2 minutes ago I finished submitting my application for Moody Bible Institute!!!

I had a great time visiting Moody when I was in the States, and I really feel like that's the place God wants me. We'll find out towards the end of January if my feelings are accurate! It's all in God's hands now!

The application was hard but fun - four essays on home life, spiritual development, ministry opportunities and ministry and vocational goals. And limited to 500 words! I'm glad it's all behind me now...now I can focus on maturita! Out of the fire and into the frying pan. (or at least that's what I think it is...) Haha! How about a picture of a nice cute little fire:

It's kind of interesting to have two big landmark events on this day...the first is that this is my 100th blog post!! It's been a long journey. The second is that today marks 15 years of our family serving in the Czech Republic!! That's been an even longer journey!

Another journey I've been on for the past 3+ years is high school - more specifically Beskydy Mountain Academy. It's been such a privilege to be a part of what God's doing in our school. I'm on my last stretch of the BMA journey...and it's going by quickly!


Yesterday we had our class "stužkovák" - a dinner party put together by the graduating class for the rest of the school, friends and family. We all dressed up, enjoyed conversation among dinner and pictures of our class. It was a great time!


At the end the teacher in charge of our class, Mr. Till dubbed us "maturanti" (future graduates) and presented us with ribbons! (pictures are me being knighted, and my good friend Patrick and I happy with our ribbons!)



Overall it was a very enjoyable, and low-key night. I was very tired afterwards, but had a great time with people. Plus, mom got to come, which was really fun! If you want to know a little more about the evening from her perspective, head over to her blog: http://livingbylysa.blogspot.com

And here is our "maturitní ročník 2008/2009!"

Started my Moody application today!! It's intense.

I fly to the States November 12th for a couple days to visit with dad, so I'm pretty excited for that!

I'm really looking forward to this week. We have all five school days off, and I plan on working on some more recording (Caleb's computer is finally fixed!), regaining strength and spending time with special people.

Oh! And I've been writing songs a lot more lately - I'm feeling really good about it! So hopefully you'll be seeing a CD around Christmas time...

For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. (Luke 11:10)

It's a lot easier to wish. I wish I got an iPhone for Christmas, I wish I was more outgoing, I wish God would do something in this situation. We learn to wish from when we're very small children. "Blow out the candles and make a wish!" Or even the song in Pinocchio: "When you wish upon a star...your dreams come true." Or if you rub the bottle, the genie will give you three wishes.


It's so much easier to wish. You make evident the fact that you want something without making yourself too vulnerable. And if you wish you might actually get what you want - but not very often.

What would happen if I started asking? Jesus said himself that whoever asks will receive. It may not be what we expect, but God knows best what we need. There's no such promise about wishing.

But asking is so much harder! Often I think to myself: "I don't want them to have to go out of their way for me," or "If I ask I won't receive anyway, so what's the point?" But Jesus tells us to ask. And to seek. And to knock.

I'm learning to ask instead of just wish. Some things I've been wishing for a while but am starting to turn into requests are:

- That I would get into the right college.
- That I could be a better example and leader to the kids at youth group, as well as at school.
- That I would be able to record an album with my original songs by the end of 2008!
- That I would find the perfect girl. This has really been on my heart lately (a bit surprisingly).
- That I would always be prepared for Jesus to come and take me home.
- That I would love my enemies (and people who I don't get along with super well).

And the list could go on. I can ask for all these things, but what's the most important?

- That I would live for Christ, and He through me.

It may sound kind of cheesy...and I'm definitely not there yet, but I might as well ask!

There are some very exciting things happening over here in the Czech Republic right now! Possibly the biggest thing is that Josiah Venture has the privilege of working with the California rock group Dizmas for 6 weeks this fall! Two have gone by, and it's been awesome having them here.

Basically what they're doing is during the week they visit Czech public schools, have a small concert in a gym, and invite the kids to the BIG concert at the end of the week. At this concert Zach, the lead singer, shares the gospel with up to 300 unbelievers. It's just amazing.

This tour is also to help promote the new Exit 316 season that is airing on Czech television once a week, and to get kids involved in Exit discussion groups, as well as the local youth group.



Last week Dizmas had their first concert in Hradec Kralove, and this Saturday was their second concert in Cesky Tesin. The turnout of people was awesome, and will only continue to get better as people spread the news. Next week is in Havirov, and I'm looking forward to helping set up equipment and enjoying another rockin' concert!


Dizmas is THE nicest and most joyful band you'll ever meet. We've had the immense privilege as a family to have them over for dinner once a week since they arrived to debrief and relax. I'm looking forward to continue helping out and spending time with them during these next few weeks! I know I can learn a lot from them, both musically as well as spiritually. It's great to have them here!

In technology class this year with Mr. Lobel, Patrick and I are programming little robots! As you can see on the picture, today we were given a "maze" assignment. We had to guide the robot through the maze (on the papers) basically by trial and error. It took us the whole hour and a half to finish, mostly because we got off to a bad start and had to get some help from our wonderful teacher. But 3 minutes before the end of class, the little robot set off on an adventure and completed the maze succesfully. Let's have a round of applause for Mr. Robot!


And here is a glimpse of the code that we used, just to give you an idea of what we're doing.


We were very happy students by the end of that class. Looking forward to next week again!

Mom convinced me to have a little "photo shoot" up in the forest today...I'm really happy with how the pictures turned out! So new picture on the banner, and here are some other favorites! (However, unlike my brother, I don't have much experience in posing for pictures...I'm usually the one taking them. Maybe Caleb will have to give me some pointers!)