I'll see you again, friend

Now that it is August 13th, almost two months have passed since I have returned to the States. In many ways, I can relate to the feelings of a friend (also transitioning from BFA to America) who recently shared that her heart is still trying to catch up with the adjustment. It's certainly hard on a girl's heart to leave a community, a church, and a family behind in a foreign country. It's also hard to immediately return to another community, church, and family in her home country where people and places aren't as familiar as they used to be. To be honest, I don't think we are made for goodbyes. I don't think we are made for the ending of relationships. Maybe that is why my heart is still playing catch up? I am still grieving the loss of community and relationships that I had at BFA. The people that I worked with became my family. The children that I served became like my own. How do you deal with that? ... 

During the last week of school, our dorm had a special evening celebration to thank the dorm parents for their service to Liel and provide the girls with one last opportunity to sign year books and say goodbye. The dorm had one staff member leaving and not returning the next year (me) as well as four students not returning for the fall semester of 2012 at BFA (Ji Soo, Laura, Seth, and Talya). The evening was made so much sweeter when Talya and Lynnea surprised us with a song they had written for the dorm. As Talya strummed her guitar and as both of their beautiful voices joined together, the following lyrics challenged and encouraged my heart, "I won't say goodbye, I won't say farewell...because I'll see you again, friend. I'll see you again. I'll see you again." I was encouraged by these girls because they got it--they knew they weren't made for goodbyes and farewells. They were made for lasting relationships and eternal community. Regardless of when they might see one another again on earth (which is more unlikely simply because of the great diversity of countries and regions where their parents live and serve), they rejoiced in the eternal reality of heaven. 

The eternal implications of faith for believers is undeniable--heaven is for real. Jesus died and covered our sin so that we could return to the place that we were created for--heaven. Heaven--a place where we will have constant and complete fellowship with the Trinity and the church. Heaven--a place where no distance will separate believers. Heaven--a place where time no longer has power to constrict us because it doesn't exist.  That reality gives me joy! And that reality actually gives me hope for my struggle today...

I don't have to "move on," cut myself off from, or forget about BFA. The reality is that I can remember BFA and be joyful about these students and staff that I will see again...maybe on earth, but in heaven for sure...because of what Jesus has done and secured for us. Spiritual families are forever--they are indeed, eternal. 

Thank you, Jesus, for being near to all those who are hurting because of a loss of community or friendship. Thank you for the reality of heaven. We are so grateful that our separation from You and the rest of the church is only temporary. Amen.

The people in the following pictures are those that the Lord graciously and lovingly gave me to serve and walk with during my time at BFA. When I saw them for the last time in Germany, I left them with these words, "I'll see you again, friend." :) 

A few of the Liel Ladies or "my little sisters"--Me with Erin, Talya, Priscilla, Ji Soo, & Michal

This was our last picture together after taking a hike up to Hochblauen

Michelle--a dear friend, traveling buddy, and fellow RA

Corey & Lauren H-dear friends, traveling buddies, and fellow RAs

Laurel & Anna--dear friends, administrative/teaching staff at BFA, mentors

 

Anne (Christian, Max, & Lilli not pictured)--my German family in Cologne and dear friends

A reminder to be joyful because of Jesus and two beautiful years at Black Forest Academy.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. THE LORD IS NEAR. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:4-7 (an excerpt from the "mental health" book of the Bible :))

*"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, YET I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be JOYFUL in GOD MY SAVIOR. The SOVEREIGN LORD IS MY STRENGTH; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on to the heights." Habbakuk 3:17-19 

*This particular passage is a challenging reminder to remember our Savior, even when we have nothing, even in  those inevitable wilderness and desert seasons of our life. Because our salvation is secure, the joy that accompanies the knowledge of our salvation and Savior ought not to be shaken by our present circumstances. It is beautiful to see the writer here flee to God in his moment of distress, maintain his spiritual composure under the darkest of circumstances, and delight himself with a sacred joy in God and have cheerful expectations of Him--this is a glorious faith! (Streams in the Desert, August 11)

The Final Five: A tribute...

