allllrighty friends so I suppose its time for another update from the Heather and Kenji side of things...
This last week was junior English camp where the 4 of us as well as some other Americans and 1 token British guy (Paul) taught English every day. It was really fun! Or at least my class was. Kenji had a rather difficult time as mid way through the week his class decided to strike as a respose to not getting candy like some of their peers in the other classes. However Kenji pulled through (or rather God gave him strength to pull through) and I think the week ended up being successfull. He built some pretty cool relationships with some of the boys in his cabin and class.
I was fortunate enough to be in a cabin with the same girls from last year! So I had a chance to continue some of the relationships with these young girls. My class was really fun and though teaching English is something that is difficult it was really fun to talk about the miricles of Jesus.
Kenji and I were in cabins with kids which poses its own difficulties and toward the end of the week it really began to wear on me. Half way through the week I started getting sick and one day I completely lost my voice which was fun and irritating. I now have my voice back but I'm officially in the "sick" stage with a stufft nose and cough. But my energy level is pretty good so hopefully I'll be able to shake it off before we leave! Now week 3 is starting and Kenji and I have been removed from the cabins and I am now in the Hotel (PRAISE GOD) and Kenji is in the Villa (where he was most of the time last year). For those of you who don't know...the Hotel is the main building where all of the married couples stay and the villa and a 100 year old building that serves as the hang-out place for the kids as well as the snack shack (a.k.a hard rock cafe).
Larry, Chirssy, David, Kenji and myself had a chance yesterday to take a little trip to Warsaw and hang out which was nice and eventful. THe other night we had an opportunity to have lunch and dinner with Rafal and talk more about PROeM and Real Action (the service week Kenji and I were a part of), as well as he future church plant and Lodz. We are all so very excited about where things are going and Kenji and I received an official invitation to come back to Poland for a year (0r more) to help with this church plant. This idea is exciting and terrifying for myself and Kenji so we would really appreciate your prayers regarding this decision. Whether or not we come back for the long of a time, we will definitely be returning (Lord willing) next summer to help with this church plant as well as Real Action. God is doing some amazing things here within the kids at the camps as well as in the greater cities.
I want to encourage all of you back to home to continue praying for us while we are here, and also to pray about the opportunity to join us and PROeM in the work God is doing here in Poland. Love and miss you all! Can't believe we come back this Friday however I know we are all very excited to be in our beds!
Please be praying for the things mentioned in this post as well as for our last couple of days here...Kenji and Larry will be leading the devotionals for all of the leaders in the mornings and Kenji is very nervous..please pray for courage and a boldness in the spirit.
Please pray for my health and that no one else gets sick...
thank you all!!
love love love
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Week 1
The first week of our Poland trip consisted of Kenji and I going to Lodz for Real Action. This is a week of service where several hundred people from the states as well as Europe renovate homes and public areas for the community. The team we were placed on was renovating several rooms in an orphanage. This week was very trying for both Kenji and myself as God was teaching both of us patience and love for the unloving. Several mornings we walked in to freshly painted rooms to see them basically torn down. The director of the orphanage would come in every night and if something wasn't to her liking then she would have the maintenance guy (the sweetest Polish man you'll ever meet) pull the paint off to have us plaster and paint again. It became very trying when a group of people are working really hard and not pleasing anyone.
On the positive side, there are about 8-10 kids at the orphanage while we were working who became very fond of us, Kenji especially. (I will post pictures later when I have more time to upload them. ) These kids were so sweet and helped us paint whenever there was an opportunity, though they didn't know much English and we didn't know much Polish we taught eachother what we could and gave many hugs. They also gave us many gifts (toys from their room) to remember them by. Though some of the adults didn't find much joy from our work, we are all confident that for the rest of the years these kids have in this place they will remember the love and joy we shared.
At the end of the week we put on a concert in the big downtown area of the city. Many people came including the kids from our project as well as some residents from the houses we renovated. It was a great opportunity for the people whom we served to hear the Gospel in a more direct way and celebrate the end of the week with us. Just like last year, many friendships were made between Americans and Polish people all with the hope and promise to return next year.
I can not describe to you how amazing it is to serve alongside strangers in the world but family in the spirit. It surprises me how often we forget the strong bond that unites us in Christ.
Currently we are in the first day of English Camp - so far so good. Please be praying for the relationships with the kids as well as our English lessons. Thank you all for your support anf love. Promise to post pictures soon!
On the positive side, there are about 8-10 kids at the orphanage while we were working who became very fond of us, Kenji especially. (I will post pictures later when I have more time to upload them. ) These kids were so sweet and helped us paint whenever there was an opportunity, though they didn't know much English and we didn't know much Polish we taught eachother what we could and gave many hugs. They also gave us many gifts (toys from their room) to remember them by. Though some of the adults didn't find much joy from our work, we are all confident that for the rest of the years these kids have in this place they will remember the love and joy we shared.
