Go to Him

Merry Christmas

2011-12-21T04:01:00.000+01:00

Themurica is a busy place! We have been so busy and have been traveling all over the place...soaking up every minute with our family and friends and LOVING sharing what the Lord has done in our lives and how God has answered YOUR prayers. 

While I had great intentions of mailing out Christmas cards this year, reality is, that I have not had any time. So, consider this your card from us.

Merry Christmas from our family!

Worship the King that was born to save you from your sins.

Connected

2011-10-28T04:53:00.002+02:00

I'm sitting on our couch in our new apartment and our internet is all hooked up, thanks to KB. We are connected to the world again!

Sorry that it took so long to hear from us. KB gave you a short update the other day.

All of our travels went fine and we hit the ground running here in the States. We were in our new home for a few days and then we headed down to Texas....the stars at night are big and bright....deep in the heart of Texas - for my little sister's wedding!! It was such a fun week and a beautiful wedding!

Now we are back in the Mid South and enjoying just being home, in our new home. We are slowly getting our bearings and are loving all of the funny things the kids are saying. I've been making a list, so that post will be coming later.

Thank you for praying for us during our travels and our re-acclimation during these first few weeks here.

Small Update -

2011-10-25T23:08:00.003+02:00

Well, this is a small update while drinking coffee and enjoying free wifi at Dunkin Donuts near our housing.

We want to thank all of you who prayed for our travels to the states. It was close during all of our connections, running through pushing a double stroller while KB carried Titus and two carry-ons, a car seat and his computer bag. Oh, and don't worry, Iz and Bo Bo held my computer bag for me and I strapped their bags on the back of the stroller via a huge mommy clip. But, no fevers, good sleeping kids, and smooth, I mean smooth travels. Praise Him!

It's day 14 and we've eatin Mexican food, KB spent 6 hours on the road to pick up a vehicle, we took new prayer card pictures, we had a 3 kid b-day celebration, visited Grace Church, left for Texas to have wedding week with Amy's sister and family. We got back to the mid-south Monday, and our bodies are screaming, "Stop" "sit down, stay in one spot for a minute why don't you!"

So, we are, and we'll update you more when we get internet at our home hopefully by tomorrow.

Thank you for praying! Psalm 116:1-7 (a better explanation of our past 14 days)

Not long

2011-10-10T07:30:00.000+02:00

Our last few days have been spent saying goodbye to our dear friends. Friends that will forever have a piece of our heart. We are rejoicing to see many of them walking with the Lord.

Today is our last full day in our beautiful city. We will be busy making sure we have everything packed and ready, finding homes for the things we have left, and saying a few more goodbyes.

Could you lift up our family?

Here's a little timeline to pray through:
Tuesday: closing our apartment down and headed to Btown. We'll see some friends there for the last time and spend the night.
Wednesday:
6:20a GMT (which is 11:20p CST) we have our first flight
10:00a CEST - second flight - the LONG one, over the ocean
2:30p EDT - final flight
3:47 - we land in thumurica!!!

Would you mind lifting us up? Please ask for us to be healthy and an uneventful trip. (Remember our arrival here?)

We are so excited to see so many of you!

Thank you for going on this journey with us. God has used you just as much, if not more, than us! Thank you for lifting us up.

Don't worry, our journeys aren't over....more to come.

Next time you hear from us, we'll be Stateside.

Tackle Time

2011-10-09T16:51:00.000+02:00

We are in full packing mode. All of our life into 8 bags. oh.my.goodness. But its happening.

So, here's a look into our lives at the moment.
Let me set the scene:
We are in the kids' room.
No beds left.
Only a pack and play.
A crib mattress.
A bean bag.
And our luggage.
No naps for Iz and Boaz.
I have no idea what they are singing.

All that to say. Notice the tackle and how it doesn't phase him. Sorry for the camera shaking. I couldn't help but laugh.

Must.Pack.More

2 days.

Bobaz Buzz

2011-10-06T13:26:00.003+02:00

...as he calls himself, turns THREE today! Pictures of the celebration to come.

Pack N Play Buddies

2011-10-05T07:00:00.002+02:00

My boys love to play together. Its so fun to watch them.

