July 27th

Wow! 2 posts in one day... I'm on a roll! But I just realized that we arrived in Graz 2 years ago today. Time sure does fly when you're having fun. God has been so good to us in our time here and we can't wait to see what else He has planned.

We can't wait to see some of you in a week or so. We are flying to Texas for 3 1/2 weeks (for those who don't know) for 2 weddings. Danny's brother, David is getting married August 12th and his sister, Zandra is getting married the 26th. We'll be home the week after that. Danny is going to "officiate" both ceremonies and I'll be a very prego bridesmaid in Zandra's, while Nathan will be marching down the aisle for both weddings. We are looking forward to getting away... we'll obviously be seeing Danny's family, but mine will be driving down from Missouri to see us at my Grandparents in Ft. Worth for a short weekend, yeah! It'll be a whirl wind trip but we can't wait either! Please keep us in prayer as we travel.... I've been given the 'ok' to travel, but still I'm now 7 months along and we have a toddler in tow!

Krista

Dinner with friends

We had dinner last night with 2 of my friends from Deutsch class and their spouses and some of their friends. We went to a restaurant that looked like a 'hole in the wall' called "Braun de Praun", but the food was delicious! We sat outside and once the sun went down it was nice and cool. This restaurant boasts of having the longest menu and believe me, I think they're right! Someone said they thought it was over 300 items. I didn't have time to count, but I'd believe it. We didn't meet till a little after 8pm (you could tell we were the only ones with a child) and Nathan was with us, we arrived at home at 11:45pm! He was a good boy for the most part... my girlfriends from class are in love with him so he didn't really lack for attention. It was fun meeting new people and learning some more about Austrian cuisine. Pray for Danny & I as we continue to make friends here in Austria and show God's love.

Krista

My Grampa

Please be in prayer for my Grampa, Charles (mom's dad). He's been battling cancer for over a year and I just received word that he's having a very bad day and is in a lot of pain. He's 81, but in the last year has just started "looking his age". My aunt and her family are caring for him in Indiana, please remember them in prayer too. My mom will be travelling this weekend from Missouri to go see them and help out with Grampa and Grandma.

Krista

This week

On Tuesday I had lunch with some friends from school at our teachers house. We had a great time! Nathan came with me and loved Frau Wolf's (Mrs. Wolf) dog, Max. Her garden was just beautiful and she had grape vines growing over her patio so we sat underneath the shade of grapes. It was a great afternoon.

Nathan continues to grow up faster and faster each day. I can't hardly keep up with him anymore... at this point in my pregnancy he can easily outrun me... and he knows it too! He does have his moments where he can be the sweetest little boy in the whole wide world... then something will set him off and he becomes a part of the group called "Terrible Two's". This makes for some fun and not so fun days.... it's never dull around our house. I'm 28 weeks along and ready to meet this little boy. The heat just makes for uncomfortable days. I explain the weather like this: No, it's not actually that hot here in Austria, compared to the Philippines where I grew up or in Texas where I also spent time living. However, when you do not have airconditioning in your home or car, there is no where to "escape" the heat and cool off. Thus, it's very hot. I'm a hot-natured person normally anyway, but now that I'm pregnant... I'm a walking sauna! Haha!!

Hope you're not sweating away and having a good day!!

Krista

We're OK

I know we haven't posted anything in a while, but you can rest assured that all is OK. We have probably been a little preoccupied as of late, preparing for our upcoming journey to Texas. As you may already know, my family is flying us home for a few weeks so we can be a part of two wedding ceremonies in August. Also we have been dealing with several other things, trying to get them resolved before we leave. Our car is giving us problems and we are trying to determine whether or not to have it repaired or to buy a newer vehicle. Please pray for wisdom in that area. We are in the process of transitioning into a new ministry as well. We plan to begin our first church plant in September. Up until now we have been ministering in an established ministry. We would also appreciate your prayers as we step out by faith into this new ministry. Thanks for keeping up with us. Sorry we have not been more faithful to provide updates this month. We will do better. Have a great day!

Danny

Blessings

This past week we were able to purchase Nathan a twin bed from a family that has been working here for 2 years and is now being transferred back to the States. It was such a blessing with the price we got for it because it was the whole bed frame/headboard, mattress, and 3 huge drawers under it (so more space..yeah!). He was very excited when he woke up from his nap to see an even bigger bed in his room! He is growing up so fast! We are starting to mention the "Baby" more to him and get him used to another person being talked about. We are working on the nursery and telling him it's the baby's room. However, Nathan seems to think it's just another room to make a mess in and play. Ha ha!

I am enjoying my first week off from school and have been able to get so much around the house done that has been needing my attention for awhile. I met up with 2 of my friends from class for lunch on Wednesday and I'm really praying that I'll be able to get them interested in reading the Bible with me. They both mentioned it once and I don't want to be pushy, but they are becoming fast friends and how wonderful would it be to also be able to talk about God on top of other conversations?!?! Please keep that in prayer.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!!

Krista

Independence Day

Happy "4th of July"!!! Of course, I know not all our readers are from the U.S.of A. so just Happy 4th day of the month of July. Today Danny, Nathan, & I will be grillin' out with the Lantrips. A down side we don't have any of the traditional fireworks for when the sun goes down :( So those of you in the States... shoot some off for us!

Krista

Congrats to Krista

Last week Krista completed her first semester of full-time language studies (up until this past semester she has only been able to learn through a part-time program because it was impossible for us both to study full-time and take care of Nate). At the beginning of the semester, I made a deal with her that if she finished with a grade of a 1 or 2 (A or B by American standards), I would purchase her a laptop. I studied for three semesters in the same program, and finished with a 1 the first semester and a 3 on each of the last two semesters. Based on my performance and the course level that Krista was taking, I honestly didn't anticipate having to pay out on our deal. It was really just a way to encourage her to enter this program. Well she proved me wrong. She picked up her report card on Friday and immediately called me to inform me that she got a 2 as her final grade. That afternoon, after she got home, she started checking out computers on the Apple website. Honestly, I don't mind buying her a computer though. I am proud of her achievement and her progress in the language over the past four months. Have a great day!

Danny