PRAGUE, Czech Republic - Czech's health care minister and an adviser to President Vaclav Klaus got into a fistfight in a confrontation captured by TV cameras.

The fight happened Saturday in front of a group of dentists.

Former Vice Prime Minister Miroslav Macek, a dentist by profession who was invited to moderate a discussion of Czech dentists with David Rath, slapped Rath on the back of his head in front of the perplexed audience — and TV cameras — saying he was settling a private matter with him. Rath called Macek a coward, and the two exchanged punches.

The fight made it to all Czech prime-time television news programs Saturday.

General elections are to be held June 2-3, and Rath — the leading candidate for the governing Social Democrats in the Prague district — has alleged the attack was politically motivated.

Macek, a member of the center-right Civic Democratic Party, denied any political motives, saying Rath had insulted his wife.

In a newspaper interview earlier this month, Rath was quoted as saying Macek had always dated young women but then married an older woman for money.

"It was a purely private matter," the daily Mlada Fronta Dnes quoted Macek as saying.

The Civic Democratic Party said Macek should consider resigning from the party because of the incident.

Just for interest sake...an updated picture of our family
Danny, Krista, Rebekah (8) and Roxanne (5)

Just yesterday the girls and I were discussing castles...I am not sure why. I was delighted to tell them that just 7 minutes away from our city of Ceske Budejovice is an absolutely gorgeous zamek (castle) named Hluboka nad Vltavou (Hluboka on the Vltava)...the Vltava river runs through Ceske Budejovice...

They were so stoked to hear of this...the idea of a real live castle to explore right in their neighborhood. Danny and I had the pleasure of seeing this castle on our last trip...very romantic at 10 at night....

WOW!! We did it! Our house is on the market!

We really feel that we needed to take a big step of faith...our support is still at 50%, so by human imaginings, this is a weird step. But so many things have confirmed this and we are not promised to see how God will catch us when we jump off the cliff, only that he will catch us...

We are so thankful to our friends, Robert and Beverly Horner, for helping us to spruce up our sadly neglected yard in time for our open house. We are overcome by amazing offerings of love, support and friendship. We really need it right now :)

News from the homefront....
Pictured Roxie and Krista kicking back during the wedding

2 weeks after arriving home from the Czech Republic my sister, Misha, was married in San Francisco. I was the Matron (UGH! What a word!) of Honor, while Danny performed the ceremony. (I bet you didn't know he could do that, huh? He is also available for children's parties...he makes a mean balloon animal..ha ha)

My sister and her new husband, Alan LeClair, had a beautiful wedding, and I am very proud of her...

There are so many new chapters opening up for our family...

FAQ: "Are the kids excited to go to the Czech Republic?"

People ask us this question all the time. I am glad that they ask, because it gives us an opportunity to share about God's plan for all of us.

Rebekah (8) and Roxie (5) have been in on this whole deal for two years now. So for the most part, it is just a fact of life to them. I wouldn't make a blanket statement about their excitement...they are excited about some aspects, and (particularly for the older one) not too excited about others. They are both eager to see so much snow and learn to ice skate and ski...they want to get a pet when we get there (we are not above bribery). They both have an understanding that as we have had the opportunity to say "Yes" to Christ, there are others who have not had that opportunity, so we must go and share Christ with them. I know that they are not excited to have no friends at first...but I am very thankful that they have a close relationship with each other. They will miss their friends and grandparents alot...we won't feel the full sting of that til we are over there.

One thing that Danny and I cling to is that God is calling our family to the Czech Republic...the kids are not an afterthought...God has a plan and a purpose for them in CZ. We pray for them daily that God will gently mold their hearts to desire his will, and that he is preparing friends and teachers for them in CZ...please pray for Rebekah and Roxie, too.