jill.musick

To kick off the year, student council hosts a Friday afternoon hang-out time after the first week of school.

The kids played games in the gym . . .

Musical chairs revised

6 people in the middle; when the music starts they pull a person up & sit down in his/her place. Everyone left standing when the music stops is out.

Wheelbarrow race / spin 7x on a bat / carry a person back

A wheelbarrow pair hurries down the gym. This became much more interesting when 1 person had to have a blindfold on!

A few people fell over after this part of the race!

It was surprisingly hard for some of the pairs to make it back to the start. I'm not sure if it was the lopsided weight on their back or their own dizziness after spinning on the bat 7 times.

Texas Square Dance

It's really confusing to explain.... they had fun......

RAs and dorm parents cheered their dorm kids on from the bleachers. It was a pretty entertaining sight!

After the crazy running around, everyone went to the auditorium & watched an RA movie & played The Price is Right, then ate dinner & went home. It was a fun way to start the school year!

After wandering around the school the past 2 weeks with NO students around, the emptiness has finally been filled! They’re back!

Today we had our Opening Ceremony. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

The teachers lined up to enter the auditorium

The seniors wait eagerly to enter the auditorium for the procession of flags

Program for the Opening Ceremony

The “Welcome and Address” from the director came in a rather unexpected way. we all looked up as a large black blob in the rafters began to move, almost like a bat attempting to unfurl its black wings in the shadows of a cave. Suddenly, “Mission Impossible” started playing, and a rope dropped out of the black sack. A bit more wiggling, and a foot appeared!

Phil Peters appeared and rappelled down from the rafters

He then brushed himself off and stepped up to the podium for his welcoming address.

One of my favorite parts of the ceremony was when Haesook Won did the role call of nations. She read off all of the 52 countries to which students belong (either they lived there, their parents are working there, or they have a passport for that country).  As she read off the names, the students who identified themselves with those countries stood up and cheered.  This is BFA: a school where the kids identify with many different places, but resonate most strongly not with locations but with people and relationships.

After the Opening Ceremony we had an announcement session that lasted into lunch time, class meetings DURING lunch (I attended the Junior Class meeting now that I’m a Junior Class Sponsor), a rotation in which students visit various stations (extracurricular sign-up, yearbook photo, textbooks, and schedule changes), and then a quick “school day” consisting of 8-minute classes. It was a busy day and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s normal schedule! Oh wait, I have bus duty in the morning…

This week at All Staff Conference, Phil Peters (BFA’s interim director) talked about the time Jesus fed the 5,000 men that came out to hear him preach. He examined the story in such a way that gave us a new perspective.

He speculated that the disciples probably looked at the little kid’s lunch and imagined dividing it among the crowds. Just dividing it among the disciples might leave one with half a Brötchen (German word for roll) and a fish tail. That disciple would take it to his assigned crowd and begin to hand it out – “Now don’t take to much – you can get a breadcrumb . . . and maybe a strand from this fish tail.”

Without Jesus, that’s as much sustenance as the crowds could have gotten from that boy’s lunch. Jesus changes everything. Instead of getting a couple measly crumbs, the crowds ate until they were fully satisfied!

Phil left us with an easy way to remember that God is working even when things seem impossible. Here it is: M&M – Means and Might. We are the means, God is the might.

Last night I was praying for the orchestras and wondering what they would look like this year. I realized that when I stepped into BFA last fall, God handed me a small Brötchen and a piece of fish, my two lovely orchestra girls first semester. I looked at them and wondered how I could call them an orchestra, just as the disciples wondered how they could call that a meal for over 5000 people.

We had 5 kids second semester (plus 2 more who came when they could).  That was the beginning of growth.

This year we have 3 orchestras. Each one may be small, but it looks to me like Jesus is taking that little lunch and turning it into a feast for the crowds.

The crowds may have come to satisfy their own bellies, the REAL reason Jesus fed them was to show them that He is the Bread of Life. He alone can provide eternal food. It is my prayer that these orchestras will not merely be places of musical growth, but of spiritual growth.

Furthermore, as people see these orchestras grow, I pray that they will not think “Wow, look at what that music teacher did” but “Wow, look at how God did the impossible at BFA.” Feeding 5000 people is not a magic trick; it’s God’s might working through the means of the disciples and the boy’s lunch. Creating an orchestra is not something that I can do. I trust that if  God wants me to be His means, He will be my might.

