More Football and Student Activities Lie Ahead

September 29, 2007

So our German friend loves American Football, and we were invited again to watch a game with him and his family this weekend. We are excited! But he is a South Carolina fan, so that is what we will be watching. Football is a symbol for the fall season, and it just wouldn't be fall without watching games.

Today we are watching the girl's volleyball games at the school. It is a blast to see my students out there hustling it. They are good!

Last night we went to a Palmgarten dorm open house. I was expecting something low key where we just hang out with students and staff. But it was more than that! The theme was Hard Rock Cafe, and all dorm students came dressed as musicians. The dorm itself was decked out like a Hard Rock Cafe. They even served Hard Rock Cafe style food. I have never seen such creativity! The dorm was packed with just about everyone from the school. I can't wait to see the next dorm open house. Here is a link to Palmgarten dorm, so you get an idea of what it is like.

http://www.bfacademy.com/palm.asp

Tests, Progress Reports, and All that Good Stuff

September 26, 2007

We are half way through the term and progress reports went out yesterday. For the most part my students have good grades. Today, I am giving their first 35-minute timed writing in preparation for the SAT...which is buzz word for them these days. Junior year is an important year! As I write this blog, they are writing on the given topic. I watch them shake their heads and hands as they write....heads and hands hearting from the writing :)

Tomorrow is their first big unit test on Puritan Literature. It will interesting to see how they do on such a test. Answered prayer....I have a TA (teaching assistant) to grade papers. 12th graders have so many service hours to complete in a year, and one task is they can be a TA and help with grading, making copies....all those tedious things teachers have to do. I am excited about my TA and she lives at the dorm where I help out on Monday nights......another plus! God is good!

Nolan and Patti

Pottery, Sunshine, and Football

September 24, 2007

Saturday we were invited to a couple's house to watch the LSU and South Carolina game via satellite. It was a little fuzzy, but so good to be able to watch an American football game, and especially LSU! The other couple was cheering for South Carolina and they were decked out in the gear. Of course I was wearing my LSU t-shirt!

We visited a different church on Sunday. It was in German, but had English translation. We really liked everything about it, and will continue to visit there for awhile. Sunday afternoon was spent hanging out with an IMB missionary couple at the local pottery festival. So many great pieces of pottery! The weather was sunny and warm, so a perfect day to wander around town looking at pottery.

Sunday night we went to the Mosaic church plant meeting. This is the church that Nolan is helping out with by playing worship music. It is a small gathering now, but everyone is praying that this church plant will grow and more people from the community will attend.

So another busy weekend full of wonderful events. It helps to be busy on the weekends, so we don't feel homesick.

We continue to think about everyone back home and miss you all terribly!

Nolan and Patti

Fall Party Pictures

Bill and Brenda Gallagher

September 19, 2007

Some of you may not know that Brenda Gallagher has spent hours helping us with so many things to help us get here to Germany. And while we are here, she is still spending hours handling a lot of our personal affairs in Nashville. We are so grateful for Brenda and what she has done....and is still doing for us. She is part of this mission in so many ways.

Please be in prayer for her husband Bill as he is in on a business trip alone and is suffering from kindney stones. Brenda is on her way to be with him and then drive him back home. Pray for the pain he is feeling and for their safe return home.

Fall Party

September 18, 2007

Nolan and I had a great weekend. It started with the high school fall party. The theme was TV and movies, so students got creative and came dressed as many different characters. We had students dressed as characters from Shrek, High School Musical, 300, Sesame Street Gang, and even Rambo. Were they even born when Rambo came out in the theaters? Students also performed skits from the movies and TV shows, and they were hilarious! Quite a funny and entertaining evening. Next week the middle school kids have their opportunity to do the same.

Saturday, Nolan and I ventured out and went to France, which is only 30 minutes away from Kandern. I loved it! We went to a quaint town called Colmar. We just walked around and admired the architecture. And the weather was sunny and warm!

