Bogenhofen: Life

    Life is good and I'm blessed to have some amazing friends here at Bogenhofen. The last couple of weeks have been filled with warmth and safety. At Southern, I had a very hard time making close friends, but here there is no lack and I've created a very tight-knit group of friends. We hang out almost every day; studying, shopping, playing our favorite card game; coup, watching movies in German and English, or playing Minecraft. Even though I am so far from home for the Holiday season, every day that I get to spend with these guys brings back the warm feelings of those long winter days spent hanging out and laughing with my family. 

I cannot get over how beautiful this campus is
We just had our first snow the other day


When I got back from Italy, these two beauties had moved into our pond
I kept thinking they'd leave to head further south, but it seems we 
are their final winter destination. 


They are very aware that they're models.
He stood there and posed. 


Introduced Igor (From Brazil) and Makena (From California) 
to Maple Syrup snow. The Germans could not comprehend
this concoction and I think their opinion of me has been lowered.
Shout out to my aunts who sent me a whole package of American snacks
including Maple Syrup!!! 

The squad; me, Keggan, Sawyer, and Makena

Keggan promised me Boba because he was late to
the oral presentation we were doing together

It took us so long to try and shape the word "love"
(which we failed at) that the sunlight was almost gone 
by the time we were finished. 


They stole my phone during cooking class

   Upcoming is a series of photos featuring Keggan because he cracks me up. Keggan and I have become very close friends and are almost always together. He reminds me of Gideon and is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Makena and Sawyer head back to the States in December so it'll just be me and him. 😭 I hate having found such amazing people, only to be separated from them so soon, but we're just trying to enjoy the time we have. 

Keggan under a bean bag

Keggan making a wreath and 50% off for a limited time 
(See the sticker on his head)
 
Keggan's soul was sucked into a spoon

Keggan sitting outside Makena and I's window because we
said he couldn't come inside to study with us

With the freshly fallen snow, we couldn't think of a better way to spend
Friday then to head to the mountains and go to Salzburg's 
Christmas market. Salzburg is such a cozy city, probably my favorite so far. 

From left to right, Makena, Keggan, Karis, 
Igor, Florencia, Me, and Sawyer


   We've also had quite a few fun events recently that have helped me form even deeper friendships with others on campus. Recently, we had something called "open doors" in which all of the boys were allowed to come hang out in the girl's rooms for a few hours. All of the girls set up games, decorations, and snacks to make their rooms as cozy and fun as possible (I'm curious to see how "Open Doors" will go when it's the boys' turn to host). Me and Makena were not aware that this was happening until a couple days before so we improvised and turned our room into an American dance hall and taught everyone the  "Cotton Eye Joe". Our dance hall was a huge hit. We have had the opportunity to experience the German/Austrian culture but this allowed us to share ours, and it broke a lot of barriers. Everyone was getting involved, even our campus chaplain. 

   We also had a party with our youth group where everyone dressed in a specific color and brought a coordinated snack. I got green and brought pistachios. 

   Lastly, we recently had Week of Prayer with Ty Gibson. He did a phenomenal job and I was so blessed by his presentations. Since it was primarily in English, I was able to be engaged in the worship service and actually be blessed by it, which refreshed my soul. Our chaplain, Carsten asked if I would pray in English on the opening night. I was so shocked that he would ask me and so honored. We had four people who prayed in their native languages; English, Portuguese, Spanish, and German. 

   It's not perfect, but so far, I couldn't ask for a better community here. 

  

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