Once upon a time (yesterday) a girl named Christina and her friend named Anna took off on a little adventure. They drove and drove against heavy traffic with the hot winds blowing in their face because they had no air conditioning, and then finally arrived at a beautiful lake...
Sadly the sun had just hidden itself behind a cloud. But the two girls determined to relax from their stressful weeks at camp decided to stay anyway. Once the rains came they jumped back in their car and drove until they found the garden home of Tito (former leader of Yugoslavia). This home had been turned into a coffee shop overlooking the beautiful Lake Bled with the small island in the middle! So they decided to stop in for a cup of coffee...
Inspired by the beauty of the castle-like-home, the picture of Tito watching over them from above, and the thunder storm raging outside, they took out a rather exciting and scary novel and began to read to each other. They read for hours. Even the waitress became curious and asked questions about what they were reading...
At times the story became so intense and the thunder and lightning outside so ominous that the two girls shook with fear!
But they just kept on reading...
Finally after many hours the tired little girls climbed back into their car and drove home. What an adventure! What a day!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~
I leave today for a two week theological training program up in the mountains of Slovenija! It should be pretty incredible!
At camp we showed a Free Hugs video. Well some of our students were touched by this and set off to do their own Free Hugs Campaign. They ended up making their own video too. This is why I love my job!!!!!!!!!
Just got back from two camps literally back to back. Junior High Day Camp in Ljubljana (which I still dont have pictures from yet) and then the day after that I turned around and went to Cakovec Croatia to help out some friends with an English Camp down there. I got back and am pretty exhausted. I posted some fun pictures on my album if you want to see them. Our internet modem broke so if you are wondering why I havent called you or responded to your email now you know. I have limited email access and my phone isnt working since its through the internet. Hopefully it will all be up and working soon. Sunday starts a two week theological training camp in the mountains of Sovenija. Meanwhile Im resting and reading the newest Harry Potter (THANKS GASPER!).
Today a group of us went over to Johnny's house for a 4th of July BBQ. Afterwards, since we didnt have an American Flag, we found one on Google and all stood around the computer. We said the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the Star Spangled Banner, and then watched a fireworks show on the computer. It didnt last long though cause a little box kept popping up on the screen telling us "this is a trial version please register for the real version" or something like that. Well, it was memorable at least!!
It was seriously one of the best camps Ive ever done. And here are the pictures to prove it!
The Castle we lived in...
My fun class!
We called ourselves the Black Pirates.... Can you tell?
Here I am leading a class group activity...
David was our Director... This is him on Mexican Night.
And Miso a.k.a. Filipe... was our other director....(Also on Mexican Night).
Josh Patty was our Speaker. Our theme was the Underground (like in London). "What if we all lived in the Underground. Not realizing there was a whole world much more real, above us??" He did such an incredible job. The kids LOVED him!
One of our nights we had a birthday party for Luke Patty! He was one year old!!
Many strange things happened that night. Including John MacMurray in a diper...you had to have been there!!
Another night was 70's Dance Night!!
Dancing, crazy clothes, and so much fun!
Me and Katka on Mexican Night.
I helped lead the camp theme song dance...
Me and Kendra Patty.
Hanging out during the game time.
As camp came to an end these girls decided they wanted to learn more about Jesus. We will be starting a girlsl group together! I cant wait!
Our whole Camp. We had over 90 of us at the castle. Such a great time! Still want to see more pictures? Click here!
Im back from one of the best English Camps Ive ever been a part of. It was incredible! Stories and pictures will soon follow...
I just want to note that I have my computer back!!! For those of you that dont know when I was in North Carolina about a month a go the house I was staying in was robbed and my computer was stolen. Long story short, I finally have it back!!!
My JV Slovenija Family... Tomorrow Camp activities officially start! So...I wont be around much, but feel free to drop me a note and I will write ya when I get a chance! If you think of it, say a prayer for us. We will be working hard! The first camp--for me--is Castle Camp in Austria!
This Summer one of the Camps I will be helping with will be in Čakovec, Croatia. Niall McSheffry asked if myself and our two intern girls could come and help him out. So, this last weekend I took Mary and Lindy down to Čakovec for an English Camp Training Meeting. We met the team of Croatians we will be working with. Practiced the Theme Song. And we ate Pizza! Then after our training the girls and I went to the Horvat's house (A Christian family we will be working with) and spent the evening walking around their property, eating fruit from their beautiful fruit orchards and gardens, and then lastly we pitted 7 and 1/2 gallons of cherries!! This actually took most of the evening. It was an experience I have never had before! But we laughed a lot and took some fun pictures. For a few more pictures click HERE!
Mary and Lindy showing off all our hard work! It took around 2 and 1/2hrs to empty the buckets!
(l-r) me, Filip Horvat, Reuban Horvat, Mary and Lindy. Showing off our cool aprons and cherries!
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
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.
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...
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ive lived in 8 cities.I love lattes.I love to ponder life.My heart beats CA.I love sunshine & sand in my toes.I love curling up with a book I love flip flops & tank tops.I love worshiping my Jesus.I love to journal.I love meeting people & hearing their stories.I love photographs that hold memories.I love sitting in coffee shops on rainy days.I love sitting around the dinner table with my family.I love big hugs.I love reflection.I love dreaming big dreams.I love seeing people walk in freedom.I love being at rest.I love chocolate from Europe.I love cobblestone streets.I love grandparents.I love meeting someone & knowing you're destined to be good friends.I love that God's Word reveals my soul.I love watching the 6hr version of Pride and Prejudice.I love things that feel soft on my skin-including peaches.I love finding an old note from a friend.I love tears that come when I realize how deeply God the Father loves me.I love laughing so hard it hurts.I love talks around a camp fire.I love camps in castles.I love knowing my future is in the hands of my God.I love laughing with teenagers.I love car rides when the sunroof is open.I love singing loudly.I love when the seasons change.
