Friends from Across the Pond

The last few days we have had visitors from Czech in our town and at our church.  P who interned under me 20 years ago returned with a friend from his church.  I said at that time, that if God had blessed us with a son, I would have wished for a man like P.

In 1996 when P was here we had a flood but nothing like the one a year later.  P was glad that he missed that one.  The obelisk near the river marks the height of various floods in our town with 1997 standing at the top.

The reason for the visitors was to share their plans to remodel a cinema in downtown Olomouc into a permanent church building.  P pastors our sister church there, and J is a contractor in their church who will oversee the year long process of remodeling while taking no salary.  Their church has always had to rent facilities and set up and tear down for their weekly activities.  Both men are delightful and our church has been blessed by the sister church relationship that we have had for 23 years. 

Sunday night we had a banquet to see and hear the plans for their building and to share in their financial need.  The goal of $200 K was not reached but we are hopeful that the last 25% will be raised throughout 2017.  What an encouragement our friendship continues to bring!

Last of the Birthdays of October

R reached official middle age the last day of October.  Birthdays are a big deal in the family and Daddy's is no less.

I couldn't pass posting this expression of his reaction to his mother-in-law's card to him.  I'll let you decide what he is thinking.

Birthday Boy shares the day with Halloween.  I guess as a kid he felt all the activities of Halloween were because it was his birthday.  The kids went to a church carnival instead of going Trick or Treating.

Our little gymnast seems practicing her tuck. 

The carnival gave the kids the opportunity to dress up in their costumes.  Do you recognize that nose? 

Spider man was joined by Elsa on the way to the Halloween Carnival.  Papa and Tutu stayed home and handed out candy to the neighborhood kids.  Bright and early the next morning we headed north after a great time with the Texans celebrating their October birthdays.