My Old Black Book

Okay, here's my old black maroon BOOK. Of all the things that belong to me my Bible is probably the most valuable. It's been with me for a long time and it is filled with memories and messages. 

I've had this KJ Bible since 1999. It was a gift from a church in Dearborn Heights, MI. They asked us to give them a few items we would like and they would try to get them for us for the missions conference. I had a Bible but it wasn't very nice and so I asked for a Bible and they gave me the Old Scofield Study Bible. I immediately fell in love with this Bible. It had great references in the back including a proper name concordance. I know that Scofield was off in a lot of places with his doctrine and I wouldn't suggest this Bible to a new Christian but for me it was great. 

I've personalized my Bible through the years. I have pictures of my family in the front and back. The above pictures are: 

(the left cover across the top and then bottom) 

Johnny reading his Bible in 1997 in Hungary on our survey trip to Croatia, My babies while we were on deputation, my family also while on deputation, my dear Daddy who died when he was 39, he's 38 in that photo.  

(the right side across the top and then bottom) 

the photo on our second prayer card, Joshua and Cody looking cool, and my sweetie

My Bible is filled with great quotes and sayings I have heard through out the years. I only have one signature in my Bible, that of Bro. McCracken's wife Nancy. I heard her testimony in a meeting in Romania and was so moved by her faith after a terrible crippling car accident. 

Anyhow, I have some pretty nifty sayings too. 

Treasures in Heaven are laid up as treasures on Earth are laid down. -Dr. Todd Lasseter (my pastor)

You can't clean a polluted well by painting the well house. -Dr. Bob W. Smith 

I'm narrow minded because I travel a narrow road. -Bro. Floyd, Fellowship Baptist, Jackson, MI

I'm not shouting on credit, I'm should on a "paid in full" bill. -Johnny Leslie

85% of being successful is simply being in my place. -Dr. Smith

I'm a nut but I'm screwed onto the right bolt! -unknown

You fall the way you lean. -Charles Wetherbee

Meekness: Having strength under control. -unknown

To be a missionary you don't have to cross the see but you do have to see the cross. -unknown

Joy is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Jesus. -unknown

Stay in the Book till the Book stays in you. -Dr. Raymond Barber

I don't know how often Noah fell down in the Ark but I know he never fell out! -Dr. J.C. House

No man can ever be used of God until he's willing to be forgotten by all. -Veteran Missionary Jimmy Rose

If it doesn't move you enough to pray about it, don't whine about it! -Pastor Wes Bailey

A tear today is an investment in a laugh tomorrow. -Dr. Lasseter

A heart touched by grace brings joy to the face. -Dr. Lasseter

The church is not a museum of Saints. -Pastor Bocook

Anyhow, those are just some of the little sayings I have in my Bible. I love to go back every once in a while and read them all. They're like mini sermons!

I have on one of the front pages of my Bible this poem: 

There is a treasure,

Rich beyond measure, 

Offered to mortals today;

Some folks despise it, 

Some criticize it, 

Some would explain it away.

Some never read it, 

Some never head it, 

Some say, "It's long had it's day";

Some people prize it, 

And he who tries it, 

Finds it's his comfort and stay. 

God gave this treasure, 

Rich beyond measure, 

His Word, we call it today. 

Let us believe it, 

Gladly receive it, 

Read, mark and learn to obey. 

                              -A.M.N.

Over the name of each book I have the name in Croatian. Several years back I realized I didn't know all the names so I thought that would help, it did. 

Also above Genesis 1:1, I wrote DEAR TORI. Our preacher Dr. Smith preached once about the Bible being a love letter from God to us. He told us how he wrote in his Bible at Genesis 1:1: DEAR BOB and after Revelation 22:21 he wrote: LOVE, GOD. I loved this idea and I did the same with my Bible. It's a love letter to me from God!

My Bible is bilingual too. I have notes in both English and Croatian. I have many wise quotes from the national pastor, Rajko Telebar. 

And again on the back cover I have more photos. Actually a lot less than I used to have. I need to add some more current ones soon.

