January 26, 2008
It has been pretty uneventful at the school for the past couple of weeks, except for the outbreak of viruses...health is coming back to the students and staff. You still can hear some coughing and blowing of the noses at times though.
This weekend the honor choir is in Prague singing. Michele Phoenix is the BFA choir director, as well as the Creative Writing teacher. Michele is becoming a special person to me. She has spent her lunches and breaks listening to me vent about students and frustrations of living in a different country.
Michele grew up as a missionary kid in France, and attended BFA during her high school years. Then after college and a few years in the States, she returned to BFA as a teacher. She has so much wisdom to share with me....truly a God send. Along with her teaching duties and choir directing, she writes novels, in which 2 have been published. Her novels are based on the life of a missionary kid and the struggles he or she may endure.
I really do thank God for Michele and her wisdom. She has helped both Nolan and me as we endure the struggles of being a new missionary on the field. Please pray for Michele because recently the doctors told her she has cancer after having a spot removed from her face. What is so amazing to watch is her strength and faith in our Lord. She is truly an amazing person!
Please see her blog for more info on her ministry.
http://www.xanga.com/serenitymine
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Viruses are in the Air
January 18, 2008
This week was absolutely crazy because of different viruses floating around. One day we had a total of 60 students out with some kind of sickness, and that is not including teachers and dorm staff. Thursday, I had only 5 out of 14 students present in one of my classes.
They say this happens everyone once in awhile; it is the nature of the environment here. Students coming back from all parts of the world, including very exotic parts of the world, I might add. So they bring all kinds of germs with them to the dorm, and the germs only spread from there. These kids live in very close proximity. Then they come to school not feeling well and pass it on to teachers and home students. The director made an important announcement for students to not come if they are feeling bad, it only makes the situation worse.
Inspite of the sicknesses, we still had basketball games last night. Nolan and I went for awhile. They always grill hamburgers and chicken, so I enjoyed some good ole'American food. And there is always an assorment of homemade desserts for sale. The junior class sponsors the concession as a way to raise money for the class. So Nolan and I always rather "eat out" at the school, knowing the money is going back to the students....especially since I am a junior class teacher.
The junior class came up with the idea of a coffee house. They had this going on in the auditorium while the games were taking place. So if someone got tired of watching the games, they could come to the coffee house, drink coffee and enjoy live music. Of course Nolan was asked to play a 30-minute "gig". He had some of the students join in with their guitars and bongos. This one time I did not have my camera with me. No pictures this time. Hopefully they be doing this again.
Something I want to add in my blog is weekly prayer requests. I know I have some listed on the side, but those are year-round requests. So here they are for this week:
1. Nolan and I have to begin making decisions regarding next year and future plans.
2. Some students in my class who are a little troublesome. Pray for guidance and how
I can handle the situation.
3. Nolan's middle school choir. 52 MS students, 7th period, Friday afternoon...enough said.
4. Nolan and I have to take a written test for a German driver's license. Thank goodness it will be in English, but we hear it is quite difficult.
This week was absolutely crazy because of different viruses floating around. One day we had a total of 60 students out with some kind of sickness, and that is not including teachers and dorm staff. Thursday, I had only 5 out of 14 students present in one of my classes.
They say this happens everyone once in awhile; it is the nature of the environment here. Students coming back from all parts of the world, including very exotic parts of the world, I might add. So they bring all kinds of germs with them to the dorm, and the germs only spread from there. These kids live in very close proximity. Then they come to school not feeling well and pass it on to teachers and home students. The director made an important announcement for students to not come if they are feeling bad, it only makes the situation worse.
Inspite of the sicknesses, we still had basketball games last night. Nolan and I went for awhile. They always grill hamburgers and chicken, so I enjoyed some good ole'American food. And there is always an assorment of homemade desserts for sale. The junior class sponsors the concession as a way to raise money for the class. So Nolan and I always rather "eat out" at the school, knowing the money is going back to the students....especially since I am a junior class teacher.
The junior class came up with the idea of a coffee house. They had this going on in the auditorium while the games were taking place. So if someone got tired of watching the games, they could come to the coffee house, drink coffee and enjoy live music. Of course Nolan was asked to play a 30-minute "gig". He had some of the students join in with their guitars and bongos. This one time I did not have my camera with me. No pictures this time. Hopefully they be doing this again.
Something I want to add in my blog is weekly prayer requests. I know I have some listed on the side, but those are year-round requests. So here they are for this week:
1. Nolan and I have to begin making decisions regarding next year and future plans.
2. Some students in my class who are a little troublesome. Pray for guidance and how
I can handle the situation.
3. Nolan's middle school choir. 52 MS students, 7th period, Friday afternoon...enough said.
4. Nolan and I have to take a written test for a German driver's license. Thank goodness it will be in English, but we hear it is quite difficult.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
January 13, 2008
Wow, already 13 days into January. Cliche to say, but really, "where is time going?" Nolan and I are back to teaching. Students arrived Monday, and classes began Tuesday. Students were a little jet-lagged from their long plane rides from all different parts of the world. I was easy on them this first week by having them work on the computer...grammar and writing. They were able to work at their own pace. However, tomorrow we are back to the classroom and lectures. Woo-Hoo!
It was hard getting back into the swing of things. Nolan and I had such a nice break, spending time with friends and family....and each other! The school schedule keeps us so busy, that it is hard to find time for each other. And when we do find time, we are exhausted and just lounge on the sofa. By the way, we have a sofa...not just a little loveseat. It is so comfortable! I have said this before, but our new apartment is just great! And even closer to the school. I can go home for lunch. I have never been able to do that in all my years of teaching. What a blessing!
It was hard getting back into the swing of things. Nolan and I had such a nice break, spending time with friends and family....and each other! The school schedule keeps us so busy, that it is hard to find time for each other. And when we do find time, we are exhausted and just lounge on the sofa. By the way, we have a sofa...not just a little loveseat. It is so comfortable! I have said this before, but our new apartment is just great! And even closer to the school. I can go home for lunch. I have never been able to do that in all my years of teaching. What a blessing!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Happy New Year!
January 2, 2007
Nolan and I want to say thank you to all of you who have supported and encouraged us this past year. May God bless each one of you this new upcoming year. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done for us!
Nolan and I are rested and ready for the new semester. Pray for students as they begin returning back to the dorms this weekend.....students are traveling from all parts of the world to return to school. Pray for us a wonderful and blessed semester at Black Forest Academy.
Much love,
Patti and Nolan
Nolan and I want to say thank you to all of you who have supported and encouraged us this past year. May God bless each one of you this new upcoming year. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you have done for us!
Nolan and I are rested and ready for the new semester. Pray for students as they begin returning back to the dorms this weekend.....students are traveling from all parts of the world to return to school. Pray for us a wonderful and blessed semester at Black Forest Academy.
Much love,
Patti and Nolan
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)