The Longs

sunshine

I love gifts. Gary Chapman (author of The 5 Love Languages) would say it's one of my main love languages. I love giving gifts, and I appreciate so much when others give to me as well. I have learned a lot about gift-giving through living in Czech. In fact, I'd say I've learned most of what gift-giving is all about here! Czechs are, in my opinion, wonderful gift-givers. Usually the gifts I receive here are not that big or expensive, but they're given with such sweet, generous spirits. Common gifts I receive are homemade jam, hand-crafted earrings, cute little candles, chocolates, and plants. Nearly each time someone gives me something, it is given with such love and in a time when I don't expect it... meaning not my birthday or Christmas.  Usually the explanation behind the gift is "thank you" or "I was thinking of you"--a little gift simply because these friends are that sweet. The other day I recieved this beautiful "November plant" from a friend who was coming over to practice her English. As I saw her coming up the stairs, she had a big smile and was so happy to give my my gift. So I  thought I'd display the picture of this sunny-looking plant since it represents so well the cheer that these thoughtful gifts have brought me!

oh, the good life

When I was a little girl, my mom used to ask me, "What would it be like to live next to the Dairy Queen?"  Then we'd sit and imagine the beauty of all of the tasty treats right at our doorstep.  Then we'd go back to real life.  :)

Well, now that little childhood dream has come to pass, in some sense.  No, the Dairy Queen didn't come to Europe, BUT literally right behind our backyard lies another treasure... a real, live, year-round mini-donut stand (as in the oh-so-delicious mini-donuts sold at the fair, only once a year!).  Oh, the temptation...

Honestly I haven't had them all that many times since I know they're super calorie-loaded...but today we enjoyed the little delicacy our bus station stand has to offer.  And they were GOOOOD.  Pictured below :) 

       

(P.S. The mini-donut machine was made in Minneapolis...AND apparently Czech mini-donuts like to come drizzled with chocolate as well!)

learning to listen

A few days ago I (Cassie) began 2 Kay Arthur Bible studies.  One is called, "Living a Life of True Worship," which is a once-a-week, hour-long study that I'm doing with our VOLANT girls.  The other is a more in-depth study for my own personal growth called, "LORD, I Want to Know You."  This study's focus is on learning to know God by studying His various names--such as Creator, Healer, Protector, Provider, and so on.  Kay Arthur writes in her intro,

"So much of our confusion, our pain, our indecision, and our wrong decisions come because we do not know God.  We may know about Him--we may know what others say about Him--but do we know what God says about Himself?  Do we know for ourselves who He really is and therefore, how He conducts Himself in the affairs of mankind?"

In beginning these 2 studies this week, God seems to be showing me one thing really clearly.  As I've been studying who He is, He seems to be quietly whispering, "Please, Cassie, will you be a good listener?  Will You just come before me, assumptions and opinions set aside, and simply listen to Me?"

This week I've realized how poor of a listener I really am... and in actuality, how it's not only me, but I think humankind in general.  We like to talk about ourselves and our problems.  If we're not doing that, then we're worrying or planning our own lives.  Or we're distracting ourselves with music, tv, movies, concerts, etc.  All of this isn't bad, but when the God of the universe wants to dialogue with us, do we make the space to listen?  Oh my. 

So this week I've been asking for myself and for our VOLANT girls, "for ears to hear what the Spirit is saying."  I'm trying not to come to God with my own agenda, worries, insecurities, opinions, and assumptions.  LORD, I want to know You.  Forgive me for my closed ears and for the noise I've allowed into my life that Has blocked Your voice.  Please speak--and so reveal Yourself.  You deserve to be glorified in all things, and I want Your glory to begin in my life.