Keeping Up with CB

Birthday Wishes from my Students

2012-02-16T10:35:00.001-06:00

I have the best class and co-teacher! Each student presented me with a tulip (one of my favorite flowers) first thing this morning! They also wrote sweet birthday messages to me.

Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! Happy Birthday!

The pictures below are a few of my German students. Some wrote their message to me in German (which I could actually read. I only had to look up one or two words.) and some in English.

Translated "I like how you teach English."

"You are funny."

"I like your scarf. I like you.You are nice."

"You are gentle."

Translated "I like your smile."

Brian Shipley

2012-02-16T00:10:00.000-06:00

Grade 3

2012-02-15T10:47:00.002-06:00

More school pictures...

Christmas Banquet

2011-12-08T07:14:00.001-06:00

We are going back in time a few months for this post. Cause if you haven't noticed, I am way behind on blogging. So go with me to late November...
I was planning on a quiet evening at home in my sweats. The evening was planned: clean the apartment (just call me Monica) and watch a movie. It was to be a lazy Saturday and it had been a long time since I had one. Saturday morning started with chocolate chip banana pancakes while watching Christmas with the Kranks. The roomie and our neighbor lazily watched the movie. Over pancakes and the movie we talked about the day's events. I was asked if I was going to the Christmas Banquet that night. My mind immediately went to my comfy sweats, rubber gloves and a toilet brush, and enjoying a low key evening. I told them I wasn't planning on it. Roomie and the Neighbor stopped talking and just looked at each other. I stopped what I was doing and looked back and forth at the two of them having a conversation with just their eyes. Obviously, I was missing something. Quickly, they explained that I might want to go because I might need to be there for the granting of the Christmas wishes.

Let me back up and explain, no sum up. Christmas Banquet is an annual banquet at the high school. It is similar in style to prom/homecoming in that the students are dressed to the nines! The students are served dinner and the evening is filled with student performances. Every year the students also have a chance of making Christmas wishes and a select few are granted during the evening. One such wish was granted that involved me and my previous co-RA, also my neighbor. A senior from Sonne, the dorm I worked at for two years, wished that Neighbor and I could come back to be weekend subs which means we would come help in the dorm when the dorm parents have a weekend off. Super fun wish and I look forward to spending some time back in the dorm!

Me, Paul, and the Neighbor (Tommy)

So the apartment didn't get cleaned. The movie didn't get watched.

But believe me, I wouldn't have wanted to miss out on making this wish come true!

Christmas Pinterest Party

2011-12-05T15:30:00.001-06:00

Tonight Erin (my roomie) and I threw a Christmas Pinterest Party. We invited pinners from the BFA community to actually stop pinning and make a recipe they had pinned. The trick with pinning here in Germany, though, is finding recipes with ingredients that we can find locally. Recipes that call for cheddar cheese or cream of anything are items we have to pin but pin to a board that we save as recipes to make when we are back in the US. I have found sooooo many great recipes BUT the first thing I always do before pinning is check the ingredients. I have had to resist the "pin it" button so many times! And it breaks my heart when I can't pin a recipe that calls for cheddar cheese. Well now, see we can get cheddar cheese, but it will cost you an arm and a pretty leg.

Everyone had about two weeks to find a recipe on Pinterest. At the party, everyone brought in their dish and recipes to share. It gave us a great reason to stop pinning and to make a practice recipe before all the parties and family get togethers.

On the menu tonight was...

Oreo Cream Cheese Cupcakes (CB)

Apple Chips (Yum-O)

Muffin Tin Calzones (Erin)

Pizza (decorated like a Christmas tree and a stocking )

Orange/Cranberry Scones

Pizza Monkey Bread

Avocado/Tomato/ Mozzarella Bruschetta

Cookie Dough Bites

Maybe next semester we will have a Pinterest Project Day (kinda like a scrapbook day) were we all get together one Saturday and bring a Pinterest project to work on.

If you don't know what Pinterest is check out: www.pinterest.com

Pics of our Christmas Pinterest Party...

Lexi holding the "fireplace" on the ipad

Pinterest fanatics and those who just like food!

Potato King

2011-11-14T06:13:00.000-06:00

Petra, my German co-teacher, has been teaching around the theme of potatoes in science and social studies. To complete the end of the theme the students performed a play called, Potato King. For lunch, Petra made a traditional German potato soup with the students and I made homemade potato chips. The first grade teachers were invited to enjoy the show and eat lunch with us.

Enjoy the show...

Pumpkin Math

2011-11-09T15:05:00.000-06:00

Pumpkin Math...So, I stole pumpkin math from the 4th grade teachers at Wedgewood Elementary School. The Friday before Halloween I had only my English students in class so we had a little fun with Pumpkin Math. The students made predictions about the circumference, weight, amount of seeds, and number of seams. Then they found the actual amounts. With the help of our parent volunteers, they found the actual amounts and then they cut the tops off the pumpkins, took out all the yumminess, and counted the seeds! And of course we had some yummy fall snacks! I even had a lovely mom who baked a pumpkin pie from scratch...boiled down the pumpkin and all to make the pumpkin puree (we can't get pumpkin in a can here)! It was great!

Take a look...

Cardinal Fans in Germany

2011-10-30T11:45:00.001-05:00

Cardinal fans in Germany!!! I was not the only one in the BFA community rooting for the Cardinals during the World Series! One of my third graders and his brother (along with his mom and dad) are also big Cardinal fans. The boys wore their hats to school on Friday. If only I had known I would have worn mine too!

Way to go Cardinals! You've made us proud!!!

Thanksgiving Thanks

2011-10-30T09:28:00.002-05:00

Erntendankfest: Thanksgiving in Germany is celebrated early in October. This year it was on Sunday October 9th. Erntendakfest is mainly celebrated in rural areas and in the churches. Church members bring in fruits, vegtables, nuts, flowers...to the church days before and fill the alter in front of the church. Germans do not typically have a traditional family dinner every year.

Our grade 3 class decided to have an Erntendankfest alter in our school. The families from school brought in items and then Petra, my German co-teacher, took all the vegetables and fruits to a local soup kitchen.

Pictures of our Erntendankfest alter:

Sunday- Day of Rest

2011-10-16T11:30:00.001-05:00

Sundays in southwest Germany, from what I have observed over the past two years, are typically looked at as a day of rest. Many go hiking, walking, bicycling, or take a nice long Sunday drive. So, today, I did as the Germans do: I took my camera and went for a hike, a long drive, picked sunflowers, and bought apples from a local orchard. It was a great day of rest!

I've been watching too much LOST...I found this in the woods during my hike
and I thought it was straight out of the TV series.

Field Trip

2011-10-11T05:00:00.000-05:00

Our first class field trip was to an apple orchard just a 25 minute walk from the school. Petra and I walked with the students to the apple orchard owned by Herr Probst who is the building manager of our school. He has over 2000 trees and 4 generations of the family working the fields. We were able to help him pick the Fuji apples and snack on some on our walk back to school. Take a peek...

Can you see his Cardinal's jersey???

Wild Card Baby!

2011-10-09T13:50:00.000-05:00

Just a little shout out to my home town Cardinals (the Wild Card team) who are entering the championship series with the Brewers. Wishing I was with friends back home to watch the games but thankfully to a little technology, Ceebs here in Germany, can watch the games through SlingBox. Gotta love technology (when it works). Here are a few pics of STL and the Cards I took when home two summers ago.

Go Cardinals!

Around the World

2011-09-19T17:31:00.000-05:00

Today in math, my German co-teacher, Petra, played around the world with multiplication/addition/subtraction facts. The students are given a math problem (4 X 20) and the first to shout out the correct answer moves around the room to the next student. The winner each time moves to a new opponent. The game keeps going until there is only one student still standing!

Petra teaches math in German to all the students. I stay in the room to help the English speaking students. Petra speaks great English but from time to time she has me translate. No, my German has not improved that much in just two months but a lot of the time I can tell from her body language and context clues what she is talking about; therefore, I can translate for my English kiddos.

It was great fun today watching the students play Around the World just as I had once played with my students back in the Texas. With great excitement they yelled out their answers and jumped up and down because they just couldn't contain themselves! Some things are just the same no matter where you are or what language you speak!

Here are a few pictures of Around the World, lunch (we don’t have a cafeteria; therefore, we eat in the classroom), and a little stop on my way home from school today.

The farmer sells flowers and pumpkins based on the honor system.

Here is the cashier. You drop the money off in the metal tube.

Today was a cool, crisp fall day! looking forward to many more!!!

First Day of School

2011-09-18T15:13:00.001-05:00

I know, I know! It's been a while! So sorry.

School is in full swing! BFA started over a month ago and the German students in grades 1-3 (the bilingual program) started last Tuesday. The first day of school always starts at the main campus with the precession of flags represented by the BFA families serving around the world! The seniors start the ceremony carrying in the flags. It is always amazing to see the flags of this world and where the Good News is being carried by the parents of our students! The ceremony is attended by almost everyone in the BFA community. Staff and teachers from all three campuses as well as dorm parents and resident assistants from all 8 dorms attend. Parents who drop their children off for the school year are also in attendance. The entire student body, high school down to the elementary students, are also crammed together in the auditorium for yet another school year kick off. A list of countries represented by the missionary families was read right before the student body president addressed the crowd. Phil Peters, our interim director, with the help of his canoe encouraged us to a great new school year at BFA!

This was my third year to attend the opening ceremony. But this year was different. I sat directly across the room from years previous. As the residence life director spoke to the dorm staff, I sat opposite them thinking about the important role they play in the lives of the dorm students at BFA. I am in a new chapter of my life. I am no longer a RA at Sonne. With some sadness I watched, my once fellow colleagues, accept the huge responsibility of loving and caring for the precious students in each of their dorms. Sitting opposite of them I was quickly brought back to my new reality of the lively 8 year olds sitting to the right and left of me. A new school year and a new chapter. Opposite of my RA friends, I sat with my 12 new third graders. To my RA friends I was CB but I now I carry a new title: Miss Watson the grade 3 teacher. I sat surrounded by children and immediately I was back in my niche. I was back home. I was back to using the gifts and talents given to me by God. The new chapter has begun and I am delighted to immerse myself whole heartedly. More chapters to come! Keep reading.

Grade 3 (English speakers)

School Starts Tomorrow

2011-08-22T15:36:00.002-05:00

School starts tomorrow and I am tuckered out! It's late and I should be getting to bed so this post is short but I wanted to share with you pictures of my room. These were taken on Friday. I will update more pictures later this week. I must say I am feeling very out of sorts. I have lots of questions. Post-it notes everywhere so I won't forget to ask them. And I am unsure of my schedule. The English speaking kids start tomorrow and the German speaking students arrive in about two weeks. Things are clear as mud BUT I am happy to be here. I am taking it one day at a time. And I am not letting the unknown send me to melt down city. I am excited to meet my students tomorrow and start the first day of school off right! Circle time in the morning will start with prayer and scripture reading. How bad can the day get if you start it this way? No terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day in Miss Watson's class!

In case you are interested:
School population: 82 total students (50 English speaking & 32 German Speaking)
20 of the 50 English speaking students are BFA staff children
37 of the 50 are MKs 76%
26% are considered business kids

Brand New Desk

Brand new student desks and chairs as well.

