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!

The U.S. of A

I am currently making my way back to my sweet Macedonia.  It was an absolute privilege to be able to go back to North Cakalaky for my best friend's wedding.  She was such a gorgeous bride! I LOVE her new husband, Luther a.k.a Luta.  He is a true country boy who loves God first and loves Amanda with all his heart. They are so precious together and I am so thrilled that at the perfect time the Lord brought the two of them together to become one and share their lives together.  I couldn't be happier for them or more pleased with their union.  I love you guys!!!!!

Fun in the photo booth! 

Beautiful Bride!!!

I also had a blast soaking in some American culture and food!  

• There is a restaurant in the Charlotte Airport that is called, "A Taste of Carolina."  If you really want a taste of Carolina walk past that restaurant and stop by the place just down the lane called Bojangles.  Fried chicken, french fries with amazing seasoned salt, dirty rice, buttery biscuits, sausage gravy smothering mashed potatoes.... That is a true taste of Carolina. YUM! 
• Dunkin' Donuts coffee is WAY better than Starbucks, and the giant cup of iced vanilla caramel coffee with a side of blueberry munchkins AND a Boston Cream doughnut was one of the best breakfasts I have had in a really long time. 
• It is very easy to be a glutton in America. Ha. Ha.  
• America is SO busy. It kind of makes me nervous. 
• I have never really 'heard' the southern accent until this week.  Ha. We are a bunch of country bumpkins, but we sure are sweet. ;0)
• There is a possibility I may be more Macedonian than American now.  I wanted to shake everyone's hand or give them a big hug and kiss on the cheek every time I saw them. And please, someone, can we just sit down and have a 2 hour cup of coffee together?! Why all the incessant working?!
• Radio stations in America play the same five songs over and over and over and over again! I now know all the current hits by heart.  Consider me up-to-date.
• Sitting around a campfire or fire-pit cooking hot dogs on a stick is by far one of my favorite things in the whole wide world to do! Thanks Davises for making it happen for me. It was SO FUN! I love being at your house!
• My momma's country style steak and my daddy's BBQ chicken with his homemade sauce could make for a whole show on food network. 
• Everyone's home in America smells good. My momma's smells the best. :) It smells like home.
• I discovered that I may be the only person I know who just randomly breaks out in song and dance (except for maybe my Ginna and Hannah).  Maybe I am living my life in a musical. I don't guess that has anything to do with America, just an observation.  
• The Holder von Trap family broke it down in all our harmonious glory to 'How Great Thou Art' at church on Sunday. So FUN! Then we got to listen to my dad bring "the boom" from the Word. It was such a blessing to hear him preach again!
• I LOVE the clearance racks!!!!!!!!!!!

America, I love you, and I am so proud to be a part of you, but I am SO glad to go home where things are a little slower and we can just sit and have coffee for a few hours.  So come sit in my living room (attn: Kevin, Luta and Amanda) and we will take it easy for a bit.

"There is really no sacrifice."

Observations in Travel

I am a people watcher.  I could sit for hours at an airport and watch people go about their business assuming that no one sees them.  Well, world travelers, I see you.  I have noticed, observed, learned, and/or enjoyed quite a few things on my journey to the states thus far. Here are just a few

