Test Run?!!!

This is my attempt at a "test run" for those emails I've entered in to be "followers" of our blog.  So.... here it goes!!!

Some passing thoughts....

I knew the next few months would be incredible. Incredibly trying while I "wait"on His provisions and pieces of the puzzle that must be placed only in His time. And incredibly awesome and humbling to be deemed chosen for this task! For those who know me well, patience is something I continually have to develop. In fact, if I'm honest with myself, I try NOT to pray for it as I know I'll then have to be placed in a situation that I'll actually have to "develop" the patience. Not sure if that's the best thing to admit, but I do know that through various life experiences in "waiting on Him" I've definitely come along way. This whole entire process and journey is developing it, so I'm thinking I don't have to ask for more... if you get what I mean. :)

We have been cleaning the house and going through things to determine if it'll be "worthy" of making it to a suitcase. We are not planning on shipping anything and I'm fairly confidant we'll be able to bring all we need in suitcases. I may be completely oblivious at this stage in the game, but it's at least "freeing" for now! We are still looking for renters as our first prospects fell through. We've had inquiries, but we've had to turn down some due to pets. Pets just won't work, unfortunately, so I continue to "wait" on Him providing just the right people!

So thankful for those who have already expressed their intent to partner with us and I've been so humbled by His goodness. I love the picture of a woven tapestry... that's our lives, don't you think? I love how He continually weaves His purposes for our lives together just at the right times of our lives... and it's all so that He can be glorified. I love that.

I will close with a heart full of appreciation... may this day find you filled with the same.

Another New Beginning....

Last year around this time, we began making plans to return to Poland for the summer. Unfortunately, we had to set those plans aside due to some conflicts in summer schedules and such. Little did we know that God knew quite well what was up.... for THIS year. We made it well known that we would be returning to Poland this summer, but had no idea that God would be calling us to extend our time for an entire year!

About a month ago we were approached by ProEm ministries to come work and serve alongside them for a year. After much thought, consideration and prayer, we knew that our next step included going for the year. To basically sum up the last week prior to the day of our final decision... it was soul wrenching! When you are confronted with all your fears, it is tough to relinquish them, even though you know that the best thing you can do is give them up to Him! In our own separate ways, we had to wrestle over our decision and go before Him. In the end, we both walked away with knowing 100% that God was calling us to go.

Sharing the news with family and friends has been for the most part a blessing. We've received words of encouragement and support and many responses of "I was just waiting for this to happen!"

At the moment, most are unaware that I've started this blog up again. In time, word will spread and all can join us in the journey through the blog once again. I figured it made most sense to just pick up where we had left off!!!

Blessings...

Rumblings....

There are God rumblings... and we are excited to see what will come of these rumblings! Will post more later!!!

We're Back

Ok, so we've been back for two days. I didn't have access to wireless internet once we left the camp on Saturday and I was swamped with so many things yesterday. Hence the reason for not posting anything until now.

After miraculously making our plane (with luggage and all) on Monday, we arrived in Chicago around 3:30pm. It takes awhile getting through passport control & customs. So we didn't end up pulling out of O'Hare until 4:45pm. I remember distinctly because I looked at the clock! We appreciate our friend, Ed Green, who came and picked us up in our van. Trying to stay awake for the 3 hour drive back (remember, rush hour traffic in Chicago as well!) was not fun! The girls slept most of the way home. They also had both slept on the plane for about 2-3 hours. Needless to say, 3:00 am came and they were awake. Josh and I then were awake as well. We had gone straight to bed when we got home at 9pm. I had a good 6 hour rest! Neither of us could sleep. So what does a family do at 3 am in the morning?! The girls played and we started laundry and unpacking our 7 bags. By 8:30 am we were out the door! I took Kaylor to meet her kindergarten teacher and see her classroom. Then we went school supply shopping and food shopping! Josh and Lauren headed to Taylorville and out to the farm.

