tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197011832024-03-13T06:08:49.548-05:00The Caldwell Journey...The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.comBlogger598125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-29441817515578994622014-07-09T11:45:00.001-05:002014-07-09T11:46:02.663-05:00"Though You Slay Me" (featuring John Piper)One of my current favorites. Shane and Shane have released this song on i tunes, but it's not this version :-( I like the acoustics of this one.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/qyUPz6_TciY" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="signature">
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /></div>
The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-79642660755521442892014-06-24T10:59:00.002-05:002014-06-24T10:59:25.557-05:00Family Time<div class="signature">
The New York and Missouri family came to Texas....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uu7P0_O-zMg/U6md1crL3QI/AAAAAAAAAKw/KM5n6PJNk30/s1600/DSC05827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uu7P0_O-zMg/U6md1crL3QI/AAAAAAAAAKw/KM5n6PJNk30/s1600/DSC05827.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhr8XOJzF78/U6md3KINEOI/AAAAAAAAALI/XHxasaReWo8/s1600/DSC05910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nhr8XOJzF78/U6md3KINEOI/AAAAAAAAALI/XHxasaReWo8/s1600/DSC05910.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEK_0JSI89k/U6mgA7MhQnI/AAAAAAAAANk/ZOXhm1ltRx8/s1600/DSC05948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gEK_0JSI89k/U6mgA7MhQnI/AAAAAAAAANk/ZOXhm1ltRx8/s1600/DSC05948.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BmItWV-UPo/U6mgBEPkfrI/AAAAAAAAANc/ghEiRadf3Hs/s1600/DSC06009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5BmItWV-UPo/U6mgBEPkfrI/AAAAAAAAANc/ghEiRadf3Hs/s1600/DSC06009.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj_5E_5OBt0/U6mgBOr3YHI/AAAAAAAAANg/62sFVpL-pas/s1600/DSC06018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oj_5E_5OBt0/U6mgBOr3YHI/AAAAAAAAANg/62sFVpL-pas/s1600/DSC06018.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oQ1YjHxfTc/U6md3W3qjBI/AAAAAAAAALM/6rX02gohyq0/s1600/DSC05977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9oQ1YjHxfTc/U6md3W3qjBI/AAAAAAAAALM/6rX02gohyq0/s1600/DSC05977.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Un-MZhqfLw/U6md3jroetI/AAAAAAAAALU/UXXBfp79K-4/s1600/DSC05993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Un-MZhqfLw/U6md3jroetI/AAAAAAAAALU/UXXBfp79K-4/s1600/DSC05993.JPG" height="116" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VudwWwe7nrk/U6md4ujbSwI/AAAAAAAAALc/luiX8SiUTeo/s1600/DSC06002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VudwWwe7nrk/U6md4ujbSwI/AAAAAAAAALc/luiX8SiUTeo/s1600/DSC06002.JPG" height="121" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyhMlrbjwKs/U6md5aryGJI/AAAAAAAAALY/LrC35I2mcEw/s1600/DSC06029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyhMlrbjwKs/U6md5aryGJI/AAAAAAAAALY/LrC35I2mcEw/s1600/DSC06029.JPG" height="120" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzvpyBSJCrk/U6md72gX8cI/AAAAAAAAAL0/GHcXw9eOkwg/s1600/DSC06039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pzvpyBSJCrk/U6md72gX8cI/AAAAAAAAAL0/GHcXw9eOkwg/s1600/DSC06039.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FUZjfNJu_Do/U6md7y-cmYI/AAAAAAAAAMA/VjMZbwW3WtU/s1600/DSC06051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FUZjfNJu_Do/U6md7y-cmYI/AAAAAAAAAMA/VjMZbwW3WtU/s1600/DSC06051.JPG" height="133" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3D6Ls7nySiM/U6md7WBdwsI/AAAAAAAAALw/q1po8SXoZEE/s1600/IMG_0192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3D6Ls7nySiM/U6md7WBdwsI/AAAAAAAAALw/q1po8SXoZEE/s1600/IMG_0192.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /> </div>
The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-16043806857764973742014-06-24T10:55:00.002-05:002014-06-24T10:55:21.421-05:00Fall 2013<div class="signature">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Time with family is always well spent.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhJCtGBSmYs/U6md8Pxv-KI/AAAAAAAAAME/3uyBBAvqcNM/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PhJCtGBSmYs/U6md8Pxv-KI/AAAAAAAAAME/3uyBBAvqcNM/s1600/IMG_0197.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyutB3i4lsw/U6meA6vPXxI/AAAAAAAAANI/nxVpRYfG5T8/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wyutB3i4lsw/U6meA6vPXxI/AAAAAAAAANI/nxVpRYfG5T8/s1600/IMG_0350.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIbtGbaOpio/U6md-jU39sI/AAAAAAAAAMg/6oGvXMbPDYk/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NIbtGbaOpio/U6md-jU39sI/AAAAAAAAAMg/6oGvXMbPDYk/s1600/IMG_0280.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUNRm_-H-7o/U6md_Iv202I/AAAAAAAAANU/czj6tR-Vls0/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUNRm_-H-7o/U6md_Iv202I/AAAAAAAAANU/czj6tR-Vls0/s1600/IMG_0330.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdF3BCfKnrM/U6md_cH0c6I/AAAAAAAAAMo/Yf6wY_jItu8/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdF3BCfKnrM/U6md_cH0c6I/AAAAAAAAAMo/Yf6wY_jItu8/s1600/IMG_0342.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ab6x20yYkY/U6md87Wv0RI/AAAAAAAAAMY/Ys87E2ZtEKM/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Ab6x20yYkY/U6md87Wv0RI/AAAAAAAAAMY/Ys87E2ZtEKM/s1600/IMG_0277.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEmRy7OBMvM/U6md9T6S9PI/AAAAAAAAANM/ueXh99BciNs/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEmRy7OBMvM/U6md9T6S9PI/AAAAAAAAANM/ueXh99BciNs/s1600/IMG_0278.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUDZR5jjJFc/U6md-JGOVVI/AAAAAAAAANA/3nCLsqKeXoQ/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VUDZR5jjJFc/U6md-JGOVVI/AAAAAAAAANA/3nCLsqKeXoQ/s1600/IMG_0279.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PgLAB69vmDA/U6meAdmWNxI/AAAAAAAAAM8/UjiXPRi9kAQ/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PgLAB69vmDA/U6meAdmWNxI/AAAAAAAAAM8/UjiXPRi9kAQ/s1600/IMG_0349.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obIpVRC42nc/U6md_65cLVI/AAAAAAAAAM0/J1JU2LVG9S4/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-obIpVRC42nc/U6md_65cLVI/AAAAAAAAAM0/J1JU2LVG9S4/s1600/IMG_0346.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /> </div>
<div class="signature">
<br /></div>
<div class="signature">
<br /></div>
The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-23451347271662107412014-05-17T02:00:00.000-05:002014-05-17T02:00:10.328-05:00Treasures<div class="signature">
Personalities are just oozing here....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vaPp2AkkVk/U3T8VyBAy2I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/X3YfxKtwDU4/s1600/Grace+MM+ears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4vaPp2AkkVk/U3T8VyBAy2I/AAAAAAAAAJ8/X3YfxKtwDU4/s1600/Grace+MM+ears.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zoWg0flvq6M/U3T8VDqlWCI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/G_lWy1p5DAU/s1600/Micah+smiley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zoWg0flvq6M/U3T8VDqlWCI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/G_lWy1p5DAU/s1600/Micah+smiley.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tMNhOXTeEs/U3T8VqDpWrI/AAAAAAAAAKA/M140XqC9R4o/s1600/Nate+rangers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3tMNhOXTeEs/U3T8VqDpWrI/AAAAAAAAAKA/M140XqC9R4o/s1600/Nate+rangers.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /> </div>
The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-77164024500251253142014-05-14T14:32:00.001-05:002014-05-14T14:32:31.889-05:00A storm came thru....<div class="signature">
