It has been a while since I posted. I guess I have been taking some time to adjust to living in the US of A again. It has been good but a little strange at times being back. After almost 4 years living in Poland, one kind of gets used to life there. There have been some elements of life in the states that are extremely different than in Poland.
For example, one of the biggest differences I think has been how friendly most people in the service industry are. When I went to the school to register Mattie for Kindergarten all of the women in the office were so nice and helpful. They were smiling and talking to me like we had known each other for years. In Poland, when you go to a place of business there is not a lot of "chit chat" going on. You go in, tell them what you need, have them tell you you are in the wrong place and you leave. You still don't know where you are supposed to be but you leave anyways because the person you were talking to has already disappeared into his or her office.
Another difference for me is the variety of restaurants available. I had not forgotten about all the good food I had been missing but I think that I forgot just how many places there are to eat. It is no wonder that families do not eat at home much anymore with so much good food just a block away. And no dishes to do! We have enjoyed our fair share of the bounty including White Castle, Arbys, Einstein Bagels, Cheesecake Factory, and, of course, Starbucks. It is fun but I can see how expensive and fattening this could get!
The last thing I will mention is the language. It is so strange hearing English everywhere. In the beginning when we would be in the store and I would hear someone speaking English I would automatically turn thinking that I knew them since they were speaking English. That is the case in Poland most of the time. If someone is speaking English you must know them. Not so here, obviously. Just yesterday, I had a slip up when we were ordering Chinese food in the food court. I was unable to understand the man behind the counter and quickly replied "Slucham?" which means "excuse me?". As soon as it came out of my mouth I realized what I had said. Such a strange feeling!
We are loving being back home. The best part obviously is being with family and friends again. We love the fact that we can go next door and borrow an egg or call Mimi (Michael's mom) and see what she is up to and hang out with her. The kids are really enjoying being with their new family and getting to know who they are in that respect. It is so fun to see. Needless to say, we are thrilled to be back and will enjoy every minute of it!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Me and My friend
Let me tell you about my friend Doreen. We initially met about 3 years ago at church and had chatted every now and then but didn't really get to know each other until about a year and a half ago. It was a Sunday night and Michael was taking Ben and Paulina back to "the place" and Mattie and I were still here at home. I was so overwhelmed with everything and just started crying and crying. I called Michael and told him that I was doing horrible. He comforted me and then hung up the phone.Not 20 minutes later I get a knock on my door. I opened the door and there stood my sweet friend Doreen. She hugged me and asked how I was doing. I broke down and asked her what she was doing here. She told me a "little bird" might have let her know that I needed to talk to someone. She came in and talked to me for about 2 hours. She let me know that I was normal to be feeling a little overwhelmed becoming a parent to three children all at once.
From that point on, we began meeting every week for coffee. Together we have laughed, cried, prayed, eaten things "off the diet", worked out and just plain have had a good time! About a month and a half ago I had to say goodbye to her and her family as they headed off to the states for 2 months. Michael and I took them to the train station as they first had to journey to Berlin. At the train station, we both began thinking about the fact that we did not have a picture together. Her son, Travis, happened to have his camera and took this picture of us. I will treasure it forever as I do her friendship. She is my true sister in Christ. I will miss her tremendously as our paths diverge.
Doreen, thank you for being a part of this chapter of my life!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Homeward Bound
This week I will begin packing up our things to come home. It is amazing to me still that we are leaving Poland for 10 months. It is still amazing that we are leaving at all! We have been thinking we were going to get to leave for about 6 months now and it hadn't happened. Now it really is happening. The plane tickets are being purchased, the suitcases are being packed, and I am beginning to have those moments of sadness. Yes, sadness.
Hard to believe that I would be getting sad, huh??? We met with our dear friends Lukasz and Asia last night for a goodbye evening. Even though we haven't seen them very often over the last year, they were our ministry partners for several years. We were with them every week. We are still close friends and I will miss them. On Tuesday, our Bible study group will be meeting at our house for the last time. Our friends, the Otrembas, are returning from the states on Wednesday and we will have to say goodbye to them, again.
See what I am getting at? All the friends, familiar places, churches...it isn't easy to turn the next page to a new chapter. Although I am so looking forward to being at home and seeing family and friends it is still going to be hard to say goodbye. As my Aunt Jackie who is a missionary in Chile once told us "The life of a missionary is one of "hellos" and "goodbyes". It is so true.
As we say our goodbyes and pack our suitcases, I can look back at our time in Poznan and say that if God changed no ones life because of me these past years, He has definitely changed mine. I came here three and a half years ago, learned a completely horribly difficult language, made great friends and ministry partners, and grew my family by 3! Not a bad first term, huh???
