Polish Word of the Day

Posted by Alexis in Culture, Poland on March 8, 2012

No Comments

Polish Preschool hunting

Posted by Alexis in Uncategorized on March 1, 2012

It’s that time of year again….preschool hunting. I know you, like us, look for the best schools for your children. Their education is very important. So as we look between different local schools we are anxiously looking at the Polish school we talked about Emma attending last year.

We were not able to sign her up and commit to the different requirements of us as parents, but this year we are on board with anything they ask. One fabulous requirement of a parent is to being the coffee/tea and cakes once a month.  How awesome is that? You know I’ll be working on some Polish recipes.

But what we love so much is the overall Polish feel and well…world we jump into. They speak only Polish at the school, teach Polish holidays, history and culture. Exciting! It is only on the weekends so it’s a supplement to the other preschool she’ll be going to. I’m nervous for Emma and how overwhelming it will feel for her. But am confident she will pick up the language quickly and meet some new dear girl friends.

No Comments

So Encouraging

Posted by Alexis in Alexis' Thoughts, Personal reflection, Poland on February 24, 2012

http://life-love-laughter.tumblr.com/post/4431940058/a-great-reminder

This is so encouraging to be reminded that we are all right where God wants us and just in time for everything. We’re never late…even when moving to Poland. ;)

No Comments

The bottom line

Posted by Travis in Culture, Personal reflection, Poland, Travis' Thoughts on February 22, 2012

DSC_0166.JPG

So often I (Travis) find myself jealous of other missionaries serving in places like Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East, South America, etc… these are places I call “the sexy” mission field, there’s a certain automatic appeal about these places.  Generally (and very generally) people (mostly Americans) associate this appeal with either Islam, third world, or poverty. All of which need missionaries, and more importantly need missionaries who know what they are doing, can create reproductive groups of fellowships, and love on the people like Jesus does. My problem isn’t with the work, it’s with the immediate reaction, and “understanding” that comes so easily because, well, it’s heart breaking to see people in such poverty, war-torn, and sad situations.  If people didn’t have this reaction, I would be second guessing the Church more than I already do!

My “problem” is me, it’s my own immediate reaction to say “BUT WHAT ABOUT POLAND?? (and other nations like it)”‘, but most of the time I keep that reaction well under control. The jealousy comes from the overwhelming support people provide to those “sexy” places, sure there are more tangible needs – water, food, shelter – yeah I better hope we’re helping those kinds of places (while making life-long relationships and providing education and tools to build up self-sustaining generations). I just have a hard time swallowing that reality when I know there’s 10′s of millions of people (including here in America) who go about their day with “everything” and have zero relationship with God, many by choice, and yet, as in Poland, many with out an opportunity to discover Him in true, God-seeking relationships.

Is not the greatest call, the bottom line of the Church to have people know God personally? To know who Jesus is, was, and is to come? May I never loose this heart, and may our hearts melt for Poland more and more. Click “Why Poland” to find out more about the spiritual needs in Poland.

1 Comment

Language Study

Posted by Alexis in Alexis' Thoughts, Personal accounts, Personal reflection, Poland on February 17, 2012

Looking at learning Polish as a whole, seems like a massive mountain that is impossible. It seems I will always sound silly and unable to make the ‘normal’ sounds Poles make. One example, rolling your tongue. I have no idea how I was jipped while I was being created in my mom’s womb but I did not get the gene that allows me to roll my ‘R’s.

There are times that all I need to do is open my mouth and I’m non verbally saying ‘FOREIGNER HERE!’ Which is not incorrect or bad. I am not from Poland and even though I will work my tush off to learn the language, I will always have different American way s of saying/doing something.

I can remember during our last visit to Poland, I was at a convenience store buying chocolates for our friends back home, and the clerk said the total of everything which I understood only numbers. No order to them though. I gave her a larger bill knowing it would cover the purchase. She gave me my bag and I left feeling like living there might not be so hard as I might imagine.

I didn’t go 5 feet out the door without her running after me yelling something in Polish. I followed her back in only to realize I had about 120 zl change waiting for me on the counter! 120! I felt so foolish as the others in line were looking at me like, ‘what?!’ but knew that it was just one of those things that happen.

I smile about it now. It’s really not a horrible story. Just a reminder to keep up the language mountain. And next time, I look forward to not only taking my change from the lady but understanding what she says to me. :)

No Comments

Weronika and Alexis

Posted by Alexis in Alexis' Thoughts, Family News, Personal accounts on February 10, 2012

Weronika and I.

Weronika, I had such an amazing time getting to know you more and I SO look forward to being able to get to know you better in the near future! Love our friendship.

Do you have friendship you wished were better? This is one for me. We get along great but there’s a little something blocking us from being GREAT friends…it’s the Atlantic Ocean.