A couple of weeks ago we had a really bad storm come thru our area. I've been told it was a small tornado and I've been told it was <i>possibly</i> straight line winds. Either way, it did some damage around here! Many of our neighbors lost barns and workshops and damage to equipment (remember, we live out in the country). But the worst of it was closer to the area where the boys go to school/Danny's work. <br />
<br />
Here are some photos from the damage at our house and Danny's parents around the corner.<br />
<br />
Our van was 1 of 3 vehicles that a tree took out. Quite a few dents and scratches, but the worst was the windshield, but once replaced everything looked so much better. We are <i>still</i> finding tiny shards of glass inside though....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fgbz3xbQu5w/U3PDp6Og9bI/AAAAAAAAAJY/WJH7DdwiXH8/s1600/mini+tornado+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Fgbz3xbQu5w/U3PDp6Og9bI/AAAAAAAAAJY/WJH7DdwiXH8/s1600/mini+tornado+1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The goats lost their barn.... the in-laws trampoline was up in the neighbors tree. Lots of uprooted trees!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DytfYoDXq60/U3PDt-gjUlI/AAAAAAAAAJg/kXGWQ89pNZ8/s1600/mini+tornado+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DytfYoDXq60/U3PDt-gjUlI/AAAAAAAAAJg/kXGWQ89pNZ8/s1600/mini+tornado+2.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The bottom right is part of our roof. We didn't lose any animals (goats, chickens, ducks), we did, however GAIN a rooster! haha! I have put the word out and nobody has claimed him. Oh well.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHa5BVUieH4/U3PDtwtOekI/AAAAAAAAAJk/1bq6roowORE/s1600/mini+tornado+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jHa5BVUieH4/U3PDtwtOekI/AAAAAAAAAJk/1bq6roowORE/s1600/mini+tornado+3.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Praise God that nobody was hurt and that it is all just "stuff" and the important stuff can be replaced... the rest of it we don't need.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /> </div>
The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-50454170384680230002014-05-12T22:49:00.000-05:002014-05-14T14:34:22.816-05:00Biblical Counseling<div class="signature">
Since the fall of 2012, Danny & I have been pursuing training for <a href="http://www.biblicalcounseling.com/" target="_blank">Biblical Counseling</a>. It is discipleship.... just taking it up a notch. As believers we should be prepared to give an answer/defense to anyone for the hope that is in us (I summed I Peter 3:15 there). When anyone, especially a fellow believer is in need of encouragement or counsel.... we should be prepare to share the Gospel with them. There are passages of Scripture that I am familiar with and can easily share with others, but over the years I haven't <i>dug </i>in to my Bible like I should have been doing to use the Bible to it's full extent. There is <i>always</i> something to learn!! <br />
<br />
We were confronted in Austria with issues that were just over our heads. So we have spent the last 2 years attending conferences and <i>reading, reading, reading</i> some books that are so helpful in how to use the Gospel to <i>BIBLICALLY </i>counsel those that are seeking help to restore their marriage, family issues, addictions, etc.<br />
<br />
God has allowed us to do this already while back in the US. Some of it in a more formal setting and some just sitting across from friends as they pour out their struggles. It is not easy to watch someone struggle, but it is a joy to have a front row seat as God restores what was broken because of sin....<br />
<br />
Ephesians 1:10 and Colossians 1:20 --Christ will unite/restore/reconcile to Himself all things. Oh what a day that will be!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /> </div>
The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-30138399584003662942014-04-23T00:07:00.000-05:002014-04-23T00:07:00.111-05:00Newsboys - We Believe (Live From Ocean Way)Heard this on the radio a couple of weeks ago and have been singing it ever since. Great song!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9i9wtJzok4U" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="signature">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /></div>
The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-24419463572076362232014-04-22T12:33:00.000-05:002014-04-25T10:50:16.785-05:00<div class="signature">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hi! I'm Krista.... I used to blog ;-) I am hoping to get back into blogging. I guess I just held off for so long because I knew I didn't need to be writing yet.... I was overwhelmed with all that had happened and wasn't sure how to express it without losing sight of how God was using this to make me... us... our family... more like Him.... don't get me wrong... He is far from done! However, I am not near as worried about it all as I was a year ago.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So when I last wrote....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nathan was 8yrs. old (May 2012) and had just finished the 2nd grade in an all German speaking school in Austria. He began the 3rd grade at a private school in Texas that fall. The transition for him was nearly seamless. We praise God for how Nate has done in school with all the changes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Micah was 5yrs. old (nearly 6) when we left and had been in a German speaking Kindergarten since he (well, both boys) were 3 yrs. old. They were both nervous about transitioning to all English teaching.... but again, fantastic kids adapting to changes!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Grace was 2 1/2 and was saying little phrases in German, but hadn't really grasped the language. Thankfully, we have purchased materials to ensure they won't loose their 2nd language. She was still in diapers (wasn't going to train while packing up a house and moving!) and shy as can be with strangers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here I sit in 2014.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nathan is finishing the 4th grade and will be 10yrs. old next month!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Micah is finishing the 1st grade and is 7yrs. old!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Grace is 4yrs. old now and keeps me company at home!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Part of me just wants to "jump in" with blogging and pick up with "today". But for some of you that follow us and may not be in constant touch with us... here is a brief... yes, I am going to actually attempt to keep it brief...update. I'm gonna try a bullet point approach. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">I wrote in May 2012 about our upcoming furlough. So catch up with it down below or just click <a href="http://blog.caldwelljourney.net/2012/05/decade.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We flew into New York from Austria to see my family over the summer and also while in the area report to supporting churches.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We then set up house in Texas (a friend allowed us to live rent free in her one bedroom town house!) a couple of weeks before school began for the boys. We traveled with Danny sometimes and just brought the school work along. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the end of 2012 we noticed our financial support was not increasing, but decreasing a bit (and we had actually acquired some new supporters!). After the holidays we had to make the very difficult decision to resign as full time missionaries with the BBFI. We didn't want to continue taking in support from churches knowing we weren't going to be able to return and live in Austria full time. A couple of churches kept supporting us for about 2 months more while we began to find work here in the US.