Hard to believe that I would be getting sad, huh??? We met with our dear friends Lukasz and Asia last night for a goodbye evening. Even though we haven't seen them very often over the last year, they were our ministry partners for several years. We were with them every week. We are still close friends and I will miss them. On Tuesday, our Bible study group will be meeting at our house for the last time. Our friends, the Otrembas, are returning from the states on Wednesday and we will have to say goodbye to them, again.
See what I am getting at? All the friends, familiar places, churches...it isn't easy to turn the next page to a new chapter. Although I am so looking forward to being at home and seeing family and friends it is still going to be hard to say goodbye. As my Aunt Jackie who is a missionary in Chile once told us "The life of a missionary is one of "hellos" and "goodbyes". It is so true.
As we say our goodbyes and pack our suitcases, I can look back at our time in Poznan and say that if God changed no ones life because of me these past years, He has definitely changed mine. I came here three and a half years ago, learned a completely horribly difficult language, made great friends and ministry partners, and grew my family by 3! Not a bad first term, huh???
Monday, July 2, 2007
Trusting
If you keep up with Michael's blog you know what is going on concerning the adoption. When Michael shared the news with me yesterday after he talked to our lawyer, I didn't know what to say. A few tears streamed down my face and then our precious little girl came into the room. I had to pull myself together as to not let on that there was a problem. Kids don't need to be concerned about matters that they can't control. They are too young to handle such news.
I sat for a few minutes feeling kind of numb but also peaceful. I am tempted to explain it by saying that I am just in denial or that I am so used to the ups and downs that I don't respond anymore. Or I can recognize the presence of God in my life. He is the Prince of Peace and dwells inside of me so I can rest in that peace. I have so many lessons to learn and ways to grow in my faith. God is definitely showing me where the deficiencies are. I used to think I was fairly mature in my faith. You know, I am a missionary! Ha! That doesn't always mean that someone has it all together. Through this experience over the last year I can say that I have had more questions for God, doubts about His providence and wondered if He remembers that we are here. Just being honest.
Even though the questions have been numerous, God has never once failed me or left me alone. He is always there to dry my tears, calm my anxieties and cover me with His love. He is faithful even when we are not. He sees and understands everything we face on this earth. How could I doubt that His sovereign plan is the absolute best for my life?
Another day, another phone call. I am praying for the strength to face whatever that call might bring. Whatever decision comes down. Whatever happens...I pray that I will still be able to rest in the Lord's arms.
Thank you all for praying for us.
I sat for a few minutes feeling kind of numb but also peaceful. I am tempted to explain it by saying that I am just in denial or that I am so used to the ups and downs that I don't respond anymore. Or I can recognize the presence of God in my life. He is the Prince of Peace and dwells inside of me so I can rest in that peace. I have so many lessons to learn and ways to grow in my faith. God is definitely showing me where the deficiencies are. I used to think I was fairly mature in my faith. You know, I am a missionary! Ha! That doesn't always mean that someone has it all together. Through this experience over the last year I can say that I have had more questions for God, doubts about His providence and wondered if He remembers that we are here. Just being honest.
Even though the questions have been numerous, God has never once failed me or left me alone. He is always there to dry my tears, calm my anxieties and cover me with His love. He is faithful even when we are not. He sees and understands everything we face on this earth. How could I doubt that His sovereign plan is the absolute best for my life?
Another day, another phone call. I am praying for the strength to face whatever that call might bring. Whatever decision comes down. Whatever happens...I pray that I will still be able to rest in the Lord's arms.
Thank you all for praying for us.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Strange Americans
As you know, there is a volunteer team here in Poznan for the week. Today, I was teamed up with 2 students, Hilary and Shaphan (Shay-fen). Our purpose was to walk around our selected area of the city and strike up conversations with Poles in hopes of sharing the Gospel. I was a little nervous about this strategy, thinking that Polish people would surely not be interested in talking with us. But, I headed out with a good attitude knowing that God can do anything with us and through us.
We decided that we would start going in small stores and begin conversations with the store owners or employees by asking them to tell us their favorite place in Poznan that tourists must visit. I would explain that my friends were from the states and were here for only a week and wanted a Polish person's opinion on where to go and what to see. We figured that we would allow them to share about something of importance to them and have that sense of pride in their country.
And it worked! Just like we thought. As soon as we asked them to tell us what is their favorite place in Poznan and where we have to go, their eyes lit up as they began to talk about their city.
