Well, we spent our last evening enjoying Lukasz's company at his home in Krakow. We have spent 4 nights here at his home, Pam a few more, and feel like it's our home as well, appropriate since Lukasz shared our home for 9 months.
Our adventure to and from Prague was nothing short of a scene out of a Natl Lampoon Vac. movie. We could have made our own movie and maybe someday we will. At least a skit somewhere along the line. Prague is the most beautiful city I have ever seen and I think my family and Pam would agree on it's beauty. We were determined to do some sightseeing this time in Poland and we accomplished just that. From our first destination at camp in the mountains near Zakopane to the Salt Mines, Krakow's beauty, Auschwitz's emotional tour and our adventure to Prague, we feel we have experienced a taste of Southern Europe.
Most importantly, our week with the Polish leaders and visioning and planning for next summer's worship camp was the best part of the trip. We accomplished our goal and look forward to a year of communicating, planning and a possible trip in between to come back and meet with the leaders again. We talked big and small and know that God's hand was definitely in all that we did and will do.
We are blessed to have the opportunity to work with such great friends. Thank you all for praying for us as we traveled this journey that has now JUST begun!
See you back in the USA.
Laura
Friday, August 6, 2010
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Johnny's Big Adventure
Yesterday we left Krakow in faith as the 5 of us poured into Piotr's car, turned on "Dan" (the GPS) and heading to Prague.
First, there are several ways to get to Prague and Dan decided to take the 'other' route. As God would have it (not Dan), it was the most spectacular and beautiful scenary thus far. We were on country roads (typical for Poland) and we saw so many small villages and churches we lost count. Sunflower farms, castles...what beauty surrounded us!
We made it to Prague, and according to DAN 'we had arrived at our destination'. However, we were in a small, little driveway at a very small little home. Somewhere near we saw a pool--probably not one we would swim in--but teased that Meg was happy there was at least a pool. Thus began our big adventure--it took two hours to find our hotel in Old Town Prague. Lost count of how many taxi drivers, random walkers, maps, etc. we solicited help from to try to get to our hotel. All I can say is that Prague beats Boston hands down for the most difficult city to nagivate in. Yikes. John claims he lost his man card big time on this journey since he says he asked directions in the course of 30 minutes more times than he has in his whole life.
That being said, we arrived at our real destination, unloaded and began a night walk of Prague. All I can say is WOW! This is one beautiful city.
Today we are taking a 6 hour walking tour to get a glimpse of as many of the key sites as possible. Tomorrow, we will visit some of the sites in more detail should we decide to or just explore other areas.
Thursday, we head back to Krakow on Johnny's big adventure part 2 and Friday back to Naperville.
This has been a wonderful trip and the first time we have taken time as a family to venture out and see some of Europe. We are enjoying having Pam along with us and we hope she is also having fun on the Keefer family adventure 2010!
More as things progress.
Blessings...
Laura
First, there are several ways to get to Prague and Dan decided to take the 'other' route. As God would have it (not Dan), it was the most spectacular and beautiful scenary thus far. We were on country roads (typical for Poland) and we saw so many small villages and churches we lost count. Sunflower farms, castles...what beauty surrounded us!
We made it to Prague, and according to DAN 'we had arrived at our destination'. However, we were in a small, little driveway at a very small little home. Somewhere near we saw a pool--probably not one we would swim in--but teased that Meg was happy there was at least a pool. Thus began our big adventure--it took two hours to find our hotel in Old Town Prague. Lost count of how many taxi drivers, random walkers, maps, etc. we solicited help from to try to get to our hotel. All I can say is that Prague beats Boston hands down for the most difficult city to nagivate in. Yikes. John claims he lost his man card big time on this journey since he says he asked directions in the course of 30 minutes more times than he has in his whole life.
That being said, we arrived at our real destination, unloaded and began a night walk of Prague. All I can say is WOW! This is one beautiful city.
Today we are taking a 6 hour walking tour to get a glimpse of as many of the key sites as possible. Tomorrow, we will visit some of the sites in more detail should we decide to or just explore other areas.
Thursday, we head back to Krakow on Johnny's big adventure part 2 and Friday back to Naperville.
This has been a wonderful trip and the first time we have taken time as a family to venture out and see some of Europe. We are enjoying having Pam along with us and we hope she is also having fun on the Keefer family adventure 2010!
More as things progress.
Blessings...
Laura
Friday, July 30, 2010
Friday
We made it to Krakow safely. We are resting at Lukasz and Piotr's house right now getting ready to head to the square in Krakow. We are going to see a little bit of the city and eat some Polish food! And, of course, shop!
Tomorrow we will see the Salt Mines and do some more sightseeing.
John preaches on Sunday and Monday we take Piotr's car for our big adventure--driving to Prague on our own--with Pam, of course. She is our extra navigator in case we get lost.
