Finally

The new dorm parents for Sonne have arrived. They arrived last weekend and transition into their new position. Sonne has had substitute dorm parents since school started who have done a fantastic job.

What to pray for? Transition. There is lots to happen. From the new dorm parents taking over for the subs to the students adjusting to a new authority in the dorm. With this change there will be lots of leaning on the RAs. This will also be hard on them as they learn how to work under a new couple in providing care.

But it is great because the sooner the transition starts, the sooner it is over. Greatness be in Sonnenhof.

Hardness and Reality

It has been three months since I left Germany. And I sit here waiting, searching, formulating, looking,... Many verbs that don't include working. This is a hard and frustrating fact for me, yet I am here. This is where life has led me of course with divine guidance and more than a fair share of human frailty.

Where is it going next? I have no idea. I just wish it would happen soon. He still loves me. I must remember that. Without that I have nothing. With that I have everything.

School's back

School is back. BFA started yesterday. For eight of my guys last year, this is their final year. They are big bad seniors. Pray that they will lead the dorm well. Also continue to pray for Sonne and the new dorm parents. They have not arrived yet and Sonne has some people subbing as dorm parents until they get there. Pray that they will be able to raise the appropriate finances to get to Germany as quick as possible.

A little transition story. When I first went to Germany, I needed to exchange my US dollars for Euros. I went to the local bank and they did it in about 2 minutes. I have yet to find a way to exchange my euros back into US dollars here in the states. There are either outrageous services charges or something else goes wrong. I never knew that it would be so complicated to do.

I'm here, they're there

Yes that is how it goes. For the last three years, at this time I have been at the dorm preparing it for the arrival of 27 teenagers. It usually involves lots of cleaning and painting and who knows what else. I would also be meeting many new RAs that were joining the awesome BFA staff.

This year, I sit in the states searching for a job and a place to live. It has started to become a tough trying time of my life. I have been through these before and have not looked forward to being here again.

But in all trials, there are still good things that happen. It is important for me to keep that mindset of looking for the good.

Please pray for me and that what I need will be provided. Also pray for the new dorm parents at Sonne. As far as I know they are still raising support to get to Germany. It is so important to have them there early so they can be prepared for the awesome guys that will greet them in two weeks.

Life Without

It's been a while. Even though I am back from Germany, I hope to continue this and keep you updated with news, prayer requests and other things that are happening at BFA and Sonne.

This last Sunday, orientation started for Residence Life at BFA. This is the first time since 2005 that I will not be a part of this. From what I have been told, it is going well. The new staff are adjusting well and the veterans are welcoming them. As of now they are still short two guys RAs. This will be tough to go through the year with. Two of the three guys dorms will only have 1 male RA. Please pray for their strength and that things will go well.

There are three new sets of dorm parents and in a change from before, they are all young with young children or no children. I am praying for them, especially the new dorm parents for Sonne.

Well, I hope you all out here in cyberspace are well and enjoy the summer.

Changes

I was in the local Lidl grocery today. Most weeks in the year, they have a section that contains different cultures' food. Sometimes, it is Mexican or French or Asian or many other cultures. This week is the Americanische woche. Foods like marshmallows, potato chips, peanut butter, hamburger buns and other items that are associated with the US over here in Germany.

I have lived in Germany for three years which is far shorter than the time that I have spent in the US. I met a fellow BFA person in the grocery tonight and we were both at the American section. We stopped and looked and commented on the items in the American section. Then we left. But as we were leaving, it was remarked that neither of us picked up anything from the section.

Interesting....

Kindness goes a long way

Today I was in the local Lidl grocery store doing a bit of good old food shopping. I went to the check out and breezed through that process. I didn't get a bag, because they cost money and it wasn't a very long walk back to where I currently am staying.

I was loading all of my stuff up in my arms, when one of the yogurts took a fall. The casualty had broken open on the ground. I thought to myself that, oh well, I dropped it so I am out a few cents.

No sooner could I react when the lady behind me in line, picked up the broken yogurt for me. Very kind of her. Then the cashier looked at me and told me to go get another on. I just don't think that would have happened in the states. Maybe it is just my cynicism, but the lady was more than willing to allow me to replace the yogurt that I had dropped.

Kindness changes you. It makes you want to pass that kindness received on to someone else. I was very grateful for the kindness I received today and hope that I can pass it on to someone in the next couple of days.

Privilege

The year has been eventful for Sonne staff. Many things have happened to us with the most recent development being a fire in my fellow RA, Tommy's room. Due to his stealth in fighting the fire, it was contained to his room and extinguished. But many things that he had in the room have been lost. He did suffer some smoke inhalation, but has come out okay.

Please pray for him and us as we get back to normal. There have been many things that have happened over the year and those have caused some pain. But as I look back over the situations, they could and many times, should have been much worse. I am very thankful to God for his protection of us.

With all the things that have gone on, I am still very grateful that I live here and have come back for a 3rd year. God has blessed me greatly over here and I praise him for that.

A small blessing. in time

This morning I was having a conversation with a fellow RA. We were commenting about dorm life and how it feels a bit dreary. The students are just looking for things that cheer up their days. So are we. The weather hasn't been very helpful either. It has been cloudy rainy and cold for the most part. Anyway, she made the comment that it would be nice if it got warm. I said that I thought snow would be a nice thing.

I was sitting in my room relaxing this afternoon, when wouldn't you know it...it started to snow. Then I had a small epiphany. I got the feeling that God had something to do with it. And that he wanted to remind me today as to how much he loves me. I sometimes forget how much he does love me. And choose to take a comment that I made this morning and use it as a reminder of his incredible love for me.

A blessed day

Happy Boxing day everyone. After a wonderful Heiligabend and a joyous Weihnachtstag and sit here on the 26. Although I have missed my family I am surrounded by some amazing people who have become dear friends. God has blessed me with this group here. I got to spend Christmas eve with a family and later a few friends. We had raclette and watched Elf and in general just enjoyed the night.

Christmas day started off wonderfully with a Christmas brunch of ten non-familial people that are around for the holidays. There was laughter and good food and I was grateful for the chance to spend time with them. Moving on to Christmas evening, we had another about ten people get together for a wonderful dinner and fellowship. The evening included time of laughing, white elephant gift exchanges, a movie and some worship.

Christmas in Germany is a special time and I have been blessed to experience for three years now. God has brought me to a place of sole reliance on Him and blessed me in ways that I cannot express. I pray that you have a wonderful holiday time and enjoy the blessings that you have been given.