Houseguest

This past week I've had a houseguest! And she's so cute! Kyle was planning to visit some friends in Columbus over the weekend, so I said I'd keep his dog, Brutus (don't let the name confuse you; she's a girl, she's just a big Ohio State fan and REALLY enjoyed the game this past weekend). Well, we figured I might as well keep her for the rest of the week since he'd be back up this way on Wednesday for Thanksgiving and I'm doing...well, not much of anything right now!
I've loved having her around and am amazed at what a good dog she is. To be real honest, I think we were all a little unsure about Brutus's mental stability last Christmas, which is the only time I'd ever met her. She was insane. But, she's calmed down so much and is really a great little girl! And have I mentioned that she's so stinkin' cute! Here are a few pictures to prove it.

I was folding some laundry this morning and she crawled under my bed and just stuck her head out and watched. There's absolutely nothing under my bed, but I guess it just looked cozy to her!
What a little lady, sitting with her paws crossed and enjoying the heat! She learned this from her time with Aunt Jessica. She needed some "girl time". Too much time with all those boys at Kyle's house!

Her favorite spot: in front of the door waiting to go out. She loves taking walks. Also, I think she likes my boots. (you can't really tell in any of these photos, but Kyle has a black and white polka dot and pink trimmed collar on her! I applaud him for embracing her girl-ness, even with a name like "Brutus"!)

How cute is this girl?

I am a proud aunt. So sue me! But seriously, having Brutus here gave me my dog-fix for a while and I think her master got himself a great little dog!

Ohio Days

Well, apparently I'm in the blogging mood today, because I'm going for two posts in one day! So, to pick up where I left off...since I returned from Florida and visiting friends and family, I've been here in Huron, Ohio, where I lived before heading over to Poland. I'm back in my little cottage, so it's really strange. Some nights, I lay in bed and think "was that all real? Did I really live in Poland for two years?" It's that weird feeling of everything feels the same, yet it all seems so different too.
Anyhoo, I've been spending my time still visiting people and getting settled, as well as starting to work on a job search. I've applied to a few pre-school programs and am waiting to hear about some positions open. I don't really have a long range plan at this point, just to get a job for the next few months and go from there. I read this the other morning and it brought me comfort as I wait on the Lord:
"Every day of my life was recorded in Your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed." Psalm 139:16
Even though I have no idea what's going on, I'm going to believe that the Lord does!

So, meanwhile, while I have a little free time on my hands, I've been just trying to enjoy the rest that the Lord has provided in this time. Today, after walking down to my parent's house to put away some thawing meat (that's the luxury of living down the street from one another!), I bundled up and headed down to the beach and tried to take a few pictures. But, as with most things in nature, a photo just absolutely doesn't do God's creation justice. It was amazing. And, yes, I do understand that not everyone finds beauty in the muddy brown, cold waters of Lake Erie, but for whatever reason, I just love it and find it absolutely beautiful. We've had cold weather and a little bit of snow over the past few days and I'm even loving that. Of course, I loved laying on the beach in Florida, but I am also enjoying the approaching winter here in Ohio. There's a different kind of beauty to winter, but beauty nonetheless. And add in there a strong northwest wind and a stirred up lake...well, here are a few weak attempts to capture it.

The Huron Lighthouse (although, to keep it real here, I must add that this isn't really much of a lighthouse. I was with some friends coming in one really rough night and we didn't see the "lighthouse" until we were pretty much right next to it. It wasn't exactly the beacon of hope, guiding us safely to shore, that I had always romantically dreamed it would be. Oh well!)

This buoy got washed ashore sometime and is just waiting in the grass until next summer.

Floridays

So, just in case there is any one person still remaining in the world who actually checks this thing, here is a little "catch up" on what's been going on since I returned to the west side of the pond! I know it's been three weeks, so I apologize that it's been so long and thank you SO much for those of you who have asked how I'm doing, what I'm up to and prayed for this transition. It surely hasn't been easy, so thank you and please keep praying!

