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2012-02-16T03:20:00.000-08:00

OK. My brother does have Crohn's disease and has been living with it for the past few months rather well. He changed his eating habits, and takes his medicine regularly. Soon he will go for another test in Zagreb, but all in all, he's doing well. No fever. :) Praise the Lord.

Other than these things, he's been doing really well... emotionally. We saw him during the Christmas break, when we stayed with my family for 2 weeks. I used to be afraid to look at him sometimes, because he used to be eager to interpret looks as threats, as attacks, as acts of belittling or scorn, although I tried my best never to feel or act that way toward him.

Anyway, this time... his look and his eyes were the most welcoming eyes in that house. Whenever I felt embarrassed or just caught myself in an awkward pause, his face was there to help me. Not because he used it, aware of the effect, but just because he was so friendly toward me. And everyone else. It was just... wonderful. I praise God for that, too.

Well, in other news, and pretty exciting news - Miro's Ordination service is this Sunday! I am not a fan of ceremony, when ceremony is its own end, like a custom. However, I am in awe of a meaningful ceremony, an event where words MEAN something, something beyond usual, everyday use of them. When you say something and in a special way you are aware that HERE and NOW God is here, listening, because it is a vow to Him. So special. May God be glorified in it, may His character be magnified and exalted among us on Sunday. Because everything is from Him, through Him, and for Him. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

My Brother

2011-10-05T06:59:00.000-07:00

My posts seem to be one prayer need after another. Just like life, I guess.

Well, my brother, Ivo, is at the hospital. The doctors are trying to figure out what's wrong with him, but without success. He's had a fever for a long time, but his bloodwork is perfect and there are no other visible symptoms. Needless to say, he is feeling really sad. The longer he doesn't know what's wrong, the worse and darker his thoughts become. He's never trusted Jesus as his Saviour and Lord, so that all his hope is feeble. Today, he's been very aggressive, arguing with the nurses and with our parents. I thoroughly dislike (in other words, hate) staying at the hospital (at least in a Croatian hospital), where nobody tells you anything and they just expect you to accept whatever they bring your way, so that I understand how helpless he must be feeling. And helplessness can make us all behave very bad. God help him.

They've already tested him on numerous bacterial diseases, from TBC and HIV to Streptococcus and Escherichia coli. And now, they're testing him for malignant diseases. Bone marrow puncture yesterday, today the Chron's disease test and an ultrasound of the heart. Next week lumbar puncture.

Here's a photo of him and his beautiful wife Sanja, and their darling son Ante...

Please pray with us, for a spiritual wake-up call and physical healing! Thank you so much!

Moving ahead

2011-10-01T03:03:00.000-07:00

The teacher wasn't pleased. We'll try harder next time.

Miro is in Slavonski Brod today and I've done the Saturday lesson at the Deaf and hard of hearing school. I'm teaching the kids there the symbols of English phonetics so that they don't have to rely on what's written in their English classes but have a way of knowing how to pronounce words. Since they can't hear well, they usually go for the letters on the page, reading them phonetically, and, needless to say, that's fatal in a language like English where pronunciation is extra weird:). No offense:)))

And now... we are being lazy. It's still quite warm around here, but the colours are changing. October colours. A bright sunny day - a perfect day for walking, squinting and smiling.
And I hope to do some of that:).

Before we know it, the forests will be dressed like this...

Book Report Day and Baptism Service

2011-09-29T08:31:00.000-07:00

Well, this too has passed. Jakov is at school now, with his report in the school bag. The second story he chose was called the Swineherd, and, for different reasons, it was not an easy read. Anyway, it's all done now. Thank you so much for praying! I don't think it will make a good grade. However, the teacher might reward his effort - he did read it all by himself, which is something many other kids don't do - their Moms read it for them. And, he did write everything required of him. Miro spoke with the teacher yesterday, and tried to explain the difficulties Jakov is facing, and she seems to have understood and is willing to help. That is wonderful and hope inspiring! Here's the book, in all its 80s glory:(

Aahhh. Moving on. And not looking back.

Now, here's a great piece of news: a baptism service on Sunday. One dear brother and sister will be baptised!! I am so happy for them both! What an enormous encouragement they are for our church here. I am so looking forward to it (thinking about, among other things, what to wear:))))!!! Our little church band will play two songs, that is great, too. It will be held at a different Church, since we don't have a baptistry, but that is no downer:) We are going there small in numbers but with great joy in the Lord. May He bless the lives and paths of our new brother and sister in Him, who is our Beloved!

Progress

2011-09-26T06:29:00.000-07:00

We finished reading The Ugly Duckling, and now need to choose another story from the book. Actually, Jakov was supposed to read every story in that book and write a report on two of them, but that's not the way it's gonna 'go down'.

These are the kinds of things that he needs to write there: time and place of the plot, main and other characters, some of their characteristics, a few of his favourite sentences and the moral of the story.
I was surprised at how quickly he did it. No crying. No saying 'I can't do it, it's too hard!' So, I decided I was not going to correct the many spelling mistakes and investigate the fact that his favourite sentence was the first sentence of the story - the shortest and easiest for copying:))! I was happy it was done, and he was ecstatic:)!
He will probably get a D (a 2 in Croatian, 5 being the highest and 1 the lowest grade), but there's time. We will press on. Can't wait for his speech therapist to come from her vacation.

OK, the first part is over. Now we need to choose and read the next story. A short one, perhaps;)?

The Saga Continues

2011-09-22T01:44:00.000-07:00

September - the school month. The month when you start wearing socks and quit wearing flip-flops and forget about the occasional run with no shoes at all. The end of the barefoot, carefree summer. But oh so exciting beginning of the school year. The intoxicating smell of books, school bags, pencil cases, the rush of being in the school corridors, the promise of hysterical classroom laughter, the adrenaline of exams.....aahhh, the good times. At least when you're in elementary school, and you are not yet your own worst enemy. Like you might become in high school.

But, that's my story, not my kids'. Somehow, my kids seem to be different from me! What's up with that?!? :)

Well, Josip (my 1st grader) seems to be following in his mama's footsteps, at least for now. When he's in front of his classroom, he seems hypnotized - doesn't even notice me once the thought of entering that room possesses his mind. I can't deny that that gives me such joy.

Jakov, on the other hand, seems to be ridden with different little problems that annoy him like flies when he's trying to concentrate and do something pertaining to school. He is often completely miserable. The hardest thing about looking up different learning disabilities is that he seems to have symptoms for each and every one of them. ADD, dyslexia, visual perceptual deficit, bad short term memory (related to his stuttering), etc. I don't think it is something very severe, more like a mild case of such things combined with a personality that becomes overwhelmed easily and shrinks away from 'hard' things. And the hardest thing for him, and is related to all learning, is reading. Our reading sessions are usually soaked in tears. Last year, our friend Rachel used to help him with that, trying to make it fun, and he loved it. This year, Charlie and Barb will try. I love them all so much for thinking about Jakov like that and doing something about it. His speech therapist is also trying to help, because it seems that children who stutter are known to have a hard time reading, at least in the beginning. Anyway, please pray...

