five things friday

I know I have totally slacked off on blogging this week, but I have a good excuse!! All this week I have spent the mornings in meetings with other BFA staff, and the afternoons I have spent at the middle school working on lesson plans and classroom set up. There is still a LOT to do before school begins on Tuesday, but I am trying not to stress too much. The stuff that needs to get done will get done, and the stuff that doesn't will just have to wait! I'm planning to do a reveal of my new classroom set up as well as my awesome new science closet which I have been working very hard to organize. If you are OCD like me, you will drool over my closet. :)

So since it's Friday, here are five things that are on my mind!!

{1} Physical science.

This is the last class I have to plan - I've already finished the first unit plans for both earth and life science. I really have no clue what I am doing with this new class. It doesn't help that I don't know anything about the subject. Thankfully, the previous teacher left me loads of manipulatives and resources to plan my lessons and I am excited for all the "toys" I've inherited along with this class. Pinterest has also been a fun source of inspiration. This may be my most fun class of all!

{2} Swedish Meatballs. From the happiest place on earth, IKEA.

Last night my roommate Lexi and I drove to Freiburg to pick up a few things for our apartment and for our classrooms. It was an adventure getting there and coming back, but we had a blast and were 99% successful in getting everything we needed! And of course, the trip wouldn't be complete without meatballs.

{3} Pastries. I already talked about German bakeries and pastries, but I just have to rave again at how delicious they are, and how dangerous it is to be living across the street from Heitzmann's. So very dangerous. Must.use.self.control.

{4} Pinterest. There was a day when I swore I would never get it. Now, I'm kind of in love with it. I've turned into that obnoxious person who starts every sentence with, "I found this thing on Pinterest..." (I kind of hate that part!) But I can't lie, I am loving the ideas and resources I've been able to find for my three science classes and for general classroom and teaching ideas. Follow me!

{5} The iPad - iWant, or iNeed? BFA has recently announced a new initiative in encouraging us teachers to implement iPads in the classroom. The school is offering a reimbursement to all staff members who purchase an iPad in 2012 - with the intention of using it in the classroom. While it's not a 100% reimbursement, it would cover a majority of the cost. I've had mixed feelings about this from the beginning. On the one hand, it would be really nice to have this piece of technology available to me and my students, and I'm sure I could find loads of cool apps and programs that would be useful in teaching my three science classes. The fact that I could get it almost for free is an added bonus, and also the recent release of the iPad 3 makes the 2nd generation a lot more affordable. On the other hand, I really cannot see how having an iPad is different from the computer that I already use in class each day. I already implement PowerPoint, YouTube, interactive websites, etc. and I don't need an iPad for any of those things. Not to mention the fact that I struggled all summer to raise the support to simply return to Germany for another year of service. It is a legitimate ministry tool, but is it a need?

hello monday

Hello Monday. You are my first Monday back in Germany!

Hello new apartment and new roommate. I have chosen the vagabond lifestyle in that this is the third apartment I've lived in, in the past three years! Because so many BFA staff must leave for a year at a time, I become a glorified house sitter by subleasing a place for one year. There are pros and cons to moving every year, but I enjoy the variety and the ability to "start fresh" each year.

Introducing my new roomie, Lexi, to Heitzmann's bakery for the first time!

Hello German bakeries and pastries. I am happy to see you again, though my waistline is not.

Hello new staff members! I have had the chance to meet countless new staff members at BFA over the course of this week, and am looking forward to meeting many more in the weeks to come as the school year kicks off and we jump into things full speed.

Hello old friends! It has been a joy to be reunited with my friends and former students who I have not seen all summer long. Having such joyous reunions lessons the sting of saying goodbye to friends and family in Ohio.

thankful thursday

This week I'm thankful for:

• Reaching 94%! Support levels jumped over the weekend and I was permitted to fly to Germany on Monday. I landed Tuesday evening and jumped right into my responsibilities here on Wednesday - teacher's conference in the morning followed by work at the middle school in the afternoon all this week!
• Uneventful travel. Flying out of Cleveland really stinks. My flight is always delayed or canceled. This time around was no different, but thankfully this time I made my connecting flights to London and Basel.
• Free luggage allowance. Flying on missionary airfare with British Airways means you get three free checked bags. I was warned that since my return flight originated with American Airlines, that I would only receive one free bag. Then my awesome grandma loaded me up with a ton of really useful school supplies and I made plans to check two suitcases and pay for the extra one. That would leave me with a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. So when I checked in I explained my situation and asked about the possibility of checking multiple bags. The ticket agent gladly checked both large suitcases plus my small carry-on suitcase for free! All I had to carry on the plane was my backpack and I didn't have to pay for the checked bags!

summertime arm party

I have recently just finished about 24 hours of travel to get back to Germany. I have a lot to share about my last day in the States, but I am exhausted and so for now I am posting a short and fun post about the Summertime Arm Party that I recently participated in.

