Unexpected Places

(I wrote this yesterday as I traveled)

Unexpected places. Most of us have found ourselves at some point in an unexpected place or facing unexpected news. In the last 72 hours my family has embarked on an unexpected journey which has drawn me to the story of Mary and Joseph in new ways.

Mary and Joseph were a 'normal' couple dreaming of getting married, starting a family, running a carpenters shop but all of that changed in a moment with a very unexpected visit and message from Gabriel. Although the message was Good News for mankind, it was certainly unexpected and life altering news for Mary and Joseph. It led them on a very unexpected journey. One that neither of them could have ever dreamed of and maybe one that had they known all that would be required may have caused them to ask Gabriel for some time to think about it. Thankfully their faith was up to the test. When asked to trust God with the impossible and the unexpected they said YES! When faced with disapproving stares, looks, rumors they continued to trust God.

Their journey continued to take unexpected turns as a pregnant Mary found herself traveling to Bethlehem and giving birth in a stable far from family and friends. Was she scared? What all did she ponder as she nursed and cared for the Savior of the world? Joseph is often overlooked in the Christmas story yet his faith was such that he willingly joined this unexpected journey. He must have felt the weight of caring for and protecting Mary and this special baby. I tend to overlook those fears and anxious moments, even miss their hopes and dreams and rush forward to the fact that this baby was the Savior of all mankind and skip to the 'Good tidings of great joy' of which the angels sang. And yet they chose to trust God in the pain, the fear and in the joys of raising Jesus. They trusted Him with the unexpected and the seemingly impossible.

While it is impossible to really know what it was like for them, I do identify with seeking to trust God with the unexpected and the impossible. No, an angel didn't bring me a message but I did receive a phone call that changed everything and leaves me trusting Jesus with the seemingly impossible. I unexpectedly find myself on a journey, not on a donkey headed to Bethlehem but on a plane headed to KY to be with my parents as my Mom faces major surgery early tomorrow to remove a likely malignant nodule on her lung. I find myself like Mary traveling a road I did not expect, having no real idea what the days ahead will hold for me or my family.  I find myself facing anxious thoughts and asking big questions, praying that we will faithfully walk through these days.

But while only Mary knows what it is like to carry the Son of God, His presence has been very real and very close these last few days. We have sensed his presence and provision as we have had to process this news and quickly make plans during a very busy time of year.  Jesus made it possible for me to change my ticket to fly home early.  He provided fellow staff members who willingly stepped in to help cover my classes. He provided clarity of mind to wrap up things quickly and pack. And I know he will continue to provide and be present!

Although we have no idea what tomorrow and the days after it will hold, we know and trust in the One who holds all of our tomorrows. It feels unexpected and impossible but as the Christmas story reminds us so clearly: 'nothing is impossible with God.' And while our journey like Mary and Joseph's may include pain, fear and joy, we trust the One who willingly entered our upside down world knowing full well that the cross was part of that plan. 

So today we chose to trust Him on this unexpected journey because Christmas proves that He is trustworthy and best of all He is Immanuel! He is with us in all the unexpected moments of life!

Light in the darkness

I wake up Saturday morning to the news. Paris has been the target of a coordinated terrorist attack. Paris is certainly not the first and already they are not the last… but like so many of my students at Black Forest Academy, this to me was not just something to read about in the news. This feels close and personal! This is a country and city that I called home for most of my childhood. Both of my sisters were born there. This is a country that is currently only a 20 minute drive from my apartment, several of my students commute daily from France. This is a country and people that hold a huge part of my heart. 

On Sunday morning I wake and feel compelled to drive to a nearby French city to attend church. I end up through a series of events at a Catholic cathedral in Colmar. It is named for Saint Martin and built in the mid to late 13^th century. Following the sounds of the ringing church bells I am able to find the church through the maze of small streets. I pass monuments, statues and street signs that all serve to remind me that evil and suffering are not new even in this beautiful quiet town in the eastern part of France. 

•  I am reminded of the evil and suffering in this world as I see a monument honoring those who died fighting in the French resistance during the Second World War.

•   I am reminded as I read the plaque inside the church celebrating their deliverance from occupation.

•  I am reminded of it as I cross the border into France and for the first time in years there is a check point. Every car is being stopped.

