There's No Place Like Home

I remember watching the Wizard of Oz as a young child. I HATED that movie. Mostly, because I was very afraid of witches. And also, because I just really wanted Dorthy to get home. I just remember feeling "home-sick" for her. "There's no place like home . . . . There's no place like home." The only part of the movie that I really liked was when she was back home safe with Aunt May (?? or Aunt someone).

Well, Minnesota is most certainly my home. I just love so much about it. There is just something about the air--might sound crazy, but I'm telling you it's fresher than most (and yes, it's usually more chilly than most). Being outside in Minnesota just makes me feel happy. Despite being really busy this time, Cece did get a few moments in the Minnesota air, and she got to play with the first fallen-leaves of the season.

As I am thinking about moving to Czech, surprisingly, I'm not overcome with homesickness. That is not to say that I will not experience that emotion and so many more. I probably have no idea "the hard" that I will face, at times. However, I do just want to take a moment to thank God for what he has done the past ten years, to make my moving to Eastern Europe something that I am so, so excited about.

Despite my personality, my deep connection to family, and my love for the Minnesota air, God started a work in me that first summer in Eastern Europe and had me begin to fall in the love with the air there too (despite some heavy pollution in some areas:)).

In all seriousness, besides Minnesota, Eastern Europe is my favorite place on Earth. What a gift! I know the Bible well (I really do:)), and I know that God certainly leads His children to sacrifice, but I also know through the Bible and through my own life, that He really, really loves us. And, He loves me enough to call me to serve Him, but more than that, to call me to serve Him in a place that He has given me a genuine love for.

I'm also wise enough to know, though, that it's not really about geography, but rather about people, and I really, really love the people of Eastern Europe.

I'm also wise enough (or at least beg God to keep reminding me) that I really can't love anyone the way that I should without Him. Please dear God, help me to love others, wherever I am, with your love!!!

(Here I am my second summer in Poland--feeling very at home.)

New Blog Background

By the way, what do you think of our new blog background? Allow me to give credit where it is do. First, my lovely husband did most of the work (he's much more computer savvy than I). Second, my new friend, Amy, helped me learn some HTML editing, and my dear friend, Heidi, was my inspiration. Check out their blogs: Amy, Heidi. (Also, all those great pictures of the three of us that you are seeing everywhere were taken by Heidi!)

Rollie and Cait's Reception

My brother got married! Rollie. That means all three of us kids are married now. In the words of his new wife, Cait, "I think that's just great!" I didn't take a single picture of the wedding or during the wedding day. I'm kicking myself. However, I did manage to record this little snippet from the reception.

Rollie and Cait's Reception from Aleisha Stephens on Vimeo.

Our September Update

As a way of keeping friends and family updated, Brian and I have decided to continue working magic with iMovie:). Here's what Brian wrote in a recent e-mail to friends and family:

We have been grateful for the encouragement and support we have received in this process and for the great conversations we have had with many of you. The months ahead will surely provide opportunities for more of these conversations, and we can't wait.

We have put together a short video that gives an update on where we are with raising support and how we are seeing God work on us through this process. As we have shared with many of you, we cannot wait to be in the Czech Republic and serving with Josiah Venture. We know that day will come, and we are blessed that we get to experience first hand the work that God is doing in Eastern Europe.

Stephens Family Update - September '09 from Aleisha Stephens on Vimeo.