Slovakia

In 2007, I visited a country that captured my heart. It's been almost 4 and a half years since I first stepped foot in Slovakia and not a day has gone by where I didn't think about that wonderful place. I met a precious friend, Zuzana, on my first visit. She was my age and our mothers were born on the same day in the same year! Pretty cool! We met because she was in a class that my mom and I attempted to teach English!;) She was such a sweet spirit and we were able to form a friendship that still exists today. On my last visit, she shared with me that she was now a believer in Christ. The Lord is so good! The Lord has used SK to teach me many things about Himself. His faithfulness to the nations. His love of people and culture. He showed me a love for the people of Europe. I've watched the Lord provide the country two more missionaries who love SK as much if not more that I do. I can't help but wish (on a daily basis) that I was there. It's been such a battle. My heart LONGS to be there. I've been blessed with a husband who also loves the Lord and the nations. Together we've been praying about what the Lord would have us do. Slovakia is on both of our hearts. We are searching for ways to go...and soon. Campus Crusade no longer sends STINTers to SK. The IMB has done away with a lot of its 2-3 year programs. Obviously the Lord has his own plans. Please continue to pray for us...and if you know of any ways to go...please let us know!:)

Zuzka and I when we first met in 2007
My Mom and I at church in Bratislava-it was our first encounter with Europe!



Two of my dearest friends who now BOTH live in SK!

2008-Reunited!

My favorite Slovak dish!

In 2010 I was finally able to meet her family! Such sweet people!

Three Musketeer's

Isn't Slovakia BEAUTIFUL?

My Space...

My classroom feels like my second home. I spend just as much time there as I do at home! I try to make it colorful and exciting for my kiddos. My favorite season of all is fall! I love the colors of fall and all of the creepy critters that we use to decorate for fall. I came in Monday and autumn-ized my room:) I put spiders and spider webs in my windows. I drew on my board. I even got yummy candy to give out. (FOR EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD behavior only)

My Computer Station-cute blue rug is from Ikea:)

Here she is...

My awesome artistic abilities:)

3 Months...Almost

Sunday will be October 9. This means that on Sunday, I will have been married for 3 whole months! It's been an exciting 3 months. I was hit with the real world in August. HIT HARD. I love my students. However, the first year teaching is stressful for many reasons. Bradley also works about 3 nights a week. Between school and work, we get pretty pooped. However, we are learning to work together to have a functioning home. I married a great man. I know that if I leave the house with clothes in the dryer and clean dishes in the dishwasher. They will be taken care of by the time I get home. I also love that he makes the bed perfectly each day. This makes my first year teaching so much less stressful. I just had to take a few minutes to brag on my sweet hubs:) Please continue to pray with us as we try to follow the path the Lord has for our future. Time is flying by!
One more thing I love about married life...As a child, my mom use to read to me each night before I would go to sleep. I would imagine everything she was reading. I loved it! Well, those times are NOT over! Bradley reads to me each night. We both know that I am slightly dumb when it comes to the Old Testament. We have chosen to start from the beginning and go through it together at night. He reads to me while I listen and picture everything in my head! Just like a child! The Bible is filled with awesome stories and I have a great hubs who is making sure I know the Old Testament! Having child-like moments as an adult is great:) Thanks babe for loving me so well.