3rd and 5th

Today was the start of Tahlia and Mikaela's third year of Slovene school. As pictured, Tahlia started 5th grade today and Mikaela 3rd. They were precious as they packed up their backpacks,  dressed in their "first day of school" attire and courageously walked into the school building. They were strong and courageous, an answer to our prayers.  I am so proud of how they contentedly face the daily challenges of being foreigners, of not fully understanding language, and often being "the one" who didn't bring the correct bag OR brought one and didn't need to. I CAN'T even imagine what it's like as a child to face these bumps. I am proud and blessed by their testimony because in unique ways they are learning with grace to be "that one." "That one" who will never quite fit into this culture.

I, as their mother, learned AGAIN a valuable lesson today. After much cultural, language, first day of school confusion and then wishing Mikaela and Tahlia a great first day of school, I walked through the hall listening to what sounded like 15 different languages when in actuality it was only one language that I just long to understand. Tears started welling up in my eyes, a lump was in my throat, and I felt like a small child who was lost. In the moment I prayed for the Lord to help me understand my heavy heart. You know what He revealed to me,... You are weak and that is ok, because I am strong. Trust me to care for your children, trust me to open your mind to language and loosen your tongue, trust me to empower you to declare the mysteries of me even in a foreign country, trust that I gave you the Spirit to lead you, and trust me to walk with you every step of the way.  Certainly I still long to know Slovene better, but it doesn't identify me.  My deeper desire is to be a vessel for Christ. A vessel that trusts God and proclaims that His power is made perfect in my weakness.

The Great Game of Golf

I love golf, I have loved the game since childhood. It is no secret I am a lover of most sport and player of many! But there is something about golf that is unique to me, there is a peacefulness, a tranquility within it. Other than fly fishing I know of no other sport in which I can play and find total relaxation while still competing.

I remember as a child getting a set of child clubs and practicing in our backyard. I even took hedge trimmers and meticulously created a putting green in our backyard. I still remember my first time out at an 18 hole course with my father and grandfather, it was at the base of Mt. Rainier in Enumclaw, Washington. It was the same course that I spent hours hunting in the forest for balls from errant shots. My grandfather and I collected hundreds of them.

I know most people find the game of golf boring, or if not boring then too expensive. I agree about the expense, but if it was cheaper I would have a borderline addiction :) However, I am grateful for any opportunity I can get to play.

There are very few courses in Slovenia and when we moved here I wasn't sure about the options of playing but amazingly (providentially?) we live 5 minutes from one of the best courses in the country and I have recently visited the practice center at the course. It was nice to hit some balls around and just enjoy the sunny day.

Just before we moved Karsten had a deep desire to hit balls around which I had no problem encouraging! This desire has continued and just last week I had the opportunity to take him to a course for the first time. Although we didn't play on the course we did enjoy the practice green. It was wonderful to watch him play a game I love with as much enthusiasm as I had at his age! Here are a few pics and a video from our time.

2 Flower Girls and 2 Ringbearers

Ajda and Gasper, dear slovene friends of ours, will be married on September 6th. When Ajda asked us if it is ok to invite our children to be in their wedding we almost laughed, "of course they can be in your wedding. It would be an honor." These two people love the Lord with all their heart and they are making Him known by loving and working with the special needs community in Slovenia. We are ecstatic about their marriage, and blessed that they would desire our kids to be part of their wedding ceremony. 

The girls putting together a puzzle revealing Ajda and Gasper's request for them to be flower girls in their wedding.

The boys putting their puzzle together which bears the question: "will you be ring bearers in our wedding?"

The boys answered "yes", giggling with joy.

The girls were beyond honored and happily agreed to be flower girls in their wedding.

The completed puzzles