God's Kisses

This has been a topic very heavily discussed between my freshman small group girls that I co-lead and specific chapels here at BFA. Today, specifically, I was able to experience the "kisses of God" that were meant for only me. I take joy in sharing these moments with you.

Today while at work I received an email that made my day. I'm talking smiling from ear to ear in excitement for what God is doing within our middle school. Recently I was given the task of teaching 6th grade Health. After a very small hesitation I decided to go for it. Well, it turns out that this would be the BEST decision that I've made in a while. Not only do I get to spend some time with the 6th graders, but I get to reach out to them in ways that I did not even realize.

Games elective that my roommate and I teach together

Just yesterday we started a unit in Health that requires the boys and girls to be split up into two groups. The boys are with a male teacher and the girls are with me. You can only imagine the things that we talk about as it regards to the changes that our bodies go through as we grow into adults. Well, yesterday I was able to sit down with the girls and have a special "tea time" where we sipped hot tea (that they were able to pick out themselves) and little pieces of chocolate. The girls were SO EXCITED and it was a nice time that we could be open and honest about our lives. Well, to my joy there was an email for me this morning from a parent of one of the girls in my Health class. It read:

So, a bit of follow-up that might make you smile.  

My daughter told me in the car on the way home that they had "a talk"... without the boys....

She said it was nice cause they got tea and goodies (nice touch!)  

On the way home we stopped by the store to get bread.  She went in too and bought her own stuff.  I thought she was buying candy, but no!  She was buying deodorant!  Too cute. And she told me in the car that she was going to buy a comb, because you told her that it was not good to brush your wet hair with a brush! You should always use a comb!  She decided to not buy the comb though, since it was too expensive and we had an old one at home! :)

Okay, that's just for you.  Don't tell her I told you or she'd kill me.  But it absolutely made me smile and I thought you'd get a kick out of it too!  You see!!!! They were listening!

My heart still smiles from reading that message. God continues to bless me with stories and experiences that I am able to have with the amazing people that He has created in the community around me. Sometimes it's easy to feel down and upset because I am away from home and often miss my friends and family, but God is constantly sending me "kisses" to remind me of His steadfast love for me -- oh, how I LOVE HIM so much.

Then, as if life could not get any better today, when I got home from school I received an email from a 7-year-old girl that must have read about me through my missions organization. The email reads as follows:

Dear   miss   taylor.    my    name   is    XXX    i    am   7   years    old!     what    is    it    like    in    Germany? it    is    snowing    just   a   litle   bit   hear! we   have   been    praying for   you! can   you   write    back    to    me?   oh   right    i have    1   sister   and   my two    brothers   are in   heaven! 

in   christ     XXX!

HOW INCREDIBLY TOO CUTE!!! God just continues to "kiss" me and send me love in the form of encouraging notes and amazing words. Through others He continues to show me how much He truly loves all of us and uses His specific, special ways to do so. I hear you God, I am listening, and I know now -- more than ever -- that you love me. Help me to stay in Your will and glorify You through the things that I do, the words that I speak, and the relationships that I have with Your children. I love you.

Hillsong church in London, England (we went for the Sunday service)

London, England:  Parliament and Big Ben

This past weekend I was also able to have the pleasure in taking a short trip to London, England with some girls that work at BFA with me. It was SO NICE to be able to spend time with others that I do not see that often (because they work at the high school and elementary school). The much needed break was a great get-a-way from hectic life and an AWESOME way to reconnect with God. In those small and big moments it was evident to me of His love not only for me, but for His people. ALL of us.

My prayer for you, my friends, is that you are able to see how God specifically kisses YOU, not your neighbor, not your friend, not your spouse, but YOU. He loves YOU and desires a personal and deep relationship with YOU. If you'll allow Him, He'll send you kisses too. :-)

The famous red telephone booths in England

While on "The Eye" (a huge enclosed farris wheel in England)

Lexi and I in front of the Place (Yes, where the Prince got married)

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ~ John 15:13

Remembrance of Love

Today is special because not only does the world signify it as "Valentine's Day," but it is one more GREAT reminder of God's love for us!! As we spread love around today let's please remember of the One who loves us most, God! :-)

A WONDERFUL spread from our lovely parents here at the Middle School,
letting us know how much they appreciate all that we do! How sweet, LITERALLY!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

