Hello there folks. Well, according to my little desktop widget, we’ve been in Germany for 17 days. I can’t believe that. It doesn’t seem possible.

Thus far, our time in Kandern has been wonderful. We arrived two weeks before anything started, so we’ve had plenty of time to get over jetlag and settle in. We are incredibly blessed to be living in the home of a woman who’s in The States for a year. This means that from the moment we stepped into our little apartment, we had internet, phone, furniture and food. Many staff members arrive to completely empty apartments. I’m so, so, so glad that wasn’t our experience.

This is our building. The top two windows are ours. Our windows open all the way and there are no screens; it’s fabulous. Also, that’s our car in the driveway. We have purchased and registered the car, but have yet to drive it. All in good time, my friends.

So far, we’ve learned our way around Kandern, learned how to shop, officially registered in the town, registered for a trash can (which we have yet to receive), and figured out the basics of life.

Our new friend Anne, who we met at Orientation, came a few days earlier than she needed to and stayed with us. It was fabulous having her here. We had many a long talk on many a long walk. I think we went for a three hour walk each of the three days she was here. On our first walk, we were caught in a ridiculous thunderstorm. It was a complete downpour for about half an hour. We had no umbrellas or raincoats. It was marvelous, if a bit chilly.

Today we started the first of our three weeks of Orientation—Survival German. Every morning from 9:00 – 12:00, we meet at Black Forest Academy in order to learn a few German language basics, you know, so we can buy food at the grocery store and such.

All of these photos were taken on the walk to school this morning. It’s wonderful to finally begin the “real” BFA stuff. Next week, all of the new staff will learn about the school. The final week of Orientation is for all of the staff.

Israel has been able to do some preliminary work for his job. He’s had several meetings about the media needs of the school and has a better idea of what his job will entail. He even made a trip to Ikea to purchase some new office furniture for the office, which he’ll share with the school’s graphic designer. Israel, Anne and I spent Saturday putting together all of his new office furniture. He’s pretty excited.

Here’s a funny story. We had a few over-ripe bananas. So I thought I’d make banana bread. Fortunately, the home we’re living in is stocked with all of the baking supplies I needed. All went quite well, I thought. I’d even said, “I think my first German baking experience was a success.” And then Israel tried the bread. “Dani,” he said. “What did you put on top of this?”

“Brown sugar, and cinnamon and sugar.” What else would you put on banana bread?

“Are you sure it wasn’t brown sugar, and cinnamon and salt?”

“………….”

Yep. It was salt. All over the banana bread. So here’s a tip, if you ever move to a foreign country, or just into someone else’s home, always taste any unlabeled containers that you assume are sugar.

We are absolutely thrilled to finally be here. Over the past six months, it’s become more and more clear why this is God’s perfect timing for our arrival at BFA. More on that later. Here are a few photos of the school where we’ll spend at least the next two years (hopefully more) loving missionary kids. Yay!!

On the way home, we took a little video of Kandern, the town where we’re living. It’s absolutely beautiful here. Seriously, gorgeous. I think you’ll have to visit to really understand though.

Well, unless God has some seriously different plans, today is the day we move to Germany. Can you believe it?! We can’t. God has been so very faithful to us through this process. Praise him for making this dream a reality!

Here’s our itinerary for the day. All times are local.

• Depart from NW Arkansas at 13:15. Arrive at O’Hare (Chicago) Terminal 3 at 14:53.
• Depart from O’Hare (Chicago) Terminal 5  at 17:20. Arrive at Heathrow (London) Terminal 5 at 07:00.
• Depart from Heathrow (London) Terminal 5 at 08:30. Arrive at Basel (Basel), Switzerland at 11:05, July 17th.

Pray that all of our flights would be on time and easy. Pray that all of our bags arrive undamaged. Pray that God provides peace and excitement during this journey.

We have been so blessed over the past year. God has proven his provision, goodness and power so many times. Just think what the next year will hold!

We’ll try to update again once we arrive.