2 Comments

Chris and Travis

Posted by Alexis in Personal accounts on February 7, 2012

We were able to take some pictures of each other while at our last visit. I think you can totally see the friendship the two of them have with each other. It’s awesome.

It helps also, that I was behind the camera saying ridiculous things to make them laugh. There is nothing more beautiful than a natural smile. :)

No Comments

Re-entry

Posted by Alexis in Alexis' Thoughts, Family News, Personal reflection on February 4, 2012

We’ve been ‘home’ for about 2 weeks and when friends have asked us how our trip was, we’re finding it hard to explain. Yes, we were able to express about our time with our friends but it seems less and less like a foreign place where we need to process what we’ve seen/experienced/done. It seems more like Seattle. Gone for a bit to visit those we love and are back in Portland again. We feel like no re-entry processing is needed.

We are, however, fortunate that we didn’t have any problems with the time difference. We were able to pick up right from where we left. I can remember a friend asking me if it was difficult at all coming back to Portland.

I was internally surprised. Well yes, obviously, we wish we were living in Krakow right now…but it’s become more familiar to make this trip that it seems to get easier and easier.

One hard part is that here, we are not able to visit with our Polish friends like we were able to this trip. Who knows, maybe the next trip will be with visas and tons of suitcases! :)

No Comments

There is a harvest

Posted by Travis in Fund Raising, Poland, Travis' Thoughts on September 18, 2011

Krakow October 2008

There are three “mile stones” for us to pass before we leave the USA for Poland.  The first is to grow our family, we hope to have one more child before leaving, if we end up being fully fund-raised and w/o another child, then we’ll probably move to Poland and grow our family in the field.  The second mile stone is getting enough monthly donors to commit to 120% of our living and ministry budgets, currently we need an average of $30/month from 187 more donors. Lastly is having our deployment fund raised, which includes emergency money, three months of reserves, first month of living/ministry costs, moving costs, etc.

But those are all details that don’t really matter without a heart and vision for the harvest.  There is a harvest of souls, a population of people who are at the best unsure of their faith, and at the worst completely fed up with the “system”. Yes, the same is true here in America, but what’s not true in Poland is that there are not churches in every town and neighborhood, the opportunity for someone to even hear or know of someone filled with God’s saving grace can be summed up in this bit of trivia…

In Krakow, the first city we plan on living in, there is a population of more than 2 million (similar in size to Portland, OR) – there are about 12 churches, and a dozen or so other para-church (protestant) organizations doing works in the city.  Of those groups, it’s estimated there are about 1,000 to 2,000 believers in the entire metro area of Krakow.  In Portland, OR (a city known to be “un-churched”) there are over 20 churches of 1,000 or more people in attendance each week.

There is a harvest.  Hear us LORD, send us.

 

 

 

 

1 Comment

Some more of Seattle

Posted by Alexis in Alexis' Thoughts, Personal accounts on August 15, 2011

Here are some last pictures from our trip to Seattle. They HAD  to take a ferry. We insisted. :)

I think it’s impossible to go to Seattle on a summer day and not fall in love with the city.

No Comments

American Baseball

Posted by Alexis in Alexis' Thoughts, Family News, Personal accounts on August 9, 2011

We were given FABULOUS Mariner tickets by my dad and step-mom for our Polish friends to experience an all American baseball game.

And it was fabulous. In every way. No kids, great weather and the best seats I’ve ever had. Oh and it gets better- we actually won!

It was a fabulous time and we had a blast. Lots of laughing,, yelling and watching out for pop fly’s.

Heck, even Jesus himself visited the game! :)

We also chummed it up with our friend of ours there. You might know him. He goes by one name. Ichiro.

He’s nice. Kinda quiet though.

They tried our wonderful healthy baseball stadium food. I chose the nachos with liquid cheese and spicy chili, Travis had a light beer and they had pepperoni  pizza. Oh and the freshly squeezed lemonades. Sweet beautiful lemonades.

Lastly, they heard TONS about the ‘seventh inning stretch’ and were so excited to be apart of it. And it lived up to their expectations.

At about the 7th inning, the fans who are still there don’t care how good they sound. It’s probably the amount of beer they’ve consumed but I like that carefree thinking. So we sang loudly too.

We also did the wave. FIVE TIMES around the stadium. I worked at having a good attitude but think I failed.

It was cold, late, I was exhausted from spending the morning playing at the beach, I didn’t feel like jumping with liquid cheese in my stomach (which almost came out in the car later) and overall I was easily annoyed/pissy. Did I do a good job defending my mood? …I know, I know…but at least I didn’t bite someone’s head off. But poor Trav got a few verbal bullets flying past his ears.

So anyways, we did the wave. 5 times.

Let me refrase that: I watched our friends do the wave 5 times.  I took the pictures.

Can you believe the Mariners won?!!!

Great picture huh. Great people. Great game. Great night.

