Sweet Birthday Surprises

Wow. I am simply blown away.

I've known for months now that this birthday was going to be hard. It's the first day of school for Black Forest Academy and the first time in five years that I am not there. Last year 70 middle school students sang happy birthday to me and those words echoed in the hallways all day. I loved getting to share my birthday with those staff and students. Birthdays are a big deal at the middle school!

(pictures from last year) 

Just over a week ago I started getting birthday cards from all over the world. I couldn't figure out how these dear friends of mine had gotten my new address though...!?! I hadn't posted it anywhere... and then it came to me. Someone had planned this. I got fun birthday surprises from Ontario, Ohio, Vatican City, Alberta, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Germany! Thank you to everyone who helped make my birthday sweeter this year! And to my sneaky friend... I can't wait to celebrate with you very soon!

Welcome to my #crazynewlife!

Thank you to those of you who have been praying for me in my transition back to Canada! At times it all feels a bit like a dream. Nearly every time I go outside I see or hear an airplane nearby. I only live about 15 minutes from Toronto Pearson Airport so seeing airplanes is fairly normal. However, it doesn't feel normal that I am not leaving on one as I usually do at this time of year. Things are starting up again at Black Forest Academy right now and it feels weird to not be a part of the new year preparations. It's hard to believe that school will begin for them in just over a week! Please keep the staff and students in your prayers as they travel, prepare, and seek God's direction for this coming year. 

I started my job at C&MA nearly a month ago now though, and things are going well! I have been warmly welcomed into the National Ministry Centre and I am thankful for their grace and patience as I learn my new role and process my transition. It has been neat (and sometimes a bit strange) to be on the other side of things. I see emails and prayer letters coming in daily from missionaries heading to the field or who are already there and deep into ministry. Last week we had a couple come into our Global Ministries office to pick up some paperwork. They were just days away from leaving for the field for the first time. It was an incredible experience to be able to pray with them and in a way send them off. My heart was filled with emotion as I heard them talk with excitement and sadness for the coming days. I have known those mixed emotions well in the last five years. While I feel torn that I am not heading back to Germany this fall, it is such an honour to be able to stand behind these fellow missionaries as they follow God's leading overseas. I don't know if that will be me again one day, but for now I rest in the assurance that this is where God wants me for now.

My new place of residence

 My desk in the Global Ministries office at C&MA 

#bfalove

Remembering & New Beginnings

Wow. Five years. Where has the time gone?! In less than 50 days I will be leaving this country that I have come to love and have known as home for the last five years. Since I arrived in Kandern, Germany, in August of 2010, I have met hundreds of missionary kids, made life-long friends, experienced different cultures, and have learned and grown so much. I am so thankful for the opportunity to live and serve in this place. For those of you who have supported, prayed for, and encouraged me through this whole process, thank you! Here are some highlight moments from the past five years.

Hosting five Thanksgiving dinners! 

Dressing up for countless MS events!

 High School Christmas Banquet!

 Spending three Christmases in Germany!

Fun with students outside of school!

 Small Group 2011-2012!

 Teaching Guitar Class!

 Helping with Operation Christmas Child!

Small Group 2012-2013!

 Celebrating students at our MS Awards Ceremony!

 Leading worship!

Taking students to the recording studio!

Chrysalis!

Sharing fun moments with students!

Fun Fact Mondays!

Co-leading chapel band! 

 MS Overnight!

Taking the MS History Trivia Team to Paris/Rome to compete!

BFA Middle School 2011-2015

It's bittersweet knowing that my time at Black Forest Academy is coming to a close. It's incredible to think back on the last five years and all that God has done in and through me. Thank you for partnering with me in this journey to Germany!

At the end of June, I will return to Southern Alberta for a few weeks to spend time with friends/family, get reacquainted with life in Canada, and pack as I begin to move forward with the next steps God has for me. I'm very excited to announce that at the end of July, I will begin working as the Secretary of Global Ministries in the Christian & Missionary Alliance Canada office in Toronto, Ontario! It brings me great joy to continue working in mission and administrative work. God has made it evident that this is where He is leading me, as He is already beginning to open so many doors in this process.

Please pray for me - that in the midst of looking ahead, I will also finish well in this place that I am leaving. The end of the year is quite busy for me, as I prepare for not only moving but also our MS awards ceremony, 8th grade dinner, Chrysalis final activities, and training my replacement. There is a lot to do, but my hope and prayer is that I will take time to have quality moments with friends and students in these last few weeks. May God bless you as you continue to walk with Him!

Chapel Band Series // #4

"Why should others join chapel band?"

Chapel Band Series // #3

"What are some of your favourite memories from chapel band?"

Chapel Band Series // #2

"How does chapel band make you a better musician?" 

Chapel Band Series // #1

A few weeks ago, when we didn't have Friday chapel to prepare for, we took some special videos of our chapel band girls to help promote chapel band in the future. Over the course of the next week or so, I will post some different videos to give you a glimpse into why these students chose to be a part of chapel band. I hope you enjoy!

Lord, I Need You

Each morning this week I have pulled out my stack of blue absence sheets and started writing students' names as I received phone calls and emails from parents of sick kids. Our small middle school of 70 students has been hit hard this week by what seems like a never-ending illness. We were at a record high on Tuesday when we had 22 students out sick. Today, a friend and I were talking about how it is God's divine providence that we haven't reached this record with our teachers as well. We are all feeling pretty run down, but thankfully we are well enough to go to school each day. 

