Here at Wittlingen, much has happened since I returned from my visit to the states over Christmas. I won't include everything though, no worries! Well, at least I will try not to:)
Well, by far the biggest piece of news is that with the start of a new semester came two new girls. Jessi, a freshman, and Becky, a sophomore. Please pray for them as they continue to transition into dorm life, being away from their families, and suddenly living with 23 other people. I also just found out a couple days ago that we are getting another new student on February 20th. Her name is Joo-Yoong or Michelle, she is Korean and will come in as a freshman. This will be a very big transition for her as she has never been away from her parents and is still not fluent in English. I am really excited to have her join us though! But with that, please be in prayer for our staff as soon we will have 21 girls to pour into and take care of.
Since returning from Christmas break many of my relationships with the girls are really starting to take off. They are beginning to open up more...even pulling some innocent pranks on me, which is great! But, I do ask for your prayers that I would rely on God's wisdom and not my own in guiding them. My times with God have been so good this semester and He has blessed me with more of a desire to spend time daily with Him. I just feel so refreshed when I daily come to Him with my burdens, praises, and requests. A passage that we went through in an all staff meeting has really stuck with me. In Colossians 3, Paul talks about as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, that we are to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and that love will bind these all together in perfect unity. I love that it says to clothe yourself with these fruits and virtues because it gives me the imagery of taking time to put them on each morning. And Christ is the only one who can put those on me when I come to Him and spend time with Him. I just wanted to share some of my heart with you guys and ways God is growing me.
Now on to a couple activities of what we have been up to! Two Sundays ago a HUGE parade came to little ole' Wittlingen. A parade like I had never seen. It's called a Fasching parade and it is full of people wearing scary and weird masks, confetti, smoke shooting from floats, and lots of loud music. As it was right outside of our house we were able to watch and enjoy all the festivities. Some of the girls dressed up ridiculously and all the Germans looked at them strangely...hahaha:) We came back with confetti ALL over us and even in several rooms of our house where windows had been left open...whoops! It was a great way to start the semester back up, I laughed so hard that day with many of the girls!!
At the end of last semester, I started story time with the sophomores on tuesday nights for tuck-ins. We read short picture books to begin with but at the start of the semester we began "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis. It's a fun time to be together and usually I have to peel a couple of them out of my bed by the end of the chapter. At the end of the semester, once we finish, we are hoping to watch the movie together and have a slumber party in my room:)
And so now you know some of the happenings of January!
Well, by far the biggest piece of news is that with the start of a new semester came two new girls. Jessi, a freshman, and Becky, a sophomore. Please pray for them as they continue to transition into dorm life, being away from their families, and suddenly living with 23 other people. I also just found out a couple days ago that we are getting another new student on February 20th. Her name is Joo-Yoong or Michelle, she is Korean and will come in as a freshman. This will be a very big transition for her as she has never been away from her parents and is still not fluent in English. I am really excited to have her join us though! But with that, please be in prayer for our staff as soon we will have 21 girls to pour into and take care of.
Since returning from Christmas break many of my relationships with the girls are really starting to take off. They are beginning to open up more...even pulling some innocent pranks on me, which is great! But, I do ask for your prayers that I would rely on God's wisdom and not my own in guiding them. My times with God have been so good this semester and He has blessed me with more of a desire to spend time daily with Him. I just feel so refreshed when I daily come to Him with my burdens, praises, and requests. A passage that we went through in an all staff meeting has really stuck with me. In Colossians 3, Paul talks about as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, that we are to be clothed with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and that love will bind these all together in perfect unity. I love that it says to clothe yourself with these fruits and virtues because it gives me the imagery of taking time to put them on each morning. And Christ is the only one who can put those on me when I come to Him and spend time with Him. I just wanted to share some of my heart with you guys and ways God is growing me.
Now on to a couple activities of what we have been up to! Two Sundays ago a HUGE parade came to little ole' Wittlingen. A parade like I had never seen. It's called a Fasching parade and it is full of people wearing scary and weird masks, confetti, smoke shooting from floats, and lots of loud music. As it was right outside of our house we were able to watch and enjoy all the festivities. Some of the girls dressed up ridiculously and all the Germans looked at them strangely...hahaha:) We came back with confetti ALL over us and even in several rooms of our house where windows had been left open...whoops! It was a great way to start the semester back up, I laughed so hard that day with many of the girls!!
At the end of last semester, I started story time with the sophomores on tuesday nights for tuck-ins. We read short picture books to begin with but at the start of the semester we began "The Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by C.S. Lewis. It's a fun time to be together and usually I have to peel a couple of them out of my bed by the end of the chapter. At the end of the semester, once we finish, we are hoping to watch the movie together and have a slumber party in my room:)
 |
| Some of the sophomores piled high on my couch! They are soo cute:) |
 |
| When we returned in early January, we had a delightful streak of 55 degree weather and sun!! Lauren and Rachel playing beautiful music. |
 |
| That same day, many girls became adventurous- Katie, Anna and Elle. |
 |
| A small glimpse of the Fasching parade. Jordan, Katie, Me, Anna, and Rachel. |
 |
| See, they are crazy! There are many more pics of the festivities on my Facebook if you care to see more! |
With Love,
Amy
