I am sorry that I haven't posted for a week but the days have been fraught with activity. Activity of the best and most relational sort. The atmosphere of this home is such that it encourages copious opportunities for conversation and the development of friendship. It is a blessing to have become a part of the family as I am constantly inspired to think of my future home and the atmosphere I will want there. On the day of my arrival last Tuesday a family arrived from Warsaw and stayed until Saturday. They are good friends of my family here and I spent many an hour in their company. Much of that time was spent learning the Polish language and giving them also the opportunity to learn English. It gave them and I no end of chuckles witnessing my attempts to spell the words that they spoke. Pronunciation and memorization haven't been too much of a problem but spelling has proved tremendously difficult. It was wonderful after the first days to be able to increase my communication with Darek (the father) as I have experienced so often the frustration of the language barrier. I had many opportunities to speak with them and other guests (12 others in the past week) about living this life of following after Christ and of learning to build relationships and affect people's lives through his love. To have an environment and copious time for such discussion is a profound gift as such subjects have everything to do with this journey I am on and the ideals I am chasing after. I may have an opportunity to visit my new family from Warsaw in the coming weeks but if not you can be sure a visit will be planned in the future.

A noteworthy first the other day was the customary kulyg on the backroads of the area. Last Wednesday we had a beautiful snowfall and on Friday decided to make the most it. Kulyg is a term for pulling sleds in the snow. I was the jeep driver for the first half of our expedition and had a grand time yanking the sleds about and attempting to understand the Polish instructions being given. I learned quick the signals to turn or slow down and luckily only a few hairy falls occurred. The only real incident was that I took one turn tighter than a nun's knicks and one of the sleds slammed into a fence. 'Twas an empty sled thank goodness and though the sled came away in pieces none were injured. After a good share of driving I took to a sled myself and had a grand old time hurling snowballs at the woman and children about me. It was great fun to throw them over my head and then watch them hit the poor sod behind me when they fell. Sounds ruthless but the powdery snow rendered them quite harmless to cold cheeks. For a first experience of kulyg it was quite marvelous. I had hoped that snow time joys would come and they have certainly been worth the wait.

The experience of Nancy and the kids has as always been so refreshing. Nancy and I have finally had opportunities to really chat which is wonderful as she has so much insight into relationship and raising children. I know that each day is a learning and a preparation for 10 of the best that I myself want in the future. As I continue to prepare for the life of my future it is so important to speak with those who are living the kind of life that I am after. And what better group of children to experience and learn from than these precious four that are here with me. I will get pictures of all soon to remind you of them and introduce to those of you that didn't see them in past photos. Tymek, David, Hannah, and Pawel are four children who relate from their hearts and never cease to amaze with the generosity, genuine interest, intelligence, and relational ability that they display. I have had already time to walk with them and their crazy dog, read them stories and history in the evenings around the fire, and share in meals that Tymek himself is the creator of. I am overwhelmed that I have the priviledge to help watch over these treasures for a month and be spoiled with constant time among them. I will continue to tell in future posts of the wonderful activities I share in in this house but for now the bed is calling and the four treasures here are early risers.