Life = Noise

Sometimes it takes silence to hear His plan for our lives. However, how are we supposed to do that with all this noise going on around us? We were once all lost, but now we are found by the one who truly loves us -- and He desires us to resist the noise of life in order to hear HIS desire for our lives.

"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."

~ Ephesians 5:19 ~

During this specific blog post I will attempt to share with you the "noises" in my life currently. Over the past two months there have been many, many events and happenings both in school and out of it that have brought me to where I am today:  full of noise.

ALTERNATIVE:  "Regenbogen" - aka a mixture of music (Classes)
This year is a little different from last in the fact that I am teaching Mathematics for sixth, seventh, AND eighth grade. Being both challenging and rewarding, God has definitely been stretching me through lesson plans, students, material, tests, and overall relationships with my students. Walking away from each day full of teaching classes leaves me feeling various emotions and thoughts. When it boils down to it, each and every day I feel blessed to be able to have a deep, meaningful relationships with these amazing children of God...but I often wonder what more of a connection I would be able to have with them if it were not for me being their math teacher. I have continued to pray about this as I look towards the future that God has for me, meanwhile so completely grateful for where He currently has me.

Riding bumper cars with a student during Herbstmesse (HUGE fair in Basel, Switzerland)

One of the MANY matches during our tennis season

HIP HOP:  Go-getter music; "we're all in this together" (Tennis)
Head Tennis Coach. Definitely three words that I would not have put together to describe myself; however, this year coaching the BFA tennis team has honestly been such a positive highlight of my school year thus far. With MANY challenging moments and long nights, tennis this year was an incredible blessing that God blessed me with. Coaching and playing along-side these humble individuals of the high school was nothing short of rewarding. I definitely hold a special spot in my heart for my tennis players from this year and cannot thank them enough for representing our team through their sportsmanship, grace, and Christ-like qualities. My team was constantly being complimented on their quality in all areas of life. I was, and still am, honored to be their coach. While attending away meets and holding one of our own, it was evident that our light was shining bright for the other teams to see. All-in-all it was a great experience that I will never forget.

Middle School Staff at the Fall Party (Disney Characters)

BFA Faculty at Herbstmesse (Fair in Basel)

CHRISTIAN POP:  energetic beat, where the heart is (Small Group)
My heart smiles when I think about the six special individuals that make up my sophomore small group (five girls and one co-leader). It continues to be an answer to prayer as I share my heart, love, and life with these amazing women. We continue to pour into one another's lives through laughter, hugs, and tears. We understand each other and continue to build one another up through life's struggles and surprises. Every Wednesday night when I am walking home from small group I have a moment where I smile to myself, laugh out loud, and verbally thank our God above for the blessing that He has bestowed upon me through these excellent women He has meticulously created. I continue to be in awe of the fact that He has purposely placed each of us in each others lives, from now until we meet again in heaven. These girls continue to pull out my heart strings and make my time here SUCH a blessing.

Me and Rachel (one of my roommates)

Me and Sammie (another roommate)

SOUL:  fulfilling our lives with peace (Mentoring)
Recently the high school at BFA decided to start a mentoring program where individuals in the community can reach out to high school students through mentoring. It a privilege of mine to say that I have been able to participate in such an occurrence. Starting this month I will be officially meeting with two females from the high school, both Sophomores. This is honestly something that really excites me. An opportunity to be able to pour into the lives of teens is not one that I take lightly. It is my prayer that I will be able to pour into the lives of these two girls through food, fun, laughter, tears, hugs, and overall life stories and events. When I sit down to think about what role I want out of life...this is it. In the name of Jesus I want to be able to love and support those around me, specifically the younger generation. I have found, over time, that I have a heart for the generations to come, and I cannot THANK my Lord enough for gifting me with this amazing opportunity to do just that. Thank you Lord for continuing to surprise me with gifts that have my name on them.

Oktoberfest :-)

PAUSES:  moments for silence in the music (Time with Friends)
Over the past two months I have briefly had some time to spend with some great friends of mine in the community. Everything from making random Starbucks runs TO running in a 7K race TO going out to dinner and having Cafe time TO attending Oktoberfest for the first time in my life -- I have been grateful to have these "pauses" in the music of life in order to re-cooperate from all the busyness that life brings through teaching, mentoring, and coaching in order to truly grow in the Love of our Lord through friendship, fellowship, and family. Even though it can be hard most times being away from loved ones back in the states, my "family" of friends here at BFA has filled my spare time with happiness and warmth as the comfort of home seems farther and farther away. Each and every day I thank Jesus for the tremendous love and support I continually receive from my close friends around me. God continues to take care of me through the love of those here and back home...and God, I thank you for that (among MANY other things).

At the beginning of the race: Heather, me, and Rachel (Basel, Switzerland)

UPCOMING RECORDS:  the unknown future (Next Year)
People always say "save the best for last," but in this case I am saving the hardest for last. Within the past couple of weeks I have been asked this question over and over again:  "What are you doing next year?" It seems like such a simple question, but unfortunately for me the question triggers a spiral of thoughts. If I had the answer I would give it -- but the best way to answer it is as follows:  "That is a good question. I am interested to see where God takes me." And that is just it -- I am in God's hands. As much as I would love to sit here and say that I am going to be doing x, y, and z next year I really do not have those answers. I am currently seeking God's direction for my life and would appreciate prayer in this regard. Until He is able to show me the next step of His plan for me as per what is to come next, I am waiting patiently and through prayer I know that He will show me the way.

Rachel and me at the end of the Race...we made it!

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

~ John 14:6 ~

Love and support from Erin via my sign...I love her!