He needs to read a book of Andersen's fairy tales by next Thursday. We are still in the first story - The Ugly Duckling. His pace is so slow that he doesn't even get things he reads. Which in Andersen's case might be just as well!! Why give such incredibly SAD stories to an eight year old who probably will not know how to cope with it?!? But that's another story. He needs to have a book report on this by Thursday. Please pray with us...

Oh yes, it's been a while

2011-07-29T01:47:00.000-07:00

The Busy July is almost at its end. One more event tonight and tomorrow night, and we are leaving the green pastures of Slavonia and exchanging them for the vast blues of the Adriatic. Praying for sunshine, a lot of sunshine to warm up our bones, to make us sleepy and full of smiles, to ressssst.

Tomorrow evening we are hoping to make a bonfire and roast corn with our short-termers. 'The Edgers'. Make some sweet memories, hopefully. They've all been very good, wonderful girls.

I'm aching for the sound of waves and concerts of crickets, squeaking of pebbles and the smell of pine trees.

in the waiting mode

2011-06-20T13:04:00.001-07:00

The boys are still gone. On the phone, Josip sounds happy. I hope they are. I pray they are.

I spent this morning at Jakov's school, talking to the school's psychologists about Jakov's problems with attention and reading skills. It was a good experience, and although not much was concluded, the ladies were very encouraging, and they said they will continue monitoring him in the Fall. I hope the teacher will open her heart and mind toward me and let me have at least her phone number! So strange, that a teacher wouldn't want to work together with the parent on the child's welfare. Maybe she had some bad experiences in the past?!? I don't know. The Lord is with us. Every step of the way. Prayer, prayer, prayer. Putting my trust in Him.

5 more days and my boys will be home.

I'm thankful for...

encouragement at discouraging places

the golden green grass at sunset

flowers

my neighbour's tractor (Luka 'drove' it:)

my neighbour Kaja, an old woman who gives Luka chocolate

my hardworking husband

freshly made apricot jam

a lunch that was full of goodies from our garden

reading 1 Peter with M in the quiet morning

that our faith is more precious than gold

that dying to self is a victory

kind stray dogs

my car radio

friends, always friends...

Jesus, who bought my salvation. and it was costly.

of partings

2011-06-17T22:07:00.000-07:00

Jakov and Josip are gone for a week at a Christian camp for kids. We've just said goodbye and hugged and waived and blew kisses. This might be one of the hardest goodbyes of my life.

Josip seemed like such a tiny little creature, in his red cap and bermuda shorts. He is so skinny. They both kept smiling and I tried to find some words of fun and cheer, but I think I failed miserably. My boys. The tall Jakov and the tiny Josip. I love them so much. And CAN'T wait for them to come home next Saturday.

Please Lord, keep them safe, keep them warm, keep them wrapped in your grace, bathed in your kindness, your love...

Seeking Father's Kingdom First

2011-06-12T21:45:00.000-07:00

One of the most well known verses, but still, a verse that is so easy to 'skip', because, 'I know this one'. Its abstractness makes it layered, and I have a tendency to stop thinking as soon as I've found the first satisfying answer. But, what does it mean? Maybe, going to Church on Sunday, tithing, sending kids to Christian camps... But, isn't this verse so much deeper... it takes time to think about what it really means. Like, in a certain situation when a friend makes a little remark that allows you to see that there is something wrong with your relationship that you had no knowledge of. You catch a glimpse of a dark light coming through the crack of their sentence. You feel hurt, because you are not 'like that' (although you maybe are). But, all of a sudden you don't trust them as before and all you feel is a desire to retaliate.

Or when you want to go to sleep early, so you can get up early and 'seek the Kingdom', but your husband would really like to watch a movie with you.

Or when, jumping from moderate to high heat in an argument, he tells you that you can't even keep the house in order, let alone yourself.

What then? I panic. And in that moment I realize that I connect seeking to reading, to quiet time, as if it's limited to that serene setting. I think: Doesn't this seeking has to do with reading the Bible? and don't I seek while I read? How do I seek it now that I'm hurt and my ego swells, and lights go out and I stagger around, hitting the walls?

Seeking God's kingdom means losing ourselves in obedience to the Lord and pouring out our lives in the eternal work of our heavenly Father.

John MacArthur

Losing ourselves. Pouring out our lives. Dying to self. Putting others first. Surrendering my will, knowing that it's not about me, but in Him, through Him and for Him. And He is good. And I can trust Him. Because He loves me with an undying love.

Here is a stanza from a poem (My love, by James Russell Lowell) that I came across that made the dying more clear, more tangible and, ultimately, more winsome. I secretly wish my husband will some day find this poem and see a glimpse of me in it...

She doeth little kindnesses,

Which most leave undone, or despise:

For naught that sets one heart at ease,

And giveth happiness or peace,

Is low-esteemèd in her eyes.

For now, I want to wholeheartedly continue with thanksgiving... One thousand gifts...

#46 blooming of roses

#47 receiving the Kingdom that cannot be shaken (Heb 12:38)

#48 ordering children's books through bookdepository.com - free shipping worldwide:)

#49 women with a great sense of humor

#50 prayers with Jakov

#51 M's help, sacrificial help

#52 the good outcome of Charlie's surgery

#53 Jami and for the internet

#54 words

#55 computers

#56 a good night's rest

#57 Jakov getting an A in English

#58 potatoes in bloom:)

#59 the smell of C&B's house

#60 Kekec

#61 losing weight

#62 Luka's laughs, when he throws his head back

#63 trains that come on time

#64 coming home after a long day out

#65 the new flowers in the garden

#66 our well

#67 coffee with friends

#68 my 'hoarding' father in law

#69 the stillness of the kitchen early in the morning

#70 the knick-knacks on the windowsill

A-weedin' and a-wonderin'

2011-06-10T07:30:00.000-07:00

I've never had a vegetable garden before. Or any sort of garden, for that matter. I was born and raised on the third floor of an apartment building, overlooking the kindergarten and low Dalmatian hillside. (Apartment buildings were the usual dwelling places of the middle class in socialist Yugoslavia. Like anthills.)

However, milling around my garden the last few weeks, I was struck with a thought that no matter how much I try, and take care of the weeds, and the soil, and put sticks for the tomatoes - all that is just peripheral in a sense. The real part, the reason why the vegetable garden was planted - TO GROW VEGETABLES - is beyond me!! I can't do anything to make it grow, I can just watch, hope and pray, and weed, and put sticks...

The miracle of growth belongs to HIM. We can 'work out our salvation' (Phil. 2:12) only in the sense of weeding and putting sticks, but the miracle of growth belongs to HIM.

What is so rare as a day in June?

2011-06-05T22:52:00.000-07:00

This title is so inspiring...

I am thankful for

#31 children giggling and screaming for joy

#32 planted flowers

#33 the fact that Sirač is only an hour away

#34 friends from afar

#35 M's support

#36 the ease with which I can watch Luka get totally dirty in the sand, and not worry one bit

#37 my mother's joy

#38 occasional conversations with my brother

#39 our TEAMMATES

#40 the good books that arrive through the mail!

#41 the good books that friends bring in their generous hands

#42 being involved in my neighbour's wedding

#43 hosting a beach party for the neighbourhood kids on our lawn

#44 Charlie and Barb coming back

#45 Ann Voskamp's daily inspiration

Eating Manna

2011-06-04T12:22:00.000-07:00

"For forty long years, God's people daily eat manna - a substance whose name literally means 'What is it?' Hungry, they choose to gather up that which is baffling. They fill on that which has no meaning. More than 14,600 days they take their daily nourishment from that which they don't comprehend. They find soul-filling in the inexplicable.