The past month has been a whirlwind of activity and busyness at Black Forest Academy. It’s now June 4, 2012 and the school year is officially over. Time has a way of inevitably passing. Isn’t that right? Regardless of a desire to speed things up or slow things down, I am reminded once again that time is out of my control. This year, I had noble intentions of introducing you to all 14 students at Liel with several fun pictures as well as a personal interview. Unfortunately though, my blog updates became less of a priority as relationships grew and demands increased. So, there are still five handsome and beautiful people that weren’t “nobly” introduced, but I would still love to tell you about them and why they are dear to me! This will be a tribute to Seth, Joyce, Priscilla, Michal, and Keith. Enjoy, friends.

Celebrating graduation with his dorm sisters!

Meet Seth…

One of two handsome dorm brothers, Seth has been a gift to our dorm. He is the son of Troy and Michelle, Liel’s dorm parents, and has been such a strong and positive influence to his 12 dorm sisters. I love that one of Seth’s teachers recently described him as “the essence of a godly gentleman.” I couldn’t agree more. He is truly a man of integrity. He consistently shows respect to his parents, the girls, and to me as his RA. He is honest. He is wholly devoted to the pursuit of truth and godliness. His heart is undivided in his relationship with Christ. 

 

I appreciate that personal relationships are incredibly important to Seth. Would you believe that he doesn’t have a Facebook account? I find that excellent and admirable. He is deliberate and intentional with a few friends, knowing his limits. I have been so grateful for conversations that I have had 1-on-1 with Seth—in the fall, we had a little tradition where I would pick him up after his Thursday night small group and as we drove home, he would share what he learned that night and how he was challenged by the lesson (each week a different senior in his group was asked to teach and share). One of my favorite moments was when we discussed what evidence there is to support the claim that Jesus is the Son of God. Seth explained how and why the extraordinary reality of the Resurrection (alone) proves this to be true. 

 

Seth just graduated with honors from BFA and plans to attend Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee, this fall. Seth is an aspiring missionary, planning on studying environmental science and becoming certified as a “teacher of English to speakers of other languages” (TESOL). If you were a visitor at Liel, you wouldn’t be surprised to find Seth strumming on his guitar, playing board games, teasing one of his dorm sisters, or just smiling. :)

Roomie shot at the Christmas Banquet!

Meet Joyce and Priscilla…

For the past two years, Joyce and Priscilla have attended BFA and roomed together at Liel. You might recognize them; though they have grown up so much as they transitioned to high school! These girls were the ones to introduce me to the ways and traditions of dorm life and BFA (they began boarding in seventh grade, moved to Liel in eighth grade, and now just finished freshman year). We have had oodles of fun together--enjoying many tea parties, spa nights (featuring homemade oatmeal and cucumber face masks…messy, but so fun!), sleepovers, tea parties, dance parties (featuring Justin Bieber!), singing in the dorm van, special trips to McDonalds for ice cream (after Priscilla’s doctors appointments for her torn ACL), back massages, and so much more.

Joyce turns 16 today! She is celebrating this special birthday with a trip to Israel with her dad, who pastors a church in Zurich! How awesome is that? I appreciate that Joyce values growth. She actively seeks counsel and mentorship from adults in the community. Though Joyce is young, her relationship with the Lord is getting stronger. It has been a joy to watch Joyce express her love for her Savior in the songs that she writes and in the ways that she serves others (notes, BIG hugs, and gifts of divine Swiss chocolate).

This year has been a victorious one for Priscilla. She has overcome knee surgery from an ACL injury along with many physical therapy appointments and yet still managed to get straight “A”s this semester! Wow. She impresses me. There was also much rejoicing in heaven and at Black Forest Christian Fellowship on May 6 when Priscilla shared her testimony and publically declared her faith in Christ through baptism. That was a TRULY GLORIOUS day! I wish you could have been there. The Lord is at work at BFA, turning the hearts and eyes of children to Him.

