The Heart of Summer | July 2021

Probably the most challenging aspect of this summer was the fact that I had to take not one but two summer school classes to stay on track with my masters program.  But when you have an amazing outdoor space like this in which to study, it's a bit easier.  (I just hated that there were times I had to say 'no' to hanging out with friends and family because of homework, but this too shall pass.)  And even in my studies, God was sweet to give me quiet places to work and read so that even my studying felt sort of restful.

Another fun activity were our weekly trips to the Lodge where my Grandpa Van lives.  He asked us to show The Chosen in the theater room to the residents. I won't forget it and our visits became weekly highlights.

The photo below was snapped through the screen window.  A rare moment of sibling fun.

Chris, our neighbor who farms the family's ground, is a frequent passerby, along with his highly personable dog, Nora.

Being back home means the opportunity to attend local events like the birthday of our dear friend, Joe Bachman.  The machine shed doubled as a perfect party venue!  

Mom and Hannah now live within walking distance of the Peoria Chiefs and we enjoyed attending an evening baseball game at Dozer Park.  It was so fun to be in a crowd of folks who were genuinely enjoying themselves!

And if you happen to share on social media what you're doing, someone may deduce your location and surprise you!  So fun to see you, Aunt Miriam! <3

Back at Mom's Hannah treated us to festive cupcakes while we enjoyed watching the fireworks from her upper-level apartment.

The day after July 4, we had to make a very quick trip to Lexington for Reni to be fit at Shriners.  We stopped in Louisville for a coffee with my college roommate, Lindsay, and her mom, Sandra!

I don't have photos from Reni's appointment, but we found a Chinese restaurant with a great lunch special.  Reni had fun playing with chopsticks...

... and eating fortune cookies!

Sunday lunch after church with family just feels so natural and what families who live in America get to do. It may not feel like a big deal to some, but believe me, it's a big deal to us!

One day we had an extended power outage.  After about 8 hours we loaded up and went to the library for air conditioning and wifi. We came back and still no electricity so we pulled out the books and read out on the deck, which had more light than indoors... 

Fun family movie night watching the finale of The Chosen Season 2...

Hi, Dallas!

One evening we visited my cousin Rachel's farm. 

We cooked out outside...

...and enjoyed lots of really great conversation inside.

Another evening we hosted a birthday party of Nathan's sister, Rebecca, and his niece, Leah.

For Reni, his favorite part of coming to the USA is COUSIN TIME!

Two birthdays, one cake!

We had a week of meetings and training at our mission's home office, but first, we were able to make a visit to see our friends at Eaton Church of God -- the home church of Nathan's Aunt Ruth and Uncle Jack. 

Sunday afternoon we attended a picnic planned by our regional director at a local putt putt course and driving range for those of us from the region who had come to town for business at the office. 

Reni REALLY enjoyed swinging a golf club!

The next morning Ellie and Reni left to attend MK Camp for a week at a state park about an hour away.  Reni was 'too cool' to pose for a photo (lol).

While I don't have any photos of meetings (because really, how interesting would that be?), we did do something we have never done before... and that was to record for a podcast at a real recording studio!

Midweek we ran up to visit dear friends, the Lowes, for dinner.

The week flew by and the kids had a wonderful time at camp.  Before we left we made them find their height markers on the MK wall.

We got home in time for another family event -- the 80th birthday party of my Uncle Darold.  After a nice reception in Morton, the party continued at his home.  It tickled me that Nathan was asked to provide tech support for one of my aunts.

Then after the party, my Aunt Marcia gifted me with some extra subs from my favorite local take out.  I'm so sorry to our trainer back in Albania.  We are going to have to do a lot of extra work to make up for the yummy, rich American food.

The next day we celebrated my Grandpa Van's 94th birthday with friend chicken back at the farm.

A few days later we were so excited to host Pam and her siblings for lunch on their way through Illinois!  Pam, second from left, is Ellie and Reni's beloved teacher in Albania.  This was our first time to see her in the USA in nearly 8 years of knowing her!

Mom bought the kids a bow and arrow set for the farm... Just in time for the Oympics!

The month wouldn't be complete without celebrating this boy's birthday! He was thrilled to celebrate by having a sleepover with his cousin, Elisha, and enjoying a lunch at a Japanese Hibachi grill!

We are so grateful for his life and all that he brings to our family and those around him!  He is a loyal friend, has an inquisitive mind, and a personality that wants to succeed and the things he puts his hand to.  We pray that he continues to grow in wisdom, stature and in favor with God and man!  We love you, Reni!

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Half n' Half | A foot in two places

[If you read this blog by e-mail, please see an important note at the end of this post.]

