oh the possibilities.

you know what makes me tick? organization. if i'm living in the midst of a mess, my creativity level plummets. i love shelves- drawers- boxes- baskets- especially if they are cute! one of the most relaxing things i can do is to alphabetize a huge stack of papers [or anything else alphabetizable]. my mind likes to clean things up and then move on to the next project.

currently i'm planning a room makeover.. it's been 5 or 6 years since my last one, and while it's livable, there are so many ideas i'd like to implement! i've already cleaned out the majority of old clothes and shoes that are no longer allowed to take up valuable space.. and made a sizable pile of clothes-to-be-remade. i'm looking forward to a creative and productive winter!

i've got my eyes on a delightful yellow cabinet from ikea... but i think i'll be using ingenuity and a paintbrush to create a lookalike. it's cheaper and 100% original. i love using imagination and creative resources to turn something old into something 'new' and amazing.

it's been snowing since last night and shall continue on.. we're all snug and cozy inside our little house and enjoying christmas. tomorrow's agenda: build a sled run in the backyard with all of our amazing powder. pictures hopefully to follow!

lots of love and happy christmas.

a.

christmas favourites.

3 days of rest, family, and peace.
a great big snowstorm!
white mohair slippers.
rose-scented candles.
clean room.
"dear-friend" books: currently, A Little Princess.
good music. latest favourite: Kathryn Scott's "I Belong"

yes, this holiday season is lovely. happy birthday Jesus!

Yours the life that transformed history

Yours the truth that sets us free

We stand before You now on holy ground

Overshadowed by Your glory

Held in everlasting arms

Your life and death turned everything around

Thank you thank you

For Your love that saved us Jesus

Thank You thank You for the cross

With our hearts on fire and our hands raised high

We’re singing thank You thank You for the cross

Thank You thank You for the cross

-Kathryn Scott, "Thank You For the Cross"

a favorite christmas carol.

..i never really could figure out these words from watching Little Women.. so here they are!

Ding dong merrily on high,
In heav'n the bells are ringing:
Ding dong! verily the sky
Is riv'n with angel singing.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

E'en so here below, below,
Let steeple bells be swungen,
And "Io, io, io!"
By priest and people sungen.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

Pray you, dutifully prime
Your matin chime, ye ringers;
May you beautifully rime
Your evetime song, ye singers.
Gloria, Hosanna in excelsis!

24 hours of traveling fun

goodbyes i've said: three hundred and one

it's been 3 and a half years

and i've cried lots of tears

cause this place is just like home.

so now to my other american home i go

where it's a foot deep in snow and it's 15 below!

don't really know what's ahead

but that's where i'm led

and it'll be amazing fo sho.

[disclaimer: i love dr seuss, and i rarely use slang.]

goodbye germany and all of my dear dear dear friends!!! i'll miss you so much. xoxoxo

dear home.

Today marks the beginning of the final week of the semester; it also marks the the beginning of my final week at Bible College.

I knew someday this day would come, when I would move on to other things; and finally it's here. It is exciting, but it's also sad to say good-bye. I will so dearly miss the people I've come to know over the past 4+ years. My year in Murrieta seems like it happened ages ago, and it feels as though Germany is my second home. I've made such dear friends here, and been so blessed being involved with the Bible College and Calvary Chapel Siegen for over 3 years. I never would have dreamed that I'd live in Germany for 3 years, or be on staff at a Bible College, or lead worship all over Europe! I am so thankful for the work that the Lord has done in my life, and the things He has already enabled me to do.

My future plans are in His hands too! I leave Siegen next Wednesday, the 16th of December, and head home to lovely Minnesota just in time for Christmas. I am so excited to see my family and my home and to enjoy a cozy snowy Christmas with lots of relatives. After that, I'm going to spend a season at home, working at the restaurant and helping out at the church. I'm looking forward to spending longer than 6 or 8 weeks at a time at home!! I'm going to enjoy being home and being with my family, and also be praying about some different options. I've received a few offers to come out to different churches, and I want to consider them well and see if maybe I can head any of those directions. Or, maybe the Lord will send me in an entirely different direction. I'm excited to see what's ahead, and I'll enjoy every day I get.

So for now, I'm finishing up things here at the school. I taught my last class on Friday, which went really well. We spent the majority of our times split up into three songwriting teams! It was great, and I think the students really enjoyed and benefited from it.

I'm sad to say goodbye to my friends here, but I've got 9 more days to spend with them! There will be lots of coffee dates and get-togethers, as each semester ending always has, but these will be especially treasured. On top of those, there's the normal weekly tasks to attend to, as well as packing and cleaning up all my stuff- the accumulation of 2 years on staff! It'll be nice to clean out the old things I haven't been using.

I have some pictures [piles of them from this semester] that I'd like to share- yet I never have sufficient patience to edit, upload, and reorder them online. So, here's a really big present I found at IKEA the other night; the rest will have to come later.

