Some traveling with Clarence's parents: Rothenburg, LEGOLAND, and Paris.
A visit from Anna's mom: Connyland, Europa Park, and fun at home!
Good old summer fun: playing in the creek!
Sunday, 15 September 2013
New School Year
The new school year is well underway already! We had a wonderful summer enjoying visits from family and some local vacationing. This new school year brings lots of changes for our family. Austin is attending Grade 1 at a bilingual school which partners with BFA and a German, Christian school. He's loving it! He's picking up German fairly quickly and loves his teachers. His biggest complaint the first day was, "there's too many breaks!". Silly boy. ;)
Silas has started German Kindergarten. Kindergarten here is private and non-academic. So, really more like preschool in North American - hence why he's starting so young. Silas tends to be fairly reserved and takes awhile to warm up to things, but he's adjusting okay so far. He enjoys playing with the toys and having snacktime at Kindergarten. Thankfully, there are a few other English speaking children in his class, making the transition a little easier. He's usually exhausted by the time he comes home for lunch, though - I'm glad it's only half day!
Clarence is enjoying being back in the classroom again! He loves teaching Bible to the 8th graders, and this year he is in charge of a homeroom as well. Things are quickly coming together for the Middle School small groups, Student Council, and other Middle School events. He loves being involved in all of it!
Our family (with Anna's mom visiting) at the Einschulungsfest - a special ceremony to
welcome the new first graders! Austin is holding a 'schultute' - a cone they're given on the
first day of school filled with school supplies and small gifts from the parents.
Silas has started German Kindergarten. Kindergarten here is private and non-academic. So, really more like preschool in North American - hence why he's starting so young. Silas tends to be fairly reserved and takes awhile to warm up to things, but he's adjusting okay so far. He enjoys playing with the toys and having snacktime at Kindergarten. Thankfully, there are a few other English speaking children in his class, making the transition a little easier. He's usually exhausted by the time he comes home for lunch, though - I'm glad it's only half day!
The boys on their first day of school!!!
Clarence is enjoying being back in the classroom again! He loves teaching Bible to the 8th graders, and this year he is in charge of a homeroom as well. Things are quickly coming together for the Middle School small groups, Student Council, and other Middle School events. He loves being involved in all of it!
The BFA seniors lining up for Opening Ceremony, when they get to carry
in the flags of all the countries represented at BFA.
Our school's theme for the year: Seek Truth.
Friday, 31 May 2013
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Summer plans!
Although our weather is still cold and rainy, summer is supposedly just around the corner! We will be sad to see the school year ending and saying goodbye to so many wonderful friends, including graduating seniors and some very close families who are moving on. However, summer plans are coming together and we look forward to it!
On the 'work front': Each summer Black Forest Academy works with Cairn University (formerly PBU) to host classes here in Germany. These classes are primarily aimed towards teachers, school administrators, or other missionaries working overseas and wanting to further their education, such as pursing a masters degree. Classes are held in Germany to provide a more convenient location for those living and working in Europe. Clarence and I are working as the "Assistant Directors" for this summer program with Cairn University. We will help provide housing, transportation, and other practical needs for those coming to BFA to take classes.
On the 'ministry front': Clarence and I will be attending TeachBeyond Institute, which is held here in Kandern, the first week of August. It is also called, Orientation Part 2. We will be learning more practical advice about how to thrive long-term on the mission field and be effective in our ministry.
On the 'home front': The most exciting thing, of course, is that we're moving! We will still be living in Kandern, just moving about 1km down the street to a nicer apartment, which is also closer to the high school. Hopefully this new apartment will also be a better fit for Silas with his dust mite allergies. So, starting on July 1st we will have a new address:
Hammersteinerstrasse 18
79400 Kandern, Germany
We also will be celebrating Austin's 6th birthday this summer. It's amazing to see how God has molded and shaped our little boy. Clarence's parents are coming to visit for a few weeks in August and we're excited to do some local sight-seeing with them. The boys are especially excited to see 'Mah-mah' and 'Yea-yea'!
On the 'work front': Each summer Black Forest Academy works with Cairn University (formerly PBU) to host classes here in Germany. These classes are primarily aimed towards teachers, school administrators, or other missionaries working overseas and wanting to further their education, such as pursing a masters degree. Classes are held in Germany to provide a more convenient location for those living and working in Europe. Clarence and I are working as the "Assistant Directors" for this summer program with Cairn University. We will help provide housing, transportation, and other practical needs for those coming to BFA to take classes.
On the 'ministry front': Clarence and I will be attending TeachBeyond Institute, which is held here in Kandern, the first week of August. It is also called, Orientation Part 2. We will be learning more practical advice about how to thrive long-term on the mission field and be effective in our ministry.