The pack n play has become:

a great place to snuggle
a wrestling ring

Rtr

2011-10-05T07:00:00.001+02:00


A great friend encouraged me with this verse the first time we moved across the ocean. Thought it was only fitting to have it up to remind us as we move across the ocean again!

Your kids are watching you...

2011-10-05T07:00:00.000+02:00

I am married to a very affectionate man. That is one of the many many things I love about him.

I have never really had to wonder what our kids think about if Daddy loves Mommy. They know. They watch.

Lately there has been a lot of talk at our house about her prince and his wife...Izabel and Boaz that is. Hilarious conversations to be having with a 4 and almost 3 year old. 

BUT, I'm learning that they get it. They know what it looks like for a husband to love his wife.

Here's a little interview with Boaz this morning...yes, before he got dressed! :) Enjoy our little muscle man.

Hungarian Mosquitos

2011-10-04T07:00:00.001+02:00

Since we are looking back a little, I just had to share these pictures. While we were in Budapest in July, if it was going to happen it did! Both Izabel and Boaz got bitten by a mosquito.

I thought they were just like any other mosquito, but as you can see, Hungarian mosquitos are crazy!! Look what it did to Boaz!

Be honest, you know you are laughing.

Don't worry, it didn't hurt and went away with no problem.

She turned FOUR

2011-10-04T07:00:00.000+02:00

Our beautiful Izabel turned FOUR this summer!

It happened at a crazy time and ended up being such a special day for her.

We had a ballet birthday party planned for her, then....life happened. I was sick, Boaz was sick, and then he had a seizure.

We were home for only a few hours and KB ran to the post office. There was a package from my mom that was pretty much a party in a package - including gifts! What a HUGE blessing, because we had no chance to prepare.

When I told her that we would have to go to Budapest (for Boaz to see the dr.), she said "For my birthday?" and squealed with delight! She loves that city and being there, and really who can blame her? It is one of the most beautiful cities I have ever been to.

She only wanted "rolls" for her birthday (cinnamon rolls), so we had a quick celebration at breakfast before we were off to the doctor. It was just perfect in her sweet four year old eyes. Funny how she saw everything so different than us. What was such a stressful time for us, was a perfect day for her.

Here are a few pictures of her special day in Budapest, when she turned FOUR!

The boys waiting, everything decorated for the "party"

A little birthday bling.

So proud!

Its a....

Barbie ballerina!

the only birthday cake she wanted.

We love you Izabel!

Rtr

2011-10-03T16:58:00.000+02:00

Home Stretch

2011-10-03T16:38:00.001+02:00

We are in the home stretch.

We just began our last week here in SRB. Its pretty unbelievable.  Such a mix of emotions.  Packing up, sorting, saying goodbyes, enjoying our beautiful city for one more week. Getting excited, can almost feel the arms of our family around us!

Home stretch has a whole new meaning to us now. We are leaving our home behind to go to our home.  Such a strange place to be. Definitely stretching.  

 Home. 

We are at home in Christ, no matter our location.

Freezer Paper Stenciling

2011-09-29T08:00:00.000+02:00

I have been wanting to try this for a while. Izabel got invited to a birthday party and it gave me the perfect excuse.

Doesn't every little ballerina need a dancing ballerina shirt?

I thought Izabel would enjoy a shirt too.

She enjoyed the party so much and we hope the birthday girl enjoyed her shirt and her new crayon roll.

And He turned ONE

2011-09-28T20:44:00.001+02:00

September 18, 2010

September 18, 2011

We Interrupt this blog

2011-09-27T23:36:00.000+02:00

for another round of sickness.

Please keep our sweet Iz in your prayers. It has been only a month since she was very sick, and she has the same thing again. Today is day 6 of very high fever and swollen tonsils. Pray for her healing.

In other news.... 

In exactly 14 days, we will step foot on American soil again! So crazy! We are excited and overwhelmed. Packing has begun. Sorting, packing, sorting, packing, sorting, packing...that and giving fever medicine - that's what I'm doing these days.

