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

Lately We've been

Buying: groceries

Considering: getting my  haircut
Cooking: chicken noodle soup
Eating: salad with the Yum-o salad dressing (thanks Liz!)
Googleing : the olympic schedule and Slovenia
Learning: that my students love me and are ever so cute!
Listening: Selah
Loving: the monkey house shoes that the Quaker Chicks sent me
Planning: creative ways to review division with remainders
Reading: Exodus and a book called Private Justice by Terri Blackstock
Watching: my entire class play dodge ball with one ball!
Wearing: the color purple today (as well as many of the other elementary staff, weird and not planned)

Wishing: that it would be just a tad bit warmer

Thankful: that the sun is actually shining today (not providing a lot of warmth but shining none the less)

Writing:  our newsletter

Encouragement...

I received three notes from one student today in a cute little handmade envelope!  They were such an encouragement and so cute that I have to share them with you:

Note 1: "Dear Miss Brunker, You are funny and so cute and beautiful."

Note 2: "Dear Miss Brunker,  I love you and you are very nice and kind.  You are cute and your house shoes are so cute and funny."

Note 3: "Dear Miss Brunker, I love you and you are my best teacher in the whole world."

Don't those notes make you smile?!  It is amazing the lives we touch when we allow the Lord to have complete control of our lives!  Have a wonderful day!

Update

Lately We’ve Been

Buying: fabric for a quilt
Considering: visiting a new church in Vienna
Cooking: homemade calzones
Eating: fruit salad
Googleing : the Iditarod dogsled race
Learning: German (well trying at least!) and trying to figure out if saxophone lessons are something Amanda can do! 
Listening: The David Crowder Band
Loving: our students will all of our hearts and petting a few cute kitties!
Planning: Fun lesson ideas for Stone Fox and the Physics of Sound Unit
Reading: Genesis, Job, and Stone Fox
Watching: The Closer
Wearing: slacks and other warm clothing due to these rather cold days!

Wishing: that Amanda’s camera would magically heal itself!

Ways to Pray

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

·         - for our time in the Word to stay consistent

·         - for the details of our Energy Break plans to come together with many moments of rest

·         - 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

Adventures in the kitchen

Carrie and I recently had a friend visit from Black Forest Academy in Germany.  We had a lot of fun.  One day we introduced Rachel to drinking chocolate.  Please enjoy Rachel's blog video by clicking on this sentence.

Merry Christmas

Hello dear friends, prayer partners, and supporters!


Merry Christmas!  We love you all and miss those of you that are far away!  May you have a blessed Christmas day and know that you are thought of and prayed for so very often.  


Blessings always,
Amanda and Carrie