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.