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!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Friday, August 15, 2008
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!
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!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
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.
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.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Have a great day!
Acts 2: 42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who where being saved.
I didn't get a chance to put up today's scripture until now (as I'm heading off to bed). BUT, you are still in the middle of day back home.
The week is going well thus far. The weather is nice, which helps with 150 campers. A church from California (Discovery in Simi Valley) is here this week with a fantastic team of talented people! They have this cool program for the morning teaching time. They use something put out by KidsStuff based in Georgia I think. It's so cool and interactive and really makes the Bible come alive!
I have to share a funny story that happened today. Ok, maybe it wasn't so funny at the time. Magda, a ProEm staffer and I worked for almost 3 hours preparing 4 different cards for the stamping club. We have never done it quite like this: VERY ORGANIZED. Each table was a separate station with pre-cut paper to make that particular card. We had the stamp that was to be used for that card as well as the ink. Because we can get a high number of kids, we had it set up that they would be able to choose to make 2 cards and then create a bookmark...and that was IT. It was (going to be) so cool. WELL... the club was SUPPOSE to start at 5 pm. I come down stairs to the room at 5 til and found a mass of people....with a chaotic mess. I looked only briefly (as my eyes could bear no more!) and saw pieces of paper and ink and stamps allllll over the room. I walked immediately out of the room...not knowing if I would cry or scream (I tend to cry out of frustration!). As soon as I went into the dining hall I saw Magda. Not only had people gone in and done this without anyone there, apparently she came in the room 20 minutes to five and it had already begun. She, too, had to leave the room immediately. All our hard work had been destroyed. There was no going back.
So, we laughed and hugged and vented to one another. She got to talk with the camp director because apparently a counselor had been with the kids and allowed it. Magda was NOT happy about that! So, I took care of the clean up after dinner. Nothing was left or salvageable! I couldn't believe it, but I just chalked it up to "yet-another-way-of-being-flexible-and-showing-grace". Worse things could happen I guess. :)
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who where being saved.
I didn't get a chance to put up today's scripture until now (as I'm heading off to bed). BUT, you are still in the middle of day back home.
The week is going well thus far. The weather is nice, which helps with 150 campers. A church from California (Discovery in Simi Valley) is here this week with a fantastic team of talented people! They have this cool program for the morning teaching time. They use something put out by KidsStuff based in Georgia I think. It's so cool and interactive and really makes the Bible come alive!
I have to share a funny story that happened today. Ok, maybe it wasn't so funny at the time. Magda, a ProEm staffer and I worked for almost 3 hours preparing 4 different cards for the stamping club. We have never done it quite like this: VERY ORGANIZED. Each table was a separate station with pre-cut paper to make that particular card. We had the stamp that was to be used for that card as well as the ink. Because we can get a high number of kids, we had it set up that they would be able to choose to make 2 cards and then create a bookmark...and that was IT. It was (going to be) so cool. WELL... the club was SUPPOSE to start at 5 pm. I come down stairs to the room at 5 til and found a mass of people....with a chaotic mess. I looked only briefly (as my eyes could bear no more!) and saw pieces of paper and ink and stamps allllll over the room. I walked immediately out of the room...not knowing if I would cry or scream (I tend to cry out of frustration!). As soon as I went into the dining hall I saw Magda. Not only had people gone in and done this without anyone there, apparently she came in the room 20 minutes to five and it had already begun. She, too, had to leave the room immediately. All our hard work had been destroyed. There was no going back.
So, we laughed and hugged and vented to one another. She got to talk with the camp director because apparently a counselor had been with the kids and allowed it. Magda was NOT happy about that! So, I took care of the clean up after dinner. Nothing was left or salvageable! I couldn't believe it, but I just chalked it up to "yet-another-way-of-being-flexible-and-showing-grace". Worse things could happen I guess. :)
Monday, August 11, 2008
Finishing Up
Last week was a great week with our team. I wish that I had had more time to post pictures, post thoughts, etc. Of all the weeks that you all would like constant "stuff", last week would've been it and it was the toughest week for me to get stuff posted!! I think we all understand "why", so I can breathe a bit, but I just wanted to follow-up from last week.
If something needed to be done at the last minute, people stepped up no questions asked. People were flexible and had great attitudes! It was clearly evident that they established relationships that impacted the children (not only the children, but themselves as well) and even if they kids only remember one new English word or phrase from the whole week, they'll remember their teachers.
Myself, Ed, Elizabeth and Mary Ellis gave the morning devotions for the staff meetings. Barbara, Brad, Rachel and Ed taught the morning Bible lessons. Then following our English classes in the morning, some of the group hung out with the handicap group and talked politics, made some crafts, played games and even practiced English. Two times a day for an hour, they had "watch" duty...which basically meant they either sat at the basketball court, playground, deck overlooking the river, bridge or tent that has carpet ball. This may have been the only "free" time they had, but they willingly took on those duties.
Following a busy week (that literally flew by!), we left early Saturday morning on a packed bus for Auschwitz and Krakow. We weren't 10 minutes on the road and we had someone throw up! Not to mention that the team had been battling a stomach virus (it was going around the camp) and two had been up during the night in the bathroom! We then left sunshine and drove into rain. Despite walking through Auschwitz in the rain., being cold, etc., I know everyone was glad to have gone. The sicknesses seemed to subside (or at least they made it through!) and we left with the sun peaking out of the clouds. They got to shop in Krakow and check out some really old churches. Josh and I enjoyed a "date" (we had a babysitter with them at camp) at a really good Italian restaurant in Krakow. Just the two of us!!! Others ate pizza, kebabs from a street vendor or something from the many outdoor cafe's (although it was better to find something indoors because of the rain!) All in all, it was a great day and they were troopers through it all.
Both churches (Westside Christian and Rochester Christian) should be proud of those who represented them. Thanks, team, for making it a great week!
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
This is a good reminder for me today. It just brings me back to what truly is my foundation: Christ. Not my abilities (or maybe my lack of!!), not my plans, dreams or ambitions...nor education. As Josh and I contemplate, pray, and think about what we want our life to look like, we want it to grounded in Him.
We've learned a few things this summer, ok, maybe more than a "few" things. :) We also know that the process of "learning" never stops. We are excited for our return home, not because we want to leave, but because we know some exciting things will be taking place this next year! There's much to be done in our community and I know God is moving in a mighty way through our church family. We also praise Him for allowing us the opportunity to join Him in what He is doing in this world and for giving us an opportunity to continue to dream of how we can continue to be used by and for Him! So, with these verses in mind, we build upon the foundation which has already been laid and it's my prayer for you today that you continue to build your life upon the foundation of Jesus Christ as well!
This is a good reminder for me today. It just brings me back to what truly is my foundation: Christ. Not my abilities (or maybe my lack of!!), not my plans, dreams or ambitions...nor education. As Josh and I contemplate, pray, and think about what we want our life to look like, we want it to grounded in Him.
We've learned a few things this summer, ok, maybe more than a "few" things. :) We also know that the process of "learning" never stops. We are excited for our return home, not because we want to leave, but because we know some exciting things will be taking place this next year! There's much to be done in our community and I know God is moving in a mighty way through our church family. We also praise Him for allowing us the opportunity to join Him in what He is doing in this world and for giving us an opportunity to continue to dream of how we can continue to be used by and for Him! So, with these verses in mind, we build upon the foundation which has already been laid and it's my prayer for you today that you continue to build your life upon the foundation of Jesus Christ as well!
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