My other half on the other half of the world

My beloved, who is on the other side of the world has been teaching english (some English classes are run at the airport and some in highschool or evening classes), sorting our belongings in the Smith's attic (we still have loads of boxes up there from four years ago when we were living in CZ) and catching up with some of our dear friends. There are still a few believers in the church who we remember but of course there are new folks too. Sometimes over time it is sad to see a few that are either discouraged in their faith or seem to have no faith at all. We continue to pray for the church in Kladno - for those that have remained strong and for those who are following the world. One young man we knew has grown in his faith and was actually the interpreter for David when he preached last Sunday. We praise the Lord for His outworking!

Thank you Lord for sweet blessings

I have just (and I mean only minutes ago) been really blessed by two sweet girls from our local church. They dropped in tonight (checking to make sure the lights were on so it wasn't too late) with a meal and a dessert. They were wanting to bless me with a meal while David is overseas. I was so blown away! They came together and presented the lovely dishes and Vanessa had even thought of Joshua's love of insects. She had a little box with a butterfly painted on the lid. Inside is a beautiful, yellow butterfly with intricate markings. I can't wait to show my insect-loving boy in the morning when he wakes up (of course, he may just spot it first!).

And I only wish I had the camera (hubby has it overseas) to show you the lovely meal and the two sweet girls who delivered it but a photo of our church will just have to do (I know, I know, it isn't nearly sufficient is it?)

Don Francisco

Here's a song I have been enjoying lately (in light of Easter)
Not quite the same just reading the lyrics i know...

He's Alive!

The gates and doors were barred
And all the windows fastened down
I spent the night in sleeplessness
And rose at every sound
Half in hopeless sorrow
And half in fear the day
Would find the soldiers breakin' through
To drag us all away

And just before the sunrise
I heard something at the wall
The gate began to rattle
And a voice began to call
I hurried to the window
Looked down into the street
Expecting swords and torches
And the sound of soldiers' feet

There was no one there but Mary
So I went down to let her in
John stood there beside me
As she told me where she'd been
She said they might have moved Him in the night
And none of us knows where
The stone's been rolled away
And now His body isn't there

We both ran toward the garden
Then John ran on ahead
We found the stone and empty tomb
Just the way that Mary said
But the winding sheet they wrapped Him in
Was just an empty shell
And how or where they'd taken Him
Was more than I could tell

Oh something strange had happened there
Just what I did not know
John believed a miracle
But I just turned to go
Circumstance and speculation
Couldn't lift me very high
'Cause I'd seen them crucify him
Then I saw him die

Back inside the house again
The guilt and anguish came
Everything I'd promised Him
Just added to my shame
When at last it came to choices
I denied I knew His name
And even if He was alive
It wouldn't be the same

But suddenly the air was filled
With a strange and sweet perfume
Light that came from everywhere
Drove the shadows from the room
And Jesus stood before me
With his arms held open wide
And I fell down on my knees
And I just clung to Him and cried

Then He raised me to my feet
And as I looked into His eyes
The love was shining out from Him
Like sunlight from the skies
Guilt in my confusion
Dissappeared in sweet release
And every fear I'd ever had
Just melted into peace

He's alive yes He's alive
Yes He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive yes He's alive
Oh He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive yes He's alive
Hallelujah He's alive
He's alive and I'm forgiven
Heaven's gates are open wide
He's alive He's alive He's alive
I believe it He's alive
Sweet Jesus

And why is this funny looking boat picture here? Simply because I like it!! (and couldn't find a suiltable picture for the spot... Hee hee:)

On the other side of the world

Well if your wondering how David is going on the other side of the world here are some photos for you.

Firstly he enjoyed a Czech BBQ with a church in Usti. Czechs like to BBQ sausages (sliced diagonally on each end) and eat with mustard

He also enjoyed some fellowship with the church in the pastor's back yard (they recently moved to a house which had a stack of cherry trees in back yard - too many to use, so here they are sitting on what is left of them)

And the church in Usti where David had the opportunity to preach (via translator)

And then off to central Asia

He tells me he has done all sorts of things here including hiring a taxi for a bit of a tour around (much cheaper than in OZ) He has enjoyed time with friends and even enjoyed some cultural festivities. In the photo above the women are dressed in traditional clothing.

Vesele Velikonoce (Happy Easter in Czech)

It has been a busy but fun weekend. My sister and her children joined us in celebrating Easter (her hubby was away too). My sister had planned a lovely Easter tradition we could do with the children which was quite successful. It was a good reminder to me of how important it is to make Easter a really special event for our children who are surrounded by the world's way of celebrating Easter (without understanding its true message). Angela (my sister) brought some little heart boxes... The boys helped us paint (until the outdoors bekoned them so we enjoyed finishing them off and had some time for a chat)

• we collected various objects which symbolised different parts of the Easter story (ie. thorns, piece of sponge, nails, palm leaf, little sword, chord for whip, etc.)


• We took turns reading a verse from the Bible and the children had to guess which object might be in the box by using the clues in Bible verse (and rewarded with a lolly for answer).