At the end of the week we put on a concert in the big downtown area of the city. Many people came including the kids from our project as well as some residents from the houses we renovated. It was a great opportunity for the people whom we served to hear the Gospel in a more direct way and celebrate the end of the week with us. Just like last year, many friendships were made between Americans and Polish people all with the hope and promise to return next year.
I can not describe to you how amazing it is to serve alongside strangers in the world but family in the spirit. It surprises me how often we forget the strong bond that unites us in Christ.
Currently we are in the first day of English Camp - so far so good. Please be praying for the relationships with the kids as well as our English lessons. Thank you all for your support anf love. Promise to post pictures soon!
Friday, July 30, 2010
On our way...
Friends and Family, I write as we prepare to set off on our journey back to Poland. Its exciting and scary at the same time. I'd appreciate prayers for my flight anxiety and that I don't lose sight for the reason of going. Love you all and I covet your prayers. Thank you, and I look forward to updating you all on our first days there!
May the Lord bless every one of you!
May the Lord bless every one of you!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
pictures of my puppy
We found this bottle on the street coming home from the park. It was just too funny so I had to take a picture!
Kenji's Christmas present
This is how she sleeps...
She is just super cool with my shades on. I want to get her her own pair of hot pink glasses.
On our road trip from Roseville. Sadie looking out at one of the channels we crossed.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Pictures from the Dog Whisperer
Cesar, Kenji and myself. We didn't purposefully match. Thats just how good we are!
Daddy....One of the coolest moments of my life. This dog is one of my heroes.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Dog Whisperer
For me the day started off at 6:00am, I woke up with a stomach ache and nerves. Took a shower and did my hair and make-up for the first time in a couple of months.
The crew arrived at 8:30 but didn't come inside until 9:06 so for 36 minutes I was pacing and waiting for them to come to the freaking door. I was unbelievably nervous.
They finally came to the door and a train of 6 people came in and filled the living room with Sadie barking up a storm in the background. They explained the game plan and began filling the house with filming equipment. Chris (one of the video guys) filmed Sadie's behavior, trying to get her to be affectionate with Kenji, myself and Laura. It didn't work so well. We filmed her barking and taking treats then went off to the park where he filmed her off leash. She was a lot more friendly with him there and with the rest of us. She also attacked Duke when I gave him attention. After that we went back to house for the interviews.
I was first --got in my chair and had the make-up lady "powder my nose" I felt like a movie star, all mic-ed up, crowded with bright lights and getting my make-up done. My interview lasted about 20 minutes where I told the many stories of my beloved dog. Then it was Kenji's turn, then Laura's.
All of our interviews required serious furniture adjustments so make sure to look for them when you watch the episode.
After all of the interviews were done the room was re-arranged one last time --this time though, it was for the big consultation with Cesar. The 3 of us waited patiently for him (he was getting his make-up done) when he walked in. It was amazing -- he looked just like he did on the show, but he was in my living room, and she shook my hand! he sat down, adjusted his mic and we began with the infamous "How can I help you?" question.
I began and we had a pretty lengthy conversation about Sadie's behaviors, the history of dogs, roles of people and dogs and so on. Not sure how much of it will be used for the actual show....we shall see. After the cameras were turned off we continued our converstaion for about 15 minutes or so where Cesar began to hit me where it hurt. He revealed a lot of stuf about me and my selfish desires. That in a relationship you need to care about what the other person, in this case, other dog, cares about and what they need to make them happy. I was completely called it. I wasn't caring or even thinking about Sadie really needed. I was a typical owner, I was part of the problem.
It was lunch time where I had time to think about everything he said and get in the mindset I needed to be in - Pack Leader.
An hour or so later they came back and Cesar walks in the house with none other than Daddy. I just about cried. I was more starstruck with him than I was with Cesar! Sadie and Duke did their introductions where Daddy just showed the way. He put them in their place when they needed to be and tolerated them when it was okay. He walked around our house and Sadie followed while Cesar described the behavior that was taking place.
About 15 minutes later Sadie came and sat at my feet completely calm and then laid down. In front of EVERYONE! It was great to see her so relaxed in front of a room full of strangers. We talked some more and he gave us pointers on what behavior is good to reward and what isn't.
Kenji and I then left so Laura could work on things while we were "gone". 15 minutes later we came back in and saw her socializing outside with all of the people. Amazing. Cesar again shared some pointers and quizzed us. I think I passed....
We went back inside and then Sadie followed. And came and laid down at our feet again. Amazing.