Since we began this journey 12 months ago, I’ve run the gamut of emotions. I’ve recounted my emotional journey many times since August, so feel free look back if you’ve forgotten. I think I’ve done a pretty good job of documenting our lives (and especially my emotional life), but I haven’t done a very good job of sharing what’s been the driving force behind this drastic life-change, and what has been on my mind every day of these last 12 months.

On July 24th of last year, I received an email from my friend Pam, inviting us to join her at Black Forest Academy for a week. I had never heard of Black Forest Academy and, being the researcher that I am, found the website. I spent the next four or five hours sitting on my bed, devouring every piece of information I could find about BFA. I’m pretty sure that by the time Israel got home later that evening, I’d even blog-stalked several staff people. Basically, I fell in love with BFA from the moment I visited their website. What kept me arrested and what captured my heart wasn’t the excitement, or the opportunity to travel back to Germany, or the even the possibility of doing something fulfilling (though those were all appealing), what made my heart leap was the students. Black Forest Academy is a boarding school for missionary kids. 90% of the 350 students are the children of missionaries.

While at Orientation a few weeks ago, I heard the story of my new friend Anne, and have been reflecting on it ever since. Anne attended BFA as a boarding student for three years during high school. Here’s the short version of her story. One night, she asked her RA why God had taken her away from her home and family to come live with a bunch of MKs. Her RA said, “Because He loves you Anne,” and that statement changed Anne’s life. This story gave voice to the burning passion and hope of my heart—that Jesus would use my life to say to BFA’s students, I love you.

I haven’t shared this in the blog, but in September, I was assigned a small group of seven sophomore girls. Their small group leader was leaving, and, since we thought we would be arriving soon, I was to take over. Since September, I’ve been able to get to know these young women through Facebook, and I love them. Even though I’ve never met them, and have no idea if I’ll understand their stories, or even if I’ll ever lead their small group, they’ve taken up residence in my heart. God placed these girls in my life so that he could increase my love for the students of BFA. These students have sacrificed security, stability, a sense of home, and often aspects of their family, for a calling that wasn’t even theirs.

Israel and I are being sent to be Jesus to these kids, who, though they know many facts about Jesus, might not believe that he delights in them. We’ve been given a great opportunity. We have the privilege of loving the children of people who have taken up a mighty calling. We have the joy of loving students who Jesus deeply cares for, students who have spent their lives telling others about the love of Jesus, but perhaps have never believed it themselves.

I’m doing a poor job of expressing the deep conviction that has grown in my heart, but I think what I want you to know is that these kids are worth it. Just as much as any people group across the globe, they deserve to have someone go on their behalf, that they might know their Creator. Thank you for allowing us to go. Thank you for funding us and sending us out. Thank you for taking up this quest with us, for saying that these kids are important too. I am deeply honored.

As you know, we’re leaving, the country, for a while. As of July 16th, we’ll no longer be US residents, let alone Arkansas residents. We want to say goodbye to you, so we’re having a going away party, also known as the Jernigan Jubilee. I think The Jernigan Jubilee is a rather horrible name, but it’s all I could think of at the time, so we’re stuck with it.

The awesomeness that will be the Jernigan Jubilee is from 6:00 to 10:00 pm on Saturday, July 10th. The shin-dig will take place at The Farm of Hale at 16045 Trapp Hill Rd., West Fork, AR. If you put this address into your GPS, you might get lost. Directions are at the end of this post.

Here are some of the amazing things you can look forward to at the Jernigan Jubilee.

• Hotdogs and Hamburgers
• Farm Animals – Goats, chickens, sheep, dogs, cats, ducks. We will not be eating any of the farm animals.
• Fishing from the pond. Bring poles if you have them!
• Yard games – Corn Hole, Ladder Ball, Bocci Ball
• Beautiful Arkansas countryside
• Fireworks…If you happen to have some extra lying around.
• Us!

We would love to see you at the Jubilee. If you’re going to come, please bring a drink, a side dish, or a dessert. We will provide hot dogs and hamburgers with all the fixings, tea, lemonade, and plates and such. Please let me know if you plan to attend and what food you will bring. You can now RSVP on Facebook! But, if you don’t RSVP, come anyway!

