friendships and connections; rain and sun

okay, so the past few days have been lots of rain that brought in chilly days that seem to be way too early for this time of year.  its that feeling that makes you drag because you can't really get out to do much, and especially in this strange place its hard to know even how to get out!  i remember looking out the window a few days ago, and the spirit of god coming to me to whisper to me "let the world inside the window and outside interact in beauty...and dont worry ill be the love in between."  sometimes i'd like to say things like "but god its a rainy day, and i dont really know what to do right now."  i love how god just calls us to be faithful for today...everyday. 

friday night mike and i had a couple friends we had made over for dinner as well as the girls.  it was a fun night of laughter and joy.  these people have so much to give, and i'm so thankful they choose to share life with us.  both of the people that came over are actually in a christian punk band called 108i, and mike and i have seen them in concert already.  we are going to go see them again in october...maybe on the coast?  each of us got our croatian names as well!  i'll have to change my typing to croatian to put it in...mine is Đuro.  its an older name that people dont really have anymore haha.  you pronounce it with a quick dj sound...djooro.  haha it was amusing to our friends for us to try saying our different names.  sharing life with people daily.  what a gift.  what an honor.  what a calling. 

saturday was a slow day with the rain, but that night we went to church.  all the elders of this church were on a retreat, so our friend darko preached.  while we were singing i didnt understand what i was singing, but i heard in the depths of my heart the hearts of the croatian people.  a passion overwhelmed me as my heart broke open for these wonderful people.  god is doing amazing things, and we are so thankful to even see that happening.  after church we went to dinner with some people from the church.  a man sitting next to me said he just felt in his heart to say that he feels like it is a very good thing we are here, and that he feels we are family.  its amazing how god works when you dont even expect it.  im thankful he calls us to be faithful today with his kingdom in mind.  tomorrow has enough.

sunday we went to another church which we will be regularly going to--church of christ.  its amazing because they have headphones where you can listen to a translation!  who knew?  i think a man was trying to offer me that last week, but i definitely didnt get what he was trying to offer so all five of us sat through the sermon not having a clue haha.  this time was a little better.  we also met a lady after church that is so willing to help us with just little things.  she is bringing some pots and pans over for us today.  so far we've had to manage with sharing two :)  its been great.  there might also be an avenue through her to get involved with some youth from here.  i love how god is just bringing things before us daily.  even last night a lady we had met invited us over for dinner out of the blue.  it was a great time of fellowship and encouragement.  a man named alan who was helping us with our internet also came, and he looked at us and said "god is going to use you here.  i feel it."  im glad god is our shepherd.  he takes care of his sheep.

in the mean time we are still stumbling over our croatian and trying to figure out what it looks like to live in croatia!  in fact, alan was laughing at us at how amused we were trying to say simple phrases he probably learned when he was 3.  its great :).  i dont mind being a little kid again haha.  im just glad it makes people laugh.  also, today the sun has come out.  there is a light breeze.  both are inviting us into a world of interaction and life.  praise god he brings the sun after the rain.

thanks for reading. blessings
jerry