Red Hot Peppers

I discovered that I am never going to get all my stories and pictures posted if I keep waiting to get them all edited and corrected. With our timeline of leaving Macedonia next Sunday for our OFA (Off-Field Assignment until the first part of January) I have been so busy getting everything completed so that all the work will continue while we are gone that I have gotten further behind in my Blog postings.


So I decided to just begin with current happenings and try to insert past stories and pictures as I complete them. I am going to try to make at least a weekly posting to this site. (Call it an early New Year's resolution!)

Box of Peppers Ready For the Fire

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Peppers Roasting over the Open Stove Fire


Last week was a busy week for women in Macedonia (Albanians and Macedonians alike). They put up peppers, cauliflower, carrots, etc. and made Ajvar (pepper sauce) to last until next winter. I went over to Habibe's and made photos one of the days she was working. Jehona was helping her mother -- and it was a good thing -- because the next day as she finished and put the oven away for the year, it began to rain. If Habibe had not had help, she would have finished her work in the wet and the cold because the temperature dropped rapidly the next day -- winter has arrived.

Here are more photos from the day's event:

Shelia

A BIG SURPRISE

This past week I received a big surprise. Each month BetterPhoto.com has a photography contest. I entered during the month of August and the photo was picked as an "Editor's Pick". Then I got a message in September that the photo had made it to the "Finalist" category.
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I have been taking photography and creative writing classes on-line as part of my "Continued Learning" that CBF encourages in Field Personnel. This seems to be a very inovative concept - to develop the skills of personnel in a way that will enhance ministry opportunities. I cannot tell you how many people I have met and become friends with in Macedonia because of this one interest. It is amazing!

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Anyway, I never thought much more about the contest. I look at it as having an opportunity to learn from other photographers - more than anything else. But this past week - this announcement came in my mailbox. So I am showing you what I received:

"Trust" SEarl Photography

Hi Shelia,


Congratulations! You have won Second Place in the Monthly Theme category of this month's BetterPhoto photo contest! Way to go!
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With over 22200 entries in the contest, it is a big honor to be selected among the winners.To see your winning image - Trust - and the other excellent winning photos, visit:

http://www.betterphoto.com/contest/winners/0908.asp
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News Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9/23/2009------------------
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Photographer Shelia Earl of Skopje, Macedonia has won Second Place for August in the prestigious photography contest sponsored by BetterPhoto.com, the site's founder, Jim Miotke, announced Wednesday.
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More than 22200 entries were submitted to the online photography contest, which attracted contestants from around the world and featured 10 separate categories.

Earl's stunning image, "Trust", garnered top honors after being submitted in the Monthly Theme category.
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All of the winning images can be viewed at BetterPhoto.com's contest page: http://www.betterphoto.com/contest/winners/0908.asp

The contest is conducted each month. Categories include Nature and Landscapes, Animals, People, Elements of Design, Digital Darkroom, Travel and Place, Flowers, Details and Macro, Catch-All, and Monthly Theme.

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Judging is performed by a panel of professional photographers. The contest are sponsored by
http://www.betterphoto.com/

AND SO SCHOOL STARTS !!

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Here are photos of the Schoolbag Distribution Day for our children from last year's class at the "Future of the Family" kindergarten - free education to Albanian and Roma children who would not be able to attend school otherwise.

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We gave out the schoolbags the day before school started, but as you can see in some of the photos, baby brothers and sisters came along so that they could see what
school was going to look like for them this year, too.

He is really not unhappy. It is just that he was telling me about his feelings of uncertainty as to whether he would ever like "regular" school as much as he liked going to the kindergarten. This look is priceless though, because I saw it on his face many times during the past year -- mainly when he was uncertain about something.

Some of the mothers wanted their picture made with their child, too. I love this one. The mothers have been so involved in the school this past year. It is a great thing to see the whole family benefiting from the educational experience of the child.

Habibe couldn't let this little one go away empty-handed, but she didn't want all the other children to see what she gave her either.

What a great student this young man is!

I loved this closeup of him - and that slight grin on his face.

The day these photos were made, lots of children from the past 5 years came by to greet us. Every one of them said the same thing - in different words -- "No other school can ever compare to this one. I love to come back every year to see the graduating students get their schoolbags for first grade." I have to say, "ME, TOO!"

More pictures to follow in the next few weeks.

As Habibe says, "Once the new ones stop crying long enough to make their photos." HA! I

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It is the same story every year -- it takes about 2 weeks for them to learn what is going on. After all, they have never been out of their own home/neighborhood before. This is a frightening experience at first. But I can also say that they will be crying by December 31 (when the New Year break begins) --at that time it will be because they have to miss school for 2 weeks of holiday!!

Shelia

Back-To-Back Anniversaries

This Sunday, August 16, is our 40th Wedding Anniversary!!! We were talking this morning (over coffee) about all of our previous anniversaries -- where we were, what we were doing, etc. It took a while, but we remembered some of the details of all of them.

All of our wedding photos are in storage in the States - so this is the only one that I had on the computer. I have included one of Arville at Normandy in 1981 which is the only one I have of him on the computer - closest to our wedding date. One of these days, we are going to be in the same location as all of these photos and I will have the time to put them all on the computer.



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We both agreed, too, that it doesn't seem like it has been 40 years since we finished that final semester of college, made wedding plans, and walked down the aisle. We may look it - but we don't feel like we have been married 40 years. HA!

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And then these photos were taken close to some of our other anniversaries (while we were in the States):

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Now --the Back-to-Back Anniversary is that of Christopher and Amy.

Taken at Amy and Christopher's wedding - our 27th Anniversary.

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Amy and Christopher were married 13 years ago next Monday, August 17. Congratulations, you 2!! Happy Anniversary!

Amy with Her Dad

Amy and Christopher shortly after they married

Happy Anniversary, Arville. I love you & look forward to more wonderful years together.