We look forward to some time to see a little bit of Europe. Haven't done much of that in our 5 times having been here.
That being said, off we go to the square!
Laura
Tomorrow we will see the Salt Mines and do some more sightseeing.
John preaches on Sunday and Monday we take Piotr's car for our big adventure--driving to Prague on our own--with Pam, of course. She is our extra navigator in case we get lost.
We look forward to some time to see a little bit of Europe. Haven't done much of that in our 5 times having been here.
That being said, off we go to the square!
Laura
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Day 3-4
The last two days have been filled with discussions that have lead us to God inspired, clear vision for the adventure if worship
Today our team concluded our time together by fellowshipping in Zakopane. We were blessed with our final full day being one filled with sunshine- finally!!! There really are BIG mountains in south Poland
we look forward to visiting piotr's church Sunday as John will preach and we will get to meet more new people
we have made great lifelong friends this week and we look forward to building the camp now that He has laid a solid foundation
it was definitely His timing
Laura
Today our team concluded our time together by fellowshipping in Zakopane. We were blessed with our final full day being one filled with sunshine- finally!!! There really are BIG mountains in south Poland
we look forward to visiting piotr's church Sunday as John will preach and we will get to meet more new people
we have made great lifelong friends this week and we look forward to building the camp now that He has laid a solid foundation
it was definitely His timing
Laura
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Day 2
Well, day 2 has come to an end. We began the morning with devotion and worship. We have adopted "Awakening" as our theme song and read Ps 143 in conjunction with listening/learning/singing Awakening.
We spent the bulk of the day going through our study together and refining our mission and vision, most importantly deciding exactly who our audience is going to be.
Yet again, it rains! Doesn't look promising for us to actually see the mountains. We aren't sure there really are mountains around us. Actually, we did walk up the path to one of the mountains Day 1 so we do believe they exist. Especially considering the whole area is comprised of ski resorts.
All that being said, tomorrow we hope to 'get out' a little and explore during our free time.
More tomorrow...night, night!
Laura
We spent the bulk of the day going through our study together and refining our mission and vision, most importantly deciding exactly who our audience is going to be.
Yet again, it rains! Doesn't look promising for us to actually see the mountains. We aren't sure there really are mountains around us. Actually, we did walk up the path to one of the mountains Day 1 so we do believe they exist. Especially considering the whole area is comprised of ski resorts.
All that being said, tomorrow we hope to 'get out' a little and explore during our free time.
More tomorrow...night, night!
Laura
Monday, July 26, 2010
Day 1
After a nice overnight flight to Krakow and dinner of Pizza near the square, we headed to Bialka Tatrzanska Sunday night. Basically, we arrived, unpacked, ate, talked and went to sleep.
Today we awoke to cloudy, cold weather which was a welcome relief from the horribly humid and hot Midwest weather we left behind.
We began our day with breakfast together. We then began our meeting time in an hour long devotion lead by 'Pastor' John. After a short break, we dove into our discussion about The Adventure of Worship. As we dove into the discussion on worship, we began developing our mission and vision for Summer 2011. We felt like we have accomplished so much after several hours of discussion time.
For the afternoon break, some walked down to the local '7 Eleven's' and bought our daily Coke Light and chips for the kids. Prince Pollo bars happened to make it to the checkout, somehow.
We are about to engage in a time of worship and devotion before we conclude our night. Some of the leaders and the kids will likely stay up and watch a movie before heading to bed.
We look forward to another productive day tomorrow continuing our discussion on worship and the mission and vision for Summer 2011.
God bless and continue to pray for good health for our entire team.
Blessings
Laura
Today we awoke to cloudy, cold weather which was a welcome relief from the horribly humid and hot Midwest weather we left behind.
We began our day with breakfast together. We then began our meeting time in an hour long devotion lead by 'Pastor' John. After a short break, we dove into our discussion about The Adventure of Worship. As we dove into the discussion on worship, we began developing our mission and vision for Summer 2011. We felt like we have accomplished so much after several hours of discussion time.
For the afternoon break, some walked down to the local '7 Eleven's' and bought our daily Coke Light and chips for the kids. Prince Pollo bars happened to make it to the checkout, somehow.
We are about to engage in a time of worship and devotion before we conclude our night. Some of the leaders and the kids will likely stay up and watch a movie before heading to bed.
We look forward to another productive day tomorrow continuing our discussion on worship and the mission and vision for Summer 2011.
God bless and continue to pray for good health for our entire team.
Blessings
Laura
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Preparation time
We are in the final stretch of preparing for the worship camp retreat. Please pray that we can 'get it all together' even though several of the family are out of town this week leaving much of the burden on Mom and Megs!
We pray for good health, great traveling weather and a safe and uneventful flight.
We will try to post on a daily basis while we are on retreat.
Blessings
Laura
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