Good grief....I am SO far behind on my blogging. I still have our layout as a Christmas theme. Gonna have to work on that!
Many of you are probably interested in what the Jett family is doing now that we are back in the states.
We all finally made it here after delayed flights and awful weather. We enjoyed spending the holidays with my family. It was great to see family that we hadnt seen in a while. After the first of the year we began seriously working on getting my surgery taken care of but unfortunately have ran into one problem after another. The latest is that my insurance is causing us major grief and they are wanting all this paperwork. We have submitted the paperwork and now are waiting for them to review it and get back with us as to what their decision is (if they will cover it or not). Hopefully we will hear something very soon and I can get it all taken care of.
We are still job hunting (well Richard is...I will be starting the process soon when we find out exactly where we will be living). He is looking in Knoxville, TN and in Joplin, MO. He has sent out at least 50 applications and resumes to places in Knoxville and we have heard nothing...so now we are focusing more on the Joplin area, praying that some of our connections here will turn into something.
We have been attending College Heights Christian Church here in Joplin since we have been back and WE LOVE IT. We are going to try and get into a small group and attend Wednesday night elective classes. We are so thankful for a good church to attend and experience growth with.
Overall we are doing good! Enjoying being back with our friends and family but miss Kosova like crazy.
Hopefully we will have job updates VERY soon!!
Love you all very much,
Tiffany
PS. Check out my friends blog! She is getting ready to start an online auction and all the proceeds go to their adoption of two children from Ethiopia. Please support them if you can!
http://www.teamchase4andcounting.blogspot.com/
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Change is a comin'
As I sit here and write this blog I realize we only have 8 days left here in Kosova. So weird. My mind and spirit are a mix of emotions. On one hand I am so incredibly excited to see my family and friends...but on the other hand I am extremely sad to be leaving our wonderful students and new friends we made here in Kosova. God truly blessed our time here and I would not exchange it for anything. Being here is Kosova has made a huge impact on my life. I now see Jesus in a totally different way. Being the church means more to me than it has ever before. And being a wife and mother has taken on a whole new meaning. God is good and I am thankful.
I am so excited to see what God has in store for us in our future. There are TONS of unknowns and at times it is a bit scary and overwhelming, but I know that our God is in control and because of that I can put my whole trust in HIM.
This week will be crazy for us. Not only are we in the midst of packing and trying to crunch our life into 6-8 suitcases we will also be attending lots of parties and dinners. It will be so much fun to have one last hoorah! with a few of our good friends here.
Kyler is changing so much. I am so excited for our families to see him. He is talking so much and he is so funny! I think we might have a comedian (or class clown) on our hands. What a joy to be his mommy! In the midst of all of my health stuff and very frustrating moments he can always bring a smile to my face. I love that little guy so much.
I am sure that I will be updating again soon. Just wanted to check in to the blog world!
Until next time....
Much love,
Tiffany
PS...dont forget to check out Richard's amazing website... www.hisnamenotmine.com
(he is so humble and doesnt want to make a big deal of anything but let me just share...he has been approached about submitting a couple of his posts to various magazines for publishing.....i am just a LITTLE proud of him!!!)
I am so excited to see what God has in store for us in our future. There are TONS of unknowns and at times it is a bit scary and overwhelming, but I know that our God is in control and because of that I can put my whole trust in HIM.
This week will be crazy for us. Not only are we in the midst of packing and trying to crunch our life into 6-8 suitcases we will also be attending lots of parties and dinners. It will be so much fun to have one last hoorah! with a few of our good friends here.
Kyler is changing so much. I am so excited for our families to see him. He is talking so much and he is so funny! I think we might have a comedian (or class clown) on our hands. What a joy to be his mommy! In the midst of all of my health stuff and very frustrating moments he can always bring a smile to my face. I love that little guy so much.
I am sure that I will be updating again soon. Just wanted to check in to the blog world!
Until next time....
Much love,
Tiffany
PS...dont forget to check out Richard's amazing website... www.hisnamenotmine.com
(he is so humble and doesnt want to make a big deal of anything but let me just share...he has been approached about submitting a couple of his posts to various magazines for publishing.....i am just a LITTLE proud of him!!!)
