Frustrations

Frustrations. They're a part of life, right? And how well we "roll with the punches" tells a lot about our character and "what we're made of."

There's no such thing as "totally free checking" in Germany. Bank fees are a part of life. So we deal with it. However, a couple of months ago we decided to be brave and switch to internet banking in hopes of cutting back on both fees and number of trips that we make to the bank. I've been a bit mystified the past few months since our fees have been higher (tripled perhaps?) and we received a statement in the mail (which isn't supposed to happen with internet banking). So I went to the bank today to find out what was going on. Evidently our account hadn't been switched to an internet banking account (which I thought it had been) - we had just gotten internet banking access, and as a result, we have been paying every time we do an online transaction. Oh well, live and learn. Glad that we figured it out now and not later.

I have a feeling that this mix up can be attributed to the language barrier. Or our incomplete understanding of German banking. But at the same time, I realize that sometimes these things (mix-ups, frustrations, etc.) just happen, even in our home language and culture.

Case in point: I had to renew my OH teaching license this summer. While we were in the US, I mailed in all of the necessary paperwork. I hadn't seen anything in the mail or heard anything, so two weeks ago, I called the OH Dept. of Ed. They told me that my license had been mailed on Aug. 9th. I told them that I had not received anything, and that the mail does not usually take that long. So they said that they would mail me another one. It has been over two weeks and I still haven't received anything. I'm going to wait a few more days, but if it hasn't come by the end of the week, I'll call ODE again.

But today I'm going to call my bank in the US because I locked myself out of my internet account last night. I'll spare you the gory details, but let's just say that the instructions for their new internet login system did not make sense.

Such is life. Roll with the punches. Besides, I don't want a boring and predictable life. :)

Gratitude Journal #15

Almost two years ago, someone challenged me to start writing these "gratitude journal" posts. It helps us to keep a healthy perspective on our lives when we remember all that we have to be thankful for.

Recently, someone else challenged me with 1 Thes. 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

So with that, I'm reviving these "gratitude journal" posts...

What am I thankful for?
* grace
* my amazing husband
* our wonderful families
* true friends...and ways to connect with them, whether they be near or far!
* long walks in the woods
* sunshine
* candles
* fleece
* books
* God's Word
* my journal...and colorful pens :)
* time to process
* "drachenfrucht" (dragon fruit) ice cream - a new favorite!
* kelly green flip flops
* BFA students

What do I want?
* "soul strength"...that phrase came to mind this morning and I'm pondering what it means...
* to live in God's strength, not my own...maybe that's what "soul strength" is?
* to live out the purpose God has for me...especially right now, in this season of life
* to be content
* to be full of joy
* for my desires to be God's desires for me...(If it was up to me, I'd want to be superwoman and have enough energy to save the world each and every day. Instead, may I be thankful for whatever energy I have, and use it to His glory...to love and encourage those around me, starting with my husband.)

Hugs

I miss working with students on a daily basis this fall, but I am excited to build relationships with them outside of the classroom this year. I have been anxious to see all of my students from last year and hear about their summers. Because I haven't been around school much, I have only seen most of them from a distance.

Yesterday afternoon, I saw my lone middle schooler from last year - "G.I." is his BFA nickname. I wish I had captured the look on his face when he saw me - it was full of such joy! He jumped up and gave me a big hug! G.I. was a seventh grader last year, and had the look of a boy when I met him a year ago. He is now taller than me and looks more like the teenager that he now is. In the five or so minutes that I spent talking to him, he gave me at least three hugs. (He's a hugger.:) He was just so excited to see me! It was great to hear about his summer, how the new school year is for him, and to see him more settled into life here at BFA.

Mike and I are going to be subbing at HBR every Thursday evening this year - it's the dorm parents' day off. HBR is the dorm where Mike was an RA for 4 years, and I think part of his heart still lives there. :) Last evening was our first evening to sub there. Three of my students from last year are HBR guys. Again, I had not yet seen these guys to personally talk to yet this year. All three of them gave me hugs - not something I expected from high school boys! I was excited to see them, but didn't necessarily expect them to be as excited to see me as they were! It was a joy to see them and hear about their summers! D. is a bit taller and got a haircut - he looks more grown up! J. gave me a one-armed sort of "macho" hug, but that suits J. perfectly. It was a joy to talk to S. and hear how much clearer and comprehensible his English is, compared to a year ago. It was also amazing to hear about how he spent his summer serving in his parents' ministry, helping with the church worship team, translating for a missions team, etc.

