OCTOBERRRR

So October is flying by and last Friday was the official one month mark. I can't believe how fast time goes and I am just trying to enjoy and appreciate every moment I'm here. Lets see what has happened this month:

-I did a 10 KM run
-we visited Neuschwanstein-which brought back memories of being there five years ago on my exchange trip
-we had out first guest speaker this week, a man by the name of Ken Needham. He taught about Hebrews
-I went to a flea-market just today actually :) I got some cool old looking books and a necklace
-I feel like there is a never ending amount of chocolate flowing in my room and in the school, meaning that I am eating a lot of chocolate.
-I have been going on ice cream and 'kaffee und kuchen' trips way too much :)
-I have had to memorize 6 memory verses so far
-We had out first test on Colossians. I think I aced it, like expected!
-I have handed in my first book report on 'The Pursuit of God'-which is an amazing read for anyone who wants to grow in their faith
-I took the song 'Tik Tok' by Kesha and changed the words and sang it infront of the school for the 6th Hour with my two friends Kirsten and Krista. We made the song 'Bode Style' with different names of the leaders in there. It was a pretty big hit.
-We had a dinner with the theme 'Sweden', so my friend and me painted the swedish flag on our faces with face paint. No one else went as all out as we did :)
-I went and explored a bit of Europe and went to Konstanz. It's a beautiful town right beside Switzerland that didn't get bombed during WWII, so it has the cobble stone streets and little stores. It's beautiful.

And that's all I can think about right now. I will try to update more regularly so I can remember more things....this is all I, and everyone in the computer room at the moment, can think of. I miss everyone and I wish I could have all of you visit!

I am loving the cards and packages I have gotten so far, so thank you so much! And right now the big highlight for me is Christmas. I am starting to book flight and looking into hostels. I want to go to Ireland (FOUND FLIGHTS FOR 12.99 Euros) and I am planning to spend Christmas in Paris. There is a group of around eight of us traveling. 3 guys and 5 girls. So the future is looking friendly :) and my mom and aunt are coming in 19 days...not that anyone is keeping track or anything!

I'll update in a week or so,
Talk to you guys soon.

Times Flying By

So, it's already been a week since I've last updated my blog...insane. Well, I have been going to Friendrichshafen and Immenstadt (for the best ice cream in the entire world!) and just hanging out. At the Bahnhof (train station) you get free Wi Fi if you buy a coffee, so it is the new hang out place. I have been enjoying the Kaffee und Kuchen hour around here a little too much, and I've been doing a lot of bonding too. It's been a blast, some highlights from this past week:

-Peter Reid finished his session of 'Walk the Talk' and it was deep, and God definitely talked to me through the lectures.
-Then on Saturday we went to the Apls, and hiked around the Swiss Alps, no big deal :)
-Heinz Spindler, the director, started lectures this week and he's talking about Personal Evangelism. He's really good and is good at drawing out emotions in people and reaching their heart. He's talking about letting God's love compel you and using God's gentleness to share God's word. He's informational and entertaining. He likes stories and I am learning tons from him.
-We started small groups this week, called K-groups. Heinz, and his wife Ute, happen to be my leaders. They are hilarious. And Bode's accountant, Nils, is also a group leader. He's quiet and reserved, but I know deep down there is a wild side to him...I'm gonna try to find it :P
-We have a bible study project, where we basically have to write a mini sermon on a chapter in the bible (they give us a list of 50 chapter that we have to chose from). So I'm reading the chapters and am praying that God will show me what chapter he would like to teach me on.
-We got to a sheet to chose a team (sing, drama, kids, or english teams) to join. The one team I didn't want to join was drama, just because I'm loud doesn't mean I am good at acting. But God has a sense of humor. I handed in my 'choice sheet' a day late and Andy (the head of outreaches) asked me if I could do drama team, even though it was my last choice, since they needed people there. My last choice....I guess I'll see how God's going to use me. :)
-Our book assignment this month is a book called 'The Pursuit Of God' by A.W. Tozer. It is deep and convicting, and it is stretching me to be a better follower of Christ.
-I'm memorizing bible verses (we have to memorize 2 weekly) and I need to memorize the books of the bible for the old and new testament, plus how to spell them! Our first test is in November
-And last, but not least, we have to read through the entire old Testament this year at Bode. So we have a reading schedule of eight chapters a day...so there is just a lot of reading going on here. Plus the first reading assignment for the old testament is due in November. A lot of reading and good conversations, and a lot of amazing food!

Well that's what's going on in my world. I am sipping my hot chocolate and listening to music here at the Bahnhof. International night is this Friday, and I am running in a 10 KM race this Sunday. I plan on walking half :P Oh, and I am running on a regular basis, I plan to gain no weight (MARCIA!).

I am having a blast and I'm not missing home yet...but I know I will soon enough. I am starting to send out cards here...but I haven't gotten anything from anyone (except Shane) I would love a care package...*cough cough* :)

Love you guys lots!

My Hike

My Alpine Experience!

Me climbing up the Alp! It actually was around this steep, but

we they had made stairs. I probably climbed around thousands of steeps.

It killed me!

The view from the bottom. We climbed from the left mountain, into the center,

so we were in the valley between the 3 mountains. Then we

climbed up to the top of the right mountain. It was beautiful.

Me, right after climbing the first half. :) It was beautiful

My friend, Laura, and me climbing down to the lake!

I was as good as Steve at hiking! :P Just kidding, he's amazing.

This was right after the first half of the lake. I ate lunch here.

Half way up the second half. The view was spectacular.

Just another beautiful view. Makes me want to sing 

the Sound of Music.

The little hut I climbed through. There was also a church a couple

meters after this. It was sweet.

This view was from the top; in front of the lake is Switzerland, 

and behind the lake is Germany!

This is my 'I conquered the world' pose. I really did!

Me, Grace, and Kirsten at the top of the mountain.

We had a blast!

The Experience was amazing. God created such beauty, and I got to experience it first hand. It was a treat!