<![CDATA[Katie Roberts Serving the Lord <br />at Black Forest Academy <br />Germany

<![CDATA[Katie Roberts Serving the Lord <br />at Black Forest Academy <br />Germany - Katie's Blog]]>Mon, 21 May 2012 13:58:37 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Being Still]]>Wed, 25 Apr 2012 09:15:01 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/04/being-still.html God tells us to be still, "Be still and know that I am God". in Psalm 46:10. You know....without realizing, I believe I had earlier on taken that to mean physically still, but then recently I had taken it more mentally. Be mentally still and know that He is God. But now, I think that it's both.
God tells us to be still, come away, abide (John 15), rest (Matt. 11:28)..physically. Then, He also says....don't worry (Phil. 4:6-7), don't fear (Joshua 1:9, 2 Timothy 1:7) , cast all your cares on me (1 Peter 5:7)....be still mentally. Actually....He tells us instead to rejoice (Phil. 4:4, 1 Thess. 5:16-18), be thankful, think on good things (Phil. 4:8) , etc.
Here recently I've come to face both of these challenges of being still - physically and mentally. Mentally I found myself worrying about things that I could not change...like in the Serenity Prayer....so, I decided to focus my mind on memorizing Philippians. And I did. (I want to keep it in my head. So, I invite you to ask me to quote it to you if you like, but I have to warn you that the whole thing takes 20 minutes - just so you know in advance.) I'm starting on Colossians. And I have found this practice of memorizing Scripture, which I was required to do in High School, but hadn't really focused on until now, very....well, it relieves and refocuses the mind. Not to mention, we have help...I really think that the Holy Spirit helps us memorize Scripture.
Physically.....lately, it was my body and the doctor telling me to be still, but He uses all things for our good (Rom. 8:28) and to teach us. I AM TERRIBLE AT BEING STILL - I'm not sure if I'm worse at being still mentally or physically, but I definitely would not be a medalist in either category. I have a lot to learn in these two areas...and I am in process.
It's kinda like....well, I didn't know how fast or quickly I would move....until now that I cannot. This week a community that I've joined is going swing dancing. I would like to join in, but....I'm not sure that I can. It actually would be better probably if I did not and dubbed myself a picture taker instead. There's choosing not to participate and then there is not being able to. The second one is harder...not having a choice, or dare I say - being in control. It's hard to let go of control...especially when it's things that I've had control of before and it is something that seems reasonable to me to expect to have control of. I'm not used to not being able to move my body without pain or in a way that keeps it from happening. It's hard and frustrating!
So, this is what I'm learning....to be still in mind and body. If you think of it...please pray for me. I would like to be "back to normal" - which will be a new and improved normal because I've learned some things - but, able to move well without having to think about my health or if it's going to hurt, before returning to BFA. Right now carrying luggage sounds impossible and so does moving all of my things from the basement to my third floor apartment. My next lesson might be letting people help me. Oh dear!
Thanks for Reading, Katie : )]]><![CDATA[Sometimes We Get Answers - Relieved!!!]]>Fri, 13 Apr 2012 19:53:07 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/04/sometimes-we-get-answers-relieved.htmlDear Readers,
Last time I wrote of some health concerns. Well, today I got some answers on what is going on....Praise the Lord!
It's difficult when any change in your breathing causes pain in your chest. So, you're nervous about the pain in your chest, which affects your breathing, which causes more pain. Surely a challenge. Oh dear! But thankfully I have some answers, and not only answers, but they make sense. YEAH!!!
Ok....so, I was having chest pain since March 21st....tests for heart revealed nothing, tests for blood clots revealed nothing (but even being tested for those was disconcerting, because a friend and colleague of mine died on Easter Sunday from one)....the diagnosis was an inflamed chest wall and the questions were - what exactly is my chest wall and why is there pain?
I went to a nutritionist/chiropractor today. Well, long story short.....my spine was out of alignment and therefore several of my ribs (it seemed like about 8 to me). So, my body has been adjusting for it and then decided that enough was enough. So...the out of place ribs were causing the pain and the inflammation of my chest wall.
