A bitter sweet moment

I had a humbling moment at lunch today. Kevin was gone so it was just me and the kids. Kevin told them they could have some of my favorite drink, Schweppes Bitter Lemon, so they were having an unusual treat. (I don't care what the experts say, sugar makes my kids crazy so we don't usually give them pop.) In an unsuspecting moment my dear 6 year old looked at me straight faced and said, "Mom, did they have Bitter Lemon back in the 70's?" My jaw dropped and I stared at him wondering if he was really saying this to me. Yep, it was no joke he had picked up that I was his age in the 70's and was wondering if I got to have this wonderful beverage WAY back then! Homeschooling may not be my thing but this kid is getting a little too good at math.

10 Year Anniversary

The summer team has arrived!!

A week ago the summer project arrived in Rijeka! They've already been stepping out in faith, meeting students and building relationships. I've heard they've also been eating a fair amount of Gelato!

Vacation and a visit from Katie & Brenda

OK...I know it looks like all we do is go to cool places and have fun because it's just easier to write about the fun things, but this time we really did go on vacation. We spent 3 days on the Istria Peninsula between Pula and Rovinj at the end of March. Afterwards we picked up Kevin's Mom and sister and went to Slovenia for 2 nights. It was so refreshing and fun to be with them and to relax after a crazy semester of ministry.

An Easter Visit From The Cooleys

Also in March we had a very sweet visit from Ralph and Connie Cooley. Ralph was my CCC director at University of Idaho when I was a student. My first overseas ministry experience was a summer project that Ralph and Connie directed when I was a student. That summer project was foundational for cultivating God's heart for the world in my life. Over the years it has been such a privilege to have them as spiritual parents, mentors and dear friends.

They were in Germany meeting their daughter, Angela's fiance's parents. (That has to be terrible grammar, but you get the idea). Actually TODAY, May 17th, is the wedding so it would be easier to say they were meeting their daughters in laws. Though it was quite a drive they jumped in a rental car and made the trek to see us and visit our team. It was a wonderful time of encouragement and fellowship.

One morning we asked Ralph if he would take Caden out for a special time together. God has given Ralph a special gift of evangelism and in explaining the Spirit filled life or a life empowered and directed by God. It's become increasingly apparent this year that at 6 years old Caden knows all the right answers but we're not sure where his heart is. Just because his parents are in ministry and he knows all the stories doesn't guarantee he knows the Lord personally... so this was a great opportunity to reinforce the truth of God's love and forgiveness in his life. It was sweet to watch Caden when he came home with a prized drawing of the Spirit filled life on a piece of paper Ralph had torn out of his daytimer. Later when we asked Caden what the highlight of their visit was he thought for just a second and then replied that it was his time with Ralph at McDonalds. We are so grateful for the love and influence of Ralph on Connie on our whole family.

Connie and I whipped together a small feast to celebrate Easter.

A walk along the water near Lovran, just down the coast from Rijeka

At the Trsat Castle on a rainy day

MSU Spring Break trip and Porn Nation

Here are some pictures from MARCH!!! I'm only 2 months late. I've decided it's unwise to make any promises to catch up on events here. Stint is proving to be an exciting, adventurous and exhausting ride through another culture. At times it feels like we've finally gotten the hang of living in Croatia and other times it seems we will never figure it out. In general though this has been a refining time of drawing close to the Lord and seeing our desperate need for His grace and strength. The sweet students and our team are making this one of the richest experiences of our lives. So with that short commentary I'll get on with the update. With 2 kids napping, one playing with legos and a hot latte at hand I may even get this posted. =)

These pictures are of the Montana State Spring break team that came in to help us with an outreach called Porn Nation. It was a huge success throughout Croatia with over 400 students attending just in Rijeka. Hrvoje downloaded some footage onto youtube that I will link here: (porn nation in Croatia).

Student Retreat on Solta

It has been a LONG time since we've updated our blog! The last couple of months have been filled with retreats, visitors and exciting ministry opportunities! We've been energized by all the Lord is doing and exhausted by all the activity. Hopefully in the next few days we can catch up and share all the excitement and maybe some of the challenges too.

First... our student retreat in Solta (sounds kind of like Sholta) which is an Island across from Split. Students from Sarajevo, Zagreb, Split and Rijeka came together to learn more about growing closer to God.

On the ferry with Split in the background. The kids with Jon, Pete, Kevin and Josip.

Josip, Pete and Ivan enjoying the coffee, ambiance and fellowship


While the students and staff enjoyed the conference we enjoyed searching for the beach and things to entertain the kids.


A Dalmation feast prepared in our honor. It was amazing!

Behind Caden is the little fishing village we stayed in while on Solta.


A half hour before we left for the retreat the Lord provided a car for us! Honestly we had given up on finding a car. It was so complicated and tiring to try to find a way to make it work. Just as we had resigned ourselves to the bus and the mile walk to the grocery store a man from church offered to buy a car and rent it to us for the remainder of the time we are living in Croatia. We are so grateful! The Lord has provided and taught us many valuable lessons on depending on Him completely for the most basic needs.

I'm still trying to figure out how to do this but here are a few more pictures I think you can click this link: Solta'>Solta retreat