I won't go into detail about all of our encounters today but I will say that we were able to talk to about 10 or 12 people in various stores and almost all of them were thrilled to answer our questions and were given a tract before we left. I think they really got a kick out of us Americans here in their country wanting their opinion.
I must admit that I am not necessarily a person who will just strike up a conversation with complete strangers, especially in Polish. But I did and I was so surprised to find that I was able to share with ease and felt extremely comfortable. The power and peace of God, I believe, filled my heart today and gave me the ability to plant the seeds of the Gospel.
We will be in that neighborhood all week and are hoping to get to talk to some of those folks again and follow up. I am anticipating how God will use us to touch the lives of those around us.
On Michael's blog there will be an audio file and slide show of one of my encounters today. I won't share here so you will have to go on there and listen for yourselves!
Thank you all for praying for us this week!
We decided that we would start going in small stores and begin conversations with the store owners or employees by asking them to tell us their favorite place in Poznan that tourists must visit. I would explain that my friends were from the states and were here for only a week and wanted a Polish person's opinion on where to go and what to see. We figured that we would allow them to share about something of importance to them and have that sense of pride in their country.
And it worked! Just like we thought. As soon as we asked them to tell us what is their favorite place in Poznan and where we have to go, their eyes lit up as they began to talk about their city.
I won't go into detail about all of our encounters today but I will say that we were able to talk to about 10 or 12 people in various stores and almost all of them were thrilled to answer our questions and were given a tract before we left. I think they really got a kick out of us Americans here in their country wanting their opinion.
I must admit that I am not necessarily a person who will just strike up a conversation with complete strangers, especially in Polish. But I did and I was so surprised to find that I was able to share with ease and felt extremely comfortable. The power and peace of God, I believe, filled my heart today and gave me the ability to plant the seeds of the Gospel.
We will be in that neighborhood all week and are hoping to get to talk to some of those folks again and follow up. I am anticipating how God will use us to touch the lives of those around us.
On Michael's blog there will be an audio file and slide show of one of my encounters today. I won't share here so you will have to go on there and listen for yourselves!
Thank you all for praying for us this week!
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Ministry with kiddos
This week our friends and colleagues from Krakow are in Poznan with 3 of their 5 daughters, the Goss's. They are working with a group of volunteers from the states who are here sowing the seeds of the Gospel with tracts and through relationships. We did not plan on being a part of the group as for 6 months we have been hoping to come home. God had other plans.
The Goss's are a wonderful family. They have a sweet spirit and a heart for the people group they work with, the Roma. They originally were planning a Roma camp here in Poznan but, as it turns out, there is not a great population of them here in our city. So, their team is passing out tracts, witnessing through translators and simply plowing the soul for God to move.
Today was the first official day of work with the volunteers. There would be 6 groups, spread out through the city, prayer walking in preparation for the work they would be doing the rest of the week. I decided that Matty and I would join them and see how far we got. With the addition of children to our family, my role looks a lot different, especially with a pre-schooler. Brenda Goss is also here with her youngest, Abbe, who is 8. So, I figured that we would team up and tackle the kids together. And so we did. We joined a small group and headed out. About 10 minutes into the walk, Matty begins to ask where we are going and when we are going to get there. The next thing is that his legs are hurting. I thought "Man, this is going to be a long morning!"
Suprisingly enough, he actually enjoyed our morning walking in the city. He was able to be with his friend Abbe and they had a wonderful time. Let me share my favorite part of the morning. As we began to walk with the kids, with the purpose of prayer walking, I thought that we could all say a prayer as we walked, as to include the kids. So, I began to talk to the two little ones about praying for the neighborhood and immediately, my precious son began to pray. He jumped right in and asked God to help the people know about Him and at the end he said "And thank you for my God". Wow!
Man, we are doing something right! Sometimes, as a new parent and to three kids I wonder how I am really doing at this parenting "thing". When he began praying without hesitation I was so touched realizing that prayer is something that he has already learned is such a natural part of our lives. And at 4! Amazing.
The morning was long but well worth the effort to be out and a part of the work. I may be a little more limited with my pre-schooler but I am still able to be involved. And, what a blessing for our kids to be a part of everything going on also. We are truly ministering as a family. My prayer is that we will find more opportunities to work together as a family and grow closer to each other and God in doing so.
The Goss's are a wonderful family. They have a sweet spirit and a heart for the people group they work with, the Roma. They originally were planning a Roma camp here in Poznan but, as it turns out, there is not a great population of them here in our city. So, their team is passing out tracts, witnessing through translators and simply plowing the soul for God to move.
