First Snow 2008!

It snowed the other day, and it was so beautiful. Lucie and I took the dogs and went to a nearby park called Divoka Sarka. When I am in this park, I don't feel like I am in a city.

Family Visits

My mom and sister, Mary Margaret, just came to see me, each in individual visits. It was so good to see them. It makes me feel more connected with folks back home when they see my life here. And it humbles me as I consider the distance they come and the sacrifices they make in doing so. I love love love my family!

Bye for Now party

Recently, some awesome people moved away from Prague. Betsy went back to VA and Sara, Jackie and Chelsa returned to Canada. TEARS! Jackie and Chelsa will return in June; they play ice hockey here. :) But, I dunno about Betsy and Sara... I do know that they are missed and have left a hole. There's no replacing these 2 chicks.

Kutna Hora

My friend Sara, who happens to be a Canadian ice hoskey player (isn't that cool?!!), and I went on a road trip to Kutna Hora the other day. It was about a 2 hr drive. Its funny; I get car sick now when I am in cars. I guess it's bc I am not used to being in them. We don't have to pull over or anything, but I just have to face forward. ANYWAY. So, Kutna Hora is a historical and protected sight bc it is incredibly old (13th century old). The main attraction there is a church called Sedlec Ossuary. Inside are the remains of appx. 40, 000 people. The amazing thing, though, is that at one point in history, they ran out of burial plots and so they started piling all the bones inside this church. A monk decided to decorate the interior of the church with the bones. My interior designer friend, Holly, put it well when she said, "Now that's going green!"

maysea and me

I am repeatedly thankful for my sweet dog, Maysea. God knew just what He was doing when He surprised me with her years ago. She is a huge joy to me here in Prague, each and every day. Plus, she's extremely well liked by all of our Czech neighbors and their dogs. :) My friend. Alta, took this picture of us for her photography class. Fun!

friends

recently i had a week of: food poisoning, then a planters wart removed from my foot, then a cold. some kind folks came to see me, keep me company and bring some food. from left to right is: brooke, sara, sasha and his daddy mark. :) also there's lucie and her sweet puppy, verdi. more came who aren't pictured, thank you all for loving me well and enduring my drama! :)

Christmas morning

Christmas morning at home was so wonderful! It was amazing to be with my family and in our home. It was especially great bc my niece and nephew, Margaret and David were there. David was thrilled over his new "Polar Express" train and Margaret adores her new Spiderman doll. As you will see, David does not particularly enjoy having his picture taken, but he was a good sport for the first 100 pictures I took. :) My cousin, Weston and his cute family came over for Christmas dinner which made the day extra special. They got a precious white lab puppy for Christmas !

Downhome Delicacy

ON CHristmas day my Dad steamed some oysters. This is one one my favorite things we do at home. The oysters come from The May River (in photo background), and they are some of the best in the world! so salty and pefect with come cocktail sauce on a saltine. Pictured l to r: weston, priscilla (sisters), me, and Rose (my cousin's wife) and in the larger group picture l to r: rose, mom, weston, priscilla, me.

Halloween

The Stewarts had a great Halloween party. Joanna let me choose a fun costume to wear from her costume box. I was a princess from India. :) It was great to get to know some folks from church better and to meet some new people, some of whom were from Mark's Czech class.

Sunny and I in Berlin

Sunny and I recently went to Berlin to celebrate her birthday! We had a blast learning more about the city's history and partaking in delights from DUNKIN DONUTS!!!!!!!!!!!

Milan

Lucie and I recently went to Milan to celebrate her birthday! Here are some pics of us on the way to and in Milan.

Bible study friends

Here we are at the Davises house for dinner. This is me with Shanna and some of the ladies in our Bible study.

Kelly's Visit

My dear friend, Kelly, visited me recently here in Prague. It was so great to spend time with her. I am humbled by and thankful for friends and family who trek all the way over here to see me.

Friends

This is Sara on the left. She is an ice hockey player from Canada. Heather is on the right; she is here teaching and coaching volleyball. I love these gals and had a blast hanging out with them the other day.

Worship

This is our little worship team. Chris has recently begun playing bass, which is awesome. Joanna lends her lovely voice and guitar playing, Jason, not pictured, sings and plays guitar wonderfully,Ondra plays guitar like nobody's business, and Phil does the best power point I have ever seen.

Phil is 34!

Tonight our team gathered at the Davises' house for dinner to celebrate Phil's birthday. We enjoyed Shanna's excellent enchiladas and the childrens' zest for life. All that was missing was Joanna and Sasha. They are in Spain this week for a conference. Happy Birthday Phil!!

The World at Sparta

I live by Sparta football (US soccer) stadium. I mean, right by it. Tonight was the biggest game, between the 2 Prague teams. I have never seen so many police in my life!!! This photo only captures a bit of the crowd. I felt too intimidated to phtograph the police as many were on horseback and/or had black Darth Vader -type helmets on their heads. These soccer games are my first experience with police tanks!

Pumpkin Patch

Last year I visited the team and Prague as I processed the decision to move here. During my visit, we went to the pumpkin patch. Well, Saturday our team went again. It was so encouraging to think on God's guidance and provision in leading me here. We had a great time.