Simply Trusting

Dear Praying Family and friends, As you went to bed on Friday or woke on Saturday morning, you may have heard news of the  terrible attacks that have happened in Paris on Friday night. There were numerous shootings  and explosions in very public places around the city. So I wanted to inform you that our BFA  community is safe, that friends I have who are in the city are safe, and that it seems that the  situation is under control. The French borders have been closed, which raises concerns for  BFA students who live in France and commute daily. (The nearest border is about 20 minutes  away). Now more than ever the city, and the continent need your prayers. The hashtag  #prayforparis is ubiquitous today on social media, so when you see it, please do pray. But  when you do, pray not only that the violence will end for now, but pray for hearts to turn to  Christ. Pray that Christians in the city and all over Europe will act...

If you were to come to visit me in Kandern, an easily visible landmark on a hill above town is what we call "the monument". It is a memorial to those who served and died in WWI and WWII. Back in September, I had the opportunity to work with a group of students to clean up the monument and the surrounding area. As we worked, I wondered about the various individuals who were memorialized, who they were, and what their lives may have been like. Memorials and monuments seem to be a recurring theme this semester. As a Junior class sponsor, I was privileged to spend a weekend in Normandy, France with the class. We left Germany on Thursday night, and arrived at Canadian cemetery near Juno Beach on the northern coast of France first thing in the morning. Each headstone is etched with the name of an individual and some information about them, as well as their age and a brief epitaph describing them as a person. "He Gave All", was inscribed on the headstone of a 32 year old ...

Dear Reader, It's easy for me to take my routine here for granted. From time to time I'll try to give you a glimpse into what daily life is like in this community. No two days are exactly alike, but I'll invite you to walk with me through last Thursday here at BFA.  Pre-8:50am: My alarm goes off around 6:30 and I go through the necessary preparations to presentably make it through a day. I have been making a conscious effort to spend quiet time with God at the beginning of the day, and I am so thankful for the perspective that this brings. Recently I've been studying in Galatians, and have been encouraged by the reminder that "not I, but Christ lives in me." On Thursday this week, I left my house at 8am, which was much earlier than normal. The internet at our house has been down, which meant I had to get to school early to finish up some things before the start of the day. Once I get to school, my first order of business is to brew some coffee. It's ki...

The first week of classes can be hectic, exciting time, and this past week did not disappoint! While schedules are still being solidified, I feel as though I have a good handle on what the semester could look like. My Piano 2 students have a wide range of musical experience, and are already catching on quickly to the material I present. We have even enjoyed a bit of group improvisation already! On Friday, they were assigned to play a piece for the class that represented what they enjoy about playing the piano. Their pieces reflected a variety of things, from pieces they learned in Piano 1, to songs that evoke a reflective mood. This assignment gives me a brief glimpse into how they think and what they value, and also helps as I assign pieces for them to learn in the future. Music Appreciation is also going well. I have several students who simply need the class for credit and have marginal interest in music, a few who enjoy making music as a hobby, and two who are considering it as a...

Over the last week, there has been an air of excitement around the school. Starting last Thursday, everyone who works at BFA gathered at the school for All-staff In-service type meetings. In our morning sessions, we have had a number of guest speakers who have encouraged and inspired us as we begin the year. One of the biggest things I've been impressed with is the fact that as a part of BFA and international Christian education, I am part of something much bigger than myself, and I have a role to play. In the afternoons, we have had time to work on preparations for the coming year in our own classrooms and offices. This year I've moved offices, and am sharing a space with one of my illustrious musical colleagues. My desk is now located in the classroom where I will be teaching Music Appreciation as well as Piano 2. We've acquired a new keyboard this year, so we have more space than ever in which students can learn! I'm quickly getting used to the new space and look for...

This post is a bit different from others - on Saturday I learned that Dan Pinkham, a dear friend and mentor of mine, had entered Heaven the night before. God used Dan and his wife Sharon to initially begin my journey to Black Forest Academy. I want to share some thoughts and memories here. If you are friends or acquaintances of Dan and Sharon Pinkham, you were continually reminded of the words in the title of this post over the last year and a half. It's easy to remind others of this truth when others are struggling; however, it's another thing altogether to speak them from a place of personal hardship. Dan and his family faced a long, uphill battle with an ugly opponent, and one that ultimately took his life. However, I don't want to focus on the last 18 months or so; I want to simply share what this amazing family has meant to me. I first became acquainted with the Pinkhams through stories of the old days at Csehy Summer School of Music that I heard from my parents. D...

As a child, I used to look forward to holidays and birthdays, often counting down the days. Christmas was my favorite! When those special days came they would fly by, leaving me eagerly awaiting the next one. Being involved with Csehy Summer School of Music is my summer equivalent. We plan for it and talk about it through the year, and then in a few short weeks, it’s over, and we’re back to looking through pictures and talking about how much we can’t wait for the next one. I am so incredibly thankful to spend my summers as a part of this organization that has an equal focus on both music and Christ. My responsibilities this summer as Lead Counselor involved mentoring the counselors, interacting with students, organizing schedules, travel arrangements, and 100 other things that might bore you if I listed them here but are all a part of helping Csehy move forward. Having family around for the majority of the time was a huge bonus! This summer was a busy one, but God was busier. It’s tru...