Jeff Caught on Tape

I think this speaks for itself. The stress of his job finally got to Jeff. Hang in there only one more week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5EIKgek3Fk

Things That Go On Behind My Back

I feel that I am pretty on top of things in knowing what my children are doing when they are home. I don't have eyes behind my head, but I have a good sense of what the little ones are into at a certain time of the day. I guess this morning, I got lazy. First of all, I forgot that it was the last late start fot Jacob and Anna. I got them up at their normal time then realized they go in an hour later, oops, back to bed kids. After breakfast, I decided to dry my wet hair. I thought, I have time today since there is no made rush to get the kids out the door. So I was enjoying the quiet in the house. There was no little one holding on to my leg while I dried my hair such joy for me! As I came out of the bathroom I called for Joshua whom I assumed had been in the living room with Jacob. Instead I was greeted by a happy boy covered all over with chocolate Nutella spread.

It seems that he pulled the jar off the table and just dug in with his hands to enjoy a sweet chocolate moment.

So, I gathered him up and had him sit in the bathtub to finish his brotchen in peace.

Nothing like hosing your child off in the morning after they spread chocolate all over!

Counting Down The Days

Almost everyday, Jacob reminds us how many days we have left before we return to the States. Today the count was at 24 days. Yikes! We still have so much that needs to get done. Jacob and Anna are out of school next Wednesday and Jeff will offically end his Principal role next Friday when he shakes that last graduates hand. Then the mad dash of cleaning, packing, and painting can begin for two weeks. We have seen God answer some major prayers in the last few days, yesterday we sold our van! What a big relief for us. Yesterday, we also met with a man whose family will be moving into our home in August. They have agreed to purchase the rest of our belongings so we won't have to move everything out. These answers are reminders to us that God continues to provide for all of our needs and guides our paths daily. Thank you for keeping our family in your prayers as we continue to say goodbye to friends and transition back to the States. Some other prayer points to remember for us:

• Pray that God would provide the right job for Jeff. Our support and insurance will end in September.
• Pray for Jacob and Anna as they are realizing how hard goodbyes are as they spend this last week with thier friends.
• Pray for our stress level that it would be kept at a minimum as we still have so much to get done.

The clock is ticking, back to work!

In His Own Words

All year every other Monday, Jeff has had the privilage of leading a ten minute devotion infront of our student body. He had always done a great job sharing with the students what has been on his heart. This last Monday was Jeff's last time to share with the students. I decided to post his comments to the students below.


Matins 18.05.09—“Mr. Benjamin through the ages” or “A decade minus a year.”
Wedding pictures got me thinking yesterday afternoon. Wow, I’m getting old. Actually, I’ve gotten old at BFA!

How many of you can remember being nine years old? For some of you that may seem like a long time ago; for others it was literally just a few years ago. But that’s how long my family and I have been at BFA—nine years. As I began to think about what I wanted to share with you this morning, it suddenly hit me. This was it—my last time to share in matins. My last time to be able to encourage you with topics that God has put on my heart.

And now, as I finish this school year, I’m the one trying to close out this time, just like so many of you seniors and a few others right now. Trying to build my RAFT like I’ve helped others with in the past. You know, all that stuff about R- RECONCILIATION, A- AFFIRMATION, F- FAREWELLS-, & T- THINKING DESTINATION. Now it is my turn, and I’m not sure that I like it so much.

You know, over the years, I’ve been able to do a lot at BFA, and I’m thankful for all that BFA is able to offer the community who come to learn and work and serve here.

Not all of you know, that…
I’ve been a teacher of three different subjects.
Small Group Leader
Class sponsor for six of our nine years
Musician in various performances over the years
Leader of an English camp
And because I speak German, I’ve helped in translating and other things

My wife has loved BFA as well serving both as a Discovery Therapist and front office receptionist. Of course she always loved being a class sponsor as well. Most recently, she has been very busy at home with our two youngest.

But now it is time to look ahead, to think destination. The past has been great with many blessings poured out, but God has something for each of us in the future. In fact we’re instructed in the Bible not to look back, but to continue to run the race with endurance focusing on what lies ahead. I’m trying to keep my eyes focused on Jesus as we move ahead.

And now some hard tasks lie immediately ahead. It may not be possible to say goodbye well to everyone, so I’m starting today. And I want to say thank you for the role each you play in making this school the great place that it is. Please pray for me and other staff that are leaving at the end of this year. We came here, because God called us to this place. He made it clear that this was His will for our lives. And now as He does each year, He’s calling me and others away. We will miss you and don’t want to miss the chance to tell you how much we care about you. Thank you for allowing me to be your teacher and principal and serving you here at BFA the past nine years. LET’S PRAY.

Spring Concert and Art Show

We are in the final busy weeks of school. former students are starting to show up around campus and everyone has begun saying goodbye to us. This week we got ready for a garage sale which I am so happy that it is over. We sold many items but still have alot left to figure out how to get rid of. But today, being Sunday, I allowed myself a day of rest. This afternoon, our school held their Spring Concert. Jeff gave the opening remarks and prayer which if you ask me he did a great job to set the tone of the program for.

Sorry for the blurry picture, but I was in the back and holding Joshua on one hip while I tried to take a picture of Jeff.

During the concert, the High School choir sang some fun songs. They performed a set of "secular" songs. One song was called "My heart will go on". Made famous in the movie Titanic. During the song, a set of pictures were flashed on the screen of couples at BFA whose "heart's will go on". So, we were one of the "lucky" ones to be displayed. Kind of cheesy but fun to see.

After the concert, there was a display of student artwork from the year to view. Our Anna had two pieces of Art on display. I think they are very good. I even heard someone complement them. Anna wasn't even with us. She wanted to go to the local swimming pool instead with friends- go figure.

Dealing with Leaving

Over the past few months, we have been talking with the children about their feelings with leaving Germany and moving back to America. For our older two children, this is where thier lives and friends are. Nine years ago we arrived when Jacob was 3, and Anna 1. For us, this was by far THE hardest part of our leaving. We didn't know how much they might resist this change. But, they have been real troopers and God has shown us through our children's responses that we are in His Will as far as going back to the States. Still, transition is not easy, but sharing feelings helps. Anna is very good at expressing her feelings through writing and drawing. She has allowed me to post this journal entry that she made a while ago.

I love what she writes on #4. America is the land of Plenty. This is an MK's concept to what lies ahead.