And now, back to work!

So, what awaits us these days as we settle back into life in Poland?

Dan preached last Sunday at church and will this Sunday and next as well. Again, you can hear him on our church's website. The address is: http://www.opoka.katowice.pl/ and click on "Kazanie" and then on his name (it's in English and Polish so you can all understand!). Besides that he's having lots of meetings with lots of people! And, he took time out to buy the car and get the insurance and have a good security system installed. And, he plays with Zoe!

I've been sitting at my desk a LOT and trying to get caught up and ready for the next things that await me. Mostly I've been working on getting groups set to come this summer for camps. We're still trying to find a few more groups to come (so if any of you want to come....) and getting the Polish groups ready. I'm also working on the preparations for an upcoming retreat (March 28-30) with some ladies from our church in Poland which will be led by a group of ladies from Mission Hills Church in Denver. I'm really excited about this! Oh yes, and I'm playing with Zoe!

Next week we'll have our first meeting with the IPU (Intensive Program of Discipleship) students after our 7 week absence. We're looking forward to this. There's been a lot happening in their lives and we're ready to hear about it. If you remember, this is a group of 9 youth leaders who are taking this year to study theology and serve part-time in their local churches. Dan and I have the privilege of "coaching" them as they go through this process.

And, at the end of the month, we'll both be teaching a seminar at our annual Youth Leader's Conference called 100C. This year's theme is "VIP - Called and Chosen Priesthood." Our desire is for all leaders here to see that God has called them and chosen them to be a Holy Priesthood and to serve from that place. Often in this country, leaders think that only the pastor or the priest are the VIPs--only they are called and chosen. But, Jesus says we all are. And, that we all are able to serve in His body. So, pray that leaders will come (not many are signed up yet) and that God will meet them where they are.

Jacob did well with his homework that his teachers gave him while we were gone. In fact, he's ahead of his class. However, he still feels a little behind as far as missing classes and lectures... So, he's working hard on all his school work and preparing for a special math competition he'll be in. And, tomorrow night is the Katowice-wide youth meeting. He's pretty excited about that! And, by the way, he plays with Zoe too!

And, besides all that, we're cleaning up after Zoe from time to time...

Something else new!

We're rejoicing in many new things these days. Thanks to many special people, this week our new (to us!) Skoda Octavia joined our "fleet"! We were able to find this car that exceeded our hopes as to the cost and the amount of previous use. It's almost like new! And, it was just in time as the day that Dan drove the car home from Wroclaw (about 2 hours) where he bought it, Jacob and I had a scare in the Orange Van with some wires burning! So, we're loving this new gift from God and are thankful for safe and peaceful travel!

And, it's even beautiful! Beyond what we would have imagined...

Our new family member!

The day we landed, we took off to Cesky Tesin (about an hour away) to pick up our new puppy, Zoe. Our JV teammates, the Ellenwoods, have lovingly cared for little Zoe for the past 12 weeks of her life and were preparing her for our arrival. They have a Labradoodle, Emma, which birthed puppies on November 19. If you don't know, this is a blend of a Labrador and Poodle. Zoe is adorable and playful and smart... everything you'd want in a puppy. We're so excited about her addition to our family. Check her out!

What's been happening ...

Today I'm going to try and update this blog. Between trying to do facebook and being in the states for 7 weeks and getting a new camera... I haven't been doing much on this site. So, today is the day. I'm actually getting resettled into life in Poland. I've dug out some of what's on my desk. I'm getting into the swing of our new puppy, Zoe. And, I'm keeping my Mom busy with jobs here around the house. (She'll be with us for 6 more weeks!)

So, first off some pictures from the states. We started our trip on Dec 12 and were in Minnesota for a week. Of course, highlights were people (can't believe we know so many people there when we don't even have family there!) and coffee and The Mall of America! That was fun! From there we went to Denver and were there for about 2 weeks which included Christmas, Giles and Emily Hash's wedding, New Years Eve, and lots of time with family. We also had a very nice white Christmas.

After Denver, we headed to Dallas for a few days and met with Rowlett Bible Fellowship Church and some people there (Dan's sister's church). Besides enjoying the Einfalts and their church, Jacob and Dan got to go to a Dallas Stars game and we also all got to go to a Third Day Concert. (Thanks Dave and Deb!)

After Dallas, we headed back to Denver and spent the next two weeks with many, many people. What a privilege to know so many great people! I was amazed by this. We also got to do a few fun things along the way like skiing (Jacob snowboarded 4 times!), birthday parties, being in the mountains, shopping, drinking coffee...

After Denver and on our way back to Poland, we stopped for about a week in the Washington DC area. As a family we got to spend a few days just siteseeing and Jacob had the chance to learn a little American history! (Although, his quesitons stumped Mom and Dad! I think we need a refresher course!) And, then we were at a church, Lake of the Woods, in Virginia not too far from DC. After a few more people and a few more hours on a plane, whew, we arrived in Poland.

What a great 7 weeks!

Some pictures from Romania

Wow! What a trip...

It felt in some ways as the trip that never ended… but, after about 29 hours of travel by car, train and foot, it was way worth it! Two polish young women, Jola Mrozek-Kropisz and Weronika Tesluk, joined me in this cross-countries’ adventure to participate in a Young Women’s Conference hosted by an organization in Romania connected with Josiah Venture. The 70 young women who gathered were all there because they either were already discipling other girls or have a heart to and wanted to learn more. I had been invited as an “older woman” (yes, that’s me!) to speak to the hearts of these young women during evening sessions. It was indeed a joy to be an instrument of the Father and to speak of His faithfulness to me over these 20+ years I’ve been investing my life in younger women. But, as I sat there listening to these “younger women” teach in the morning about discipling “their girls”, I was challenged again to keep going and to never give up investing my life in younger women. The three young women who taught in the morning about discipleship were living it out. One had discipled two of the younger ones and then some of their own disciples who are ready to disciple others were part of the group receiving training. I was really moved as I saw multiplication at its best! I and my Polish younger women came back motivated to invest our lives in others! There's nothing more important and lasting than that.

Do I speak English?

Just reread my blog about Tobi. No, he didn't run away with our friend's little boy... He was with this little boy, Filip, a few days before he ran away... Guess that would be good if he ran away with Filip. Guess then we'd know where he is!