crazy tourists...

Here I am as a crazy tourist in the land of North America of Witt. We had an open house today - it went really well and it all pulled together. The place looked great and it was lots of fun. I got to be loud and obnoxious on purpose which was amusing. I'll hopefully have more pics later! Have a great night!

some recent pics and times of life

Hello friends, I know it has been a little while since I have updated - sorry about that. Things have been rather busy here in the Black Forest as of late. We have had class parties, dorm swaps, pranks pulled, hot lunches served, various guests in the guest room and still more things yet to come. The past few days have been crazy as the sewage pipes were not working so well - they had to do some work on them. I had smelly water leaking into my closet and stuff coming into the shower - not fun. Praise the Lord it has been fixed - it was quite yucky. I have been airing my room out all day. This weekend will be busy with lots of grocery shopping, cooking, decorating and such for our open house which is coming up on Sunday. Our theme is to be an Airport - and we will have different parts of the house as continents. My area is Antarctica since it is on the outermost part of the dorm. It should be busy but a good time.

I have some pictures of the last few weeks. I hope you enjoy them.










This is my parents and sister Rebekah - she, praise the Lord, graduated from Marine Bootcamp this past Friday down in Parris Island. She is now an official Marine - Congratulations Rebekah!!We are very proud of her.












This is me and one of my girls, Torri - we went to our girls volleyball game as a dorm on Saturday - our girls won - 2 of them are on the team! Yay BFA! They won 3 out of the 5 games - so they were winners overall.











This is the Greathouse Family - Chris Greathouse (far right) is the PE teacher her, Jenny his wife is my Bible Study leader - she is very sweet. They have 5 great kids! :)












Here is me and my staff on PD day (Professional Development Day) - it was a day of meetings in the morning at a teahouse with the ResLife staff and the rest of the day just a chance to get to know each other better as a team. We went to Colmar,France and spent the afternoon/dinner together - it was really good in just having the chance to enjoy eachothers company outside of the dorm! Thanks ResLife!

I am thankful for the different times we have to rest - I went 7 days in a row last week without an official break - for those who don't know, weekends here are the craziest - we are on almost 24/7 at times - I was able to have a good day off with Jessica and her mom yesterday. I cherish those times. Thanks for all who are praying for me and keeping up with my life! You each are blessings!!

Ancient Cafe's in Deutschland

On Friday I went with a bunch of RA's and our Res Life Director's to a little cafe called the Niederweiler Cafe - it was established in the 1700's and is in a pretty part of town up in the hills by a stream. My favorite part other than the real German Cake and Coffee was the Knight with the skull inside - crazy. Here are some pics from that day!

















Sunflowers are a common sight all over Germany - that
and the many gardens!





















Here is Zach and I with our new friend the Knight



















The Lovely stream outside the cafe

















A group of us enjoying our Kuechen (cake) :)
The lady in pink is Lynn one of our Res Life Directors

This weekend we had a Fall Party where everyone dressed up as different advertisement logo people - it was lots of fun. We had a catwalk and some skits. Us RA's even did a version of the song "Taking Care of Business" showing the reality of RA life. Here are some pics from the party :).


The Men of HBR - Advertising Ramen Noodles

One of the Witt Girls, Autumn as Seventies Barbie

Siblings Shannon, Heather and Brandon as Snap, Crackle and Pop

Me and Fellow Witt RA Jessica as the Doublemint Twins :)

Roomates Verity and Hidy as a doll and Flight Attendant

The Hills Are Alive...

Well Friends, it has been pretty busy since I last posted. This past weekend I was able to take off and get away and rejuvenate for the next few weeks. I went with a couple friends to Salzburg, Austria - a lovely place I'd like to go back to again. It was quite an adventure since we didn't have a place to stay the first night because we got in too late to check into our hostel. God provided another place to stay that night so that was good. Rest was greatly appreciated. Since I have been back it has been pretty busy. I have hit some rough patches and am realizing that I'm hitting the transition time where things don't seem as exotic any more and I am missing things from home and routines from home. Pray that I am able to stick through this period filled with lots of humble pie!!

Below are some pics from my trip - enjoy!





Here is the guest house that saved us on the first night! It is in Mondsee, Austria.









Me, Jessica and Becky waiting at the bus stop to go to Salzburg.












