Dec 30, 2009

2010, are you kidding?

So how did we get to 2010? Honestly wasn't it yesterday that I was having trouble remembering to write 1980 instead of 79? Oh yea and the 80s, where did they go. How can we already be in 2010? I remember being a young child and talking with friends about how there would probably be flying cars by the year 2000 and all the other Jetsonesque dreams. Well we're 10 years past 2000 and still no flying cars but things have changed.

We arrived in Croatia in 2000 and man have things changed here. When we arrived things were still pretty primitive compared with what we left in Texas. In the markets you could still find hanging fowl and all sorts of indescribable items. It was impossible to find ground meat without going to a butcher. Now we have some really large grocers and life is pretty easy.

Another change since 2000 is that there are many cars on the roads here in Croatia. When we arrived most women did not drive and the roads were filled with bicyclists. Now everyone drives. The roads are crammed to capacity with honking, impatient so called drivers. People rush here and there and the all loved KUNA is the god of most homes. The quaintness of Croatia has slowly faded but our love for it's people has grown. We have made such close bonds with people here that I can't imagine living anywhere else.

God has been so good to us. While we have been here almost 10 years we have spent almost all of those years alone. I say alone, void of American companionship. We have a family here in Croatia and we love them but it's not quite the same as having the common bond of being Americans. Anyhow I said that to say this, yet another thing is changing, actually starting tomorrow. After 10 long years in Croatia as the only IFB missionaries God has finally decided to send in reinforcements. Not only back up but friends. Scott and Traci Holcomb and their 3 kids will be arriving in the capitol of Croatia tomorrow at 2:15. We are so excited to welcome them into the work here in Croatia and we're looking forward to a long fruitful partnership with them. Please pray for them as they adjust to living in a totally foreign environment and learning a new language.

Lets see, what else does 2010 bring along with it; our oldest son Cody turns 18 this year. Johnny and I celebrate 19 years of marriage. I officially have all teens with a 13, 15 and 18 year old child. I turn 37. My mother turns 60. Bro. Sam Ward arrives in Croatia to work with us. We get a new pastor as our beloved Dr. Smith retires. Croatia gets a new president. Wow and so many more unseen happenings are sure to occur over the next 12 months, but with what ever may come we can rest in the fact that His grace is enough.
And he said unto me, my grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
That promise is enough to keep fears of the unknown at bay. I can trust in Him knowing that He is never surprised and he guides all the aspects of my life for His glory. It's been 17 years since I accepted Jesus as my Savior and He's never let me down. He kept me till 2009 and I'm sure 1 more year is no big deal for Him.

Maybe you don't have that peace of knowing He will take care of you, maybe you don't really even know Him. Hey why wait another year. Why spend one more year walking in your own strength of lack of when you could be resting in His faithfulness. Wouldn't it be wonderful to know for sure that you would go to Heaven in 2010 was your last year on Earth? Wouldn't that mean so much to be sure? You can be! You can make 2010 the best year yet but just simply trusting Him. He has already finished all that is needed for you to go to Heaven and all you need to do is receive what He has done for you. If you would like to know how to have Heaven as your home and to have Jesus as your Savior please read this. Who knows, tomorrow maybe be too late.

I hope you all have a wonderful new year and that you'll do more for our precious Savior this year than ever before!
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Dec 29, 2009

Public service announcement!

Please take note.
In this recent post a video of Mr. Bean's Christmas was posted and while the video was hilarious and in no way offensive; upon closer research into the Mr. Bean TV series it has come to my attention that Mr. Bean is in fact TRASH!!!

I'm so sorry for posting his video and thereby recommending him to anyone who reads this blog. I should have researched him first but alas, I'm human and made an oversight.

So if you don't get the jest of what I'm saying, MR. BEAN is TRASH and not the sorta thing Christians should be watching. Sorry for misleading anyone and I'll be much more careful next time.

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Dec 25, 2009

the purpose of Christmas


For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

He was born simply so he could live and die for us, now that's the greatest gift of all time.

Thank you Jesus!

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Dec 23, 2009

Finally Finished!


I am finally finishes shopping for Christmas. I didn't think I was going to make the deadline but I did! {{patting myself on the back}}

You know, shopping in Croatia is nothing like shopping in the states. What is available isn't always what you want and if there is something nice there aren't many of them. Although I will say that Croatia is getting some major shopping centers lately, loving it!

Oh yea we took the kids sledding Monday. There is a great place to sled in the nearest city to us. It's the old town or castle of the old town and around the town there were huge walls. Anyhow we went last year, it was way too funny, you can see those pics here. I took more photos but they basically look the same as last years. The same ol' same ol'. Cody got to sled the most, Joshua not so much and Hannah found out too late that sledding that big hill wasn't for her. The videos I took were way too funny, but I'm gonna spare my kids any embarrassment since they are now teens.Yesterday I continued my decorating for Christmas. I know that it's almost here but here in Croatia Christmas goes on until Jan. 6th which is the Catholic holiday Three Kings, and no I don't celebrate 3 Kings. BTW, where do the 3 kings come into play in the who birth of Christ story? They don't, he we don't even see the Wise men come in until much later. Brace yourself; THERE WERE NO WISEMEN AT THE MANGER!!! okay don't stress things can go on like they were before but the Bible is clear that the wise men weren't there.

Mt 2:10

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
Mt 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

So see there, He was already a young child and they were living in a house, not a manger. Anyhow, I thought I would burst any bubbles that were still afloat. Johnny has been conspiring against my nativity since it does have the 3 wise men, and I was forced to send them back to the East where they came from. He's totally right, why would we have something in plain view that is so Biblically incorrect. Anyhow that's a little rant, take it or leave it.

Been baking all day too. I found some great recipes from my favorite recipe site; All Recipes

Made some really easy peanut butter fudge today, so good.



Easiest Peanut Butter Fudge
Prep Time:
15 Min
Cook Time:
5 Min
Ready In:
1 Hr 20 Min

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 2 1/4 cups brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions

  1. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and milk. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Pour over confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat until smooth; pour into an 8x8 inch dish. Chill until firm and cut into squares.


Big Soft Ginger Cookies

Prep Time:
15 Min
Cook Time:
10 Min
Ready In:
50 Min

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup margarine, softened
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/4 cup molasses
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, then stir in the water and molasses. Gradually stir the sifted ingredients into the molasses mixture. Shape dough into walnut sized balls, and roll them in the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Place the cookies 2 inches apart onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and flatten slightly.
  3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

Chocolate Brittle Surprise

Ingredients
  • 35 unsalted soda crackers
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C). Cover cookie sheet with foil. Spray foil with cooking oil spray.
  2. Place crackers on foil in 5 x 7 inch rows.
  3. Microwave butter on high for 2 minutes. Add brown sugar and stir. Microwave on high for 2 more minutes, stirring every 30 seconds.
  4. Pour over crackers. Bake 17 - 20 minutes (should bubble but not burn).
  5. Sprinkle chocolate chips over hot crackers. Spread after 2 minutes (chips have softened). Sprinkle nuts on top.
  6. Refrigerate 1 hour. Break into pieces. Can be frozen.
Well I'm pooped! It's about time to get up and go get ready for church. Maybe I can manage to look half way presentable, we'll see!

Hoping you're all have the best Christmas week ever!

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Dec 22, 2009

Hot cocoa anyone?

I remember when we were in the states several years ago, going to Six Flags with the family. I think it was Holiday in the Park and they even had a real snow hill in Texas. It was so cold outside and we were freezing. We noticed everyone walking around holding a steaming mug of something with both hands. It was Hot Cocoa and we wanted some. After finding it and buying the refillable mug we were toasty and warm. Their hot cocoa had a distinct taste, not too sweet, not too think and it had a special something in it that I just couldn't put my finger on until the other night.

After the day of snow we were all ready for something warm so I looked
up a hot cocoa recipe online and do you know what, it was the same as Six Flags. I was amazed and instantly transported to Holiday in the Park with my family. It was great. Okay so don't ask me why I rambled so just to introduce a measly hot cocoa recipe but I did and here it is!

Ingredients
  • 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder
  • 5 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Dash salt
  • 3 cups boiling water
Directions
  1. In a saucepan, combine the milk powder, sugar, cocoa, cinnamon and salt. Add boiling water stir until milk powder is dissolved.
Enjoy Y'all!!
for other great recipes like this check out my favorite recipe site: All Recipes







Dec 20, 2009

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!

Okay so that's a nice song and all but since it's Sunday it doesn't really fit. It's so cold here....how cold you ask. Well it's -8 degrees Fahrenheit, -22 Celsius. Talk about cold. It's so cold there's no chance our diesel van is gonna start without some major help. Bro. Rich (the national pastor) called this morning and said that out of all Croatia our town was the coldest. Not counting the feet of snow from yesterday, it's cold!

