Mom and Dad here again!!

Wendi's parents (Jim and Kathy Heiniger) blessed us with their third visit to Slovakia since the time we moved here in 2010. Their first two trips were during the summers of 2010 and 2011, when their time with us included being/working together at a week of English camps. This time they came during the fall, when we weren't in the middle of our crazy summer schedule. Where we loved having them at camps with us those two summers, this trip was a nice change, because we were able to spend more time together in our normal daily life, where they were able to see our world over here as it normally is 3/4 of the year.

One first for us this visit with them, was that we were able to have every morning together as just adults, while the kids were at school. This time with us four (or three when Ed had to work), was an incredibly sweet time of conversation, connection, and laughter. I personally (Wendi) treasured up these times with my parents, appreciating these times for their fellowship and depth and truth. We went to a coffee shop almost every morning during the first week, and then came home to be ready for the troops to return home from school...because once they were home, our quiet times of conversation were lost! :-)  All kids came straight home to see what Grandpa and Grandma were doing, and were always ready for some time with them.  Grandpa and Grandma kept plenty busy these afternoons: going to watch the kids in their extra-curricular events, playing games at home with the kids, reading with them, teaching them how to knit, doing magic shows for them, OR heading up to the town square for our (almost) daily afternoon ice cream treat! I love watching my kids interact with my parents! There is such mutual love among them all, and sweet relationships are continuing to grow! We are so grateful for this.

A really fun thing that happened this trip, was that my Dad was asked by our kids if he would be willing to come into their classes to do a magic show for their friends. Dad was willing, so Ed talked to the teachers and on a Wednesday, it was arranged for Dad to do two shows, one to Jayce and Tate's class of 7th graders, and the other to Jayin's and Gage's classes of 4th and 3rd graders. My Dad, as an amateur magician, knows many tricks, always learning new ones, and many of these tricks have the Gospel message tied in, where he uses the tricks as illustrations of Biblical truths. So, he planned his routine for these two performances, and included some of his tricks that clearly give the Good News of Jesus Christ. Ed had previously told the teachers about these tricks, asking them if it would be ok that he shares this message in these classes. All teachers agreed! It was a really fun morning, and all four of our kids took turns translating Dad's words into Slovak, so their classmates could understand. The classes all loved this, and listened well. An article was even written on the school website about "The Magician who came to school".

All-in-all, these two weeks with Dad and Mom (Grandpa and Grandma) just FLEW by, as we knew they would, but left us with amazing and unforgettable memories of time spent with them. So, thanks, Dad and Mom, for your travels to us, for all you brought in your loaded-down luggage (loaded down with gifts and treasures for us, of course, including three 2-liters of Root Beer!!!), for the time you invested into our lives, both into Ed's and mine, and into our kids'! We grew spiritually because of our time with you, and we grew deeper in our love for you also! :-) We are blessed by the way that you genuinely show your love to us seven Rumbolds! THANK YOU!!