Boo Boos and Jams

Thomas thought it would be a good idea to try and take out his chest of drawers.  

Clearly he was wrong!

So after, seeing how very deep this little cut was, I decided it would be wise to get a doctor to check it out.  The doctor said, "If it were my kid I would stitch it up, but whatever you want to do."  I opted to go with the doctor on this one. So Thomas got one stitch which meant he got to rock a band-aid for a week.

And rock it, he did!

And he no longer refers to himself as, "Bebe." Now he is "Momas." Perhaps that little bump knocked him one step in the right direction.

Cowboys, Boxes and Cookies

Future aspirations: Cowboy Train Conductor. Dream big baby. Dream big!

Fun in a box. Best toy EVER!

Painting Christmas cookies. Future artist or cake boss.

The (American) Christmas Rush is Through

We had a wonderful Christmas here in Macedonia. We hope yours was wonderful too.  Saturday we spent the day sitting around our living room with some of our favorite Macedonians.  We had about 30 people over starting at 1 and ending at about 9:30. It was so fun. I had made all kinds of homemade American goodies to share with our friends. Kate got all dressed up for the big party.

Thomas really just wanted to go to sleep. Poor fella.

After the photo op, Kate helped me host. Here she is with Tetka (aunt) Slavica. We LOVE this woman. She babysits Kate and Thomas on a regular basis. She is one of my best friends here and Kate LOVES her too. 

Just the four of us.  

 The party was great. We sent everyone home with a bag of American treats--fudge, cookies, brittle, etc. One lady remarked that we had already fed her enough sugar while she was here, "You don't need to give me more."  Well, we're Americans. It's what we do. We attached a Bible verse to all of the bags: "For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a savior who is Christ the Lord, and you will find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace goodwill to all men." Luke 2:11-14.  All throughout that day around loads of sugar, we were able to have a lot of really great conversations about Christmas, our savior and the peace He gives. We are so grateful for the opportunity to share our reason for celebrating Christmas with those whom we love here.

And now, for a little seasonal verse...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. When what to my wondering eyes should alight,  a ring and a buzz from a blue cell phone light. 

We jumped out of bed and answered the call, "Is it too late to come." 

"No, not at all."

When Hannah and Ginna and Dina arrived, it was 1:30 A.M, and the stars were alive. 

They came bearing gifts wrapped in papers of news, with bows and bright sashes. Incredible hues. 

Covered in blankets of cotton and fleece, we all said goodnight and parted till light.

We woke to the beat of a familiar tune, "Daddy, juice!" It was FAR from noon.

The loved ones awoke with excitement and glee. It's Christmas morning. There were cinnamon buns you see. 

We blessed our Father who gave us His Son. Read The Story, ate sausage and gooey buns. 

We all opened presents with grateful hearts. For we have family here and family apart.
Christmas celebration is different on this side, but God is good and in Him we abide.

Santa is still on his way to Macedonia. He doesn't come to their doors until New Years, and he normally only brings some candy, chips and such. Then Macedonian Orthodox Christmas is January 7th.  So there is lots more fun on the horizon. Pray for us as we continue to share the Christmas story with many who are just hearing it for the very first time. Happy New Year every one!

American Traditions at Home in Macedonia

We, like most people in America, spent some time decking the halls in our little (relatively speaking) apartment. I dug through the boxes and found our Christmas box with all of our Christmas books and children's (aka unbreakable) nativity.  Kate and Thomas had a blast looking through all the books while I got some other goodies out.

Kate helped me unwrap and set up the big kid (aka - keep out of reach of the wild man) nativity. 

The center piece of our Christmas and our lives.

Kate and Thomas helped me make and decorate sugar cookies for our Christmas tree decorating party. 

They also helped me make cinnamon/applesauce ornaments.

They helped daddy straightened out all the lights for the tree.

Kate helped us decorate the tree.

And Thomas helped us eat the cookies.

Look at that beautiful girl in her Christmas jammies. (Thanks G and P.)

We are praying that all of you have a truly wonderful Christmas. Please be praying for us this week, especially on Saturday as we are having a big all day party at our place. We are planning on inviting about 30-35 people. Pray that we will have many opportunities to share the LOVE of Christ through this special time in our living room around plates of cookies, cheese-balls and other American goodies.  Merry Merry Merry Merry Christmas!!!!

Love this Song and LOVE Mandi Mapes!

"My heart is here but it's time to go. These feet of mine were made for foreign shores."




Thank you Mandi!

Mandi "Mop-es"

Mandi Mapes, from The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, AL has been here hanging with us for the last 2 weeks.  Mandi, whose name is often pronounced by the Macedonian locals as Mandi Mop-es (a literal reading of her name in Macedonian), is an incredibly talented singer/songwriter, and her album is one that is often providing background music for our less-than-mundane-life in the Davis household.  It has been such a joy, not only to have Mandi here, but also to get to hear the story behind the songs she wrote.  She has been gracious to do a couple of concerts for us these last few weeks.  She was able to play in Prilep when we headed over there for our American Thanksgiving, and she has played at three different spots here in Ohrid including our coffee house which was packed out for her performance.  

