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