Shelia

A Bottle of Lotion & A Renewed Friendship

Arville and Adem Together Again after Ten Years


When Daniel and Earlene Vestal and their then-future son-in-law – Jordan – came to visit with us in 1999, we were in the midst of the Kosovo War coming to a close, and Albanians were preparing to leave the refugee camps. Since we had already begun regular visits to the large refugee camp Cegrane, near Gostivar, we invited the Vestals and Jordan to go with us to get a close-up look at the situation. On that day, we met one particular family and spent most of the day with them – listening to their stories of tragedy, uncertainty and yet irrepressible hope.




Cegrane Camp 1999





The Gashi Family: (left to right) Xhylferije, Shkendije, Adem and Blerim




Adem, Jordan, Blerim talking with Daniel




Arville, Blerim and Jordan inside the tent

Jordan, Daniel, Shkendije, and Earlene inside the Gashi Temporary Home

Visiting One Last Time Before Leaving

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We were in the states at the CBF General Assembly a few weeks later when most of the families left the camps in Macedonia for home (at least what was left of home). The Gashi family was among those who journeyed back to Kosovo. When we made another visit to the camp we tried to locate them, but no one seemed to know where they had gone.

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When we returned to Macedonia, we began working in the south of Kosovo -- rebuilding homes, supplying tractors, food and clothing, plus medicines and vitamins for several villages.

This is what Prishtina looked like at that time

Daniel had left a business card with Adem (the father of the family) and the family wrote to him. They used the address of their former home, but since it had been destroyed during the war, they were not actually living there. The last time we were in the states and saw Daniel, he gave us their apartment address (they had moved there after returning and not being able to occupy their former property).


So we were able to talk to them several times on the phone since our meeting with Daniel in January. They wanted us to come to Kosovo and visit with them, but with the school, our other ministries, and harsh weather this winter in Macedonia and Kosovo, too, we were not able to accept the invitation until last week.

Here We Come !!!

We arrive in Prishtina (looks a bit different now, doesn't it?)

Now, ten years later, we made the trip to Kosovo with our friends, Agim and Habibe who worked with us in the camps and in Kosovo, as well. From Prishtina, we thumped along on a new autoroute still under construction. Forty kilometers took us almost 2 hours to travel. We arrived in the village town of Drenas and the apartment of the Gashi family.

We were welcomed with open arms (literally) by Adem and his son. Blerim, who helped us find a parking place and took us up to their apartment. We were treated as if we were family who had been away for these many years. We arrived around noon and visited until about 6pm. What a gratifying experience – all the memories surrounding a one-time meeting a decade ago.

You can tell by the pictures who is Center-Stage in this family now. Eni will be two years old on September 14.

Eni with his grandmother

--and with his father (Blerim)


Blerim and Agim visiting -- first time they had met, but you would have thought that they had been friends forever.

Eni with his Aunt Shkendije (who is expecting a child, too, in a few months).

Blerim's wife, Sadete, and Shkendije Looking at the Photos we brought them from Cegrane Camp

And the proud grandfather, Adem, with Eni

The daughter of the family, Skendije had come to visit with us, too. During the conversations (sometimes everyone was talking, laughing, crying, at the same time), Skendije took a bottle of skin cream from her bag, and she told all of us that it was the one that Shelia had given to her in the camp. She had only used a little of it because she said, “It was a gift from you (speaking to Shelia) and represented all that you had done for us while we were in the camp.” Well, you can imagine that Shelia cried – but so did Habibe, Skendije and her mother & father. Who knew what an enduring gift that would turn out to be for a teenage girl in a refugee camp? We never really know what impact we might have on someone else’s life, do we?

The Women and Eni Telling Us "Bye" One Last Time - from their 3rd floor apartment.

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We made a short visit to the former home site and farm of the Gashi family. Adem and Blerim work every possible chance they have – slowly rebuilding their lives. The financial resources for the family’s living expenses and the rebuilding of their home come from Blerim’s salary. He is a recent graduate of the newly formed Kosovo National Police Academy and is employed as a police officer in another town near Prishtina.

Here are pictures of the farm and what they have done on the house to be able to move back home:

Then we made a stop at the market so that Habibe could buy a new lid for her traditional pot.

We had planned to return in mid-afternoon to Macedonia so that we would arrive back before dark, but we could not pull ourselves away. After visiting until almost 6pm, we made the trip to the family farm and afterwards, Blerim escorted us to a “Memorial Cemetery” in a nearby village where an entire family of 63 members – father, mother, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters and children of less than 7 years old – had been murdered in 1998. This marked the beginning of the massive expulsion and attempted annihilation enacted by the Milosevic regime. We are still trying to assess the impact of that somber experience.

The Sign indicates that this village was where the horrors of the Kosovo War began in late 1998.

We are amazed that with all that they have endured, the amount of loss they have experienced, and their financial situation at the moment, the Gashi family retains a sense of joy and gratitude for life which was confirmed by the smiles and laughter we observed that day. We were privileged to have the opportunity for reunion.

Here are scenes of traveling back to Macedonia:

What the next stage of follow-up will be, we do not know, but we are relatively sure that this one visit will not be our last, the next one will be an overnight so that we can visit longer, and neither visit will be the end of the story – but a new beginning to a deeper relationship. We also plan to share this story with Daniel, Earlene and Jordan – along with pictures of these few hours together.

Arville & Shelia

Happy Anniversary to Alan and Layla

Wishing Alan and Layla and Happy 15th Anniversary today.

For those of you who are not on Facebook, but follow our Earl Family Blog - here is the story for the day and some recent photos that Layla posted of Alan and her this summer.

Alan and Layla met while he was working as security officer for the hospital complex where Layla worked. They got married in Kansas City on July 23, 1994.

In the following few weeks, we had a big sale & packed up to travel to Texas where we put Amy in college in August, and then we left for Albania.

It is really hard to believe that 15 years have passed since that summer -- and we have changed countries in the meantime.

Happy Anniversary to you both,

Mom & Dad

A Treat For a Special Lady

Recently I took Habibe to a boutique here in Skopje and treated her to a pedicure. This was such a luxury for her -- she could not believe it.

After getting our toenails done, we met Arville and Agim for dinner (thus, the picture of Habibe standing in front of the restaurant before they arrived).

She couldn't take her eyes off her feet all evening, and she kept saying that she felt like a princess!!

