Sunday, September 13, 2009

The New School Year


Hey All,

Just checked this blog and realized that I haven’t updated since Christmas, which means it has been a while since most of you have heard from us … and for that we are sorry! We have a couple of things happening here at Black Forest Academy in the next few weeks that we need and value your prayers for, so this will be more of a prayer needs update rather than a blog of our life.


1) On Monday (Sept 14) we start our Spiritual Emphasis Week (SEW). As chaplain at BFA, this is one of my main responsibilities, so it will be a busy week. We have a speaker here from Poland and a band here from Canada to lead worship. The students will meet everyday for a chapel service and will have a special evening, as well. Pray for open hearts and that this week will be a great way to help students refocus their lives as they start this new school year.


2) In a couple of weeks I (Sam) will be traveling with the senior class on their senior trip. While I look forward to the bonding time I will have with the seniors, I will be gone for a week. Pray for the family as I am gone, and pray that I would have some good interaction with our seniors during this time.


3) Jen continues to meet with a small group of junior girls, as well as a group of young adult women (RA’s). Both groups kicked off again this past week, so would you pray for Jen that she would have the wisdom in leading and be encouraged by her relationships that are built in those groups.


Our family is doing well. Jordan is in 8th grade and president of the Middle School. Ellie is in 7th grade and has a great group of friends (I remember when she was in 1st grade, that was one of our prayers for her – that God would bring her some good friends). Matthew started first grade this year. He will actually be going to a Bi-Lingual school where he will learn both German and English. He is doing well in his German language after spending a year in a German Kindergarten. Katie is loving being the only one at home all day long, though she does miss her brothers and sister.


We continue to value your prayers, and want to commit to keeping you more updated than we have in the past. I will try and blog (and e-mail) my thoughts when SEW is over, but remember to keep that week in your prayers


Thanks for Praying … Continue to Pray!!

Sam (for the Stemple Fam)

Chaplain, Black Forest AcademyKandern, Germany