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We were without a job for a few months.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We had the even more difficult task of telling our friends and our church family back in Austria. That. was. hard.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We went thru some very discouraging times and were encouraged to find a new church family and wow---I can't begin to write down all that happened to bring us to where God used those events to show us His plan and the healing began with a church family that just loved us and started to help us heal. We had been thru so many ups and downs over the last few months that we didn't realize how mentally and emotionally exhausted we were!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Danny interviewed for a job that he really had no experience in and yet, God had started equipping him years ago. Danny is a self taught (via a great friend, Mitchell) technology minded person. For the last year he has been the Technology Coordinator at a school district in our area!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">We moved to the country because there was a house available for us to live in (woo-hoo for 3 bedrooms instead of 1 now!) and it happens to be next to Danny's family. Though that has been another transition after nearly a decade of being just "us".... the kids are thoroughly enjoying being near cousins/playmates.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">The boys changed schools--again. And again, God has given them such a wonderful experience and granted them an easy transition (this Momma needed it too!). They now go to school where Danny works as well! They leave together in the morning and stay about an hour later after school with Danny and then come home together!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Danny & I are still very involved with our churches in Austria and are continuing to have Christian Football Camps there too. We have a few churches that are continuing to support the ministry there and send their checks to a Clearing House that handles it for us. If you want to be more involved or just get information about the football camps or our church plants just email us or comment on the blog with your email address. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Last month (March 2014) we were able to spend Spring Break in Austria!! We have missed everyone there so very much! The kids were not able to go due to the expense primarily and we knew we were going to hit the ground running since we only had the week to get stuff done before Danny had to return to work. We met with church leaders and the body, the football team Danny played with, friends from our old neighborhood, and also went thru our storage building to prepare our stuff to be shipped back to Texas. We really only wanted the sentimental stuff to be shipped back. We gave away half of everything there... that was harder than we thought it would be...but if you live there you probably have closet units and appliances, etc. So friends helped spread the word and we were able to bless some people who wouldn't be able to buy these things on their own. Our hearts were overwhelmed with the friendships that we were able to catch up with during our time there. I feel blessed to be have called so many countries "home".</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Danny & the kids have also started raising some chickens, guineas, goats, and the dad of a friend of ours gave them 4 ducks. I play more of a "supporting" role in all this ;-) I have bottled fed a baby goat though and that was not so bad. The highlight is all the eggs we get. We currently get about 14-16 eggs a day and we split them with Danny's parents. Now if the hens would stop using my front porch as their bathroom! Danny is working on the fence around the pasture and hopes that will cut down on some of their roaming to my front door.... however, the grasshoppers were not as bad last year and the chickens were rather plump from all the snacking. ha!</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There.... I believe I gave you the gist of it all. For those who remember me writing that I was going to give a brief update... this WAS brief! HA! Lots of other stuff happened that, for us, did some major overhaul on our walk with God and that, though painful at times, is becoming beautiful as He shapes us to be more like Him.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jeremiah 29:11 "<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">For I know the plans I have for you, declares the </span><span class="small-caps" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">, plans for welfare</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">and not for evil,</span><span class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-19647B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">to give you a future and a hope."</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /> </div>
The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-41526726450791138002012-12-07T09:43:00.004-06:002012-12-07T09:43:45.138-06:00Clear the Stage<div class="signature">
It's been quite a while since I've blogged. Just a busy season of life for us. There have been funny things I could've posted and pointless things too. Then my brother sent me a link to this song. This is all I want to post for now. Listen to it... over and over. Let it sink in. Mull over it. Read the lyrics. Read your Bible. Let God work...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Clear the Stage by Jimmy Needham<br />
<br />
"I can sing all I want to....<br />
<br />
and still get it wrong....<br />
<br />
For worship is more than a song....<br />
<br />
<i><u>Anything that I put before God is an idol...</u></i>"<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6smGew7dGto?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /><br />
<br /></div>
The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-21160360888533325072012-05-23T06:50:00.000-05:002012-05-23T17:13:53.592-05:00A Decade<div class="signature">
Ten years ago this week (May 2002) Danny & I were approved to be church planters in Austria. We were a couple of months away from celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary and were expecting our first child. I was finishing up teaching and Danny his internship at our home church. We were ready!<br />
<br />
<i>Looking over the last 10 years.... </i><br />
<br />
-we experienced heart-breaking sorrow as we were not able to meet our first baby.<br />
<br />
-we saw a lot of the United States and were able to connect with lots of prayer and financial supporters.<br />
<br />
-we were blessed with a healthy pregnancy and welcomed Nathaniel to our family May 20, 2004... nearly 2 years to the day of our first approval and first pregnancy.<br />
<br />
-we made it to Austria 2 years after our approval with a 9 week old baby!<br />
<br />
-we studied and can interact in, yet will be ever-learning, German.<br />
<br />
-we integrated into our new culture and have made some wonderful friends. *This is special because in 2002 I wrote down my requests to God in a notebook and my first was to hold a child of my own in my arms and that was answered before we left for Austria... then the next one was a good friend in Austria. God didn't give me just <i>one</i> good friend.... He blessed my life with <i>many</i> here. Not to mention the ones I left behind in the States that haven't forgotten me and are precious to me.<br />
<br />
-we were able to be a part of our siblings weddings over the years.<br />
<br />
-we were again blessed with a healthy pregnancy and welcomed Micah into our family October 12, 2006.<br />
