It's been so much fun to be in the States!!
PHOENIX, AZ
I visited one of my best friends from College, Callie. Her and her family live in Phoenix, Arizona, and I spent 2 weeks with them. They are a big family so I took naps during the day (I am really not used to being around so many people all the time) but they adopted me in and it was so hard to say goodbye to them.
I met a lady in Slovenia who lives in Phoenix as well, Kris, and I stayed with her and her family for 4 days as well. Such a lovely family! They took me to see bull riding, they introduced me to one of their Serbian friends and I was able to meet some of their close friend at a Christmas party they had in their house. Really, such a nice family!
NIPOMO, CA
I flew to Nipomo, CA on January 2, and spent 2 days with Liz and Dick, my good friend Anna's parents. The last time we saw each other was about 6 years ago, I was still living in the world. It was so nice to catch up with them! I was able to share with a small group of people at their house, people who had heard of me through the years and prayed for me. It was amazing to meet them and THANK them for their prayers!
SANTA ANA, CA
My friend Lynn and Adalaide from Bible College picked me up at their house on January 4, and we drove down to Orange county and stayed there with Lynn's aunt and uncle. Because my birthday was coming up, they took me to the Pacific Ocean Aquarium in Long Beach (AMAZING!) - I touched a shark! - and then we went downtown Disney for dinner. A good friend Chris, who works for Disneyland, joined us.. and he took us to Disneyland for a VIP tour! It was more than I could EVER ask for!
I was also able to go to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa on Sunday and we visited Calvary Chapel Bible College Murrieta for a day (they had a missions conference). I am so thankful I got to see all of those things and visit all of those places!
TULARE, CA
We drove up to the central valley on Wednesday, to Lynn's hometown Tulare. We are staying with her parents this week. I was able to share with youth from her church, Calvary Chapel Visalia. I shared my testimony and everything I struggled with in the past, and I was shocked that youth came to me afterwards and asked questions! That's never happened to me before! I never thought I would have Junior High kids on my heart, but I see how God's been changing my heart towards kids this age and how much He can do through me in their lives! Also, it made me miss Kočevje so much, and our youth group back home!
I will be sharing with Calvary Chapel Visalia tomorrow. I am a little bit nervous since it's a pretty big church, but I am also excited to share all that God's been doing in Kočevje and Slovenia and encourage people with that!
Please be praying for this time tomorrow, that God would speak through me and use me in whichever way He wants to, and also that people's hearts will be open to receive His words.
TURLOCK + MODESTO, CA
I leave Tulare on Monday and I'll be headed up to Turlock and Modesto. I feel like this trip is just beginning, and I've been here for 3 weeks already.
God is good and amazing, and I'm so thankful I have an opportunity to be here, share about His wonderful works in Slovenia, and have beautiful fellowship with brothers and sisters on this side of the world.
PRAYER REQUEST
Every journey, good or bad, brings some struggles as well.
It's been hard to be moving to different places every couple of days, staying with different people. It's people I know + love but it's emotionally draining me. God is teaching me so much and He is right here with me the whole time. I do ask for your prayers in this area. I still have 3 weeks before I go back to Slovenia, and I am in need of God's peace, grace and comfort.
Please, remember my journey in your prayers and let me know how I can be praying for you!
With love,
Mana
PHOENIX, AZ
I visited one of my best friends from College, Callie. Her and her family live in Phoenix, Arizona, and I spent 2 weeks with them. They are a big family so I took naps during the day (I am really not used to being around so many people all the time) but they adopted me in and it was so hard to say goodbye to them.
My Callisita :)
The best Christmas I've ever had! :)
LOVE this family!
NIPOMO, CA
I flew to Nipomo, CA on January 2, and spent 2 days with Liz and Dick, my good friend Anna's parents. The last time we saw each other was about 6 years ago, I was still living in the world. It was so nice to catch up with them! I was able to share with a small group of people at their house, people who had heard of me through the years and prayed for me. It was amazing to meet them and THANK them for their prayers!
With Dick, Liz and Lynn!