•  I am reminded as I find my way to the cathedral only to find 6-8 fully armed soldiers surrounding the church.

•  I am reminded as I see a cathedral packed on a Sunday morning for probably the first time in a long time, as people are grieving, fearful and hungry for hope and peace. 

•  I am reminded as I see heads bowed and people quietly wipe away tears. 

• I am reminded as I watch one young father who seems to be holding his little girl extra tight as I imagine he wonders what kind of world she will grow up in. 

 One does not have to look far to be reminded of the evil that does exist in this world and at times it threatens to consume us.

AND YET as we approach the Christmas season I am reminded of some other important truths.

•  I am reminded of the beauty of the fellowship of believers as I listen to hundreds recite the Lord’s Prayer and Nicene Creed, joining with believers throughout the world and the centuries in affirming our faith in a good and merciful God.

•  I am reminded that when the darkness seems to be at its greatest that is when the light shines brightest (Isaiah 9:2).

• I am reminded that our only hope is in the name of Jesus!

• I am reminded of our Father’s heart that breaks not just when terrorists attack but over EVERY soul that is lost.

• I am reminded that it was into this messy, sinful world that God sent His Son. Emmanuel, God with us!

• I am reminded that He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace and that He will reign forevermore (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Though it may feel at times that evil is winning, we know the end of the story and we can rest in the knowledge that He is still on the throne! 

In the meantime however, our work here is not done. Will you join me in praying for the world? Will you ask Him for opportunities to share your faith? Will you pray for a spiritual awakening in Europe and around the world? Will you pray for believers around the world who are persecuted simply for following Him? May He find us faithful!

Thankful for the hope and peace that is found only in Him!

Below are two links to help remind you to pray for France and the world and to remind us that "He shall reign forevermore".

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=YLYPY7NX

http://prayercast.com/france.html

The One who redeems, restores life, and sustains

“Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today...May he also be to you a restorer of life, and a sustainer of your old age...” (Ruth 4:14-15)

Ever felt like you don't know where to begin? That is how I feel as I attempt this long overdue update. So much has happened in the last three months and as I tried to determine how best to recap what the Lord has and is doing Jesus reminded me of this verse that I recently read in Ruth. While I realize this verse is referring to Boaz and Obed, it is also a foreshadowing of the ultimate kinsman-redeemer, Jesus Himself! I would like to share some of the events of the last three months under the three descriptions listed in this verse: the One who redeems, restores life and sustains.

Restorer of Life
At times living overseas is difficult and on May 17 I received news that made that ocean feel twice as big. My Dad had suffered a massive heart attack that should have taken his life. But the Lord was so merciful and RESTORED LIFE to him! We are so grateful and yet regardless of the outcome there is such comfort in knowing that we can trust the One who holds our tomorrows.

Just yesterday, a week after my return to Germany, I received the hard news that my sweet grandmother (my Dad's mom) had entered the presence of Jesus after a brief hospital visit. How my heart longs to celebrate her life lived for her Savior but it was not possible to return in time for the funeral. Yet I feel so grateful for her legacy. She was adopted into a Christian family at the age of 7 and spent her life in ministry to her family and others, traveling in retirement with my grandfather around the world to minister to others. But even though God did not restore her life here on this earth, because of His REDEMPTION, He has given her ultimate RESTORATION of LIFE! She is with Him in glory and I can't wait to spend eternity with her.

 

Sustainer
How grateful I am for the Lord's SUSTAINING grace for the end of a very full year here at BFA and for His SUSTAINING strength for an exhausting yet wonderful summer, celebrating my grandfather's 94^th birthday, lots of travel, hearing my Dad preach, seeing loved ones, speaking, taking an online summer class, helping my sister move, caring for my grandfather, etc. I am so grateful that the Lord allows me the privilege of just doing life with my family during the summer. I am rarely home when needs arise but this summer He allowed me the blessing of being able to help in different capacities and I am thankful for daily SUSTAINING strength!

Redeemer
I have seen His REDEEMING love as I received an email last week from one of my students who shared with me that she had set a goal to read the four Gospels this summer and had just completed John! My heart was so blessed as this sweet girl has returned to the States after a year here at BFA and will be missed. From the very first day the Lord had placed her on my heart and I continue to pray for her and all my students that they would come to fully know Him as their Redeemer.