Love love love, and happy Christmas! God is so very good to us all, especially in sending His only Son to save us!

prayer.

if anyone happens to happen along and see this little note, would you please pray for my throat? i've been feeling sick for over a week, but not really sick- just a very untalkative-feeling throat that is rather painful. no coughing, just hurts. it's been keeping me especially from singing. which is fine- my schedule is surprisingly free from singing engagements lately. but if it's all the same, i'd rather have the option to sing whenever i can! it's just a strange thing. maybe i strained it. i know the Lord knows and He can heal it! thanks for praying.

grey day.

i'd like to write a lot, but i don't really know what to include yet. plans keep seeming to change at the last minute, so i shan't inform you, dear reader, of my future plans beyond two for today: enjoying a day off, and doing my laundry. :)

we celebrated thanksgiving yesterday! it was a day late to american standards, but thoroughly worth the wait. i had been home with a sore throat and hoarse voice for wednesday and thursday, but by friday morning was feeling up to the challenge of cooking thanksgiving dinner for 80 people with inga-lill [the mastermind] and karen [her handy side-kick]. we sure had fun- karen and i took great delight in carving that turkey with the "power-saw" electric knife. i also was given charge over the green bean casserole [yay hotdish!] and the yams. cooking at the Bible College has taught me several life lessons: pray a lot, be flexible, keep laughing, and pray some more. so we did, and it was great.

i am getting excited to head home for Christmas!!!!!!! i'm ready to see my beautiful snowy minnesota, my wonderful family, my cozy house, my warm bed... all the good stuff. the semester ends in only 2 weeks with graduation on the 11th December. there are Lots Of Things To Be Done before then.. but it'll all get done.

hoping to visit the Christmas Market soon here in Siegen, and maybe in Köln sometime too...

next week brings another adventure, of which you shall hear in due time!

AND last but certainly far from least- there's a candlelight service in one of the big churches in town tonight... and i want to go! hopefully we'll make it...

"If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that!" - James 4:15

it still hasn't snowed here yet! i'm hoping it'll snow tonight to make the day after Thanksgiving all the more magical. it could only be better if i were 6 years old all over again, at the Christmas tree farm in PA, riding up into the fields in a horse-drawn wagon, bundled up to the nines and finding The Perfect Tree up on the hillside.. then riding back down and sipping steaming hot apple cider in the pine-scented barn. those, my friends, were the good old days.

lots of love.

mes amis.

before the throne, part 2.

today i:

cleaned my house

did my laundry

recorded before the throne and posted it on pv

enjoyed a cozy saturday in a warm, clean house.

the end.

bits of this and that.

doing a lot of thinking and praying lately.

been doing a lot of writing this semester, just little bits here and there, but plenty in general.

put together a little song tonight.. it's just where i'm at. you can hear it at my purevolume [called so see]. rough recording, but i'm willing to share.

looking forward to speaker's week, beginning tomorrow. ready to hear the things the Lord wants to speak.

enjoyed a lovely wedding yesterday, of two very dear friends. such a good day celebrating their marriage.

i boiled some pretty tasty carrots tonight for dinner, along with my basmati rice. just sayin'.

almost in the mood for christmas music, and definitely into wool socks season.

found an old copy of Hinds Feet on High Places in the bookstore this week! been loving it, and savoring every word. so encouraging.

better head on to bed- or maybe just a few more quiet minutes on my couch with the cozy silence.

xo.

before the throne..

Before the throne of God above, I have a strong and perfect plea

A great High Priest whose name is love, Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hands! My name is written on His heart!

I know that while in heaven He stands, No tongue can bid me thus depart

No tongue can bid me thus depart

When Satan tempts me to despair, And tells me of the guilt within

Upward I look and see Him there, Who made an end to all my sin

Because the sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free

For God the just is satisfied, To look on Him and pardon me

To look on Him and pardon me

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb, My perfect spotless righteousness

The great unchanging all I Am, The King of glory and of grace

One with Himself, I cannot die, My soul is purchased by His blood

My life is hid with Christ on high, With Christ my Savior and my God

With Christ my Savior and my God

short, yet necessary.

1.i'm still alive!!

2. bristol and london were fantastic.

3. my brother Tyler is visiting! we went to austria last weekend. we've got 4 full days left to hang out.

4. in the next 10 days: 2 worship classes to study for and teach, 2 sundays at other calvarys [düsseldorf and heidelberg], my friends' wedding, enjoying the rest of my time with ty, and approximately 200 other things. it's crazy! but so good.

5. main goal: remain sane. i need to be daily filled with the Spirit to be able to keep a right perspective and have the grace to enjoy all these things while accomplishing them. if you think of me, please pray for that. :)

lots of love! lots of pictures that need to be uploaded too....... maybe next week. here's one of london, just cause.

ja klar.

last weekend i was at the CC Herborn women's retreat- what a blessing! here are some photos.

we had some great times of fellowship together. our theme was The Joy of the Lord is My Strength!

the retreat took place in the beautiful Westerwald, about 40 minutes from Siegen.

this is my new friend Caro! we led worship together, and were roommates for the weekend.

plus i got to jam for a while one afternoon on an amazing old-school piano!! i so dearly miss playing on a real piano. i was tremendously blessed by such a simple thing.

fall has begun here in germany! the leaves are changing colors, and the hillside is about to erupt in flaming radiance. makes me happy.

plus, it means that it's outreach week time! on sunday morning at 6am we depart in the big blue van for england. 

our team is called the "BLTs"- the Bristol/London team.. and we have already had so many good times of fellowship and prayer together!

in Bristol, we'll be praying over the city, as several people are considering moving out there to plant a church!

in London, we'll be serving alongside Calvary Chapel Docklands, and doing street evangelism and other things.

please keep us in your prayers as we go out. i'll update as soon as i can afterwards.

danke schön!

xo,a.

sverige.

