Exploration and Adventure!

What a big difference a week makes. Just now we were reflecting on this past week and we realized a) how quickly time has passed and b) that we don't remember our first few days that clearly. Undoubtedly, the fact we arrived here beyond exhausted and overwhelmed from the earlier weeks' selling/packing/moving processes was responsible.

This past week, however, has been different. With no responsibility other than to rest up, learn the ins and outs of living in Klaipeda, and explore our new city, we have gone on many a short adventure. In fact, we're even including a video of our first solo bike ride into what is known as Old Town that may help paint a picture of how things look around here.

We've already started the relationship-building process -- albeit in small ways -- and are excited about some of the people we've been meeting. These new friends have taken us all over the place and have been huge in our adjustment process. We'll introduce and maybe profile some of them a bit more in the future, but for now a big thank you to Mindaugas, Susie, Diane, and many others who have been so helpful these past few days.

The Dane river, which cuts through Klaipeda.

With them we've gone grocery shopping, explored the farmer's market, and even got to watch the EuroCup soccer finals with some great Lithuanian coworkers and their friends. And while it can all certainly be a bit overwhelming at times, embracing a spirit of adventure and being best friends with your travel mate/spouse has helped.

Now that we've had a chance to refocus, we are reminded that we've not really been able to publicly acknowledge some of the people who were crucial during our past few weeks in the Valley. First, our roommates Monica Nissley and David Vigari were ridiculously helpful and gracious. Amazing friends and good roommates. Next, our support team, which consists of Steve and Darla Schrock, Richard and Mary Keeney, and Kurt and Teresa Goering, have and will continue to be invaluable as we strive to stay connected with everyone back in the U.S.A. Also, thanks to our neighbors Aaron Gouldthorpe and Mark Allred, who have been great moral support and all-around helpful people. There are many others we could (and should) list and you know who you are. Thank all from the bottom of our hearts.

Please keep the comments coming, let us know what questions you might have, and tell your friends about this blog.

17 hours of light

Greetings from Klaipeda, Lithuania! Check out this video documenting our travels:

Apologies for the delay in a quality update -- we've been working hard to adjust to the new time zone. We are currently 10 hours ahead of the Valley (7 hours ahead of the Hoosiers). In the past when we've traveled abroad, that's not been an issue, but here's a quick geography lesson about Lithuania.

Your latitude, or how far north or south you are of the equator, determines the length of your day. I'm pretty sure this has to do with the tilt of the earth's axis and why we have seasons. You may notice where you live -- the days of summer seem to last much longer than those of winter.

Lithuania is considerably further north than the continental United States. Check out this image to get a better idea how far north we're talking.

Lithuania is in red. Phoenix, you're as far north as Morocco. Indiana, you are as far north as Turkey.

In short, our "north-ness" means our days right now are long. Like, "Sunrise at 4:45 a.m. and sunset at 10 p.m. and you're not quite able to sense what time of day it is" long. Our first evening here we slept 15 hours and woke up at 3 p.m. The second we slept three hours and woke up at 2:30 a.m. Needless to say, our fingers are crossed for tonight.

It's OK, though -- the Summer Language Institute orientation doesn't begin until Monday and the students don't arrive until Friday.

Other than that, we are doing great! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

Starting a new chapter

We made it! Watch for a more-detailed update later this week.

Finishing this Chapter

If you knew you had one week left on earth before entering the unknown, how would you spend it?

Euro Cup and community.

Would you save your strength for whatever the future holds or would you expend it all with reckless abandon?

It seems that, of these two valid paths, we've been inclined to follow the latter.

Last week was our "final push" with a final yard sale and a major purge of nearly all our remaining possessions to charity. A most sincere thank you to all who assisted -- without the help of our friends and family, we would not have been able to accomplish all we did.

However, this week, when it would be tempting to recover from last week's efforts, has become a time dedicated to fellowshipping with as many loved ones as possible and indulging in all that we've grown to love about the Phoenix Valley.

We are spending lunch and dinner each day this week with friends and cohorts -- a good portion of that watching the Euro Cup soccer tournament. If you've not been included in that, know that is purely because of our limited time and not a lack of desire.

We've also been busy listing several items on Craig's List that we suspected wouldn't fetch a fair price at the yard sales (let me know if you need any instruments, hardwood furniture, or video games). Considering the wireless Internet we use isn't, err, generated by our house, this has actually taken quite a bit of time.

