It's been quite a while since I last wrote on this blog. There are several reasons for this, but the main one is that my life is in such a drastically different place than when this blog first started, I feel like there needs to be a fresh start.
So, if you are by any chance interested in what lays ahead, please feel free to continue reading at http://Godsgrowingtree.blogspot.com
17 June 2010
16 January 2010
Skiing
Yesterday my sister and brother-in-law and I made our way up to Hoodoo to go night skiing. Yes, you heard correctly. I never knew night skiing existed and was somewhat leery of the experience, but my desire to get in at least one skiing day this winter won out.
I have to say that renting my skis was a much more simple task in America, except the guy asked me if I wanted shorter or longer skis (both of which would work fine for my height) and I didn't know what to tell him. All my experience skiing up til then had been in Germany and Switzerland where neither renter nor rentee were fluent enough in each others languages to have such discussions. I always provided information to the best of my ability in metric and took whatever equipment was given to me and made it work. I have to say, I think up until last night my skis have been too long. I used 136 skis which felt funny at first, but I had such great control and absolutely no problems trying to turn them.
The runs were quite a bit shorter than I had done before and I have to tell you it's kind of nice to go down a hill that's not quite as steep as the Alps. I didn't fall down a single time! The weather was a bit miserable, but not enough to ruin the experience. It snowed the entire five hours we were there. We would take one run and by the time we got back to the top or tracks had been filled in with fresh powder. The up side- fresh powder (who knew how nice it is to ski in); the down side-being soaked through after an hour and slowing down so much that the last bit is always pushing along. Visibility was no worse than other days I've been out and the snow makes pretty colors with the 'night ski' lights on the slopes.
Ending the evening in dry clothes in the lodge after a few hours play on the slopes is icing on the cake :D I will be satisfied if that's all the skiing for this year, but hope that another opportunity comes along in the next few weeks!
Me, Shana, and Gavin on the ski lift only an hour into the evening. Imagine how much more snow we collected ;)
I have to say that renting my skis was a much more simple task in America, except the guy asked me if I wanted shorter or longer skis (both of which would work fine for my height) and I didn't know what to tell him. All my experience skiing up til then had been in Germany and Switzerland where neither renter nor rentee were fluent enough in each others languages to have such discussions. I always provided information to the best of my ability in metric and took whatever equipment was given to me and made it work. I have to say, I think up until last night my skis have been too long. I used 136 skis which felt funny at first, but I had such great control and absolutely no problems trying to turn them.
The runs were quite a bit shorter than I had done before and I have to tell you it's kind of nice to go down a hill that's not quite as steep as the Alps. I didn't fall down a single time! The weather was a bit miserable, but not enough to ruin the experience. It snowed the entire five hours we were there. We would take one run and by the time we got back to the top or tracks had been filled in with fresh powder. The up side- fresh powder (who knew how nice it is to ski in); the down side-being soaked through after an hour and slowing down so much that the last bit is always pushing along. Visibility was no worse than other days I've been out and the snow makes pretty colors with the 'night ski' lights on the slopes.
Ending the evening in dry clothes in the lodge after a few hours play on the slopes is icing on the cake :D I will be satisfied if that's all the skiing for this year, but hope that another opportunity comes along in the next few weeks!
Me, Shana, and Gavin on the ski lift only an hour into the evening. Imagine how much more snow we collected ;)
22 July 2009
Dear Wonderful Friends and Family,
Rhein International Academy
The last letter I wrote informed you that our school would be closing its doors for good in June. We had four more months of school left at that point and I am filled with joy to attest to the ministry that was sown during that time. There were plenty of concerns expressed about the coming change, especially by my students, including “Why does RIA have to close? I don’t want to go to another school!” This birthed the opportunity to share about how we can have security in God when we have a relationship with Christ because He knows our needs and is good to provide for those need. As a staff it was our hope that anyone who observed the challenging reality of the uncertainty that comes with a school closing- many of our students have special needs and found it challenging to find placements elsewhere- would see our peace in the Lord.
The girls mastering climbing the rock wall. A big thank you to Dominic who belayed all of them up several times for more than two hours!
We took as many opportunities as the year closed to celebrate our wonderful school family through all school chapel times, tie dying shirts for t-shirt day, picnics in the park, rock climbing field trip, and end of year class parties including one at my apartment. The year ended well… with tears and sentiments of love flowing freely. We were not just a school, but also a family and it is my prayer that the Lord would allow me to continue to build the relationships I have started here.
Summer
My summer began with finishing cleaning the school and apartments. Once those were finished, I took the opportunity to visit some missionary friends in Rome. It was encouraging to fellowship with the believers there and to be uplifted by their faith. I feel incredibly blessed to have been so warmly welcomed into their lives.