As I begin my fifth year here at BFA and look ahead at a new school year with the many changes that inevitably come each year at BFA, I find myself as needy and dependent on Jesus as I was my first year. And you know what? I am grateful. I think we are supposed to live there even though it is hard! And YET with Naomi I want to declare that in the midst of the hardships and the losses that He is our REDEEMER, our RESTORER and our SUSTAINER and worth it all! What a mighty God we serve!

Look Up!

I learned that reading my Bible every day changes the way you see things that happen throughout the day. I am more positive, optimistic.

I learned that I have a lot of things in my life to be thankful for.

I learned a lot about different countries around the world and how to pray for those countries.

As I sat around a lunch table listening to a dozen or so students reflecting on their participation in the Lent Challenge (see previous blog), I was reminded that while I am technically their teacher, they often teach me! Lent, I am embarrassed to admit, has always been a season that tends to sneak up on me and I rarely end up following through on my intentions. But there is nothing like a bunch of middle schoolers to keep you accountable and to help remind you of your commitment. I have truly been blessed to be praying for a different country every day and then hearing my students talk about that country as they walk into my classroom. I loved hearing them make connections between what we are learning about in Bible class and what they had read in Isaiah that morning for their daily reading, or hearing them share what they were grateful for on that particular day.

As we celebrated the end of our Challenge (yesterday was the last day of school) and broke bread together I shared briefly with them something that the Lord has been teaching me recently: to look up! As we have been in a race to the finish line (spring break!) this past week, my attention has been on grades, lesson plans, taxes, etc. I have found that my natural tendency is for my gaze to be turned downward into the details of life. I quickly become overwhelmed by my ‘to do’ list, the events in the news, the weight of teaching, etc. But the daily disciplines of our Challenge helped me to look up!  I looked up this phrase in the Bible (pun intended). I knew that I would find it in Isaiah and the Psalms but the two references that stood out to me where from Genesis 22 and Mark 16. In Genesis 22, it says that Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horn (v13). This ram meant salvation for Isaac and mercy for Abraham. What if Abraham hadn’t looked up? 

Mark 16 tells us of the women who were approaching the tomb that Sunday morning worrying about who would roll away the stone for them… but when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away (v.4). Wow! Thank goodness they were not too bogged down with the details and worries of life to look up. They would have missed the most amazing event in human history! An empty tomb!

As we enter into this Holy Week, my prayer is that I would keep my eyes on Him, on His sovereignty, majesty, love and power.

 

May each of us take time this Holy week to look up and see the Lamb of God slain for us and for the sins of the world! But come Sunday morning, let's look up and see the stone rolled away and am empty tomb! He is risen! He is risen indeed!

Catching up

Life is full! I know this is true for each one of you.  For whatever reason the transition back from Christmas in the States to life at BFA was harder than normal. The jet lag hit harder than usual and there seem to be more demands, activities, etc than I remember for this time of year.  But through it all the Lord has been faithful! Here is a brief recap of some of the events of the last two months: Christmas with my family. We were blessed to spend five days as a whole family! What a gift!   Shortly after school started back we had a TEAM Germany retreat.  It was refreshing to be together (it only happens once a year) and to hear how God is moving not just at BFA but around Germany!    The first weekend in Feb. I was able to attend a conference for International Schools throughout Germany with four other colleagues. I still feel quite new to the teaching profession and am always thankful for any opportunity to learn. Mid-February brought a lot of sickness to our school. Somehow I was able to escape it but over one third of our student body did not. One day I only had one student in French B. What does one do with just one student in French class? Take a picture to record the event and watch Ratatouille of course :)  Over Valentine’s Day weekend I traveled to a small town on Lake Constance to visit a Bible school there and most importantly Abi, a long time family friend who attends there.  What a joy it was to see a school that I have heard much about and to have the privilege of having Abi show me some of her favorite places.   For the start of Lent, we challenged our students and staff to accept one of three challenges : The Word Challenge (daily Bible reading plan); The World Challenge (praying for a different country of the world each day)’ the Gratitude Challenge (keeping a daily journal of His gifts to us).  Will you pray with us that the Lord will meet each student and staff member that chose to participate?  Will you pray that the Lord will prepare our hearts for Good Friday and Easter?   On Friday as the high schoolers left for high school retreat the middle school had an activity day.  This year it involved bowling.  Even though I came in second to last I still enjoyed playing and spending time with students outside of the classroom. I am thankful to the Lord for His many blessings in my life! Anna Want to join the Middle School Challenge and pray for the world every day?  Download the Voice of the Martyrs Prayer Calendar app for free to your phone OR check out http://prayercast.com

Merry Christmas! God With us!