Here is a link with the verses for the boxes (here they use little plastic eggs that click together - we used heart boxes): http://www.rainbowcastle.org/resurrectioneggs.html

http://www.easyfunschool.com/article2110.html

They seemed to enjoy it and we might just vary it a little and use it next Easter. it was also a great opportunity for our Czech friend, Martina to learn a few lessons in English so she read the Scripture verses aloud and then put the objects in the numbered boxes (and heard part of the Gospel message in the process).

Over the Easter weekend Rosa and Sarah enjoyed eachother's company (they are similar in age) Here they are enjoying a bath together:

Tickly ribs

Do chick peas come from chicks?

Is coleslaw called coleslaw because it is made in Coles ?

The funny things you get asked as a Mum! These were my couple of favourites from today. Kids sure can make your ribs tickle! Today Rosa thought it was funny when I picked her up, gave her a little wiggle on my hip saying "woo, woo, woo!" and she has been saying it off and on today - giggling away when I copy her.

When I picked Owen up from Prep. this afternoon, one of the teacher aides was telling me how Owen cracks her up. She relayed how Owen likes to grab one of the other children's drink bottle and pretend to hide it (hmm... Daddy I am afraid she picked this one up from your sense of humour at the dinner table:) Only problem is his cheeky face reveals it all. He tries the same hiding trick when I am about to put his socks on.... and I must say he still gets me sometimes. I sit there wondering what on earth I have done with the other sock until.... I see his cheeky grin and hand hiding behind his back.

Here is Owen doing the chicken dance (learned this at the circus - but not the one at our house:)

Ahh Grandparents!

Don't you just love Grandparents! We sure do! We have had a lovely day being spoilt by David's parents while they are at the Gold Coast. They kindly gave up their quiet, leisurely day to spoil us and let us see their fantastic beach views, make a huge mess of their dining table, spread toys all over the floor, take us to the beach, let us enjoy the downstairs pool and spa and all because they love us! And what is more, Grandma had spent the previous day, with Grandpa at the shops thinking about how they could spoil us when we arrived. They had strawberry milk for the kids, lots of yummy salad and chicken for lunch and a few bags of treats and chocolate frogs to top it off! And all of this on their week away! If this wasn't enough they spoilt us constantly by asking what we would like to do... brought us drinks constantly and made sure we were topped up with food and kept happy all day long! Rosa was seated on a chair surrounded by cushions for her "highchair" and ate like a queen!

I drove the kids home after our big day out. Owen and Rosa had fallen asleep within minutes of being put in the car. And do you know what? When I put Rosa to sleep she fell asleep with a very special little dolly given to her by her Nanny! I don't think she really understands yet, but she is surrounded by grandparents who love her... indeed who love us all!

This is how she likes to sleep:

While we were at the beach today we met another friendly family... or should I say, our very sociable seven year old introduced himself and chatted away. They built a sand car for the kids to sit in and here it is:

Feet

How beautiful upon the mountains

Are the feet of him who brings good news,

Who proclaims peace,

Who brings glad tidings of good things,

Who proclaims salvation

Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

Your watchmen shall lift up their voices,

With their voices they shall sing together;

For they shall see eye to eye

When the Lord brings back Zion.

Break forth into joy, sing together,

You waste places of Jerusalem!

For the Lord has comforted His people,

He has redeemed Jerusalem

The Lord has made bare His holy arm

In the eyes of all the nations;

And all the ends of the earth shall see

The salvation of our God.

Feet. There is one pair of little feet in our house that have just recently begun to take some steps, about 4 or 5 steps at a time between one person and another. She has been declared "the best girl in the world!" by her big brother who is obviously so extremely proud of her efforts. Owen likes to stand still, too and have her collapse on him after she has taken some steps... or at least most of the time... sometimes he is not so sure

We hope and pray that this little pair of feet will one day be the deliverer of good news, proclaiming to others the joy of Christ in her heart! Ah, Rosa it is so exciting to see you begin to walk!! We love you. Mwahh!

Art Gallery

After walking Owen to Prep. we jumped on a bus and headed to the Art Gallery in the city. We met up with some friends there and had a look at the Andy Warhol exhibition for kids. They drew a picture of their favourite toy, then they went into a room filled with silver pillows which were floating around. Rosa was quite facinated by them. There were also some interactive computer games about Andy Warhol and then went to Joshua's favourite activity, the slow motion, black and white video. The children stood in front of a silver screen and had 15 seconds to "perform" then stood back and watched it all on the screen, slow motion. It seems that Andy Warhol was quite an interesting character - he loved collecting ..... and more collecting, lining things up, painting things silver... and changing the colour of things so that they were not normal (hence a picture of Mao Tse Tung with orange face/blue lips type of thing). A quote on the wall said that he described himself as very superficial... hmmm... At any rate, the kids area was lots of fun and Joshua even had his picture taken with his friend Sariah:

Up, up and away

Well it was goodbye Daddy today. We took David to the station where he caught the Air Train to catch his flight to Sydney (eventually Czech Republic). David felt it would help avoid the awful traffic on the roads this way. We were all sad to see him go. Owen was so facinated by the trains I am not sure he knew all that was going on. I think he is hearing better though because for the first time ever he covered his ears at the sound of an approaching train!

Daddy was going over and over in his mind to make sure he had everything, passport, paperwork, etc. etc. It was big family hug time and Joshua ran alongside the train for a bit, anxious to see him as he left.

Here is a recent family picture:

You are in our prayers, Daddy! XXXXXX