Classroom library in progress.

Behavior Management Plan in the works

Our Best 'BEE'havior

More soon!

*Please keep boarding students and their families in your prayers. Parents are traveling back to their ministries after dropping off their children at BFA. Pray for the transistion and separation.

*Keep praying for BFA staff who are still raising support back in the US and Canada!

One More Week

2011-08-16T16:33:00.000-05:00

School starts in one more week! Eeeeek. Boxes are almost unpacked. Classroom is not yet arranged. And don't get me started on lesson plans. It will all come together over the next week I am confident of that. I am still waiting to dream about my classroom. Inevitably, every year right before school starts I dream or have nightmares about my classroom or the start of school. I think most teachers have some amazing dream/nightmare stories to share!

BFA, for the first time ever, has three campuses: High School in Kandern, Middle School in Sitzenkirch, and the Elementary School (the only Christian bilingual school in Germany) in Wollbach. The middle school is about a 5 minute drive from Kandern and the elementary school is about a 7 minute drive. The middle school moved off the high school campus this past June. There are around 160 full/part time staff members (whom raise their own support to come work on these campuses) combined. The total number of students this year is over 300 students. Of the 300, 151 are boarding students. In the high school there are 210 students, middle school 53 students, and the elementary school has over 80 students including the German students.

Please keep the BFA students and families in your prayers as they will be traveling from many different countries to Germany with in the next week. New boarding students arrive next Sunday. Returning students arrive in the dorms next Monday and school starts on tuesday, August 23rd.

Until Next week!

Sparkling Ice Tea?

2011-08-11T15:18:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to share some fun, new, interesting German products with you guys. Just one for today...So the other day at the grocery store I was dying for some ice tea and decided to try Lipton Ice Tea- Sparkling. It sounded good. I was thirsty. So not going to the grocery thirsty is just as good as not going when you are hungry! Who knows what you're gonna come home with. I tried the sparkling ice tea with dinner and was so disappointed. It might have been good minus the sparkling aspect. Yikes. I like ice tea. I like sparlking water. But I do not like sparkling ice tea! Nor green eggs and ham.

For your viewing pleasure:

Back in the Classroom Again

2011-08-11T14:56:00.003-05:00

The elementary school moved into its "new" building this summer. The "new" building is around 7 mintues from Kandern in a town called Wollabach. Previously, the building had been an elementary school for the children of Wollbach; however, over time the schools' poplulation has declined causing it to closed its doors. This new school is about twice of the size of the old elementary school. With the elementary school moving out of its previous building, the middle school which was on the high school campus, has moved into the "old" elementary school.

I'll be teaching Language Arts and Science. I will have one L.A. block in mother tongue to my English speakers and another block just for my German speakers (taught in English). Science will be taught in English to the whole class combined. Petra (pronounced Pay-tra), my German co-teacher, will teach Math and Social Studies in German.
I only brought over two boxes of school resources. Everything in my room is from previous teachers. I've spent about 2 1/2 days working in my room.Take a peek...

"New" Building

Bilingual School

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Chalkboard moves up and down the track

30 yards of IKEA fabric used instead of butcher paper (No butcher paper in Germany and no teacher stores)

Thanks Angela for the posters!

Same science textbook as used in my previous district

No, I am not teaching math! Phew!!! My German co-teacher, Petra will teach math.

A few goodies from "home."

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Gifts from past students who held a special place in my heart!

Welcome to Wollbach!

Again, thanks Angela for the pocket chart.

Back in Germany

2011-07-31T13:47:00.002-05:00

I am finally here! Back in Germany! I spent the first week moving my things, which were stored at a friend’s for the past year while I was back in Houston, into my new place. My new "home" for the year is an apartment in down town Kandern which is where BFA's high school is located. Kandern and its 13 neighboring villages have a population of around 8,000. My favorite restaurant in Kandern is just steps outside my front door. I can walk to any one of the three grocery stores and to church held in the high school auditorium.

My roommate, Erin, is also a past fellow RA who is moving out of her role as a RA into an adminstrative role in Residence Life. Please keep Erin in your prayers. She was supposed to come back to Germany last Tuesday but due to low support her return has been delayed until she reaches 90%. Currently she is around 62%. Erin and I are subleasing the apartment from a missionary family who is back in the US this next school year. They left all of their furniture and kitchen ware for us and moved out all of their personal effects.

The first week back I was unpacking, which was like Christmas since I haven't seen my things in over a year and sleeping off Jetlag. My sister, Shawna, came during my second week. Wayne, my brother-in-law works for NASA and attended a conference in northern Germany so Shawna came too! Shawna spent a whole week with me while Wayne was attending his conference. Wayne trained down to Kandern last Friday and the three of us spent the weekend together.

I have lots more to blog about:

-My "bug" that smells like a crayon

-Trying new things: Sparkling Lipton Ice Tea

-Farmer's market every Saturday

-New school

Now that I am settled in I hope to be blogging more often. Once school starts and I know my schedule and routine I plan to blog on a regular basis. I hope to blog at least once a week.

Keep checking in...

And I just want to say yet again how grateful I am to be here. God has blessed me with so many people over the past three years who have made this calling possible. THANK YOU

Humbly Trusting and Obeying

Apartment: 2nd row of windows

Apotheke (pharmacy across from apartment)

Church across from apartment: bells toll every hour. Yes, EVERY hour!

Salon across from apartment (and my bug)

Gasthaus directly across from my apartment: Guesthouse and restaurant

Blumenplatz: Central Kandern (just down the street)

Fountain just outside my apartment

Closing

2011-07-01T16:40:00.000-05:00

A new Closing date has been set for Tuesday, July 5th. Originally it was set for this past Tuesday and then moved to Thursday. Unfortunately, the lenders are behind in the paperwork. Upon cancellation on Thursday there was no new closing date which kinda drove me crazy and increased my anxiety and stress level. Nothing like leaving the country in less than 9 days and not be given a new closing date. It put a bit of damper on my mood and seemed to stifle my breathing. Selling the townhouse is the last thing to cross off on my "to-do" list. I am dying to cross it off: ~~Sell Townhouse.~~

I got a call today from my realtor when I was on the beach trying to relax and lay it all out at the foot of the cross. At first the lenders were going to try and have the paperwork finished to sign later today then she called back and said it would have to wait until after the weekend. A holiday weekend. A three day weekend. UGH. But now I have a closing date and the anxiety level has decreased from a high alert level down to a yellow level of anxiety.

Praying the closing will actually happen on July 5th!

Come and See. Come and Listen.

2011-06-28T15:14:00.000-05:00

It's official! The numbers are in.
I have reached 100.43%!
So, let me explain what this means. I am at 100% for two years. After two years I move into a "longer term" support phase. Long Term support draws an increased monthly income and more money is set aside for retirement. Since I am new to TeachBeyond, I had to start at the bottom of the support ladder just as I did with GEM when I started this journey three years ago. After my two years with GEM, had I stay with them this past fall I would have also moved up the ladder to the "long term" support phase.
Over the next two years I will raise support to reach the "long term" support goal which is roughly around $500 more a month. Raising support is an on-going process. I have monthly ministry partners who have pledged to give on a monthly basis. They can give as long as they want and stop whenever they feel the need. Many ministry partners give annually and others give as the Lord leads them.
I am grateful for all my ministry partners: my financial and especially my prayer warriors! I greatly appreciate you!

Come and See. Come and Listen to all that God has done.

Closing on Townhouse

2011-06-27T23:35:00.000-05:00

Closing on my townhouse has been moved from Tuesday of this week to Thursday at 1:30. Please keep Thursday in your prayers!
I've had some great memories in this house. I was a first-time home buyer 8 years ago on April 14, 2003 (I closed on the house on my mom's birthday)!
I never anticipated I would be in the house for 8 years. It has been great to me. My favorite memories are from my small group girls when they would come over on Sunday afternoons or for slumber parties. I can still recall where each girl sat in my family room. It's like we had assigned seating for small group.
I also have great memories from my many roommates (all of whom are now married!). And I can't forget my four legged roomies: Truman and Lily. Both labs with tails that could knock anything off the coffee table!
My most recent memory came from the Friendswood police pulling over a car in the townhome community and the driver bolted. They had at least 5 squad cars surrounding the subdivision. It made for great TV as I watched "COPS" right outside my family room window!
But now is the time to say goodbye as God has called me to Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany. It's time to say good bye to a chapter in my life and turn the page to living full time in Germany. Last summer I sold the rest of my belongings in a garage sale. I sold/gave away everything I was storing in my storage unit for the past two years. My keepsakes, photo albums and pictures are now stored in my parents house in 4 Rubbermaid containers. Everything else, which is not much, is in already Germany or going with me when I leave in 2 weeks.
Please pray with me as hopefully this chapter comes to a close.

Orientation Day 5

2011-06-27T16:46:00.000-05:00

New TeachBeyond missionaries serving at BFA and other ministries in Germany.

Orientation Day 4: Best Day Ever

2011-06-23T23:20:00.017-05:00

The BEST part of Orientation Day 4 had nothing to do with the orientation besides the fact that it was held on Wheaton's campus which happens to be where two of my Sonne boys are Sophomores hanging around this summer working. To my surprise I got to eat dinner with them and hang out at a local coffee shop like old times! It was the best surprise and by far the highlight of this trip! I had a great relationship with these two boys in the dorm and I still love and adore them. It thrilled my heart to be back in their presence. I was also very eager to introduce them to a new RA coming to BFA. I was like a proud momma making the introductions. The guys shared some advice on how to make it with the boys in the dorm as a female RA. I was overjoyed to share my love of the dorm and the boys with someone else new to BFA.
Pictures are from the dorm days.

Day 3 Orientation: Back Tracking

2011-06-22T22:51:00.000-05:00

On day 3 I've decided to back track and explain what this orientation is that I have been rambling on about for the last past two blogs. I am attending TeachBeyond's new member orientation. We have missionaries from the US and Canada serving at schools all over the world. A large portion of the missionaries will be serving at Black Forest Academy. Since I recently, last December, moved mission organizations I get the opportunity to be oriented to TeachBeyond here in Wheaton, Illinois on the Wheaton campus. During this week we will attend sessions on all sorts of topics: our calling, insurance, support, ministering to TCKs and MKs, policies, guidelines, finances, team building, living and working together, living cross culturally, interpersonal relationships and so on...

Orientation is a place where we get a chance to come together as strangers and leave as life long friends who may have the privilege of serving alongside each other or most cases serving worlds apart but serving the One and Only God!

I've met missionaries who will be serving in Prague, Romania, Hungry, Spain and Albania. Most exciting, are those I've met who will be serving along side me at BFA. It is amazing to see and know the people God has brought together to love on the MKs at BFA! I am humbled to have the opportunity to serve with such quality people who have such a heart for our God and His children!

Being here has reminded me how much I love my job and how much I love BFA. I again, as I always will, I want to thank my prayer and ministry partners who have played a vital role in making God's calling in my life come to fruition! THANK YOU. THANK YOU for loving our God and sharing in His passion of the Great Commission:

"Go therefore and make disciples ofall nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching themto observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19

Look for another post breaking down the different aspects of Matthew 28:18

Day 2 of Orientation: Tornado Warning

2011-06-21T22:36:00.002-05:00

I left behind a Hot and Dry Houston where we are 15 inches below our normal average for the year. We are in a drought. Wild fire warnings are popping up along side the highways and fines are threatening those who aren't following the mandatory water conservation measures. I leave behind a city where I can't remember the last good thunderstorm let alone a shower lasting more than 2 minutes.

