to be His disciple.

I sat down with my journal last night and made a list of what I have learned over the past year. The thread running through it all spoke of God's goodness - His love, provision, and grace. Praise Him!

Today part of the song "Bring the Rain" (by MercyMe) is running through my head. The words are a bit scary to sing because it is basically asking God to bring the trials; but moreso, they speak the truth that who I am in Christ is unchanging. And that the purpose of my life is to bring Him glory and praise.

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus Bring the Rain

Fully at Peace

Here it is 7:23pm and I am still sitting in my office. The blue sky and sunshine trick me into believing that it is earlier in the day. And the fact that I am being productive tempts me to keep working. This has happened too much this week. Yes, English Camp prep is important, and this is our busy time, but there is more to life than just that.

Several times this week I have thought "I need to blog about x, y, or z." But alas, it has not happened. Let me try to share a bit about what has been on my mind and heart recently....

*My amazing sister was here visiting me last week - it was WONDERFUL!! That in and of itself is definitely worthy of its own post, which will happen once I actually have downloaded my pictures.

*My computer is basically dead at this point. But my adventurous roommate and I are trying to revive it. So far, we've been partially successful. Part of me thinks it is sad how dependent my life (work and communication) is on a computer, but PTL for providing another computer at the office for me to use, so my English Camp work is not interrupted! (Any odd characters that appear are due to the fact that I'm still adjusting to the German keyboard:)

*Life has been full recently. With English Camp prep. With saying good-bye to BFA friends, (some temporarily and some that I might not see again this side of eternity). With my sister's visit. With other adventures. With trying to make the most of every moment.

*My heart is at peace because I serve an amazing God who has blessed my socks off. Sometimes I'm tempted to think that at 26 I'm old, but recently I've been struck with how short 26 years really is, and how many amazing things I've been able to experience at this 'young age.' No it hasn't always been an easy road, but I am blessed. And if God gives me one or maybe even 2 more sets of 26 years, I am speechless because I cannot begin to imagine what adventures and blessings those future years hold. But I am also excited because I feel potential....the potential that God is going to allow me to witness or be a part of BIG things. How can I help but be excited and joyous about that?! (And no, I don't have any idea what those things might be.:)

*I'm challenged and inspired and excited as I meditate on Oswald Chamber's thoughts about "reckless abandon." (Check out "My Utmost For His Highest" June 18th or click here.)

*I've been reminded that God cares more about me BE-ing than me DO-ing. Even though the next two months will contain a lot of do-ing, I pray that I remember to BE. (As in "Be still and know that I am God.") To just BE in His presence.

Thank you for being part of my life. For allowing God to use you in my life in so many ways. I am truly blessed in the people I know. Thanks for being part of this incredible journey I am on.

Fixing My Eyes...

Life may be a rollercoaster at times, but I want Jesus to be my foundation, my center. Music speaks to the depths of my soul, and here are a few lines that have touched me recently:

"Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand."
(and the rest of "In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend)

...

"Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be."

...

"Be still my soul
The Lord is on your side"

...

" All I have needed
Thy hand has provided
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me"

...

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth . . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven . . .
Matthew 6:19-20

Life's Just Different Here

So the other morning I was sitting at the kitchen table eating a bowl of granola. I was still half asleep, but the wheels in my mind were already turning, as they love to do (I tend to have a very active inner monologue:). I was thinking about my current life. I feel like I should be on the "up-swing" of transition and feeling more settled, but rather I feel like I'm still stuck in a rut or funk or something. So then the thought "Life's just different here" pops into my head. Suddenly, I was wide awake. "Well, duh Kari, OF COURSE life's different here and that's why transition is such a big deal."

I sat and contemplated the "little things" that make my life here different than my life in the States. The language. The setting. The fact that I don't have a car. Routines. My job. The community I live in that is a combination of North American missionaries, retired Germans, and "normal" Germans (working, families, etc). Garbage rules. Even the very granola I was eating. German "Muesli" is not cooked as much as American granola, so it's not crispy. But this, this "Master Crumble" was more than "knusper" (the German word for crispy/crunchy) - it might as well have been good ol' American granola!

Now, as for "transition"...I think a big part of my current "problem" is the fact that in seeing so many of my weaknesses, it makes me realize how unworthy I am of everything God has given me, including His grace, love, etc. So instead of leaning on Him like I should, I try to live in my own strength because I know I am unworthy of God's grace and how often I fail Him. I know the truth (that I am a disciple, that God loves me unconditionally, etc.), but I'm obviously having trouble living that out - living like I believe it. As much as I continually fail and try to live in my own power, He is still faithful and keeps on providing. Why am I so dumb? Why can't I just depend on Him and cling to Him every moment like I should? I think it's this thing called a sin nature. Flesh. But I'm trying to fight it.

Transition.
Unworthiness.
Unimaginable love and grace.

I'm amazed at how much I'm learning about myself and my Lord, because He's put me here - where life's just different.

A Weekend At Blauen

This weekend I spent helping out at Blauen (one of BFA's girls dorms). I was blessed by the time I was privileged to spend with these amazing girls. Here are just a few of the highlights:

- Conversations about literature (Russian authors, anyone?)
- Tripping and falling flat on my face
- Analyzing the relationships and decisions in "Gilmore Girls"
- Discovering I am not a vampire because when I look in the mirror I do have a reflection (evidently vampires don't?!)
- Dorm garage sale
- Conversations about experiences, plans, and dreams
- Outdoor movies
- Haircuts
- Discovering random connections
- Attempting Sodoku
- Mealtime conversations


and many, many more...

"Are you staying here for the summer?"

Most of my friends here work at BFA, so their lives revolve around a school year calendar. (I understand this.) Therefore, their "time off" occurs during the summer. Many of them do return "home" to North America for part of the summer. More than once, I have been asked "So are you going home at all this summer?" One person who asked me should have known better. :) I gave her a crooked smile and said - my words dripping with sarcasm - "There's this little thing called English Camp I'm involved with." Oh right...! And we laughed.

So then, I'm talking to my Mom on the phone the other day. She asked when I might possibly be coming home next (which is still a question mark, in case you're wondering). Mom says, "What about during the summer?" Mom!!! Again, I pointed out the whole English Camp thing, and my precious mother felt dumb. At least she was asking about next summer. :)

As my roommate pointed out, if my own mother is asking this question, I am not allowed to give anyone else grief for asking.

But yes, to answer your question, I'm staying here this summer. :)