We haven't got this much snow for at least 6 years. Before we came to Croatia they had this much snow every year but we hot blooded Texans ruined it for them.

Hannah is 12 and she's up to her knees in the snow, it is awesome! So here are just a few pics of our glorious snow! Sorry Traci, I know you wish you were here.

kids playing last night
look at all the snow collected on the table.
beautiful

driving down the road yesterday, good thing we have all-season tire, plus Croats are very good at driving in snow so I didn't see any accidents yesterday. In Texas there would have been multiple car pile-ups all over the place.
Johnny trying to get the ice off the windshield wipers after being in the store for 5 minutes. I'm sitting in the warm van!
On more thing before I publish this post. We've all been so bummed out about getting the snow now and not at Christmas. The forecast has been calling for a warm Christmas and it looked like there was no chance for a white Christmas but this morning I looked at out local weather that is actually posted from Croatia and unlike most weather forecasts ours is usually right. So look down there at Saturday and you'll see they are calling for snow, we'll there's a good chance that could come earlier so maybe, just maybe we'll have a white Christmas. I sure hope so.

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Yea it's here!!

We're waiting for the truck...

and waiting....

and waiting...
and waiting...

Finally!!! Can you even believe it, it came!!

It's here....................IT'S BIG!and it's full!
We had plenty of help from the church and we had a ball for a couple hours working together.

I think it only took 2 hours plus I think all that work may have burned off all the calories from the Christmas goodies I ate! Almost finished.

Bro. Rich, the national pastor of the church in Čakovec is so funny. He cut his hand pretty bad while trying to mop up the snow and water that was on the stairs leading up the the Holcomb's flat. Anyhow the picture is so funny, he almost looks like he's asking, "Why me, Lord?".Then brother Anđeljko came and was trying to make bunny ears. He's one of the newest members and has already been such a great blessing to us all.
Finally we're finished and all the Holcomb's stuff is in their flat and ready for them to get here. Hannah and Anđeljko relaxing after a hard couple hours of work in the American recliners, won't find any of those around here.

We actually had a ball unloading all the stuff and now we're excited for the Holcomb's to arrive on New Years Eve.

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Dec 17, 2009

Christmas Bean

I don't usually watch Mr. Bean but I found this on a Christmas site this morning and couldn't resist.



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Dec 16, 2009

Oh My!!

Oh wow, guess what time it is, time for the Christmas Tour of Homes over at Nesting Place. There are over 1000 bloggers participating and I can't wait to have some free time to go check out at least half of those!

Anyhoo, just wanted to let'cha know!





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Dec 15, 2009

Useless stuff in a sock!

Growing up our family was anything but conventional. We didn't usually celebrate holidays for lack of money and Christmas wasn't a huge deal. My parents tried to do for us but we were so poor that they didn't really celebrate the holiday. We never had stockings so when I married my husband and started celebrating Christmas with his family I was delighted to have a stocking hanging by the fireplace with my name on it. Actually for me looking through that stocking was more fun that opening the gifts, I loved it. Anyhow, my wonderful mother-in-law always made sure we have filled stockings on Christmas morning at her house. So when we moved to Croatia we decided to make stockings for the kids but not for us.

Anyhow, I realized a few days ago that I had a huge amount of stocking-stuffers bought for Johnny and then I remembered that he didn't have a stocking. I guess I forgot or something so today I did something about it.I made my first stocking. It's lined and everything. I had so much fun appliqueing his name and some holly leaves on it. I know it's really country and I'm more city but it was still fun and now he has something to put all that useless stuff in on Christmas morning. :0)


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Dec 14, 2009

Finally, some white stuff!

Croatia has gone through a major climate change over the last 10 years that we've been here. When we first came snow was expected form Nov. until around February. We usually have at least a foot and many times more on the ground the entire time. Over the last several years the winters here have warmed up and this winter has been pretty warm so far.

I'm delighted to say that today our hopes gave way to rejoicing as the fluffy stuff began to fall. The kids were so excited that it didn't take long for them to head outside for some fun in the snow. Oh and this snow was perfect for snowballs.

Cody and Joshua in a serious game of snowball war. There were no winners!

Poor Hannah after a while outside. "It's cold!"