Music has always been an important part of my life, and I go through different seasons of favourite songs. I don't think it's a coincidence at all that the song I have on repeat right now is "Lord, I Need You" by Matt Maher. As we come to the end of a week of coughs, sneezes, and fevers, I can't think of a better prayer to sing than "Lord, [We] Need You."

Lord, I need You
Oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense
My righteousness
Oh, God, how I need You

Operation Christmas Child!

Our 3rd Annual OCC Packing Party was a huge success! With the help of the BFA community, we were able to pack 116 boxes!!! Here are some pictures to give you a glimpse into our packing party that was run by our awesome middle school students.

We really got into the Christmas spirit! 

Everyone who participated got an OCC sticker!

Our box checkers made sure each box had everything it needed!

"Elf" was playing for those who were done packing their boxes!

These are just some of the students who came to pack a box!

Way to go BFA!

Quarter One Is Already Done!

The title of my last blog was "First Weeks in Fast Forward," and I feel like each week is going by even faster! We are officially 1/4 of the way through the year already. We've filled the days with learning, laughter, and lots of fun! Here are some things that I have been up to for the last few weeks.

Balloons make any day better!

I had the privilege of joining other fellow Canadians for Thanksgiving! I made mashed potatoes and "grandma" buns for our group to share. What a special time!

 Students can come see me every Monday during lunch to say a fun fact and receive 

a candy! I've found that Jolly Ranchers are a huge favourite! On October 13, this jar became the "thankful jar" in honour of Canadian Thanksgiving. It was so neat to 

hear all that our students are thankful for! 

 Here are our 5 chapel band kids leading worship for the MS!

 During the week of Halloween, we had students create costumes using items inside a trash bag (tin foil, balloons, straws, toilet paper). These are some of their fun creations! 

I am in charge of helping organize worship for Chrysalis each week. Our grade 12 students do most of the work but I am around if they need anything and to help with set-up/take-down. 

This past weekend most of the BFA staff/students headed down to Basel, Switzerland,
to take part in Herbstmesse! This festival is over 540 years old! Bumper cars are the 

main attraction for our group of kids and adults!

Our 3rd annual Operation Christmas Child Packing Party 

will take place on Monday, November 10! We've been getting ready by collecting donations and making sure LOTS of shoeboxes are wrapped and ready to be sent!

Here are some other events coming up between now and Christmas Break:

November 6-8: Black Forest Academy presents "High School Musical" the musical

November 7: Parent Teacher Conferences

November 10: BFA's 3rd Annual OCC Packing Party

November 14: Middle School Class Parties 

Late November: Heather and I will host our 5th Annual Thanksgiving celebration!

Thank you to all of your who make it possible for me to consider serving at Black Forest Academy! Even though you are miles away, you are still vitally important to the work God is doing here in SW Germany. Please keep BFA in your prayers as we continue to undergo staff and student changes in the middle of the year. May we have wisdom to know how to deal with each situation that comes our way. 

First Weeks in Fast Forward!

The first two weeks of school are already behind us - crazy! We have welcomed 69 students into our middle school this year and they have truly brought this place to life! Between the addition of the 5th grade to our campus and my normal beginning of the year tasks, I have been keeping quite busy!

First day of school!

Our student council welcoming new students!

So far this year we have had new student orientation, first day of school activities (which happened to land on my 25th birthday!), parent teacher fellowship, and many fun interactions with students! I have started up my 'fun fact' jar again this year, and the kids are enjoying sharing their random facts with me (some I have no idea how true they are!) to receive a piece of Canadian candy.

Chapel band has also started up again and we have 6 students who are excited to be leading their peers in worship. Five of these students are entirely new to the middle school this year! Heather and I played with them on Friday for their first time, as some of them aren't comfortable leading on instruments just yet. I'm looking forward to sharing my passion for worship with these students this year!

Middle School Chapel!

This week is 'Spiritual Emphasis Week' (SEW) at BFA. This week will help set the spiritual tone for the school this year. Each day we start off with a combined middle school and high school chapel followed by a modified schedule for the rest of the day. On Wednesday we will not have any classes, as it will be our second annual school-wide 'Impact Day'. On this day we will split up into 37 groups and go out into the community to do different jobs. The middle school students will be in charge of baking cookies and delivering them to 3 different assisted living homes in our town. I'm excited for this opportunity that our school has to make difference in our community. Please pray for our students this week - that hearts would be open to hear God's voice. 

Three middle school students at SEW!

Chrysalis begins tomorrow! We have over 35 grade twelve students who will be leading in some capacity this year. It is so cool to see them excited to serve the middle school students! Tomorrow we will begin with having the SEW speaker and worship leader join us - in addition to an awesome new game of 4-corner dodgeball! It should be a fun time!

Training session with the seniors

Thank you so much for your prayers and support as we have started a new school year at Black Forest Academy! Your partnership in this ministry is so vital. Please pray for us as we continue on into the school year. Even when we get into the school year routine, may Christ be our daily focus.

"On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you." John 14:20 [School Theme Verse for 2014-2015, "Indwelling"]