Happy Holidays from my family to yours...

Coffee with David and Katka!

The day after Christmas I braved the cold wintery Seattle world and met up with my two dear friends! I found them in the mall and we walked over to Starbucks. We didn't have a lot of time, but it was really great to catch up and hear a little bit of Slovene. Then we realized that Vec was having their Christmas party!!! So we called and chatted with the group.











On my way home I called again and got to talk a bit longer to some friends at the party. It was a wonderful day! And yes I took these pictures from the Bordners website. Thanks guys!!

My goodbye parties...

I had three goodbye parties as I was leaving Slovenia! It's taken me a while to post pictures--life was a bit crazy. But now I am snowed in with no where to go and so I have a bit more time.

Josiah Venture always does a really good job at saying good-bye to their missionaries. Dave Patty stood up front with me--and Johnny, Brooke, and Lori (THANKS GUYS!!) and everyone got a chance to say what they appreciated about me and what they will miss. People said the most beautiful things. Thank you so much to each one of you. The time was precious.





















I was not expecting this goodbye party!! SURPRISE!!!! My dear Lucy and Neja and a few others invited so many of my dear friends to the Patty's house and surprised me!! So many people came. It was an incredible surprise. THANK YOU!

























My Slovenia team had a Christmas party and a special goodbye time for me. They gave me the most incredible gift. Each family gave me a small gift to put inside this cool looking box! Every gift had meaning, a story, or represented something. Could have been the best gift Ive ever received.





















pogresam vas.
i miss you.

Im here!

Ive made it to the states! We've had a ton of snow and ice here. As Im writing, my Dad and brother Caleb are trying to put chains on the car so that they can make it to church. Ive actually been in bed the last two days with an awful cold. I think Im graduating to the couch today.

Im reading Le Miserables by Victor Hugo and knitting and watching old re-runs. Thats pretty much my life these days.

Oh I did spend a few days with the Grandparents. Grandma and I got to pray together, watch Pride and Prejudice, and we all played the card game Pinochle.

Surprise Party...

I move on Wednesday.
I had a surprise party on Friday.
This is a video that they showed.
I have such great friends.

JV Kids Talent Show

Me dancing it up with JV Kids!


Becca's goodnight song.

JV Thanksgiving Conference!!

Incredible food. Dear friends. American football--which I did not play. The JV Kids Talent show---I think it gets better every year! And saying goodbye to people I love oh so much. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving.















My pumpkin pie!











Gathering to give thanks.











Fun people and great food.











David Eiffling, Luka Patty, Abigail Woodard












Noah Ellenwood and Caleb Patty












Laurel Jackson, Hayley Ellenwood, Me, Meagan Jackson











JV Kids Talent Show!!











Saying Goodbye...












These sweet girls dedicated a song to me and Becca McMartin.











On a different note Hannah Ellenwood and Tyler Patty dedicated a song to Nate and Emily.











Nate and Emily!! She got to watch the entire show.











Nicholas Pitcher had a way cool talent!











Jacob Hash and his incredible juggling talent.











Who knew Tyler Patty was a Backstreet Boy?!












A final picture of me and the ducks. We missed the Runzo girls!!

Empty

My apartment is almost completely empty. No more couch and pretty chair. Most of my kitchen stuff, bedroom stuff, bathroom stuff, gone. So weird. And I still have till Tuesday before I give my keys to my landlord. So empty.

A few favorites from Malta...

A bit more about Malta, just because it was so great! Thank you to all of you that sent me notes and cards. It was so encouraging to be loved on by so many of you. I felt like I was treated like royalty this week!! The hotel was incredible, Malta gorgeous and the CHN staff fantastic! I only wish it could have been a few days longer...











View from my hotel room.
















The waterfront of Valletta the capitol.

















With Krista Ashmen, a friend from college who is serving with her husband in Sweden.












The group of us! Zvonko and Dubravka. Seba and Glorija. David and Katka. Me and Krista. Thank Jesse for taking this picture!












Jesse, Krista and I in Valletta.












Standing in front of the small island where the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked.
















Katka and I in the city of Mdina. A quiet sweet walled in city.
















Walking the quiet streets of Mdina.
















:) That was a lot of fun Krista. I wont forget that!
















Amazing waters on the island of Gozo.












Not the safest thing Ive ever done. But it sure was fun! This was in the Count of Monte Cristo.

Malta

Gone...

Gone to Malta, be back late Thursday night. The life of Missionaries and Millionaires...

Unbelievable!

Live rates at 2008.11.04 10:23:16 UTC
1.00 EUR	=	1.27425 USD
Euro		United States Dollars
1 EUR = 1.27425 USD		1 USD = 0.784774 EUR

New Hope Concert!

There is this church in California that comes out to Slovenija every year. They learn both Slovene and English songs and then combine their group with a group here. Together, Slovenes and Americans travel all over Slovenija singing and sharing the gospel through drama. They really do an incredible job!! The video I have posted is not one of their concerts but it's a taste of what they do! I went to the concert in Ljubljana and it was sold out!! Over 500 people!!

Special times with Special friends...

Last weekend I had spent the weekend with some close friends. Miriam and Ema who live in Zagreb, Croatia and Sarah who lives in Rijeka, Croatia. We ate yummy cheesecake that Miriam made, we did a make-over on Sarah, and we watched Pride and Prejudice--the Mormon version. Who knew that there was a Mormon version!? We watched in in 11 parts via youtube. It was a hilarious experience! Thanks for the fun times girls! Cant wait till you come see me in Lj!!

A Glimpse of the Queen and Prince Philip!

Today Queen Elizabeth II came to Ljubljana with her husband Prince Philip! Neja and I met up with the Jackson girls and Terry to watch the parade!












In the car coming down from her luncheon at the castle...
















Waving...














Its a bit blurry but she is in the middle with the cute hat...
















Without a doubt my clearest picture was of Prince Philip!












We sure had fun!!

2x3 Campaign... Are you coming?!

Date	City	Time	Venue
Oct 26	Bellevue, WA	7:30pm	Crossroads Bible Church
Oct 28	Portland, OR	7:00pm	Marriott Downtown Waterfront
Oct 30	Scottsdale, AZ	7:00pm	The Westin Kierland Resort
Nov 1	San Jose, CA	7:00pm	Marriott San Jose
Nov 3	Pasadena, CA	7:30pm	The Westin Pasadena
Nov 6	Atlanta, GA	7:00pm	Hyatt Regency Downtown
Nov 7	Hamilton, ONT	7:00pm	Crowne Plaza
Nov 8	Peoria, IL	7:00pm	The Waterhouse
Nov 10	Minneapolis, MN	7:00pm	Marriott City Center
Nov 11	Denver, CO	7:00pm	Hyatt Regency Downtown
Nov 13	Oak Brook, IL	7:00pm	Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort

http://www.2x3campaign.com/


Next Generation from Josiah Venture on Vimeo.

One Percent from Josiah Venture on Vimeo.

Sushi and Kuzco!

Naja came over and we one of the funnest nights Ive had in a long time!! We made our own sushi! Had a delightful meal with Asian music in the background (thank you English Camp). Deep thought provoking conversation. And then we laughed it up with Emperors New Groove! Simply delightful. I like you Naja--a lot!