Es ist kalt! It is cold! Brrr.....

The view from where our family went sledding yesterday. 



Snow came to our region this past week.  Our family had a great time going sledding on a mountain close to our home.



Kaylin's Birthday Party



Kaylin's birthday dinner in France... this is where the closest Subway is to us!



Kaylin's Surprise Gift:  2 jars of "American" dill pickles ( a gift from a "military" family that can get American food from the German bases.)



The 9th graders in my small group came over for a "Mexican" dinner at our house Wednesday evening. 



In the last few weeks, we have enjoyed more of the "typical" B.F.A. school schedule.  For Rick:  Lesson plans, teaching, faculty development and encouraging the students in my small group by teaching a lesson on "The Existence of God".  For Kaylin:  turning 12!, learning French, helping write the Middle School newspaper, taking a painting class at school, and keeping up her good grades.  For Lauren:  learning German, "fun" school projects (a Science unit on volcanoes and earthquakes) and a book report diorama was made and keeping up her good grades.  For me (Melissa):  helping at a Girls' dorm each Monday, leading a small group of 9th graders, eating lunch with the girls in my small group, helping with "Mom" volunteer tasks at the various schools and in the community.  As a family:  Continuing to cheer on the BFA basketball teams for the last three weekends at their home games (it feels like an ALL weekend event).

We were thankful the rain and cloudy weather that we had for a few weeks turned into snow and sunny weather this past week.  We took advantage of it yesterday and went sledding on a near-by mountain.  It was beautiful.  We have to "pinch" ourselves at the beautiful scenery we are blessed to see each day around our town.  I (Melissa) went walking in the forest this past week and the sun streaming through the snowy pine trees helped remind me of God's creation that even brings Him praise. 

Many things concern our hearts and minds these days (many we can't comment on with this blog).  But we are thankful how God continues to lead us each day to trust in Him and His plans for our family to be in Germany at this time.  The days are not always easy (I know it sounds like they are from the things I share and the pictures we post) but we are trusting that this journey helps us be refined to look more like our Savior and the people around us to hear about the love and forgiveness of our Lord and grow in their faith! 

Some high lights this week for our family:  Monday:  Lauren and I will help at the girls' dorm in the evening, Tuesday: A get-together of the new staff from BFA.  Wednesday: I will host the 9th graders for small group. Thursday:  an Adult small group that Rick and I have joined.  Saturday/Sunday:  Our family will be "dorm" subs for the family that are taking the weekend off.  Please pray for our time with the 22 girls that live at this dorm! 

HUGS and LOVE!