<br />
-we held many Bible studies in our homes and other locations thru out our city.<br />
<br />
-we had our families visit a few times over these years.<br />
<br />
-we learned how to deal with having a sick child (twice) in the hospital for a long time with no family close by to help.<br />
<br />
-we watched God work on us and in spite of us so many times....<br />
<br />
-we experienced the sorrow of losing grandparents while being overseas.<br />
<br />
-we watched the friends God gave us start their own families and now are some of our kids' best friends.<br />
<br />
-we experienced yet another pregnancy that would result in not holding our baby. This was a very bitter sweet time.... we handled the loss this time better than the first one. We had thankfully, grown and matured in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. So accepting His will, though painful, was something I knew He would see us thru and was using this for His glory... <i>which is the only reason any of us are here anyway</i>. But the time I spent alone in my hospital room after surgery so that Danny could go home and care for our sons was tough. That was a long night. Yet... this was a huge start to seeing some friends of ours open up to the Gospel.... all because they were watching us and how we responded (their words. not mine).<br />
<br />
-we've assisted other churches in the area.<br />
<br />
-we've been able to start 2 church plants on complete opposite sides of our city.<br />
<br />
-we were surprised and blessed by the birth of our first daughter, Grace on February 15, 2010.<br />
<br />
-we have received those sad and heart breaking phone calls telling us of a loved one that has passed away..... some that were complete shocks or friends going thru heart ache and the desire to be there and just hug their necks.<br />
<br />
-we have (and will be in a few weeks again) hosted a Christian Football Camp and seen encouraging and amazing results from all the hard work put into such an outreach. Thank you to those coaches, players, and a former NFL player who took time out of their schedules to help us.<br />
<br />
-we have only been away from Austria over the course of the last 8 years for only 8 months (broken up into 6-7 week visits during summers and a 3 month furlough in '07). We have mixed feelings about this furlough.... first, we must leave for a certain amount of time because of some regulations between Austria and the U.S. and second, to raise our financial support. We moved here with 1 baby and no real ministry costs while we learned the language.... now we have 3 kids, 2 church plants, and hosting football camps.... not to mention the exchange rate and the roller coaster ride it has taken us on over these 10 years. The other mixed feelings have to do with leaving behind the people we have come to call friends and family in Christ.<br />
<br />
Please be in prayer for us as we prepare for this furlough. We are aware of how much we need this time to see family, connect with them and let our kids be loved on as well. We have some nieces and nephews that have joined the family and this Aunt is itching to kiss and cuddle some babies!<br />
<br />
Pray for our boys especially... they are nervous about leaving <i>their home.</i> The only one they know... Austria. They are nervous about going to an English speaking school (which I don't know why... we only use English at home and they get plenty of German at their school)... must be the "unknown" that gets them concerned. I remind them I grew up doing this too and I turned out just fine... right?!?! <br />
<br />
;)<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-43842588761259967432012-05-07T11:11:00.002-05:002012-05-07T11:11:19.104-05:00Grace and her dolls<div class="signature">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm not much of a liker of the color pink, but Grace, though only 2 yrs. old has vocalized her like for the color in her toys and in her clothes. So we comply (usually). After having 2 boys and all the cars, sports equipment, bad guy-good guy pretend games.... it's been quite refreshing to see this other side to raising a child. Gracie played with most of her brothers <i>baby</i> toys till she got her first baby doll from Grammy when she had her 1st birthday. Since then we can not go into a store and walk past the toy section without her asking "whersh da baby's?" We usually have to take a baby doll in the car to either pick up the boys from school, driving to our meetings on Sunday, or during bath time (it is safe to assume she sleeps with every. single. doll. she owns). The interesting thing about Gracie & her dolls is that she is not their mommy. If they fall (<i>read: she chunks them across the room and squeals in delight. Yes, sounds terrible but remember she has 2 brothers and they have toys that are supposed to be thrown and she's usually trying to fit in... using her own toys. Feel better about that now?)</i> and get "hurt" she says, "ohhhh nooo... baby fall. Ish okay." and then brings them to me for a "cuddle". </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Our boys bring us so much joy and laughter....Gracie is no exception. We are blessed and I'm learning to like all this <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #e06666;">pink</span></i> stuff.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_sBcb5qWNU/T6fsOGciKwI/AAAAAAAACAc/b-oF8WXFJbI/s1600/Grace+&+dolls+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_sBcb5qWNU/T6fsOGciKwI/AAAAAAAACAc/b-oF8WXFJbI/s320/Grace+&+dolls+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-70324240279178692302012-04-13T04:30:00.000-05:002012-04-13T04:30:00.880-05:00Time as a family<div class="signature">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I like blog posts with photos and since you probably don't want to scroll for the next several months I have opted to put my photos in collages lately. Taking pictures of my 'peeps' and what they do or where they go is one of my favorite things to do. In fact, I have an external hard drive just for my pictures! As a family, we like to get out and see things.... I mean, c'mon... we live in Austria! There's always something to see or experience. But we do like taking the kids out and exploring... so here are a few of the collages I've made in the last few months.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here we are (collage below) this past week just re-exploring our city... primarily the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grazer_Schlo%C3%9Fberg" target="_blank">Schloßberg</a> (click on the word for a link with more info). Which literally translates as the "castle mountain". It's one of our favorite places to go. We hiked up the mountain the back way, explored every nook of this little mountain, and just let the kids run and play in the sun. Our city just has so much history it's amazing. I am so intrigued by the age of buildings in Europe that are still standing and being used for apartments or businesses... considering the amount of history they've witnessed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--JP5nMM0mVw/T4c97iDFnII/AAAAAAAACAU/dkbTTF0yl1k/s1600/Around+our+city+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--JP5nMM0mVw/T4c97iDFnII/AAAAAAAACAU/dkbTTF0yl1k/s320/Around+our+city+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Playing at a nearby park</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oeSs1tplnxs/T4cuEns8FWI/AAAAAAAACAE/35j88FbERiU/s1600/Fernitz+park+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oeSs1tplnxs/T4cuEns8FWI/AAAAAAAACAE/35j88FbERiU/s320/Fernitz+park+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"Prater" is a theme park in Vienna that has free admission and you just pay for the individual rides. Last summer/fall we went to see friends in Vienna and hopped off and on a few subways to arrive at Prater. The kids had so much fun with the other MK's and riding the rides. I particularly enjoyed my visit to Starbucks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ECqKs7aFFm8/T4cuLfojcJI/AAAAAAAACAM/0T_aV9ejwYg/s1600/End+of+summer+in+Vienna+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ECqKs7aFFm8/T4cuLfojcJI/AAAAAAAACAM/0T_aV9ejwYg/s320/End+of+summer+in+Vienna+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-89985556853466032462012-04-05T07:00:00.000-05:002012-04-05T07:00:06.464-05:00Back when the snow was melting...<div class="signature">