The end of orientation day 2 was sealed with over 50 missionaries clamouring into the corner of the building far away from doors and windows as the siren blasted it's warning of an impending tornado. Our session previous to the warning, was a time of sharing testimonies. During the middle of the first testimony the siren blasted and we just sat there and stared at each other. Once the alarm sounded a second time announcing a tornado sighting we quickly went from staring at each other to chairs squeaking on the floor as we quickly moved out of the room full of windows to a safe haven. We circled the wagons and "How Great Thou Art" began to echo through the building as we sang through the wind and rain. A Capella we sang. We sang to our God who we knew would hear us. Our God who desires to hear from us. Our God who is our Almighty shelter. No matter the circumstance. No matter the outcome. How Great Thou Art

O Lord my God,

When I in awesome wonder

Consider all

The works Thy Hand hath made,

I see the stars,

I hear the mighty thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout

The universe displayed;

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

Then sings my soul,

My Saviour God, to Thee,

How great Thou art!

After the sweet time in song we continued sharing testimonies. The warning lifted a hour later and all was safe and sound in our little corner of Wheaton, Illinois. It was a great way to end day 2. A day which was filled with mind numbing details of insurance and taxes.

Day 1 TeachBeyond Orientation

2011-06-20T22:23:00.001-05:00

So, let me share with you how the day began before I even arrived at orientation for TeachBeyond in Wheaton, IL. My dad drove me to the airport this morning. It was a hour long drive to Intercontinental. I chose IAH over Hobby, which is only 30 minutes from the house because the fare from IAH was $50 or so cheaper. Well, maybe I just should have paid the $50. Along the drive we stopped for a bathroom break at McDonald's, yes, Mickey Ds two days in a row for this girl (had a lovely experience on Sunday night at another McDonald's where the drive thru employee asked me to come hang out at Bikini Beach, a local club. Yes, I did indeed deny the invitation). While dad and I popped into McD a driver, who was talking on his cell phone, ran into the back of our parked car. And just so you know, we were only 10 minutes from the airport and I still had a hour to spare when we stopped for our bathroom break. So, as dad was swapping information with the other driver I got hungry. As I stood in line, stomach growling like crazy for a sausage biscuit, the man in front of me starting talking to me about the weather and what a HOT one it was gonna be AGAIN here in Houston. We chit chatted (most of you know I am NOT a chit chatter). When it was his time to order, he was a gentleman and let me go first. So once I had ordered and was waiting ever so patiently for my grease in a wrapper, the same man was interested in keeping up our chit chat. And after chit chatting for what seeeeeemed like forever he asks, "I was wondering if I could have the opportunity of taking you to dinner?" Yes, no lie. 2nd time to be hit on at McDonald's! I responded with, "Oh, I am so sorry. I am moving in three weeks (true story, right. I didn't even have to lie). Thanks so much (pat, pat on his shoulder)." And then I high tailed it out of the hidden treasure meat market.

And so upon leaving the broken hearted, I went to the car and and sat with my dad and waited 20 minutes for the police to arrive. Needless to say, another 20 minutes after the police officer arrived we where on our way to the airport. Fortunately, the flight was delayed. Unfortunately, I still missed the new flight. Instead of leaving for O'Hare at 8:50 I was placed, at NO charge (I know right!), on the 11:45 flight.

With this great headliner out of the way, I am exhausted from the ~~day's~~ morning's events. I intended on sharing more with you about the actual first day of orientation which is not yawn, hiss boring! I promise! Stay tuned for more details. Night.

Oh, just got back from washing my face and ~~brushing my teeth~~. Yeap, forgot the toothbrush. Yummy. Night. Night.

Happy Graduation

2011-06-02T00:10:00.001-05:00

BFA seniors are graduating on Friday, June 3rd. I was hoping to make it back for graduation to see three of the seniors I knew from the dorm last year graduate. BFA graduation is unlike any other graduation. For many BFA is a "home" away from home. Their friends, peers, mentors, teachers make up this "home." Some graduating seniors have been at BFA since elementary school! Others have been at BFA for just a year or two. No matter how long, it's always hard to say goodbye to "home." Graduation Day is a day full of joy, extreme excitement and sadness. As soon as the ceremony is over everyone gathers in the courtyard and says their goodbyes. And I mean everyone: students, parents, dorm parents, RAs, teachers, adminstration...everyone is hugging, crying, and despartely trying to get one last group photo. For most underclassmen this is their last chance to hug necks and say goodbyes as majority of them leave for the summer right after graduation. The seniors stick around one more night for their senior grad night. At a BFA graduation you experience such pride and joy and such grief and sadness as you say your last goodbyes.

Congratulations

Daniel, Army, and Trevor...You Graduated!

Love you much and wish I could have been there for your Senior year.

Army

Daniel

Trevor

First, Second, & Third Grade Science

2011-05-31T11:44:00.001-05:00

Just got an email from my principal who asked if I would be willing to teach 1st and 2nd grade science along side my 3rd grade teaching responsibilities. The 1st through 3rd grade classes are the bilingual classrooms. I will be teaching (yes, in English) American, Swiss and German kiddos. The 3rd grade science units already developed; however, the 1st and 2nd grade units are not. Over the next 6 weeks I am looking into finding resources to fit our 1st & 2nd grade units: animals, plants, teeth, health, water, butterflies... I taught 4th grade for 8 years and I taught science off and on through out the eight years. But I don't have science teaching materials for 1st and 2nd grade. The school has some resources but I am looking to add to and update the resources for the school.

Here's the need:

1. Science resources for 1st and 2nd grade: animals, plants, teeth, health, water, butterflies

2. Gift cards from teaching resource stores:

Lakeshore Learning (Friendswood...right next to the mall)
Mardel (Webster...next to Hobby Lobby)
The Teaching Cottage (League City...near Sudies restaurant)

I look forward to updating this blog from Germany and filling it with stories and ministry updates!

Next Year

2011-05-21T12:13:00.000-05:00

Starting this fall, I will be teaching a bilingual class of 3^rd graders at BFA’s Christliche Schule Kandern (CSK). This teaching position is full time and I will not be working in the dorm as I did for the past two years. I’ve moved out of the dorm and will be moving into my new apartment when I return. My friend Erin, a fellow previous RA, and I will live in a family’s apartment while they are on furlough this upcoming school year.

Teaching a bilingual classroom means I will teach half the day in English and a German teacher will teach the other half in German. The class is a mixture of MKs (missionary kids) whose parents serve at BFA, or whose parents are missionaries in the area, and German and Swiss students. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany so missionary families have the option of sending their children to CSK or German public school. CSK is a sister school to Freie Evangelische Schule (FES) in Lörrach, Germany, just 20 minutes south of Kandern. FES is the sponsoring school and overseer of CSK. Three years ago BFA’s elementary school Sitzenkirch and FES collaborated to create CSK. Previously, Sitzenkirch serviced the BFA community. Now the school is open to those desiring a bilingual education, a Christian school or both. It is a private Christian school with an application process and tuition. Lesson plans are based on the State of Baden-Württemberg educational elementary school requirements, and follow a joint curriculum designed by FES Lörrach and BFA to be taught in English and German.

Over the past three years the school’s population has quickly overwhelmed the small elementary school in Sitzenkirch (about 5 miles from Kandern). This summer the elementary school will be moving to Wollbach located only slightly further away from the Kandern campus than Sitzenkirch but to the south. It is a large school building perched on top of a hill. The move is planned for the beginning of June.

With the school in Sitzenkirch being vacated, a serious contemplation has involved the possibility of moving the middle school out to this location. This would give the middle school its own dedicated campus at the same time providing more space at the high school. These moves represent significant developments in the ongoing history of BFA. Administration is carefully praying and trusting that God will guide them through this process with the strong desire to make adjustments and changes in line with His sovereign will for BFA. With anticipation and curiosity BFA is looking ahead to what He has in store as He continues to utilize and prosper the ministry of BFA in the lives of our students, families, and staff.

BFA Missionaires

2011-05-17T06:31:00.000-05:00

As my support level inches closer and closer to 100%, as I am packing my bags getting ready to return to Germany my mind is heavy with thoughts and prayers for many of my BFA missionary friends who are also packing their bags but they are returning home to the states to raise support for the 2011/2012 school year.

Over the next two months, June and July, these friends will be back in their home states visiting family, friends and churches raising support so they can return to the place of ministry God has called them to at BFA. Many of these friends are current RAs returning to BFA in the fall in a new ministry position. Others are BFA missionaries on furlough this year in the states and Canada and hope to return to BFA in the fall.

Raising support is a humbling experience. But much more, it's an amazing process of watching God at work. A chance to see Him move in a mighty way through His people. I look forward to praying for my friends over the next two months. I look forward to hearing their stories of how God moved in a might way. I look forward to seeing their faces in the fall.

I look forward to hearing them say,

"Come and See. Come and listen to what God has done for me." Psalm 66

Blessings

2011-05-14T21:32:00.001-05:00

The next two months are all about taking full advantage of the time left with my family and friends. My sister, nieces Grace and Faith and I took a rode trip up to Dallas for a quick shopping trip at the American Girl store. It was a quick trip: left Thursday night and return Friday night. We stayed at a swanky hotel just across the street from the Galleria and just minutes from the American Girl store. We slept in, well as much as you can with a 5 and 8 year old, went swimming at the hotel's pool, and then headed off to the main attraction. The American Girl store is huge. It is a two story building with a salon, yes for the dolls, and a bistro, where we ate lunch. Grace and Faith each came home very happy girls! It was a great girls getaway!

We LOVE the Beaver!

Faith's beaver impression.

Having a lil fun in the swanky hotel!

Grace counting her monies.

Fixing the flip flops so the match the BIG day's outfit.

The BIG Day

THE American Girl Store

Faith bought matching glasses for her doll.

Grace, the animal lover, bought "Honey" the dog and two kittens she name "Cinnamon" and "Sugar."

The American Girl Bistro

Even the dolls had booster seats provided by the bistro!

This Year

2011-05-10T09:10:00.000-05:00

This year has been flooded with unknowns and showered with blessed lessons learned. The common question, “When are you going back?” followed by my sheepish answer, “I don’t know,” was an ongoing conversation. The unknown departure date was contingent on the support. The support was contingent on humbling myself at the foot of cross admitting my weakness, fear, and lack of passion towards raising the support. I am passionate about what God has called me to do at BFA. The lack of passion came from the fear of meeting with people, sharing with them God’s ministry at BFA, and asking them to take part in this ministry. What’s there to be afraid of by asking people to join God at work? I managed to make it about myself and not God. Once I was able to take “me” out of the equation it became a little bit easier. It was a daily battle reminding myself, “It’s not about you.” It’s still a battle.

Fundraising was my full time job this past year: A job in which I did not feel qualified or prepared to handle. I was completely outside my element and comfort zone. I’ve never before felt so inadequate. This job required less of me and more of Him. On a daily basis I was on my knees crying out in desperation. On the days I wasn’t before God, I was a mess; anxiety, fear, and doubt took over. This past year has been such an emotional and spiritual roller coaster.