~ John 3:16 ~

On our hearts:  (Me) John 3:16 and (Brittany) Romans 5:8

"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

~ Romans 5:8 ~

My Algebra class with our "homemade hearts."
**You may notice that the above right girl "lost" her heart to the above right boy (because she talked to him).  **

Little fact about BFA on Valentine's Day:  the girls decorate hearts that they pin to their shirts or wear around their neck, THEN if they talk to a boy during the school day (when it's not in a "safe zone," such as class) then the girl has to give the boy their heart. I know, gives a WHOLE NEW meaning to this verse:

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

~ Proverbs 4:23 ~

Dark chocolate fudge I made for our staff

Chocolate peanut butter fudge that I, also, made

Biggest Fan

As I packed up to head home for Christmas break anticipation left me having dreams every night, not sure what was going to happen next. How will they react? What will they think? Will they jump for joy when I walk through the door? I ended up coming up with millions of scenarios as to how my friends and family would react when they would see me. I would be lying if I said that I was not proud of myself for keeping such a good secret a surprise for SO long. Since this past October I knew that I was coming home for Christmas to surprise my loved ones…the best part:  they had NO idea. The months from October to December were significantly hard to keep my mouth shut as various individuals had conversations with me that included phrases such as “I’m really sad that you won’t be here” and “we’ll be thinking and praying about you during this time away from your family.” Little did they know…

Above: (left) Danica and Ryan on Christmas morning; (right) Dad and Mom with our Christmas Tree

Christmas Dinner with the whole family :-)

                                           

Normally when something good happens you cannot wait to tell the world about it, or at least those closest to you. However, the multiple times that I sat down to write this blog entry I found myself without words and unsure what to write. Not because my time at home was ill-spent, or even because the surprises weren’t what I expected. It was actually quite the opposite. There are definitely PLENTY of words that I could use to describe the GREAT feeling of seeing my parents, friends, family, and siblings for the first time in about 5 months. Everything went so much better than expected, and even though most of my break back in the United States was emotional, I would not give up any of the fantastic moments that I had while being there.

With the help of some close friends and family members I was able to surprise four groups of friends and family while being home – yes, four. It was a great feeling knowing that I was giving most people something for Christmas that they definitely were not expecting:  Faith. Faith in knowing that God truly does care and provide for His children; Faith in knowing that He is constantly there for them, thinking of them while they are going about their daily lives; Faith in Him as our Father, our best friend, and biggest fan. I cannot express in words what a privilege it was to be used by God in order to reach out to others. This, by far, was the most emotional part.

My close friends and I at my "skyping party" aka Surprise Party

Coming back from Christmas my relationship with God was challenged and strengthened as I came back with renewed faith, stronger feelings towards Him, and a sense of comfort knowing that Germany is now my home. Coming back had me thinking about my time at home. Time spent with friends, time spent with family, and my feelings towards all of it. All these events and mixed emotions guided me towards some new thinking and realizations…

Mike, me and Steph during the Surprise Party

Those close friends of ours that we love and get excited about seeing or spending time with, sorry to say – but they are NOT our biggest fan. Our biggest fan is not our mother, our father, or our boyfriend/girlfriend; not even our husband/wife. Our BIGGEST fan will always be God. HE is the one that is constantly wanting to spend time with us, wanting to know what we are doing, wanting to shout OUR praises to the world. However, we need to give Him a reason to shout.

Eating some Pizza in Genova, Italy

Just like a mother and father are proud of their child for their latest artwork, or the recent roll they scored in the school play, God desires to share our accomplishments with others. God wants to shout our praises from a hilltop because WE are HIS children. We are His pride and joy. Unfortunately, however, we fail time and time again, leaving Him with nothing to put on His “fridge.”

Sammie and I at the leaning tower of Pisa in Italy

After realizing this I wanted to dig deeper. I wanted to dive more into the subject of glorifying Him, worshipping Him, and spreading His love and words to others. We cannot do it alone, we will ALWAYS need His help with reaching out to His people, reaching out to our brothers and sisters. It is from here that I realized it all begins with us. How are WE supposed to reach out to others when WE ourselves have not been preparing? How would those in the Old Testament have been ready for battle if they had not trained ahead of time? First we need to prepare our minds, hearts, and souls in order to reach out to others with the proper mindset – encouraging them while doing so.

