I'm not a Poet and DID know it.

Happy New Year 

Well it is now 2014,

I am still working with LOTS of teens

And probably will need much caffeine

because I don't want to turn into one of those teachers that are mean

Instead, I hope to be serene

And yes, I am a rhyming machine

And this is the worst poem of 2014

:)

Being a teacher, my "year" does not begin in January.  I find myself saying "New Year" more in August when the school year begins and celebrating its end in June.  July is just a freebie.  Even though the rest of the world is beginning a new chapter in their lives, I feel like I am only 1/2 way there.    This next 1/2 year has a lot of events to look forward to and many things to be praying for.   

Here are a few highlights of what's been happening in our school and in the classroom.

France

I am really excited to share that my roommate, Becca, and I will be partnering up with Wheaton Bible Church and going to France this Spring Break (April 11th - April 16th).  The past two years I have led mission trips to an organization called River of Life in Romania.  The trips to Romania mainly focused on service and were wonderful.  In France, we want to take students that are growing Christians and teach them about evangelism.  We will be training these students to share their testimony, talk to complete strangers about the gospel, and share the love of Jesus Christ.  So many students that attend Christian schools learn how to be Christians inside that school and never truly make their relationship with Christ their own.  Our vision is to train and disciple these students to be Ambassadors for Christ.  We want them to be equipped for the world when they leave ICSV.  

Some of the France team and I

The Responders

Every Monday morning I have been meeting with a group of High School girls.  We are currently studying the book Growing in Christ published by The Navigators.  This book goes through the assurance of faith and teaches students how to have a relationship with Christ.  We started these groups last October.  Not everyone in my group claims to be a Christian and I just ask for your continued prayer for these girls.  

ELL Class Moments and Quotes

1. I had my students right down some NY's resolutions and 5 out of 10 said they wanted to read the bible more!

2. "Ms. Johnson, the bible is really interesting and I like reading it." - Muslim student

3. "Ms. Johnson, do we turn into Angels in heaven?"

4. A 6th grade Korean student approached me asking if she could YouTube the cartoon Prince of Egypt so she could experience the power of God over and over again.  

5.  "Ms. Johnson, your hair looks different.  Did you not wash it again?" :)

6.  "Ms. Johnson, does God allow us to experience bad things so we can love Him more?"  

12 Moments of 2013

"I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus" 

1 Corinthians 1:4

Every time I return to America, mainly Chicago, this verse always pops into my head.  I feel so blessed to be able to enter a community of believers that provides such encouragement, prayer, and laughs every time I come home.  I am so thankful for this community.  

Over the Christmas holiday I spent a lot of time with my family, extended family and friends.  It was very refreshing and relaxing and difficult to say goodbye.  

I sent out a Christmas letter and in case you didn't receive one, here it is below.  

To sum up my year, I’d like to briefly share 12 moments from 2013 to the tune of The Twelve Days of Christmas.  

12

 months that I had been out of the United States. 

This past year I decided to stay in Vienna for a full year.  My family came out and visited me last Christmas in Vienna which was a wonderful experience. 

11

 times I have eaten the Wiener Schnitzel.

The Wiener Schnitzel is the traditional Austrian dish.  A breaded pork dish, it is a staple at almost every restaurant in Vienna.  Whenever I have had visitors, I have always introduced        

   them to this meal. 

10

 girls on my volleyball team. 

I had the privilege of coaching two teams of 10 girls on the Varsity and Junior Varsity Teams.  The Varsity team took 3^rd place in our end of season tournament in Budapest.

9

 different nationalities that make up my classes.   

This year I have students that come from 9 different countries: America, Austria, Germany, Jordan, Korea, Nigeria, The Philippines, South Africa, and Thailand.  I love learning about their 

cultures and assigning projects in which they must bring in their national food for the class, aka

      me, to eat :). 

8

 students that have decided to go to France for a mission trip.

Becca, my roommate, and I will be partnering with Wheaton Bible Church and leading a missions trip to Lille, France this April.  Our focus will be training our students in evangelism and how to   

share their faith as we are among the French and immigrants from North Africa. 

7

 different classes that I taught this past school year at ICSV. 

Similar to my first two years at ICSV, I am teaching Spanish to High School Students and ELL (English as a Learning Language) to Middle School students. 

6

 High School students that are a part of my bible study group. 

This past fall I started mentoring six girls.  They come from all different faiths and backgrounds.  With a fellow teacher, we are teaching them about the assurance of their salvation and how to live      

a godly life.   

5

  different groups of friends that came and visited my roommate, Becca, and me. 

Living in Europe encourages many family members and dear friends to visit and explore.  We created a lot of memories with close friends who came to see our lives in Vienna. 

4

 students that have made a profession of faith to Jesus Christ.

Our students hear the message being preached everyday.  Our prayer is that their ears would be open to this message and accept it.  Thankfully, this prayer is being answered at ICSV.  Our hope     

 is for them to take this message to their home cultures and spread the Good News.

3

 German classes that I took in order to better communicate with Austrians.

Still need a lot of practice :). 

2

 fundraiser events that I hosted in order to raise money for different charities. 

One way to teach our students about “giving back” is to host events at our school in which the students raise money and then donate to a local charity or ministry.  In the Spring of 2013, I led a 

 mission trip to Romania and we hosted an event titled “ICSV’s got Talent”.  The students raised    

      over 1,400 euro and donated it all to a care home that we serve.  This past month our school also 

      hosted an event to support those affected in the Philippines.    

1

 more year that I have committed to teaching at ICSV. 

After much prayer, I have decided to commit to one more year at ICSV.