The Beauty of the Incomplete

I find it funny how God speaks when we least expect it. Up until last week, I wasn’t exactly sure what to write in this update but now I do.  On April 22nd I felt prompted to take a walk and to take my camera along. I knew I wanted to get some pictures before the rain came, but I had no idea that God was going to use my love for photographing nature to reveal what He has been teaching me.

With each picture I took, I couldn’t help but notice how each flowering plant was an “incomplete” picture.  They were all in a state of transition from bud to blossom or blossom to leaf.  Some flowers were just pushing through; others were dying.  The more pictures I took the more I realized that God was speaking.

We are part of God’s creation and we live in a fallen world just like the rest of the creation. However, why is it that we find beauty in the transitions we see around us and yet fail to see transition as something beautiful in ourselves or others?  Our lives are beautiful, incomplete transitions.

                    Many times, we either focus on the blossoms that have bloomed...

...or the ones that haven’t.  

We tend to focus on one part and miss the big picture of how God is at work.  I was recently reminded at church to be looking intently for hoe God is at work in my life and in the lives of those around me.  God used this reminder and the beautiful transitions in creation to help me bring the last two months into perspective.

Portugal

I spent the first week of spring break in Portugal with a Service Project Team (SPT) from BFA.  The week was filled with outreach activities, children’s ministry and spending time with a local youth group. On the second to last day the youth group took us on a sightseeing trip of Lisbon.  It was a treat to hear about the city and culture from those who live there. 

Walkway along the water, looking out at the Atlantic.

Park Outreach

Torre de Belem - a Famous "light house" outside of Lisbon

Just one moment of a 45 minute balloon battle

Bracelet Making 

Portuguese Youth Group + our SPT Team   

Arts and Crafts time!

With all the things I had to focus on during the trip, I think I learned more once we left.  I was able to see that I was focusing on the blossoms that had yet to bloom in the lives of others and in my life rather seeing the whole picture of a growing community.

Vienna

Just 3 days after I returned from Portugal, I found myself heading towards Vienna, Austria to participate in the Association for Christian Schools International (ACSI) Music Festival.  Originally, I had planned to go along to support students that I had met through the music program; however, a few weeks before we left I was asked if I wanted to play in the orchestra!  Of course, I said “Yes!”.  

We got to see the Alps on the way! 

My arrival in Vienna was a memorable one.  I had traveled in a day early with the equipment van and was going to meet up with the rest of the group at a hostel.  When I got there, I greeted the group and then ran upstairs drop off my luggage.  By the time I returned to the lobby, the entire group was gone.  I found out later that they had divided into two groups.  Each group thought I was with the other and unbeknownst to them I was sitting in the lobby of the hostel.  So, I just sat there until other ACSI groups arrived.  

Just one of the many beautiful buildings in the city

In that moment I could have panicked – ok, maybe I did a bit- but it was a great opportunity to meet others who were there for a different teachers’ conference and other ACSI members.  Eventually, we were all reunited and ready to start our “week” of preparation.

The festival included an orchestra and choir made up of students from at least 10 ACSI schools across Europe. We had two and a half days of rehearsals, with a sightseeing trip squeezed in.  At the end of the week, two concerts were performed and the choir even sang a piece outside of the main cathedral in the city.  The people loved it.

ACSI Music Festival Orechestra

Nothing demonstrates the beauty of the incomplete as much as music does.  Musicians always see areas that we can improve and most of the time the audience isn’t even aware that something was played incorrectly or missed.  There have been times where I have never felt satisfied with the way I played something.  While we should strive for excellence in all that we do, I could see in this trip that something beautiful was still created.  It was not only beautiful to those listening but it was beautiful to our creator.  He knew we were playing to worship him and bring him glory. 

Until next time, Ivy 

The One Who Makes Order from Chaos

Hello Everyone!  Today marks seven months since my arrival in Germany.  It has been quit the adventure.  Here is a re-cap of the last four months.

·       In November, I found myself out of school for a week because of food poisoning. During that time, I was blessed to experience the care of the community of believers here.  People stepped up to run to the grocery store, others brought me flowers and some came to visit. While I did not enjoy being ill, I was thankful for the opportunity to see this part of our community.

·       December brought the end of a semester and the start of the basketball and musical seasons.  I was able to participate in the pep band, playing a school baritone.  My bassoon arrived here safely; so, I played it in the pit orchestra for the school’s musical “Fiddler on the Roof”.  

