( List of all of the things I miss & look forward to the most about home.)
These are just the 50 I could think of first but I am sure there are a few others...
-A just for FuN sorta blog. Enjoy. Maybe by reading this you will appreciate more what you do have readily have available.
A Starbucks cup of coffee (mmm iced Americano with whip)
Fountain drinks (not so common around the world) especially Dr. Pepper (=
Church service in English where I can understand the message.
Christian concerts!
Coldstone Creamery. (mmm bday cake remix!)
Running at the Peninsula in good ol' Erie, PA!
Dance Classes! (Yoga with the sisters coming soon...yay!)
White Christmas ( For real. I really miss the beauty of snow which I never thought I'd say but God has been growing this idea on me for a while. I moved south several years ago to get away from the white stuff but now I really miss it!)
Book Store! (where all the books are in English)
Taco Bell! (yep not any of these around the world that I could find. I think It's just an american thing. As gross as this may sound I really miss it!)
Toilet that automatically flushes...or just flushes in general!
Nice Hot Shower that I can sing in!
Bedroom all to myself! (haven't been alone much at all since living in community)
A Magazine that I can read.
Job! (getting a job is exciting stuff after you have volunteered with no pay for 11 months)
Cookout with my family & friends! ( Dad I miss your steaks + Italian cooking. Mom I miss your layered desserts.)
Megan Sandwich! ( with Courtney + Kate-Lynn on the Outside )
Lighting a nice Yankee candle...mmm I miss candles.
Closet! (where I can neatly store my clothes instead of shoving them under a bed or reaching for them out of my pack)
Dollar Movie Theatre. That thing is great.
Nice fresh, crispy salad!
Homemade style RANCH dressing! (wow I just got really excited. Something else I have not found ANYwhere around the world)
Having a phone number! Yay for technology and communication!
Pedicure..(my feet really could use one!)
Bed & a Nice Fluffy Pillow (that I can sleep in and call my own!)
Peaceful, quiet day...where I can just be ALONE (= haha...
Place I can call home!
Time zone that remains consistent to the people around me.
Gym Membership!
Week of resting...and just being + processing the past 11 months that just happened.
Chick-Fil-A
Haircut from my Aunt!
Car I can drive... I hope I remember how to ( It has been a while. (-=)
Dunkin' Doughnuts Ice Coffee
TV (although I never watched it much at home it might be fun to give it a try a little bit).
A different Bible! (my waterproof one has absorbed so much water that I think it weighs 10 pounds...its time for a new one)
Dance Dance Revolution Marathon with my 14 yr old sis Kiely.
Finnegan! (my mom's cute little doggy)
Washer + Dryer...wow they are great inventions.
Dishwasher (that's a great one too!)
Oh yes and A Toaster...( I really miss toast)
Bagel with Philadelphia Cream Cheese!
BBQ sauce!
Chips that I recognize the flavor.
Fresh fruit + veggies...mmmm
Radio I can turn on and hear songs in English!
A hang out date with the people I love + miss ( you know who you are (= )
My small group ladies + friends from NC.
Outback Steakhouse of Matthews (great place to eat and work at with great co-workers!)
All my kiddos I taught @ PG. Gotta go back + visit there sometime!
Coming on the World Race, I remember back at training camp. I remember being asked questions about what I envisioned for my team; all girls, some guys...at the time I thought I knew what I needed. I remember saying being on an all girls team might be too much drama for me to handle...sometimes I wonder if I hadn't said that if an all girls team would have been good for me. Ultimately, I could analyze all I wanted but God know's just what I need when I need it, no matter what I say or what I think I need.
When it came time to announce teams, I found out I was on a team with 3 girls and 3 guys. By the time the WR started in August one of the girls and it dropped to 2 other girls, and 3 guys. Growing up with two sisters younger than me; this was familiar to have two sisters. However, I didn't have two sisters that knew what it was like to have an older brother growing up. I have 2 younger half brothers whom I love lots but because they are younger and I was already out of the house as they were growing older I truly never knew what it was like to have a brother, especially an older one.
In my teenage years, I had a few guy friends here and there but I think usually they got the wrong idea and a few of them along the way ended up being more than friends. So for me, being friends with a guy was nearly impossible. In my mind they always wanted more and it was just impossible to be just friends with them. However, before the World Race, and around the time I got baptized last year, I did make a few Christian guy friends. They were friends and this was a good preparation for living with guys my age.
