Why are we here?!?

Why are we here?!?

That question has been asked at different times, in different ways, and in different tones of voice. Sometimes with the desperation of missing friends, home, and familiarity.  Sometimes it has been asked in wonder, what are we learning, what are we seeing, and who are we meeting.

We began this adventure with the clear sense that God had called our family here, but much of the "why" has been murky at times.  The longer we are here, the answer has grown in its clarity and richness.  Relationships are growing, within our family, with friends and family back home, and with new relationships here.  We are learning more about this area of the world where we are living, the language, the customs, and the history.  And we are growing in our faith, what God call is calling each of us to in terms of sacrifice, giving, and loving others well.

We now are past the midpoint of our adventure, and we have a return date (June 15).  Which has prompted a bit of reflection.  We asked our kids, and ourselves, what is it that we have learned so far?

Quincy:
-I am more creative.
-Sidewalks in Lithuania are more bumpy.
-Lithuanian is an easier language to learn than English because the sounds are the same all the time (and I have a good teacher;).
-I hear more English spoken in Lithuania, than Spanish spoken in Grand Rapids.
-Lithuanian basketball teams rely more on the 3-pointer than in US basketball.
-I have been in 8 new countries (England, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary), with 3 more to go (Estonia, Finland, and France).
-I am more independent (stay home by myself, take the bus, go to LCC on my own).
-My comfort zone has gotten bigger (more comfortable with different things, like talking to strangers in Lithuanian).
-I sleep more.
-My friendships get stronger by being away from people longer (I miss them more, so I know they are good friends).
-It is easier to make friends here than I thought.

Annie:
-Buildings are made differently in Lithuania.
-I am more crafty.
-I am smarter.
-Lithuanian is harder to learn.
-I know a lot of new people.
-It is hard to make friends.
-It is hard to learn new things in school without other kids around me.
-I sleep less.
-I miss people more.
-I feel different here because I am being supported by different people.
-More people know English than I thought.

Aaron:
-Nearly everything in Lithuania is slimmer--cars and parking spaces, food portions and refrigerators, people and clothes.  Beer sizes, however, are an exception.
-The neighborhood grocery store concept is alive and well here in Klaipeda.
-Economic policies can be changed much more quickly than emotional and psychological wounds can be healed.
-Tall fences, thick hedges, and loud dogs make it more difficult to get to know your neighbors.
-When you are in a new and unfamiliar place, small acts of kindness make a lasting impression.
-My wife is even stronger, braver, and more adventurous than I thought.

Betsy:
-War and living in secrecy have a lasting effect on communication and trust.
-I have never appreciated the fragility of peace and the value of human life in the way I do now.
-Hanging your clothes to dry may help them last longer, but it takes a long time.
-God provides friends and community wherever we are, it's our investment in relationships that makes a difference.
-Homeschooling with a 2 and 3 year old is very challenging--a big shout out to all you that are or have home schooled with little ones at home!
-It's really hard to get out of bed when the sun doesn't come up until 9am.
-We need far less material possessions than we have: clothes, toys, shoes, etc.  I'm learning so much about having, wanting, and giving.
-Our Bates house is HUGE, and we can live with less space, but it is a luxury to live in a house where we each can have our own space.
-I have not yet ridden on a bus in Klaipeda, that is sad.  I am all American in my reliance on the convenience of having a car.

We still have a healthy amount of time here, and a renewed sense of appreciation and wonder that we get to live out this grand adventure!

Here are a few recent photos:

 Snowy days from our windows.  Unlike Michigan, the snow rarely lasts for more than a day or two.

 Quincy's 10th birthday party.  Love the Lithuanian candles!

 Windstorm Felix hit Klaipeda and the coast on our side of the Baltic Sea reportedly went up about 9 meters!  This view usually includes about 50 feet of beach, Jackson was literally blown over while we were standing there!

 These two...watch out!

Quincy is passing along his love of reading;)

 A package from Yoli!  Love the new clothes and the games;)

 Look who came to visit!!!  Grandma is here for 2.5 weeks!!!

 More skating, this time Jackson was able to skate since his cast is off.

 A beautiful sunny day at the beach.

 Aaron's 37th birthday, still holding on to his mid-30s;)

 Grandma, Quincy, Annie, and I were off to London last weekend.  By bus, plane, train, and tube.

 The changing of the guards, one of Quincy's highlights.

 New architecture in London, the Shard.

 Tower Bridge from the Tower of London.

 The tube.

 The Lion King!

 And we even found a Krispy Kreme at Victoria Station!

 Westminster Abbey.

 Big Ben.

 On the train back to the airport.  Grandma gave Jackson and Nala presents, Simba and Nala from the lion king.  I chuckle every time Nala asks where Nala is;)

 Skating on the LCC pond.  If you look really close, you can see that Nala is in mid-air.  She has become quite the brave and tough little sister.

Much love from the Winkles;)