We’re winning this volleyball game!

Meet JAZ…

Though it may seem like a paradox, JAZ is both tough and tender. She is a disciplined athlete, having competed in three sports at BFA--volleyball, basketball, and track. She is not afraid to throw herself on a hardwood floor to save a ball and her scrapes, cuts, and bruises prove it! She is intelligent, taking on difficult classes as a freshman and yet remaining diligent in her studies. She is tough. But once 9:00 pm rolls around, this girl is ready for some loving! Before bed, she always make an effort to say goodnight to me and give me her sweet goodnight “squeeze”—this is when the affectionate and tender JAZ comes out! :) I enjoy listening to JAZ talk and trying her yummy baked goods! I also think her mild obsession with bulls eyes (a fried egg in a piece of a toast) and coffee cake is really cute!

 

Hola!

Meet Michal…

Despite the fact that Michal is a first generation American (her parents emigrated from Eritrea in East Africa), she loves to speak Spanish (haha, but only a little)! It’s not unusual to hear the Spanish words—hola!, gracia!s, or chica—uttered from her lips, multiple times a day! :)

 

This is Michal’s first year at BFA and I have LOVED watching her come out of her shell. The first day that she arrived, she was “plugged in” to her iPod, but those earphones quickly came out! Michal has excelled athletically on the volleyball court and soccer field, socially as she built many strong relationships with students in each class, and spiritually as she asked many deep questions in an effort to truly understand the person of Jesus. Michal is an avid reader (tackling about three books a week, on average), her favorite subject is history, and she wants to be a diplomat when she grows up. When asked what she would do with a magic wand, she replied, “I would make it so that everyone in the world had enough food and water.” Isn’t she awesome? I love Michal’s curly hair, her laugh, her smile, her toddler “pouty face” that is so hard to say no to, and her enthusiasm for life.

 

 Ta-da!

Meet Keith…

Though last, he is certainly not least. Though you might expect him to be shy and quiet, this boy can make some noise! Keith is Troy and Michelle’s second child, Seth’s younger brother, and Lynnea’s older brother. Keith just finished his sophomore year at BFA and has also been a fabulous dorm brother to his 12 dorm sisters. He is completely gracious, forgiving, helpful, kind, and respectful with the girls. He works on homework with the girls who are struggling in algebra. He listens when the girls talk. He’ll also sit with them at the dinner table. He is witty and well known for being able to spontaneously recall the most random trivia and tidbits of information. It’s pretty much a guarantee that you’ll learn something new every day if you live with Keith…”Did you know…?” 

I appreciate Keith’s sense of humor, his gentleman-like ways, his love for tuna sandwiches and Choc-Balls cereal (his daily breakfast), and his love for Jesus expressed in hands lifted high. Keith and his dad have a big job next year as the men of the house, living with up to 14 women. Pray for them! Though, I cannot think of anyone better to do it well. :)

Double the Pleasure... Double the Fun!

While Laura and Lynnea aren’t twins, they’re certainly inseparable! In a dorm full of high school students, they are the “babies,” and yet they proudly represent the middle school as our two 8^th graders. Though they might be young and have an earlier bedtime than the others, they are treasured at Liel.

This is Laura’s second year at BFA, living at the Liel dorm, and it has been a joy to watch her grow here. Laura may be little, but she is bursting with energy and zeal for life. You might remember a post about her last year, affectionately nicknamed “Baby Bean.” As the daughter of a military father, serving in Moldova, it is no surprise that she is extremely disciplined in her studies and chores. She is often the first one up on a Saturday morning and first in line for breakfast at 9:45am (breakfast is served at 10am) having already cleaned, organized, and vacuumed the computer room (her weekend chore). We often joke as a dorm staff and wish that Laura could do all the students’ chores because she is so thorough and reliable.

