Fall & Winter

Is fall over and Winter almost here? Yes it is. Lots have gone on since the last post (Kaylee getting back from Kosovo).

Fall Events are over but not until one more...Thanksgiving.

Feels like this year has gone too fast. With Lots around the corner; Children's Play, Decorating, Movies by the Fire, Spending time with the Family, and the most important of it all...The Birth of our Lord and Savior.

With the hustle and bustle of life we sometimes loose the importance of the small things. With us wanting not to just spend time on the here and now and relax in this moment gets us crazy. Most of us are looking to that next thing we have to do or get. Lets live each day as it comes...From Sun up to Sun down.

Now don't get me wrong; we need to all plan. but lets not over think things.

Slow down. Breathe. Read a book.Write a book. Write a song. Sing a Song. Sit and stare at the wall. Do something that makes you happy. Do something that makes others happy.

Did this post just turn into a lecture? No, but as I have signed my letter since...Well, I cant remember...

It's just from the Heart of

From the Heart of
Keith Davis

Back home sweet home

I walked in early Saturday morning to sleep in our wonderful bed!

Since Keith was at a conference I came home to the kitties who welcome me with much love! 

I took advantage of my time And took a super Dooper long shower. I  pulls only sleep until about 5:30 am, so I got caught up on all my shower and did four loads of laundry! 

My sweet Keith finally got home around 5 ad we spend the rest of the evening talking about everything that happened in both our lives the past three weeks! Since then it has just been go go go and trying to readjust to the time and move back into real life.

I miss Kosova more than ever and was so blessed the spend 18 wonderful days with the people I love there. 

Albania

I have truly been slacking at my blog posting. We have been so much in an out of wifi that it has been hard to get a post in. Today we enjoyed a short day trip to Albania! We spent the night at Leo's home in Prizren and got up super early to cross the border into Albania and then a little drive to Tirana to meet with Bledi!

After a little city walking and coffee drinking we went to eat lunch at a something I would describe as a mix between red lobster and captain d's: it was called Rozafa. And well... It was awesome!!

I got some fun pics of Madison with her meal. She loved it as so did everyone else. After lunch we headed about 30 min to durras to see the Sea. It was beautiful:

Also I asked for peach juice while we sat down for a drink and I got this instead:

Keith would e so proud to know that I actually really really loved it. There is hope for me honey!!

We finished our day by dropped bLedi back off in Tirana and then sayingour  goodbyes to Leo and Gentrina at the Albania/Kosov border. 

Old Friends

I have been so blessed this year to get to reconnect with so many friends from the past. It was hard to be gone from all these friends for so long. Even last year I was only able to see some of them for only an hour, so I tried to take advantage of some extra time together this year!

We had a great time at coffee with some friends. There was so much laughing our stomachs were hurting. Madison, Artan, Leo, Jetmire, Visar and I all had a wonderful time together.

 

I seriously love all these guys! I was happy to just be able to enjoy their company for a few hours! It felt like no time had passed since I had been here before!

Camp day three

Yesterday was a total blast. We started off with my favorite breakfast of pallachanka. It is a little like crapes and is tipped with jelly or my choice of chocolate! 

We talked about servant leadership today and the students had to do a few different tasks regarding that. 

After the learning part of the day we set off up the big hike! I can tell you that I am not as in shape this year as I was last year. It took me a good bit longer and there was a lot of huffing and puffing but we all made it up and it was awesome. We spent time on the way down picking up trash to help beautify this area 

We returned back to the camp with  the teams in gear to finish their dance for the dance competition!

After some good time of making finishing touches... The dances began... Here are some shots:

After that we enjoyed ourselves with a night if dancing and laughing and having a great time!!! 

Can't wait for today!

Be jealous...

I get to enjoy this view each and every morning. 

Picture kind of day!!

It has been a crazy day... But I at least wanted to post. Here are some shots from the day.

Sunday morning worship time:

Shopping and packing!!! 

The beauty of camp:

Maddie enjoying a coffee:

And a few shots of Peja from my walk tonight:

Tomorrow the camp begins. We may or may not have wifi... If not ill check in with everyone on Friday! 

