In my last post, I shared I was diagnosed with a bulging disk... this was confirmed with an MRI. But my sparse interactions with the medical community alarmed my neurologist who ordered a panel of bloodwork that turned into a number of follow-up appointments. Nothing serious, but typical for someone settling well into middle-age. The trips to the doctor's office were numerous! I guess you could say I had to make up for lost time!
I wasn't the only thing in need of a tune-up! The church guitars (both of them) needed some repairs. We were so glad to find someone not too far away and get those in working order again! Another summer checklist item that got checked, albeit in September, haha!
After Nathan powerwashed the courtyard, my mom decided that it could use some additional TLC. She promptly chose a color for the walls...
BEFORE Paint:
AFTER paint:
Check back for October's update to see it decorated with new plants and a few lounge chairs!
On Sunday evening, September 6 we were invited to attend an anniversary celebration in Tirana for a church plant.
As is usually the case in gatherings like this, we make connections discovering mutual connections. We were seated next to this Swiss woman who serves in a small village in southern Albanian that happened to be the home church of our Valued Treasures colleague, Mira!
Coffee Shop
About three years ago, Nathan and I visited the original Starbucks in Seattle where we consumed the most incredible shaken spicy mocha iced latte. I found a copycat recipe online and Nathan made a spice blend for the coffee shop!
Reni started working two afternoons per week in the coffee shop and has gotten experienced at pulling a good double shot!
He refused to look at the camera so I had to sneak these pics...
Our neighbors across the street returned from a month home in Eqypt and brought Nathan some fantastic tea.
Before VT recommenced, we spent a couple of days putting up meals in the freezer for a visitors coming some weeks later!
My favorite tools for cooking...
Jaz and Zoe have birthdays one day apart. They celebrated with a fun party at home.
The next day we had staff and volunteer training for Valued Treasures.
The Lord put together a great team for this year!
We got a TV for the cafe menu! It also alternates between photos of Albania and scripture verses suggested by friends to encourage our guests!
As the date for Ellie's departure approached, we experienced a lot of "lasts", including her last Saturday leading worship at kids club!
She requested a trip to Tony's in Tirana for an order of chocolate chip pancakes!
One Saturday evening we attended a mmorial service for the gentleman who founded Hope for the World. It was a treat to reconnect with many of our friends from the center who have now grown into young adults!
On Mondays, Mom leads a cooking class at VT and I translate. Below, the students learned how to make jam-filled muffins.
Nathan strengthens Merita's wheelchair tray with improved velcro straps.
The ladies of gym class came upstairs to celebrate Shpresa's birthday.
The municipality referred a family of sevent to us in great need. Their home was sobering. This was one of two doors into their only bedroom. I asked if mice came in under the door and they said, "No, not mice, but we have had snakes."
Their needs are overwhelming and more than just a few pieces of additional furniture.
The night before we took Ellie to Crossroads, we prayed over her at church.
Saturday we made the 4+ hour trip to southern Albania. The roads have improved SO much, just in the last fifteen years but they are still working to make the existing roads safer (wide) as well as forging more direct routes through mountain tunnels and bridges. I can't imagine how much easier it will be to traverse this country when they finish!
We got Ellie quickly settled into her room.
About an hour or so after we arrived, the bus bringing the students from the airport arrived!
It was fun to meet the father of another student who had accompanied his daughter to Albania from Ohio. Maybe because OSU was playing a few hours later, these two Buckeyes had both dressed in gear showing their loyalty!
Ellie was thrilled to meet her roommate, Grace!
A final family picture before we said goodbye!
Enjoy this video re-cap of Ellie's move-in! The music is composed, performed and recorded herself!
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