Bonnette Acres

In Germany they celebrate Christmas on Christmas eve. They first put up and decorate the tree, then they sing a couple of songs, and then its present time. Present time did not seem any different then life at my house as a child. When you got a gift you opened it up like crazy. Elke putting the gifts under the tree, they dont have them out to stare at for many weeks like us. This way the kids dont go crazy with anticipation. I thought that was the best part about getting the gifts? Debora and Lukas opening there presents So the next morning. Christmas morning, I decided to have my own Christmas like we have done every year in my house. I first read the Christmas story... and the I opened my present. To make it even more festive I listened to Christmas music on my I -pod. Oh and Dad I waited till sun rise, so dont worry all the rules were right for having christmas. Every year we have to take a photo with all of our christmas presents. Here you go Fam. Well my Christmas was a little dif...

Let me just prepare you for a second here. This post changes in emotions quite frequently. I probably should have made this three different post. But there all together, so here you go... Like the title says cereal is the NEW granola bar. I know shocking, I have not given up on my first love but when chewy granola bars are no where to be found here in Lushnje you have to give in to something new sometime. I have always enjoyed cereal, but never have I craved it... Yep those frosties are frost - i - licious I had way to much free time today... but it sure was fun! I could have put these on my photo page, but I felt they needed to show themselves here. This weekend has been a miraculous weekend. After the past two months of struggle after struggle, God has given the church here some amazing encouragement. From my past post it might not have sounded like the church is having problems. That is because its hard for me to be debbie downer all the time. On here I want to tell you of the posit...

Yes it is holiday time, but it does not completely feel whole. Thankfully this past week I have seen more and more decorations, been to a couple of Christmas parties, and have heard a few Christmas songs. So im slowly getting into the spirit a little more. But it is hard with out the family. Im really missing them, I will admit I did not think I would miss them that much (sorry no offense fam) but like the old saying goes "You dont really know what you got, till it's gone." Let me tell you I have done a lot of thinking about this and that is so true. Because my head always seems to be in the future, sometimes I miss whats right infront of me. Being here where life is not always that easy and 'Not eveyone knows me name..." it makes me yearn for the warm love that is always welcome at home. I am so thankful to know that I have had that, and that I still have that. So for the first time in my life Im not just looking forward, I am also looking back. But I pray I don...

Yesterday I awoke to the sound of repeated banging outside my window. I was unsure about it but it is not uncommon to hear strange noises outside, so I started to get ready for church. The last couple Sundays I had gotten ready, I had a hard time and a hard attitude. It just was not fun getting ready, when I could not feel my toes. Thanks to Steve and Rachael this Sunday was a wonderful morning. They got me a heater, and I truly, have cherished it. Needless to say my attitude was much warmer and I felt ready for the day. Before church started I was reminded of the noises from the street, I asked Elke and Ilir about it and they were quick to tell me what was going on. Today Muslims celebrate " Eid al - Adha " which is "the Festival of Sacrifice". If you were not aware there are many muslims here in Albania, some practicing, some sort of practice, and some just follow the tradition of things. I am not sure why but yesterday part of the tradition to get ready for ...

So let me just say my time spent in Turkey was A-mazing! It was all I could ask for. The hotel was the nicest hotel I have ever been in, and the service was phenomenal. I did not feel Like I should be worthy of such things but somehow I was. The hotel was right on the Mediterranean so there was a pretty amazing view from my room. The food was wonderful, my favorite thing they had was in the mornings. They had PANCAKES with SYRUP!!! You do not know how much I have missed that, yes it has not been that long since I have been away but I really love pancakes. Especially pancakes with such a beloved thing as syrup. Syrup is a rare thing here in albania, you can get some in the capitol but its about 20 dollars a bottle. hmm I think I will pass on that price. Anyways It was way cool to meet all the different Nazarene missionaries in Eurasia. I loved hearing there different stories, and just getting to know these people who are impacting the world. ohh what a feeling. The whole meaning for the...