Since Christmas...

My family came for Christmas and it was the best present I could have received. We cooked together, played games together, worked puzzles together, saw Prague together, enjoyed the Christmas markets together, ate tons of food together....clearly the theme this year was "TOGETHER". And it was wonderful - the Lord is SO GOOD. I was so sad to see them go. But a fun New Year's celebration was had by all and that was a welcome distraction from the grief (yes, even after all these years of continents separating us, I still can't say goodbye to my family). I will post the links to my facebook pictures so you can all see the madness of the holidays. =)

Then it was back to work...I was spoiled after a whole week off and it was hard to get back into a routine at the office. From now until March we have back to back (and overlapping!!) conferences hosted at the office and so that means a lot of planning and organizing and making things happen! But I like being busy and having lots of people in and out. The most exciting conference coming up is for all new folks - that's me! And all my training friends! In Prague for 4 days of fun meetings and hanging out! I really can't wait...I love having something to look forward to. =)

The Lord blessed me, though, with a much-needed distraction during this anticipation of the conference - a 2-day ski trip in the Krkonose Mountains in Northern Czech!! The Brummitts (Greg and Andrea), my roommate (Natalie) and I drove up Wednesday evening, skiied Thursday and Friday, and came back to Prague Friday night. We stayed in a quaint, rustic, completely snowed-in penzion cabin owned by a sweet old Czech man and his son (and their dog, of course) and cooked our dinners on a little raclette grill in our tiny 70s-inspired room, and had breakfast prepared for us downstairs in the little dining room. Quite the adventure. We're calling it the Brummitt Family Ski Trip - after getting our van stuck in the snow, teaching Natalie how to ski by taking her to the top of the mountain =), and squeezing together in really close quarters, we really are a family. We still love each other and no one broke anything on the slopes. =) The Lord is good!

I'll post just a few of those pics - even though no one looks good all wind-chapped and tired. =)


Breakfast on day #2 - we were so tired! =)



Sleepy smiles...but ready to hit the slopes again! =)



Frozen smiles on the ski lift! =)



View of the gorgeous Krkonose Mnts from the top of the lift.



Our ski town, Spindleruv Mlyn, from halfway down the slopes...ah - such beauty!


Christmas pics: http://obu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020921&l=9bffc&id=82201110
New Year's pics: http://obu.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2020922&l=e3b00&id=82201110


I hope you all have had as wonderful a start to 2008 as I have. And as nice as the holidays were, I really am ready to be back at work doing what I know I have been called to do - ready to be a light to those around me here in Prague - ready for 2008 to be the Lord's year.
Blessings and grace to you all.
Much love,
Steph