Hope springs eternal
We're back (but probably not consistantly as you may have already realised!)
It's crazy to think December was our last post because it doesn't seem that long. I guess time really does fly...that or we are becoming more and more forgetful as we get older!
So what's been happening?
John celebrated turning 30 last month. We had the joy of renting a cabin in the mountains with some of his college friends and went hiking, played lots of pool and air-hockey and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I will be joining him in less than a month...hard to believe. Although most people seem to shy away from getting older, I once heard from a dear friend in London (Jaqcuie) that your 30's are the best so I anitcipate an exciting new journey as a woman.
I was promoted in January to a Shift supervisor and placed in charge of managing our community involvement and donations. This job invloves supervising shifts in the cafe and making sure everything runs well and all the Partners (collegues-everyone who works for starbcuks is called a 'partner') are getting the breaks and the help they need to serve awesome coffee! My new position has just been incredible. From the first day I experienced such a sense of peace and have been able to flourish. Of course, all the communirty contacts have been a blast. We have so many organisations and schools who are trying to raise funds and they come to us for donations. I've been given the responsibility of supervising this aspect of our business and it's an awesome feeling to know that we are contributing to all these different causes. One primary school had a student write a thank you letter which we have posted on our wall in the back and it's adorable.
John and I have also started a college home group on sunday evenings for church. So far we have about 10 college kids who come and we discuss topics, arrange outings etc and just build relationships to share our spiritual journey. These are people who were in the youth group before we moved to Cyprus and have now grown up so it's a privilege to continue mentoring them. Our middle school group is still going strong and we are working through the bible with them on Wednesday nights. They are very lively but a lot of fun (most of the time!) and it reminds me of the good thing about being in the classroom that I sometimes miss.
John is working through projects for the organisation Initimate Life. In September he will hopefully enrol at the local theological seminary to get his Masters of Divinity and eventually be getting his doctorate to become a college professor. Although this is nerve-racking because of the work involved and the expense, we are excited for the future and the doors this will open for him. He has been accepted so we are just waiting for the financial aid to come through so please pray that God takes care of this burden for us. John has mentored and taught so many young people over the last ten years, and has a vast knowledge of the bible and history, it's only fitting that he has the paper qualifications to match his experience!
These past two weeks, I have been attending training sessions for Crisis Intervention with a local Pregnancy care centre which prepares people to counsel women who come to the centre for help. It's a pro-life christian organisation so it doesn't believe abortion is the best option BUT I have been so humbled and moved by the approach they take. I was a bit nervous at first because I don't tend to like Christian organisations who assert their beliefs in aggressive ways and humilate the beleifs and attitudes of Christ. However, this centre truly serves and ministers to women in trouble. Whilst, they want to preserve life, they care more about loving these women and supporting them. They are strongly against manipulating women who are vulnerable and base everything they do on Christ's extravagant and graceful love. I don't know if I have the time to volunteer at the centre right now but working with as many young women as I do (and have done) I want to be equiped with tools to minister in every area of their lives.
Well this post should keep you going for a while. Comments as always are greatly appreciated- just to know if anyone is still reading this and if we should keep it up (more consistantly!)
Don't hit the 'back' button...it really is a new post!!
Yes, I know it has been a awfully long time. We are so sorry for taking so long but hope this makes up for it a bit. As many of you will already know, we have been rather busy settling in and have lots to report.
JOBS: John is working for a ministry based in Texas called 'Intimate Life'. They are dear friends of ours and John edited three books for them a few years ago. He is now working on a couple of their new projects and its been much less stressful than the book he wrote last year. The hours are really flexible and work well with my job too. Speaking of which, I'm working at Starbucks as a Barista, something which I love. As I have shared with many of you, I was done with teaching and really needed something with a lot less stress and fewer off-the-clock hours! It's definitely the best job for this season in our life ...and I get tons of free coffee!! Most of all though, I had no idea that Starbucks is such a giving, caring company and I'm so impressed with them and proud to say I work there. The people I work with are awesome and I actually enjoy my job.
HOME: We have bought a gorgeous house and are settling in the last few things (more on that later). It's a brand new three bedroom, three bathroom two-story house with an open plan living, kitchen, dining room, and a finished basement (which is our office and family TV room), plus a back wooden deck/veranda, large garage and huge storage room. We keep looking around saying 'is all this really ours?'- God has certainly blessed us, especially through our friends and family, and particularly our parents. My mum and dad were able to send us some money for new furniture and John's helped us with appliances and other things too. (Thanks guys, we couldn't have done it without you. We love you lots and lots.) The house is right next to an excellent primary/elementary school and just outside Cleveland so it's quiet and surrounded by nature and just a few neighbours. Anyway, photos will be posted soon - don't be mad - there is a reason for the delay!
