I've Been Thinking...

Sometimes I wonder...

2012-01-27T06:15:00.002-05:00

On a taxi ride to the airport today, I found myself in awe of who God is. How did He ever get me out of the rural farming area I grew up in, take me to the other side of the world, and have me jetting all over Europe?? And, even sometimes by myself! It just goes to show... His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are not our thoughts.

Zooming in on Life with a Word

2012-01-23T08:27:00.001-05:00

Every year for at least 20 years now I've been choosing a word for the year. Last year it was perspective. This year is it love. I know. Love, love, love. Seems like an easy word to choose, but really, it's not. I almost chose the word others. But, it didn't define the theme I was looking for. So, then I thought, ultimately it's about loving others, thus the word love.

Last year, the word perspective took me in places I never expected. I chose that word because I felt I needed a better perspective on our life of frequent travels. I thought it was as simple as learning how to navigate the coming and going more practically. Like packing simpler, packing right. I duplicated all my toiletries so that I didn't have to load from what I used every day and replace everything every time we returned. Upon a return trip, I'd refill, restock, and presto, everything was ready to go for the next trip. Toiletry bag on the shelf. Simply had to pull it down and load in the suitcase. But, perspective took me much deeper than that.

As I zoomed in on the landscape of my life, certain objects, or should I say matters, began to emerge. It was like God focused on an area that was completely effecting my perspective on life. I hadn't seen it before, but there it was, looming in the distance. Then it became clearer and clearer. It changed everything. Maybe someday I can share my story at length, but let me just suffice it to say, God took that word and went beyond my imagination. He knows the desire of our hearts. Choosing a word for the year is opening yourself up to what God wants to do in the midst of that word in your life. It creates a theme that is about being rather than doing. Then, we begin doing out of the being, which is the way it should be anyway. It's what's on the inside that counts.

So, more to come on love. My theme comes from Galatians 5:6. Paul challenges the believers that the important thing - what really counts, what really matters, something that is far more interior - is that we express our faith in love.

2012... learning to love. If it goes anything like last year, this should be quite the journey.

Oh Life!

2012-01-11T12:16:00.000-05:00

As the new year begins my heart beats to the melodic rhythm of contentment. Peace in the now. Wonder of what's ahead. Trust in the God who holds my life in His hands.

Reflection on 2011 makes my heart grateful. Grateful for a year of discovery. Those moments when God breaks into the reality of life. At just the right time. And everything changes. Time seems to stand still. He is always near, but there are times when he uniquely shows up in the ordinary of life. No questioning. You know so.

It was in May that I was reading a book a dear friend gave to me during a visit to Europe. Not far into the book, God was in the words. Clarity to a situation in life. As clear as a sunshiny-blue-sky-day.

That same month I met someone for the first time, now a new friend from Switzerland. His love splashed from her in so many ways, giving refreshing hope and renewed strength.

In June I reflected with another new friend in Scotland. He was there in our conversation, reviving the soul.

In July he spoke of life through a bowl full of cherries. He reminded me of the sweetness of His Word in a jar of honey.

Through some timely networking in June, I meant another new friend who continues to have a huge impact on my life with her listening ear, a discerning heart, and wise counsel. The God of restoration joins us in every conversation.

No doubt these moments will make a difference in 2012. Moments that have made an impact. Something to learn. A place to grow. A new perspective.

These kind of moments are hardly neutral. They leave their mark. They shape us. They become a part of who we are.

There were moments, and even seasons, in 2011 that weren't so sweet or perfect. These, too, shape us.

The most difficult one was our loss of Margot on March 24. Life tragedies that don't make sense. Exceptions don't apply in life. We never know. Even in the shadow of death, He is there. I choose to find beauty in ashes.

Oh life! As 2012 begins my heart beats to the melodic rhythm of contentment. Peace in the now. Wonder of what's ahead, and trust in the God who holds my life in His hands.

A Dedication, Prayers, and a Send-off

2012-01-03T13:29:00.001-05:00

We headed down to San Diego with Mike, Joni, and Miles after the family gathering in Pasadena. Julie, Clint, Jamie, and the girls came down a couple days later for Sunday services at Grace San Diego where Mike and Joni serve. Dennis preached, and after the service he had the privilege of dedicating Iris - a parental commitment to raise her in the ways of the Lord.

A joy for Dennis to dedicate Iris

Monday afternoon we spent some time in prayer together for Clint and Jamie's new season of ministry in Christchurch, among other things. Time well spent. There's something about praying together that is rich and meaningful.