is one of my favorite places ever.

göteborg was amazing this weekend! so relaxing and fun.

stories may come sometime soon.... but it was the first of 6 consecutive weekends away from home...... lots coming up. it was lovely, and i took pictures. here's one.

xoxoxo!

craaaazy!

yesterday i bought a ticket to go to sweden this friday through monday. yay! i'm going with my friend aan-sofie to hang out in göthenborg for the weekend. we'll stay at her grandparents' house, see some sights, and paint the town red! 

next weekend i'm leading worship at the herborn women's retreat, which should be another great time. i was there last year too, for their first one ever.

the weekend after that we leave to go to bristol and london for outreach! our first team meeting is tonight. and we're road-tripping it there, which definitely includes driving on the wrong side of the road! and...... we already booked our passage through the Chunnel. 

i am super excited that my brother tyler is coming... and we just booked tickets to go to Klagenfurt, Austria for a weekend while he's here! it's in the Alps, and right next to Slovenia and Italy. um, yes?

tomorrow i get to sort apples so they can make applesauce, mmmm.

love.a

la di da.

well, i can't really remember what's been keeping me so busy, but it's been a lot!

friday all day was spent organizing, gathering things, and going on a lovely barbeque picnic in the german hillside.

saturday i had a wonderfully relaxing day in my home, and then came over to the villa for dinner and games and fun.

sunday i took two groups of students and staff down to calvary chapel Herborn. i led worship with a couple other guys, and the rest came along for the ride. i've been doing  a lot of driving lately, which is fun and good for me- i feel really quite confident at driving stick. the drive home sunday night was crazy, it was raining so hard.. but the Lord got us safely home at last.

monday i had the morning off so i could go to devotions without responsibilities! :) it's always great to have a break and be able to just receive for a while. worked coffeebar afterwards, which i always enjoy, and led worship with ludwig and a couple others at monday night class.

yesterday got some organizational things done pertaining to the worship ministry here, there, and everywhere, followed by staff meeting and a lovely evening at sabine's house.

today i've been studying for my class- first class is on friday!! i am really looking forward to it. there are 7 students signed up for it so far. need to study some more... after i finish blogging. also had a fun lunch with aan-sofie at ikea today. and tonight is women's discipleship class at miri's house.

tomorrow [thursday] night i'll be playing music and leading worship at the Straßencafé that CC Siegen does once a week downtown. i haven't been there yet, so i'm looking forward to it.

friday is my class in the afternoon, and then i'm working coffeebar all night.

this saturday we're going on the annual Koblenz trip, which includes 7am departure, 2-hour bus ride, boat ride up the Rhein River, hike up a mountain to the Marksburg castle, then come back down the hill and river to Koblenz for a leisurely afternoon in the city. i like this trip, despite having been on it about 3 times already. it's a great way to get to know the students. we're praying for good weather!

and i'm really excited to announce that Pastor Nick is back!!!!!! i missed all 3 services sunday because i was in herborn, but i'm super glad that he's back and feeling better. got to say hi to him yesterday real quick. currently trying to find the podcast from sunday, because i heard it was great.

i'm pretty sure i'm going to london and bristol for outreach...... more to follow.

also looking ahead to the CC Herborn women's retreat, October 2-4. should be good!

ok off i go! lots of love from germany. 

p.s. here is a picture of the cute church across the street from my house. the church bells ring every 15 minutes. one ring for quarter after, 2 rings for half past, 3 rings for quarter-to, 4 rings at the hour, followed by a different sound of bell that says what o'clock it is. :) it's quite handy indeed. i'll try to take better pictures of my apartment soon too!

AND my brother Tyler comes to visit in less than 5 weeks :)

tschüüüüüüüüüüß!

blog neglect: guilty.

today's the first day of classes. we've had a really busy weekend, full of orientation, introductions to the church.. plus i've been cooking, working coffeebar a couple times, and leading worship.. tonight will be my 4th time leading worship in 3 days- twice saturday, twice today.

please keep us in prayer- everything has been so busy and pretty stressful so far. and a lot of the staff are getting sick too. :( pray for our physical health, and also that we'll have adequate time to rest and spend time with the Lord.

my class starts next week [this friday is the all-school bbq].. haven't had much time to work on it since i've been here, but that'll come after today! i would post pictures of my cute little apartment.. but i can't find my camera cord. i know it's in my house, and i searched everywhere.. but found it not.

the sun is shining today, and it's mahhhhvelous. i'm so tired. i think i'll take a nap in the grass.

alles klar.

well, i've been in deutschland for 5 days. it's always so exciting to come back.

tonight i led worship at cc herborn, which was a blessing. it's so fun to hang out with old and new friends there, and to worship with them, of course! i've been meaning to get out there for months.

still no permanent home for me, but i'm happily installed in the villa until further notice- in my old "cupboard" room.

it was amazing to be back at cc siegen again this morning. saw and hugged and talked with so many people, and soaked up the worship and the word and the fellowship and the sunshine. 

tomorrow we're back to work preparing for the semester. looking forward to it. most staff and interns are here already, with a few more coming in the next couple days. only a few students here so far, with the rest coming by friday. orientation is saturday, and classes begin monday.

and i got to see my dear friend michelle! she was visiting germany this month, is now back in peru, but we got to hang out right after i got here for an evening and morning. :) it was great.