OUR STUFF: On July 23rd, our stuff was packed into boxes, and taken by a shipping company estimated to arrive in TN, 2 months later. However, almost 5 months later after a number of crazy delays, heart attacks, worry and confusion, our boxes finally arrived yesterday. John and I kept only what we could fit into four suitcases for our plane trip, which was mostly summer clothes - it was July- and have been waiting anxiously for our winter clothes, books, cds, dvds, kitchen stuff, office bits, bedding etc. Most of all, John's computer was in the boxes, so we haven't had internet access since we moved in, and he has had to go to his parents' house every day to work. Which also means, we haven't been able to keep up with people as much we would like, or blog, hence the delay. Even still his computer needs some adjusting to work on US power so I am writing from Larry's computer. BUT we promise as soon as it's all sorted and everything is in place, we will take pics of the house and post them.
MINISTRY: we are teaching the middle school (which is aged 11-13) bible class every Wednesday evening and it's a lot of fun. It's the first time John and I have been able to team teach and we are really enjoying it and loving how the kids are responding. We are also on the verge of starting something with another age group after the new year (more on that when it happens). That's one of the reasons why our jobs are such a blessing because we have much more free time to be invloved with the lives of young people- something important to us.
Anyway, please comment as we enjoy knowing who is keeping up and thinking of us. Makes us feel closed to the ones we miss.
Love you guys and thanks for the emails, prayers and thoughts.
Leia (and John)
XXXX
No news is good news
It's good to be back to blogging but the reason it's taken a while is not so much because of being busy but more to do with lack of news!
We love being back here and have been catching up with friends and family. Everyone has been really sweet and supportive, trying to help us find jobs and get a house. It's wonderful to go to church and both of us understand the language and be able to sing along in the worship and listen to the message without translation!
As far as jobs go, John has an interview next week for a writing project but I haven't really found anything yet. Everytime I think I'm at a dead end, another avenue opens. Just the other night, a dear friend gave me a name of someone who may be able to help. The problem is the kind of job I am looking for isn't advertised in Cleveland and so I have to rely on word of mouth. If I don't find something in the next couple of weeks, I am just going to get a basic office job or something low-stress until the right opportunity comes along.
Next week, John and I are going to be looking at houses. One of John's oldest friends is a realtor (or 'estate agent' for us British folk!) and he is helping us find something. It's really a good market to buy right now because there are more houses for sale than there are buyers so prices are reasonable and there are lots of choices. I am extrememly excited because it's our real first home together. Our apartment in Cyprus was fully-furnished so now we get to chose everything together and combine our tastes. Needless to say I have been watching a ton of DIY/Decorating shows (I LOVE U.S.A. TV!) and drooling over furniture and accessories in the shops!
On Monday we are attending a two-day conference in Georgia for 'progressive' youth ministers by Intimate Life Ministries and at the end of the month, we are teaching at a week-long training conference in North Tennessee for upcoming youth leaders. My mum is attending the latter conference so we're glad we get to see her. She will spend a few days in Cleveland with us which will be lovely.
So, lots to look forward to and lots to pray about! Not a bad post considering I said we didn't have much news, hey?!
- Leia
We're baaaaa-aaaack
Hey everyone.Just wanted to post a quick note to let you all know that we are finally back in the States. We managed to sell our car and sort out all of our last-minute errands in Cyprus, and we had a hassle-free flight/immigration experience yesterday. We'll be living with my parents in Cleveland for the immediate future, and will keep you updated on our job/home prospects as things arise. Most of you will be getting an email with our current phone/address info in the next day or so. We can't wait to see all of our American friends soon!– John
Camp, Touring, and the Big Move
Hello everyone,
This will be our last post for awhile, because our computer is being boxed up tomorrow morning to be shipped back to the States. Obviously this is a very exciting and stressful time for us, and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers as we deal with all the last-minute complications of an international move. Our biggest remaining hurdle is selling our car, so please help us pray that we can get that done soon.
This update concerns our recent misadventures with a team of students from Lee University in Tennessee, who visited us here in Cyprus for just over two weeks. During the first week, we were conducting our summer youth camp at Governor's Beach. We had a great turnout of kids this year, and the Lee students served as additional camp staff, which was a great blessing to Leia and me. During the mornings, the Lee students conducted small group sessions with the campers, focusing on helping them to explore and develop their gifts in a variety of ministry areas (music, art, drama, and media). Our afternoons were spent frolicing in the waters of the Mediterranean, and then Leia and I led the evening services. All in all, it was a fantastic week, and everyone bonded very well and had a great time together despite the minor linguistic difficulties and cultural differences (not to mention the 100-degree heat!)