They eat the mystery.

They eat the mystery.

And the mystery, that which made no sense, is 'like wafers of honey' on the lips."

This is written by Ann Voskamp in One Thousand Gifts. These words, these thoughts penetrated deep inside my inner core. They linger in my mind throughout the day. And this is how I now try to live my life. This is what I pray for at night, thinking about the day ahead. And each day seems overwhelming. And I open my soul toward my Hope and I trust Him for the manna. Open my heart in trust and I eat the manna. And it is like honey on my lips.

I'm learning and breathing deeply.

Thank you for this day, Lord.

The path less traveled by

2011-05-30T22:37:00.000-07:00

Glorious, sunny days in Nova Gradiška. School almost over, although finals are still not over. Please pray for Jakov and his ability to retain what we learn together, and not to zone out in the middle of the task at hand.

Please, pray for Josip to have a soft heart, soft conscience and an epiphany:) - to get at least a glimpse of his little self and feel the humility of human, his own condition. Pray that for me, too.

Luka is growing as fast as a weed:)))) Please pray for his 'debut' in the world of obedience:))

And now, let's visualise the little path of gratitude. That little path that is not yet well trodden, but is already forming receptive ground to walk on, like it was waiting for this, like this was its destiny and now it is being fulfilled. The little winding, enchanting path that invites faster heartbeats, that gives excitement in anticipation. Passing by little brooks, caressing the soft grass, stopping to smell the leaves and the bark, and, the best of all, seeing a dear friend coming toward you... SO MUCH to be thankful for, so much to be thankful for...

# 11 for my neighbour Mira

# 12 for my vegetable garden

# 13 for hot sunny days in Spring

# 14 for M's patience

# 15 for the look in Josip's eyes when he's on to something

# 16 for Jakov's jokes

# 17 for 'having a plan' (naming)

# 18 for occasional moments of solitude

# 19 for the fact that my Lord is a REBUILDER. ALL POWERFUL REBUILDER.

# 20 for friends who come to visit and we get to spend a few PRECIOUS hours sharing what's on our hearts

# 21 for the story of Zacchaeus

# 22 for the rain

# 23 for the salvation of sinners

# 24 for the sounds of 'screamage' from the boys' room - Luka and Josip scaring eachother

# 25 bottlefeeding Luka and him touching my nose, and us both laughing like there's no tomorrow

# 26 for potatoes in bloom

# 27 for the ants in my kitchen

# 28 for the Holy Scriptures

# 29 for my neighbours' kindness

# 30 for spinach

Some private stuff:))))))

2011-05-26T13:22:00.000-07:00

(A recent e-mail from me to our DEAR friends and teammates, Charlie and Barb, who are in the States, but are coming back soon. Perhaps it seems pretty silly to write that as a blog post, but this was my day, and it was good, and I miss them:))

"Hey guys, how are you? How's big boy Charlie doing? I hope the drugs are of

good quality, if not, I know a guy:)))))))

Report from the Brennecke home:
Your home smells so NICE, I can't believe that even after you've been gone for quite a while the whole house just smells beautifully and gives me such a feeling of safety and rest. I miss you guys so much.
Praško waiting just behind the gate, in desperate need of tlc (won't touch hard food - he reads us like an open book)
Kekec crazy about running, eyebrows 5 cm long, gorgeous as ever, losing touch with reality:)))) just kidding (?:D?)
Speaking of centimeters - the weeds are getting to be of an impressive height:)! Ever since the End of the world on Sat, we've had short summer thunderstorms, with little showers of rain. It's amazing how weeds, unlike plants we like and nurture, only need a few drops of rain and they THRIVE:))
However, judging by the beautiful blooms of the plants in the living room, the lady that nurtures them has 'zlatne ruke' and I can't wait to see her.
We all weighed ourselves upstairs and (why not) here is the report (we all seem to weigh double in comparison to the guy behind us):
Luka 24.4 pounds
Josip 42.2
Jakov 73.8
Ivana (who lost weight which is the only reason she is doing this ridiculous
list:)))))))) 145.4

Hahaha, WE LOVE YOU!! See you soon.

Ivana
P.S. Cherries sumptiously ripe. We had some.:)))

Humbly joining the Multitudes on Monday

2011-05-23T12:39:00.000-07:00

I am thankful for...

#1 Luka's face when he's asleep

#2 seagulls, soundlessly following the ferries

#3 the word RANSOM

#4 the shimmer of the sea on a sunny day

#5 good pens that slide down the paper

#6 the brown eyes of my sons

#7 clean sheets

#8 hot showers

#9 M's ever warm feet

#10 our house in the middle of our street

Our Father

2011-05-22T22:21:00.000-07:00

We must address ourselves to him as our Father, and must call him so. He is a common Father to all mankind by creation, Mal. 2:10; Acts 17:28. He is in a special manner a Father to the saints, by adoption and regeneration (Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:6); and an unspeakable privilege it is. Thus we must eye him in prayer, keep up good thoughts of him, such as are encouraging and not affrighting; nothing more pleasing to God, nor pleasant to ourselves, than to call God Father. Christ in prayer mostly called God Father. If he be our Father, he will pity us under our weaknesses and infirmities (Ps. 103:13), will spare us (Mal. 3:17), will make the best of our performances, though very defective, will deny us nothing that is good for us, Lu. 11:11–13. We have access with boldness to him, as to a father, and have an advocate with the Father, and the Spirit of adoption. When we come repenting of our sins, we must eye God as a Father, as the prodigal did (Lu. 15:18; Jer. 3:19); when we come begging for grace, and peace, and the inheritance and blessing of sons, it is an encouragement that we come to God, not as an unreconciled, avenging Judge, but as a loving, gracious, reconciled Father in Christ, Jer. 3:4.

Henry, M. (1996, c1991). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Mt 6:9). Peabody: Hendrickson (emphasis mine).

Father Abraham, Maria Hathaway Spencer

there are a lot of ways of refusing to be crucified with Christ

2011-05-20T12:42:00.001-07:00

This evening I 'loved' my family by demanding that they be more like me. Me, who is giving her best, me who is doing one thousand things, me who is making sacrifices while everyone else just floats on through life.....

Such a subtle, and such an obvious deception. I should know it inside out by now. And still... it's elusive, this self. Me and my right to the throne. Always lurking.

Story about ants, but, alas! without morals;). well, maybe a little moral.

2011-05-19T22:29:00.000-07:00

Two still asleep. A beautiful morning outside. Sounds of birds chirping come from every direction. Ants all over the kitchen counters. Avoiding the food, looking for water.

For some reason, I don't mind them when they're 'only' looking for water. It's like we pass by each other without any hostile feelings, minding our own business, maybe with even a little bit of compassion and...respect?!:))

I'm not anxious probably because I'm convinced they will soon leave. It's what they did last year. Invaded our kitchen for a week and then disappeared for the whole year. The thought that they CAN actually totally invade our house is kind of scary - there are holes in the walls, in the floor, that are sufficiently big for them to come in and bring whole armies. Last year they even had a dance in the boys' room, totally disregarding 'our world', having parties and mating rituals!!