Sunday was spent at church and just relaxing. Nolan washed our car, which probably had not been washed in a couple of years....not exaggerating. There are tons of hiking trails all around this area, and I decided to go for a hike on my own, but almost got lost. After an hour and 1/2 into it, I began to panic a little. Thank goodness there were others hiking on the way, and I would ask which way was back to town. Thank goodness some of these people understood English! I think I will go with Nolan next time!

Thanks for all the cards, postings, and emails! We miss you all!

Patti and Nolan

Spiritual Emphasis Week

September 17, 2007

This week is SEW at BFA. We have a special speaker and musician to lead the services. Be in prayer for our students as they hear the Word of God and spend time in prayer for their lives. Pray for the speaker and musician leading the conference as they are used by God to speak to the students.

Coughs and Sore Throats

September 13, 2007

Well it is that time of the year...students and teachers are getting sick. Needless to say, I was hit with it yesterday and stayed in bed all day. I am feeling much better today...but not 100%. One teacher put it this way.....with so many kids coming from so many different countries, no telling what germs are being carried over here to the classrooms and dorms. And I haven't been eating well or exercising as much as normal....so my immune system is down and more exposed the germs. Thank goodness the weekend is near and I can rest more!

Festivals

September 9, 2007

We had our first culture experience in Germany. They love festivals and celebrations! Local restaurants set up booths to sell food, and all the money goes towards local clubs and organizations. So Nolan and I checked it out yesterday evening so we could sample some German food. We stuffed ourselves with crepes, bread and cheese, cheesecake....and Nolan had some bratwurst. His first real bratwurst in Germany! In the center was a stage with a band playing old American tunes....we found that funny! It was fun seeing the community come together and celebrate. We plan on going back today to sample more food. Nolan is looking foward to some more bratwurst!

Thank you, thank you, thank you

September 8, 2007

I am overcome with emotion today, because of the love and encouragement everyone is giving us. We just want to say thank you so much for taking time to read this blog and comment. You don't realize how much it means to us to hear from you all! May God Bless each one of you this!

Much Love to all of you,
Nolan and Patti

Blessings

September 6, 2007

Little blessings mean the world sometimes. A family here at the school is in US for the following week, and they asked us to house sit. We have a place to do our laundry, check email, and watch TV. All the little things we don't have in our aparmtent, because we are staying at a holiday guest house right now. It was even more comforting when I sat down on their cozy sofa and saw Southern Living and Real Simple magazines on the coffee table.....more simple blessings. It was nice cozy evening!

Cold Weather

September 5, 2007

So the weather has gotten a little chilly. I had to pull out the sweaters and socks...no more sandles and flip flops. I hear they will not turn on the heat until October though... lots of layering then.

Nolan is up to 26 guitar students, elementary and middle school choir, middle school chapel band, and elementary music classes. Needless to say, he is busy! Nolan and I both said this morning, that we do not need to let our new busy lives keep us from our quiet times with God. Also, we do not want to lose sight that our work is missions now and not just another day job.....this is a higher calling as we serve these students and community.

Dorm Life

September 4, 2007

Last night we helped out at one of the girl's dorms, and we will continue to help out twice a month. It was neat to hang out with students apart from the classroom. We had dinner with them and then we visited the rooms to say hi during their "free time". While they were in study hours, Nolan and I baked an apple streusel for their next breakfast. We loved getting to know the dorm parents and other volunteers as well. Good times. I can't wait to get to know the girls more through the year. I feel this is where the relationships really begin and grow.

Here We Go

Sept. 3, 2007

I can't believe it is September and we have been in Germany 3 weeks. This week is our first full week of school, and we are busy already with school activities, lessons, and church stuff. Last Friday was Chillin' and Grillin', a hang out time for students and staff. It was fun to get to know students outside the classroom. They served root beer floats, which is a rare because you can't find root beer here in Germany. Someone was able to get root beer from an army base. Kids loved it....and the adults too! Those little things you get so easily in the USA become special here in a different country, where you can't get them so easily.