Newness

HI! I hope you are all doing well back home! I am doing great here and I have so much to tell you all, I really don't know where to begin... Last week was the first "real" English club that I helped with and was so much fun! The theme was "fashion" and we had three Lithuanian volunteers model different American fashion puns, i.e.: "lady in red," "balloon skirt," "man in black," "fishnet stockings," and a "muffin top." We used a red table cloth for the "red carpet" and had the three volunteers walk down the "cat walk." It was SO RIDICULOUS, but the english club attendants absolutely loved it! We all had a really great time. This Wednesday was our first Home Friendship Group and it was held at Tony and Shasta's house. We had 5 Lithuanian attendants and it was a great first meeting. Last night at English club we had a going away party for one of the members who will be leaving next week for University in England. Shasta fixed her a goody bag of Lithuanian things so she wouldn't get homesick. We are all sad to see her go. Yesterday I spent the day with my new friend Zivile. She showed me around town and made Turkish coffee for me...it was VERY strong. I hope to hear from you all soon! Thank you for your prayers! Halley

Thursday

Well, It is Thursday am here in Lithuania and I am sitting in my flat listening to the traffic of the city down below...wishing I had air conditioning...and reflecting on my time here. Not to sound all hokie and poetic or anything...hahaha. Everything is going great! Tonight is my first English club that I will have planned by myself...ee! The theme is "fashion" and we're going to have a small fashion show...of mixmatched clothes...and let the group vote and talk and stuff. It's going to be fun. This past Monday I met some friends at Chinese tea shop for a visit. It's one of those new-agey joints where everyone is one with the tea and the universe and stuff. The tea was really nice and the company was good too...but I discovered that I am not one with the tea. We have had some new people come to the church and they are all very talented in many different areas, which is so exciting! I really love the people I am working with. Thank you all for EVERYTHING, prayers and mail included! Love you! Halley

Dear family and friends...

Thank you all so very much for the wonderful Birthday wishes. I had a great day and it was made better by all of you! This picture is from the birthday shin-dig Tessa and Tammy threw me at 2 am on the 15th...craziness for sure.

God is good and I am enjoying my time here in Lithuania very much. Tammy flew out this morning around 6 am, so now it's just me and Tessa. We have English club at the church tonight and then a bible study tomorrow. I am meeting many new friends and seeing lots of new things.

Hope you hear from you all soon,

Halley

Happy Monday

Hello Friends and Family! Hope you are all doing well. It's about 11:30am here and Tammy and I are getting ready for another day around Vilnius. We have had so much fun! Saturday we took the train to Trakai, the castle in the picture below, all by ourselves...an adventure for sure. Church yesterday was really nice. It is small, but the people are wonderful! We had a planning meeting yesterday and I was filled in on my weekly "duties." It is going to be an exciting 2 months! Love you all, and God bless. Halley

HOLLAH

Hey everyone, Tammy is here! She flew in yesterday and we have been around the town seeing sights and taking stupid pictures that make the Lithuanian people here roll their eyes...funny stuff. We're visiting "Old Town" today and may go to a castle tomorrow. I am so GLAD she is here. We're getting lost together and having fun the whole time. She says "Hello Friends" to you all. EMAIL ME. Halley

Laba diena! So, this is my third day alone in Lithuania, and it has been interesting thus far. I am learning alot and seeing alot of beautiful things. I got hit on yesterday by an Italian man...oh so funny. And my friend from the States, Tammy, is flying in today, which I am so excited about. The missionaries here, Tony and Shasta, have been so kind and helpful, and my roomate Tessa has been as well. The people here are pretty nice, they really like Americans and enjoy practicing their english. There have been a couple times in stores or restaurants that I have had NO idea what something was and I have asked for help. They are always willing to assist. I am learning alot about the history of Lithuania and the former Soviet States while I am here as well. There are concentration camp remains throughout the country and monuments here in Vilnius where Jews died. So much tension still exists between the Lithuanian people and Russia. That's all I have for now, so stay in touch. I don't know if you can see my email on here, but it is Cake885@bellsouth.net. I'll post my phone number later. Email me and I'll send you my address. Much love, Halley

Lithuania

Hello Everyone! I am finally in Lithuania!! Things are going great here. My group from Plano left yesterday and I was pretty homesick after that, but I am better today and ready to start work here. This picture is from Trekai Castle not far from Vilnius, Lithuania. Such a beautiful place!! Thank you for all of your prayers, I am feeling them daily, and I know that the Lord is leading my steps. I'll let you all know how things go from here! Halley