Precious Friend

Just days after I had been working on my post about being 10 years cancer free I received a package in the mail all the way from Hawaii. My dear friend, Stacy, sent me a precious pendant to commemorate my 10 years post cancer. She sent it the end of April (it took that long to come to Poland and clear customs, I guess).

Stacy certainly walked that journey with me and her sweet note to me blessed me so much. Inside the pendant are symbols representing certain things. Here's what Stacy put inside:

God's faithfulness - cross charm

Worldwide prayer - world charm

Top Oncologist (mine was) - medical symbol charm

Month of diagnosis - May birthstone

Month of first treatment - June birthstone

Month of last treatment - March birthstone

Travel (cheap tickets she wrote!) - airplane charm

Breast cancer - pink ribbon charm

Survivor plate

If you read my earlier post, you can see that significant to me was God's faithfulness throughout the whole time. I also mentioned God providing quick and cheap airfare, a quick consultation and treatment plan with a top oncologist, and people praying for us around the world. So precious that she caught all those miracles from the Lord.

Stacy here with her girls Hope and Jenna

I think of how cool God is and that He blessed Stacy and I with such a friendship. Love you Stace!

Ten Years Ago

Ten years ago this week I found out that I had breast cancer. I remember the details of those few hours so clearly: the hot, sunny day; who babysat my girls while I was gone; the car I drove to my appointment; laying on the exam table while an ultrasound was done; talking with my GYN.


Then just a few minutes later, seeing another doctor for a biopsy; waiting for results while realizing what was happening with me; the look on another woman waiting for her biopsy results; the first wave of panic thoughts; giving everything to God. Another visit with my GYN as he explained the next steps to take; returning home; calling my friend Laura; calling Germany to find Greg - who was away on a trip; talking with Greg; and then finally going to  bed.

Ten years ago.

Ten years ago, life was suspended as we oriented ourselves to what it meant to have breast cancer. We ran into God's presence immediately with tangible care from family members and friends from many countries.


My story has those scary, hard, and uncomfortable parts to it, but God's generous, kind, and specific care is much greater. In fact, I just read over an old email I sent out just 2 weeks after finding out I had cancer. Here is a small portion: 


“The Wonderful and Beautiful things God has done” is much longer than the list of “this is what’s happened in the last 2 ½ weeks”.


Some of those things were our Polish pastor drove us back and forth to Warsaw to get a second opinion; a new friend who worked in an oncology clinic talked us through basic breast cancer treatments which helped us decide which country to have treatment. Within a few days God provided funding and air flights (at a great price too). Quick oncology appointments and treatment, a very kind surgeon, veteran cancer patients to guide me along the way, loving family to care and provide for us, homes to live in, cars to drive, an amazing church to stand with us the entire time, loving friends. So much more.

I am ten years cancer free. 

"This I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: 

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases (we are not cut off), his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning, great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:21-24

This verse has been used in many songs and hymns. "Great is Thy Faithfulness" is one of my favorite hymns which became dear to me when I was a teen and a new believer. Throughout my life thus far, I have always experienced God's faithfulness to me. This 10 year anniversary post cancer is another example of God's faithfulness to me.

A New Home

Four years ago May we received a call from dear friends who, with excited voices, told us "We found the perfect place. Come now and see it." We jumped in the car and drove a short distance to view a plot of land for sale. Our friends decided to buy property and wanted us to buy the lot next to them. Thus began an exciting process of buying property as foreigners in Poland. Six months later we owned this property pictured below.

However, it was 3 years later and two other homes built next door before we were able to secure a loan to build a house.

We began July 2011 to build our own house. Many wonderful answered prayers and the uncountable help by our dear friends Leszek and Grazyna made this possible.

Right now we are in the last stretch, the most trying part: decisions about colors, tile, fixtures, quality, size, and more than we are aware of. 

We hope to move into our new place by the end of June!!

Many of you have stayed with us over the years and we are delighted to have you come again and stay in our home that was designed with you in mind. We have so many miracles to share with you of how this house was built; everyone the Lord brought together to make it happen!

"Your on. Let's go."

This weekend marks 15 years since we left the USA and moved to Poland. 

After nearly 2 years of support raising and weeks of saying goodbye, we were joined by 30 people as we waited to board our flight out of the country. We had just celebrated our second wedding anniversary too.

Were you there 15 years ago?

 

If you were, you may have remembered the drama involved with departure. We had received flight vouches to fly standby. As we waited at the gate with these loving friends and family, we didn't know until the last minute if there was room for us. So as we were watching and waiting, talking, hugging, laughing, watching, waiting...all of a sudden the flight attendant said, "OK. Your on. Let's go."

Quickly rushing through last hugs we walk through the door, down the tunnel to the door of the plane. As we arrive at the plane's entrance, another flight attendant comes out telling us to wait just a second. Then, a second later tells us there is no room for us!! She then proceeds to shut the door to the airplane. Oh no! As we walk back through the jetway back to the gate, we beg the airline attendant to allow us to stand behind the door for 15 minutes until all our friends leave. She smiled, and as she explained that it's not possible, cheering and clapping erupted as the plane pulled away. This abruptly was replaced with groans of disappointment as we emerged from the door back into the the gate area!