·       In January, I was blessed to be visited by my cousin!  She stayed with me the last week of break before school started up again.  It was encouraging to see family and with the help of my friends, I was able to show her this little corner of the world.  She participated in my first bus riding experience and didn’t complain when we missed our stop and had to walk a good 10 minutes back to the place we wanted to go.

 I ended the month going to the AGIS (Association of German International Schools) teacher’s conference in Hannover.  It was a great cultural and educational experience, and I was appreciative of the things I learned from other teachers. I have even been able to use those things in my classes.

·       February was a month of mixed emotions and no, it had nothing to do with Valentine’s Day.  Pep band ended, as did the musical, and I realized how important it was for me to be involved in music groups.  Playing the music was life giving but the highlight was being able to meet and build relationships with students other than the ones in my classes. 

·       March…wait, it is just beginning; however, there is more to share.  Over spring break, I will be co-leading a service project trip to Portugal!  We will be teaching for a VBS like children’s program, participating in community activities, and be working with teens. Our interactions will include music and EFL ( English as a Foreign Language).

Shortly after I return from Portugal, I will be accompanying BFA students to Vienna, Austria to participate in and chaperone for the ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) Music Festival.  Please pray for the students, staff and me as we make both of these trips. Pray that God would be glorified in and through us.

In one class this past week, we were talking about poetry.  I was inspired to reflect on the past couple months through this literary style.  Thank you again for your prayers and partnership! 

Each day is something new,

With things to see and things to do

Lessons to plan, quarrels to settle

Letting God command, not me mettle

Through it all God is teaching me,

That He rules victoriously

The battles I face, inside and out

Are something that he knows all about

Through joys and losses, I am stretched

Challenged to do my very best

But I fall short on my own accord

I must submit and know that He is Lord

Lord of my life in so many ways

I am called to serve and obey

Each student reveals God’s glory

I am humbled to be part of the story

God is weaving their lives into mine

Only he knows the purpose behind

He is God above all else

He turns my chaos to order in spite of myself

It’s not easy, yet I will proclaim

Praise and honor to His name!

Ivy 

The Simple Joys in Life

Fall in Kandern

I have often wondered what life would be like without the simple joys with which God blesses us.  At the same time, I have wondered what it is like to experience simple joys without having your joy made complete in Jesus Christ.   This last month has embodied these thoughts in multiple ways. 

To be honest, my first few days of school were not the easiest.  Very quickly I realized that I was not as prepared as I thought.  God used this time of uncertainty to teach me about humility and the importance of a teachable spirit.

Through this, I gained a greater appreciation of the gifts and skills of others.  I learned that it is acceptable to admit weakness but not dwell on it.  Christ calls us to work as unto him, not man.  This means we push forward in His strength.   I’m extremely grateful for the people God has brought alongside me during this time.

God did not let me stay in a discouraged state.  He gave me the simple joy of remembering the home school education I received.   My role here at BFA requires me to create “curriculums” to best meet the needs of the students.  My Mom did this for my sisters and me for around 20 years.  Her example has helped me in so many ways I wouldn’t know where to start.  Thanks Mom!

The second week of school was Spiritual Emphasis Week.  Our speaker was a BFA alumni and God used him greatly to speak into the lives of the students.  The main theme of the week was “Jesus REALLY Loves You!”.   Despite our guilt and shame, we are loved so much by God that he gave his Son Jesus to forgive us and cleanse us. 

While there are many things I could share in relation to the week, one in particular stood out to me.  The speaker shared “Don’t focus on NOT sinning but on Loving Jesus”.  He explained that it is easy to become “work” driven in our Christian life by trying to keep ourselves from falling into sin.  Instead, we should put our energy and focus into loving Jesus and the sins that distract us will fall away one by one.  We cannot take care of our sin problems.  It was taken care of by Jesus Christ.  When we seek Him first, we live in His strength.

The last two weeks of school have been an adventure with highs and lows.  Through it all, God has blessed me with simple joys to remind me where to find my true and complete joy.  

He has given me students who fill my heart with joy when I teach them, even when it is a challenge.  (For safety reasons, I cannot include pictures of my students)

He has blessed me with friends.

JiEun 

Becca 

My host, Becky 

He is giving me opportunities to understand the local culture through the many fall festivals.

Budenfest "Booth Festival" 

Equestrian Competition 

Ceramics Festival 

He has reminded me of the importance of fellowship and childlike wonder.

