Hike It Out

     Over the past year, I've been unpacking the wonderful gift it is to be out in nature. I guess this isn't really a novel or unique idea, lots and lot of people enjoy hiking, but the experiences I have are becoming a unique part of my being and I'm so thankful to be realizing the awesome opportunities to sneak away from the noise of life and connect more with the wonders of the planet as I pursue a renewal of perspective on how I should be living my life. I also cannot recommend a better way to reconnect with what's actually important than to take a child along, in this case my niece, and watch and listen to the heart of excitement and inspiration as exploration and discovery are happening without limits. More human connection, more trees, more life.

A Chapter on Faithfulness

    “And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) In the space of a few days, this verse showed up in my life over and over and since that time a couple weeks ago or so (I’m not currently able to track time very well…), it has become more and more an anchor for my soul. As the world around me splits and bleeds and yells and screams and my own personal circumstances begin slowly to transition yet again, the Lord’s promise that He is not finished with me, my soul or this whole world is a sure truth I am enormously grateful to cling to and proclaim. The faithfulness of God in my life is a reality that I feel I am only even beginning to understand as God so gently and patiently leads me along and molds me like the needy lump of clay that I am- precious in His eyes, but an ongoing project of redemption for sure.
     
     This past year of my life, I have lived and worked and hoped and dreamed in a city that is unlike any other in a country that has become very dear to my heart over the past four years of my spending time living in three different Polish cities. Yea, conversation can be a bit overwhelming when I try to explain that this is my third time actually living in Poland, but my first time in Katowice and how I kinda sorta know some of the language, but not actually enough to hold a lively conversation with anyone; but gosh, if you have any of the typical needs of that of a preschool aged child- I am here for you. This past year, starting in roughly June of 2015, has been extremely, well, stressful, unexpected, challenging, full of opportunities for growth, bravery, discovery and wonder and the Lord has shown brightly His grace and providence for my soul through it all. I cannot say that I have trusted Him every moment or waited in patience at each decision point, but I can say He has been faithful and He has been my Guide through both the times of struggle and the times of overwhelming joy and yes, also the times of crazy adventure that seem to be ever knocking on the door of a life in Poland. This is a year I think I will look back on with a lot of emotions, but mostly, I hope to look back with gratitude for my Savior sending me on a very difficult journey that looked completely different from my expectations, but that left lessons and changes in my heart that I hope I never abandon. I have also felt so blessed in the sheer number of opportunities I have had to hold conversations, share meals and tea and life with both old and brand new friends who have helped me in so many ways and whom I will hold close to my heart and hope to see again one day as I prepare to pack my things and move back to the States a few weeks from now.
      
     Yes, I absolutely love Poland and if God calls me back here, I will be excited about that. Over the course of this year and especially in recent experiences of being able to travel around a bit to the north of Poland, spend hours reading at the Warsaw Uprising Museum and spend an entire day grieving the loss of millions at Auschwitz and still processing all that I’ve learned from my time there, I feel that I have gained somewhat of an even better understanding of and incredible aw and appreciation for Polish culture. This country has been to hell and back more than once and the seemingly fearless citizens just never give up, never give in, but continue pressing onward and carving out a beautiful life full of hope for the future. In some ways and in many moments, I am overwhelmed with a sense of “home” being here in this country. I don’t say that lightly because it’s a strange experience since I’m clearly not from here, but there is something about this place which connects with my soul in a very unique way. Whether I return or not is in the Lord’s hands, but I will always look at Poland with very thankful eyes.
      
     So, what’s next and why am I leaving? Well, to avoid adding more length here, the Lord has confirmed over and over again to me that one year of teaching in Katowice was actually His plan all along for me. For now, I feel a great peace in the idea of returning to spend a couple years with my family where I can have the space and time to wait on God, study further to prepare for whatever lies ahead in life, breathe, grow, pour into the lives of family members and be poured into by those around me. Jesus has been calling to my heart to view this new chapter as a time to breathe and rest and study and be still while waiting. Of course, I have dreams and hopes for what this time of waiting will lead to, but mostly, I’ll be waiting on God and waiting for His confirmation and leading. And the confidence God has given me that this decision is a step of progress and a step further in the direction He is leading my life puts all doubts to silence. I will be living in the present moment and not worrying that I don’t have a long-term plan, because I do have a long-term Savior and He has an eternal plan in His hands. My heart feels full of joy and gratefulness for this past year, for this next year and for each chapter along the way on this journey of pursuing the heart of my Savior.
     
     “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

Gdansk

Baltic Sea near Gdansk

The Crooked House in Sopot

Poznan

Poznan

 

 

 

Discovering spring with my students

Old Town Warsaw with visiting friends

Warszawa

Warsaw Uprising Museum

Gliwice

Katowice

My building can be seen in the left corner :)

October Reflections and Explorations

      I have been avoiding updating here for quite a while now. It’s not that I haven’t thought about it, scheduled days to write, written post-it note reminders, organized photos to be uploaded, because I have done all of that. The issue has been in the fact that I have not had any idea what I wanted to write, or what I should or shouldn’t write about or even how to formulate some sensible and informative update on how life is going here in southern Poland. I just have not been struck with the right words. The answer for the reason behind this lack of inspiration is probably the very same thing that I don’t really actually feel like writing about (but obviously, I’m about to…). 

     The thing is that the past month or so has been quite difficult…no, honestly, really, really difficult. I moved to Katowice because of a strong desire in my soul to spend more time in Poland and see what more the Lord has for me to do in this chapter in life. I LOVE Poland, really, and fortunately, I also have a great respect for and interest in Montessori education, so combining these two factors and watching as the Lord crushed barrier after barrier in the process of me moving here all seemed like life was turning up roses. It’s not at all that I wasn’t realistic and aware of the struggles of living in a foreign land far away from family and surrounded by a language I still don’t know very well, because I’ve done all that before. I knew what I was in for in that sense. At the same time, there are certain circumstances which I would rather not bore you with which have made life a struggle recently. I’m honestly not trying to complain. There’s not really much that I can do about it and at the end of the day, it is in God’s hands and I can still hold on to the knowledge that for this year, for whatever reason, God has placed me here and He will see me through.

     One absolutely beautiful thing that has happened in the past month is that I have finally fallen completely in love with my students. It is a joy to see them each morning and a joy to share life and laughs and new discoveries with them each week. I can see my relationship growing with them whether they’re knocking me over with morning hugs, snatching my slippers from off my feet or just singing with me as we walk to the playground. Lately, I have started to realize more of the absolute privilege and sobering gravity there is with being given the opportunity to work with these little ones. Not to sound cliché, but they quite literally are the future society leaders who will shape the world of tomorrow. If there is anything in which I can play a small part in imparting into their hearts this year, it’s that it is most important to be kind and to be gentle with others. These are huge words in my class right now. Each week may make me weary, but I can rely each day on the Lord’s strength to offer joy, acceptance and support to my little ones. 

     The weekends have become a great source of mending for me (I know they are for everyone!). Since I’ve found myself more than usually weary the past month or so, though, I have really learned the value in breathing deep at the weekend, exploring and recognizing all over again who I am in Christ and why I am here in Katowice in the first place. I am so thankful for the opportunities I have had recently to get out of town for a few days and refresh my perspective before plunging back into another full week. If you think of me throughout this week, please say a prayer or two and for now, please enjoy these photos from recent explorations. God bless whoever may be reading this at the moment.  

Mid-October adventure in London!

Exploring shops at the Camden Market in London

This and all following are from a Saturday recently spent in Krakow