Fourteen!

Holy Cow, Kids! In two weeks from today I'll be getting on a plane! How did this happen??

In other news, it cooled off with rain yesterday and today. This morning the dogs and I had a lovely, long, cool walk! Now I'm actually kind of cold! Crazy!

I'm going to go cook some squash, onions, and tomatoes that desperately need using. Then hang out with Mom for a while. When I get back, I think I'll watch a movie while working on stuff in my room. Good plan? Good plan.

Woohoo!!

Tickets have officially been PURCHASED, folks!!

I will be on a plane in three weeks!!

!

I am so excited right now, but also starting to freak out a little bit!  I still intensely need your prayers.

And also- I'd like to solicit your advice. If you've been overseas for an extended period of time, can you give me an idea of how much I'll need to pack, what things you didn't have access to that you needed, what I need to buy here/wait till there as far as warmer apparel, and how to best negotiate the whole stuff situation? I only have one "free" suitcase with my airline ticket, and only up to 20 kilograms!!  What??  The second one is $50, which I figure is definitely worth it...  After that I don't know. One friend told me she took two suitcases and two big trunks when she lived in Guatemala for two years.

I guess I'll have to start seriously packing. I'm certainly not using my winter clothes right now! And I'll go from there.

Today I'll close with a few photos I found around the web.... just to give all of us a picture of what Poznan looks like. :)

Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons

http://journals.worldnomads.com/arollingstone/gallery/8067/219767.aspx

http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/009138.html

http://www.windows7bold.com/en/preview/40835/sunsetting-on-a-lake.html

Why go to Europe?

So, of course I'm excited to see Europe. I do hope to have the ability to go see some things while I live in Poznan. (Although I have no idea what my schedule will be like.  If travel isn't possible, so be it.) But other than the potential benefits for me, why go to Europe? What are the real reasons I'm so excited for this opportunity? Wouldn't Africa or India or South America be more appropriate?

Here's the thing, Europe is not very Christian these days.  After centuries of living steeped in Christianity most Europeans are totally skeptical, which may be understandable considering the many evil uses of Christ's name and Christian language. By and large, Europeans don't think it's possible for an intelligent person to really believe in orthodox Christianity.

By one estimate, Europe has less than 2% active believers, and Poland has less than 0.5%. See European Believers Report  As the GEM website states, "To many peoples of Europe, to be religious is to go to church for baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Those who have heard of Christianity view it as a thing of the past, and they may associate it with a ruling political system.  They’ve experienced a caricature of Christianity that holds no validity."

Many people in Europe have the mindset that they are "spiritual but not religious".  And the thing that strikes me is how incredibly easy it must be for Satan to use that viewpoint to lie to people, keeping them trapped. I see Europe as a dark place, with the potential for much spiritual deception.

So, I think Europe will be a challenging place to be a full-time missionary.  And I think God has a lot of personal growth in store for me. I am looking so forward to seeing what God will do when I show up, prepared and armed for battle. But knowing the victory is His.

Happy August!!

What a month! I had a fantastic July, full of traveling, visiting family and friends... good quality time spent with people I love. :)

Some highlights.

Fourth of July/Housewarming for Craig and Sarah.

Aren't they cute?

Welcome to Yukon, America!!

I spent about a week visiting friends from college I hadn't seen in years (sorry, guys! your kids are all adorable!), family (love you all!), and generally hanging out.  Then we had a fantastic weekend of celebration because my Granddad turned EIGHTY!!  What fun!

Then? Off to California! I had such a fantastic time with two of my favorite girls in the world!!

I drove home from northern California with Julia (so fun!), and since I've been home, it's been pretty busy still. 

Just this weekend I had a birthday night in Dallas for Tiffany! and a Cake-Off for Jon's birthday! I'm thankful I have friends who know how to celebrate!

We're getting down to the wire.  About one month to go.  I'm going to have to start getting serious about the real last-minute logistics of leaving. Packing, clearing out my room, making sure all the paperwork is in order. 

I am so excited!! And constantly praying! Right now the GEM Annual Conference is starting. Be praying for safe travels for all the missionaries and support staff, for their unity, refreshment, and an excitement with a renewed vision.

Love you all! I'm planning to start practicing this whole blogging thing. So get ready!  :) 

Grace and peace,

Steph

A New Adventure

Here we are, on the last day of June, and time is flying! As you undoubtedly know since you are visiting my blog, I will be on a plane in early September! I will be heading to Poznan, Poland for nine months.  And I am PUMPED!  


This blog is intended to keep my friends, family, and supporters up to date on how I am faring and what God is doing in my life.  I am starting it now to get in the habit of regularly updating, and also to try to get most of the blogging learning curve out of the way before I go.  :) 


What I'll Be Doing


The most common question I've encountered so far is, "So... what exactly will you be doing?"  And the most accurate answer is, "Whatever God puts before me." :)  I know I will be helping with a bit of administrative work for one of the missionary couples on the field. I will be taking Polish classes, which will give me opportunities to interact with international students. And I know I'll be partnering with a single woman, Theresa, who has worked as a missionary in Poland for five years, and in Poznan for one. I'll join her in whatever ministry efforts she has going. I am so excited for the opportunity to learn from these people! In Poznan, GEM has Theresa and two couples with teenage or adult children. I will be a sponge soaking up their wisdom, I'm sure!


Why I'm Going


Without fully realizing it, I've had a desire to live overseas for several years now.  I had a taste of missions last summer when I went to Latvia for a week, and I loved every minute, though it was hard work. And last fall, as I read through the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan, the Lord kept saying "overseas for a year, overseas for a year, overseas for a year."  After much dragging of my feet, I applied to GEM, and the ball started rolling pretty quickly. 


Through the process, GEM supplied me with three possibilities they thought would be a good fit for me, and Poland was the one that stood out. Mainly because they mentioned this woman who I'll be joining, Theresa. And I envisioned being able to be a partner and a helper... Being able to be an extra pair of hands and feet for someone who already had a vision and passion for the people.  


Since then, I have felt nothing but confirmation. Every conversation with godly friends, every conversation with the Lord, and the orientation in Colorado have brought me more and more peace about going. I feel so privileged to go on this journey! I am glad it's still two months away (eeeeeeeeek!!), because I certainly have a lot yet to do. But I could not be more excited to be going.


How Can You Be Involved?


The way the Lord designed us to support each other in community is quite beautiful, I think. When we support fellow Christians in their ministries, we become Fellow Workers with them for the truth. (3 John 7-8). I need lots of fellow workers! 


I am close to my financial goal. I must raise $17,009.10 total, and to this point I have raised around $16,000!  Thank the Lord, who provides generously! If you would still like to make a contribution, please click the link at right.


What I am concerned about more than completing fund raising is receiving committed prayer support. For some reason, God likes us to ask for things, for ourselves and each other. So will you consider committing to pray for me?  I am looking for friends to commit to pray for a week or a whole month. I have a sign up sheet so I can easily keep track, send reminders, and email prayer requests.  


Prayer Requests


There is a lot of paperwork to collect so when I arrive I can apply for a visa. My goal is to have all of it in proper order by the end of July. Please pray that I am diligent, and that I can easily navigate through the red tape. Also pray that I will be able to find someone in the IRS who can give me the correct form letter. (Who knew it would be so difficult? :) sheesh!) Secondly, the first three weeks of July I'll be traveling to visit family and friends. Pray that these weeks are restful, meaningful, and the Lord continues to prepare my heart!


Thank you!


If you've read this far, I know you truly love me. :)  I hope the approaching weekend is full of promise! 


xoxo
Steph