German Mom

Monday, October 30, 2006

Herbst

Time for a German culture lesson for everyone. Herbst is the German word for Fall. We are enjoying the beautiful autum colors around us. Here in Germany, in the small villages, it is very common to come across a small produce stand in the front of private homes. There is one such stand that is next to the elementary school in the village of Sitzenkirch. The woman who runs it, will make fresh breads, jams, even seasonal crafts and leave local produce out for you to serve yourself. A jar is left on the table for you to pay and make your own change. I have often wondered if a person could actually get away with this selling technique in America. Are we to paranoid about someone stealing money out of our Jars? Here are Jacob and Anna posing in front of the stand. The word Obst means fruit.


Now, I have never seen the woman. But I know that she is there. The stand is always neat, and stock full of yummy items to purchase. I can only assume that there are eyes watching somewhere from the house to see who will stop by and purchase something from her stand. Here is Jacob standing by a table full of fall flowers that you can also buy.

So with all of these colorful things to temp our senses, we went on a short family walk in the forest behind our house this weekend. It was a great time and one of the last walks we can go on with out our heavy winter coats.


One last picture of some fall foiliage by our
house.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Jacob's world

This year in the fourth grade, every student is given a time to "unpack their personality" for the rest of the class. On Thursday, Jacob had a turn at it. He had been going through the house finding unique items that describe himself. Here he is opening up his large suitcase to prepare to share with his class.



One of the many items that he enjoys collecting are sports cards like baseball and basketball. Sarah was there as well. Jacob's teacher, Mrs. Capp offered to hold her while I took some pictures. Sarah was just waiting for her turn to share about some of her favorite items- baby toys!





When Jacob finshed showing his favorite items, he shared a favorite snack of his- super dickman's- a yummy German snack with a marshmellow center. In German, the work "dick" means fat.
As I was going through the school, I spied Anna with her class lined up for the end of the day. As soon as Anna saw me with the camera her little halo popped up above her head. Here she is standing by her teacher Miss Sommers reciting a bible verse.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

God's beautiful handiwork

Last night as I was washing the days dirty dishes that had piled up, I caught out of the corner of my eye one of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen around here. What an awesome God we serve to give us something so beautiful to remind us of his faithfulness in our lives!

Here is another picture with a sliver of the moon showing as well. Simply beautiful!

A day at the Zoo

On Sunday, we woke up to one of those beautiful fall days where you can't resist but to be outside all day enjoying it. So after some thought we decided to head for the Zoo. The nearest Zoo to us is in Basel Switzerland. It is a very nice Zoo with a well laid out area to walk and explore.
We decided to drive to the boarder of Germany and Switzerland park our car for free and take the street car through town to the Zoo. Once we were at the tram station, Jeff stood there trying to figuring which zone we needed to go to and how much it would cost us. However, the machine only took coins and of course we only had large bills with us. The street car driver wouldn't make change for us either so it was back to the car and on to the parking garage.

Once we parked and walked to the Zoo, we were greeted by this friendly guy.

Sarah didn't know what to think when she saw him clapping with his hands because that was a trick that she just learned how to do as well.

It was very crowded at the Zoo, I think because nothing else was open that day so everyone decided to come to the Zoo. We had a nice time even among the crowds. Jacob and Anna were really interested with all of the animals.

During the weekend, Jacob was complaining about the bottom of his feet being really sore. But by Sunday they were feeling a little better. However, halfway through our Zoo adventure, he started to complain again about his feet. I had him ride in the stroller with Sarah for a while for a rest. Jacob enjoyed it but I'm not so sure Sarah wanted to share her space with her big brother.


So we decided to let her out of her stroller and walk around a bit. She was much happier and we finished our time at the Basel Zoo with three tired kids. Next week, we will attempt to ride the street car again for another adventure- stay tuned!

Monday, October 23, 2006

Jeff's new wheels

Well, we have just become a two vehicle family. We stuck it out as long as we could but decided that this was the best option for us. Since we arrived back from the States in August, we have been sharing the car during the week. It has worked out for the most part. Jeff drove into school with the car on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. I would use the car on Wednesdays and Fridays. Then there were those times when this arrangement didn't work. Then, Jeff would rush home in between classes for me and Sarah to be ready to jump into the car so he could rush back and make his next class so we could use the car. That made me the pick up person for the rest of the day. We knew that we couldn't afford a second car here in Germany. The insurance alone is double for your second car then there is the price of gas. So we went with the "missionary vehicle". This gets Jeff from point A to Point B. In his maiden voyage this morning, I saw him drive away in a down pour!

Here is Jeff leaving the lot just after he bought his new wheels.


We are happy that this bad boy is still insured through March and has a one year warrenty on it just incase Jeff gets a little to crazy with his driving. In Germany, you can operate this if you have a regular drivers license. These are very popular with young people. Jeff's top speed is 45km/h.

Saturday, October 21, 2006

Space Invaders

On Friday night, our home was over taken by 36 teenagers. We hosted the entire Freshman class at our home for a game night. I was a bit stress during the day as I went around "teenager proofing" each room. It turns out, that it was a fun night. We rotated different groups of kids to different rooms and they just had fun hanging out and eating popcorn.
Here are the three class officers before the party setting up. I had invited them over to have tacos with us before the party. Anna loved being in the middle of the action.

