A few shots: Opening Day at BFA and two home photos - the view from Carl's room and the back yard.
It's been "crazy busy" but "good busy". Each day is full and never quite finished with business but we move ahead. The practical issues of living are ironing themselves out. After a few months of schleppen (authentic German word) groceries up our significant hill we've obtained affordable wheels.
The house itself is quite comfortable and more than adequate for our needs. We've conquered ordering heating oil despite language barriers and next we'll tackle ordering firewood for the winter. It's sort of refreshing to live without the intrusions of TV and we're finding ways to get our news fix through internet radio and publications. Food, an important consideration for this family, is working out. Apart from most meats and a few other items, groceries are quite affordable and the lettuce, potatoes and carrots here are the best we've ever had. Daily routines are becoming more routine and that facilitates normalcy overall.
In terms of work I (Russ) am adjusting to teaching something that is not, after all these years, pure history. My Word Views course is for all Seniors. In it we explore the foundational "lenses" through which people observe and understand their worlds and by which they act, decide and live their lives. My goals for the class are that each of my 79 kids leave BFA with a strong, well-reasoned, and effective Biblical worldview, a true sense of their identity in Christ, the ability to "understand (and cope) with the times" and a personal mission for the next chapter of their lives. In addition to all these things we'll do much in the way of practical knowledge and wisdom for their enormous transition from MK life at BFA to the wilds of post high school campus and community.
I'm already so fond of my students. The classroom climate that's developing is wonderful and I pray it spills outside of the classroom as well.
