The Journey

Leaving on a Jet Plane

So the last couple of months zipped by and they were filled with birthday celebrations, packing and goodbyes. 

Happy 3rd birthday to my nephew. Helped build his awesome alligator birthday cupcake cake with my sister-in-law.

  

  

  

  

From Canada to the Czech Republic

Once I arrived I have hit the ground running so I am only slowing down enough now to share what has been happening. Covid-19 has wrinkled a lot of plans and has made life very unique and travel even more so.

I would have to say that other than having to wear masks this was was probably the smoothest trip I have ever taken. 

My temperature was taken before departing Kelowna, other than that all security checks were normal. Everything was extremely orderly. I think what surprised me most was due to social distancing everyone was not as pushy. When deplaning in Vancouver the flight attendants instructed that you only stood to depart when the person in front of you had already departed and to remain seated. I think it was the first time that I didn't see people already standing before the seat belt sign had been turned off!

  

Walking through practically empty International airports was a bit eerie but so nice to not have to fight for the good lounge seats.

    

  

 It has been years since I have had 3 seats to myself on a plane! Getting through passport control was easy as I have a residence card for living in the EU so they waved me through no questions asked.

I did not have to quarantine upon arrival because I was coming from Canada which is on the safe zone list. So all and all it was an uneventful trip.

Back to School

Since my arrival I have been back in the classroom and gearing up for the new school year. I am going to be teaching grade two this year as well as being elementary department head so lots of changes. New classroom, new toys and a lot to accomplish in a short time frame. 

Here are a few snap shots of the process:

  

  

  

Still a long way to go but progress is being made.

Praying for Mountains to be Moved

Due to the pandemic many hurdles have come up for our school, namely staffing. For our new hires, usually once they have raised their support, they can hop on a plane and come on a tourist visa before applying for their residence visa. However with the current world situation everything is in new territory as far a procedure. Tourist visas are not being issued for many outside the EU especially those from the USA. My new flatmate is coming from Florida and is currently stuck and we are praying for a way for her to get into the country.

WE NEED TEACHERS

We still do not have a teacher for grade 5, or for some of our high school sciences. We won't be able to have music because we don't have a music teacher. Our grade 3 teacher is having visa renewal issues and may be sent back to her home country. We have yet to find some one for our director position and our newly hired principal is delayed until maybe January. The needs are great and they are mountain sized. I have been thinking about the words in scripture that say: if we have faith as a mustard seed we can move mountains. Our mountains are colossal in size and seem impossible. Yet, we serve a God of the impossible.

We have 18 days until the first day of school. Please pray with us for the impossible:

Qualified grade 5 teacher who is already in country or has EU residency and can start immediately.

Qualified grade 3 teacher who is already in country or has EU residency and can start immediately.

Qualified Chemistry and Physics teacher who is already in country or has EU residency and can start immediately

Travel approval and way to attain a visa for my new flatmate and middle school teacher Jennifer. That she can arrive by the end of September.

For a new director and provision for our new principal that everything his family needs to depart will be in place.

"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matt 17:20

No Plans just Open Hands

My Plans are Not My Own

So in our last episode we left off with me stranded in Edmonton. My flight was cancelled the week before I was set to depart; the re-booking would have to wait at least two weeks, take 3 flights and cost a minimum of $250. So Big Brother to the rescue! My older brother lives 3 hours from Calgary and was making a trip up to Red Deer so a couple more hours north wasn't a big deal. (Anything for family right?) I had plans to go and visit him in May anyways so he got me on May 4th and then my parents came up to meet me at his place and I got back to the OK on May 8th.

My big bro lives in the Rockies and I got to enjoy the beauty of "God's Country" as he likes to call it.

How have you been keeping yourself busy?

When I haven't been doing unit planning and curriculum development and waking up for 4am meetings (1pm in Czech Republic) I have been cleaning out the closet in my parents' basement where I store my belongings. This has resulted in the uncovering of some treasures.
I can't believe the things we keep sometimes.

This foam visor was from A&W that I got in high school

This was the helium balloon I got when I graduated high school!

Notes my friends made for my 17th birthday

It is a hippo mask I made in College during a how to teach Art module

The bridesmaids dress that still fits me!

The couple just celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary!

Sweatshirt I wore in College

Sorting through many many photos this was a favourite! 

There is just something special about old family photos.

As Covid-19 restrictions have begun to relax we have been able to get out more and return things to something a little more normal.
There is something about getting a haircut that brings spring back into your step.

This couldn't be more true for our lovable dog Fritz.
In just the last two months he has shown signs of going blind and possibly deaf. He slowed down considerably and Mom was sure we would need to say goodbye to him soon. Then he got a haircut...

I think he might have a few years left in him yet!

I've slowly started to pack suitcases and prepare for my departure in 7 weeks!

Lord Willing I will be getting on a plane to head "home" on July 20th.

It still seems like a long ways off but I know it will be here before I know it!

Praying that flights stay scheduled and that covid becomes a distant memory.
Trusting the Lord and waiting on him.
Taking one day, one step at a time, with open hands.

World of Change

Where Were You When the World Went into Quarantine?

We are living in a moment that will make the history books. 2020 The year when the world shut down because of something small, invisible and dangerous: Covid-19. I remember when first hearing about the virus in China after Christmas thinking that it would be short lived and not really something that will affect my world. It would be like the Ebola outbreak or SARS, the swine flu or the bird flu and other flus before it. Something tragic in its region but not something that would affect my world. Amazing how we feel invincible until the harm is standing in our own backyard!

I think what strikes me most is how easily things can spread: germs, rumours, lies, and fear. It takes root, it multiplies and it wreaks havoc in each one it touches. Something invisible, seemingly harmless and yet potentially very dangerous.

What protects me is hope.  Hope in a Saviour and a Sovereign Creator. Nothing is amiss by God. I know once this time passes and is a lingering memory I will look back and see the hand of God in each moment. Where he placed me during this time and how he was at work even when the world seemed to be crumbling.

It is hard not to be in Prague, near my community that I have come to know and love over the past 9 years. That God would have me back in Canada. Yet I know God would have me here for such a time as this. I am currently riding out the social distancing, lock down wave in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I had planned to spend 8 weeks with friends to help with their 3 kids (11 month old twins and 2 year old) during part of my 6 month totalization. Being with the Buck family has been a blessing and has made a time of being in lock down and apart from family bearable.

So just a few snapshots of the cuteness I have had to endure.

Social distancing and staying inside because it is too cold to go outside can be rough but we are coping as well as can be expected.

 

Plans Derailed

I had plans to attend TeachBeyond's global conference in Slovenia in April. I was going to get to see many of my colleagues, encourage fellow missionaries and hear from an amazing speaker. I was set to return to B.C. on April 30th and visit friends in the Ok and the Shuswap. I had dreams of seeing my first class of grade ones graduate from KCS. Many of these plans have been put on hold and may even be cancelled.

What God is teaching me through Covid-19: my plans are not my own. To hold everything with open hands. I have been taught that flexibility is the best ability and it comes in very handy on the mission field, as constant change is a guarantee.
So as we travel uncharted waters we look towards the master, as we seek to strengthen our faith, knowing that he won't let us drown.

I pray for those battling the virus, those who have lost loved ones to it and to all the people who are struggling with the strains that this unusual pandemic has brought upon our world. May God be glorified amongst the suffering. May his truth be shared and the hope of the gospel continue to grow.