On Mondays Johnny and I usually go out on a date. Usually only the town center to have a cappuccino and a pastry. It was magical tonight with all the Christmas lights on and the snow blanketing the ground.
You would think with 20 degree weather people would be inside but many were out. Even the adults were excited and hey I even seen some sleds!
Right outside the little coffee house we go to was one of the two Christmas trees in town. This one stands in front of the Catholic church. With the snow falling and the architecture of the old building it was beautiful. I cold have wandered for hours if it hadn't been so ridiculously cold outside.
Hey we did get two Christmas gifts bought while we were out. That means that we are almost done. One or two more and we're finished!!

Anyhow, it's suppose to snow here for the next 3 days and you know what I say??? BRING IT ON!! I love it and it's about time.

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Dec 13, 2009

my sunday that was

Yes that was! It's over for me almost. I know that most of you are still resting in between morning and evening services but I'm finished for today. It's 8:50 pm and I'm breathing easy now.

I had a great crowd tonight in my little van. Johnny runs a van route to one Gypsy village and I run a route to the neighboring town and into another Gypsy village. Usually in the Gypsy village I only pick up 4 kids under 12 but tonight when I drove up there was a huge crowd of teens standing in the drive, guess where they were headed, to church with me! So we piled them on top of one another and headed to church. I try my best to obey the laws of Croatia but I can't ever seem to say no when someone wants to crowd into my 7 seater van. We had around 10 tonight and praise the Lord before I took them home, 3 of them accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. Praise the Lord!!

Hey I don't believe in doing wrong to do right but I'm glad the Lord kept the police away from my Sunday round.


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Dec 12, 2009

Which Christmas Movies Do You Love?

Our family loves to watch movies especially classic movies with "real" actors. At Christmas time we pull out all the old Christmas flicks and sit down several times a week and watch a movie together. We've already started our annual viewing fest and here are some of our favorites.






Without saying really, one of the best, all-time Christmas movies ever made. James Stewart and Donna Reed, can't go wrong with them. Anyhow, it's great and if you haven't seen it you've really missed out!










My second favorite Christmas movie, The Bishop's Wife. David Niven, Loretta Young and last but not least Ol' Mr. Grant himself. This is a delightful tale of the misplaced values and a little help from above. Just seen this one this year and it's already one of my favorites!









Yet another new one to me; We're No Angels is hilarious and the sorta movie you start watching and never think about anything else till it's over.
The lead actor being Mr. Bogart with two wonderful actors along side. Peter Ostinov is the actor that played Black Beard in Disney's Black Beard's Ghost (hillarious). Anyhow, this one is great and totally worth the watch.






Another Jimmy Stewart Christmas, feel-good movie. Shop Around the Corner is just a very nice, feel-good movie. Worth the watch!
















Lest I forget, Mr. Scrooge, This is my favorite rendition of A Christmas Carol. I love the actors and it's just very high quality. It's aweful hard to make a less than great Christmas Carol!











Can't ever get enough of Dr. Seuss! My kids love this movie and honestly I do too.















Oops, I almost forgot Charlie Brown. A Christmas classic forever. Poor Charlie makes us all feel better about ourselves no matter how pittiful we are. :0)










So here are some of my Christmas favorites,
what are some of yours???
BTW, all these movies can be found used on Amazon for great prices.

EDITED to add some of your favorites!

Tammy
likes:
Its a Wonderful Life, Barbie edition of The Christmas Carol and The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Charity likes: The Shop Around the Corner, Nativity and The Perfect Gift.


Sassy Granny likes: White Christmas.


Dr. Raz likes: It's a Wonderful Life (but makes sure not to cross any fundamental guide lines) HA!

Tammy likes: It's a Wonderful Life, Charlie Brown Christmas movies, Old Cartoon Christmas classics, Grinch (the cartoon original), Walt Disney cartoon Christmas movies, Borrowed Hearts, Nester the Christmas Donkey.


Pilar likes: A Season for Miracles
Des likes: Little Women with Elizabeth Taylor
Donna likes: Christmas in Connecticut
Melinda likes:
White Christmas, Christmas in Connecticut and Holiday Inn
The Old Geezer likes: It's a Wonderful Life (released the year he was born, 1946)
Beth likes: A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph, The Santa Clause, Elf and the Hallmark channel during the holidays
Elaine likes: The Christmas Card, Fallen Angel, old Little House on the Prairie Christmas, the Waltons, and Touched by an Angel




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