SIX month reflections

August 9th was a hot day in Florida (what day wasn't this past Summer/Fall?) and also happens to be the day of one of my closest friend's birthday (I'm so sorry we left on your birthday!) I remember that day like it was yesterday. We spent the morning at church, saying goodbye to friends and what we considered our family. We went home to put kids down for naps and finalize our packing for the trip overseas. I was even still selling items and having people pick them up at our home that afternoon before we headed off to the airport! Our friends arrived late afternoon and pick us (and all our belongings) up...two vans and a car loaded with people and items...we were off. That was an odd car ride to the airport (many mixed emotions swirling through my mind) and I wish I had had been able to be in all the other vehicles to chat with our sweet friends each one last time face to face. We got to airport, unloaded everything and plopped it all on the outside sidewalk in carts, hugged people (I can still imagine all those huge hugs!) and cried (obviously) before walking through the doors to check our bags. I remember this day like it was yesterday, because I play this day over and over in my head regularly. I'm still grieving the loss of those friends on a regular basis and thankful for technology today that allows us to keep in touch with them when we are able to connect. I know the day that we get to see them again will be a very sweet and special day!

Fast forward into the airport...we got in line to check our bags/bins (14 of them!) Let me just paint this picture for you...two kids in a double stroller, one in a carseat pulled by a pulley cart, two carts of luggage/bins and all the carry on bags. Yes, we were the traveling circus! I thought I had it all packed well and ready only to find out that we had overpacked one of our carry ons, so as I began to unload that bag on the ground, my eyes swelling with tears, I found myself overwhelmed with thoughts of "what in the world are we about to do!?" Security was a breeze, thankfully, and we headed to find a place to sit and eat. We chose to have a steak (and boy am I glad we did that since we haven't had that since leaving America-we miss steak!) and the kids were all bubbly and excited to go. After arriving at our gate, our kids were already making friends with kids who couldn't speak English (a foretaste of what was to come I suppose!) and I was double checking to make sure I knew where everything was in carry ons for easy access on the plane. We were blessed to be able to have one flight from Orlando to Germany instead of stopping again before the long flight and so we boarded the plane.

The plane ride was awful. I wish I didn't have to say that, and I know so many other families who have traveled with small children who have had wonderful experiences...that was not our experience...but that doesn't mean it isn't possible (so if you're reading this and about to travel somewhere with small kids, don't be discouraged, it is possible to have a good flight! That just wasn't our experience). I was in charge of #2 and #3, while Steve took over duties with #1. Separated by the aisle between us. I won't talk about my thoughts of the airline staff, but let's just say they were less than helpful as we tried to get situated into our seats with three small kids. We honestly had no idea how the flight would go and were ready for anything, even not sleeping. I sure am glad I had that low expectation because no sleep is exactly what I got. When lights were FINALLY turned off and food not being served, Olivia was able to fall asleep. Karis had fallen asleep fairly easily so Steve was trying to close his eyes for rest while he could. Isaac on the other hand, didn't want anything to do with sleep, what else did I expect from my energetic, extroverted little man?! He eventually (after much persuasion) fell asleep, so I knew this was my chance to close my eyes. But instead of sleep, all that came were tears. I cried. Although we knew this was the next step of obedience to the Lord for our family, in that moment it felt incredibly difficult and I wanted to be anywhere but on that plane in that moment. Cue the lights, (oh the lights!) and so Olivia after only a couple hours of sleep awoke and was not happy about that (can't say I blame her though). Karis woke up refreshed on her 4-5 hours of sleep (which is her norm anyway) and Isaac shortly after. We arrived in Germany and had the longest layover, which had it's pluses and minuses, but overall, I was able to nap while Steve played a card game with the kids and that was a major plus.

We arrived in Poznan after a short flight from Germany the experience in the airport in Poland is a whole other story I won't bore you with...but let's just say, all that luggage we mentioned earlier...is impossible to move with two adults and 3 small kids who really can't do much lifting or moving at their ages! Karis took off running for the exit while Steve ran after her, leaving me behind with the remaining items and other kids. I think it's safe to say that the security officers were either amused or annoyed (probably the latter) while watching me struggle with pushing and pulling a cart, carseat pulley and double stroller as I tried to keep up with them!

I could easily talk about the first several weeks we had here in Poznan, but fast forward to present day. Here are the things I would say about our time thus far in Poland:

• I still cry on a regular basis, I still grieve the loss of seeing our friends regularly and the things we were involved in during our time in Orlando.
• I don't want to go back to America everyday. This is a win actually, I struggled for the better part of the first four months here and it has gotten better and I don't always want to leave. 
• I didn't want to leave because I didn't like it here,  it's lovely here. I wanted to leave because I was (am still) getting used to life here after leaving our home in Florida. 
• We know that the Lord has us here for a reason and we want to be obedient to Him, to be active agents of change to help people to know and love Jesus.
• It's colder here than in Florida, haha, that goes without saying...but we really do miss the Sunshine State!
• Food is better here, although we miss some favorites we can't find here, overall the food is much better!
• On that note, coffee and cafe's are plenty to choose from and it's fun to see the neat places that are tucked around all over this city and make great places for meetings :)
• Polish is hard. We are learning, maybe slowly, but we are making gains in the language learning department and continue to press on.
• The kids struggled (still) with the transition more than I knew would be the case. We expected this, but had no clue just how hard it would be to transition to a new country with three small kids.
• I miss soft toilet paper...ok, maybe TMI but it's the truth!
• It's hard to live far away from our family and know that life goes on there and we will not be around and a part of many of the joys, losses, new stages of life and their struggles while we live overseas. 
• God is faithful. He never leaves us. He has walked with us during this transition and continues to strengthen us and bring comfort. 
• Facetime/skype pretty much rocks!
• We have gotten to see the Lord do some really neat things in our short six months so far and look forward to what the months and years ahead have in store for us. 
• Last, I would say it's all worth it. Even on the hard days, living our life completely sold out for the sake of Christ is worth it.

Joshua 1:9 is something we memorized as a family in the months prior to moving and a verse that gives me courage to face each new day,
"...Be Strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Thanks for taking time to "listen" to me and for those who pray for us. We are especially grateful for your commitment to care for our family in this way.

Here's to another six months (and beyond) of life in Poland...To God be the Glory!