Monday, January 30, 2006

Big week in the spotlight!

Katka singing with Anzej at Slovene's version of American Idol. She is second from the left! They won! Eurovision Competition and Greece here they come! Posted by Picasa
Although the pic isnt the best quality you can see Katka on the far far left, hand in the air, singing with Anzej. If you want to hear the song or see the video clip, let me know! I got it!
Ok, so, funny story...There I was last friday morning, in my pajamas enjoying a quiet slow morning and Terry Jackson calls me. He asks if I have plans. I tell him, Well, not at the moment. He responds with, "Well good. Because the President of Slovenija will be at your place in 45 minutes and I wanted to make sure you were decent just in case we need you to make us tea or something." Within 20 minutes I not only took a shower, got dressed, and blowdryed my hair. I also cleaned my house. Needless to say, the meeting place, actually the Baptist Church but also doubles as my house (I live in the top room) was changed at the last minute and I never met the President. However, this picture shows the President with Sebastian (our youth pastor) and Terry (missionary leader on our team) in the background!! They were also on TV!! We were pictured because there is a group of men from our church that pray for him on a regular basis. The title of the article is translated: Drnovsek (the president) makes his own movement (for justice). From what I understand one article printed said that Sebastian and Terry were Lutheran Monks. Well...what can you do! Posted by Picasa

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Slovene American Idol

So Slovenia has this thing called Ema--similar to American Idol. A bunch of Slovenes competing in a singing competion. Whoever wins becomes super popular and goes to Eurovision which is the big Europe singing competition. Well many of you know my dear friend Katka. This year she was singing back up vocals for Anzej Dezan (www.anzej.com), who tonight WON the Ema competition!!! We are all super excited for her--an him too of course. It was also kinda fun for them to win because yesterday she invited me to come to their rehearsal. It was there that I got to hang out with Anzej Dezan and Katka in their dressing room as they practised. I met a bunch of the other singers too, but it was pretty obvious that Anzej had more talent and was much more respectable then the rest. And of course had the most amazing back up vocalists!! Go Katka!!!! The competition is in Greece this year. Tonight I asked Katka if she needed a personal assistant....!

Monday, January 23, 2006

Croatia...

Yesterday I got back from a youth retreat in Croatia. Our youth group named Več (means “more” in Slovene) joined other Croatian youth groups for a weekend conference on Apologetics. It was Incredible! The speaker was Matt Morginsky from the American ska band the Supertones. He gave helpful tools on how to share their faith and some practical ways to do this. One night there was a concert with Matt and a Croatian band, SeekersPlanet. It was a hit!! My favorite part was watching our group interact and love each other. Being a new youth group and not knowing any of the other youth groups I was not sure what to expect. However leaders were so amazed at our group and began asking us how we do youth ministry, because they wanted to emulate it! What an incredible weekend...
Worship Time... Posted by Picasa
80-90 Croatian and Slovene highschool students and leaders gathered for a weekend of worship, teaching, and fellowship. Posted by Picasa
Mateja and I learning lots! She told me multiple times how much she enjoyed the worship portion of the conference. Posted by Picasa
Supertones singer Matt Morginsky sharing with us about apologetics.  Posted by Picasa
The ska band SeekersPlanet have toured in the US with the Supertones. They were really good!! We are hoping they come to Ljubljana soon!! Posted by Picasa
Our Youth Group!! After such a wonderful weekend it was hard to leave! Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Rome...

So on Saturday I was sitting in an apartment with Johnny and Andy Dryden (a friend of ours from Portland area), and we were trying to figure out what to do. We pulled out a map and decided, Lets go to Rome! The next day we took off on our 8hr trip! We walked, biked, sat in restaurants and toured. It was a ton of fun!
Enjoying the Day... Posted by Picasa
Standing in St. Peter's Basilica.  Posted by Picasa
A fountain in front of the Pantheon... Posted by Picasa
Enjoying the beauty... (notice the Colosseum?)Posted by Picasa
Italy, bicycle, and a rose. What more could a girl ask for?! Posted by Picasa
Can you believe the Roman Forum!!? Posted by Picasa
Rome by Night... Posted by Picasa
Just hanging out at the Roman Colosseum!

Monday, January 09, 2006

Saving Grace

Not long a go I was at the Jacksons house and Lori let me listen
to this song. I was deeply touched by the words and amazed at
how beautifully it painted the picture of my work here in Slovenija.
In reality it is the work that every believer is called to. But
as I listen to this song, I see so clearly specific faces of so
many girls that I encounter every
day...
Saving Grace
She had her father's blue eyes
He left home before she arrived
Momma named her Grace
Just getting by on their own
When Grace was 15
She ran from home
One December day
Grace is lost and alone
In a world as cold as stone
God is counting on us
To reach her with his love

CHORUS
It's all about saving Grace
All about living love
Being Jesus
To those He came to save
Sharing life
And giving our own away
All about serving God
All about saving Grace

She'd never darken the door
Of any church
She would say "What for?
No one there would care for me"
We Have to go where she lives
Simpy show her who Jesus is
Watch him set her free
For grace flows down from above
And faith requires a self-less love
For a world
That's dying to see
The hope in you and me

It's all about saving Grace
All about living love
Being Jesus
To those He came to save
Sharing life
And giving our own away
All about serving God
All about saving Grace

There are countless millions
Just like Grace
Who need a merciful embrace
They won't believe our god is real
Until they feel his touch

Saving Grace
Living love
Being Jesus
To those He came to save
Sharing life
And giving our own away
All about serving God
All about saving Grace

Being Jesus
To those He came to save
Sharing life
And giving our own away
Serving God
All about saving Grace