Days 10 through 14.

 Well, hey. Due to the hotel in Prague having funky outlets, I had no way to charge my computer while I was there. Hence why I haven’t update this little baby. So here we go. Days 10 through 14. (Warning: I will most likely talk a lot about food in this post. I’m a big fan of food.)
 We left after breakfast for Prague, which was about a 3 hour drive. Not bad at all. We got there around lunch time and after getting into the hotel we went out to adventure and find a place to eat lunch. I have no idea what the name of this place was but it was reallyyy good. I ordered a potato pancake with mixed meat. If you know me at all, you would know this was a daring move for me. Mixed meat could mean so many things. But they said it was “czech”. So I just did it, and boy oh boy I’m glad I did. It was wonderful! So yum. Then Johnny and Annette took me around to do some sight-seing. Prague was so beautiful I can’t really explain it through words.  So that was day 10. All in all, wonderful.
 Day 11. We got up early for our complimentary breakfast and we headed out the door to adventure more beautiful sights. We hit all the big spots. Prague castle, Charles bridge, the old town square. It was so pretty. And it snowed that day! Which made things like 67 times prettier. Although the snow was pretty to look at, it was not so great for my for face, toes, and hands. It wasn’t like sticky snow, it was like rainy snow. And the wind was crazy. I almost knocked out the eye of a very good looking man on the bridge. Walking, taking pictures, and trying to hold an umbrella all at the same time is not a good combo with speedy winds. So that was fun. Lunch that day was great too. We stopped at really the closest thing to us at the time just because we were so cold. But Joe’s Bar and Garage came threw for us. Hot mulled wine, jalepeño poppers, and garlic soup help us regain feeling in the frozen parts. Then we trundled back into the cold and saw some more sights. We walked back to the old town square to see the big Prague clock chime. The little disciples came out and a the rooster crowed. It was kewl. Then we went to this old hotel and got some hot chocolate and other warm drinks. Then we went out to get mexican food. Nothing says Europe like mexican. Right?
 Day 12. The sun came out! It was literally the first day since I had been there that the sun was out. And man, was that a blessing from the Lord. Seriously though. Basically this day was the same as the others. Sights, food, sights, food. Then in the afternoon we went to an English church there. There are two that J and A like to go to when they are in town. So we went to the one in the afternoon. It was very cool. Meet some cool people. Sang some cool songs. Heard a cool message. Then went to dinner. End of day.
Day 13. Travel day. Woke up at like 7 am czech time and headed to the airport. It was such a long day. By the time I got back to birmingham I had traveled a little over 24 hours with pretty much no sleep. I felt like a rockstar. Not really. I felt like crap. Sarcasm is hard to decipher over the interwebz.
 To sum up my trip I will just tell one more story. It’s not so much a story as, actually I don’t know what it is. I’ll just start. As I was on my last flight to Birmingham, we were delayed once already and for some reason we were waiting for the last passengers to board and it was laking a while. I was kind of annoyed, I’m not going to lie. Then I found out it was because the last two people were in wheelchairs and had to wait for a special way to get on the plane. The I felt like the worst person ever for being annoyed. Well as I was looking out the window and the guys having to transfer to new wheelchairs, and then they had to put up this special ramp thingy, I remember my days in the wheelchair. And I was just hit by how far God has taken me. From this tumored, shy, and insecure girl in a wheelchair/walker to traveling to Europe for two weeks by myself. A lot of stuff happened in between those two but thats kinda the best part.The growing part. Not that I’m done growing by any means. Just realizing my growth thus far. Anyways. Thats me being vulnerable.

Thank you so much to everyone who supported me on this trip and prayed for me and read my blog. All appreciated.
I will put up some pictures on here and then upload the other like 384 into facebook.
The End.

-S.

Day nine. Den devátý.

Well hey. This will be a boring post, just a heads up. Things have still been going great over here in the Czech land. I have mainly been helping out Johnny and Annette with their insanely huge book collection and getting that all organized and shelved. Im somewhat of an organization professional, some would say. Really only I would say that though.
Anyways. I have been organizing and helping Annette with whatever little things she can find for me to do. Tonight they are having a couple over from the church for a big Bbq dinner! So that will be nice to meet some more people and eat some more good food. I cant believe I have less than a week left! Time is aflyin’. We leave on Friday for Prague, which I’m sososo excited for! We will see tons of beautiful things and visit some English churches there. This trip has been so encouraging for me. I have always dreamed of going to Prague and now that I’m here I’m just reminded how much God is like, on my side. I know it seems like a simple thing to remember. But being the mere human that I am, I do forget. God can take me places (hopefully a lot) (I have a list going) if I just trust Him. So thats that.
As much as I’m enjoying my time here, I do really miss my homes. I really look forward to getting back to Birmingham for a little bit and seeing people I love there, and then Costa Rica. Ya know sometimes when you take a really big trip and even though its amazing, sometimes the best part is getting home to your family and bed? Ya, I get that twice.
Thanks for praying and reading. Reading and praying.

 -S.

 Just third-wheeling on their 41st anniversary lunch.

Day five. Den pátý.

