Fall or Winter?

Winter is approaching and I’m resisting my coat. It seems too soon. Then again it’s almost November, the days are becoming shorter, and frost is on the windshield in the mornings. So, perhaps it is time. Fall is gorgeous here….the leaves are beautifully colored and blowing  about and walnuts are falling from our tree. Strangely, the farmers here have yet to harvest their corn. While back in Ohio, my dad is completely finished. I do miss home. I don’t think I have conveyed that much in my blog. But, I go through phases of being homesick and missing the easiness of knowing how to live life in the States.  And I miss family and friends a lot! I’m so very thankful that I get to come home for Christmas.

November, they say tends to get long and dark here. Please pray that God will continually strengthen me each day to love these girls and serve them. It’s hard and it’s good.  To all of you who have raised children, I thank you…especially my parents. It’s hard to love, correct, teach, connect, and serve (cooking, laundry, cleaning) all the time. But, I know this is where the Lord has called me for this season of life. I’m still praying about the possibility of staying another year, please join with me b/c I know I can’t do it on my own.

The girls are starting to miss their families. We have had several families come visit though (Zvara’s, Griffin’s, Brauer’s, Kragt’s, Clemen’s, and the Becker’s). The Becker’s are actually living with us right now. The mom just had a baby, Jamie Joy. She is sooo adorable. They are missionaries in Russia and because they do not have appropriate medical care, they came here to have her. They are living with us for 6 weeks…it’s like we all have a baby sister. It’s fun having parents come and seeing the girls interact with them. I know for our dorm mom, Laura, it can be overwhelming sometimes. Please pray that the dorm would continue to function sanely when parents do come.

Here are some pictures of the girls and what we have been up to!

One Saturday afternoon, girls came and went from my room
creating fabric flowers.

Earlier this month all the Jrs. and Srs. were in Normandy and Rome.
So we got to spend some quality time with the underclassmen.
We are getting ready to go to the Baths for a relaxing Friday evening!

This is actually from orientation week.
In this picture is Julie Thompson and Taylor Corey. They are my two closest friends here.
Many of you know them too! Julie and I are from the same home town and
Taylor is a good friend of mine from Moody. I am so thankful
to have both of them here to process life with!!

Another wonderful campfire night of s'mores and singing.

I hope you all are doing well. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement. It means so much!

With Love,

Amy
                                

Unique

I have reached the two month mark of my time here in Germany. The days are long and the weeks are fast. I feel more confident in the daily tasks of my position as an R.A.- driving, grocery shopping, remembering the daily schedule, disciplining the girls gently when needed, and knowing the rules (to name a few). I can’t believe I have only spent one month with the girls, I feel like I know them so much better than a month would allow. But then again when you live with people, you learn a lot about them! I treasure the one-on-one conversations I get to have with girls, hearing more of who they are- desires, interests, and quirks.  They are all at such different stages of life, maturity levels, and in their personal relationship with Christ. Please pray for their growth in these areas and words that I speak to be encouraging and uplifting.

I want to share the events of one particular Friday night with you.

   Enjoy the sideways video!

Hanna and HeeYeon are playing the piano.

Almost all the Koreans were in the piano room
singing praise songs to God in Korean!
(Lucy, Andrea, JeeWon)

Christine, Kat, and Elle played catch phrase with Greer and Luke.
Luke and Kat are brother and sister!

Anna, Lauren, Rachel, and Taylor made cards
and other beautiful crafts while listening to some chill music

I didn't capture a picture of the other two activities going on. Hannah and JoJo were in our basement having a dance party--they absolutely love Hip Hop dancing!! A couple girls also gathered together to continue on their tradition of a Nun Convent. Basically it's a group of girls that are loving being single and not dating boys. Oh they make me smile:) There is always something going on at Witt! Perhaps this will give you a glimpse of dorm life. Each girl is so uniquely different and yet each one was created by Jesus and called to live together for this season of life. Please join with me in prayer for these lovely young girls!

In His Hands,

Amy