(the left cover across the top and then bottom) 

My best friend Amanda Rasbeary, Preachers wife in Wylie, Texas and I, Madison (Johnny's sister's oldest daughter), Johnny again, Madison and her little sister Kaitlyn (I super-love those girls)

(the right side top to bottom) 

Johnny again (can't get enough of him), and my Daddy back in 1976 sitting with Santa

Anyhow, that's my Bible. It means a lot to me, not only because it is God's inerrant, preserved Word but because it holds 16 years worth of memories. 

Anyhow, if you decided to share your Old Black Book, let me know so I can check it out!!

My Old Black Book

Okay, here's my old black maroon BOOK. Of all the things that belong to me my Bible is probably the most valuable. It's been with me for a long time and it is filled with memories and messages. 

I've had this KJ Bible since 1999. It was a gift from a church in Dearborn Heights, MI. They asked us to give them a few items we would like and they would try to get them for us for the missions conference. I had a Bible but it wasn't very nice and so I asked for a Bible and they gave me the Old Scofield Study Bible. I immediately fell in love with this Bible. It had great references in the back including a proper name concordance. I know that Scofield was off in a lot of places with his doctrine and I wouldn't suggest this Bible to a new Christian but for me it was great. 

I've personalized my Bible through the years. I have pictures of my family in the front and back. The above pictures are: 

(the left cover across the top and then bottom) 

Johnny reading his Bible in 1997 in Hungary on our survey trip to Croatia, My babies while we were on deputation, my family also while on deputation, my dear Daddy who died when he was 39, he's 38 in that photo.  

(the right side across the top and then bottom) 

the photo on our second prayer card, Joshua and Cody looking cool, and my sweetie

My Bible is filled with great quotes and sayings I have heard through out the years. I only have one signature in my Bible, that of Bro. McCracken's wife Nancy. I heard her testimony in a meeting in Romania and was so moved by her faith after a terrible crippling car accident. 

Anyhow, I have some pretty nifty sayings too. 

Treasures in Heaven are laid up as treasures on Earth are laid down. -Dr. Todd Lasseter (my pastor)

You can't clean a polluted well by painting the well house. -Dr. Bob W. Smith 

I'm narrow minded because I travel a narrow road. -Bro. Floyd, Fellowship Baptist, Jackson, MI

I'm not shouting on credit, I'm should on a "paid in full" bill. -Johnny Leslie

85% of being successful is simply being in my place. -Dr. Smith

I'm a nut but I'm screwed onto the right bolt! -unknown

You fall the way you lean. -Charles Wetherbee

Meekness: Having strength under control. -unknown

To be a missionary you don't have to cross the see but you do have to see the cross. -unknown

Joy is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Jesus. -unknown

Stay in the Book till the Book stays in you. -Dr. Raymond Barber

I don't know how often Noah fell down in the Ark but I know he never fell out! -Dr. J.C. House

No man can ever be used of God until he's willing to be forgotten by all. -Veteran Missionary Jimmy Rose

If it doesn't move you enough to pray about it, don't whine about it! -Pastor Wes Bailey

A tear today is an investment in a laugh tomorrow. -Dr. Lasseter

A heart touched by grace brings joy to the face. -Dr. Lasseter

The church is not a museum of Saints. -Pastor Bocook

Anyhow, those are just some of the little sayings I have in my Bible. I love to go back every once in a while and read them all. They're like mini sermons!

I have on one of the front pages of my Bible this poem: 

There is a treasure,

Rich beyond measure, 

Offered to mortals today;

Some folks despise it, 

Some criticize it, 

Some would explain it away.

Some never read it, 

Some never head it, 

Some say, "It's long had it's day";

Some people prize it, 

And he who tries it, 

Finds it's his comfort and stay. 

God gave this treasure, 

Rich beyond measure, 

His Word, we call it today. 

Let us believe it, 

Gladly receive it, 

Read, mark and learn to obey. 

                              -A.M.N.

Over the name of each book I have the name in Croatian. Several years back I realized I didn't know all the names so I thought that would help, it did. 

