Heidi's Wedding...

They are a bit late, but they're of the wedding I just went back for. The Batchlorette Party and the Wedding Day! (click on pics to see our beautiful faces a little more beautiful and closer to life size!)












The Bridal Party! Me, Amber, Heidi, and Julie.












Showing of our fun Rings
























The Morning of. Playing with out hair, drinking our coffee. Please notice my newly manicured red nails...



























Helping Heidi to get ready...I was on makeup and dress duty here
















The beautiful bride... Doesnt she look Hot?!
















The cute little couple!













Just hanging out!













Me and Amber looking cute...













We did our toes too!













Kicking back and Eating food after they drove off to the Sunset













They are GONE!!!!!!!!!!!

Its as easy as 1, 2, 3... or not...

About a month a go I realized my car insurance was about to expire. Because I bought the car from some friends I never registered the car under my own name so I knew that I should probably do that as I renewed my insurance. So I set off on a quest to figure out how to do all of that.

Johnny told me what I needed. My passport (with my new visa) & EMSO (my Slovene SSN). Go to AMZS. Do it there.

Sounded simple.
I wasnt worried.
I should have been.

First thing I realized was that I didn't yet have my VISA. But, it was waiting for me in the visa office. So I went and picked it up. Easy.

Once at home I realized I needed to register in the country so that I could get my EMSO.

So...back to the visa office. But before I could register and get my EMSO I was told I first needed a housing contract. They handed me the blank contract and I went home to call my landlord. He was in Naples, so his best friend and paperwork guy Gabriel fudged it over for me.

Back to the Visa office. Handed them my contract. Registered. Got my EMSO!

I got all of my papers together and went to AMZS. They were closed.

A few days later I tried again. Open! I handed them everything and in broken Slovene told them what I wanted. They gave me a weird look and told me that I first needed to get a contract with the old owners of the car. I asked repeatedly:

Me: ok, is this ALL I need?
AMZS girl: Yes its all.
Me: Anything else I should bring??
AMZS girl: Nope if you have the contract you will be fine.

So, I called up Anja from my church since the car used to be hers. She took the contract. Filled it out and gave it back to me.

Trip 3 to AMZS. Same girl working. Perrrfect. Handed her the contract. She looked at it and frowned.
AMZS girl: You didnt pay the tax.
Me: Excuse me? What tax?
AMZS girl: Right here on the form you didnt pay the sales tax. Go and pay the sales tax then come back.

Back to the Visa place...waited in line. Handed them my papers.
Me: Id like to pay the sales tax.
Visa lady: You are missing some papers. Have you gotten your car checked out?
Me: Um, no.
Visa Lady: Well you cant pay the tax until you get the car checked out. Do that then come back and pay the tax.

(Call Josh Patty in tears...after a "you can do it, go get 'em!" speech I drove to get my car checked out).

Car place. Go. Get it checked out (like a DEQ test). It fails. Im told I have three days to get it fixed.

Mechanic. He looks at the car. Explains whats wrong. I dont understand. Call Josh for translation. Turns out it was just cause the engine was cold. Leave it running while I wait next time.

Next day back at DEQ place. It passes!! I ask if I can start the insurance process.
DEQ lady: Hmm...It doesnt look like you paid the sales tax.
Me: Yah...about that....
DEQ Lady. First pay the sales tax, then come back and Register the Car.

Visa place again...(How many times have I been there?? People know me now.) I proudly show them that I pass my DEQ test.
Visa Lady: (Look at my papers. Frown.) You don't pay the sales tax here. Go Down town.

I go. They are closed for the weekend. Come back on Monday.

Monday (today), I show up. They look at my papers. I recognize the frown.
Visa Lady: You dont have enough copies of your contract. Go downstairs get some copies. Get them notarized and come back.

Go downstairs. Wait a very long time. Get the copies. Go back upstairs.

Once upstairs...
Me: Can I pay my tax now? I have my copies.
Sales Tax lady: (Looks at her watch) Oops, we just closed for lunch. Come back in an hour.

An hour later I show up.

Me: Can I please pay? (close to tears)
Sales Tax lady: You can, but you dont pay here. Here is the bill. Go to the Post Office across town. Then come back.

Ride my bike to the Post Office. Pay. Come back. I get the stamp of approval and green light to go Register my car.

Back to the DEQ place...hand them my papers...Register...Get on an insurance plan... And...

Im done!!!!

4 weeks later (Ok I took off two weeks for America). But I can officially drive in Slovenija. For another year.

Then I have to renew my registration.

For now though, Id rather not think about it.

