Don’t
use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and
helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear
them. Ephesians 4:29
Momma always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!" Good advise momma! This year I have decided not to make a resolution (because who ever keeps them anyway?). I don't want to make a drastic change in my life, I just want to get better. I want to be a better Christian, mom, wife, missionary, and friend. I have been challenged to think of something and focus on it this year. This year my focus will be on encouragement and being patient and loving with people who aren't lovely at times. This includes everyone from my children who are crying and throwing a fit, to the lady that cuts in front of me at the grocery store, to the rude comments I see on social media. I pray that God will help me in the new focus and renewed perspective in 2017!
We are praying that 2017 will be a better year because 2016 was rather challenging! We are still keeping a very close eye on Arian's parents. Arian's dad fell down again and is having a problem keeping his blood pressure regulated. Arian's mom is doing much better but she is afraid to leave the house. We also have been without water. Here in Albania you get water for an hour a day and you pump it into a reservoir on the roof. Durres usually doesn't get colder than about 30 degrees. Well this week we have had snow twice and freezing temperatures as low as 18 degrees! So our reservoir on the roof along with all the pipes froze. But Praise the Lord it is warmer today and we got water! You really take for granted simple things like water!!
We had a great New Year's eve this year! New Years is like the American Thanksgiving plus lots of fireworks shot from building to building. It is an amazing and a little scary at the same time! Arian's parents were here to celebrate with us. Arian's dad insisted that it would be best for Abby to lick the turkey leg. I'm not sure that was the best idea but I guess it didn't kill her. Living fairly near to Arian's parents is great. I just wish that my parents lived nearer and could celebrate with us as well!
Christmas was a very busy time. With having two churches there is a lot of planning to be done. We received Christmas boxes (like samaritan's purse) for the children and boxes of food for each family donated by Mission without borders. We also bought warm thick socks for the 50 residents of the old home. We had a staff Christmas party at our house where we played the White Elephant game, ate a huge meal, and played dominoes (while Dr. Nikolla took a nap). It was a blessed time together as a staff! We celebrated Christmas in Kavaje on Saturday (Christmas eve) and in Durres on Sunday (Christmas Day). The youth group of Kavaje had prepared a skit and a couple of dances for both churches. Also in Durres the men's Bible study group prepared a great skit about getting caught in sin. Definitely a busy time but a blessed time as well as we celebrated or Lord's birth!
Things have been going great with women's Bible study as well. One day we had 10 ladies in attendance. They are faithful in coming and growing in the Lord. We are very happy about this!
In September we decided to put David in preschool. He is loving it and having a great time. He was busy learning songs and even had a little part that he spoke himself. He got very nervous and one of his friends helped him. David often speaks about loving Jesus and wanting to be in heaven with Jesus. We pray that he will remain faithful in his love for the Lord! He is also a very good big brother and wanting to smother Abby with kisses all the time!
Thank you for all your prayers and support! We appreciate you and thank God for you all!
Serving in His name,
Arian & Stefanie Kosta
Stateside address: 148 Wolfe St.
email:kkdurres@gmail.com
We are praying that 2017 will be a better year because 2016 was rather challenging! We are still keeping a very close eye on Arian's parents. Arian's dad fell down again and is having a problem keeping his blood pressure regulated. Arian's mom is doing much better but she is afraid to leave the house. We also have been without water. Here in Albania you get water for an hour a day and you pump it into a reservoir on the roof. Durres usually doesn't get colder than about 30 degrees. Well this week we have had snow twice and freezing temperatures as low as 18 degrees! So our reservoir on the roof along with all the pipes froze. But Praise the Lord it is warmer today and we got water! You really take for granted simple things like water!! 
We had a great New Year's eve this year! New Years is like the American Thanksgiving plus lots of fireworks shot from building to building. It is an amazing and a little scary at the same time! Arian's parents were here to celebrate with us. Arian's dad insisted that it would be best for Abby to lick the turkey leg. I'm not sure that was the best idea but I guess it didn't kill her. Living fairly near to Arian's parents is great. I just wish that my parents lived nearer and could celebrate with us as well! 
Christmas was a very busy time. With having two churches there is a lot of planning to be done. We received Christmas boxes (like samaritan's purse) for the children and boxes of food for each family donated by Mission without borders. We also bought warm thick socks for the 50 residents of the old home. We had a staff Christmas party at our house where we played the White Elephant game, ate a huge meal, and played dominoes (while Dr. Nikolla took a nap). It was a blessed time together as a staff! We celebrated Christmas in Kavaje on Saturday (Christmas eve) and in Durres on Sunday (Christmas Day). The youth group of Kavaje had prepared a skit and a couple of dances for both churches. Also in Durres the men's Bible study group prepared a great skit about getting caught in sin. Definitely a busy time but a blessed time as well as we celebrated or Lord's birth! 
Things have been going great with women's Bible study as well. One day we had 10 ladies in attendance. They are faithful in coming and growing in the Lord. We are very happy about this! 
In September we decided to put David in preschool. He is loving it and having a great time. He was busy learning songs and even had a little part that he spoke himself. He got very nervous and one of his friends helped him. David often speaks about loving Jesus and wanting to be in heaven with Jesus. We pray that he will remain faithful in his love for the Lord! He is also a very good big brother and wanting to smother Abby with kisses all the time! Thank you for all your prayers and support! We appreciate you and thank God for you all!
Serving in His name,Arian & Stefanie Kosta
Stateside address: 148 Wolfe St.
Cohutta, Ga 30710
Albanian Address: L3 Rr Egnatia AP:1043
Durres, AlbaniaAlbanian Address: L3 Rr Egnatia AP:1043
email:kkdurres@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment