the Dawn Treder

I am at the end of the 5th book of my "Chronicles" series. Michael is quite impressed that his wife has turned into a speed reading, coffee drinking, and book store lovin' gal in a mere year. He always gives me that "i am so proud of you that you have entered into my world" look. I have the next two books laid out already when i finish the series, but after that hopefully I can get some good recommendations.

There is a part of the book that I must comment on. In the last chapter, little Lucy was with the invisible people and had to read from the magician's book to make them seen and lift the curse. Of course, one of the most famous parts of that book is when Lucy reads the spell of making "unseen things seen" and Aslan appears and tells her he is always there. Well, another less well-known part caught my attention. At the end of that chapter, Aslan, Lucy and the magician are talking together in the study and Aslan must leave to attend to matters in Narnia. And in that moment vanishes without notice. Lucy is distraught and tells the magician that Aslan is always leaving so suddenly and without her consent or understanding. The magician at that point reminds her that "one cannot keep or hold onto Him, for He is not a tame lion."

Just interesting and thought provoking. I remember actually putting the book down and in my heart hearing the words in my gray, snowy, silent and exhausting world..... oh yea.

katie

Three-day Weekends

I was riding the tram to work this morning and listening to the song, "Our Weekend Starts on Wednesday" by Hey Mercedes. What a great song?! What a great lifestyle?! Back in college, I would end the school week prematurely every once in a while and take an extra day or two (or three) off from classes. Nowadays I can only reminisce about such freedom, but today is an exception! My weekend starts on Thursday (hey, I'll take what I can get). Tomorrow is a state holiday and today is the last day of the first semester, so I'm punching the clock early this afternoon and I'm not showing my face around these parts 'till Monday.

So what will I do with my newfound free-time? I dunno. Does it really matter? Katie and I are both a touch sick, so I think we're planning to keep our freetime to ourselves for recuperation purposes. I am, however, having lunch with a boy named Mira in about an hour. He's such a rad kid. I met him at our Cafe Coze outreach and we immediately hit it off. In fact, he's invited me to go skiing with him in a couple months in the Alps. I couldn't say, "yes, yes!!" fast enough. Parallelin' brutha!!

(There seems to be a slight over-exclamated feel to this blog. Isn't there a Seinfeld episode about this?)

A couple more thoughts from 'Blue Like Jazz.' I finished it a bit ago and can't help thumbing through the pages and pulling out those quotes that just ring true. This one's on worship and wonder:

"At the end of the day, when I am lying in bed and I know the chances of any of our theology being exactly right are a million to one, I need to know that God has things figured out, that if my math is wrong we are still going to be okay. And wonder is that feeling we get when we let go of our silly answers, our mapped out rules that we want God to follow. i don't think there is any better worship than wonder." -don miller

Well it's been a hell of a weekend.

Friday, Katie had a joint birthday party with her friend Sarah and we were able to see some friends who hadn't made it in to Prague for quite some time. Sarah and Priya are always kind enough to open up their place and welcome thirty people in on a whim. Thanks girls.

Saturday, Katie's actual b-day, we went with about five or six other friends to see 'Return of the King' again. It's just as good the second time, though it is a long flick. After what seemed to be about five hours in the theatre, we chilled at Kava Kava Kava (where you get 15 free minutes of net time with a 50 crown purchase) for a bit before going home.

Sunday found us at ICP (International Church of Prague) with most of the folks that trekked into town from Western Bohemia. Props to Sarah for helping to lead worship.

So, it's been a weekend of community and fellowship. Hard to go wrong with that.

Coming to conclusions...

So, as I believe Katie mentioned last week, it's grading time! Everyone was scrambling to compile last-minute grades for their students last week and this week it seems all of those students are aware of who gave them what grade and why. This whole process has made me painfully aware of one fact about myself: I love kids but I hate teaching. Well, that may not be fair. Perhaps I should say that I love teaching (because I actually do), but hate having to ascribe a numerical value to the net-worth as a student. If they could compartmentalize their thinking and realize that it's just a grade and not a comment on their character, then I'd be fine. But they're sixteen and that's just not possible, no matter how many times you tell them. Anyone will tell you that I hate being the bad guy. But I really hate being the bad guy when I care so much about these kids. Katie and I always talk about how I have more of a 'youth pastor' mindset than a 'teacher' mindset. I think this is becoming more obvious to me. I love to 'teach' and to 'challenge,' but I'd rather do it in a pub or at a bowling alley. Most would say that I need to grow thicker skin and not worry about what my students think. While that may be true, I don't want to lose my sensitivity. A bit of a conundrum.

Okay, time to go make more students cry.

p.s. There is a silver lining to my current tempest. I've been getting tons of extra-curricular hang out time with my students and have had some very fruitful discussions. Last week, over a beer in a pub, one of my graduating students looked at me and out of nowhere simply said, "I don't know how to say this, but can I just ask...are you a 'hard-core' Christian?" That led to interesting places.