One of the first questions she asked me was, have you fallen recently? The most recent time had been when I was ice skating in December. I honestly had thought nothing more of the fall when it had happened. It hurt, but I wasn't in pain afterwards. My friend, who was with me, had felt more pain than I had. Well, evidently, there was some harm done. So....my hips, shoulders, ears...were uneven. So, she lined me back up....and I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER!!!!!
Part of it I think is honestly from knowing what the problem was. It wasn't only medical, it was psychological in knowing that if I didn't find out what was wrong and heal, I could not return to BFA like that! So....shew!
Still no jumping jacks or quick movements for a while, until these things decide to stay in place, but not as much pain and I can move and breathe much more fully than I was able to in the last few weeks. I feel like a new person! Wow! I am SO glad to have an answer!
Glad to have answers! Thank you to all of you who were praying! Thank you, thank you! Thank you Lord for helping this doctor help me today! Thank you, thank you!
Relieved, Katie]]><![CDATA[It's Good to Use Pencil ]]>Sat, 07 Apr 2012 08:20:45 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/04/its-good-to-use-pencil.html Do you remember in elementary school, when the teacher always had us use a pencil, in case we made a mistake and needed to erase it? Spelling, etc. And then in MS and HS when we were allowed to use pen....we were making less mistakes? White out anyone? Well....in life...I would vote that it seems to be better to use pencil - (especially if you use a planner, like I do - less messy).
A verse I have seen come true many times in my life and try to live by is Proverbs 16:9. "A man plans His course, but the Lord determines his steps." I want my steps to be determined by Him, but sometimes, the changes....well, sometimes I don't like them or I don't understand, but I have to trust that He is the Good Shepherd and a Loving Heavenly Father...and for some reason, those changes are for the best. I've seen Proverbs 16:9 in my life even this past week.
It makes it hard for me because I strive to be a person who does what I say, even when it hurts (Psalm 15) and I hate going back on anything, but here recently I had to cancel a plan of going down the East Coast in April - and commitments that I'd made. I didn't like having to cancel everything, but...I needed to. (When I travel to these churches, to see friends and family - I desire to be a blessing, and not become a patient.)
A few weeks ago I started having chest pain, that would work it's way up my neck and down my arm. Sounds like heart, right? So...I had some tests done, not my heart - for which I'm very thankful. The diagnosis ended up being an inflamed chest wall - which is basically the area that the rib cage covers - neck to waist. (Not a part of the body that we usually think about. When was the last time that you thought about your chest wall? It's not normally a part that is listed in anatomy pictures.) That whole area, neck to waist - all the way around, feels bruised to some point. So things like - seat belts, playing the flute, laughing, singing, hugs, getting excited or stressed, carrying things, moving too quickly - anything that involves changes in breathing have the potential to hurt. I have never had to pay so much attention to my breathing before.
So....they don't know the cause, but they say it will take a while to heal - simply because of all of the things that effect it. So.....I am being forced to slow down.
I walked a path yesterday in my neighborhood, that I haven't for quite some time. It took about an hour there and back. I did not get through even that without hurting.
I honestly am a little scared about this, but....am trying to just take it as my body telling me to stop for a bit and God possibly using that to say, "Trust Me".
So....my vote is for the pencil and a big eraser.
I don't know why I had to change plans, but for some reason...it's better and good. Whether He uses pain to change our plans, just a feeling of uncertainty, or a direct piece of Scripture....His plans and ways are higher and better than ours. And sometimes....we just have to trust....wait.....and let Him be God. Amen? ]]><![CDATA[Being Thankful]]>Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:18:37 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/04/being-thankful.html Lately, I've really been noticing that thankfulness is a pretty BIG key of the instructions God left us in the Bible and just to living the Christian Life. You know sometimes things that seem like they should have been obvious just hit you and that was the case with me and the principle of thankfulness.

