We're getting a lot of mileage out of this picture (thanks Heather Shuman)

Exams are underway at BFA. This is a good time for teachers and students alike. For both, the hard work of the semester is evaluated and then put to rest for a few weeks. Many students from past years drift through at this time - connecting with friends and siblings and/or just using their break from college to "process" the transitions from BFA to university/work. I interview every alumni I see and ask, "What do you wish you were told before making the transition?" I get some pretty good information to incorporate into what I do in the class.

Diane has been working, if not too much, then darn close to it with her new responsibilities as Director of Language Services for TeachBeyond ( the organization formerly known as Janz Team). All sorts of interesting opportunities are cropping up that allow simple English instruction to open the doors for the Gospel.

Christmas break also means a drastic change of pace for everyone. You go from hectic, full, and fast to almost dead stop. The town loses a few hundred students and many staff and Christmas in Germany is no where near as fast paced as in the U.S. Imagine the quiet you might hear walking through your town at 2PM on Christmas day. The cars have all found their destinations, the Super Sales are suspended for a few hours, the big meal is on the table, and it's quiet. Well, in Germany that goes on for a few days in a row - unnerving at first for the American mind but then quite pleasant.

In order to let our students travel the great distances most must go to see their families, break is fairly long. We will take a week of down time in the mountains with some other families - our first real vacation since the same time last year.

I continue to be amazed at the absolutely cosmic scale of the Christmas story. The Creator and King of the universe who dwells in unimaginable dimensions of splendor and spirit casts His lot with us - forever!- to redeem and reclaim and restore - forever! - and invites us to the celebration - forever!

Merry Christmas to all!