Happy holidays everyone. It's been a while since I have written anything in here, and it's not because I haven't sat down to, because I have, a few times. I just haven't been able to say anything.
SAINTS...not a who, but a where. Saints is the name of a small, hip, cozy, olive green cafe here in Saintfield. It has come to represent more than just a place for a cup of coffee or raisin and vanilla scone. It is my place of refuge. Of self-discovery. Of spiritual rejuvenation. I am finding out who I am over and over again every Monday morning at my small corner table for two. Right now I am learning a lot from a catholic priest writing to his Jewish friend. That's all you get to know about that for now.
ANGEL...my daughters last choice of what she wanted to be in this years school nativity play. First choice, donkey. Second choice, shepherd. From what I gather here in northern ireland, nativity costumes are to Christmas as witch costumes are to halloween, they are sold in every store this time of year. Therefore there are some legit donkey costumes out there. So the sweat pants and felt donkey ears I had planned was not going to work out and I'm not spending $20 on a donkey costume. Let's see if we can make the shepherd thing work out without having to break the bank on a real life staff. Plan B was working out until I walked Chloe into her classroom Monday morning and see nothing but little angels, shepherds, and barn animals staring at my daughter in her royal blue school uniform. Mom of the year fail. "Don't worry," said the teacher, "we had an extra angel costume set aside for Chloe" as if she knew I was going to forget. Good call teach. Now to convince Chloe that being an angel is the coolest. Its times like these that I am humbled as a mom. I always thought I would never do anything to make my kids feel embarrassed, less than, or un-cool. I thought I would be one of those moms that would have brought in the best costume with extras for those other unfortunate kids whose parents were idiots. What a turn of events this is turning out to be. My poor children, I fear I will not be healed of my forgetfulness any time soon.
BABY JESUS...A character that brings presents on Christmas morning...until you find out it's really your mom and dad. If you live in the Czech republic that is. I recently found out that it is not Santa, but baby Jesus that every kid waits for excitedly on Christmas morning in the most atheistic country in the whole world. Our family had two friends over from Czech for Thanksgiving and this was one of the many wonderful conversations we had with them. Our friend Marek said he saw his dad bringing in the presents and asked "Dad, are you Baby Jesus?". I can't figure out what to take from that conversation, but there has got to be a sermon illustration in there somewhere. Have at it pastor friends.
I just thought I would share a few anecdotes with you this holiday season and hope that: you too have a "Saints" in your life, even though you forget about the nativity it will never forget you, and this year may you be as excited about baby Jesus on Christmas morn as if He brought you the best gift of all.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Truth-Seeking Journey
"If you are brave enough to leave behind everything familiar and comforting (which can be anything from your house to your bitter old resentments) and set out on a truth-seeking journey (either externally or internally), and if you are truly willing to regard everything that happens to you on that journey as a clue, and if you accept everyone you meet along the way as a teacher, and if you are prepared - most of all - to face (and forgive) some very difficult realities about yourself....then truth will not be withheld from you." Elizabeth Gilbert Eat, Pray, Love
A few years ago I started reading Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love and it quickly became clear why it was one of the top selling books that year (although not the best movie). The book revolves around one woman's "truth-seeking journey" after a total and complete meltdown in her "American dream" life. Which I believe anyone no matter where they are physically and mentally, can relate to.
Without immediately making the connections, a light clicked on while recently watching the movie. The quote (above) was the last line in the movie and I instantly related it to my purpose for this period of life. When we first moved to Northern Ireland I found the hardest part was losing ones identity in a community. No job, no friends, no car, no immediate way to "show off" ones talents and gifts. At that moment, the advice that helped me the most was to "take a learning posture". Learn from everyone around you. Learn about yourself. Learn about God. Learn about your family. Just let everything teach you. Press into every moment as if it is giving you a clue to truth. This does of course mean confronting realities about yourself, your family, your God, that arise in times of discomfort. I have found that when taking a learning posture, people are more open to learn from you. And this is helpful in furthering the Kingdom.
A few years ago I started reading Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love and it quickly became clear why it was one of the top selling books that year (although not the best movie). The book revolves around one woman's "truth-seeking journey" after a total and complete meltdown in her "American dream" life. Which I believe anyone no matter where they are physically and mentally, can relate to.
Without immediately making the connections, a light clicked on while recently watching the movie. The quote (above) was the last line in the movie and I instantly related it to my purpose for this period of life. When we first moved to Northern Ireland I found the hardest part was losing ones identity in a community. No job, no friends, no car, no immediate way to "show off" ones talents and gifts. At that moment, the advice that helped me the most was to "take a learning posture". Learn from everyone around you. Learn about yourself. Learn about God. Learn about your family. Just let everything teach you. Press into every moment as if it is giving you a clue to truth. This does of course mean confronting realities about yourself, your family, your God, that arise in times of discomfort. I have found that when taking a learning posture, people are more open to learn from you. And this is helpful in furthering the Kingdom.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
SUMMER...NOT WHAT I HAD IN MIND.
By the looks on our summer calendar, it doesn't seem like summer at all. I can say the same for the weather. Our calendar has been packed since Chloe's last day of school right up to her first day of school in P2.
Our family has just returned from almost three weeks in the Czech Republic. We served alongside the youth group from our church here in NI. The journey leading up to stepping on the plane was a whirlwind at best. I had made up my mind that I didn't want to go and had a strong feeling that we shouldn't. I usually follow my instincts because they are usually right. So after being talked into it and releasing my inhibitions we began the training journey. A few days before the trip when my mind was put at ease about the whole thing, Joaquin decided he wanted to spend some time in the hospital.
Joaquin woke up abruptly from a nap screaming in pain and grunting every breath. After about an hour of this we decided to call 999 for an ambulance. A few ultrasounds, blood tests, x-rays, and painful screams later, Joaquin was admitted into the hospital for the night with the diagnosis of a chest infection. This diagnosis did not settle well with me, but the pain eased overnight and we left the next evening with plenty of antibiotics. After hearing that we would not be near a hospital in Czech and travel insurance would not cover Joaquin, we were ready to unpack our bags. I decided to take him into the local clinic just to see what the doctor had to say about the trip and he provided a much clearer diagnosis and a green light to travel. The doctor said that what he thinks Joaquin was going through was pain in his bowel. A cramping or twisting of the bowel that causes so much pain, children begin to hyperventilate. This is what the first inclination was at the hospital as well. It is something that corrected itself and should not happen again. Amen. Thankfully, Joaquin was back to his normal self for the entire trip and has had no pain since.
I could not have been more proud of our kids on this trip. They were lugged all over Czech by planes, cars, buses, trains, and people. They were little troopers. Chloe made many friends as usual and walked many many miles on the cobblestone streets of Prague. They ate all their Czech food without too much moaning and groaning and slept well in the many beds they were deposited into after long days.
I found my niche in lesson planning and teaching university students again. We were supposed to be teaching conversational English, but our students were so advanced that having deeper discussions about life seemed more appropriate than learning American holidays or food groups. We came away from English camp with a great sense of renewing and refreshing. The new relationships Carlos and I made were rejuvenating and the new relationships made between Czech students and Jesus was breathtaking. We will forever be thankful for our experience in Czech. We have many stories that we would love to share about Czech and will continue to pray for that part of the world.
This week we are back serving at VBS in our home church. We have had a lot of fun with about 100 kids from our community. I have come to know two truths about myself while hanging out with the VBS kids:
1. I don't think my calling was ever elementary education. Which is perfect since this is what my Masters is in.
2. My children are amazingly unique. The things that get them in the most trouble now, will be the things that God will use to greatly influence people for His Kingdom later. I just have to keep reminding myself of this truth.
Next week we are off to Hungary to conference with our CA family. We are excited to reunite with many friends, particularly Linda and Brian. We are anticipating the things that God has for our family at this years European Connect.
Our family has just returned from almost three weeks in the Czech Republic. We served alongside the youth group from our church here in NI. The journey leading up to stepping on the plane was a whirlwind at best. I had made up my mind that I didn't want to go and had a strong feeling that we shouldn't. I usually follow my instincts because they are usually right. So after being talked into it and releasing my inhibitions we began the training journey. A few days before the trip when my mind was put at ease about the whole thing, Joaquin decided he wanted to spend some time in the hospital.