Haha, and now a strange statement: Thank you Lord for these ants of 'mine', thank you for giving me the grace not to panic and be anxious about them, too. Thank you for making me share my kitchen with ants:)

We meet in the weirdest places - early in the morning, when I open the utensils drawer, they are there to greet me, well, actually to run around like crazy people, but that's what they always do, isn't it?!? Always look totally nuts, carrying stuff a million miles away from the anthill, or going left then right then back, then meeting someone and then off again in all directions, over the walls, in the tall grass... and still they make it home. I think they don't get overwhelmed by the IMMENSITY of the world around them and hence HOPELESS because they KEEP THEIR MIND ON THE JOB.

Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.

Get off the bus!

2011-05-17T21:52:00.000-07:00

Early morning. And already thoughts of rushing, thoughts of anxiety. Prayer, followed by anxiety. Something's wrong with that. And yet it's so familiar. Maybe recognizing it will make a difference? Leave the computer, go back on your knees.

of new beginnings

2011-05-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

The train passes by. I like the sound of the train.

It's a cloudy little morning and my little patch of the sky is grey - that's the little sky piece that I see from my prayer place, which is nothing more than an armchair near the radiator. My Radiator Springs :) where I come to find the Living Water.

I've read a book recently and so many things were made alive inside me, so many unfarmed plots stirring, calling for rain, for the plowing. It's One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

A little while ago, we went for a Pioneers Conference on Brač, Croatia. Through His Word, the songs of praise and thoughts, and the huge fact that the kids were with different caretakers :) - I saw the barren land within me, repented and found Him loving me. Still!! And more than ever! in the sense that I understood it better than before, another layer on the road to the center of His love. When I became a Christian I understood - that knowledge is not an enormous shallow sea, the way I always saw it before, but a small area that goes deep down, always deeper and deeper. Like, when you hear 'God loves you'. And you think you understand. And then, after 11 years of living with Him, you see that you didn't really understand. There is a vast deal more to know. Not more in the perimeter but more in depth. In trust. Trust goes deep, not wide. That's what He wants from me, to trust Him.

My prayer today: But as for me, (may I be) like a green olive tree in the house of God;

(and) trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.

The spot from which Cetina rises, the river from whose banks I hail. Scary looking, ha:)? So is this trusting business.

Visits and Cards

2011-04-12T07:10:00.000-07:00

Miro's Dad and sister came to visit us the other weekend, and we enjoyed three days of lovely company and sunshine. Miro's Dad celebrated his 55th birthday with us and we had a bbq for him. My boys had a blast, they love their grandpa so much. His name is Ferenc and he lives in Zadar, where Miro is from. Zadar is a beautiful old city on the Dalmatian coast. Hopefully, we will go there this summer and stay for a week or so with grandpa, who lives alone, since Miro's Mom passed away 13 years ago.

Grandpa said he liked my cards (I was soooo flattered:D) and asked me to make two for his sister and her daughter Ella. Since I recently bought fantastic papers from my friend Teta Beta, I decided to use those. One card is intended for a grown woman, and for some reason I kept having in mind those shoes that have a clasp, like this :). Which is why the card looks like this...

The other one was meant for a little lady named Ella, and is much more girly and childlike.

I hope the girls will have fun on their birthdays.

Jakov Balint-Feudvarski

2011-03-15T10:20:00.000-07:00

"Luka, I cannot hold you in my lap forever!", says Jakov and puts the screaming Luka on the floor. Aaaah... Life in our family is as hectic as ever:). No matter where you 'slice' us, you will find chatter and physical movement, laughter and wild gestures. Even Miro and I aren't immune to that. Actually, I think we belong to a group of parents who goof around a LOT... But also demand total discipine. Now, does that make us the worst or the best parents in the world?!? Probably neither. Mostly average. But, I will tell you there is one area where God has a lot to teach me, and I'm guessing that because the circumstances of my life DEMAND it of me, and that area is PATIENCE.

Longsuffering might be another term, since it sure feels like suffering :).

As you know, Jakov started school this academic year. Even before it started, I knew he was going to surprise me, since I had no idea what to expect. He has always been a wonder to me. Even when he was a little boy, I couldn't predict many things about him. All I knew was that he was different than me. My creativity always needs something to hold on to - like, I need a character from a book to identify with, and then I can easily imagine other characters and other worlds. But, Jakov... Jakov doesn't need something to trigger his creativity. He creates ex nihilo, if you'll pardon my expression. Like a true artist he finds the inspiration from within, and doesn't depend on his environment.

However, he also finds it hard to concentrate. Once he told me that the letters on the page were dancing. Ahem. And, did I mention that he stammers? As you can imagine, I was terrified of school, and, sure enough, it's been a crazy ride, this school business.

His teacher is a rather strict lady, but I have no problems with that. I have problems with myself and my atttude toward him. It's amazing how encouraging I am with the two students I help with different subjects at school, and yet, how short-fused I am when it comes to my own child. My firstborn. My enigma. The little wrinkled black haired guy that one day presented himself to me, glancing at me through his eyelashes.

So many opposite thoughts going through me while we are doing his homeworks: Is he just lazy? Did he really forget that, or is he lying? Is it possible that he cannot understand this, after I've explained it to him a moment ago? Why does he never read the assignement carefully (like I keep telling him)? Arghhh, it's a struggle. And goes much deeper than that.

However, I need to be resolved to get through this phase without having to regret it afterwards. My life is going on at this moment and the decisions about how I live it are mine. What do I want to do? I want to depend on the Lord and do what's right and then let go. And right in this case (or in any other case) is producing the fruit of the Spirit. And to do that - I must immerse myself in the Word and shift my focus to God. May this not be a soothing 'mantra' that never gets done but a new beginning.

Some last minute ones

2010-12-23T15:14:00.000-08:00

Well, today is Badnjak, as we call it in Croatia - the day before Christmas. This Christmas we will be spending with our family in Christ, here in Nova Gradiška. There will be a special meal to which everyone will bring something yummy and my family will host it. I am SO looking forward to it. Many things still to be done, but it's all exciting!

School break officially began today for Jakov, and Josip is staying home for the holidays too. I am so glad we will all be together, celebrating the memory of our Savior's birth: Him coming down to 'Earth's darkest night', spreading His light and giving us the gift of eternal life!! What a Savior!

Encouraged by the fantastic Christmas party my teammates Tim and Rae hosted, I will be spending the next few days visiting neighbors with a plate of homemade cookies, looking for an opportunity to share the Gospel with them. The cards I make are also a kind of a present for my friends and neighbors. Here are some last minute ones:) I love how festive red color is...

But I think I like green even better;)

This one was 'delivered' this evening: I gave it to my lovely friend Ana, who lives just down the street.

All the little sentiments were stamped with my new Croatian stamp set designed by my amazing friend Elizabeta, aka Teta Beta:), who started a little business making cards for different occasions and now even offers stamps in Croatian!! Check out her work HERE.

Well, I wish you all a very merry Christmas!!! Be of good cheer and remember the One 'behind' it all:)!!

A little bit of Christmas cheer:)

2010-12-16T09:34:00.000-08:00

Here are some of the cards I've been making lately. For our friends in the States we've sent out a photo card, I hope you guys over the ocean have received them already! These are the ones that will, for the most part, stay within the borders of 'Lijepa naša':).

