Jakov Balint-Feudvarski

"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.

School time!

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.

Good news!

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.

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:)!