Last year...Thanksgiving Day to Thanksgiving Day....I had decided I wanted to develop this characteristic more in myself. So, I took the challenge to write down five things before I went to bed that I had been thankful for that day. The year ended and I cannot say that I noticed a change really, but it was a good thing to do. It was fun to look back through the book and see not just things, but names - people I'd been thankful for that day, for one reason or another. Lately, I've challenged myself to 10 - in the morning when I get up and at night before going to sleep because I do want to keep developing this, but.....

Have you ever noticed that thankful people are just....well, they are happier? I think it's because of where their focus is....on the things that they have, rather on the things that they don't. Like Sarah Young says in her book Jesus Calling (which is a good devotional book, by the way), "When you focus on what you don't have or on situations that displease you, your mind also becomes darkened. You take for granted life, salvation, sunshine, flowers, and countless other gifts from Me. You look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until that is 'fixed'." I think she has a point.

Also, have you noticed in the Bible how many times we are told to be thankful? There is the Thessalonians 5:16-18 passage, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus". And Philippians 4:6-7, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." And then in verses 8-9 Paul is saying - basically - change your focus. "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right....pure...lovely....admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things........And the God of peace will be with you". There's also Psalm 116:17, "I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the Lord" - basically, even when we are not happy, we can and should be thankful. That...is like Romans 12:1-2 "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind"....being thankful is a way of renewing our minds. I'm sure you can think of even more passages....not to mention songs, "Come, Ye Thankful People Come", "Give Thanks", etc.

Last night at the Maundy Thursday service at church.....the pastor stressed...."Jesus paid it all on the cross. And our lives are to be lived out as an expression of saying THANK YOU". I had never thought of it that way. After the service I was in a conversation with someone who said the sermon had been a good reminder to them, because they always want to strive for or work for....salvation or being close to God. Why do we always forget that HE paid it all? The outside world sees our lives, sometimes, as living in slavery to Christ, or obeying rules that we don't want to....they don't get it. Christ has set us FREE, we are co-heirs with Him. We are no longer in bondage. It's not rules that we are obeying because we have to, but rather a newer, higher way that Christ has given us to live, b....because they are best and because.....we are THANKFUL that He has set us free from the penalty of sin and death.

Our lives are to be lived out in a way of saying THANK YOU back to God. We would not be here without Him. This world would be a VERY dark place without Him living inside of us those of us who know Him. (That is how it will be after the rapture - when the church is taken out - even darker than it is now.)

So, this is what I'm learning and seeing in a new way and I wanted to share. May it be an encouragement to you. May we all live expressing gratitude and thankfulness in our words, actions, focus and lives.