The following week, Leia and I took the team to a variety of places around the island. We visited museums, archaelogical sites, local craftsmen, an Orthodox monastery, a mosque, a Roman amphitheater, the supposed site of the Apostle Paul's scourging, and (as if all of that weren't enough) a waterpark with some pretty awesome slides. We also had a couple of incredible mezze meals (one Greek, one Syrian), plus a wonderful Filipino meal at the Filipino church in Nicosia, not to mention the huge spread that Leia's parents provided for us on the last full night of the team's stay. We thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience (although we were completely and utterly exhausted by the end of it), and it was such a joy for me to be around some Americans again (and hear lots of good ol' Southern English being spoken), and for Leia to meet some new friends who will be in Cleveland ready to welcome her back to the States. So, to Bob, Josh, Joe, Tyler, Brett, Ben, Daniel, Jenn, Rachel, Emily, Jessica, Gayle, and Mamie, we say thanks again for giving us such wonderful memories.
We'll leave you with some pictures from the past couple weeks. Please feel free to comment, as we will still be checking the blog once or twice a week until we leave. See you all at Wal-Mart!
–John
Scenes from the camp morning groups: Media with Joe, Jenn, and Gayle
art with Rachel, Emily, and Brett
music/ worship with Tyler, Mamie, and Daniel
and drama with Josh, Ben, and Jessica.
Dr. Bob Bayles, working hard for the money.
The ol' swimming hole.
Paul's pillar and environs.
Part of the art and architecture at Kykkos Monastery.
The whole gang at Agros village.
Back row: Emily "I'm Not Pregnant!" Chenoweth, Gayle "Hold the Pork" Myers, Bob "Sleepy" Bayles, Ben "Cheeky" Winder. Third row: Jenn "Word" Delfin, Daniel "Rico" Parker, Josh "Utah" Allen, Tyler "Can I Just Say..." Yosick. Second row: Rachel "Black Cannon" Murray, Mamie "Blackjack" Murphy, Jessica "Hello? Anyone Still Here?" Dane. Front row: Brett "Rubik's" Gallaher, Joe "Pasty White" Williams.
Weddings, Beach Parties, and Blackouts
Time for another update, quite possibly the last for awhile as things are going to be getting crazy around here over the course of the next few weeks. As most of you have probably heard by now, our second interview with the American Embassy went fine, and we recieved Leia's immigrant visa on June 15, which means we are free and clear to move back to the States in August. Obviously, this was a tremendous relief, and we are very appreciative to all of you who supported us with prayers and encouragement.
The day after our visa interview, we flew to Athens for the wedding of Leia's cousin Siana. It was my first time to attend a Greek Orthodox wedding, which was a fairly interesting religio-cultural experience, especially given all of my recent research on the history of Christianity. One interesting aspect of it is that you actually hurl rice at the couple during the course of the ceremony! The wedding reception was held at a top-flight hotel on a huge patio overlooking the sea. As you can see from the pics below, the scenery was just spectacular.
The following day, June 17, was our first wedding anniversary. In some ways it seems hard to believe that we've been together that long, but in other ways it seems like much longer. Anyway, we spent the majority of the day alone in Athens, strolled through a bustling open air flea market, walked around the foot of the Acropolis by moonlight, and had a delicious Greek meal at a taverna with tables on the sidewalk. All in all, it was a lovely way to celebrate our first of many wonderful years together.
Last night, we took the kids from our youth group to an interchurch beach party in Limassol. Since our big conference in March, the Protestant churches on the island have been periodically getting their youth groups together to do things, and this was the latest chance for us to continue promoting this spirit of unity. The kids played soccer and ultimate Frisbee, had a sand sculpture contest and a swimming relay race, we grilled hot dogs, and closed things out with moonlit worship on the beach. The kids seemed to have a lot of fun, and it was good for us to see that there will still be talented, loving people on the island to promote youth ministry after we've gone.
After we got home late last night and were just about ready for bed, disaster struck. First, the power went out on our entire street. Now temperatures this week have been in the 100's during the day, and the nights haven't been too cool either. So losing the air conditioning and fans is no picnic. To compound the problem, we have a plug-in mosquito repellent thing that, of course, also lost power, meaning we had to choose between closing the windows (and completely suffocating) or leaving them open and being eaten alive. And just to top things off, someone's car alarm was going off nearby for about 20 solid minutes, beginning about 15 minutes after the power went out. Talk about the perfect storm to ensure that there is NO WAY you're getting any sleep! Fortunately, the car alarm finally stopped, and at some point after we had finally started drifting off, the electricity was restored and the fan and mosquito repellent dispenser mercifully kicked back on.
