German Lessons

Wow it is hard to think that I have already been here for a month. People keep asking me what I am doing right now during my time here in Germany. There is one easy answer. 

I am doing German lessons!!

And lots of German lessons!

It is fun, exhausting, challenging, and entertaining all at the same time. There are days that I wake up not wanting to do more German lessons, as I feel that I am falling behind everyday (we get an average of 50-110 words a day to memorize, plus new grammar concepts). Some of my thoughts: 

" I am never going to understand this language"

" I am not doing anything practical here"

" I hate Der, Die, Das, (if you know German, you understand what I am talking about)."

" Jesus how can I be useful to you today, as I spend the whole day learning German"

I knew right away that I needed to give all my negative thoughts to Jesus. Many mornings I would let go of the things that were hindering my time here in Germany, and I would place them in His hands. God is calling me right now to learn German. That is what he wants me to do for his glory. I was reminded by a friend about 1 Cor 10:31 - "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." This has been such an encouragement to me when my thoughts become negative. Whether you are a student at school, someone going to work, eating with a friend, or doing German lessons, God wants us to make Him known to others by our attitude, our love for other people, and our dependancy on him . He also wants us to be thankful for the present situation that we are in, and to give Him praise in that situation. Do you thank him and praise for putting you in school, or work? I know that I had a hard time with that one concerning school. 

Give it a try!! As you are driving to school, or work, or taking your kids to their next soccer practice. Thank and praise God for the moment that you are in, cause he put you there for a reason, sometimes it may seem purposeless, but He wants you to make him known in the everyday life situations. 

A little about my last week. 

1) Young Adult's Week

The young adults at the church that I am attending every year have a week long sleepover at the church. Everyone goes about with their daily activities (work, school, german lessons) but after those are done instead of going home, they go to the church. We all make meals together, socialize with one another, pray and worship every evening and sleep together. 

This was an amazing way to connect with different people at the church! I was able to have conversations with people in German and English. The community that was made during this time was so uplifting. 

2) Making Cookies

This week we spent hours making cookies and packaging them to sell at the German Christmas markets. All the money raised is going to a church in Kyrgyzstan (beside Russia), that my church supports. 

The churches children's choir also performed at the Christmas Market.

3) Christmas Markets

Now there are German Christmas Markets in Canada, and then there are the real German Weinachtsmarkt (Christmas Markets). They are everywhere! There are big ones and small ones. The food is amazing, the crafts are beautiful, and the people are joyous. It is a great time of hanging out with new friends and having some festive fun. 

4) Bible Study

I started a 24 week Bible Study with different people from the church and my team. It is intense and challenging. It is called the Disciple's Cross. We are meeting once a week, and have daily reflection and prayer times. So far I have enjoyed it and I am enjoying my time with God and learning different ways of being present with him during the day. 

Pray Request/Praise

1) The Disciple's Cross Bible Study: That I will be able to faithful to God through the learning and the daily exercises, even when I am tired.

2) I will be moving next week into the house that the family I am living with is renovating. Pray that all of that goes smoothly and that the house can be done on time.

3) Sofia (the baby of the team) has been so happy and much easier these last few weeks than she was at the beginning. She is almost like a new baby. God answered that prayer!

4) For Germany: That people's hearts will become good soil and that the word of God can take root in their lives and that they will be able to reap a harvest of what they sow.

Once again thank you so much for all your love and supports, and encouragements.