With each passing return deadline: August, November, January, I grieved more and more each time. And with each passing deadline the more people asked, “What happens if you don’t get the support?” and I am sure many thought, “I wonder if this is really what God has planned for her.” For a brief moment, I allowed doubt to creep in but God quickly reminded me of His calling into foreign missions over three years ago. Philippians 4:6-9 continues to speak to me as it did in early 2008 when I was praying about BFA and moving to Germany. “Do not be an anxious about anything but in prayer and petition present your request before the Lord and His peace will transcend all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received, or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace of will be with you.” I knew then God was calling me to BFA just as I know now! Yes, it has taken longer than expected. It’s been a difficult year and it’s taken me time to process it and see God’s hand in it all. It’s been even harder to express in words and keep my blog updated. Any lack of communication on my part is due to the raw and vulnerable state I have been in throughout most of the year. Most days I wanted nothing more than to stick my head in the sand or draw up the covers and stay in bed! Processing it was a challenge in itself and proved even harder to share with others.

As I drew closer to God, He drew closer to me just as scripture promises. From early august I claimed several verses from Psalm 66, “Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf. Come and Listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me.” I knew then as I know now that God would provide. When I was down in the pit, I would quickly turn to Psalm 66 and be comforted by God’s word.

“Come and See. Come and Listen to all that God has done for me.”

My return date is July 10^th

Top 10 Must Haves

2011-05-07T21:43:00.007-05:00

I've been thinking a lot about what things I "have to have" with me in Germany and what I can live without or find substitutes in Germany. After living in Germany over two years, here's a list of the top 10 items I can't live without!

1. Dove Deodorant- A girl has to stick with what she knows. Plus, I've only found roll on deodorant in Germany. Not so pleasant. You have to oscillate like Julie Roberts in Runaway Bride while you wait for your roll on deodorant to dry. No kidding.

2. Cilantro- Can't find it in Germany. There are two Mexican restaurants in Freiburg, Germany, about 45 minutes from Kandern, but it's not really Mexican food. It's more like GerMex. The burrito I ordered had a green bean in it...not so Mexican. If I want good Mexican I gotta make it. Love my salsa recipe, which calls for cilantro.

3. Maple Flavoring- Syrup is very expensive in Germany. Most Germans don't use syrup so we have to buy it from the international section in the markets. In the dorms, we made our own syrup with maple flavoring brought over from the US.

4. Flavored Coffee- You can't find flavored coffee in Germany. I'll be packing Almond Joy from Whole foods and San Antonio Blend from HEB.

5. My ereader- For Christmas my parents gave me a Cruz which carries books from Borders. I plan on stocking it full of the latest new releases to savor over the next year.

6. Books for my classroom- I love teaching through books! Just the other day I sorted through a box of children's books I plan on taking to Germany with me. My intentions were to make two piles, "Go" and "Stay." As I looked through the box, I remembered all the lessons taught through each book. I stopped and shared with my mom and showed her the pictures the way any good teacher does! I LOVE books. I love using books to introduce or enhance a lesson. sitting on the living room floor with all the books in the "Go" pile I was reminded how much I love teaching!

7. Teaching Supplies- I've yet to find a store like The Learning Tree or LakeShore Learning in Germany. Nor would I really be able to find much in English. I've got a stack of posters and trim packed away ready to decorate my classroom!

8. Movies/DVDs- I LOVE movies. As usual I am stocking up on the movies I missed over the past two years. Since, I won't have cable when I return, I plan on stocking up on more movies and DVDs...I've got the LOST DVD seasons I missed over the past two years (I've not seen season 6 so don't talk with me about it) and I am stocking up on Psych and hope to take back a few seasons of The Big Bang Theory.

9. Teaching Resources- I've got 8 years of files to move. I'll be scanning most paper files into my computer. And a teacher has to have her timer, favorite stapler, EZgrader...all the little things that make me a happy teacher.

10. Customary Measuring Cups- Need I explain?

May, June, July

2011-05-04T21:27:00.008-05:00

Here's what the next couple of months look like:

-Sub as much as possible through the rest of May for CCISD.

-A much needed vacation with my mom the first week on June.

-Sagemont VBS 2nd week of June.

-Be my mom's nurse after yet another foot surgery during the 3rd week of June.

-TeachBeyond Orientation in Wheaton, IL the last week June.

-Attend Kandace Kent's wedding July 9th here in Houston.

-July 10th back to Germany!

In the in between...I need to figure out how to pack my personal items and my teaching resources in just 1 suitcase and 2 Rubbermaid containers. I have become a master packer over the past few years. It's amazing what I can organize into one suitcase. A high maintenance girl learns these things over the years!

Totalization Year

2011-05-03T20:59:00.005-05:00

Totalization what? Let me explain. No, Let me sum up.

Well, I had high hopes of returning to BFA in time for graduation the first weekend in June. However, to stay in compliance with the German and US Tax Treaty and remain in the US social security system (and stay exempt from paying into the German system), US citizens can stay in Germany for a total of 5 years before having to leave the country for a total of 366 days.

By staying a full year in the US ensures I can live in Germany for 5 years when I return in July. If I return before the 366 days are up, I would only be able to live in Germany another 2 years since I moved to Germany in 2008 almost 3 years ago this August.

So, with all that said, if I stay for a full year I can count this as my totalization year which means I need to stay in the US through the month of June thus missing graduation.

Downside:

-I miss seeing the boys from my dorm graduate!

-I do not get to say goodbye to friends not returning the following year!

Upside:

-More time with family (Sunday lunches, recitals, baseball games, cruise)

-More time with friends (Monday nights at the Moore house, running around with Kenzie, attending Kandace's wedding, the day before my flight).

-Spend a few precious weeks with my Grandpa when he moves to Texas a few weeks before I leave for Germany.

Come and See. Come and Listen.

2011-05-02T20:47:00.000-05:00

My return date back to Germany, back to Black Forest Academy, is July 10th! I am not quiet at 100% but I am super close! More and more pledges keep rolling in and TeachBeyond updates me weekly. Keep praying...

As I look back over the past year, an unaccepted year back in the states, I am grateful for all the many blessings. Over the past 2 years I have missed out on relationships with my family and close friends. It has been such a great blessing to be back in their lives:

Top 20 Blessings over the past Year:

(in no particular order)

1. Being with my family for my uncle's funeral in August.

2. Attending my niece, Faith, and nephew, Jonathan's base/soft ball games!

3. Attending my nieces', Faith and Grace, dance recital.

4. Mondays at the Moore house with Oliver, Zoe and just recently baby Karsten.

5. Bible Study: "He Speaks to Me" (Priscialla Shirer), "Faithful, Abundant, True" (Kay Author, Beth Moore, & Priscilla Shirer) and "Praying God's Word" Jim Cymbala.

6. New Church Home and Friends: Sagemont Church and Day One Class.

7. Watson Family Reunion in Hartshorne, OK.

8. Cruise with Mom in June!

9. I get to attend Kandace's Wedding July 9th: I was a youth leader at Gateway Community Church when I met Kandace, then 16, almost 5 years ago!

10. Baby Karsten!!!

11. Thanksgiving with Grandpa: My mother's father who lives in Hanford, CA. Grandpa is moving to Texas this June to live with my parents. Three generations will be living in the same house for a few weeks this summer!

12. Help pack up my parent's house in St. Louis and move them to Texas!!!

13. After 8 years of owning my own home, I put my townhouse on the market. As much as I love my house, it is time to move on.

14. Mike and Kenzie Malkemes welcoming Jonathan (from the 3rd ward) into their home!

15. Sunday lunch with my family.

16. My new mission: TeachBeyond.

17. Birthday's with the family!

18. Job at Falcon Pass Elementary school.

19. English Country Dancing on Friday nights!

20. Roland and Elsa's cutie patootie Sara Olivia Salinas!

Baby Karsten

2011-04-10T19:32:00.000-05:00

My very good friends, Brian and Angela brought home Karsten Edward Moore today. He was born on Thursday, April 7 at 5:09 am. Brian and Angela got a call late Tuesday evening about the potential adoption. The next 5 days were spent in constant prayer as the birth mom has 48 hours to make up her mind. On Saturday morning the mom was unsure of giving him up for adoption. She was released Saturday and went home needing one more night to sleep on it. Karsten needed one more night in the hospital until his hearing test. Sunday morning. The birth mother finally signed the papers Sunday morning. B&A got the call while still at church. The prayer group surrounded them in prayer and then they headed off to the hospital with high hopes of coming home with their baby boy. It wasn't until they saw the signed papers by the birth mother were they able to truly embrace their son! Welcome home baby Karsten!

MK Video

2011-03-13T20:08:00.000-05:00

Here's a GREAT video that completely sums up Black Forest Academy. I cry everytime I watch it. Several of the boys in the photographs are from the dorm I served. If you want a better understanding of why I do what I do or why a school like BFA exsist, watch the video!

Just a Quick Thought

2011-02-28T09:40:00.000-06:00

Just a quick thought. I am reading Forgotten God, suggested by a friend I've known since the good ole days of junior high, Lance Leonard. I'm just starting chapter one but have already been challenged just by two pages right after the acknowledgment page and before the start of chapter one. It's just a few pages describing the cover design. He starts the description by defining for the reader the difference between exegesis and eisegesis.

Exegesis: an attempt to discover the meaning of the text objectively, starting with the text and moving out from there.

Eisegesis: to import a subjective. preconceived meaning into the text.

"I was taught to interpret the Scriptures through exegesis alone. Start with God's Word; pray that the Spirit gives you clarity; then study to see what the text actually says...The word exegesis comes from the Greek word meaning "to lead out." As I have said, you start with the text and draw out its meaning. Eisegesis, on the other hand, is when you start with an idea or conviction, then search for verses in the Bible to prove your point. The danger in this is that we can take verses out of context to support just about any point of the view...The bottom line is that we can easily pursue just about any lifestyle we desire, then find scriptures to show everyone it's all right to live that way. But what would it look like to live exegetically? If we were to start with Scripture and allow it to dictate our actions, how would you live?"

He goes on the explain the cover comes from the idea that we cut and paste whatever ideas and verses work for us and from this we form our ideas of the Holy Spirit. The book's purpose is to "revise our tragic neglect of the Holy Spirit." I look forward to reading the rest of the book. The highlighter has already been used before hitting chapter 1. I believe there's gonna be some good stuff inside. I look forward to sharing more with you.

Spiritual Blinders

2011-02-21T08:57:00.002-06:00

My current Bible Study is Abundant, Faithful, and True. And Yes, I am still behind...thank you very much!

Yet again, today's post is from today's lesson:

Have your eyes ever been so fixed on Christ? What did this look like in your life?

It's like having tunnel vision...not being easily distracted...not actually seeing the distractions of life. I feel like I go in spurts. I have tunnel vision for a day or two and then I am easily distracted by fear or doubts. Lately, I have found comfort in Matthew 14:22-36 where Jesus walked on the water towards the disciples. Realizing it was Jesus walking towards them, Peter took a few steps out of the boat and onto the water. He took many steps toward Jesus but then was distracted by the wind and waves. He lost his tunnel vision. His focus switched from being on Jesus to the wind and waves which consequently left him sinking in the water. He cried out and immediately Jesus reached out his hand. "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

If only I could wear blinders like horses do. Many racehorse trainers believe these keep the horse focused on what is in front of him, encouraging him to pay attention to the race rather than other distractions, such as crowds.