What a special day we had together!! It was so much fun to see her enjoy a very simple pleasure.

Shelia

Galichnik Wedding

Every year, in the month of July, there is a very special celebration in the village of Galichnik (near Mavrovo - for those of you who have visited us here in Macedonia). In the beginning, this holiday represented the return of the immigrant workers from abroad - a perfect time for the big Macedonian weddings to occur. These festivities attract visitors and citizens, as well, to watch a traditional Macedonian wedding take place.

And so - we start off on our journey to the top of the mountain - arriving at the meadow where we leave our car parked and walk several kilometers to the village of Galichnik. We hope you enjoy the trip.





We pass a sheep pen on the way up to the village.



After parking the car - we begin our walk up the mountain.

As we arrive in the village, the activities are beginning: getting the horses prepared for the drama that will unfold, a market area where Macedonian handcrafts are sold, and people visiting with friends they have not seen for a while.

We leave the village - the sign says, "Have a Good Trip"!

On the way down the mountain, we met a sheperd with his sheep and he was more than happy to let me make pictures.

The End of a fabulous day.

Shelia

Shelia's Artwork for CBF GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2009

This year’s CBF General Assembly will be held in Houston, Texas, July 2-3.

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Here are photos of Shelia's watercolor that will be in the CBF Auction this year:

It may be that you don’t see this blog entry until you are at the GA. If so, then go over and bid on the watercolor! The money goes to our Benevolent Fund that supplies food, clothing, heating for the winter, and other basic provisions to families in need.

The beautiful frame was handmade by a Macedonian man (Zlatko) who has done the framing of our artwork and photos for years.

Arville & Shelia

END OF SCHOOL FOR 2009

Thank You for Your Partnership with Us

(Written on Friday, June 12)

On Wednesday, June 10, school officially ended for this year. We are always a little sad to see a class leave us and go on to elementary school, but we are excited, too, just knowing how well these children will do next year. The principals of the 2 elementary schools where our children continue their education wish that more of their students were as well-prepared as these children are.

Thanks to Habibe and her love and care for these children and for your generosity, this year’s class makes 200 children who have completed school with the “Future of the Family” Kindergarten.

Advije and Habibe with Diplomas

We want to take this opportunity to thank you for providing this educational experience, the nutritious food, and the nice clothing (you can see your contributions that the children are wearing in the photos) for children who would otherwise not be able or equipped to start first grade next school year.

Children and Parents Gather to Have Class Photos Made and to Receive Their Diplomas

It is not all JOY - you will notice some sad faces because the children's year at the kindergarten has come to a close.

You will see some tears being shed as well, especially as "good-byes" are said.

Habie, Nexhibe, and Advije with one of the children and his mother.

The parents (especially the mothers) say, "Please tell the people in churches in America who provide this school for our children - that we thank them for it."

So, thank you for your generous support of our ministry through the kindergarten.

Shelia

Where Is Home?

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People often ask us, “Where is home for you?” The question catches us off-guard every time we hear it because we don’t know which home they are asking about. Most often the response they are looking for is “America” or, more specifically, the state from which we come.

Even that question is difficult for us to answer without going into detail because our legal US address is Texas, our children and grandchildren live in Indiana and Missouri, and we own a house in Georgia that we have not lived in yet. Other times they just want to know our address in Skopje.

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Pictures of Kruja, Albania

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For the past 15 years (as of June 2009) that we have worked with CBF, we have made our home in Tirana & Kruja, Albania and in Gostivar & Skopje, Macedonia. All of these places became “home” to us very quickly. Perhaps we have had so many homes because, for us, “home” is more a state of being in relationships than it is a place or a location.

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Old Market Area in Kruja

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Our Apartment in Skopje (with the green awning)

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Jim Smith, Associate Coordinator for Missions with CBF, made a comment some time ago about our having lived in so many places (48 to be precise). His words reminded us that whereas we have had so many homes, there are people to whom we minister who have not had a “home” – in the sense that “home” means security, safety, and hope. But because of your generous support of the “Future of the Family” kindergarten and its ministries, there are many families who have found a sense of “home”.

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Afternoon Kindergarten Class with Habibe on Picture Day

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June 2009 completed the 5th year of this ministry, and the lives of 200 children and their families have been affected in the most positive ways possible. These families have the assurance of a good educational beginning for their children, the security that their children are receiving nutritious food each day (something that many of the families could not provide themselves at the moment), and the safety of an environment that enables their children to develop and learn in an atmosphere of love.

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The “Future of the Family” kindergarten has additional ministries that reach out to these families in times of grief, illness, rejoicing, and need. Since Albanian and Roma children attend the school, the majority of our families are Muslim. So in essence, we are offering pastoral care to a Muslim community, being the presence of Christ to these families. Because of the kindergarten ministry, we are able to visit in homes that otherwise would be difficult to gain access.

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So where is home? We sometimes answer: “America” or “Indiana, Georgia, or Texas” if asked which state. But also home is with Ismire -- rejoicing over their new baby boy, with Razmire -- comforting her dying father, with Endrit -- delivering firewood for winter heating, and with Elmira -- visiting before the wedding of her oldest daughter.

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Home is sharing a cup of tea with a mother who just wanted to thank us in person for the school and all the wonderful people in America who have made her life and her child’s life so much better.

A cup of tea anyone?

Shelia

Happy Birthday, Alan

Arville and Alan - June 2008

Alan, we wanted to wish you a very happy birthday tomorrow (June 23). It is hard to believe that you are going to be 3??? years-old. Okay, so we didn't tell everyone how old you will be because you might not want us to and because everyone could figure out how old we are, too (well approximately anyway). HA! So instead, we are just putting this picture of your cake from last year's birthday celebration on the blogsite!!

Alan and Layla - last year on his birthday

Layla told us that you were going to be making the very most of your birthday by extending it over the week. We really like that idea --- they go by way too fast as it is. And this way, you will have the benefit of seeing more friends and family, visiting with them longer, and eating all that wonderful food that Layla has planned. A little bird told us that you were going to have a great steak and veggie dinner for one of those times. Sounds good!!

