Simply Trusting

Although it is just after Thanksgiving, I wanted to mention several things for which I am thankful. First, I am thankful for the God who loves me, died for me, and has given me eternal life. He is everything. He gives me the grace, strength, and health to live, and most of all, forgiveness from sin. I am thankful for my family, my parents, my sister, my 4 handsome brothers, and of course my amazing extended family. I am thankful for my home church, without whom it would be physically impossible to be here. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve at BFA. God is doing some incredible things here, and I feel honored just to be aware and observant. I am thankful for the staff I am privileged to work with every day here at Sonne. They continually bless my life and I am thankful for the chance to learn from and with them. Lastly, but definitely not least, I am thankful for my guys here at Sonne. To my Sonneknights past and present, if any of you happen to read this: God has given all of y...

Over the past week we have had some exciting times, so I would like to share some highlights with you now. First of all, last Sunday, one of my seniors was baptized, as a public profession of his walk with Christ. Over the past few years, God has taken him through some difficult times, and especially this year, we have been blessed to see increasing evidence of God’s work in his life. He truly desires to make God the center of his life. Baptisms are a very important public event in this community, taking place during the Sunday morning service at Black Forest Christian Fellowship. The person getting baptized shares their testimony of faith, and then are baptized and prayed over by people whom they have asked to stand up with them. It is an incredibly special, joyful time.  David sharing his testimony before being baptized I enjoyed my last few days off this week as well, and was able to go to Lisbon, Portugal for a couple of days. Enjoy pictures below. Triumphal gate in Lisb...

The past few days have been busy ones, but some of our guys are beginning to see fruit for their labors. One told me that he got accepted to his first choice college. After many weeks of fine-tuning and practice, another one performed at a recital the other night and was a huge success. This morning was the only home Cross Country meet for BFA, and two of our guys ran, both doing well. A senior from Korea took a test to evaluate his English language skills today which will be instrumental in helping him get accepted into college. He is confident that he did well, and we are optimistic. Another student who has been having some serious academic difficulty is finally beginning to bring his grades up. He faces several disabilities, so his path has been uphill. He is determined to succeed. Several of our seniors are emerging as leaders among their peers. I have to say that I am extremely proud of our guys. Each one faces some unique difficulties. They all get homesick from time to time, and...

  Dense fog drifts over the ridge of Hoch Blauen, creating a dramatic contrast with the evergreens. This is a common sight out the front windows of the dorm, and though I find it somewhat enchanting other days, today I long to see the sun. The dark days have begun up the hill, but inside it is warm and bright, and twenty three contented people reside. As I sit with my chai tea in one hand and my pen in the other, candlelight lends its luster to the room and I pause to reflect, because today is a special day. Today is the anniversary of an unexpected beginning. One year ago today, October 13, 2010, my plane taxied into the Basel airport, and I crossed the threshold of Sonne and an adventure which I am still blessed to be living. I have thought much recently about that day; Marty meeting me at the airport and stopping to let me pick flowers for my first intrinsically German experience; Debbie and Tommy meeting me with huge warm smiles and hugs at the door; Eating lunch with Chris, an...

Last Thursday our Juniors and Seniors departed on their class trips, the Juniors to Normandy and other points French, and the Seniors to Italy to explore cities such as Florence and Rome. The dorm is a very quiet place without them, and I’m realizing again the life and energy these guys bring. With only our freshmen and sophomores around for the weekend, we enjoyed a very laid-back weekend. On Saturday morning we took the guys to the nearby town of Todtnau. There is a large Rodelbahn there. Now what exactly is a Rodelbahn? I have to admit that I didn’t fully understand either, until yesterday. A Rodelbahn is a sort of downhill rollercoaster. You ride in a small car, and control how fast you go by how much you pull on the brakes. The one in Todtnau, twists and turns through 3 kilometers of countryside, and is the longest of its kind in Germany. Controlling your own speed flavors the experience with a sense of adventure, and our guys found it exhilarating (so did I!). We were blessed wit...

When I got up yesterday morning one of the first things I thought was, “I can’t believe it’s Saturday again!” Time is flying already, and this weekend finds us at the end of the second week of classes. These first two weeks have been incredible already. We have 18 guys in the dorm, which is a little smaller than last year. We are praying for even more closeness and unity because of our smaller size. I am again on 3 rd floor and in charge of the seniors. This is my joy and privilege. These guys are the reason that I am here. This year we have seven seniors, and each one is a joy to work with. While last year held the excitement of venturing into the unknown of dorm life at BFA, this year holds the comforting familiarity of strengthening relationships and building new ones. I am greatly enjoying getting to know each one and learning what makes him unique and distinct. Each one has his strengths, and each one has areas where he is growing and maturing. This year holds many opportunitie...

Rest. It's something of which we never seem to have enough. Yet it is always available for us in the presence of our Savior. Today the thoughts I will share are not original with me; I'm not that eloquent. I simply want to share the text to a song which I have been meditating on for a while now. As you read, let the words soak into your soul, and thank God with me for the rest that knowing Him brings .  Jesus, I am resting, resting In the joy of what Thou art; I am finding out the greatness Of Thy loving heart. Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee, As Thy beauty fills my soul, For by Thy transforming power, Thou hast made me whole. O how great Thy loving kindness, Vaster, broader than the sea! O, how marvelous Thy goodness Lavished all on me! Yes, I rest in Thee, Beloved, Know what wealth of grace is Thine, Know Thy certainty of promise And have made it mine. (Refrain) Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art, And Thy love, so pure, so changeless,...