What love!! Fortunately we were able to board the next flight and had a quiet time with my sister and her family as everyone else returned home.

We then had a layover in Chicago with dear friends, Harrelsons and Inslees! Thanks for coming and hanging out with us!

 

Finally de-boarding in Frankfurt, Germany, the first person we see? Dick Patty, ready with luggage cart! We went through to baggage claim and were met by our Josiah Venture team leaders, Dan & Laura Hash, as well as Cadence International missionaries, Dick & Margaret Patty, Billy Brand, and Paul & Stacy Cassidy.

After a few hours in Germany, we loaded up the Hashes car and began a long drive through Czech Republic on towards Poland. We arrived mid-early morning to Dave & Connie Patty's home and slept for a few hours before driving the last 2 hours to the Hashes home in Poland.

I remember my first eager look at Poland after we crossed the border. It looked similar to this:

My first time ever to see Poland was the day I moved here!!  God has done so much here in Poland and the country has change alot too. But that's for another post!

H2O Grand Opening!!

This summer was a busy summer preparing for the Grand Opening for H2O Camp & Conference Center. If you have ever hosted an event in your home, you can understand the preparations necessary: 

menus to plan, prep, and prepare...

pools to clean, bedding to change...

tree limbs to trim...

Greg's brother Jeff came to help with landscaping!

sidewalks to weed...

Thank you Kathy!!

 amphitheater to complete...

 

So peaceful! Thank you Neal!!

gifts to purchase...

Laura giving our Thank You gifts.

balloons to blow up.

 

Clearly it's all hands on deck to get everything done on time.

 At last the Grand Opening weekend came.

On Friday September 9, 2011, Michal welcomed local clergy & civil authorities along with the business' that had a part in remodeling the conference center.

This included a tour of the buildings and premises conducted by Lukasz; Greg and the local Mayor officially cutting the ribbon, followed by a beautiful banquet spread prepared by our amazing cooking staff.

Saturday we took time as Fala staff (the Polish organization we work with), family, friends and donors who traveled to Poland for the celebration to reminisce the many miracles God had done over the 7 years to purchase and renovate.

On Sunday we had a Grand Opening Celebration with local churches who have prayed for us, worked alongside us, encouraged us to press on when it got tough, lived life with us these many years.

Greg and Leszek cutting the ribbon on Sunday.

We are pleased for all that God has done over the last 7 years with the project and what He has done with our team and us as individuals. He didn't wait to use H2O as a tool to change the lives of so many Polish youth (Canadian, Irish, American, Czech as well), but used it each time someone was there.

We dedicate it to Him.

If you have a Facebook account you can find great pictures of the event on Osrokek h2o.

Summer 2011

Two days following the end Collision English Camp in our local church, we flew to the States for one month of home assignment. During that time of connecting with supporting churches and individuals we were able to spend time with our families.

Here we are with the Carlson side, catching up and celebrating Greg’s mom’s 81^st birthday together. 

Greg's Family

Heidi's family

 Here we are with the Compton side, celebrating my mom’s 80^th birthday together. 

The weeks flew by with many greetings, deep talks, reunions & celebrations followed by quick (and often sad) goodbyes. Certainly our hearts were full and emotions weary as we headed back to Poland again. 

Our girls then had a one day turn around before heading to Josiah Venture's JVKids Camp in Croatia. Here they spent a week with all our JV missionary kids and Josiah Venture staff. This is a camp they look forward to all year long.

Jillian water skiing in Croatia!!!

EC Collision Continues

Collision English Camp 2011 in Bielsko Biala continues and here are more pictures for you to enjoy.

We began the day at the movie theater of all places. We received free tickets with a purchase of an ice cream!

Then back to camp for our English classes!

Greg knows the answer to this one.

Kelsey helped translate in this class pictured below. Can you find her?

Beginning the evening program with our Theme Song and Dance.

And Lost and Found recovery. These guys had to dance to Wii to retrieve their "lost" belongings.

Singing both English and Polish songs required the students to teach the Americans how to sing in Polish!

After Evening Program we had our fun night: Hollywood Night!

It began with a Red Carpet Arrival...

...and rushing forward for autographs...

....followed by an evening of fun including Wii Just Dance 2!

Everyone having a great time. Below, our Polish staff from L - R is Filip our sound guy, David our sports guy, and David our camp director!

Even our English teachers jumped in!

Special appearance by Hannah Montana.

Josh and Lora Blair our Intern Team Leaders.

Jillian and Elyse, missionary kids from Poland. Jillian was primarily responsible for the Wii Just Dance night!

There are just a few days left of camp. The students have been very open to talking about Jesus and the Bible. Many have commented that this week hearing about Jesus has been more relevant to them. Most of their church experiences don't include being asked what they think about the Bible or the examples and teachings of Jesus. They have been able to express their thoughts, ask questions or clarify areas they don't understand.

Thank you for praying for them all.