Living in community with brothers at first for me was still very challenging. Learning how to calmly talk and give feedback to them without tears or a frustrated tone was a progression for me. There were moments for me where I had set my expectations way too high. Thinking these are "men of God" and they are going to teach me so much about what it means to know what a man of God looks like. While this is very true in some ways; I realized they aren't perfect. Just like me, a not so perfect woman of God, they had and have faults too. I expected them to lead the way in all things when sometimes I am called to lead as Christ too. If you are following Christ & serving him, you are a leader. People look to you as an example and God even says in scripture about others looking to our example. In genesis, God created man & woman in his image. Therefore just as they are expected to reflect Christ I am too.
For me communicating with the men on my team was not easy, especially back in Africa. My team leader Brandon would reach out to encourage me with a "fist pound" and I would look at him strangely with an "I'm a girl" comment. Now when I see Brandon when our teams reunite we can joke about it and a fist pound just happens. I also used to get offended so easily by constructive feedback; I took it personally when God wanted me to see it as a way to grow.
I have learned to loosen up, to trust, to be stretched in growth and to step out in faith. To let the men lead, but also to know & understand they can & will make mistakes too. When they do, I have learned to forgive & give them grace. I have also realized my role to challenge & also help them grow in faith; sometimes with a difficult word from the Lord. I believe these men were put in my life to rebuild trust in men & to heal my heart from past hurts. It's amazing what God can do through our relationships; especially when they revolve around Christ.
Anyhow...I have come a long way with knowing how to keep men as friends. Josh who has been on my team for this entire time I'm sure would be able to see the difference between the then & now.. I am a changed woman. It doesn't seem so acward anymore to have 3 men to be traveling with. It seems right. It is what the Lord had for me for this season. My current brothers include Josh, Stephen, and Tom. From my previous team also Brandon & Carl which makes 5 total. I'm sure you could count the others who have spoken life & prophecy, and showed honor to myself & the other woman of this squad. We are thankful for our men & we appreciate the strength of Christ, the humbleness, the servant's hearts, and the way's that you honor us as Women of God. Thank you for teaching me what it means to have a brother in Christ. For that I am thankful.
Here are 3 of my other brothers from Team 1 + Joshua who has been on both.
Oh good ol' Fire Disciples... (Me, Allie, Olivia, Brandon, Joshua, Carl)
Oh yes and there is Tom! Gotta love the non-stop growing beard!
So as I was walking down the dirt roads of Sistrova village in Romania, my first team leader Brandon, I came across a woman hanging out on her porch. She yelled at me as I passed and said "Something, something in romania, Jesus (Yesus)!". Then she pointed towards the church across from her. I had just visited the church on Sunday with another teammate of mine & didn't remember her being there out of the small 8 members that showed up. I found out later on from our contact, Mahai, that she was saying "Peace of Jesus Be with You"...I found out that this indeed was the gypsy woman that I had been hoping to cross paths with!
Earlier this month I had discussed with our contact that I wanted to befriend a gypsy woman this month & although they are considered outcasts of society I wanted to make a friend & I felt that this something that the Lord had for me. After many strange looks for what I wanted to do I decided, O well I still want to do this.
Salahora asked me for prayer and although we really had no commonality in language we were able to communicate that she wanted me to pray for her. So I prayed out loud and asked God to heal her and be with her. Her smile was warm & inviting yet sneaky.
The next day I decided to go on a walk with teammates to the store & told my teammates that I wanted to see if my new found friend was outside. She was outside...and to my surprise 2 little boys who were about 6 years old were throwing rocks at Salahora and I told them to stop. Salahora laughed and played along a little with them but also yelled at them. It seemed like a common occurance for these little ones to bother her. They were even going inside of her vehicle and she was chasing them out. Then I saw Salahora throw sticks towards the boys. It was quite the scene. I had never really seen anything like it before. I think these boys were treating her this way because they knew she was a gypsy. I told the boys to stop throwing rocks and that it wasn't nice...then I chased them away. I think the boys were partially just playing as children do but they needed to hear what they were doing was not right. Anyhow I got to be Jesus in the situation and I also tried to understand what was happening but still am not completely sure since when I asked Salahora she spoke absolutely no English.
I still wish I could've worked more with gypsies this month but I suppose God had other plans (- =
What I can say is I think I be-friended a gypsy woman. It was sweet. Oh and to end the night I got a big kiss from God with the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen.
So for the past two weeks or so I have been feeling like I have been hiking the very top of a steep mountain...I suppose maybe that's what it feels like when you have been traveling the world and you can almost see the top of that mountain. Although what I do know is the whole way along the mountain were some glorious views of God's creation...take the mountains in Malaybalay Philippines for instance, or the view of Kenya's mountain tops, or these beautiful hills I now wake up to covered in fields of dandelions, cows, ducks, and geese. It's been a privelege to see the different angles of God's spectacular creation; even as you travel the globe you see the stars from a different view. While I was in Africa the stars made me feel as if I were in a whole another world.
