A Peculiar Family in Prague: April 2009

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Excuse me.

I'm excited to move to Washington, D.C. and Czech Republic. I'm really excited to learn the language. I know how to say Excuse me. It's Promente. It also means pardon.

My name is Big Jasmine or Miss Adventure. I’m not really much of a storybook princess. Here are some facts about me:

I’m an adventurer (Well, not exactly, but I’m training for it.)

I like to explore things. I like to explore everywhere, especially the “Scream Your Lungs Out Bridge” at my friend’s house. There’s always new things and they’re so fun.

I am eight and a half years old.

I love to learn about science.

I love to read about magic. I’ve read all of the Harry Potter books at least three times (except the last two: they gave me nightmares.)

Medium Jasmine

Hi. My name is Medium Jasmine (Star Girl). I am 7 years old (almost. One more month!) I like to read Junie B. Jones books and the Magic Treehouse. I also like to read the Friend magazine and the Science Encyclopedia. I am a big fan of catalogues that have things to order. My favorite kind of books are encyclopedias because they help me learn about a few things. I am missing two teeth and have one that’s wiggly.

Little Jasmine (Sprinkle Donut)

I am five years old. My name is Little Jasmine. I love my mom. I love my family. I like to write letters. I like to hold Tiny Baby Jasmine (my little sister.)

Love,

A peculiar blog

Tash has the honor of being an Olmsted Scholar assigned to the Czech Republic. He's on assignment to immerse himself in Czech culture and build a foundation for being an outstanding officer and leader. K is his chief support staff--the one who keeps the home fires burning and makes life comfortable and beautiful. Together they have six children--SAMB1B2V.

The Lord has said that He will have a peculiar people. We are peculiar indeed--not quite like other students, not quite like other military families. Few people here have ever seen a family this large in this generation. Standing out gives the opportunity to stand up and be counted, to let your light shine. And all light reflects the greatest Light of all.

Life is full of adventures, large and small. The small adventures are sometimes the most beautiful: a fox darting out of the bushes, a caterpillar crawling slowly across a leaf. Then again, there are the once-in-a-lifetime adventures, when whole families are uprooted from their culture and language into new lands where everything is different . . . except maybe there are still caterpillars inching across leaves even in these new places.

We have criss-crossed the American continent seven times, the Atlantic ocean once, and are set up in Prague, CZ (and from there--the world!). We have seen coyotes, casinos, castles, and many, many caterpillars. This is our family's journal of adventures, both large and small--and of our search for light in peculiar places.