SANTA ANA, CA
My friend Lynn and Adalaide from Bible College picked me up at their house on January 4, and we drove down to Orange county and stayed there with Lynn's aunt and uncle. Because my birthday was coming up, they took me to the Pacific Ocean Aquarium in Long Beach (AMAZING!) - I touched a shark! - and then we went downtown Disney for dinner. A good friend Chris, who works for Disneyland, joined us.. and he took us to Disneyland for a VIP tour! It was more than I could EVER ask for!
I was also able to go to Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa on Sunday and we visited Calvary Chapel Bible College Murrieta for a day (they had a missions conference). I am so thankful I got to see all of those things and visit all of those places!
With my friend Lynn at the Newport Beach, CA!
That's not the shark I touched... ;)
This turtle is BIG!
My birthday cake! Lynn's mom, Sally, made it for me! :) (she made a delicious dinner, too!)
There's nothing better than finishing a birthday night with a round of Rummykub! :)
TULARE, CA
We drove up to the central valley on Wednesday, to Lynn's hometown Tulare. We are staying with her parents this week. I was able to share with youth from her church, Calvary Chapel Visalia. I shared my testimony and everything I struggled with in the past, and I was shocked that youth came to me afterwards and asked questions! That's never happened to me before! I never thought I would have Junior High kids on my heart, but I see how God's been changing my heart towards kids this age and how much He can do through me in their lives! Also, it made me miss Kočevje so much, and our youth group back home!
Sharing my testimony.
Talking to the girls afterwards.
A couple of church members were listening as well, I was able to talk to them afterwards.
I will be sharing with Calvary Chapel Visalia tomorrow. I am a little bit nervous since it's a pretty big church, but I am also excited to share all that God's been doing in Kočevje and Slovenia and encourage people with that!
Please be praying for this time tomorrow, that God would speak through me and use me in whichever way He wants to, and also that people's hearts will be open to receive His words.
TURLOCK + MODESTO, CA
I leave Tulare on Monday and I'll be headed up to Turlock and Modesto. I feel like this trip is just beginning, and I've been here for 3 weeks already.
God is good and amazing, and I'm so thankful I have an opportunity to be here, share about His wonderful works in Slovenia, and have beautiful fellowship with brothers and sisters on this side of the world.
PRAYER REQUEST
Every journey, good or bad, brings some struggles as well.
It's been hard to be moving to different places every couple of days, staying with different people. It's people I know + love but it's emotionally draining me. God is teaching me so much and He is right here with me the whole time. I do ask for your prayers in this area. I still have 3 weeks before I go back to Slovenia, and I am in need of God's peace, grace and comfort.
Please, remember my journey in your prayers and let me know how I can be praying for you!
With love,
Mana
Keep pressing into Jesus as you move about. I'm certain that you're being blessed by all of those that you meet, though it is draining. But, also, simply your being there is certainly a blessing for them too. So, in a way, you could say God is blessing you and causing you to be a blessing. I'll keep you in prayer. Blessings to you!- Johnathan Dabney
ReplyDeleteHey Mana. Škoda da nisem vedel prej za ta tvoj blog. Sem večkrat pomislil na tebe in kaj je novega v tvojem življenju.
ReplyDeleteA veš da sem tudi sam pomislil na to da bi šel na CC konferenco v Murrieti. Samo sem tudi hitro odmislil. Bi pa bilo hecno da bi se tam srečala. :-)
No, lepo se imej še preostanek potovanja po Amerikalandu in vedi da molimo za te.
Se kaj slišimo ko prideš v Slovenijo.
Matej
OH ! I thought about you on your birthday but was nowhere close to a computer for a couple of days. Happy birthday, dear friend! Thanks for posting about your travels. We do pray! :)
ReplyDeleteMana, you may not know me but I have sure prayed for you through the years! It was delightful to find your blog today through Anna's, and to see that you stayed with our dear friends, John and Kris, while you were in Phoenix! What a small world! I prayed for you just now, that the Lord would supply all your needs, and be near to you during these weeks in the States. We are SO excited about what is ahead of you, and thankful for all that God has done in and through you these past years!
ReplyDelete