Celebrating Easter with Tissues

Say whaaaat!?  I know you're wondering how tissues have anything to do with Easter.

Well, last night our skupinka (small group) put together some tissue paper flowers and small bags of candy to give out to neighbors in our apartment building.

The bags came together quite nicely (yum chocolate!) and included a Bible verse as well as an invitation to come join us anytime.  The flowers also turned out splendidly!  Our friend Maruska had the creative idea for the flowers and everyone else chipped in and brought various items for the bags.  Team work = good stuff (even if it did take us until well into the evening to complete it all ;)

I, of course, had fun photographing the flowers this morning.

Below...the final product to be given out.

And one last (funny) shot of part of our group working hard...

Haha.  That picture makes me laugh.

And that, my friends, is what tissues have to do with Easter.  Hopefully these mini gifts will be well-received!

Steadfast Love

This Psalm has been read, circled, reread, and re-circled many times in my Bible.

It's simple, but it's always a good reminder.  HE is steadfast, unchanging, faithful in his love towards us.  No matter how undeserving we are (and believe me, I am), He won't stop loving us and being faithful to us.  So thankful for that.

Ringing in a Year!

It's hard to believe we have been in Slovakia for a year!  But, it's true...today we celebrate one year.  In some ways the time has flown, and in others, well, not so much.  Irregardless, we have definitely been shaped and molded this year...

We thought it'd be appropriate to make a little list of things we both appreciate and are learning to appreciate about our new culture.

10 things we love about Slovakia (in no particular order):


1)  Halusky, Milka, Vinea/Kofola, Pirohy...need we say more!? There are some great foods here in the SK which we are happy to indulge ourselves in :)

2)  Walking.  While it was also an adjustment to walk everywhere, we love the built in exercise walking provides for us and we just enjoy being outside now.  It's a completely different thing from in the states where it's not as accessible to walk, but we really enjoy it here.

3)  Nature.  Maybe not so very much in Bratislava (though there are some great parks), but outside of the city...wow, watch out, world, Slovakia's got it going on in the natural beauty department!

4)  Soccer and hockey.  They take great pride in these sports and as a result these events are fun to watch and enjoy.

5)  The history.  How often do you get to walk out of the movies and say "oh wow, look, there's a castle out the window!?"  Seriously!  Amazing.

6)  Cafes.  We'll never stop loving the atmosphere of cafes...particularly in the summertime when everyone is out enjoying the evenings sipping caj (tea) by the storefronts (in FRONT of the castle :)

7)  The people.  We've truly met some great people during our year here so far...and we're praying we continue to meet many more.  (side note:  we're continually learning that this just takes time...period.)

8)  Taking your shoes off at the door.  This one may sound silly, but really...it does create an intimate feel.  It's like saying, "hi, welcome to our home, take your shoes off, get comfy, and stay awhile."  I like it.

9)  The city at night.  It's just a really awesome view to see a city lit up at night.  Especially from our balcony...we're big fans.

10) Holidays. Christmas markets and New Year's celebration were especially good to take part in...but it's always fun to get in on a culture through their holidays.

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10 things we're learning to love (er, at least appreciate) about Slovakia:


1)  The language.  Oh, the language.  It's no piece of cake to learn.  The grammar is beyond comprehension sometimes (or so it seems haha). But, alas, we're trucking through it and one day we will speak this language.  We're determined.

2)  Buses.  Man, those things can get crowded.  And when they're packed, they're packed...which makes getting on and off with a stroller challenging sometimes.

3)  Getting to know our neighbors.  This has proven to be tricky enough.

4)  Raising babies.  This one is strictly cultural differences that I could probably write a whole post on.  Basically, people here raise their babies differently (read: not bad, just different) from how we were raised.  We've learned and are learning to just embrace these things, laugh at them, and ask the Lord for wisdom as we raise Elise (in both the big and the little!)