Directions, Dani Style

From Fayetteville, AR to 16045 Trapp Hill Rd., West Fork, AR

• Head South on 540 for about ten miles (depending on where in Fayetteville you start).
• Take Exit 53 to AR-170 toward West Fork.
• Turn right onto AR-170. Continue to follow AR-170 for 6.6 miles. Enjoy the view.
• Turn right onto CR 2073. There is a blue sign on the left side of the road, but you will turn right.
• Continue down this road for about a mile. Stay to the left. The house is a log cabin home on the left. It set back from the road a bit. Look for the small Farm of Hale sign.
• Call if you get lost! 918-287-8014

See you soon!

Right now, I’m sitting in an armchair at my Mom’s home in Telephone, Texas. In a few days, we’ll say goodbye to them for the last time before we move to Germany. I want to treasure these last few days with them, but I find my mind wandering back to Minnesota.

We spent the last seven days with about 35 other new staff at our sending organization’s orientation. It was amazing. We met some amazing new people—MKs, teachers, staff folks. We learned some amazing things—about Christian Education, living in another country, Third Culture Kids. In short, it was a wonderful time.

Since I’m finding it hard to put my thoughts into words, I’m just going to hit some of the highlights of the week.

Hearing about the vision and mission of TeachBeyond

We have an amazing sending organization, TeachBeyond. We originally picked TeachBeyond because their application process was streamlined with Black Forest Academy’s. We didn’t know much more about their overarching purpose, but now we do. This organization is using education to change the world.

At our orientation, we had new staff members going to 10 different countries in Europe, Africa and Asia. A few years ago, TeachBeyond was sending staff only to BFA. We were also the largest group of new members ever. TeachBeyond is growing. They are using the need and opportunity of education to further the kingdom of God. If you’re a teacher or want to serve overseas, check out TeachBeyond. God is doing amazing things through this group.

Meeting our mission family

When we went to Orientation, I didn’t expect to find a new family, but that’s what happened. Every person there shared our passion for loving students and MKs. These are people who know what it’s like to sell all of their belongings and leave their lives of comfort for the sake of the Kingdom. People who know the humility, dependence and miracle of asking people to join you in a mission. People who have agreed to step into the unknown, for the sake of Christ. I expected to enjoy getting to know new people, but I didn’t expect to be sad to leave them. I was always excited about loving the students at BFA, but now I’m excited about loving the staff as well.

Not only did we get to meet all the other new missionaries, we were also able to meet the TeachBeyond staff who have supported us during the past year. We met Mike, the first person to contact us. We met the amazing women who handle all of our pledges and finances. We even met the President of the organization. It was a privilege to see these people. There’s no way we’d be going to Germany without them.

Being Encouraged and Affirmed in Our Purpose

More than anything else, this weekend was an encouragement. For the past year, I really didn’t plan to be at Orientation; I planned to be in Germany. Fortunately, God is much wiser than I. I’m so thankful we were at Orientation. Throughout the entire week, we were strengthened in our desire and purpose for BFA. We saw more clearly the need for our skills and passions. We were even able to talk with several MKs, two who attended BFA themselves, about their lives and experiences. We feel more prepared and purposed because of Orientation.

Meeting Anne

Anne is an MK from Central Asia. She spent 10 years living in another country and attended BFA for three years. While she was there, God used one of her RAs (Resident Assistants) to help her understand the depth of his love, which is why she’s going back to be an RA herself. I loved getting to know Anne. There have been two people in my life with whom I’ve had an instant connection. One of these people was Pam, who changed my world by introducing us to BFA. Anne makes a third. I was so encouraged by Anne. She is wise, and thoughtful and insightful. I am so excited that I’ll be able to spend the next two years loving MKs alongside her.

