Driving in Europe

Well, I must say that I never would have imagined that I would ever drive in another country, but I have. In fact, I have driven in two countries - Czech Republic and Austria. It still is a little bit unreal to me. When I first got here, I was scared to drive. Everyone seemed to drive so fast, and the speed limits seemed very high. It's 130 kilometers per hour on the interstate. Though that equals out to about 80 miles per hour, it just seemed so much faster. Of course, the signs were different and many of the road rules varied too. For instance, in the Czech, you always have to drive with your headlights on. Plus, drivers are not allowed to talk on the cell phone when they drive. Now that I've been here a couple of months, I rarely even think about it. It's neat how I've gotten use to things that first overwhelmed me.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Today we experienced our first snowfall. Though the snowfall didn't last that long or accumulate very much, it was very pretty. I was headed out to the Barnes' house when I realized that the rain had turned to snow. Of course, I don't like driving in even the slightest winter weather, so I hurried on over. It was fun though because I got to "run" in the snow!

Let It Snow!
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
And since we've no place to go
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

It doesn't show signs of stopping
And I've bought some corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

When we finally kiss goodnight
How I'll hate going out in the storm!
But if you'll really hold me tight
All the way home I'll be warm

The fire is slowly dying
And, my dear, we're still goodbying
But as long as you love me so
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

(Lyrics taken from http://www.metrolyrics.com/let-it-snow-lyrics-christmas-carols.html).

Liz came to visit!

My friend Liz Byrd came to visit me for a week. I must say it was one of the most encouraging times for me. Before, I supported short term trips overseas to partner with missionaries. Now, I highly suggest it. It's nice for someone else to have a visual of where you live, what you're doing, the ministry, etc. Plus, it's lots of fun!

This is me and Liz on the Charles Bridge in Prague. It was so cold!

Here we are at the castle in Cesky Krumlov.

In the town square in Ceske Budejovice

Gift Giving

When you are invited to a Czech home, there is one thing you must do. You must bring a gift. It is considered very rude if you do not. Gifts can include flowers, candy, candles, etc. Also, it must be presented as a gift. In other words, if you pick up flowers at the store, you must remove the plastic wrap and then wrap it as a gift. Candy should be placed in a gift bag, etc. In addition, you must be careful what type of flowers you give and how many. Odd number flowers are given as gifts; even numbers are given at funerals. Red carnations should not be given as gifts. This cultural rule has kept me alert the couple of times I have been in Czech homes.

I was thinking about this tradition and trying to decide if we had anything like it in the States. I would compare it to bringing part of the meal. If you're invited to someone's home in the States, you usually offer to bring dessert, a drink, etc. That way, you help lessen the burden of the one preparing the meal. This is the closest thing I could think of as being comparable to gift giving to the host family in the Czech.

Snail Mail

One of the ways God has blessed me while I've been here is through the encouragement of others. Not only have I rediscovered the excitement of "snail mail," but I've also realized how much of an encouragement it can be. It's not the stuff that's inside; it's the realization that people are still thinking about you. I've watched the Barnes' kids' faces light up when they see a package. Of course, we all like to get the "stuff" inside. And it's so exciting when anybody gets a package. For instance, the other day, Dustin sent me a package with the new High School Musical 3 soundtrack and a magazine. The kids were almost as excited to see what it was as I was (not quite though). :) It was neat because I was able to share the magazine with the girls. Several of us got to benefit from the package's contents. Perhaps the cards or notes that are inside is the most encouraging thing though. I really like to get updates from home (or Thailand). Since I've enjoyed it this much, I've tried to send at least one "snail mail" card home a week too. This way, hopefully, others can rediscover this joy!

Christmas Anticipation

I must admit that while I write this post, I am listening to Mercy Me's Christmas cd and enjoying every minute of it. In fact, I'll confess, I've been listening to Christmas music consistently since I returned from Greece (the end of October).

I just love Christmas time. It's not the one day of the year (though I do really enjoy the particular day); it's the anticipation of the day. In the USA, I imagine stores are decorated for Christmas. Since Halloween is over, the Christmas merchandise has probably been moved to the front of the stores. The stores attempt to put irresitible sales out to customers, and the spending begins. After Thanksgiving, neighbors begin to put lights up and blow up snowmen in their front yards.

However, it's not all the commercialism of the holiday that really gets me. I love the time with family and friends. In fact, I'm anticipating it this year probably more than ever. One, I have a new appreciation of my Savior who came to a people who would not understand Him. Two, I will truly treasure the time with my family and friends. It'll involve trying to tickle my mom by reading the clues on the presents a few days before Christmas or singing "Grandma Got Ran Over by a Reindeer" with my brother. It's going to be making our seafood dinner on Christmas Eve with my brothers or begging my dad to go look at Christmas lights. It'll be watching Dustin's face light up with his super good "Czech" present or thanking the Lord that I get to spend another holiday with both sets of grandparents.

God has truly blessed me again. And though, while I'm enjoying my time in the Czech now, I look forward to this Christmas season. Not only do I get to experience a little of it in two different cultures, I really do have a new perspective of Christmas this year. I'm so thankful.

"A God Thing"

You ever have one of those times when God totally knocks your socks off? I had one of those moments recently. I had been having a tough weekend. (Weekends can be lonely.) Well, needless to say, I was having a "woe is me" time. I had taken my perspective off God and had placed it on myself. Well, without going into a lot of detail, God set me straight. He provided me with encouragement and reminded me why I am here. It was probably the highlight of my time so far. It was one of those times when I had to look back and say, "Only God could have orchestrated that! I am so blessed!"