5)  Road signs.  Some Slovaks may disagree with this one, but when driving we've found the road signs/markings to be less than accurate and slightly confusing.  However, it needs to be said that where I grew up, in Hickory, there are about four 39th streets...so I guess we're not doing so much better in America :P

6)  Time spent traveling.  For me, personally, this one has taken some time to adjust to.  Call it being spoiled, or partially Type A, or whatever you want to call it, but it can often take 30+ minutes to get out the door to the bus stop and then to the final location.   I'm working on patience :)

7)  The lack of thrifting.  I'm a thrift-lover.  Garage sales, secondhand stores, etc...I love them!  There are a few here, but you have to hit them JUST RIGHT (like on one particular day) to benefit from them.  I do miss a good garage sale...but hey, maybe they're here and I just haven't discovered them yet.  (they wouldn't be called garage sales, though, since many people don't have garages here :)

8)  The weather.  The cold has been hard on us...we won't lie.  We'll adjust (perhaps?)...but we do miss warm weather (and the beach!)

9)  Snowy, white pollen.  In the states it's yellow and all over everything...here it's white chunks of pollen snow and it's all over everything (in spring).  I'll never love pollen no matter where I am!

10) Being sick.  Living in a new culture you contract all the viruses and bugs you're not used to...I think we've experienced all the ones that were going around town within the past two months.

We've learned that all cultures are different (obviously we knew that, but it's become even more real to us).  Each one has their strengths and weaknesses and no culture is perfect...far from it actually.  It's kind of cool, each culture is like each person...unique and special with its own set of qualities, both good and bad.  And similarly, every culture, like every person, needs Christ.

We've learned a lot.  We've grown a lot.  We've got much more to learn...but we're thankful for where we've been and from where we've come.  Now to start year TWO!

To Germany and Back...

We're back from our week in Germany...and we made it in one piece!

Overall, Elise did a GREAT job traveling, I'm thankful to say.  Let me break it down (mainly so I remember for the future)...

Flights:  On our flight TO Germany, E did GREAT.  She didn't cry at all, and slept mostly the whole way.  She took her paci almost the whole trip.  Walking the airports she was in her carrier and was just fine.  On our flight BACK to Slovakia, she did well until the airplane's descent.  She started crying from what I'm sure was the change in pressure.  Bottle didn't work, paci barely worked, but we did our best to distract her until we touched ground.  Then she recovered :)

Never fear, we documented her first flight, of course! (phone pics)

Conference week:  Given the circumstances, E's schedule was off most of the week and her nursing/napping times were changed...but all things considered she did a good job.  She didn't mind being passed from person to person and even showed off that little toothless grin.

Jas and I enjoyed the fellowship with friends, encouragement, and sessions.  We also got to take part in communion, which was a big blessing.  One afternoon, Jas and I got out in the lush green woods next to the conference center for some fresh air and good hubby/wife convo...

Since pics of he and I are less common these days, I felt two were needed ;)

We got to spend short but sweet time with these friends that we don't get to see often...

And while we were there Elise started (along with rolling over more and laughing) eating her feet...fascinating, haha.

Look at that baby tummy.  It's too much, I say, too much.

All in all, it was a refreshing and much needed week away.  Now I feel ready to start back with learning Slovak.  Bring it on, grammar, bring it on...

Introducing: Cross Cultural Clarity

So I don't know if you've noticed but there is a new blog that's been appearing on the right hand side of our blog over there --->

It's called Cross-Cultural Clarity and it's a blog that Jason, Tom Holloway, and some other friends from around the world are contributing to.

In its own words...
"This blog consists of our stories. Stories to bring you clarity of what it is really like to serve Cross-Culturally. The funny, the amazing, the painful, the reality. So we hope you enjoy the raw beauty of all of this. In the end you will see, we are no different from you, we just follow Christ in another part of the world."

Yahoo! Mikulas!

Yesterday we set our boots out on the windowsill in anticipation of St. Mikulas' arrival with goodies to fill our boots.

Who is St. Mikulas you ask?  Here's a good explanation...

Bishop Mikuláš lived in the fourth century and was famous for his generosity, especially to children and the poor. The 6th of December then became a holiday in his memory.

So all the good Slovak children can expect to wake up to a boot full of chocolates, sweets and fruit. However, Saint Mikuláš is always accompanied by the Devil and an Angel and the naughty children may be left only with cheeks marked with black coal – a little present from the devil.  (source)

So we decided to follow suit and join Slovaks for this fun day.  We chose our boots (Well, Jas chose them all...notice how he found my biggest boot...I think Mikulas outdid himself this year ;) and set them out and when we woke up yesterday morning they were filled with treats!  Exciting!