Upon returning from Rome, I set to work on some long overdue sewing projects and tried to do a bit of relaxing. I have also used this summer time to continue to build relationships with my students and their families. I have had the opportunity to have dinner with some of them, one of which moved to Zurich in November and is leaving in August to move to Hong Kong. I also attended one of my students 8th birthday party where I got to spend a couple hours hanging with some of the RIA kiddos!
The girls on our last trip to the Dragon Park. It was too short, but we had tons of fun!
Now, I am in the process of saying good-bye to friends and working on setting up life again in the US. I have applied for teaching jobs in Chicago, Boston, and Boulder, but have not heard about any possibilities. I will continue to pursue these applications, as well as apply for other teaching positions. I have also decided to look into jobs in the non-profit sector and have found a few that seem quite interesting. These applications do not close until mid-August/mid-September, so in the meantime I will make my way to Oregon and try to find some temporary work (a couple leads already, praise the Lord).
Transition
Now that I will no longer be serving with NICS, the last support installment I will receive will be on 15 September 2009, which will consist of all the gifts received by 31 August 2009. If you send a support check after 31 August, it will be sent back to you. This is also when all automatic donations will be stopped.
The school Atrium full of boxes and furniture!
I will be headed back to Oregon sometime in mid-August. This is not finalized yet because I do not have the amount needed to purchase a plane ticket home, which will cost roughly 800 US Dollars. A possible way to help could be by donating frequent flier miles and/or assisting financially. Please prayerfully consider meeting this need.
Once I arrive in the US, I will need to find a place to live, as well as purchase things to re-establish life, such as a bike, bed, dishes, cookware, and so on. Please also prayerfully consider meeting these needs.
If you feel led to give, donation checks can be made out to Network of International Christian Schools with my project number on the memo line. Please send donations to:
NICS/OASIS
3790 Goodman Rd E
Southaven, MS 38672
Project # 001985
Some of the wonderful RIA staff on our retreat. Cold, but beautiful in scenery and spirit.
God bits
A couple weeks ago I was stuck by the fact that God is the God of the impossible! When our small staff was mentally preparing for the task of packing up the entire school (sorting papers, toys, books, furniture, art supplies, etc.), we were overwhelmed by the enormity of it. Our expectation was that the process would take at least a week, but probably much more. Parents, students, and people from the church community volunteered to help the staff with the task. They all brought such amazing energy and spirit to the project that it was completed in TWO days!! Praise the Lord Almighty!
Recently I was praying for a friend’s marriage relationship to be “rooted” in Christ and I realized that God has been trying (for a while) to teach me that when I am rooted in Him, it doesn’t matter where I live. Even though I may “uproot” every couple of years, His roots are beyond this world which means that my roots are wherever I go.
I have never been to a Catholic Mass before, but I was able to attend one of my students First Communion. Since it was on a Sunday evening, I happened to have my Bible still in my purse from earlier that day. I realized when I took it out during on of the scripture readings that no one else in the congregation had a Bible. When another one of my students came to sit by me half way through the service, I was curious if she would notice my Bible sitting on the pew, since she saw it most days on my desk. It took her no more than five minutes to ask me if I always took my Bible to church. I told her that I always did. She then inquired as to why and I responded that I take it so that I can better understand and know what the person up front is talking about. That was the end of the conversation, but as she sat there I could see her still thinking about it.
Friends and I camping. It looks warm, but that lake was full of snow melt in the middle of May. The Lord has blessed me immensely in experience, but even more in relationships!!!
I thank the Lord for the positive habits He is building in me that my students witness, I praise Him for the seeds He has allowed me to sow, and I pray that He continues to compensate for my shortcomings and work powerfully in each of my students’ lives.
I thank you wholeheartedly for your prayers and financial support over the last two years. The Lord has used you to bless me immensely through this experience. I pray He will teach you, grow you, and show you His immense measure of love!
Psalm 16
“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.’
As for the saints in the land, they are excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Blessings!
Aubrey
Rhein International Academy
The last letter I wrote informed you that our school would be closing its doors for good in June. We had four more months of school left at that point and I am filled with joy to attest to the ministry that was sown during that time. There were plenty of concerns expressed about the coming change, especially by my students, including “Why does RIA have to close? I don’t want to go to another school!” This birthed the opportunity to share about how we can have security in God when we have a relationship with Christ because He knows our needs and is good to provide for those need. As a staff it was our hope that anyone who observed the challenging reality of the uncertainty that comes with a school closing- many of our students have special needs and found it challenging to find placements elsewhere- would see our peace in the Lord.
The girls mastering climbing the rock wall. A big thank you to Dominic who belayed all of them up several times for more than two hours!