Ever since we have got to Romania I have had to remind myself to continue serving from my heart...to give it all I have got. To persist. We have been helping around the campsite getting it ready for youth to come in. Scrubbing carpets, cleaning windows, cleaning bathrooms, doing tons of laundry!, vaccuuming, scrubbing floors, scraping paint off of the floor, dishes, and this has been a huge month of serving. I think when I thought of Romania I thought I would meet gypsies and get out into the community but God had another plan.
What I do know is that although sometimes fatigue sets in or the enemy tries to steal my joy with discouragement or doubt; the Lord's love and persistence for me continues. Even when my health isn't 100%. About a week ago I had an infection and had the interesting experience of visiting a Romanian hospital...I of course only visited for a short few hours to get blood-work done. After that I was sent to another hospital. It was challenging not really knowing the language; wondering what is really happening. I did have a translator with me so that was helpful. Thankfully & because the Father is a good healer I am feeling much better! Exhaustion, disorientation, loss of fluids, nutrients...these are all things that can set in if you are not properly taking care of yourself after a really steep long, hike up a mountain. What I have been finding is that these are things that I am experiencing this month.
I am trying to blend two worlds together. Who I was, Who I am, Who I am growing to be. There were some great parts of my character before the World race which have been shaken up a bit; tested and tried if I might say. Some vines that were not from God were pruned & he has been chiseling away at me. Sometimes it's hard to process what is happening while you live in community; the alone moments are few and far in between. However this IS what the Lord called me into. Even having intimate relationships with my brothers and sisters has been way more of a challenge that I intended it to be. I didn't realize my lack of true, authentic, loving relationships in my life previously. Yes I had a great group of small group girls whom I loved and still dearly love; but when you live with people 24/7 this changes dynamics. When you live with brothers this also changes dynamics. You have to dig to the deepest parts of your soul and spirit to fight to love each other. Even when offenses happen (and believe me they will), you have to learn to look past them, forgive and to choose trust. Trust is a choice. Letting down walls is a choice.
I have to say that a lot of the world race, my walls were still up a little bit. Some have been knocked down...some have been knocked down, and built back up, while others are open. Vulnerability; you have to choose to open up and share with the family God has given you or your thoughts and feelings can start to consume you or get the best of you. Sure not everyone you meet while on the world race is expected to be a best friend, but I do believe the Father put each and every person in my path for a reason. He has a purpose and plan and there is still a little less than two months left. I think one of the hardest parts of this last part of the hike is remembering that the top is near. Some days it seems so far away even though we have less than 50 days left.
When you go, and go, and travel as much as we have, change continents 3 times, you think it will never stop...you start to get used to this as being the way you live your life. I wonder if when I go home I will feel this need to get up and go, to see a new place, to meet new faces. I know this journey has ignited change in my spirit, in who I am, and in who I am becoming...Although I can't seem to explain just what this is right now I trust the Lord in that it is something beautiful. That Woman of God that he intended for me to be. That Woman of honor, integrity, trust, full of joy, peace, hope, self-control and the Father's love. So I will climb on and upward. Knowing that the top is near and that this isn't the only mountain God has for me. This could just be a tiny one in perspective. Steeper mountains could be ahead so I will enjoy the climb for what it is. Take it all in. Breathe it in. Breathe it out. Knowing that the top of the mountain is going to be all worth it.
Lately I can't stop singing the song "The Climb"...the lyrics speak so much to me and where I am at. Knowing that I can trust God as I am climbing this mountain. Learning to climb with my arms open to the Father.
"I know that I can trust you. I lean not on my own understanding...my life is in the hands of the maker of Heaven. I know that I can trust you so give me your heart to love to God."-Will Reagan & The United Persuit
Ok so it really isn't my lamb but had to title my blog that in honor of the cute little lambs that we saw.
Yesterday, after our ministry work, our group got to go for a walk in the village to see first a baby calf that was born....
(and some pigs, horses, and a big COW)
Then we proceeded to walk to see a field of goats & sheep. There were newly born baby sheep, and they were so adorable. See?
Then to finish off the day the sunset was gorgeous.
If you know me you know that I have never really been a fan of farm life & the last thing I want to do is milk a cow! Some of our group went and did that the other night. I have come to learn to appreciate God's beauty exhibited out in the countryside of Sistrova out here in Romania! I have learned to be thankful for a not so ordinary life.