so many ministry opportunities are already flying at me for the semester. if you think of me, please pray for wisdom and discernment to say yes to the right things, and to decline the unnecessary things.

time for bed. gute nacht ihr alle!

eure ann.

when peace like a river attendeth my way..

updates!

this afternoon i wrote my latest missionary update. if you don't receive them already, but would like to, please let me know!

also finished my class syllabus- i'm teaching Worship Leading [WO327] on Friday afternoons this semester. and helping with Choir on Wednesday mornings. gonna be good.

my mom and i made some delicious salsa this morning. it's been a good, productive day.

only 4 more nights in my own bed!

dress.

i can't help but share my latest online find. i love dresses, especially vintage-inspired dresses. if you concur, check out shabby apple!

monday.

it's Monday afternoon, and exactly 2 weeks until i depart again for Germany! i'm very excited to head back, but having had a longer-than-usual time here this summer, i'll miss home and family when i leave. nevertheless, on y va!

we just returned from a family vacation [aka Extreme Biking Adventure] in the northwoods of Minnesota. we rented a little cabin on the shores of Lake Itasca, in Itasca State Park, which also includes the headwaters of the Mississippi River. the river is pretty small up there! we walked across it on a log rather hastily, to avoid death-by-mosquito-bites. we biked and canoed and paddle-boated and explored and hung out in the park for a few days.

on Saturday, we packed up and headed northwest to find my great-grandparents' homestead [my mom's dad's parents]. the buildings have recently been knocked down, but we were able to see the land they farmed, and some of my mom's favorite spots to explore as a child. it was great to be up there again; i hadn't been in that part of the state in probably 10 years.

Saturday afternoon we headed into Bemidji, where we met up with some friends at the Calvary Chapel there. i led a worship seminar there all afternoon for their worship team, and was really blessed! i enjoyed meeting all of them and sharing the common ground of worship ministry with them. after hanging out in our hotel room Saturday night, we headed back to CCB for church on Sunday morning, where Tyler and i got to lead the church in worship. it was another sweet time.

the Lord really blessed me as i served up there this weekend. i had been pretty sick on Friday, and was beginning to stress about being able to do an adequate job with the seminar, and especially about having a voice to sing with all weekend! He was so gracious, and enabled me to pour out as i walked in obedience! it was a great lesson in "stirring up the gift that is within you" - especially when you feel like you don't have anything to give. God is always faithful, and i am always blessed to serve Him!

now we're back home, and getting back into the swing of things. i think time is going to fly by in these next two weeks! a couple more weeks of work, a couple birthdays to celebrate, one last time at church, packing, and as much hanging out and enjoying my family as possible are on the agenda.

one new thing i've been checking out is LibriVox- an online audio resource of public domain books! some friends told me about it months ago, and now i'm hooked. you can listen [for free] to a vast array of literature from 1923 and earlier. and it's not just for listening- anyone can also record chapters or even whole books and submit them! it's always been a dream of mine to record "books on tape" - maybe i'll have something up there soon. i think a huge plus would be to have a grandmotherly british accent.. but i'll have to make do with minnesotan.

le jardin.

Devil's Gulch.

it's a lovely drive between here and sioux falls, south dakota. the buffalo ridge, the prairie, the windmills, the huge fields full of ripening corn, beans, and wheat. and there's a mysterious little brown sign along that road that says "Devil's Gulch."

i have for quite some while wondered what this Devil's Gulch might be. is it just a "historical marker" next to the road? is it a state park? is it something exciting?? today was the day to find out.

happening upon the sign on the way home, i gave into fancy and headed off towards the spot. a nice little drive down a couple dirt roads led me to a parking lot with a few signs and a small cabin, and a path headed downhill. soon i was on a bridge looking straight down a gulch [like a small ravine], and could hear a waterfall off in the distance.

so i headed down the stony path, around trees and over boulders, and came around so i could see the waterfall in the distance. another path led me back to the road and right to the waterfall itself. after exploring a bit, i headed back to the car.

then i read the sign. it turns out Devil's Gulch is indeed a famous spot, for in 1876, when he was on the run from the authorities, Jesse James leapt the 15-foot ravine on horseback and evaded capture!

photo credit: Wikipedia

such a feat, thought i, is not easily repeated. 

so i enjoyed a trip-trap through the woods in flip flops and a skirt, and headed back down the road, 

Frappuccino in hand.

never fear..

i'm still alive! i realized i've only updated twice since i've been home. needless to say, it's been busy, but it's been a great time so far. our family has spent a lot of time together, doing this and that, and it's been very nice. i am also working at the restaurant [along with all three of my brothers and my dad, and sometimes my sister-in-law too!], which is the same old place as always. it's such a blessing to have a guaranteed job when i come home! i can't complain.

this weekend i'm leading worship at a Children's Ministry Conference at CC Sioux Falls, South Dakota. i'm really looking forward to it. i've been to the conference several times, but never led worship while there. i feel quite honored to have been asked to come.

right after that, it's back home and off to a wedding, and the next day maybe to the cities for the continuation of a soccer tournament.

my nephews continue to grow far too big, far too fast- but they are the sweetest little boys. every day is a new adventure with bryce, as he continues to quickly grow from toddler to child, and every day i get the same sweet smile and chuckle from brennan.

there's not a whole lot else going on. i have a very interesting-looking geranium plant in my bedroom, which probably would appreciate to be outdoors. nevertheless, it has remained alive thus far - about 3 whole weeks!

here's a few pictures from our trip up north over the 4th. [yep, i'm still a poet.]

good night, world.

new trick!

this is old news by now, but bryce learned to spell my name last week!

