tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64431629134696207432024-03-19T12:33:04.746+01:00The Journey"But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works." Psalm 73:28Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-21853475638491578862012-04-25T11:29:00.000+02:002012-04-25T11:29:52.952+02:00Out of Dust.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Finally, I new post.<br />
<br />
It's been months, much longer than I anticipated. For months I said to myself, "I'll write a new post after....or when I know...." Now, it's almost May. Almost May? If the calender didn't say it I would never believe that that is true.<br />
<br />
So what has been happening in the these past few months? A little bit of everything. Lots of events, games, recitals, retreats, and countless meals and loads of laundry. As a dorm we've walked through change, growth, loss, stress, and lots of bonding moments. I could try and recount the year by events, and I will do a bit of that through pictures in another post (here is one for now), but what I see when I look at this year is growth.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGea4Nw0tULDPxkxLvHWqYMnX6j4h9JXh_-guEZ1hVkQA_RU4b-jkAY3ufpOlgCIm2V9_f1-m-WHHFKMZCnxfYAEeAYBkK3aOGtMqEox-GGZqTcg9DTZW8fkR2T8xTf6yuY0o6RIGrRjBy/s1600/Blauen-2eee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGea4Nw0tULDPxkxLvHWqYMnX6j4h9JXh_-guEZ1hVkQA_RU4b-jkAY3ufpOlgCIm2V9_f1-m-WHHFKMZCnxfYAEeAYBkK3aOGtMqEox-GGZqTcg9DTZW8fkR2T8xTf6yuY0o6RIGrRjBy/s400/Blauen-2eee.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
As I processed what I would write in this post the song "Beautiful Things" by Gungor kept running through my mind. Here are some of the lyrics.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">All this pain</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">I wonder if I’ll ever find my way</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">I wonder if my life could really change at all</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">All this earth</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Could all that is lost ever be found</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Could a garden come up from this ground at all</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">You make beautiful things</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">You make beautiful things out of the dust</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">You make beautiful things</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">You make beautiful things out of us</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">All around</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Hope is springing up from this old ground</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">Out of chaos life is being found in You</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">You make beautiful things</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">You make beautiful things out of the dust</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">You make beautiful things</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;">You make beautiful things out of us</span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span>I first heard this song last year and I liked it. I thought it was a bit repetitive but beautiful. This year, the song has taken on a whole new meaning and message to me. It's become a song of brokenness and redemption. A chant of hope and God's constant faithfulness to us. Now, the repetition is a comfort. A reminder that sometimes all we can do is repeat what we know to be true, even if we don't feel like it's true in the moment, having the hope that God is always faithful. And that is how this year has been. Through all things, all circumstances, all highs and lows, God has faithfully provided in His timing. This year is another anthem of God's faithfulness and provision, His constant love through brokenness and joy.<br />
<br />
There are five and a half weeks left in the school year here. Five and a half more weeks to live with fourteen girls and two adults that I adore. Five and a half weeks to finish up another year and say the goodbyes none of us want to say. It's a hard time of year. Spring is here, the sun is out, the flowers are blooming, and let me tell you, this dorm is soaking in the beauty of the season. But with spring comes change here. So much change. I want everything to just slow down a little, give us more time together, time to enjoy one another without the cloud of loss that comes with change. But, I know that God is faithful, always faithful, and He times everything and gives us what we need to walk through it. So, I take a deep breath, try to enjoy every moment, and trust my Father.<br />
<br />
So, there is a bit of a catch up. I wish I could recount more details and tell more stories. I hope to get a couple more blogs posted before the end of the year with fewer words and more pictures but sometimes I'm a bit too optimistic.<br />
<br />
I'm struggling to write this final bit of news but know that it needs to come out, even if it doesn't sound like I want it too. Over the past 5 months I've struggled to make to make plans for next year. I love this place and the people here. I see God at work here and I want to be a part of it. There is such a need for workers here and I want to fill that need. I was considering a position here for next year that I would have loved to take. After a lot of time, prayer, processing, and so many conversations, however, I've decided it's time to head back to the States. I love and hate this decision. It breaks my heart to think about leaving, I never thought this would become my home but after three years, it is. But, I think it's time to walk in faith in a new direction. I'm not entirely sure what the next years will bring but God is doing something new and it's time to take a step.<br />
<br />
This is what I have for now. Thank you so much for your prayers. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch but I am so thankful that you have been faithful in supporting me through prayer and giving even when I'm unfaithful in communicating. Also, I'm figuring out what my financial status looks like as this year comes to a close and I will be in touch about where I have needs and if I even have any. You have been so faithful to give and God has provided for me once again.<br />
<br />
A few things to pray for as the year closes: Finishing well on all fronts here. Sweet times with relationships here. Continued guidance and provision for the future.<br />
<br />
Thanks again for all your care for me and the work I get to do here. These years have been a blessing and I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to this work that has become my life.<br />
<br />
Peace.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-118767756064192392011-09-20T14:11:00.002+02:002011-09-20T14:15:16.518+02:00Two Horses and a Carriage.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The pace is picking up here at Haus Blauen. The girls are settled into their studies and their chosen activities for the year. We have girls playing volleyball and soccer, helping out with Awana, and rehearsing for Seussical the Musical. We're soaking up the last of the warm weather and impatiently waiting for the mountains to turn orange and yellow, our visible sign of the change of season.<br />
<br />
This weekend we had the privilege of going on a carriage ride in a neighboring town. We rode through corn fields, small villages, and vineyards behind to very large horses, a Clydesdale and a Shire named Max and Sam, and had wonderful time.<br />
<br />
At the beginning of the year this couple offered to give carriage rides and host any of the dorms that were interested. We jumped on this opportunity, and it exceeded our expectations. This couple lives in Tannenkirch, an adorable little village about 30 minutes from our dorm, and wanted to serve the BFA community. The wife is American and her husband is German and they have an old farm house and barn. Not only did they take us on rides, they are provided drinks and snacks and just let the girls relax and enjoy their yard/barn area. We had a great time seeing the countryside and hanging out at their house, and the horses were amazing. We even got to help clean and feed them after the rides were over. Here are a few pictures from our little outing.<br />
<br />
The first group is ready to get going.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyrFbmK2TykcAHDTikOnp8qqdGj8qfa2fKfzeH_tOEzh5PqpY_S4NAsOwUIquevDtPDcw8gj-ifweau9SrGKH6JOYD6yPVKs_fpCpIWg_-QUXFObiMtJ0hR2H-ShTrC5bMunUb58TbkY3/s1600/IMG_0847e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyrFbmK2TykcAHDTikOnp8qqdGj8qfa2fKfzeH_tOEzh5PqpY_S4NAsOwUIquevDtPDcw8gj-ifweau9SrGKH6JOYD6yPVKs_fpCpIWg_-QUXFObiMtJ0hR2H-ShTrC5bMunUb58TbkY3/s400/IMG_0847e.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
Group number two ready for their ride.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwH4fa95i4hGRvzOvj2rSHWqwdNxqgMOExxg1MK5SJYUl4JcuCqyjB_qFpcpA_KABRyvgifMeXday3jS4gBHA_UOfnwgTptYTDVejopEkTJMxuF-Z3Mub0gZt6HGEr3Tsi7OQdrREIme4/s1600/IMG_0849e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwH4fa95i4hGRvzOvj2rSHWqwdNxqgMOExxg1MK5SJYUl4JcuCqyjB_qFpcpA_KABRyvgifMeXday3jS4gBHA_UOfnwgTptYTDVejopEkTJMxuF-Z3Mub0gZt6HGEr3Tsi7OQdrREIme4/s400/IMG_0849e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And the last group of the day. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd9ejcZNbPXB60adX8pka1vKJnNiuH8PtUpKiXishfphTNeEDBlfL058SScPyUsdcE8N5ECuCwZZOoxC3Q035jwKTo5-8_wXI2Qxc55yeri3k7U5nHITb_crR4vZblntI8NSmINpLy2y2/s1600/IMG_0865e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd9ejcZNbPXB60adX8pka1vKJnNiuH8PtUpKiXishfphTNeEDBlfL058SScPyUsdcE8N5ECuCwZZOoxC3Q035jwKTo5-8_wXI2Qxc55yeri3k7U5nHITb_crR4vZblntI8NSmINpLy2y2/s400/IMG_0865e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdQQ0cMY31svXyDG1KsFBMvvwApM6x0Xi2IpD4Tr0imnWKlxMWvq1TdfytjD4drvnSRiqh-Jk_OGJuzN6EYsLjToJJNq1Xh0LJ4y3VGGbNpSUWrfB9d9xO82jtxPR4-yvvAFWWFQ9lZmH/s1600/IMG_0868e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdQQ0cMY31svXyDG1KsFBMvvwApM6x0Xi2IpD4Tr0imnWKlxMWvq1TdfytjD4drvnSRiqh-Jk_OGJuzN6EYsLjToJJNq1Xh0LJ4y3VGGbNpSUWrfB9d9xO82jtxPR4-yvvAFWWFQ9lZmH/s400/IMG_0868e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our driver was kind enough to offer us a snack on our ride by knocking some walnuts out of a tree we were passing by. We tried to crack them open but were very unsuccessful. Obviously. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8CIMJFFzWEf6s_-hp3O8qfZ5LU7_2gmzBTOLcGYdO7OQdVJNd-4ZFSFb5E7tmgyjYd-UFyFx_n33C6veFcnMV-L3CWJKffUi3HBZkUSsiyZRkjgW8XtCknZn0ZlmBfaftym9Mkd42Lmg/s1600/IMG_0870e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt8CIMJFFzWEf6s_-hp3O8qfZ5LU7_2gmzBTOLcGYdO7OQdVJNd-4ZFSFb5E7tmgyjYd-UFyFx_n33C6veFcnMV-L3CWJKffUi3HBZkUSsiyZRkjgW8XtCknZn0ZlmBfaftym9Mkd42Lmg/s320/IMG_0870e.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EEX41452fNAcJK4aeMj4mmv5XI9D4rDxjhozylen6eapIkLr2cWBYsoFPzmqcynXtGFLtlIyzGp5Xg4uqxBw-jlVOxI_pBFJ-HIn3uOvfpnhZPD9CWTV000GoGf9-AXVQ3G1gTyCryWm/s1600/IMG_0874e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EEX41452fNAcJK4aeMj4mmv5XI9D4rDxjhozylen6eapIkLr2cWBYsoFPzmqcynXtGFLtlIyzGp5Xg4uqxBw-jlVOxI_pBFJ-HIn3uOvfpnhZPD9CWTV000GoGf9-AXVQ3G1gTyCryWm/s320/IMG_0874e.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is the beautiful countryside we enjoyed. That is Tannenkirch in the distance. Further out, the peak in the distance, is Blauen, our mountain. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EQ9N3Mvz5bPiD1NpUDrGptEknBVydd64ISyZDH_mcMviXb6zxvV1-9pZNDnOe7EtJti2C8_7b16r0Dl7qwxekcIQM7_SDmnTEyzhwaFmmZeCXP_TiYIE_b1wVqqy6hh8TC6wui-W-qN5/s1600/IMG_0867e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9EQ9N3Mvz5bPiD1NpUDrGptEknBVydd64ISyZDH_mcMviXb6zxvV1-9pZNDnOe7EtJti2C8_7b16r0Dl7qwxekcIQM7_SDmnTEyzhwaFmmZeCXP_TiYIE_b1wVqqy6hh8TC6wui-W-qN5/s400/IMG_0867e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And here are some pictures while we weren't riding around in a carriage.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzQHYh5HPfRGDsZRbKPUN13lQy_wC2D8jEklYQtEMOOyT_3GOeojNjrP02FIbKt5KGQLeIgp4DhTcIiTSTfYIPuC2AiAdJjgDv2TuhVjHgL0oVjBcUAniiqfgTyvXBgjYgrB7-AvkMiW6/s1600/IMG_0858e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguzQHYh5HPfRGDsZRbKPUN13lQy_wC2D8jEklYQtEMOOyT_3GOeojNjrP02FIbKt5KGQLeIgp4DhTcIiTSTfYIPuC2AiAdJjgDv2TuhVjHgL0oVjBcUAniiqfgTyvXBgjYgrB7-AvkMiW6/s400/IMG_0858e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTq4PoeS-77BbDArpVhKwKBSq0uASGCmFPBJqA_Vn0uYOG6ilGMs0UlbPjnRj0BHdqrhI6Qrs_t1ZQrqxVLzqw9LcQW7Rk-mf_fWCYd3gbNAmLluf-TYJDL4a6Eq7kXh39G2_0yC0J1Wu/s1600/IMG_0855e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCTq4PoeS-77BbDArpVhKwKBSq0uASGCmFPBJqA_Vn0uYOG6ilGMs0UlbPjnRj0BHdqrhI6Qrs_t1ZQrqxVLzqw9LcQW7Rk-mf_fWCYd3gbNAmLluf-TYJDL4a6Eq7kXh39G2_0yC0J1Wu/s400/IMG_0855e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdXA8FimiF-FEHT2vSUrj7Ohc79J8ndws5xjn4K1j1URrSCdKuyplqKOvPUJgcdwVRaRntAEIntst2rLiFYd85hyhanyAgVsW4dwqwnCdIGuM0RKi7-Ag2RdIl5KaNxOtWrKz_tvmEg6A/s1600/IMG_0859e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNdXA8FimiF-FEHT2vSUrj7Ohc79J8ndws5xjn4K1j1URrSCdKuyplqKOvPUJgcdwVRaRntAEIntst2rLiFYd85hyhanyAgVsW4dwqwnCdIGuM0RKi7-Ag2RdIl5KaNxOtWrKz_tvmEg6A/s400/IMG_0859e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I found a little tiny chair. Beka thought she should get a picture of it. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKd7ALlYvC7KOzp69tt5rbv_-F_Cql9sFybIS-I4iTAreOflVFejfPBpXYezSDD2WHM2W6U3OvdwPfB_luIgs6x3NRkEQwFVQkbhR0R8_rQoBStUbeCYwc38hJmdXDwsNNLSF3Pa1PrTzN/s1600/IMG_0863e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKd7ALlYvC7KOzp69tt5rbv_-F_Cql9sFybIS-I4iTAreOflVFejfPBpXYezSDD2WHM2W6U3OvdwPfB_luIgs6x3NRkEQwFVQkbhR0R8_rQoBStUbeCYwc38hJmdXDwsNNLSF3Pa1PrTzN/s400/IMG_0863e.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
I love this picture. We are definitely a girls dorm because here we have the massage chain. Fun fact: this is actually an old wine cellar that the owners of the house have redone.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm-lQZUTKbFImBnwcqb04jnkfgVleDh9r-2JKQUYsy9rL5ErDud_hcHchVjruVHOFGITd6Dub-oxdy2SyWc0wf0xe81UHBWF5ggG7HUH9Gdj1ZjLwlBIntb2cBM_gs0RJFeaFsWWCOHOb/s1600/IMG_0878e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihm-lQZUTKbFImBnwcqb04jnkfgVleDh9r-2JKQUYsy9rL5ErDud_hcHchVjruVHOFGITd6Dub-oxdy2SyWc0wf0xe81UHBWF5ggG7HUH9Gdj1ZjLwlBIntb2cBM_gs0RJFeaFsWWCOHOb/s400/IMG_0878e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is our dorm. These girls continue to surprise and amaze me. They are becoming a united group even though they come from diverse backgrounds. They strive to love and care for each other. They are wonderful and I am blessed to live with them. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBNrwZKW608hS-2KiSOqzVLa2zKzTpHe2TaWZA8ksXgNHgvL85kPDEs3Vk3t6OAG-UJoSbjFIOkcDgVJxWmRWtB5CKNeHUSxvnSeI77qhQsDNMzzevmWLg_wJFob9W-FoodEPccTYLcNi/s1600/IMG_0846e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvBNrwZKW608hS-2KiSOqzVLa2zKzTpHe2TaWZA8ksXgNHgvL85kPDEs3Vk3t6OAG-UJoSbjFIOkcDgVJxWmRWtB5CKNeHUSxvnSeI77qhQsDNMzzevmWLg_wJFob9W-FoodEPccTYLcNi/s400/IMG_0846e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Fall is continuing to settle in here just like the girls are. The weather is cooling down and rain is falling more often. Here are a couple prayer requests for the coming the weeks. Susie, our dorm mom, had to leave suddenly when her mom got sick a couple of weeks ago. She is back in the States and will be gone for a month total. Pray that things will go smoothly even with her gone. Pray for energy for the remaining staff as we are all picking up a few more responsibilities. Pray for Susie as she is caring for her mom and her family.<br />
<br />
That's all for now. I hope your day is full of fall colors, hats, beautiful scarves, and God's faithfulness.<br />
<br />
Peace. </div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-37857172753268229532011-09-02T15:53:00.000+02:002011-09-02T15:53:18.630+02:00ReBeginning.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Two days ago I had a bit of a shocking moment. After dinner every night we put away the leftovers and mark what the food is and the date. I went to write the date and said out loud, "It's the 27th, right?" My staff members quickly corrected me and told me it was the 31st. The 31st of August! <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A month has gone by. September is here. Training has come and gone. Our new students have arrived and settled in and our returning students followed soon after. Now we're finding our rhythm for life in the dorm. Another year has started. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's been interesting being back for a third year. They say that it takes a whole year to really feel settled in a new place. The first year I was learning all about this new culture, both German and BFA. I learned so much about humility and releasing control, trusting others to advise and guide me. The second year I was relieved to understand where I was and what I was doing. While I didn't think everything was perfect, it was comforting just understand what was going on and what would happen next. So what will year three be marked by? I'm not sure yet. It's good to be back. I love this dorm. I love my little village. I love the heart and passion of the people in the BFA community to love and serve God and one another well. But this year feels different already, as it should. God's doing something, time will tell how I will be changed by Him and His love this year. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In very exciting news, because of your faithful support I am at 90% for the year! I am so thankful for all of you who have been praying and giving toward my year here. I even have a couple new monthly supporters! To reach 100% for the year all I need is around $160 a month or $1600 total. If you would like to give a one time gift or sign up to be a monthly supporter just let me know or visit <a href="http://www.teachbeyond.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=63">Teach Beyond</a> and put my name in the space for "specific missionary". </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are just a few pictures from my time back in the States this summer. It was good to be back and catch up with so many of you. I've known your love and support through so many ways. I am so blessed when you use your gifts and talents to support and provide for my needs. Thank you so much for continuing to care for me. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our one day as a whole family in Michigan. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhRA4kr1Toby0pPoE3RX9_Kg-NX-lSQMIVjKPyNcdeC-1uYCMDAJjMOlkq0a57NFKbIHyiRmDJf773SBsTqhfj1yAQjKbIxh7ap8KFJmRfjgvTV9nWHPgi16XJteH6htuS8wbILI9aTZm/s1600/IMG_0648e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGhRA4kr1Toby0pPoE3RX9_Kg-NX-lSQMIVjKPyNcdeC-1uYCMDAJjMOlkq0a57NFKbIHyiRmDJf773SBsTqhfj1yAQjKbIxh7ap8KFJmRfjgvTV9nWHPgi16XJteH6htuS8wbILI9aTZm/s640/IMG_0648e2.jpg" width="428" /></a> </div>