We had a very mild winter... no joke. It is now April and in the past we've either had snow falling or at the very least had so much snow on the ground it was a waiting game for when we'd see our yard. But this winter season I think we had 3 separate times when it snowed. When it did finally snow it didn't stick around very long. So when the last snow started to melt the kids were itching to get out there and play. I have no problem letting the kids get out there and get dirty. My rule is... once you get <i>yucky </i>(read: gross, muddy, wet, dirt in places you didn't know you could get dirty)... stay out there and play for a <i>looooong</i> time because when you come inside it'll be bath time and all clothes go straight to the laundry room in the basement. Of course, hot chocolate will be waiting too.<br />
<br />
What made the experience this year, a tad bit more interesting is that little sister wanted to join in the fun. She has no problem keeping up with the boys. Grace has her moments where she doesn't like to get dirty and will insist on having her hands wiped clean (like at the table for a tiny speck of food on her pinky), but she did quite well playing in the mud and not getting worried about the amount of yuck all over her body.<br />
<br />
I think the series of photos below tell the story... I like the last one... the only place she struggles is her speed... it takes her a bit longer to catch up with them. But when she does...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgPgwg2_iHE/T3ouhGAfK-I/AAAAAAAAB_s/Jj1KN8fUQ7E/s1600/Mud+fun+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TgPgwg2_iHE/T3ouhGAfK-I/AAAAAAAAB_s/Jj1KN8fUQ7E/s320/Mud+fun+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-9334347933817583292012-04-03T06:30:00.000-05:002012-04-03T06:30:01.048-05:00February Birthdays<div class="signature">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first few months of a year always fly by to me. I know time isn't <i>really</i> faster some days more than others.. but I usually feel like as soon as the Christmas decor is put away we're getting ready for Easter and then setting up the sprinkler for the kids because it's summer time! Then the rest of the year just drags on....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So the February birthdays caught me off guard this year. It's been a busy season and holidays/birthdays have been sneaking up on us. Shortly after the new year we (Danny primarily) started counseling a guy and it has been very hands on.... lots of Bible studies and just being there for him when needed. God is doing His thing and we're getting a front row seat!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCYnmZE7h34/T3llwJRhYeI/AAAAAAAAB_c/7EARaXI1CMw/s1600/Danny's+34th+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NCYnmZE7h34/T3llwJRhYeI/AAAAAAAAB_c/7EARaXI1CMw/s320/Danny's+34th+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For Gracie's 2nd birthday we did our traditional family birthday with cake and a present. Then a week later met up with some friends and did a February/March birthday party for the kids that were celebrating. I'm so thankful for these friends... we've watched each others families grown from 0 kids to 2-3 kids each in the last 8 years.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HDRQqHpxD0/T3ok5MtQs2I/AAAAAAAAB_k/k2xb3rT5gZw/s1600/Gracie+bday+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_HDRQqHpxD0/T3ok5MtQs2I/AAAAAAAAB_k/k2xb3rT5gZw/s320/Gracie+bday+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-3407618847127716742012-04-02T03:05:00.000-05:002012-04-02T03:06:01.997-05:00Stained Glass<div class="signature">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just a few of the windows in one of the chapels we hold our Sunday services. They used children's art to create the windows. It's so beautiful.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R_-7mph-Yk/T3ldDqIT74I/AAAAAAAAB_M/_UpPhaBXI68/s1600/stained+glass+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R_-7mph-Yk/T3ldDqIT74I/AAAAAAAAB_M/_UpPhaBXI68/s320/stained+glass+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Danny is studying before a service in the far left photo.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-59868603785913506222012-03-30T15:33:00.000-05:002012-04-02T03:37:52.210-05:00Pig Tails<div class="signature">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Have you seen a cuter girl in pig tails?!? I sure haven't!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UltDzi8tyXM/T3ljicpUtlI/AAAAAAAAB_U/Cl-D6-e-nrw/s1600/Gracie+in+pig+tails+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UltDzi8tyXM/T3ljicpUtlI/AAAAAAAAB_U/Cl-D6-e-nrw/s320/Gracie+in+pig+tails+collage.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-69577188093664482592012-03-28T08:28:00.000-05:002012-03-28T08:28:06.006-05:00That's My King!by Dr. S. M. Lockridge<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wiIRsokjvbE?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<br />
Do you know Him?<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" style="cursor: move;" />The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-29148707120603769202012-03-12T16:10:00.000-05:002012-03-12T18:10:47.716-05:00It's not about the numbers...<div class="signature">
... but knowing more people besides your own family will be at church is always encouraging. The last month or so we've seen a steady growth with attendance ranging from 18-25 each Sunday. We are thankful for the D family that has been in Graz this year and also attending... they have been a great source of encouragement and will be missed when they return to Germany.<br />
<br />
Danny has been doing a lot of counseling over the last few months and we've also counseled a couple together. Keep us in prayer and that we would speak the Truth in love and God would give us wisdom in dealing with each unique situation. Pray for these families as well. Some of them know Christ personally, some just accepted Him, and some do not have a relationship with Him.<br />
<br />
Pray for leaders to rise up. Pray for the Bible study Danny is leading with a group of men. Pray for families to be restored. Pray for those seeking jobs. <br />
<br />
Prayer is so <u>powerful</u>! God already knows what is on our hearts.... but when we pray and ask for His will to be done and we see Him answer... it gives us yet another opportunity to praise Him for working things out for<i> HIS HONOR</i> and <i>HIS GLORY</i>. Sometimes His will and our desires match up... sometimes they don't (and if I'm being honest sometimes I have a little tantrum and tell Him my idea was better and then I end up eating my words). Yet, He will only do what is best for us and since He sees the big picture, I'm much more at ease with Him leading then myself... <u>really</u>.<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-50297438359542563812012-02-20T14:56:00.003-06:002012-02-20T15:02:47.713-06:00Prices over here...<div class="signature">
