Drumroll please....

Well, I came here to update, and realized that I never actually posted the last one I wrote. Oops. So I'll post it, then come back later and write more recent news. This one is from the beginning of November...



I know everyone is so excited to see that I am still alive over here. I thought I might start to receive some sort of hate mail if I didn't update soon. Somehow it became November and I realized that I have already been here almost three months, and haven't updated since September. I think that I discovered the problem. It is not that I don't have the time to update, and it's not even that I don't have anything to write about...I just don't like to do it. (Insert gasps of shock!) There, I said it. I don't like updating my blog because it is too much pressure. My perfectionist tendencies, which usually lie buried deep, deep inside, tend to flare up whenever I sit down to write. It bothers me that I cannot effectively communicate all that I want to share with everyone, and that what I am trying to say does not come out how I see it in my head. Plus I can't stand spelling and grammar errors, and no matter how many times I read over what I have written, inevitability there are always mistakes. I know that no one really cares, but it still bothers me. Anyway, that was all pointless, but I felt the need to justify my severe lack of updates. So...I don't think I can catch you up on everything from the past two and a half months, but I will try to hit some highlights. I'll start with today and go backwards as far as I can remember.

It's Monday afternoon and I am actually at home right now. I'm sick. Well, actually I am feeling much better today, but yesterday was not so good. That's the bad thing about being around kids all the time, germs. Mary Grace got sick on Thursday at school, and the nurse sent her home. She said there was some sort of stomach bug going around and that 10 kids had already gone home. So I had the afternoon off and spent it wisely, by taking a very long nap! Friday, Mary Grace stayed home from school and I went over to her house to stay with her. She was feeling better quickly, so we had fun just hanging out on a day off school. We watched her very favorite T.V. station, Animal Planet. Seriously she is obsessed! So I learned all about a deadly jellyfish that lives off the coast of Australia, and all about a family of Meercats that live on the outskirts of the Kalahari Desert in Africa. All very useful information. :) Really it was just kind of nice to get to watch T.V. Then we played a few rounds of "Go Fish", I painted her nails, did her hair, and we did a little school work too. I think, if she could get away with it, Mary Grace would pretend to be sick every day so I could come over to play. So anyway, I woke up yesterday morning, Sunday, with a terrible stomach ache and realized that I had caught the bug. I stayed home today just in case it wasn't completely gone, but am glad to be feeling better. This weekend the Middle School performed the play, Pirates of Penzance, on Friday and Saturday night. We went to see it on Friday night. They have been working on it the past few months and all their hard work payed off. They were incredible and completely adorable. Although they probably wouldn't appreciate me describing them as adorable. They did such a great job, and impressed everyone with their production! I love those kids so much, and love being able to see them use the talents and abilities that God has given them.

Then, on Saturday, I got to spend the day with another amazing group of kids, the high schoolers. I don't usually get to interact or see the high school kids much, since I'm always in the elementary building, but I was really excited to get to know them some on Saturday. A few times a year they go on a trip to an orphanage about an hour away and volunteer for the day. Paula was supposed to go as a chaperon, but I ended up getting to take her spot. The orphanage is for kids from very young ages up to 25, I think. And all of them have some sort of disability.
I loved being able to spend the day playing and loving on kids. Although it was frustrating that that was all I was able to do. The language barrier definitely prevented me from being able to communicate everything that I would have liked to. I wanted to be able to share with these precious kids that they are loved so much, not only by myself and all the others there, but also by their Father, the God who created them and freely offers a life of redemption and hope in Him. But all I could offer were smiles and hugs. I was so encouraged though by the teenagers that gave up their Saturday to spend with these kids, and took initiative to plan the whole day. I am thrilled to see a new generation of kids rising up who love the Lord, and act on that love by serving and meeting needs. I can't wait to see how God continues to work in their lives and see what great things they will do in His name.

I absolutely adored this boy. I think he may be autistic, guessing by his behavior. He was so sweet and I couldn't stop hugging him.

