Our Adventures in Streco

While were in Czech Republic and Slovakia this summer, we were able to visit Strecno, Slovakia - a small village in north, central Slovakia.  Dear friends and Mission to the World missionaries, Kris and Paula Lundgaard, moved there from Trnava in June to immerse themselves in studying Slovak. 

Kris and Paula

Strecno in the fall (yes, the castle is real!)

Here are some pictures of our time great time together.

The great pirate adventure!

Becoming a pirate

On the way to the island

Arriving at the island

The ancient map (do you see the year?)

following the map

 

THE TREASURE!

 More pictures after the jump....

Celebrating Family - one year later

On October 12, 2012 Evan John Grady officially, legally became part of the Grady family.

Today Evan John Grady and Miriam Grady you will be a family forever.  

Judge Economou

It was a VERY exciting day.   It was on that day that Evan and I became a forever family.

Our cake

standing with the judge - making it official!

enjoying the moment

craziness

We made it a whole year!  It has been an incredible journey so far.  Some day are easy, some days are hard.  But I wouldn't change it for anything!  I love my boy - who knows that he will be my baby forever, even when he's big and has his own family!

I love that he is growing in his love for the Lord; that he prays for others and has a sensitive heart; that he loves frogs, toads, lizards, and anything else that creeps or crawls or is gross; that he loves his family - all of his aunts and uncles and cousins; that he loves people; and that he loves learning.  And my heart still melts when he wakes up in the morning and crawls into bed with me.

This year I mentioned celebrating his adoption day, and while I expected joy - instead I got tears.   "But Momma, we already did that!  Why do we have to do it again?"  I tried to explain a little bit, but got the same response.

Instead, we celebrated our family - along with Mimi and Poppop.  What a change in attitude!!  He loved it.  He got to chose the dinner - mac and cheese and hot dogs and a vegetable - and the dessert.  He wanted chocolate and pumpkin.  (I found an awesome recipe for chocolate, pumpkin cheesecake bars!)  There were a few presents.  But he also got to choose what we would do.  We played Uno and Dominoes.  He even sang a song he made up about family (or flamly - as he says it).  It was a great evening!  I'm already looking forward to next year!

Here are are few pictures.  

October 2013

October 2013

We have 84% of our monthly need & need only 16%!!!

Will you please partner with us?

This is for all of you who have been waiting until the end or have been thinking that they need to support us, but have not gotten around to it yet.  This is your time!  If 86 people gave only $10/month, 43 people gave $20/month, or 17 people gave $50 we would be all done.  Please pray about the Lord would have your partner with us!

God has been incredibly gracious in using so many of  you who are already partner with us.  Thank you all so very much!  As we go, it really is a partnership...

³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 1:3-6

So, maybe you're ready to ask - how do I give?   Mission to the World (the organization with which I work) has a website.  The link is here:  http://www.mtw.org/Pages/Give_FAQ.aspx.  It give you information on how to give.  The important thing is our account number.  It's 12730. There are many different kinds of ways to give.  You can also fill out the enclosed yellow sheet.  Some of you have been asking about the length of time of your commitment.  Generally, your commitment would be for five years - knowing however that sometimes things come up, so your commitment is not set in stone. 

Thank you all so very much!  We are ready to physically go to Zlin and serve the Lord there.  We are hoping and praying to go in January 2014, which is really just around the corner!

In the joy of our Savior,

Miriam and Evan Grady

more after the jump....