Love these Ladies

Tea Time

I have always loved tea and anything connected with a tea party is fun. When in 4H in Grade School we would have to get all dressed up including gloves and hats and learn how ladies acted at a Tea, it was enlightening that you had to nibble at your cookies (two was all a lady would put on her plate) and sip your tea while balancing the plate and cup on your lap. Have you ever just chosen two cookies (when you were a kid) out of at least 10 different kinds? But that is where I learned about Tea Time.

I went to a Tea with the ladies in my Bible Study at the Queen B (nice name) We had so much fun and the crumpets, sweets, and tea were be far the best I have had but the fellowship out did the food and tea. I love being with these ladies, it was a fun day.

The days seem to go by and I wonder where they go. It seems like only yesterday that we moved into this house and yet as I was cleaning and dusting today I knew that it wasn't just yesterday but years that we have lived in this same house. How has God used this house to further His glory and name? How have we been a part of the story He has woven to reveal who He is through us and this house we call home? It is comfortable, full of all kinds of wonderful things that we enjoy, but sometimes forget about, like my poor fish Lazurus, no he isn't dead but he has been neglected but even through it all he keeps swimming. I think that is how we should be, through whatever we are going through we should just keep swimming toward the goal of being like Jesus and letting Him live His life in us. Just a few thoughts even disjointed as they are. Have a God filled life!

Peaches and Cream!

Doesn't that sound so good? Shana, Ryia, Payton and myself decided it sounded good enough to go to the orchard and pick peaches. We headed to Fredericksburg which is about a 30 minute drive, the kids were all excited to get to actually pick the peaches from the tree. We arrived, picked the kind of peaches we thought would be the sweetest, got our small box and headed out into the orchard after the talk on how to pick peaches. It seemed in no time our little box was full but the kids wanted to keep picking so they were disappointed when we said no more picking. As you can see Ryia is quite the peach herself, a true kindergartner this year. Remember as you walk through your day that having Jesus living in your life is the sweetest thing you will ever encounter.

Getting home from Czech via Poland, Germany,Chicago and then finally San Antonio was good. The wee ones were there to greet us at 12:30 am and had made signs for us and were so excited to see us even at this early hour. We soaked in every bit of it, of course they couldn't have been there if our daughter hadn't come to pick us up. Ryia helped Opa get the suitcases and she told him she knew which one was Mema's as it is green with pink polka dots, Payton helped with the backpacks. Jet lag always seems harder coming this way and I took several days to just laze around and not do much. On the contrary Mel was up going and going then he got sick and has been down now for several days, but he is up and flexing his muscles so must be starting to feel better if not great.
We still had wildflowers when we got home and they are still beautiful, also it has been partly cloudy with sun everyday-no rain and windy which makes setting on the back porch very nice. Mornings find us eating breakfast on the porch and just enjoying the space, also great for reading the Word of God and listening to Him. I really need to find out how to make an album on by blog so I can put some more pictures up. Today finds both Mel and I going to the dentist our least favorite thing to do but necessary, UGH! so will see how things go this afternoon not looking forward to it. Sometimes God uses the little things in my life to cause me to trust in His plan for me and that is usually when I am asking Him 'Okay what is this about and what am I suppose to learn from this side track you just pulled me on?" I so want to be the child that responds with "ok, God you planned this and I accept it" I am not good at it yet thus the continued lessons on trust.

This weekend we stayed at this great cabin that was built by our friend, Tadek's grandfather. We went up on Friday evening and stayed until Monday morning. It is in the mountains and not all alone but it felt like it. Across the lane was a cottage with chickens, down the lane were men stacking cut grass so that it could dry and be used as bedding or feeding animals. A lovely creek ran by the lane and it was just a relaxing place to be. Mel went for hikes up the mountain and around and would bring back pictures so that I could see them as I don't hike. I enjoyed being outside and listening to nature talk to God.