The first one is a bit special and is intended for a wonderful woman who likes the red and black combination;).

However, these next two sets were really easy to make, and could all go under the category of a 10 minute card:)). But, don't they look lovely? Haha, praising myself...not a way to do it!

I hope you like them. Have a nice evening/day:))!

Little November update

2010-11-27T03:38:00.000-08:00

So, what have we been up to in the past month or so? Time goes by quickly, each day is rapidly replaced by the next, work, school, food, clothes, cleaning, house projects 'done' and house projects 'arrested', Reformation Day celebration, Josip's birthday, Sunday morning services, dr. appointments - all in a month's work:))) All of those are also good things. Times of fellowship, times of joy, times of learning self-discipline, times of rest after an exhausting day, times of going to school alone!, times of preaching the Gospel, times of hanging pictures on the wall... A great big 'mess' of things, that will someday be memories to all of us, that will be 'childhood' to my boys.

Even now, I am off: gotta take Luka to the doctor (last week at the cardiologist, he got a clean bill of health - no more of those visits anymore, praise the Lord!) and then to Barb's for a visit. Here are two cards I made recently, one for Jakov's friend and the other one was Josip's B-party invitation. Have fun, everyone:)))

Taking it back:)))

2010-10-16T00:42:00.000-07:00

I thought it was about time to 'overwrite' that last post:)).

You see, it was written at the end of my wits, and at the end of my wits there is a little grove, where a little dwarf sits on a tree stump, and laughs at all my efforts. Like, a realist sort of dwarf, who's just saying it like 'it is'. And, as gullible as I am, I usually believe him. Probably because at the end of my wits, you know, there are no clear thoughts, only strips of thoughts, glimpses of them. No big picture, just senseless mosaics that get lifted into whirlwinds and wreak havoc inside me. Which is when I fall down, exhausted by the buzzing pandemonium of my own brain. And then I sit down and blog about it!!!!! I know, it doesn't get more foolish than that;).

So, here is a REAL update:) We happily welcomed Miro back from Berlin. Our wonderful

Husband and Dad even had little presents for us:). Resting my eyes on his beautiful, kind face was probably the biggest treat for me. My eyes truly rest when I look at him. It was always like that. Oh, what a lucky girl I am:)! Blessings everywhere - Jakov doing well at school, Josip enjoying his kindergarten, Luka being healthy and growing all the time, wonderful relationships with brothers and sisters in the Lord...

The only thing that's tempting me to worry is the wall in our bedroom. We actually moved out of it because of some mouldy problems. My allergies have worsened and it seems to be the direct result of sleeping in that bedroom. We are looking at many different remedies, trying to figure out what would put an end to it all (we've already invested a considerable amount of money on it, and the problem is still there). For now, we are trying to dry it by using the air conditioner in there, because it actually functions as an air dehumidifier - this is something we know because God gave us our dearest team leader Charlie:).

Anyway, Autumn is underfoot:), leaves everywhere, beautiful scenery around our town. And...I even managed to make a card the other day. Quite an accomplishment:)! Luka is teething and only takes little naps in between all the crying and clinging to me, poor little guy. 'This too shall pass', and I will probably look back on these moments with nostalgia, because Luka is growing SO FAST!

So, here is the little card I made for a special friend who had her book published the other day:) Love to you all!

Is it Sunday yet?

2010-10-01T23:38:00.000-07:00

I'm still alive. That I can vouch for. I can't really vouch for many other things. Like, my sanity. From this side of my body, I imagine my nerves looking worn out like old tires - very thin and in danger of tearing... The fact that I don't sleep much must be adding to it ;). I never ever could have guessed how much work my husband does on a daily basis! How many little things he holds together, how many pieces of information, how many threads that hold our lives and keep it on the track. He has been gone for a week and I feel like a zombie.

I am so ready for it to be Sunday :)

I (He) can do it:)!

2010-09-25T08:48:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Miro and Jakov went to Daruvar, a near-by town, where Miro was invited to speak at a Youth meeting. Tomorrow morning he leaves for Berlin. Wow... Next week will definitely be challenging for me and (the rest of) my house:). Driving Jakov to school, Josip to kindergarten. I hope it will be a sunny week, which would make transporting Luka much easier;) But, whatever the case, I can do everything in the One who gives me strength:)!!!

Anyway, I am SO glad Miro got this wonderful opportunity to spend a week listening to a lecture on New Testament Theology, having fellowship with many brothers from all over the world. I pray he comes home refreshed and energized.

Now, here is a little card I made the other day, using the same stamp set, Gina K's Oh Boy by Tami Mayberry. Last time I forgot to say that my card was very much inspired (if not copied;) by Donna Baker's card made with the same set. (Truth be told, I like EVERYTHING that amazingly talented lady does:)! So, here is my little attempt - the light is bad as usual, but I just love these colours. Hope you like it! Have a wonderful day, dear friends!

School time!

2010-09-11T13:27:00.000-07:00

School started on Monday! On Monday morning, Jakov took his Hot Wheels school bag, bravely shushed his fears and became a pupil! This whole week passed without any problems. I am so proud of him:).

Josip also started kindergarten. I believe that somehow it was even harder for him - Jakov already knew some of his school buddies, while this was Josip's first introduction to his group...

We've all been a bit nervous this week, but I am so thankful to God for leading us through it all, without any major dificulties. I am praying for wisdom in dealing with my kids on so many levels - intelectually, spiritually, emotionally... Sometimes I really feel so inept for motherhood, or better to say, for being so important in somebody's life. I hope I won't mess up my boys' lives..

On a (much) lighter note, we've had some birthday parties in our neighbourhood these days. I am so happy that we are becoming a part of the area and that the kids get invited to parties. Actually, since we made those invitations for Jakov's birthday a while back, every birthday on our street sports home made invitations - I guess people like the idea! Who knows, maybe that's a beginning of a lovely ministry:)?

Here are two cards I made for those birthdays. First is a candilicious :) card for a girl who hasn't had much sweetness in her young life. The pink background has polka dots on it, but it's not clearly visible.

The second one was for Leonardo (no, he is not one of the Ninja Turtles;), J&J's friend.

Not so fast!

2010-08-25T03:02:00.000-07:00

Actually, I meant I did not write this as fast as I wanted to:). You know, the usual excuses, or should I say, the usual suspects (there are four of them in my household... or five, including the dog:))

But, here I am, and I have some nice birthday photos to share. Jakov and his little guests had a great time, and the birthday party lasted full 4 hours!! Thankfully, 2/3 of that time were spent outside, where Miro was great at entertaining all the little football crazed boys. The girls spent their time talking to me(!) and singing the new song by Kim Verson (16 year old national talent show winner). I have it on our camera - it was so funny and cute!

After that, we spent almost three weeks in Dalmatia, visiting parents and friends. We stayed for ten days at a friends' apartment, while they were traveling - so gracious of them!

But you see, being back home didn't hurt any of us too much, especially Miro and me. Being away from home with three little kids can get pretty exhausting. However, we did get to spend a few carefree lying in the sand days...what more could I want? Well, maybe 7 of those:), but hey there's always next summer, Lord willing.

