Meet Elsie!!

This is Elsie the newest member of the happy Brunker family!  I fell in love with her from the first moment I was able to touch her after I had stepped off the plane in June!  She has officially stolen my heart!  I love that little one!  My brother and sister-in-law (I just call her my sister) are sooo good at taking care of her.  I am not successful at feeding her without giving her the hiccups but they are!  I've always known that they would make wonderful parents!

Things we've observed...

• DSW is huge and there are no shoes that will work 100% of the time!  frustrating!
• There are crazy drivers - I have been almost hit many times this last week of driving from Elizabeth to Denver and back.
• It is possible for Amazon.com companies to send the incorrect item and then not believe you when you inform them of their mistake!  frustrating!
• God's continual provision is AMAZING!
• The summer time with my family is certainly not long enough.
• The stores are huge and cold due to air conditioning!
• Ice cream isn't as good here.  It is fun, however, to get ice cream with cookie dough in it!  :)
• Friends in the sates are wonderful!
• 6 month old Bernese Mountain dogs are a bit ADHD-ish but hilariously fun.  She thinks I am her best friend.
• Sunsets in CO are hands down one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen!  I am reminded of this every year but the beauty still amazes me.

Colorado Moments...

Carrie and I have been in Colorado for 6 days.  I have remembered why I love Colorado!  It will be a challenge to find time to rest while meeting with supporters/potential supporters, reconnecting with dear family, and reconnecting with faithful friends.  Here are some of our reasons we love Colorado.  These ideas have resurfaced after our year absence.

• Enjoying the abundant sunshine!  Colorado really does have more than 300 days of sunshine a year and we LOVE it!
• Spending time with friends and family whom we have missed dearly.
• The sunsets on the plains as well as in the mountains.
• (in the states) Everyone speaks a language I can understand but sometimes I forget that I can respond in the same language!
• The low, or non-existent humidity
• Hugs of those we love and have missed!

These are just a few but know that we would love to get together with you while we are back in Colorado to create more memories.  We leave Colorado on July 31.  Hope to hear from you!  :)

June 16 update

As of June 16, 2010 we've been...
Buying: Supporter gifts
Considering: the fact that we fly to America for a month and a half in 6 days!!!
Cooking: Buckeye Balls
Eating: hummus and bell peppers
Googleing : weather in Vienna
Learning: that my new umbrella works quite well!
Listening:  to a World Cup soccer game between Spain and Switzerland (but it is in German so this is hard)
Loving: the cute present I purchased for dear little Elsie
Planning: what to pack and where I am  going to stay in CO
Reading: Seeing Yourself Through God's Eyes
Watching: Some World Cup games
Wearing: a rain jacket as it is quite rainy today
Wishing: I was in the States right now
Thankful: that name cards and table number cards are finished
Writing:  e-mails
Hoping: that the rain stops soon

Last day of school..

Tomorrow, June 9, is the last day of school for the 2009-2010 school year at VCS.  For seven years now this day is always bittersweet for me.  It seems to be even harder here at VCS as I know many people who have impacted my life, students included, will leave soon and I may not see them again.  I always wonder if I have impacted their lives as much as they've impacted mine.  Have I done everything I can to comfort them and show them the love of Jesus?  These are things that are going around and around in my mind.  This years class was a lot of fun.  They most certainly kept me laughing and we flew through the curriculum.  They are sooo smart!  I will miss them.  I also know how tired I am so I am somewhat glad to be done but the nagging in my heart about missing those that are leaving seems to, at many times, overtake the weariness.  For those of you that read this blog, which I am not sure there are many, please pray for the five students leaving from my class as well as the dear colleagues heading back to the States.  They will be missed.  Please pray that they know how much of an impact they have made and the lives they have changed because they stepped out to follow the Lord.  Also, pray for their transitions (both students and staff) as it will be difficult to go back to a land that has changed so much since they were last there.  Thank you and blessings.

Reasons to smile...

The Lord graces us with many joyful moments throughout our days.  There have been so many recently that I thought I should tell you about some.  Due to the sheer volume of joyful moments, I will only list a few from the past two days!  :)

1. Snails:  In third grade we are studying the structures of life.  We are highlighting plants and snails.  My students crack me up.  There are two of them (out of 14) that are so excited they cannot handle their excitement.  They brought in snails and the class said, "ewww, Miss Brunker why would we want to study snails?  They are gross and slimy."  That was Friday's exclamation.  Then today, Wednesday, I had to feed the sails (who knew they LOVE cucumbers?!).  So, I was feeding the snails and then one by one the kiddos were around me squealing with delight as I let them touch them and feed them!  They now LOVE it and my heart smiled because of it.  These kids are so precious and they make learning about slimy things like snails so much fun!
2. Hair:  The second grade girls were playing with each other's hair during recess.  They decided to play with Carrie's hair and were shocked that her hair is softer than their African hair.  Carrie then told them that Miss Brunker's hair is probably the softest she has ever felt and they should feel it later.  Well, they found me in the hallway and were shocked to discover how soft my hair is.  They giggled so hard while feeling our hair!  It was so cute and definitely made us smile!