An old Moody friend, Ilene, and another blogger, Leonora, hosted this fun bracelet swap and I just had to participate. It has been ages since I sat down to make a bracelet like I used to back in the day. Let me tell you, I was the queen of those embroidery thread bracelets. Unfortunately I did not have hours upon hours to spend knotting cord, but I did manage to whip up a little somethin' somethin' for my swap partner, Nay. She blogs over at Cover to Cover ... and Everything in Between. Go say hi!

Here are the bracelets she sent me! There were some playful ones and some more "mature" ones that would look nice to wear with my nice clothes to school. You probably can't tell from these pics, but the brown cord has a metallic sheen to it - so pretty. Thanks for the arm candy, Nay!

hello monday

Hello Monday.

Hello insane day of blessings. You can bet I'll have a lot to share on Thankful Thursday this week.

Hello 94%! I am so excited! God has done amazing things in the past few weeks and I am so humbled by all that he's done to bring me this far. All that remains is $120/month!

Hello free airport wi-fi. Without you I would have nothing to do for the next hour and a half while waiting for my flight.
Hello Chicago, London, and Basel. "Today" I will visit all three of you, even if it will only be airport visits. I am not looking forward to the long layover in London, but at least I will be in an English-speaking airport.

Hello jet lag. You will strike soon, but I will vanquish you this time!

we are go for launch: 90% and what it means

Let's start with some fabulous news: This week I reached 90.9%! This means TeachBeyond will allow me to fly back to Germany on Monday as planned. Praise the Lord!! After moving my flight from the 6th to the 20th, I was excited about having two extra weeks in America with my family, but at the same time I was anxious about losing two weeks of valuable classroom and lesson prep time. As the days passed and my support status leveled out at 83%, I honestly began to wonder if I would be forced to delay my departure a second time. Doing so would cause me to miss the beginning of teacher's conference, which of course brought me a bit of anxiety. I clung to the promise that God would be faithful to keep His promises, but I was legitimately worried. But, things change quickly and in one day it jumped from 83% to the coveted 90%!

So here's the deal: I am still in need of $200 in monthly support in order to be fully funded. While I have been cleared to fly, I have not reached 100%.  Of course I would love to reach 100% before my plane lifts off Monday afternoon, and the exciting thing is, it's totally possible! All that remains is TEN individuals or families willing to commit $20 a month, EIGHT individuals or families willing to commit $25 a month, FOUR individuals or families willing to commit $50 a month, or TWO individuals or families willing to give $100 a month!

So what do you think? Wouldn't you like to partner with me and become involved in the incredible ministry of Black Forest Academy? If so, visit the TeachBeyond website right now and sign up to become a monthly supporter. You can do so much more than simply put me on a plane. Your support can help students like Sophie, Joyce, and so many others to receive a quality international Christian education at BFA!

If you are unable to offer financial support, please join me in praying that the last 20% will come in quickly!

still

Waiting for another $350 in monthly support.
Waiting for people to stand behind me.
Waiting for clearance to fly on Monday.
Waiting for God to reveal just what it is He's trying to teach me through this.

Trying to communicate the passion I have for serving the students at Black Forest Academy.
Trying to express why it matters.
Trying to find people willing to give cheerfully and sacrificially.
Trying to reach 100% - something I've never been able to do.

Watching God do miraculous things for my fellow support raisers.
Wondering when it will be my turn.
Wanting to be happy for them.
Wishing I weren't jealous of their blessings.

I haven't written my regular weekly posts because there is nothing new to say. I've said everything I know to say, and done everything I know to do, and still I've fallen short. $350 a month short. I am not enough, but God is, and from here on out, it's all Him. I have already had to delay my departure by two weeks and even that wasn't enough. If I don't leave on Monday, I will miss the beginning of my responsibilities - staff meetings and valuable work days necessary for preparing for the start of school.

If you feel led to partner with me financially this year so that I can return to Germany and to my ministry to the students of Black Forest Academy, please visit this page and sign up today to become a monthly supporter (be sure to specify that your gift is for me). I promise, you will not regret it.

five things {you can do} friday

Yes, I've taken a break from blogging this week. No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. This week was supposed to be spent setting up my new apartment and working on lesson plans and classroom decorations. Instead, I have spent it in America trying to finish raising the support I need to return to Germany on August 20th. There hasn't been much to report on, since I have been stuck at 83% since Sunday. So today, I want to share with you five things you can do to support the work I do at BFA and help me get back to Germany on time.

{1} Sign up to become a monthly supporter. At the time of writing this post, I still need $350/month to be fully funded. Any amount you are willing to share so that I can serve at BFA will make a difference. Your gift does not have to be huge to be helpful. During my first year, my elementary-aged cousin gave me $1 a month. You can bet that made a difference.

