Get Well Soon, Kristynko!

We hope you feel better soon! May this video of you and Adela bring a smile to your face! We love you.

Merry Christmas to YOU!

As you celebrate this holy season of Christ's birth with friends and family, know that we are thinking of you and wishing you a very Merry CHRISTmas.

Saint Nicholas Day

Last night we went downtown to see a gospel choir perform in the square. Our music director, Milos, plays with the group. You can see that Adela thoroughly enjoyed the beat!

Today is St. Nicholas (Mikulas) day in Czech. On the eve of St. Nicholas day, children anticipate a visit from St. Nicholas, an angel and a devil. All three ask the children if they have been good and then the children usually recite a poem for them. "The St. Nicholas tradition is supposedly based on a 4th century Greek bishop named Nicholas who is said to have left a gift of money on the windowsill of three poor girls to enable them to get married." (taken from the MY Czech Republic website which is http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/saint_nicholas.html)

Check it out if you'd like to learn more!

The Fourth Day of Advent

I know you are all just dying to hear how our Advent is going! :) We are having so much fun and it has been wonderful to have this short family time together. First we set out the tablecloth, candles and Bibles (English, Czech and Adela's Bible), then we light the one candle which represents hope. We read the short scripture verses, sing "Away in a Manger" and then pray together. Adela has gotten used to the short routine and seems to really enjoy helping me set up. Today our great friends Susan and Roger gave us this Nativity scene as a gift! It was wonderful to read the first poem about Gabriel and let Adela open the first box of 7 which had a figurine of Gabriel inside. All of this has given me a new sense of joy and love for Christmas that I didn't know I was even missing! I can truly say that it isn't about decorations or gifts, it's about celebrating the birth of Christ and looking forward to His return.