Joaquin woke up abruptly from a nap screaming in pain and grunting every breath. After about an hour of this we decided to call 999 for an ambulance. A few ultrasounds, blood tests, x-rays, and painful screams later, Joaquin was admitted into the hospital for the night with the diagnosis of a chest infection. This diagnosis did not settle well with me, but the pain eased overnight and we left the next evening with plenty of antibiotics. After hearing that we would not be near a hospital in Czech and travel insurance would not cover Joaquin, we were ready to unpack our bags. I decided to take him into the local clinic just to see what the doctor had to say about the trip and he provided a much clearer diagnosis and a green light to travel. The doctor said that what he thinks Joaquin was going through was pain in his bowel. A cramping or twisting of the bowel that causes so much pain, children begin to hyperventilate. This is what the first inclination was at the hospital as well. It is something that corrected itself and should not happen again. Amen. Thankfully, Joaquin was back to his normal self for the entire trip and has had no pain since.
I could not have been more proud of our kids on this trip. They were lugged all over Czech by planes, cars, buses, trains, and people. They were little troopers. Chloe made many friends as usual and walked many many miles on the cobblestone streets of Prague. They ate all their Czech food without too much moaning and groaning and slept well in the many beds they were deposited into after long days.
I found my niche in lesson planning and teaching university students again. We were supposed to be teaching conversational English, but our students were so advanced that having deeper discussions about life seemed more appropriate than learning American holidays or food groups. We came away from English camp with a great sense of renewing and refreshing. The new relationships Carlos and I made were rejuvenating and the new relationships made between Czech students and Jesus was breathtaking. We will forever be thankful for our experience in Czech. We have many stories that we would love to share about Czech and will continue to pray for that part of the world.
This week we are back serving at VBS in our home church. We have had a lot of fun with about 100 kids from our community. I have come to know two truths about myself while hanging out with the VBS kids:
1. I don't think my calling was ever elementary education. Which is perfect since this is what my Masters is in.
2. My children are amazingly unique. The things that get them in the most trouble now, will be the things that God will use to greatly influence people for His Kingdom later. I just have to keep reminding myself of this truth.
Next week we are off to Hungary to conference with our CA family. We are excited to reunite with many friends, particularly Linda and Brian. We are anticipating the things that God has for our family at this years European Connect.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Today it hailed for about 15 minutes straight. Yesterday I wore my winter coat outside and hoodie and fuzzy slippers inside. On Sunday we took the kids to Belfast for lunch and got drenched. Joaquin had to ride home half naked. There has been a handful of sunny days in May and June which is taking a lot of getting used to for the Californians up in here. Serious lack of vitamin D equals serious mood dips.
Our moods however are picked up by the warmth of the people here. We are consistently having dinner get togethers and tea and coffee chats. Which by the way, if you are not looking you will consume 4 cups of coffee and 2 cups of tea in one day...easily. I am volunteering in the Mission Shop (church thrift shop) which proves to be great craic and a good lesson in Irish History.
Joaquin managed to have his first broken bone in his right arm. He fell down the stairs in our home. I am sure he was trying to do a trick or two on the way down. We didn't decide to go to the doctor until four days after...poor kid. He got a small cast which he removed himself two days later right before mommy and daddy were going out. Not frustrating at all. Especially because the hospital is about 30min away and we have no car. So Joaquin is now in a full arm cast for 2 weeks. I am positive this will not be the last. By the way, a big thank you to the UK health system. The only money spent on the arm was bribing Joaquin with treats to let the nurses (about 4) put his arm in the cast.
Chloe will be turning five in about two weeks. I had to convince her not to have a princess party because 90% of the party guests are older boys. We settled on a beach theme with a pinata and treasure hunt. Maybe a beach themed party will hold off the rain. In our minds at least. Today she told me I was mean and that she didn't want me anymore because I was making her put on her school uniform instead of watching Peppa Pig. I am bracing myself for the tween years.
I have experienced most emotions that new missionaries experience in the first three months of relocation: excitement, sadness, regret, joy, frustration, what the heck did we do, peace and many more. The training by our CA family is thankfully normalizing most of the fears.
