Simply Trusting

It's 12:29am, January 1, 2016, and Kandern is a bit of a war zone - before you panic, let me share that it's New Year's Day now, and at midnight, people you didn't even know lived here take to the streets to set off every form of firecracker, firework,  and sparkler imaginable, in the streets, backyards, and hills. So it's to that soundtrack that I write. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to reflect and thank God for the year this has been. There are the usual things that feel as though they were left incomplete, or the desires that feel unmet (the seemingly endless wait is so hard). I'd love to have logged more practice hours and written better lesson plans, or gotten in better shape.  But as the clock struck 12, and the church bells around town began to peal madly there was an undeniable sense of hope, and even more than that, trust. So this isn't a post listing resolutions for the new year...I'm still deciding on those. It's an affirmatio

I can hardly believe we're one week into December!! The last month has flown by, and I apologize for  taking so long to update you on life in Germany - although I would venture to guess that many of you are busy too! During the last full week of November, my roommates and I had the pleasure of hosting 13 people at our house for Thanksgiving dinner. Since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, we don't get the day off, so we get creative and celebrate at different times and with different groups. During our meal, we went around the (very large) table and took turns sharing things we're thankful for, and things that God is teaching us. It was encouraging and humbling to hear how God is moving in the hearts of those around me. We have been blessed with some amazing people, and we serve an incredible God Who knows the burdens that we can't find the words to express. Saturday held the annual school Christmas Banquet. It was a fun night that brought back lots of memories of t

Dear Praying Family and friends, As you went to bed on Friday or woke on Saturday morning, you may have heard news of the  terrible attacks that have happened in Paris on Friday night. There were numerous shootings  and explosions in very public places around the city. So I wanted to inform you that our BFA  community is safe, that friends I have who are in the city are safe, and that it seems that the  situation is under control. The French borders have been closed, which raises concerns for  BFA students who live in France and commute daily. (The nearest border is about 20 minutes  away). Now more than ever the city, and the continent need your prayers. The hashtag  #prayforparis is ubiquitous today on social media, so when you see it, please do pray. But  when you do, pray not only that the violence will end for now, but pray for hearts to turn to  Christ. Pray that Christians in the city and all over Europe will act, reaching out in compassion  with the goo

If you were to come to visit me in Kandern, an easily visible landmark on a hill above town is what we call "the monument". It is a memorial to those who served and died in WWI and WWII. Back in September, I had the opportunity to work with a group of students to clean up the monument and the surrounding area. As we worked, I wondered about the various individuals who were memorialized, who they were, and what their lives may have been like. Memorials and monuments seem to be a recurring theme this semester. As a Junior class sponsor, I was privileged to spend a weekend in Normandy, France with the class. We left Germany on Thursday night, and arrived at Canadian cemetery near Juno Beach on the northern coast of France first thing in the morning. Each headstone is etched with the name of an individual and some information about them, as well as their age and a brief epitaph describing them as a person. "He Gave All", was inscribed on the headstone of a 32 year old

Dear Reader, It's easy for me to take my routine here for granted. From time to time I'll try to give you a glimpse into what daily life is like in this community. No two days are exactly alike, but I'll invite you to walk with me through last Thursday here at BFA.  Pre-8:50am: My alarm goes off around 6:30 and I go through the necessary preparations to presentably make it through a day. I have been making a conscious effort to spend quiet time with God at the beginning of the day, and I am so thankful for the perspective that this brings. Recently I've been studying in Galatians, and have been encouraged by the reminder that "not I, but Christ lives in me." On Thursday this week, I left my house at 8am, which was much earlier than normal. The internet at our house has been down, which meant I had to get to school early to finish up some things before the start of the day. Once I get to school, my first order of business is to brew some coffee. It's ki

The first week of classes can be hectic, exciting time, and this past week did not disappoint! While schedules are still being solidified, I feel as though I have a good handle on what the semester could look like. My Piano 2 students have a wide range of musical experience, and are already catching on quickly to the material I present. We have even enjoyed a bit of group improvisation already! On Friday, they were assigned to play a piece for the class that represented what they enjoy about playing the piano. Their pieces reflected a variety of things, from pieces they learned in Piano 1, to songs that evoke a reflective mood. This assignment gives me a brief glimpse into how they think and what they value, and also helps as I assign pieces for them to learn in the future. Music Appreciation is also going well. I have several students who simply need the class for credit and have marginal interest in music, a few who enjoy making music as a hobby, and two who are considering it as a

