Fall Conference!

JV Conference continually marks an incredible time in my life. I feel like the Lord always does something significant in my heart and I walk away changed. This week at conference was just that! Through Dave's talks, Josh Patty's teaching and the teaching of many other skilled and gifted men, I was really challenged with the way I live my life and do ministry. The Lord went after some huge areas of my heart and through times of prayer, journaling, and talks with my JV family I am now rejoicing in the goodness of our God! Im so thankful He never wants me to remain stagnant but is always pushing me towards growth and towards His Person. Josiah Venture has truly shaped me these last few years and I know that I am a different person then I was three years a go. I really thank the Lord that he called me to this Body of Believers.












Team Slovenija! Plus a few special visitors. And one cardboard sheep.











Dave Patty, president of JV, is very expressively teaching us about Leading the way Jesus leads... as well as how not to...











JV is now in 10 different Eastern European countries!

Fall is here...

Today feels like the first day of Fall. Technically I think the first day of Fall was a few days a go, but today it actually felt like it. I could see it in the leaves and feel it in the air--ok, the terenchal downpour! This week has marked a bunch of firsts for me. I just had the first day working in the office. The first time meeting in our girls Bible group. And my first Slovene Class.

I always like new beginnings. Lucy Maud Montgomery in Anne of Green Gables says, "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it!" I feel like that with a new season. So many promises yet to unfold...

Im attaching a picture of my new girls group. (l-r Tjasa, Polona, Urska, and me!) We are doing a new study that JV has just released called, Elements. I really really like these girls!!

Goodbye Metka....

Our dear friend Metka left for the year for Belfast Bible College! We had a going away party for her at my house. I read her the Dr. Seuss book, "Oh the Places You'll Go" and we talked about what we loved about her.

We love you Metka and are excited for what God will do in your life in Ireland!

So fun I had to post them again!

Heidi just sent me some of her wedding photo's and they were just so fun that I had to post 'em! We are fun friends!!

(Wanna see more of my life? Click on My Photo Album!)

The coolest kids in the world...

JV Kids just happen to be the greatest!! Camp was so so much fun, here is a little taste...

My group--the Ducks.
Our own beach!
Wet swimsuits...all week long...
Lots and lots of sunscreen!
Playing Ultimate What?! with squid.
The Ducks wanting to take the squid home.
Scavenger hunt, deserted island, a few monks and a solitary monastery.
Gracie asking if the monks did crafts.
Learning from Andrea.
Praying for the persecuted church.
Praying for our friends.
Praying together.
Becca Patty's sweet prayers.
Nina, my little surfer girl.
Kelsie's gift.
Gracie announcing she had Hug Deprivation.
Emily's hugs.
Kiley's amazing cleaning skills.
Many little girls falling out of beds and talking in their sleep.
Late night runs with Katka.
Staff meetings.
Staff Perks.
Worshiping together with Hannah and Tyler.
Sunsets.
Many Hugs.

It just keeps getting cooler...

A few entry's back I showed a video of Free Hugs. After camp one of our junior high students, Steven, was so impacted by our camp that he went out and did his own Free Hugs campaign. Well folks...it gets cooler.

Last week, he went out and did it a second time! As I was watching the video I noticed something really amazing. I knew the boys giving out the free hugs, but the girls...never seen them before! Who are they? Most likely people that Steven recruited...on his own! What is happening in this city?! God is moving and it's really exciting!!

A trip to Rijeka

So right before I took off for kids camp I stopped down in Rijeka, Croatia to visit a new Josiah Venture missionary family. Stevo and Sarah Vuletić and their children Nina, Daci, and Marko. Some highlights were, eating figs off of the fig tree, taking family pictures, eating ice cream--twice!, talking with Sarah, playing Monopoly, and visiting with my dear friend Ines who is a cousin of Katka Bordner (yes, David's new wife!). We really had so much fun that I just had to post a few of our pictures!

Next up...JVK!!!!!!!

What are JVK you might ask? Josiah Venture Kids!! They are Third Culture Kids, which don’t totally fit in either of their cultural worlds. In their national schools, they’re different because they’re American. In the States they’re different because they’re not normal American kids. The JVK Community is one of the only places where JVK completely fit in and feel normal.

We are about ready to embark on JVKids Camp! During this time together we have things that represent all the different parts of who they are. A church group sends us special American kid snacks like oreos, mac and cheese, wheat thins and stuff to make s’mores. And when we teach the Bible, we apply it specifically to their lives as TCKs living in between worlds. Once a staff member overheard a tent full of jr high boys discussing exchange rates of world currencies late into the night. All the unusual parts of them seem absolutely normal at camp! (taken from Becca McMartin's Blog. Check it out, she does an AMAZING job with these kids!)

Kriz Theological School.

Just over a week a go I returned from our Theological school called Kriz (pronounced Kreesh) which means "cross" in Slovene. Here are some fun pics from my time there!

So I got one...

I finally gave in and bought one. I do live in Europe. Rolling suitcases aren't really ideal on the cobblestone streets. And better yet, Nate Hughes will no longer think I'm an intern. I'm glad we could work through our differences on travel apparel and still be friends! This entry is dedicated to you!

JH Camp....Long Overdue

Hat Club Goes to Piran...

Hat Party...

So we are the Hat Club. (l-r) Anna, Erin, Brooke, me.

Happy Holidays!

Today is a Holiday.

The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Holiday. According to Wikipedia and according to Roman Catholic doctrine, the Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory on this day. This means that Mary was transported into Heaven with her body and soul united.

This also means that every store was closed today including the post office where I pay my bills. I found this out after I ventured down town with my bike.

Bummer!

Important Numbers...

83 Unread emails I had in my inbox yesterday.
36 Days I have been at camp this summer.
17 Days I have had off since camp began.
11 Hours I slept last night after getting back from Camp.
10 Loads of laundry Anna and I have to do right now.
9 Days before my next camp.
6 Hrs a day we spent in The Bible at Theological Camp.
6 Days of Camp I still have to do.
5 Average number of Mosquito Bites Ive had all summer.
4 Times Ive packed my suitcase since June.
2 pieces of French Toast I had this morning.
1 Michael Buble Concert I am looking forward to.

In a land far far away...

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!

Cakovec Camp Slideshow...

Free Hugs...

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!!!!!!!!!

Camp Camp Camp...

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!).

Junior high

Camp starts again today....