In the next few blog posts I am going to be writing about some of the comparisons with life here vs. life in the US (and to my friends that live in other countries feel free to comment and update me with how life is comparable to your homeland or where you are living. This is always an interesting topic and insightful.). It's a topic I am asked about often and with our upcoming furlough I've been thinking more about some of the differences (and similarities) between our life here and life in the States as Danny & I prepare our kids for some "culture shock" that we're sure they will experience.<br />
<br />
But first let's talk about some of the costs we have here in our city. Some of the more common questions asked are about the prices of things such as groceries, gas, rent, insurance, etc. These are of course specific to our family, our city, and can vary with the ever changing exchange rate of Dollars to Euros, not to mention the bank fees for bringing our income over here. Keep in mind we use the metric system here. Also, some brands are more than others.... for the most part we buy the off brands and or whatever is cheaper. So yes, some stuff is going to be more and some less. It seems that a lot of stuff can be comparable in price to the States, but when you factor in the exchange rate and how much we lose when we wire our money over here... everything gets expensive really fast. <br />
<br />
1 kg = 2.2 lbs.<br />
4 liter = approx. 1 gallon<br />
<br />
<i><u>Groceries:</u></i><br />
<br />
Milk is approximately .95 per liter (.95 x 4 liters (approx. 1 gallon) = € 3.80.) We then have to factor in the exchange rate because we do not make euros, but dollars as our income. So depending on that days exchange rate (I'll use today's current rate which is: $1 is worth .75 euro cents or it costs $1.32 to get €1.00) that gallon of milk now costs approximately $5 and that's not even factoring the transfer fees from the bank (and those are not horrible, but still... costs us money). The exchange rate has gone up to $1.63 (that one I remember for sure... possibly higher, but we stopped looking!) and has also been one to one.<br />
<br />
Bananas - €1.29 per kilo ($ .77 a lb.)<br />
<br />
Diapers (off brand pack of 42) - €8.99 ($11.87). <br />
<br />
Baby Formula (thankful we're out of this stage!) - €12.99 = $17.15 (that would last us about 2 1/2 wks. and was especially difficult when I couldn't nurse anymore).<br />
<br />
Toilet Paper (pack of 9 rolls for a decent brand that doesn't disintegrate before the jobs done! haha) - €2.99 on sale this week from regularly €4.99 ($6.59)<br />
<br />
Detergent - €23.00 but I got it on sale for €17.99 ($23.75)<br />
<br />
Carrots - .99 for 500g ($1.19 a lb)<br />
<br />
Cereal - €3.19 per box of 350g. ($4.21)<br />
<br />
Eggs (sell by 10 per carton) - €2.39 for small/medium sized eggs ($3.15)<br />
<br />
Average bag of chips (which would be a small bag of chips in the US) - €1.99 ($2.63)<br />
<br />
Loaf of bread - €1.89 ($2.49)<br />
<br />
Box of Kleenex (not brand) - €1.89 ($2.49)<br />
<br />
Gas for our car is approximately (again, depends on exchange rate because we've paid over $10 before) - $8.00 a gallon. We drive 40 min.(one way) to one of our church plants 3 out of 4 Sundays a month. The 4th one, thankfully is 2 min. from our house! Then of course, the every day living stuff too.<br />
<br />
Car insurance - approx. $2,538.00 a year.<br />
<br />
Rent for houses in our area average €900-1,500 a month ($1,188-$1,980). We have a pretty good deal on ours right now, though our landlord has mentioned raising our rent. A friend is renting a 3rd floor, no garage, 2 bedroom apartment in the city with no bells or whistles for €850 (this month that is $1,122) a month. <br />
<br />
Now some of these prices aren't going to seem too high for some of you, especially if you're living in a big city... like my brother & his family and my parents in NY. This comparison was just to give insight on how things are in our corner of Europe. We know people that live in Germany, but are living here in Graz for a year and they've commented on how much more expensive it is here than in their city.<br />
<br />
After I did the math on the items above I realized how nice it's been lately... it's really hard when that exchange rate rises and rises... it's been in the 1.30's lately and that is (sadly) quite nice for us. Oh to be back in the 1.00 to 1.00 ages again.<br />
<br />
How are prices in your neck of the woods/city?<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /></div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11508184175264867209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-70112181676426915282012-01-31T02:14:00.002-06:002012-01-31T03:07:08.885-06:00A new nephew!<div class="signature">
My youngest brother, Zach and his wife, Jill had their 3rd child yesterday! <i>Benton Matthew Wiese</i> (lovingly nicknamed '<i>Beamer</i>' because of his initials) was a healthy 8lb. 5oz. He is <i>adorable</i>!!! He gave us all a little scare, but after an emergency c-section he, according to my brother, let the world know he had vocal cords and used them well :)<br />
<br />
I wrote about how my other nephew, <a href="http://blog.caldwelljourney.net/2011/11/titus.html" target="_blank">Titus</a> was born on a special day for our family. Well, Benton is named after my Grampa (my mom's dad) and you know... you can't make this stuff up... but he was born on January 30th...what would've been my Grampa's 88th birthday. Our family seems to have something with dates. Gracie was born on the anniversary of his passing and my Aunt Robin said it was so nice to have something to celebrate while we also remember Grampa. Zach & my Dad share a birthday and Zach's daughter, Erynn was born the day <i style="font-weight: bold;">before</i> their birthday! My mom & Papa share a birthday. Micah was due to share their birthday, but had to be induced 2 days before. Anyway, I find all that fun and special too.<br />
<br />
After just a few hours we were able to sit down and meet Benton via i chat. Jill looked great... really... did she just have a baby!?! Zach was a proud Daddy and their girls were going to be visiting soon to meet their baby brother!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClbBFBy1cH4/TyehwuI5FDI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/mtO8W3dZsT8/s1600/Video+Snapshot+of+Wiese+Zach+&+Jill-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClbBFBy1cH4/TyehwuI5FDI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/mtO8W3dZsT8/s320/Video+Snapshot+of+Wiese+Zach+&+Jill-2.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I just sat in awe as we were video chatting from Austria to Missouri to New York and then later they were going to add our g'parents (our kids' great grandparents) in Texas. Again, I am thankful for technology. It's moments like these that make the distance between us smaller and bearable.<br />
<br />
Here is my nephew, Benton!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7e-zv8vMTM/TyehyEd8OVI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/EyLeJiTNZuQ/s1600/Video+Snapshot+of+Wiese+Zach+&+Jill-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7e-zv8vMTM/TyehyEd8OVI/AAAAAAAAB-Y/EyLeJiTNZuQ/s320/Video+Snapshot+of+Wiese+Zach+&+Jill-3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We love you, Beamer!! Can't wait to meet you one day!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-quoYaPbRIiY/Tyeih7daxMI/AAAAAAAAB-g/gauqsMGJ9Sc/s1600/image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-quoYaPbRIiY/Tyeih7daxMI/AAAAAAAAB-g/gauqsMGJ9Sc/s320/image.jpeg" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /> </div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-40176044912289935192012-01-28T07:00:00.000-06:002012-01-28T07:00:05.261-06:00Teaching moments...<div class="signature">
<div style="text-align: center;">