•  The fact that even though the lady just came on the intercom and said our flight would be delayed an hour, didn’t change the fact that everyone wanted to crowd around the check-in desk just so they could get on the plane first.  This is something I don’t think I will ever understand.  Someone enlighten me.  What am I missing out on by waiting like a civilized person? Is there a band, balloons, or free chocolates waiting on the other side of the check-in desk as a reward to those who risked life and limb (theirs and those belonging to other passengers) to get through the gate first?  Sit down people!!!
• The passengers (mostly Eastern Europeans) who believe that if a breeze hits you, you will shrivel up and die are donning coats with hoods and putting blankets over their heads while dodging the unadjustable air conditioner with all their might.  Bless.
• American customer service is THE BOMB!!! The customer is always right, always gets what they want and it is always followed by a smile and a “what else can I do for you.”  Do NOT take this for granted my fellow citizens. (But also don’t go to other countries expecting it.  It just ain’t gonna happen.)
• Americans are very smiley people.  Where did we learn this? Kindergarten? This was written before I got into JFK airport. I don’t think anyone there smiles. 
• There is a man sporting a lovely mint green surgeon’s mask on the airplane. Not a bad idea. My only attempt to seal out germs is with my scarf around my face.  I’m not thinking it is as effective.
• Showing Captain America on the plane to America on an American Airlines flight puts the signal out to all those thinking of doing us harm, “Don’t mess with us. We will take you out.”
• A very small person must have designed airplane seats.
• Everyone around me brought their bedroom shoes to wear on the plane. Is that normal? I don’t think I have ever seen that before.
•  Traveling can be very straining on relationships. I have over heard at least 4 fights today.  (That’s right. I am listening too.) Although, the two adolescent girls in front of me have only seemed to grow closer as we have progressed in our flight. They stared out the window together with wide eyes during our ascent. Then they giggled at all the nifty gadgets they have in their hermetically sealed bag of airplane goodies. That’s right, they shrilled with glee at the pillow, blanket and headphones they had in their seat.  A trip to the bathroom also brought on bright eyes and laughter.  I am sure it had to do with the fact that they felt like they had stared death in the face and survived. They seemed to enjoy their butter sauce with pasta and spinach (?) more than anyone else on the plane. Now they are cuddled together sleeping. I may have some lessons to learn from them
• The poor man behind me really wanted “wodka” (vodka). Bless him.  He couldn’t understand that the lady was telling him it would cost him $10 and they only accept major credit cards. With every sentence she uttered, he just kept saying, “Wodka. Wodka. Wodka.” She gave up and walked away. He went without a drink.
• Smoking in the bathroom? Really? Are we in high school again?  Buy some nicotine gum. Get a patch.  Kick the habit.  For goodness’ sake, put down the toxic stick and respect the no smoking sign.
• JFK bathrooms almost make the airplane bathrooms look good. Bleh!
• There are A LOT of people living here who don’t speak a word of English.

The trip was great --interesting to say the least. There is so much more I could post here, but I will leave it at that.  For now I am now cozy warm in the bed I grew up sharing with my sister. Bliss. Just remember, I'm watching. :)

Sisters

Hannah and Ginna, two girls, a LOT of spunk, and a WHOLE LOT of LOVE!  Hannah and Ginna are the two girls who came to volunteer at our coffee house.  They have been here for almost a year, they are amazing!!!  The way they love one another is an amazing picture of the body of Christ. The way they love my family and me humbles me with gratefulness. The way they love the Macedonian people is an example of the love of Christ.  They are such an incredible gift to me and to all with whom they come in contact. Please pray for them as they strive every day to be obedient to the Father and love and serve the people around them every day!

Ginna, just wrote a beautiful poem and posted it on her blog.  You can check it out here.

Петка -- "Petka"

Kate is a star student in her “gradinka” (preschool). She loves going to school, which is such a huge blessing.  Her Macedonian is getting better and better with every passing day.  Praise the Lord for the brain of a child.  They just play and learn a new language in the process. Amazing!  Her teacher is precious.  She sits with Kate a little bit every day to work with her one on one, and with 46 kids in Kate’s class, we are SO very thankful for that one on one time. 

Kate goes to school 4 days a week and normally gets a 5 written on her hand every day.  A “5” or “petka” is basically an A+ here.   YAY!!!  We are so proud of our little girl.  Continue to pray for our sweet Kate while she is in school. Pray that she will have good relationships with her classmates and teachers and that she will continue to learn the Macedonian language!

And when she is not rocking it at preschool, she and Thomas are boogeying down at home.  Auntie Ginna made this video of the kids last week while Brian and I were in Greece. So fun!!!

Josiah, We Miss You!!!

Last Friday night we had a event to honor Josiah at our coffee house.  It was so good. We had all of his classmates come in to make a card for him, get a little gift that he had sent them from America and hear a message from him and Jennifer. It was so precious!  

All the kids were busy working on their cards for him.