I appreciate the way that Laura lives without abandon. She is bold and courageous. She is not afraid to speak up and ask questions. She is not a people pleaser and this gives her the freedom to be herself. She sings at the top of her lungs. She stands on top of chairs to tell stories about Harry Potter. She dramatically rehearses her new Zumba moves in the kitchen (while trying to pack her lunch at 9pm). This girl brings joy to my life.

This is Lynnea’s first year at BFA, living at the Liel dorm. Lynnea moved to Liel after her parents, Troy and Michelle, were accepted as dorm parents and missionaries here. Lynnea is joined by her two older brothers, Seth (a senior in high school) and Keith (a sophomore in high school). Lynnea is an artist through and through—she has a beautiful voice, she paints, she makes jewelry, and she loves to do her dorm sisters’ hair and make-up. There are so many things that I appreciate about Lynnea—I adore her laugh and smile (it makes a good day better), I enjoy watching her dance in rain and hail storms, I am encouraged be her love for her family, I am blessed by the thoughtful ways that she serves others, and I respect the way that she earnestly apologizes to those she has hurt. This girl also brings joy to my life.

CTL: What do you want to be when you grow up?

Laura: “I want to be in the military. But, I am not sure which branch of the military that I want to be in. So, I want to be a pilot, but you can be a pilot in the Army, Navy, or Airforce. Why do you want to be a pilot? Because it’s fun. Duh. (Laura swivels her head at me…haha) I also want to be in the military because my daddy is in the military—the Army to be more precise. My mom wants me to go to WestPoint, which is in New York, which is also the Army academy, which is also where my good friend wants to go as well.”

CTL: If you had great power and strength, if you were invincible, and if you couldn’t get hurt, what dare-devil activity would you do?

Lynnea: “Cave spelunking! It looks so scary but if you couldn’t get hurt then it would be fun to explore God’s amazing creation beneath the earth in dark places. Can I also have flashlight eye-balls?” (Of course!)

CTL: What are your simple pleasures?

Laura: “Painting my nails. Hanging out with close friends.”

Lynnea: “Just being around people.”

CTL: What is your favorite thing to do together?

Laura & Lynnea: “Taking pictures of each other making funny faces!”

CTL: Think about a special adult in your life, what has he or she said that has been of great value to you?

Lynnea: “My dad. He always says, ‘Lynnea, you have a choice.’ It’s SO annoying. But every time I am struggling, he tells me, ‘Lynnea, I know you’re not gonna like this…but, I have one thing to say…you have a choice.’ It’s valuable because it helps me to realize that I do have a choice in tough places--I can choose to climb out of my hole or I can choose to dig deeper into the darkness. And usually, I do make the choice to do something and it has helped me. “

CTL: What is your favorite part about having 10 dorm sisters and 2 dorm brothers?

Laura: “Not being bored! At home, I am bored 24/7. But here, I am only bored for maybe 10 minutes a day. I also really like girl time and being able to borrow lots of clothes!”

CTL: How do you think you have grown since you have been here in August of 2010?

Laura: “Well, I have grown 4 inches (I think)! I have also grown in Christ. I have grown into a bigger room. I have grown to be more independent.”

CTL: What has been the biggest change from 7^th to 8^th grade at BFA?

Laura: “Transitioning from a co-ed dorm for middle schoolers to a high school girls dorm. And also living with a new set of dorm parents.”

CTL: Have you enjoyed your time at Liel?

Laura: “YES! It was my favorite and best experience…without my parents!” (Laura is smiling and laughing)

CTL: What has been a special blessing for you this year?

Laura: “A new best friend!” (Laura points to Lynnea)

CTL: Lynnea, what is like for you to share your family with 12 more girls?