Hearing the Stories of our Fellow Staff

One of our favorite parts of Orientation was hearing the testimonies of other staff members. Each night, we would gather to share what Christ had done in our lives. It was amazing to see the work of God in the lives of these 40 or so people. It was wonderful to see the way that God drew each of us to himself and then gave us the opportunity to serve him overseas. I can’t wait to hear what God does over the next few years through us all.

Please pray for these people. I can promise you, they are all amazing, and God will use them each to accomplish his work. Pray for their support. One couple learned about a school opening only two days before Orientation started. They (along with many others) have got a lot of support to raise by August 1st. Pray for their transitions. Almost all of us are going to cultures that are unfamiliar to us and we will all face discouragement, confusion, and doubt. Pray that God would be glorified through our triumphs and failures, good days and bad days, certainty and confusion.

We’re Official

On Friday evening, we were commissioned by TeachBeyond. It was a short, simple service, the staff simply prayed for us, but it felt like the culmination of the last 12 months, and the beginning of a new and exciting adventure. We leave for Black Forest Academy in 18 days. I have no idea what the next few years will look like for us. I have no idea if we’ll be any good at our jobs, or like German culture, or want to stay, but I know that God has prepared us for this. We’re ready.

We have a date! We will be moving to Germany on Friday, July 16th at 1:15 PM. We will depart from Northwest Arkansas, make stops in Chicago and London, and arrive at our final destination of Basel Switzerland at 11:00 AM on Saturday. Yay! We’re so very excited.

Here’s a little overview of what the next 28 days look like for us.

Tomorrow, we leave for TeachBeyond’s Orientation in Minneapolis. I’m so very excited about this. Besides raising support, this is really the first thing we’ve had to do regarding BFA. I personally love training and class and that sort of thing, so I’m really looking forward to this time. We’ll get to meet all the other new BFA folks who are going through TeachBeyond. Today, we’re finishing up the mile long to-do list in order to be ready for Orientation.

On Saturday the 26th, we will fly into Ft. Smith, pick up a few things and then drive to Texas to see my family one last time. We’ll spend a few days there and then head up to Muskogee to see Israel’s family. A few days doesn’t seem like enough time.

After Orientation

We’ll return to Fayetteville on July 2nd, just in time for our four-year anniversary on the 3rd. Hopefully we’ll go on a date or something; it is our anniversary and all. Normally, we’d have fondue, but, this year, I think we can put that off, since in a few weeks we’ll be 20 minutes from where fondue was perfected. We’ll spend our last two weeks in Arkansas making final preparations to leave and hanging out with our friends. On July 10th, we’re having a going-away bash at the farm where we’re living. You’re all invited of course. More details on that later. Our last Sunday at The Grove Church will be July 11th. I’m sure it will be a rather emotional day for us. We’ve only been at this church for about two years, but we love it dearly.

After that, we’ve only got a few more days before we leave! I can’t believe it’s actually going to happen! When we found out about BFA on July 24th, 2009, I had no idea what the next year would hold. What a wonderful journey the past year has been.

Our Newsletter

You can download our latest newsletter if you haven’t read it yet. It has pictures and more details about what’s going to happen in the coming days.

Download the newsletter.

So I’m not sure if you are aware, but mine and Dani’s lives are changing. Our desires have changed. Our passions have changed. Our definition of love and truth have changed. Changed in a way that is better and more full. Full of wants and desires that pursue the seemingly unattainable – a life without failure, without a hurting world, without people in need.

Don’t get me wrong. We fail miserably at accomplishing this goal. Some would say we aren’t even going to make a difference in this life. That life is meaningless, and without merit or truth. I say those people have a sad definition of life. And I won’t be able to change their minds. So what can I do?

Well, I’ve decided it’s not my responsibility to change peoples minds. And since I can’t do that, I’ll just change the world. “Ha”, you say? Well that is pretty arrogant of me, but it’s what I wish could happen. In reality I can’t do that. I can’t—without other people. So yeah…I have to deal with the hard and tough. There is no easy life, no easy route. Easy isn’t an option anymore.