We had a slide show running with all our favorite pictures of Josiah.

Sweet card from one of his classmates.

There is Brave Josiah saying hey to all of his friends from 5000 miles away.

This is Jule (Julianna) who is a believer from Skopje. She has been battling lymphoma for about a year and was able to share with the parents a little bit about chemotherapy and her faith in this fight.

"We Miss You Josiah!!!"

We were SO grateful for this opportunity to get together with all these kids and their parents to share with them about the Dover's faith through this horrible situation. It was also wonderful to see how many people love and care for them here in Macedonia.  

Please continue to pray for our sweet friends.  Josiah is doing well considering all that he has had to go through, and the Lord is teaching all who love this little boy about His faithfulness and goodness.  I heard a great quote in a sermon by J.D. Greear yesterday, "The biggest gift God could 

ever give us is not giving us more blessings and gifts but allowing us to know Him more intimately. Trials do that." May we all know our Creator and Sustainor more and more intimately with every passing day.  

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,  to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 

1 Peter 1:3-9

We love you Josiah, Judah, Noah, Charlie and Jennifer and we miss you more than words could ever begin to express! We WILL NOT stop praying!!!

My Sweet Boy is 2 Years Old

Thomas turned two on our team retreat which means he got to celebrate in a hotel.  We had lots of fun celebrating with our Macedonia/American family.  

Opening his first present.  

When he saw it was a train, he said "Choo. Choo."  

 I made "Boots" cupcakes. Thomas' favorite character is Boots from Dora and he asks to watch Boots all day long. So I attempted to make Boots into a cupcake. They are just monkeys, but when Thomas saw them he said, "Boots." Mission accomplished! YES!

Not the best picture of me.  Ha!

We celebrated with just our family again on Monday so we could do some of our family traditions. We got to Skype and open presents from family back home. Thanks guys!!!

And then Thomas had his cookie cake. Yum!!!

Birthday breakfast!

Rough housing with daddy. It's his favorite thing to do.

Airborne

Kate had to get in on the fun.

Whoa!

Daddy is telling him about the secret of making cookies. "Just warm up the dough." Thomas likes the idea!

My sweet Thomas Andrew, I thank my God for you. I magnify His name for you, His creation. He formed your inward parts and knitted you together.  Praise Him, for you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are the works of the Lord. Give thanks to Him and trust Him for His steadfast love for you endures to all generations.  May the Lord be your confidence. May He fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. Walk worthy of the Lord, always striving to please Him alone.  He is a wall of fire around you. He is your defense and His glory is in your midst. Do not fear for He is with you always. Do not be dismayed. He is your God. He will strengthen you and help you. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand.  (from the Bible)

We love you Sweet Boy!

A Former Volunteer

One of the volunteers we had from William Carey University (check out their work here) is now getting ready to head to England to share the Good News.  Her name is Jaime Smyth. She is a singer/songwriter and now she will be a minister of the Gospel among the nations.



Pray for her today and why not go on over to itunes and check out her album.  I just bought it, and it's good stuff!!!

23 Year Old Mother of 14?!

Katie Davis is RADICAL. She gets it.  She is living a life of passionate love for her heavenly Father AND her "neighbor." She is a single girl, living in Uganda, who is 23 years old, and she is mothering 14 girls while also taking in whoever God puts at her doorstep. Her love and reckless abandon to follow the Lord is inspiring!
Check out her interview with David Platt here: Disciple-Making International

Some of my favorite quotes from it:

"Who knows what God might do tomorrow when we are faithful today."

"I will be faithful in the small. He will be faithful in the big."

"The Gospel demands the same thing from every single one of us. It demands a blank check TODAY. A blank check with our plans, our dreams and our money." -- David Platt

Check out Katie's blog here.

Another Tea Party with a Sweet Visitor

Maggie came and stayed with us for a few days which was so fun!  Kate and Maggie had a big time together.  Here are some sweet pictures of their tea party together.

Sweet feet.

Thomas serenaded the girls while they had their tea party. :)

We love sweet Maggie and her precious family. I think they should just move to Ohrid and be our neighbors.  Don't you?!