Answer to the question why?

Ok we have been busy so I have been a terrible blogger.  And to be honest the past few weeks have been pretty mundane, so not alot to blog about.  But in recent days the verse John 3:16 has really been playing in my head.  I have been thinking about it, analyzing it and looking at it in a new and fresh way.
This started when one of our new believers was telling us how it was her favorite verse and how she had memorized it.  When I asked her why it was her favorite she said because "it is so beautiful, it is the whole story of God."  That really started me thinking, the whole story of God....  I have known this verse it seems my whole life.  I have always counted it as a favorite because I think somewhere it is  a christian rule, #95 you must think John 3:16 is great.  But I really never thought about why?  Why was this the verse that almost everyone can quote (the answer is not because you see it all the football games, although this certainly makes more people aware right.)  It was just the verse you were taught in Sunday school to explain what happens when you believe in Jesus. 
So I am thinking about this verse and then this weekend in our Serbian Fellowship, we were discussing John 3 and Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus.  The concept of being born again and what a difficult time Nicodemus was having understanding that men must be born again.  We were looking at the demand that Jesus states - all men must be born again.  And then some one asked why, and thats when John 3:16 opened up to me.  It is the whole story of God, because it answers the question why.  Yes why to men being born again but bigger then that.  Why did God do what he did?  Why did Jesus come leave heaven and dwell among us?  Why did Jesus die a painful death on the Cross?   Why, Why, Why?  Because the whole story of God, is his love for us is so great, and his desire to pursue us into relationship with him is so great that he gave the best he had to us - His Son Jeus.

Lots of Little Things

The past week has been pretty slow.  Still cold and still lots of snow on the ground.  The kids did not have school again so cabin fever was the theme of the week.  Speaking of fever, Miki was sick and Wilson got his first fever ever.  And because he loves me so much he gave me the epic gift of milk vomit all over the place yesterday.  I have restricted him to a water and cherrio's diet until further notice.  Because of the fever we have had to cancel two play dates which would have changed the week for the kids. 
The weather has gotten better, and this week hopefully the snow will begin to melt.  Of course the government is talking about wide spread flooding and mudslides with all the snow melting (insert favorite Mayan 2012 comment here).  All joking aside there are still lots of villages cut off due to the snow and those will be the places most hard hit by flooding etc. 

Valentines day kind of snuck up on us, may amazing gift for my wife was that I let her go back to bed for a couple of hours.... I know my romantic side is overwhelming.  But Jen did write a great blog about our relationship and put up some great pictures  of all of us click here to check it out.  to celebrate we had a special Valentines Awana meeting and dinner with our team.

Party Down With the Clown

So Miki turned six this week and on Saturday we had a party here at the house for her.  Because of the Great Freeze of 2012 (those Mayans may be on to something, we will see) we had to scrap the invite her class plan (19 girls), and go with the invite friends of the family plan.... much better.  After going to a party earlier in the year, Miki had decided she wanted a clown party, so we hired the best clown in the world Zvanko!  He was hysterical and all the kids had a great time, and the adults too.  I mean really a clown is entertaining for all ages.  Jen was her usual amazing self making a clown Pinata and an amazing cake (thanks to Amy and Randi for throwing in some box cake mixes).  We are very grateful to our friends who braved the cold and snow to come celebrate Miki.

Big Kid with her Clown Cake

The Pinata

The Clown

Silliest kin in the world

It tastes as good as it looks

The boys with balloon swords

and of course we had face painting

Weather Update

Many folks have sent emails asking about the weather here and if we are ok.  We are ok but the situation is getting worse.  Belgrade (where we live) is the least effected by snow.  We have about 2 feet on the ground now.  The biggest problem is not the snow but the extreme cold.  Its -4 F as I write this.  For the first time in over 25 years the Danube River has frozen.  This has caused many problems in getting fuel and coal to the frozen parts of Eastern Europe.  Because of this cold electricity and gas are being used faster then the governement can replace them.  They are urging people to reduce usage as much as possible.  The villages and small cities in Western and Southern Serbia have been the hardest his and 15 people have died from the cold.  Please pray for a repreive from the cold and for food to reach those stuck in hard to reach areas.  The 10 day forecast calls form more snow and extreme cold over the weekend.
Thanks for the prayers and concern, keep praying.  I'll keep you updated.

Miki Turns Six

This captures her personality perfectly

Six years ago today Jen and I got up to head to Baylor Dallas to see if we could coax Miki on out to join us.  After many laps around the hospital, some Chik-fil-a from the hospital cafeteria for lunch, and some waiting, and some more waiting.... Miki joined us around 6:00pm.  The last six years have been great.  She is such a different kid then her sister and she keeps us laughing.  We thank God daily that he saw fit to let us raise her.  This past year has been so great to watch her grow.  She's reading and doing big kid things... I guess that's good but shes still quite a little girl to me.  I have loved to see Miki grow in the Lord this past year.  She has such a great view of God and she has taught me much about his love for me.  Looking forward to this year and seeing how much she changes.

My Faith (or lack there of) Is Not An Indicator of Things.

We've been told the weather in Serbia is making U.S. news.  Fortunately we are not getting the brunt of it although this week the temps dropped (around 15F for a high) and the snow came.  I estimate over a foot in about three days.  Now coming from Texas this kind of weather would grind everything to a halt.  But mostly life goes on here.  People still drive, and do what they need to do.  So Saturday when my friend Samuil sent out the text reminding everyone of our Fellowship/Bible Study, I thought no way is anyone coming.  It's to cold, the ground is covered in snow and no one is coming tonight.  Boy was I wrong.  16 people came to study and discuss the word of God (this week we talked about forgiveness).  I was really shocked.  More then that I was way glad God is bigger then me and his desire to draw people to himself is not effected by snow or low temperatures and most importantly by my lack of faith. 

Confused Numbers and Some Thoughts

Ok so just when I think my language is getting to a decent point things like this happen:
Wednesday I had to pay our rent.  To do this I withdraw Dinar (Serbian Currency) from the ATM and take it to an exchange to convert to Euros.  The rate is about 110 Dinar to 1 Euro.  So on Wednesday I told the lady I needed 12,000 euros (I needed 1200 but I messed up the word for hundred and thousand.  Its sort of confusing because Serbs would not say 12 hundred, the would say 1 thousand two hundred, I just combined these thoughts).  The lady got very excited, got on the phone and told me they were going to give me a better rate since I needed so much.  A few minutes later a very big dude walked in the door (security/money delivery guy) and wanted to see my dinar.  So I showed him my 12,000 dinar.  He just cracked up and told me I either wanted 1200 Euro or was about 1million dinar short. Then I  realized my mistake.  The great part was they were so entertained by me they gave me a great exchange rate anyway. 
Some thoughts and Updates:

It had been brought to my attention that the weather in Serbia is making the news in the U.S.  The really bad stuff is in the south and mountians.  Until today we have been snow free in Belgrade.  By the end of the weekend we will probably have a couple of feet.  Please pray for those in the south as it is a desperate situation.

Lets all be foregiving of Josh Hamilton.

You folks In Texas enjoy your beautiful weather and remember it in August.  We will be inside this weekend.