A call to prayer...

On Wednesday, January 2nd, we'll be returning to the visa office. This time with papers that prove the required income is in our possession. Our home church has graciously taken out a loan for us to show our proof of income to the Austrian government. What a blessing! We are humbled by their love and support. You really couldn't ask for a better sending church. They've done things for us that are above and beyond the call of duty. We are grateful! God knew all along and though we never doubted His will and control on the situation, it makes for some very sleepless nights as humans who have a sin nature and allow worry to set in at times.

Now, we still have to make sure our names are on that list of available visas! If you're confused as to what this is all about you can read the prayer request found here. We'll let you know as soon as we hear something. Please pray for us this week. We covet your prayers.

I'm off to get ready for a small Bible study. It looks like only family today. But the holidays always slow things down when you're trying to get started. The new year will be full of new, surprising, God ordained moments!

I'll leave you with a few pictures of our Christmas time together.

-Krista-

The Holidays

Frohe Weihnachten (German)! Maligayang Pasko (Tagalog)!! Merry Christmas (English)!! (lol). Wherever you are...whatever language you speak, hope you had a wonderful day celebrating Christ's birth with family or friends. We've had a party every night or at least some kind of gathering since last Thursday and we have thoroughly enjoyed being busy with friends we've known since our first year here and with some we've met this year alone. God has been so good!

Today was spent with just the 4 of us and we had a great day! Danny woke everyone up--I couldn't believe it! We still have another year or two before the kids wake us up and his comment was, " I was excited!". haha! Nathan was very happy and surprisingly wanted me & Danny to open our gifts before ripping his open. I was so proud of his selflessness. Micah woke up and as his normal routine walked straight to the cabinet that holds our cereal and again as routine picked the box of Fruit Hoops (as called here) and started munching. He proceeded to the living room where the rest of us were and began playing with the basket of old toys. Once he realized that Nathan was playing with some new stuff... he then wanted in on the action.

Our day was good and relaxing. As I sit here still in my jammies..... I'm thankful for all of you who make it possible for us to minister here. The last 5-6 days have been filled with visiting with friends... many of them unsaved. What a great time of getting to know them and showing Christ to them.

Next week we'll head to the visa office and hope to be told we have private visas. Keep praying and I'll keep you all posted.

-Krista-

News

Well, I've got some news on the visa topic. It looks like our home church will be voting next week on loaning us the money for our visas and will allow us to be put on the list of getting a 5 year- permanent visa. Words cannot express how blessed we feel to be loved and fully believed-in by our church family and pastor.

Be in prayer: tomorrow morning at 12:00pm (5am CST) Danny will be meeting with a 'high-up' official in the government to discuss getting a visa and whatever else may come up. This is a good and nerve wracking opportunity. Keep us in your prayers... also, Nathan is going to school tomorrow for his trial day of Kindergarten. He will officially begin in January. Ohhhh, so many changes, so much good to be had, but a possible restless night of sleep to come as well. God is in control. God is good all the time and all the time God is good! OK, now let's all say this together and maybe my nerves will calm down ;) Come on.... I need to hear ya!

-Krista-

White Christmas

After supper a few nights ago I told Nathan he could watch a movie before going to bed. He went to the living room to pick one out and handed me 'White Christmas'. I was so tickled at his choice (because it's my favorite holiday movie of all time in the whole entire world.... I'll watch it year 'round if Danny would allow me) that I had to ask him why he chose that movie. He said, "It's my favorite!". Danny is worried ;) When Nathan doesn't know he has an audience you can find him in his room or the living room (wherever it's playing on tv) dancing around and trying to mimic the singers/dancers. His 'moves' however, are not to be bragged on. Sadly, he got his rhythm or lack thereof from his Daddy :) haha! It is fun to watch Nathan develop and even more so when you watch him & Micah interact. There is usually laughing and some crying involved. Ahhh... siblings.

Here are the promised pictures from our snowy weekend. By the way, this is just in our driveway!!!

-Krista-

PS- Still no news on the visa situation from those who we've made contact with. Keep praying! God is going to do something great.

We got 'elfed'

It's been a beautiful, snowy day! It's snowed nearly all weekend. The boys had a blast playing in the snow and sledding down the driveway. I'll post pics later. We received this website a few times and finally got a chance to have fun with our family pics as well.