What better place to start then the Bible. The one book that God left for all of us to get to know Him better, to be able to connect with Him daily. However, as said in the Bible – this time with Him cannot be just another event in our lives. This time is to be special and ONLY spent with Him. Do not get me wrong, it also states in the Bible how we should be in community with one another and share His word outwardly and openly with others, but it has to start somewhere.

Town of Pisa, Italy

It starts in a quiet room where we are all by ourselves, excited about our time with God and His desire to be with us. Matthew 6:6 states, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Unfortunately as humans, sometimes we feel as though we have something to prove to everyone else, we feel as though it is our duty to sing our own praises. Why do we feel as though this is our duty? This is what God takes joy in doing…we just need to let Him. So go. Go to your quiet place and spend quality time with your Father. Spend time with Him and allow Him to speak to you through prayer, through His words, and through that specific time He has set aside for you and only you.

Cinque Terre, Italy (you can walk through five town via this walkway)

One of my long-term goals that will never be accomplished is to become closer to Him. No matter how much I read, how much I pray, and how much time I spend with Him – it will never be enough. There will always be something new to learn about Him, about myself, and about our unique and special relationship with one another. HOW COOL IS THAT! It is like a movie that NEVER ends! No matter how hard we seek or how hard we pray, there will ALWAYS be something NEW to learn about Him, something NEW to learn about me, and something NEW to learn about my undying and never-ending personal relationship with Him. What a great feeling it is to be one of His children, the one that He takes pride and joy showing off to the rest of the world in order to glorify Him. Lord please use me, use me in whatever way you may need in order to glorify you.

Monte Carlo, Monaco 

Please join me in prayer as I look forward to serving our Lord, once again, next year at Black Forest Academy as a middle school mathematics teacher. God has been teaching me SO much within these last 6 months, and I cannot WAIT to see what else is in store. Through His creation, words, and actions He continually has me in awe of who He is and what He represents to us.

Things to look forward to in this upcoming Month:

AGIS teacher's conference in Hannover, Germany

Meetings for our Brest, Belarus missions trip

Speaking in chapel for Middle School

Trip to England with some close BFA friends over a long weekend

Roommates and I house sitting for one of the families here at BFA

High School Retreat (where I will be spending time with my small group girls)

Praises:  Personal time in the word, My mom's boss started chemotherapy and has been responding well, The arrival of our last middle school teacher, The ability to have my sister and brother-in-law here over Christmas break, My ability to see family and friends over Christmas break, Time with great friends here at BFA, God's constant provision over our lives, wonderful roommates, the continual support of those back home -- I love you all so much!

Prayers:  For more personal/along time with My Lord, Teaching two new classes this quarter:  Health for grade 6 and a Games elective, My mom's cousin who recently passed away from Leukemia, One of my Best Friends who is getting ready to give birth, Spiritual growth for those on BFA missions trips, and my friends back home that are serving in Haiti in the near future.

Basketball game where I helped out with Scoreboard

Middle Schoolers playing during Chapel

God is BIGGER than you and me. BIGGER than our problems. BIGGER than ANYTHING that makes us REMOTELY happy.

God already thinks we are famous, why would we need to prove it to anyone else…trying to is just a waste of time.

Roommates and I right before Christmas break

Just a Glimpse...

Hello again! Happy 2012! The year has just flown by and I have so many things to be thankful for. This past year God truly stretched me to unknown lengths that I did not know I was capable of; however, through it all He has been there...ultimately leading me to where I am today:  at Black Forest Academy (BFA). Serving, spreading His word and love to others, and seeking Him every step of the way has been my pleasure.

For my time here at BFA so far I have put together a short 8-9 minute video on YouTube that will give you a short glimpse of my first semester here at Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany. I have included the link below. (You can only access it with the link).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jsQ6VCVs1Zs

Please look for an upcoming blog entry where I will tell you about the amazing blessing that God gave me this past Christmas as I was able to SURPRISE my family and friends by going home for Christmas. It was a great time of laughter, tears, and overall great memories. :-) God is good.

"And He said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"  ~Matthew 22: 37-39

Thankfulness Full-Circle

Colossians 3:15 says, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

The verse above definitely describes this past Thanksgiving season for me here in Germany. Since Thanksgiving is an American holiday, Germany as a whole does not celebrate it -- but BFA definitely does. Looking back at these past couple of weeks I can honestly say that I am completely and utterly thankful for God:  who He is, how He sent His ONLY Son to pay for our sins, His love for all of us, His desire for our lives, and how He is continually there for us no matter what. We are not worthy. We, brothers and sisters, are NOT worthy. For this I am thankful.