This is one of the things I’ve been struggling with. I’m called to change the world. I’m called to live radically. I’m called. But I’ve been struggling, hurting, frustrated and contemplating things I don’t understand. And I want to share some of what I’ve been trying to figure out. Openness and honesty are huge to me. So here is an excerpt from a journal entry.

April 24, 2010 – God what do you want from me?

God what do you want from me?
What would you have me do?
I don’t know what to do next
Is there something missing, something hindering you and me

I just want to be where I hear you calling me. And the stillness is deafening.

Open me up and help me to hear, help me to hear.
Take this yoke upon you. My next steps are hidden from me, please help me, help me to hear you leading me.

Lord what can I do to see?
Do I need to let go?
I thought I had let it all fall
Is there something missing, something hindering you and me

I just want to be where I hear you calling me. And the stillness is deafening.

Open me up and help me to hear, help me to hear.
Take this yoke upon you. My next steps are hidden from me, please help me, help me to hear you leading me.

Help Me To Hear

Written in the car while driving in Telephone, TX. Trying to figure out God and why I’m not hearing or seeing what the next step is. Or why we aren’t getting our support. Is my sin stopping us from going? Am I not doing enough? I just don’t know the next steps to take…

All my life I feel like I’ve struggled to figure out where I fit in, where I should go, and who I should be. From my earliest memories I remember struggling with realities of life. Like when I found out about slavery for the first time. I was devastated. I couldn’t focus the rest of the day. I just couldn’t believe people could do that to each other. Since then I feel like all I’ve been doing is building calluses to all the hurt and problems I’ve seen or learned about. And I don’t want any more calluses.

The Past Alters Perspectives

The next day after writing that journal entry I found out that someone wanted to give us about 30% of our monthly budget. What can I say to that? How do I mix such undeserved giving with such hurt and need? How do I keep from letting myself build calluses when things get tough and I don’t know what’s next? I don’t know the answer to that.

I do know that I’m sick and tired of my complacency. My inability to keep pursuing a life of complete giving of myself, without regard of the consequences or with need for any payment in return. I want to be able to love others without any presupposition or need for them to love me back. I want my life to be full of joy and peace so much that my first instinct is to help others.

My Hope and Prayer

I have been given the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of children. To give them love and peace. I just pray and hope that it’s enough. I pray that their loves will be changed forever. That they will pursue truth and an unwavering love for other people. I know I won’t be 100% effective, nor will I be good at it. But that’s not an issue anymore. I don’t want any more calluses. I want to let myself go and be okay with hurt and pain so that others might be given peace and experience the love that I want to be able to share. My life and my heart are not my own, and so my pain and hurt are not my own.

I can’t wait to share my life with those in Germany. To help them conquer their lives and to love them unconditionally. I just hope that it doesn’t stop there. That I daily pursue a truth that revolves around hard people that cause hurt. I’m okay with that. I just want an opportunity to love them. No strings. Just unbridled giving of my life, my possessions, my time, my desires for the moment that they experience a greater love than I can give them. That is my hope and prayer.

Hannah Jernigan married Ashley Brown on April 3rd, 2010 in Muskogee, Oklahoma. It was a Hash-Brown Wedding. Get it? Get it?! Just in case you don’t, Hannah + Ash Brown = Hash Brown.

We spent several lovely days hanging out with the family in Oklahoma. There were quite a few Aussie’s there. Apparently in Australia, you spell it Auzzie, but in America you spell it Aussie. Anyway, we got to hang out with Ash, his parents, his best childhood friend Johnny and his wife Kareta, and Ash’s other groomsman Byron and his girlfriend Karina. In case you missed it, that was Kareta and Karina. Not at all confusing. Anyway, it was lovely getting to know these folks.

Here are a few interesting things we learned.