  At our closing all school chapel the students presented a powerful skit featuring the battle between Jesus and Satan and how Christmas is the beginning of the end for the enemy. But as I listened to the students’ chuckle as it was revealed which one of their fellow classmates was portraying Jesus, I was struck anew with the mystery of the incarnation. Classmates and teachers alike were thinking of the differences between this student and the person he was playing. While this particular student is a good kid/student, he is not perfect. But didn’t those around Jesus have a similar reaction? Who does Jesus think he is? He is my neighbor, friend, classmate. He is just a carpenter from Nazareth. He's a good kid and all, but the Son of God...I don't think so. He looks and sounds like me, how could He be the promised Messiah?

  While I realize that my analogy quickly breaks down as the student portraying Jesus was neither sinless nor the Son of God, it still revealed my own heart.  I have often wondered if I would have missed Jesus had I been there2000 yrs ago.  I hope not, but it made me keenly aware of how easily I could have.  This was not what anyone had expected. At one point in time the Son of God, the Creator of the Universe was a teenage boy who looked much like one of my students. The Word took on flesh and dwelt among us.  What an astounding reality!

  My Christmas prayer is that I would have the expectant faith of Simeon and Anna, who didn't miss it, didn't snicker at the thought of the God of the universe being presented by poor parents as a newborn in the Temple. May we have eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to respond to the radical message of Christmas! Emmanuel! God with us!

Love, Anna

I am a wimp!

I have a confession to make. I am a wimp! In the several weeks I have felt God calling me to truly intercede for several situations (personal and worldwide events). None of these situations involved me directly.  My life, career, finances, health were not, nor are they, in any jeopardy. His only call was (and is) to intercede and share in carrying some of the things that are on His heart. And yet I must confess I found myself fighting this call. What a wimp!

I was confronted with my own sinful heart. To be perfectly honest I didn't want to enter into the pain of these situations. The cost was minimal to say the least. But it felt heavy. I felt inadequate. And the situations felt hopeless.

As only Jesus could have orchestrated, I have been teaching my 6^th graders about the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus begins His ministry in the book of Matthew with these explosive teachings. Jesus enters in and takes an upside down world and teaches us how to live right side up again. Jesus teaches us that He has come do more than change my outward actions. He can transform my “want to” my inner heart and my motives. What a glorious transforming Gospel! He never promised it would be easy but He reveals to us who He is in these chapters and He is a God who does the impossible. He is the God of those who mourn and the God of the weak! And if we let Him, He can come in and transform us to look more and more like Him. What Good News! He doesn't wait for me to be courageous, fearless, perfect. His invitation to me is the same as it was in the Gospels...”Come, Follow me.”

Oswald Chambers reminds us in his book on the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus did not come to simply teach us. He came to make us what He teaches we should be. “The beatitudes are not mild and nice sayings but they contain the dynamite of the Holy Spirit. They explode like spiritual mines when the circumstances of life requires them to do.” The Sermon on the Mount teaches us who He is and who we are, revealing the “Divine Disproportion.” But isn't that the point? He alone can bridge that gap and transform my heart. Why is it something that I always think I can muster up in my own strength? Isn't this the very essence of the Good News? He can transform my “want to,” my motives. He can clean me from the inside out!

So I am asking Him to do in me what I can't do for myself. I am asking Him to give me the courage to enter in and carry some of the things on His heart. And you know what? I have seen Him work in incredible ways in situations that felt impossible. I have seen in a new way that this God I love is a personal God, One who mourns with those who mourn, One who cares for those dying from ebola in West Africa, cares for those suffering for His Name's sake around the world, cares about each one of His children.

I may be a wimp but through His strength I can chose to enter into the very heart of God and be transformed. And when I am doing it in His strength it is no longer a burden but a privilege. Why would I settle for anything less when the God I love chose to enter into my world, my sin and my mess?

 For great resources on prayer check out www.prayercast.com

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