Translator Needed

2011-09-20T14:57:00.004+02:00

Its official, our kids seem to be a little linguistically confused. Thought you might get a kick out of some of the things they are saying these days:

Avergate = aggravate
Skabetti = spaghetti
Tomorning = in the morning
All times = all the time
Themurica = America
Pasghetti = spaghetti
Skabito = mosquito
Skatborting = a skateboard
Mamazing = amazing

And this one falls under the "sweet" category: Bless yous = sneezes
As in "My bless yous hurt a little."

Keep in mind that while all these things are being said, they are saying SRBian words and phrases just perfectly. And at times you don't know which language will come out of their mouth.

Never a dull moment, but we could use a translator at times!

THAT family

2011-09-19T20:02:00.002+02:00

Has your family ever been THAT family?

Today was our turn. We are spending some time in Btown getting physicals and check ups done. We all had appointments today.

5 shots
5 TB tests
3 blood cultures
lots of tears
lots of screaming
stickers
balloons
suckers

I think they may have been glad we were leaving. We were glad to leave!

Nothing like a little Mexican food to rally the troops and we were ready to go again.

Being THAT family is exhausting. Good night.

Best Table Manners

2011-09-16T09:24:00.003+02:00

Meal time can be a zoo! On the verge of insanity one day, the kids and I had a lesson in best table manners using real, breakable dishes. It was right before we went on a trip where I knew we would all eat in the dining room of a hotel for every meal.

I just couldn't take the zoo anymore.

That was at the beginning of the summer. It turned out great. We had some restful, peaceful meals.

BUT now the summer is over and its been a while since our little lesson and...

Maybe its time for another one?

So proud of his table manners

Congratulating him.

What's going on Mommy?
I'm thinking the same thing.
And I'm also thinking it might be time for a refresher course.

Same

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000+02:00

You never change, You never fail, You are the everlasting God. You will remain, after the day is gone and things of earth has passed. Everlasting God....

(Words to the song I had on repeat this
morning while meeting with God.)

Different: that's been the topic of conversation in our house lately.

Preparing a 4 and almost 3 year old for an international move....ok let's face it, who can prepare them for that? But we're trying. We are talking a lot about what will be different when we leave SRB.

Different can be fun.
Different can make us sad.
Different can make us feel yucky.
We can love different.
The house will start to look different. We will sell things, give them away, pack, etc.
Food will taste different (not yucky, etc! )
Different will be getting to see our family.
Different can be fun!

But, any way you put it, the home they know, is not going to be any where near to them and everything will be different!

Different has caused more than one of us to burst into tears in the past few weeks. So, how are we dealing with that?

Praise the Lord, there is something that is the SAME.

Jesus is the SAME yesterday, and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

When we cry, we are thanking God that Jesus is the same. When we laugh, we are thanking God that Jesus is the same. When we get excited, we are thanking God that Jesus is the same.

Right now, I'm so thankful that there is at least one thing in our lives that is not changing. Helps me to rest in Jesus more easily.

Rtr

2011-09-14T20:57:00.003+02:00

Iced coffee date with my best girl!

Wear earmuffs to the beach...

2011-09-14T08:00:00.001+02:00

We enjoyed a leisurely evening at the beach Monday night. The Danube river flows right through our city and there is a sandy beach along it. The kids love playing in the sand and water. The weather was perfect and we are trying to drain every last drop of summer we can.

So, who wore ear muffs to the beach?

No one, but I wish I had three pairs to pass out.

The Bible speaks much about being in the world but not of the world. For our family and what God has called us to, we will definitely be in the world. Our time will be spent among lost people, almost all of the time. Along with them comes the world. Looking to our future, fellowship with believers will be minimal and we will all be slammed in the face with the world.

As a mommy, I think a lot about this. How in the world do I care for my kids' hearts when they experience things I would not choose for them to have to experience? things I can't keep them from?

Exhibit A:
We had finished playing and rinsed the sand off of everyone and were sitting in a nice little cafe. There was a beautiful view and we had ordered some of our favorites for dinner. The music is pumping, little Benson booties are dancing.

One important thing to understand about this setting is, we have found that people who are learning English, do not think they have a real handle on the language unless they can use every cuss word and use them liberally.