 

p.s. we had some fun driving the tractor the other night at the land! check out the pictures.

home on the range.

I've spent the past two days in Midwest bliss. It's great being home with my family, and back on the prairie again. I didn't realize how much I love the simple, strong beauty of the prairie. The myriad shades of green in the eagerly growing fields contrast with a vast, unreachable expanse of the deepest blue sky, sprinkled intermittently with every sort of cloud. Last night my younger brothers and I drove out to the edge of town to watch a huge storm system move in. There was a line of thunderheads to the north, and a black wall of cloud to the west, almost pink with the flashing lightning. Having lived so long in the little valley by the Sieg, it's amazing to see the immensity of the sky here. The sunsets are rich and vibrant, and they bring out the color and charm of all the neighborhood flowers. It's probably often overlooked, but truly, it's lovely.

Two little visitors spent a few hours at our house both yesterday and today: Bryce and Brennan, my adorable nephews! Bryce is two, can count to at least 30, spell every name in the family [we're working on A-N-N-I-E right now], do all sorts of tricks and with his contagious smile can convince us to do just about anything with him. He'll ask if we want to do something, and answer right away on our behalf, "Okay!" Who can deny it? Brennan is the sweetest, cuddliest, happiest little fellow. I hear that he's grown an awful lot even as a 2-month-old, but I still marvel at his tiny little toes and fingers! He doesn't cry unless he's hungry, and if you ask him if he's "got a smile in there," he breaks out in a great big grin. Tyler even had him laughing tonight for a while. [photo credit: Tyler Johnson]

It's been nice having nothing on the agenda for these first few days, and being able to just hang out with my family. I so appreciate each one of them, and we've had some great talks, great laughs, and great times already. Plus, jet lag has completely eluded me, so I've been able to sleep all night and stay awake all day! I'm thankful.

I'm excited to lead worship at church on Sunday, and to head back to work at the restaurant on Monday. But first comes Saturday! Have a blessed weekend.

post #201.

going hoooooooooome tomorrow.
i've been packed for several hours, started a new book, and am biding the time till Bin picks me up for one last hurrah at her house tonight.
then it's back to the mighty midwest, leaving here at 7am tomorrow!
excited to go home, and to have a little break from siegen and the rain. but i'll be glad to come back when it's time..
it's still a little mindblowing that in one day, a person can be on both sides of the world..

round two.

The worship conference began today. It's terribly rainy and cold outside, but I know this is going to be a great conference. I got to sit in on the first session this morning, and was really blessed. Duane Clark shared on John 1, and the ministry of John the Baptist. His sole goal was to point others to Jesus! And that's what our first priority should be as worship leaders: to point the church to Jesus.

I'm helping during one meal doing food prep, another meal with dishes, and another meal working the coffeebar, but otherwise I'm pretty freed up to go to the sessions and workshops.

Pray that the Lord will really use this time to equip and refresh His people for the ministry of worship! There are about 70 people here for the conference, and I think there will be a lot of people from the church at the evening sessions tonight and tomorrow.

Also thinking about home- I leave on Wednesday! But for now, back to the conference.

in Your presence is fullness of joy- Lord, You are my portion! in Your presence is mercy and love- Lord, You are my God!

so I will bless You Lord, I will praise You Lord, I will worship You, O Lord God Most High-

for I know: You are my portion, You are my God.

fight the good fight.

Today I went with my friend Damaris to the public school where she teaches. She had invited a Christian band from New Zealand to come and play a show at her school today, so I tagged along to check it out and help however possible. I didn't really know what to expect. But I prayed at 6am just before we left that the Lord would use me, and keep us all reliant upon His Spirit. And He did!

The school had about 1000 kids from ages 10-19 or so. The concert was outside on a parking lot/basketball court area. And even though it's been cold and rainy and miserable the last few days, the sun came up bright and early as we drove to the school, and stayed out pretty much all day long. I ran the merch table, helped with little things here and there, and got to practice some German skills with the kids and teachers. And otherwise, I just shot up prayers now and then that the Lord would do a faithful work in the kids' hearts through the concert. 

The kids got pretty into the concert after a couple songs, which was encouraging. During a little interview with the band, for which Damaris was translating, the lead singer started sharing a story about growing up in New Zealand. Basically, he and his brother almost drowned while swimming at the beach, and just before they went under for good, he remembered his mom telling him when he was a child that if ever he should need help, he just needed to pray to God and ask Him. So he did, and the next thing he knew, he was on the beach and his little brother was running around, unharmed.

So that story got his foot in the door to share about the Lord, and he was pretty straightforward. I was a little nervous, just because the entire school was at the concert, including most or all of the faculty, and this is a German public school. Then after the story, he asked if he could pray for the kids. He did, brave guy, and afterwards they finished with a few more songs.

After the show, Damaris was pretty shook up after some teachers commented negatively about the message. But we had a sweet time of prayer, just giving the whole situation to the Lord, and especially praying that Damaris would have strength to trust the Lord and have wisdom to say the right things when the time came. 