I’m willing. Pass the Brötchen!

Teachers at BFA are required to get ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) training and certification. As part of the  certification process, we have to read 5 books and write a paper. Throughout last school year, I plugged through the books. This week I finally sat down to write the paper! The wonderfully vague prompt was as follows: “Write approximately six typed pages on your personal understanding of the crucial elements of a Christian philosophy of education.”

Here it is, should you care to read it. If you don’t want to read it, just celebrate with me that it is done!

ACSI philosophy paper

I’ve barely landed back in Germany, and I’m jumping right back into the swing of things!

Visit!

Abby (my friend from high school) and Chris (her boyfriend) came to visit, which was really exciting. I got to show them around town, and we hung out and did silly things.

We found this toilet sitting outside someone's house. It was Sperrmuell time!

Chris (evil masked bandit) tied Abby (helpless maiden) to the train tracks. Creepy!

Redecorating

Rachel and I decided we wanted to make our bedrooms more homey. We wanted them to feel like our own, and we didn’t exactly feel that way by using whatever linens we could gather from the various hiding places in the house. I for one never felt like my bed was quite my own when sleeping under a bright orange and red duvet cover. I prefer more subtle colors, like blue. I like blue. I had tried covering the orange with my blue fleece blanket, but it never quite worked.

So Rachel and I went to Lörrach with Andrea Field; she originally took us there to look in a fun little jewelry shop, but when she found out we were looking for new duvet covers she helped us find a place that sold some for a reasonable price. We found some that matched our rooms perfectly! And it’s hard to match my room perfectly because my walls are yellow and lavender. Strange, I know, but I kind of like the yellow. It reminds me of sunshine, which is good because we don’t see much of the real stuff in the winter.

I like my bed now! It even matches my map of Europe and the random giraffe poster from the elementary school!

The chair on the left was previously in the living room, but now it actually matches my room! This half of the room looks great - you just can't see the yellow wall from that side.

Hiking

I hiked up to Hoch Blauen yesterday, because what would a weekend be without a hike up a mountain? There were some hang gliders up there; I think it must have been a Verein (club).

Hang gliders preparing to fly

This hang glider takes off. Free as a bird!

After watching 3 men launch their gliders, I sat down to read a book while roasting my arms and legs in the sun. There were clusters of them floating around in the air – every time I looked up from my book I saw another!

They floated around for a couple hours. Must be a great view up there.

Reading

My relaxing reading started on the plane with All Quiet on the Western Front. I finished that up on the mountain. Yesterday I went to the local bookstore and ordered the German version of the same book (it was originally written in German). It’s called Im Westen Nichts Neues (Nothing new in the West). They didn’t have that in stock, but they did have a kids’ book I wanted! I had grown up reading the Three Investigators series, and there’s a German version – Die Drei ??? (The Three Question Marks).

Die Drei Fragezeichen (The 3 Question Marks): Feuer in Rocky Beach (Fire in Rocky Beach)

It’s a kids’ version – 8 years old and up! I can understand everything, though I have to look up a few words in each paragraph. I’m making significant headway – I’m already on page 55!

Church

In some churches, you go away and come back and nobody notices you’re gone. I didn’t feel that way today when I stepped into the FeG Kandern. They noticed I was back, although I think part of the reason was that I was interviewed for the church newsletter, “Pinnwand.” Just before leaving Germany, the pastor’s wife had sent me a questionnaire, which I filled out in German and sent back to her that week. She proofread it, and the edition of Pinnwand was published last week. Several people came up to me today to comment on it or to thank me for playing violin in the service.

Here's my interview. If you can read German, click on the picture to make it bigger. If not, read the translation below.

Here’s a rough translation of my interview:

My name is Jill Musick and I play music! I was born on October 29 near Chicago. After my graduation from Wheaton College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Music Education, I came to Kandern. I direct the orchestra and give violin, viola, and cello lessons at Black Forest Academy. I’ve been coming to FeG Kandern since August 2009. I am happy to come to church and feel comfortable here.

1. What have you laughed about recently?

I laugh every day! Sometimes I laugh at the jokes of other teachers, my students, and Brian Regen, but I mostly laugh at myself. For example: Last week I painted while climbing, did oil changes, and played Tuba. Funny, isn’t it?