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The journey continues.....
Hello friends and family,
We seriously have the best supporters, friends and family ever. We love you all so much. The flood of emails we have gotten with encouragement from you all has been amazing. But we realize not everyone knows what is going on.....so let us share.
Since Tiffany's gallbladder surgery she has continued to be in a lot of pain and began experiencing some other serious health issues. After a couple of months of these issues we realized that she needed help so we told some trusted friends here what she was dealing with and all three of them gave the name of a Christian British doctor who is in Kosova to train fellow doctors. We felt confident in seeing her because she is one of the top doctors in her field in Europe thus knowing that her facility/instruments would be sanitary.
We went expecting her to be able to look at Tiffany and tell us what the problem was and then be able to prescribe some medication to heal her. What happened instead is she told us the seriousness of the issue and that Tiffany would need another surgery. So we thought we were going to be making another trip to Greece, but when we told her this she said Greece was not an option. She explained that given the sensitivity of the area in need of surgery and seriousness of complications we had to go back to the States. We couldn’t believe it and tried to talk about other options, but she emphatically said over and over that the only option was to go back to the States right away to receive the proper medical care. Even waiting till May she said would result in serious lifelong consequences.
We left the visit and went to a nearby restaurant to debrief the news we had just been given. We both cried sitting there. We had resolved to our motto “endure through the suffering” and fully believed that we would press on through our commitment here even though things have been tough (school situation, health, and other issues we shared with many of you). Our prayer has always been, “God we are not going anywhere unless you clearly tell us to go.” And now that is exactly what is happening and we are sad.
We have sadness because we don’t want to leave Lide (our nanny) and her family. They have become part of our family and it breaks our hearts to leave them so soon. We also are sad to leave our students and miss out on opportunities to share the Gospel with them. For example last week I a student point blank asked me how I could be so confident that I was going to Heaven…if that is not an open door then I don’t know what is. In this time we hold on to 1 Corinthians 3:7-9:
“It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building.”
We realize how we have been and how we will respond to this tough time will speak volumes to those looking on about our hope and faith in God. When we suffer the spotlight is on us. People are looking to see if we respond in a way that will validate our faith or will we respond like those with no hope?
We are also very scared. Because we know that by coming back to the US the suffering is not going to stop. In fact in some ways the suffering will be simply changing shape. Yes it will be easier by having you all and family nearby but we thought we had 5 months to line up a place to stay and places to work but now we only have 2 weeks.
So the craziness begins. Today we were able to secure plane tickets for Dec. 21. We will be flying to Indianapolis where we will spend a few days with Richard's family before heading down to Joplin to be with Tiffany's family for Christmas and shortly following....the surgery. Some VERY dear friends of ours, the Winstons, have been helping us raise money to get back to the states, have some for medical expenses, and hopefully still have some extra to see us through for a few months until we find jobs. These dear friends also have been in contact with a great doctor for Tiffany. He is willing to see Tiffany for free if the insurance doesn't pan out. Tiffany's health issues where explained to this doctor and he is familiar with the type of surgery Tiffany needs....although he said it is very delicate and if he cannot do it, he will refer us on. We are SO thankful for our friends and how they have help support us in so many ways.
At this time we are simply trusting in God. We know that HE is in control of what is going on and we trust in HIM completely.
We will continue to keep this blog going...but it will just change directions!
Continue to follow us here to find out what is next with the Jett's.
We love you all so much!!
We seriously have the best supporters, friends and family ever. We love you all so much. The flood of emails we have gotten with encouragement from you all has been amazing. But we realize not everyone knows what is going on.....so let us share.
Since Tiffany's gallbladder surgery she has continued to be in a lot of pain and began experiencing some other serious health issues. After a couple of months of these issues we realized that she needed help so we told some trusted friends here what she was dealing with and all three of them gave the name of a Christian British doctor who is in Kosova to train fellow doctors. We felt confident in seeing her because she is one of the top doctors in her field in Europe thus knowing that her facility/instruments would be sanitary.
