Countdown to Christmas!

"Countdown to Christmas!" is our Wednesday lunch time allotted for Christmas activities! I came up with this idea about 2-3 weeks ago as my mind was transitioning into Christmas mode. Our school year started 2 weeks later this year which means that our semester will not end before Christmas like it has in the past. In past years we have had hot drinks, movies and activities for the kids to after they had finished writing exams. Since this is not the case this year, I decided we needed to find time to do some fun Christmas things! 

Today was our first Wednesday of "Countdown to Christmas!" 
and we had a great turn out! 

The kids played "rock, paper, scissors," but Christmas style -- "elf, reindeer, santa!" 

They played a Christmas carol picture game.

And they tried to come up with as many Christmas words as possible! 

It was a great first "Countdown to Christmas!" and I am 

looking forward to the next 3 we will have! 

Chapel Band Workshops

Last week we had 3 high school students come and mentor our students musically. We had 1 drummer and 2 singers who spent time with our class. We are hoping to do something like this often to not only bridge the gap between high school and middle school chapel bands but to allow the kids to learn from other musicians.The middle schoolers really enjoyed learning and spending time with the high school students. 

Here are some pictures from that day! 

Chapel Band

This year my roommate, Heather, and I are leading the chapel band program at the Middle School. We have six 8th graders, one 7th grader and one 6th grader. These students are passionate about worship and love being a part of the chapel band! Each week consists of two 40 minute periods to practice for chapel on Friday afternoons. The students pick the songs and do all the playing/singing. We have 2 guitar players, 1 drummer, 1 piano player, and 4 singers. 

Every Monday we start off our practice with a time spent studying what God says about worship and praying for our week of practices. The kids really get involved in this time and it is great to see God working in their hearts! 

Here are some pictures of our year together so far! 

Rehearsal! 

 Heather, Sammie and I leading our first chapel! 

It's so good to be back!

With school starting two weeks later this year, things have taken off in full speed already! I am so thankful that because of YOU I was able to be back at school on time. To be here to welcome my new roomies, new staff and students and to get the school ready for the first day was such a blessing. 

Thank you! 

Having already done my job last year, this year has felt so natural! I love the administrative part of my job (scheduling, emailing parents, organizing school events) but I also LOVE the connection that I get to have with the students (teaching chapel band, being the school nurse). Seeing the kids in the hallway and having memories from last year with them gets me SO excited for this year. I love student memories. Once again I remember... they are the reason why I am here. 

Here are some picture highlights from this year so far:

First Day of School

Chillin' & Grillin' 

(MS games after school)

Faculty Retreat

(Adelboden, Switzerland)

Parent Teacher Fellowship 

Small Group

My roommate, Justina, and  I decided to lead a small group together this year. 

We have 5 Junior (11th grade) girls in our group. We are looking forward

to what God has in store for the 7 of this year! (Pictures to come later)

Check out "Prayer & Praise!" page to see a list of updated praise and prayer requests. 

Two Week Challenge!

It has been so good being in Canada for the summer! I have enjoyed catching up with YOU! What fun it has been! To give you an update on my support level I am currently at 91%! Praise the Lord! This is enough for me to return to Germany in exactly 2 weeks from today. However, I would LOVE to be at 100% before I leave the country.


Today starts the "Two Week Challenge!" I am hoping that by the end of the two weeks I will be fully funded. This will enable me to do my job to the best of my ability instead of having to fundraise from another country.

I need $250/month, or a total of $3000. 
Will you help me reach my goal by August 13? 

Fill out the form below to help me in my "Two Week Challenge!" 

"A few of my favourite things..."

This post comes from a question my friend's husband asked me this afternoon- 

"What's your favourite thing about Germany?"

My immediate response was "the people." Hands down, it is the people (staff and students) at BFA that make life so wonderful there. I love getting to work with the team of people who staff the middle school. They have become close family to me. It is such a joy getting to spend each day with them investing into the lives of our middle school students. Then, there are the students. How do you even explain how a year with 56 middle school students changes your life? They are in the midst of such influential years and it's such a privilege to be a part of this stage in their life. They make each day of fun and adventure! 


Well, that is my answer if I had to answer with only one of my favourite things. However, if asked "what do you love about life in Germany", here are a few of my favourite things:

1. The people

2. The slow paced atmosphere

3. The German culture

4. My small group girls

5. The apartment we rent, where it is, and all who live there

6. The small town feel

7. The BFA community

8. Being mentored and mentoring

9. Small grocery stores

10. Seeing students succeed after working hard

11. Working in an office I love

12. Students singing in the hallways

13. Deep conversations with students

14. BFA events 

15. Students' passion for worship
16. Seeing and being apart of God at work in the lives of these third culture kids! 

"These are a few of my favourite things..."

Adopt an Item!

Be a hero! Adopt an item!

Do you want to know where your money is going?

Take a look at the following list to see where you can help out!

Groceries for a week $38

Groceries for a month $150

Groceries for 6 months $900

Gas for a week $20

Gas for a month $80

Gas for 6 months $480

Gas for a year $960

Rent for a week $83

Rent for a month $330

Your financial contribution can also help with these things:

    Continuing Education: I have a desire to pursue further education that will help me grow professionally, spiritually and culturally and equip me to excel in my roles at BFA.

    Small Group: Whether it’s snacks on a Wednesday night or a fun holiday activity your financial gift will enable me to have fun with my small group girls.

    German Taxes: All BFA staff members are required by law to pay German taxes after their second year of living in Germany.