2. With whom and why would you change places for a week – just for fun?

I would like to change places with a Gelber Sack factory worker. I am curious what happens with the yellow sacks each month! [Note: Gelber Sacks are the recycling bags here]

3. Can you remember how you came to Christ?

I became a Christian as a child. Every evening my parents read the Bible to my brothers and me. We discussed the Bible and I understood the Gospel from an early age.

4. What is your pet peeve?

I can’t stand it when people chew with their mouths open.

5. What book, besides the Bible, has especially helped you grow as a person?

“One Thing you Can’t Do in Heaven” by Mark Cahill, and “Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis

6. Where is your favorite place to sit in the church service?

I like to sit in the middle – near enough to see everything.

7. What would you do if you had an unexpected free evening?

I would go for a hike, play violin, and read a good book.

8. Who is a role model in the faith for you and why?

My parents. They have shown me how to live their whole lives for Christ, not for themselves.

9. What do only a few people know about you?

I’m planning to run a marathon in September. [I think lots of people in the US already knew that, but I hadn't really told anyone in the church. The subject just didn't come up.]

10. What is your greatest dream for the future?

To follow God with my whole heart, wherever He leads.

11. Do you have any tips on how to make prayer and Bible reading more interesting?

Pray in a group. Listen to God. Wait on God, don’t be hasty. Memorize Bible verses so you can always reflect on God’s Word. If you don’t feel God, know that He is there, whether or not you feel Him.

12. What would you do with a million Euros?

I would set up a scholarship for MKs so they could study at American colleges & universities.

13. What makes you happy?

I’m content with the small things: Spending time with friends, hiking with friends, books, music, smiling, laughing, animals, etc.

14. Whom would you like to say a special “thank you” in this space?

My parents, but they don’t understand German and aren’t here! [although now they can read this] I think God for my parents. I think God that He brought me here.

15. Which of these questions was the hardest for you to answer and why was this so?

No. 2 because I’m already happy. I want to stay in my own life. Also No. 1 because I always laugh, but I don’t know why!

To my family and friends: I just want to express my appreciation for all the time and prayers you have invested in me. I feel unworthy of all the amazingly supportive friends I have! God has truly blessed me with lasting relationships. Thank you for sharing my summer and making it rich.

The summer was full of conversations; you all touched me and helped me process my thoughts and emotions as I spent my first summer “visiting” my “home.” Whether it was a 5 minute conversation in which you asked me “How’s Germany?” or a 10-hour talk about major decisions, I appreciated your time and I wish we could have had more! Each person allowed me to view my experiences in a different light, so I am grateful for each and every one of you.

Mom, Dad, David, Erich, Ellen, Buddy (!), the Kunzeman family, Katie R., Dan S., Summer H., Shannon & Eddie E., Kristin K., Carol K., Jenny,  Lauren C.,  Rachel R., Debbie R.,  Dr. & Linda  J., Julia L., Betty & Grant T., Lana G., Kristi S., Viki P., Suzanne & Isaac M., Abigail R., Josh H., Jodi H., Kristin D., Katie H., Peggy & Mike M., Christina & Drew H., Mert & Byron T., Carly & Matt F., Mike B., Leah B., Dave M., JJ B., Ryan R., Andrea & Renee & Elise R., Jeff C., Heather E., Nick W., Tim S.,  Lily, Bethany E., Jordan H., Dan & Jen B., Sarah & Drew B., Dan & Jane M., Aaron B., Nick & Angel C., Stacia G., Nicole W.,  Trevor W., Mark R. Lisa V., Rayanna M., Davidsmeiers, John H., Mike H., Scott A., Shelley A., Jim R., The rest of my Grace Church family, Rich E. & the other Tuesday night runners.

Thank you for asking, and thank you for listening. Thank you also for bringing me up to speed on events in your life; in some ways I feel like I never left (except I just experienced a whole year in 5 weeks). If I had a conversation with you and nothing coherent came out of my mouth, it is probably because I had already used my quota of words for the day. This summer was exhausting, yet incredibly rewarding.

I’m thankful for all the places I’ve been this summer:

• West Chicago (Home sweet home!!)
• Decatur, IL
• Warren Dunes in Michigan
• Friendship, WI (college retreat)
• Rockford, IL
• Wichita, KS
• Evanston, IL
• Milwaukee, WI

Family - it was good to be home.

David jumps off the dune in Michigan

Sunrise at the lake in Wisconsin (college group retreat)

Suzanne & Isaac - wedding in Wichita

German fest in Milwaukee

Connection, relaxation, and some play time. That was my summer.