*her hair is not that blond. Weird lights. But I like that color on her don’t you?

1 Comment

Hearts Joining

Posted by Alexis in Uncategorized on July 29, 2011

All of our hearts are melding more and more with each other everyday.

No Comments

a mama’s love.

Posted by Alexis in Uncategorized on July 25, 2011

a mama’s love is infectious and soothing. A snuggle, able to heal most injuries of the heart. A mama’s laughter enriching.

Mama’s that enter their children’s worlds will live forever in the love and respect of future generations.

 

No Comments

Update

Posted by Alexis in Uncategorized on July 23, 2011

Alexis wrote an update on how our first couple days have been with our Polish friends in town. Go HERE to read and see a couple pictures.

Over all we love them. Tons. Our heart is SO for them and what God is calling them to be. And we are excited to strengthen that bond we have and to pour whatever Godly wisdom we have into them.

Seeing them again only grows the love we have for the Poles and we CAN’T WAIT to minister with them in the future, whatever that looks like. lol

Hope you have a GREAT weekend!

No Comments

Our friends

Posted by Alexis in Uncategorized on July 20, 2011

Food bought: check

Find a car that fits all of us: check

get all the extra sheets/pillows: check

Arrange meetings/plans/coffee chats: check

Emma  excited about them coming: check

Get surprise present ready: check

 

CAN’T WAIT FOR YOU GUYS TO GET HERE!!!!! :)

(* and I’m praying for an amazingly smooth transition for the huge time change)

No Comments

Bunched Caramel

Posted by Alexis in Earrings on July 13, 2011

Bunched Caramel is made of Czech Champagne colored beads, sterling silver spacers, circular glass beads and sterling silver Ear hooks.

No Comments

We left our heart in Krakow

Posted by Alexis in Alexis' Thoughts, Personal reflection, Poland on July 13, 2011

There are days when it hits us harder than other days. Feelings of being disjointed and held back.  When the thing we want the most is to wake up to a morning in Krakow. See our friends there, go to language school, walk their streets and make a close relationship with their culture.

These heartfelt desires come and go in degree, but it’s always there. Even when we don’t say anything and we seem knee deep in the happenings of our little lives here.

Where is this coming from? Well, recently we found out some friends of ours who are FABULOUS  and CALLED to be missionaries are heading out to their field. Two families going to two different continents. One has already left and another will be leaving in the fall. When I think of them I can imagine all the excitement, nervousness and unknowns they are feeling. I get excited for their families and all the possibilities that are in front of them. But I also feel a twang of sadness. I can’t help but wish and pray we were in Poland.

Not trying to compare our different circumstances, but allowing myself to reflect on where we are and why. Talking about and giving God my feelings and doing whatever part I can do in the equation. Making meetings, emailing, doing courses, etc. The last thing I want to do is get in a circle of sadness, un-motivation and then more sadness.

Today, we are taking each moment as it comes. Taking one meeting as we can schedule and seeing how God wants to touch our lives/plans for the future.

*all pictures our own. And a wonderful story goes with each…

No Comments

Relationships… hardest part of life?

Posted by The Mielonens in Culture, Mobile post, Poland, Travis' Thoughts on June 28, 2011

image

One of the key values of our mission to Poland is building meaningful relationships. Relationships built on God’s kingdom and values. The core to meaningful relationships is interdependency, the idea that we all need one another. Church should reflect a family system, the idea that we are there for each other in spite of circumstances.

However, this is all very ideal without some hardcore and usually humbling revelations about ourselves and our commitment to truly love people as God has called us to. God doesn’t call us to be perfect and “nice” to everyone, but he does call us to love through everything. Many times that means loving when our hearts are hurt, when our flesh is frustrated, or when our soul is deeply disturbed by the world around us.

Missions, and this thig we call Church/Christianity requires relationship, and so the question is… what does relationship look like in the Kingdom and am I there? The good news is that in the Kingdom grace and mercy abound, and if not from our fellow brothers and sisters, you can guarantee our Father will pour it out!

No Comments

What is missions?

Posted by Travis in Culture on June 27, 2011

Mt. Hood at sunset from our balcony.

Simply put “missions” is Matthew 28:18-20 “18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Yet, what do these words really mean? What is a disciple? What does “baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holly Spirit” really mean? What are the commands we should be teaching?

For us, a disciple is someone after God’s heart, baptizing people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is being filled with God’s heart, and the commands to be obeyed are love God and love people.  This is simplified of course, but none the less the essence of what Missions is for us.

Beyond this, local and global missions have so many different aspects. How we approach “missions” is all about how we personally approach God.

No Comments

Swarovski Crystal Earrings

Posted by Alexis in Earrings on June 9, 2011

These girly earrings are made of  Pink, Purple, Red  and Salmon Swarovski crystals. The ear hook is made of starling silver.

No Comments