The End

We are heading into our last week helping out at the YFC Conference Centre. It is hard to imagine that summer has flown by as quickly as it has! The weather this past week was truly beautiful...in fact it felt like summer had finally arrived! This morning, however, it really has that "fall" feel in the air. I was hanging out clothes to dry and it felt like I should be bundled up in a sweater and jeans. It's funny how the changing of each season brings a different feeling. The change from summer to fall brings a nostalgic feeling for me. I know it is still only the end of August, but when the air is crisp and cool and when I start seeing some leaves changing colours and falling to the ground, I just have the desire to visit a pumpkin farm and drink a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks...or whatever seasonal drink they are serving! It's also the best season for long walks in the colourful forest or the golden cornfields! Alas, it is still August and the weather forecast promises to be back up to summer temperatures this week. So I will put my nostalgic fall musings aside and enjoy what is left of the summer. In the meantime, I may have to put some effort into making my own pumpkin spice latte in time for fall!

September 1st will be my (Rachael) return to the classroom. I have yet to open my books and begin lesson plans, but I must! Right now, I am feeling a bit worn out from the summer and honestly, the thought of teaching makes me a little tired! Please pray for a refreshing next week so that I will be able to welcome my students back to class with joy and energy!

Hannah and Grace will also begin školka (kindergarten) next week. They will be in seperate classes because we want them to be able to learn Czech more quickly. Also, Hannah will go to real school next year and we felt it was better to keep them in different classes from the beginning instead of having to seperate them next year. They are really looking forward to going to school! Please pray for them that their adjustment will go smoothly and that their little minds and tongues will learn the language quickly. Pray also that they will be able to make some good friends at school!

Jody is back on the ice! Today his team has their first game (I believe it is an exhibition game, not a regular season game). He is enjoying being back with the guys from his team and also being back on the ice. You can pray for increased opportunities for Jody to introduce his teammates to Jesus.

This Thursday (the 27th) we will head back to Hlinsko and have a few days to rest until the fall semester begins. We are really looking forward to being back home and having some time to rest. As always, pray that we will experience spiritual growth and that we will continually be growing closer to Jesus. Feel free to drop us an e-mail or to chat with us on skype anytime!

Blessings!

Another Goodbye

Today Bethany, Jody's cousin, headed back to Canada. She had spent the last two months working at the YFC Centre and helping out with our kids too. She has been such a blessing to not only our family, but to everyone that she came in contact with. If there is one person who I have met who simply exudes joy, it's Bethany! No matter if she was serving food, mopping floors, washing endless dishes or being attacked (lovingly, of course) by my children she always had joy. I know personally how much I will miss her here.

Thanks Bethany, for all your hard work and for always doing it with a smile! Thanks also for loving our kids like you did...if the aren't talking about you, they will be talking like you! You were a great example for them, and I know that because of you they know Jesus better too. Love ya Bety!

It's 7:17 and I'm slipping on my running shoes about to head out and burn some calories:) I like to run because it keeps me in shape, but ultimately, it's the time alone to talk with God that I so look forward to. This morning, I feel desperate. I have a need to talk with Him in a way that I haven't felt in a long time. Almost like holding your breath under water for too long and your lungs burning to have air released from them, and then filled with crisp, fresh air again. So, while my family sleeps peacefully in the next room...I'm going to tiptoe out the door and get some fresh air in these lungs...