Elise didn't have a boot, so we went with a cute sewn shoe made by her Grandmommy.

And since Mikulas couldn't fit all of Elise's treats in her tiny shoe, he decided to fill an old wipe box (of course it was clean) with the rest of them.  What a clever guy, that Mikulas!

Oh my, Mikulas knows the way to my heart too.  That Milka chocolate Mousse was a-ma-zing.

To top it off, Elise's awesome Aunt Marianne sent a sweet Mikulas day present for E...

See those little puppet guys and that onesie?  Yep, all courtesy of the aunt.  Too cute.  Thanks, Marianne!

Oh, and I guess no-one in our house was naughty this year, because we didn't wake up with cheeks marked by coal.  I jest...we are totally sinners and deserve more than coal marks (death), but I'll happily take God's grace over death any day...and I'd most definitely choose chocolate over coal also ;)

So that's how we celebrated December 6th.  Now speaking of chocolate, there's another bar calling my name.  Better run...

Tgiving and a TWO MONTH-ER!

Today is Thanksgiving!  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I am thankful for many things today (and working on being thankful every day...)

One of those things I'm thankful for is this little two month old (I can't believe it's already been two months...seriously!?)

The specifics:
Weight:  4,880 grams (around 11 pounds)
Major Milestones:  lots of cooing, some tiny smiles, alertness, sleeping 8 hours straight (started around 7 weeks...wahoo!), growing more hair, lifting her neck, and well, being adorable!

We're thankful for this little two month old blessing.  Thankful even in the midst of the stinky diapers ;)

"Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his steadfast love endures forever!"
Psalms 106:1

Surgery + A Book!

Little did I know when I wrote that last post that the abscess I mentioned there would lead to a full blown week in the hospital!  Yikes!  Long story short, I headed in to the hospital to have it checked on Monday of last week and lo and behold, a week later, here I am, finally home.  Man, it's been a journey.

While in the hospital they attempted several non-surgical options to try and remove the abscess (if you're not familiar with what an abscess is, read about it here) including cheese (yes, really...), topical creams, and antibiotics.  None of it worked.  So they attempted a puncture to drain it, which didn't work either.  Finally, on Friday, I underwent surgery to drain and clean out the abscess.  I now have a drain in and am hoping and praying it will mend and heal well...

I would be lying if I said I didn't have my fair share of pity parties while in the hospital. It was painful, unexpected, frustrating, and who in the world wants to have surgery in the first place?  But, God in his grace, reminded me time and again of others who are dealing with much bigger things and that I have plenty to be thankful for.  Reoccurring lesson in my life right now?  I think so.  God trying to get my attention? Why, of course, sinner right here.

I did have a lot of free time on my hands to read and study.  And one of the books I read completely got my attention.  I highly recommend it.

Great, great book.  And this chick is amazing.  Her heart for the Lord is completely contagious.  This book is a must-read.  And it's humbling.  Please get it and read it!

And if you want a little taste of the book before buying it, check out her blog here.

Just Making It...

Have you ever had one of those days, weeks, months, maybe even years where you feel like you're JUST barely making it?  Well, that's what this month has been for us.  I'll let Jas tell you how he feels in another post if he so desires, but let me put it out there how I've felt.

October has been full.  Busy, good, tough, and full.  This post may sound like all I'm doing is complaining, and maybe that's just what it is, but it's high time to get it off my chest.  So here goes.

Adjusting to life with a baby is no joke.  Don't get me wrong, I couldn't be more thankful for the lil thing.  She's a blessing, undoubtedly.  But there's no how-to manual for babies.  It's a HUGE learning curve.  And sleepless nights just make for tiredness during the day, too...whew.

Post-birth healing is no piece of cake either.  Episiotomies, nursing, then developing an abscess.  Wow, overwhelming.  Painful. Trying to heal.  And with all that comes the in general feeling of not being able to get it all done (in ministry, with family, around the house and so on). On a side note, how do families of multiples do it!?! Maybe we'll know one day...

