Love our Church

"The Real Presence of Heaven" from Buford Road Baptist Church on Vimeo.

The Prayer

One of my favorite songs sung here in the Croatian language! 

Blessings and Enjoy!

A shopping I will go

I was going through my purse last night to make sure I didn't have any gift cards hiding or Kohl's Cash needing to be spent. As I was going through it, I came across my coupons that I faithfully clipped, but always had a hard time using up. I often wondered why I even clipped them since most expired before I could use them up. I guess it was just something every mom did on Sunday night to save her family money on their grocery bill. In reality, It is a good thing I never got good at it because Croatia does not offer coupons. We simply save money by watching the ads, cooking from scratch, and eating at home.

While in Croatia, I really learned how to cook and use the metric system.  Okay, maybe Google had a greater part in helping as well! :) I must say that I am ready to go back and continue to provide healthy and delicious food for my family.  I'm thankful for Pinterest and all the cool homemade  versions of our favorite restaurant foods.  My mom also gave me her Copycat recipes book that I always devour when I'm at her house. I can't wait to use it!!

Okay, before I go, how do you prefer to make your shopping list? Pen & paper or on your phone?  I've tried making my list in the iPhone and iPad and it doesn't work for me. It doesn't matter what kind of app I use, pen and paper always win. 

My list always starts with:

Milk

Bread

Eggs 

Juice

Butter

Cheese

Yogurt

I can't help it, it must start this way!! Everything else is then categorized by type of food. Call me crazy, it's just the way I roll and one of my silly quirks.

Do tell, how do you save on groceries, make your list, favorite recipe?

Our last Sunday

Today is our last official Sunday at our home church here in Richmond, Virginia. We have enjoyed worshipping with our church family while here on furlough.  They have been a blessing. Please pray for Kevin as he is preaching that God would use him in a mighty way.  Whisper a prayer for the kids and I as well as we will be leaving some wonderful life long friends.  Anyone who knows me, knows that it doesn't take much to make me emotional.

So, to whoever reads my blog, (and I say that because I only have a few commenters) and don't really know who my audience is. Our service starts at 10:45, so please don't forget to remember us then.  Who knows, I might be able to link this service for your viewing pleasure by next week. 😊

Thanks you all. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday.

I {heart} Technology!

I also love the fact that OUR church services in Richmond, VA are now available online!!!

Wow, I'm like a kid at Christmas.

So happy

So blessed

Maybe a little spoiled!!

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!