Lynnea: “Well, I have done it all of my life. My parents served at an MK boarding school in Kenya for 6 years before we came to BFA. It’s something that I am familiar with and used to.”

CTL: What would you girls change about Liel?

Laura: “The Roof. It needs a bridge, a pool, and chairs for sunbathing.” (The dorm dad and I just so happened to lose the girls tonight as we were getting them ready for bed…they went missing…guess where they went? They ventured out onto the roof for the first time…we kindly asked them to come down!)

Lynnea: “I would change the garden. It drives me bananas. It is overgrown… my dad is going to take some round-up and start from scratch.” (This is not the German way…haha)

CTL: How/Why are you different from most girls your age in the United States?

Laura (answering for Lynnea): “You’re a missionary kid. You have traveled to Africa! You have lived in girls and boys dorms! You have experienced it all, Lynnea! Most girls her age have also NOT been friends with Laura Atkins!”

Lynnea (answering for Laura): “Laura is indescribable. I appreciate that she is not afraid to be herself. She is a military kid., but she fits in here so well. She loves Jesus and has the same values as I do. “

CTL: What do you do in your free time?

Lynnea: “I like to hang out with Laura and with my family. I also like to draw and just do artsy stuff.”

Laura: “I like to hang out with Lynnea and I like to clean my room. I do homework, watch movies, and read books. I also like to brush my teeth.” 

Deceptive, but funny!

Lynnea with Laura's legs

 And more!

Laura with Lynnea's legs

I hope that you have enjoyed this sneak peak into the lives of Laura and Lynnea. They are sweet and funny girls with a lot to say! Please pray for them as they finish this year at BFA and continue to grow into the women that God has created them to be!

The Faithful One

I would never describe myself as a bold or courageous woman. I have trouble speaking up. I get anxious when I have to make decisions on my own. Moving to new places has been and is daunting. I find opportunities to lead a bit stressful. Large numbers of people intimidate me. Sometimes fear and worry are paralyzing. It's true!

And yet, I remember what David said and I feel as if I can relate,

"He reached down from on high and

took hold of me...

To the faithful, you show yourself

faithful,

to the blameless, you show yourself

blameless,

to the pure, you show yourself pure...

It is God who arms me with strength

and makes my way perfect...

He trains my hands for battle...

You give me your shield of victory..."

Psalm 18: 16-35

I love these verses from Psalm 18 because it affirms that the Lord helped and delivered David from fierce attacks by King Saul. It is beautiful to read David's praises--he reveled in God's goodness. The Lord became David's Protector, Defender, Strength, Shield, Rock, and Support. In the midst of intense persecution, the Lord completely showed up for David. He proved Himself faithful, blameless, and pure because David had faith, he believed!

Just as the Lord showed up for David, He has also shown up for me.

Growing up, I was never one to leave my mother's side. If I lost her in a department or grocery store, I almost had an anxiety attack or heart palpitations! If she died, I wanted to be buried with her. I would dream of living with her forever. I couldn't imagine us being apart. I was attached to and dependent on what was safe, familiar, and comfortable. Naturally, Mom considered me the least likely of her three children to move away from home.

[Enter Jesus!]

Oh yes, things began to drastically change when I turned 15 and accepted Christ on my first mission trip to Quito, Ecuador in 2003. At this point in my life, He began asking me to do things and go places that were completely uncharacteristic of me. It was almost as if a new Lauren was being born.

[Fast forward six years]

But even as a senior in college at age 22, there was still so much of the "old Lauren" in me, but that didn't keep the Lord from calling me to do something uncomfortable and unfamiliar...

He took hold of a naive, timid, fearful, and cowardly young woman (as I would describe myself apart from the Spirit) and sent her to Germany, on her own! He used her faith that was the size of a mustard seed. He chose a small, white, inadequate, ill-equipped, and inexperienced woman to share big love with 18 children from all over the world--Priscilla, Joyce, Kaelah, Laura, Britta, Kate, Ira, Josh, Luke, AJ, GI, Eseli, JAZ, Michal, Talya, Erin, Ji Soo, Kyra, and Hannah.