Speaking of learning curves and learning, I feel like my Slovak skills have plummeted.  I've still been plowing at it in between feedings and diaper changes, but I haven't been able to speak like I want to and just feel like my vocab and grammar have begun to slide. Ugh. One day I will get this language (genuine determination right there, folks).

All that adds up to cranky husband and wife.  My husband has a fine sense of humor (and it's one of the things I love most about him), but he also has a particular way of applying humor when he's stressed that just plain irritates me.  Yep, I said it.  And trust me, it's not just him.  That's not what I'm saying.  I come back at him with snide remarks and ugliness too.  Makes for unpleasant conversations.  But this too shall pass and we are learning more and more how to work through stress together (slowly but surely).

So how's that for bearing it all today?  Just putting it all out there.  We're real and really sinful over here in Slovakia...bet ya couldn't have guessed that, huh? ;)  However, I did receive an encouraging note from a friend today reminding me of this verse:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:2-4 ESV

God knows our trials.  And my trials compared to many other's trials are nothing. I have SO very much to be thankful for.  SO much.  Now just to remember this in times of trial.

And speaking of things to be thankful for...we were able to spend some time with family (altogether close to a whole month, actually) who came all the way over here to see us.

Because no blog post is complete without pictures...

If you read through all that...consider yourself a champ! Thanks for letting me get it all out on this here little blog :)

Speaking, Language, and a Blooper

This weekend Jas was asked to speak at a youth group meeting of sorts called "KECY club."  He spoke on the theme "collision."  He did an awesome job, but most importantly he was able to share about Christ and counting the cost of choosing to follow Him.

We then broke into small groups and discussed what it looks like to follow Christ in general and what it looks like to follow Christ in Slovakia.  This was helpful for Jas and I as we learned more about how Slovaks perceive and are perceived as Christians. Eye-opening.

And of course, it was great for our language.  We've been focusing on our language a lot lately (what am I talking about!? we've been working on language since we've been here!).  But what I really want to tell you about is a hilarious (or maybe not so hilarious) language blooper Jason made :)

We finished talking in small groups and everyone broke out the tables and the games.  Jas and I thought it was time to head home to Elise (who was kindly being watched by her grandparents) thinking she might be ready to eat some more.  Well, Jas decides to tell the people we were standing with (in Slovak) that "we had to go eat the baby." WHAT?!?!?!  We all cracked up because as soon as he said it he realized. Too funny.

But no worries, we did not eat our child.  Rather, we wanted her to eat.  And eat she did.

And because in my opinion no post is complete without a picture...here's a picture of our Slovak tutor, Terezia, with Elise.

They're both adorable, huh?!

Elise's Birth Story

So, I've been debating whether or not to post Elise's birth story, but I decided that since this is our little online journal of sorts, and we'd like to look back on it in the future, it's a great place to document it!  So here goes.  (If this isn't your type of post, feel free to tune out, but if you're up for it, grab a pumpkin spice latte in my honor and get comfy ;)

It all started Friday morning when we went into the hospital for a heart rate test.  Elise's heart rate was down and they were concerned, so they asked us to come back Friday night.

We went in Friday night hopeful that her heart rate would be fine.  Well, it was for a while.  Then it decided to go high.  And stay high for some time.  This concerned the doctors that night, so an ultrasound followed.  Everything was fine with the cord blood and placenta, but they weren't super comfortable with the results in finding the main artery that flows to the brain.  This meant they asked us to stay the night and monitor everything (aka multiple heart rate tests and another ultrasound).  We were a little nervous (ok, maybe more than a little) at this point because we were communicating in English and actually some broken Slovak, as well as German and a clear picture of what was going on wasn't coming together for us...

We stayed the night.  Elise's heart rate evened out for the most part, but in the morning the doctor told us that since she was six days late we may want to go ahead and induce (so as to avoid any type of risk further).  It was a go! We were told that induction could take anywhere from a few hours to a couple days and that we might just want to get comfortable.  WELL, needless to say, thirty minutes later I was having full fledged contractions.  We're talking very little break and intense!

