life, as we see it

It seems that God is quite the Multi-Tasker. Who knew? In these past 3 months (THREE months?!?!) have been filled with some of the most gut wrenching honesty as God put a mirror to our faces. They have been filled with some of the most random belly-laughs. They have been filled with some of the most exciting sights of transformations into freedom. This have been a FULL 3 months!!

The place Heather and I find ourselves more and more standing before a challenge that asks “will you be satisfied with a partially transformed heart?” We have both been led, sometimes pushed, into a place of CHOOSING to let down the walls of our hearts. Interestingly, it seems that we are learning the same lessons with different formulas…but the outcome is the same: “Will I learn to love with my full heart without fear and with ABANDON?” Specifically for me - I am learning that I cannot love others until I can be the “real me”. I cannot love truly until I use what I am gifted in, show my heart, share my thoughts, BE who God created me to be. In turn, I cannot truly be loved by others if they don’t know who I really am. Which brings to question, how can they know who I really am unless I show it? I have started this path, and the question is always before me….will I be satisfied with a partially transformed heart?

Along with this so-called blooming of the heart, is the actual blooming of SPRING!! Now, don’t be fooled by thinking of Spring in terms of the southern United States. No, no. This is a spring of warm-ER temperatures. We have not seen the other side of 75 F yet, and are still building fires almost every afternoon. HOWEVER, beautiful spring flower are showing up everywhere, along with new people. This past weekend was a huge holiday here, Prvi Maj (aka First May). Now, I kid you not, there was enough grilled meat here in this apartment to equal a combined Memorial Day, 4th of July AND Super Bowl Sunday!!! So the day was filled with food, friends and fun. Heather created a little video for you to check out:

1st May:


As for the freedom, I wanted to share this from a “coffee time conversation” Heather and I were having with Dejana. One thing led to another and soon we were discussing how Dejana’s growth is becoming more evident. Heather and I took a moment to affirm her in how it is so visible that her heart is maturing in grace, loving others, and seeking the deeper meaning behind actions (both her own and of others). Genuinely, through tears, Dejana began to express her heart to the two of us. In a moving moment, she shared her profound gratitude for our willingness to come. She revealed that our leaving our family, friends and comfort zone and choosing to come here spoke to her volumes of just how much God loves her. Dejana said that God knows her struggles, her fears and how lonely she has been. God sent the two of us here for her, and it blew her away at how much it has meant and taught her so far. She told us that for this she is so thankful.