The first half of the month of June found us packing up our home in Albania to prepare for a visit to the USA.  On June 15 we boarded a plane for a very long day of travel, chasing the sun to North America.

All of these photos loaded in opposite order.  Because Cydil has much more to do on her list than what can be accomplished, she made an executive decision to "walk backwards" through this account of the month of June. :-)

Staying at the farm house, we have access to a firepit where it's quite easy to make s'mores.  Needless to say, we keep a supply of ingredients on the ready!

Word of warning: the mega-sized marshmallows are QUITE messy! 

My aunt and uncle celebrated their 50th anniversary and we enjoyed an evening celebration as well as a long breakfast the next day with those of us who traveled from out of town!

The highlight of the party was a special hymn-sing led by some uber-talented musicians, including one of the co-writers of The Chosen, Tyler Thompson (left) on the banjo!  

Driving to the party we had to pass through a toll-plaza which one of my children thought was a border crossing, LOL.

Our first full week in the USA found Nathan facilitating an international conference for our agency online.  It included speaking sessions, break-out rooms, and other gatherings in three languages!  The technology was pretty seamless, but it meant that Nathan was pretty chained to the computer for the sessions that started early in the morning and went throughout the day to accommodate participants located all around the world!

We were able to get away for supper one night with these friends from Asbury days.

Reni also had his first Shriners appointment.  Because of COVID restrictions, Ellie and I waited in the snack area in our masks.  She was a trooper, passing the time with an audio book.

We were also pleased to see these two special friends, Charisse and John.  We all met in Albania in 2018!

Reni enjoys his first Ale8, a ginger-ale drink you can only find in Kentucky.  Here he is enjoying the pool at the home of dear friends.

My mom has been lovingly restoring her childhood home and it serves as our base while we are in America.  I can't tell you how therapeutic it is to retreat here in the quiet countryside. And when we want to see people, we have lots of room to host!

Of course, one of the best things about coming to America in the summer is ALL THE SWEETCORN.

Practicalities of our time in the USA includes matters like renewing drivers' licenses (below).

The first couple of days in the USA were wonderfully quiet, which included playing some board games with Gigi. 

That moment you learn that while you were in transit to the USA your country adopted a new federal holiday.  That was sort of a surreal experience -- when was the last time we adopted a new federal holiday?

When you haven't had Dr. Pepper in 18 months and the waitress overhears.  Yay for #FreeRefills!

A LOOOONG journey to America this time (23 hours).  The sunsetting as we approach our landing in Peoria.

This girl has been by international travel buddy for so long (because her brother feels the boys should stick together).

Sunny skies during our layover in Vienna.

The sun rising on our flight out of Albania to Vienna...

Because of his age and rules in Albania, Reni has largely been exempt from wearing facemasks ... until this trip.

The day before we returned to the USA, we celebrated Ellie's 16th birthday.  Our friends were SO sweet and she was treated with a special cake after exercise class -- which we enjoyed with all of our fellow exercise class mates!

Because we were staying in the guesthouse, we didn't have access to all of our cake decorating tools, so we cheated and Ellie enjoyed a birthday 'donut!'

Ellie was thrilled to get to celebrate her birthday with lunch out with dear friends!

Ellie posing with one of her gifts...

Her last night as a 15 year old!

We were honored to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend on Sunday evening (June 13).  The restaurant had this antique truck on the premises which Ellie enjoyed posing in.

On our way to the party we stopped for Covid tests, a requirement for flying 48 hours later. 

Some last-minute duties before leaving for 3.5 months included shopping for finishes in the new center... like wastebasket and sinks for the locker rooms!

We were disappointed we didn't get to see the kalceto complete before we left, but these posts were installed just before we left.

What a shock to find sweetcorn at the international supermarket!  But no, I did not buy any.  Especially since there was no price listed!

Our super-generous neighbors gifted us with a whole CHICKEN!  Yes! 

Anyone ever tried AlbCola?  Me neither...

So I have changed the order of the following photos.  We had a broken toilet seat.  This is always a stressor for us because there are SOOOO many toilet seat shapes and sizes.  I can't event begin to describe the options -- but not so many replacement seats.

I took the photo below and sent the measurements to Nathan while he was shopping.  Keep scrolling to see what he found...

Nope, that is not installed upside down.  That is the way the hinges were attached to the seat.  It appears that the seat was assembled incorrectly in the factory? Someone had one job... We had to remove the hinges and drill new holes in the seat.  Yeah, it's not pretty, but it works.

And maybe that's a good note on which to end.  For now.  :-)

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