 Wheelll. Im having such a good time! Yesterday, was very laid back (which was awesome since I barely got any sleep due to jet-lag). We went to another part of town to a glass factory. Apparently the Czech is know for its homemade glass things. It was perty kewl. Then I just reviewed some stuff that Im teaching to some little niño babies in a Sunday school class. Then, Annette cooked an amazing shrimp pasta dinner with some wonderful white wine. Yum yum. Today was Johnny and Annett’s 41st anniversary! I know, right? Amazing. So to celebrate that and for me to see some more of the Czech we went to a little town called Olomoue. We took the train there, which I loved. It was no Hogwarts Express, but still pretty cool. The town was so so so pretty. And on top of it being gorgeous, it snowed. Big white flakes falling from the sky, it was magical. And freaking cold, but lovely nonetheless. I took a kagillion pictures then when I could not feel my hands and face anymore we went inside for some hot drinks and lunch. Then walked into the snowy goodness again to take the train back home. Random side note: It gets dark at like 4 o’clock here. It really throws you off. So anyways, day four and five have been great.
 God has been teaching me so much while I’ve been here. Its been great to be here independently and stand on my own two feet for a little bit. Although I do miss my two homes a little bit.
I can’t believe Im nearing the end of my first week here. Crazy. Thanks again for the continued prayer and reading of the blog. xoxo.

-S.

Reminds me of Genovia. The fictional country in Princess Diaries of coarse? Duh.

 My hands weren’t cold or anything. Eventually I just lost feeling.

 Beerbeerbeerbeer.

 

Day three. Den třetí.

Hello there! This is really a recap of day 2 and 3.
  Day two: Got plenty of sleep the night before considering I hadn’t slept in over 24 hours. Woke up and headed out to a funeral. Very random way to start off a trip but, nonetheless off we went. Ok so let me preface this story by saying how unprepared I was for this weather. So we get to the funeral and there is like 30 people standing out side the doors to the service and I’m thinking “Ok its moving slow because people are greeting and whatnot.” Nope. There was so many people that over half the crowd had to stand outside for the whole service. I honestly can’t say I have ever felt so cold in my life. Good times. After we went to the pastor’s home for some food and fellowship time with some other church members. Went to the grocery store where I saw the largest selection of beer and water I have ever seen in one place. I mean how many different types of water can you have? A lot. Also beer is a huge part of the culture here. Its the home of Pilsner and Budweiser(Not the American one). Anyways, back home, to sleep some more! Only to feel my jet-lag barge in and couldn’t fall asleep until 6 am. I am almost finished with my 700 page book. Had to wake up at 7. Lovely.
 Day 3: Johnny and Annette had a team meeting with some other missionaries here that I went with them too. We had a devotional and prayer time, then they sent me to work. They have this huge storage/craft supply closet that they needed organized. So I worked on that and then we all went out to lunch. Yum yum. Came back home for a little time to rest before J and A had the pastor and his wife over for dinner and a small group type planning meeting.
 Overall I am loving it here! Many more adventures to come.
 -s.


A new addiction. Hazelnut ice cream. So delish.

 My view this morning. Beautifully grey skies.

3 Airports, 2 Countries, and no sleep.

 Finally, after leaving Birmingham at 2:55 pm on Sunday, I am laying in a bed in my end destination of Zlin, Czech Republic. I really couldn’t be more excited about the next two weeks, but right now I’m excited about going to sleep. On my longest flight from Houston to Frankfurt I sat next to a very chatty and flirty latin guy and its kinda hard to fall asleep knowing someone is staring at you. I did a lot of reading. But regardless, it was a great day for traveling, not too busy and all my flights were smooth and on time. Johnny and Annette took me out to dinner tonight and after we walked to the little town centre to see some shops at night. I will post some pictures. *Disclaimer* I’m horrible at taking pictures so do not judge me please. They will be better in the day light.
 Tomorrow I’m going to a traditional funeral. Kinda random way to start the trip but hey, I will take any cultural experience I can get. Im sure that will be interesting. Thanks to anyone who was praying for my travels. I truly appreciate it. Thanks for reading.

This building is part of the University nearby. 

 -S.

4 days and counting.

 I leave for my trip in just 4 days and I am so unbelievably excited! I have raised all my support as of two days ago. I have been so blessed by everyone that has given for me to able to go on this trip. I have been talking with the missionaries that I will be visiting and we are all excited to see what God has in store.
 I will be updating this little blogy while I’m in the Czech (providing I have interweb access) so be looking out for some pictures and updates. Please also be praying with and for me while I’m gone. Im flying by myself and I do not know the language. Two of my biggest fears at this point.
 Thanks for reading this very short update. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Years break.
  -S.
Ps. There is a possibility I may not come back.

Update!

 Hey guys, Just wanted to give an update on the upcoming trip.
  My letters are out and the support raising process has begun. So far I have raised about $500. Which is amazing! Im so thankful. But Im not there yet, I still have a ways to go :/ As the date draws nearer I get more and more excited. So anyways, if your interested in supporting me and didn't get a support letter in the mail feel free to message me on facebook and I will let you know how to make that happen! Thanks for reading.
 -S.