My spiritual blinders = God's word. John 15:4-5 "Remain in me, and I will always remain in you. No branch can bear much fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear much fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." Uhm, yes, I will testify to that...AMEN...Hallelujar!

How do I remain in him? I gotta meet with God on a daily basis. I gotta be in God's word. It realigns me. It's God reaching out his hand to me as I am sinking in my own doing. God's word provides the tunnel vision and the much needed spiritual blinders!

Go..Remain in Him!

Game on!

2011-02-20T16:35:00.000-06:00

Today's blog comes again from promptings from my Bible study to which I am still behind...yikes.

How have you experienced the abundant, full, and overflowing life offered by Christ? In what ways has Satan attempted to kill, steal, or destroy the divine abundance Jesus has offered you (John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.)?

Satan does a great job of taking the victories I've experienced with God and trampling them with his lies. As soon as I taste victory in Christ, experience His strength in my apparent weakness Satan is right there as the everlasting party pooper. He does come to steal my joy in the Lord, kill any sense of victory in Jesus, and destroy peace that might transcend my own understanding.

God has done amazing things in my life over the past 8 months. I prayed that I might have "God colored glasses" in order to see Him at work in my life. God has been pretty busy in regards to my life. He's been molding and refining me in a mighty way. And I am not about to tell you how comfortable it is to be molded or refined! ;)

So when Satan comes in his ever so stealthy manner, I give him credit for that, I must step back and remember how faithful God has been to me. I am humbled at His faithfulness, graciousness, and forgiveness. Satan attacks Christians because we are a threat to him and his plan. I don't want to give into his attacks and give him any sort of pleasure or satisfaction. I know how it will play out in the end. Satan loses. God wins. Satan knows this too and is not about to go down without a fight. But I've got fight in me too! Game on.

Support Update

2011-02-19T20:00:00.001-06:00

Come and See. Come and Listen to what to Lord is doing...

I will boast in the Lord! As of today, I am at 81% of my needed monthly support! The percentage is based on new monthly supporters and current monthly supporters who supported me when I was serving with GEM. If all of my supporters make the switch from GEM to TeachBeyond then I am only 19% away from being 100% supported! I am still waiting for a handful of supporters to make the switch.

Come and See. Come and Listen to what the Lord is doing! He is moving peoples' hearts to take action and join Him in His minsitry at Black Forest Academy: Loving on Missionary Kiddos!

Come and See. Come and Listen to what the Lord is going to continue to do!

You Reap What You Sow

2011-02-18T12:10:00.001-06:00

My blog is a great place for me to come and sort out my thoughts after my quite times or Bible Study. Putting my thoughts in writing helps me clarify what's bouncing around in my mind. Seeing it on "paper" helps solidify it in my mind. Here are some of today's thoughts:

Here's what prompted today's blog entry from my Bible study (Yes, I am a few days behind so shhhh don't tell those of you doing the same study!)

"What does the expression 'delayed obedience is disobedience' mean to you?" Delayed obedience is me oebying when I am finally comfortable doing what God has asked me to do...or obedience comes after a pity party or a whine session. Disobedience is thinking it through too much. Disobedience is taking the time to determine what the comfort level will be once I decided to obey and detereming if it's worth the discomfort. But God desires for me to obey in the moment. That's faith. Obeying in the moment.

"Many experience the desire to follow God in a specific action only to have their desire swallowed up by laziness, greed, or fear. The Holy Spirit-inspired action remains undone because we delayed in its immediate application. Use Galatians 6:7 and Hebrews to write a personal challenge to yourself to begin acting immediately on the desires God grants you through His word."

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Hebrews 4:7 Again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts."

My challenge to myself: Whatever you, Carrie Beth, sow you will reap. You don't get to take a holiday in what you sow. You don't have the option of saying, "I am not planting today." Either I am sowing of the Holy Spirit or I am sowing of my flesh. Choose today, Carrie Beth, whom you will serve. Delayed obedience is making a choice. It's a loud and clear statement. Choose today.

New Mission Information

2011-02-01T15:16:00.001-06:00

TeachBeyond

Come and See; Come and Listen to what God has done for me: this has been my theme for the past 6 months. I am delighted to boast in the Lord. My time here in the States has not only been about raising support; God had this period set aside for many reasons, one of which was to switch from my present sending mission organization, Greater Europe Mission, to TeachBeyond, the founding mission organization of BFA. I will continue to serve at Black Forest Academy with TeachBeyond. “The name TeachBeyond best captures in two simple words our understanding of the Great Commission in Matthew 28, in which Jesus says, ‘go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you.’” TeachBeyond’s vision is to equip and place teachers in classrooms that offer a “redemptive change through missional education.” Missional education involves “relating life and learning to God and how his word equips students to be effective citizens and to be wise, not just productive.” TeachBeyond has a family feel to its organization. There are over 100 TeachBeyond missionaries serving in countries from Southeast Asia to Northern Africa, Brazil and various countries in Europe.

Why the switch? God has called me to Black Forest Academy on a long-term basis. This calling engages me in teaching and my love for living life alongside teenagers. GEM’s mission is to disciple all peoples in Europe through church planting. God’s mission for me and GEM’s mission may share in the same vision but the approach is different. Through prayer and numerous conversations, I’ve made the decision to switch to TeachBeyond. I look forward to serving alongside other TeachBeyond missionaries at Black Forest Academy.

Gifts/Support Given in the Past

Many of you a have given special one-time gifts or give monthly. No worries your donations will be transferred from my GEM account to my new account with TB by GEM. You don’t have to do anything! Future donations can be given through TeachBeyond.

Donations

Future donations need to be made through TeachBeyond. To give monthly or a special gift, go to http://www.teachbeyond.org/ and look for the orange "Donate" tab to the upper right hand corner of the page.

Focus

2011-01-31T17:12:00.003-06:00

At times I feel as if I've lost my focus, the end goal, the reason why. Today's blog is more of a reminder to myself of why I am doing what I am doing.

Almost 7 years ago now I knew God was calling me into foreign missions. For four years, I prayed about exactly where God was calling me. I heavily pursued Honduras, Kenya and Russia over the course of three years. Each time, after months in prayer, God whispered to me, "Thank you for being willing. But not yet. Be still and be content. I have you where I want you for now." Three years later I discovered Black Forest Academy. After reading up on their website (www.bfacademy.com) I fell in love with the idea of serving at BFA: a boarding school primarily for missionary children. How better to serve God than caring for the children of missionaries who are spreading the Gospel all over the world!

When I return, I'll be at BFA's elementary school which is also a support system to many other missionaries. A majority of the students are children of missionaries also serving in the BFA community. These parents made the choice to move their families across the world in order to serve God at BFA.

"Working" at BFA affords me the opportunity to serve God in areas I adore: teaching and working with youth. I did the same thing here in Texas: teaching 4th grade and "working" with the youth at Gateway Community Church. The "work" is no different. The call is no different. But God did asked me to serve him in Germany at BFA and leave behind the ministry He had once called me to here in Texas.

I am reminded of those I taught here in Texas as I have run into 3 of them over the course of the past 3 months. I have fond memories of the young man who is the cashier at my local Walgreens, the young man who, with a smile, handed me my fries and coke, and the third young man who helped me at Office Depot. And thank goodness to Skype and Facebook...I can still keep in touch with many of my small group girls from Gateway. We are in different stages in our lives now but I still love being apart of their worlds!

I look forward to returning to BFA and picking up the relationships I've had to leave behind for the year. I look forward to sharing with you the ministry highlights of my "job!" As much as I am looking forward, I will not look past this time God has given me to be back home!

Why I LOVE what I do (living life along side teenagers)...how can you not LOVE them?

Then...

And Now...

Future

Pictures of Ministry in the classroom!

The End Goal is in Sight!

Cake Balls Part 2

2011-01-30T21:49:00.006-06:00

After refrigeration, we rolled the dough into small one inch balls

(We used a melon scooper and a tablespoon).

You may want to wash your hands in between each batch!

Using a double broiler, we melted the chocolate.

We melted the chocolate in three different batches. Dipped a tray.

Then made more as we needed.

While melting the chocolate, we put the cake ball trays back in the fridge.

We added blue food coloring to the chocolate when it was melted

and used purple sprinkles later on down the line.

Using a spatula and a fork, we dipped the cake balls into the chocolate and let them dry on parchment paper. *At first I had them drying on a cooling rack but this was bad news bears. The chocolate dripped down in between the metal and hardened. Drying on parchment paper was a snap!

As soon as the cake balls where on the parchment paper, we sprinkled them...key...sprinkle right away! We waited too late on the first few and the chocolate had already hardened.

*Note to self: I will use about 3/4 the amount of cream cheese frosting in the future. The cake balls were just a little too gooey for me. Now I like gooey brownies but I like my cake balls a little more cakey than gooey.

However, if you like gooey, don't change a thing!

Happy Baking My Friends!

strawberry cake and cream cheese frosting from scratch

2011-01-30T18:31:00.002-06:00

Recipes as promised for the cake balls!...for my friends who can't buy the pre-made stuff and others who can stand the thought of store bought ;)

Homemade Strawberry Cake
Adapted from Paula Deen’s Hummingbird Cake
http://www.adashofsass.com/

Ingredients:
Nonstick vegetable spray
All-purpose flour, for pans
3 cups self-rising flour
2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cup pureed strawberries, strained*
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon zest
4 large eggs, beaten
red food coloring**

Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray and flour three 8-by-2-inch round cake pans, tapping out excess flour; set aside.
- Prepare the cake batter; in a large bowl, stir to combine self-rising flour, sugar, oil, pureed strawberries, vanilla, lemon zest, and eggs.
- Divide batter evenly between prepared pans, smoothing with an offset spatula. Bake, rotating pans halfway through, until the tops spring back when gently pressed with your fingertips, 26 to 28 minutes.
- Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto wire rack. Re-invert cakes and let them cool completely, top sides up.
- Prepare the cream cheese frosting (recipe below); frost as desired and refrigerate until ready to serve.
* You can use fresh or frozen strawberries. If you use frozen, let them defrost on a cookie sheet. Then place in a food processor and pulse until pureed. Run through a medium-sized strainer to remove the seeds. If you have some extra strawberries, try whipping up a quick batch of strawberry scones!

** While I did manage to avoid using red colored gelatin, I did add some food coloring to achieve that perfectly pink color. If you don’t care about getting the pink color, feel free to leave it out. I used about 5 drops, but you should add them one at a time until you achieve the color you are looking for.

Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
1 8oz package of cream cheese, softened
1 stick of butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
~ 3 cups (approx. 1 box) confectioners sugar (powdered sugar)
1 TBL milk (if needed)

Directions:
- Beat cream cheese and butter together until smooth.
- Slowly add the sugar in 1 cup batches until desired sweetness is achieved. You may need less than 3 cups if you like your frosting less sweet.
- Stir in vanilla. Add milk slowly if you need a looser consistency.

More to come on Cake Balls part 2...

