Thankfulness, the main thing

So I missed last friday, the post thanksgiving hangover and preparing for Saturday's thanksgiving festivities caused a lapse in blogging.  That coupled with the fact that I wanted to give this topic the proper time and treatment resulted in my tardiness.

The Most Importatnt Thing, The Life Changing Thing, for me I call it The Main Thing.  It is the thing that I am most thankful for. It is the thing that makes everything else in my life possible.  All I have to be thankful for, from the air I breathe to my wonderful wife flow from this.  What is it?  What could I be this thankful for?  It is my relationship with Jesus.  Just knowing I have a relationship with Jesus makes the morning worth getting up for (and trust me that's hard when you know how cold it is and it is only going to get colder).

Like all of us I have a sin problem, but I have the grace of Jesus, freely given, and with that foregiveness for my sins. Every time I think about it, that gift that is so available, it amazes and boggles me.  You see, I know I am not worthy of heaven.  But the creator of the universe so loves me (and you) so much that he paid the debt for our sin with his son, Jesus Christ.

This main thing is more then forgiveness, grace, and redemption.  It's that daily relationship. Like all of us I am prone to wonder, but the daily walk with Christ sustains me.  It's the thing that I am most thankful for.

Thanksgiving Serbian Style

This was our second Thanksgiving in Serbia, but last year we celebrated with teammates, and this year we decided to invite two Serbian families to share some American goodness with.  This was a huge step, Thanksgiving food is way different then anything a Serb would eat (except turkey, people do eat turkey here). Lets face it, although Jen makes the best stuffing in the world, the whole concept of stuffing is a little strange.  It's impossible to explain what it is and make it sound appetizing.

The only reference these families had for Thanksgiving was t.v. and movies they see (luckily FRIENDS is on here and no American T.V. program celebrated Thanksgiving quite like those cooky New York singles).  I did explain to them ahead of time that there would be no huge turkey on the table with little white chef hats on his legs.  I think they were a little dissapointed, but better to get that out ahead of time. 

Jen worked tirelessly for two days to prepare all the food. My contribution consisted of getting the kids out of the house so she could cook.  She alternated between talking with her mom and texting teammates to give the impression that she was not cooking alone.  She did an amazing job, even making her own cranberry sauce.  Her best cooking decision was in the desert department.  We knew that all this food would be foreign and espeacially desert.  We were going with pumpkin and pecan pie.  Instead of making huge pies that may not be liked she made mini pies - that way the wasting of amazing desert goodness would be minimal. 

Dinner was phenomanal, I contributed by brewing amazing Starbucks coffee, no instant for my guests.  Our Serb friends were very intentional taking small helpings of everything and then going back for seconds of the stuff they liked. Sweet potatoes were a big hit - who would not like something smothered in butter, brown sugar, marshmallows and nuts.  There was a big discussion on what a pecan is.  The Serbian dictionary described it as a longer, smaller walnut, but it was decided it was much sweeter then a walnut.

Kyleigh took care of the kids, reading a story of the first thanksgiving, and preparing an activity for the kids.  They all made thankful turkeys. 
Over all it was great night and we were blessed to share our traditions with some great people.

Mini deserts, the masterpiece from my master chef

Kyleigh explains thanksgiving, notice NFL football in the background

A first for our Serb frineds

thankful turkeys, Serbian style

Princess's On Ice

If you know Jen and I you know we LOVE Disney.  We LOVE Disney World.  We LOVE Disney Princess'.  When you have girls like ours, you just live a life full of Princess'.  That's what made Saturday so special.  All the Disney Princess' were in Belgrade for a Disney on Ice show at the arena.  Thanks to a tremendous gift from Aunt Glenna and Uncle John we got to go to the show (it was Christmas for the girls).  K and Miki dresses in nice dresses, got some fancy hair and topped it off with a tiara, and were ready for the show. 

pretty princess' ready for the show

Mom gave miki the triple braid

Buns and curls for K

at the arena

excited to see the show

dad sports a Miki Crown

Happy girls after a great show

It was a great show, and a great time.

Fantastic Friday - a little more thankfulness

Things we are thankful for - guest entries from the Stevens kids.

Kyleigh:
Jesus - sort of self expanantory - he did save me from my sins after all.  A car - it is so much better then the bus or my feet. Friends here in Serbia and at home in Texas. Family - when friends are hard to come by at least I have these bozos. Serbia - hey I like it here. AWANA - gettin to know God's word makes a girl thankful.  Clothes - justice is my fave. Food - when you see folks begging everyday, you get very thankful for simple things, like a nice warm bed.