It sounds like your party on Saturday night was lots of fun and we hope you will have another good time tomorrow night on your actual birthday. The party (again at Aunt Sharron's this year) over the weekend sounds especially fun. Have a great time and give them our love.

So this year, Alan, we didn't embarrass you with pictures from your childhood - like we did last year. Bet you are glad, huh? That is why we put photos from your birthday party last year with this blog writing.

Seriously, we hope that you have a very Happy Birthday, Alan!

(This was our favorite photo from your last bd party)

We will be celebrating with you - in spirit - anyway.

We love you,

Mom and Dad

TWO FATHER'S DAY MESSAGES

Arville on the park bridge near downtown Skopje

Arville wrote this story about his dad that he wanted me to post on our blog for this weekend. As I was typing the story he wrote, and then the next day looking for a new journal book to write in myself, I ran across another story and another Father's Day gift.

So I have included both Arville's story about his dad and the one I found in a journal from Father's Day 1997 --- that is the reason for the title: Two Father's Day Messages

The Storyteller by Arville

My dad enjoyed telling stories, and he was good at it. Most of the stories he told were factual (with an imaginary tale thrown in now and again just for fun). Even if we did not know all the characters in the stories, those of us who heard them were made to feel that we did. We felt as if we were right there - in the story itself - with all the dramatic and/or traumatic events that happened.

I remember that Dad made a cassette for our children one time while we lived in Africa, and Amy & Alan played the thing until they had it memorized. I guess that it was a good thing that they memorized it because they wore it out listening to it so many times. So his storytelling capabilities stretched all the way around the world.

Generally speaking, all the stories came out of real life experiences (including the stories that were embellished with imagination). The realism was there, and we could all identify with the situation and circumstances. I think this is a necessary quality for a good storyteller.

However, Dad was not one to boast about being especially gifted at weaving a tapestry of words. He never thought in those terms. He just like to tell these real-life stories --- perhaps that was what made him so good at it. Running through all the stories was a thread of character ... his character which expressed itself in a down-to-earth simplicity, a basic honesty and integrity and an aversion to deceit or disrespect for other people.

As I recall those stories from time to time, I hear his voice as if he were telling the stories all over again, and I have to smile. But something else that I remember from times past is that someone would say to me --- when I made a remark or shared one of my own stories --, "That sounds just like something your daddy would say". That always make me very proud.

Thanks, Dad, for all the stories and memories,
Arville
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I (Shelia) found a journal that Amy and Christopher had given Arville on Father's Day in 1997. Just to refresh your memory, we were in the states on a "forced" home assignment because of the evacuation from Albania after an uprising in the country in March of that year. We made the decision to come to Macedonia during those summer months in 1997.

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Background to this poem:

Now growing up, Arville obtained an unusual nickname -- another example of the storytelling that his family was used to. This nickname was that of a cartoon character by the name of Sut Tattersall. One of his uncles thought that if a caricature of Arville was drawn, he would look like this cartoon character.

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The Journal

At the beginning of the journal, Amy wrote this poem for her dad:

This is a story that begins like this...

There was a little boy with his pole and his fish....

This little boy was as cute as could be - despite the fact that he had mud to his knees.

The world was enormous in the eyes of this boy,

The simplest pleasures brought him such joy.

The thrill of a root beer was as good as it got OR

coming home with a raccoon that he just caught.

He has made his family proud time and time again,

in the way he shows love and is a true friend.

His name is Arville Earl in the eyes of the law, but, round these parts, he's called

SUT TATTERSALL !!!

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Arville's comments in the margin of the poem:

Amy will never know (except that now she will because I am printing it in our blog - HA!) quite what the poem represents to me. The meanings and emotions that it touches are at a level that defies verbal or written explanation. It will be one of my dearest treasure.

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So see, Arville, I guess you are an example to your children in some of the same ways that your dad was an example for you. It seems to me that this character thread continues from one generation to the next in your family. I am so grateful that you made me part of that family - almost 40 years ago!!

I love you and wish you a very Happy Father's Day,

Shelia

Annual Zoo Trip at the Kindergarten

As part of our zoo trip tradition, the children had hamburgers and juice before leaving for the field trip to the Skopje Zoo. Here are some pictures of them enjoying their meal together.

















The mothers left (went outside the fence) but some of the children were so excited they had to go say "good-bye" an extra time. Got some cute pictures.

Then our Taxi Buses arrived and we loaded up for our LONG trip (across town) to the Zoo.

Here is a photo of one of our taxi drivers. He goes with us every year.

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Arriving at the Zoo:

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The Animals were fewer in number this year and they were doing some renovations to the park, but the children didn't know the difference since this was the first time they had ever been.

There were lots of kids at the zoo the day we went. Here is another class of older children who were there with their teachers, too.

This is a typical picture of Habibe and Arville talking together.

The lions were hungry and it was time for lunch when we came into the lion house.

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The kids remembered me telling them stories of the buzzards that were in Burkina Faso (Africa). So they were all interested in seeing these exotic specimens because they can be found in Africa, you know. It doesn't matter that they have buzzards in Macedonia, too --- since I told that story -- you won't be convincing these children that they are not exclusively African birds.

Looks like another serious conversation between Agim and Arville this time.

Is this another wild beast???

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Halfway Point in our trek through the Zoo:

Jehona, Advije, Belinda (Advije's daughter) and Arville find a spot in the shade to wait for the children to get through seeing the hippos.

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Then the children played and ate a cupcake and drank a juice. The playground was being remodeled, too - so they just improvized games to play on the little walk-bridge.

Mevlude wouldn't leave Arville's side all day long.

So Belinda joined them.

And you see what our children have learned to do this year --- put their trash away in a proper place!! instead of throwing it on the ground.

Belinda was in one of our beginning classes at the kindergarten and Mevlude was in this year's class. Just love this picture of them together.

Playing games together.

Before it is time to go.

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On the way out of the park-----

Back in the Taxi Buses:

Yes, I know, there are no seat belts for any of us (except for the driver and you will notice that he is NOT wearing his) --- we still need lots of traffic and driving laws in Macedonia.