He proved Himself faithful. He proved Himself blameless. He proved Himself pure.

There were dark moments, but He always turned my darkness into light. There were moments when I felt so tired and weak, but He strengthened me. There were days when I felt so ignorant because of the language and cultural barriers that result from living as a foreigner in Germany, but He affirmed me and reminded me of my worth in Christ. There were times when I felt so alone, but He provided company and fellowship. There were circumstances when I felt like I failed students in the dorm and staff at BFA, but He enabled victory in reconciliation and forgiveness. There was grace upon grace for everything He asked me and called me to do here. He sustained me and He filled in all the gaps. I praise Him for doing the extraordinary in an ordinary girl and teaching me so much about Himself along the way. Like David, I too can revel in God's goodness because I know Him now in a much more intimate way.

---------------

After a long introduction about how God called me here and kept me here, I feel like I can finally explain what it is I set out to share with you today.

Just as God was faithful in bringing me to Germany, He is faithful today in calling me home.

After much prayer, I have peaceful assurance that this season of service and ministry at Black Forest Academy is coming to completion. Three weeks ago, I shared at our Sunday night dorm devotionals that I would not be returning to the Liel dorm or BFA in the fall of 2012. This was quite possibly one of the hardest things God has asked me to do--say goodbye to the students that I have grown to love and adore. As I have temporarily stood in place of their parents over the past two years, I feel like these girls and boys have become part of me. Though these students are not biologically my own, my attachment to them seems to convince me that I can call them, "Mine!" (as mothers naturally do). Considering these feelings, you can only imagine how much it hurts my heart to think about leaving my family here.

At the same time, my heart takes comfort in the faithfulness of Jesus. He will continue to take care of His children at BFA even if I am not here to partner with Him.

Please pray that Jesus might help me as I prepare to leave these students in June and transition back to the States. Pray also that He would raise up more missionaries to work the plentiful harvest here. My prayer for you is that you are truly encouraged by the faithfulness of Jesus today.

Before I close, I do want to share one final praise...

After sharing with the Liel girls about my plans for next year, Priscilla gave me the most memorable hug. She came up to me with a smile and then squeezed me tighter and tighter. She finally looked up at me with tears in her eyes, never uttering a word. In that moment as we both wept, I knew that it was all worth it. I would do it all again, just to know Priscilla and hold her for those few seconds. It was a moment of victory as Jesus affirmed me in a very tangible way of the valuable and meaningful relationships that He authored here over the past two years. None of the cleaning, laundry, cooking, tucking in, driving around, late nights, or early mornings were ever in vain. Glory! :)

---------------

As I return home, I am excited to share that the Lord has opened a door for me to continue my education at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I will begin a master's program in biblical counseling in the fall. I am truly thankful for this opportunity to become more equipped for ministry and serving those in need.

To the Faithful One.

"The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!"

Psalm 18:46

Getting to know you! Featuring: Erin & Eseli

"And I've now become an expert, on the subject I like most... getting to know you, getting to know you, getting to know all about you, getting to like you... putting it my way, but nicely, you are precisely, my cup of tea!" I love these words that Anna shares as she sings to the King in the motion picture, The King and I. I must say that these Liel girls are my cup of tea--my favorite subject. I delight in getting to know them, getting to serve them, and growing in love for them.