Life in the fast lane

Well okay so driving a 1960 Skoda doesn't mean we break the sound bearer. But it does mean we have a way of transportation to get us where we need to go. This car is considered a vintage car here in Czech so it gets lots of looks, touches and comments. It was even in a wedding as the main transportation for the Bride and Groom. It proved worthy after many hours of work and praying. Was a hit with the Bride which is always important. Mel said " It was a pleasure to serve as her driver"
The work at the mission house is on going, lumber has been ordered for the trim and will be delivered on Monday so Mel is looking forward to starting that project. Now if the rains would just stop and the sun shine that would be such a plus.
We are staying in a flat in Frydlant , very nice and is our home away from home while we are here. Our Granddaughter Hayley comes over after school to spend time with me and I enjoy every moment of it. She is a lot like her Aunt Shana and loves to talk, we laugh alot and enjoy Opa soup. The fast lane here in Czech is the slow lane really. You have time to set (at least I do) and enjoy the Lord, listen to what He is teaching and then set back and meditate on what you are hearing from Him. I find this statement from Beth Moore true about my time with the Lord " Who else is so brilliant, so multidimensional and gloriously mysterious that you could spend your entire life studying and never grasp His vastness?" Glad the fast lane here is a little slow for me.

We landed and was picked up by our friend Petr, he drove us to our sons home. The next morning we headed to Malenovice to the JV conference, to see everyone we know here in Czech. It was really good see our grandchildren, Melvin and Amy plus all the missionarys we know.

During this time we have had car problems, waiting to get into the flat and enjoying being with our family. God is good. I am trying to memorize Psalm 121 and it talks about how God is our protector and that He never sleeps or slumbers. Wow, what a promise to hang on to. Each day brings something special, it is just fun being here.

The awaited time has arrived!

We are in the process of putting together stuff, gathering stuff and closing stuff so that we will be ready to fly off into the wild blue yonder. We are excited about it and anticipate the journey but also being with those we love. Sometimes these journey's seem to take much to long and you wish that you could just shut your eyes and be there but then we would miss all the opportunities that God has planned along the way to show us how big and awesome He is. Will miss the beautiful spring flowers that are blooming everywhere but look forward to the time of love and laughter.

Today has been busy with cleaning the house and trying to get everything in some type of order before flying off into the wild blue yonder. Boy is it hard! I am so thankful that God is in control and that He has told me that whatever I do I am on assignment from Him. Even then it seems to get a little lopsided when I don't want to do things His way. He is so in tune with what I need that this is the verse He gave me this morning, Psalms 39:1 " I'm determined to watch steps and tongue so they don't land me in trouble." I needed that reminder and will try to walk in His steps today, letting Him color my world instead of me. "All of Jesus and none of me."

Today, Mel is getting ready to cater for Faith Bible's 12th Anniversary. He loaded his wagon on the trailer and hauled it down to the church property in Boerne and is now getting the rest of his dinner prepared. The menu is Fajitas, Spanish rice, Beans, Chips and Nacho Cheese, Guacamole and all the other good stuff that comes with this kind of good dining. He will be have some excellent help as Maleigha, Darian and Robert will be there working along side him. I of course will be there to encourage and sample the good food. If any of you have ever had the opportunity to taste Mel's cooking you know that it always is excellent. He enjoys every minute of the process from the planning to the fruitation of a good meal. Just a piece of what is happening in our life today.

The beginning of many thoughts and hopefully the sharing of the heart.
I have a wonderful family consisting of my husband, Mel - Children: Melvin and Amy, Shana and Robert, Adrian and Stacy. They are the light that shines in our lives. Grandchildren: Hannah,Hayley,Noah; Ryia,Payton; Maleigha,Darian,Ian. They are the joy that fills our lives with laughter,love and adventure. I will be sharing bits and pieces about our lives as they fall into place with our family and friends.

"Your love, God, fills the earth! Train me to live by your counsel." Psalms 119:64

I wanted to start my first attempt at blogging with this statement because it is Who is important to me and how I want to live my life.