I returned to the states on Tuesday October 28th, to see my parents waiting with sheer joy and excitement at baggage claim at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. It was a good sight. My little legs couldn't carry me fast enough down the corridor to baggage claim! Anyhoo, on Thursday, my parents and brother and I headed to Florida for a few days to unwind and spend time together before everyone runs off to work and whatnot. It was FABULOUS! And, as is usual if you know my family, we created quite a few memories. Let's just say that we started calling ourselves the "Griswolds". If you've ever seen the National Lampoon's movies, this should give you a feel for the kinds of things that happened. I wouldn't have it any other way! We laid on the beach, collected shells, Kyle fished, ate good seafood, played cards (my dad and I were victorious, I might add!), and just generally enjoyed being together and relaxing.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from the trip. I should also mention that we stayed at an over-55 only mobile home retirement community. All I'm saying is that I'm pretty much ready to be 55 and retire to Florida and get a golf cart.

This was a quiet little beach that my dad and I rode our bikes to. My mom and Kyle had to get back to work, so they left Monday, while my dad and I stayed until Tuesday. This quiet little beach had TONS of different little animals swimming and crawling around. We had fun just exploring.

I hate to say it (for my fellow Ohioans anyways), but this was my view from my beach blanket in late October/early November. A girl could get used to that.

Ok, so this is a pelican. I took this picture before I knew how closely intertwined (literally) my family would soon become with a pelican. These guys are pretty big and really tame. They were just walking all over this pier where Kyle was fishing. Ask him sometime about his pelican fishing adventure. I think enough time has passed that he'll laugh about it and tell you a great story. I think.

Kyle and my dad "talkin' fish". This was right before the above-mentioned pelican incident. Seriously, ask him sometime. It's classic and goes right along with the "Griswold" thing.

My mom and dad and I went on a little walk one morning. We were scoping out the "retirement villa" and were on our way to see one of the pools, when a kind lady told us about this bridge and the alligator that lives there. We looked for Al the whole time we were there, but as far as I know, no luck. Maybe next time we can have a run-in with a big, scary, meat eating alligator--if we're lucky!

As I said, my dad and I returned on Tuesday evening, and the following Friday I headed down to Dayton to see some girlfriends from college and go to a bridal shower for one of them on Saturday. It was so great to see these girls again and I'm looking forward to seeing more of them at the wedding in a couple of weeks! I trekked from Dayton to Urbana to visit family and had another great reunion. I got to visit with my grandma, aunt and uncle, cousins and their adorable kids! It was great to see them and I'm glad I didn't have to wait until Thanksgiving to see them.

Well, I think I'll end this "quick" update here and add some more in another post!

Ole!

Last Tuesday night, we had Ala and Nina over for Mexican night! We dined on fajitas, burritos, chips, refried beans, and salsa. All topped off with a nice pecan pie. I know...who eats pecan pie with Mexican food???? Girls who have pecans to use before they leave in two weeks. That's who.

Anyhoo, we were very cautious to not make anything too spicy, but like a trooper, Nina added jalapenos AND hot sauce to her fajita! Atta girl!
It's always so much fun to have these girls over, and I'll admit it got a little emotional at one point in the evening. However, we hung out with them this afternoon for a bit, and are making plans to see them at least one more time. I really can't put into words how strange it feels to be leaving here. I don't think I ever really thought it would happen. And, here it is, time to pack and say goodbye. Please continue to pray for Ala and Nina, that their eyes and hearts would be opened to see Jesus and grow to know His love for them and love Him more and more. Also, please pray for Amber and I as we wrap things up here. Please pray for the transition and how to end well. It sure isn't going to be easy to leave these people (especially these girls!) or this place =) Thank you!

Ala and Nina serving themselves some Mexican! They really liked the refried beans. I really liked it ALL!