Thank you for sharing in our moments to smile!  I hope you are able to see many evidences of God's hand and joy in your life today!  :)

Faith in Action

I get cute handmade cards (or love notes as I like to call them) from my students quite frequently.  One particular student always reminds me of one amazing truth at the end of each love note.  She always writes "I love you Miss Brunker and so does God"  This makes my heart melt because every time I have received a note from her I have needed to hear those words and believe them deep down.  I recently remembered that this little one accepted Christ as her Savior this school year.  I can already see her living her faith by encouraging others and reminding them  of the truth.  Thank you Lord for allowing me to minister to these children from the nations of the world!  Thank you to my financial supporters and prayer partners who come alongside my ministry here in Vienna.  I most certainly couldn't reach these nations without your faith in me.  Thank you!

13 May 2010

As of May 13, 2010 we've been...
Buying: orange juice
Considering: the fact that it will be very difficult to put together a bed without the screws and bolts
Cooking: Perfectly Chocolate White Chocolate cookies and lasagna
Eating: mini cucumbers
Googleing : scarlet fever
Learning: that sun dresses are cute but I do not fit the European sizes - Where is Kohl's when you need it!
Listening:  to Carrie hum amazing grace
Loving: our time at Family  Fun Day
Planning: meals for next week
Reading: A Thousand Suns
Watching: CNN International - simply because everything else is in German
Wearing: a light jacket - the weather is a bit damp and chilly here today
Wishing: that friends would always continue to care about one another
Thankful: that our God loves us more than all of the stars in the sky
Writing:  the April/May newsletter
Hoping: that our friends and family know how much we love them

May update

As of May 9, 2010 we've been...
Buying: chocolate covered rice cakes
Considering: the fact that I will turn 30 in a few days
Cooking: German Potato Salad
Eating: butter keks (they're kind of like vanilla wafers)
Googleing : how to melt wax for water color batik
Learning: that the temperature inside of the church gets swelteringly hot on warm May afternoons
Listening:  to the dishwasher
Loving: the sunshine we had today.  We've missed it.
Planning: Amanda's birthday party
Reading: The Meanest Doll Ever
Watching: a marathon of Monk
Wearing: comfy socks and no coat to church today
Wishing: that life could just stay the same
Thankful: for our mothers on this Mother's Day
Writing:  this blog post
Hoping: that we make it on time to the meeting at 7:30am tomorrow morning (Monday)

An update...

As of April 25, 2010 we've been...
Buying: Pink Lady Apples
Considering: the fact that we are suppose to run in a race on Wednesday and I am sick!  Hum, I wonder how this is going to work!
Cooking: couscous
Eating: gelato
Googleing : different types of tulips - there are many!
Learning: that the German language is a confusing language!
Listening:  to the movie Tuck Everlasting
Loving: the spring flowers that are appearing all around
Planning: our trip to the States this summer
Reading: The Kite Runner
Watching: Mystery Diagnosis
Wearing: short sleeves
Wishing: that I didn't have some sort of random illness that kicking me pretty hard
Thankful: that baby Elsie is home from the hospital and eating on her own and that we've purchased our tickets to Colorado for the summer!  We arrive on June 22, look out!  ;)
Writing:  grades on papers
Hoping: I kick this illness quickly and it doesn't turn into bronchitis for the third time this school year!  ugh!

As of April 5, 2010 we've been...
Buying: Pretty eggs for friends
Considering: the early morning it will be tomorrow when we return to school from Spring Break
Cooking: empanadas
Eating: homemade chocolate muffins
Googleing : knitting patterns for baby bibs
Learning: that our washing machine can produce a lot of bubbles and they can then go all over the floor at 1 in the morning!
Listening:  the movie Hitch
Loving: the warm weather
Planning: the events for the week
Reading: Exodus
Watching: Movies borrowed from friends
Wearing: pretty scarves
Wishing: that I didn't have to say goodbye to friends soon
Thankful: that baby Elsie is making progress
Writing:  "love notes" to my parents
Hoping: this week goes smoothly and I get enough sleep!