Day 5- they left me :-(

Today started off with making breakfast for the team and getting things prepared for our big full day meeting with the translators going over the day by day for next weeks camp. We had a great meal and cleaned up everything and were just about headed to the oaza center. I've never been and it is about a 10 min drive,, so the team packed up as I turned off all the lights and locked the door. 

My mom yelled "are you locking up" and I yelled back "yes". A few moments later I heads out side and I looked and there were no trucks outside. So I went around the corner and there was no truck there either.... 

So I looked up and there was Luta the owner of the house we are staying at just laughing and said " they left you" 

So he called Lacy to come back and pick me up. I am glad he was there because I had no clue where I should go and I had no phone. 

Once I arrived the team was laughing and joking and saying not to worry that " every mom leaves their kids at some point in their lives" I followed up by saying " it normally isn't in a foreign county"

So now the joke is : "is kaylee here" 

I said we are going to do a head count before we leave anywhere now! 

That is the fun story was of day. 

Day 4: trainers--work--nails--food--friends

Madison and I were ready with our scarfs and shade for another adventurous day in Pristina as we prepare for camp on Monday!

We had a great day exploring and enjoying our new team members that arrived today! It was so great to see my good friend Bledi again and we are so happy to have him with us for camp this year 

Marku was easy to catch wearing my hipster shades at the statue! We had a fun time laughing today!

We had a great time exploring and I wet to three places today that I have never been! We explored the cathedral here they are building and got a front row seat to see the whole building. It is going to be absolutely amazing. I took pictures in my other camera so those will come later! Now it is around 11:30pm and we are printing a few things for the week!

Camp is so close and we are so exited! More tomorrow 

Day 3

I suppose today counts as day three with two days of travel under our belt. We all slept great and woke up around ten this morning. I got a good shower and right as I walked out the power went out, so jan and Maddie had warmish showers!! 

We will be meeting with two students today who are going to take Madison and I around town and help us buy supplies. Three more of our staff trainers are coming in this evening and then the rest will arrive tomorrow! 

We are feeling refreshed and renewed this morning, although jan is upset because she says she hasn't let her hair air dry and not be curled in quite a long time... Oh the joys of power outages! 

The journey over

 As we begin our trip, we are all sitting in the same row together on our way to Newark. We have a 59 min layover so I am just praying we can move as quickly as possible and make it where we need to be in the right amount of time. 

Maddie and Jan are already asleep and I am just sitting here with not much to do on the first flight! I feel a little bit like I can just breathe for a little while. Books are finished. Name tags are made. Shirts are printed. I will try to enjoy these flights and enjoy the calm before we are literally go go go for the next 17 days! 

I already have outings set up with several students and I can't wait to get on the ground in ks and start running! 

Madison is so excited to be coming this year and I am glad she is here! We are about an hour and a half into our long flight to Istanbul and it took off about an hour late. Just finished with some tiny itty bitty pretzels and will see soon what we will have for dinner. 

This is my first united flight over dead and it has been wonderful so far! We have currently flown 704 miles and we have 3498 miles left to go! Wow about one fifth of the way in! 

Turkey was absolutely beautiful to fly into:

Well we made it to turkey and once we found out it would cost 20$ each to get a visa to spend less than three hours in the city we decided to just head on to the gate. 

We used the time to work on documents for this week and double check our schedule: 

We had a great smooth flight into kosova. It was the absolute best timing getting through the kosova airport. We got off the plane, got throught the passport check and got our bags in less than ten min. We even beat mark outside!

 

As we arrived in Pristina, we were greeted by beautiful new trees and flowers and a brand new fountain in the city center! Maddie got an awesome pic so be on the look out for that! 

Ended te night with a chopped salad... My fav:

Getting through the air port

My sweet Keith got the taxi role this year! We drove to the airport and met jan and Maddie. After about 20 min of switching items between bags we got everything under 50lbs and we were ready to go. Here we are with our sea of bags... Literally

Then we got through the line quickly and had time to eat at Atlanta bread company. Thanks to GG who sent money for us to get a good meal before we started

I finally had to say goodbye to sweet Keithy. I wish he were coming with us this year, but I know he will be just fine. 

