I’ve never been much for trying to understand all of this, but I will say that the value of the dollar and George Bush’s push to increase exports has greatly affected me as a missionary. Here is the current break down as of  today:

With the Euro to come into full effect in ‘09 here in Slovakia, no doubt it will be more expensive to live here, but also Slovakia will gain respect in the EU.

For most of you, I’m sure that it doesn’t affect your thinking, but please pray that the value of the dollar would increase, for missionaries (sent by the US) everywhere. And make sure this is an issue  you are informed on in the next presidential election.

America is not the only country in the world, there are many countries with economic and political power. Living in Europe at this time in history has really shown me a lot about ethnocentrism and the reality that most American’s don’t even think about other countries, or the reality that America does not rule the world.

Earlier there was Miss. South Carolina (which is still a team favorite) but now, there is Kellie (a famous country singer, another good reason NOT to listen to country, as if you needed one). She is really showing off stupidity here, I mean really showcasing it.

So, in anticipation of my next Hungary trip in 8 days, I had to post this video. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juOQhTuzDQ0]

Okay, no, not ever, but it is my first cup of real drip coffee here in Slovakia. Carlyn was gracious to get me and Shannon a coffee maker for Christmas! So, I’m enjoying non-instant, cream and sugar dolled up coffee. It’s really so delicious.

It reminds me of PCJ, and we all know how I love PCJ. So, if anyone out there wants to send me some PCJ fairganic, that would be amazing.

It’s funny how taste and smell can bring you back. Right now, I’m remembering lots of fun times at PCJ 11, 53, and 87. All those cups of coffee, all of those memories, all of that shipment, the quiet times, the support calls, the staff meetings. It’s memory lane over here.

One of the things that stands out the most is quiet times. Tasting this coffee helps me to think of God’s goodness and His word. So, it’s the perfect interlude to me spending time with Him now. I think I’ll go do that.

I have a meeting later at 3 at Pizza Hut with Matt and Bibka, we are starting to plan this week and so today Matt and Bibka and I will iron out some details with that. We’re planning now so that we won’t have to think about it when we get back from 2 more conferences at the end of this month!

So here is what my schedule looks like for the rest of the month (for those of you still trying to keep up):

Today: meeting with Matt and Bibka (3-5) Pizza Hut!

Tamara is cooking us Halušky tonight, which is a famous Slovak dish!

Friday, January 4th: whole team meeting (1-4)

Saturday&Sunday (5th and 6th): off

Monday, January 7th: whole team meeting (time TBA because of people arriving from America)

Tuesday, January 8th: whole team meeting (time TBA because of people arriving from America)

Wednesday the 9th -Friday the 11th: off

Saturday, January 12th: Jeremy and Dara’s wedding

Sunday, January 13th: get ready to leave for Budapest for two weeks!

Monday January 14th: leave for Budapest on the 6:05am IC

January 14th- January 18th: STINT midyear conference

January 19th-January 25th: Area of Affairs conference

January 30th: first staff meeting of the spring semester

January 31st-day with the Lord

Whew.

I finally figured out how to get these videos onto my site, so here are two one from Christmas Eve when I was waiting at the bus stop and the second on Christmas morning. I think this should give you some insight into what my Christmas was like.

There are lots of traditions and belief systems here that seem so different to me as a foreigner. One of those being throughout the Christmas season. On December 6th, Mikulaš, comes to your door with an angel and a devil. Mikulaš is something like Santa, but more like a priest. It’s really hard to explain. The angel decides who has been bad or good and according to that the devil will either leave you a bundle of sticks (I’m serious, they sell these in Tesco) or Mikulaš will leave candy if you’ve been good. So, this is the night when you can walk around town to any number of places and see kids wearing these devil horns that light up. It is a bazaar experience to have.

So by the time Christmas morning hits, Santa doesn’t come visit, or Mikulas, but who, Ježiško (aka baby Jesus) - (Pronounced Yayjeeeshco). Wow, so baby Jesus brought us gifts. Not only that, I had champagne in my stocking!

Here I am on Christmas Eve going to pick up a package from my mom. Little did I know it would be closed. Since Slovakia celebrates TWO Christmas days, I had to wait till the 27th to go fetch it again.

[vimeo 455405]

Here is the Schneider family on Christmas morning. Complete with Stare Otec (Old Father -literal translation, meaning grandfather), brother and sister, Carlyn and I just observed the action. As well as Jezisko, stockings, beer, and pancakes.

[vimeo 466951]

I got back from winter conference yesterday. Shannon and I were joking about how this was the rustic version of winter conference. Compared to the Midsouth’s at the 4 seasons in Greensboro, NC. When we showed up, it was very cold, outside and in. It takes awhile for a radiator to heat up a place and so by the end of our conference it wasn’t as bad. Let’s just say at the first meeting most of us were wearing our coats and gloves. The first night I slept in 3 layers. It made me feel like I was camping the entire time. God really showed up, he brought 30 students. I heard students say things like, “I learned how to have a quiet time here” or “I learned how to pray with others” or about being in community with believers and how different we are to be around. One guy, Ivan, in my discussion group, told us that he doesn’t know God, but that he can tell we do by the way we interact with each other. It’s such a testimony to Jesus living in us! I give Him complete credit, for all that He has done and is doing in Slovakia. Thank you so much for praying. I’m really excited about next semester.

Here is a video of Matt singing a Michael Jackson classic at winter conference. I couldn’t resist blogging this.

[vimeo 465702]

Happy New Year!