Things I'm thankful for... (November Newsletter)

During this season of reflection and thanksgiving I wanted to share with you some things that I am thankful for this year.

…a good start to the school year. The school year started and it was good to be back. I was so eager for the students to return, I went up to Palmgarten, the dorm up the street from me, and welcomed them as they arrived. Being a part of the returning staff also has its benefits—with the turn over rate of about 1/3 of students and staff alike each year I have found that I am now one of the people that I am one of the pros!

…seven students—a full load! Actually one student shy of a full teaching load, but it keeps me busy! I have had several interesting conversations with each of my students and opportunities to pray with them. It is such a blessing it is to pray with my students about what is going on in their lives.

Earlier in the fall during Spiritual Emphasis Week one of my students gave her life to Christ. This was a very exciting time for many of us. She has many struggles in addition to her learning deficits. Since that time however, she has slipped back into many of her old patterns. As I work with her I am reminded of Romans 12:2, where Paul encourages the believer to “not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” To me what is amazing about the Discovery program is that through Educational Therapy we are able to transform the students’ minds. The students are able to do and learn things many never thought were possible before! Please continue to pray for wisdom for me as opportunities to talk with her and to challenge her in her walk with the Lord.

…I am able to serve at BFA—Being at Black Forest Academy (BFA) entails so much more than Educational Therapy. I love working with each of my students and seeing them grow and when they struggle, but that is only part of what I do here at BFA. I have continued volunteering each week at one of the dorms I went to last year. I have enjoyed continuing building on the relationships that were built last year and building new ones with the new students.

Another way that I serve here at BFA is to open my apartment to Resident Assistants who need a quiet getaway on their day off. My apartment has also become a place where the girls from Palmgarten also enjoy coming to be in a home atmosphere away from the dorm. During the month of October my roommate and I were able to host over 40 people!

…I am thankful for the opportunity to return to BFA next year!—After much prayer I have told BFA that I will be returning for a third year. I am excited to be able to continue to work with Missionary Kids and to continue relationships that have been established. I would ask you to prayerfully consider if you are to continue to partner with me as I have extended my initial commitment to BFA; whether you are to also continue supporting me through prayer, financial support, or special gifts.

…for the Lords’ creativity in His provision—The Lord has provided for me in so many different ways! I am still short of where I need to be financially, however the Lord has been faithful to meet my needs. This fall a Bible study was started by a few of us single female teachers who needed a support and accountability network. I have enjoyed getting to know a few of these gals on a new level. Another added benefit of volunteering at the dorm is through the meals I can partake of. I have an open invitation to “drop in” anytime for a meal, which means that if grocery money is short, I still have a place to go. There are also a couple families in town who have opened their homes for me to go to at any time. This is a special blessing for me since last year there were several times when I got lonely, but didn’t realize that there were places I could go besides the dorm.

…a good visit back to the United States last summer—Although I was only back in the State for one (short) month, it was good to see many of you! The weekend I arrived in Minnesota both my brother and sister moved back to Minnesota too. I also enjoyed sharing my vision and passion that I have for Missionary Kids over a cup of coffee, dinner or bon fires.

…a good living situation—Last year my living situation was challenging. I am thankful that the Lord has brought Meghan to BFA and is my roommate. We are able to talk on a variety of topics together and laugh freely. We also enjoy some of the important things in life together—like coffee!

…to go on missions trip with students from BFA—The first week of spring break seventy-four students and fourteen staff and faculty from BFA will go on missions trips through out Africa and Europe. BFA has two weeks for Spring Break so that the students, can go on missions trips and spend time with their family. I will be joined by two other leaders and twelve students as we head to Poland. I am excited work along side the parents of some BFA students through work projects, street evangelism.

Keep checking back for more information regarding this trip!

As you can see, there is a lot to be thankful for! I would like to thank each of you for how you have contributed to the ministry of Black Forest Academy through your prayer and financial support of me.