Over the last week, there has been an air of excitement around the school. Starting last Thursday, everyone who works at BFA gathered at the school for All-staff In-service type meetings. In our morning sessions, we have had a number of guest speakers who have encouraged and inspired us as we begin the year. One of the biggest things I've been impressed with is the fact that as a part of BFA and international Christian education, I am part of something much bigger than myself, and I have a role to play. In the afternoons, we have had time to work on preparations for the coming year in our own classrooms and offices. This year I've moved offices, and am sharing a space with one of my illustrious musical colleagues. My desk is now located in the classroom where I will be teaching Music Appreciation as well as Piano 2. We've acquired a new keyboard this year, so we have more space than ever in which students can learn! I'm quickly getting used to the new space and look for

This post is a bit different from others - on Saturday I learned that Dan Pinkham, a dear friend and mentor of mine, had entered Heaven the night before. God used Dan and his wife Sharon to initially begin my journey to Black Forest Academy. I want to share some thoughts and memories here. If you are friends or acquaintances of Dan and Sharon Pinkham, you were continually reminded of the words in the title of this post over the last year and a half. It's easy to remind others of this truth when others are struggling; however, it's another thing altogether to speak them from a place of personal hardship. Dan and his family faced a long, uphill battle with an ugly opponent, and one that ultimately took his life. However, I don't want to focus on the last 18 months or so; I want to simply share what this amazing family has meant to me. I first became acquainted with the Pinkhams through stories of the old days at Csehy Summer School of Music that I heard from my parents. D

As a child, I used to look forward to holidays and birthdays, often counting down the days. Christmas was my favorite! When those special days came they would fly by, leaving me eagerly awaiting the next one. Being involved with Csehy Summer School of Music is my summer equivalent. We plan for it and talk about it through the year, and then in a few short weeks, it’s over, and we’re back to looking through pictures and talking about how much we can’t wait for the next one. I am so incredibly thankful to spend my summers as a part of this organization that has an equal focus on both music and Christ. My responsibilities this summer as Lead Counselor involved mentoring the counselors, interacting with students, organizing schedules, travel arrangements, and 100 other things that might bore you if I listed them here but are all a part of helping Csehy move forward. Having family around for the majority of the time was a huge bonus! This summer was a busy one, but God was busier. It’s tru

This update is very similar to an update which I recently sent out to my supporters. I apologize for the redundancy, but want to make sure my thanks are known!  Summer is upon us, and I feel as though I stepped off a roller coaster - a very exciting, amazing ride, but also one that leaves me a bit dizzy! As most of you know, I flew to the Black Forest Academy in November, and began teaching in January. What an adventure this year has been! This semester was my very first teaching group piano, and I loved it! I was blessed to have two classes of eager learners, who asked great questions and were amazing people. Several of them told me that piano class was their favorite part of the day. Praise the Lord, because this was new territory for me! I also taught Music Appreciation, which was an interesting story. Being a new teacher to BFA, and not known to many students, only one student signed up for the class. She really wanted to take it, so we did an independent study tutorial course

Busy as this time of year may be, one of the features that I love about this place is that there is always something going on. This evening I was privileged to attend an art exhibit by some BFA students, and I was touched by the level of their talent and excellence. Visual art intrigues me because it seems to me to be the visual equivalent of the textures created by dynamics,  articulation and expression in music (Artist friends, feel free to disagree…this is merely my perspective) Add individual personality and you have something truly unique.  This last week also held home soccer games, which I always enjoy. Many of my students and small group girls are on the soccer teams, and it is so much fun to watch them passionately contributing to their teams.  Staff Recital was also held on Wednesday evening. I was thrilled to take part for the first time as a teacher. As scary as the moments are before I start to play, there is nothing so satisfying as losing yourself in the music.