On the 'home front': The most exciting thing, of course, is that we're moving! We will still be living in Kandern, just moving about 1km down the street to a nicer apartment, which is also closer to the high school. Hopefully this new apartment will also be a better fit for Silas with his dust mite allergies. So, starting on July 1st we will have a new address:
Hammersteinerstrasse 18
79400 Kandern, Germany
We also will be celebrating Austin's 6th birthday this summer. It's amazing to see how God has molded and shaped our little boy. Clarence's parents are coming to visit for a few weeks in August and we're excited to do some local sight-seeing with them. The boys are especially excited to see 'Mah-mah' and 'Yea-yea'!
Friday, 17 May 2013
Happy Mother's Day!
Okay, a little belated, but Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mommies out there - and to all parents, even 'unofficial' ones, such are spiritual mothers/mentors, aunties, grandparents, etc.
This Mother's Day was quite different for me as I was away from my own children (see previous post about visit to Toronto), which was kind of sad. But I did end up getting to have lunch with my parents and my mother-in-law!
And now for a few pictures of my boys, because if you can't use a blog to post 'brag pictures' of your kiddos, then where can you?!
These two pictures are almost two years old now, but they're still some of my favorites!
This Mother's Day was quite different for me as I was away from my own children (see previous post about visit to Toronto), which was kind of sad. But I did end up getting to have lunch with my parents and my mother-in-law!
And now for a few pictures of my boys, because if you can't use a blog to post 'brag pictures' of your kiddos, then where can you?!
These two pictures are almost two years old now, but they're still some of my favorites!
And a few more recent pictures, just for fun!
Trip to Toronto
Most of you have probably heard, but I had a quick trip back to Toronto last week! I flew back to take my Canadian Citizenship Test. The test went pretty well - no official results yet, but I feel pretty confident that I passed. The discouraging news, however, is that I will have to fly back AGAIN in a few months do have my swearing in ceremony. I asked multiple times to do the ceremony and the test in the same visit (this would've been ideal for both our times and our finances) and the continued answer was a resounding NO. But we know that God is in control of all, even seemingly little things such as flying back to Canada.
It was nice to visit my friends from our church in Toronto, where we served for the last 7 years. Thanks so much to friends who made time to visit with me, house me, and give airport rides!
It was nice to visit my friends from our church in Toronto, where we served for the last 7 years. Thanks so much to friends who made time to visit with me, house me, and give airport rides!
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Half Year Mark...
February 9th marked half a year of serving at Black Forest Academy again. We didn't have any big celebrations or anything, we just took it as another day. In fact we really didn't think too much about it until recently. I (Clarence) have just been so enamored and honored to be able to be doing something that I love and enjoy with people whom I love and enjoy also.
I was very happy to learn, around that time, that I would be able to keep my position as MS Chaplain for as long as the Lord would have me in that position. It's been an awesome role to have and I just love being able to do something that I am passionate about and to be surrounded as well by people who enjoy this age group as well is so great.
This weekend (Mar.1-3) is our school's annual Retreat in Switzerland....in the Alps. I know, the Alps, right. So awesome and I bet you're also saying so jealous too. But all that aside, this weekend is a weekend that I would invite you to join us in prayer as the students and staff join together to fellowship, worhsip and praise God in his marvelous creation! Pray also that the hearts of all attending would be ready to hear the truth of God's Word and also that they will put the truth that they hear into action in their journey of faith.
Thank you to all of you who have prayed, are praying and are supporting us financially throughout this adventure. Without you and without the Lord working through you we would not have been able to accomplish anything here over the past 6 months. If you know of people whom you feel would like to know more about our ministry and possibly join you in building the kingdom of God together here at Black Forest Academy, please have them send us an e-mail or direct them to our blog.
God Bless :)
I was very happy to learn, around that time, that I would be able to keep my position as MS Chaplain for as long as the Lord would have me in that position. It's been an awesome role to have and I just love being able to do something that I am passionate about and to be surrounded as well by people who enjoy this age group as well is so great.
This weekend (Mar.1-3) is our school's annual Retreat in Switzerland....in the Alps. I know, the Alps, right. So awesome and I bet you're also saying so jealous too. But all that aside, this weekend is a weekend that I would invite you to join us in prayer as the students and staff join together to fellowship, worhsip and praise God in his marvelous creation! Pray also that the hearts of all attending would be ready to hear the truth of God's Word and also that they will put the truth that they hear into action in their journey of faith.
Thank you to all of you who have prayed, are praying and are supporting us financially throughout this adventure. Without you and without the Lord working through you we would not have been able to accomplish anything here over the past 6 months. If you know of people whom you feel would like to know more about our ministry and possibly join you in building the kingdom of God together here at Black Forest Academy, please have them send us an e-mail or direct them to our blog.
God Bless :)
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