Also above Genesis 1:1, I wrote DEAR TORI. Our preacher Dr. Smith preached once about the Bible being a love letter from God to us. He told us how he wrote in his Bible at Genesis 1:1: DEAR BOB and after Revelation 22:21 he wrote: LOVE, GOD. I loved this idea and I did the same with my Bible. It's a love letter to me from God!

My Bible is bilingual too. I have notes in both English and Croatian. I have many wise quotes from the national pastor, Rajko Telebar. 

And again on the back cover I have more photos. Actually a lot less than I used to have. I need to add some more current ones soon.

(the left cover across the top and then bottom) 

My best friend Amanda Rasbeary, Preachers wife in Wylie, Texas and I, Madison (Johnny's sister's oldest daughter), Johnny again, Madison and her little sister Kaitlyn (I super-love those girls)

(the right side top to bottom) 

Johnny again (can't get enough of him), and my Daddy back in 1976 sitting with Santa

Anyhow, that's my Bible. It means a lot to me, not only because it is God's inerrant, preserved Word but because it holds 12 years worth of memories. 

Anyhow, if you decided to share your Old Black Book, let me know so I can check it out!!

Fun finds at the market.

Hungarian postcard

So a friend and I headed to the market for our normal weekly scout and I was so excited to see that the postcard man was there. I've seen him there only a few times and I was delighted that he and I were there at the same time.

He had boxes and boxes of old postcards from all over Eastern Europe. I bought about 9 of them and love 'em. Actually I'm trying a bit of an experiment. I have seen lots of postcards on sale on ebay and I figured why not give it a try.

My family life as a young person was very difficult and we lived day to day. There were no summer vacations or leisure trips anywhere. For as long as I can remember my Mother has talked about wanting to see one thing before she dies. She has always wanted to see the Sequoia trees in Washington State.

So I figured I would start to look for things that can be cheaply mailed from Croatia and start trying to make some money on the side. I figured that I can sell small things through the internet and all proceeds will go to taking my mother to see the Redwoods when we return for furlough.

So anyhow, these are the postcards I found so far. I absolutely love the woman with the geese and the old man. They are all dated from 1914 to '24.

I love the writing on the back of these cards, some in Croatian, some in German.

French tinted Ceko card.
Super-love this card!
Nice and well...nice.

One of my favorites. I totally dislike naked little cherubs in art but this is cupid so it's different! The color is lovely.
still another.

B&BW Update

Okay so you know how bummed I was for having to pay full price for the Bath and Body stuff a week before they went on sale for half off. Well I called my sweet sister-in-law today and she said that the order was never delivered. After calling customer service I was informed that my order was canceled because my IP address showed that I was ordering from Europe and my credit card showed otherwise. So I just reordered the items and half off and the sweet lady on the phone, who sounded all of 12 informed me that within 2 weeks of a sale you can get a refund on the difference you paid and the sale price. How cool is that?

Oh yea and I ordered the Coco Cabana classics and I can't wait for them. It is impossible to find anything with the same quality of smell here in Croatia so getting BBW stuff is a real thrill for me, can you tell?

Anyhow, I knew you were all really stressed with my sad news of presale blues, but it's okay, really it is. I'm all better!

Talk about a find!

Okay so you already know that I'm totally getting my kicks from going to the flea market here close to our town. I have found some real gems and I'm enjoying finding some creativity that I didn't know I had.

Anyhoo, last Saturday we headed to soul-winning as usual and usually on Saturdays my partner, Hannah and I head to the market for a quick look-see. Well this Saturday was our lucky day. As we walked my friend commented how there wasn't really anything good today and right about then she said, wait. I turned and she showed me a huge old amiore sitting on the outskirts of the market. The market was crowded so folks were sitting up on the streets. Anyhow, one look and I told her that there was no way I could afford that. It was at least 70 years old and looked to be in really good shape. We walked over anyway out of curiosity and we're surprised to see a Gypsy man and his wife with a few odds and ends and this cabinet. Anyhow after a little back and forth they came down to 200 kuna which is pretty close to $40. Now usually I don't spend more than 3 or 4 but I really wanted this. In Croatia furniture is outragously expensive and it's usually pressed wood and will fall apart as soon as it's moved. For a small cabinet to put a printer on you'll pay about $150. So when I seen this massive cabinet for such a low price I had to have it.

