POT Trail

I know what you are thinking and "NO" that is not this kind of POT. "Pot" can be translated "path" in Slovene. This trail is also known as the Path of Rememberance and Comradeship. In 1942 Slovenia was occupied by Italian forces during WW2. In order to keep there from being any resistence, the Italians put up a barbed wire fence around the entire city to keep everyone in (almost 33 kilometers). Thi

s was a thick line of wire, complete with watch-towers and bunkers so that anyone coming in or out was thoroughly searched. The Germans kept it up when they occupied Slovenia after the Italians, but in 1945 when the Liberation Army came, the fence began being dismantled. So that they wouldn't forget, they have left posts and a few buildings to remind them of that occupance. There are posts with the dates 1942-1945 written on them along the path, where there were bunkers of the occupying army. As we rode our bikes along this path I couldn't help but think, that in America we know political/religious freedom like no other. We have never been fenced into our own cities, we have never been occupied, we have never been fearful to own a Bible, and we really have never had to live in the fear of any of that happening. While taking those freedoms for granted, I realize we HAVE been bound in different areas though. Fears, addictions, thought processes can all hold us in spiritual bondage. As my eyes begin to open, I realize how big this world is that we live in and how important it is for people to understand freedom. Not just freedom in our lands which I know I have taken for granted, but more importantly freedom in Christ. The freedom that erases all those fears and breaks those bondages. The only access to that kind of freedom is in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! I pray you know Him as Saviour and Bondage Breaker! May He tear down the barbed wire fences in all of our lives.

Autumn Delights

Saturday was a sunny, cool, crisp fall day with leaves falling elegantly to the ground. Of course, we couldn't say inside, so we rode our bikes to a small local Pumpkin Festival. It was at a local farm market that sells bedding plants, herbs, and of course, in the fall, pumpkins. Slovenia does not "do" Halloween, so it was all about the harvest of the pumpkin crop. There was nothing for sale except what they normally sold (pumpkins, herbs, plants, etc). They had all kinds of free food made from different kinds of pumpkins. There was a pumpkin slaw made with shredded pumpkin, garlic and pumpkin oil. It looked delicious, but was gone by the time we got there. They were roasting slices of pumpkin, onion and tomatoes and serving them with pumpkin oil drizzled on top. So yummy. Pumpkin Oil is a local Slovene product. Picture olive oil, but much darker with a nutty taste. It is served with bread or drizzled over salads and is definitely my favorite find here so far. The kids could buy a pumpkin (only 2 euro) and carve/decorate it and they even had a table where Alex made a doll out of corn. It was so rustic and non-comercial, it was literally a breath of fresh air. To top it off we found the local moste (pronouced mosht) which is only found this time of year. It is the wine that has just begun to ferment, but is very sweet. It tastes to me like the sparking apple juice we get for the kids on special holidays, but with just a tad (1.5%) alcohol. It is sold in large plastic 3 liter containers that they fill up, literally while you wait, from a giant tapped keg in the grocery store. Definitely a new experience for us. This all made for a beautiful autumn day filled with all the sights, smells and tastes of Fall. How I love the changes in seasons (not just in the physical sense, but in the spiritual as well.) I know I occasionaly need to shed some old leaves and move into a new season in my life spiritually. I can get so comfortable and stagnant after a bit of time. I love that our God is never leaving us where we are, but taking us into a new season, even when it stretches us beyond where we think we can go. I pray you are enjoying the season He has you in right now!

Perfectionistic Procrastinator

Ok, so here it is, months after my last post and promising friends I would update from Slovenia. Why do I not blog? It is because I want it to be perfect. I have things to say, stories to tell, but worry it won't be just right. I am realizing I do this with a lot of things. Getting out of our comfort zone and risking being less than perfect can be a scary place. Well here we are now in Ljubljana, Slovenia. (It has taken me until now, to spell it correctly without looking it up...I still fumble as I say it though.) I have had to go beyond my comfort zone in many areas and of course, I am reminded I am not perfect and never will be, but each time I am stretched a bit more, I grow and learn. That is what life is isn't it?
If you don't know we moved to Slovenia in July as Layne is stationed here with the Embassy. There is no military base here, like we are used to, so we are living as true locals (with the support of our embassy here). Luckily most people here speak English, so it is easy to communicate. The kids are at the British International School and are loving it. They are having discussions that are truly life expanding for them. I will have to let Bec do a post on all of her conversations with her classmates on what Americans really are like. (She is the only American.) They have a hard time believing Mtv is not a real representation of American life. Scary huh?
The pics from this post are of our new city.
I am going to do my best to update this frequently so you can join us on this adventure. There is just so much to share. You have my permission to hold me accountable on this, so email me, facebook me, whatever it takes. I will NOT let my perfectionism cause procrastination any longer. (in this area as well as many others.) Ciao! (CHOW...goodbye!)