These two adorable boys are brothers and just came to the orphanage about a month ago. I was told that they had been found living on the street somewhere alone, and that their mom showed up only every once in a while. It made my heart ache to think of children so young being alone and unprotected. It was obvious though that they had learned to survive. They played so rough and held their own when wrestling with the older boys much larger than them. At one point, a hug from the younger one on the left turned into him almost ripping my hair out. They haven't learned how to control themselves and their emotions, and probably haven't had much gentle affection in their short lives. Leaving at the end of the day left me with a mixture of emotions. On one hand, I can't be more thankful for the life that I have had with parents who loved me and raised me to know that I am loved. On the other hand, I felt so dejected and helpless at the thought of how many children who aren't blessed with that same thing. I feel so small and completely unable to make a difference in any of their lives. But then I just remember that I serve a huge God, whose power is limitless, and is in control of everything. He is sovereign and I just have to trust that.

Making an Impact in Hungary! (just not the one we expected...)

(story told by my roommate, Paula)

This was too funny not to share right away.
So Heather has a huge 9 passenger van to use while the family that owns it is in the States. We decided to take it to our HS soccer match today and cheer on the Bulldogs. Just before we left, the beautiful weather shifted dramatically to cold, wind, and rain. After a few minutes of braving that, we decided we could best cheer on our team from the warm confines of the van. So we began the process of turning around the giant van to move it to a higher location from which we could watch in comfort.
The road is tiny. I brilliantly suggested turning off into a little driveway so we could avoid driving all over Diosd to get up the hill. This was a great plan -- except for a) the steepness of the hill b) the sand/gravel combo on the road. Heather, who was driving, tried to reverse it up the hill, but it just slid. We then tried the emergency brake - clutch combo -- and succeeded in sliding into the large stone wall before us. Huge chunks of rocks went flying. People came out of the house to see what in the world these crazy American girls were doing.

We were so embarassed.

I went and found a very nice Hungarian man and a parent at the school who is fluent in the language. They couldn't get it out either, which made us feel much better, and succeeded in sinking the car into a very large rut.

Fortunately, they were able to call the vice-mayor, who promptly showed up with his 4x4 (rare in Hungary) and cables. With the help of some of my students (who will certainly be receiving extra credit), we were able to finally get the van out of the freakin' drive.

Thankfully, there was no real damage, other than to the wall. And even that worked out well, as the owner told us, via a translator, "I've been trying to tear down that wall for years, and they wouldn't let me because it's a historical landmark!" So he was happy, we met the vice-mayor, students got extra credit, and everyone got to laugh at us. All's well that ends well, I guess!

I love living in a place where a minor incident brings out the politicians in their work gloves. and it actually was really funny. Hungarian people are great; they just shrug, laugh, and do what needs to be done!

Sorry, I was also going to put up the pictures of my house, but now I will wait until tomorrow when I figure out how to do more than 4 at a time. Can you handle the suspense?

Tour of Budafok 5 (Last One!!)

I didn't realize there were so many pictures until it separated them into like 5 different posts. Sorry. Scroll to the bottom for the explanation from the first post.

Tour of Budafok 4

And...some more.

Tour of Budafok 3

Tour of Budafok 2

Tour of Budafok

This past week it got pretty cold here, down to the 40's I think, which is sort of depressing considering it's only September. Today though, it warmed up a bit and the sun came out. So after church, and the traditional Sunday afternoon nap, I went for a walk around Budafok. i took a few pictures of the new hood. Sorry if they are sort of boring, but I love walking around here and the character of the streets.

It's been 8 months...

But I'm back! I didn't update for such a long time, many factors contributing to why, but I am committing myself to actually keep up with it this year. I have my very own computer now, plus Internet connection at my house (neither existed last year), so it should be a much easier job to update.

I am back in Hungary now. I arrived about a week and a half ago, on Tuesday Aug 22, and started back to work on Wednesday. If was tough at first with the whole jet lag thing, but getting better now. It was a little strange coming back this time. I knew what to expect and things were familiar, as odd as those familiarities still are. :) I'll give you a list...10 Reasons I Know I'm Back in Hungary.

10. I'm drinking lots of hot tea again.
9. I've seen lots of men in short shorts!
8. Also in carpi's, white ones. Why?!!
7. At the cafe, it took 30 minutes for the waitress to bring the bill after we asked for it.
6. A van drives around my neighborhood on Saturdays with a bull horn on top selling potatoes. A little frightening the first time when you don't know what they are shouting at you about. Then you realize it's only potatoes.
5. Still no clothes dryer.
4. There are, literally, hundreds of dogs barking every minute of every day.
3. Delicious fresh bread, pastries, and fagi (ice cream)!
2. A random man tried to kiss me last night as I was walking down the street.
1. I still can't understand what the heck anyone is saying!