Our family will be traveling to Czech Republic for three weeks to teach at an English camp in July, Hungary for 1 week of CA training in August, and eventually home for 4 weeks in the Fall. I am going to start loading up on airplane snacks and toys now.
All in all, four months has flown by and we continue on with open minds and hearts for what God has for us today and in the future.
Our moods however are picked up by the warmth of the people here. We are consistently having dinner get togethers and tea and coffee chats. Which by the way, if you are not looking you will consume 4 cups of coffee and 2 cups of tea in one day...easily. I am volunteering in the Mission Shop (church thrift shop) which proves to be great craic and a good lesson in Irish History.
Joaquin managed to have his first broken bone in his right arm. He fell down the stairs in our home. I am sure he was trying to do a trick or two on the way down. We didn't decide to go to the doctor until four days after...poor kid. He got a small cast which he removed himself two days later right before mommy and daddy were going out. Not frustrating at all. Especially because the hospital is about 30min away and we have no car. So Joaquin is now in a full arm cast for 2 weeks. I am positive this will not be the last. By the way, a big thank you to the UK health system. The only money spent on the arm was bribing Joaquin with treats to let the nurses (about 4) put his arm in the cast.
Chloe will be turning five in about two weeks. I had to convince her not to have a princess party because 90% of the party guests are older boys. We settled on a beach theme with a pinata and treasure hunt. Maybe a beach themed party will hold off the rain. In our minds at least. Today she told me I was mean and that she didn't want me anymore because I was making her put on her school uniform instead of watching Peppa Pig. I am bracing myself for the tween years.
I have experienced most emotions that new missionaries experience in the first three months of relocation: excitement, sadness, regret, joy, frustration, what the heck did we do, peace and many more. The training by our CA family is thankfully normalizing most of the fears.
Our family will be traveling to Czech Republic for three weeks to teach at an English camp in July, Hungary for 1 week of CA training in August, and eventually home for 4 weeks in the Fall. I am going to start loading up on airplane snacks and toys now.
All in all, four months has flown by and we continue on with open minds and hearts for what God has for us today and in the future.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Happy Easter!
Chloe has been asking who will pick us up at the airport. After a few days of trying to figure out what she meant by this, she finally came out with, "mommy, when are we going back to my country in California?" Hmmm, how do we explain? Although Chloe is very happy at her new "butter house" and her Academy, she is starting to miss home. It is unbelievable how resilient kids are though.
Joaquin will be two next week, I can't believe two years have gone by. He reminds me more and more of my brother Logan everyday...he has really figured out how to drive Chloe crazy. He got his first real haircut in a 100 year old barn turned salon and everyday asks to go to town and get a shreet (I believe this is treat and sweet mashed together). Almost everyday someone slips him a pound for his sweeties. Chloe taught him how to cover his mouth and giggle like a girl. He basically does everything she asks him to.
Carlos and I had our first informal young adults meeting at our house and got a good lesson in Northern Irish slang. Do you know what Chav, Naf, Bok, or Banjaxed mean? Well I do. University students are pretty much the same around the world and we love them. Carlos and I are putting on a Good Friday service at First Saintfield called Way of the Cross. Most of you will probably recognize the name. It has been an interesting process and we have learned a lot about the culture here. Carlos and I are meeting incredible people and are having a lot of incredible conversations. We are excited to see how Good Friday impacts the community.
Easter will be our first big holiday here in Northern Ireland. It is fun learning about different traditions like rolling hard boiled eggs down a hill. There aren't Easter egg hunts like we would have in the US. The Fernandez family will miss the hunt at Newport Dunes and fighting over the prize eggs. If you ask for an Easter egg here, you will get an enormous Cadbury hollow chocolate shell with a pack of sweeties inside. Our kids receive them about every other day from someone and they are in love with eggs now. I'm trying to figure out how to dye our eggs because I have yet to find white ones here. Anyone know if brown eggs can be dyed?
Happy Easter to all from our family...He is risen indeed.
Joaquin will be two next week, I can't believe two years have gone by. He reminds me more and more of my brother Logan everyday...he has really figured out how to drive Chloe crazy. He got his first real haircut in a 100 year old barn turned salon and everyday asks to go to town and get a shreet (I believe this is treat and sweet mashed together). Almost everyday someone slips him a pound for his sweeties. Chloe taught him how to cover his mouth and giggle like a girl. He basically does everything she asks him to.