Cake Ball Beginnings

2011-01-29T20:04:00.003-06:00

Today Faith, my niece, and I began part 1 of our cake ball experiment. I think my friends at BFA would love this recipe and the RAs would be considered the BEST EVER if they made these in the dorms! So, just for my RA friends, I've included a picture diary of each step. And I do have to confess to my international friends...I used a cake box mix and canned frosting. I know is cheating...but since I am here and the mix and can are here...I just had to. I am including a cake and frosting recipe from scratch for you guys since you don't have the luxury of buying the pre-made items. Part 2 will come tomorrow once Faith and I have completed the cake ball experiment.

Cake Ball Experiment Part 1

Follow the directions on the cake box.

(We used Pillsbury because Faith likes the Pillsbury Dough boy)

After baking the cake per instructions on the box, we let it cool completely, broke it into pieces and added them to the mixing bowl.

Once in the bowl, we crumpled the cake into fine pieces.

Next we added one can of cream cheese frosting to the crumpled cake pieces.

And then mixed them together.

This is what the mixture of cake and frosting look like completely mixed.

Cover and place in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours (ours is going in the fridge over night).

Part 2 tomorrow!

This is what you get to look forward to!

Bakerella

2011-01-27T21:14:00.002-06:00

I''ve had a hankering to make cake balls. I bought some the other day at Cakes by Jula in League City...heaven in a poppable treat and I haven't stopped thinking about them! I looked up the recipe online and found my new favorite site:

Bakerella

A Baker's Delight! She posts recipes with pictures and every thing looks DElicious!

ENJOY!

High Places

2011-01-25T13:04:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to share with you a portion of what I learned from
today's lesson from my Bible study, Abundant, Faithful and True. One of the scriptures was Habakkuk 3:16-19

I heard, and my body trembled, My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entereth into my bones, and I tremble in my place; Because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, For the coming up of the people that invadeth us. For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Jehovah, the Lord, is my strength; And he maketh my feet like hinds' feet, And will make me to walk upon my high places.

After reading the scripture I was confused at what "hinds' feet" meant. I had no clue. I did some research and found a hart is the male red deer and the hind is the female red deer. When the hind is running, her hind feet move forward and step precisely where her front feet had stepped. She is one of the most sure footed mountain animals.

With this knowledge, I gained I much better understanding of how Habakkuk compares our relationship with the Lord. He gives us sure footing and desires to walk hand in hand as we climb to the high places. These high places can be challenging and steep. But with feet like a hind, we can confidently climb to high places and tackle the roughest terrain.
Faith's obedience is clinging to God's faithfulness. He is our secure footing in times of harvest and desert. God's word tells me to exult Him no matter the circumstances. "If you cling to God's word- believe Him ,obey Him, not turn away not matter how difficult it gets- you will be able to preserve, to possess your soul. Your soul is what makes you, you. Faith wins! It keeps your heart and mind under control. This is what Habakkuk was doing in his declaration of faith. With faith, you can remain faithful no matter what you encounter. " Faithful, Abundant, True Kay Arthur

sportingagent.com

If It Leads Me Back

2011-01-24T11:29:00.001-06:00

I recently saw Linsday McCaul in concert. She is a new and upcoming Christian recording artist. She's a Moody graduate and solid! I took my niece Faith, 8, to the concert with me. Afterward, Faith and I got to chat with Lindsay, who was super sweet, and had our picture taken with her.
I am a big fan already. She has a full album coming out sometime this year. Here are two of her songs that have spoken to me in my place in life.
Check her out on facebook: Lindsay McCaul

ENJOY

If It Leads Me Back:
Chorus
so I will face the storm
and surrender all I have
If that's what I have to do
If it leads me back to you
I would walk a thousand miles
And crawl if I have to
If that's what I have to do
If it leads me back to you
And where you go I will follow
And where you lead, where you take me
I will go with you
So I will face the storm and surrender all I have
If it leads me back to you

Take My Hand:
Chorus
You are telling me faith is all I need
But fear is all I can find in me
and didn't you know that I'd be scared
Couldn't you see I was unprepared
I'm not asking for reasons you hold
or the safety of them
I just need you to take my hand
Cause I would be ok if you take my hand
I wouldn't be afraid if you take my hand
and all will fade away if you take my hand

God Delivers

2011-01-22T17:04:00.000-06:00

As I've blogged in the past posts, my theme for the past 6 months has been, "Come and See. Come and Listen" from Psalm 66. So please gather round...come and see. come and listen to what God has done.

I've not had a job since being back. I knew my main goal was to raise support. I didn't want anything getting in the way of this or taking time away from this. At the same time I didn't know how much longer I was going to be here. So I didn't know how a job would fit in the picture. I knew I needed one but one that would have flexible hours so I could still devote much of my time to fundraising. I started praying for a job back in November when I knew I wasn't going back to Germany in January. The job was gonna have to be of God from God. I tried many times registering on-line for a sub job but the registration was closed every time I logged on. I tried so many times I've lost count! I even called and asked when the next registration period would open up. I was told it wasn't going to. It might open in March but they weren't confident this would happen either. I was devastated. This was the district I had work for for 8 years. I knew so many people still in the classroom and in administrative positions. I sent out emails asking if anyone on the "inside" could help me out. Nothing. With this bubble popped, I decided to try a small district near by and the private school my niece and nephew attend. Seeking sub applications was on my to-do list just two Fridays ago. I never got around to this to-do list.

Angela, my friend here in Houston whom I known for over 11 years from when we met in a singles Sunday class and quickly determined we were two peas in the same pod, called me on Friday. We had talked earlier in the week about the job situation and she had given me a name of a principal in the smaller district I was seeking a sub application. But on this day, Angela had a different connection to share with me.

Angela works at an elementary school in the same district I used to work for and the same district I was having a terrible time getting back into. During this call, Angela shared with me she had decided to quit her job. With Brian's, Angela's husband, new job and the decision to put the house on the market and move closer to the new job, Angela knew it was time to move on and who better to take her place! So, yes, Angela called me two Fridays ago to ask if I would mind taking her job.

And so I met with the principal this past Wednesday and got the job! I will be working Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. It's not really work...I get the privilege of reading with small groups of third and fourth graders! It's perfect...I taught 4th grade language arts for 8 years. And there's more...the job will last until the end of April and I hope to have 100% of my support by then and hope to return to Germany at the end of May!

God is Good. Come and Listen...Come and See what gone has done!

Thank you Angela for thinking of me...two peas in a pod my friend!

Support Update

2011-01-18T12:50:00.000-06:00

Support Update as of Jan 18th

49.2%

Soooo super close to 50%

Life Right Now

2010-12-29T16:28:00.002-06:00

Come and listen, Come and See

Talk about seasons in your life…for me, I’ve labeled this time, back in the states, as a time of rest in the Lord. My desire is to draw near to the Lord in order to hear His voice more clearly and to not be so distracted by my to-do list, called life, that I miss out on seeing God at work around me. I’ve perfected the art of saying “Thanks! But no thanks.” Many have asked me to step back into roles I might have had before BFA but I knew God was asking me to just rest in Him. He’s needed for me to be right next to Him. Since asking me to slow down and spend more time with Him, He has so graciously revealed himself to me. He’s revealed the difference in my plans for getting back to BFA right away was not His plan. The sole reason for this time is to raise support; however, God has used this time to accomplish so many other things that weren’t even on my radar but were definitely a part of His master plan. I can see Him at work in so many different areas of my life. He is taking care of practical issues that need to be taken care of so I can be on the mission field long term. I look forward to sharing with you all that God has done for me. Many of the practical issues are still in the works. There will come a time for me to say, “Come and Listen. Come and See what God has done for me.” I look forward to boasting in the Lord!

God is bringing the support in on His time table and I have learned to step back and let Him call the shots! Many have asked, “Are you sure God is still calling you to Germany?” I can confidently say, “Yes.” But I will go on His time frame not mine! I would love to tell you when I am going back…when I know…you’ll know!

Support Update

2010-12-28T17:24:00.000-06:00

Lastest monthly support update:

12/28/2010

47%

Come and listen, Come and See

2010-12-02T17:55:00.000-06:00

Radical Faith

2010-12-01T23:34:00.003-06:00

I highly recommend his book Radical by David Platt. I've seen it on sale at Lifeway Family Bookstore.
Are you ready to be challenged?

Man, Is He all Knowing or What?

2010-12-01T16:40:00.000-06:00

God is Good. But still I m amazed when you chooses to bless me and I always am in awe of Him. This is a good thing...I should never loose being in awe of Him.

Today, I am feeling a little apprehensive. I've got tons to accomplish on the to-do list and much needed prayer time for phone calls to meet up with potential financial partners. My anxiety over this, led me to staying in bed too long this morning, watching too many morning shows, and playing with a stray cat. God is good to me. When I finally got around to spending time with Him, He gave me some gentle reminders.

Set your mind on My promises, not on the impossibility of your situation.
The key to stabilizing faith lies in choosing to believe Me, regardless of your situation.
Listen to the Holy Spirit- NOT Satan's whispered lies, which stir up uncertainties.
Trust in My divine nature instead of your feelings about the circumstances. (http://www.intouch.org/ Devotionals)

God is soooo good to me. He knows when to give me His gentle reminders!

The Lausanne Movement

2010-11-30T22:51:00.001-06:00

What is the Lausanne Movement?
It started back in 1974 with Billy Graham's desire to "unite all evangelicals in the common task of the total evangelization of the world." Leaders from over 150 different countries came together in Lausanne, Switzwerland for 10 days of prayer, worship, and discussion. A result from this gathering was The Lausanne Covenant which " 'is a Covenant with God, publicly declared, and a Covenant with one another;' it has proved to be one of most widely-used documents in modern church history. The Covenant has helped to define evangelical theology and practice, and has set the stage for many new partnerships and alliance." The second Lausanne congress met in 1989 and the third reconvened this past October in Cape Town, South Africa. "The goal of Cape Town 2010 was to re-stimulate the spirit of Lausanne, as represented in The Lausanne Covenant, and so to promote unity, humility in service, and a call to active global evangelization."

A 19 year old North Korean college student gave a powerful testimony during the gathering. Check out the video and minute long standing ovation at the end of her humble testimony!

YouTube- Powerful North Korean Testimony

Why?

2010-11-19T12:07:00.000-06:00

Because...Aren't they worth it!

Hercules!

2010-11-18T11:40:00.000-06:00

Newest update as of 11/18/2010

41%!!!

In God's Timing!

"Why Wait?"

2010-11-17T12:47:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to share today's devotional from Intouch Ministries (http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional). Today's devotional is the exact lesson God has been teaching me!

"On life’s road, crucial decisions are like intersections that call for a choice of direction. If we barrel through without seeking the mind of Christ, the road we pick may lead to regret and heartache. Although the Lord is ready and willing to offer clear direction, He doesn’t always give it quickly. Knowing that He has very good reasons for withholding immediate instruction can help us wait patiently at the intersection for His guidance.

At times God leaves us in our confusion because He wants to get our attention. When everything is running smoothly, we tend to forget the Lord. But uncertainty draws us back to Him like a magnet. By aligning our steps with His and walking in submission to the Spirit, we open our ears to hear His voice.