Today, I wanted to feature Erin and Eseli in this post. They loved being interviewed and photographed as girls always appreciate special attention :) Though Eseli and Erin were raised in different nations, they have much in common. This year was their first year at BFA and they both came to the Liel dorm a little shy and a little bit quiet. But, today, they are the life of the party! They have completely warmed to us and are fully able to be themselves. They make sure that life around the dorm is never a dull moment--cracking jokes at dinner, teasing Uncle T (the Liel dorm dad), executing pranks, and then of course, they also demonstrate the normal high school girl behavior of laughing, screaming, and yelling! Though the transition for any new student at BFA is difficult, I am so proud of Erin and Eseli for the ways that they have gotten involved in our community (sports, AWANA, small groups, singing in the BFA talent show, etc.), embraced their dorm sisters, and succeeded in academics. Eseli's beautiful smile and contagious laugh make my day. Erin's thoughtful gifts, handwritten notes left on on my bathroom mirror, and the way that she unashamedly asks any and all questions, encourages my heart. Enjoy getting to know my favorite subjects!

A beautiful girl!

(My personal favorite)

Eseli rocking her favorite BFA Volleyball t-shirt!

The SMILE!

The SMILE again!

Ah, I love it!

Energetic Eseli!

CTL: Tell me about your name. EE: “Eseli means ‘grace,’ the grace of God.”

CTL: Tell me about you. What makes you, you? EE: “Well, I like being around people and I also love to read and have alone time. I can be really stubborn, but only momentarily, then I can be really happy, so I have odd mood swings. I also really like to laugh. People think that I am really funny, I like that a lot.”

CTL: What is your best joke? EE: “Well, mhmm. I have no idea. But it is funny for people when my accent changes—sometimes it is really Nigerian and then it’s really not Nigerian. I grew up in a British school in Nigeria.” What is your best Nigerian/British line? “Instead of saying ‘shut up,’ I prefer something more along the lines of, “would you kindly be quiet!’”

CTL: What do you miss most and least about home? EE: “I miss the feeling of home most—being in the place that you have known forever. I also miss my parents and my brother. On the other hand, I am able to enjoy nature in Germany that I can’t do in Nigeria since it is mostly city and buildings.”

CTL: Can you tell us about any Nigerian traditions from home? EE: “When there is a birthday party, people are always invited. So there is a gathering or party. There is music. And then there is always time to reflect on the Bible and thank God for how many years of life He has given someone and the things that he/she is grateful for.”

CTL: What do you like most and least about living in Germany? EE: “I like the dorm and the German language here the most. I am studying German and the language is so cool and different. I had never heard it before. The German people are also so nice. But, I really don’t like the cold. I really didn’t like winter. It was way too cold for me. But, at least we got to go sledding. I did like that!”

CTL: Can you share something that you have learned over the past year, about yourself or about God? EE: “For myself, I have learned a lot about responsibility and time management.As for God…I have learned that He knows why He does things. Even though I didn’t understand why I was coming to Germany, He knew. And I am enjoying Germany so much. Sometimes He does things that I don’t understand and yet they have such good outcomes.” So you have been surprised by His goodness? “Yes. I didn’t think that I would like Germany. But I do. I didn’t think that I would like living in a dorm. But, I do!”

CTL: What is your favorite dorm dinner? EE: “Taco salad!”

CTL: What about your favorite dorm activity? EE: “Troughing people on their birthdays. The person is sitting down in the dorm (usually after dinner), then we grab her, and then we take her to the water trough in town, dunk her, and then run back to the dorm … the birthday girl trails behind us, chasing us for wet hugs!”

CTL: What do you want to be when you grow up? EE: “A doctor.” Why? “Because I like the idea of being able to treat people. It’s mostly about helping people and making them happy.” Where? “In the US, but I don’t know which state.”

CTL: What is of most value to you? EE: “Two things: God and family. God most especially, because He is always there. He is my Comforter.” (This made me smile)

CTL: If you had a magic wand, what would you do with it? EE: “I would transport myself to Australia, then I would create a castle and have an open area with a gym and pool (with slides from one floor to another). That would be cool. I would share it with my friends and family, and a boyfriend… if I had one!”

CTL: Before you die, tell me one wild thing you want to do? EE: “Bungy jump off of Mt. Everest—if I can do that?!?"