As last summer came to an end</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The kids and I found ourselves outside</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My oldest is lying on the ground</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Studying the occasional bug crawling about</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
He says to me rather excitedly,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
"God is showing us that He is 3 persons </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
while we are outside"<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I ask him how he knows this</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
He then shows me a leaf he found in the grass</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and says, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
"It's the Trinity."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GcWMa09LD-A/TyM1Jhh9IQI/AAAAAAAAB-I/mbzA4m1X798/s1600/Nate+&+the+Trinity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GcWMa09LD-A/TyM1Jhh9IQI/AAAAAAAAB-I/mbzA4m1X798/s320/Nate+&+the+Trinity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I love seeing the Word grow in the hearts of my kids.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-84490815029318995962012-01-27T16:00:00.000-06:002012-01-27T17:33:42.608-06:00Yay for technology!<div class="signature">
This webcam photo is from last Fall, but it's just one of those pics I look at often because it just makes me so thankful for technology (my dad & youngest brother are missing from this pic.). I miss them all so much. My g'parents are so cool... they are in their early 80's and are very up to date with how to keep in touch with family!<br />
<br />
My family is very accustomed to being physically far from each other (if you're new here... I grew up in Asia from 2 yrs. till high school graduation). Honestly, we don't really like it, but it's just the way it is for us. So our times together are that much more special. But when you're living a life you believe God is leading you to live, then you find a peace that passes all understanding.<br />
<br />
If you're blessed to be living near family... appreciate it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YahFbDWPN5A/TyMtGEU6WoI/AAAAAAAAB9w/UmioLOy4K7Q/s1600/Video+Snapshot+of+Wiese+Papa+&+Grama.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YahFbDWPN5A/TyMtGEU6WoI/AAAAAAAAB9w/UmioLOy4K7Q/s320/Video+Snapshot+of+Wiese+Papa+&+Grama.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Last fall my grandparents also did something incredible... something I pray that God grants me & Danny.... a<i><b> 60th wedding anniversary!!</b></i> I'm so proud to have them and my parents (going on 36 years of marriage) as well as Danny's parents to have as examples of going thru life together side by side. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rJtPkcPs4A/TyMtHh8y_8I/AAAAAAAAB90/r8E1gO0Em2U/s1600/IMG_2530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4rJtPkcPs4A/TyMtHh8y_8I/AAAAAAAAB90/r8E1gO0Em2U/s320/IMG_2530.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is this photo not awesome?!? </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
We love you, Papa & Grama!!!</div>
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-49212057404474156222012-01-23T16:12:00.000-06:002012-01-23T16:12:31.171-06:00"Keep Breathing"<div>I've been singing this song all week. A few people on my mind and Danny & I are waiting in anticipation to see how God is going to just bring it all to show His sovereignty! I just pray that they keep breathing and holding on to God. The Devil is <i>not at all happy, </i>we can see battles going on all around. If you would... pray for these people. Pray for us. We need strength and wisdom. </div><div><br /></div><iframe width="480" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RbDuM-f36Hs?fs=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /><div class="signature"><img src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" alt="Krista" /></div></div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-68289423252607719572012-01-20T15:59:00.000-06:002012-01-20T17:00:10.097-06:00Heard 'round here..<div class="signature">
This post will be more entertaining for our families that don't get to see their g'kids, nephews/niece, & cousins. But others might get a good chuckle too.<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Gracie (pointing to something): "deesa one". Translates: "I want that one."</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
"Guys!!! Heeeere!" (loves when brothers come home from school)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Gracie walks into the kitchen and says: "heeet me" (hit me) a few times. I follow her into the living room where she says it again while pointing to a brother. It happened once and brother got in trouble a week or so ago. She now uses it as a way to get what she wants... she wants a toy that a brother might be holding... she comes in and says "hit me". Knowing we'll go check it out... but that trick was short lived... brothers can talk a lot more than she can right now ;)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
She repeats everything! I really can't get over how her speech has just really taken off as of late. It's amazing (yes, she's our 3rd, but I'm always amazed at how kids absorb the world around them!) to see her observe a conversation between me & Danny or the boys and find a phrase she likes and then say it perfectly is hilarious and scary. I guess I'm partly intrigued because I don't recall the boys speaking as clearly or having as big a vocab as she does at this age.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
I went to check on the kids after they had been in bed for a couple of hours to make sure the radiators were keeping their rooms warm and I was startled when Nate sat up and said, "I'm so frustrated." (I didn't really want to hear the whining that I was sure was coming next about how he didn't get to have a light to read or that they didn't get to watch a movie, etc.) So when I half-heartedly asked "Why?" His answer made it hard to not laugh out loud and wake up Micah on the bottom bunk! Nate says as serious and frustrated as can be, "I can not whistle!"</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Lately, Micah has been a much grumpier boy during the "getting ready for school" part of our morning. Some of his reasons are as follows:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
-Why do you get to stay home and play? (Yeah... that's what mom & dad do all day... we <i>play</i> with the laundry, office work, the dirty dishes, etc.)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
-My friends don't like me. (he has plenty of friends and he is well liked... just so you don't worry about him!)</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
-I want to play with MY toys, not school toys.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
-I'm sleepy.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
-I don't like eating yogurt for breakfast. (which is actually his favorite food... he'd eat it 3x a day if I'd let him).</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Never a dull moment in our house! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" />
</div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19701183.post-12681843638633501762012-01-15T15:12:00.000-06:002012-01-17T12:55:21.627-06:00Chick-flicks & Football<div class="signature">
