My thoughts on kids.....watch out!

I don't know about you, but my children never cease to amaze me.  Jonathan is so goofy, but so many times will shock us with a great understanding of life. Audrey catches onto everything and really understands what we are talking about, even when we are speaking in code.  Then there is Eli, just when you think he is moving to fast to hear anyhting you say, he pipes in with his two cents on the subject.  All of this reminds me that my children are not only important to me, but to God also.  It is these little moments with kids that I adore and even made me want to be an educator.  I was going to be the person that would not only teach these little blessings, but I also want to continue to be a voice for them.  Not just for my own kids, but for all children.  It is my personal opinion that there are to many churches that either do not realize the importance of children, or are just choosing to cast them aside until they are really "useful" in the church body.  Up until then, we put them in classes (sometimes just babysitting) and allow them to participate in really fun activities, but never really give them chances to serve in the church.  Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that childrens activities are bad. They are great, and just what children need to learn about Christ and His love for them.  I'm just saying that when we rob children of the opporunity to serve, we deny them one of the greatest joys: serving Christ.  I don't think God looks at our ages, but at our hearts. A child at the age of 2 singing Jesus Loves Me is just as beautiful to the Father than Carrie Underwoods "How Great Thou Art".  This all came from me thinking today about how great my kids are.  They are not just along for this crazy ride with Steven and I, but God has a purpose for them as well.  Not a futuristic purpose, but one right now.   My children are not simply here with us while we serve, but they are serving the Lord with us.

This is home

We had just rounded the corner of our street and headed up the steps to the front door of our apartment building when Jonathan said, " Mommy, I call Bulgaria home now."  We have lived here for exactly 3 months today, and while there are still some things we miss from the states, I can say we feel at home here.  We speak enough Bulgarian now to make it through light converstaions, getting around the city is no problem, and our little neighberhood has become familiar.   The kids have friends here, and enjoy going to school.  Apartment life is still difficult.  I mean really, inside voice is a relative term to us.  Overall though, we are very happy and feel so blessed to be here.  Thank you Lord for our new home!
Here are a few pictures of some of the fun we have here!

 Audrey on the bungee trampoline in Levski park.

 Eli in the dinosaur bouncy house at Levski Park.

 Jonathan on the bouncy slide.  He really was having fun, he just didn't want his picture taken.

One great day!

Audrey's day off

Well, Audrey didn't have school today, and neither Steven or I had language class, so we decided to explore some of Sofia's museums.  After taking a quick detour to see Levski church we headed for the Museum of Natural History.  While the museum was pretty neat, it had tons of birds, it was what I can imagine a museum in the sates looked like about 20 years ago.  There were no interactive exhibits, and most of the animal displays were stuffed.  This made it interesting....for example, the zebra and panther were missing some fur and looked as if they had mange.  I can also now say I have seen a stuffed dolphin, that looked totally fake because of all the paint they used to make the skin look dark.  I also had an educational moment with Audrey when I had to explain that the flaming was white because it was no longer eating pink food.  Oh...and don't even get me started on the snake room.  All I'll say is lots of snakes and even more formaldehyde.  They looked really nasty, but you had to walk past them to get to the fish, so Audrey and I sucked it up and made it through.  I also found it ironic that the insect room, filled with all sorts of insects, smelled like moth balls.  It was fun to see what you would find around the next corner.  Audrey found a seal that she thought was smiling at her, and a European bison that made our North American bison look like cattle.  Overall, Audrey thought it was neat, and I did too.    
Now I am sitting here in the study with the wiondows of the apartment open, a slight breeze blowing through, and listening to thunder in the distance.  Audrey is playing with clay at the table, Eli is playing a memory game with Jonathan and Steven is taking a much needed nap.  This is what I call a GREAT day!

Double post day!!!

Yep, that's right, 2 posts in one day!!!  GO ME!  Just kidding, I just realized that I never published the last post I wrote, but for some strange reason it was saved as a draft instead.  So, just pretend that these posts are really a week apart. 

    I wasn't able to download the video of Audrey saying John 3:16 in the children's Easter presentation at church.  I really wanted to, but it kept saying there was an error while trying to download.  Might have something to do with the fact it was so long, and I don't know how to shorten it.  I was so proud of her for so many reasons.  1st, she  already had the verse memorized from FPO.  2nd, that she was brave enough to try to learn it in Bulgarian.  3rd, that she stood up infront of all those people and did a great job.  God has blessed my life incredibly through my children and I pray I never forget that.  Also, a few pics of our park with the trees starting to bloom. 

 This is the fountain at one of the main entrances to the park by our apartment.  That is Mt. Vitosha in the background.  We have a great view of it from our balcony as well.

 They were picking flowers for me :)

    Today, we went to a large yard sale at the US embassy and had a great time.  For one thing all of the sellers spoke english so I felt in my element when it came to haggling for some stuff.  I was proud to barter an unused Starbucks card for some really nice gymboree clothes :)  While this made my day, I must say that I was most proud of myself for the dealing I did the day before with the little old ladies that sell handmade items downtown.  Now that was a feat.  I was able to work one lady down to 4 leva each for items that were marked at 7 leva a piece. All in Bulgarski I might add.  Steven was even impressed.  While I do enjoy a good bargain, I can see how doing this everyday in some cultures could get really old really fast.  However, I am glad that my mom taught me how to be firm and able to walk away if the price isn't good enough.  Thanks Mom!

Time flies when you're having fun!

Wow, has it really been almost three weeks since I last posted.  The saying is true, time really does fly when you are having fun.  Life here has been good.  I am able to understand more and more of what the people around me are saying, and sometimes even able to answer them. I was able to quickly deter a con artist the other day.  He approached me(could tell I was American) and began to ask me to donate to his phony charity.  I was able to say, "Neh, neh iskam."  When I did, he realized I was legit and found another target.
      The kids are doing great and Audrey was able to have a small part in the Easter presentation at our church.  Easter is a huge holiday here, but sad at the same time.  The Othodox church has so twisted what it is really about.  On palm Sunday people take willow branches to symbolize the palm branches in the bible.  Great!  But, then they have them blessed by the priest, arranged into a wreath and hang them above the door for good luck.  See how such a simple truth is twisted, the palm branches laid at Jesus feet were in praise and adoration, not for luck or good health.   They feel that if the priest blesses them they hold some magical power that will be able to protect their household from harm for the year.  Sadly the priest do nothing to deter this practice.  My heart continues to break for the thousands I see everyday that have no idea what a relationship with Christ is.  God is so much more than a list of rules or a lucky charm. Please, please continue to pray for this people group.  Many of whom will be very surprised on judgement day when Christ says, "depart from me I never knew you."  Please pray that the Lord would give Steven and I many opportunities to share!