{2} Make a one time or annual gift. Special gifts send to TeachBeyond on my behalf are saved up and used for many things - airfare for home assignment, reimbursement of ministry expenses, emergencies, and even going to cover any monthly support that doesn't come in. Last year about 50% of my monthly support came from one-time gifts.

{3} Buy my jewelry. All the items in my Etsy shop are handmade by me and all the sales go towards covering miscellaneous expenses related to living in Germany. In the past I've used Etsy sales to cover my Skype subscription for calling home, to put gas in my car, and to buy snacks and gifts for my small group girls.

{4} Tell a friend. My circle of contacts is only so big, and there are only so many people I can ask. Social networking sites like Facebook and Blogger have helped me reach outside my own personal circle, but you, my friend, are my best advocate. If you know me personally or have followed this blog for any length of time, then you know the heart and passion I have for my students and the work I do at BFA, and you can tell others about that. Is there someone in your own circle that would enjoy hearing my story, or consider joining my support team because you recommended it?

{5} Pray. Pray that I would continue to trust and have peace in God's provision. Pray that God would bring to my attention the right people to approach about financial support. Pray that the ones God calls to give will be obedient. Pray that God's power and faithfulness be evident throughout this whole process.

 

hello monday

Hello Monday. You were supposed to be the Monday that I flew back to Germany but alas, God has other plans. But it's ok, I'm confident that I will only see two more of you before I do get to fly!

Hello new week. Instead of spending you in my new apartment fighting jetlag and working on my classroom, I will get to spend you in America finishing up my support raising and enjoying my family.

Hello jogging. You and I have had an on-again, off-again relationship and it's time to be on again. Starting tomorrow. No, really. I just signed up to run the 7K in the Basel Marathon again, and this time I'm actually going to prepare for it. Last year's run almost killed me and I have no intention of finishing last this year.

Still alive after the run that almost killed me ... (September 2012)

Hello packing. I know I have two weeks to spend working on you, but I figure I should probably get started, seeing as how I have a tendency to procrastinate.

50 states of support: week five update

Whoohoo! This week I jumped from 65% to 80%! Join me in celebrating!

Unfortunately, 80% is not enough to fly, so the big announcement is that my flight has been delayed by two weeks so that I can have ample time to find the other 20% that I need to be fully funded. On the one hand, I'm bummed because I'm ready to start getting my classroom ready for the new year, and I'm ready to start lesson planning, but I can't do that from another continent. On the other hand, I'm really excited to have two more unexpected weeks in America to spend with my family. This summer will have been the longest amount of time I've gotten to spend in America and with my family since I left for Germany three years ago.

So, please join me in both praising God for His provision this week, and in praying that the other 20% will come in quickly. And if you are someone who has been thinking about joining my support team and have yet to commit, PLEASE pray about it and get in touch with me as soon as possible to let me know your thoughts. I would love to answer any questions you have or tell you more personally about my ministry at BFA.

You can sign up today to become a monthly supporter by visiting TeachBeyond's page and either downloading the form to mail in, or submitting your info online.

yard sale

This is what I'm up to this weekend.

thankful thursday

This week I'm thankful for:

• A jump of 15% in monthly support this week! As I write this post I'm at 80%!! I don't have a new map to show you, though, because I did not receive any new pledges yesterday.
• Life. It's a shame when it's lost unexpectedly. We are grieving with a family friend this week.
• The generosity of a family friend that allows me to have one more big yard sale this weekend. Even if it does mean I have to do all the work by myself since my parents can't get the time off from work and my brother, who isn't working, inexplicably has no time for me anymore.
• Good times with friends. Last weekend we had a family from church over for lunch and a Ticket to Ride party and we had a blast. I have also finally met my matches - I didn't win a single game that day!!
• Kool-Aid. Sounds crazy, but I've been sipping it all week and it reminds me of the summers of my childhood, when the biggest question I had to answer was whether or not I would ride my bike or play the Nintendo that day.

duke and his cookies

This summer I've LOVED getting to spend tons of time with Duke, my parents' pup. In the mornings before I wake up, he will climb into my bed and snuggle up beside me, and he follows me around the house all day. At the beginning of the summer we were going for walk/jogs around the block, before the humidity reached terrifying heights. He's a quirky little guy, and he looooves his cookies (dog treats). Here's a little bit of what he was up to yesterday. I can't stop laughing when I watch this clip - he is VERY excited about his cookies!!

Yesterday I hit 80%!! There are only 20 states left to claim, which equals $400 in monthly support still needed for me to be fully funded. I am so amazed at how God has been working this week to bring in my support!! Check out the most updated map - all the red states are new!!

There's still time, friends. If you want to get involved and support the work that I do at Black Forest Academy, please visit TeachBeyond's page today and sign up to become a monthly supporter. You could make a valuable contribution to furthering God's work among the nations (aka, my students!!).