It's Christmas time in Herrnhut

I can't believe what a frightfully negligent blogger I am ! Well, that's not entirely true--I've never been that good about taking the time to put life into writing, and with the busy schedule of a DTS and life in a foreign country, there is all the more to distract from updating everyone.
I track the passage of time by the phases of the moon. It has waxed swiftly over my nightly walk home, and reminds me of how time flies. I have been here just over two months; I have but a matter of weeks before I leave (crazy weeks filled with a Christmas adventure to the home of a friend, near Stuttgart; New Years and only a little more preparation time and lecture!) It is a continual battle to stay present as we are called to look through the things of the past, and as I look forward to what is to come.
Some of my plans for the future are to travel to Scotland with my mum, dad and brother at the end of March, spend time at home with my wonderful family-Tressy graduates from High School this spring!, possibly/hopefully get back to Manitou and work for Summit, and then come back to Germany! as a base staff person, join Julie (nearly 23 year old Canadian) in the cafe ministry that we want to have here, and probably staff a DTS or two... that should keep me busy for the next few years (or the rest of my life! if it's where God wants me.) I am really excited to continue learning German, and gain some practical experience in business as a ministry! Please be praying for God's continued guidance in all these things.
My struggle through all of this is balancing relationships. As with each new place and group of people I have the joy of living with people who are awesome: who love God and want to serve Him in everything. We have great adventures, and get to learn together. However, it's hard to take the time to continue to delve more deeply into sharing together, especially as I need to process for myself. I have been reminded today of how imperative it is to live intentionally in our community-this is as safe a place for it as any- and be encouraged and challenged by those I am living with. Wow! What an opportunity. I know that when this time ends, this time will be it's own in my mind and heart, even as I continue to grow and staff other schools.