What we've been up to...

As of March 21, 2010 we've been...
Buying: entrance to a German class
Considering: going for a bike ride - if only we had a million hours in a day and there is always nice weather!

Cooking: crepes - yummy!
Eating: fresh strawberries
Googleing : the definition of cruciferous foods
Learning: that pretty eggs are expensive!
Listening:  to Michael W. Smith
Loving: girl scout cookies and our new haircuts!
Planning: inexpensive ways to fill up spring break in Vienna
Reading: Exodus and a book called The Sunflower and The Cat Who... books
Watching: One armed/legged skiers in the Para-Olympics - AMAZING!!
Wearing: short sleeves

Wishing: that I didn't have a major headache right now

Thankful: that our US taxes are done

Writing:  this blog post  :)

Hoping: we find decently priced airline tickets to CO for the sumer soon

Book Character Costume Day - 3rd Grade

                    You can click on the picture to enlarge it! Enjoy!

A funny moment from today..

This week has honestly been a hard week with a lot of student created drama.  It is one of those weeks where we are emotionally tired.  However tired we are there are always glimmers of hilarity that come from being around children all day!  Here is one story:  Today I was in the hall, standing on the other side of my classroom door speaking to a student who needed to talk through his actions and hurtful words.  While I am out there talking and listening I hear knocking on a door.  At first I ignore it because it couldn't possibly be my classroom door I am standing in front of it and no one wants in.  So, a few seconds later the knock happens again a little louder this time.  It was at this moment I realize that it is coming from the other side of my door.  I burst out laughing as I opened my classroom door to find one of my little ones knocking to get out.  As she walked by me she said, "Um, Miss  Brunker I just wanted to tell you that I am going to get a drink at the fountain.  Is that okay?"  Well, since I still laughing how could I say no?!!  So, regardless of the stressful situation you are in a child's hilarious actions will certainly make you smile and remember why you love them so much!!!  Have a blessed day!

Elementary Read-in for Book Month

Don't forget to click on the collage to make it bigger!  

Book Look 2010

Click on the picture to make it bigger!

Buying: deodorant

Considering: the cost of plane tickets and the heartache of saying goodbye to friends again
Cooking: lettuce wraps
Eating: Girl Scout cookies
Googleing : different medical terms I hear while watching the T.V. show, House
Learning: that my lungs are a lot weaker than I have ever thought
Listening: Chris Tomlin
Loving: the giggles of my students during SEW presentations
Planning: a trip to the fabric store to get fabric for a quilt
Reading: Exodus and a book called She Said YES
Watching: The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything
Wearing: cute black boots

Wishing: I didn't have to worry about finances or taxes

Thankful: for caring friends

Writing:  "love" notes to my family

Hoping: to go bike riding some day soon and that Spring is really coming soon

What we're up to...

Buying: fabric paint

Considering: ideas to gain additional monthly donations or substantial one-time gifts
Cooking: ramen noodles
Eating: grilled cheese sandwiches
Googleing : the Olympic medal count
Learning: that it never gets easier on your heart when student moves away suddenly
Listening: Mark Schultz and Super Chick
Loving: my parents so much!
Planning: a wax museum project for my class
Reading: Exodus and a book called Blue Like  Jazz
Watching: House
Wearing: comfy flannel pajamas

Wishing: I could see my parents, siblings, and friends in the states

Thankful: for an anonymous donor who has allowed Carrie and me to attend a retreat at church

Writing:  to do lists

A creative way to answer a test question....

I think I am still giggling about it!  :)

Buying: Pink Lady Apples

Considering: Taking a German course but not sure if I can afford it!
Cooking: taco bake
Eating: honigwaffeln
Googleing : Mars Hill Bible Church and ideas for my character costume for book month
Learning: that it takes me a while to help my 15 students get their ice skates on
Listening: podcast sermons and the sewing machine
Loving: encouraging notes
Planning: a potential field trip to the House of Music
Reading: and translating grocery ads
Watching: Man's Favorite Sport - a movie
Wearing: green striped knee highs

Wishing: that I could speak German better and could afford to take a German language class

Thankful: that I am following the Lord where He leads me

Writing:  lesson plans, a birthday card, and post cards


Ways to Pray

·           - for one time gifts to come in to help with the cost of a German course.

-f        - Amanda’s sister-in-law who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer

·         - for our time in the Word to stay consistent

·          - for fellowship and close friendship s to strengthen

·         - for the rest of our support to come in QUICKLY

·         - for our students and their parents' ministries/jobs