Sunday morning

It's Sunday morning...I am sitting in my flat here in Slovakia. Had my coffee, did the dishes, listened to a North Point sermon online and was attempting to have my "quiet time". Have been seeing some cool new things in the Bible lately but definitely noticing my tendency to get distracted...to have prayer time that ends up with me jumping up to take care of something "urgent"... Jesus has changed my life, I know he is good, I know that he is the answer to all the questions, I know I am in Slovakia because of him. But still my flesh is so weak and I wonder why simple things like prayer are so "difficult"

reading the book of Acts lately. what did the early church look like? what happened in those early days of our church that drew THOUSANDS of people at one time come to faith in Christ? What was it that Peter and John and Paul had that was so POWERFUL, so attracting, so irresistable that people said "Yes" right then and there? At one point in the very early days of the church Peter and John healed a man, giving credit to Christ. They were put into prison for the act and questioned about the authority they had to do such things. So Peter and John (filled with the Holy Spirit) told them...that the authority came from Christ. That he was the the Messiah sent once for all. Acts 4:13 says, "When they saw the COURAGE of Peter and John and reallized that they were UNSCHOOLED, ORDINARY men they were astonished and they took note that these men HAD BEEN WITH JESUS." Their lives, and characters and abilities were so completely transformed by being with Jesus that they ASTONISHED those around them. Amazing to think that being with Jesus could transform me.

I read this and I think, "what stands out about my character that demonstrates that I have been with Jesus?" What is radical and different about who I am that will draw people to God? How can I speak so boldly and sincerely that the irresistabilty of the truth of Jesus will shine through and overshadow me? Is it possible to "be with Jesus" in the same way that the disciples did? I want to be transformed by my relationship with Jesus. i don't want it to be just a fact about me...I want it to be the most obvious thing about me.

Very relieved

I got my boxes from the States today!!! About 10 weeks ago I handed all of my clothing (which basically amounts to 75 different colored t-shirts and 20 pairs of "fun" shoes) to the US post office. At some point the boxes made it to Kosice (about 30 min from Presov) where customs agents "catalogued" my belongings (evidently "slipy" means underwear in Slovak). We were notified last week that the boxes were available and went to pick them up. It felt a little like Christmas when I opened the boxes and I am very pleased to have different t-shirts to wear! But I think I may need someone to monitor my purchasing of green shoes and fleece jackets...I may have some sort of disorder.

to be really honest I was worried about the boxes. Another reminder of how weak my faith can be...such a small thing that I was so concerned about. Praising God today for providing for me in every way I need and hoping that I will be faithful in the big and the small things.

Fun Weekend!

I had a way fun weekend. 2 of my American teammates from Zilina came to spend the weekend with me in Presov! My friends Bekah and Paige came out here and we ate and talked and laughed and stayed up late. It was so great to see them, to have a little girl time, and to relax a bit. I am so thankful that I have good friends near-by!

Big news from the weekend is that Katka Koščova is the Slovak Superstar. She is from Prešov and we are very proud of her! Bekah, Paige and I were able to watch the finale and of course we sent in our text message to vote for katka! I am not sure what we will do on Friday nights though now that Superstar is over!

Cool news!

I have a roommate on the way!!! There is another American girl named Lee Ann coming to live with me here in Prešov. She is also from Atlanta and she will be working with the youth in a village about 30 min from here. I am super excited for her to come and I think having another teammate is going to be so cool. We are all hoping she can be here by the end of May.

I promise to update this blog more often...no more laziness!!!

Čo maš nový?

Hello out there in blogville. So what's happening here you ask...why haven't there been any posts on this blog lately? I have gotten a little lazy is the honest answer there! As for what's happening...in a word Life. I have been settling in to my new life here. Trying to get in to a routine of some sort but when you don't have to report to the office by 8 am it can be hard to drag yourself out of bed! Mornings are the "me" part of the day...I usually have language or work on things around the house. The cafe doesn't open until 1 and most students are in school until about 2. I am working in the cafe all day on Tuesday and I am there talking to students almost everyday. Been drinking a lot of coffee and trying my hardest to stay out of the ice cream. I have been able to get to know a few students and it's been fun to "try out" my Slovak. It's a little frustrating because I really would like to talk more with them but many of them aren't real confident in their English and my Slovak is still pretty rough. Language learning is going well...it's a tough language but I learn "viac a viac každy deň" (that means more and more every day). My teacher is great and I really really really want to be able to communicate as soon as possible!

So that is pretty much the scoop for now...nothing earthshattering but I am still happy and healthy and learning a lot about God and culture and my own weaknesses.

Slovensko hľadá Superstar

One of the first lessons I learned here in becoming "culturally relevant" is that I needed to watch Slovensko hľadá Superstar. which is the Slovak equivalent to American Idol. It works basically the same as American Idol...every Friday talented young people from all over the Slovak Republic vie to become the next face/voice of Slovak pop music. But many of the songs they sing are American hits (Billy Idol, Elvis, Alanis Morrisette). One funny thing about it is that since the show is on in Slovakia and most viewers are Slovak they don't have to bleep out English cuss words in the songs...even the REALLY REALLY bad ones. I have been faithfully watching and cheering for Prešov's own Katka Koščova. Who I actually met last week at a birthday party for my language teacher. It was basically like meeting the Kelly Clarkson of Slovakia...which I feel kind of lame about enjoying but I will admit to getting just a smidge startstruck. Tonight is the final 4, and I am keeping my fingers crossed and preparing to send a text message to keep my new best friend Katka in the race to be the next Slovensko hľadá Superstar!!!!!!!! A vote for Katka is a vote for Prešov!!!

Peanut Butter Cheetos

They don't sell peanut butter here. We have Nutella, Nugetta, a million kinds of delicious chocolate...but no peanut butter. The Nugetta is a "reasonable" sustitute as it is a chocolate spread of some sort with a peanut flavoring (the have a hazelnut flavored one as well). But my most recent snack time discovery can only be desribed as "Peanut Butter Cheetos". Imagine, if you will, a cheeto...minus the cheese. Then puff it up with a bit more air and sprinkle with some dust that tastes like peanut butter. The first one you have makes you think, "wow, that's different" but 5 minutes later you are elbow deep in a bag and wondering where you can get more. I wonder if anyone has ever been removed from service in the field for a snack indiscretions.