Freeeeeedom (please read like you are in Braveheart)

"Sasko is free"... these are the words my friend Sam told me as Jennifer and I entered a benefit concert for Sasko. 

We were shocked, amazed, thankful.  We could not believe it.  There have been so many obstacles that have kept Sasko in jail that it was becoming very easy to believe he was going to be there a while.  This was a totally unexpected event.  Earlier in the day he had had visitors and there was no indication he was going home.  With the little I know around 2:00 pm his cell was unlocked and he was told he was free to go. 

As Sam was telling us the story I could not help but think of Acts 12:5-10

5 So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6 The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7 Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8 Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9 Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10 They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 

Now I realize that a literal angel did not appear in Sasko's cell, but the same God that loosened the chains of Peter, swung that cell door wide open for my friend.  The God we see in the Bible, is the same today... He is still full of power and wonder that we can not imagine.  And when we wonder He shows up in magnificent ways.  

As this ordeal has unfolded it has been easy to blame a crazy legal system and to just question what is happening but we have always known that a sovereign God is in control and he just reminded us last night. 

The ordeal is not over there will still be a trial so we will continue to pray and we will pray boldly for even more miracles.    

Throwback Thursday... School System

OK so Thursday got away from me.  It was my last day of Seminary for the summer and we took the kids to the river, so throwback Thursday comes to you on Friday. 
This post was about the school system in Serbia.  At the time it was just K in school but now she has transitioned to home school only and Miki goes to this school with the same teacher.  Miki loves Serbian school, her language is great and she is excelling there as well as doing a part time American home school.  Click here to read about school in Serbia and get a little grasp of what our girls did and still do. 

Summer Interns

Last summer we had our first summer intern, Kristina:

She did an amazing job and really helped me form what a good summer program would look like.  We knew we would need more interns to reach out to College Students and jump start projects for us.  Also last summer we started a partnership with Summit Church in North Carolina.  They sent us these guys for two weeks:

We had prayed that we could build a long term relationship with Summit and this summer they came through with these guys (plus Carly an awesome young lady from Tennessee that is creating an amazing video for us):

So in one year we went form 1 to 7 interns.  They have been here for nearly two weekd or so and have been doing great.  They are doing four different English classes with over 100 people attending, they are playing basketball, hanging out with college students and leading a bible study or two.  I am so excited to see how their summer unfolds and look forward to growing partnerships with Summit and Grace Community. 

Throwback Thursday... My Strong Tower

As our time has passed here, I have held close to Psalm 63 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.  Belgrade was settled around a fortress and we have spent many days there.  Read here to learn about our first visit to this ancient fortress and how it has strengthened our desire to cling to the strong tower that is our refuge and our security.  

Throwback Thursday's... Sledding Fun

This was our first big snow and we loved it.... for a little while.  Then we realized playing in snow Awesome! Living in snow LAME!!!  We love looking at the pretty white stuff, but it is hard to get around, it is cold and after four years it has lost a little of its charm.  We still like to play in it, but even the kids kind of groan as it pies up and we know the long hard winter is here.
Click here to see video of the great time we had after that first huge snow fall!

The Big Family Night Reveal

Jen and I have been dreaming about a trip to Disney World upon our return to the States for a while now. This past week we pulled the trigger and booked our trip. Our original plan was to tell the kids when we got on the plane to head home that we would be delaying Dallas for a week because we were stopping in Orlando for a Disney Vacation.  But we realized that half the fun of going to Disney (well maybe not half but a good portion) is the planning and talking about it so we decided 6 months out would be a good time to reveal it to the kids.  Now since I have an uber creative and fun wife we could not do this by just saying "Hey kids we are going to Disney!"
We will be staying Animal Kingdom Kadani Village, so Jen planned an African themed family night with a "safari" scavenger hunt, an African themed menu, and a viewing of the Lion King.

Asante Sandwhiches, Circles of Life (chips) and Squash Banana Pudding

So after we ate we started the Safari.  Jen had collected all the "wild" stuffed animals that we had (which was a surprising number considering we have had about three major stuffed animals purges).
Each animal had a clue leading to the next animal ultimately leading to a box with Mickey and a poem revealing the vacation.

Grandmother and Grandfather joined us since they will be at Disney with us

Found the Lion leading too...

... a surprise box

with a letter from Mickey letting us know he can't wait to see us in December

Surprisingly it took us explaining what Mickey was saying before the kids got super excited and realized they were going to Disney World in 6 months.   Then jumping and dancing erupted throughout Stevenski Grad.  For me the best part was how excited K is to go see princess.  She is still my little girl.
Thanks to Jen for a great night and a great reveal.  Disney here we come... in 187 Days!!!!!