Our waiting time is God’s preparation time. In bringing about His sovereign purposes, He may put us on hold while He coordinates events to line up with His will. Sometimes the Lord has work to accomplish in us before we are ready to handle what He has planned for our future. If we instantly received His direction, we would never grow in faith. Spiritual maturity is evidenced in the ability to wait in peaceful confidence, trusting that in His time, we will know what to do.

If impatience tempts you to jump ahead of God’s timing at a crossroad of decision, you risk stepping outside of His will and missing His blessings. But by waiting until He gives clear direction, you will walk in His peace with certainty, instead of stumbling around in anxiety and confusion."

Psalm 25:4-5

"Show me your ways, O LORD,

teach me in your paths;

guide me in your truth and teach me,

for you are God my Savior,

and my hope all day long."

AMEN

Latest Report

2010-11-16T20:23:00.000-06:00

As of Tuesday, November 16th

39%

Anyone want to be that new partner that pushes it to 40%?

I just need one person at $60/month

2 people at $30/month

to reach 40%

Is it going to be YOU?

BFA Staff Needs

2010-11-11T09:35:00.000-06:00

Need a change of scenery?
Want to live internationally?
Love teenagers?
Love to teach?
Do you have a desire to be a part of the Great Commission, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions...then Black Forest Academy could be just the place for you! Listed below are the staff needs for the 2011-2012 school year:

Faculty Needs:
High School
Vice Principal
English
PE
Science
Bible
Algebra
Coaches
Counselor
ESL/ELL
Applied Business

Middle School
Vice Principal
Math
English

Elementary
PE
Art

Residence Staff Needs (In the Dorms)
Dorm Parents
Resident Assistants (male and female)

Support Staff Needs
Personnel
Maintenance
Nurses
Finance
IT
Front Desk
Library
Graphic Artist
Admin. Assistants

Check out BFA's webpage www.bfacademy.com

Email: Personal@BFAcademy.com

submissive to the Lord's Timing

2010-10-28T08:58:00.000-05:00

Here are just a few more challenging thoughts from Priscilla's Bible Study. These thoughts come from the lesson entitled, "Submissive to the Lord's Timing." So many things hit home during this lesson: learning to be patient in God's timing towards bringing in the support and getting married, if I get married.

During God's 'sacred seasons' for our lives He might give us pieces of information about what may occur but in our anxiousness to see it come to pass, we tweak the plans to fit our desires and goals.
I can relax in God's timing and enjoy the gift of life.
Our lack of patience indicates we don't really believe the God we claim to trust.

Ouch! I can definitely say that I have felt the need to "help" God move things along. His way...way too slow! But in the end, I aways look back and regret "helping" God move things along. My "help" really means I don't trust God. Sister is learning to back off and let God have His own way...which is SO much greater! Again, I just need to move out of the way so God can move in a might way! I'm gonna work on sittin' back and enjoy the ride.

Submission

2010-10-27T15:41:00.002-05:00

"Hello God it's CB...I hear you loud and clear!" I said aloud (only in my head) multiple times during the video session of Bible study this morning, Today was the last session of Priscilla Shirer's "He Speaks to Me." I highly recommend it! This past week dealt with being "A Servant Spirit." Each day touched on a different area of submission we must yield to as servants of God: Submissive to the Lord's assignment, the Lord's Challenges, the Lord's desires, the Lord's authority and the Lord's timing. God spoke through Priscilla to me throughout this week and this entire Bible study.

Since being home to raise support, I've looked at this time off the field, besides raising the support, to rest in the Lord. I have said "no" to many opportunities to serve over the past two months. I don't want to add anything more to my plate. I really want an empty plate so God could fill my empty cup. I want to be 100% available to hear from God. I want nothing to distract me from the voice of God. I want to draw near to God. God has used this Bible study to speak to me on a daily basis (or at least on the days when I decided to meet with him...still working on that one...it's gotta be a daily thing!). Today's final video session from the BS was written just for me. I felt as If God was sitting right next to me talking to me! Here's what God told me through Priscilla:

Submission is the heart of servanthood
Are you willing to completely submit to God?
To be a true servant of God you have to be willing to:

Leave your own comfort and satisfaction (Ouch! Yes, God, I hear you! I am experiencing this discomfort you speak of!)
Remove the hindrances

expectations of life
materialism
procrastination

Take up your towel (In reference to Jesus washing the feet of his disciples in John 13:1-17)

The towel are the appropriate tools for the task
What tools has God already given you?
God will give you the tools you don't already have to accomplish the task)

Being a servant is not about your talk; it;s about your walk: ACTIONS!

I have SO much more to share from this book...more to come later!

He Speaks to Me: Preparing to Hear From God Priscilla Shirer (Daughter of Dr. Tony Evans)
Click the title to check out the book from her website!

Fear

2010-10-26T13:44:00.001-05:00

Latest update...37.5%

God is faithful to me even though I am still sitting in fear. Fear of what? Fear of picking up the phone, calling other Christians and asking if I could simply meet with them to share about the ministry God has allowed me to be apart of and ask them to become a partner in this ministry. It's so easy for me to write this but then actually picking up the phone has been so hard. I must admit this has been the hardest thing I've ever had done. Many look at my struggle and ask, "Are you sure God is still calling you?" My answer is YES. "We often encounter great challenges as we walk in obedience to God. The greatest challenge of all might just be getting used to the fact that sometimes His assignments are different than the plans we had for our lives (I never imagined myself relying on God's complete financial provision). God sometimes wants to demonstrate to us truth about ourselves or Himself. Only through trials do we move from theoretical to practical faith." Priscilla Shirer

I am my own stumbling block. I pray I can move out of this fear and move out of God's way so He can show me his continued Faithfulness. He has been Faithful to me, is currently Faithful to me, and will continue to be Faithful to me. I need to show my faithfulness to Him!

My theme verse during this period of raising support comes from several verses in Psalms 66:

"Come and See what God has done. Come and Listen to what God has done for me."

I look forward to sharing with you God's faithful provision of 100% support!!!

2010-10-12T17:50:00.000-05:00

"Satan is the reason for ministry," Kim exclaims with encouragement as she tries to reassure me in my ministry. God has called me to serve the kiddos at Sitzenkirch elementary school. I have the privilege of teaching them not only academically but spiritually. And that's what I get excited about. Right now, my ministry is finding others who want to share in the joy of loving, nurturing, and teaching these kiddos! I need people willing to join with me so I can serve as an extension of our partnership.

As I met with my "coach" today on Skype (gotta love Skype!), she reminded me, "Satan is the reason for ministry." He's going to do everything he can to stop those who are trying to stop his advances. Well, let me tell you he's doing a number on me. As I work to find more partners, Satan is equally working just as hard to keep me at 32%. It's a daily battle...minute by minute. Satan sneaks the smoothest lies into my head. And he gets me with them every time. It's an emotional roller coaster battling it out with Satan. But Praise be to God for scripture! When Jesus was tempted by Satan three times, Jesus fought Satan back with scripture. He quoted God's word just like a sword!

So, Satan Here ya go...

-I will not fear "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you."

-I will boast in my weakness "But he said to me; 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"

Still in My Mind

2010-10-07T13:07:00.002-05:00

I hate that negative voice in my head that belongs to Satan. He is the master at popping every bubble! Recently, Satan has been firing arrows of lies, doubt, fear, and anxiety my way. I went to bed with anxiety weighing me down and I felt the pressure of it first thing when I woke up this morning. I dove into my time with the Lord searching for relief. God is good! He IS my comforter. I am in week 4 of a Bible study by Priscilla Shires, daughter of Dr. Tony Evans (my Houston readers might know his voice from KSBJ). Today's lesson title was "Still in My Mind." She calls it a spiritual war of our minds. AMEN! Here are a few things I highlighted from today's lesson:

-Our minds are one of the hardest areas for us to control, yet they are often the easiest for Satan to use against us.

-When we listen to God's voice, the devil fears us. He will do anything to hinder us from hearing God.

-We we recognize our true enemy we know where to direct our spiritual weaponry.

-Our enemy is a spiritual being who fights a spiritual war against us. Satan's goal and desire is to fill our minds with arguments and strongholds that will keep us from a close relationship with God.

-We need weapons of divine power to fight the supernatural battle of the mind. The shield of faith provides protection for the soldier's entire body. Heavy and cumbersome, the shield caused them discomfort but often proved necessary to save their lives. Like those shields, faith in Christ can cause discomfort. In a world that does not believe in the validity of God or his word, faith will often demand uncomfortable choices.

-To know and understand the Scriptures is to know and understand God's power!

-Matthew 4:1-11 Describes how Jesus uses Scripture as a dagger against Satan's attempts to manipulate Him. Each time Jesus responded with, "God's word says…"

-Getting our minds under control is not a battle we can win once and for all. We have to remain alert.

Satan knows I am trying to align my life with God's will for me. I desire to hear God's Voice. I yearn to be in His presence and watch him work. Satan is doing his best to dissuade my attempts to draw near to God.

But I have all the tools to battle this fight! And YOU do to! Draw near to God and He will draw near to you!

Cobb Salad Pizza

2010-09-29T17:11:00.002-05:00

If you are a fan of pizza but always decide on the salad when you are out at a restaurant...You have got to try this recipe. I don't usually post recipes...but this Cobb Salad Pizza is just divine! I made it the other night and plan on making it for my parents when they come back into town next week.

Now if you want more recipes, you gotta check out my friend Angela's blog.

Cobb Salad Pizza

Ingredients
1 (11oz) can refrigerated thin-crust pizza dough
Cooking spray
1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (I don't like blue cheese so I just used a pizza mix cheese)
1 T ev olive oil
1 T white vine vinegar
1/2 t Dijon mustard
1/4 t black pepper, divided
3 slices applewood-smoked bacon
1/2 quartered cherry tomatoes
2 cups mixed baby greens
1/2 cup diced peeled avocado

Directions
1. Pre-heat the oven to 425
2. Unroll dough on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray; pat dough into a 14 x 12- inch rectangle. Lightly coat dough with cooking spray. Bake at 425 for 8 minutes or until golden. Remove from the oven; sprinkle with 2 T cheese. Set aside (I used my large Pampered Chef baking stone; I rolled the dough out into a circle).
3. Combine oil, vinegar, mustard, and 1/8 t pepper in a large bowl; stir with a whisk (I added about 2 T of chopped capers).
4. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan; crumble into oil mixture.
5. Add tomatoes, greens and avocado to oil mixture; toss gently. Top crust evenly with mixture; add remaining cheese.

It's easy and yummy...ENJOY!

Saturday in Houston

2010-09-26T22:00:00.000-05:00

This Saturday I spent the morning with Taylor (one of my Gateway girls). First we headed off to the farmers market in Houston. And since we were downtown we had to stop by Crave!

It reminded me of the Food Network show The Great Truck Food Race

But Fundraising is a Part of Your Ministry

2010-09-24T15:35:00.000-05:00

Today's update:

Yesterday I was at ~~33%~~ and today I am at 35%.

Thank you to yet another $50/month supporter!

"If God has truly called you for Christian service, He will provide, even in a bad economy."

Scott Morton of Funding Your Ministry

It's happening!

2010-09-23T15:45:00.000-05:00

Support Update!

I have moved from ~~30%~~ to 33% of my total needed monthly support! I only need $2997 more a month. Many blessings to my two supporters who are giving at $100 a month!

THANK YOU.