Carlos and I had our first informal young adults meeting at our house and got a good lesson in Northern Irish slang. Do you know what Chav, Naf, Bok, or Banjaxed mean? Well I do. University students are pretty much the same around the world and we love them. Carlos and I are putting on a Good Friday service at First Saintfield called Way of the Cross. Most of you will probably recognize the name. It has been an interesting process and we have learned a lot about the culture here. Carlos and I are meeting incredible people and are having a lot of incredible conversations. We are excited to see how Good Friday impacts the community.
Easter will be our first big holiday here in Northern Ireland. It is fun learning about different traditions like rolling hard boiled eggs down a hill. There aren't Easter egg hunts like we would have in the US. The Fernandez family will miss the hunt at Newport Dunes and fighting over the prize eggs. If you ask for an Easter egg here, you will get an enormous Cadbury hollow chocolate shell with a pack of sweeties inside. Our kids receive them about every other day from someone and they are in love with eggs now. I'm trying to figure out how to dye our eggs because I have yet to find white ones here. Anyone know if brown eggs can be dyed?
Happy Easter to all from our family...He is risen indeed.
Friday, March 18, 2011
NORN IRON
Today will mark three weeks since we arrived in our wee village. We almost instantly felt at home when we walked through the doors of our new house. The kids went crazy and sprinted through the house jumping on all of the beds and exploring their new environment. It took about a week for them to actually sleep in their new rooms, partly jet lag and partly scared of the unfamiliar.
Chloe has since started full blown school all day long in a real classroom (they start young here). I think she has brought a bit of "life" to the class. She gets dressed in her full uniform, including a tie every morning and she and daddy walk to the Academy. She is already starting to pick up the new lingo and accent. One morning she asked me if she looked "prim and proper" and "mum can you roll up my trousers"
Joaquin enjoys his new back yard (garden) and yells SHEEP at the top of his lungs whenever we go by one, which is often. People often tell me how cute my little girls are (maybe its time for a hair cut Joaquin). Almost no one can say his name and it doesn't help when they ask how we spell it.
Some things have been easier and some will be harder than we anticipated, but it is starting to feel like a community we are going to love.
We miss everyone in the states and hope you know that you are all invited to our new home (not at all at once please).
Chloe has since started full blown school all day long in a real classroom (they start young here). I think she has brought a bit of "life" to the class. She gets dressed in her full uniform, including a tie every morning and she and daddy walk to the Academy. She is already starting to pick up the new lingo and accent. One morning she asked me if she looked "prim and proper" and "mum can you roll up my trousers"
Joaquin enjoys his new back yard (garden) and yells SHEEP at the top of his lungs whenever we go by one, which is often. People often tell me how cute my little girls are (maybe its time for a hair cut Joaquin). Almost no one can say his name and it doesn't help when they ask how we spell it.
Some things have been easier and some will be harder than we anticipated, but it is starting to feel like a community we are going to love.
We miss everyone in the states and hope you know that you are all invited to our new home (not at all at once please).
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The time has come, for one and all, to gather round and play ay ay ball!
It has almost been a year since the beginning of this journey. Our family will get on the plane next Wednesday to create a new life in Northern Ireland. How do you prepare for a move of a family of four overseas? We have no idea, but for now everything is going in totes...shoes, clothing, bedding, peanut butter, pancake mix (because we were told you can't get it there), mexican food spices, and lot's of toys to help with transition. It is going to look pretty awesome when we get to the airport....1 mom, 1 dad, 2 kids, 7 totes, 3 suitcases, 2 carseats, 1 stroller, and 1 hot pink Trunkie. The amazing thing is, we have a house waiting for us when we get there, fully furnished down to the silverware and brand new beds! It will feel so good to finally not be living in transition which is probably the most difficult way of living with a toddler and 4 year old. Our next post will be from our home in Northern Ireland!
A resounding THANK YOU to all of you who have helped us get to this point. We are so grateful for your support and can't wait to share with you the great things God has in store.
A resounding THANK YOU to all of you who have helped us get to this point. We are so grateful for your support and can't wait to share with you the great things God has in store.
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