We went expecting her to be able to look at Tiffany and tell us what the problem was and then be able to prescribe some medication to heal her. What happened instead is she told us the seriousness of the issue and that Tiffany would need another surgery. So we thought we were going to be making another trip to Greece, but when we told her this she said Greece was not an option. She explained that given the sensitivity of the area in need of surgery and seriousness of complications we had to go back to the States. We couldn’t believe it and tried to talk about other options, but she emphatically said over and over that the only option was to go back to the States right away to receive the proper medical care. Even waiting till May she said would result in serious lifelong consequences.
We left the visit and went to a nearby restaurant to debrief the news we had just been given. We both cried sitting there. We had resolved to our motto “endure through the suffering” and fully believed that we would press on through our commitment here even though things have been tough (school situation, health, and other issues we shared with many of you). Our prayer has always been, “God we are not going anywhere unless you clearly tell us to go.” And now that is exactly what is happening and we are sad.
We have sadness because we don’t want to leave Lide (our nanny) and her family. They have become part of our family and it breaks our hearts to leave them so soon. We also are sad to leave our students and miss out on opportunities to share the Gospel with them. For example last week I a student point blank asked me how I could be so confident that I was going to Heaven…if that is not an open door then I don’t know what is. In this time we hold on to 1 Corinthians 3:7-9:
“It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building.”
We realize how we have been and how we will respond to this tough time will speak volumes to those looking on about our hope and faith in God. When we suffer the spotlight is on us. People are looking to see if we respond in a way that will validate our faith or will we respond like those with no hope?
We are also very scared. Because we know that by coming back to the US the suffering is not going to stop. In fact in some ways the suffering will be simply changing shape. Yes it will be easier by having you all and family nearby but we thought we had 5 months to line up a place to stay and places to work but now we only have 2 weeks.
So the craziness begins. Today we were able to secure plane tickets for Dec. 21. We will be flying to Indianapolis where we will spend a few days with Richard's family before heading down to Joplin to be with Tiffany's family for Christmas and shortly following....the surgery. Some VERY dear friends of ours, the Winstons, have been helping us raise money to get back to the states, have some for medical expenses, and hopefully still have some extra to see us through for a few months until we find jobs. These dear friends also have been in contact with a great doctor for Tiffany. He is willing to see Tiffany for free if the insurance doesn't pan out. Tiffany's health issues where explained to this doctor and he is familiar with the type of surgery Tiffany needs....although he said it is very delicate and if he cannot do it, he will refer us on. We are SO thankful for our friends and how they have help support us in so many ways.
At this time we are simply trusting in God. We know that HE is in control of what is going on and we trust in HIM completely.
We will continue to keep this blog going...but it will just change directions!
Continue to follow us here to find out what is next with the Jett's.
We love you all so much!!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
There is SO much to be thankful for during this holiday season.....as I sit here and think about this amazing journey that God is taking me on I get goosebumps. It has not always been easy, there has been MANY tears, lots of pain, lots of questions and lots of prayers. But one thing that has remained....the thankfulness in my heart. This journey to K has awakened in me something that I am not sure that I was (or even am) ready to deal with. I have been completely stripped of all comforts and normalcy. Things that have been lingering in my past have begin to resurface because of the vulnerable state that God has allowed us to be in. It has been exhausting, frustrating, and at times almost unbearable. The other day I received an email from a friend here in K and they reminded me to find JOY in all circumstances. That I must endure...that I must press on. That night as I opened my bible I was reminded in James of that exact same thing. James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." God has a purpose for us here in K....sometimes it seems that purpose is just to survive while other times it seems that he wants to refine us and build character....but then some of the most exciting times are when I have a conversation with 2 of my students about Jesus Christ and why he is my Savior. Again...I don't know the exact reason that God brought us here...but I am thankful. I am thankful that HE trusted us with this mission.
So as I sit around a HUGE Thanksgiving table this Thursday and I look at all my fellow friends who have given their lives to the work in K, I will remember and be thankful because I am blessed, I will have Joy, and I promise to endure.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love you all,
So as I sit around a HUGE Thanksgiving table this Thursday and I look at all my fellow friends who have given their lives to the work in K, I will remember and be thankful because I am blessed, I will have Joy, and I promise to endure.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Love you all,
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Giveaway!