<br />
Happy 60th Dad! Celebrating with the "best" cherry pie in Michigan. It was pretty amazing.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP_82OVScfZ4oIEBgDPIYuhjVDlKfc253mAm7Q0FRymbWnE5Yf1Fyi_o6lBLhTvvJB0_sA-0k58et8uirbRcfLAbNxPjJdXoPQLQnJtXAT9VMmsmLi-yiC8l5GqbozTOqL9-6tKNqjUz7/s1600/IMG_0650e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqP_82OVScfZ4oIEBgDPIYuhjVDlKfc253mAm7Q0FRymbWnE5Yf1Fyi_o6lBLhTvvJB0_sA-0k58et8uirbRcfLAbNxPjJdXoPQLQnJtXAT9VMmsmLi-yiC8l5GqbozTOqL9-6tKNqjUz7/s400/IMG_0650e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Britt and Val, two friends from Moody, came to visit for a couple of days. These are two amazing women who are passionate about knowing God. Spending time with them was so refreshing, even though it was during the hottest weather of the summer.</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS5XkDLpkHwO5mFf1E7RS5mZePUOY7QLq7hQcAwal_g6CFiPwpqp8A66Za2mLX-y3jAV4IuFNiIH7WB0cSq7i6HGZf3rkWa5RBwg1TdAAWa-VPeSP-S7s2eUdOUz-fuET8gPek6A8vjN2/s1600/IMG_0740e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS5XkDLpkHwO5mFf1E7RS5mZePUOY7QLq7hQcAwal_g6CFiPwpqp8A66Za2mLX-y3jAV4IuFNiIH7WB0cSq7i6HGZf3rkWa5RBwg1TdAAWa-VPeSP-S7s2eUdOUz-fuET8gPek6A8vjN2/s400/IMG_0740e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, obviously, we swam everyday.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje79dEsMpPtn5fb73ZNC7pJSR7Df5AwU2nrzZZiMJm4e7LdoMnxyHvhjhuxjUFvSfC0egTKJW9b64yakSVWBodNzWdZMlWGqWCwo3m5zIv6yi0a6StLLFFnqdNOQFmIDZ2HYtqxFaSDenf/s1600/IMG_0665e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje79dEsMpPtn5fb73ZNC7pJSR7Df5AwU2nrzZZiMJm4e7LdoMnxyHvhjhuxjUFvSfC0egTKJW9b64yakSVWBodNzWdZMlWGqWCwo3m5zIv6yi0a6StLLFFnqdNOQFmIDZ2HYtqxFaSDenf/s400/IMG_0665e.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I also spent some precious time with my siblings, who I just can't seem to spend enough time with, and with my relatives in Texas, Iowa, and Minnesota. Being over here might be a little easier if my family wasn't so wonderful. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That's it for now. Look for another post soon with pictures of life here! We have 7 new girls and they are all incredible. Really. Add them to our 7 returners, who are amazing, and it looks like it will be a great year!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Peace.</div>
</div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-85852115032227883632011-07-26T05:34:00.003+02:002011-07-26T05:57:28.387+02:00Support Update.Just a quick update on my support raising this summer. The plan is to leave on Thursday for Germany, yes that is only 4 days away and I'm not sure where summer went, but I am still in need of support to return on time. I need to be at 90% and right now I'm at 80%. Ideally I would like to raise around $5,000 more total for the year but at this point really need around $2,000 to leave on time.<div><br /></div><div> What does this mean for you? If you are interested in supporting me monthly or giving a one time gift let me know and I would love to send you more information. I would also appreciate your prayers as I finish up my time here and get ready to transition back to BFA and prepare for the girls' arrival. It has been wonderful to see so many of you this summer. It is amazing to come back to my home church and community and know your love and support for me. I couldn't do this without you. Look for another blog post soon about this summer and what's coming up in the fall at Blauen!<div><br /></div><div>Peace. </div></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-8010605681938504732011-05-24T11:12:00.004+02:002011-05-24T11:56:06.461+02:00Mark the Calender.<div style="text-align: left;">Two weeks from today I fly back to the States. Unbelievable.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right now I could use a pause button on life. Or at least a slow motion button. Things are crazy here. I just got back from soccer tournament which was fun but now I feel about a week behind on everything. It's time to pack up. Start writing goodbye notes. Try to have those last conversations and say things I should have said long ago. The dorm needs a good, deep clean. The girls are preparing for final exams. My entire apartment needs to be sorted, cleaned, and packed. My "to do" list is continually growing with little details I can't forget while very few items are getting check off. But as important as all these things I need to do are, I just want to be with my girls. I want to sit and laugh and go on walks and just enjoy these moments together. Where is the balance? How do I get everything done, spend time with these girls, and not go crazy? I have no idea.</div><div><br /></div><div>*Deep breath*</div><div><br /></div><div>So, that's where I am. I know everything will get done, one way or another, (probably with a lot of coffee) and in two weeks I can take a deep breath and ween myself off caffeine. </div><div><br /></div><div>What I really wanted to talk about in this post is Sunday, June 12th. I mentioned in my last post that both Amy Cherry and I would be speaking in the combined ABF about life here. I also want to let you know that that evening I am hosting a little get together for anyone who would like to hear more about what I'm doing here and just catch up on life. I'll be in the States for 6 weeks this summer but I'll be doing quite a bit of traveling and want to make the most of the time I have in the Bluffton area to see people. Please put this on your calender and come by my parents' house sometime between 6 and 8 pm. Come and go as you please, and enjoy a little something sweet. If you need directions or an address, just let me know. </div><div><br /></div><div>In random news, my dorm got our dorm clothing for the year. Here is a picture of us all with our new sweatpants. I think we look pretty good. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiszoOqpVyoj0EWC6jEo1uwQxMLiOXX-iBKKETXPhoe_-r84JPFW_XNoEEns4AwFfC5O7YR3MuP6daDELD5Zm16U_U-ba97w4IBfrZulkK2Iap_mWY92OjRFK6Fgd815-1hP4fWEH0vJTOd/s400/IMG_0389et.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610218246789649394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I'm getting excited to come back and see everyone again. I hope your day is wonderful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace. </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-13825853630594892062011-05-10T10:20:00.008+02:002011-05-10T12:12:14.831+02:00Springtime.<div style="text-align: left;">Spring is here. Praise the Lord. It's sunny, warm, fragrant, and oh so green.</div><div><br /></div><div>As much as I love spring and the hope it brings of sunnier days and time with friends and family who have been far away, it is crazy busy here at BFA. I want to count the days and hours I have with my girls and make the most of every moment but sometimes it feels like all I can do is hold on. </div><div><br /></div><div>We had our spring break here one month ago. Every year BFA offers missions trips for the first week of spring break to the students and staff who want to lead. 4 of my girls participated in these trips this year traveling to Uganda, China, Slovenia, and Burkina Faso. I've heard wonderful reports from all the trips even though there were difficulties, rainy weather, delayed and cancelled flights, and lots of bugs. I love hearing about how God works through these times to strengthen the students and grow in their lives. </div><div><br /></div><div>I would have loved to go on one of these trips but this year, I had different plans. For the first week my dear friend Val came to visit me here. We traveled around the area where I live, ate delicious food, drank too much Highlander Grogg coffee (thanks Mom and Dad), and just enjoyed being together. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheGpXkhhnKbWi6gxF-50LBLrMdXOMTaBokcB_JcZIV_gFLpMTCS-a6SjfAQzbiq3qfrHqUMRB5gMEO4Hp3k4NvBp8ydiFYT4hPKiJGA2ljTB5LfpD46kLD4v0Hxw8cr3qP4rOXPq3ADwMD/s400/IMG_1110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605003409834398498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>We took a day trip to the Alps also. It was beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQHc9ETRAIF69eMtim0RlpH_sFn-PRpgWMcS6e1nbWOfEPOjf36vPNxV0Ajh7XjWA4SVCamGW8Ku8qzsNud8w3LOilgSVp6QB48Y_t-Bb2dE2AUPP1u4R5Trji54YLNbisZQJrhUIdvWf/s400/IMG_1176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605003417950457378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Janae, another friend from Moody who is now a missionary with OM and works just a couple hours from me, also came down for a couple nights. The three of us drove over to France and spent a day touring a castle and driving through vineyards with our dear friend Mercedes. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmHy8pwAbt7PYO3dLkpwdr7HuyMr4t3K5Ire_7VXX3zTSIA3bM-v3Ed8z27qAtPXmeU_K2PP3QGuDxcyQxl1jjX5nMx5tj-0v9NPhFxaF0pntydNsbEoNVXwxtHhgbD76KMZV2dxhExSke/s400/226449_549020697599_163800089_31474140_3593864_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605024672623213314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>For the second week of break I traveled with another RA and a senior at Sonne to the Canary Islands, volcanic islands that belong to Spain a little off the coast of Morocco. Caroline, one of the seniors in my dorm, lives here with her family. It was wonderful to visit them, see the island, and just relax in the sun. Caroline's mom is also a wonderful cook and I thoroughly enjoyed eating some non-dorm meals that I wasn't in charge of cooking. We also enjoyed the beautiful sunsets over the ocean. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzojkZNmCATSpx5jnNgD5IPvK1zty5U1Lfok0omaS6NnC2f8jJi-IdF6P7eKqw-rYORF4XAfWpU72cwRhyphenhyphenKEos0og4yQSkCO9I0aBoGywwosi5z-I_mGpUA2FkPTw_Vjf9BNUZ9qQi9zK/s400/IMG_0318e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605010087889866626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And now we're all back and life is crazy. There at four weeks until grad and countless events to partake in. This weekend we had one of the big ones for our juniors and seniors, JSB or Junior Senior Banquet. It's a less formal prom with dinner and performances by the students. This was my first year to attend JSB here and I really enjoyed it. Here are a few pictures from the evening. </div><div><br /></div><div>Life lesson: learning how to put on a boutonniere is an important skill to master. Beka's doing a great job with her date's. And, although you can't really see it, she made this one out of jean material and wire to match her dress. I was impressed. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSQRxQXPsUkZNXTzug8SfVx_hZsflBWJjMmCs09Xdt1vNftva31ezcmMfG3rHSyVq-32uSXsQN8fgQmbKIeAYAnVCf1hyphenhyphen6VDXbX6Iga6jk5GvfqgmN85jEV0I5Q6rTueLC80wE7D8H02wN/s400/IMG_0451.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605012017147311922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Here is a little Bluffton reunion at JSB. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7mBJS1eHy3yxqzx4QpaJtgDUz8yI4MDfYLlSjg_Z6B7ZgwyJZrNA4IvTKttq5yESmEJ6PY_FHnO8CN66zVVlcJEmW2SCX0eNviqdVhU6E8qCpaaSRi-YPFxFdFEjP2uaBpmds47h6QNsQ/s400/IMG_0455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605012020060763314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>And a few of my girls, Caroline, Karis, Angela, and Hannah Jo, looking beautiful. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat5tvR5NAgq4BvBZDgONg5QaFO9Oxl2S0lN_8xMc6YrifI-_TY2e178hZL3kfCLXrRrmwb7cEEjNTL5jigmvSttpxDhBrOprIQv5JK1PDMU5pkcOD7ZTAFUrexLv6v-td2jAjEKq3H1vx/s400/IMG_0471.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605012026688032306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>BFA also hosted its annual Staff Appreciation Dinner this past week. The girls love this night because all the staff are out of the dorm and the seniors are in charge. This usually means some combination of dance parties, sneaking ice cream, water fights, raiding the kitchen, bonfires, and maybe even a slip and slide. For the staff it means getting dressed up, eating a relaxed meal that we don't have to cook, serve, or clean up after, and enjoying time together. I haven't decided who has more fun. Here is a picture with the 2 other RAs that I went through orientation and began my time here with. We're all signed up for a 3rd year here too which I think is pretty exciting. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PxtO3NutqxSZwtM2tq2Vw57-t8mUU9AJm1yTTZBUX4FaJUuDZqnTXTC7ZeeWHdBdPW-DPtH5peKyWlnzceCU2xnvzvu3l36R7PF6QIXdXv_jNGTDe_-pfllwGj0cSBEwUwGbbQeHTkya/s400/IMG_0391.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5605014759224758098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>So, the weeks remaining in the school year are exciting, but also full of seemingly incongruent emotions. Graduation is wonderful. 4 years of hard work is paying off and it's time to pursue big dreams and gain independence. Watching the senior get ready to graduate, move out, and say their goodbyes, however, is hard. Knowing that I have to say goodbye to them is even harder. I've spent two years full of laughters, tears, and growth with these girls. Next year is a new year in the dorm with a new group of seniors and new students and that is healthy and natural for the dorm. Realizing that the atmosphere I have settled into and love dearly will change next year can be difficult to accept. Living in this place where there is constant turnover in students and staff can make life seem unstable and the possibility for long term relationships seem impossible. Then I remember that God's timing is always perfect. I've seen this over and over in my life. Now is the time to cling to what I know is truth even though I doesn't feel right. I may want more time with the girls that are leaving but I can't change that. What I can change is the quality of time that we have now. So, instead of trying to convince God that my plan is better, I just want to soak up every moment I have now. Now is not the time to worry about what is coming next, now is the time to embrace the here and now. </div><div><br /></div><div>That being said, I appreciate your prayers during this time. Pray that everyone will be able to process and transition well. Pray for our seniors as they say goodbye to their community and spread out all over the world. Pray for the underclassmen as they say goodbye to fellow students that they love. Pray for many of the families that are leaving BFA for 1 year or forever. Also pray for positions at BFA that aren't filled yet. Particularly dorm parents for one of the girl dorms, this is a huge hole in our staffing for next year. </div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>A month from now I'll be back in the States for the summer. I wouldn't have realized this if it weren't for my mom and little sister reminding me. Mark on your calenders Sunday, June 12th, and come to St. John's combined ABF hour to hear more about this year and what God's doing at BFA. Amy Cherry and I will both be sharing about life in the dorms and what missions looks like here. </div><div><br /></div><div>I feel like I say thank you over and over again and I hope you know that this isn't just a habit or an obligation. I am so thankful for all of your prayers, and emotional and financial support. I'm only here because I have such a wonderful community supporting me. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. </div><div><br /></div><div>Peace.</div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-47991084478225045302011-03-02T10:55:00.005+01:002011-03-02T13:12:44.294+01:00Drive.<div style="text-align: left;">When I was 15 and began to drive, my family owned two big GMC vans and our old Ford Tempo. Now, the Tempo was far from fancy but it was usually drivable and my favorite of our vehicles to use. Much of my time learning to drive was spent in the vans though, and learning to get both of them in the garage helped me ace the maneuverability portion of my driving test. After I got my license I would avoid driving the vans as much as I could. When my sister would come home from college, however, the Tempo had to be shared and sometimes I would be left with a van to drive. I would whine and complain, making sure everyone knew how horrible it was to drive them. They were so big and bulky and harder to park and how many other high school students had to drive a giant van around? My family graciously endured my complaining, usually, with a little eye rolling and a few exchanged glances. Eventually we sold those two fans, the Tempo died and was replaced and life moved on. Occasionally my family would like to bring up my little temper tantrums over driving those vans, just to keep me humble.</div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward 8 years. I come over here, move into the dorm, and what do I drive now? Two big 9 passenger vans. God definitely has a sense of humor. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, there are a couple of differences. Instead of being GMC they are Mercedes. This sounds very classy but remember, this is Germany. The semi trucks and public buses here are Mercedes. Also, they are stick shift. An interesting new challenge to my driving skills that I have grown to thoroughly enjoy. Finally, I'm not in flat, laid out in square miles, Ohio anymore. I live 10 kilometers from school and the nearest grocery store, up a mountain road that has 60 some curves in it. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a link to the blog of one of my friends who is a RA at Sonne, the dorm across the street. He made a time lapse video this fall of the drive down to town. For a portion of it you can even see me driving Junior, our white van. I think it's pretty sweet, so check it out.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://chrisatbfa.posterous.com/driving-time-lapse">http://chrisatbfa.posterous.com/driving-time-lapse</a></div><div><br /></div><div>It's funny, even though driving is a challenge here, I have come to love it. There were a lot of new rules to learn and the whole system of roads is different but after adjusting to that it is fun. It's a good thing that I enjoy driving because I drive a lot. Grocery shopping, airport and train station runs, visiting friends, picking up dinner, going to meetings, soccer practices, or the school, I get to drive a big van to all of these. I especially love driving with my girls. Sometimes we go with the music blaring, singing at the top of our lungs, with the windows down (when the weather permits). When we're tired of the CD's in the van and there's nothing but German songs on the radio the volume goes down. Sometimes we talk and sometimes we're all lost in our own thoughts. These times are sweet though. Catching up on the day, Christmas break, or just enjoying the beautiful drive back to the dorm. I love these times. </div><div><br /></div><div>H, B, K, and I are about to head down the hill. We're in Junior even though it looks a bit like a fishbowl. </div><div><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8Nlb96yZdE9ktR-vbIgj15E0ryPOMa5Q2jIy8evrzV3bOh5ib0PguPP_ttVqsSy4DwA7wJRwaM6HYrp09VPsyN2JupZD8Sw13TpbjVzUb_L2ZvhKRArck8Qg6IIvCj6w2iJU4AEMraA9/s400/26001_10150162253770147_869110146_11710660_4545508_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579440136266568994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; " /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I didn't expect to drive as much as I do but I look back and see how God prepared me in His own way for this. After parking two big GMC's in a little garage, the small German parking spaces aren't quite as intimidating as they might have been. After driving a big Suter's box truck on small country roads and highways, the narrow German country roads aren't very scary. I look back and laugh at how much I hated and complained about those two vans, knowing now that God saw the big picture of my life. It makes me wonder what else I complain about in my life today that God has brought at this time to prepare me for what is still to come. </div><div><br /></div><div>So there's a little snapshot into part of what I do here. There are some exciting things coming up here. This weekend is High School Retreat and we are headed to Lenk, Switzerland. The whole high school will go and stay in a Chalet together. We'll have sessions, small group time, and free time to go skiing, snowboarding, sledding, ice skating, or just hang out and relax. Pray that God uses this time to draw everyone there, both staff and students, closer to Him. Also pray that relationships and friendships will be built and strengthened. Then on Monday, soccer starts! I'm coaching again this year and very excited for the season. I love getting outside, putting on my cleats again, and getting to know new girls. I'm learning so much about how to coach and often feel inadequate for the job, but it's a process and I enjoy it. Thanks for all your support and I love to hear back from you about how you are doing!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace. </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-16125083263431714192011-02-01T09:52:00.010+01:002011-02-01T12:18:04.758+01:00Habits.<div style="text-align: left;">As the second semester is underway here at Haus Blauen, I have been spending some time processing. I just got back from a weekend off, which was very relaxing, but before I settle back in to my ways here, I wanted to take a good look at what my ways have become. In other words, what am I doing with my time, for better or worse, how has that changed since I first arrived, and is this how I want to live.</div><div><br /></div><div>This blog is one of the instigators in this thought process. I blogged a lot when I first decided to come to BFA and in my first year here. Now, my blogging is practically non-existent. This was a priority before but somewhere along the way, I began to procrastinate and 1 month became 2, became 5. And now, I'm here. Trying to get back into a good habit, an important habit, what is a crucial form of communication for me since I'm so far away from so many people who are my support system, my community. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BCfHz9xmmTOiCnSUO45zwUpxxpztweNQlBtKcCwKsPd-jEGFl9HJPOS_c2NqWJ5jIsdRw4CQPE_y7bAcZ4xA8rfQJwXyMOaGQT_Lksbz0Au4Y7PQAullOaY4vGZuElecsNPQBU_-XxX1/s400/IMG_2188e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568674395636215778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last year I hiked so much. The forests and hills that surround my dorm were incredible to me, they amazed and energized me. When spring came last year I switched to running instead. Now, I rarely go hiking and haven't run consistently since the fall. I should mention that as I write this I see a good 6 inches of snow out my window and even with my fleece socks on, my feet are still cold. Regardless, I've become complacent in these areas. The Black Forest is as beautiful as ever and my running shoes are ready to go but I choose a nap instead. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, these seem like small habits, fairly easy to start and easier to quit. What I'm wondering, however, is how these habits, and others like them, affect my relationships and my ability to serve here. Over the weekend I was talking to another RA here who had the weekend off. We both went to Moody, were in the same major, had some classes together, but never really knew each other well and never would have thought we would end up here at the same time, spending a weekend together. Another close friend of mine here not only went to Moody and had the same major but also grew up in Bluffton with me. Because we have all gone through so many of the same classes at Moody, with the same professors, we can connect on a deep level considering how long we have been friends and this is such a to comfort me. God has used these women to speak truth into my life though I wouldn't have guessed that one would ever be a friend, or that the other would remain so close. All this to say, God works in intricate ways and in everything we do.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9or3rPfs2ZQf-V3BRFxdiwNShpGUTauwiHipcAmH9lhkYgHdU1L-wV1bEtMU-naRnLDbMy5QMzRQ5He6tFPXWXLNp0vwLW0cj4klRzqjGUXzZzoEVLi-Gz3YgL4UhbkvFxZT2-LGCcO/s400/59107_531985810649_163801568_31298447_3365691_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568674389657730434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Therefore, everything we do, or don't do, has repercussions on our life. By not blogging, I'm losing a way to communicate my life to people that I love who can't see it for themselves, therefore hindering these relationships that I value. By not hiking or running, I'm losing an outlet and an energizer in my life and while it's harder to pinpoint where that affects my relationships specifically, I know it does. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, why am I sharing all this? Colossians 3 and 4 has been on my heart and mind a lot lately. In chapter 3 Paul talks about putting off the old self which includes idolatry, "anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk" because we have a new self "which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." Then comes the part which I love and loathe all at once, because it is absolutely convicting. 3:12-15 says "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."</div><div><br /></div><div>So often lately I have been marinating in my old self and forgetting that I am being renewed. I haven't been doing the things in my life that help me clothe myself in compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience and I see the affects this has on my relationships here and back in the States. When I don't dwell in God's love myself, I can't "put on love" and there will be repercussions in life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Dorm life has been a little more difficult for me than it usually is lately. My patience runs short and my heart to serve is a little dry. I believe the longer you live with people the harder, and more rewarding it is. I love my girls and my dorm staff, they are more dear to me than ever, but when I forget what I am "clothing" myself in and just put on whatever is easiest, these relationships suffer. </div><div><br /></div><div>So now, my resolution. Day in and day out I want to become more intentional with what I clothe myself in and therefore what I do with myself and my time. Keeping up with this blog and all of you back in the States in a big part of this. I value not only what is given but the relationships that I have. </div><div><br /></div><div>And just so you know, I'm not planning on making these deeper, thoughtful blogs a habit. I know this is read more for what is going on here in the dorm, or at least that's what I like to talk about more. Here are a few pictures from our dorm retreat last semester. We went to Adelboden, Switzerland and spent a weekend in the alps in a chalet. It was wonderful weekend together. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are pictures from a hike we took. We had perfect weather...</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvh1peMfNf676STsgSeRqQuddrLQMh619FzZcGktMefZviE61EkO7ZrJK6eIVGu6H7J7r1Ju8jXnVRtUFJEXnIC-AyZWKMFUD4WCAL0Svf_PxT3dOwJSjeXMTyRgROwEVViZAy27I0nbEV/s400/IMG_2456.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568672051508275058" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>Funny faces...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFCer9Quosv0KxAxeZIEC6BOZIRupCrP3drojFC69utgn3QU_CsWvhnMfv2qo1t8uxBfP9P_YbzvO_p3tXTHtyWmBhu49uQ1Qz-5c1aO_wWwrQMS8iD8urXbnDBJVK5fGb1qytYkMnQlVH/s400/IMG_2462.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568672060635612930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Strange shadows...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nMrxDKrFTijggalrLFZGSQJK57TeUq_InmGlO7sbMbyweztKtsEF35W99Nhm1UNXGrLq2IZIHWOxTNUgYq0QH5yEqCgKjqNVNNEjW37eyzi1YU8Z3-F7IR0zzdNTnmQi05aMwMwRVyCi/s400/IMG_2454.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568672055862400962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>Jumping pictures...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTLeZCVKh5bn9BwMeQjmbz3117Lb9j-YFLsrC7nL6qvdJKpA3LYsZxj_Z6qajpRcIZ7feWxpri9jiqDyO-s8NrHth6xjZZZwfF4y4hrLnjixbHnTUrzxwegX1Hpk_stcuk0w7FVD0GlvS/s400/IMG_2469e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568674389001214226" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>And a long waterfall! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE-Co-QFpnnXsDINDswcbV7ZOXCnjWIAl_n5Mgga6k-ksNJDnP4TOIVkMz8lUuKRCLaOqq520fQ2JzfOhz4-5fvIe3dBGD7NMsxaJu4iyfNyZSDSV73DlqwOYi7hpxa7zly83t01H29VU5/s400/IMG_2482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568672061980575106" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And for those of you who haven't been introduced, this is Elaine, Blauen's new RA. She arrived in October and we are so thankful for her in the dorm. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPPdbwxHb07o2_S1aJzFwo-7fqdAEBORHsDhYpbK_Tg2-10mgOcILK9ZsysH2AzFClHM8pc6egu_QeYjd8yeb-BVlDb37Tkq8pB23O2J_oI5v_XuJvFTUZKSKVuJgF-yJWi9K1GGH9KIf/s400/IMG_2447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568676082646875474" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>That's all for now!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace. </div><div><br /></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-1088403433831004432010-08-30T13:53:00.007+02:002010-09-13T13:38:34.126+02:00Sweet Summer.<div style="text-align: left;">I can hardly believe that summer has already come and gone. It's good to be back in Blauen and settling in with my girls but I wanted to take a minute to look back on this summer. Here are a few of the highlights.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was able to see all of my immediate and extended family this summer. This was such a blessing to me. It was refreshing and a great time to reconnect and enjoy each other. When I first arrived in the States I went straight to Door County, Wisconsin for a Crowley family reunion and later traveled to Texas to see the Thompson side.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hardest part of being over here in Germany is being away from my family. I am thankful that my immediate family was able to be all together but it only lasted about 12 hours. 8 of those I spent sleeping because I was still fighting jet lag. Still we savor our time together and hope for more time soon.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thankfully, I was able to spend some time in Michigan with Amanda, Emily and Caitlin at camp. One morning I went to breakfast with Em and Cait at the Chuckwagon. They have donuts as big as your head so obviously, we needed to check this out. This is me with the apple fritter we shared. We couldn't even eat half of it. </div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoE6Wij3RcwkUwPDPH85rf7D6AiousovTkd1oMCXlIE8NfxS3ebsRHc4AAtCHG0YFdfkoTTtemgzPiWPFRXkcDeUnAftdnp60UsZywyo9w10GHIvDK0ms6Xsq0XXJMGWGopCVR0fttkWZk/s400/39329_10150241527780347_579980346_14080914_1537282_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516349280467741218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div>And here are the Thompson sisters minus Jean.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2v4cusZ1uOG2aYfDCmGljI47jjFhu-ufm9ktb5Ii2TyJ0YI9jgp2aUDwoqc_yytJosxrGiMWWTPHMalIFr_Is1jlv03N3ipWbGIU_kPugJ-ano9F_ErieiOBjx2BleTbLFZj01AJ-7Tya/s400/36705_518280945209_153800568_30693523_179018_ne.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516349782265615570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>On the way to Texas my parents and I stopped in Cincinnati to see Tim and Jean. We went to a Reds game and had a great time. The night was perfect for a baseball game, and I'm not even a big baseball fan. The Reds didn't win but we still had fun. </div><div><br /></div><div>Jean and I had a great time talking, admiring the accent of the woman behind us, and picking out what Reds logo we would want on a piece of paraphernalia during the game. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc09fd2SF_KL0zzrDQaqKR1wDIKuUwTCpBRegdgvPM0muqCHi954Risum-0PojqydnfF7N_X98IJk_zh2oS9oTOHTMxbB-5sisu99p-v3PysalDocpqxVe_NNzSiqwg1x8p6278wLOnpp/s400/IMG_2094e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516351456447202818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And Mom, Dad, and Tim. Tim and Dad were a bit more into the game. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDngR0Fld-MgqZlA7-rdRvPHF3IDbPtJEk3HN-uqYyrIAd-idezQB_uFW7vDkrPjUHok6nnt5Kgv_qSAkXkndVdhhj6STMiSP5v_AOQR1muqRgF1Cy74s6oaqAsoGSKlpItAVEV2aUtKJv/s400/IMG_2093e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516351454987675986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></span></div><div>I was also in a wedding this summer. My dear friend Erin got married and I got to be a part of the celebration. Erin and I have been friends since we were 2 and we have dreamed of our weddings for about as many years as we have been friends. It was a joy to help with last minute preparations and then be a part of the actual wedding. The wedding went smoothly and I know that God has brought Erin and Tyler together so it really was a blessing to me to see them married. This is Erin right before she walked down the aisle, she was absolutely breathtaking. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQ7uGGmf37uL8JFoL-cn0ZXDr9dwWXgWvouY0Wy2AiQ07q7o_36GnuFcaHozj3fSGIadMbulJW0uSmUqFTJQFBCndJpQygKc3cxMI7si5QICnvhdcjjzupfrr3ijYH7qiyYWv6cf1mO4p/s400/IMG_2182e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516353599287493826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div>I also got to see two of my best friends from college this summer. Brittany traveled with me and my parents to Texas for a week. We enjoyed eating good Texas cooking, swimming, Sonic, and watching fireworks. It was a great time to catch up on life and enjoy just being together. When I got back from Texas, Val came to visit for a weekend. We went to Bluffton's farmer's market, went star gazing, listened to lots of country music and talked late into the night. These times with friends were so meaningful to me. To reconnect and see how God is working in their lives is such an encouragement to me. God has blessed me with some wonderful friends who are able to speak truth into my life. </div><div><br /></div><div>Finally, I spent time at home reconnecting with some of my supporters. I shared at St. John's one Sunday morning. I love sharing about my dorm and the work that I get to do. I keep saying how blessed I felt throughout this summer and catching up with my church/supporting community was no different. I am continually amazed at how God provides and how much you all are willing to give toward what I do here and what I need. One of my biggest needs this summer was a new computer and right now I am typing on a wonderfully fast, new computer provided by people who are passionate about what God is doing here. I find myself continually thankful to all of you. Your friendship and giving is such an encouragement when things get tough here. I know that I have a community behind me and that gives me strength. </div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, it was a wonderful summer. It flew by and I definitely didn't see everyone that I wanted to but I am still learning how to plan these times that I have back in the States. Keep an eye out for another blog post soon on how the year has started!</div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a final picture from the summer. I throughly enjoyed Ohio sunsets while I was home. Germany is beautiful but I don't see sunsets that compare to those spent on the front porch at home. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5YjRctmlw_USY1uGsHvzq-OuxWJLxP9dUQRZxOZDSarLZSrk-IUdWrgj4yhKQNZ5y-wYKSZA4spvT4P18Cl544psD7A0rVrrFx_Byw2cxShDp5Yg9C69MwS2m5UAPQAnesnxPdcCPNXRk/s400/IMG_2044e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516359434522232034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px; " /></span></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-21208138849596201752010-06-28T22:36:00.011+02:002010-07-09T03:01:06.881+02:00Ending the Year<div style="text-align: left;">After a rather long absence in writing, I am back! The last few months have absolutely flown by and I hardly know where to begin. I'll try and hit a few of the highlights.</div><div><br /></div><div>Warm Weather. </div><div><br /></div><div>So this isn't really a specific event but it was definitely a highlight of spring. We had a rather cool, gray May but June came with lots of sunshine and we took full advantage of this by spending lots of time outside playing soccer, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, badminton, and just relaxing on the front steps of the dorm. Here are a few pictures from an impromptu photo shoot one warm evening. </div><div><br /></div><div>Beka and Caroline. They are roommates and they are wonderful. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL-K57dv7E6M2YiFRShEr4OxyAyYEtfeyDfNk5TL8L0CibHTq7AaYJOuG6wVgQ906CfMqe0jojsfcZO_oIpHl8p4A_lnMvRgJZiP0WH7hREOe5f09ZTd1uZE0MXNOEZPmpS8PzUWe2BxN/s1600/IMG_1788e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLL-K57dv7E6M2YiFRShEr4OxyAyYEtfeyDfNk5TL8L0CibHTq7AaYJOuG6wVgQ906CfMqe0jojsfcZO_oIpHl8p4A_lnMvRgJZiP0WH7hREOe5f09ZTd1uZE0MXNOEZPmpS8PzUWe2BxN/s400/IMG_1788e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491579541664237026" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Becca and Hannah Jo showing off the spring flowers around our dorm. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoNho_FrZLrbUph2BuLNhkjGJ-6JldnZ0Y1MKQZ9eqqXtu9PjtqNBDaQe82Bzd7zloIk-xgl-34Ln-hHmgyhwXfrIzusyPfymUAgBZ1rKgJTuCGK-TEGCd350X1F19citAgioZFgkxXhh/s1600/IMG_1778e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnoNho_FrZLrbUph2BuLNhkjGJ-6JldnZ0Y1MKQZ9eqqXtu9PjtqNBDaQe82Bzd7zloIk-xgl-34Ln-hHmgyhwXfrIzusyPfymUAgBZ1rKgJTuCGK-TEGCd350X1F19citAgioZFgkxXhh/s400/IMG_1778e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491579556719916722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Caroline and Ami rolling in the flowers. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzCCkF2bgEDjIrsueZr30jC1u6XLm5YxzGngEgEk0tjIS-4d0DpEpMOIlBEdsN2wP0azXJ2caUrQyKvHOZkOzCuavArQ9a9PMn0rDpZzLWSxw9D_e9Zmd4NWstYKLQbhmYDAFu0VqqboL/s1600/IMG_1759e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzCCkF2bgEDjIrsueZr30jC1u6XLm5YxzGngEgEk0tjIS-4d0DpEpMOIlBEdsN2wP0azXJ2caUrQyKvHOZkOzCuavArQ9a9PMn0rDpZzLWSxw9D_e9Zmd4NWstYKLQbhmYDAFu0VqqboL/s400/IMG_1759e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491581607760071362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And just a group of us being ridiculous, as usual. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbtx98vojh5i8FiKcxBoBWJN2p0gshfqd3jP2A7qu-n5WSc-jt3GgbtKz7vy7yN9MENOWmBViJtKqj7qPFn7n-lP4LP7OI15IIEJibek3vy6HhQxGP4ApVxxC2C7vkKXvPBLe2QQMnu0k/s1600/IMG_1714e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbtx98vojh5i8FiKcxBoBWJN2p0gshfqd3jP2A7qu-n5WSc-jt3GgbtKz7vy7yN9MENOWmBViJtKqj7qPFn7n-lP4LP7OI15IIEJibek3vy6HhQxGP4ApVxxC2C7vkKXvPBLe2QQMnu0k/s400/IMG_1714e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491581598785402322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Junior Senior Banquet. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the traditions at BFA is JSB, our version of prom. The girls come straight home after school on Friday and we rush around to get their hair up, makeup done, dresses on, and get them out the door in a couple hours. The juniors and seniors looked gorgeous and it was so fun helping them get ready. Soyoung, my fellow RA, went with the upperclassman to JSB and I stayed back with the underclassman. We had dinner at the dorm and then got dressed up and went out for ice cream at McDonald's. Maybe not quite as exciting as JSB but we had a great time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are the upperclassman and Soyoung at JSB. I must say, I live in a dorm with beautiful girls. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEOYuS1818y9h-JO36dYvU23S3OTu-llpjdeqQLNmyuUKjATxK6ZtVjhpZB4Sc57udWaGfQBwSiPcN9UfSp8HG1ZogaOzjW0G_zXkyD_9uo61S6ZixJqF_KVz6bnneMDxfmxSbgV2fzC4/s1600/35544_10150218456545147_869110146_13268745_4126206_ne.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEOYuS1818y9h-JO36dYvU23S3OTu-llpjdeqQLNmyuUKjATxK6ZtVjhpZB4Sc57udWaGfQBwSiPcN9UfSp8HG1ZogaOzjW0G_zXkyD_9uo61S6ZixJqF_KVz6bnneMDxfmxSbgV2fzC4/s400/35544_10150218456545147_869110146_13268745_4126206_ne.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491590455281993762" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div>And here is a smattering of pictures of our underclassman night on the town. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here we are all ready to get going. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH0BHiD_VXoGCeLFWZbFFQrnSC7-_FvJb-Mgtf35Yx8mce21Dvl6wf9__50_oTzIIiBsxw_q4uwT6DmhJoVYao1lCplpX4UhcSjIvEz8nq65ce_ueyMifbrjRSDxRhx8hFWLTo8-I9pgm/s1600/IMG_1794e2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnH0BHiD_VXoGCeLFWZbFFQrnSC7-_FvJb-Mgtf35Yx8mce21Dvl6wf9__50_oTzIIiBsxw_q4uwT6DmhJoVYao1lCplpX4UhcSjIvEz8nq65ce_ueyMifbrjRSDxRhx8hFWLTo8-I9pgm/s400/IMG_1794e2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491598685110624658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On our way to McDonald's we decided to watch some of the sunset from a hill near another dorm. An intense photo shoot resulted. This is Alesia frolicking through the fields. The picture is a little blurry but I kind of like it that way. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3nMY93f-05cOejCb8ZZxSTMspVoQa4UIoRC37rPMuBLmzrX6giU1GPGsji35KU0nPkH8-46h9rXmNAj-ssn4ozihvuNRGIR3M2jhsASDfKm_OmW3DXoboj4qU4GzF5PeQaSKxwpRY5wl/s1600/IMG_1831e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX3nMY93f-05cOejCb8ZZxSTMspVoQa4UIoRC37rPMuBLmzrX6giU1GPGsji35KU0nPkH8-46h9rXmNAj-ssn4ozihvuNRGIR3M2jhsASDfKm_OmW3DXoboj4qU4GzF5PeQaSKxwpRY5wl/s400/IMG_1831e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491611662353181842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I think we all have a future in modeling. </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLggf2VkzaTOThTLZKRva1KeB-Z9J5YPoCIq3tbeUYFkpiSrPRnBlZNDORDvK7uGB-_3uJfQWukDiv3kFBN0VKptSNnpEjemP_DdsO0-GLp2tYe4kRp0F2ZkzfUlevjMmNuqEg2aQ6kGo/s1600/IMG_1904e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLggf2VkzaTOThTLZKRva1KeB-Z9J5YPoCIq3tbeUYFkpiSrPRnBlZNDORDvK7uGB-_3uJfQWukDiv3kFBN0VKptSNnpEjemP_DdsO0-GLp2tYe4kRp0F2ZkzfUlevjMmNuqEg2aQ6kGo/s400/IMG_1904e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491597340043651986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>And this is my beautiful Parisian, Claire. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigAfrO71KluoNmtDVn3bXt-gX_GVYphj-IahrYfsaBFALv-yuLcWXNBvPL0lt1nRR43-An-abYSn3zKFatRjOxa-pR4lejBY06qjWXBohLag4zOZYE0onaEb77qnqd_YETXW4n4BQCKpF/s1600/IMG_1864e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigAfrO71KluoNmtDVn3bXt-gX_GVYphj-IahrYfsaBFALv-yuLcWXNBvPL0lt1nRR43-An-abYSn3zKFatRjOxa-pR4lejBY06qjWXBohLag4zOZYE0onaEb77qnqd_YETXW4n4BQCKpF/s400/IMG_1864e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491611676860871858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Don't be fooled by their innocent faces. These girls are vicious. Beka managed to catch them attacking me. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-CieLt0QCqD13sOKzD0tZr6Pb6AY3Qt8X18e9mnQg5viEl7mCESFXXF-r8GxnnUCtL1Qq1pXph0ga7haZcq5wHjQ36TLTYG92GfL0M1o67rBHuTH54Ra9G5k8FnM1uLIpHwV2VihIVD-/s1600/IMG_1882e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-CieLt0QCqD13sOKzD0tZr6Pb6AY3Qt8X18e9mnQg5viEl7mCESFXXF-r8GxnnUCtL1Qq1pXph0ga7haZcq5wHjQ36TLTYG92GfL0M1o67rBHuTH54Ra9G5k8FnM1uLIpHwV2VihIVD-/s400/IMG_1882e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491611686500464994" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbBUGWAoKDdzrENEOTI796imMJBcEd7YKFdHlK7onPwIHzhsV3o8FfglBHFVo-10yPpJi0btRpHI9Fyo5-J8t_zHA02fJFmBjeQQlyLlwclbyCkFCqy2wEDSF9WiwdKuUll8n95YEPaGt/s1600/IMG_1884e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbBUGWAoKDdzrENEOTI796imMJBcEd7YKFdHlK7onPwIHzhsV3o8FfglBHFVo-10yPpJi0btRpHI9Fyo5-J8t_zHA02fJFmBjeQQlyLlwclbyCkFCqy2wEDSF9WiwdKuUll8n95YEPaGt/s400/IMG_1884e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491611693035140770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TpIl5AqOYIWPUArejx64QSDXmjP0N9-OWN3j2O5qpaU_TOHdEgN6tEswdGxOqSfwgbJ8Li7uQlX5Y1uFQ8B4R_R4IRrpC-L-jL27YWHEL3vPV2bxUI0hyq73Mq191s5jn2zSEg7sQ1lH/s1600/IMG_1886e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TpIl5AqOYIWPUArejx64QSDXmjP0N9-OWN3j2O5qpaU_TOHdEgN6tEswdGxOqSfwgbJ8Li7uQlX5Y1uFQ8B4R_R4IRrpC-L-jL27YWHEL3vPV2bxUI0hyq73Mq191s5jn2zSEg7sQ1lH/s400/IMG_1886e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491611713611166370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And this is all of us together. I love these girls and it is a joy to spend time with them. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBSE63Kr6eEwtiOcVlRJX0IWV1Dasc9rWdSFpXcEZ5hBPZsQzsM-isKeLc4WYVC1g8BmrP7tpxSNsAOsvR_NA28qgbiwmzYCzZB4k4ldzPCIpIYRRP4rIFCtrtKqbw_72kPFyFdZlheWW/s1600/IMG_1866e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBSE63Kr6eEwtiOcVlRJX0IWV1Dasc9rWdSFpXcEZ5hBPZsQzsM-isKeLc4WYVC1g8BmrP7tpxSNsAOsvR_NA28qgbiwmzYCzZB4k4ldzPCIpIYRRP4rIFCtrtKqbw_72kPFyFdZlheWW/s400/IMG_1866e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491595183629074978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Soccer. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I've mentioned before, I had the privilege of helping coach our girls soccer team this year. It was a great learning experience for me and a fun way to meet new girls. We travelled to Ramstien, Germany for tournament and made it to quarterfinals. The girls went into overtime in their last game and ended up losing 0-1 to the team who won the entire tournament. So while we didn't make it as far was we would have liked, the girls played very well. This is me at tournament french braiding hair. Not only did I get to practice coaching this year, I also perfected my braiding skills. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREmKUmKmmiK1P53JEiQY8S2oydxItdFACRCFvKkQ5ORdUmSFOgWKRdAVds8E_0huXPYcF6jzS8-W81LKfzwHTf_S2YBWDL0gW6dszeZTjRfne4NNXCx8GQaOeI8nUDwXfAuAnsgaZtttd/s1600/Tournament+044e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREmKUmKmmiK1P53JEiQY8S2oydxItdFACRCFvKkQ5ORdUmSFOgWKRdAVds8E_0huXPYcF6jzS8-W81LKfzwHTf_S2YBWDL0gW6dszeZTjRfne4NNXCx8GQaOeI8nUDwXfAuAnsgaZtttd/s400/Tournament+044e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491628746330271602" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div>And this is a picture taken by Becca, a senior in my dorm, at one of our games played in the town where our dorm is. It was in May but it felt like March. The day was drizzly and foggy. If you look to the left of the umbrella you can make out the lines of the field. The fans in the stands often couldn't make out anything past half field. This definitely made for interesting games.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3oruhVin3mMS_-Mvip3ix1j70Br-NntzDntUAz0FOe8jy8WiDMd4bnPZSubufi8NhwxTZg7MLavEGcaQ4gaokJZMrk8Vbr9wU3b77PyOtzez9npZRXXPT7tDeZ1fl8wPrx-lFutBJ_DF/s1600/37348_10150218457605147_869110146_13268831_4181241_n.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ3oruhVin3mMS_-Mvip3ix1j70Br-NntzDntUAz0FOe8jy8WiDMd4bnPZSubufi8NhwxTZg7MLavEGcaQ4gaokJZMrk8Vbr9wU3b77PyOtzez9npZRXXPT7tDeZ1fl8wPrx-lFutBJ_DF/s400/37348_10150218457605147_869110146_13268831_4181241_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491627196286369682" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Graduation. </div><div><br /></div><div>On June 11th my dear seniors walked across the platform and received their high school diplomas. It was fun celebrating with them and getting excited but graduation at BFA is very different from any other grad I have been to. The director of our school brought the students up individually and said a few words about who they are, what strengths our community has seen in them, and gave them each a Bible verse. Each of the students, in return, gave a tie to the director. Each year the seniors give something to the director as a gift. I don't think the director will ever need to buy another tie. All in all, the grad was very personal and meaningful. After grad, everyone goes outside and for many of the kids, they say their final goodbyes. When I graduated from high school, I still had a summer in front of me to spend final moments with my friends and then probably see them again at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and maybe a few times in between. For this class, the students are headed for colleges all over the United States and even the world. Because of this, BFA's grad was the most emotional grad I have even been to. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of the class of 2010.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRcOr6AakBjzl5VE843_xl9zKjHEMdBOPxhg0IIT_O4SFvlVG7t7WeMeAyXprDxALFbEgMpafU8zDi-GsJndv_nZ1S1pLohuZgBx6gF7qWSOCrcqxaK1GKKOECFnXlov2zVfdf5-U00Pk/s1600/IMG_1980e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRcOr6AakBjzl5VE843_xl9zKjHEMdBOPxhg0IIT_O4SFvlVG7t7WeMeAyXprDxALFbEgMpafU8zDi-GsJndv_nZ1S1pLohuZgBx6gF7qWSOCrcqxaK1GKKOECFnXlov2zVfdf5-U00Pk/s400/IMG_1980e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491700119061808130" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>And this is Anna, one of Blauen's seniors, receiving her diploma.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIEKl7qlmxR5X9dvuWB6TvRzOvlJCUHiFDOFy0sFYWyWs3h7xZ-M4kBrM_Z9N_6JR3wpC1DmggiAJDX4J9E8xJL36XzPXBL99ZKs4KpGDuN2yXNspjjetHps-kLXE06I8kbAK0KdM2gQu/s1600/IMG_1982e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIEKl7qlmxR5X9dvuWB6TvRzOvlJCUHiFDOFy0sFYWyWs3h7xZ-M4kBrM_Z9N_6JR3wpC1DmggiAJDX4J9E8xJL36XzPXBL99ZKs4KpGDuN2yXNspjjetHps-kLXE06I8kbAK0KdM2gQu/s400/IMG_1982e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491700131703310322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And that is about it. I spent the day the girls left cleaning up and then we had the dorm checked out. The next few days were full of cleaning and packing up my own room and spending some time with friends. Then I took off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now I am back in the States and would love to see you. I am trying to figure out how to connect with everyone and have meaningful time with people here. I would appreciate prayer as I try and not only rest and get ready for a new year, but also spend quality time with people that I love here. Also, I would appreciate prayer for a little more monetary support. I am in need of a new computer, my current laptop is five years old and barely hanging on, and I don't have enough support to purchase a new one at the moment. Pray specifically that I would find the right computer, at the right price, and have the money to purchase it. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's about all for now. If you are in Bluffton area, I am presenting a brief update on life in Blauen at St. John this Sunday during the sunday school hour. I would love to catch up with you more there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Peace. </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-53441006224694805212010-04-26T11:50:00.003+02:002010-04-26T12:51:47.980+02:00A Day in the Life7 weeks of school remain. 8 weeks until I fly home. I cannot believe how quickly time as gone by and looking back, I wonder how so much time has passed. While thinking about this the other day, I decided to keep a log of a day here and see where the time really does go. Now, I feel slightly narcissistic posting this but I thought it was interesting and I thought you all might enjoy seeing what a day in the life of an RA looks like. Here we go. <div><br /></div><div>7:35 am - Rise and shine. This is a sleep in morning for me so I don't have to be downstairs until a little before the girls leave for school. Soyoung did breakfast and I get an extra couple hours of sleep. </div><div><br /></div><div>7:52 am - I head downstairs and make myself some tea. I am currently on a detox from coffee so a cup of rooibus will have to do. </div><div><br /></div><div>8:15 am - Time for the girls to catch their bus. Everyday the staff lines up to say goodbye to the girls and give them hugs. I love this part of the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>8:24 am - It's my laundry day so I head to the basement to see how many loads I have and resort and organize the mess that is waiting. </div><div><br /></div><div>8:33 am - A forgotten lunch phone call interrupts my laundry sorting. After finding the forgotten lunch and making a couple phone calls, calm is restored. No one will go hungry today! </div><div><br /></div><div>8:51 am - Finally start the first 3 loads of laundry. </div><div><br /></div><div>9:03 am - Get out the vacuum and head for the kitchen. The floor is in desperate need of a good cleaning. </div><div><br /></div><div>9: 12 am - And time to mop. I actually don't mind mopping the floor. There is a satisfaction in looking back on the clean, wet floor and seeing the job accomplished. </div><div><br /></div><div>9:28 am - Relax with a little piano playing. I took years of lessons I didn't like and wasted too much of my parents money years ago but for some reason this year I've come back to the piano and it's become a kind of therapy for me. I'm still not good but just sitting there and interacting with the music is so soothing to me. Anyways...