Contemplative Nomad

London for Thanksgiving

contemplativenomad — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 22:16:06 +0000

This is way way overdue, but here are some pictures from my trip to London with some delightful freshman over Thanksgiving break. It was a fantastic trip and I loved being able to spend so much time with the students and my fellow chaperones. I really like London, I mean they speak English!sh!

The Fear of the Lord

contemplativenomad — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:32:19 +0000

This is the first of a few posts(I hope) that will be a tool in my digesting the crazy life I live! God is at work and maybe I am not the only one who needs these reminders!

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all Wisdom.”(Prov. 1:7) Fearing God and not man is the only way to walk in His wisdom and truth. In this journey of life where the Lord does indeed give me more than I can handle I need His wisdom. That is why He gives me more than I can handle, because then and most often only then, I truly depend on Him and His Presence. Since, I am a rather stupid sheep I think I am smarter and wiser than I actually am. In situations where it seems like I should know what I am doing I take the reigns and end of messing it up. Turns out I am not God. In the midst of life that is too much, He is there. Being the Principal for even the short time I will be, is WAY more than I can handle. These last two and half weeks before Christmas break were the most intense weeks of my life. I felt more incapable, more inexperienced, more overwhelmed, yet in such a beautiful way I felt more loved, encouraged, and dependent on the LORD.

The more aware of my inadequacies I am, the more I lean into His strength and wisdom.

As I was talking through the weeks with a dear friend I said something that I hadn’t even realized was on my heart. I desperately want and need the Fear of the Lord to rule and reign over my every decision and not the fear of man. As the Principal there are lots of “men” to fear: my administrative team, other teachers and coworkers, and sadly the loudest my reputation with the students. At different times I have let the fear of these “men” rule and that of course causes guilt, insecurity, and really bad decisions. If I let the Fear of the Lord rule He promises to give Wisdom. As Proverbs says over and over again Wisdom is to be desired and the Fear of the Lord is the staring block. So, how does that look in my life right now? I am bombarded with issues, concerns, questions, and problems all day long. If I let the fear of man rule I will feel overwhelmed and become rather whiney. If I let the Fear of God rule I will search out that Peace that passes understanding and let His truth indwell in me and trust that He is bigger than my ability to screw things up! (I can’t tell you how many times I have been so thankful for that truth!) In the weightiness of what the Lord has called me to do, and the level of responsibility He has entrusted me with, I must fear Him alone! I must pursue His truth, His love, His peace with every breath. I have found that when I am entering a meeting that I feel ill equipped for I take a deep breath and put my shoulders back, like my momma taught me. ;) I want that deep breath to be breathing in more of Him so my words would be filled with His presence. Oh, to be able to be an image bearer for Christ. I am not worthy, but He who is has called me His own. He is my only Hope. “The reward for Humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and Life” (Prov. 22:4)

The season of Hope

contemplativenomad — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:06:26 +0000

Ask Miss Gerdes: December

contemplativenomad — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:39:16 +0000

How do I deal with people leaving?

I have always had the dream that I am sure many other share, that one day all
the people I love will be in one place at the same time, in a beautiful location of
course. In this dream I also have unlimited time and everyone gets along beautifully.
Unfortunately, as you get older and meet more and more people that dream becomes
more and more impossible, on this earth that is. Living in Vienna and being a part of
ICSV broadens your world even more. It is so fantastic to meet all kinds of new people, but as we all know too well, good-byes are inevitable, terrible, and lame but certain. So, how do we deal with the reality that people will enter and leave our lives on a regular basis? I think the number one thing that we need to remember is that it only hurts to say goodbye to those that matter to us. The more it hurts the more we loved and were loved in return. So, first celebrate the relationships that God has placed in your life. Being thankful for these relationships doesn’t make it hurt any less; however, it is necessary to keep your perspective. Next, let it hurt, cry, blow your nose a lot and be honest of how you feel. After, the snot rockets and red eyes wash your face and get on Facebook to stay connected. Also, in the midst of this stalking remember that God will bring new people into your life. They will not be a replacement and they perhaps will not be what you expected but they may be just what you need. For both the one staying and the one going it hurts in different ways, but the Lord doesn’t ask us to leave something without calling us to something else. So, we need to look forward to whatever it is that God has in store for those that go and for those that stay. I am so sorry that good byes hurt so much but let us remember that our idea of “the best” is nothing compared to what God’s best is!