It seems that I can't avoid Pretzels 

Riquewihr, France 

A silly moment in Colmar, France

This past Sunday I attended my first German church service. Yes, the entire service was in German.   I happened to visit on “Family Service” Sunday.  The children lead parts of the worship service.

The sermon theme was God’s JOY in creating the world and people.  I had already written parts of this post before Sunday!  Only God could bring the whole month together in this way.  God found joy in creating and He gives me joy in being His creation and living in His creation.

The view from north of Kandern

The children's artistic representations of creation from the German service

Hiking path towards a neighboring village

In Kandern, and other areas along the Rhine River, you find acres upon acres of vineyards.  What an impacting reminder of the LOVE of God and the JOY only He can give!   In John 15 we read of our position as the branches and Christ’s position as the vine.  We can do nothing without Him.  In verses 9-11 Jesus goes on to share,

Vineyards outside of Riquewihr, France

 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.  If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that MY joy may be in you and that your JOY may be COMPLETE.”

I encourage you to read all of John 15 to see how God is using these verses to connect the events in this past month.  True joy only comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  This means that no matter the circumstances in our life we can still have joy and have it to the full.  May God give you His joy as you walk with Him!

Ivy 

Transitioning

Exactly one month ago today you would have seen me in the Newark airport sharing kale chips with another traveler.  Technically, they were sharing their kale ships with me.  I must have looked like I needed some nourishment.  At that time, I was nervous and excited for the adventures ahead of me. 

You can see BFA (behind the orange crane) from my balcony 

Today I am sitting in my apartment listening to piano music and watching the rain bounce off the red clay roof tiles of the neighboring apartment building.  I’m not as nervous but just as excited to see what God will do.  

There is a part of me that feels like I have lived here in Kandern longer than a month and another part of me feels like I just arrived.  When I arrived in Basel, Switzerland on Aug. 3^rd I had no idea it would be so hot.  I stepped off the airplane into a humid 90 degrees (32 C).  The airport wasn't air conditioned. 

Around a hundred people were crowded into a narrow passage way that lead us through customs.  Thankfully, I wasn’t alone.  Another young lady on her way to work at BFA was on the flight with me.  God, in his own way, had us on the same connecting flight from London.  It was a blessing to be able to travel with her and go through customs together. 

Once outside of the airport, BFA staff loaded up our luggage and took us to our new homes.   Though my apartment came unfurnished, I arrived to find a bed, “Schrank” (a German wardrobe) and desk. I am very thankful that some other missionaries volunteered to move in furniture I had pre-purchased so I would have a place to sleep when I arrived. 

My first hike in the Black Forest (Marzell, Germany) 

Over the next few days my host Becky showed me around, took me shopping, and helped me set up a bank account and insurance.  She also gave me the opportunity to take a hike in the Black Forest.  I started new staff orientation on the 7^th and for the next week and a half learned about the local culture, the language, and Black Forest Academy.  By the 17^th we moved into all staff conference and spent the next week and a half preparing for school which started on Aug. 30^th.  

To sum up this last month, all I need to share is one word.  Transition.  I have found that transition is not easy and yet realize that the less comfortable I am, the more I recognize God’s presence in my life.  There is no way I would have been able to make this transition without His help and the prayers and assistance of many people. 

In transition, the key is to not lose focus of WHO you are in Christ and WHOSE you are.  Transition looks different for everyone and is a time of instability. Don’t waiver!  There is nothing more the enemy wants than to pull us down in our instability.  Stand firm! Put on the full armor of God (Eph. 6:10-18). 

 

Enjoy the photos!  Sorry that I don’t have any of my host or the people I work with in ELL. All of us forgot to take pictures 😊  I will include them next time. 

Hauptstrasse( Main Street) in Kandern  

The Kander River. Note the monument on the hill.

View of Kandern from the monument.

You can see the Lutheran Church from anywhere in town.

Can you see the heron that lives in the pine outside of my apartment? 

Birthplace of General John Sutter. I walk past it every day. 

Opening Day Ceremonies 

Walking with a neighbor in the "Wolfschlucht" ( Wolf "gorge")

Freiburg trip with new staff (photo credit, Caleb Turner)

Tobacco and corn next to each other? Looks like Lancaster. 

Cold nights motivated me to finish crocheting my afghan.  

 

Coming up next:  The First Weeks of School