Randomness

So Im back in Slovenija. America in a short summary:

North Carolina: shopping, sipping lemonade--wrap around porch-- rocking chairs--and fireflies, being robbed,many policemen, strawberry picking, tea parties, meeting so many people, laughing to the point of tears.
Chicago: missed my flight, sketchy hotel, waking up to screaming, tears, so glad to leave!
Oregon: Batchlorette Party, sketchy men, black boa's and glowing pink rings, old college friends, wedding, high heels that hurt my feet.
Washington: Family, Memorial Day Picnic, Pictures.

If you want more details, ask me, I like to tell stories, especially when they involve me! :)

My latest read is 1776. Ive kinda become a history nerd. I love the book...

A few of the Family...

Our Day...

My first day in North Carolina...
At 6am we were wide awake and talking!
Next came Devos
Then Shopping at the Mall
Running Errands
Stopped in at Robyns church. Met the church leaders. Talked about Slovenija. They prayed for me.
Bike Ride and photos
Lunch
Starbucks and Target
Home 8 hours later...
Laid on the bed and talked and talked and talked and laughed and laughed
Sat on the porch in rocking chairs, ate dinner, watched fireflies, and watched and the sun set...
I LOVE MY FRIEND ROBYN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Its been a fast week!

Tonight is Girls Bible Study and youth group. Tomorrow all day I will be in Gardaland (Amusement Park) with the junior highers. And then bright and early on Sunday I fly to America!

Pop Rocks...

It's real hard to order a cappuccino when your mouth is full of pop rocks. Real embarrassing too.

Back Again Back Again...

Repentence was the theme running through the Josiah Venture Spring Conference. We looked at King David's heart of repentence, epscecially as it compared to the unrepentent heart of Saul. Dave Patty was the speaker and as always when he speaks Im so encourged to seek the Lord deeper and be transformed by His Word. Sometimes I wonder how in the world I ended up living in Slovenija and working with Josiah Venture. It can seem like a dream. Three years (in June) here has truly changed me in deep ways. I am not the same person I was when I arrived. And for this reason, Im so so thankful the Lord has allowed me to be impacted by these people. I wouldnt change it for anything.

My Favorite Conference Moments...













Getting to see H2O, the new camp facility in Poland.












Following our president and leader Dave Patty as he taught us from the Word.














Sqaure dancing to a Czech Blue Grass band and a Czech Caller.














Worshiping in English.













Eating with The Ducks. Gracie Pitcher (9years old ): "We have GOT to do a meal with you! We are already doing lunch with David, but we could definitely do a dinner."














Laughing with my friend Corrie Jones who is moving back to America. I will miss her...














My heart to heart with Jacob Hash. He was explaining how the Jones kids leaving were effecting the social role he typically falls into. Is he really only 13yrs old?!?!








Pizza Hut in Slovakia on the way home.

For more pictures from Conference check out the link to my photo album!

Off again....

Its that time again! Spring Conference Time! Tomorrow at 8am we (Erin, Anna, Johnny, David, Katka, and myself) head up to join the rest of Josiah Venture in Czech! Dave Patty is the Speaker and as always Im expecting great amazing life changing things!!! Cant wait!!!

Check it out....!!

So, I started a photo album. Look at my fun pictures!! Right here -----> My Album

Čajna Hiša (Tea House)...

Closed till the 5th!! What will I do?! Good thing Im leaving for Czech!

I found this picture on the internet. Its kinda strange. But its the front of Čajna Hiša--my favorite place to sit, drink tea, and think about life (And joke around with the waiter!).

Who knew...

Every year camp has a theme song and dance. This year, I was one of the people in charge of making up the dance...who would have thought...!

******And for camp privacy reasons the video of our dance has been removed. Basically we dont want everyone to get tired of it before camp starts. :)

Vse Najboljše David in Mišo!!

Happy Birthday David and Mišo!!! We all hung out at David and Katka's the other day for a birthday party. It was one of the funnest nights Ive had in a long time! For a short video of their birthday party go to David's site, right here!

I just got my Visa today! It allows me to stay here for another two years! Will I be here that long?? Time will tell... :)

Guess whats coming???

Believe it or not English Camp is just around the corner!!! Be watching....cause its coming soon!

One tired little girl...

Sitting on my couch in my pajama's I feel as though I just ran a marathon! Im exhausted. What did I do today you might ask? Well let me tell...