Before we left, she and the lead singer were able to talk briefly with the headmaster of the school, and they came out smiling. He already had all his pictures online, and was very complimentary, and said that the kids loved it. There probably will be discussions about this tomorrow and Wednesday as Damaris goes back to school, so if you think of it, pray for her! The Lord totally opened this door for the Gospel to be shared at the school, and for her to be courageous in her faith. Pray that the kids will ask questions about the Lord, and that the teachers will have softened hearts too.

On the way home, I was encouraged to have been part of it all today as a prayer warrior. When we have open hearts and willing hands to serve wherever He puts us, He really can use us to influence the people we meet! A thousand kids and a bunch of critical staff members heard about Jesus today, whether they were comfortable with it or not, because He loves them. 

So, I'm encouraged [and I hope you are, too] to stand fast in prayer, and to trust the Lord in doing so. It's a blessed ministry.

goings-on.

Anja... came to visit! It was great to see her!

Bagels... were made by Hannah and I today, and they are delicious.

Chosen Girls... was tonight. I led worship and had a great time hanging out with the youth group girls.

Delicious Brunch... will be eaten tomorrow at Hannah's house.

"E, e, what begins with E?..."

I can't think of anything exciting lately that begins with an "E".. so I'll stop that train of thought.

Been thinking a lot lately about putting out an album at some point in the near future.. and have been writing and keeping track of a few ideas that have been fluttering about lately.

Reading through Jeremiah right now. The Lord is so gracious!!!

Monday morning will be cool- going with my friend Damaris to the school where she teaches. A band from New Zealand is coming to do a concert at the school, and there'll be 1000+ students there! Looking forward to being a part of it...

I go home in 12 days! Life here's been a bit dull lately, so the excitement of my imminent return to my other home is eagerly anticipated. I get to see my family, hang out with my brothers and sister-in-law, play with my two nephews, work at the restaurant, lead worship at church... life is good.

i haven't taken any pictures lately, but here's me and little v at graduation! :)

surprise.

so yesterday at church, sarah kelly came over and said, "i want to hear you play." and i said, "ok." and she said "tonight." and by "tonight," she meant at her concert! i didn't quite know what to expect, or at what time to expect it, but figured if it was supposed to happen, it would happen.

the show progressed, was quite enjoyable, and the place was packed. it came to the end, she played the last song, we applauded. they left the stage, and after a bit, they returned to the stage for an encore. she sat down again and said "i'm going to do something a little different for the encore. i met a girl yesterday who picked me up from holland, and she plays and sings too. i haven't heard her yet, but i thought we could all hear her play together." and with that i walked up to the stage, she took my hand and gave me a nice little intro, and then sat down in the front row.

the stage was mine, the lights were bright, the monitors were good and loud. i played a song i wrote a couple summers ago, and every once in a while i opened my scrunched-shut eyes to peek out at all the onlookers. [i have to say, i don't get nervous leading worship.. but performing in front of a crowd that size is a little daunting!] i finished, the clapping began, and i looked up to see people popping up all over the place. our sweet church gave me a standing ovation. 

such an opportunity wasn't something i expected, or even sought. but the Lord showed me a little lesson last night, that in being faithful in the small things, in "dwelling in the land and feeding on His faithfulness," He likes to bless our simple hearts with spots of joy here and there. i don't know what else He has in store for me down the road, but for now i'm content to be right here where He has me, and to wait and watch Him work. He's pretty good at doing that! 

and that little song that He put on my heart one night on the prairie was heard by a room full of ready hearts.. and i pray that He used it to glorify Himself, and maybe He even used it to bless somebody else's heart, just like He blessed mine.

though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vine, I delight to do Your will, O God, for this has become mine:

i will rejoice in the Lord.

dutchie-land!

today sabine and i set off on an adventure to holland!

highlights:

-great dance music [necessity for any and all road trips]

-i got to drive from germany to holland on the autobahn [in a stick-shift van, no less]

-we saw the sea [for about 3 minutes]

-dutch fries and mayo

-walabi world. [enough said]

-seeing practically all of holland in one day :)

-4 hours in the van hanging out with sarah kelly and her swedish musician friends

-coming home.

i highly suggest adventurizing. i very rarely regret being spontaneous.. and probably miss out on plenty of lovely adventures simply because i get a little nervous or scared. so.. we'll see where the wind blows me next.

my dad

is the best dad ever, that anyone could have.

my dad always makes me smile, whenever i feel sad.

and some days when i'm up in my tree

and chewing on my bubble gummmmmmm.....

you know the rest, dad. i love you! 

happy happy happy birthday!!!!

xo ann.

we're off..

to see the mosel. staff girls are heading out of eiserfeld for a well-deserved vacation.

it's hot and humid outside, and i'm feeling sick already.. time to get in the van :(

pray that we'll have a nice time and be refreshed and encouraged.

love.a

my youngest brother trevor.

photo credit: tyler johnson

the conference is going really well! i'm absolutely exhausted, so this will be brief, but thanks to all who are praying for us!

we've had beautiful [albeit humid and almost hot!] weather, amazing teaching, great food, wonderful fellowship.

all of us on staff are working like busy bees, so please pray for renewed strength as we sleep tonight- one more day tomorrow, and then we clean everything up. 

highlights of the week [more to come]: 

-leading worship with the band at the first session

-talking with so many different people in ministry

-tonight's session [ray bentley]

-going to bed right now. :)

towards the end.

it's the end of the semester. i remember the first week of my first semester of Bible College, when a wizened and matured 4th-semester exhorted the new students to take advantage of every day in Bible College, because sooner than we think, it's done.

now, 4 years later [yikes!], the story remains the same. savor every bit, especially with the people who are near right now, because you'll never have this opportunity again! what a blessing to be in the same place for almost 3 years. that makes me feel, well, pretty old. but also pretty confident in the fact that the Lord has placed me here for a specific purpose! and in His hands is exactly where i'd like to be.

lots of happenings going on here right now... we had our semester-end BBQ and a baptism this weekend. this morning was our last Monday chapel for the semester, and the graduates' breakfast. i can't believe these kids began Bible College after i graduated.. and now they're graduating. time flies. it's sad to say goodbye to those who won't be returning.. but it's exciting too. the Lord's just bringing them into the next place He's prepared for them, and prepared them for.