We took as many opportunities as the year closed to celebrate our wonderful school family through all school chapel times, tie dying shirts for t-shirt day, picnics in the park, rock climbing field trip, and end of year class parties including one at my apartment. The year ended well… with tears and sentiments of love flowing freely. We were not just a school, but also a family and it is my prayer that the Lord would allow me to continue to build the relationships I have started here.
Summer
My summer began with finishing cleaning the school and apartments. Once those were finished, I took the opportunity to visit some missionary friends in Rome. It was encouraging to fellowship with the believers there and to be uplifted by their faith. I feel incredibly blessed to have been so warmly welcomed into their lives.
Upon returning from Rome, I set to work on some long overdue sewing projects and tried to do a bit of relaxing. I have also used this summer time to continue to build relationships with my students and their families. I have had the opportunity to have dinner with some of them, one of which moved to Zurich in November and is leaving in August to move to Hong Kong. I also attended one of my students 8th birthday party where I got to spend a couple hours hanging with some of the RIA kiddos!
The girls on our last trip to the Dragon Park. It was too short, but we had tons of fun!
Now, I am in the process of saying good-bye to friends and working on setting up life again in the US. I have applied for teaching jobs in Chicago, Boston, and Boulder, but have not heard about any possibilities. I will continue to pursue these applications, as well as apply for other teaching positions. I have also decided to look into jobs in the non-profit sector and have found a few that seem quite interesting. These applications do not close until mid-August/mid-September, so in the meantime I will make my way to Oregon and try to find some temporary work (a couple leads already, praise the Lord).
Transition
Now that I will no longer be serving with NICS, the last support installment I will receive will be on 15 September 2009, which will consist of all the gifts received by 31 August 2009. If you send a support check after 31 August, it will be sent back to you. This is also when all automatic donations will be stopped.
The school Atrium full of boxes and furniture!
I will be headed back to Oregon sometime in mid-August. This is not finalized yet because I do not have the amount needed to purchase a plane ticket home, which will cost roughly 800 US Dollars. A possible way to help could be by donating frequent flier miles and/or assisting financially. Please prayerfully consider meeting this need.
Once I arrive in the US, I will need to find a place to live, as well as purchase things to re-establish life, such as a bike, bed, dishes, cookware, and so on. Please also prayerfully consider meeting these needs.
If you feel led to give, donation checks can be made out to Network of International Christian Schools with my project number on the memo line. Please send donations to:
NICS/OASIS
3790 Goodman Rd E
Southaven, MS 38672
Project # 001985
Some of the wonderful RIA staff on our retreat. Cold, but beautiful in scenery and spirit.
God bits
A couple weeks ago I was stuck by the fact that God is the God of the impossible! When our small staff was mentally preparing for the task of packing up the entire school (sorting papers, toys, books, furniture, art supplies, etc.), we were overwhelmed by the enormity of it. Our expectation was that the process would take at least a week, but probably much more. Parents, students, and people from the church community volunteered to help the staff with the task. They all brought such amazing energy and spirit to the project that it was completed in TWO days!! Praise the Lord Almighty!
Recently I was praying for a friend’s marriage relationship to be “rooted” in Christ and I realized that God has been trying (for a while) to teach me that when I am rooted in Him, it doesn’t matter where I live. Even though I may “uproot” every couple of years, His roots are beyond this world which means that my roots are wherever I go.
I have never been to a Catholic Mass before, but I was able to attend one of my students First Communion. Since it was on a Sunday evening, I happened to have my Bible still in my purse from earlier that day. I realized when I took it out during on of the scripture readings that no one else in the congregation had a Bible. When another one of my students came to sit by me half way through the service, I was curious if she would notice my Bible sitting on the pew, since she saw it most days on my desk. It took her no more than five minutes to ask me if I always took my Bible to church. I told her that I always did. She then inquired as to why and I responded that I take it so that I can better understand and know what the person up front is talking about. That was the end of the conversation, but as she sat there I could see her still thinking about it.
Friends and I camping. It looks warm, but that lake was full of snow melt in the middle of May. The Lord has blessed me immensely in experience, but even more in relationships!!!
I thank the Lord for the positive habits He is building in me that my students witness, I praise Him for the seeds He has allowed me to sow, and I pray that He continues to compensate for my shortcomings and work powerfully in each of my students’ lives.
I thank you wholeheartedly for your prayers and financial support over the last two years. The Lord has used you to bless me immensely through this experience. I pray He will teach you, grow you, and show you His immense measure of love!
Psalm 16
“Preserve me, O God, for in you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.’
As for the saints in the land, they are excellent ones,
in whom is all my delight.
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;
Their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names on my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices;
my flesh also dwells secure.
For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol,
or let your holy one see corruption.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Blessings!
Aubrey
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