Make a Smilebox scrapbook

snow and "slave" labor

"It is snowing still!" Rachel was excited as she woke up and came down in her pajamas. True enough, it has been snowing since yesterday afternoon and we finally have enough that it covers the grass. It is truly beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

A few Nate sayings: This morning as I was putting his snowpants, coat, boots, scarf, etc. on, he said, "I like choking." (meaning: I feel like choking.) He, of all the kids, seems to have quite a gag reflex and whenever his zipper is too high on his coat - all the way up - he "likes choking".

"Yeah snow! Now I can finally eat!" (meaning: I can finally eat snow!) Eating snow is a particularly favorite habit of Nathanael's and Amy's. Our neighbors in Vlasim used to tell them to not eat it and go into the explanation of all the dirt that snow has in it. Not to be dissuaded, they ate it on the other side of the house where the neighbors couldn't see!

"Mom, can you get that blue box down for me? I want to pack my bag for Klub." After the box was down and spread all over the kitchen floor, Nate said, "Look, these are all my favorite things! Why did you put them in the box?" (Why indeed?!)

This morning, with the snow coming down, I went to the garage and pulled out the shovel to leave on the porch for clearing the sidewalk. Rachel actually asked to shovel for me. Believe me, she did ask! So, as you can see, it pays to have kids...especially those inclined in any way to work! Thanks Rachel!

Christmas is coming!

We set up our tree and enjoyed homemade eggnog together. One of our traditions as a family that we all enjoy. What topped off the evening was that it started snowing just before we started decorating!

It is amazing how times have changed here in the Czech Republic! Our first Christmas here in 1997, we had a Charlie Brown Christmas tree and it was considered nice! This year, our tree is lovely and tall. (No pix as I don't own a camera at the moment.)

Nathanael is especially able to join in and enjoy Christmas this year. He really likes playing with the manger set, making up stories as he plays. Yesterday I overheard him saying, "Get off now, it is the donkey's turn to ride the camel!" We will keep telling and retelling the Christmas story so that he, too, will one day act out the story for us, like Rachel did this year.

Amy and Matt are participating with others from their school, in singing/playing Christmas carols for people at the Salvation Army. Amy and Matt are to translate for those who don't speak Czech. Matt is playing his violin as well. Hannah is doing some other project at school, which has remained a surprise.

All in all, we are gearing up and looking forward to spending family together as well as talking with our neighbors as we pass out Christmas gifts next week.

May our hearts be prepared as well during this season of reflection on the greatest gift ever!

sickness and stress

We have been really busy here, but it seems that our oldest enemy has been at work, too. Pot stirring would be a good phrase. Seems that relationships with people are not easy all the time. Right now there is a lot of excitement as we watch God work in Klub Rachel, drawing many young mothers to ask questions and hear more and more about Him. What joy! Then there are strained relationships in the church which are taking a toll, too, as we are pulling out of leadership there, but care very much about the people there. Would you pray for us as we speak truth and listen? I know that is a bit vague...on purpose. Thanks for understanding and praying.

In the meantime, we are sick. Change is inevitable, around here it is the norm, however, last week took the cake with changes of plans, extended times doing ministry work, extra house guests, including a biting dog, (ask Tom about that) a Christmas party and PCT prayer day. Mostly good stuff, but a bit over the top in added stress. Guess what?! 4 of us became ill. We are, I believe, recovering, however we could use prayer for health and wisdom in keeping "white space" or margin.

cars

Ours has been in the shop since last Wednesday awaiting a hose so that water doesn't mix with other liquids in the motor. Since then, we have been forced to slow down and do less.

When my brother and sister-in-law were here visiting, we had a chance to welcome them home instead of returning from Vlasim after Klub tired and ready for bed. We didn't go anywhere Sunday a.m. for church as going to Vlasim by bus takes about 2 1/2 hours from here, one way, then we would have to wait there until the next bus to Prague left....an extra several hours! Simplification.

Now I could really use another grocery run for a "stock up" run and I am now ready to be done with this "simplification" and get back into the thick of life again. Funny how perspective changes things.

So, here we are wondering how many more repairs is wise for this van of ours on its second motor!? We were hoping it would last another year or better so we could spend money we have on a second car for Tom to travel in. Ahh, we will see what is wise as we go on.

I, for one, am praying that the hose arrives and we can get the van running again while we look at our options for other vehicles. Sigh, cars, when they work, they are fantastic and helpful, when they don't... Something like computer, water heaters, washing machines, etc.

Praying for a calm spirit and joy in the journey of life.

YEAH!

I spent the better part of today with Tom at my side at my computer. Together we managed to get all my e-mail organized as well as my physical inbox set up. Now comes the part of working the system.

Tomorrow will be a normal school day with Rachel as well as some time spent going through my physical inbox and organizing the things in it as well.

Thanks for praying for us today!

planning meetings

This will be brief and I will hope to fill in some major gaps soon, but until then, suffice it to say that our yearly review/planning meetings went well. We were at a really nice conference center http://www.immanuel.cz/en/ where we slept in the room that is pictured on the top right of the introduction page.

Always a time of fun for all, we worked really hard and accomplished goal setting and plans that we pray will impact reaching this place for Christ. Pray for us as we as ReachGlobal and we Becker's seek to glorify God and be effective in our outreach, encouragement and drawing others to Christs' Kingdom.

One big job that I have not gotten done, is to finish the online course that Tom was leading, "Getting Things Done". Catchy title, hmmm? I have finished most of the book and tomorrow Tom and I will concentrate on setting me up in this system. Rachel will be having an "independent work" school day.

After the grocery shopping in the morning, I hope to be hard at work with Tom, pulling together my "buckets" and organizing my somewhat organized e-mail. I am also preparing to move from a "paper" system to a more "electronic" system of to do lists and general calendar work. This is a BIG change for me. Pray for me as I enter the "valley of despair" as it is called by planning experts. That simply means that since my learning curve is great going from a known system (paper) to a new system that has the potential to make me not have so many gaps, and so is a better system (electronic), but the learning curve is such that I will probably drop behind and under my effectiveness before I become as proficient and, hopefully, better at the new one.

Thanks for your encouragement in this!

Meanwhile, kids start back at school tomorrow! Pray for them as this weekend was busy, but fun and school is just plain busy! (smile!)