Check out this awesome blog and giveaway.....just in time for the Holidays!
http://teamchase4andcounting.blogspot.com/2010/11/team-chases-first-giveaway.html
http://teamchase4andcounting.blogspot.com/2010/11/team-chases-first-giveaway.html
Thursday, November 4, 2010
This week.....
We survived an earthquake, midterms, and crazy warm weather (after having snow last week).
Yes you read that sentence correctly....this past Wednesday morning at 2am a 5.3 earthquake shook Prishtina.....and Richard and I slept right through it! It was quite the talk around school the next day and we had no idea that it had even happened. Most of our friends where awakened by the shaking while Richard and I were sawing logs :) Apparently since we have been here there has been a total of 4 earthquakes, but this past one was the largest. Didn't realize when we moved to K that we would have to think about earthquakes!
This week was midterms at the school. Most of my students did very well....the average score was a B+, so I was very pleased. Richard's students struggled a bit more (but they tell me he is a hard grader....ha ha!) We are now one-fourth of the way through the school year. This next term will go by very quickly because we have both Thanksgiving and Christmas break! yay!!! (one of the many reasons I LOVE being a teacher)
Last week, as many of you saw on my facebook, we had our first snow. It was CRAZY. It lasted for about 4 hours and was a constant stream of huge flakes. It didnt stick because the ground was so warm but it was beautiful. We thought we were going to be welcoming Winter a bit early this year...but we were wrong. This week we have had super warm temps (for this time of year). Tomorrow (Friday) it is supposed to be 70 degrees. Crazy! But unfortunately we were told not to get to excited....within the next 10 days we will be back down into the 20s and 30s......BRRRRRRRRRRRR. I hope my body can handle this!!!!
We are looking forward to another great weekend. Tomorrow night we are having some friends, who live here in Pristina, but are originally from Scotland over for dinner and then on Saturday Richard is going with a group of people to hike the tallest mountain in K. He is very excited, but a bit nervous. We have heard it is a very tough hike, but I know he can do it. They will be going again in the Spring and I cant wait to join them. I am just not quite healthy enough to make the trek....boo...so Ky and I are going to have a "mommy and Ky" day. I have some fun things planned for us...hopefully the weather cooperates!
All is well here in K! We love each of you! Thank you for joining us on this journey!
Much Love,
Tiffany
PS....For those who havent heard...Richard's sister, Rachel, got engaged over the weekend! YAY!! So we will be having a wedding in June once we return!!! So exciting! CONGRATS JOSH AND RACHEL!!! WE LOVE YOU BOTH!
Yes you read that sentence correctly....this past Wednesday morning at 2am a 5.3 earthquake shook Prishtina.....and Richard and I slept right through it! It was quite the talk around school the next day and we had no idea that it had even happened. Most of our friends where awakened by the shaking while Richard and I were sawing logs :) Apparently since we have been here there has been a total of 4 earthquakes, but this past one was the largest. Didn't realize when we moved to K that we would have to think about earthquakes!
This week was midterms at the school. Most of my students did very well....the average score was a B+, so I was very pleased. Richard's students struggled a bit more (but they tell me he is a hard grader....ha ha!) We are now one-fourth of the way through the school year. This next term will go by very quickly because we have both Thanksgiving and Christmas break! yay!!! (one of the many reasons I LOVE being a teacher)
Last week, as many of you saw on my facebook, we had our first snow. It was CRAZY. It lasted for about 4 hours and was a constant stream of huge flakes. It didnt stick because the ground was so warm but it was beautiful. We thought we were going to be welcoming Winter a bit early this year...but we were wrong. This week we have had super warm temps (for this time of year). Tomorrow (Friday) it is supposed to be 70 degrees. Crazy! But unfortunately we were told not to get to excited....within the next 10 days we will be back down into the 20s and 30s......BRRRRRRRRRRRR. I hope my body can handle this!!!!
