Weeding & Witt and such

My Fellow "Witt Chicks" and I - me, Kristi, Rachel & Jessica

A weeding we will go - a weeding we will go - hi ho the derry o - a weeding we will go!

And mowing and trimming and more weeding - that is our afternoon today! I am now at Wittlingen with my fellow dorm staff the McClary's (my dorm family - with 5 lovely kids - new brothers and sisters!:)) and my fellow "Witt Chick's" - Kristi, Rachel and Jessica. We had a meeting to get to know each other a little more and pray and then went to work this afternoon after the first stage of All Staff Conference. It went pretty well - we got much done.

This week is a work week and meeting week and prep week b/f the kids come on Sunday. It is alot but needed. I am just glad my room is pretty much done now - just have some decorating and sorting to do - but I'm pretty much settled in - more than yesterday. I did a bunch of cleaning yesterday. That was good.

I have been very encouraged by the various emails from friends I have gotten lately - it is so good to know that people are praying for me - especially as I go through this emotional roller coaster. There are good, bad and in between times. I am glad I'm here though I miss home at times as well. It is a curious thing to be divided by two homes. The trickiest thing is to take in all that is given in information and be able to use it/ remember it. My biggest challenge has been in driving - learning how to drive 3 types of stick vans - I am more comfortable than I was but still have a bit to go in learning. Pray that I will learn soon. My dorm family has been very encouraging about this which I am thankful for!

Well, that's all for now - need to go rest for another full day tomorrow!!

More adventures to come (and I didn't even go into all the van troubles we have had lately - oy!) Anyway - have a great day!!

little update and more pics

Hello Friends, Here are some pics from the past couple weeks. Today I move into my new dorm - crazy!! Pray for me as I transition. Pray that I will do well on my drivers test too - this has made me nervous. Yesterday I took a break with a bunch of people and went to Europa Park - it was nice to get my mind off things and just have plain fun. Today I go back to business!! Well, I should go - enjoy the pics - Christine

Here is a picture of Laura
my roommate for these past
two weeks :) She's fun.
(We're at a fun bakery/coffeeshop
called Lacoste - I will be there lots!)












Becky, Becky and Rachel
occupying themselves during
driving practice :)












Jessica and I - she is one of my
new "Witt Chick" friends -
we will be in the same
dorm this year :)












The River Rhine in Basel
- Such a pretty Sight!! :)

PICTURES!!!!! (at least one - this thing loads slow!!)

A pretty German house in Holzen!! It is a lovely country!

Founts and Dunar Kebaps

It has been pretty rainy around here lately - feels like fall and not summer. I'm hoping we will have more summer before the school year begins. Church was good today - we talked about passion for God. The hymn "Come thou Fount" became a very comforting hymn to me.

Come, Thou Fount of Every BlessingBy: Robert Robinson, 1735-90
Come, Thou fount of every blessing,
Tune my heart to sing Thy grace;
Streams of mercy, never ceasing,
Call for songs of loudest praise.
While the hope of endless glory
Fills my heart with joy and love,
Teach me ever to adore Thee;
May I still Thy goodness prove.

Here I raise my Ebenezer,
Hither by Thy help I’ve come;
And I hope, by Thy good pleasure,
Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
Interposed His precious blood.

Oh, to grace how great a debtor
Daily I’m constrained to be;
Let that grace now like a fetter
Bind my wandering heart to Thee:
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it;
Prone to leave the God I love.
Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it,
Seal it for Thy courts above.

Oh, that day when freed from sinning,
I shall see Thy lovely face;
Clothed then in the blood washed linen
How I’ll sing Thy wondrous grace!
Come, my Lord, no longer tarry,
Take my ransomed soul away;
Send Thine angels soon to carry
Me to realms of endless day.

----
I love the verse about being taken home - God got me here - he will make sure I get where I need to be at the right time!

