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‘Travel’ Category

  1. One year

    September 19, 2010 by Katie

    Exactly one year ago today, we were over here….

    ……immersing ourselves in the majestic beauty of Switzerland.  We spent our last couple days in Switzerland in the city of Interlaken.  At a 2-star hotel above a mexican restaurant, with the communal shower one floor below us and the toilet one floor up. Certainly not the fanciest of digs, but we didn’t care at all when we were so worn out from traipsing through the Alps all day.

    Have I ever mentioned how much I love jumping?

    And that I love Swiss cows so much they made me squeal with glee every time I saw them?  Look at them, just chillin’ in the Alps. No fence. No worries. Just a strange American girl squealing in their faces.

    These pictures don’t even do the beauty of the Bernese Alps justice. Where else can you eat your lunch and spend a whole day hiking with this magnificent view as your backdrop? Perhaps in Heaven? (yes, that’s right. When I get to Heaven, I want to go hiking with Jesus.)

    My words cannot even come a million times close to describing the awesomeness of it all, so I won’t even try.  I was so happy to be there, I frolicked in the wildflowers.  Switzerland, I love you love you LOVE you.

    And then after a stop at Lac Léman in Geneva for a couple hours we hopped a train to Lyon, France for 2 days where we basically ate our weight in quiche, crepes, croissants and panaché. Mmmmm, panaché.

    We talk about going back to Europe at least 5 times a week. Perhaps that’s why I’m super reminiscent right now.  I want to be there.  Amongst the gentle cows, the waterfalls, the Eiger & Jungfrau. Eating my cheese & grapes on a mountain bench.  Sitting at a sidewalk cafe sipping rosé and savoring creamy French crepes.

    Lost in the languages, but happy all over.

    Category Pictures, Travel | Tags: | 3 Comments

  2. Truly Amazing

    August 8, 2010 by Katie

    After a grueling 36 hours of traveling, I made it safely back home Friday night.

    Oh, the stories I have to tell (once I get unpacked, caught up on sleep, and my brain isn’t so foggy)….

    For now, I will sum up the Russia trip in one word:

    AMAZING.



    Category Travel | Tags: | 4 Comments

  3. To Russia With Love

    July 22, 2010 by Katie

    Well, I’m off on the adventure.

    My bags are stuffed to the brim.

    Green one is clothes. Blue one is lots and lots of this fun stuff:

    Snap bracelets, glow bracelets, whirlygigs, paper, googley eyes, face paint, pencils & pens galore…..etc.

    There’s another larger suitcase full of fun goodies that had to be dropped off at another house earlier since it won’t fit in our car with both of us and these bags. :)  The kids will be happy.

    Thank you to all who have donated money to help with this mission. I appreciate it SO incredibly much.

    With God, I go. Catch ya in two weeks!

    Category Travel | Tags: | No Comments

  4. One Week

    July 17, 2010 by Katie

    In one week, I’ll be fully immersed in the Russian culture and probably wishing I would’ve taken the time to learn the language more (or at all). Thankfully, there will be a translator and I’m traveling with others who have been there and seemingly know where we’re going and how to get there. I’ve been forewarned that it’s not like in Europe, where directions and signage are frequently in English. In Russia, it’s Russian. And that’s it.

    Большой. (which means ‘great’. Although I have no idea how to pronounce that.)

    Those 7 years of Spanish won’t help me any this time.

    And I’m okay with that. These 2 weeks in the heart of Russia will be my time to disconnect and be 100% in the moment. I’ll kiss my phone and email goodbye until I return back home.

    This trip has taken on a whole new meaning for me following a series of unfortunate events we endured this past week and I’m even more uncertain about how I’ll handle such a long period of time away from my loving husband and contact with family. But I’m anticipating this being the most awesome time with God and those children who I’ll come to love so much. So how can I not look forward to that?!

    That’s all to say, I can really use your prayers even more now than I thought I needed them before.

    And for Todd also, two weeks of bachelorhood can be tough. :)

    And if you would still like to make a monetary donation to help us out, you make a secure one through PayPal here:

      
      
    I should probably start packing soon.
      
      

    Category General, Travel | Tags: | 2 Comments

  5. It Will Be Awesome

    July 8, 2010 by Katie

    I mentioned several weeks (months?) ago that I will be taking a big trip this summer. ‘Big’ is kind of an understatement. In two weeks, I leave for Russia.

    yeah, Russia.

    And no, Todd will not be traveling with me, but I’m certainly not going alone. I will be traveling with 6 other people from our church to Dyatkovo, Russia to help at a children’s camp. Not just any children’s camp, but a former Communist camp that is now operated by Christians. An exciting opportunity for everyone involved, and I feel blessed that God called me to be a part of this.

    I know 3 words in Russian:
    да (Dah) – Yes
    HeT (nyet) – No
    спасибо (cpa cee ba) – Thank you
    Oh, and the sound they make to describe a cat. But I can’t spell that one out for you.

    Should be interesting, that’s for sure.  God will be with us too, so despite my anxiety and fears of what lies ahead, I know it will all be okay.

    Here’s where I ask you for your help. I’m asking for donations, if you feel compelled to give, please do so. We still need money for travel expenses and sending the Russian kids to camp.  Many of them can’t afford the daily fee, and we want to give them this wonderful opportunity.  Whatever you can give will be so very much appreciated.

    But more than anything, I really want your prayers. Prayers for a safe trip, prayers that we can connect with these kids and teach them about God in ways that they can come to know him. Prayers that we can just make some kind of positive impact on their lives.

    It will be awesome. Of this, I am sure.

    спасибо! (Thank you!)

    You can make a secure donation through PayPal here:


    Category General, Travel | Tags: | 1 Comment

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