Next weekend (Feb 28 - March 2) is BFA's annual High School Retreat! All of the high school students go away for the weekend for a time of fun, fellowship, and spiritual growth. I (Anna) am super excited to get to go this year! I have a small group of 5 amazing freshman girls, and I'm so looking forward to spending the weekend with them, especially discussion times and debriefing after each of our large group sessions.
Please PRAY for all of the students and staff who will be attending the retreat. Pray for open heart and for God to do amazing things next weekend!
Clarence will not be going to retreat this year, but will instead stay in and have time with the Middle School students. They will having lots of fun here in the Kandern-area, including a trip to an indoor waterpark, gym time, and chapel.
Saturday, 22 February 2014
Some belated Christmas pics :)
Decorating our tree
Christmas Eve gift - rice/heating socks
Austin's first time on ice skates!
New family pic
Friday, 4 October 2013
Canadian Citizen!!
So I [Anna] am now officially a Canadian Citizen! The progress has been a little more complicated than we originally thought, but it's done now, and it's a big relief. I originally applied for citizenship in Sept 2011, thinking it would be finished in plenty of time before we moved to Germany (we originally planned to come to Germany in August 2013). However, we ended up moving to Germany a year earlier than planned. Thankfully, they were able to keep progressing my application, but I had to fly back to Canada TWICE for official matters - once to take my Citizenship Test (in May 2013) and once to do my Citizenship Ceremony (September 2013). There were so other minor complications along the way - the clerk actually recognized my name when she called me up during the ceremony to receive my Citizenship Certificate! She joked about how my case had given her such a headache and she was glad to be done with me. :)
So, I am now a dual citizen - yes, I DO get to keep my American citizenship, and am working on filing for a Canadian passport. I am excited, and a little nausea from all the maple syrup I drank . . .
So, I am now a dual citizen - yes, I DO get to keep my American citizenship, and am working on filing for a Canadian passport. I am excited, and a little nausea from all the maple syrup I drank . . .
Sunday, 15 September 2013
A few summer pics!
A few pictures to recap our summer!
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!
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'!
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