We are also playing our final show with The Ragamuffin Stampede (another fundraiser) on Wednesday and I (Josh) am playing my last couple of gigs with The Haymarket Squares on Friday and Saturday.

Come find us at church Sunday if you've not had a chance to say farewell. We plan to visit the Valley again -- hopefully during next summer's break -- but that's a ways off.

Our departure is next Monday (June 25) around 10:30 a.m. and our next blog post will most likely detail the start of a new chapter in our Worthwhile Adventures.

Until then, your thoughts, encouragement, prayers, and support are appreciated.

Fourteen

Just a fraction of the talent represented at the talent show.

Countless thanks to all who were a part of our dessert social/talent show last Saturday. Between the friendly conversations, loads of encouragement, delicious desserts, and joyous sharing of music and gifts, it was a reminder of how incredibly lucky we are to be part of such a loving community.

We a couple more fundraisers planned
Fourteen days -- two weeks -- until takeoff.

Sometimes it's hard to wrap my head around the enormity of the change we'll be undergoing. And really, how can we? When we moved to the Valley of the Sun just weeks after getting married in 2005, we had no idea that we would find ourselves with relationships and friends that would make or lives so abundant!

All we know is we have an undeniable yearning to go, serve, and be the light in a dark world and the time to answer that call in a bigger way is upon us.

But 14 days...that is something much easier to wrap the mind around. There's still a lot to do, but the end of this chapter is in sight, as is the start of the next.

In the meantime, we look forward to some additional opportunities to fellowship with and support us before we leave. First, you can come see our group, The Ragamuffin Stampede, perform tomorrow (June 12) at the Trunk Space (see flyer below), Sunday, June 17, at Trinity Mennonite Church, and possibly on June 20 at Yucca Tap in Mesa.

"Wants" and "Needs"

First, if you haven't seen this flyer yet, please come!

It's this Saturday evening and, as busy as we've become, there's a chance this could be the last time we'll get to see some of you for a long time!

And now for some thoughts I'd like to preserve during this transition period of life.

I've always liked the idea of simplifying and have considered myself pretty independent of the control "things" seem to have on some people. I don't define myself by what I wear, name brands mean little to me (except for Worcestershire sauce -- LEE & PERRINS FOREVER), and capitalism and the American Dream make my brain tired and a little sad.

But it's been interesting seeing what, at the start of this process, I regarded as a "need" item and, at this point, I realize was still a "want" item.

For example, I went to see if I could fit my entire Lithuania wardrobe into a single suitcase. It was a tight fit, but I was pretty successful. And then I learned I filled the wrong suitcase and it was the medium-size suitcase I should be filling. As I downsized what little clothes I had left, I was surprised at how OK I was with putting more items into the "sale" pile.

It's not just clothes, either. I thought for sure I wouldn't be able to live without my cymbals -- the nice-ish ones that I have accumulated over the years. But last night it occurred to me that my luggage would be much less heavy if I left them in storage at home. After all, Eastern Europe has cymbals, too...even if they're not what I'm used to playing.

So this begs the question, "In our culture, do we ever actually know the difference between our wants and needs?"

This is something I am pondering every day as I try to get to the core of my wants and needs. So far, the things I've settled on are Alisha, seven days worth of clothes, a camera, and some musical instruments. The other things, it seems, are merely anchors that tie me down and make me less mobile to serve when I feel the call.

I invite you to join me in asking yourself, "What are the anchors in my life? Am I finally ready to cut them loose and set sail?"

The (Good) Aftermath

The calm before the storm: The yard sale setup early Friday.

Apologies for the delayed update, but we're just now catching our breath from the last week's whirlwind of travels.

Our trip back to Indiana/Michigan was amazing -- we were able to re-connect with so many people while we were there and help family and friends feel more comfortable with what we're preparing to do. If we didn't make it to see you, please don't take offense. I'm actually impressed at how many people we were able to visit and connect with considering how packed the weekend was (see last blog post for a better description of that).

Enjoying an Indiana sunset on the way to Anderson, IN.

Before we even left the Valley, however, we pulled off our largest yard sale to date. At this point, the majority of what we sold were things that had been donated by friends and our church family. However, we also sold some long-standing items such as our couches, television, loads of furniture, and my cherished motorcycle. Our ability to pull all of this off would not have been possible had it not been for our close friends! They really stepped in on Saturday and allowed us to leave and catch our flight. We are so lucky and it's moments like that when you realize exactly what treasures from which we are moving away.