Actually, that last one is not completely true. I am surprised by how much I really can understand, and am really proud of myself when I can communicate without ridiculous hand gestures, pointing, and shouting. Somehow you think that if you speak louder they will understand you. It doesn't work.

So this year is a little different. I am not living in Diosd (the town where the school is located) anymore. My roommate from last year, Paula, another teacher friend, Lisa Bloomquist, and I moved into a house about 10 minutes away. The town is called Budafok. It's about halfway between Diosd and Budapest. We are really enjoying our neighborhood so far and everything it has to offer. Amazing views of the city and the Danube River, cobblestone streets, and best of all... our incredible house. We are so blessed to be living in this house. I will post some pictures of it later, but it is so much more than we needed, or wanted. The owners are an older Hungarian couple whose daughter-in-law works at the school with us. At the end of last year, when we began looking for a place for this year, she told us her in-laws had just finished renovating a house and were looking for renters. So we met with them, saw the house, and immediately fell in love-with the house and the owners. They are the sweetest family, and truly love the Lord. They gave us such great deal on the house, that we wouldn't otherwise be able to afford, and have taken such good care of us. They don't speak English, so when they come they bring either their son or daughter and their spouses to translate. We met with them yesterday to sign contracts and go over details and stuff, and found out that they purchased the house six years ago and Gabor (the owner) has been restoring it, almost completely by himself. God's timing is so perfect. It took him six years to finish the house, and it was ready exactly when we needed a place. I love that I serve a God who loves to give me more than I expect or need. Anyway, all that to say, I love where I am living this year.

Another difference this year is that Mary Grace is in fifth grade...which means I am too:) I'm getting so smart! Fifth grade is a big step up from fourth. The work load and expectations greatly increase, which means, it is going to be tough. Please keep Mary Grace and myself in your prayers as we try to adjust to changes and differences this year.

Well, it's 12:30 here now, so I should go to bed since I have school in the morning. Tomorrow I'll post some pictures. Goodnight, and thanks for reading.

It's Christmas Eve! Time for the festivities to begin! My roommate Paula and I are having the girls that are still in town over to our apt. We will do some baking, watch Christmas movies, and stay up late watching for Santa. Oh wait, nevermind, he came here already.
We have stockings hanging up, and we are filling them with fun gifts for each other. In the morning we will get to eat some American muffins (thanks to Aunt Gail's care package!) and open presents together. We will be pretending to be each other's family. Then in the afternoon one of the real families here is having us over for dinner. Hopefully I won't miss home too much. Even though I already do.
But... Tuesday morning bright and early, 5:50 am, the airport shuttle will be here to pick us up, and Lisa, Paula, and I will be on our way to Amsterdam and London! Hooray! I am so super excited! When I get back I will tell ya'll all about it and put up pictures!
Everyone have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
See ya in 2007!

The school has "Chapel" every Wednesday, and today was our last one before Christmas break. Elementary has theirs separate from Middle and High School. Today's chapel was devoted entirely to singing Christmas songs and reading scripture out of Luke. I loved it. It is so amazing to watch a bunch of kids sing (some shout) their hearts out with praise to God. Not that they all fully understand that is what they are doing. We sang some songs in Hungarian and some in English, and it is also amazing to hear them switch from one language to another. On Friday, the entire elementary is going caroling around Diosd to local business and houses. I am so excited about that also. I love all of these kids so much and pray that they continue growing in the Lord and will live lives that bring glory to him. Plus I just love Christmas! Can you tell?

I will leave you with words to a Christmas song/poem that I love. It was originally a poem, written by Christina Rossetti, and later made into a song. I remember when I was in 5th grade we sang this song in our school Christmas play. The words had no meaning to me then. Now, I really like them. Anyway, here it is.

In the Bleak Midwinter

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,
In the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, Heaven cannot hold Him, nor earth sustain;
Heaven and earth shall flee away when He comes to reign.

In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Enough for Him, Whom cherubim, worship night and day,
Breastful of milk, and a mangerful of hay;
Enough for Him, Whom angels fall before,
The ox and ass and camel which adore.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there,
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
But His mother only, in her maiden bliss,
Worshipped the beloved with a kiss.

What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.