Getting my chicks settled in their nests

Last weekend we made the journey to Kandern, Germany to take Scott to his new "nest."  He is attending Black Forest Academy this year.  We moved his stuff into his dorm room on a very hot day - to the fourth floor!  Ugh!  We helped him unpack and get settled.  We asked his dorm staff if there was a fan for his room (remember, we're in Europe with no A/C!) or if we needed to go buy one.  The dorm dad said that there was one, but that it was broken.  You should've seen Scott's face - it was like he was just offered a million dollars or chocolate!  He asked Greg if he could take a look at it and try to fix it!  Greg said that he could and that he could probably have it if he got it running.  So Scott pulled out his tools, took the fan apart, found that a wire had come loose, pulled out his sautering iron, and with Karl's help, put it back together.  Amazing.  Karl was beaming with pride.  "He really is just like me," Karl commented.  :)  So, Scott had a fan in his room.

A day and a half later, I flew to Texas to help Kelli move into her college.  While we were still in Houston, I called Scott to see how he was liking living in Germany.  He said he loves it all!  That makes Momma's heart happy!  Then I asked him if he was eating his vegetables (isn't that what we're supposed to do?), and he said that he was.  Then I asked him if he was eating his fruits.  There was silence on the other end of the phone.  Then after awhile, he said, "Well, we had peach cobbler last night!"  So typically Scott!  :)  Love that boy!

Saturday Kelli and I moved her stuff into her dorm on campus.  Thankfully, there are student volunteers who take everything up to the room!  And there is A/C!  And there is an elevator!  Oh, life in America!  :)  We spent the afternoon unpacking and setting it all up, making a trip to Walmart (along with every other student!), and getting her all settled.  I'm so excited for her!  She has a great room, a really sweet roommate, and is starting a great adventure!  And she has her fish with her!  :)

I talked with Kurt yesterday, and his third year of college has started well.  His classes are easier than last year, so he's glad about that.  He is happy with his dorm and roommates, although he'd still like to be in an apartment next semester.  I hope he's able to get that.  I know he'd like to cook his own meals.

God is so good.  My chicks are in their nests that the Lord has prepared for them.  I have peace and joy in knowing that He has paved the way for each one, that He is with each one, and that He has great things in store for each one!  Although our nest is empty of these chicks, we are so happy to see our precious kids fly!  Thank you, Lord!  You have given me so much JOY!

The Essentials

I was moving some things from upstairs to downstairs, not really thinking about it.  Then I stopped and looked at what I had in my hands.  I was carrying five things.  All essentials in my life.  I guess I could do without almost anything, but these five things rather sum it all up for me:

Cell phone - so I can communicate with people here in Serbia.  Vonage phone - so I can communicate with family and friends in the US.  Kindle - well, I love to read (yes, my Bible is on there, too!)!  Zune - and I love music!  And, of course, a bar of chocolate!!!  All bring me joy!  :)

What are your "essentials?" 

Trudging Through

I posted this on my Facebook today:

"Sometimes life flows along merrily. Other seasons are so much more difficult, where each day (and sometimes each hour and moment) can feel as though we are trudging through knee-deep rivers of sludge in a clunky pair of old rubber boots. For me, this current season of life has had many rubber boot days, in the midst of much joy and blessing. By God's grace, I have the strength to keep trudging along, trusting Him to supply for all of my needs and to see me through this season, hopefully refined and purified and just a little bit closer to the image of Christ than I was before." (from a blog that I get - Keeper of the Home)

It seems that every time I turn around, there is another heartbreaking, difficult, yucky mud puddle (or river!).  Family and friends who have experienced tremendous loss, are going through extremely difficult trials, and just can't seem to get their head above water.  From diagnoses of cancer to auto accidents (fender-benders to fatalities), from difficulties in every day life to relationships that hurt more than help.  Families are struggling, and the faithful are being persecuted.  Hurt, pain, yuck.  And at times it seems more than we can handle.  I've cried with so many over the past few days.  I keep pleading with the Lord for relief, for Him to take away the pain, the hurt, the confusion, the YUCK!!!  


But my head and heart keep returning to God's Word, to His promises, to His faithfulness.  Verses spill over and over in my mind.  I know the Truth.  But I also feel the hurt.  And I'm looking for the joy.

Across the Border

Scott and I took a little trip yesterday.  His visa expired yesterday, and the officials wanted him to just have a tourist visa since he'll only be here for another 20 days before heading off to Germany for school.  So, we had to leave the country, stay overnight and come back in the next day.  So, we went to Visegrad, Bosnia, about 2 hours away from our home. 

We arrived in Visegrad and began looking for a hotel.  Not too many in this small town!  The hotel that we had heard about had a sign on the door:  Hotel Ne Radi (Hotel is not working/open).  Ugh.  So, we went in search of another.  Finally found one down the road.  I went in and asked about a room.  The sweet lady told me that they were completely full, but that Scott and I could stay in their bedroom in their apartment above the restaurant.  She said that she had just done that the night before, too.  I asked if there was another hotel so that we didn't have to put them out of their own room, but she said that the other hotels were also full.  So, she showed me to our room, which was very nice and clean.  Then she told me to just think of it as my own home.  (We did pay for the room.)  So very hospitable!

We went into town to see the famous Bridge on the Drina.  This bridge was built in the 16th century, and is an amazing bridge.  I enjoyed walking on this bridge that I had read so much about (Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric, other history books about the Balkans).  I've driven by it quite a few times, but we had never stopped before. I'm thankful for this opportunity that we had.

We went back to the hotel and had a wonderful meal.  I can't tell you how much I love Balkan food!!!  Yum!  While I was waiting for the check, I told Scott that he could go on out front and that we would go for a walk to find a store that sold playing cards so we could play some games.  When I went out front, he was no where to be found.  I searched for about 15 minutes before I began to get a little anxious.  The owners of the hotel helped me look - driving up and down the street, looking in the river, etc.  Finally, we saw Scott walking down the street from the center of town.  He thought I had said for him to go ahead and walk to find a store!  My heart finally slowed down, and we took a walk together back in to town.  No cards anywhere.  It began raining on the way back, so we just went to our room, played some games on the Kindle, read and called it a night about 9pm. 

We came back home this morning.  It was a good trip.  Good Scott and Mom time.  I'm thankful for times like that.  Gives me joy that will remain even when he is off at school.