This approaching Sunday we'll be doing a Q&A during the service at Trinity Mennonite Church. We invite anyone to come who may still have some questions about exactly what it is that we will be doing. Service starts at 10:30 a.m. and we'd be stoked to grab lunch afterwards with anyone who is interested.

Paz.

Now one foot, now the other...

This is going to be a busy week for us. We are having a huge yard sale Friday and Saturday. It will be the biggest one yet -- we're going to be moving lots of furniture and appliances outside that have stayed inside so far.

Saturday afternoon we're jumping on a plane and returning to the Midwest to say our goodbyes to friends and family. Sunday morning we'll be speaking about our upcoming adventures at Clinton Frame Mennonite Church and Monday we're helping with a big Memorial Day family gathering in Michigan at the lake. After that's over, we head down to Anderson for some more family time and then back to Phoenix Thursday evening.

In the midst of that, I will be recording an album, Alisha will be giving an art lesson, and we will be putting together support packets.

Needless to say, there is not a lack of things to do.

In case you've missed it, this will be our big fundraiser. Everyone is welcome, so bring a friend (or five). If you are bringing lots of people, please RSVP at the Facebook event page. If it's just you and a couple others, an RSVP is not necessary.

Living in the eye of the storm

Things "got more real" earlier this week: our plane tickets have been officially booked. Things become much more concrete when actual dates and flight times are starring back at you.

Our plan is to make the next few weeks count until we depart on June 25. We would like to spend as much of this time with friends and raising support as possible.

I'm going to try to add a calendar widget to this blog so we can keep folks updated on the upcoming fundraisers and fellowship events we're hosting before we leave.

I'm the meantime, here's a static list of what we have planned as of now.

• May 19: Fiesta in the Park (park just west of 4334 W. Vista Ave., Glendale, AZ) We will be selling snow cones at this multicultural celebration!
• May 25 & 26: Yard Sale (4431 W. Vista Ave., Glendale, AZ) We're selling all our possessions and lots of donated items. All proceeds go toward our debt reduction efforts.
• May 27: Clinton Frame Mennonite Visit (63846 CR 35, Goshen, IN) We will be reconnecting with many friends and loved ones and possibly even be sharing about our upcoming adventure before, during, and after the service at 10:30 a.m.
• May 28: Memorial Day Family Gathering (16565 Lakeview Drive, Vandalia, MI) When the Garbers, Slabaughs, Stumps, and Dennys get together at the lake house for a day of fun and fellowship, only good things can happen.
• May 29: Central Indiana Family Gathering (Casa Stevenson, IN) Quality time with family and maybe a few friends near Alisha's hometown of Anderson.
• June 9: Baltic Dessert Social/Variety Show Fundraiser (4334 W. Vista Ave., Glendale, AZ) This is the "big one." Homemade desserts and ice creams will kick off this event. Afterwards we'll be hosting a variety show featuring lots of local talent and The Ragamuffin Stampede.
• June 16 & 18: FINAL Yard Sale (4431 W. Vista Ave., Glendale, AZ) Everything must go! We're selling all our possessions and lots of donated items. All proceeds go toward our debt reduction efforts.
• June 17: The Ragamuffin Stampede leads music at Trinity (4334 W. Vista Ave., Glendale, AZ) Our band, The Ragamuffin Stampede, is leading the music at Trinity Mennonite Church. Come raise a righteous ruckus with us!
• June 24: The Ragamuffin Stampede Farewell Concert (3148 W. Orchid Lane, Phoenix, AZ) The band will continue, but not with us. Come sing songs with us one last time before we leave.

Fundraising like it's our job

How much does it cost to live for a year?

You look at that number a little differently when you ask others for financial support. It's one thing to spend your own money, it's another when it's donated by someone else.

So when Alisha and I look at our fund-raising goal -- about $13,000 for the next year -- there is certainly a sense of duty in getting that number as low as possible and recommitting to living a simple lifestyle.

That said, we ask for your donations. Not just for us. Not just for those we will be serving. But for you, too -- when you support us you join us in our mission.

They don't have to be financial donations, either. Maybe you can volunteer at one of our fundraising events. Maybe you are plugged into a group that might be able to support us. Maybe you have some items we can sell at our yard sales. Maybe you are great at selling things online.

Whatever you can donate, we humbly ask for your support.

To make a donation, I added a link to the column in the right. Thank you in advance for your prayers and support!