September Bulletin

School has started! It has been wonderful to see each of the students return. The first week has come and gone and my schedule is already made! (Last year it was very complicated and took almost three times as long!) In talking with the returning students I have heard all positive things about coming back. One girl said it was the highlight of her summer!

Looking forward to another year…!

I look forward to another year here at Black Forest Academy. This fall I got a new roommate. (I have not moved). Meghan is the Middle School English teacher. Other things that I look forward to this year is returning to Palmgarten, one of the two dorms that I volunteered at last year. I will also be co-leading a small group for sophomore girls once a week. I was encouraged to hear from the other leader of the small group that the girls are excited for me to “join” their group. In coming to BFA last year I was wanting to be a small group leader, but they encourage first year teachers to not over commit and to take the first year to adjust to life a bit. I am excited to be able to take a larger part not only in the BFA life (socially), but also the lives of individual girls here at the school (spiritually).

…But I can’t do it without you!

This last summer I returned to Minnesota to raise support, but was not able to reach my goal of $650 per month (this means that I am short!) How can I sleep at night?! Some nights it’s more difficult than others. Ultimately God is my provider.

This summer I spoke in a small group where I shared from I Samuel 30: 24 “The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” I continued to share about how my grandpa served in the US Air Force. Stationed in England, he was not on the front lines, but was one of the guys who made sure that each bomber was well equipped to head to the frontlines (and beyond). The pilots trusted my grandfather to make sure that they had enough fuel, equipment and artillery as they flew. Without my grandfather they could not have been as effective in the outcome of the war.

This illustration is two-fold

I see myself as being the grounds crew teaching and equipping the students here at Black Forest Academy as their parents serve in over 40 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. YOU are the other part of this illustration! I am thankful for a wonderful network of people who stand behind me in prayer. Your prayers continue to give me strength as I meet with students and volunteer in the dorms. If you do not already giving financially, would you prayerfully consider how you could partner with me? If you already give, would you consider raising your current giving by 10%? Thank you again for prayerfully considering how you could stand with me.

Pace of Life...

School is underway, I think we're in week three... Tonight is the Fall Party. The theme: TV or Movie Characters (last year it was advertisements). I'm in a group with a bunch of other teachers and a few RAs. We are going to be the Von Trapp family. I'm Maria! It'll be interesting to see what my outfit will end up being, especially since I don't have my full costume yet!

I've got a really full schedule. I have six students I meet with twice a week for 80 minutes and another who I meet with three times a week during her study hall. (I have seven students in total.) In talking with my roommate last night she pointed out that that basically means that I have 15 different sessions I need to plan for each week. Putting it like that I realized how it was that I was so tired by the end of each day! Today is Friday and because of a chapel schedule (with shortened classes) I only meet with two students. This has become a day that I catch my breath a little, plan, plan, plan, and (re)organize my office!

On Monday nights I volunteer at Palmgarten dorm, since that is the day off for the RAs. I love being able to hang out with the girls, help them with their homework and be someone they can talk to when there are issues.

Something I'd like to do more frequently this year is open my house up to dorm students for meals or a place to hang out. Typically Tuesdays are the days my roommate and I have dinner together, but she was busy this week. Instead I invited two girls over to my house for dinner. I love being a host, so I enjoyed throwing together this meal (Chicken with mushroom sauce, green beans and cous cous with an apple pie ala mode for dessert. A simple meal, but delicious!)

Small groups are offered for the entire high school and middle school. I was talking with a lady who has been doing it for years here, but needed another person since her group was a bit larger. She, turning 40 this year, also wanted a "younger person who would have a better pulse on life". I'm not sure who has a better pulse on life, her or me! I'm glad to be co-leading with Theresa. The girls in the group are all sophomores some of whom I started to get to know last year already, so that was the Lord!

Being back for a second year makes a huge difference from the first year when I didn't know any of the students and they didn't know me. This morning when I entered the school one of my small group girls saw me came and gave me a hug!

...you can see how the speed of life goes at warp speed here at Black Forest Academy!