During these last couple of weeks there have been many defining moments of my journey with our Lord Jesus Christ here in Germany. I have had the privilege of leading devotions for our middle school staff, represent Messiah College at the BFA College Fair Day for the high schoolers, attend THREE shows of BFA's fall musical:  Seussical the Musical, attend TWO Thanksgiving dinners: one at the middle school house/dorm and another at my apartment with 12 close friends from the BFA community, and attending the BFA High School Christmas Banquet. God continues to bless me week after week as I serve Him here, wanting to me more and more like Him in my actions and who I am. Day after day I fail, but I continue to strive to be like Him as He allows me to do so. 

My roommate playing the piano as we sang worship songs

Leading Devotions at school

It was my honor to have the opportunity to lead middle school staff devotions recently. Speaking on being courageous for Him, I was able to make a video that incorporated multiple pictures of God's people serving around the world. Some of my friends were gracious enough as to lend me some of their photos from when they served in Nicaragua, Haiti, Ghana, and Johannesburg, South Africa. I also included some of my pictures from Kandern, Germany here at Black Forest Academy. It brought me happiness to speak on something that has been so close to my heart. Using the words of Casting Crowns new song, "Courageous," I was able to pair the words of the song with the pictures for, what I think, was a dramatic affect of how we are here on this earth to be courageous for Him and His people. As 2 Corinthians 5:6 states, "Being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord -- for we walk by faith, not by sight..."

College Fair Day at the HS (where I hosted the "Messiah College" table)

Within the past couple of weeks I was asked to host the "Messiah College" table at Black Forest Academy so that those high school students currently attending Black Forest Academy would be able to learn more about the college, with the prospect of going there in the near future. Throughout the day it was a great mixture of freshman, sophomores, juniors, and seniors as they walked by the various tables, eager to learn more information about the institutions (and in some cases hoping to get some free goodies). :-) It was great to be a part of something that was held at the high school for the high schoolers. Being able to help out in that specific way was energizing and very fun!

Various characters from "Seussical the Musical", performed by BFA

"Seussical the Musical" performed by BFA

For this Fall's Musical at Black Forest Academy the students performed "Seussical the Musical." The Musical consisted of middle schoolers (most of which I teach math to) and high schoolers (some of which I lead in small group bible study). They performed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday -- I went on all three nights. Even though it seems crazy to have gone three times, it was great to see them grow and and improve in their performances as well as see my students and small group girls shine on stage. Way to go Stage and Crew for all of your hard work, it definitely paid off.

The delicious meal at our Cross Country gathering

Cross Country - end with a Bang

The Cross Country team, its coaches, and I were able to get together one last time this season in order to look back on all that we were able to accomplish and overcome. With the help of our Lord the team has made some great accomplishments and can, therefore, look back on a great season. We were able to spend one last time together in His fellowship as we consumed great food (Taco Salad, cake, and ice cream), presented awards, watched a short slide show presentation of the season, and played a few games. Overall it was a great time spent in company with one another and our Lord as we ended the season with one last BANG. :-)

Thanksgiving Dinner with my roommates and friends

This Thanksgiving season I was able to attend two different Thanksgiving meals. The first meal was held at the middle school house/dorm, where I previously subbed for a weekend. It was a time of great Thanksgiving and personal time with four of my students here at BFA. One moment in particular that still stands out to me was when one of my eighth graders took the time to thank her dorm parents (a young married couple) for all that they have done. She noted that all four students in the middle school house have never been away from their parents before, but that they (the dorm parents) had made it an easy transition. What brought joy, and some tears, to my eyes was when the dorm dad (what would seem like a tough fella) started shedding tears. That moment touched my heart and gave me joy this Thanksgiving.

Another Thanksgiving that I was able to participate in was one a little closer to home, literally. Having helped out with some decor and desserts, my roommates and I opened up our apartment to 10 lovely ladies from the community in order to glorify and praise our Lord for all that He has blessed us with, and who He is in our lives. We spent our Friday night being thankful for Him and who He is, worshipping Him as my roommates played the piano and operated the slide show of words, sharing verses of Thanksgiving out of the Bible, and emotional words in prayer during this Thanksgiving season. I am blessed for our Lord's provision over all of our lives and continue to be thankful for those amazing people He has put in my life since being here at BFA. Two of those people are my roommates - I continue to be thankful for them and thank God for the chance that He gave us to become closer and bond during the preparation of our Thanksgiving time with such close friends. Thank you, thank you, thank you Lord God Almighty. 