Today was the first official day of work with the volunteers. There would be 6 groups, spread out through the city, prayer walking in preparation for the work they would be doing the rest of the week. I decided that Matty and I would join them and see how far we got. With the addition of children to our family, my role looks a lot different, especially with a pre-schooler. Brenda Goss is also here with her youngest, Abbe, who is 8. So, I figured that we would team up and tackle the kids together. And so we did. We joined a small group and headed out. About 10 minutes into the walk, Matty begins to ask where we are going and when we are going to get there. The next thing is that his legs are hurting. I thought "Man, this is going to be a long morning!"
Suprisingly enough, he actually enjoyed our morning walking in the city. He was able to be with his friend Abbe and they had a wonderful time. Let me share my favorite part of the morning. As we began to walk with the kids, with the purpose of prayer walking, I thought that we could all say a prayer as we walked, as to include the kids. So, I began to talk to the two little ones about praying for the neighborhood and immediately, my precious son began to pray. He jumped right in and asked God to help the people know about Him and at the end he said "And thank you for my God". Wow!
Man, we are doing something right! Sometimes, as a new parent and to three kids I wonder how I am really doing at this parenting "thing". When he began praying without hesitation I was so touched realizing that prayer is something that he has already learned is such a natural part of our lives. And at 4! Amazing.
The morning was long but well worth the effort to be out and a part of the work. I may be a little more limited with my pre-schooler but I am still able to be involved. And, what a blessing for our kids to be a part of everything going on also. We are truly ministering as a family. My prayer is that we will find more opportunities to work together as a family and grow closer to each other and God in doing so.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Language learning
You guys probably think that this post is going to be about some funny language blunder that I or Michael have made where we embarrassed ourselves to death and wanted to crawl in a hole. As funny as that might be and as there are lots of those stories floating around, this is about my little Maciek (soon to be Matty in the states).
As I have shared in a previous post, Dr. Pepper has been made available at one of our local grocery chains for the drinking pleasure of all Americans and those unsuspecting Poles who stumble upon it. Yesterday, I needed to go to Carrefour and pick up some groceries (it seems I am always at the store) for the up-coming weekend. I decided to pick up Matty from preschool and treat him to a trip to Carrefour with mom.
As a surprise, I decided to buy Dr. Pepper for the kids. They love the stuff! They must be true Americans! So, we got home and Piotrek (Ben from now on in my blogs), Matty and I were unpacking the goods. With a huge smile on his face, Matty pulls the Dr. Pepper out of the sack and yells to Ben "We bought for you Dr. Pecker!" I laughed out loud, hard. Ben politely corrected him, not having a clue what he said, and I asked Matty to repeat it. He got it right the second time. Even now, I am laughing as I write this. How hilarious!
Another language blunder that will go down in history for me happened several months ago. We were at dinner and I had made sauerkraut and sausage (Michael's favorite!) and Matty looks down at his plate and says, "Mom, I don't like sourcrap!" I again laughed out loud and told him it was sauerkraut and told him he just had to eat a couple of bites. Michael agreed that his description was correct! We all got a kick out of that one!
As I sit here, a moment ago feeling stressed out from our three kiddos and all the newness, I am now laughing and remembering how precious these little people are. God has blessed me!
As I have shared in a previous post, Dr. Pepper has been made available at one of our local grocery chains for the drinking pleasure of all Americans and those unsuspecting Poles who stumble upon it. Yesterday, I needed to go to Carrefour and pick up some groceries (it seems I am always at the store) for the up-coming weekend. I decided to pick up Matty from preschool and treat him to a trip to Carrefour with mom.
As a surprise, I decided to buy Dr. Pepper for the kids. They love the stuff! They must be true Americans! So, we got home and Piotrek (Ben from now on in my blogs), Matty and I were unpacking the goods. With a huge smile on his face, Matty pulls the Dr. Pepper out of the sack and yells to Ben "We bought for you Dr. Pecker!" I laughed out loud, hard. Ben politely corrected him, not having a clue what he said, and I asked Matty to repeat it. He got it right the second time. Even now, I am laughing as I write this. How hilarious!
Another language blunder that will go down in history for me happened several months ago. We were at dinner and I had made sauerkraut and sausage (Michael's favorite!) and Matty looks down at his plate and says, "Mom, I don't like sourcrap!" I again laughed out loud and told him it was sauerkraut and told him he just had to eat a couple of bites. Michael agreed that his description was correct! We all got a kick out of that one!
As I sit here, a moment ago feeling stressed out from our three kiddos and all the newness, I am now laughing and remembering how precious these little people are. God has blessed me!
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