Syvertsens

The end of an era... is what we keep calling it. 7 years ago we packed up our family and all of our belongings and moved to Prague with Chris and Laura and 6 month old son Owen. Little did we know what a sweet and amazing friendship that would grow to be. Over the last 7 years we have celebrated birthdays and new births, we have walked through many valleys together, and have seen how God has used us to encourage and challenge us thru each other. They are friends whom we have chosen to be family. We have lived much life together and have been loved well by them. They have moved back to America to start a new adventure and they will be greatly missed, by us and all those that they have walked here with. Here is a glimpse at their last church service at Faith. 

 Phil and Chris - "Masters of worship Rock" playing Jesus loves me.

 All the sweet peeps on the front row.

 Kids helping with play instruments from the Red Box.

 Phil sending them off and praying for them... with tears in his eyes.

Last couple of days together...sweet. 

Syves we will miss you... but excited to see what God has in store for you. xoxo

Activity Week

Activity week was full of fun activity this year. Many museums and field trips, water day, etc. The teachers have fun things planned each day for the kids to enjoy. Piper's class took a field trip one day to the Roztoky museum to see an exhibit on a favorite czech artist. They also played in the garden and rode on the cannon. 

 This one is for you, Uncle Tom!

Clark's class had a sleepover at school. Bless his teachers! It was also the hottest day ever but they eventually went to sleep and had a great time, we got to join them for breakfast the next morning. 

Lucy joined all her classmates int the Czech mountains for two nights during activity week. They swam, hiked, did a ropes course, and just spent time in the nature. She loved it. 

fun day at the pool

Kids Triathlon

Lucy and Clark along with Vivi and Michelle completed their first Triathlon. We're so proud of them!  They had a 50 meter swim, a 2.5 km bike, and a 500 meter run.

I hope they're hooked!

Piano Recital

Lucy, Clark and Piper have all been taking music lessons this year. They girls have been taking piano and Clark has been taking guitar in addition to piano. At the end of the year any student that plays an instrument can join in the performance. The girls were very excited to do the concert, Clark decided he didn't want to do it this year. But he came and watched the girls and brought them flowers for their performances. 

 My two glamour girls are ready for their performances today.

 The concert was at the Prague Museum of Music - it was the most spectacular place to play. It was beautiful, not to mention the acoustics were amazing.

 Here is Lucy playing piano with the "orchestra".

 Here she is doing her solo, a medley of different songs.

Here is Piper at the last minute she decided that she no longer wanted to play. Even after being SO excited to. So I sat next to her as she mustered up the courage to play Mary had a little lamb. She got the biggest round of applause. She was then embarrassed but in the end I think she was proud of herself for doing it.

This is Mr. Alejandro from Mexico. He is their teacher. He teaches piano, violin, guitar, saxophone, and probably other instruments that I am leaving out. He has a way with the kids that is just amazing. Lucy asked after about a month of lessons with him, if she cold come twice a week. He never gives out practice work but amazingly they all practice every day. He is instilling a love of music in them that makes them want to play.

Summer Fayre

Every year Riverside has an amazing summer fair...bouncy castles, jumping trampolines, games, crafts, music and food. It is a great way to spend a Saturday. Here is Piper trying to score a goal off Mr. Haig. She did. And here are the girls on the crazy flying/jumping trampolines. I have no pictures of Clark because he was off running with his friends the whole day!

saturday

Just a fun saturday night with friends and homemade ice cream. 

Triathlon

Michal and I did a triathlon together this year - we'd done a duathlon (run, bike, run) last year, and I had done my first triathlon before - and it was fun for us to race together.  It was in nearby Podebrady, and the families came out to cheer us on (and swim at the lake while they waited for us to finish).  We're open to name suggestions for our team...

celebrity sighting

Bill Clinton was in Prague - I turned around and there he was! 

school uniform

I laid her school uniform out and this is what appeared. I love it. She is her own person with her own style. I love seeing what emerges from her creativity. I love how she looks in the mirror and just stares, and twirls, and smiles as if she too is amazed at this beautiful creature that is reflecting back at her. I hope she always is as delighted with who God has created her to be as she is right now. 

lord help us....

Happy Mother's Day!

Piper's class had a special mother's day brunch and show for me. It was lovely. They sang, danced, and fed us little fairy cakes. I love being a mother, and being one to this little one is very fun.

Zell Am See

The hills are alive and so is my soul in Austria! We took a a three day getaway in May over the cz holidays and went to one of our favorite spots, Zell Am See. It was off-season so it was quiet and peaceful and just magical. The weather was amazing, cool and breezy in the morning with the sun shining brightly on us. We rode bikes everyday, swam (or rather jumped in and exclaimed that the lake was way too cold!), looked for fish and salamanders in the lake, swam at the hotel pool, played at the playground and played lots of games at night. It was one of those trips that you really feel refreshed and renewed with your family. 

We are truly blessed.

No place like home...

Every year Lucy and Clark so look forward to the spring play and this year's play was the Wizard of Oz. Clark was picked to be a part of the lolli-pop guild. And Lucy was was a part of the witch's court. They each had speaking parts and they were beyond excited about it. 

Here are Clark and Max dressed as Munchkins. They are so cute! 

 Lucy and Clark

 Lucy on stage with her class.

 It was a great night!!!

We had our World Harvest team leader retreat here in Prague back in May.  We had representatives from several fields in Europe, along with some leaders in our home office.  We got to show them around the city a bit and take them to some of our favorite spots.