Throw Back Thursday's - The Daily Schedule.

This month marks our 6 month mark till we return back to the states for our Stateside Assignment.  I thought it would be fun over the coming months to look back at some of our adventures with some new insight so in light of a more original name... I give you THROWBACK THURSDAYS (I know it's Friday but our internet is broken). 

This first post is from early on and a look at our daily schedule.  We really thought this was busy but now we would love to have the slow pace of those early days.  The biggest difference between now and then is we don't have language class but that time has been filled with many other things.  We also have adjusted to living here and can do things much quicker although it still takes a long time.  So click here and travel back to those early months. 

I'll be bringing a new/old post your way every Thursday, through December.

Leadership from an unlikely source

I like to read about leadership and study people who have been historically good leaders.  The past few weeks Wilson has revealed to me on of the worlds unsung leaders.  Who is it, you ask.  It's MICKEY MOUSE.  After watching 100's of hours of the same 20 episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse I have become a serious student of the leadership stylings of M.  Indulge me for a minute and let me convince you that Mickey is a great leader who can teach us all a little about working with people (or ducks, mice and dogs).

First let me explain the concept of the show.   Mickey and his gang always have to solve a problem (usually caused by one of his pals) and they have to think, work together and problem solve. THEY ALWAYS SOLVE THE PROBLEM and MICKEY ALWAYS LEADS THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

Lets look at the folks Mickey is working with.  If he can get along and work with these guys and girls all of us can a learn a thing or two from him.  

Minnie:  This is his girlfriend (at least last time I was at Disney World they still had separate houses).  She is a little flighty and seems to get herself into dangerous situations way more often then she should. Mickey has to keep her happy, prioritize saving her, and do whats best for the group.  That is a challenge.  Obviously he does this well because they are still together. 

Donald: This guy is a toughie.  He is jealous of Mickey and wants to be number one. It's his desire to become king of Disney and have his own show (trust me at Disney World he signs his autograph Donald #1 every time).  He has a short fuse, he acts inappropriately, he throws fits, he rushes into things without thinking... basically he is a train wreck.  But he is a duck of action, so he gets things done.  Mickey has to balance this guy, channel his energy and get him working with the team, all the while not getting into arguments over petty jealosy.  Big job and Mickey handles it well. 

Goofy: Wow, if it can break Goofy is going to break it plain and simple.  Goofy's specialty is messing up a good plan.  Mickey has shown great restraint over the last fifty years or so by not firing him. 

Daisy: Daisy is alot like Minnie.  She finds herself in bad situations and needs help.  There is the added layer of dating Donald (we think) and knowing that Daisy wants her man to be the top duck.

Professor VonDrake:  This is the guy who is rarely around but when he shows up he has all the answers.  But he is really smart and really does have all the answers and Mickey in his wisdom defers to him and heeds his advice.

Pete the Cat:  Pete is not on Mickey's team.  In fact he is against Mickey, and is always trying to foil the plans, or at the least add a layer of difficulty.  

So now we know the cast of characters Mickey deals with, what can we learn from Mickey.  
1.  Often times we don't have a choice who we work with so make the best of what you have and find the strengths of those around you.
2.  Be full of Grace.  Mickey never loses his temper, he always works patiently with those around him and even when Donald loses it, Mickey is gracious and works with him.
3.  Use the tools you have.  Mickey always takes the right tools to complete a task.  We can see this as both figuratively and literally. 
4.  Be positive.  Despite the perceived direness of the situation, Mickey is always looking at  a full glass. 
5.  Rely on others.  Mickey is no Lone Ranger.  He works hard looking for others strengths (which means he knows his weakness's) and making sure others shine in their giftedness.
6.  Celebrate everyone.  Mickey always ends his adventures mentioning how "we did it".  The credit is shared with everyone who was a part of the adventure.  Everyone has ownership in the success and that means they are ready to go for the next adventure. 
7.  Love your enemies.  Mickey loves Pete.  He works hard to integrate Pete into the plan and he is always cooperative with Pete's outlandish demands (like insane admission into Mickey Park.  It is Mickey's park he should not have to pay)
8.  Do a dance.  When you have success DANCE.  Mickey and the crew always celebrate success.  We should all do a Hot Dog Dance!

There you go leadership from the worlds foremost mouse!