1. Aussies/Auzzies put beets on their hamburgers. They also butter the buns. Not sure if that was the inside or outside of the bun.
2. Even though we technically speak the same language, we have trouble communicating. Johnny in particular is rather difficult to understand. Apparently, Johnny’s Australian accent is rather like our Southern accent. So between our southern accents and his, I had to ask Johnny to repeat himself quite a bit. A few word translations from Auzzie to American. I must admit that some of these I looked up online, because I couldn’t remember them all…..er.
   • nappy – diaper
   • sheila – mom/woman
   • cuppa – cup of coffee
   • biscuit – cookies
   • arvo – afternoon
   • bonnet – hood of the car
   • boot – trunk of the car
   • chook – chicken
   • lolly – candy
   • lolly water – soda
   • jumper – sweater
   • have a yarn – talk to someone
   • Good Onya – good for you, yeah, etc
   • Oz – Australia
   • reckon – think
   • ring – phone
   • snag – sausage
3. A mud-map is a map that you draw on random pieces of paper, in the dirt, etc. Israel just told me this. Apparently I missed the mud-map. Israel is very excited about the mud-maps.
4. Everything is much more expensive in Australia. For example, apparently it costs at least $30 for one person to eat out at a restaurant. However, you also get paid a lot more, like $20 a hour, to start.
5. Things are much bigger and sweeter in the US than they are in Australia. That’s why we’re all fat. We went to P.F. Changs one night, and the dessert tray was displayed. The Aussies kept saying, “But you don’t really get all of that dessert do you?” Yes, you really get the whole Great Wall of Chocolate. For only $5. It’s only 1,883 calories. Come to America. Become obese with us.

Okay, enough of the America/Australia comparisons.

While we were in Muskogee we shot guns (a very Oklahoma thing to do), sat in the hot tub for far too long, had a hen and stag night (bachelor and bachelorette party), went to Tulsa far too many times, stayed up way too late, and drank too much coffee. We also took the Aussies to all of the great spots in Muskogee. Like Walmart. And the mall. Very exciting. One day, while we were in Tulsa, we even went to the Center of the Universe. Really. It’s on Google.

Unlike my wedding weekend, which was absolutely crazy because my sister and I decided to get married on the same weekend, two days apart, in two different cities, Hannah’s wedding weekend was wonderfully relaxed and enjoyable. We were able to take our time, enjoy each other’s company and really savor everything. I loved it.

The ceremony was beautiful and heartfelt. The reception was fun and flew by. And before we knew it, the newlyweds were off to their honeymoon in Colorado, where Ash saw snow for the first time!

Hannah and Ash headed back to Australia about a week after the wedding. We have no idea when we’ll see them again, hopefully soon. Maybe they’ll take a trip to Europe, or we can make it down under.

Congratulations Hash! We’re glad your 15 month engagement is finally over! We love you and were honored to be a part of your day.

Oh! I almost forgot to tell you about the stair fiasco. Hannah and Ash got married in a lodge that’s right down the road from the Jernigan’s home. Everything happened in this lodge—the ceremony, food prep, reception, etc. So, before the wedding, I was running a few things back and forth to the groomsmen. I had just pinned Ash’s shirt and was heading back downstairs when I learned there was a back stairway. Since the main stairway was where the ceremony was happening, I went down the kitchen stairs instead. The six inch wide kitchen stairs that had gaping spaces. In my heels. While holding two hands worth of stuff. While wearing a dress. I’m sure you can imagine what happened. My heel slipped through the back of the stairs. I fell down quite a few steps and couldn’t stop myself since my hands were full. I dropped everything I was holding—wallet, iphone, water bottle, camera. I’m pretty sure the entire kitchen staff saw more of me than they ever intended to. As I was falling I thought, I’m going to break my ankle and have to go to the hospital, and I’ll ruin Hannah’s wedding.

Fortunately I didn’t break my ankle. But it did hurt quite a bit. And my pride was severely damaged. After I managed to hobble from the kitchen, I found Israel and told him that I fell down the stairs, to which he appropriately replied, “Noooo!” Then I cried. Because my ankle hurt, and my butt hurt, and everyone saw, and I didn’t plan to fall down the stairs! The next day I had a lovely dollar sized bruise on my butt that proceeded to go through several lovely shades of purple, black, blue and yellow. How exciting.