The man delivered it to the church and we headed out to make some visits. Funny thing; Johnny had been in town passing out tracts and made it to the church before I did. I know what his impression would be, that this thing was really expensive that I had spent everything we had in the bank, which would be unusual for me. When we finally made it back to the church all the men were in the side room looking at this cabinet. Johnny looked at me and asked how much, I smiled a sly little smile so he would think I had paid a lot and then I told him how much and he was so surprised. I was glad. My number two goal in life is to fulfil this verse in my marriage; " The heart of her husband doth safely TRUST IN HER, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Proverbs 31:11". It's so important to me that Johnny trusts me. I don't want him to ever worry when he sends me out with money or with anything he has entrusted me with.
Anyhoo, back onto topic, he was pleased.

I had to make a trip to the capital Monday with the national pastor's wife and when I came home I found out that Johnny had went to the town where the new church is and brought the cabinet home and now it's in my garage. I actually took some pictures for my refinishing records and for sharing with you. This is the closet in all it's glory just as I found it at the market. It is in great shape and has very little if any dings in it.
The mirrors are in need of replacing and the bottom drawer has swollen a bit but that's to be expected right? It's old. I does have some cute little inlaid places on it.

And inside is the real treasure. I guess because the closet is so old they more than likely didn't use hangers but instead they used pegs for hanging their things. I love that the most. Someone asked me if I was going to replace them with rods, uhhh NO!

One more key piece of information about this piece is the writing on the inside door. Aparently this girl Fora Nemčić was born February 24, 1911. She then wrote when she was married on June 24, 1932 and finally when a son Stefan, was born on the 27th of what looks to be June in 1949.

This was frosting on the cake for me. I love the closet but the information was an added bonus for me.

I think the wood is Elm but I'm not sure. If you know, please leave it in a comment. I think I'm going to just do a little sanding on this closet and maybe some use some good wax afterwards. The bottom drawer is swollen and will need some attention but that should be too hard.

Anyhoo, is my big find and I'm so excited about it.
Stay tuned for an after picture of this one!

Look what arrived in Croatia

Look what Johnny brought home from the post office the other day. My dear Canadian friend Dee sent me this care package and what a blessing it was. She has a sick sense of humor though, see what she sent me...100 Days of Wight Loss Book, and a Healthy Heart Walking Cd and then look what else she sent, Mike and Ike candies, Smarties and Charleston Chews!!! Okay now is that a mixture or what?
What a wonderful friend she is and this was a great blessing. The kids and Johnny and I finished off all the candy, counted the points of course and now we're enjoying all the healthy goodies she sent.
It's so nice to have friends like Dee, who go out of their way to be a blessing, and she is!

**Edited to say: I almost forgot the huge jar of Skippy peanut butter she sent, and the lower fat kind too. Yummy!

Wonderful New Years Gift

Look what arrived in our town this week; a container sent all the way from our good friends at Harvest Baptist Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa, pastored by Bro. Marvin Smith. Guess what the container contained...okay, yes it contained boxes but guess what is in those boxes...100,000 copies of John and Romans taken from the new translation our men are working on at the moment. Bro. Milan is Roma (Gypsy) and one of the most faithful men in our church

It's an awesome feeling to actually see the hard work they have put into this project in print in our hands. God is so good to give us His precious Word and what better thing could one do than to give a reliable copy to a people in their own language. Croatia has many translations but all are flawed by man's openions or interpretations. The Croatian Bible project will be a mirror image of the King James Bible, when language allows, and the KJB is the final authority for the project. Please pray for the Croatian Bible Project, the devil is working overtime to derail it and everyday is a spiritual battle.

