I'll be back later

We are spending the next wonderful week with my family on a much needed vacation.  I'll be back later with pictures and stories to share.  Thanks for reading. ;)

Great Expectations

Everyone has them.

Some expect more than others.

What happens when our expectations are set too high?

-Disappointment

-Sadness

-Frustration

-Perhaps rejection 

As a missionary, we have expectations of how our furlough will go, how long it will take to raise our support, and when we will arrive on the field.  Sometimes our expectations are not doable because ultimately God is in control.  His timing is perfect.  If we had arrived in Croatia when we expected, we would not have been able to stay long. Croatia has just suspended the visa we needed.  God knew exactly when we needed to be in Croatia even though we were frustrated with traveling by that time.

I have learned in my 35 years of living not to set my expectations too high when it comes to lots of situations.  I am the type that gets disappointed easily when things don't work out.  I have learned that people and circumstances may let me down.  When things work out...great!  When circumstances go differently than expected...God has a plan and I shouldn't fret. God will never let me down.

When we arrived in Croatia, I thought for sure that we would be bombarded with phone calls on our US phone, letters, and messages saying how much we were missed.  Don't get me wrong, we did receive all of the above from time to time. I have NO doubt we were missed and that many prayers were lifted up on our behalf. Friends move on and change. Maybe my expectations were set too high.  You see, life did go on in Croatia and America after we left.  Life got busy and I know we didn't  keep in touch like we needed to.  I regret that.

Furlough has been a mix of many emotions for all of us. People we loved so much died, church was different, friends changed, no one understands you or your experiences. We were having reverse culture shock.  We were so excited upon our arrival.  We randomly called out our favorite places as we saw them.  Noah was reading signs.  We were giddy beyond belief!!  The newness has worn off now.  Living in a foreign country changes you.  You are kind of like a fish out of water.  All of a sudden we are not "in the loop" anymore.   I'm finding myself now making a bucket list before we leave Virginia of things I want to do and friends I want to see.  I'm running out of time.  My weeks are filling up quickly.  I only have a month left.  I am finding myself wanting to be in both places at once.  I hope our friends and family know just how much we love them and hope they promise to see us in Croatia.

Croatia needs us.  We have friends who are counting on us to return.  The Lord is counting on us to return and continue to share the Good News of the Gospel.  

So you may be wondering what am I expecting when we return?  My answer is that I don't know.  Eventually, we will relocate to a totally different part of Croatia apart from the many Americans we were with previously.  Things will be different there.  I'm sure lots has changed since we've been gone.  All I know to do is take life one day at a time looking to the Lord for guidance, strength, and peace.

I hope this didn't bore you.  It was just on my heart today.  Please excuse the poor grammar as well.  At least I'm consistent in something...and in both languages I might add.  Happy Monday!  

Where is Home for a Missionary Kid?

I guess it would depend on the child as to where they feel home is.  When we went to Croatia, Noah was just barely four years old.  He has spent half of his life in America and half in Croatia.  I think he identifies more with Croatia.  It's really all he remembers.  This video I found talks about just that.  Maybe you will understand more of what a missionary kid goes through as he/she eventually becomes a Third Culture Kid.

How Great is Our God

Lover of Christian music

that brings glory to God

and stirs the heart

 to worship the Lord.

Our God is GREAT and MIGHTY TO SAVE

us from our sins if we just ask!

I'm so glad I found this in the Croatian language.

Incidently, this concert took place in our hometown in Croatia

just after we arrived.

Enjoy!

Trim Healthy Mama

Many of you may have traveled or are traveling down the road called "Weight Loss Journey" a time or two.  Why is it that when that road gets bumpy and hard to follow, we give up.  Maybe we have hit a weight loss plateau. Maybe we have cheated one too many times and the weight is slowly creeping back on us.

I too have walked that road a time or two.  I had a lot of success with Weight Watchers after having Ally.  I lost 25 pounds and then started deputation a year later!  Needless to say, I gained it all back and then some...another pregnancy!!

I often wonder if I will ever make my goal weight and feel comfy with the way I look and feel?  I want to desperately, how about you?  What is stopping us?  We all know that the weight didn't come on us overnight.

Just recently through Facebook I have heard a lot about Trim Healthy Mama.  I joined the fan page and saw before/after pictures of women that looked just like me.  They all looked amazing!  I had to know their secret, so I bought the e-book.  The thoughts behind their plan is that our bodies are being bombarded by way too much fat and carbs together.  Our bodies cannot handle that kind of eating.  These ladies have come up with a plan to simply just separate high fat meals from those with sensible carbs.  This way your body can focus on burning on fuel at a time and then burning your own body fat.  I have not been following the plan to the letter, but I have lost 6 pounds in 3 weeks. 

If you are interested in knowing more about Trim Healthy Mama, the best place to start is HERE.  I will say that this diet may not be for everyone. 

Croatian Bible Study- New Fall Study

Over the summer I joined a Croatian/English Bible study through Good Morning Girls.  I remembered seeing a while back that they were going to offer the Bible study in the Croatian language.  I thought...perfect!  It would help me with constant language in front of me daily.  Well, it was helpful and a little overwhelming all at the same time.  I'm glad that I joined though because I "met" some really wonderful Croatian women hungry to hear from God.  A few of them are located in my hometown in Croatia! Bonus!!  I'm thankful for being able to cross paths with Rosilind, who is serving the Lord with her husband Zlatko.  She is doing a great job heading up Dobro Jutro Djevojke!!

We are doing a new study for fall, Ljubiti kao Isus and I can't wait.  If you want to follow the Bible study in English click HERE.

A Lovely Song

Lovely words and harmony about how the Lord hears the cries of His children when we are in need.  Also, He hears the cry of one who realizes their need of salvation.  I may not always stay in touch with friends, but it is good to know that God is there the second I speak His name!

I don't know all the words to this song or the exact meaning, but from the parts that I do know it is a blessing to my soul.