Jas walked with me through them as best he could (though there really is not much you can do but just endure those stinkin' birth pains :) and things progressed quickly.  At five centimeters I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make it...but thirty minutes passed and I was then at nine centimeters.  Just like that! Sooo fast.

Then it was time for her to make her grand entrance (eight hours from start to finish).  I'll spare all the nitty gritty details, but thankfully God has orchestrated the human body to be able to make it through the pain and the unpleasant-ness and it is SO worth it when that little one comes out crying into the world.

Elise Noelle was born at 4:39 pm on Saturday, September 24th.  She weighed a hefty 8 pounds, 8 ounces and was 52 centimeters long.  They placed her in my arms and I'm fairly certain it's a moment I'll never forget.  Completely testifies to the greatness of our Creator.

I did end up with an episiotomy due to the cord being wrapped around her neck, but we are thankful she came and was/is a healthy baby.  She's a blessing.  A true blessing.

And, well, her daddy and I are just a little bit smitten with these tiny details...

Day of Mary and Around Town

A couple days ago Slovaks celebrated "Day of Blessed Virgin Mary," or "Day of our Lady of Sorrows." It's a holiday here where everyone has the day off and many Catholics pray, feast, and give thanks to Mother Mary.

Jas and I wanted to check it out and see how they were celebrating the day, so we decided to head downtown and get a glimpse at some of the churches.  We observed that many were in attendance at mass.

A poor quality camera phone pic-but this was taken from the window inside one of the churches.

A common scene often observed outside of the churches here.  People exiting and the homeless are there waiting.

If only Jesus were celebrated as much as Mary is...

In other news, I also decided it was high time (well, rather past time) to get some shots of the city we live in.  So here are some random shots of Bratislava!

He Knows Her

I've been pondering this passage in Psalms, and particularly this verse, for some time now.  To be honest, the Lord has taught me a lot (and still is...that's lifelong, right?) about trusting Him throughout this entire process of pregnancy/impending birth...

I've struggled with fears and worries.  It's true.  I hate to admit it, pridefully, but I've wanted to try and control as much as I can with this little baby in my belly.  And He has shown me, and continues to do so, that I am certainly NOT in control.  Anything can happen, but HE already knows what is happening and what will happen.  I'm reminded of that by the above verse.

He knows everything about the precious child He's formed/is forming in my belly.  He knows what she will look like, what strengths and weaknesses she'll have, how many hairs she'll have, how many days on this earth she'll have.  Bottom line: He KNOWS her and He loves her.  Way more than Jas or I ever can or will.

I know we will only learn more from here as we become her parents, but I am thankful to be reminded of this daily as I read this passage and verse.  We have a BIG God and I am thankful daily at His grace for forgiving me when I worry and don't trust.  In the end, no matter what I try to do (and/or don't do), He's got it covered, thankfully.

Vibrant

When Jas came home the other day he brought with him a gift.

A beautiful, vibrant, quite thoughtful gift.

Isn't the color AMAZING?  And look at the detail.  Ah, it's the small things made by a BIG God that often amaze me most.

He knows I can't keep flowers alive for very long, but this one I can at least put in water and admire daily.  And I can take pictures of it without killing it! It's a win-win situation.

Thanks, babes :)

Vel'ka Noc!

Easter is a big deal around here.  People bring out eggs, water, and whips.  No, seriously.

From what we've learned so far, on Monday guys will take water and "whips" or braided branches, grab some water, and go find girls they think are pretty.  Then they will hit the girls and throw some water on them.  The girls give them eggs in return.  This is a tradition that has been going on for a loooong time.

As far as we know, here in the city it is a bit less common than it is in the villages and smaller towns.

But eggs, now, are a pretty universal symbol for Easter (at least it seems!).  So we decided we would take some plastic eggs that were sent to us (thanks mom!) and put them to good use.  We loaded them up with some sugary goodness, but that's not all we put in them...

The most important item we placed in the eggs was a slip of paper with the following on it:
"Jesus said to her:  I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die.  Do you believe this?"  John 11:25-26

We then finished them off with a star sticker (for more color, of course!) and gave them to some of our fellow language classmates.

Thankful for the opportunity to share the good news of Christ because he died and rose for us :) What greater hope!?