Frontiers [a missions organization] hosted a missions night at the church last Friday. it was really cool to hear what the Lord is doing in Muslim countries all over the world, and how HE builds His church [not us]. His people just need to be faithful wherever He puts them, and He'll do it. i was there to lead worship, but i was so blessed to hear what's going on around the world.

this morning i had another fun experience: for chapel we did Pick-And-Preach, and they had one girl do it! and the girl was me. it was a little nerve wracking, but so cool to take the Word, pray over it and think about it for a couple minutes, and then encourage the Body with it. Lamentations 3:21-23! recall the Lord's faithfulness, and take heart in the hope that He gives.

i had fond hopes to post some pictures for visual interest.. but blogger seems to be a little sluggish today. so how about 1000 words for a picture? i hear they're an even trade...

Happy Mother's Day!

Dear Mom,

I love you and I'm so thankful for you! Have a happy mother's day!

And happy anniversary Mom and Dad!!!!! I can't wait to see you guys soon.

What a day! Hope it's great.

Love, ann.

sverige!

sweden was great!

26 ladies from 8 different countries- norway, sweden, denmark, finland, germany, latvia, england, and usa.

we sang a few songs in swedish!

got to visit Calvary Stockholm too, which was really cool too.

for more updates, check your email... if you aren't on my update list and would like to be, let me know!

<------------- sweden pictures are up!

p.s.

just found out this morning that the retreat this weekend won't be swedes alone!

there are ladies coming from sweden, germany, denmark, finland, and even norway!! woohoo!

now i'm even more excited. leaving at 3am!

pray for us!

xo!

sverige, here i come!!

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, 

and having done all, to stand. [Ephesians 6:13]

i have a new nephew [who is already almost 2 weeks old!]- Brennan Richard! i can't wait to meet him.

i read three amazing books in the last few weeks [well, the last one i haven't quite finished yet]:

.God's Smuggler- story of Brother Andrew

.The Torn Veil- story of a Muslim Pakistani lady who became a Christian [already brought it back to the library.. but i think that's the right title]

.I Dared to Call Him Father- another story of another Muslim Pakistani lady who became a Christian

i like reading, especially true stories of people who walked by faith and knew their God!

and... i go to sweden on thursday!

here am i, send me!

this week is outreach week at the bible college! please be praying for the staff and students as they go out into all the world to share the love of Jesus.

we have teams this semester going to Rome, Belgium, Holland, Sweden, Austria, East Germany, North Germany, and Iraq!

pray for: 

• safety and health
• wisdom
• opportunities to bless and serve the churches
• opportunities to share the gospel
• guidance by the Holy Spirit
• unity among each team

i'll be here this week, but next week i head to Sweden to help put on a women's retreat! really excited to go back there.

danke fuer euer gebet, und Gottes segen! [thanks for your prayers, and God bless!]

a.

make a joyful noise.

long ago, in a land far away [minnesota], i used to work with a guy named scotty. scotty was a cook, and did a decent job. and you know, scotty had a very interesting habit. it just so happened that whenever anyone even hinted at whistling, scotty would unconsciously begin whistling right along. no particular tune, just whistling. 

i am a pretty avid whistler [how's that for a sweet hobby?], and find myself almost constantly either humming, singing, or whistling throughout the day. so this morning as i walked home in the glorious sunshine, a tune sprung onto my lips and i whistled merrily along. just then i passed a man on a bicycle, and i think he must have been somehow distantly related with scotty. for as we passed, he picked up and whistled along quite merrily himself.

4dw.

thursday became friday, and now it's 4 saturdays in a row!

4-day weekend is amazing. and it's sunny and 70s all weekend.

praise the Lord for simple blessings, but mostly for His great sacrifice on our behalf!

Jesus is alive!!

spring rain isn't so bad.

the sun's been out for nearly 2 weeks straight, and my freckles are beginning to reappear, to my utmost delight. but tonight a fresh little drizzle is coming out and producing the most delicious smell upon the face of this lovely greener-every-day bit of earth. i think the smell of spring/summer rain is one of my most favorites.

life has been good, interesting, stretching, joyful, and more or less relaxed this week. i think it's the daily exposure to warm sunshine and the fact that i'm essentially done with my teaching responsibilities for my class already! i've got 3 guest speakers and outreach [thus no class one week] this month, so it's great to sit back, learn from them, spend time with people, read a good book, and enjoy a bit of a reprise. [tonight a girl who leads worship at the church talked on songwriting- and i was really encouraged.]

speaking of reading, i'm back on the missionary biography kick. i don't think i'll ever tire of stories in general, and especially true stories of real people who knew their God and and carried out great exploits in His name! i re-read Isobel Kuhn's biography, By Searching, a few weeks ago, and was once again immensely blessed. yesterday i began God's Smuggler- the story of Brother Andrew, a Dutch guy who [i'm assuming, but i'm only in chapter 6!] went on to smuggle Bibles behind the Iron Curtain, and to found the organization Open Doors.. which i often hear about at CC Siegen. small world.

