Daily CZECH Up-please pray

I just received this email from Daniel. Our friend who lives in the Czech.

Dear Friends and Family,

Yesterday 2 young girls from our local high school who were planning to go to our Orlova english camp were involved in a serious accident on their way to the capital city of Prague. Both sustained serious, but non-life threatening injuries. They will both be in the hospital for a number of days undergoing various surgeries.

Please pray for Esther and Simona as both were showing great interest in the gospel and now will no longer be able to attend our camp.

Please also pray for Orlova camp. We fee that God wants to do something great at our camp, but we have faced a lot of opposition. Pray against further opposition.

Thanks so much for standing with us!

Daniel

Please continue to pray for this camp and the students who are coming.

Baby Blues

My Sis in Law just sent this to me. The caption..."Hi Auntie". I can't wait until I can actually hear my nephew say that!

Daily CZECH Up-2 weeks and counting

I can hardly believe that we are only 2 weeks away from leaving. In the midst of the excitement there is my usual anxiety.

What is it going to be like? Will the students like me? Will we make all our flights? How are we going to adjust to the time change, especially coming home? What will the trains be like? Did I pack enough? Too much? The right things? Will Meow be ok without us? (yes, I do worry about that) The list goes on.

Despite my worries, I am truly excited.

This weekend we arranged for Meow to be taken care of (Thank you Kat and Jeff!!!). We got new more compact sleeping bags that should work with our backpacks. We are pretty set on clothing. I just have a few more small things to pick up. And we are just over half way on our support! Praise the Lord! Please continue to pray with us that the rest of the money will come in.

With that said, I know these next two weeks will fly by! I am trying to get everything caught up and ahead at work, and keeping the house clean, so I don't have to do a lot before we go.

Please pray for us these next 2 weeks. Pray for rest, and for our hearts to be seeking the Lord for this trip!

We can't wait!

Daily CZECH Up-a reminder

I just got an email from ZoeAnne. She is the one who is organizing the admin/financial side of our trip.

We have about half of our finances!!!!

Thank you all for your continued support! We are so thankful!

Just a little reminder from the Lord today that he is up to something!! And believe me, today was just the day for that very reminder! :)

My favorites!

I love these two so much!

We're going to the zoo....

A couple of weeks ago we went to the zoo with our friend Katherine and her son Levi. I had a really great time. Katherine seemed to have a good time. Ryan, not so much. Levi, well it was hit and miss. He enjoyed the fountain. And the grassy field. But here are a few shots from our day!

Here is Levi, who kept stealing my sunglasses!


On the school bus with his mom!


He loved the bus!


Looking at the empty Polar Bear Tank


And of course, my favorite part:

Daily CZECH Up-Finances

To everyone who has supported us thus far, thank you!

To those who are praying, we are so grateful!

I wanted to let you know where we are at with finances. As of Sunday we have raised about 30 % of our needed amount! We are so excited that we have been blessed already!

Again, thank you so much to those who are praying for us, and supporting us financially, we couldn’t be doing this without you!

Daily CZECH Up-Be Careful What you Say

A well-known Journalist, Helen Thomas, resigned this week after making some controversial comments about the conflict with Israel right now.
It’s amazing that someone who has a career that has lasted decades would have been forced out over just one comment.
Whether it’s right or wrong doesn’t matter.
So, where in the world am I going with this?
I have been thinking how many things I have said over the years about Christ that I should have been “fired” for.
I am really thankful that Jesus already took the fault of my sin and mistakes and paid for them on the cross.
I am fortunate that I don’t have to worry about being forced out of the kingdom of God because of what I say or do and that God loves me in spite my faults.

-Ryan

Daily CZECH Up-thank you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s been a while since I thanked the Lord for the blessings in my life.
Thank you Lord for your faithfulness to me when I am not thankful to you
Thank you Lord for providing for me when I don’t do enough to help others
Thank you Lord for showing me an endless amount of love when I feel my “love tank” has become empty
Thank you Lord for reminding me throughout the day that you love me – in ways no one else even knows about
Thank you Lord guiding me and taking control of my life – even when I fight to be in complete control
Thank you Lord for the blessings you have given me here on earth and the promise of seeing you face-to-face in heaven some day.

You are my king, my savior, my leader, my director, my boss, my father, my provider and my friend.
Thank You, Lord.

-Ryan

Daily CZECH Up-backpack!

At our first team meeting, our leader Dennis said that it would be best if we traveled with a back pack instead of luggage. It's much simpler between buses and trains and walking. Ryan already had his from his previous trip to Europe. I did not. We decided to buy one instead of borrow one. I have a "bad back" and Ryan wanted to make sure mine was fitted to me, and would not strain my back on the trip.

So Sunday we went to REI. The girl who helped us was actually a Christian who is getting her Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language. So it was fun to talk to her about the trip. I tried on a few different packs. And finally decided on the one that fit the best. It was awkward for me because I didn't know how it was supposed to feel, or what was the best. But I really like the one we got.

Now, we just need to pack them and go! :)

Why Worry Generation

Another great article on the Millennial Generation.

Ryan and I often talk about this generation and how they work, or don't work. I recently talked with a recent college graduate, and she was looking for a job. She believed that her really great internships and college degree would land her an excellent job in her field. Been there. Done that. Failed.

This generation has so much confidence in their "experiences" but the problem is, these experiences are nothing compared to those who have been at it for years. The graduate I talked with was so confident in her abilities. It was as if she really believed that she was the only person who ever graduated with that degree or had those internships. Forgetting that there are people older, and with more experience than her. There was a sense of entitlement. A sense of I deserve this because...

I wrestle with this at times. As I read this article I was reminded of all the times I applied for a job that I seemed to be perfect for, only to not get the position. I struggle with some of these same mentalities. But I fight them too. I don't want to be like this generation. I want to work hard. Earn respect. Deserve the job I get. And be confident, not in who I think I am, but in who I truly am.

Daily CZECH Up-a prayer request

Please pray for both Ryan and I. I have been fighting a cold since early May, nearing 4 weeks. Last night I was awake for over two hours just coughing. I can't seem to shake it or get the rest I need. Not to mention, I can't take any time off of work to get rest.

Ryan also has gotten sick. He actually stayed home from work today, which he doesn't like to do.

So please pray for our healing. I hope this doesn't linger for Ryan. And quickly goes away for me. I am tired of being sick. I know he is too.

Daily CZECH Up-a song for you

My first year at Multnomah I attended "Missions Conference" having no idea what it was. I remember singing one worship song in particular. It's called You Said. I found a version from Shane and Shane that I love, but I guess it was written by Reuben Morgan. Anyways, I love the message of this song.

Yesterday, I was listening to some music and this song came up. It warmed my heart as we are thinking about our up coming trip. So in a Danielle-like fashion, I am going to share a song with you! (Even though it's short, its a powerful song!)

You said

You said, "ask and you will receive whatever you need."
You said, "pray and I'll hear from heaven,
and I'll heal your land."

You said Your glory will fill the earth
like water the sea.
You said, "lift up your eyes;
the harvest is here, the kingdom is near."

You said, "ask and I'll give the nations to you."
oh Lord, that's the cry of my heart.
distant shores and the islands will see