On the right side you can see some birthdays photos and photos from our trip. They are there because after some experimenting I now don't know how to change their position:D

Have a nice day, you wonderful people!!

YAY for CARDS BY ELI:))!!!

2010-07-15T23:37:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled to hear that a wonderful friend of mine, Elizabeta Kushner, was into cards, and not only that, but that she is amazing at it and has her own fantastic blog!! It was such a joy to hear that I have a new card making buddy but also a huge encouragement for me to keep up with this blog of mine that gets advertised on our every prayer letter. I really apologize to anyone who had in the past come here only to find out that nothing is going on:(. I plan to do better in the future, and that is all dear Elizabeta's doing:))!

Well, as far as the news go, another birthday is coming up at the Balint-Feudvarski household, and it is Jakov's 7th! We will be celebrating on Saturday, although his birthday is on Sunday the 18th. However, with two Church services to attend, it would have been too much to squeeze in a birthday party as well:)

Here is the invitation for the happy occasion (I was really trying to avoid anything with monsters, aliens, or 'alien force' (Ben 10, for the chosen few who don't know):)).

I hope you like it. Little boats and lighthouses are also the theme of the boys' bedroom and I really like that boyish summery playing in the sand care-free feel.

And now I need to start preparing for the celebration, there is so much still to do! See you soon with the pics:)!

One More Card

2010-04-02T04:59:00.000-07:00

Here is another easy card I made for Nina's blogiversary. The text says "I am the vine, you are the branches". My card is small and simple, but those words are larger than life - eternal!

Happy Easter everyone!

A new card

2010-03-31T23:27:00.000-07:00

Maybe it's the March madness, but I've finally decided to write something:)! As the Spring enters our little town of Nova Gradiška, I am also feeling the need to stretch a little bit, take a stroll down the canal, or just stop to smell the flowers. Luka is finally out of his colic stage, and we sometimes sleep more than three hours at a time! What a change! Last night I actually awoke around 3 am, wondering if he was still alive:)

Today hasn't been that good since I am running a little fever and feel like I've been run over buy a truck:)). But hey, it's Easter soon and Easter is my favourite Christian holiday, so my spirits are up! Especially since Charlie and Barb are coming over on Saturday for a little preEaster brunch. Yes, it will be fabulous!!

Anyway, what really brought me out, hehe, is the challenge that Nina is offering on account of her 1 year blogiversary, over at her superb Crafting in Croatia blog. I am entering this card. I wanted to write 'Chantilly lace' as the sentiment (it just went so well with the card), but didn't have the stamp for it (lol), and it was too late to print it out... However, 'Just for you' is also nice. This is actually one of my favourite combinations of colours.

Hmmm, perhaps I'll make another one for this challenge tomorrow...;)

Luka is here!

2010-02-03T02:29:00.000-08:00

Many things happened in the last few weeks, but suffice it to say that Luka had arrived to this world of ours and he is a healthy, strong little candy of a boy:)! I've had some problems with my health but the Lord took care of all that. I like the verse for today on this page: Psalm 59:16. His strength carried me and His love nurtured me all the while I was in the hospital. His unchanging love and mercy shone with such light that my darkness was completely dispelled. Now that I look at it, it seems nothing better could have happened to me than to have ended up in the hospital:)). Well, perhaps:)

My husband has been my BEST FRIEND, my greatest comfort. As I said to a friend a while ago, my reliable and bottomless source of love. Where does he store it:)?

Also, what kept me going when I was thinking that I was running on empty were the prayers of my brothers and sisters. I took such comfort in that. In a certain, strong sense, it meant to me that God was not giving up on me - on the contrary, He was raising a little army of prayer warriors to lift me up in their prayers - What love and comfort!!

(I wish I could write better and longer about this terrible/wonderful experience...)

Anyway, I'm all better now:), at home with my family. Little Luka is eating and sleeping well, and J & J seem to like him a lot:) Miro can finally rest, at least at night, for he was bottle feeding Luka while I was in the hospital. He was so exhausted, since that came at the tail of a long tiresome journey of taking care of EVERYTHING for a few months, just when we thought he was out of the woods. Bam! But, loving as he is, he did it all without murmuring. In Him who gives us the strength, for He is the vine and we are the branches...

So, here's looking at my husband and children; you, my brothers and sisters;, and Him who is our all! THANK YOU!!!

Good news!

2009-12-03T09:50:00.000-08:00

Jakov is almost out of his chicken pox days. There is no more itching, and he is actually full of energy, ready to go play outside again!

My Dad is already out of the hospital, feeling well and resting on his couch, with my mom as his nurse - and, well, you can't beat that!

Also, I saw my Doctor for a check up and an ultrasound, and all he said was so encouraging!! It seems that that poor stitch of mine:) is still there, holding the fort:), and Dr believes it will last three more weeks, until it's time to take it out. So, basically there are only 3 more weeks of this complete bedrest for me!! I cannot begin to tell you how much that means to me - the "real" life is close!! I can be a "full time" wife and mom again, I can be a witness for Christ in my wider community, I can be a better friend to my friends!!

Thank you SO MUCH for your prayers!! Seeing the baby on the ultrasound and hearing his (it is definitely a "he", don't ask me how I know - I saw it real well:))!!) heartbeat made me cry. Oh how I love him already. He had his little hand over his face and didn't let us get a good look, but we saw everything else, and it was all healthy and beautiful. The Lord weaved him out of nothing!!!! Oh there should be a billion of exclamation marks there. I am so amazed by Him, His power, His wisdom, His love, His mercy....

In His name I greet you and send you hugs and kisses from my little foggy town, praying that his light is never out of you sight! May we together grow in understanding and humility before Him.

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer

2009-11-29T09:43:00.000-08:00

Dear friends,

there are many different ailments that are plaguing our family and friends at the moment. In addition to my ever more difficult bed rest (sounds like a contradiction in terms:), now my Jakov has chicken pox, accompanied with high fever. Poor guy, he even has little dots on the soles of his feet. Last night he spent in tears and utter frustration because of the stcratching of his back and the fact that he is not allowed to scratch, even if he could reach his back. Miro slept in the room with him, just so he could be there for him when he wakes up (which was often), or even just to raise his voice, trying to make him snap out of uncontrolablle crying while sleeping.

Since chicken pox is highly contagious, we expect Josip to get it next. Both Miro and I had it before, so that we (and the baby) are ok.

My dad, who is 63, is scheduled to have surgery tomorrow - he has some water cysts on his kidneys that the doctors want to take out, since they are bigger than 9cm (3,5 inches). My dad is not a believer, so please pray with us that he will spend this time in the hospital seeking God.

Also, our dear friend and team mate, Garret, recently found out that his mom has something on her liver. The doctors are not sure if it's a liver tumor or a liver disease, and cannot do biopsy because of her other medical issues, so that the poor woman needs to decide whether she will go straight to chemo (believing it's a tumor) or start taking antibiotics (for liver disease). I can't imagine how difficult all that is for her and for her family. But we can pray, and pray eagerly. Our God is the Lord of all creation and has plans for all of us. Oh, I pray she seeks Him and finds in Him all her comfort and cast all her worries on Him. He atoned for our sins and there is now no condemnation for those who are in Him. And that is all we REALLY need.

