Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Saying Goodbye...

This past weekend was our last in Vlashaj.  It was so difficult to say goodbye to some of our incredible friends (and many tears were shed), but I'm incredibly thankful for the people that God has placed in my life while living here.

Eda and Xhesika

Anna and I with Eta

Albania is in my heart now, there's no doubt about that.  I am already anticipating the day when I can return here.  :)

Friday, April 25, 2014

Spirit Week!!

If you grew up in the public school system, like me, you probably got to experience a few Spirit Weeks during your time!  This may have included Tall Socks and Ties Tuesday, Western Wednesday, or School Spirit Friday.  It was always a fun time when our entire student body would participate, building up our excitement during the week for a big homecoming football game.  

Today is our last Friday of school!!  Hard to believe that the time has flown by so quickly, but these kids have done such an incredible job!!   Ellie has one of the most incredible memories of any child I have ever met!  She has learned all of her states this year and could probably tell you what most state birds are as well as an assortment of random facts about each!  Her comprehension and abstract thinking in our science lessons astounds me most days.  She is incredibly creative and I have enjoyed her story telling and advanced drawing techniques (a lot of cockatiels).  This year, Reni has learned to read on a first grade level, and he also began writing just this year and can write without always being prompted.  He can also add, subtract, and count to 100 by his 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s.  He is my little aspiring artist too.  Have I mentioned he's only 4?!

Monday: Pajama Day
It's only appropriate to take a nap since we already have our comfy clothes on, right?

Tuesday: Superhero Day
Our superheroes are Mrs. Frizle, The Hulk, Earth Girl, and The Black Widow.

Wednesday: Backwards Day
Everyone wore their clothes backwards and our schedule was in reverse.  I'm pretty sure the kids found our classes more exciting, even though they were the same thing, just at different times of the day.  :)

Thursday: History Day
Blast from the Past!  We have Frida Kahlo, a Pirate, Betsy Ross, and Julius Caesar.

Friday: Albania Spirit Day!
I wish I had a cool Albanian jersey like the kids were sporting, but we wore our red and black colors for the day, listened to the Albanian National Anthem, and had the Albanian music radio station on.  One of our friends suggested that we should teach in Shqip for the day…  :)


I'm glad I have been able to learn more about the homeschool system, and it was a great stretch on my educational career while teaching more than just my field I studied in.  This year has been such an incredible blessing with these kiddos! 

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Bukë

In Albania, there are words for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but when most Albanians are speaking to each other they usually just say that they will meet for "bukë" or bread.  This is because bread has always been the most common staple of every meal.


My first homemade bread actually turned out as a success!  However, I got a little too cocky when I tried to make my second one just a few days later.  I set the bowl on top of the radiator in our apartment to speed up the process a little bit, only to find out that it had actually cooked on the bottom of the bowl it was in… :)  But for now I'll show you the one that actually looked and tasted good!


There is a saying we were just recently introduced to in Shqip, while at a friends house for breakfast, that said: "Ne kemi ngrënë bukë së bashku" translating into: we have eaten bread together.  This is a beautiful phrase that is only used when speaking of a very close or special friend, and it is used to show just how strong that relationship is.  


Anna and I have told the Koni family that they feel like our adoptive Albanian family.  We have always felt so welcomed and loved by them since the moment we first came to Vlashaj.  They invited us to this beautiful dinner we shared together in their home.

As I approach my final weeks living here, there is no doubt in my mind that I will have to return to Albania to be reunited with my now life-long friends that are here.  They are so close to me, and there have already been tears that have been shed as we've discussed job opportunities that will lead me away from Albania.  In this moment, I thank God for the blessing of incredible friends that have so warmly invited me to eat bread with them.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

The Little Things

Sometimes it's the little things that can bring us inexplicable joy.  For me, joy lies in moments like: sitting in the sun with a really good book that I just seem to get lost in, getting (or giving) a really big hug that can only be described as a "bear squeeze", and riding bikes on a warm day with a cool breeze with friends who have some of the best smiles that you have seen in a while.


To be honest, it is breaking my heart every time I think about leaving.  Not because I'm not looking forward to being back in the United States and seeing all the people that I care so deeply for, but because I will have to leave the amazing people that have become my family here in Albania.  These girls here: Eda, Xheni, and Xhesika are my incredible sisters in Christ, and I thank God for getting the chance to meet them.  They have encouraged me in so many ways and made me feel loved every moment while living here.  I only hope that I have returned those feelings.


It's hard to imagine that Anna and I have been living in Albania for 7 months now.  However, everything just seems so natural here.  To simply put it, we're happy.  We love the city where we live, the friends that we have met, and all the coffee that is always available.  :)


Only three more weeks to relish in these little moments and find the joy that lies in them, and I'm looking forward to all of them.


Thursday, April 10, 2014

The Far Side of the Sea


If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me

Psalm 139: 8-10

And if you're curious how that verse would look, artistically, in Shqip:


During the week that we worked in Vlashaj on this mural, I couldn't stop reading this Psalm during my own devotional time.  We're entering into our last month here in Albania, and I am overwhelmed when I think back on the past seven months.  There have been wonderful experiences, and God was there.  There have been difficult times, and God was still there.  The line that I am constantly drawn back to is "even if I settle on the far side of the sea".  It kept giving me the reassurance that God is here with me, in Albania, during times that I have felt farthest from home and alone.  He is always in control.

Creating this mural with the kids of Vlashaj was such a fun experience!  I was able to use my language skills, more than I ever had before, and I finally got to work in a situation that I love: as an art teacher.  Seeing the kids here get excited to paint and take pride in their work was the most rewarding aspect of the entire project.



I only hope that this mural can be a source of encouragement for the people of Vlashaj as much as it was for me.


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

A Fresh Perspective

There is no doubt that I absolutely love living here in Albania.  It is a gorgeous place filled with ancient history that gives me a new excitement to read through Paul's letters- knowing that he walked through this very country, breathtaking landscapes that give me inspiration to paint again, and people who have beautiful and open hearts that have so easily accepted my friendship.  I'm so thankful to call my little apartment in the heart of Tirana "home".

However, once I've settled into a routine with the same tasks and sights, those new experiences began to lose their luster.  There's nothing wrong with getting into a routine, in fact, I love feeling at home in a new place.  But when that routine allows me to lose sight of what makes this place so beautiful, I know I need an intervention.

A small group from Asbury came and visited our humble little village for 10 days over their spring break, and the way they approached the country and the people gave me a fresh and exciting new way to see what we do here in Albania.  I suddenly began to experience the beauty of this country all over again.

Short term mission trips are a wonderful encouragement and experience, especially now that I've seen it from both sides.  I've been greatly impacted by the trips I've participated in through school, and am incredibly encouraged by having been visited by one now.  So to the six of you who decided to spend your Spring Break in a tiny little country in the Balkans, thank you.  You have given me a fresh and new perspective on Albania, and I am grateful for that.