The Lovely Land of Salzburg






Pretending to be royal in front of a palace.








Me and the land of Salzburg - I would love to return!

Budenfest

This past Sunday was Budenfest in Kandern, Germany. It was quite the cultural experience - you can buy lots of German food and drinks all around the town. It happened mainly in the Blumenmarkt. I had some currywurst and fries amidst with friends. The true cultural experience was hearing the German band play polka music. I truly felt in Germany after that!Here are some pictures from the day.



German accordian player in the German band

German father and son - I thought they were so cute together!

View of the Budenfest in action

Fellow RA's and a teacher too enjoying the fest!

View of my new home

This is Wittlingen Dorm - the mazelike house I will be living in this next year with 36 other people! :)










Hidy, Mary and Jessica (left to right) - 3 of the 4 Koreans in this wonderful house - they are on a see-saw within a 15min walk from Witt - we had a campfire over here.












Deborah - one of my dear freshmen and I having fun at the campfire outing - she is dramatic and likes to sing like me :)










Shannon, Cheri, Katherine, Deborah and Autumn sing their little hearts out!











Fellow RA's Zach, me and Jess in Basel on our day off yesterday - we went on the bus for the first time - it was a successful adventure! :)

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

a most surreal visit

Well friends - God is good -and he shows his power and provision even when I am doubtful. I had to go get a physical done today for my insurance and at first when I got there the receptionist thought I had to get a full physical - which would cost more than the initial payment. I prayed while she went to find out - I wasn't sure how things were going to pan out. When she got back she told me that I didn't need to get the full physical, they would do the basics. So that is what I did - praising God and answered prayer. Then when I went into my physical the doctor asked me questions about what I will be doing in Germany - being a missionary - and he asked me what that meant. I ended up explaining salvation to him - he was not saved - but a seed was planted. Totally not what I expected from the visit! When I got home I had a message from a couple that wants to support me monthly and help me with personal expenses. That was very encouraging as well.

God is full of surprises - pray for the doctor who was asking questions that he might come to know Jesus someday. Praise God with me for His provision! Praise God for the VBS lessons about Courage in Christ this week - they have been challenging to me as well to truly have faith in God!!

Well, that is all for this moment - oh but I forgot to say - my physical went well and I have good health to go to Germany! :) Have a fabulous day!

some pics from recent days

Here are a couple pics of my dear Potters who visited me this week - I love you both!

the chaos has begun ;)

Well, life is back to normal - at least a normal of sorts. It is different now that I am not working my regular job anymore - my last day was June 16th - then training in Winnipeg - then many parties and my dearest visiting from Indiana. Last week was my vacation before truly getting down to the business of prep for Germany. I am so thankful for encouraging friends and relatives.

Today after a slightly slow start (have to relax after emotional goodbyes), I got down to the business of making lots of phone calls and putting together a box to send to Georgia. It was almost like I put my life on hold for a week and now I have to sort through the mountain of things that I need to do in the month of July. I did get the box finished and sent it out today so it should, Lord willing, arrive in Georgia by the end of the week. I am very thankful for the Molls - they have a big box that will fit lots of belongings and they are allowing other missionaries to Germany to send stuff in it as well. God is amazing to provide different people for different needs.

It is a bit overwhelming to look at all the things that need done and then remembering that I have people to connect with before I leave as well. Pray for me as I prioritize each day and decide the best ways to use my time. Pray that I will draw near to God as well. I am fairly sure that my journey to Germany will be for a year, Lord willing. God is guiding my steps each day - just need to trust him.

Thank you to those who are praying - you are a blessing!! Because of you I am reminded that God is good!

pics from winnipeg

Our Fearless Mobilizer Sharon (with obligatory whipped cream on nose :))

Some Janz Team friends at Dairy Queen (Rachel, Eric, Teri, Bethany, Becky)














More of my friends and I in Winnipeg (Me, Janet, Kristi, Rachel P, Laura (R & L the only Canadian Candidates), and Zach)
















Thinking deeply at a cool Canadian Mennonite University Building (CMU's campus is where we held orientation)














Typical Coffee Break in between many intense sessions.













Pretty Winnipeg Sunset :)







Here is a taste of my trip to Winnipeg for training. It is just a glimpse of some of the people I got to know there. I am thankful for this journey - I learned alot! Hope you all have a great day!