Brief thoughts from 'Blue Like Jazz,' one of the books my good buddy Jay sent my way:

"I associated much of Christian doctrine with children's stories because I grew up in church. My Sunday school teachers had turned Bible narratives into children's fables. They talked about Noah and the ark because the story had animals in it. They failed to mention that this was when God massacred all of humanity...The magical proposition of the gospel, once free from the clasps of fairy tale, was very adult to me, very gritty like something from Hemingway or Steinbeck, like something with copious amounts of sex and blood. Christian spirituality was not a children's story. It wasn't cute or neat. It was mystical and odd and clean, and it was reaching into dirty." -Don Miller

Only about seventy pages into it, but it's tickled my fancy on more than a few pages.

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE BOOKS, NOR SEEN THE MOVIE- DO NOT READ ON

Michael and I saw the "Return of the King" on Friday afternoon. It was incredible. It was 3.25 hours of intensity. Of course, most of you have already seen it one, two or three times. Or maybe you're like my youngest brother Dan who had seen it five times by Christmas day!!! I have to say I couldn't breathe for minutes on end. It just kept getting bigger and broader every second. Sometimes, Michael had to lean over and tell me to "breathe" or "take your hands off your eyes". I have to say I was impressed. Three cheers for Peter Jackson!

Um, there is a turn in my story. Through my excitement, I was expecting a different end. Being that I am a movie-fan, sad to say- not a previous book-fan, I was asking questions from those who had read the books, to anticipate the movie. (since then I have read some of the books) But the problem is, someone- I don't remember who, told me that Frodo was going to die. Not that he was going to die at the end sailing away to the 'Undying lands', but that he was going to die destroying the ring. This is obviously not so. I kept waiting and anticipating my sorrow, but it never came. In fact, I honestly thought that Jackson had screwed up the movie, or that I was seeing a counterfeit.
I was relieved and angered by this misinformation. Whoever told me that Frodo was going to die was mistaken.

Anyway, the movie was an excellent escape. What fun! I want to be a writer. This weekend, all of the Czech team is going to gather and watch it, some for the first time, others for the second, together. I think it means more when you are with friends. Last year, Michael and I had the crazy adventure of seeing the "Two Towers" with my family and some friends at a 12:01am showing the first day it was released. It was not the same extravaganza at that was, but it was still nice. I don't know what any of the Elves said...it was subtitled in Czech.

Guess I will just have to buy it when we return. Oh it pains me.....
Love Kate

Thoughts on a Friday

I am sitting in the teacher's room, minding my own business. It is a zoo in here, many teachers discussing term grades, slightly arguing, and what not. I am guessing this is a typical teacher's lounge at any state or country in the world around grade-time.

Over the week, many things have come in the mail. Michael already wrote about his "man" presents and how his friends have nice chests. I have to admit, if a man cannot say that his friends have nice chests, who can? ah well.

But my premature birthday present came in the mail as well. Michael had secretly worked with his father and got the second season of ALIAS sent to me. What a fun birthday present! And earlier in the week, Bernie and Nana's, and Rick and Sherry's "two month" boxes of food finally got here. Um- can anyone say blueberry muffins, mexican food, and macaroni and cheese? So, yes last night we spent our evening eating mexican food and watching ALIAS. It ws awesome!

I think we are going to try and see the "lord of the rings III" sometime this weekend.

You know... I remembered last night as I was falling asleep that I won a little, class held, spelling contest in 7th grade because I could spell "Czechoslovakia". Serious. Who would have thought i would live here. Just thought it was weird.

Katie
P.S. Have a great weekend~

Another One Bites The Dust

Since Katie and I are researching the possible options for our future (stay in the CR another year, grad school, seminary, VCR programming, etc.), I naturally sent away for some general info from several possible schools and seminaries. While no decision has been made as far as our return to the states or continued tenure with ESI, I can officially say that the Vanderbilt School of Divinity will forever be crossed off of our list. Today, I received the FOURTH letter from their admissions office, and to my dismay, ALL of them have been addressed to our school in 'Czechoslovakia.' Gee, Vandy, being an accredited and respected university, I'd think you would've realized that the Czech Republic and Slovakia separated over a decade ago. Imagine my embarrassment when my colleagues saw the letters sitting in my mailbox. I was ashamed to admit that it was from an American university. It only reinforces many of the attitudes abroad that a significant percentage of Americans no little of semi-current international events and next to nothing about geography.

so i am a total nerd. well, a really cool nerd i am guessing. for the first time in my life....someone has called me an "avid reader"! no serious.

the first book i ever read for fun, on my own i am ashamed to say, was C.S. Lewis' Screwtape Letters less than two years ago. i was 22 when i first read a book that i wanted to. very sad, i know. i was with my mother at a "women's conference" she was speaking at and her reciting some of the text to me peaked my interests...i have been interested ever since. Since that time i think i have read 12 books. this is a new fun hobby. i mean, i know i seem very uneducated only reading text books and the Bible up till two years ago, but i am moving quickly.

For Christmas i got the 'Chronicles of Narnia". I remember my father reading us the story of the "Lion, the witch and wardrobe" and watching the movie when i was young, but wanted to read all the stories. i started "the magician's nephew" last weekend and now i am in the third chapter of the "lion, the witch and the wardrobe." my "avid reader" mentality comes because i cannot stop reading. i mean reading before school, during breaks, after classes, anytime. mike, my brilliant english husband, says that's what makes a person an "avid" reader. not someone who only enjoys sitting when they have long blocks of time on their hands and want to read, but someone who might only have 20 minutes who reads and anticipates the next time they can. so, this is what my life has become.

i think it's nice. i enjoy myself. i am so "avid".....
katie

p.s. is that how you spell avid? don't worry folks, i still cannot speak English properly.

Thanks J and J

Finally, some time to blog. It's been quite the insanely busy week, but leave it to my good buddies Jeff McWilliams (college roommate for three years, groomsman and one of the best chests I've ever seen) and Jay O'Neal (guy after God's own heart, groomsman and old co-d.j. from the college radio days) to provide an opportunity for some sanity. On Monday, after my monumentally rough re-instatement to active teaching duty, I received a care package from my two aforementioned college cohorts. To my surprise, it included everything I really needed and wanted:

-A few highly praised books (I've always trusted Jay's reading recommendations)
-A plethera of Simpson's episodes and a couple of movies (Jeff knows me like none other)
-The new SolidState records comp, with bonus DVD
-Over 60 complete albums from Jay's highly-coveted music collection (including the new Anathallo, The Postal Service, The Spirit That Guides Us and plenty 'o good quality praise).

So, here's to Jay and Jeff for making my week a whole lot brighter (and for eating the crazy shipping costs). And while we're on the topic of friends...congrats to the band guys for graduating and to Steve for landing an awesome new wife!

Oh uh...looks like someone's got a case of the Mondays.

After two weeks off and a surplus of sleep-in opportunities, 5:45 on that first morning back comes mighty quick. Honestly, I think Katie and I could use an extra helping of prayers for the next couple months. All the other teachers say that January and February are the hardest months. The winter just keeps on hitting (even snow is starting to get tiresome), the second term kicks into gear and that unshakeable bug of homesickness sets in for a seemingly indefinite period. I'm starting to feel the burn. I feel like I sprinted through the first half of a marathon and now I'm paying the price. All I want is some queso from Bueno and a Blockbuster night.

Nevertheless, God is still good all the time. We've decided to devote one night a week to revisting the TEAM Training series together (thanks to Tim for the notes and mp3 hook-up before we left). We should finish the last session during our last week here, if all goes accordingly. We need to keep our heads in the game and keep running strong. We love you guys. Thanks in advance for the prayers.

New Year's Mayhem

Happy Belated New Year's!
We trust that you all had a safe and enjoyable New Year's Eve. We had quite a time ourselves. We joined two other married couples and a couple other friends for a viewing of "The Two Towers" (extended version, mind you) in anticipation of the Jan 15 Prague release of "The Return of the King." Yes, we are monumental nerds, but that's not all...

Being in the CR, we had been told that we must see the numerous fireworks displays about town, as is the local New Year's Eve tradition (much like our Independence Day). Envisioning the low-key and underdone summer evenings spent at Circle R Ranch or Vista Ridge back home, I thought I might have to pass. However, I was assured that there would be no comparison.

So, the eight of us grabbed a night tram and booked it on up to Prague Castle. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the basic geography of Prague, the castle sits on top of a rather large hill on the north side of town, providing a spectacular and all-encompassing view of the city. We arrived just minutes before midnight and found quite a large crowd milling about the square, getting quickly toasted on champagne. We pulled out a couple of bottles as well and started passing around cups when, all of the sudden, I could've sworn I was in Baghdad or Beirut. Sparks started to fly all around us and deafening 'pops' filled the ears from right, left and overhead. The new year had arrived.

Katie and I looked out over the enormous city and literally saw about 20-30 different, full-blown firework displays lighting up the city of 1,000 spires from above. It was easily number 4 or 5 on my all-time list of "Top Ten Breathtaking Sights." I simply could not believe my eyes. My friends were just holding up their cameras and snapping continuously, being assured of at least 15 explosions with every picture. Of course I forgot my camera, but will have some passed along to me soon and will post them promptly.

Next came the amateurs. You see, there are zero regulations on fireworks in the CR and one can purchase near professional-grade pyrotechnics at the nearest grocery store this time of year. So, just about every fully-sloshed trouble maker in town was within twenty yards of us, lighting this and throwing that. Bottle rockets would be dropped on the ground and shot into large groups or twenty or thirty people. I heard the sharp hiss of a small missile and turned to see an explosion of green sparks about a foot from my head. But, to be sure, it was all meant in good-spirited, chaotic cheer and we all made it home unscathed. Quite a night to remember. If I'm here for it next year, I'm packin'.