Woke up in the six's--not sure why, way to early if you ask me
Went to the office for work
Had a Junior High Camp Meeting led by Johnny
Met with David about Highschool camp--ended up having counseling session about my life instead.
Met with two girls who are seniors in highschool, they want me to start tutoring them for the Matura (kinda like the SAT's).
Met with my Slovene tutor--who after realizing I was way too tired to think in Slovene took me out for coffee, paid for my coffee, and didnt charge me for the day's lesson. I have a wonderful teacher!

Why am I so tired you may ask? I look at my day and it was a pretty typical day! I really dont know why. But Johnny being the wonderful friend that he is, is bringing me dinner so I dont have to get up off the couch. And Anna is on her way home so that the three of us can watch the latest American Idol Episode. Tomorrow is my day of rest. Praise the Lord!!!

Trdna Skala...

Just over a year a go I stood with my fellow team members in a rundown room in the downtown area of Kranj (40mins from Ljubljana). We prayed for a new student center that Joel and Amy were opening up, which they named Trdna Skala (The Hard Rock). Tonight I sat in that same room, fully decorated and FULL of students! We had brought our youth group and combined with Joel's youth group for a night of FUN! It was such a blessing for my heart to see both groups laughing and having fun! For more info on Joel and Amy and Trdna Skala go to their blog! (www.woodardslo.blogspot.com)











Joel teaching in Trdna Skala














Trdna Skala logo

Slovene Class...

It was really hot yesterday so Katja (my slovene teacher) and I decided to go outside to have our little class. We ended up sitting on a Roman Wall built in 45-55AD right next to a pyramid. Pretty incredible!! Students were studying, sitting and talking and taking naps on this wall. I think its one of my new favorite spots. Its only a few blocks from my house and I never knew it!

A trip to the movies...

On Saturday a group of 22 of us went to see Mr. Bean Takes a Vacation. After the movie we hung out in the movie theater snapping fun pictures...





















Then we went to a coffee shop. The boys got bored pretty fast and so started goofing off in the little kids play section...What a wild night!
Thanks David for letting me steal your blog entry! :)

Idol night with the Pattys

Kendra (7yrs): Whats the "Yo Factor?"

Church Retreat...

Our church took off for an incredible weekend on the Croatian Coast!! I got to practise my Slovene--a lot, we had a baptism where Neja was baptised, Yuri (a guy that Miso led to the Lord), a few of our other youth, and an entire family! 11 Baptisms in all. Also during the week there were new Believers, open hearts, and many questions asked. The last day all of the youth went out for ice cream. It was pretty incredible to see how much the youth has grown, even since a few years a go... It was truly an incredible weekend.














Meagan, me, Neja, Anna.














Peter, Katja, and Taja. An entire family getting baptisted!














Terry Jackson baptising Neja. This was so so fun to watch!!!














Yuri rejoicing over his baptism!




















New Friends Boris and Mateja














New Friend Tommy















Andrej, Miso, Tommy, Boris goofing off!














Eating Ice Cream on the Beach!














Naja, Sasa, and I eating ice cream














Yuri, Anna, Naja, and I with the everyone















The youth hanging out right before we left Croatia...My how we've grown!!

Flasback...

Just a reminder that this was the youth a few years a go after our Church Retreat!!

Croatia...

Tomorrow at 3:30 I leave for Croatia. Be back Sunday!

Missing my own party...

So Tuesday was my birthday and yesterday the Jackson's invited us all over to their place to celebrate my birthday and watch 24. Sadly, I was sick yesterday. So they had my party without me. They even sang me happy birthday. Sadly, I missed it.

Cultural Fopaux

Like the good little Slovene gift giver that I am I bought two Gerber Daisies for Naja's mom on the day of her baptism. After I gave them to her she sweetly informed me that giving flowers in even numbers, such as two's, symbolizes death. I was basically saying I want her dead. That was not what I was trying to communicate! Dang it!

Lesson Learned...

Tuesday Night- Ordered my ticket on www.cheapseats.com
Wednesday Morning- Receive an email that my request for a ticket was unable to be processed.
Wednesday Night-Order ticket again on www.cheapseats.com (price increases).
Thursday Morning-Receive an email that my request for a ticket was unable to be processed.
Thursday Night-Order ticket again on www.cheapseats.com (price increases).
Friday Morning- Receive an email that my request for a ticket was unable to be processed.

Friday Afternoon- Walk to Slovenia Travel Agency. Buy my ticket. Walk home happy.

Lesson learned. Im not a fan of www.cheapseats.com!

Slovenija...North Carolina...Portland...

I just bought my ticket to the States! In May I'll be in Portland for my friends wedding. On my way there Im going to stop in North Carolina...cause hey its on the way....and be with my friend Robyn. Slovenija...North Carolina...Portland...and back!