This afternoon we went to the Dunar Kebap place for lunch (a few of us) - a great Turkish restaurant where you can also get pizza - very fun. We went to the cafe Lacoste after for tea/coffee before meeting everyone for our tour of the dorms. The tour lasted all afternoon but it was good to know what each dorm looks like. Tomorrow we will find out what dorm we will end up in - I look forward to making this new place my own for the year. :)

This evening after a nice walk I was daring and drove at night (with a guide thankfully!). I have never driven these vans at night before - it was different. Somehow I made it. Pray for me this week as I take the written and driving test that I will be able to pass both and feel confident. I really want to be ready for when the kids come. I am working on volunteering to drive more! I need to step out! I'm trying. I did drive to France yesterday - that was fun! Only stalled when I parked lol.

Tomorrow is more orientation, driving practice and dorm projects (which tomorrow is transporting mattresses! :) ) It will keep us busy - pray that we will get the rest we need while there. I did sleep better last night praise the Lord.

Well, that is all for now - talk to you later!

drove today

Drove today - was on the autobahn - crazy - but all is well and i didn't kill anyone so that is good - so very tired right now - need bed soon!! thanks for praying!

Information overload has begun!

Well, Day 1 of orientation is going well so far. Tonight is Driving Practice - a little nervewracking to say the least - I have to learn how to drive stick-shift on a van - that will be interesting. I have to bring my passport with me - where will I go? :) Pray for me that I wil be able to learn to do this quickly. I drove stick a couple times before leaving which makes me feel a little better, but it will still be quite the task. I need to know how to do it and pass the informal BFA test and feel confident before the kids come in 2 weeks. Crazy. Pray Pray Pray!!

I am enjoying getting to know people. I am still dealing with jet lag - it hasn't been TOO bad, but we will see how things go tonight!!Well, time to get some fresh air. Talk to you later all!

here i am

In Germany!! It's crazy but true - all the prayers and dreams have led to this moment - beginning as an RA in Germany - craziness. Pray that orientation goes smoothly and that I transition well! I miss you guys! Lots of Love!

sunset...

It is hard to believe I only have a day and a half left being here in NY. So many goodbyes- it has been a bit wearing at times. I am so thankful for the friends I have had here in NY/NJ - they have helped me grow in God in so many different ways. It is bittersweet to leave for this new venture. In some ways I am nervous as I am not really sure what this year will hold - yet I know in my heart that this is where I need to be. I will be learning alot - that is what I signed up for - a time to grow and learn and somehow help others grow too. It just so happens to be across the ocean. I am thankful for a faithful God who has helped me get this far - He will help me with each new step along the way. The first few weeks of Germany will be spent in orientation - getting to know the staff, learning the ropes of being an RA - learning how to live in Germany. Pray for me as I encounter another explosion of information. Pray for strength on this journey. I will be flying from NY to Munich to Basel, Switzerland not knowing who will be picking me up what the next year will be like. I am glad that I am not along - I have a Savior to lead me and guide me! Thanks so much for all who are praying. That's all for tonight - time for more planning/packing!! :)

The Verdict is in...

I'm GOING!!!!!

Yes Ladies and Gentleman (Hello by the way),

I have just received word that I have the money I need to be allowed to fly out on Saturday. I am at 78% thanks to an increase of funds from my church and a more accurate calculation of my funds!! I needed at least 75% to leave and as you can see I am at more than that now. Praise the Lord!!!
It is a crazy thought - I can actually leave. I am actually going! It is amazing how God comes through even throughout times of doubt. He doesn't always come through in our timing but He provides - and helps us to increase our faith in the meantime.

I have plenty to still do before I go - packing and cleaning and visiting with friends. I know with God's help I will be able to get it all done.

My flight will be on this Saturday, August 5th at 8pm from JFK Airport. I will be flying with Lufthansa in case you wanted to track my flight (smile).

*Pray for smooth preparations
*Pray for the last 22% of my support to come in
*Pray for my parents as they transition to a more empty household without my brother, sister or I

*Praise God for His provision
*Praise God for parents and a church that is so supportive
*Praise God for His Faithfulness!

That is all for now in this email. I will let you know how preparations are going later on in the week. Thank you for all your prayers - God is using you!!

Blessings,

Christine


My Address As of August 6th:
Black Forest Academy
Postfach 1109
79396 Kandern
Germany

www.bfacademy.com
www.janzteam.org
www.fairytaledaydreamer.blogspot.com