Missionary Challenges

Sometimes I look at other missionaries and think WOW, they are real missionaries. They go without clean water and electricity sometimes, get malaria, have to eat really strange things, and often go without modern conveniences for the sake of the Gospel. People seemingly responsive to the Gospel.

Then I look at myself and our family in Europe, Croatia to be exact. Never had to eat anything remotely scary, always have water and electricity, no malaria, and pretty modern. People here are pretty cold to the Gospel. We don't have the multitudes of children and adults wanting to hear about God who sent His only son to forgive them if their sins.

I know mission fields will look different and present their own challenges definitely. God also equips us differently to do the job we are called to. Maybe I need to stop looking at others and myself and just keep my eyes on Jesus. He is our greatest example.

So... are we wasting our time in Europe? Some may say yes, others say no. As for our family, we say NO! The two years we lived in Northern Croatian we saw 6 Croatians accept Jesus as their Savior. These are results just from the efforts of our family as a part of the church we are in. There have been many more saved and I wish I could tell you that they are all serving somewhere and growing in The Lord.

We are thankful for the few though who desire to learn more and grow. Your prayers are needed for the nation of Croatia. There are still so many who need to hear. Especially very dear friends we made while there. Pray for us as we continue to break down these spiritual walls they have built. I don't know who will continue to try and reach them after we move.

Our family is looking forward to the next phase of ministry in Croatia. We are excited about those who want to come and help us. Keep us in your prayers that we would follow God's leading.

Sunday traditions revisited

For as long as Kevin and I have been married,we have always used Sunday nights to pile in the bed and go through the Sunday paper. He always started with the funnies and me the sale ads and coupons. Sunday was always a grueling day since Kevin was in a major position at the church.

I always had a plan of attack for Monday- Weight Watchers meeting, Walmart, then usually out with Kevin and the girls. Now things are different since we've lived in Europe... No Weight Watchers meetings, definitely no Walmart, but we do have sale ads. They usually all arrive by Wednesday before the new sale starts on Thursday. Once again, our same tradition continues just on a different day and different country. Oh and BTW... We don't have coupons in Croatia. It's a good thing I didn't get good at the extreme couponing stuff.

Tonight I'm looking at ads on the iPad. Technology has come so far, what did we do back in simpler times?!?

Pinteresting?!

Yes please, and lots of it! ;).
I really don't know where this has been all my adult life...
Like while I was planning our wedding,
or before we had babies!

Seriously, there are so many cute things out there!
Everything from hair, to outfits, DIY, PRINTABLES,
and don't get me started on the plethora of ReCiPeS for everything.

Those Six Sisters sure have me drooling over their recipes.

I also don't know how the ladies of How Does She? find the time and creativity for all
the stuff they do.

It really is a time sucker... I usually go on PInterest to look up something and thirty minutes later
I'm still there.

I must admit that Pinterest has helped me tremendously while living in Croatia to find homemade versions of many things we love.

Oh yeah and I'm going to be in big trouble if it ever goes away....must make plans to preserve my most loved and used pins.

So tell me, what is your most favorite thing to "pin"?

Well, it's early Saturday morning in Virginia and we are catching up with my girls sweet friends and their momma. We can't wait to see them, they've been so missed while we were away. I'm praying we find good friends for our children who will be kind and true. This is my biggest heart ache living so far from those we love. Can't wait.;).

Night all!

Sunday singing Anita i Igor - Kriste, Kriste, vjerom gorim

We had a lot of singing going on in our van this Sunday. 

Ever since revival a few weeks ago and after purchasing CDs from Evangelist Randy Perry and his wife Mary, our kids don't want to listen to listen to anything else!

Makes my heart happy to hear them say they want it loaded onto their MP3 players.  Hopefully I can share a video from revival soon.

Until then, here is another video from my playlist while I'm in the kitchen.

Mobile blogging

My blogging may be kind of sporadic. At times, this blog is often neglected. However, now I have an app for that! I love the Blogger app for iPad because I can use it when we are in the car. As missionaries, that happens a lot.

So maybe you can count on seeing more of me sharing the blessings, adventures, and yes even the trials of a missionary family. ;)

Mission field,Different, Ministering,Ladies

Lately I've been learning...
learning that missionaries are different.
We have strengths and weaknesses that make us unique.
They make us who we are.
It is amazing how God uses both for His honor and glory to minister to people. When we are weak, He is strong.
I've also learned that mission fields are different.
Sometimes I feel that Europe is too hard for missionary work.
We don't have people running to us wanting to hear the Gospel.
It would be real easy to just quit.
Then I remember those sweet times of people here in Croatia showing interest in what we have to say.
I remember that it was not our words, but God working through us.
He promised that He would not give us too much that we couldn't handle it.
I have to remind myself when I'm having "one of those" days, that Christ is the One who is working all things for His glory. It's not about me!

For our family, we will keep serving Him here even while times are slow and no one seems interested in the gospel.
We have found that if people see that we care about them and their everyday needs, then we will certainly care about their eternal souls. Loving our neighbors as ourself and not being selfish with our time.

I'm thankful that we have been welcomed warmly into our little corner of Croatia.:)

ebc

Our family had so much fun with our host family this week as well as with Curt & Melinda, my inlaws. We experienced a wonderful missions conference this past week in Hartsville, South Carolina. Their love for missionaries went way beyond their wallets. I believe many of them caught the vision and are making plans to participate in a mission trip this year. To God be the glory! We participated in life groups, ehops (prayer groups), and even met a man named Charlie Brown. I really enjoyed getting to know the ladies. It really was a sweet time. ;)