Happy Easter Weekend! He Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!,

Katie

]]><![CDATA[Connections - UK and The Body of Christ]]>Mon, 02 Apr 2012 21:50:13 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/04/connections-between-uk-and-the-body-of-christ.html I have just been thinking, especially in this last week...about the Body of Christ and how it would be if we cheered for each other the way we do for the players on the screen or on that team we like.
I had visited KY last weekend in a non-suspecting manner. Maybe it was the excitement that my family in KY had, or the church I was visiting about cheering on their team, or just that as I watched with them, I grew to know the players a bit, appreciate their manner and their talent....I don't know, but I went to KY without a basketball team that I cheered for and I returned with one. I just finished watching the first March Madness National Tournament Final that I have ever watched and I was cheering for UK.
What if we cheered for each other in such a way that it was contagious to the watching world? What if they sensed our excitement for each other and joy, instead of judgement when they came into our churches and were among us as believers? What if they heard us saying, "Hey, good _____________" or "I'll be praying for you in regards to _________________" or "You're going to make it!"
I'm not talking about the minor stuff either, I mean the heavy stuff.....a friend is struggling with a sin that they want you to hold them accountable for, you notice in a friend that they have some rough spots in their game and you humbly point them out because you love them....because there's cheering and then there is getting in the game along side of them and looking for ways to do that.
I am humbled by ALL of the people that God has brought along side me this year.....to cheer, to point things out to me, to walk along side me....and sometimes these people are those I would not expect or the support comes from places that I would never have dreamed. I am thankful for all of these people!
I guess what I'm saying is....I want to cheer in such a way for others.....Christian or not....in the game along side of them, that my fellow Christians are encouraged and that the unbelievers want to join the team!
I've adopted a new verse of Scripture for my time at BFA and I guess just my life.....I had chosen Proverbs 16:9 when I first went because the way God led me there was good, but not expected. But now....I'm adopting 2 Corinthians 2:14-16.....I want to be a fragrance of Him wherever I go.....in such a way that those in the game and playing on the team of the Body of Christ recognize me as a fellow teammate and those on the other team - they decide that they want to switch sides. :)
Cheering You On!!!! ~Katie ]]><![CDATA[Brigadoon and Deja vu]]>Tue, 20 Mar 2012 19:44:19 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/03/brigadoon-and-deja-vu.html So....I had run into a friend from college at the Music Convention I attended in mid-February. She had mentioned her school was doing a musical, Brigadoon. I asked if I could help in anyway. She said that she needed a clarinet player. I said I could help and I was excited!
So tonight, I was in a dress rehearsal. Talk about a colliding of worlds and past. Ok....my high school Bible teacher was playing the keyboard, my director friend from Cedarville was directing, a guy I graduated from high school with was playing the trombone, a fellow past church member was doing make-up, a kid I directed in a summer band is the drama director at the school, a guy I knew in college and graduated a few years after me is playing the other keyboard, etc. Cool!
The musicals at Dayton Christian were amazing when I went there! I was blessed to attend school there! I missed out on marching band at Northmont, but that is when I grew the most in my walk with the Lord - was serious about devotions, sermon notes, saw many examples of good Christians in my teachers and got to be in the pit orchestra for the productions of "Fiddler on the Roof", "Hello Dolly" and later "King and I"as well as on a touring musical ministry team - Resounding Peace. I wouldn't trade the decision at all! I am very thankful!
The things that are not the same are: 1) the building that they are tearing down very soon and 2) normally I am playing the flute and not the clarinet. :)
It's fun to see people from the past! It's especially encouraging when you know that they are carrying on in their walks with the Lord and that they are doing well! So...I'm glad for the opportunity to play and extra glad to play with them! The production is at the end of the month and then it will be over, but...it will have been fun and a good excuse to continue improving on the woodwinds. Nothing like having to perform on it yourself and practice to do so with a manner of excellence. Yeah! ]]><![CDATA[Good Things]]>Sun, 11 Mar 2012 13:21:33 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/03/good-things.html1) I had the opportunity to be with another group of children this morning. I did the same presentation as last night, but felt the nudge to lead a prayer of salvation. I'm not sure who, I told them to tell their teacher before they left, but someone was echoing me in the prayer to receive Christ as their Savior. That was a sweet sound!

2) My buddies came up to me at another meeting, "Can we play cards again?" Sure. :) And, we did. ]]><![CDATA[My 3 Buddies and Deutschland Playing Cards]]>Sat, 10 Mar 2012 19:02:39 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/03/my-3-buddies-and-deutschland-playing-cards.html This evening I was with the kids, ages 5-11. We sang a few songs, I told them the story about Johnny the missionary and how the policeman came to know the Lord after Johnny met his challenge to make a paper cross with one tear, and we talked about how you don't have to go overseas to be a missionary - 1) you have to love Jesus & 2) you have to tell people about Him. That's it - you're a missionary. The words of "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" and "This Little Light of Mine, I'm Going to Let It Shine". That's it! Not hard! Those two criteria and anyone can be a missionary!
Three of my kids were the kids from one of the missionary families visiting the church with me this week. The three are going to be sharing stories from their country later with the kids church, but I introduced them and we had them teach us hi and bye in their language.
The evening with the kids ended and these three boys and I were attending the update meeting their parents were giving on the work in their country. I was talking with them and learning more about what they like to do and their favorite subjects while everyone was mingling. Two of the three were growing restless as the meeting progressed. They eventually went somewhere. I was watching the clock a bit myself....daylight savings and a commitment on the early side tomorrow morning. But, as the meeting was not over yet and I was heading out...I noticed that they were in the hallway being....bored....I asked if they wanted to play cards. So...we did. :)
So, they reminded me how to play Slap Jack and I taught them Speed. We had to keep reminding each other that the B was a Jack and the D was a Queen, quit being distracted by the pretty pictures on the cards and move around with some energy everyone once in a while to get the hallway lights to turn back on (motion sensors). :)
Those were my three buddies for the evening and I cannot think of a better way, or a way I would rather, have broken in my German playing cards. I was blessed! I'm not sure who had more fun - them or me.
I HAD FUN! They were a BLESSING to me! I LOVE KIDS! They make me smile and laugh effortlessly! ]]><![CDATA[The Baton Gift at Music Educator's Conference]]>Sat, 18 Feb 2012 16:47:00 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/02/the-baton-gift-at-music-educators-conference.html I attended the Music Educator's Conference for the state of OH these last few days. Many more people have heard about Black Forest Academy - talked with many people doing research for my Masters and it was on my name tag. I ran into several old friends - it was good to see them! Some I hadn't seen in.......a long time.