</div><div><br /></div><div>9:50 am - I realize from my stomach growling that I haven't had any breakfast. Time to get some. </div><div><br /></div><div>10:13 am - First round of washing is done. Three loads in the dryer, three more into the washers. </div><div><br /></div><div>10:27 am - Take a minute to check my email and facebook. There is a lot of smack talk about my cousins right now with our upcoming reunion. Reading them always makes me smile. My dad is actually on too (it's 4:27 am his time, crazy) so I chat a little with him. </div><div><br /></div><div>11:11 am - The dryers are done. Time to fold three loads of laundry, put what's in the washer in the dryer, and start 2 more loads. </div><div><br /></div><div>11:44 am - I need to get a run in today and this is the only place it fits so I quickly change and get going. </div><div><br /></div><div>12:23 pm - I get back from my run and need to be out in door in 20 minutes I take a quick shower and get ready for the day. </div><div><br /></div><div>12:51 pm - Running a little late, I head for my small group meeting in town. I'm in a group with 3 other RA's and our leader is a wonderful woman from the community. We meet every other week and it's a good time to relax and talk about what is going on in our lives. </div><div><br /></div><div>3:53 pm - Leave small group and go to soccer practice at the school. </div><div><br /></div><div>5:28 pm - Soccer practice is finished. I have absolutely loved being able to coach soccer this spring. I don't know much about coaching and it's been awhile since I've played consistently but I enjoy being back on a team and getting on the field again. I am learning so much but the other coaches are patient and the girls are amazing. </div><div><br /></div><div>5:57 pm - Pick up dinner from the central kitchen. Monday through Friday our evening meals are cooked at the school and then we pick them up and take them back to the dorm. As much as we may complain about the food it is a huge relief not to have to cook every night. </div><div><br /></div><div>6:22 pm - Get back to the dorm and unpack dinner. We eat family style in my dorm so we take the big pans of food and put them in smaller bowls and platters. It makes the meal a little more intimate or family like. </div><div><br /></div><div>6:30 pm - Call everyone down for dinner time. </div><div><br /></div><div>6:58 pm - The girls start their evening gratis or chore and I pack up the leftover food with Soyoung. </div><div><br /></div><div>7:18 pm - I remember that I have the evening snack today and that there are some fresh strawberries that are about to go bad in the refrigerator. Time to find a new recipe. </div><div><br /></div><div>7:37 pm - After a checking out what Betty Crocker has and then doing a little googling I settle on a strawberry cake. Time to make it. </div><div><br /></div><div>8:43 pm - With the cake cooling and snack in 15 minutes I remembered that I still have unfinished laundry downstairs so I head down to tumble the dry clothes a few more minutes and then put the last two loads in the dryer. </div><div><br /></div><div>9:06 pm - Snack is a little late but it's finished, put out, eaten, and, I have to say, pretty good. </div><div><br /></div><div>9:22 pm - Run down and check the laundry. Not done. </div><div><br /></div><div>9:45 pm - Finally, the laundry is dried and folded. Done until next week. </div><div><br /></div><div>9:48 pm - Start the dishes left from snack. </div><div><br /></div><div>10:07 pm - The dishes are done, the kitchen is clean, and I am glad the day is almost over. Time to wait for the girls to finish up whatever homework they have and get to bed. Some of the girls have bed times but the upperclassman have a little more freedom. I curl up with a book tonight and say my goodnights as the girls head to bed. </div><div><br /></div><div>11:13 pm - Everyone is off to their own rooms so I do a final check of the dorm and then lock the doors and go to my room. </div><div><br /></div><div>11:20 pm - Before a go to bed a make a phone call to a dear friend. I usually make my phone calls home late at night. </div><div><br /></div><div>11:48 pm - Finish a chapter of my book. </div><div><br /></div><div>12:08 am - Turn out the light and get some sleep. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, my days aren't always this busy and sometimes they are busier. Life in the dorm means you're always on call and have to be ready for anything. I love that about it. Having a schedule that is somewhat consistent but has a thousand variables is exciting and keeps my life very interesting. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, this is a run down of my tasks for the day. My job here has tasks but those tasks usually come after the girls. Relationships are first and most anything can be delayed if it means spending a little more time with one of my girls. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, this is where my time has gone. Incredibly exciting? Not really. Hard work? Sometimes. Rewarding? Always. I love this job and thank God He brought to it. </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-42562741141540164702010-02-28T12:39:00.012+01:002010-02-28T18:18:22.744+01:00Playing Catch Up.<div style="text-align: left;">This is long overdue and for that, I apologize. So much has happened since my last post and I hardly know where to begin in catching up. To keep this post as short as possible (which isn't very short at all), I am going to skim the the past couple months and look at some highlights. Here goes.</div><br />Christmas.<br /><br />Tim and Jean were able to come for Christmas break and it was absolutely wonderful. We traveled around the area, played games, went hiking, and just enjoyed being with one another. One of the highlights for me was making buckeyes. This is a family tradition and it's just not Christmas without them.<div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyZdY1qakVYl1YzWUYqlqSL7I721B2CtuF4TFDbK-_CN7LnjV4d6kLw1Q7KZk8GF2tkyE4j3JtSyYFmhyphenhyphenDLX38T2K5QSvWz7H9Xmy2gDhGWm9DTeZ4Ugv3ArUfCynfNFVn_dCkqDIJoxy/s1600-h/IMG_1424e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyZdY1qakVYl1YzWUYqlqSL7I721B2CtuF4TFDbK-_CN7LnjV4d6kLw1Q7KZk8GF2tkyE4j3JtSyYFmhyphenhyphenDLX38T2K5QSvWz7H9Xmy2gDhGWm9DTeZ4Ugv3ArUfCynfNFVn_dCkqDIJoxy/s400/IMG_1424e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443263635129552834" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is my favorite picture of Tim and Jean from the trip. We took it one day when we went hiking up by my dorm. It was a beautiful day and the snow was perfect. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPdTJUBvH3t95kA7NQJz9uatuF9mqDdonENZ_kYtS59gnvhx2zn7tu7-ofzhuVHcmpmoBZnpHdc3O5ablF2FKJQRlCB_mAhwQS9irkM43tqaABPwPurjKrTcApTAdqlyyt8oM9jWF9Z-k/s1600-h/IMG_1435e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJPdTJUBvH3t95kA7NQJz9uatuF9mqDdonENZ_kYtS59gnvhx2zn7tu7-ofzhuVHcmpmoBZnpHdc3O5ablF2FKJQRlCB_mAhwQS9irkM43tqaABPwPurjKrTcApTAdqlyyt8oM9jWF9Z-k/s400/IMG_1435e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443264217052570850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Break was a nice change of pace and though this Christmas was a little unusual (for example, we had a Christmas lamp instead of a Christmas tree), I wouldn't change at thing.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BSRTQppoSBtf1XYLSpzlk7kNvJT81kZFHGHiNNzaUQDWhHIqwVtPdye_vb9D2j0D2wE37ki6IZyCK7iHe6HiPKVU25pk10hJsaE8X4PkqaIMJIWXLmxXu9H9MoGHtut84F2G1S2AuNke/s1600-h/IMG_1220e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3BSRTQppoSBtf1XYLSpzlk7kNvJT81kZFHGHiNNzaUQDWhHIqwVtPdye_vb9D2j0D2wE37ki6IZyCK7iHe6HiPKVU25pk10hJsaE8X4PkqaIMJIWXLmxXu9H9MoGHtut84F2G1S2AuNke/s400/IMG_1220e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443265851069208450" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>A new semester. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now the girls are back and we are settling into schedules and finding the rhythm of life here once again. So far, this semesters has been filled with basketball games, dance parties, and lots and lots of snow. One weekend the basketball games were cancelled due to the snow and the girls took the opportunity to spend the day sledding next door on Sonne's hill. Here is a series of shots from our adventures.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTkfJJOYQkAUNyOX5pkfuz704_16s4GCdPo83guSBn9rl9FUKrmTMg7Rko1U_Tb6sworlicNICMZ0zbKu1nH_vH3g8q1n6iZqqgRYcv2xRPnTacX5xBe6ChpGPSoXkWvAPyAGn1BLfusV/s1600-h/IMG_1482e.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSTkfJJOYQkAUNyOX5pkfuz704_16s4GCdPo83guSBn9rl9FUKrmTMg7Rko1U_Tb6sworlicNICMZ0zbKu1nH_vH3g8q1n6iZqqgRYcv2xRPnTacX5xBe6ChpGPSoXkWvAPyAGn1BLfusV/s400/IMG_1482e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443267609490156370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuqUzhQKDwRw07SLaUYrMeWYMx1Ofqlk8asRLfaXpvE4Jk7kq4JkKIS1GPTdR6BWEi6YKlc_Z6cXmOdUbmu434fU98qbuhl2DaQLQ7y4G1kFKyi5d-mYJg01n4w0iMCw9kkYsTOBWLcwI/s1600-h/IMG_1483e.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGuqUzhQKDwRw07SLaUYrMeWYMx1Ofqlk8asRLfaXpvE4Jk7kq4JkKIS1GPTdR6BWEi6YKlc_Z6cXmOdUbmu434fU98qbuhl2DaQLQ7y4G1kFKyi5d-mYJg01n4w0iMCw9kkYsTOBWLcwI/s400/IMG_1483e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443267619280863394" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxop5zTIGMe5_6AkGLDuQuM7lJdzi_02ERhTd6ri1odSKuKnkDDQ6JgxTozHpIMHiju3Iu4BWL3RdK8SQA2GObfPb8hb6fj2xjuSV5JdfBDCdmQyFYT5duGrlNBO7Wu0E7sjbPF23pQZoW/s1600-h/IMG_1484e.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxop5zTIGMe5_6AkGLDuQuM7lJdzi_02ERhTd6ri1odSKuKnkDDQ6JgxTozHpIMHiju3Iu4BWL3RdK8SQA2GObfPb8hb6fj2xjuSV5JdfBDCdmQyFYT5duGrlNBO7Wu0E7sjbPF23pQZoW/s400/IMG_1484e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443267625628680402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vNH_TNCkqkrfgpX5wViNqAs1zsGJeHR0IhlnKKmbGXvnqXlw3CbvGwQb7njYLQ8V0SqM7LOqSMlyaisDO7UHBiFpoyUwTm-Rwrt-tJHtBa_0KaYoVMK3n67cVywcutsitsMgUXQRpbk0/s1600-h/IMG_1485e.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9vNH_TNCkqkrfgpX5wViNqAs1zsGJeHR0IhlnKKmbGXvnqXlw3CbvGwQb7njYLQ8V0SqM7LOqSMlyaisDO7UHBiFpoyUwTm-Rwrt-tJHtBa_0KaYoVMK3n67cVywcutsitsMgUXQRpbk0/s400/IMG_1485e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443269423448561698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbU1pcNSXLYyvl5guJ8xPHqyNJAOhpgtv3Efl1S5kIF_I_Qmhiye1dpnc2wH9_cGHP0VjUVfkyOVjw7xKcp7S2Vda5RpDMTI0MrXrKKVspRuwqFOxa3IJFXZHA9pY8EuhECRAGtjVdOLK/s1600-h/IMG_1486e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpbU1pcNSXLYyvl5guJ8xPHqyNJAOhpgtv3Efl1S5kIF_I_Qmhiye1dpnc2wH9_cGHP0VjUVfkyOVjw7xKcp7S2Vda5RpDMTI0MrXrKKVspRuwqFOxa3IJFXZHA9pY8EuhECRAGtjVdOLK/s400/IMG_1486e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443269431549992930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hj-mqCdoo7Rhe8tSogid9gEaGSWTUl_qSVJCSRZUfgGFHsW6xsVFPtwIpZsfVd3LOoOCNMUHEYaLtuBjVftLb3Tu5b3Yxu7Mdf7w2f07fb4L6nsGrfTzWO0iNSXqUq_nCOjk3bZ6a-QQ/s1600-h/IMG_1487e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hj-mqCdoo7Rhe8tSogid9gEaGSWTUl_qSVJCSRZUfgGFHsW6xsVFPtwIpZsfVd3LOoOCNMUHEYaLtuBjVftLb3Tu5b3Yxu7Mdf7w2f07fb4L6nsGrfTzWO0iNSXqUq_nCOjk3bZ6a-QQ/s400/IMG_1487e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443269434755020338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>SO much fun. I love the energy and life that these girls have. They bring me so much joy. Living life day in and day out with them is refining and teaches me so much about what it means to live in community. We see one another at our best and worst and learn to love each other in spite of our faults. </div><div><br /></div><div>In more recent news, we are beginning to hope that spring is on the way. We had over a foot and a half of snow throughout the past few weeks and it has finally almost completely melted. This weekend the weather was "warm" and though I don't have the heart to say we won't see anymore snow, I enjoyed the break from the frosty weather with a hike up to Hoch Blauen (the high point behind our dorm) with two of my girls. The sun was out and we felt brave so we did this in shorts. There was a lot more snow on the path than we had anticipated but we had a great time. This is Beka and I somewhere along the path. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjKTYjw4lujWXQvgdUeVv-q1-fuGnT2mmmoWj4i1l4ONl0Rz5rjyd7uB_Yfyd8ztJih8HrG2lUN9xMhbeJweKyWq1OZ3LY3L6K3voMz2Vxiz23gjxayz7pTh20XRxvEc_H97oVEVWJbrZ/s1600-h/IMG_1508.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjKTYjw4lujWXQvgdUeVv-q1-fuGnT2mmmoWj4i1l4ONl0Rz5rjyd7uB_Yfyd8ztJih8HrG2lUN9xMhbeJweKyWq1OZ3LY3L6K3voMz2Vxiz23gjxayz7pTh20XRxvEc_H97oVEVWJbrZ/s400/IMG_1508.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443279024789690562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And Anna conquering the snowy logs. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb1gxBgqXRgrUWpuYJjnv927drW9cXlXwMr0CQa7PiTmYFISu1KNCOwOJguMAY9tEzMk_VNlyQ0vuUDB-mt-l-k7V7ViN3fyU_3yNaymnefGWoPf543ZgOWXSu_yKmMJrtaM4Af_JFiAn/s1600-h/IMG_1511.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbb1gxBgqXRgrUWpuYJjnv927drW9cXlXwMr0CQa7PiTmYFISu1KNCOwOJguMAY9tEzMk_VNlyQ0vuUDB-mt-l-k7V7ViN3fyU_3yNaymnefGWoPf543ZgOWXSu_yKmMJrtaM4Af_JFiAn/s400/IMG_1511.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443297082682392642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And our poor bare legs. They were a little red by the end but it was great to feel the freedom of wearing shorts again.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ETMWCneWIdg5o1kPVv4jwFsu4ZVblRegFVHZiQ_FrKXFDWwEUur8xifB7EaMqst37vCi2RVIL99PkO5EB9zi_qLO5gA3pRZ4UHtVcQRXVPwy_jCuYa2mH961JYvuj1r0zMS7WRGXUH1p/s1600-h/IMG_1516e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ETMWCneWIdg5o1kPVv4jwFsu4ZVblRegFVHZiQ_FrKXFDWwEUur8xifB7EaMqst37vCi2RVIL99PkO5EB9zi_qLO5gA3pRZ4UHtVcQRXVPwy_jCuYa2mH961JYvuj1r0zMS7WRGXUH1p/s400/IMG_1516e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443297091870176786" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And of course, attempts at some jumping pictures. We never completely succeeded but had fun trying. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cnOfi4YTCg_QDcDiSe4bfH4lmZy0QRkjcwPo1AZNTw7fZiUDVYwRPzEvE6kigpGDiX_E_9MZpQyJ7eUc6Ql7fDfwWUL430aG0YVGMve_88-QkpkfDv5Fe4E44GNhs921EVh2LY9XiMpO/s1600-h/IMG_1526e.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cnOfi4YTCg_QDcDiSe4bfH4lmZy0QRkjcwPo1AZNTw7fZiUDVYwRPzEvE6kigpGDiX_E_9MZpQyJ7eUc6Ql7fDfwWUL430aG0YVGMve_88-QkpkfDv5Fe4E44GNhs921EVh2LY9XiMpO/s400/IMG_1526e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443297096931444962" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvllFHf1KkKK6bayAhSsIz4IrnX-QiLzrUsXQxejqPq-ytE8d-e0m5DVimAz18Wbrd6dUnqYP4hfoJ74KCJ38YrYYp9suW889dF5JVyzitTyfTaSoylV_oits8-aOsfyuj-1INewFqf-2/s1600-h/IMG_1527e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvllFHf1KkKK6bayAhSsIz4IrnX-QiLzrUsXQxejqPq-ytE8d-e0m5DVimAz18Wbrd6dUnqYP4hfoJ74KCJ38YrYYp9suW889dF5JVyzitTyfTaSoylV_oits8-aOsfyuj-1INewFqf-2/s400/IMG_1527e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443297103034313922" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div>When we finally reached the top and received many a strange look from the Germans we passed, the view was spectacular. Only on very clear days are the alps visible from here but we could see them so well. This is us enjoying the view.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzxinL8mtglKLVNZWa1eqBnDhRFYtVfWiPRDZA5s0xvModAaUf2zdWHuchEmZuEuieYpENJSMLgD7vQsCWUjJxscqp-K1w96JcVZGnlvURSvSVCd_90XgHB09TSQjuusNgQt_9BHciyTi/s1600-h/IMG_1530e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMzxinL8mtglKLVNZWa1eqBnDhRFYtVfWiPRDZA5s0xvModAaUf2zdWHuchEmZuEuieYpENJSMLgD7vQsCWUjJxscqp-K1w96JcVZGnlvURSvSVCd_90XgHB09TSQjuusNgQt_9BHciyTi/s400/IMG_1530e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443297108808621570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div>And here is the view. Incredible. I still have a hard time believing that I live here.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WPuy7Mc_xAkUHWX2mKSgXfifGxy9Emy6XqIVVOcB-HXWJ47Q5lF1bgfj5qJXQ-ouG2UC2c7PTt6c-ozDpWjliTsOtW3U3Pch7h59soRuU4qXm-dspdVr2Yfs63_aKcLN5vkMcH9Pjyew/s1600-h/IMG_1533e.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WPuy7Mc_xAkUHWX2mKSgXfifGxy9Emy6XqIVVOcB-HXWJ47Q5lF1bgfj5qJXQ-ouG2UC2c7PTt6c-ozDpWjliTsOtW3U3Pch7h59soRuU4qXm-dspdVr2Yfs63_aKcLN5vkMcH9Pjyew/s400/IMG_1533e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443299651293935458" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That's about all for now. Things are going well here. I continue to absolutely love what I do here and though I miss my home, family, and friends so much, I know this is where God wants me. </div><div><br /></div><div>A few things to pray about. </div><div><br /></div><div>- I will be coaching soccer this spring which will be fun but will keep me extra busy. Pray that I will balance my time well and not get burnt out.</div><div>-Spring break is coming up which means our girls will once again be traveling all over the world.</div><div>-Joe, our dorm dad, has been gone due to his mother's death for the past few weeks and will be returning to the dorm tomorrow. Pray that it will be a smooth transition.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's all for now. I will try to update this more regularly again. Thanks again for all your support!</div><div><br /></div><div>Peace. </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-78215477073151657522009-12-17T11:53:00.009+01:002009-12-17T13:07:55.070+01:00Oh. My. Busy.Busy busy busy. That is what these past few weeks have been, but we're almost through! I took the first of our girls to the train station this morning at 4am. By tomorrow afternoon, the dorm will be empty. It will be strange and, although I'm looking forward to a break, I will miss these girls so much.<br /><br />The past couple weeks have been full. We had Christmas banquet, BFA's version of a homecoming celebration without the dancing and with food. We also celebrated St. Nick's day, a German holiday where kids put out a shoe when they go to bed and get some sort of treat in it the next morning. All our girls put out a shoe and "magically" it was filled with candy the next morning. It's a fun tradition and who doesn't like waking up to candy filled shoes in the morning? This is Ami and Hannah Jo's shoes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwdHd392IwBNqNZ1Jx-iyjJ9VzFX9baERgZ5v2U5i9JH_IT76GQHTBIJM-uF5jZGLT96oM0ajTkCp_dLjk1PeengX8-FD39eim5v0hWF-C0LFh8TDpRYvnE6PFFymqn52MFsxyfFPjolp/s1600-h/IMG_1047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwdHd392IwBNqNZ1Jx-iyjJ9VzFX9baERgZ5v2U5i9JH_IT76GQHTBIJM-uF5jZGLT96oM0ajTkCp_dLjk1PeengX8-FD39eim5v0hWF-C0LFh8TDpRYvnE6PFFymqn52MFsxyfFPjolp/s400/IMG_1047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416159135637072098" border="0" /></a><br />We also had a cookie baking/decorating competition. The girls were so creative and made some delicious and beautiful cookies. Here's a couple pictures from the event. This is Soyoung and Betty, our dorm sub (it was the dorm parent's weekend off) setting out the cookie decorating materials.