Once everyone arrived, we started placing them in groups. There were kids outside on our back deck making and eating smores.

We had a large group playing a board game at our table in the upstairs livingroom.


In our kitchen we had another group playing a board game. The officers really wanted the evening to be a time where the students connect with one another and get to know eachother better.


Downstairs we also had two groups of kids playing games. In our downstairs kitchen our Korean students enjoyed playing cards. Infact, they were there most of the night. Now we know how to entertain them next time we invites some of our Korean students over.

Then, our last offical group was in our downstairs den. They played various games and just hung out to talk with one another.

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Voting 101

My husband and I received our abstentee voting ballots about a month ago from the State of Oregon. I had put them aside and basically decided not to vote this time around because I didn't want to pay the international postage rate. Then this week I remembered a former staff member who is here visiting and will be returning back to the States this weekend. It is always a given in our community if you are traveling to the States, then be prepared to bring mail back with you. So this morning I dug out the ballots and started figuring out who and what I was voting for. Jacob and Anna were very interested in the process. So I read each section out loud and expalined as best as I could the difference between parties. When I got to a category about " Oregon Supreme Court Judge". Anna piped up "Vote for Judge Judy mommy!" I think her Grandma Mary has rubbed off on her. My mother loves to watch this show so Anna is very familiar with the kind of justice that Judge Judy would instill in anyone. I was tempted to write her name in on the line but went with another choice. Thus ends my civic duty for another time!

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Mission Pizza Night

On Sunday, our mission, The Christian and Missionary Alliance, or C&MA, had a pizza night. This was a time for everyone, student and staff, associated with the C&MA to come together and eat pizza and socialize for a few minutes. Here are the boxes of pizzas on the table. In all, there were about 77 people there.

Once, the pizza was placed on the table, it was time to sit, eat and drink a nice soda purchased in France.

Sarah had fun going from person to person. She was passed around more than a football at the Super Bowl! It gave me a nice break to visit. Here is Sarah eating with Christine whose parents work in Macedonia.

Monday, October 16, 2006

Why we are here

This August, during our staff conference, some great words of where shared by staff at BFA. One of the topics that really spoke to me was "Our Mission at BFA". I have looked for that topic in print so I could always refer to it during the dark winter months here in Germany. I was so happy when I came across it in an article from our school newspaper. So, I would love to share it now with you.

Some missionaries live in deserts, some in tiny apartments in huge cities, and some in places where the heat never dips below 95 degrees. Some missionaries get hot water from a wood fire and a 55- gallon drum. Some live in countries where the roads are mud three months of the year. Some have been working for years only to see a handful of converts. Being a missionary is mentally taxing, physically demanding and emotionally draining. Yet the unmet needs of their own children is the most common factor that will lead them to give up and leave their fields. And that is why BFA exists. We are here at BFA so that missionaries in over 40 countries can help....
  • Turkish orphans
  • Mongolian farmers
  • Eitiopian homeless
  • Afghan & Iraqi refugees
  • African aids patients
  • Russian atheists
  • German motorcycle gangs
  • French intellectuals
  • Italian Cataholics
  • National pastors in Russia
  • National German Churches
  • A Christian bookstore in Israel

When school started up for BFA this year, 300 Moms and Dads said their goodbyes to their sons and daughters. Missionaries don't get used to it, they don't become detached and it never gets any easier. They may not get to see their children's piano recital, first volleyball game, or drama production. They might not get to have face to face teacher conferences, help their chidren with school project. They may not get to share in their children's first romance, build them up after they have been knocked down, or watch them grow into a deeper walk with Christ. Obvioously, there are some very compelling reasons for missionaries not send their children to boarding school. So why do they choose to go throught this incredibly difficult spearation by sending their children to Black Forest Academy?

  • The education they can't get for their children near home.
  • The extra-curricular activities at BFA that will help make their children well-rounded
  • The safety and security that BFA provides their children.
  • The sound biblical principles their children will learn from BFA's facutly and staff.

But one of the most important reasons is this: Our students' partent believe in God... and they believe in us! They believe God has called us to be here. They believe we love their children almost as much as they do. They believe we will do the aboslute best job we can to care for and educate their child. They have taken those they love the most and given them to us. They trust us with their children. What an awesome responsibility we have! When God called us to BFA, He called us not just to teach, coach, administer or maintain a school, but to help parent the children of missionaries. He called us to do for these kids what their parents can't be here to do. Of all the billions of people in the world, Gad called us to serve Him here... to be not only a part of their education, but also a part of their lives.

Sunday, October 15, 2006

Twins

Twins run in my family. My mom has a twin sister. Growing up, I often wondered if I would be blessed with twins one day. I guess I got my wish at least for today. You know what they say about twins is true, it is fun to dress them up alike. I have to admit, I caught myself forgetting who was who. Then, I remembered that Anna was the older twin by well, six years. Needless to say, I couldn't resist passing up a chance to capture the moment for ever and to one day perhaps humiliate my two girls. So for fun, I give you my twin daughters! Enjoy

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Normandy

Last weekend, Jeff co-led the Junior class field trip to Paris and Normandy. This was his second time going. He really enjoyed the trip. The Juniors are studying 20th century history. So this is a perfect field trip to take and study up close the landing at Normandy by the Allied troops. Here are a few pictures of their trip.