Do you ever get to the end of a week and wonder where the time went? After a restful and adventurous spring break, we are flying towards the end of the year. This past weekend held a number of school events, all of which were extremely enjoyable. This coming week is a 4-day week because of a national holiday on Friday, and Monday-Thursday we will be holding our annual Music Festival. Next week is Junior senior banquet, and staff recital is the following week. Somewhere in the midst of all of it, my mom has a birthday, my brother Tim graduates from Cairn University (woot!!), and I'm training for my first half-marathon (yikes!). It's easy to wish away one event after another, and dream of a time less busy. Instead, I've been asking God to make me aware of the smaller moments which are significant, but might be harder to spot because of life whizzing around us; to cause me to be still and know, and rest. For example, on Monday evening my small group met at my house. These incr

With only one week to go until spring break, the days are full and exciting! Last weekend BFA hosted a festival for which students from many different schools and countries traveled to our campus. They participated in honors band, orchestra, and choir, practicing hard for several days and performing two concerts. I was originally tasked with helping to organize meals, doing airport pickups, and other logistical tasks. The weekend before the festival, I received a heads-up that the choir accompanist who was originally scheduled to come might not be able to make it. Monday morning, I was handed music and Thursday morning I found myself playing for the rehearsal. For any of you who felt compelled to pray for me last weekend, this is probably why. :) I definitely felt a lot of sympathy for my group piano students, to whom I give sight-reading assignments on a regular basis. The challenge of working with a conductor, music and students who were new to me was exciting, and the joy felt in th

Someone wise once said, "March goes in like a lion and out like a lamb." I don't know who was listening and took note, but that's definitely been true in southern Germany! We haven't had a lot of snow, but we've definitely had some cold weather. Last week, we had occasional hints of spring, which left us hoping it would stick around. Today I enjoyed a long walk with a friend, soaking in the beauty this area has to offer in spring time! I'm amazed at the color and contrast our Creator has woven perfectly into His Creation! Other than the beautiful weather, there is a LOT going on right now! Last weekend, the entire high school packed into buses and got away from Kandern for a little while. I've been co-leading a small group of senior girls this semester, and during the retreat weekend, we had a chance both to listen to amazing teaching from the Bible, and discuss what was being taught. During the discussion times, the girls were very open and it was ex

As I sit and write, I have to admit that I'm battling a strain of a virus that has been making its way around our community. I'm on the mend, but I do apologize if this post seems a bit disjointed. Jumping into a new role in a familiar setting has its challenges. Adjusting to teaching here has included a rather steep learning curve. When I first came to BFA as an RA, I quickly realized that life here involved taking on new things that didn't seem "comfortable". Teaching piano in a group setting  was one of those things for me. When the idea first came up, I wasn't sure it was a great idea. Three weeks in, I'm having a blast and enjoying connecting with the students. As in every classroom setting, every student possesses a different level of musical knowledge, so at this point as I start out, my biggest responsibility is to observe how each student learns. Some are more tactile, some are auditory and some come with a broad base of musical knowledge alre

For He has said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." So much promise in one simple verse, and spoken by God who never changes. This was close to my heart this week, as I stepped into my first official week of teaching here at BFA. I've been pondering what to write all week, and am eager to share about my first week of teaching!  I've spent the last month working through the curriculum materials made available to me so on Monday I felt as prepared as I knew how to be, and yet still had that 'new teacher' butterfly sensation. This semester, I am responsible for two sections of group piano classes, and Music Appreciation. The students seem eager to learn and I'm looking forward to the challenge of keeping things interesting while progressing according to the course guides. The students have about a week at the beginning of the semester to finalize their schedules, so teaching this week was challenging because class size fluctuated a bit. I think that our

Dear Reader, First I want to say thank you for stopping by my blog. I've been thinking that I really have no idea who sees this. So, especially if you've been checking in for a while now, thanks for staying with me. In case you weren't aware, this Christmas I once again experienced the joy of the season in Germany. Christmas is such a beautiful time of year here, and as I walked around Kandern, I felt compelled to pray that this beautiful little town will know the One Whose birth they are celebrating with so much enthusiasm. Pray with me that Light of Christ will shine brightly here! The last 4 years have been full of so many thoughts and adventures. Last Wednesday began the start of a new season of adventures here at BFA. Along with several other people, I shared a three-minute testimony of my journey here, and home and here again, officially beginning this season at BFA. The thought of new memories and events happening is at once exciting and saddening. I treasured my