So, the music continues, the dancing continues, and the words repeat over and over and over about a Miami {insert word that also means female dog}.

WHERE ARE THE EARMUFFS?

Sadly, we had none. I mean, really? Who thinks to bring those to the beach? Thankfully, no one noticed the repeated words and continued dancing to the song, and the following one that repeated a word beginning with the letter F, more times than I have ever head in 3 minutes. Thankful that my kids are still young and do not notice things like that all the time, it was a time KB and I could just laugh.

BUT what do you do? What do we do?
For our family, we do our best to walk along side them and give them Jesus. Let them see the world around them and help them see the lost people around them.

So, what happens when Izabel gets slapped in the face at the playground?

We've told her that "A friend loves at all times," especially when someone is not being nice to you. What a morning at the playground that was! She learned that girls can be m.e.a.n. But I took the chance to tell her that the little girl's mommy and daddy don't love Jesus like we do, so she needed help to learn to love Jesus and we could help her learn that by being a friend that loves all the time. (followed by a small lesson on how to say "don't" in this language and how going to play in another part of the playground might be a good idea.)

What happens when the kids walk by the old lady begging for money and the kids almost in tears ask what she's doing?

We gave them a few coins, taught them to say "God bless you," and hopefully help them learn compassion and helping the poor. Explaining people and especially kids that have no home and no food is not an easy thing to do for a 4 and 2 year old.

I realize that we are just beginning this journey of living in the world. There will be so many things I can't even imagine that we will face.

Prayerfully our little conversations along the way, will be helping them to see the world the way Jesus does. Helping them to learn how to handle this world. Along the way, I will laugh with them, cry with them, be frustrated with them and talk to Jesus with them. Ask Him to carry us, ask Him to help them love Him, ask Him to make their hearts His own.

So, about those earmuffs? There is no way possible I can as their mother be prepared for EVERY situation that will come. No way at all, but I do know this: Jesus himself is praying for us.

I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
John 17:15

Jesus himself is asking God the Father to keep us from the evil one.
That is where I rest.

And I'm so glad I don't have to be prepared for every situation. Could you imagine how big my purse would have to be?

A peek

2011-09-13T08:00:00.000+02:00

There is so much about life here I would love for you to see with your own eyes. Obviously there is no way that can happen. But today, I want you to see something that every person here has to do...a little peak into life in SRB.

This may not be at all interesting to you, but its something I won't forget.

Buying groceries.

Most people we know do not have a car. They rely on public transportation or God given transportation (their own two feet).

While we have been blessed with a car, I do.NOT.drive it! Traffic is insane here. We also live close to everything. So, I opt for my God given transportation and off to the grocery store, or pijaca (open air market) I go! Pulling one of these:

So, as you can see, you can only buy what you are strong enough to carry home! I went from shopping for groceries once a month, to only being able to buy for 4 days tops, because that is all I can manage to get home. big.difference.

While I enjoy the pull cart for getting my groceries home, some people choose to carry theirs like this:

Did you notice that these ladies are not very young? Serbian women are strong! I just had to get a picture of some.

Now what happens in the winter you might ask? I couldn't help but think of this day when I had to go get groceries. Two blocks. Carried them all home.

Come rain snow or shine, these Bensons gotta eat!

Rtr

2011-09-12T08:00:00.000+02:00

Mac love.

A perk

2011-09-11T23:01:00.004+02:00

...of living in a city with an ancient fortress.

Izabel and I were having some girly time singing. Its a win win win situation. I get to practice my guitar and sing, she doesn't wake her brothers up because she chose to try really hard not to nap, AND she learns songs about our God.

We were singing along and Izabel says, "What means that?"

Me: "What baby?"

Iz: "What means mighty fortress?"

The song said "A mighty fortress is our God..."
Our conversation continues...

Me: "Do you know what a fortress is?"
Iz: "Yes, I danced on the fortress."

Didn't see this one coming. It was so much easier to explain to her how our God is a mighty fortress when she actually knows what a fortress is! A perk of living in a city with an ancient fortress.

Izabel smiling singing "A mighty fortress is our God..." and knowing she understands what she's singing, a memory that will be in my heart for a long time.