Year End Giving...

In the last few weeks, I have been mulling over what to write for what would likely be the "wrap up the year" post. So many thoughts go through my head as I lay in bed at night, way too comfy and warm to get up and write them down... and then are lost by the next morning. That still doesn't explain why we haven't been posting. The main reason is simply, life. Not an excuse, but honest.

One thing is for sure, 2010 was a year like none other in our past. I could use words like Amazing. Unbelievable. Blessed. Life-Changing. All of those would be true, but they all seem cliched- overused. And to be honest, they just don't touch the immensity of it all. For those of you who are new, and even for those who aren't, here's a Chlebanowski Christmas letter to try to put our year into words. It will be crazy, too wordy and self-depracating because, well...that's me in a nutshell and I am writing it. :)


Dear Family and Friends,

Wow. What a year!
When we all thawed out from the Christmas Ice Storm 2009 we had big hopes for the New Year 2010. We had settled into our new rent house after finally managing to sell our old house that we loved but couldn't afford/didn't really need. Phew! Joe was working part time from home and also being a stay-at-home dad, while I worked as an editor and administrative assistant in the world of Government contracting. I really wanted to be at home again, but we just KNEW that wouldn't be possible until Joe was able to find full time employment. In the words of Dana Carvey aka G.H.W. Bush, "it wouldn't be prudent."

Then, in Mid-February, life as we knew it flipped upside down. In one Friday afternoon, we went from being a dual- income family to a NO income family. Joe got an email saying he wasn't needed, and although I won't go into details here, an email at my job made it clear to both Joe and me that going back to that job wasn't an option. Friends and family were obviously concerned. Nervous. But it was just starting to get exciting to us.

A week after becoming non-laborers, we had a conversation about what we wanted the direction of the family to be. We agreed that as a whole, our family had been very self-focused and events of late had, while being unexpected, opened some doors that previously hadn't been considered because of obligations to jobs. We purposed to make our family more about others and less about us, and our first endeavor would be huge for us. Many others chose the word crazy to describe it. Some used "stupid." We, however, knew it was something else entirely. To us it was Faith.

With little more than $800 to our name and 2 months of rent, utilities and car payments covered, we signed up to go to Ethiopia and Uganda for 2 weeks in July. That gave us just over 4 months to raise the necessary $7000 it cost. We knew God could do much bigger things, and we said a prayer, stepped out of the boat and sent in the $400 deposit. Then we trusted in God's faithfulness. Again, people said, "crazy!", "stupid!", and now even added, "irresponsible!" and "reckless!" Friends walked away, disconnected from us and our radical new thinking. But we knew better. We knew that God finishes what he starts. We had no doubt that not only would our personal situation be taken care of, but our trip would be funded. It was a no brainer for us.

All Summer long we prayed and prepared and planned. And through no merit of our own, He worked through some amazing supporters, both adults and children, strangers and family, to raise not just $7,000, but nearly $11,000! (Do you know how much $4,000 can do in Africa? Check out our trip posts to see for yourself!) Oh, and besides all that, He put Joe in a job that he loves, in a company who said, "no problem!" when he told them he needed 2 weeks off 2 months after starting.

While I won't go into full details here (you can read plenty of other blog posts to get the idea) Africa was nothing like I expected, and more than I could have dreamed of all rolled up in a ball of beauty. It was there that I witnessed worship, purer than I have ever known possible. Hardship, more brutal than I could have imagined. Joy, more true and abundant than any I have ever known, but crave with every ounce of my soul. I read a beautiful description of what we experienced in those 2 weeks, that says it perfectly:

"I want what I have learned to trickle down from my head into my heart - I no longer want to need the "next thing" to have joy.

I'm not saying that Africa does not need our efforts. It absolutely does need our partnership. But for me, I've come to understand that I NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME. Why? Because it is Africa that has taught me that possessions in my hands will never be as valuable as peace in my heart. I've learned that I don't need what I have and that I have what I need. These are just a few of this continent's many lessons. I came here to serve and yet I've found that I have so much to learn, and Africa, with all its need, has much to teach me."

EVERY aspect of our lives is different. Nothing is the same as before we went there. And, I think, it should be that way. We have walked in the path the Holy Spirit led us down and to go back to how we walked before would just be, well...crazy. stupid. irresponsible.

The rest of this year has been lightning fast. School starting for the kids- and me. The kids are all tops in their classes, and thankfully have little to no interest in extra-curricular activities other than Awana. Since we have no TV or video games, they spend their time staring at the ceiling and playing in the dirt. (truthfully, they really do play in the dirt alot. Come to find out, with imagination, even dirt is fun! Gasp!) Logan is 13, so ... well, he's 13- you know as well as I do that is all I really need to say. :)Okay, he is enjoying his ipod, middle school algebra (NOT!) and his new Facebook account. (I apologize if you have been sent a quiz- we are still working on that!) Jack is 8 and busily preparing to be the next Jack Hanna/Steve Irwin/ Bear Grylls. He has single-handedly transformed the backyard into a Jungle wonderland and leads tours daily. Clara is almost 6 and enjoys working on her baking and mad beatbox skilz. Look for her next season on Cake Boss and The Singoff! ;)

Joe still loves his job, and I started working as a teaching assistant in a special needs class at the kids' old elementary school. I go to work while the kids are at school, and I am off of work when the kids are. (I have a whole new appreciation for school breaks!) We have an amazingly supportive network of friends in our Sunday School class and community, and new friendships formed with those we met while serving in Africa- both stateside and there in Africa! Facebook, for all its many downfalls makes it really easy to stay in touch and chat realtime with those half a world away. As long as they don't ask me to play Farmville...

We wrap up this year excitedly planning our return trip to Uganda next July as leaders (and we STILL need people to join us!!!!) and we are stepping out in new areas that we pray will bring us even closer still to our glorious Father in Heaven. His gifts of provision this year have been plentiful, but we hope you join us in celebrating the most wonderful gift He ever gave- the gift of his son, Jesus. He gave his perfect son to die for us, his imperfect creation- so we can once again be made one with him. Nothing else we do in life matters if we don't accept that gift. No other present could mean so much.

May your 2011 be blessed.

Until next time, It's not about us, It's about Jesus.


P.S. I realize that it would be remiss if I didn't share some of the books we have read this last year that have brought us closer to where we want to be- in a devoted, selfless, worshipful relationship with Christ. We highly recommend all of them.


The Bible( specifically the books of James, Isaiah and Matthew)
Radical, by David Platt (based on a sermon series available at www.brookhills.org)
Crazy Love, by Francis Chan
Wild Goose Chase, by Mark Batterson
The Treasure Principle, by Randy Alcorn (this was the book we were reading when we signed up for the trip)