As I lay outside in the sunshine here overlooking the beautiful hills atop of our camp site we are staying at here in a village outside of Arad, Romania I hear this song playing. The cool thing about it is that I was laying there asking God for answers to a few things in the future; you know, the uncertain things ahead. Being that it is month 10, I know there is less than 2 months...I am no longer the same, the people at home I have been told some will be different while others the same. Uncertainty lies ahead. Yes God has spoken to me about many areas in my life & there are some certainties. Although life has its unknowns; life is a lot like a book in that we have unread chapters ahead. I know I will be tying two way different worlds together, the past & the present & in some ways the future also.
My heart pours out to God to ask for comfort in unknown areas. As soon as I prayed about those things a big breeze came over me, even though it was nothing but a perfectly still day. Leaves, and buds from the trees swept around me as I lay there. A hear a soft whisper, "The Season Will Change"...and then after that I heard in the distance as a smile came to my face this song playing, "Alright Now, Baby It's a Alright Now". Mind you, I am in Romania. I thought they only played Romanian music around here, but I guess not! God is good at reminding me that it will all be alright. Great to know that God brings comfort & speaks to us in those moments at just the right time. He also has quite the sense of humor about it. So after hearing that I felt in my spirit to let go, and to trust him with it all. Even in the rough times. Even though I haven't been feeling the greatest. I know God is in charge & "It's A-Alright Now".
(Our beautiful view from the campgrounds we are staying on. It is way better than this picture can even explain...
its gorgeous here!)
Saying Goodbye to L'viv & the Blessing Family was really hard for me. Goodbyes are one of the hardest parts of the race; especially after you do it so many times. The Blessing Family was such a blessing to us and I really felt like family when we left there. I felt like I was leaving another set of parents and sisters. Their family was very similar to mine in that growing up I had 3 sisters in the house also. Everything was comfortable. I loved L'viv...the amazing American food, the family we could talk so often with about what had happened the past 9 months, the pets (a bunny, 2 dogs, and a cat), the coffee every morning & afternoon. They went above and beyond to welcome us and make us feel at home while we stayed with them. I am so thankful for all Lindsay's cooking, Ronda's amazing baked goods, Bria's beautiful worship songs next to my room, and the amazing rest I received in between ministry. It was just what was needed to recharge before the rest of the world race is finishing out. I can't believe we have 2 months left!
This month, being that it was one of my favorite months, if I had the choice I would stay longer in L'viv...I know I could've just stayed there a few more months and been content to finish the race there, but the problem with that is that the Father called me other places. I needed to let go of what I wanted in stepping out of Ukraine into Romania.
On Monday night we got on our train from L'viv to Budapest Hungary for a 14 hour train ride. We were woken up at 3 am as we were crossing the border by customs and passport control. Not once but about 4 times. They got our passports, then they brought them back an hour later. Then another two officials came and checked them. I think 2 times for exiting and 2 times for entering a new country. Not so fun when you are tired. However I didn't worry as they had my passport, I just went right back to sleep as they did their thing. The anxiety of traveling has gone away after it becomes a monthly norm. After trying to calculate all the hours we have traveled I would imagine it would accumulate to be at least 2 weeks of just plane ride, airports, trains, and hanging out while waiting.
Anyhow we made it here to Arhad, a small village in Romania! It has a beautiful view of mountains, trees, green grass, and budding trees! Spring is just about here. This month we will be preparing the campsite for camps coming in during the summer to the church camps run here. Mostly cleaning the inside building, and landscaping items as we prepare for the youth that come here in the summer for summer camps. Plus whatever else the Lord has in store...Here were are so I am going to make the most of it! Before we left the Blessing house, they reminded us not to miss what the Lord had in store for these last two months. To really be where he has called us. The scripture that they gave us was 2 Timothy 6:7-8. This greatly encouraged my sprit as we near the end of the race...!
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." -2 Timothy 6:7-8 KJV
{Some of the Beautiful view along the way!! The trees were gigantic & it looked like something out of a movie. God's beautiful Creation. We passed a lot of rivers too which was really a symbol of the life we had poured into us today; the spirit of refreshment. + God is the living water. }
" Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." -John 12:26
Zyrka (which means star) & Krisia(Kristina)-
these girls were so welcoming & loving...
They live @ the Joshua House
Today was an amazing blessing kind of day. We went to visit another American family who has an ministry house for previous orphans; now adopted into a loving family & called sons and daughters of God. These children greeted us running, jumping up and down, and then I got hug, after hug, after hug today. I was overwhelmed by the joy that exploded off of them! These children came from the hardest of circumstances; many from alcoholic or abusive families. Now they are showered in love by an amazing family who was called to L'viv & now to a village 2 hours outside of L'viv in the mountains.