So now our focus is on our upcoming youth camp and visit from the team from Lee University (who arrive a week from today). A week after they leave, we're having the bulk of our possessions packed up and shipped by a moving company, and slightly less than a month later, we're coming home! It still seems far away, and we definitely still have a lot of things to do and details to work out, but it's finally starting to feel like a reality. Keep us in your prayers, and we can't wait to see you all.
–John
The beautiful bride, Siana, and everyone's favorite bridesmaid, Nadia.
Either she's growing taller or I'm shrinking.
These next two are scenery from the reception.
Part of the Athens streets. That's the Acropolis in the distance, but the building in view is not the Parthenon. We were on the other side.
They don't build them like this anymore.
The taverna where we had our anniversary dinner.
Homecoming and Such
So what have we been up to since April, you say? Glad you asked. Well, by far the biggest news is that we have been making preparations to move back to the U.S. This past Friday we had our first of two interviews at the American Embassy here in Nicosia as part of the process of securing a visa for Leia. We had no problems at all with this first stage, and are just waiting for a couple of her documents to arrive from England so that we can schedule our final interview. Assuming that goes well, we will be back in the States on August 21. We will be living in our old hometown of Cleveland, TN, at least initially. We are hoping to find a job in full-time youth ministry eventually, but for the moment we are just thrilled at the prospect of coming home and reconnecting with family and friends. Of course, Leia has a lot of mixed emotions about leaving her family and friends in Cyprus and starting a new life in the U.S., but we ultimately feel that this is where God is leading us and that it is the best option for our marriage, our ministry, and (someday) our children.
Apart from our impending move, there have been several other major recent developments. I have finally finished the massive writing project that has consumed the last year of my life: a 653-page introduction to the History of Christianity, plus a 147-page leader's guide for the same course.. a nice round 800 pages altogether. Let's just say I'm not too eager to tackle anything that big again any time soon. But the comments from the review committee have been extremely positive so far, and I'm pretty proud of it. It will probably be several more months before it finally hits the shelves at White Wing, so those of you who are eager to snatch up a copy will just have to be patient (I guess if you're a loyal reader of our blog, you're used to waiting for things).
May 4 was Leia's 29th birthday, and I had a lot of fun spoiling her. I went out while she was at work and bought her some flowers and candy, and I wrote several notes for her that I left in each room of the apartment, one leading to the next. When she got home, she was led by the notes from the living room to the kitchen to the bathroom to the office to the bedroom, and finally to our balcony, where I was hiding behind the shades with her flowers, chocolates, and lunch laid out on our outdoor table. That night, we went to one of our favorite restaurants and had the best steak to be found in Cyprus. And finally, we came home and I played/sang a little song that I had written about her. So I think she enjoyed the day, apart from getting older... although, as she constantly reminds me, she'll never be as old as me. *sigh*
The last week of May, we traveled to Cambridge, England for the wedding of our cousins/close friends Eric and Christiana. It was wonderful to see so many family members and friends, many of whom are incredibly dear to Leia in particular. The wedding itself was beautiful (depsite the rain that is a constant feature of life in England), and it was great to see the happy couple united at last. In addition, it was a lot of fun for me to be in an English-speaking country again, and because Eric and his family are Americans, I even got to chat about things I'm actually conversant in (like American sports). So all in all it was a good trip, and a nice change of pace from life in Cyprus.
This month, another of Leia's cousins, Siana, is getting married in Athens, Greece. Her wedding is the day before our first anniversary, so we're going to attend the wedding and then spend an extra day in Athens celebrating together... not a bad place to have a first anniversary, eh? Then the first two weeks of July, things really get busy. First, we are having our youth camp, which is held at a place called Governor's Beach. This year, a team of college students from Lee University in Tennessee is coming to assist us in running the camp and to lead some ministry training workshops for our kids. Then after camp ends, Leia and I will spend a week touring the Lee students around the island and providing them with some cultural and service opportunities that are required for their trip. And then it will be time to start packing boxes and preparing to move!
So as you can see, the next two and a half months are going to be fast and furious, but we are looking forward to all of it and waiting patiently for a chance to exhale. Thanks to all of you who have been faithful companions on this journey with us. We love you very much.
- John