These kids are amazing kids, I tell you! We're blessed to be here and love working with these students!

I love these students!

Yesterday morning, the lyrics of a song echoed my heart:

"Our heart, our desire, is to see the nations worship
Our cry, our prayer, is to sing Your praise to the ends of the earth
That with one mighty voice, every tribe and tongue rejoices
Our heart, our desire, is to see the nations worship You."

We are privileged to get a glimpse of this here at BFA, and we love it! Just to give you a taste: last night, we had four high school girls over for dinner. One of them was my student last year, and Mike had all of them in Physical Science. We had red curry (complete with chopsticks - since three of them are Asian, I decided to be "culturally sensitive"...and actually, the fourth girl is American by nationality, but her mother grew up in Thailand as an MK, so she was proficient with the chopsticks as well :) and yummy peach cupcakes with fantastic brown sugar cream cheese frosting. The girls loved it, and loved being in our house! And we enjoyed having them!

Just to give you a glimpse into how multicultural these girls are...
- one girl has three passports, has lived in three countries, and speaks at least 4 languages
- another girl speaks at least three languages and this is the third country she has lived in
- the third girl speaks at least two languages and this is at least the third country she has lived in
- the fourth girl also speaks at least two languages and has lived in at least three countries

I share this with you to show you the vast life experiences that these girls have already had - and they're only tenth graders! They've also had to deal with a lot of changes in their lives. I can't imagine going to school in three different countries and three different languages! But yet they are still good students, and love being at BFA. And students like these are why we love being at BFA!

Oswald Chambers

Oswald Chambers' perspective on Christ and how the Christian life should be lived seems to be what I need in this season of life. In the past few months, I've been challenged, and my heart has been spoken to, by many things that Chambers have said. And so I've been trying to daily read "My Utmost for His Highest."

Yesterday's entry said, "Don't rejoice in successful service, but rejoice because you are rightly related to Me." Today's entry said, "Be rightly related to God, find your joy there, and out of you will flow rivers of living water."

This spoke to my heart. Also, Matthew 6:34 has been on my mind and heart for the past few days ("So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."), but Chambers' words remind me of verse 33 - "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

First Day of School

Today was the first day of school at BFA. This is a place steeped in traditions, one of which is beginning the new school year with fanfare. The day starts with "Opening Ceremony," which as I think about it, could be compared with its Olympic counterpart. The faculty, ResLife staff, and senior class all march in - I think we call that a processional? (Living in a foreign country sometimes makes me question certain English words.) Each member of the senior class carries the flag of a different country. (Often it's a country that student has lived in or holds a special affinity for.)

Now here's where the ceremony varied from recent tradition. You see, our former director left in July and we currently have an interim director. Mr. Interim Director rappelled down out of the rafters. I for one was definitely surprised. (So surprised that I have absolutely no pictures from this morning to show you.)

One favorite tradition that was also missing was the interviewing of the first graders. It is a memorably funny time because first graders have some interesting answers to basic questions (such as where they live, what their parents do, etc.). One of the two first graders was sick today, so evidently there will be an interviewing of the first graders in a few weeks (when their German counterparts in the bilingual school join them).

After the director's rappelling and introductory speech was the roll call of nations. Each nation represented by this year's student body - either by passport country or the country in which their parents serve - is listed. This year's list was fifty-some countries long, and spanned Europe, Asia, and Africa. (And I'm pretty sure there was at least one or two countries that I do not know the location of.)

It is good to have the students back. After all, that's why we're here. :)

John Eldredge on Sabbath

relief vs. restoration
survival vs. abundance
Life is up to me vs. Life is up to God
Staying on top of life vs. Rest & Renewal Activities

Busyness keeps up distracted

True Sabbath: It gives us perspective. Makes us more centered. More stable.