Island of Agistri

After our conference in Greece, we decided to stay a few extra days and have some vacation time. How often do you get to come to Greece, right? May as well sightsee while we are here. The first 3 days, we spent on the island of Agistri. We stayed with some of our good friends, Rob and Medea and their 2 precious boys and another of their family friends, Matt and Tiffany. The place we stayed was wonderful. The rooms were small but for sleeping...which is all we did in them...they were perfect! We opened our backdoor and literally walked into the pool. The girls woke up in the morning and put their bathing suits on and spent the day in the pool. We were also right on the beach. We spent a little bit of time in the warm sea water, but the girls preferred the pool to the salt water. Go figure!

One day, we all chipped in and rented a scooter for 24 hours and took turns riding around the island. It was wonderful!!! James and I explored the island and took lots of pictures. It was amazingly beautiful there! The water was some many shades of green and blues. There big crashing waves and calm waters. I never go to the beach without being in awe of God and his majesty. Seeing this whole other world hiding under the water. It is HUGE and yet it just stops and the land begins. Amazing!!! Our God is so cool!

If we ever go back to Greece, I think we will stay at the same hotel on the same island. It was truly a relaxing few days!!!

Family Camp

During our visit to the north in April, we met with the pastor and an elder in the church in Gdynia. During our conversation, they invited us to attend their family camp at the beginning of June. This would be just 5 days after returning from Austria, plus another 9+ hour trip each way. But we decided it was worth going. So we registered, paid our money and packed our bags. Me being the introvert I am was quite apprehensive. We knew not one person. I was scared out of my mind. But with a good attitude we arrived day 1 of the 4 day trip.

It was a great test of language skills. I feel like I failed. It was so hard. Every break I wanted to run to our room and hide. (And I often did!) I wanted to leave a day early to go back home. But we didn't. And honestly I'm glad we didn't. It was the last afternoon/evening that I felt we made some connections. The girls made some friends and are looking forward to seeing them again in August. Ella even met a girl who go to the American Elementary School.

Amidst all the anxiety and frustration, it was a good time. The worship in the church is amazing. Each night we had praise and worship was such a blessing. Poland played their first game of the EuroCup that weekend and it was fun to watch it with a big group...I don't even like soccer. All in all I'm glad we went. Here are a few pics from the weekend. I only had my phone that weekend but it's all good.

Actually no pics because apparently I deleted them from my phone. Oh well. Next time. :)

Last Days of School

The girls finished their last days of school at the end of June. We were actually able to attend BOTH of their programs. Easter and Christmas were on the same days at the same times so we had to split. Actually, now that I am remembering, James was already gone and did not get to go to Ella's, but we were both able to go to Macie's.

Macie had her usually big production at the Japanese Cultural Center in Krakow. I cannot say enough good things about her preschool. It was an amazing opportunity for her during our 18 months in Krakow. She was so blessed to be a part of it. Here are a few pictures from her program. 

My little "Krakowianka!"

Macie also graduated this day from Pre-k. Didn't expect that and yes there were tears!

After the program the twins' mom (remember the twins who were not so friendly to Macie when we first came?) invited Macie to spend the night. It was very spur of the moment but we said ok. So I left Macie with them for her first sleepover. She did great!! 

Ella's last day of school was full of awards and recognitions. Ella also played one final recital with her teacher. I liked her piano teacher quite a lot! I am sad to have left her. I am praying we will find a new teacher in Gdynia. 

School in Krakow was definitely different than any of the schools in Texas, but we all survived. Looking forward to new schools in our new city with new friends and better language skills!

Ella's class in Krakow at Uczen

Receiving her 2nd class certificate

Ella and her precious piano teacher, Pani Ola. 

TEN YEARS!!!

On June 22nd, James and I celebrated our actually tenth anniversary. I remember "years" ago having friends who were celebrating their tenth anniversary and thinking how cool that was and how far ahead of us they were. Now here we are! 10 years...a whole decade. We have seen a lot in this time. We have had 2 babies...who aren't babies anymore. James was a student minister at 2 churches. We were house parents to many teenagers for 2.5 years and are blessed to still have connections with many of them, including one whom we have taken into our family officially. We have moved 2.5 times in Texas (the half was when we moved to our mission house in Temple) and now twice internationally. We have been to numerous states together and at least 10 countries...soon to be 11 in July. We have buried all of James' grandparents and my last great grandma. We have learned to love each other better and encourage one another. We have prayed together and watch God open and close doors. We have laughed and cried. We have fought and made up. But most of all, we have loved each other for 10 years. I am so thankful for James and the godly man he is. I am thankful for the way he is willing to make hard decisions for our family that even mean moving out of America. He is my rock! I love him so much!