We went into my room to see how she acts when she gets territorial. He corrected her staring and pre-attack behavior. It was great to have my eyes open to behavior I never noticed before.
It was at that moment where he said he was done. That Sadie was an "easy" case and things should be good from here on out. Amazing! While the crew was setting up for the last interviews Kenji and I had a chance to talk with him about somethings which was great. He was such a great, easy going guy. He did his last remarks while we went out and took pictures with Daddy, came back in took pictures with him and then he went on his marry way.
He left us with a signed copy of his book "A Member of the Family", a DVD of Mastering Leadership, T-shirts and a "perscription" where he wrote down all of the things we talked about and then signed it.
So Great. The show is suppose to air sometime in 6 months. In 2 months Todd (the field producer) will be out again to film our "follow up".
I'm so happy with things that happened today. Cesar helped so much, in my personal life and in the life with Sadie. I can't wait to do more things with her and hopefully eventually train her to be a therapy dog.
The crew arrived at 8:30 but didn't come inside until 9:06 so for 36 minutes I was pacing and waiting for them to come to the freaking door. I was unbelievably nervous.
They finally came to the door and a train of 6 people came in and filled the living room with Sadie barking up a storm in the background. They explained the game plan and began filling the house with filming equipment. Chris (one of the video guys) filmed Sadie's behavior, trying to get her to be affectionate with Kenji, myself and Laura. It didn't work so well. We filmed her barking and taking treats then went off to the park where he filmed her off leash. She was a lot more friendly with him there and with the rest of us. She also attacked Duke when I gave him attention. After that we went back to house for the interviews.
I was first --got in my chair and had the make-up lady "powder my nose" I felt like a movie star, all mic-ed up, crowded with bright lights and getting my make-up done. My interview lasted about 20 minutes where I told the many stories of my beloved dog. Then it was Kenji's turn, then Laura's.
All of our interviews required serious furniture adjustments so make sure to look for them when you watch the episode.
After all of the interviews were done the room was re-arranged one last time --this time though, it was for the big consultation with Cesar. The 3 of us waited patiently for him (he was getting his make-up done) when he walked in. It was amazing -- he looked just like he did on the show, but he was in my living room, and she shook my hand! he sat down, adjusted his mic and we began with the infamous "How can I help you?" question.
I began and we had a pretty lengthy conversation about Sadie's behaviors, the history of dogs, roles of people and dogs and so on. Not sure how much of it will be used for the actual show....we shall see. After the cameras were turned off we continued our converstaion for about 15 minutes or so where Cesar began to hit me where it hurt. He revealed a lot of stuf about me and my selfish desires. That in a relationship you need to care about what the other person, in this case, other dog, cares about and what they need to make them happy. I was completely called it. I wasn't caring or even thinking about Sadie really needed. I was a typical owner, I was part of the problem.
It was lunch time where I had time to think about everything he said and get in the mindset I needed to be in - Pack Leader.
An hour or so later they came back and Cesar walks in the house with none other than Daddy. I just about cried. I was more starstruck with him than I was with Cesar! Sadie and Duke did their introductions where Daddy just showed the way. He put them in their place when they needed to be and tolerated them when it was okay. He walked around our house and Sadie followed while Cesar described the behavior that was taking place.
About 15 minutes later Sadie came and sat at my feet completely calm and then laid down. In front of EVERYONE! It was great to see her so relaxed in front of a room full of strangers. We talked some more and he gave us pointers on what behavior is good to reward and what isn't.
Kenji and I then left so Laura could work on things while we were "gone". 15 minutes later we came back in and saw her socializing outside with all of the people. Amazing. Cesar again shared some pointers and quizzed us. I think I passed....
We went back inside and then Sadie followed. And came and laid down at our feet again. Amazing.
We went into my room to see how she acts when she gets territorial. He corrected her staring and pre-attack behavior. It was great to have my eyes open to behavior I never noticed before.
It was at that moment where he said he was done. That Sadie was an "easy" case and things should be good from here on out. Amazing! While the crew was setting up for the last interviews Kenji and I had a chance to talk with him about somethings which was great. He was such a great, easy going guy. He did his last remarks while we went out and took pictures with Daddy, came back in took pictures with him and then he went on his marry way.
He left us with a signed copy of his book "A Member of the Family", a DVD of Mastering Leadership, T-shirts and a "perscription" where he wrote down all of the things we talked about and then signed it.
So Great. The show is suppose to air sometime in 6 months. In 2 months Todd (the field producer) will be out again to film our "follow up".
I'm so happy with things that happened today. Cesar helped so much, in my personal life and in the life with Sadie. I can't wait to do more things with her and hopefully eventually train her to be a therapy dog.
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