Michaela:
I am thankful for school, my teachers, my friends - they make the days better.  Transportation - I'm less picky then my sister.  Paper mache - something I have recently discovered.  a place to live, Mom and Dad, my life, My brother, the world around me.

Wilson:  I had to translate this so it may be a little off
I am thankful for MILK! MILK! MILK!  it sustains life.  And Mama, she is pretty and holds me and sings to me and she has MILK! and Sissy (both of them sometimes).  I am also a big fan of all electronics, I prefer things that have a screen, light up and are expensive. I am also very thankful that Dad put all the books on low shelves so I can take them down and read at my lesiure. 

Miki's homework

November in Miki's school is transportation month.  So for homework all the kids had to construct a vehicle of some sort.  Miki decided to make a jumbo jet 'like we came to Serbia on".  So with the uber creative Jen on the task a 2 liter pepsi bottle, cardboard and paper mache became Avion Miki.
UPDATE:  Today when Miki came home from school she told us her teachers had said her plane was:
geniol - genius
fenomenalo- phenominal

just getting started

first coat of paint drying

proud captain

Rants and Revelations

RANT:
Because Wilson was born in Serbia we have had to do a number of things at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade.  We have had to get his passport, get his American birth certificate, and get his SS card.  To do these things we go to a part of the embassy known as U.S. citizen services.  Now the name implies that this is a place where U.S. citizens could receive service, but this is not the case.  All three times we have dealt with the same clerk and the best way I can put it is she is rude. She has never been to the United States yet she acts like she knows everything about it.... it's infuriating.  She has told us our marriage liscence was not a marriage licsence because it did not look right, I got a good scolding this week becasue I did not pick up Wilsons Birth certificate in a timely manner (never mind the fact that the government was changing systems so it took 7 months to get here) and she would not schedule an appointment for me to get Wilson a SS card, I had to go home and call the office.  Guess who answered the phone, that's right the rude lady I was just talking to.    So that's my rant.

REVELATION:

We have been here for nearly two years so there are many things that happen a daily basis that may be interesting to you but to us they are just the way things are.  Amy being here has really opened my eyes (revealed to me) some of the interesting things I should be sharing with you. So in that vane I want to welcome you to:

That's right its Cuban Days at the local shopping center.  According to this sign you can get a Cuban meal at the cafeteria, there is a picture display of Havanna on the concourse (without Castro).  There are also little displays of "traditional" Cuban things through out the store (musical instruments etc.).  I just figured this is not something you would typically see in the U.S. say at Wal-Mart.  But this sign was not the only thing welcoming you to Cuban Days.  There was this:

Nothing like a giant Cuban flag welcoming you to shop.  The great part is the celebration of the little island did not end here.  The girls went to birthday party on Sunday.  It was at a very cool indoor playground with a big pirate ship. Now pirates and Cuba I have no idea what those in common (maybe Black Beard hung there).  But the cafe that the parents hung out at the party was the La Revolucija - dedicated to the Cuban revolution and Mr. Castro.  I just thought all that was interesting and you should know about it.
Those of you with kids (like say a 5 year old) have probably never uttered the sentence:
"Sorry I did not here my phone ring, I was picking up Miki from the Discoteka (disco)."  But that is what I told Amy on Saturday when I missed her call while getting Miki from a birthday party at the disco.  In all fairness it was a disco for kids but it had loud music, and a mirror ball.
I'm going to try to do a better job of keeping you - the loyal reader- aware of these little tidbits.

See you tomorrow for Fantastic Friday!

Fantastic Friday - More thankfulness

In honor of Thanksgiving, Fantastic Friday will be focused on things I am thankful for, but before we get to that a little story.  As all of you know in the states, today is Veterans Day.  In Serbia and the rest of the world it is just Friday.  So today when I headed out the door early to get some paperwork done at the U.S Embassy, it was just Friday to me (you know cause I live in Serbia and had no idea it was Veterans Day).  Well apparently Veterans day is a holiday, and the U.S Embassy is closed on holidays (not a bad gig, they are closed on American and Serbian holidays).  The security guard at the embassy did enjoy my confusion though.  So now on to some things I am thankful for.
1.  Veterans.  I have a hard time living overseas and being away from thins I love and no one is shooting at me, so thanks to all you men and women who sacrifice so all of us can do mundane things like blog.