Stay tuned for more updates!

God is good.

God is good no matter what!

Embrace the Pain

2010-09-23T15:22:00.000-05:00

For the past two weeks I have been taking an online course on support raising. It has been wonderful and I have learned so much. There are around 8 of us in the class with one instructor. We use webcams so we can all see one another. We are also reading Funding Your Ministry (great book if you are going to be raising your own support). The class has been a huge support system for me. It is great to know their are others out there in the same boat as me. It's a huge encouragement meeting with them on a daily basis!

I just wanted to share with you some words from the founder of this course...

"Raising support for faith ministry is terrifying. If you are thinking about doing it and you are scared, you are normal. If you aren't scared you may be a little strange. Once you have confronted the issue of the basis for raising support and found it is sounds, once you have determined it is indeed God's calling for your life personally, and once you have decided to stick with it as long as it takes, there is one final hurdle that will make or break you. It is the issue of pain. Pain is the big one. It is overwhelming, brain paralyzing, the universal missionary-devouring enemy of all time.

The pain happens because support raising, like many Kindgom concepts, runs radically counter to our culture. In fact, it is downright repulsive. It calls for dependence on others and we are brainwashed to be independent. It calls for patience but we want it all now. It calls for courage; we are cowards.

A good analogy of thriving on pain is the way a sailboat gets to where it is going. There are three forces at work when a sailboat moves through the water: there is the force of the wind, the resistance of the water and the attitude of the sail. Let's apply them one at a time;

Force of the Wind

Let's say the wind represents the power of your calling and the drive behind your dream to serve in ministry, God told the apostle Paul, "...be my witness to all men of the things (you) have seen and heard' (acts 22:15). That calling was the wind in Paul's sails. It is very likely the same kind of wind that drives you in your ministry dream.

The Resistance of the Water

The resistance of the water represents the pressure and the pain of uncertainty, the humility and outright rejection you face, not only in raising your support but in your whole lifetime of confronting a fallen culture.

I find it fascinating how Jesus faced pain. He had to know the blows, the welts, the lacerations, the spikes and the humiliation of hanging naked between two criminals was going to hurt. During those last days, however, he did nothing to escape it. In fact, everything he did was calculated to guarantee it. When witness hurled false charges he clammed up and didn't deny them. When they accused him of saying he was the Son of God and King of the Jews he readily admitted it. He mustered and engaged all the physical strength he had in order to endure the beatings and then haul his own cross up that hill.

The Attitude of the Sail

The attitude of the sail represents your mindset. Jesus set his mind to embrace pain as a key element in redeeming his church. Now, in fact he is calling on you to the very same mindset. You get to suffer with him in the process of redeeming his church.

Would you agree the Great Commission could and should have been done centuries ago? It hasn't been done because church has been in non-compliance with Jesus' final instructions. Individual believers are in non-compliance. The western church is in non-compliance. We have God's promise that if the church were to comply it would be enormously blessed. Individuals would be enormously blessed. As it is, they suffer for their non-compliance and probably don't even know it. They rarely think about it.

The one mindset that will put you squarely into your designated role in the schemes of redemption is this: In order to connect the church with the promised blessing you will not only suffer pain, you will be a pain! Jesus' death and resurrection was a huge intrusion on the world's comfort zone. The gospel is an intrusion. Evangelism is an intrusion. The Great Commission is an intrusion. Raising Support is an intrusion.

But here is the good news: The pain doesn't last forever. From the outset it looks like it will dog you forever, but it will not. It is like the pain of childbirth. When the little bundle of joy is birthed, the pain is quickly forgotten.

Hebrews 12:2 gives Jesus' secret to embracing pain: "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of god." "

Jerry Long

Check it out!

2010-09-22T14:27:00.002-05:00

For a quick peek at the quaintness of the Black Forest area in Germany, take a look at this time lapse video put together by Chris, my fellow RA from last year at Sonne.

It's like a postcard set into motion.

Time lapse video of Quaintness

Lorrach, Germany

2010-09-20T08:30:00.000-05:00

Please keep the people of Lorrach, Germany in your prayers. There was a terrible shooting in the city yesterday (just 25 minutes away from Kandern where BFA is located). Please be praying for the city and for many to turn to God during this time of tragedy. Lorrach is a popular place where many from BFA go to shop. On almost any given weekend, one of the seven dorms is likely to have a van or two of students out and about.

There are many missionary families living in lorrach. Please pray for these families and the people of Lorrach. May this be a time of great strength for these missionaries as they reach out to comfort their city!

News article and video (in English)

Thank You BFA

2010-09-19T14:52:00.000-05:00

Thank you BFA for the beautiful flowers!

Time with the Family

2010-09-18T12:24:00.003-05:00

As I wait upon the Lord, I get to spend more time with the family! Last night I babysat for my sister and brother-law. They have four kids: Jonathan and Faith (8), Grace (4) and Hope (2). We went to the grocery store and bought everything we needed for our homemade pizza. It was a fun evening of pizza, Scooby Doo, and cookies! Can it get any better?!

My Ministry

2010-09-17T10:21:00.003-05:00

The Million Dollar Question

2010-09-09T15:39:00.002-05:00

"When are you going back?" Here's an update to that million dollar question. The plan right now is for me to return to Germany late December so I can start teaching at the beginning of 2^nd semester (as well as there being a whole where I was going to teach, the 2^nd grade teacher found out she has cancer and is in the states receiving treatment. A staff of just 6 was whittled down to 4. The administrators scrambled to find replacements for the two of us). There's a catch before I can go back…isn't there always. As long as I have 100% of my support then I can go back. The second million dollar question: How much more do you need? Well, since you asked, I need 33 more monthly supporters at $100 a month or 66 supporters at $50 a month. Currently, I have around 30% of my total needed monthly income. Why do I need monthly supporters? Well, let me explain. The more monthly supporters I have the longer I can stay on the field. God has called me to the mission field. Teaching at BFA is my full time job. My full time income comes from monthly supporters. Raising support on one time gifts means at some point in the future, more than likely just after a year, I will come off the field, return to the states to raise more support once the onetime funds are depleted. Do I love and appreciate every one time gift…ABSOLUTELY! Four months should be enough time for me to raise the support. So, I will be spending the next four months in Texas raising the support.

Over the next four months I will be living in Friendswood, TX in my old townhouse. Monday I start a three week online training course focused on raising support. It's been a big adjustment for me. Just two weeks ago the boys returned to the dorm and a few days later school started at BFA. It's been an adjustment as my heart and passion are for BFA but God has me here in the states. As much as my heart aches to be in Germany, I also know God has given me a gift. Four months to rest in Him. Four months replenishing my cup. Four months of blessed time with family and friends. God has already made it clear to me in many ways why I am here and not in Germany. With the unexpected passing of my uncle just two weeks ago, I am so grateful to be with my family during this time!

The Desert Song

By Hillsong

Paraphrased verses

This is my prayer in the fire, desert, battle, or harvest…

Bridge

All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

Why did you doubt?

2010-08-26T12:14:00.002-05:00

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

"Lord if it is you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord save me!"

Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said "why did you doubt?"

Matthew 14:26-31

"You, Carrie Beth, of little faith…why do you doubt?" God has asked me to take a step of faith and step out in the world of missions. I answered that call. I took that first step out of the boat. I gave up my teaching career; I moved to Germany, I sold almost everything I own. I miss out on the day to day interactions with my family and friends. I ask others to support me. I've spent two years on the mission field. God is faithful. His given me faith stewards to support me in my first two years on the field. Now I am sinking as God asks me to take another step towards him on the water. I'm starting to sink as my faith is wavering. I believe He has called me to the field…but I am allowing doubt to enter in as life becomes just a bit tough, as the waters start to lap at my feet and bypass my ankles to my knees. But just as I start to sink, God reaches out his hand and asks, "CB why are you doubting? Where is your faith? Have you placed it in your ability to raise support? Have you placed it in a world that is supposed to be easy?" Praise be to God who knows me and is willing to save me on a daily basis. Praise be to God who gently reminds me He is in control not me! Praise me to God who desires to know me and pursues a relationship with me! Praise be to God!

Me… and YOU…of little faith, have a God who's come to bring us back to him! Praise be to God!

Have Thine Own Way Lord

2010-08-19T16:25:00.001-05:00

I've got one of the best spiritual cheerleaders. I think of her as an aunt though we aren't blood related. I've attended Bible studies and enjoyed "family" gatherings at her home. I refer to her as my spiritual cheerleader because that's exactly what she is. She's always ready to share the newest Christian book she's just read or more importantly she encourages me through this thing called life. On numerous occasions I get a little letter in the mail from her. It's a note of encouragement or it's a copy from her devotional that day with highlighted excerpts just for me!

This time the note was just perfect, as they always are, for where I am at in my journey in life. The title of the devotional is "Have Thine Own Way Lord." The message was clear. The message was uplifting. And as always it was such an encouragement.

Have thine own way Lord, have thine own way! Thou art the potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still. Mold me and make me after thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalm 27:14

"I am willing, Lord, to receive what thou givest, to lack what Thou withholdest, to relinquish what Thou takest, to surrender what Thou claimest, to suffer what Thou ordainest, to do what Thou commandest to wait until Thou says 'Go.'"

Thank you to my very own spiritual cheerleader…this is just what I needed!

Psalms

2010-08-12T14:56:00.000-05:00

I am in the process of reading through Psalms but I haven't gotten very far. I am only at chapter 5 but today I reverted back to chapter 3. I love digging into scripture and camping out for a few days on select passages. This morning I turned to Halley's Bible Handbook to give me the behind the scene look into David's mentality as he wrote the 3rd chapter of Psalms. The chapter was written during Absalom's (David's son) rebellion. David fled from his son and this is where the emotions of chapter 3 are derived.

"But you are a shield around me, O LORD;

you bestow your glory on me and lift up my head.

To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep, and I awake again, because the LORD sustain me.

I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.:

So, David and I aren't exactly in the same situation. My head isn't wanted on a platter. But I imagine we share in our anxiety together. I love how at the end of the day David is confident in the LORD enough to be able to sleep through the night. How many times have you or I been kept awake because our mind won't shut off., The anxiety runs like adrenaline through our weary body that justs wants to sleep but can't. I love what Halley's Bible Handbook states about chapter 3, "David's Trust in God...At the time of Absalom's rebellion...A most remarkable example of Peaceful Trust at a very trying time. He could sleep because 'God's hand was his pillow.'" I love this...if only I could leave my troubles at the foot of the cross and allow God to be my pillow!

My Rendition

2010-08-09T11:12:00.001-05:00

Psalms 3

O LORD, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
Many are saying of me,
"God will not deliver him."
Selah
But you are a shield around me,
O LORD;
you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.
To the LORD I cry aloud,
and he answers me from his holy hill.

My Rendition of Psalms 3

O, LORD what an enormous amount
of support I still need to raise.
How the doubt wants to rise up inside!
How many lies will Satan shoot my way?
Who else has he enabled to dream the
dream God has given them?
Selah (pause)
But You, O LORD, are my great provider!
You bestow your love and guidance on me
and lift up my head!
To You, Lord, I cry out and You hear my cries
and comfort me.

Today

2010-08-08T22:06:00.001-05:00

"Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statues. Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me."

Psalm 119:125,132,133