As I went around to the different exhibits....I noticed a man selling director's batons. I had lost my batons on one of the trips from Germany to the US. One of them had been VERY special to me - my students from Heritage had given it to me and it had been engraved with the reference of 1Timothy 4:12 - which I challenged them with and an acknowledgement that it was from them. Since I lost mine, I have not used one or bought a new one. How do you replace something like that? You know?

Well....God gave me a new one. As I looked at this booth, I asked the man, if I wanted to buy a baton like the one I had in my hand....how I would describe it to him, in an e-mail in the future. (There was a particular cut to the handle, length, etc.) He said that he could put my name on it and put it on hold for me - asked how long it would be until I'd pay for it. I said that I did not want him to do that and I didn't know how long it would be. He asked what I did...I told him I was a missionary who taught music at Black Forest Academy in Germany. He said....you know....that baton is my contribution to your mission. Tears came to my eyes (and are again as I type this). Thankfully they did not come down my cheek, but....he said, since that is the case, is the one in your hand the one you would pick? I said no, that I hadn't been looking that way. He said...well, you better look again. :) WOW!!!!

I did pick out a baton. I traded him for a packet of information about BFA, Teach Beyond, etc. and said THANK YOU!!! God gave me a baton through him. Cool!

I went back by the booth and said thank you again and asked about his faith. He said that he was from Pennsylvania and attended a church there. I told him that I would think of him and his gift every time I used it. He said, may God's love pour out of you as you direct. WOW!!!

I.....thank you Lord!!! Thank you for loving me through this man and for supplying another baton - something I wanted/needed, but....thank you for that gift. Love, Katie

]]><![CDATA[Happy Valentine's Week Everyone!!! <3]]>Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:13:20 -0800http://www.katieatbfa.com/1/post/2012/02/happy-valentines-week-everyone-lt3.htmlMay all of you be reminded of His love for you in a special way this week - from Him or those in your life!!!! If you are reading this, you are a part of my life. Know that I am thankful for you and love you as a sister in Christ!

These days I am focusing on my Masters and looking forward to traveling quite a bit as nature comes back to life this Spring. I will be seeing many friends and family, who I have not see for literally years. I'm excited! I have SO enjoyed visiting with many of you in OH and WI already - talking about what is going on in our lives, how God is working, what He's teaching us, praying together. It's been my privilege. Thank you for the time!

I am trying to post the missions updates that I send out regularly to this website, but I will not be putting everything out onto the web. If you would like to receive the full updates through e-mail and you do not currently receive them, please let me know. I'd be happy to add you!

I've been personally thinking A LOT lately about God's will. That we are not puppets, He gives us choice - wisdom - desires, but He also has a plan and purpose for our lives...there's a balance.

I was listening to a song this week from the Continentals, whom I traveled with Summer 2004. This particular song was not from that summer, but it hit on what my heart was thinking/feeling. The lyrics say:
I've made a choice, I want to live my life,
not for myself, but all for Jesus Christ.
I know that we are not puppets, but that is honestly what I want.....to fulfill His purpose for me. To live for Him, His glory. To serve Him. To please Him. To acknowledge Him in all my ways and let Him direct my paths...whatever, wherever that means...that's what I want. I guess that is the choice we make when we become a Christian, but it's not put quite that way. The song is solo up to a point and then the whole choir sings:
We've made a choice, and it's a choice that will stand
When we loose, we have to choose, we choose in life
And together hand in hand, bound in love we'll take a stand
In Jesus Christ, for tonight we've made a choice
I just want to let you know, that if you've also made this choice, I'm standing with you and I'm cheering you on! If I can ever be of help to you - praying for you, etc. - let me know. I'm standing with you and on your team in Christ!
If you have not made that choice, and you want to know more about it, I'd love to talk to you! It's an adventure!

Love and blessings to you as we continue to live for Him and His glory this week!
~Katie
]]>