Please join me in prayer for these things. Let us carry each other's burdens. May the Lord bless you huundredfold for every prayer for your fellow believers.

2009-11-19T04:24:00.000-08:00

A glorious, sunny day in my little town! Although I only get to see it from the inside, I still feel its enthusiasm and positiveness:) Also, I am 32 weeks pregnant and that also sounds very hope inspiring. Waiting for the miracle to come...:)

Lately I've been thinking about the layout for my Christmas cards, and lacking the option of sitting for long, have decided for this (the one with the photo) - I really like Kristina Werner's creations and this seems like a perfect fuss-free gift for me. I will change the colours, though, for I think my family of men would look better in a blue-brown combination and on a colour photo. A dear friend of mine will soon send me some winter maternity clothes and I will have something (other thatn this pink sweater that I now have on:) to wear on that Christmas photo. Although I was pregnant twice already, I don't have my own winter mater. clothes mainly because I gave birth to Jakov in the middle of the Summer and although Josip was born in November, that Autumn was so warm that I came to the hospital on November 6th wearing a T-shirt! That is why I do have maternity pants, but no shirts or sweaters...

(Miro just came in playing the mouth harmonica he bought at a local store - it sounds great:)))). He is very musical and I do have some hopes of our children playing instruments some time in the future.)

Kudos to my friend Wendy who gave birth to her son, Jonah Mark, on Monday! You go, girl:)) I am so happy that it didn't last too long for you and that you are finally done with contractions and worrying!

Have a wonderful day, dear friends!

We had a wonderful time!

2009-11-07T12:52:00.001-08:00

Really! The children were well enough behaved, there weren't too many tears and Miro was the perfect host! Our teammate Betsy was here with her adorable 3-year-old Teyla; my brother, his wife and their little son Ante came as well - what a wonderful evening. I think Josip had a blast, especially when my brother presented him with a remote control car track! There were many phonecalls and singing and fb greetings:))) Josip enjoyed it all!

I haven't seen my brother and his family for 4 months or so, and it was really good to catch up. Their little boy is just a bundle of joy - like a little sponge that remembers and imitates everything he hears or sees. My sister in law is a beautiful woman and I sometimes enjoy just looking at her:) I realized tonight that I really miss them, although our relationship was never that great. They said they will come visit when the baby is born. I am looking forward to it.

The grown-ups helped with the cleaning in the end. So good toward me, everyone. And now the boys are in bed and Miro is loading the dishwasher. My poor, tired, wonderful man... He is preaching tomorrow both in Slavonski Brod and here in Gradiška, and will probably be finishing up his sermon until late tonight. I am so thankful that God gave him, exactly him, to me. I better go pray for him:). Before I go, here are some birthday highlights:

Miro coming in with the cake!!

Lighting the No 5 candle!

The joy of a successfully blown out candle:)

Ante scaring me in his "ghost" costume:)

My birthday boy being all strong and scary:)

Well, I hope you have a good night/day:)!

1 Timothy 1,17

2009-11-06T10:21:00.000-08:00

Today has turned out to be a long day. I haven't been feeling too perky, and the kids were especially sensitive. So, we're already calling it a night. Anyway, tomorrow is a big day, full of excitement - Josip's birthday!! We are going to have a little celebration and it seems that my brother with his family will be here with us, at least for a little while. What a wonderful treat!

J, J&I made some little bookmarky things to put into kids' little treasure hunt bags, along with other yummy goodies. I am really doing my best to channel their energy and teach them something about God in the process, but today I've been feeling like such a failure. A mom that is always in bed isn't a great source of direction for her ever needy children. And I don't mean needy just in the emotional sense, but in a "real" sense: in the sense of giving them a glass of water, making pancakes, showing them some new game that includes moving, making sure they brushed their teeth properly and not just ate the toothpaste...

One thing that really made my evening was reading Dr MacArthur on wisdom of God. Just reading some verses about His magnificence, the depth and the width of His wisdom, being reminded AGAIN that true wisdom is to fear God and keep His commandments... was really uplifting for my soul. And it helps me to keep on moving, however immobile:).

Thank you so much for your prayers, dear friends...

Hanging by a thread

2009-11-04T06:51:00.000-08:00

Ok, here's my pregnancy update: I saw my Dr on Monday and he was very grieved to tell me that all those stitches and my resting didn't amount to much - there is only one stitch that is holding the cervix together. And I'm sure it is one tired, stretched stitch! So, goodbye blue skies, hello STRICT bedrest. Well, the skies aren't that blue any more, and my determination to make it through is getting stronger - therefore, I will not complain.The only thing that is really sad is that my hubby needs to carry his own AND my whole load now - cleaning, cooking, children, and all that children entail, which is a LOT. Anyway, enough to make you cranky in a long term way. I just pray that won't happen to him.

I'm planning Josip's birthday party on Saturday, and that also seems to be impossible with me in bed. I don't want a big thing, just a little celebration with a few kids. For a few months now, Josip has been spending his mornings playing alone: me in bed, his brother in the kindergarten and daddy working, and I think he deserves a bit of birthday fun. Unfortunately, it seems that Gradiska has no organized B-day parties, so that we'll have to come up with something on our own.

In other news, Autumn has really kicked in - there are almost no leaves on the trees anymore. Only a week ago the walnuts in our yard were covered in a gorgeous yellow colour, but it's all on the ground now - a deep yellow carpet.

Here are some nice pics of the kids taken the other day.

2009-10-08T00:52:00.000-07:00

Today is the Croatian Independence Day, and I'm still in bed. The boys are playing in their room and Miro is shaving (yay:). The morning is slowly dragging along. We had some hot dogs for breakfast and I'm looking forward to my second cup of coffee in the day (my favourite one, the one that I sip, unlike the first one which goes down almost in one gulp).

The house is more or less "done", which only means that the work on the kitchen is over and the gas has been installed. Well, tomorrow is the day when the Gas people come and officially connect us to the town's installations. It has been a long process, and one I wouldn't like to go through in the near future. I can' t wait for the gas installation, because I need a shower!!! and there is no hot water in the house!

Last week my mom and dad visited us for the long weekend. That whole time I couldn't find the camera, because of the mess in the house, so that there is no record of them being here:(. However, we had a wonderful time. Josip was especially smitten with his "baka" (granny), as usual. On the day of their departure, we were looking at their car slowly disappearing on the freeway, and Josip said, 'What will they do without us? They love us so much, but they just need to go.' Needless to say, I felt heartbroken. I guess, as far as I'm concerned, I don't miss their company as much as I miss the possibility of dropping by occasionaly, when I feel like it.
Well, I shouldn't pretend to be tough.... I miss them.

Anyway, it's already evening andI should just post this. (Today my aunt Vesna started following this blog, and I welcome her, it's really nice to be in touch this way:)

Have a nice and relaxing evening all you lovely people:))

A lovely kitchen floor and a...Card?

2009-09-26T01:03:00.000-07:00

The laminate floor is finally in place:)) Thanks to my husband's supernatural powers, the kitchen now looks like this:

And this...

The kitchen cabinets aren't yet in place, because we need some plumbing (and gas installing) to be done before we can do that. We did put in a few, just to see how it will look with the dark floor, and I think it looks amazing:))) The cabinets are kind of old looking, just the way I wanted them. My first choice was a pale green rustic kitchen, but since it was two times more expensive, we decided on this one. I have no regrets:)!!