So, yesterday was a very busy day getting things back into order and Kaylor ready for school. It's now 4 am on Wednesday. I woke up at 2:30 and couldn't sleep. I stayed in bed, but tossed and turned. Then Kaylor came in to the room. She fell asleep, but I got up. No sooner at 3 am did Lauren wake up! I gave her a little milk and then ushered her back upstairs. I laid down with her, but she tossed and turned. Then who shows up back in her room, but Kaylor! So here I was laying in the middle of the girls...both of them tossing and turning because they can't sleep. I made the executive decision that it was time to get up and here we are at 4:45 am up and about! I was so worried that the girls would be so tired and I wouldn't be able to get Kaylor up and ready to make the school bus at 7:30 am. HA! We've got plenty of time!

In wrapping up my last post for awhile, I again thank all of you out there who have been following our time in Poland and for faithfully praying for us and the work in Poland. I will periodically post happenings of ProEm when I learn of things, so you can check back any time.

It's nice being home and in our own beds (for the short amount of time we are actually sleeping in them!). Have a blessed year!

Our last night in the "suite"

It's our last official night in the hotel "suite" at Zakosciele Youth Center. So sad. I have to admit, however, that I'm ready for some space. Because they are renting out the camp to a group next week, we will be staying at Crozier's home tomorrow til Monday when we fly out at noon. When we got back from our stay in Warsaw today, we began packing up our stuff. We've got one big bag of dirty laundry. I just decided that it wasn't worth trying to wash it all up and bank on it all drying before we left. It's weird having all the luggage out and around the room. I also can't wait for the luxury of having a dryer again!!

So, Warsaw in the evening is beautiful. When we got up to Warsaw, we went into the Old Town for supper. We ate at the best peroigi (totally butchered the spelling!) place. The girls loved it as well. We walked around and Maui gave us some good pieces of history. Maui has a particular love for the girls. It's so cute. He took them for ice cream and cookies near their home while we enjoyed some relaxing on their back porch before we went into Old Town. On Saturday, we went down to where the Embassies are located. There is a HUGE, beautiful, old park located near there. It was a park that was for the kings. There are beautiful old stone summer homes still standing. We eventually found a "park" with playground equipment on one corner of the park. We made it into a treasure hunt for the girls while we walked and walked! It was beautiful and sunny... and a bit warm. Thankfully there are lots of trees which made the walking that much cooler. It was so peaceful (minus Lauren whining that she couldn't walk anymore!!!).

I appreciated the time with Maui and Ewa. I learned some more basics in Polish (grammar stuff, and wow...there's a lot to remember!!) with Ewa on our ride home and Josh heard some really neat stories from Maui.

I wanted to post for my brother, the meteorologist, that there was a tornado in Katowice (near Krakow, so in southern Poland) today. This is unheard of, so big news. We had a big storm brew in this evening as well, but nothing like what they had. So Brent, perhaps you've already heard of the tornado in Poland! I have been quite surprised with all the nasty storms they've had here this summer. Why don't you check into all of that?!!

So there is a river that runs along the camp. I don't see people fishing in the river around the camp, but I've noticed people fishing in other places along the river when we drive to Tomascow. So, unfortunately, no "fishing" in Poland for me. I did see someone use a fishing pole in a skit here, so maybe someone on staff does?!!

The girls have indeed had a summer like no other! I think they'll miss their freedom of running around the camp with who knows who! Every time I see them their with different friends (counselors and campers and children of the staff). They will most certainly miss the snack shack, but I won't miss the "snack shack is open, can we go?!!! They've learned some Polish songs and English ones, which will be fun to teach others! I know it's been fun for the staff to have two little girls running around and they'll certainly be missed....until next year!!

Time to go to bed and get some rest before saying goodbye to room 101!

Ephesians 3:20,21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

A cloudy and cool day thus far. We just took the camp picture. Discovery gave each camper a really cool t-shirt. Kaylor and Lauren both got one...maybe I'll be able to fit into it?!!

We're heading up to Warsaw later today and will come back on Friday for the closing activities. We will be staying with ProEm's director and his wife.