I like my fair share of "chick-flicks" and musicals. When I was a young girl, my mom & I would get our mugs of hot chocolate and get cozy on the couch and watch a movie (especially on those cool and rainy Baguio days). I'm talking about: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Brides-Brothers-Howard-Keel/dp/B0047CG9F2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326660795&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Seven Brides for Seven Brothers</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/White-Christmas-Bing-Crosby/dp/B00004YNIX/ref=sr_1_3?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1326660869&sr=1-3" target="_blank">White Christmas</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Singin-Rain-Two-Disc-Special-Kelly/dp/B00006DEF9/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1326746184&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Singin' in the Rain</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Pollyanna-Vault-Disney-Collection-Hayley/dp/B00005RRGB/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1326661558&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Pollyanna</a> (Danny had never even heard of this one till we married!!),<a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Fair-Lady-Audrey-Hepburn/dp/B002HK9IDQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1326661303&sr=1-1" target="_blank"> My Fair Lady</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/King-I-50th-Anniversary/dp/B000HT3PGA/ref=sr_1_4?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1326660938&sr=1-4" target="_blank">The King & I</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Affair-Remember-Cary-Grant/dp/B00007JMDF/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1326661052&sr=1-1" target="_blank">An Affair to Remember</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Charade/dp/B0012KPPOS/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1326661326&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Charade</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Inn-Special-Bing-Crosby/dp/B000I0QL82/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1326661137&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Holiday Inn</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Please-Dont-Eat-Daisies-Doris/dp/B0007QS30G/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1326661183&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Please Don't Eat the Daisies</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Houseboat-Cary-Grant/dp/B00006IUJS/ref=sr_1_1?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1326661091&sr=1-1" target="_blank">House Boat</a>, etc. Basically, if it had Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Cary Grant (random fact: that man was married 5 times... yes, 5 times! Crazy!), Deborah Kerr, Audrey Hepburn and the like, we watched them. So, I like my girlie movies and even spent the night before my wedding watching one with my bridesmaids and so, I come by it honestly. <br />
<br />
Now, I was also raised in a house where football was watched and especially if our beloved Dallas Cowboys were playing. But I never really got into it and didn't understand all the rules so I didn't usually sit and watch for very long. But as I grew older I fell into the group (maybe stereotypical) where I would roll my eyes when guys would sit and watch football for hours and ignore the rest of the people around them (I realize this is not every guy out there and so don't get all huffy if you're a guy reading this and if you're a gal, don't get on your soapbox either). <br />
<br />
So fast forward to 1999. The year I married my best friend. We got married in August, so that would be pre-season for you non-NFL informed. I soon realized that my new husband was planning on watching a lot of football on Sunday afternoons. We lived in a small apartment and owned one small tv. We both worked, were full-time students and were active in our church. So knowing how busy Sundays would be our homework was usually finished before then. Now what on earth was I going to do for a few hours?!? Well, I decided early on that I wanted to truly be interested in things that Danny liked. I wanted to enjoy life <i>together.</i> Before I knew it I was watching the games and kinda leaning forward in my seat when the Cowboys would have the ball and maybe even have that swell of pride when a touchdown was made, so I watched and asked questions (usually at appropriate times... I learned that <ahem> from my Dad & brothers).</ahem><br />
<br />
Now here we are... 12 and a half years of marriage and many football games later... we are sitting in the living room together watching the NFL Playoffs as I write this blog. I'm not saying this to make me sound good or make an interesting blog... but I really, truly enjoy watching football! There have been times I'm hollering at the tv and Danny comes rushing in the room saying "What happened?!? Wait... why am I not in here watching it instead of you?!" To make my point even clearer, I've been playing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy_football_(American)" target="_blank">fantasy football</a> since 2005 and if I do say so myself have had some really good seasons :)<br />
<br />
Before you think I'm the only one showing an interest or just tootin' my own horn, I will say Danny has sat thru quite a few of my girlie movies and watched them all the way thru with me. Though you won't ever hear him admitting to <i>liking</i> any of them... there are a few I'd dare say he didn't hate. He takes the time to do things I like... watch chick-flicks, takes me shopping, lets me discuss a book I read (that isn't probably on his list of books to read) and helps me with my love of photography to name just a few. He makes an effort and I have taken notice.<br />
<br />
I guess I share this with you because it's important that your spouse, who should be your best friend as well, know that you truly care about what they care about. It obviously does not have to be football, chick flicks, fishing (which I don't really mind.... so long as I'm not putting the worm on the hook or for goodness sakes the stink bait!) or reading html codes, shopping or well, whatever your spouse likes to do. I have women in my life that are wonderful friends and we share similar interests. But those friendships, as great and needed as they are at times... will and should never take the place or fill-in the missing piece of the friendship that I have with Danny.<br />
<br />
This also could never really be more sobering a thought than watching a dear friend lose her best friend and husband. She has told me many times to treasure each moment I have with my husband. To hear other women complain, gossip about and tear down their spouse is wrong and not Biblical... it's also crushing to those women who have lost a spouse and would love to be going thru life with their best friend.<br />
<br />
Pray that God would develop in you a deeper love and respect for the spouse he has given you. Protect your marriages. Be an example of what a couple that places God at the center of their marriage should look like to others. <br />
<br />
If you have kids.... show them that you respect each other even when you disagree... show them how to handle conflict. Show them that God leads your home. Show them a stable home (I can't stress this enough with the week we've had counseling someone). Show them the Gospel. Show them what they should want in a spouse.<br />
<br />
Be the spouse God created you to be for the wife/husband with whom He has <i><u><b>blessed </b></u></i>you to walk on this journey. Be the parents God created you to be-- to the <i><b><u>gifts</u></b></i> he has entrusted to your care.<br />
<br />
<br />
<img alt="Krista" src="http://www.mylivesignature.com/signatures/54489/395/868FA0172391698184D22748ADBA647F.png" /> </div>The Caldwellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10563330772819685521noreply@blogger.com4