Anyhow, here are some random pictures of the container and the men unloading it. I love watching men work! *Ü*

Our oldest boy Cody checking out the cargo


Bro. Rajko (Rich to his friends and family in Christ) is the pastor of the church in Čakovec and he is doing a wonderful job. He loves the Lord is is a true testimony of how a man can take on the spirit of Christ.
Bro. Alan 1 and Bro. Alan 2, really that's what everyone calls them. Bro. Alan in the red is a faithful soul-winner and he loves the Lord. Bro. Alan 2 is a new Christian and he is trying to do right and get things prioritized. Please pray for Alan 2 and his family, his wife isn't saved. Almost empty!
This is Joshua, our 13 year old. Does he look tired or what?? It was absolutely freezing outside, about 29 when they inloaded, see the red ears.

Oh yea, guess what else came in that container that we were totally excited about; new church chairs!!! YEA!!! Our home church, Trinity Baptist Church have us $1700 to buy new chairs for our church. These chairs are to die for, I'm not kidding. They are the chairs that interlock to form a pew of sorts and they are super cushy! We are so excited. We have been sitting on rock hard kitchen chairs for 7 years and this is like Christmas in the best way. Here are our old chairs that we are very thankful we had and that will now go to the new church plant in Varaždin. If you remember this post you'll remember the whole ordeal with the chairs, well that's over now, praise the Lord!! These chairs are headed to Varaždin and will stay there.

What a mess, a little assembly is required.
Joshua is so enjoying our new, comfy chairs. Now we may have a problem keeping folks awake!

Cody's working hard to get 'em done. There are 50 of those boogers, so you keep on keeping on Cody!

Sunday I'll be posting an "after" picture, with our chairs all in place.

Special thanks to our pastor Dr. Bob Smith and Bro. Marvin Smith at Harvest Baptist for making it all possible. Praise the Lord!

A Day at the Market

Last Saturday Johnny and another man from church sat up at the local flea market passing out tracts and witnessing. I decided to join them although later in the morning, no reason getting up too early. Another lady from the church showed up and she and I went to rummage through the stuff. It was a great day and lots of people we're there with their junk.

I think we did pretty well and found some really fun stuff.



I found these who fun brown thinggys. I think the first one is a mug and the second, I dunno, maybe a bud vase? I don't know by I paid a quarter for them, not a bad deal!
The we found this lady who had lots of old sewing stuff. She had this ribbon which is typically European and it was only a dollar for about 100 years and maybe more. My friend and I halved it and this was my half.

She also had this great red ribbon, traditional style and also a huge amount for $1.

Around the next car we found this cute little pitcher and handleless mugs. I love them but....after I got them home I noticed a very earthy smell in all of them. A clay or dirt sort of smell, not nasty dirty but very earthy so I don't know how well they'll work for drinking purposes, but maybe some cute flowers. Hmmm....
I found this nice little plate ready to hang and you know what's cool. It was made in our city the year I was born, cool huh?
This little orange gem is my favorite. I love the twisty handle and the weight of the thing. It's great, don't know what to do with it but for a quarter, I couldn't pass it up.
Oh yea and some more stitching stiff, this is a roll of black bias tape, it's about 3" wide. Can you image how much there is on that roll? I don't know what I'm gonna do with it all but something. Oh yea and it was $1.

Lastly I say this carved wooden tray leaning against a cardboard box and asked how much. The older gentleman told me that if it was worth so much because it was hand carved. I said really, he said yea and then he said it was carved by a man in Ljepoglava, and town in Croatia. I said really, then my friend elbowed me and asked me if I knew about Ljepoglava. I looked at her and asked, what about it. " It's a prison town", so apparently is was carved by a prisoner in that town. So again I asked him how much, the carving was so nice, rustic but pretty intricate, he wanted 30 kuna for it, which is about 6 dollars. I thought about it and finally decided to get it. I don't usually pay $6 for anything that I'm not immediately going to use but I really liked this.

It's nice that it's been made into a tray, covered in glass it could be used for anything. I love it!


Here are a couple close-ups of the tray, did I say I loved it?

When we came to Croatia we sold or gave-away everything that we had in the states. I brought nothing in way of things other than clothing and so on that we had before. So everything we have in our home is very new, 8 years old or younger so I have been looking for older things to give the home a warmer, aged feeling. Now if I can just figure out how to put all these things together.