Please continue to keep our visa situation in your prayers. We are confident in God's plan, just trying our hardest to keep focused and be patient (which I've read is a virtue...let's hope it works out-haha!). God is good!

Have a nice day!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1464127073

-Krista-

Feeling Thoughtful

I bought a cd while back in the U.S. by Sara Groves. I really like the first song, 'A song for my sons'. Having 2 boys myself the lyrics were really special and so true. Just got a lot on my mind this week. Go to our website which you can click on at the top of this blog page. There should be a special prayer request link on the main page. Read. Pray.

-Krista-


This is a song for my sons for when they understand it
You know how life is full you know we couldn't plan it
Your dad and I prayed for strength and understanding
For things we couldn't see or comprehend

This is a song for you, to carry in your pocket
Take all our love with you in all the paths you walk in
I can't say your life will always go like it should
But I can say that God is always good

and when the cold wind blows like I know it will
and when you feel alone like I know you will
and when the cold wind blows like we know it will

Don't let your love grow
Don't let your love grow
Don't let your love grow cold

This is a song for my sons for when they understand it
You know how life is full you know we couldn't plan it
Your dad and I prayed for strength and understanding
For things we couldn't see or comprehend

This is a song from my heart a small refrain to hold you
For times when we're apart and I cannot console you
Be honest with yourself and don't forget to pray
and read your Bible everyday

and when the cold wind blows like I know it will
and when you feel alone like I know you will
and when the cold wind blows like I know it will

Don't let your love grow
Don't let your love grow
Don't let your love grow cold

Good News!

We got a call from my brother, Zach this week. Zach & Jill are going to have a baby on or around July 22nd! We are ecstatic for them! It's so exciting when you're going to be an aunt or uncle, but there's something about your own siblings having babies. This will be a first for my side of the family (meaning I'm the only who has kids, so no Wiese cousins yet). Danny felt/feels the same way when his own siblings have kids... there's something special about seeing that brother/sister you grew-up with becoming a parent. Also, while we were state-side we found out that Danny's sister, Zandra and her hubby Matthew are going to have a baby in June! It's going to be a great summer for both sides of our families. The blessings are just flowing! We are thrilled!

-Krista-

Krampus

Here is a short video of what the holiday of Krampus (December 5th) is about. These men dress up and scare kids then Nicolaus comes and brings them under his control (you'll notice when he arrives they are pulling his sleigh) and he soothes the kids and all his helpers pass out candy. I know it's part of the culture here in Austria but I absolutely despise this part. I'll admit I'm easily frightened myself and to think that parents actually bring their children to these places so they can see these creatures is beyond me! I also am a parent to a 3 1/2 yrs. & 1 yr. old and what the sight of Krampus would do to them is almost more than my mothers heart can bear. We stayed home today so as not to be anywhere we might could've run into them. Last year Nate & I were stuck in THE MALL with them while Danny and newborn Micah were getting the car. I found a jewelry shop to hide in--as you can see they are large and would probably break something so I thought that would be the safest place. Nate heard the cow bells and chains but not the actual Krampus--thankfully. So welcome to our world--at least this day of the year.

**WARNING** Maybe very upsetting to younger ones (if you didn't catch my drift in the paragraph above)!! Thanks to Emily for finding this. Many have asked me about it and well, not you can see for yourself.

-Krista-

The text in the beginning says: they know who you are---they know where you live---they will find you.
The middle says: Think about it they're still here
The text at the end says: they are always still here---now they are gone---but they will be back.

My 29th

Today was/is my 29th birthday. Aside from the horrible jet lag that snuck up on us today. We were awake at 3am and decided to take a short nap at 8am and woke up well past noon!!! That was NOT what we had in mind. Danny told me yesterday that he had invited people from my mother child group and german class for a birthday party-- he figured he'd better tell me because thru my unpacking, a trail of 'this goes there and this needs to go here' was all over the place and he knew I'd be so upset if he invited people over with that kind of a mess. So my day was crazy trying to make the place look acceptable after sitting for 3 1/2 months. The couples that came were great.... great contacts. What a sweet time of getting to know these new friends. One couple we only met a couple of months before leaving for the U.S. so it was nice to reconnect with them. Danny made a wonderful cake and homemade pizza's. Nathan was especially thrilled to see his old and new friends. They all played so well together.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!

-Krista-