B-bAlL

Today I participated in an 3-on-3 basketball tournament.  I had never done a team sport like that before.  I did play soccer when I was five and I did play softball in 8th grade, but really...nothing containing as much contact.  I really enjoyed myself,  I wish we could have played more games.  It made me want to go back and play other sports when I was young, but I did love gymnastics and cheerleading.  My team lost two consecutive games.  But I stayed an watch everyone else play.  One of my girls, Kat, wound up winning the whole tournament.  I was so PROUD!!!

a ChAnGe In TeMpErAtUrEs

Where has October gone? I don't know, because I can't believe we only have one week left of this month.  Well, it has begun to cool off and when I say cool off I mean the temperature dropped dramatically.  Germany had been receiving temps in the low 80s and then all of a sudden it was literally freezing outside.  We would wake up to frost and the feeling of staying in bed was a more viable option than braving the coldness of our rooms.  What a shock to our system!

Otherwise things are going well over here.  Nothing much to report here. O but we did have to fight off the inevitable lice.  Thankfully we did not receive the gift but we fought it off with tea tree oil and heavy cleaning.  Two out of the four girl dorms got it...

peace

A Pride and Prejudice Morning

You know the morning at the end of the new Pride and Prejudice, the one where Elizabeth is contemplating the hope of a relationship in the future?  Well, I wasn't contemplating something so dire, but the fog was laying low today and as I drove amongst the fading greens I could not but embrace the beauty and serenity around me.  I was anxiously driving to pick up my seniors, who were returning from a week in Rome.  I had not seen them for two weeks because I left the week before they left to go to the states.  It was a sweet moment to experience as I crested through the heavy dew. 

HoMe

My physical home has been in a constant state of change for the past 5 and 1/2 years. I have not been in one location for longer than a period of 6 months. For me, I almost feel restless when I do not get up and move my roots. But then there is home in my heart, where all the people that have touched my life live. I take them everywhere with me. They move around everywhere I go and even when I am away and as I add people to this heart home, I feel a sense of my past with me and know they are still apart of where I am now. This is something I have had to realize since I have been in Germany. Home is with you always...

ClIcKs...

It is that distant dread that everyone attempts to avoid, but at sometime in life we have all experienced it.  We have all been either in one or out.  We know the loneliness on the outside and the ignorance of the inside.  CLICKS...they are inevitable, but can they be avoidable?  I am asking myself that question.  This year I have had a few girls mention the formation of clicks within our dorm as well as noticing them myself.  I am at a loss for words because I can not change hearts.  All I can do is create events, situations, activities that force the girls out of their own protective bubble.  But the hard part is when the girls are not open to one another.  This will be one of our greatest struggles this year.  Pray for unity and that the Lord will bring our dorm to an understanding of one another. 

hEaD cAsE

I went to the doctor today for a check-up on my head. I have not been as dizzy lately, but still do experience cases that are isolated to find a common thread in my dizziness. The doctor has referred me to get an MRI. He just wants to cover all his bases. I think that is wise and kind of him.

Not only physically is my head a mess, but I also, have just been up and down with emotions since I have been here. This year is so different. I have my good days and bad days. But I feel that is inevitable. But i must battle the insecurities and worries that go on in my head. I must remember that Satan has many tricks up his sleeve and is wanting to distract and dishearten me as often as possible. The greatest thought though that enters my mind is the faithfulness of God. Praise His HOLY Name!

ScArEd!!

Last night I was sitting in the office working on the computer. I heard two people laughing so I turned in the swivel chair to see who was making the noise out the window.  I didn't see anyone so I turned back to the computer.  I few seconds later I heard the noise again and I finally saw two of my girls standing, staring at me through the window laughing.  They said they had been there for a while.  Then they left.  I turned back to my work at the computer.  A few moments later the girls popped their heads and screamed, causing me to squeal.  It made me so happy that they kept scaring me!!  So then I turned back to my work on the computer.  A few minutes later there was a white sheet with a face made from tape and a sign that said, "Cara...BOO!" drifting down from the balcony above.  I took a picture and it made me laugh so hard.  As I entered my room later that evening I noticed my pillows had been rearranged; when I pulled them back I found the sign that said, "Cara...Boo!" It made me smile that they cared to continue with the scaring tactic!