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGiiIiehJAvmMW9nlh4lFFhOr8JjeMFsX6YIW3lpVq8qlwbj5DLXyJHbzrBnzzER6ssgvXUxubW945RbYaopsm1t6ylKJB9TXSYNtnK14LiQSGQ6xO7A3uxseYw-rjezs2tU-jgAE7lA1/s1600-h/IMG_1052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSGiiIiehJAvmMW9nlh4lFFhOr8JjeMFsX6YIW3lpVq8qlwbj5DLXyJHbzrBnzzER6ssgvXUxubW945RbYaopsm1t6ylKJB9TXSYNtnK14LiQSGQ6xO7A3uxseYw-rjezs2tU-jgAE7lA1/s400/IMG_1052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416165876484705538" border="0" /></a><br />Team number one, Rachel, Claire, and Hannah Jo.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIY7k40-wQwOlJwuHBXkdczpNIl4kKzfGyBwDRLaaiLZwU3BhUd5GWMAWZseFbCrAaC3RyTfCWsa5_hyphenhyphenGZ412zlVcWzqm-q8s3KxOlDT03MifU3w9a6b-2DDkSItpDZk7Q5jI54Gdp3GP/s1600-h/IMG_1053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIY7k40-wQwOlJwuHBXkdczpNIl4kKzfGyBwDRLaaiLZwU3BhUd5GWMAWZseFbCrAaC3RyTfCWsa5_hyphenhyphenGZ412zlVcWzqm-q8s3KxOlDT03MifU3w9a6b-2DDkSItpDZk7Q5jI54Gdp3GP/s400/IMG_1053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416164708839505682" border="0" /></a><br />Team two, Caroline, Anna, and Ashley.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzPEaLsJKx-qOK52J94Yq7GZol37vV_Q7KpgZBSiRhB6AxMoeWn9al_j6pkShsbVRWI869DQRFjwbNt3r6DJ7cOVuawtCRvnUK9lM_L6J3us6tRJZhjqq_kWYGgYEWiIC_Q7C50PsnSxs/s1600-h/IMG_1057.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzPEaLsJKx-qOK52J94Yq7GZol37vV_Q7KpgZBSiRhB6AxMoeWn9al_j6pkShsbVRWI869DQRFjwbNt3r6DJ7cOVuawtCRvnUK9lM_L6J3us6tRJZhjqq_kWYGgYEWiIC_Q7C50PsnSxs/s400/IMG_1057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416164718589229090" border="0" /></a><br />Team three, Alesia, Karis, and Stacey<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuAgj6WXcrBhCHRqpQY7wHs2vFAzEMHywMMmyqKKQG4aWVGSVZwtzcYUgF1PXVzaPAboZkYXdms5CocBl_B6h42hsPNSJS1SFPBpNFWkp93GHg_E7IYHlG8TZKPcwxNLpGco_xPzhKHDl/s1600-h/IMG_1058.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHuAgj6WXcrBhCHRqpQY7wHs2vFAzEMHywMMmyqKKQG4aWVGSVZwtzcYUgF1PXVzaPAboZkYXdms5CocBl_B6h42hsPNSJS1SFPBpNFWkp93GHg_E7IYHlG8TZKPcwxNLpGco_xPzhKHDl/s400/IMG_1058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416164720462688290" border="0" /></a><br />And team four, Svenja, Ami, and Hannah.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNaQJKhkfVD9MNH_ZnO-z9h1WN69ZO9fGMQt7byNWeagOso2TOQRA2Nn8QzGrC-cJyfaRTr12EY-H7qxNM60qZNCo9q2AYgK61Nb3xDQFc9ZwKKqHaqOdI6i0TS0ACfu3TO-YZu6uOBe8/s1600-h/IMG_1059.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNaQJKhkfVD9MNH_ZnO-z9h1WN69ZO9fGMQt7byNWeagOso2TOQRA2Nn8QzGrC-cJyfaRTr12EY-H7qxNM60qZNCo9q2AYgK61Nb3xDQFc9ZwKKqHaqOdI6i0TS0ACfu3TO-YZu6uOBe8/s400/IMG_1059.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416164725474933794" border="0" /></a><br />During the baking we also had some visitors. Carolers from Witt, another girls dorm. Here they are singing to our girls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNVGjXivDyMuwhPZAJONHweUGYShYAOhVjLAr1LEfRdrQObzU8T8WsAEzeo6Gv29sKda3iz-v6Xe2ucoWNW3bodfzVM2qiN8Mit91Z9wWlGH-hTdbWd7nOmPoHl9kkIso7-Uz7cSBPlsj/s1600-h/IMG_1070.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiNVGjXivDyMuwhPZAJONHweUGYShYAOhVjLAr1LEfRdrQObzU8T8WsAEzeo6Gv29sKda3iz-v6Xe2ucoWNW3bodfzVM2qiN8Mit91Z9wWlGH-hTdbWd7nOmPoHl9kkIso7-Uz7cSBPlsj/s400/IMG_1070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416167472147253058" border="0" /></a><br />All in all it was a really fun time and put us all in the mood for more Chistmas activities which came this past weekend. We went ice skating, shopping in Friburg at the Christmas Markt, to the school Christmas concert, and then had our dorm Christmas party. After all the craziness it was time to settle down, study, and get ready to go home. The last finals will be done by 2 today, to the relief of all the girls.<br /><br />That's all the activities going on here. I am thoroughly enjoyinig my German Christmas so far. It is a slower, more relaxed kind of celebration than in the states. I did go through a time of "mourning" not spending the holiday season back in the states with my family and friends and my home. I miss everyone so much but I know this is where I'm supposed to be serving and if that means spending Christmas here, I'll make the best of it. It will be different, new, maybe a little hard, but it will be a sweet time with Tim and Jean, my brother and sister-in-law and new friends here. I'm glad I was able to "mourn" before, and now I'm ready to celebrate.<br /><br />To help me celebrate, there is SNOW! It is beautiful! Here are some pictures from a hike I took the other day. These first two are of Hochblauen, the highest peak in our area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSNy7h5ICJiv0Ohdmh5GZm9FFx19mjCqR9owRozNLfmaPm8lOnT2-dIXN09nwb7YVhXOjlN2huxACAfbOQ3lFcAD8KutqHXUTxIHPmWOTQl4vhChX-haMF_oUmBjlkfgVhoN81CzEyLut/s1600-h/IMG_1150.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSNy7h5ICJiv0Ohdmh5GZm9FFx19mjCqR9owRozNLfmaPm8lOnT2-dIXN09nwb7YVhXOjlN2huxACAfbOQ3lFcAD8KutqHXUTxIHPmWOTQl4vhChX-haMF_oUmBjlkfgVhoN81CzEyLut/s400/IMG_1150.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416172681524608082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BfYxSxeEwJ4ECosXGx22KTZCa8BnUCA2dmRbecvBF9xvNqjLitRuIrs_xIYbvLLm8dvxWVFqP9C7srs_B3Q8o5GOMxl8aliFDYO7YyIRlfIY1DHnwOcqOXOmJSi5knR-YCZuqdJ4FYyD/s1600-h/IMG_1149.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BfYxSxeEwJ4ECosXGx22KTZCa8BnUCA2dmRbecvBF9xvNqjLitRuIrs_xIYbvLLm8dvxWVFqP9C7srs_B3Q8o5GOMxl8aliFDYO7YyIRlfIY1DHnwOcqOXOmJSi5knR-YCZuqdJ4FYyD/s400/IMG_1149.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416172685211882450" border="0" /></a><br />And this is the sun shining down on to our valley. This picture doesn't do it justice, it was gorgeous.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidK1RCpS_fvhhP9ChWV4Iz43nHEIG5QE7-QYbY4WeB7Ee8j77nXrZxMesSo_SCQ1oFC31-X-9dYI_6_i7csF0q0ctHDq11d0mc9yzBcnc1VQjePU78orhf7YdozcSuB7exPUD_SDWoc7q6/s1600-h/IMG_1158.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidK1RCpS_fvhhP9ChWV4Iz43nHEIG5QE7-QYbY4WeB7Ee8j77nXrZxMesSo_SCQ1oFC31-X-9dYI_6_i7csF0q0ctHDq11d0mc9yzBcnc1VQjePU78orhf7YdozcSuB7exPUD_SDWoc7q6/s400/IMG_1158.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416172694197709282" border="0" /></a><br />And some clse ups.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO1rRlyoJQFFVqjAX64QvfKNTzzLCMRaGR2OMtfkiKVi9gbMWNkiTsLbzxl9vNvI9j7IR8QlhEuW7WYC30b8qDT6L7Z696OvIWKFsU3WrwqKB4XJOefAxn-VWRqXvxsIL7eAeNWxW6bGo/s1600-h/IMG_1165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmO1rRlyoJQFFVqjAX64QvfKNTzzLCMRaGR2OMtfkiKVi9gbMWNkiTsLbzxl9vNvI9j7IR8QlhEuW7WYC30b8qDT6L7Z696OvIWKFsU3WrwqKB4XJOefAxn-VWRqXvxsIL7eAeNWxW6bGo/s400/IMG_1165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416172696517676850" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5qXj42r5EEkvRUTmXwVuUxFhtQAkdEKt1ezEOqwOYK-M5PsehE_B5Va9V4k8N_ISBrZDCPJUT2DOTqHeM3w6bsZjbRd0slF8H-_Glx_j2ZRYaP0kek6p55dVp1m4G3hmcEm8Q1HwQjaz/s1600-h/IMG_1166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5qXj42r5EEkvRUTmXwVuUxFhtQAkdEKt1ezEOqwOYK-M5PsehE_B5Va9V4k8N_ISBrZDCPJUT2DOTqHeM3w6bsZjbRd0slF8H-_Glx_j2ZRYaP0kek6p55dVp1m4G3hmcEm8Q1HwQjaz/s400/IMG_1166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416172701383103522" border="0" /></a><br />I hope I never take for granted the beauty that I see every day and continually praise God for His creation.<br /><br />That's all for now. Tim and Jean come in 72 hours! Yes, I'm so excited that I'm counting down the hours. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season and thank you for all your prayers and support!<br /><br />Peace.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-52390273955683983282009-11-18T20:37:00.008+01:002009-11-24T21:04:09.172+01:00The Stones.Saturday, the 14th, I had the opportunity to go to Freiburg, a university city about 45 minutes north. I spent a few hours wandering around Ikea with friends and then went downtown to wander some more and find mexican food for dinner. It was an enjoyable day and the mexican was okay, (although I am officially giving up on finding a good burrito here. Germans just don't get it.) The highlight of the day, however, was an unexpected find, Freiburg's munster, or cathedral.<br /><br />I have been in this cathedral before but this time we took time and looked at it more closely. The building was started in 1120 and completed in 1230. I'm sure I learned about the architecture design in Christianity in Western Culture 1, and though Dr. Litfin tried his best, all I can say is, it's beautiful. (I do believe there are some flying buttresses, however.)<br /><br />After exploring the inside we wandered back outside into the drizzly, fall evening, and were about to leave when we saw that there an access to the bell tower. 220 steps later we paid 1.50 euro only to climb more stairs. The view was increble though the weather was maybe less than desirable. Here is a picture of the tower from the ground. (Note that this was not taken by me. I, unfortunately, forgot my camera. Thank you Google images.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlFS2jHwjj0CAv731fReGnsdzCIEEc2Fub8CMh1vt-_FUbrHTP2qD5C34qeNLeJvbZhPWkJtmzBupN6jF1pYsqRQRy4LVepWQ7CmMGYcCj6zuW7fBuh1l-v6ys3s3x4VPYRtT2zm05JoL/s1600/DE_freiburg_muenster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlFS2jHwjj0CAv731fReGnsdzCIEEc2Fub8CMh1vt-_FUbrHTP2qD5C34qeNLeJvbZhPWkJtmzBupN6jF1pYsqRQRy4LVepWQ7CmMGYcCj6zuW7fBuh1l-v6ys3s3x4VPYRtT2zm05JoL/s400/DE_freiburg_muenster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405557853663060274" border="0" /></a><br />While looking over this university town from the top of the cathedral my friend Amanda and I began to dialogue about what this church has been through. In the main part of the building there are many statues. One of Mary, some of the apostles, even one of a crusader. This history and the phases of church history that this building has gone through astounds me.<br /><br />Amanda and I also talked about Luke 19:40 where Jesus says, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." Now, I don't want to misinterpret this passage. Jesus is actually talking to the pharisees during the triumphal entry and saying that He will not quiet the people. The munsters, or cathedrals, in the cities throughout Europe seem to cry out in praise to Jesus. Here, where so many of the people have gone silent and no longer praise the God who lives, the munsters, left empty, still cry out to the existence and truth of our God. It was an incredible and thoughtful time and left me pondering what God has planned for this continent.<br /><br />On a completely different note, we just had the dorm Thanksgiving! We celebrate a week early here and though I wasn't quite ready for it, we had a good time. I baked my first ever completely from scratch pumpkins pies and I must say, they were pretty good. One of our guests, a substitute when the dorm parents have their day off, told me that I was ready to get married which is definitely a compliment. Here is a picture of one of the pies. (It got a little singed, I'm still figuring out the convection ovens and pumpkin pies are especially tricky in it.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK80bTsWt2E4Z3K2puRiBq79BbmXSwMwh772D4QSkK6U8yxJNoHRegnnljNhEf4IO2RFZFbU_q-8vZCJP8MWHu8ynYt-OlznCudnoJ9_YituigsVu_ZlRq_vNXYveRYhM5oQITP2Wn7OVA/s1600/IMG_0964e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK80bTsWt2E4Z3K2puRiBq79BbmXSwMwh772D4QSkK6U8yxJNoHRegnnljNhEf4IO2RFZFbU_q-8vZCJP8MWHu8ynYt-OlznCudnoJ9_YituigsVu_ZlRq_vNXYveRYhM5oQITP2Wn7OVA/s400/IMG_0964e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407757809818232418" border="0" /></a><br />To celebrate we had all of our dorm subs up. The preparation was a lot of work but fun. I have a new appreciation for all the work that my Mom, Aunt Ann, and Nana have done for every Thanksgiving in the past. I also know why Thanksgiving should not happen more than once a year, I won't be ready to go through it all again until next year.<br /><br />Here are a few random pictures from the night. This is what Ami would look like with blond hair.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOF7GRHRu0VMA5sfucQJ7c8YEoXFxI6uzRNUrH75cYQpE1RqFUHGZHhNJiZwapYbsz5xw0T0CTr2L6CTDz9EVVy5IKLiofLDU-b4AnFGH0Vu8nL3g4RxFCTkAc1rxC9cb3GrcVDA48cKq/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOF7GRHRu0VMA5sfucQJ7c8YEoXFxI6uzRNUrH75cYQpE1RqFUHGZHhNJiZwapYbsz5xw0T0CTr2L6CTDz9EVVy5IKLiofLDU-b4AnFGH0Vu8nL3g4RxFCTkAc1rxC9cb3GrcVDA48cKq/s400/IMG_1008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407760036406887042" border="0" /></a><br />And this is what I would look like with black hair.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKM4tsmdGcDeIzxCRkBfQ3y0EbiIcv2YzIWFs-949WW7tef8BP46UPoQtEfKBS-FZgp2U9Xn0T0pgSdzUAAk4ZYraEWrmv6pA_BGHEugFf3hjXKci1DEUOcbWRI2_-9DiCrIdQye7CIPy/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKM4tsmdGcDeIzxCRkBfQ3y0EbiIcv2YzIWFs-949WW7tef8BP46UPoQtEfKBS-FZgp2U9Xn0T0pgSdzUAAk4ZYraEWrmv6pA_BGHEugFf3hjXKci1DEUOcbWRI2_-9DiCrIdQye7CIPy/s400/IMG_1009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407760043650808466" border="0" /></a><br />While we do love each others hair, we're pretty sure there is a reason God gave us the hair color we have, wouldn't you agree?<br /><br />And finally, we can say that we have kicked swine flu's booty and everyone, minus one girl who is currently getting tested for mono, is back at school! Thank you so much for you prayer and please continue to pray as we could have new cases showing up in the next week. We hope that we are done with it and will be able to finish out this semester with no more quarantine!<br /><br />That's all for now. I need to go grate some cheese, fry some bacon, and sautee some onion for cheddar, bacon, onion biscuits tomorrow morning. I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving on Thursday, know that I am so thankful to have a community of people who love and support me!<br /><br />Peace.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-28068313897955670282009-11-04T19:59:00.008+01:002009-11-04T21:24:43.321+01:003 Months!<div style="text-align: left;">I sat in church on Sunday morning and realized that it was the first of November which means I have been here for 3 months! Unbelievable. In some ways I feel as if I have been here forever but in most ways it feels like I just flew in yesterday. Whether I like it or not, the fact is time is flying by. The semester is more than half over and the girls are beginning their countdown to Christmas break.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are a few important events to note in the past few weeks. We had out second outbreak of lice and this time...they got me! I can know tell the girls that I understand their pain and annoyance at these little guys that just love our dorm. Thankfully there weren't as many girls with it this time. Unfortunately we found them the day of Herbst Messe, an annual fall party in Basel, Switzerland. This festival has been going on for 500 some years and it's a tradition for BFA to go one Thursday night at the end of October. Because of our little friends, however, 5 of us ended up quarantined and couldn't go. Instead, some of us went the next night after one chemical and two vinegar washes. This is a picture of the ferris wheel set up in the church square.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNvNDK6TSp_7iqfSXSoEPlu18Ti4ghXXzwIZbZGpGh2yBjINsCvtcyfmjJVyLplQI5nebb7sQ6iqCQzQagLVHI62wossU8Q1PJjfUGQct3B4aLoSXhzDQS0rjdD0yF8nhv7K9JIwGcxYU/s1600-h/IMG_0901.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNvNDK6TSp_7iqfSXSoEPlu18Ti4ghXXzwIZbZGpGh2yBjINsCvtcyfmjJVyLplQI5nebb7sQ6iqCQzQagLVHI62wossU8Q1PJjfUGQct3B4aLoSXhzDQS0rjdD0yF8nhv7K9JIwGcxYU/s400/IMG_0901.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400333548783525842" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And this is Hannah and I on the bumper cars, another BFA tradition. This was our first experience on the bumper cars but I think we are both big fans of them. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmPQ3gd2eWaLt33GjP-Ii2ueUYtUmNqdrl48P7TEbJdWt0zCiPr8M_fJY1CBl15Y6ujg2OziXe3PZEDLu3uTlMQEqs-ZFsFb_rADEJ7g0CLzwjLwPN0Sl01g8t9832X9EZSwvBFD_XEhI/s1600-h/IMG_0905.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmPQ3gd2eWaLt33GjP-Ii2ueUYtUmNqdrl48P7TEbJdWt0zCiPr8M_fJY1CBl15Y6ujg2OziXe3PZEDLu3uTlMQEqs-ZFsFb_rADEJ7g0CLzwjLwPN0Sl01g8t9832X9EZSwvBFD_XEhI/s400/IMG_0905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400334294097859138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And here is Hannah Jo and Ashley. They are old pros at the bumper cars. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6GXKkdWaOw2xGeDbdcOzSdTgbfO68rfNJw0XAZSHMLgP97B44qncI4WgP6lsGdcZqd_gUZDzuB_o-bxthejWfy5O0tpS3MLC0Oua9RdH-3ONDalq3WuWd0o_8I5gGBn0-jxl8enqjt7I/s1600-h/IMG_0904.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA6GXKkdWaOw2xGeDbdcOzSdTgbfO68rfNJw0XAZSHMLgP97B44qncI4WgP6lsGdcZqd_gUZDzuB_o-bxthejWfy5O0tpS3MLC0Oua9RdH-3ONDalq3WuWd0o_8I5gGBn0-jxl8enqjt7I/s400/IMG_0904.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400334969223930466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div>After the bumper cars we did one more ride and then hit up Starbucks. This made me feel more like I was back in Chicago than in a foreign country. And to finish off the night we got some roasted chestnuts, a must if you ever end up in Basel for Herbst Messe. So, while we were a day late for the festivities we made the most of it and had a great time with just the four of us. Even though it's blurry, here is a picture of the four of us on the Rhine.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyN6yFHZLzVzc5yadnRscI6J08XLUupOH4WHJcKM-CIAAOlf-9pR8CkilaE2dPMxLu17lAa2swH-wrPsY2evo_Xkl_R9TbG1pCsInf3b1hNTz_MrPJegKfsZsHdYk-mPeUFcU-IGtVxqjp/s1600-h/IMG_0916.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyN6yFHZLzVzc5yadnRscI6J08XLUupOH4WHJcKM-CIAAOlf-9pR8CkilaE2dPMxLu17lAa2swH-wrPsY2evo_Xkl_R9TbG1pCsInf3b1hNTz_MrPJegKfsZsHdYk-mPeUFcU-IGtVxqjp/s400/IMG_0916.