Back across town and to the kindergarten all in about 4 hours.

Hope you enjoyed our day at the Zoo. See you next year!!

Shelia

The Hot Water Heater Experience

Agim Iseni and I together at the Kindergarten

As I understand it, “being the presence of Christ” means living in such a way that God’s grace and love is reflected in us as we connect with people in their day-to-day circumstances. Through encountering and relating to people in the normal context of life, I have the profound sense of being “invited in” as both participant and witness to God’s unfolding process of drawing people into dialogue. I often characterize our ministry (mine and Shelia’s) in Eugene Peterson’s terminology of “helping to bring people into conversation with God.”

It often happens as I am on my way to somewhere to do something, that there is an interception of some kind: a street is blocked, the shop is closed, or something does not work and that means making a return trip. Recently on such an occasion, I was accompanied by my long-time Albanian friend, Agim. The quest was to find a small electric water heater to replace the one in the kitchen that had seen better days and no longer functioned. This was my third trip back to the same shop to exchange a second new water heater, this one had a faulty thermostat.

As we returned home, I could tell that Agim was in deep thought about something. Over these past years, I have learned to read his facial expressions. When I asked what he was thinking, he astounded me with this question, “Does God make some people with a better character than others?” Having no immediate or definitive response, I said, “Tell me what you think.”

He replied, “I believe that people are people, regardless of nationality, religion, or political affiliation. God makes people pretty much the same in the beginning, but character is something that people develop for themselves.” Just before we arrived at the apartment he said, “If I had a shop like the one we were just in, I would sell only the water heaters that I knew were good quality so that you would not have to come back three times to find one that really works! I think that is part of what it means to have respect for other people. I think, too, that God wants us to have respect for others.”

Perhaps during this decade of relationship, in difficult times, as well as, in times of celebration, I have been instrumental in opening the door to Agim’s developing relationship with God. If he were asked specifically, he might say something to the effect that I have had a significant influence on his life. But the fact is that now his conversational relationship with God has taken on its own viability. Whatever has been set in motion by my being the presence of Christ is not mine to possess or control. The experience is dynamic, not static. It is much more of a process than an event.

Is it possible for us to so incorporate being the presence of Christ into our normal lifestyle that, over time, people like Agim and others cannot observe one without also becoming aware of the other?

Arville

Okay, So A Moment of Bragging Time, Please

My On-Line Bragbook

Some of you have asked how our grandchildren are doing, so I decided to show you some photos that Amy has sent me this past month. The children are playing outside, working on art projects that Amy has taught them to do

(see http://www.breedingcreativity.wordpress.com/),

and just having FUN together.

The youngest (Nathan Mussie) just turned 2 years old, he loves cars and playing outside -- but does NOT like the water slip 'n slide at all -- the swimming pool is another story --- he loves that!

This is his solution to staying out of the slip 'n slide sprinkler.

Sophie turned 4 years old this month and here are some pictures of her.

Sophie with her big sister, Anna.

Anna turned 7 years old in March:

And Elijah is now 10 years old - as of April.

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I love this picture of Elijah - he was looking up at his mom. About the only way that she can get this picture anymore is for him to be seated. HA!

So thanks for letting me do a little bragging. They are great kids and have lots of fun together.

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Shelia (better known as "Baba" to Elijah, Anna, Sophie and Nathan)

Happy Birthday to Nathan (and Sophie, too)

Happy Birthday from Baba and Peepaw

Today is Nathan's 2nd birthday. It is hard to believe that it has been one and one-half years since Amy, Christopher and Elijah brought him home. It seems like yesterday!!

He is learning SO fast and talking incessantly. When I call on the computer phone, he knows it is me and he starts saying, "Hi, Baba!!" as loud as he can.

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He also has a fascination with cars - real ones or ones that you play with - as long as they are cars - he is interested.

And he does NOT like to be very far away from his Mom.

Even though Sophie's birthday isn't until June 15th, I am posting her birthday blog greeting at the same time as Nathan's. Why? Because Sophie has been waiting SO long for June to come and to be four year old!! Everyone in the family has been sworn to secrecy that it actually turned June day before yesterday!!

So I want to wish Sophie a Happy Birthday, too. She and Nathan are going to have their party together (she turns 4 and Nathan turns 2).

The timing worked out better for Nathan and Sophie to have a party together because of activities that everyone will be involved in when June 15 comes along.

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I love it that she can't wait to be four years old. Someday soon (sooner than she can imagine) - she will be wishing those birthdays wouldn't go by quite so FAST!

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***All Photos are courtesy of Amy and "Happy Days" Photography. Thanks, Amy!!

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Happy Birthday to you two!!

Love Baba

Look What's In Season in Macedonia !!!

I am so happy !! The strawberries have come in. I am putting them in the freezer as fast as I can clean them. We are eating strawberries with everything. Just had them in a salad with fresh spinach, walnuts and feta cheese. YUM!

Another Story from the Castle Hill

From near the castle tower, Arville wrote:

Some time ago, last fall to be precise, I found a place of solitude on the "Castle Hill" in Skopje. Here is how it all came about:

October 2008:

I am beginning a new practice. It is experimental to be sure, because I am not at all sure what the results will be. However, with a compelling sense of “oughtness”, I feel as though I would be remiss if I were not to respond to this kindling of the Spirit.

This experience could be compared, at least in my mind, to that of Phillip (Acts 8:26) when the only instruction he had from the angel was to “Go south to the desert road that leads out of Jerusalem toward Gaza”. Surely, Phillip must have been engulfed simultaneously with anticipation and anxiety, as am I.

My calling, however, is not to a desert road, but to a hilltop in the center of Skopje. From that vantage point, the site of an ancient castle, the whole city is in view. That is where I am being led to await further instruction.

Perhaps, it would seem appropriate to be there on that hilltop early in the morning when things are still and quiet, or at dusk, in that interval between the rush of the day and the unwinding of the evening. But, for some reason, my impulse is to be there at midday, in the middle of all the noise, clamor, and “busy-ness” of daily life in the city.