First, after arriving in Paris, everyone road the subway to the Eiffel Tower. Jeff and co-lead teacher are double checking that all 76 students are there.


After walking a short distance the group comes upon the Eiffel tower. The most famous landmark in the City of Lights!


The group had a great time climbing the stairs and getting a great view of Paris. Jeff called me from on top of the tower just as I was putting the kids to bed. He told me that he was blowing me a kiss from there! One day, maybe we can go together. After a quick tour of the city, it was back on the subway to the church for a few hours of sleep before an early wake up for the long day at Normandy. Here is a picture of the kids "walking through history" and exploring the effects of the invasion.


There were also many great museums to see artifacts close up and get a better perspective on the event.


One last group picture on the beaches of Normandy before the long drive back to the church for another few hours of sleep before the early morning departure back to BFA. Jeff called me on the bus and told me that the group was going to have hot dogs for dinner when they got back at 11p.m.


On Sunday as the group were traveling back to BFA, they stopped at a rest stop for a time of worship and debriefing. You can hold church anywhere, even between two big rigs! They all arrived back home in Germany at 5:30 exhausted but full of memories.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Snapshots of our area

Fall is really starting to show its color around our area. I wanted to include a post of some pictures from our village that we live in and our surrounding area. This is just a sampling and hopefully I will be able to post more in the near future.

This first picture is of a typical home in our village. We moved about 2 miles away from the town of Kandern where BFA is located to Riedlingen a samller village. There is a resturant and a small market, however, I have never seen it open. So I must now drive the 2 miles to do my shopping now instead of walking there. I really miss walking everywhere!


Here is one of my favorite castles in our area. This castle is located about twenty minutes away from us in a town called Lorrach. In this castle you can actually take tours and climb up in the towers. I have been tempeted to have a birthday party for Jacob there sometime. You can see this castle everywhere you are in Lorrach. On Saturday, I took the kids to the city park and we walked all around always in view of the Castle above us.


This last picture is of the town church in our village of Riedlingen. It sits right on a curve of the road that we must go around every time we drive up to our home which is located in a neighborhood directly above the chruch. Everyday, Jacob and Anna walk behind the church (there is a path) to get a better view to cross the street and catch the bus in the morning.

Thursday, October 05, 2006

School Days

I thought that I would share a few random pictures of Jacob and Anna at their school. These pictures I found on our school web site. I have been having trouble with my camera batteries. We have not been able to locate our battery charger in our unpacking so my pictures will be slow in coming.
With that said, here is a picture of the entire elementary school lined up at the beginning of each morning for announcements and prayer. Can you find Jacob and Anna in the group?



Next, Jacob and two other students are enjoying a pizza lunch that they earned from their summer of writting in their journals. Jacob worked hard all summer not always happily, but he did get his reward for his hard work, pizza!


Anna is in the middle of the action in this next picture. At recess, a group of kids were playing in the rocks. Anna is the girl in the purple shirt by the head sticking out from the rocks. You can always be sure to find Anna in the center of fun! She came home from school that day and told me all about the fun she had at recess.


One last picture of Jacob and his friend Micah playing at recess. This may be the same time that Anna was in the corner playing in the rocks. Both Jacob and Anna are really enjoying their school year with christian teachers and small classes. We feel very fortunate to have our childern receiving an international christian education.

Tuesday, October 03, 2006

German Unification Day

Happy German Unification Day! I am sure all of you have this holiday marked on your calender. If not, you should! On this day, in 1991, East and West Germany became united once again after the fall of the Iron Curtain in Eastern Europe when communisim collapsed. For many Germans, this is still a very emotional day. It was not that long ago when their country was divided and thus many families were separated. This day is set aside for all Germans to stop and reflect on their now united country and the freedoms that they are all able to have. As Americans, we see this holiday differently, it reminds us of how thankful we are for our homeland and the freedoms that we have always been able to enjoy. So with a day off from school, we sit here in our home with pouring rain outside, and take a momement to reflect on the blessings that God has given to us.
Happy German Unification Day everyone!

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Fall Party

On Friday, we attending the High School fall party at BFA. It is always a fun night with a special dress up theme. ( Think Christian Halloween party). This years theme was "commericals". We decided to go dress up as Hallmark greeting cards. We had fun seeing the other creative ideas that students had. There were several Ronald McDonnalds and other familiar characters. Here is our family dressed up and Sarah who we decided to go as the "Energizer Bunny". Unfortunately, my batteries ran out on my camera so I was only able to get a couple pictures. Hopefully, you can get a sampling of the evening. Jeff even went on stage and competed in a staff vs. dorm staff push-up contest. Who do you think won?

Here is a group of students dressed up as the "Mario video game". Jacob reconized them right away. The guy in the middle is on of our C&MA kids, Spencer Simon. He did a good job acting out Mario.