The walls proved to be really crooked, and it seems the only way to really fix an old house like ours would be to scrape all the way to the bricks, make them bare and then add on whichever insulation and method you prefer. However, such a process would be very costly and loooong, so that, for now, we are very pleased with what we (ahem, Miro) accomplished.

Well, there is another very exciting thing happening on my blog: this is the first time that I'm 'publishing' my handmade card and linking it to any blog that's hosting a challenge. Of course, since Nina is my greatest inspiration and the woman who introduced me to the whole card making world (or paper creativity in general:), I am joining the Stamp TV's Color Combo Challenge that she is hosting (to use any shade of red; cream or white; kraft or sand; and chocolate brown). I am sooo excited about it. Here is my card:
It was very difficult to make it look like it looks in 'real life'. Even this one, that I ended up choosing, is not true to the original (e.g. you can't really see that the ribbon is of a cream colour). Buuuut, this is my first time ever, and I am super excited, nevertheless:))

Have a wonderful weekend, dear friends:)!

Kitchen renovation is afoot

2009-09-22T08:49:00.000-07:00

But my hands are still akimbo:) - Miro is doing all the work! Since we don't have any money left to pay 'real' craftsmen, my husband is being Jack of all trades, and so far it's really working well for him:) The kitchen is completely 'gutted', but alas! parts of the wall are also falling apart. I usually see this kind of thing on TV, and often there are several people working on it. Well, it just couldn't be done that way. Lord willing, Miro will finish plastering and leveling the wall by this evening, and we may even attempt to paint one of the walls. It is so ugly now, but I know it will be so lovely when it's done.

Hm, talk about a gutted kitchen...

In other news, my doctor's appointment went really well, that is to say that I haven't dilated any more. Praise the Lord for that!! The baby is really active and I can feel him kicking and moving almost all the time. This is how I look these days (corduroy pants are just wishful thinking, it's still too warm). I forgot to rotate it before, and don'tknow how to do it here:(

Jakov and Josip are busy outside. The corn field that is near our house is harvested and now we can see the railway!! It is such an amazing event for the kids, and I too love it how the scenery has completely changed all of a sudden.

There are many fruit trees in our garden, even some that I have no idea what they are. Do you?

There are also apples, pears, grapes and walnuts. The last few days there has been a light breeze in the mornings and late afternoons, and I really enjoy that. There is something so special about a soft breeze. My Croatian Bible translates the verse from the Genesis account (3:8) where it says that God walked in the cool of the day, as 'God walked in the breeze of the day'. Oh how gloriously that rings:), as the best possible part of the day.

Another great news is that my darling friend Nina, who is an amazing artist, became a Senior Designer for GinaK Designs. Wow! How wonderful! They are lucky to have her:))

Well, that's all for now. I'll see you soon with new pics of the kitchen;)!

Wooziness, the residential hero, kitchen 'befores'

2009-09-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

Well, I've spent most of the day in bed:(. I did work on translation in the morning, but then around 1 pm I just started feeling all weak and like I was going to faint. That's when Miro came home from his meeting and saved the day, as usual. After spending the whole morning in that meeting, he finished lunch, put the kids to bed, planted flowers in the garden, took great care of me (which included large amounts of chocolate) ...and still looks like a million dollars:))

There are so many things I would love to do now, so many little projects, some of which even have to do with Christmas - antebaby fever is shaking me strongly. So much nesting to do, and so little energy. My dr appointment is on Wednesday, and I'm really afraid that he's going to send me on STRICT bed rest. Oh no...

I thought that today might be a good day for my 'befores' - you can't do much when you're in bed all day long... please pray that this goes away, my family really needs me, especially when our kitchen looks like this (actually, the cabinets are new, but are waiting for the old ones to go out, which can't be done before a zillion other things get done):

The grey spot on the wall denotes the place where there used to be a door, but my crafty husband and our Master Fixer Charlie made it disappear.

Look at those old dingy kitchen cabinets...

and those HIDEOUS tiles!!!

Something radical must be done, don't you think?!?

This does seem like a horrific intro into our house make over:))) But, hang on, it might get worse - wait till we get to the bathroom!!!

2009-09-12T03:00:00.001-07:00

A lazy Saturday morning in the Balint-Feudvarski home.. Unfortunately, it is mainly caused by Miro's toothache that kept him up most of the night. It's actually gums inflamation. Apparently, one of his wisdom teeth is pressing on another tooth and gums, causing terrible pain. He's on antibiotics now, but that doesn't seem to help much. It was hard waking up at night only to see him walking around the house or tossing and turning in bed.

My allergy is also acting up these days, worse than usual. Ever since the beginning of my pregnancy, I've had to sleep with my mouth open, because the nose is completely clogged. You don't want to know how the inside of my mouth looks like in the morning:)...yuck!!

However, we didn't let it bring us down. We had our coffee(s), had a wonderful breakfast with J&J, even worked on translation for a bit (Christology, as a part of the Systematic Theology for TBA in Krapina).

Speaking of J&J, they are outside, in the yard, along with half of the neighbourhood kids:) I am so glad Josip is out there, because lately he spends all his time at home, as if we should have named him Jakov (Jacob):))

Please pray for Jakov to make friends at the kindergaten. As usual, I am freaking out, thinking that nobody wants to play with him and that the boys are just pushing him away and... please pray for him, but also for me, that I stop thinking like that, because I know I can only hurt Jakov that way, and not help him.

As a family, we are going through Hebrews. Quite a bit to swallow for a 6 and (almost) 5 year old, but we have had so many glorious opportunities to talk about Jesus with them, it has been amazing. As they are memorizing the fruit of the Spirit, Miro and I are reminded of our own faults... nothing seems as humbling as teaching someone else something you are not obedient at. With kids it becomes so obvious that faith MUST be lived out, because otherwise it is no faith at all.

Well then, here is a nice photo of my two little sinners, making nasty faces:)))

Have a wonderful day, all over the world:)!

2009-09-10T00:59:00.000-07:00

It was never a custom of mine to make new decisions and resolutions at the beginning of the year, and I still can't get the hang of it. For me, the year used to begin in September. When school was starting. The whole year cycle had its beginning and end there - in that time of buying school stuff, getting new (no matter how second hand) books, the smell of classrooms, a new school bag, homework, socks... It was just the most special feeling in the world.

Back in those days I had no love for the "lightness" of Summer, "the livin' is easy..." mood; I only craved shawls and jumpers. And books, and long dark afternoons, and being deep about great matters of life:))).

Nowadays, things are a lot different, in the sense that I really love the Summer season, I love it when my kids get a lot of sunshine and when they get to swim and play on the beach, get all tanned and happy. But my feelings about the September never changed.

All this to say how happy I am that we are in this month of September, in the month of new beginnings, new smells and new decisiveness:). Maybe it doesn't seem like that, especially if you live in warm areas where Autumn just won't kick off, but it's there, just around the corner.

I hope I'll see you on a rainy afternoon, when the skies are terribly gloomy and the wind is blowing the rain in every direction (the most annoying kind:) and we'll run into a nice little cafe, take off our wet coats, have a warm cup of coffee and be merry.