Will there be a chariot waiting? If so, what will it look like and who will be inside? If I could have precise answers to these questions, maybe I could be better prepared. Nevertheless, I will go with my eyes, my heart, and my hands open to this opportunity of discovery and sensitivity to the voice of God.

Call it praying. Call it listening. Call it a learning experience or all three. Does this have any connection to the reconciliation conference from which I recently returned? At the moment, I have no clear vision, no clear definition or description; only a gentle urging from the Holy Spirit to take this step and see what happens next. I think I will go on Tuesday.

March 2009

What is sustainability?

To live a sustainable life is to care about the generations we will never know and to embrace the future for them.

-By planting a tree, even though we may never enjoy the shade it may someday provide.

-By treasuring our air, water, soil and biological communities and preserving them for
generations to come.

-By being a part of something far, far greater, Bernheim Forest explores sustainable ideas.

After reading those words, I, of course, began to think in terms of what appropriate applications could be made to our particular ministry setting. Now, back in Macedonia, I am face-to-face again with the reality that exploring sustainable ideas is not a high priority for people here whose primary concern is getting through to the end of this month.

From the vantage point of the castle hill in Skopje, I see the mix and flow of people engaged in the process of living. It occurs to me that perhaps “being the presence of Christ” is helping people to understand that they are a part of something “far, far greater,” and helping to bring them into what Desmond Tutu describes as, “a God awareness.”

It is this “God-awareness” that redirects our priorities and awakens us to the calling to become God’s partners in this world’s transfiguration. God loves and cares for each one of us and all of us, which includes the generations yet to come.

So from now on, when I talk to people about preserving natural resources and planting trees (which we are doing as a joint project with a Macedonian church here) these conversations will have a whole new meaning.

May 2009

I had found this place where I could go for a few minutes of thoughtful reflection and for a bit of quiet tranquility. That place was the “castle hill”, overlooking and surrounded by the city of Skopje. Inside the castle walls was a well-kept combination of lawn, flowerbeds, and a spontaneous scattering of trees. Attention was given to maintaining the natural beauty of the site. Shelia had been to make some lovely photos of the place back in the fall last year. This locale had become a sanctuary for me.

But all that has changed now – in a matter of a few weeks. This special place is hardly recognizable anymore, and it is very far removed from the place of tranquility that I knew not so long ago.

Rumor has it that buried beneath the centuries-old layer of silt and sediment is a beautifully preserved Byzantine cathedral, adorned with many rich furnishings from the era. Therefore, to verify the existence of the cathedral or to dispel the rumor, whichever the case may be, these massive excavations have consumed huge amounts of time, energy, and financial resources.

My place of serenity has been ravaged. The natural beauty has been replaced by earth-moving equipment. The sound of the gentle breeze and rustling leaves has been overpowered by the noise and clatter of this invasive machinery. As yet, nothing of significance has been found, but the excavations continue. How deep they will dig is anyone’s guess.

Recalling that scene of devastation, I find myself dealing with feelings of interruption and displacement. I need a place for occasional retreat and refuge, but where will it be found?

As I deal with my grief and make plans for a new journey of discovery, it has occurred to me that sanctuary and tranquility are not necessarily determined by geographical limits. Perhaps this “place” is not confined to one particular setting, but rather multiple settings. Where is the place that I can experience God’s presence, and in turn, live out the reality of God’s Presence.

I am reminded now of that passage in Philippians 4:9, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Now, here I am, praying another dangerous prayer, “Lord, show me where your Spirit is.” The probability is that the Spirit of God will show up in quite, unexpected places.

Arville

My Photography

Many of you have sent me an e-mail - saying that you have enjoyed my photos --especially recently. Some have asked me what I have done to make them so much better.





I have even had a few to want some of them so that they could use them in their own publications (especially to support the ministry of the kindergarten in Skopje). I have e-mailed those photos to individuals (without the watermarks) so that they could be used this way.




So what is different?? I have been taking some photography classes with BetterPhoto.com and learning how to make better photos, post-process them, and make them ready for professional printing. It is all a part of my "life-long learning" with CBF.

So if you would like to see more of my photographs -- here are a few sites that you can visit.

http://sheliaearlphotography.blogspot.com/

http://www.betterphoto.com/Premium/Default.aspx?id=298552&mp=V1

Enjoy and thank you so much for your encouragement and interest.

Shelia

Habibe's Birthday Celebration at the Kindergarten

Yesterday (May 13) was Habibe's birthday (her 40th - but I will never tell). HA!

Here are some pictures from the day's event. I also took the children's pictures for the Yearbook that we give out at the end of every school year -- it just happened to be Habibe's birthday the same day.

I brought cake for her birthday (enough for all 40 children). Habibe was SO surprised and the children want her to have a birthday every week - because they loved the cake.

Advije (Habibe's sister) brought the cake outside for Habibe to blow out the candles. The children all know "Happy Birthday" in English - and now they know what the words mean -- CAKE!!!

Now, who do you think is enjoying the cake more ---- Habibe (maybe she was thinking about all those calories!!) OR the children??

I loved this photo because of the word "DON'T" above the cake!!

Since yesterday was her birthday, I think I have Habibe fooled into thinking that everyone else just skipped her birthday this year --- NOT TRUE!!

We planned a BIG 40th Birthday party for her tonight. We are going to a great new restaurant we found, I have made another cake and bought her a gift, and her mother, Advije and all of her family, Brane & Margo and their children, Sara and Jehona, and Arville and I are going to the restaurant early.

Agim is going to tell her that he is taking her out to eat for her birthday since he forgot yesterday. Then we will all be there when she comes in!!! SURPRISE !!

I will try to post those pictures tomorrow.

Shelia

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR OLDEST GRANDCHILD

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY, ELIJAH!!!

And so in the beginning ----we weren't there. Because you came a little early (not according to your mom however), we were in Macedonia when you were born. But we saw you the first time when you weren't much bigger than this:

Here is your first birthday:

And when you were in Macedonia for a visit:

And again a second time in Macedonia:

This is one of my favorite birthday pictures of you. It was taken at Olive Garden (your favorite restaurant at the time).

And now look at you:

Okay, So you helped Mom make Anna's birthday cake --- will she help make yours???

