Today was my second visit to the dentist. He removed the bad fillings then took impressions and ordered my new inlays. As usual, I took more novocaine than should be necessary. He said it was enough to numb a crocodile. 
Also, as usual, about halfway through it started to wear off. He said he was amazed at my bodies ability to “eat drugs.” The same thing happened when I had surgery. The doctors had to give me crazy doses of morphine, and they were amazed it didn’t work. I’d like to believe this is some kind of superpower, but I don’t really see how it’s useful for anything. On the plus side, the dentist felt really sorry for me and kept stroking my head and saying, “Oh, you poor thing.” Maybe he’ll feel sorry enough to lower the cost of my bill. Hmmm…
The bread of the month for February was Beer Bread. I wasn’t really sure how I’d feel about this bread because, well, I kind of think beer is gross. However, I’ve heard good things about beer bread, so I gave it a whirl. Turns out beer bread is really yummy. Also, beer bread might be the easiest bread in the world to make. I got the recipe from Honest Fare. She even gives you a printable recipe here: Beer Bread. It literally took mere minutes to make this bread. It’s sweet with just a hint of beer flavor. I took Honest Fare’s recommendation and ate it with a little freshly ground pepper. Yummy! Later in the evening Matt and our friend Whitney couldn’t stop themselves and they ate the whole top half of the bread. Yes, that’s right, the top half. They scalped the poor thing, but it was confirmation for me that this bread is worth making again.
Today was the last day of Spiritual Emphasis Week. Jerry shared the story of the prodigal son. He shared about how when we make mistakes, Jesus is always waiting with open arms for us to repent. He also shared about how the Lord delights in us because we are his children. We are sad to see the Jacobys leave us, but we are so glad they were here.
Update from yesterday: Of the 19 students who stayed to talk with Jerry, 15 of them made decisions for Christ!
Please pray for the Jacobys to have safe travels back to Michigan. Please pray for the 15 students who made decisions for Christ yesterday. Please continue to pray for the staff as we follow up with these students.
More pictures here: SEW
Today was an amazing day here at VCS. Jerry talked with the students about what it means to have faith. He shared about how we can believe in Christ and his promises. He shared about how we don’t have to DO anything for salvation, it’s a gift. At the end of chapel, Jerry invited those students who wanted to hear more about Christ to stay and talk with him. 19 students stayed to talk and pray with Jerry.
Please pray for these 19 students. Please pray for our chaplain, Melissa, and the elementary teachers as they follow up with these students in the coming weeks and months.
See more pictures here: SEW
Pros:
- I now have clean teeth. Yay!
- The hygienist who cleaned my teeth was amazing. The best cleaning I think I’ve ever had.
- I really like the dentist.
- Everyone spoke English, but was willing to teach me dental words in German. (dental floss = die Zahnseide)
- I got a new toothbrush.
- I don’t have any cavities.
- The dentist and the hygienist both said I have very nice teeth.
Cons:
- On the way to the dentist, I had to watch a woman on the u-bahn continuously take out her dentures and play with them. Not encouraging.
- While I don’t have any cavities, there is a reason for my toothache. The three fillings I do have are all loose and have to be redone. Ugh!
- The brown spot that showed up on my crown a few weeks ago is actually a scratch that has to be filed down.
- No dental insurance means we have to find a way to pay the €1.400 ($1,900) bill we are going to get next week.
Anyone getting a tax return that they don’t know what to do with?
Today’s chapel was about God’s never-ending love for us. By acting out the parable of the lost sheep, Jerry shared with the students about how the Lord pursues us. He pursues us with love and determination. He pursues us without ceasing. How incredible is that? The creator of the universe loves us so much that he’ll continue to seek us even when we are unfaithful. Even when we turn our back on him. Why does he do this? Because he loves us – wholly, completely, and forever.
Please pray with us that the students and parents who were in chapel today would grow in their understanding of God’s amazing love. That they would feel what it means to be pursued and loved so greatly.
More pictures here: SEW
Today was the first day of Elementary Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW). Each year we set aside one week to invite a guest speaker who will boldly share the gospel with the students. For the past six years, Jerry and Michaela Jacoby have been the elementary guest speakers. We love them! We love them because not only do they tell the students about Jesus, but they live out the love Jesus – the SHOW the kids Jesus. That is their gift to us each and every year.
Today Jerry shared with the students about how sin entered the world and about how God started a plan to rescue mankind from their sin. He talked about how God pursues us because he loves us. He loves us not because of who we are or what we’ve done, but simply because he loves us.
Will you join us in praying for Jerry, Michaela, and the students of VCS? Pray for wisdom for the Jacobys and the staff as we share the gospel and answer questions. Pray for the students and parents as they hear the gospel that their hearts and minds would be open.
See more pictures here: SEW
That’s right! It’s another challenge from I Heart Faces. This time they want to see pictures of hands. I’ve been really sick this week with tonsilitis, so I’ve had plenty of time to look through all the entries. They are amazing! You should definitely check them out here:
This is my entry for this week. I L-O-V-E this picture of our friends’ son. I’ve been holding onto it for awhile now, just waiting for the right challenge. I think it finally works.
A couple weeks ago, our Student Union organized a benefit concert to help the victims of the September flooding in the Philippines. It was an entirely student organized and run event. They did an amazing job. We got to enjoy music, dance performances, and yummy Filipino food – and the students were able to raise 470 Euro.
There are more pictures here: Benefit Concert
It’s true. I do heart kisses. I mean have you seen this guy? Swoon.
However, this post isn’t about us, it’s about this week’s contest over at I Heart Faces. Lucky for me, last weekend I got to take some fun pictures of two very beautiful people who are getting married soon. We went to Schönbrunn for an afternoon, so the scenery is beautiful, too.
You can check out all the other entries here:
Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day!