Amber, Ala, me, Nina on our mini-couch

A Surreal Reality

This past Sunday our whole team headed out to nearby Olsztynek for church. It was a goodbye for Amber, Patsy, and myself. It's getting very real, day by day, that I'm leaving this place in just under three weeks and may not see my friends again, this side of eternity. It's such a strange feeling. I guess in the states you know that, if wanted, you can travel fairly easily to see someone. Not so easy to get here. It's a very surreal feeling.
Anyhoo...the church prayed for us and Marcin presented each of us with three beautiful doilies that his mother made. Then, we headed upstairs for tea and coffee and cakes, then down to Marcin and Monika's home for soup, kotlet (a fried pork-steak of sorts), potatoes, tomatoes, homemade pickles and salads. It was such a wonderful day. It has been such an amazing blessing to have gotten to know them. They are such a neat couple (who will expand their family in March!!!) who just genuinely love people and long for the people in their town and villages nearby to meet Jesus in a real and life-changing way. And they are such people of faith. They truly trust the Lord to provide for their needs and have experienced Him in amazing ways doing so. I'm going to miss them. I've learned a LOT about loving, giving, serving, and ministering from them both. I've also laughed a lot with them. If you think about it, please pray for them, as Marcin is going to Siberia next week (Oct. 15-Nov 17), and for Monika, who is pregnant. Please pray for Marcin's safety as he travels and for Monika and the baby. She's had a few problems throughout her pregnancy, but seems to be doing better other than still having low iron. But again, their outlook through the whole thing has been to look to the Lord and trust Him. Did I mention that I love these people?!?!?

Group Shot: Monika wanted to be sure to get a profile picture so "baby" is included too =) They're going to be amazing parents!
Some of the ladies of the church working to prepare coffee, tea, and cakes. They are such examples of hospitality and service. Amber, Patsy, and I have all learned lots about hospitality and service from these ladies and many others in Poland.
Sean (our "boss") and Marcin. The Lord has really done a neat thing in putting these two together. They are ministry partners, but friends too. And, as a sidenote, Sean is standing up against a ceramic heater that is awesome to stand by in the winter! This is how Marcin and Monika heat their home and it's still fairly common here in Poland. There's a little door on the side where you put in the coal or whatever you're going to burn and it heats the whole place up! There's also a little shelf where you can keep baked goods warm...or dry out wet clothes!
These are the doilies Marcin's mother made for us. We each got three, two white and one with different colors. They are absolutely beautiful. I'd wanted something pretty like this to take back with me, but I never would have dreamed of having something as beautiful as this and so special! I'm planning to have them matted and framed when I get back to the states.

By Request

As requested, here is a picture of the ink. Please excuse my chubby, red toes. Feet just really aren't all that pretty...

The REST of the Story....

