Meeting Cyber-Friends

Sunday moring we were in Westview Baptist Church in Warren, MI and were so happy to meet Pastor Watson and his sweet wife Karen. They have a great church with a wonderful spirit. 

Anyhow, this church was special because two of my blogging buddies go there. I have been reading the blogs of Amy and Kristy for years now. Amy sadly doesn't blog any more but Kristy still does. Anyhoo, they go to the same church so I was so excited to get to see them both on Sunday morning at church.

I had so much fun getting to meet Kristi for the first time and see Amy again. 

Hannah had a ball with Amy's two oldest daughters. They got along great. 

After church was over around 12:00 we stood around the church and fellowshipped fellow-shipped  fellow shipped chatted for about an hour and a half. I was amazed. These folks love each other and church so much you have to remind them that they haven't had lunch yet. Finally we headed out to lunch around 2:00. 

We had such a good time and the kids loved getting to know their new and old friends. Joshua and the Pastor's son Christian got along great, they're both 16.  

I'm not sure who took this picture of Johnny talking with some men but I liked it and that's why I'm posting it! HA!

 

We sure have a great life and we're blessed to know so many wonderful people around the country world. Just another fringe benefit to saying YES to God.

Southern Charm

We were so glad to get to visit Rincon, GA and our good friends the Springers. Bro. 

Joe Springer is the pastor of Rincon Baptist Temple. He and Wendy are some of the more hospitable people we've ever known. 

We had such a great time with Joe and Wendy and their kids. They took us to Savannah and we were treated like royalty. 

Hannah and the Springer's girls, Anna and Emma

 Joshua and Kyle

Us, in case you didn't know. 

Just a pretty boat. 

They treated us to a wonderful carriage tour and we got to see some very quaint streets in Savannah. Hannah and the girls loved the horses. 

Isn't it sweet. Like a storybook town. 

The Spanish Moss, which I am told is in the pineapple family, was incredible. I absolutely love it. It's a good thing someone told be not to touch it because it looked so soft. They say that it's full of chiggers so I kept my hands to myself. 

The southern homes were lovely. This one faced a beautiful lake. 

 All those branches are from one tree. It's it amazing or what??? (upsize it to see it better) And the Spanish Moss is magical.  Savannah was a beautiful place and we're so glad to have been able to enjoy it for a few days. 

Bro. Joe and Wendy Springer, our sweet hosts. 

Best birthday ever

Well I'm officially 37 now. I don't know how it happened but it did. I do have to say that my 37th birthday was the best birthday thus far. My family and friends showered me with gifts and signs of love.

Thursday night at church we had cake for my birthday. Hannah made her first birthday cake and it was so good. She made the frosting and everything and it meant so much to me.

I had breakfast and coffee in bed thanks to my sweet baby. He got me a new watch, which was just what I wanted since I lost my other one somewhere in town. Now just any watch but the really nice one I wanted. Love it!!!

When Ljubica, Bro. Riches wife arrived to tutor the kids she brought be a lovely bouquet of Freesia.  First time knowing what Freesia was and they smelled like sun light. The most beautiful smelling flowers ever. It's amazing how you can leave one country and family only to find new family in a far away land. Bro. Rich and Ljubica and truly family. I'm so blessed to know them.  

Then the children presented me with a lovely silver heart locket with their photo inside. It means so much to be loved by your children. Not just an obligatory love but a true love.

I went out to greet the mailman and he had a yellow slip for me which meant that I had received a package for America, I was so excited because I knew it was my birthday present from my best friend Amanda. Yes, I'm 37 and I have a best friend. Best friends aren't just for children. Hey if you find a best friend in life you're truly blessed. Anyhow, the package was full of Bath & Body Works goodies which is what I love. Also she sent me a long jean skirt, I can't even tell you how much I needed that skirt. It's impossible to find long, modest, jean skirts here in Croatia and I had worn all my old ones out. Anyhow she made a run to Cato and they had one. Only 1 skirt but one is better than none. I'm thankful for that one but sure wish Cato had an online website.   

Then we (Johnny and I) headed to the capital to the national theater to see Cinderella. It was glorious and the music was unbelievable. We sat on the front row right behind the orchestra pit and it was so good. I am in love with the theater now and can't wait to return. I'm thinking an Opera would be nice.

Today at church my friend Željka brought me a really sweet bracelet she made for me. I means so much to be remembered. 

God has been so good to me and one of His greatest blessings to me is the people He has placed in my life. I'm so blessed!!

I'm back and with photos!

Wow, where do I even start? I have been gone from Blogville for a while now and yes I'm ashamed but I'm repentant and I'm back! Oh yea and with pics too!

We just said goodbye to Bro. Jim Pranger and his wife Laura this morning. They came down on Wednesday and he preached and then we took them to the coast on Thursday and then to the capital on Friday. It was fun and I managed to snap a few along the way.


Bro. Jim and Laura Pranger we missionaries in Russia for 10 years and are now in Budapest, Hungary. A Roman judgement hall in Pula, Croatia.


I saw this guy biking with his wife and little doggie. Look how he made a little tent for it, how sweet is that?


Some of my amature photography at the arena in Pula.



My kiddos, yea I'm proud!

Then on Friday we went to Zagreb and happened to catch a festival they were having, way too cool. Here are some random shots.








Okay now isn't this the most gnome-like fella you ever saw???



Like that table!



Yummy cheeses.


Oh yea and the students in Croatia are protesting the costs of college and this was one of the protests there. Apparently selling these students.
This guys was good, he was the salesman and he was so charismatic and likeable. He almost made me pick one out myself. :0)


Oh yea, check out that barcode on their foreheads, how prophetic!

Oh and these guys were there too, kinda knew that didn't ya?

**So sorry that I haven't been around to visit y'all but I'm back and I have lots of reading to do!