For our anniversary, he planned everything and surprised me. He did a great job! He made reservations for us to attend a piano concert of Chopin music, and then have dinner at the restaurant in the same place. I LOVE piano music. It was perfect!! We were able to sit at a window overlooking the Rynek in  Krakow's city center. It was a beautiful night!! After dinner, we took a carriage ride around the city one last time. Then we went home...without kids thanks to our good friend Traci and her sister, Ami. When we go home the house was lined with candles and rose petals. It was breathtaking!!! He planned every detail...including chocolate cover strawberries...also made by Traci and Ella. Here are a few pics of our evening.

I love you, James Roberts!

My anniversary band James got for me. I love it!

This guy was amazing!!! I LOVE piano music. It is so calming and makes me happy!

I can't remember how many courses we had but we were full when we left. These are just 3 of them. We had a chilled pea soup that was so yummy!  Then we had the best pierogi I have had! Finally, we had roasted duck...which is funny because after our wedding, we ate at the French Room at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas and I had duck. It was the last time I had eaten it until this night. It was pretty good tonight. 

This was our view from the window at dinner. I LOVE the city center of Krakow. It was a nice view as we watched the sun set!

Apparently asking waitresses or carriage drivers to take a decent picture is too lofty of an expectation. Oh Well...we will take what we can get!

James planned every detail of the night. It was PERFECT!!!

Greece

The IMB hosted a general meeting for all the European M's in Greece. We flew into Athens and then took about an hour long bus ride to the resort we were staying at. We left rain and 60 degrees for dry and 90-100 degrees. It was hot, to say the least. But I was looking forward to being hot for 10 days knowing I would seen return to the rain and cooler temps.

The main reason for our trip to was to be able to fellowship with others doing the same thing we are doing, to have some breakout/training sessions about what we can do differently or better or whatever in our ministries and even within our families, and for corporate worship time. It was a wonderful time for us to be refilled and fed in our heart language. While we were in classes all day, our girls were being fed just at much by WONDERFUL volunteers from the States who came and led Bible School all week for them. They were with our kids from 8:45 until 5:30 everyday except a lunch break. Our kids had a blast!!! They are still singing songs from the week. This morning I hear them playing with their Barbies who were also having Bible school. It was a wonderful time to see people that we spent 10 weeks at training with in Virginia and others that we have met in the our time here on the field. Granted there were 1200 people all together...which was a bit overwhelming for me...but overall it was a great time! I am thankful for the churches in America, the IMB and the precious volunteers who see the value of keeping the M's fed so we don't get burned out.

Macie doing what she does best...bossing someone around!

Is it just me or does this kid look a lot older? Where is my baby?

We are really going to miss Falyn!!! She was an awesome babysitter in Krakow but is starting college at UMHB this fall.  

WAWEL

One of my favorite views in Krakow is the Wawel Castle. It was gorgeous!!! It also beautiful at night from a particular bridge. I have been dying to get a picture from it. Nothing like waiting until our last possible night to go. The sky did not cooperate and I was not too happy with the pictures but it is what it is. Here are some of the shots I got.

Mission Trip #2

We hosted our second group of teenagers on a mission trip to Krakow in June. Their leader, Ryan, and his wife Carrie are some of our good friends. We worked together when we were house parents at The Texas Baptist Children's Home. He brought a group of about 15 from San Antonio, TX for a weeklong mission trip. We have friends who do not particularly care for hosting teams because it is a lot of work. And there is no doubt about it...it is a LOT of work. However, my calling to be a missionary was reaffirmed time and again on mission trips. James was on a mission trip to Kosovo when God really began to lay a passion on his heart for missions as a career. I have seen many teenagers who have been called to missions or other ministry positions on mission trips. And besides all that, it so good for people to get out of the American bubble and see life in other cultures. It really broadens their world-view. So I am willing to do the logistics on my end to allow God to work through it on the lives of the people who come on the trips.

During their time, they helped with the after school program at Ella's school, did some prayer walking for our various ministries we have going on in Krakow, preached and lead worship at our church, and did an amazing drama in our city center several times. During one of the dramas, James and Ryan were able to share with a man who was visibly broken and sad over what he was watching. James was even able to give him a Bible in Polish. I pray that he would read that Bible and God would place someone else in his path the continue sharing the Truth.