End of Semester 1!

Tomorrow marks the last day of semester one. It's hard to believe that this school year is already half over! Here are some things that I am thankful for, and some things to pray for as well.


Praise:
- I am thankful that my mom was able to spend the last two weeks here! 
- I am thankful for the opportunity I had to teach Chapel Band and Drama this past semester
- I am thankful for an awesome first semester at the middle school with great staff and students
- I am thankful that my car is working again
- I am thankful to have the support and encouragement of a mentor within the BFA community
- I am thankful for all of YOU! My friends, my supporters, my family... thank you for being such a blessing and encouragement to me! 


Prayer:
- I will be teaching a games elective, two Guitar 8 classes, and chapel band class on top of my administrative tasks. Please pray that I would know how to balance my time well between teaching and working in the office.
- Please pray for my finances as they aren't as stable as I would like them to be. Please also pray that God would provide the finances for me to stay for another year. 
- Please pray for me and my family as I am away from home again this Christmas. I hope we will be able to connect when possible. 
- Please also be praying for the staff/students at BFA who will be travelling to many different countries in the next few days. May we come back to school rested up and ready for another semester together. School will resume on January 10, 2012.

Merry Christmas from my house to yours. May you be blessed this Christmas, 

and may we remember the true reason of the season! 

Winter 2011 Newsletter

The MS Facebook Page!

There comes a time every few weeks when I look at the large bulletin board outside my office and know it is time to change it. That moment came earlier this week. I wanted the new bulletin board to contain information for students that could be updated on a week-to-week basis. I thought what better way to relay information to students then by having a school Facebook page. 

The MS Facebook page will post pictures, 

and will have a weekly event calendar. 

It will also have a monthly calendar, upcoming events 

and a section for student birthdays! 

If you could, I would tell you to add the MS as a friend on FaceBook.

 This year is going to be an awesome one of learning, experiencing and serving God! 

A morning of BFA sports!

This morning there was a home volleyball tournament and cross country meet. I have two small group girls that play on the JV team and I was able to catch their last game. It was really great to be able to go and watch my girls do something they love. After that we went up to see how our cross country team was doing. Our roommate, Megan, is the assistant coach of the team. We arrived just as the meet was coming to an end. The results hadn't come in before we left, but here are a few pictures and videos of our high school students. 

Our first runner to finish! 

One of our last runners to come in (still ahead of many other runners!). 

GO BFA! 

Hanging out at the MS House!

This year BFA doesn't technically have a MS dorm. There were going to be 4 MS students though that were in need of somewhere to live. A couple were going to be RAs at a dorm, but volunteered to be MS dorm parents. They are using the home of an HMA family to house these 4 students. This weekend my roommate Megan and another MS teacher, Rachel are dorm subbing. This means that they are the "dorm parents" while they actual dorm parents get a weekend off. Heather and I went over after dinner last night to hang out with them. We played telephone dictionary, watched them try to eat an oreo only using face muscles, and ended with a splendiferous ice cream sundae party!

Guests at the MS!

Yesterday we had a guest band come from Indiana. They were on their way to Turkey to do evangelistic work. The 3 young adults played songs that they had written themselves. The kids absolutely loved their energy. The gave a talk near the end about how even teenagers can make a difference in our world. It was really powerful, I hope and pray that our students will take it to heart.

A group of our chapel band boys talk life and music with the band members! 

Alberta Bound!

Last week I had the amazing opportunity to go home for a few days. I am so very thankful for the time I had in celebrating a wedding of a close friend, the birth of a baby girl, and of course, a wonderful family Thanksgiving. Thank you to those who made it an extremely special time. 

Mackenzie Jane was born on September 2, my 22nd birthday! 

A surprise "chat" happened on my first morning back in Canada! 

Erin and Barry were married on October 8, 2011!

I felt so blessed to be a part of their special day!