Now you are growing up a BIT too fast!!! What? A driver's license already???

We hope this birthday is extra special for you. We are very proud of you -- you have a BIG heart!! Hope you like the gift that we got you. We will talk a little later on today after you get home from school.

Love, Baba and Peepaw

Mom's Birthday (A Little Late)

Since we were a little occupied on Mom's Birthday (April 15th) I didn't get a chance to post this. But now I have pictures that Terry (Arville's brother) sent of her first BD celebration. I think she had a few more between Easter Sunday - when these pictures were taken - and her actual birthday on the 15th.

I told her THAT was definitely the way to celebrate a birthday!



Annie Ruth Earl with the birthday cake that Terry made for her.




And the flowers that we sent her for her birthday. Actually the order was wrong - so these are the free ones -- they are sending her a "Yellow Rosebush" which was the correct order.
Great job - ProFlowers!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM

We love you,
Arville and Shelia

A Photo Shoot for Friends

The Havens Family left Macedonia today for a short stay in the States.

Last week, they asked if I would make pictures of their family (including the new addition - Gracie) before they left.

Here are pictures of a day in the park.

Daddy and Gideon

Mommy and Gracie

In Her Easter Bonnet

Then here are some collages that I did for Janette. She is going to make cards out of them to send to family.

Mommy and Gracie

Shelia

Our Trip to Pompeii, Italy

Prior to the Peace Conference that we attended in Rome, we went with Bob & Janice Newell to the city of Pompeii. I have included pictures of the city, as well as, the ancient ruins at the base of Mount Vesuvius.

It was a beautiful, sunny day -- one of the few that we had while we were in Italy in February. We were so glad to be able to take some good pictures. We had a wonderful guide who added so much information to our walk through ancient Pompeii.

We arrived at the train station on Sunday afternoon, and then we visited the ruins on Monday. So it is possible to see Pompeii in less than a day.

Mount Vesuvius - seen from downtown Pompeii.

Here is our hotel - Hotel Amleto - right in the center of town - just off the main square.

The downtown area:

They were having a "flea market" on the square when we arrived. No! I didn't buy anything - just took pictures. HA!

We did stop at a sidewalk cafe and have a great cappucinno. I can't say that it tasted any different than the cappucinnos we get here in Macedonia --- it just costs a lot more.

This was a beautiful sidewalk all the way around the square.

So on Monday, we headed for the runis.

Excavation of Pompeei

The following photos are from inside the walls of the ancient city. It is amazing how much is preserved because no one was actually buried in the lava -- it was the ashes that fell on the city that killed people. So the ashes acted as a barrier, preserving the ruins.

Even the paintings on the walls are intact. Our guide kept referring to this color of red as "Pompeii Red".

Columns in one of the courtyards.

More columns in the open spaces of the town center.

Another courtyard. I liked the colors in this one.

The local pub.

These are burial sites.

The streets of Pomeii.

This was the local bakery - and pizza ovens - or so our guide told us. I don't know -- Did they eat pizza ??? He seemed to think that if they were Italian -- they ate pizza. HA!

The arena of Pompeii. They were working on this part of the ruins so we were not able to go inside. I was disappointed, but we walked ALL the way around to the other side -- no easy chore-- so that I could at least get a picture.

Mount Vesuvius from inside the ruins.

We kept seeing these unusual trees that looked like umbrellas. Janice and I asked our guide what they were called - and he said, "In English, we call them Umbrella Trees"!!!

Bob & Janice Newell and Arville & I -- February 2009

Pompeii, Italy

Our Team Meeting in Henderson, Texas in January '09

In January this year, our CBF AU (Albanian-Ukrainian) team met in Henderson, Texas. Bob & Janice Newell's daughter-in-law (Nancy - married to Matt) was so gracious as to allow us to use a home that she inherited - the McNee home.

So here are some photos of typical Texas things, the town of Henderson, the McNee home, Henderson friends who had come to work with us in Burkina Faso, and bits of our team meeting for you to enjoy.

What better way to start than with "real" cowboy boots that Janice found in one of the closets. I love the colors in these boots.



And the COWS:

the horses and chickens, too:

On the ranch ----

You will find oil wells (some even pumping) all around Henderson - Kilgore area.

HENDERSON, TEXAS

We lived in Henderson in the '80s and this was a favorite place to eat for my children.

The Fillin' Station

This was the house we lived in while we were there (the mission house of FBC, Henderson).

SCENES OF THE TOWN AND NEIGHBORHOODS

THE MCNEE HOME

Visiting in the main living area:

Bob & Janice Newell, Arville, Tommy & Charlene Moore, & Melba Wilkerson

The den:

The apartment over the garage where Arville & I stayed.

The dining room:

Karen Gilbert and I (Karen was able to join us for most of our team meeting) - a real treat for us.

Most of our team (Gennady was in the Ukraine with the children). Janice & Bob, Becky, Mina, Shelia & Arville.

A Texas Sunset:

Snowed In

We are experiencing severe winter weather in Skopje -- six inches since yesterday. Visibility was so bad that the airport closed which is very unusual here.

I remember another springtime in Macedonia when it snowed late in the season. We had just moved to Gostivar in February 1999, just prior to the Kosovo War. In April we went to an Easter service at the Orthodox Church in Skopje. We were with Deusko and Zojka (our landlords then), Brane and Margo. This was the first time we met Margo. Ours was an instant friendship -- even though it was snowing so hard that we could barely see each other. HA! This was late April. We knew then that Gostivar was going to be a very cold place to live!

Here are some photos taken yesterday afternoon from our banese (apartment) window:

Shelia

Mother's Day in Skopje

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY at the "FUTURE OF THE FAMILY" Kindergarten in SKOPJE

URIME, TETE MARS!! (Happy March 8th)

Pictures of Habibe, Advije and Nexhibe before the party started.

Habibe

Advije and Nexhibe

The cake and juice are all ready to be served.

Habibe shows Advije and Nexhibe the gifts that we have for each mother.

Head scarves that we purchased earlier in the week.

