atableinthewilderness

We're going back to Oz ...

It is with much sadness that we inform you that we are returning to Australia, from what must seem to you a short time in Europe but to us seems like a lifetime.

After spending some time alone in Berlin as a family, discussing and praying about the future we have decided to return to Australia. Basically we are not able to continue in Prague and we do not see the point in putting every detail in an email but would prefer a conversation upon our return.

There are many wonderful people who are financially and prayerfully supporting us, and we don't feel that we can continue on as we are doing.

We have just purchased tickets and by the Grace of God will arrive on January 4 at Perth Airport. We don't know what we are going to do in the short term other than process the whole time away and recover. We ask for you prayers and care as we do so.

Once again thanks for your support and we look forward to our next meeting.

Bruce and Sarah Stuart.

Chrismas Cheer

Hey, many Christmas blessing to one and all. Hope you all got what you wanted and if not what you deserved! We had, as you could imagine a busy Chistmas with 9 kids, 4 adults and three visitors on the day, but when all is said and done - I'm glad it's over!!! The kids got to ice skate on the lake, so the 'White Chrismas' dream has happened - Yeh!!! Spent boxing day with new good friends eating left overs, being silly and talkng heaps - thanks for a great arvo guys. Cya.
PS - big news to be annoucned soon....

Australia's Bobsled Team...

All the kids were out sledding today and they were Defending Australia's Sledding honour. They were against the Americans/Kiwi's and some local Czech kids. Daniel was hot, dodging trees, avoiding the little kids and taking the drop to win all the races except one. As they took off down the hill, Matthew the "Enforcer" took out one kid and then another but it wasn't enough, Daniel was bumped by one of the Czechs. He went round one tree, dodged a pole and then bang straight into a tree. We ran down to see what had happened as he got up and started walking towards us. With blood everywhere and a quick trip to the Hospital, he was home with three stitches in his chin and a bit of a headache. But he is still 'KING OF THE HILL' after only two days of practice - note the echos of a proud Dad. Cya.

Christmas parties have begun

We had a great evening at Artie and Elisabeth's tonight - the Yanks do Christmas so well. It was a get together for all of their friends before they go back to the USA for a three month break. I am going to miss Artie so much, we seem to have clicked and the thought of not seeing him for a long while makes me very sad, even brings on tears. He reminds me so much of one of my best friend at home - Ray.

But on a lighter note, it had just started to snow on the way to their party and the Salt Trucks hadn't had time to do their thing. So as I turn left onto a major road we did a complete 180 degree turn, with no control at all. I even did all the right things, turn into the skid, release the brake and try applying it gently again, but nothing, we just had our own carnival ride for five. The kids screamed, Sarah let go of an adjective and we came to a hault. We can laugh at it now but at the time it was really scary to be out of control - a bit like our lives at the moment - again!!!! Lord help us to see the lighter side in the midst of it all. Cya.

Amelie

Watched Amelie for the first time last night. Yes I know, we are two years behind but what a great movie. Simular to the current hit 'Love Actually' but French obvously, the English do comedy so well. We love both movies but Amelie was so cool, the use of colour, subtle special effects and the quirky relational dynamics. Leaves you wondering who is the one closer to God, the normal or the oddities in this world.

Clean up day...

Saturday is our big clean up day, all the kids have sections of the communal living area and they are over seen by one of the adults. My section is the lounge, computer and sun rooms. My charges this month are Beau and Abigail. To begin the clean we usually wrestle, if the kids can pin me for the count of three I will do all the cleaning and they can go a play - to date I have never had to clean by myself. Later this afternoon Sarah and I went and did our final Christmas shopping - Ye HAAAAA!!!!! No we're not arguing anymore. Cya.

Derek and Amy arrive

Derek and Amy arrived in Prague today, but not without some trouble. Just as they were unloading their baggage into their apartment Amy's new luggage was stolen from the back of the car, welcome to Prague guys!!! Sorry for the welcome but that's life at the moment. Looking forward to Shannon's arrival and we hope that her arrival is a little less eventful. We had the Pizza Party tonight but I felt a little absent in the whole thing - arguing with Sarah. Cya.

No Snow day...

Sadly for the kids the snow started to melt, so after three full days of activity they are hainging around the house again. The Carters have also gone home to the UK and they are missed, but people like Derek , Amy and Shannon are on their way to spend Christmas with us so things will not be quiet around here for too long. Cya.

Snow day...

We woke this morning to the most beautiful covering of snow, better than we could have planned. The kids were running wild all day, and the they were wet, cold and totally enjoying it all. Sarah and I had to go into town and she was as excited as the kids, listening to the snow crunch under her feet. After liunch we took the kids to the nearest hill and went sledding, very cool.

Last night we had some visitors from Budapest, Hungary. They were in town and came round for a meal and a ministry chat. They arrived just as we found out about Saddam Hussain, so the first half hour of their visit they were glued to our TV for the news.

We also have our good friends Mark, Tamsin and their kids here for a few days. Its been an absolute gift from God to have them here and we will miss them sooooo much when they go home to the UK on Wednesday - love ya guys. Cya.

Back in Prague...

Hey we are back in Prague after a long drive - we got lost - but the kids did get to play in the snow. They were just fun to watch as they played and experienced frozen water! Sarah was very funny to, having got out of the car in excitiment but got back in real quick becasue it was soooo cold. Beau got to experince black ice close up, I had just told them all not to run when, swooooosh bang, WAH! Matt even brought home a snow ball he called Mr Ball after our friend in Oz called 'Ray Ball'. It is now safely stored in the freezer down stairs. I really don't know what he is going to do with it but that's our Matt!!
We had a great time in Berlin, the history and power of the city is incredible, but it doesn't look as if we are moving there anytime soon. Will post a Berlin Photo album soon. Cya.