Dr. Seuss...

Every Tuesday my friend Naja and I get together. Sometimes we sit on my couch, drink tea, and pray together. Other times we walk to a coffee shop, sit out in the sun, and laugh and laugh and laugh. Today it was snowing. So I took out my blanket, poured us some tea, and read her the Dr. Seuss book, "Oh the Places You'll Go." It was great!

So...be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O'Shea,
you're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So...get on your way!

What the world?!

Last week it was 70 degrees and sunny. Today its 32 degrees and snowing. What the world?! I cant take this kind of inconsistancy.

Sponge Bob

So, Anna flew into the Ljubljana airport Wednesday evening. I walked to the gate to pick her up and then as she stood on the sidewalk waiting with her luggage I ran back to get the car. Now, for the past few months the key to my car hasnt been working very well. It sticks in the lock pretty bad. Its been one of those things I just havent gotten around to getting fixed. This time as I stuck my key into the car door it started sticking again. It would start to turn and then just stop. I tried over and over again but to no avail. I started to get a bit panicky. Would I have to call someone to come pick us up?? I decided to try one last time. I jammed my key into the drivers side door and turned really hard, It worked!!! I hopped in the car and began to stick my key in the ignition. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed something large and yellow. Sitting on the dashboard staring back at me was a large Stuffed Sponge Bob. I sat there for a second wondering if it was some kind of joke. I dont normally carry a stuffed Sponge Bob with me. Infact, I never do. Where did it come from?? I turned around to see if there was anything else out of place and noticed small dog decals on my back window. It slowly dawned on me....I had just broken into someone elses car. This was not my car! I sat there completely frozed, I had NO idea what to do!! Then I sprung out of my seat and slammed the car door shut and began to walk away, then I realized the car door was left unlocked! I put my key into the door to lock it, but then there was that darn sticking again. It would not budge. After opening and shutting a few car doors I finally got all the car doors locked and I took off running!! Sure enough four cars down was my car. Identitical to the car I was just in but without Mr. Sponge Bob Square Pants!! What an ordeal!!

My girls...

I love em! This is at Neja and I at Naja's (middle)18th birthday party. I first met her when she was 15years old. Oh how time flies!

The Lost Daughter...

Yesterday I was in the mall with our highschool students playing a game. As I was walking amongst a sea of people I noticed a little boy. He was probably about 4 or 5years old and he was crying. Nearly screaming. I could tell he was lost and through his frantic screams he started to run. I could tell he didnt know where he was running. As he started to run I saw a woman. She was pushing her way through the people and running towards the little boy. Her son. In one quick motion she picked him up and they stood in the sea of people, arms wrapped around eachother and I heard the little boy sobbing , "Mommy Mommy Mommy" over and over again. Her little boy who once was lost, had been found.

This morning I read Luke 15 and listened to a PeterHiett sermon entitled "Lost Boys and How to Find Them". In Luke, after the son squanders all his Fathers money he comes to a realization. He has sinned against heaven and his Father. He no longer wants to be called his fathers son, but wants to be made one of his hired hands.

I have always read repentence in this place of the story. And yet the text states that the son wants to be his fathers hired servant, an employee. An employee receives nothing by grace. They earn everything. They get the boss' stuff, but not the boss. This boy is still lost. He doesnt want to be a son. He wants to be an employee. "Make me like one of his hired servants." It looks like repentence. But its evil.

So many times I come to the Father for his stuff. What he can do for me. I dont come to the Father to receive HIM.

The father saw his son. He had compassion on HIM. Threw his arms around HIM. And kissed HIM. The son's response, "Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

True Repentence. The son no longer asks to be an employee. He can only say, "Im unworthy". If I dont admit Im unworthy then I can never know grace. Because the Father in Heaven, IS grace.

I can only receive his love when I am stripped of the idea that I have earned it. I can only receive Him, when I am like that little boy that I saw in the mall yesterday. Broken. Clinging to nothing. Recognizing that I am completely and totally lost. It is then that my Father comes to me, brings me the best robes, puts a ring on my finger and sandals on my feet and gives me Himself.

Good things...

While in Rome I took a day to go visit Palentine Hill. Amazing. I sat under an olive tree and read my Bible. I stood in a field of flowers and talked to Jesus. I climbed up on some old ruins and looked out onto the whole city of Rome! The Lord spoke some good things. He's such a good God who loves to give good gifts to his children! It was just-- Good.

Nice!

Its 60 degrees and sunny today!