Love him!

Day 7: The Goodbye

As we prepare to depart the bubble I am reminded of where our group was just 6 days ago. Shy,not knowing anyone, not knowing if they were going to make friends or what to expect from the week. 

Now they are outgoing, knows many other student and leaders, and were overwhelmed by what all happened this week.

It has been a jam packed week. The things and friends that they have made will last a lifetime.

"Will we come back next year?"

Only God will know. But I'm going to try my hardest to make it happen.

I am encouraged in so many ways for these students and look forward to seeing the disciples they will not only become but make.

From the heart of Keith Davis 

Day 6: The Hike

The view from the top of the mountain. Was called a hike but was in actuality a mountain climb.

Everyone went up half way and had a devotion time there. For those that wanted to they went up the rest of the way. Which was a trek to say the least.but it was great to see the students push through the obstacles of the mountain.

The last day is always a hard one, knowing that tomorrow will be the end. But we make the best of every moment. 

From the heart of Keith Davis 

Day 5: The Food

This seems strange to have a post of only food but if you have ever been to camp this is sometimes the talk of the students...in a bad way.

This is not the case here. Since we got here, it has been great. I tell the students 

"it's like mom used to make"

They are being fed in many ways. 

Physically, emotionally, and most important spiritual. I have already seen in the short time we have been here a maturing of what they believe, how they believe and why they believe. 

The focus at this camp of course is leading the lost to their savior and building towards discipleship for the saved but it gets a little more deeper then that.

I am encouraged many minutes of the day of how that is accomplished here through games, team building, devotional, and relationships.

"We are thirsty for more of you"

From the heart of Keith Davis 

Day 4: enlightening

During morning devotion today the students were asked to describe what church is to them...some I saw coming but others alarmed me.

These same descriptions are some of the   major issues as to why some students are leaving the church.

When asked as to "can you be a Christian without going to church?" Most responded with a no. This correlates back to the thinking they have of church.

How can you be part of a family if you don't live in the house; to be a Christian shouldn't you be in his house with the rest of the family?

The post has two meanings. Enlightening to these observations but also true lighting. Rain has begun and has put a delay on afternoon free time. An opportunity for the students to find ways to fellowship and spend time with one another outside of the modern conveniences. What does that mean for the guys? Cards and wresting on their mattresses. For the girls? Facials and mani pedis. Ahh the simple life of camp. Just as it should be.

From the heart of Keith Davis 

Day 3: Refreshing

With a great morning devotion at the flag poll starting the day speaking about not just Talking the talk but walking the walk.

Anyone can talk what to do but do you walk what you say?

I have already been asked by most of the students during breakfast the question of the week so far...

"Are we coming back next year?"

That is a very promising question especially only being on the second full day of camp.

The one worry I had that been taking away...”will they meet new people”...

Every student has met new leaders and other campers. The relationships they are building will last longer then just tomorrow… they will last a lifetime.

I now sit here pondering "are we coming back next year?"

Only God knows that one. But one thing I know is...God is great, He has love for these students and knows the best for them.

From the heart of Keith Davis

Day 2:SEYC- it starts

It has begun. Our drive was smooth. All 9 students made it...just kidding we have all ten and will return with ten. 

Day 2 is already started eventful. The theme plays in so well with "reckless" by Jeremy camp as our anthem for the week. 

The verse comes from Philippians 3:7. For whatever we think we have we give it away for the sake of Christ. 

Being reckless in our standards is much different then being reckless for Christ. Reckless for us is one sided or selfish...being reckless for Christ is selfless. 

All students of course for the first meeting time and such were shy but as I looked out during lunch today every single one of them had connected to another group and were siting with them. It's great to be a sheltered of them but to know that as they connect to different groups, will strengthen the rest of our group. 

As I sit here I'm reminded of how much camp really is. After the worry of how they will enjoy it, whether they will make  a commitment, make a few friends, get something out of it. I know that God has it all in his great loving arms. 

Day 3 tomorrow.

From the heart of Keith Davis 

SEYC

Sweet Keith leaves for SEYC camp in the morning with the Youth.
Praying that they have a wonderful time!!