That wasn't it though..I thought we were coming to bless these children by loving on them, playing with them, and sharing God...boy did I have it all backwards!
We did get a chance to hang out with the kids a little & play, then ate lunch, and after lunch came fellowship time. Some of my team shared & God asked me to share the parable of the sower. Those who sow much will reap much if they sow in the Kingdom of God according to his word. This was all a prophetic sharing since we were blessed by the family shortly after sharing some testimonies of what the Lord was & has been doing in our lives. Jim & Sandy run this ministry called the "Joshua House Life Center" and there are 19 total including them & their kids they take care of. It's truly a movement of God & their obedient hearts were a glimpse of heaven today. Seeing these kids & how they have adopted them into love made my heart so happy...
What happened after we shared was Jim read a scripture to us: John 12: 23-26 & he said today we want to honor you & the Father wants to tell you "Good Job" for what you have been doing, and for what you are doing. He then said he wanted to "wash our feet" by praying for all of us & asked us what our prayer needs were. Then the kids started gather 2 or 3 at a time around each of us and they all prayed aloud over us. It was such a beautiful thing. The presence of the Lord was so tangible & you bet the tears started flowing. (In Asia, I had been feeling really broken at times...and I know the Father has been renewing my spirit & refreshing me with his love since debrief in China)
But today, I felt as if the Father reached down his heart and put it next to mine. It's not every day you are serving in ministry that someone wants to honor & pray for you & say "Good Job" from the Lord. I know that the Lord wanted us to be encouraged...and we really were. Our team was very blessed by this family of 19!
My prayer was for a refreshment of the Holy Spirit, and an boy who was about 8 years old came and prayed for me. It takes humility to ask for prayer...I have realized that I have been pouring out so much but I need to be poured into too. I need prayers for healing, restoration, and renewal. It's ok to ask; we are God's children & he's just waiting for us to ask. Wow the Father wants to honor me because I am serving him. It is so crazy.
The Father truly honored me & he honored my team.
I was so humbled & struck by the love of all these children & their family. Please check out their websites & keep them in prayer!
"Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundance peace & security. I will bring Judah & Israel back from captivity and will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sins of rebellion against me. Then this city will being me renown, joy, praise, and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it"Jeremiah 33:6-9
L'viv, Ukraine. This area used to be part of Poland.
(& To think it happened here...) I am in the aftermath of what happen in the 1930's & 40's.
Yesterday was Holocaust remembrance day & what a tragic time it was in history. 6 million Jews(or more) that lost their lives. I cannot understand the kind of hate & evil behind what happened during that time. Now is the aftermath;there are many Jews who are oppressed in small European communities & in other areas throughout the world as well. It's crazy to think that there are still survivors of this event in history who are 70+ years old. You can still feel the oppression of what happened sometimes in the atmosphere.
This month our team has had the joy of working with the Blessing Family. In 1992 God called them & put a burden on their hearts for Soviet Jews and Gentiles. They planted a church from 1993-2001 and saw it grow to 200+ people. For 2 1/2 years they returned to the states to take a sabbatical & through the leading of the Holy Spirit. They were led during those 2 1/2 years to Memphis, Tennessee to a Messianic Jewish congregation. They truly are an obedient & humble family who has been so welcoming to us. We have been so grateful to be here during month 9 of the World Race.
This month we have had the opportunity to participate in a seder before Easter & learned a lot about Jewish culture & traditions; many of which tie so much into the love & truth of Jesus. This month has been a great learning month & a way to reach out to the community of L'viv.
This family has been nothing but a huge blessing to all of our team while we have been serving them here in their church & in the community. They have treated us just like family; as we are in Christ. One Body, one Spirit. They have given us plenty of hot showers, delicious American cooking (and deserts!), deep conversations that challenge our faith & prepare us for what awaits us in 2 months, and they have given us the opportunity to share where the Lord has brought us & is bringing us. This Family is really amazing.
We have been doing bi-weekly food distributions on saturdays, home groups meetings, English club meetings for college students, ministry house construction ( painting, priming, dry wall, ect), English club @ the local community school. Please keep this family in prayer so that their church can grow & that more people can become believers in this area. Many people are caught up in orthodox traditions & "religion" but don't know anything about a personal relationship with Jesus. Pray for eyes, hearts, & minds to be opened. Please also pray for spiritual protection for this family; they have been nothing but a blessing to us & this community! They help bring sunshine on cloudy days & the Father has called them to be bearers of truth & his light.
Please also pray about supporting them; I would love for them to be blessed back for the way they have welcomed us this month:
