Thanksgiving Retreat

We're back now from our Thanksgiving retreat in Czech. We had a really relaxing time connecting with friends. Dave Patty taught about idolatry which was both good to hear as well as convicting as we realized some idols we have in our lives that we need to repent of. We share a couple of them, so I guess that's good, huh, what do they say "the couples that repent together, stay together"?? Actually we're both really grateful that the Lord loves us so much that He wants our whole hearts, not just the pieces that we offer Him after giving our hearts to other, lesser things.

It was really enjoyable to be with our JV family. The afternoons were filled with 5 hours of free time...at times we found ourselves wondering what to do with all that time! It was great, we got naps, conversation after conversation and lots of playtime for the kids. One room was set-up for all the JVKids to enjoy, including a corner of toddler and baby toys. Abigail got lots of play time there with Luke and the other JV kiddos.

The final night was the annual JVKids Talent Show. It was so enjoyable to watch the kids showcasing whatever talent they wanted to and be celebrated by all the parents. Some kids played the piano, others sang songs, some girls performed dances that they choreographed themselves, Meagan Jackson wrote a song and performed it with her sister Laurel, another kid juggled, another showed his jumping ability, Becca Patty sang a song in Slovene, Blake & Kendra did an old Bob Newhart skit. A couple boys that live in Czech made a video...it was all so enjoyable to watch! I especially enjoyed watching the parents come up afterward to congratulate all the kids, not just their own and speak such encouraging words to them, not just about what they did, but who they are.

It was also fun to watch Abigail enjoying it. She's too young to be a part of it, but really enjoyed being in the midst of it all. The first performance was a "group dance" and she stood just on the outside of the group, watching intensely. Next were two sisters who played the piano and she went right up to the piano to be with them. After that, she went from lap to lap of other girls who took turns holding her. A little while later she found Luke sitting on his mom's lap and decided to stick by him, sitting for about 20 minutes on Josh's lap! After it was all over she sat at the piano and said, "Abby turn!"

I remember being at this retreat 3 years ago and being there the final night with all the families and their children. It was in the midst of our sadness of not having our own children and I remember feeling so sad that my lap was empty. Kendra Patty actually came and sat with me for most of the evening that night. I was laughing this year though, thinking, "my lap is still empty!!" but in the best way! Abigail was just enjoying herself and all the other kids and it was so fun to watch her! (And Elijah was already in bed for the night : )

Here's a slideshow including some photos I borrowed from other JVers! Enjoy!