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400337996708546370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div>It was a beautiful night and the city was alive with activity, the atmosphere was incredible and I enjoyed just drinking in all the culture around me. One thing I know for sure, Europeans know how to throw a party. </div><div><br /></div><div>Even with our little epidemic, things are still good here. I am learning to much about what it means to live in community. I'm seeing what it means to live sacrificially in order to love others better. This isn't a sacrifice that leaves me drained and useless but one that energizes me. When I see those that I live with growing and learning and thriving, I have all the more motivation to give what I have. Sometimes it's hard, and I get frustrated at times but I'm learning life lessons that I wouldn't trade for an "easier" job. I am continually amazed at God's goodness to faithfully bring me to a place feeds my soul and stretches me to trust Him more and more. </div><div><br /></div><div>A few things to pray about...</div><div><br /></div><div>- After going through a lot of paperwork and working with my mission I found that I'm still 8% short of what I need for two years. While this doesn't mean I have to come home now it does put a strain on my longer term finances. I'm only a little over $100 short a month of my goal which is incredible but I do need to reach 100%.</div><div><br /></div><div>- Continued growth in my relationships here with my girls. Also the the opportunities to go deeper with them. </div><div><br /></div><div>- Energy. November is a daunting month in the dorms. The staff is getting tired and the girls are stressed. Pray that we will find ways to break up the monotony and enjoy this season. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. It's so good to hear from you and know that you are praying for me! And as a parting picture, here is a picture of took on a walk the other day. The leaves are beginning to fall so we are enjoying our last bit of color for the year. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iwepF6Ue8G1m7psIGX6WlYJQtiOJUJ0EB91auehsyaZmy0qbpCaNuFvrpLgFT2Tqqv8WLcUU-cRVhClU8mmhudkRGcG8hHG9j_FJL0OePWmMv7BRR8fnQYtAYyN2HD_f-WQyqSG-6X2W/s1600-h/IMG_0894.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iwepF6Ue8G1m7psIGX6WlYJQtiOJUJ0EB91auehsyaZmy0qbpCaNuFvrpLgFT2Tqqv8WLcUU-cRVhClU8mmhudkRGcG8hHG9j_FJL0OePWmMv7BRR8fnQYtAYyN2HD_f-WQyqSG-6X2W/s400/IMG_0894.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400346416763900114" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Peace. </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-86220704807157936792009-10-22T16:40:00.009+02:002009-10-22T17:51:41.728+02:00Still Here!<div style="text-align: left;">Wow, it has been awhile and so much has happened since my last post. I'll do my best to do a summary of the past few weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>The junior class went on a weekend field trip to the beaches of Normandy and stopped by Paris on the way back. The seniors went on a week long field trip to Rome. (I know, I thought I trip to the Toledo Museum of Art was a big deal in high school.) All the girls came back raving about how much fun they had and were full of stories. It's really amazing that they have this opportunity to see things they learn in history first hand. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since the trips things have settled back in to place. We once again found a rhythm to life. I got to take a weekend off two weeks ago and it was incredible. I was able to travel to Adelboden, Switzerland with some friends and stay at a chalet that belongs to my missions organization. This was the view out my bedroom in the morning. Unbelievable.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iJsaKVKmZz7al2nyH_ys3N-08n8TziMd3cpcasnoLP92viAqGUF2D8M4v_Yehq3UFN3nFB0Nm5ZPhsdXKkSrlC7A7Xq5F0EOmYpzTzzyVSSOjCKBxfSC4ebCETsnffxqPGBUya0WHltc/s1600-h/IMG_0811.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3iJsaKVKmZz7al2nyH_ys3N-08n8TziMd3cpcasnoLP92viAqGUF2D8M4v_Yehq3UFN3nFB0Nm5ZPhsdXKkSrlC7A7Xq5F0EOmYpzTzzyVSSOjCKBxfSC4ebCETsnffxqPGBUya0WHltc/s400/IMG_0811.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395437745114231522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 224px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Driving here is the same distance as driving to Columbus, Ohio from Bluffton. On the way home we also drove through Reichenbach, Switzerland! I was so excited I took a picture. This is for all the Reichenbach's in my life. Sorry it's a little blurry, we were driving fast. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV6i_ua94qTMmpvGFFPdGR77bXME8JU6WD3GNVYwkGbi24DeFu7azEGyDQ2KgOvhhFiXGy0YwMiuLgQs1wsAxLdhw0N3b769roMKsX-CIvFg5B1iSMygCC0qRYOTkXqqmlBpzgFFNiEQU/s1600-h/IMG_0825.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV6i_ua94qTMmpvGFFPdGR77bXME8JU6WD3GNVYwkGbi24DeFu7azEGyDQ2KgOvhhFiXGy0YwMiuLgQs1wsAxLdhw0N3b769roMKsX-CIvFg5B1iSMygCC0qRYOTkXqqmlBpzgFFNiEQU/s400/IMG_0825.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395439896983364338" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>That was the calm, then came this storm. This weekend we had some visitors in the dorm. They are very small and make your head itch. You got it, lice. I have to say, for as much work as it was, it was still a very fun extended weekend. We did at least 50 loads of laundry and washed 10 heads of hair 3 times each The girls even got got to stay home from school on Monday. The girls were great sports through everything and helped out wherever they could. And now, I have something new to add to my resume. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am continuing to have dreams about lice, even though all my bedding and clothes have been washed and I have had my head checked by Susie at least 10 times. Because most of the girls stayed home on Monday my day off was pushed to Tuesday. Monday night when I got to my room exhausted and ready to collapse I found this and was reminded why I love my job. My girls make all the hard work worth it. I'll pick out their lice out any time. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO77r2rQy6AxVDIgtO8GOHE7_RuXuhMlHVNc3kHeJDvkenkt1YCLSIYBHVmZLjraJRH36mkBLCzI1vM5ZuR_N18F-hPvFwCYK2Sdc9js2G3rwf4E_tfBap66GCfHW8k-6k8xBXr_ECFFh/s1600-h/IMG_0875.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKO77r2rQy6AxVDIgtO8GOHE7_RuXuhMlHVNc3kHeJDvkenkt1YCLSIYBHVmZLjraJRH36mkBLCzI1vM5ZuR_N18F-hPvFwCYK2Sdc9js2G3rwf4E_tfBap66GCfHW8k-6k8xBXr_ECFFh/s400/IMG_0875.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395443487343599570" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For my day off I went to a castle outside of Lorrach with some friends for a picnic. It was a beautiful fall day and a nice walk. Here is part of the castle.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV95syr9GWQJPYyX1GwUdZf_DkExNuEqsmpMmyRRvynClHRzl1qdsPffghW7WC0d_dOQMp_5sMaBIVh3vap3fGJ-VRoEJcPBBshCeVQO4ogfpCwJNussdZIwyejRhSRsYbWLo7CvCtgTdN/s1600-h/IMG_0859.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV95syr9GWQJPYyX1GwUdZf_DkExNuEqsmpMmyRRvynClHRzl1qdsPffghW7WC0d_dOQMp_5sMaBIVh3vap3fGJ-VRoEJcPBBshCeVQO4ogfpCwJNussdZIwyejRhSRsYbWLo7CvCtgTdN/s400/IMG_0859.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395444382334993986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And here is a bench we found on our walk to the castle. It was in a grove of trees that were all changing colors. So picturesque. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nivqOclEYwtX2Mvj1bXUfIkceMdesWLjIP4syS2ImmhkSawdGbhWp5LtIr-gIFX3FimUpxskAMpQEMwPNk1aI6Xyicty6_LY21FOv5hm1-x7rf8aqoHOXroWmL4sErSRY4jfAeg8ui7w/s1600-h/IMG_0874.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8nivqOclEYwtX2Mvj1bXUfIkceMdesWLjIP4syS2ImmhkSawdGbhWp5LtIr-gIFX3FimUpxskAMpQEMwPNk1aI6Xyicty6_LY21FOv5hm1-x7rf8aqoHOXroWmL4sErSRY4jfAeg8ui7w/s400/IMG_0874.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395445459657120818" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Things are continuing to go well here. I am beginning to feel an ache inside me for home but that's okay. I do know that I am still exactly where I am supposed to be and that is a comfort. I also have sweet people in my life who send my packages and love letters. I am blessed. I will be staying here for Christmas and though it was a hard decision to make I know that it was a wise one. I'll get to experience my first German Christmas and I hear they are wonderful. Thank you for all your support and prayers. I am putting together an email update list so if you would like to receive updates via email just let me know and I will add you. And just for fun, a parting picture. Meet my new friend, the Swiss curly haired cow. I almost brought her home with me. </div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CuOAdmGdzmEzwTDgYKal0nIsHDvJtpgbag0q0e7iiB8SBHqqadifn40ccqzCScuEJXPkgkkX6fgfNR0wN2UYFgr6aQyxSGCZ0TblbNYD6t9RPIR0mVoRio6KGFJa_rwiVNEYuBFo7AWm/s1600-h/IMG_0784.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CuOAdmGdzmEzwTDgYKal0nIsHDvJtpgbag0q0e7iiB8SBHqqadifn40ccqzCScuEJXPkgkkX6fgfNR0wN2UYFgr6aQyxSGCZ0TblbNYD6t9RPIR0mVoRio6KGFJa_rwiVNEYuBFo7AWm/s400/IMG_0784.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395447788057641202" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Peace. </div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-82134846593368541702009-09-29T09:35:00.005+02:002009-09-29T11:09:08.042+02:00Pumpkins, Birthdays, and Butterflies<div>The last two weeks have been busy and wonderful. We have had several days of sunshine which everyone is feeling the need to soak up before winter weather is upon us. It is definitely fall now and the leaves are beginning to change. Last weekend Soyoung (my fellow Blauen RA) and I took the girls to a pumpkin festival in Witt. The festival was small and quaint but enjoyable. This is a picture of Soyoung and I with a pumpkin cow. There was also a pumpkin circus and pumpkin people on pumpkin swings. See a theme here? All the roommates picked out a pumpkin to be carved at a later date. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMINTnNZEzRSh13vHh_l5Gs9L5laE_t0RboSRdB_VfrBQgTkf9u2g6qvobjtneOsbFiZtQ0SXK7d56Ic3ecy_jRDgCNDq-uIwG1b1-KEiUNG6efoUm0T42mOJL7bcdGCjUQhvM6Ncmi8j/s1600-h/IMG_0489.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMINTnNZEzRSh13vHh_l5Gs9L5laE_t0RboSRdB_VfrBQgTkf9u2g6qvobjtneOsbFiZtQ0SXK7d56Ic3ecy_jRDgCNDq-uIwG1b1-KEiUNG6efoUm0T42mOJL7bcdGCjUQhvM6Ncmi8j/s400/IMG_0489.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386798459963754034" /></a><br /><div>Now I would like to introduce you to a Blauen tradition. Each girl gets to have a birthday celebration on a Sunday, usually the Sunday closest to their birthday. The birthday girl picks a meal and dessert and we make it for them. There is LOUD singing/yelling and then the birthday girl gets "bucketed". In other words, she gets doused by buckets of warm water prepared before hand while everyone sings High School Musical's "Breaking Free". Naturally, the birthday girl can't go along with this too easily so often we end up with a chase down the street and then carry said birthday girl back to the house. The draw back to running away, however, is that the creek is on the way back to the house and it's easier just to dunk them in the creek instead. This weekend it was Anna's birthday and she put up a good fight but, as always, ended up in the creek. Here is a picture of the girls carrying here to the creek. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqs5C91te6wfP4CpR-jgJKLGELlbBgiFzBz6Xl635wzcarpCwPQQwlXKS2m_LnmRgjS1vLwZYdQJpNvXqcrsXGEOFoTtz0WNlaQnobBzJn8unM8TolWBc3klZYM2YoIIdn4YNorLrBPR6/s1600-h/IMG_0703.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqs5C91te6wfP4CpR-jgJKLGELlbBgiFzBz6Xl635wzcarpCwPQQwlXKS2m_LnmRgjS1vLwZYdQJpNvXqcrsXGEOFoTtz0WNlaQnobBzJn8unM8TolWBc3klZYM2YoIIdn4YNorLrBPR6/s400/IMG_0703.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386798448350387858" /></a><br /></div><div>Here is a random picture I thought I would include because it makes me really happy. On Saturday I walked into my room, where I always have my windows open, and there on my window sits a butterfly. I took the opportunity to practice my photography skills (which I don't really have) and take some shots of it. This is one of my favorites. It reminds me of one of my dear friends from home who not only love butterflies and what they represent to us, but also love blue glass. E, this one is for you. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzyMrCoXA51Jphk06LewheDQvlD9OXRq6LlfrHExkXv2nTpQP4Bjh635Ompgv_r82QzgTWY_HRpmdGKNlKKmhzn3QWSzKdPDdkJpmLwPZEWSvn28QpV3A0GRN_sB6L8AuYXI_9sBAgTkK/s1600-h/IMG_0643.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzyMrCoXA51Jphk06LewheDQvlD9OXRq6LlfrHExkXv2nTpQP4Bjh635Ompgv_r82QzgTWY_HRpmdGKNlKKmhzn3QWSzKdPDdkJpmLwPZEWSvn28QpV3A0GRN_sB6L8AuYXI_9sBAgTkK/s400/IMG_0643.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386798432563366466" /></a><br /></div><div>And here is another view of my valley. This is a view of Marzel from the top of Hoch Blauen, the big hill/mountain right behind my dorm. When this picture is bigger you can actually see the back of my dorm and my room. I hiked up to Hoch Blauen on my day off yesterday and took this. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6MQTHw7rOoH0BLDQGBqdhpjZZkzlh2Exjdds54i1ahnU8b_MZsm0Dt8_4eyeBhm3jcrCozhEv6OHolryTvh9RWPj5KdbUmrtwIv3zqGIg1eyd5-G1bql6DeJuD9N8pU4AOObdCt4Tcnd/s1600-h/IMG_0726.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6MQTHw7rOoH0BLDQGBqdhpjZZkzlh2Exjdds54i1ahnU8b_MZsm0Dt8_4eyeBhm3jcrCozhEv6OHolryTvh9RWPj5KdbUmrtwIv3zqGIg1eyd5-G1bql6DeJuD9N8pU4AOObdCt4Tcnd/s400/IMG_0726.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386798424531553602" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>For those of you who have been asking about a picture of my dorm I thought I would give you a link to see a video of it instead. One of the RA's from across the street took this time-lapse out the front window of their dorm. My dorm is right across the street, the white house with the blue shutters. Nothing too exciting happens but you can see the students leave for school, come home from school, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">one of the guys get creeked for his birthday, and then everyone leave for a worship night at school. When you see the black van drive up in front of Blauen and then turn around in Sonne's pa</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">rking area that is me. Here is the link to check it out on youtube. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiqrKljHFPw"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiqrKljHFPw</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">That's all for now. Thanks for all the support and interest in my life here. I am so blessed to have</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; white-space: pre;">the support of all of you!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; white-space: pre;">Peace. </span></div>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-89067062231164622162009-09-14T14:03:00.004+02:002009-09-15T10:40:49.583+02:00Schlaf im StrohToday is the final day of my first weekend off. When I found out that I would have a weekend off this soon, I wasn't sure what I would do with myself. Fortunately, I found some other RA's who had the same weekend off and we made plans. Little did I know what I was getting myself in to.<br /><br />We decided to go visit Berner Oberland, a valley in the Swiss alps that's a 2 hour drive from school. Although the weather was overcast most of the 2 days we were there, it was still absolutely beautiful. Below is a picture from a waterfall we hiked to by the lake we stayed on.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSg6tUgO_HYZgrNmViw7G2puWG1-LONSxKgpGTL73NugRvcuIIiS9zlbuZauoDZiWsGk56EuIlkg3Pbv5iIH0JcLjDEYs8r133tL9GynMezLSUvUm6z1udq6wOGARAyixvTvVzSU7Kp6R/s1600-h/IMG_0455.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSg6tUgO_HYZgrNmViw7G2puWG1-LONSxKgpGTL73NugRvcuIIiS9zlbuZauoDZiWsGk56EuIlkg3Pbv5iIH0JcLjDEYs8r133tL9GynMezLSUvUm6z1udq6wOGARAyixvTvVzSU7Kp6R/s400/IMG_0455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381297210200383858" border="0" /></a><br />And this is a picture out the front "door" of where we stayed. We were in the little fishing village of Iseltwald right on the lake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bF1e6hyphenhyphenPfZ6DbRXw4XS4To5USUpSYdqyHnt9cYqGCOrzBWWrIoc0mxz5nxy1Pv44Lm-H9Lleumbvz1quXUmaERyfbzJPb95sqxtXK8i7LdplcN8a8b9gA2VOuKvxpMY_AywOxedpk2J8/s1600-h/IMG_0444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6bF1e6hyphenhyphenPfZ6DbRXw4XS4To5USUpSYdqyHnt9cYqGCOrzBWWrIoc0mxz5nxy1Pv44Lm-H9Lleumbvz1quXUmaERyfbzJPb95sqxtXK8i7LdplcN8a8b9gA2VOuKvxpMY_AywOxedpk2J8/s400/IMG_0444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381297202141418050" border="0" /></a><br />Now one might be thinking to oneself, how could this possibly be affordable? Such a beautiful place, right on the lake, in the middle of the Alps. Well, in order to travel without spending much money we decided to "schlaf in stroh" or in English, sleep in straw. It's common in this area for farmers to rent out the stalls in their barns to tourists in the summer months, while the cows are grazing in higher pastures. One of the girls I travled with found Heidi and Christian, two friendly Swiss farmers who don't speak any English, and we stayed in their barn. I stayed in Elena's stall for the night as seen below.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxLsMxNvBAv19k_R9wg1mktQMniZND3Qu7RcjQxnmFrHWMm-pWz2lYfWAb7LTdeoCQbGUBxZ1h5pZndDGjp_EuFpOjOXxt3Of4YCWHmzXOsB4woqUbJ66QNZbwwLpmIIyOo6D4gIS0ndZ/s1600-h/IMG_0441.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRxLsMxNvBAv19k_R9wg1mktQMniZND3Qu7RcjQxnmFrHWMm-pWz2lYfWAb7LTdeoCQbGUBxZ1h5pZndDGjp_EuFpOjOXxt3Of4YCWHmzXOsB4woqUbJ66QNZbwwLpmIIyOo6D4gIS0ndZ/s400/IMG_0441.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381297193636373874" border="0" /></a><br />This is a picture of the inside of the barn and our beds for the night. Though it was fairly clean it still smelled like manure, not quite like waking up to the smells of breakfast in the morning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYq_LJR80GTQa2K7izeT2WigLr0pX_i_qDg7NtySde7j-UPpy_OPMKL5mejniZ-R9LmQHExSrgnRxFPbwhcptTyytK5aiPlqdpchiebdkJ6SVjcW4xSm0gXLkK4wwH46ietUgJBkP14OeM/s1600-h/IMG_0428.