Simple Pleasures

Ok, I admit it. I am stealing this idea from someone else. But, only good ideas are worth stealing so here goes.

Here are the Simple Pleasures in my life right now.

• Johann bringing me a perfectly brewed cup of tea
• Listening to online sermons while I clean the kitchen
• Jack running to me from the other room just to tell me he loves me
• Sitting at the breakfast table with my children while we watch the snow fall
  
• Stealing a hug or kiss from my husband whenever I want because his office is just down the hall
• Watching Lucas climb around under the table
  
• Just being with my children -- all day, every day -- being present for their every joy and sorrow
  
• Hearing Jack say his prayers, watching Lucas becoming interested in what we are doing
• Late night laughs with Johann
  

When you are a stay at home Mom and dirty floors, dirty clothes, dirty diapers, dirty dishes and dirty children are your life -- it's the simple pleasures that really matter. I hope everyone can find a simple pleasure today -- especially my fellow SAHM's.

Bridge Update

I thought I would give everyone a quick update on our church start here in Prague. Bridge Community is going very well! In fact, last Sunday a Czech who has been "in training" with a colleague preached a wonderful sermon! A couple of weeks ago we had 10 Czechs in attendance. We have several non-believers who come each week and hear truth and ask questions. We have a Czech who is helping Johann lead music by playing a keyboard. And, of course, we had a baptism a couple of months ago. Since its inception in August, Bridge Community has really blossomed in a wonderful young church. We continue to meet in a hotel. We rent the conference/breakfast room on Sunday nights for our service. The hotel has been wonderful and we will continue meeting there for the foreseeable future.

It is so exciting to see God working here and blessing this little church start. Missionaries have been faithfully sowing seed here and we are beginning to see a little fruit. We still have a great deal of sowing to do -- but it sure is nice to be a part of a little reaping!

Thank you for your prayers and please keep them up!

How would you like this job?

I took these from our bedroom window -- 4 stories up. It's a good thing these guys came along or there was going to be quite the avalanche on our street!

Snowy Prague

We got about 7 inches of snow yesterday and that much more is expected through the weekend. Here's some pics of Jack enjoying the snow and the rest are pics taken from our bedroom window.

Christmas!

Baptism Video

This is a short video clip of the baptism and testimony of Sonia a couple of weeks ago. Another church allowed us to use their baptistry because our church meets in a hotel. Our church was so thrilled to watch Sonia publicly confess her faith -- our church exists for those who will not go to a traditional church, who want something different -- like Sonia. You'll hear Johann singing in Czech and playing guitar in the background. The Brown family who are mentioned in the testimony are our good friends and collegues here. Please enjoy!

First Baptism

A couple of weeks ago, our church start here (Bridge Community) baptized its first person! It was such an exciting day to see Sonia be baptized. Johann led worship music in Czech and several unbelieving friends of Sonia visited. Sonia gave a wonderful testimony that shared the gospel with her friends. Her friends told us afterward that they enjoyed the service and realized that we were not a strange cult, but very warm and friendly people -- that was very encouraging!

The whole thing was very encouraging to us because so far the mission work in Prague has been seed sowing. While we know that is necessary, it is certainly not an easy part of missions. I think often of our friends serving in different parts of the world who have seen many, many people come to Christ in a short time. I will admit I am often envious of this. I guess that is why many missionaries find it hard to stay in Europe -- it is a ton of work and very, very little fruit. But, there is fruit. Praise the Lord! Sonia has helped to remind us of our mission and has encouraged us when it is so easy to be frustrated with the fact that many people with whom we have shared the gospel have not accepted. Sonia gives us hope that eventually, someone will say yes.