2.  I am Thankful for this:

 

 Living in Serbia, one of the things I miss the most is our Church Home. Being taught by pastor Steve, having a great Lifegroup to fellowship with and oh how we miss worship.  But for all that we miss, LPC and the people of LPC have been so supportive of us.  The Fields, Murphy, Burge, and Moore Lifegroups have done super job of supporting us.  They pray for us, they stay in contact.  They celebrate birthdays with us and generally keep us connected to the church.  Aside from these classes the staff at LPC has gone above and beyond to make sure we have things we need and to get people here to help our business grow and be successful.  We are so thankful for our church home and all they have done to support us. 

Fantastic Friday

Happy Friday Everyone!  Since it's November and this month is all about being thankful, I am going to use Fantastic Friday this month to share some things I am thankful for.  Today I want to share the four most AWESOME people in my life,  I used to refer to them as my girls but we added Wilson, now they are my girls and the boy. 

My Girls

I am most thankful for my best girl, my wife, my partner, Jen.  It takes a special woman to live with me.  She has made our adjustment to life in Serbia so much easier.  She works hard making great meals, educating our kids, freeing me up to do what I need to do.  Without her nothing happens.  One of my favorite stories about Jen comes from when I was coaching.  I was visiting with the opposing coach when Jen walked up and met him for the first time.  When she walked away, he said "you definitely married up"  Truer words have never been spoken.

My oldest daughter is a joy.  I am so thankful for the lady she is growing into (although apparently growing into a lady means lots of unexplained tears, the manual forgot to warn me).  She is a great helper, loves playing with her little brother and tolerates playing with her sister.  She's so smart, she has taken to the language here in such a smooth way.  But her best quality is how God is shaping her heart, she sees the bigger picture of whats happening in all our lives and I can see that in the things she says and does.  I am so thankful for Kyleigh.

Miki... that kid makes us forget how serious we all can be (all being Jen and I).  She is smart and funny.  Combined this can be good or dangerous, depending on the situation.  When we first arrived in Serbia, and she was against speaking Serbian, she would point things out in English.  Things like "mom her hair is orange".  We had to remind her lots of folks speak English here, numerous times. Miki brings the fun, she's sensitive, she feels for those around her, and her heart breaks at injustice.  I am so thankful for Miki.

The Boy

I was pretty satisfied with just my girls, luckily Jen was not and God had a much better plan, or we probably would not have this boy.  He has been such a revelation for us.  He is such a boy,  he's physical, he moves all the time, he likes balls and cars - he just knew he was supposed to like them.  He smiles all the time (of course he is well entertained by those sisters).  He keeps up at night - alot.  But its worth it.  I marvel at how God is shaping K and Miki and daydream often about how God will shape this boy's life.  I am so thankful for Wilson.

It's Friday, be happy, be thankful, and have a fantastic day. 

Celebrating....

Well October has come to a close creating a dilemma for the Stevens family, how do we celebrate that last day of October.  Calling it Halloween, out of the question - does not jive with our jobs.  I prefer to celebrate Refromation Day, but that's kind of over the top.  So like 99% (no statistical proof for that just a guess) of all conservative, evangelical churches in the deep south we had a fall festival with Team Belgrade.

Side note: by guessing 99% I am implying that the other 1% completely ignore Oct. 31st, as a matter of fact it probably does not even appear on their calenders.

Side note 2:  By using these two numbers I have probably implied that I care/am following "occupy wall street" but I do not and am not.  Did you know that unemployment in Belgrade tops 30%?  I'm just sayin...

My super creative wife, encouraged/coerced everyone to dress up.  The stipulation was you had to be a character from a book and you had to use what you had from home.  Jen kept suggesting these great litereary characters from the past that we did not have the equipment for so I came up with two suggestions:

1.  I could be the modern version of any of those characters (meaning I could just where regular clothes).  That was quickly vetoed.

2.  I could be John Lock from LOST.  I have tshirts, boots and cargo pants.  I just needed Jen to shave my head and give me a scar over my right right eye.  I thought it was a good idea, no one else did.

So I became Roderick, the big brother from the Wimpy Kid book series.  Simple costume - black tshirt and jeans.  Done and Done.  Michaela was Nancy Drew - she was too cute, K was Ally Finkle - sort of her normal self, Jen was Mrs. Frizzle from the magic shool bus and Wilson was Chistopher Robin.  Good costumes by all of us. 

Amy and the Israels all came over so we played games (dry apple bobbing was my favorite).  We also decorated pumkins (see picture below) and ate, ALOT.  It was a great way to start fall.  

The whole gang, notice trey was taking the picture since he had the least creative costume

dry apple bobbing (shes cheating you are not supposed to use your hands

Pumpkin carving the stevens way - no mess

nancy drew