American Invasion!!

Hey all!
  I just wanted to share my excitement from the last few hours! This was the first weekend in months that I have had free and I have had an incredibly lazy time! I have caught up on some tv shows, reading, and sleep. I was able to take some time to rest with Him, as well. It was wonderful! I truly needed this weekend. 


Some of you might be like, "But Chels, the weekend has only begun!" While that is true for you back in America, the good, old CZ had a holiday yesterday so I have had a lovely 3 day weekend. To answer your question, Mom, yes, I do finally know what this particular day was celebrating. October 28th, 1918 is the day that the first Czechoslovakian free state was formed following the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of WWI, aka Independence Day--the Czech original. They have another in January that celebrates the peaceful separation from Slovakia in 1993. Regardless, it was a beautiful, fall day here and I enjoyed the time off.

Now for the really exciting part, it is often hard to find things from the States here in CZ. While part of Western culture, it is still a nation with its own heritage and special products. For instance, their own personal version of cola, called Kofola, that they developed in the 1950s because they were not allowed to import Pepsi or Coca-Cola. Our culture and the things we find amazing, just aren't as important on a global scale as we sometimes think they might be. That means, no Mountain Dew, no PopTarts, no Reeses, no Swiffer, no brown sugar, and many other things that you have to search high and low to find a substitute. 


For the most part though, they do a pretty good job. For example, a Milka bar can beat almost any American chocolate easy and they get just as excited about their version of football as we do. Sometimes though, you just miss a little bit of the comfort foods and things. Well, today was a milestone moment. When browsing through Albert's (a grocery store) for my dinner tonight, I found a treat that I have missed dearly.

That's right, OREOS have hit the Czech Republic!! I stopped short when I saw that blue and white box. Strange, I know, a box, not a plastic package. (See cheesy picture on the left). I promptly scarfed up two reasonably priced boxes for being in Europe and getting an American product. I paid 64 kc ($3.63) for 8 packs of 4.  Bought a liter of milk and went to share with some American friends my excitement. Hopefully, they will be there the next time I am craving a little bit of home!

My other big news of the day is that I found out one of my friends (that has a tv) has ESPN USA on her network plan. What may you ask is the importance of this? The significance is that tomorrow night I will get to watch my first real time Steelers game vs. the Patriots! Wohoo! I am so excited! Don't worry, I have a Terrible Towel here and ready to go. ;-) 


Anyway, I know these things might seem trivial to you, but I thought I would share some of the small overseas joys that I sometimes have. I feel truly blessed to be living in a place like this that has so many opportunities different than home, but also to get a glimpse of some of the sillier things I sometimes miss. I have appreciated my recent time of rest and am ready to get back to work on Monday. I hope you have had a great weekend! Talk to you soon!

"There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience."                        ~Hebrews 4:9-11 

Is There a Light at the End of the Tunnel?

    I wish that I had more skills. Not the types of skills that Napoleon Dynamite speaks of, but still most of the time the things I wish I could do are learnable. For example, learning Czech, becoming a "better" photographer, or learning HTML coding, or rock climbing, or baking are just a few things of which I would like to improve my knowledge. 
    Unfortunately, I find I usually cannot be bothered to have the time or put forth the effort it would take to become adept at any of these skills. And let's be honest, in this world today, we cannot accept being a novice for long. Sure, we can accept mediocrity and we--willingly do, often daily, from ourselves and each other. But when a task is new and becomes cumbersome and requires any sort of perseverance, 80% of the time, our culture says to give up. It's ok to quit. In sports, we talk a different game, but how many kids still walk away because it's too hard? And we let them.
    I fall into this category more often than I would like (and not just with learning new skills, with the simple things). I have the best of intentions, but as the saying goes "the road to hell..." and what not. And this all comes down to my lack of perseverance. Well, I have recently been taking note of that word in the Bible--perseverance. God promises so many different blessings and rewards that come to those who persevere in the faith. Well, what is perseverance you may ask? HARD STINKING WORK, that's what. :-) According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, it is, "steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty in achieving success." Steadfast--to be firm and unwavering, no matter what the cost, no matter what troubles, sorrows, or worries come your way. That is an intense definition, if you ask me.
    While I daily fall short and struggle with self-control, an area frequently mentioned with perseverance, the verses that I am focusing on this month are, 

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."    James 1:2-4

   My personal example of struggle with perseverance right now is having the drive to pursue God more consistently. I stated in my last blog that I want to strive for intimacy with Him, that requires more than just getting fed on Sunday mornings and the occasional devotional. It requires devotion and it is something that I am learning even more about. It is setting aside things that I have thought to be important in the past and just being with Him. Sometimes, these things are watching tv, or hanging out with friends, or accomplishing more work, and for me, I often want to give in and just do the easy thing. However, I am really trying this month to strive toward perseverance, because God promises we will not lack anything then (even the fun in life).
 I would ask that you would pray for perseverance in your own lives, but also for me to persevere with the relationships I am trying to build here in the CZ. It can get hard to continue in this when you are far from home or you don't speak a lot of the language still, and you are still somewhat unsure of cultural aspects, and so many other things. Thanks so much for your continued support!

View of the Castle in Cesky Krumlov with the perfect
 example of perseverance in front of it.

Autumnal Musings

   Each year, I am always intrigued that autumn, the harbinger of the cold, often dreary months soon to follow, is usually everyone's favorite season. In America, nearly every town boasts its own harvest festival with some catchy name that tries to encompass the feeling of autumn just by its sound. For many of you back home, I'm sure the words "Autumn Leaf Festival" or "Apple Fest" quickly sprung to mind. As this time draws near each year, we pull out our cozy sweaters and scarves, take to putting pumpkin spice in all our foods, and bring just as many leaves inside as the trees and ground are decorated with outside! 

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." 
~Galatians 6:9

   This Indian Summer, or as Czechs refer to it babí léto (literally translated women's or grandma's summer), holds many different meanings for different people. But in many respects, autumn is both a beginning and an end. For school aged youngsters and families, it is the end of the summer holiday and the start of a new school year. for some it means the end of the most recent season of America's favorite past-time and others the beginning of the next season of the game only played in America. It is the end of the time for sowing and the beginning of the reaping. It is the beginning of preparations for the long year ahead.
   I firmly believe that as we tuck in with our cups of coffee (or tea) to bask in these last few days of warmth, we become reflective and we make just as many resolutions as we do at New Year's. Whether it is to be more organized, or to stay in shape through the winter, or to get more involved in activities, or whatever it is, I think that this time of year--this season of change--tends to bring out our (as in the collective) reflective side.
   So while I haven't written in a very, very long time (check the last entry if you really care to know), I also have been setting some new goals. One is to actually write on this blog so that you can know what is going on in good old Ostrava! Two, to be more intentional with my relationships this year--not an easy task and very quick to go by the wayside if I'm not careful. And three, to develop a greater intimacy with God. 
   This year, I have many of the same students so I am encouraged that I can keep those relationships going. Also, I am continuing to work with YoungLife and a lot of the youth in the city. I am carrying on with the English Klub I helped with last year at a local art school. I pray that this year I will be able to be a better leader in many of the positions I am in and that my Czech language skills would be greatly improved. However, that last part also requires a bit of studying on my part. ;-)

"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming.See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."
                                                    ~James 5:7-8


   I have the best of intentions this year with maintaining this blog, so I ask for your patience, and hopefully, I can keep my autumnal resolution going strong! To you, I recommend that you delight in the brisk, fall air and the beautiful creation that is around you as you also experience this season of change! Happy Fall!