The name "Erin" means peace--

so this is Erin living out the fullness of her name :)

Emo Erin?

Hello, world!

(Also my personal favorite)

Eskimo Erin?

Energetic Erin--also full of life!

CTL: What is the significance of your name? EL: “My parents named me ‘Erin’ because it means ‘peace,’ and then they gave me the middle name, ‘Hope.’ It goes so well together.”

CTL: Tell me about your family? EL: “I am the youngest and I have two older sisters. The oldest is 23, her name is Shannon. She is very artsy and very creative and likes to paint and draw and knit. Megan is in the middle, she is 20. When we were younger, we did not get along. I was annoying and so was she. But over the past few years, we have become best friends. We are a lot a like. People often assume that we are twins. She is very caring and compassionate. And then my parents are workers in Asia."

CTL: How would you describe yourself? EL: “I like to have fun. I like to be different. I care a lot about people. I want a job where I can help people—counseling or nursing. I really want people to be happy. I want to make a difference.”

CTL: You’re also a pranskster, right? EL: “Ha! Yes! I love to prank and laugh.” What has been your most successful prank/joke? “Okay this one is going to sound mean, but my best one is pulling out a chair from under a person when they are trying to sit down. I do that a lot.” I know you have done something bigger and better, Erin! Please share. “Okay! My best friend and I gave my youth group some brownies with salt, dog food, and some laxative (CTL: Gasp!) Not a lot of people ate it, but they only thought we were really bad bakers. But then they got us back and threw us in the snow. And we did end up telling them what was really in it.”

CTL: What has been your favorite Liel memory from this past year? EL: “Oh, this is really hard, really hard! It was really great to go to the Roman bathes in Bad Bellingen. It was wonderful to just be with the girls. I love our dorm and just being together. It was also a lot of fun to swim in the pools there.”

CTL: What do you miss most about Colorado or the United States? EL: “I miss the summer time in Colorado, my close friends, and cheer. I also miss being together as a family like we were in Colorado. Now, we’re all spread out!”

CTL: What one word would you use to describe your first year at BFA? EL: “Dramatic!” How so? “Coming here was an entirely new experience. And oh man, yes! Living with 15 girls is pretty dramatic too. It was hard at first because it was so different, but I have had so much fun with the girls. It is really good now.”

CTL: Can you tell me about a way that God has blessed you while you were here or how He did something unexpected? EL: “I have struggled to adjust here, but the people here have made a difference! I have grown in patience and responsibility. I have really learned so much about God. I have been able to see so much and enjoy so many new experiences that not every teenage girl gets to do. He has blessed me so much. And then there is my roommate, Ji Soo. When we first met, we clicked! She is my best friend here. I can tell her everything. I have been so lucky to have her as my roommate and my best friend. She is like my kiss from Jesus!”

CTL: If you could be any character in the “Hunger Games” triology, who would you be (because you love them so much)? EL: “Uh, that is really tough because everyone’s life is so hard—those in the district or in the games. You are either suffering or doing bad stuff. In the book, the main character has a little sister who has a cat. I would be the cat. So I don’t have to die or kill people but still experience life there. Or I would be Katniss so I could say to myself, ‘Wow, I am capable of more than I ever imagined!’”

CTL: What is your favorite German goodie? EL: “I love the Berliners! It’s a doughnut covered in powdered sugar with strawberry jelly inside! We got them for free at IKEA before Lent started…they were so good!”

CTL: What is it like to be an MK (missionary kid)? EL: “It’s hard to describe how it feels—sometimes you feel alone or like you don’t belong in other places. But, when MKs are together, it is so wonderful. They are such good people with great personalities. Being an MK, you make sacrifices, and a lot of people don’t understand it, but you do it for your family and you do it for God. You love God and your family, so you become willing to do make the sacrifice. You can really see God here at BFA—it is such a safe, happy, and comfortable place. After giving myself time to adjust, I really do value this place.”