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYq_LJR80GTQa2K7izeT2WigLr0pX_i_qDg7NtySde7j-UPpy_OPMKL5mejniZ-R9LmQHExSrgnRxFPbwhcptTyytK5aiPlqdpchiebdkJ6SVjcW4xSm0gXLkK4wwH46ietUgJBkP14OeM/s400/IMG_0428.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381297191147515986" border="0" /></a><br />And here is our barn. The joke of the weekend, "Were you raised in a barn? No, but I slept in one!" Hilarious, I know.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzblbKKbviKf7hgFw9tn6cOosfujZtxP9TZAV_GzS7lnqgH1jvMU3LPyI9_76hISR_V2iX9jHzRrESkoIRSkLwLibMvgMHx_PBcFdxNokFYhJkbf_hWQbe7zULkO0aEGksbGzpkpUVX3I/s1600-h/IMG_0437.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDzblbKKbviKf7hgFw9tn6cOosfujZtxP9TZAV_GzS7lnqgH1jvMU3LPyI9_76hISR_V2iX9jHzRrESkoIRSkLwLibMvgMHx_PBcFdxNokFYhJkbf_hWQbe7zULkO0aEGksbGzpkpUVX3I/s400/IMG_0437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381297182789222594" border="0" /></a><br />All in all it was a great time. Heidi made us a wonderful and very Swiss/German breakfast the next morning and minus having "barn breath" in the morning, we all had a great time.<br /><br />As I write this I am still in disbelief that this is my life. I took a walk on Friday in my hills and valley in Marzel, and was just blown away at how well God knows my needs and how He meets them. When I think about where I was last year, at Moody studying, I am so thankful to be where I am. I loved Moody and miss my friends more than I can say, but being here is so good for my soul. The beauty that surrounds me is healing and just what I need after four years of school. I am convinced that though it is hard to have faith in where God is leading, it is the best place to be.<br /><br />If you couldn't tell, I am doing well here. I am also enjoying my "job". I'm almost positive it is the best job there is. My girls are absolutely wonderful and I am enjoying serving them in every way I can.<br /><br />A few things to pray about....<br />-Adjustment both for me and the girls. We're all kind of coming out of the "honeymoon" period and really settling into life.<br />-Building relationships both with everyone in my dorm and other staff in the BFA community.<br /><br />Thanks for all your support and prayer. Peace.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-11331244248924755852009-09-07T14:08:00.002+02:002009-09-07T14:38:51.004+02:00So FaithfulSo much has happened since my last post and I hardly know where to start. Last night one of the counselors from the school came up to our dorm fellowship (a time where our dorm does something fun together which often includes visitors or food or games). Mari Ellen asked the girls to put together a picture of what their life looks like for them right now. After considering this question for awhile I decided that my life is like a hike in the area around where I live. Sometimes I working hard to climb a steep hill and other times I'm enjoying a flat area with a great view. Every so often I come to a place where I look out and know unmistakably that God is faithful. <br /><br />For those of you who don't already know, my Papa (my dad's dad) passed away August 28th. While not completely unexpected, I didn't think this would happen so soon after I moved here. I wasn't sure if I should go back for the funeral and went back and forth in my mind. In the end I decided to make the trip and was completely supported by the dorm staff here. When I made the decision I wasn't sure if this would negatively affect my relationships with the girl since they had just arrived. Not only that but I absolutely did not have the money to by a last minute plane ticket. What I did know is that God is always faithful and this is direction I felt He was taking me in.<br /><br />Now on the other side I can again say, He is faithful. Through unexpected sources my ticket was completely paid for. My girls where more than understanding about everything and I feel like I never even left. Jet lag was almost non-existent when I got back. <br /><br />My time in Texas was a sweet time. It was exhausting and at times heart-breaking but it was good. The whole family was able to be together and mourn together. We were also able to see my grandparents community reach out and care for us in our time of need. My papa had a clear testimony and I have no doubt that I will see him again. I think the picture below is a testament to my papa. He was always making us laugh and keeping us on our toes. You wouldn't think that the this picture was taken at a funeral and I think that is exactly how Papa would have wanted it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyN3fWx9WE3rg_BlSDghz6ctduMq_83WNoc4zwRJfy5K560BwVkBgYQYvRVczzCsLR6DFO9LMvooOWix5H7-6OyWW6pVw71O6Z5Tefgw0i5GCGhZFQ7RBw69qg1JWXajbpjQPQHcToxNt/s1600-h/DSC_0098.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyN3fWx9WE3rg_BlSDghz6ctduMq_83WNoc4zwRJfy5K560BwVkBgYQYvRVczzCsLR6DFO9LMvooOWix5H7-6OyWW6pVw71O6Z5Tefgw0i5GCGhZFQ7RBw69qg1JWXajbpjQPQHcToxNt/s320/DSC_0098.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378697382828504386" border="0" /></a>On a completely different note, I went to my first rugby game on Saturday. The 3 guys dorms gathered to play each other and the 4 girls dorms followed to cheer on the guys. My dorm is across the street from Sonne, a guys dorm, so we became their cheerleaders. The girls painted their faces and made signs and cheered so hard they lost their voices. It was a beautiful day and a great time altogether. This is Anna (on the right), a senior in my dorm with Jordan (on the left), the sister of one of the guys from Sonne.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95tCTJZNRaRcSYzigDKsHH-NGa9hJFlvksHFbH9vx8TWNeJ2GjTRXt2rl_CPBh9Jm2hbpU7LrVe6gPz_f66zta16can4aWaGy6keben9DKnzB_4_cz-APSqlxn82h8D2vQUc04Yw6b3pT/s1600-h/IMG_0350.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi95tCTJZNRaRcSYzigDKsHH-NGa9hJFlvksHFbH9vx8TWNeJ2GjTRXt2rl_CPBh9Jm2hbpU7LrVe6gPz_f66zta16can4aWaGy6keben9DKnzB_4_cz-APSqlxn82h8D2vQUc04Yw6b3pT/s320/IMG_0350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378697390969390322" border="0" /></a>And this is the poster the girls made for the guys to run through.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraPH6eCoH-0553IKwqZEbPa7j8tpW386J21cVyePXh3ZKxg5P3XxjflC4NxkKw05NfpKrZpcTnONZSD07kj2jc8qv6BS-esNfEWZxs_AA9KMNPuTFnPJxZFoQbQYYI5Vxeq75MXRmUTs1/s1600-h/IMG_0351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjraPH6eCoH-0553IKwqZEbPa7j8tpW386J21cVyePXh3ZKxg5P3XxjflC4NxkKw05NfpKrZpcTnONZSD07kj2jc8qv6BS-esNfEWZxs_AA9KMNPuTFnPJxZFoQbQYYI5Vxeq75MXRmUTs1/s320/IMG_0351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378697392919353282" border="0" /></a><br />That's about all that is new here for now. Today is my day off so I'm going to go for a hike and enjoy the sun while it is shining. Thank you for all your prayers and hopefully my next post won't be so long coming.<br /><br />Peace.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-21817835655441467872009-08-18T22:10:00.003+02:002009-08-19T00:06:39.422+02:00Sheep!Yesterday while I was cleaning the girls rooms in my new dorm, I looked out a window and what did I see? Why, a street filled with sheep of course. After standing in awe for a second I yelled to the other RA in my dorm to look out the window and then got my camera. These were taken from the upstairs window of my dorm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLhcqK04rF2CKnVDEneD1qjodw9MMOfaDeNjBpPhIS0n-W8yidgBV_hrWlpGy4qxpxfK6lTnNNLP4BG0pkNBUDvpCb0eXj6Pdj6_Vpp2Hbr21LYhfbsZ1YQJM1KocxztC9L_Qz8QgVnwa/s1600-h/IMG_0311.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLhcqK04rF2CKnVDEneD1qjodw9MMOfaDeNjBpPhIS0n-W8yidgBV_hrWlpGy4qxpxfK6lTnNNLP4BG0pkNBUDvpCb0eXj6Pdj6_Vpp2Hbr21LYhfbsZ1YQJM1KocxztC9L_Qz8QgVnwa/s400/IMG_0311.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371417389662352946" border="0" /></a><br />You can see the farmers before and behind them and their sheep dogs. The woman at the back was carrying a little lamb which was adorable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5MWIQyr9WitUQjrrENXtimscbvQQlD1koKaO2yT3Kyn3MllkNNXgCemGRE4YbjJmICTN7uwYnfbPEFoBOhlQr-4nCJGKIghj8q-jfzu4bhKOLrfVpjPTDICWcBgOQLWeBDX5f_i40loC/s1600-h/IMG_0314.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF5MWIQyr9WitUQjrrENXtimscbvQQlD1koKaO2yT3Kyn3MllkNNXgCemGRE4YbjJmICTN7uwYnfbPEFoBOhlQr-4nCJGKIghj8q-jfzu4bhKOLrfVpjPTDICWcBgOQLWeBDX5f_i40loC/s400/IMG_0314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371417401278671922" border="0" /></a>And there they go. It was picturesque and surreal, one of those moments where I catch myself thinking, yes, I'm really in a foreign country.<br /><br />I've had many of those moments lately. On Sunday I went out to a local Chinese restaurant with some friends here for lunch. At one point I was just struck by how unreal it all seemed. The little street we were eating outside by. The window planters. The people from the town speaking a language I can't understand a word of. In these moments I'm reminded of how faithful God has been. What seems like it can't be real to me is a reality. God has taken me beyond where I ever really pictured myself being and made it a reality. This amazes me.<br /><br />The final picture I'm posting was taken on a walk on Sunday. This is about 2 minutes from my dorm, up a very steep hill. My dorm is just to the right of all the buildings in the valley but this is my valley.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZPRT0f7UltUkjdU0Axmy8th_nUkymKPfz96DdqbQ26RZUc-uax1-8ME1CiF4qa0gmpAZuPjNAT4WToA4kMRs9xeNB1iUloTwRnVeP1PmtoyG4lqlLtDaERiu1ERdNiaDsJdqvXMf_Zfw/s1600-h/IMG_0310.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZPRT0f7UltUkjdU0Axmy8th_nUkymKPfz96DdqbQ26RZUc-uax1-8ME1CiF4qa0gmpAZuPjNAT4WToA4kMRs9xeNB1iUloTwRnVeP1PmtoyG4lqlLtDaERiu1ERdNiaDsJdqvXMf_Zfw/s400/IMG_0310.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371417403560387986" border="0" /></a><br />I'll be spending the next two years living in Marzell, Germany in a dorm called Blauen. <http://www.bfacademy.com/blauen.asp> Follow this link to see a picture of the dorm on the BFA website. By Monday night all 13 girls will be moved into the dorm and school will start on Wednesday. I am so excited for the girls to get here!<br /><br />Just a few quick prayer requests:<br />- Safety as all the boarding students will be traveling on Sunday and Monday<br />- Health for the students as they're traveling. There is still a lot of talk about the H1N1 virus (swine flu) here and it could have huge affects on the dorm if a case shows up.<br />- We are still missing a set up dorm parents. Sonne, a boys dorm across the street from mine, is waiting for the dorm parents to have enough support to travel over here. It's a huge stress not to have this pivitol part of the dorm not in place.<br />- Continued personal adjustment. The other day I told someone that I didn't understand why was so tired. She told me I was going through a major life adjustment and it's okay. I know these next few weeks are going to be full of ups and downs as I continue to adjust and get used to a new life. Pray that it will be smooth.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-79356998664187098202009-08-05T23:10:00.003+02:002009-08-05T23:42:15.369+02:00I have arrived!So, I'm here! After 24 hours of travel and very little sleep I arrived in Germany safe and sound on Saturday afternoon. That, however, seems like a lifetime ago. Since then I have been immersed in busyness. I have German classes in the morning, driving lessons all afternoon, then some kind of evening activity. I'm learning not only how to drive stick but also directions to the major places I will be driving kids. Today I had my first drive on the autobahn which was really exciting for me. Because of all this activity, however, I won't have a whole lot of time to update in the next two weeks. Tomorrow I should find out what dorm I will be in which is exciting but I would appreciate prayer that the leadership would have wisdom in this decision. Next week I will move into my new dorm, finish up orientation, and get ready for the kids to arrive. I can't wait! That's all I have time for for now. It's going on midnight and I have class in the morning. Thank you for your prayers!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-46256609260618236702009-07-28T16:37:00.002+02:002009-07-28T17:32:11.959+02:00Leaving on a Jet PlaneAfter finding out early last week that I was officially at 80% of my support, I got a plane ticket! I'm flying out of Dayton on Friday the 31st at 1:26pm. From there I fly to Chicago then Munich and then in Basel where I will be picked up. I'm so excited to get going but have so much to get done. I am trying to keep so many details straight and figure out how I am going to move my life to Germany in two suitcases. Things are a little bit crazy right now but so good.<br /><br />Prayer Requests:<br /> - Packing packing packing<br /> - Last minute details<br /> - Last 16% of my support. (I'm now at 84%!)<br /><br />Thanks for your support and prayer! Peace.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-67516192545710098692009-07-13T22:42:00.003+02:002009-07-15T22:40:46.170+02:00Packing and UnpackingTwo weeks and counting! I can't believe how fast the time is flying!<br /><br />Right now I'm in the midst of unpacking from college, sorting through all of my stuff, and trying to figure out what goes, what stays, and what gets thrown/given away. Definitely not my favorite activities but it will get done. It <span style="font-style: italic;">has</span> to get done.<br /><br />This past Sunday I has the opportunity to speak at my church about what I'm going to be doing. I feel so supported by my church family so it really was good to be able to share about how God has lead me to this place in my life and where He is taking me next. I am so blessed to have grown up in a church that is passionate to know God and see His truth made known to others.<br /><br />That's about all that is going on right now. I'm now at 51% which is great but I covet your prayers about support right now. God has been so faithful to provide and I am confident that He can bring in 49% in under 2 weeks. Still, I am learning so much about trust even in tight situations.<br /><br />I hope this finds you all well and enjoying the summer. Peace.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-45117417076583625722009-07-02T06:47:00.002+02:002009-07-02T07:26:11.821+02:0030 days?!?!So it's been way to long since my last update but things have been crazy this last month and will continue to be until I leave. The next few posts will probably be a little shorter but I hope to write them on a more regular basis. For now, here is what's going on.<br /><br />I spent a week in July outside of Minneapolis at an orientation for my missions organization, Janz Team/Teach Beyond. It was wonderful to meet people who will be in Germany with me and to hear the heart of the organization. I entered the time of training with some doubts and fears about if this was really right for me and left feeling absolutely sure, once again, that BFA is exactly where God wants me. I am more excited than ever to get over there and begin transitioning and settling into this new phase of life.<br /><br />Right now I inTexas spending some time with my family. This summer I am going to be able to see my entire family on both sides which really is a blessing in and of its self. It's hot (really hot, not just Ohio hot) down here but I love sitting around the pool, going for walks, and visiting old family friends. I really am thankful for this time.<br /><br />When I'm not traveling, though it feels like I always am, I have been able to work. This is also a huge blessing as I wasn't sure I would be able to get many hours because of my crazy schedule. I'm also donig paperwork and preparing for the big move which happens in less than a month! I can't believe how quickly this time is passing.<br /><br />Finally, I am at 40% of support! Once I get to 80% I can buy my plane tickets and set the official date for when I am leaving. I have been blown away at the support that has come in in the past two weeks. I am appreciate and am so incredibly blessed by how much you are all willing to give and come alongside me as I embark on this mission. God is providing in ways I never expected. Continued prayer for monthly support would be wonderful also. While I am SO happy to be at 40%, I am still in need to people who are willing to support me on a monthly/yearly basis.<br /><br />That's all I have for now. Peace!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443162913469620743.post-77322938445030180012009-05-26T19:06:00.002+02:002009-05-26T22:17:46.087+02:00Somewhere In BetweenSo much has happened in the past week and a half and I am still trying to figure out where I am. Here is the breakdown on what life has been like.<br /><br />13 days ago I began saying my goodbyes to dear friends.<br />10 days ago I walked down the aisle to Pomp and Circumstance and received a very nice diploma cover (diploma to come later in the mail.)<br />9 days ago I left Chicago, a city I have come to love, and brought all that I own back to Ohio.<br />7 days ago I began unpacking, a work in progress.<br />5 days ago family began to arrive for Emily's graduation.<br />3 days ago my baby sister graduated high school.<br />2 days ago I survived her graduation party and the mad cleaning, cooking and decorating that came with it.<br />1 day ago everyone left.<br /><br />That leaves me here. Trying to figure out if I am really finished with school and just home on a break. As I come to grips with reality I am also trying to motivate myself to go clean out my closet and sort through all the junk that stayed here when I left for college so I can finally unpack. I am also beginning my fund raising so I can leave for Germany at the end of July. As all this goes down I am finding a new routine and rhythm to life, taking each day as it comes and living it to its fullest. So even though I'm not really sure where I am or how life goes here, I'm just taking the next step.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17742756922469841431noreply@blogger.com2