Starla…

contemplativenomad — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 16:42:17 +0000

Inspired by pure exhaustion and a small office with a blackboard paint wall four teachers join to create a masterpiece. So, now I get to stare at this while attempting to get work done in my fancy new office!

Amazed by God

contemplativenomad — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:34:07 +0000

Here is the update I wrote for my newsletter:

The first week of October brought our Fall Spiritual Emphasis Week here at ICSV. Traditionally, for this week we bring in a speaker from the States who speaks at chapel and loves on our kids throughout the rest of the day. These weeks have always been an encouragement to me as well as the students. This year, however, the HS Chaplin and I felt that it would be better to have the speaker(s) be from our community. With our incredibly diverse student body it is very challenging for an outsider to come in and know how to address our students. So, this year the idea developed into the theme, “byHisDesign” ,and was built around the testimonies of staff members.
As we prepared for this week my heart was burdened by how much work it was to organize the week with incredible intentionality; as the Lord was impressing upon my heart the importance of this week. Everything seemed to come together at the exact last minute but it was prefect that way as it kept us all very much aware or our inability to make this happen! From the first testimonies from two elementary teachers who had miraculous things happen in their life yet testify to the true miracle being Salvation, to Friday when dear friends of mine shared a raw and right now struggle in their lives, the Holy Spirit was moving. I was amazed day after day of how sweet the Spirit is and how faithful He is to remind me that He is in control. He also taught me the power of testimony and I as well as the chapel team felt the weight of protecting these testimonies and honoring the courage of those sharing. There is a reason that Lord commanded Israel to recount the deeds of the Lord and the Pslamist writes about speaking these things to Children in Psalm 78:4, testimonies build up faith.
During the last two days of the week I had the privilege of praying with and listening to many of my students as they opened up about their own hurts and what they felt God saying to them. I had the privilege of challenging one of my 8th grade girls from India to choose Jesus as the only God, and she did! There were many students who gave their lives to Christ for the first time and many more who renewed their commitment! He is Good!

A picture worth a thousand-and-one words!

contemplativenomad — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:58:29 +0000

Today was an INSANE day at school today and in a brief break in the crazy it was this picture, that currently occupies my desktop, that made me smile and helped me get through it all. It really is people that make our world! Thanks for making mine brighter Logasaur!

My handsome Logasarus!

Best inventions EVER!

contemplativenomad — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 17:43:41 +0000

Lovely ladies, huh?

This past weekend I traveled with my friend Kristi-Anna and met up with the Hunters to see our friend Joanna in Budapest, Hungary. We went to a fantastic wine festival at the castle. It dosen’t get much better than that! The lovely pouches around our necks are exactly what they look like! Those Hungarians know what they are doing when it comes to wine festivals.

The gang..minus Stacey.

A sweet video

contemplativenomad — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 21:56:04 +0000

One lazy morning when I was in America I was hanging out with my nieces and decided to take some silly pictures and sing some songs. I love how happy they make me and how Lilian makes me laugh every time I hear her shout, “Hooray!” I sure do miss those girls! Here is the video

The beauty.

contemplativenomad — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:08:36 +0000

I am house/dog sitting for my dear friends the Hunters for a few days.They not only have a great place but it offers quite the spectacular view from their terrace. I was able to enjoy this evenings sunset with a sweet friend. I am feeling like I need to take some time, breathe and in that Bless the Lord for how incredible He really is. He has blessed me with everything I need and some pretty amazing people and places that are truly just bonuses in the journey. So after a crazy week I am thankful for beautiful skies that remind me of the beauty of my Lord and His tender care and love towards his children.