4-day weekend is 2 days away, so most everyone will be gone. i love it when it's quiet and peaceful around here!

i'm learning swedish!!!!!!!!!!!! a dear girl from the church is giving me a few little "lessons" in preparation for our upcoming trip to sweden to put on the 2nd annual Calvary Chapel women's retreat in Scandinavia [Stockholm, to be exact]. i'm especially excited for this trip, for i love Sweden, and to know how to roughly pronounce a few words [and thereby to lead worship in Swedish- the main goal of studying a bit] is absolutely thrilling to me. i love languages!

family update: new nephew is to be born any day now! woohoo!

and last, but most certainly not least, 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

today.

oh come, let us sing to the Lord! let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

for the Lord is the great God, and the great King above all gods.

oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

for He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.

today, if you will hear His voice: "do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness..."

psalm 95:1-3,6-8

today i will rejoice in You. [new song up on pv]

der erste Neffe

my 2-year-old nephew, if you didn't already know, is amazing.

i got to talk to him on skype for quite a while last night. he has become quite a talker! before when i would talk to him, he'd point at the answer. not last night. oh, no. he's a big guy. a big talking guy.

he gave me a run-down of the whole alphabet [and had me practice writing them for him :)], the do-re-mi song, counted 1-10, practiced his colors and shapes, told me where mom and dad went [to the muffin house, of course], informed me of several new additions to the Animal-Sounds department, practiced his Minnesotan accent [oh ja!], and said three things which made his far-away auntie ever so proud.

"i- love- you" followed by "i miss you" [and a bunch of kisses blown at the screen]

and the icing on the cake? "Ah-nee!" "Ah-neeee" "Aaah-nee!" [he can finally say my name, woohoo!]

it was so sweet to talk with him and the rest of my family. and in less than 2 weeks there will be another nephew to add to the fun! :)

love you, family.

it's just a day.

lift up your eyes! for God is still good, still merciful, still gracious; and He is working; He is near to all who call upon Him in truth.

today it's not just raining; it's snowing too. what horrible weather. i am absolutely repulsed. springtime was supposed to come. but i was reminded, while on a bit of a walk through said inclement elements, that THIS is the day that the Lord has made; so let us rejoice and be glad in it. today the circumstances and the feelings and all that's in the world say "Don't Rejoice!", but i want to choose to joy in the God of my salvation.

though the fig tree may not blossom

nor fruit be on the vine

i delight to do Your will, oh God

for this has become mine:

i WILL rejoice in the Lord

so today might be gross, i may have no energy, i may have no coffee in my system, i may not feel like moving on, but i'm going to. because the Lord knew today would be like this; and this is the day He made. He doesn't give more than i can handle, and His ways are always of mercy and truth. so, He gave me today, whether i like it or not, and i can choose to rejoice. [and be blessed by doing so!]

surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and i will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. ps 23:6

keep it steady.

Sometimes, 'inheriting the blessing' means simple, steadfast, pressing in through the small things of daily life. 

Blessed is the one who does not take offense.. who endures.. who waits for Him.. who receives the promise.

...Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

[Hebrews 6:12,15]

For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

[Hebrews 10:36]

i want to patiently endure.. to stand on the promises.. and to inherit the blessing.

"Oh restless heart, that beat against your prison bars of circumstances, 

yearning for a wider sphere of usefulness, 

leave God to order all your days.

Patience and trust, in the dullness of the routine of life, 

will be the best preparation for a courageous bearing of the tug and strain 

of the larger opportunity which God may sometime send you." 

lobe den Herrn, meine Seele! alles in mir, lobe den Herrn!

und vergiss nicht was Er dir gutes getan hat..

feeling better today. spring warmth and sunshine was the prediction for the day [and most of the week], but it's still cloudy and chilly. naja. i'm studying for my class, thinking about some cool conversations i've had lately with people, and enjoying the quiet.

i think one of my favorite things about being here [and has been since my very first day in siegen, over 2.5 years back] is the deep, rich fellowship with the believers here. i remember in my second semester, being so impacted by a simple meal with a crowded room full of people who loved each other and immensely enjoyed one another's company. i was so blessed to be part of that, and the hunger for such fellowship continued to grow in me. at the bible college i've made many dear friendships which i think shall last a lifetime. but there is something extra special about knowing the people from the church, hearing their stories, seeing their heart for the Lord, watching the effectiveness of their ministry, and catching their contagious love for Jesus, for people, for missions, and for the world. i think i know people who will be some of the most greatly used of the Lord in this generation. what a privilege, and an honor, and a challenge to be one of those too!

that's what i love the most about being here. praise the Lord, for He has done marvelous things!!

p.s. i'm re-reading the autobiography of Isobel Kuhn, called By Searching. 

her sincerity and frankness in seeking out the Lord [and thereby finding Him] is refreshing and quite edifying. 

i recommend it wholeheartedly!

the LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works.

in wrath He remembers mercy.

the LORD is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.

the LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm.

psalm 145/habakkuk 3/joel 2