Christmas Banquet with BFA friends and family

Just last night I was able to attend BFA's annual Christmas Banquet, filled with love, laughter, food and fun. The evening consisted of dinner, a talent show/program, dancing, dessert, and many, many, many pictures. During this event the eighth graders had the opportunity to "serve" as waiters and waitresses, providing drinks, salad, and busting the tables. It was such a joy to see some of my students as well as my small group bible study girls all in the same place at the same time, celebrating our Lord Jesus Christ and His birth. It was truly a night of fun, laughter, and great memories.

God in all His splendor

God knows exactly what we need and how to provide for us, before we even give it a thought. Today I was given the unique opportunity to listen to a recent sermon from my church online. After listening for a couple of minutes I stared to become overwhelmed with the message that God was showing me. Being a dear loved one at my church that I know quite well, I was touched as He became broken for the Lord and His call for our lives. The sermon specifically talked about how God constantly meets us where we are. Some key points that I take away from the sermon are as follows:  "I purchased you on the cross...I died for you...I live for you...you can't have a better plan for my church than I do...I will build my church, and nothing will stand against it. Not even Hell...God is in full control, He is sovereign..." Tears rolled down my face as I made personal connections with the sermon and applied them to my life. God truly continues to reach out to us, it is just our choice whether we listen or not. Thank you God for continuing to pursue me even if I do not always listen.

Missions while being a Missionary

Just this past week I found out that I will be one of the leaders on a missions trip to Brest, Belarus in April of 2012. After learning of this opportunity I was overjoyed in the various ways that I have been able to, and continue to be able to, serve our Lord here at BFA. A couple days ago I had the chance to meet with the Head on this missions trip, where we were able to brainstorm what we want this trip to look like for the six highs school students that will be in attendance with us. After deep conversation as to how we are going to raise funds, minister to the students, and exemplify a deep love of our Lord while in Belarus, I began to realize what a honor it is to have the love of our Lord, and the joy that comes with that when sharing the good news with others. If you would, please join me in prayer as I mentally, spiritually, and financially prepare myself and these students for our trip in April. As we work on team building please pray for our future bible studies, devotionals, and ministry opportunities together as one body united through Him.

Posters that my Algebra class created on simplifying equations

Prayer for others in their Service to Him

A couple days ago I received a letter from two very close friends back home in Pennsylvania. They, with God's direction and guidance, have answered a call to serve Him in Haiti this upcoming year. The first time I heard this news I was rushed with feeling of happiness and sorrow. Happy due to the fact that they are using their passion and desire for our Lord and His people to serve those whom they care about so deeply, but sad due to the fact that they will no longer be within a couple miles of my home in Pennsylvania. However, setting my selfish feelings aside I could not be happier for them in their journey with our Lord Jesus Christ. They have been such a huge influence on me in my journey as a missionary that I would not be able to be anything except the same for them. I am including their information below in case you would be interested in including them in your prayers and/or support as they continue on a faith journey with Him to Haiti. (echoesfromhaiti.blogspot.com; www.cten.org/benbeachy)

Thank you so much for your love and support as we head into this holiday season that celebrates the birth of the precious one:  Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Things to look forward to in this upcoming Month:

Small group Bible study Christmas Party

The first-time visit of my roommate's mother here in Germany

Meetings for our Brest, Belarus missions trip

Middle School open house for our German neighbors and BFA community

Our Last Small group Bible study before Christmas Break

Middle School Christmas Party and Holiday festivities

Christmas Party with other young missionaries here at BFA

Performance of the Drama class's Christmas Play (taught by my roommate and me)

Middle School and High School Exams before Christmas

Praises:  Personal time in the word, Time with great friends here at BFA, God's constant provision over our lives, wonderful roommates, the continual support of those back home -- I love you all so much!

Prayers:  For more personal/along time with My Lord, My mother's boss (she has Lung and Skin cancer), A friend's father who recently had a heart attack, one of my Best Friends who is having strong Braxton Hicks contractions, Safe travels for my roommate's mother, Spiritual growth for those on BFA missions trips, and my friends back home that are serving in Haiti in the near future.

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe..."

~Hebrews 12:28~