Well, if you've been waiting in anxious anticipation (or been checking FB like Jill!), here's the scoop on the "something special" that Amber and I did on Friday. (also, if you've really been waiting in anxious anticipation, I'd really like to suggest finding a hobby, because this really isn't all that exciting! There's got to be more out there!)
So, here it is: I got a tattoo!!! Yes, it's true. Amber got one too. We went with our friends Ala and Nina on Friday and, would you believe, I have woken up every morning since and checked...and it's still there! It doesn't come off in the shower. Yep. It's there for good.
I got the word "hope" (with a little heart in the 'o') on the top of my foot. Amber got the word "faithful" in the same spot with a little red flower beside it (and the "tattoo guy" as well as another guy there asked if that was the right way to spell it, with only one 'l'. We said yes...then double checked to be sure!) I chose the word "hope" because it's something I've learned a lot about here in Poland and will remind me of my time here and it's something that has become even more precious to me. If I may bend your ear for a moment....
"Hope" means a confident expectation and I love knowing that the word "hope" tattooed on my foot isn't coming off. I can confidently tattoo this word on my foot because my hope in Christ will never, ever fail me. He will never fail me. No matter what happens in life, Christ will never change and His promises will still stand, and in this is my hope; this is my confident expectation. It's so easy to put hope in other things, but there's always an uncertainty about it. Money (the current economic situation says it all!), people, jobs, stuff, my own abilities...whatever. BUT, I can't fully rest in any of that because it can change and fail! In Christ, I can exhale and rest and stand confidently knowing that He will never change, will never fail me, and has made amazing promises in His Word to me...promises to never leave me, to direct my steps, to hold me and not let me fall, to be near to me, and on and on. Throughout my time here, I've needed to lean on Christ more than I can say. And I will be the first to admit that I didn't always do it so well (this is a good time to add that this hope in Christ has NOTHING to do with me or anything I've done or with being here in particular...it's to all of us that His hope is offered--freely and abundantly which is yet another reason I wantd this word as a tattoo!). But, it's just been a time of discovering that, when you have nowhere else to turn and are in a foreign land without family and familiar friends, with a language you cannot speak or understand and you feel like it's all chaos...there's hope. Because Christ hasn't changed and His promises haven't changed either. I've learned to just sit down and, when I didn't know what else to do, to hope. And not that "wow, I hope we have nice weather this weekend" kind of hope. The kind of hope that you can stake your whole life on and know that He will come through.
I don't know if any of that makes any sense, but I just wanted to try to share my heart a little bit about something that I've learned here, and I'm sure will continue to learn throughout my life. And, of course, there are MANY other things I've learned. I could probably fill up my whole body with tattoos about things that have been significant over the past two years...but, don't worry mom and dad, I won't!
Now, for some pictures of the "big" day =)

Nina, Ala and Amber waiting for the big event to begin. Ala was more scared and nervous for us than Amber and I combined!
Amber went first and noticed how surreal it was to be sitting on a table, getting a tattoo, in Poland, looking out the window at the steeple from a 14th century church. This has definitely got to go on the "never thought I'd be doing that" list!
The "tattoo guy" (we never even asked his name!) getting ready for me. He did a great job and, at the end when he was giving us our after-care instructions, broke out some of the best english!
work in progress
The results! We later read on the internet that wrapping them in plastic wrap is apparently pretty bad for tattoos, so we took it off quickly. Then we sat around all night saying "what??? we really have tattoos???"

*Ok, not that this post isn't already long enough, but here goes. Does anyone else (i.e.- cousins who spent time at the trailer in the 80's) remember the poster we used to have at the trailer of the little guy from Fantasy Island? You know, the "De plane, boss! De plane!" guy?? I have NO idea why that was hanging up in the trailer, but talking about tattoos made me think of it and thinking about it brought a smile to my face. Just thought I'd share =)

I just really can't think of a title here!

So, here's another quick little update of things going on around Northeast Poland...which will only be my home for about another 3 weeks and is CRAZY! Anyhoo...here are some pictures of what we've been up to.

This is our language partner, Bozena. We have met with her off and on for about a year and spend some time practicing her english and our Polish. It's always nice to spend time with her in her home. We got to visit with her for a while last week and I got to give her a pair of my grandma Davis's world-famous baby booties for the little baby girl she's expecting in November!
This past Thursday, Bailey, Amber and I went out to our friend Agnieszka's school to help with European Languages Day! (don't tell...but we were there under the cover of British English!). Agnieszka teaches english there and we got to visit several classrooms and were pretty impressed by the english skills of these kids.
And, last but not least, a little picture of Amber and me in a special place doing something pretty special. More details to come.... =)

*and, yes, in answer to some questions, I did get a haircut! A couple of weekends ago, we were in Riga, Latvia for a retreat. There was a small group of Americans that came to help, and this group included an awesome hair stylist who was giving free haircuts! He also chose two random people for a make-over (where he has free reign to do what he wants to the hair) and I was one of them! He cut off several inches and it feels SO much better. He also showed me a picture of his daughter whose hair color is similar to mine, with dark black streaks in the front. I opted out on that one and, thankfully, he didn't have any hair color with him! (it actually looked pretty cool, but I just don't think I'm the black streak type!). So, that's the hair story. And check back soon for the rest of the story about the picture above!