And gloves with hand cream that were sent to each mother from a very, special friend of mine- and my grandchildren's godmother (Ellen Vonderheide) in Jasper, Indiana.

Then the mothers arrive:

There was also a special mother that was able to enjoy the day's festivities with us: Habibe and Advije's mom.



We visited together, ate cake, gave and received presents, and talked about their children for almost 2 hours. There is no such thing as a private parent-teacher conference in the Albanian culture. Everybody talks about their child - discussing openly the areas that need to be improved and areas where they have excelled. So the room was "buzzing" with funny stories of the children's experiences at school, how well they were doing in certain subjects, and where each child needed to improve.

Advije Speaking With the Mothers

Each of the teachers (Habibe, Advije, Nexhibe and I) had an opportunity to talk about ourselves, our families, and how much the school meant to us. When it was my turn, I thought that I might have to have some help with my Albanian because most of the women speak a very heavy dialect. I thought that they might not be able to understand my "Tirana" Albanian, but that was not the case.

They loved the story of how Habibe and I met when I first arrived in Skopje. That was 11 years ago this past January:

It was a very cold day, snow on the ground, and Habibe came to teach us how to make "byrek". The oven didn't work properly so what should have been about 2 hours took almost 5 to accomplish. During that time, we visited and laughed together. The beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Then I told the story of Habibe's dream to start the kindergarten. We talked about Kathy Smith (some of the mothers had older children that had been in the school and knew Kathy well). When I finished with my part, one of the mothers spoke for the others when she said how much the school had meant to her family. She said, "My children love to go to school. They would not miss unless they had to. This is the best gift that anyone has ever given our family. Please tell all the people in America that support this school that we thank them so much."

Habibe Speaking to the Mothers

Habibe, Advije, Nexhibe and I were given flowers by the mothers. Some of the ladies had taken clippings from their own flowerpots to make up these special gifts for each of us. Aren't they lovely?

Time to say good-bye. Since shoes were left at the door when they entered, it took some time for everyone to leave. So we did more visiting while each mother put their shoes back on and thanked each of us at the door.

What a wonderful Mother's Day it was!

Wish you could have been here to celebrate with us.

Shelia

Happy Birthday to Our Anna Grace

Anna Grace Breedlove


Today (March 4, 2009) our older granddaughter, Anna Grace Breedlove, turns 7 years old. My, how time flies!!! It seems like yesterday that these beginning pictures were made. What joy she has brought into our lives these past 7 years!!



Baby Anna



Baba and Anna



Gostivar, Macedonia 2002 Amy, Elijah and Anna

In San Antonio Bluebonnets

This picture (below) reminds me so much of Amy. I have a picture of Amy when she was about this age and they look SO much alike -- they act alike, too.

Photo Gallery of Anna in Various Costumes & Poses Over the Years:

This was Amy's dollhouse that my (Shelia's) Dad made for her years ago. Anna LOVES to play with it -- as does Sophie now.

Anyone for a new hair-do?

Halloween 2006

Cheetah Girls Concert

ANNA AND HER FAMILY

She loves her Peepaw ---- and Peepaw thinks the world of her and loves her bunches, too!!

She loves me, too -- I just don't get in the photos very often.

No wonder she has always loved reading, huh?

And Then Came Her Little Brother Nathan:

The first time she held him -- instant connection!!

She is a beautiful child -- Inside and Out!!

She recently received this award (Principal's Award). She loves school and most of all she loves reading!!!

Anna likes to play the piano, too. She started lessons last year and is doing so well.

So with these memories -- we wish you a VERY Happy Birthday today, Anna. We love you very much,

Baba & Peepaw

Can't Believe It Has Been A Month

I cannot believe that it has been a month since my last post---And that it will be another 2 weeks before I can post again.

We made a whirlwind trip to the US for our team meeting and speaking engagements, etc. and when we returned we were both ill with the flu!!! We have recovered just in enough time to go on another trip --- this time to Italy for a Peace Conference.

Just didn't want you to think we had fallen off the face of the earth. I promise to write a LOT when we return and I will include pictures of all of our travels since the second week of January.

Shelia

Reminiscence and Progression

I guess it is because we are into a new year that I have been remembering past times a lot lately. Some of those milestones this coming year are:

- Being married 40 years this coming August

- Living overseas for close to 30 years

-Being with CBF 3 years longer than we served with FMB

- Both of my children being in their "thirty-somethings" now

- Having four grandchildren that won't stay little much longer

Then my sister, Sharon, wrote (in a thank you for remembering their anniversary) that it was kind of bittersweet to be married that long. You are thankful for all the years past, but

on the other hand -- ALL those years are past!!

That is so true. But she and I, too, are grateful for all those years, and neither of us would ever consider letting the number of past years that have gone by keep us from living the present to the fullest.

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I cannot let the past paralyze me. Afterall, those definitely were not WASTED years.

Remembering is valuable, too. It gives a foundation to the future and helps me remember from "whince" I came. I have learned some beneficial lessons in the process, too.

(at least I hope that I have)

But there comes a point where I need to accept things that cannot be changed and move forward. For example:

When we first came to Macedonia, some things seemed so backward to me (not "backward" in the sense of inferior or wrong, but just a change from the "known"). Things seemed reversed.

The Macedonian alphabet gave me problems:

The letter "P" is "R"

The letter "S" is "C"
The letter "N" is "H"
The letter "V" is "B"
(I could go on --- but you get the idea)

Another example is that in Macedonia we celebrate New Year's before Christmas

(January 7). It is not necessarily wrong -- just different from what I have always known.

So my point is that there are some things that just aren't going to change - like the Macedonian alphabet and the date of Christmas here, so I need to accept them and move forward.

There are things, situations, circumstances that NEED to change though.

We need to confront the mistrust, bigotry, hatred, selfishness, greed,

oppression, poverty, despair, and inhumanity that we see all around us - and to the ends of the earth.

And we need to replace it with love, humility, compassion and hope that we have within us to give. We need to be "light" - as Arville said in his Christmas Message - where we are.

So whether I celebrate Christmas before or after the New Year is not the important thing, but that I celebrate the "light" within me does matter.

It makes all the difference!

Shelia