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