We are looking forward to another great weekend. Tomorrow night we are having some friends, who live here in Pristina, but are originally from Scotland over for dinner and then on Saturday Richard is going with a group of people to hike the tallest mountain in K. He is very excited, but a bit nervous. We have heard it is a very tough hike, but I know he can do it. They will be going again in the Spring and I cant wait to join them. I am just not quite healthy enough to make the trek....boo...so Ky and I are going to have a "mommy and Ky" day. I have some fun things planned for us...hopefully the weather cooperates!
All is well here in K! We love each of you! Thank you for joining us on this journey!
Much Love,
Tiffany
PS....For those who havent heard...Richard's sister, Rachel, got engaged over the weekend! YAY!! So we will be having a wedding in June once we return!!! So exciting! CONGRATS JOSH AND RACHEL!!! WE LOVE YOU BOTH!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Adoption.....
For some reason since I have been in K there has been one thing that has constantly been on my mind and that is ADOPTION. Adoption is something I am very passionate about....it has been something that I have always been passionate about. I remember when Richard and I first started dating and the topic of children came up. (At this point in our relationship we did not know that G had chosen adoption for us as a way to have a family.) But we were both totally in sync. We knew that no matter what at some point in our married life we would want to adopt at least one child. Now looking back.....G was preparing our hearts for what lay ahead!
Richard and I have often talked about the adoption of a second child (a little girl) but for various reason...and Gd's perfect timing...it has not worked out yet. We have seen many of our friends who we adopted Kyler with adopt their second babies and it has been hard but we continue to wait on the Ld and HIS will for us. So until then I have been praying about how Gd could use this burning in my heart.
Everyday on our way to and from school we pass by an orphanage here in K. It is ran by Germans. This morning on our way to school I told Richard that I would love an opportunity to just go their and hold babies. One of the other teachers heard me say that and he said you should talk to our Vice Principal she has connections there....so I did. So tomorrow afternoon myself and our Vice Principal are going to meet with the director of the orphanage to discuss how I can serve there. I am so excited!!! Now many of you are probably thinking...."she is totally going to fall in love with one of those babies and want to bring it home"....yes that probably will happen BUT sadly K has very strict adoptions laws and the chances of us ever being able to adopt a baby from K are slim to none. My purpose in going to this orphanage is not so that I can scope out the babies, it is because I have a passion for the orphaned children of the world and if I can shed a little love into just a few of their lives....then my "mission" is complete.
I am so excited to walk you through this journey with me over the next several months. Prayerfully everything will work out tomorrow and I will begin to serve there very soon! I am so thankful that Richard see's this passion in my and is in total support of me volunteering some time each month to this orphanage.
Please pray for me and for the children!
As I close out this post I want to leave you with one thought....
"Lord Jesus, break my heart for what breaks yours"
Richard and I have often talked about the adoption of a second child (a little girl) but for various reason...and Gd's perfect timing...it has not worked out yet. We have seen many of our friends who we adopted Kyler with adopt their second babies and it has been hard but we continue to wait on the Ld and HIS will for us. So until then I have been praying about how Gd could use this burning in my heart.
Everyday on our way to and from school we pass by an orphanage here in K. It is ran by Germans. This morning on our way to school I told Richard that I would love an opportunity to just go their and hold babies. One of the other teachers heard me say that and he said you should talk to our Vice Principal she has connections there....so I did. So tomorrow afternoon myself and our Vice Principal are going to meet with the director of the orphanage to discuss how I can serve there. I am so excited!!! Now many of you are probably thinking...."she is totally going to fall in love with one of those babies and want to bring it home"....yes that probably will happen BUT sadly K has very strict adoptions laws and the chances of us ever being able to adopt a baby from K are slim to none. My purpose in going to this orphanage is not so that I can scope out the babies, it is because I have a passion for the orphaned children of the world and if I can shed a little love into just a few of their lives....then my "mission" is complete.
I am so excited to walk you through this journey with me over the next several months. Prayerfully everything will work out tomorrow and I will begin to serve there very soon! I am so thankful that Richard see's this passion in my and is in total support of me volunteering some time each month to this orphanage.
Please pray for me and for the children!
As I close out this post I want to leave you with one thought....
"Lord Jesus, break my heart for what breaks yours"
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