Brian acted as her manager for the week. ;)  --Tuning the guitar, setting her concert schedule and making flyers for advertising.

During the course of the week, we all got to meet some new people and share our stories and Mandi's story with them.  We had a blast hanging out at concerts listening to Mandi bring glory to our Father in song while we attempted to make the most of every opportunity with every individual with whom we came in contact.

Mandi at our coffee house. 

I think she is famous in Ohrid now.  She brought about 50 cds to give out, and everyone wanted her autograph.  Plus, yesterday, Mandi, Hannah and Ginna went back to one of the coffee bars that she played in on Tuesday night and they were playing her album in there. When not playing at coffeehouses, Mandi has been hanging out with Hannah and Ginna visiting with people all around Ohrid. God is faithful!

One of my favorite parts of the week was listening to Mandi play in a local coffee bar after 10 P.M.  The room was filled with cigarette smoke. There were SO many people in there, it was standing room only which meant all the guys at the bar were crowding into the place where I sat, and Mandi was singing songs about "Sweet Sweet Grace" and "This little light of mine, oh, I'm gonna let it shine." and "Hollywood keeps singing about love, If they really had love, they'd be singing songs about Jesus."  and "Jesus paid it all. It is well with my soul." 

SO. STINKIN'. AWESOME!!!

Here are a few of her groupies.

This is one of the songs she did at our coffee house.  She had taught the crowd the chorus and had them sing along with her. Love it. So fun!

Our time with Mandi has been incredible.  I think her main purpose in coming was just to encourage Hannah and Ginna, but she ended up encouraging all of us, loving on us, and loving on our precious people of Ohrid.  We are so grateful for her willingness to be here and serve our Lord in a foreign land.  You can check out her website here.  Her music is available on iTunes.  Check her out!  And praise God for all the many opportunities we have had to share these last two weeks. Pray that the seeds will take root and bear fruit. 

Whoo!

If you have got a free hour, listen to this. Better yet, just turn off the tv, make a free hour and listen to this. WHOO!

Just click on the link below. Warning: It might sting a little!

Disciple-Making International

Pigtails

This is a very big day!!!! Her hair goes in pigtails! So cute!!!

Precious Babies

Thankful for SO Many Things

Thanksgiving 2011 was exciting.  I had just gotten back in from my trip to America on Tuesday night which meant I had one day of recovery--unpacking, cooking, grocery shopping, catching up on sleep, and playing with my babies before all the festivities began.  We were expecting about 20 people (Americans and Macedonians) in our home for Thanksgiving Day.  We had three special guests here, two volunteers and one BFF of Ginna. Things were a little crazy to say the least, but crazy seems to be the new norm. So no worries.  

Mandi, Cierra and Kate helped set the table while guests were already arriving. AHHH!

Once everyone got here, things started to settle.  Everyone sat down and started eating while I ran around trying to get drinks and make sure the desserts were ready to go.  I think I ate...something??? I don't remember tasting anything, but it was SO fun to have so many people in our home celebrating the American holiday with us.

After dinner Mandi Mapes and Brian led us in a jam session.  SO FUN!

On Friday, we packed our bags and headed to Prilep, Macedonia to have our annual Thanksgiving weekend with some other Americans on our team.  Friday night, one of the volunteers here, Mandi Mapes did a concert at the club in Prilep. It was SO good to hear her live.  She did beautifully, and the club was packed for her performance.  

Kate and Thomas got to hang out with sweet Maggie. We LOVE her and her little brother.  Our kids always love getting together with other American kids.  They share such a precious bond. I am so thankful for all of those kiddos and their friendship with my wee ones!

On Saturday Brian got up and headed out to play American football with some of the Americans and even some Macedonians in Prilep.  He got hurt AGAIN this year.  I guess I just need to plan on him coming back injured every year.  Silly boys!

Later that afternoon, we all got together for Thanksgiving #2 with about 18 other Americans. It was SO fun and the food was SO delicious!!! Yay for Thanksgiving!

We LOVE our team and all of those who make up our family over here.  I praise God for all that He has provided me--things I didn't even know to ask for.  He is so faithful not only to sustain me and my family but also to satisfy me.  Oh praise Him!

Pics from America

My momma and daddy made me a basket of goodies for my arrival. She also had white chocolate covered strawberries, sausage balls, and other yummies for me to enjoy.

My sweet BFF and me at her bachelorette party.

Amanda made all the bridesmaids shirts with our nicknames on them.  We were showing them off.

Bridesmaids!!!

Luta boy is a cuntry boy through and through.  He and all his groomsmen wore cut off plaid shirts for the rehearsal.  "You might be a redneck if..." ;0)

One of the most beautiful moments in the ceremony. A few of the pastors that have been really influential in the couple's life gathered around them for prayer.

My daddy and me at the reception.

My dad-in-law dressed to impress... Luther at the wedding. So great!!!! 

My sis and me. I was showing off my boots. :)

My dad making one of my favorite things in the whole wide world--his famous BBQ chicken.  YUM!!!

Check that goodness out!!!  

My sweet nieces and me. They are so beautiful!

I got home and Kate and I compared "bling."

I brought Brian a chicken filet biscuit with seasoned fries from America. Taste of goodness!