Tonight we head back to Pasadena. We'll be sending Clint and Jamie off tomorrow. Tears expected, yet content with God's leading in their lives. The recent earthquakes in Christchurch can be a bit nerve-racking, but we trust God in all things. Tis' so sweet to trust in Jesus... as Jamie relays in her recent blog post.

Below are some photos of our days in San Diego. Once again, we enjoyed having Regina and Rachel around - fondly referred to as our other daughters.

Hangin' out at LeStat's

Watching Wallace & Gromit

Jamie & Regina


Couples

Sisters

Rachel & Julie

Goodbyes

Jackson Christmas 2011

2011-12-31T00:15:00.001-05:00

A picture is worth a thousand words.

Stella


Dad & Mom J


A stop along the Pacific

Iris


Miles' new Firetruck

Kari & Stella


By Peet's Coffee Shop - Miles & Stella


Evee & Auntie Julie


Evee, G'ma, & Stella


Miles & Mike


Dad/G'pa/Great G'pa J


Cousins watching Cars

Haircuts on the front Lawn - Iris' first


Sweet Iris


Josh & Iris

Boldog Karácsonyt!

2011-12-24T10:01:00.002-05:00

My blog title has nothing to do with a bull dog, nor a misspelling at that. It has everything to do with wishing you all a Merry Christmas from Budapest (at least for today).

This year we will be on two continents on Christmas Day. That's a new one to chalk up on the never-done-before list. We fly out early (very) on Christmas morning to arrive in CA that night meeting up with our entire family. We are more than excited to see the little ones below, face to face, and of course, our kids and spouses.

So, pictures to come of our family time together. Planning on taking a family picture since we don't know when we will be all together again, knowing Clint, Jamie, and their girls take off for Christchurch, NZ on January 4. More aftershocks occurring there... please pray for them in this huge transition.

I am thankful for you, my readers, and wish you a blessed Christmas. I am grateful for the indescribable gift that God gave us in Jesus.

The Day the Sun Stands Still

2011-12-21T06:02:00.000-05:00


Stonehenge was built facing the spot where the sun sets on the Solstice.

Every once in a while the Yahoo news catches my eye. Today it was the article about the origin of the Stonehenge rocks. Things like this fascinate me and catch my interest. But, even more interesting than the mystery baffling scientists of how the rocks were transported more than 100 miles from the Stonehenge site was the "Who Knew?" video at the end of the article on the Winter Solstice.

Winter Solstice - today, December 21 or 22 depending where you live - is the shortest day of the year, or you could say it's the longest night of the year. But, did you know that the sun stands still just for a moment on this day? And, did you know that Christmas Day is even influenced by the celestial calendar? Take a look at the video and I'm sure you'll discover some trivia that you never knew about this day.

Longer days ahead!

Sentimental Value

2011-12-13T16:07:00.001-05:00

After selling our West Michigan home two and a half years ago, Dennis and I began to sort through our possessions knowing we were about to move overseas. Thirty years of marriage and four children later we had plenty to sift through. What did we want to keep, give away, throw away or sell? After days and weeks of sorting, packing, a successful garage sale, numerous Goodwill runs, and Craigslist calls, we narrowed our possessions down to a 10 x10 storage space. Clothes, books, and some household items accompanied us on the day we flew to our new home in Budapest. If it wasn't for the sentimental value of some things, that 10 x 10 space could have been smaller. But, there are some things that a price tag can not measure the value of... like the old MasterCard ads... priceless best sums it up.

So, today I'm reading our daughter's blog as they get ready for an overseas move to New Zealand, and I am holding back tears. I remember what it was like to consider what was important or valuable or sentimental enough to keep. This was Jamie's dilemma as she contemplated whether a few sentimental items were worth the $10/cubic foot space in the packing crate to be shipped to Christchurch.

Iris

I had an old rocking chair that Dennis' mom gave me when we moved to Holland, MI. It was wooden except for the seat which was covered in a brown leather that had worn through so that the stuffing and springs were beginning to show. I threw a blanket over it and it served the wonderful memory of rocking our 9-month old Julie at the time. The rocker sat by her crib and it was one of my favorite places in our home at that time. It was a place of respite while I rocked Julie before nap time and at bedtime. We would look at picture books and then I'd softly sing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Oh, How I Love Jesus" before laying her in the crib.

When Evee was born, I reupholstered the seat to match Jamie's nursery colors and passed it on to her.

Jamie & Joni playing at the little red table in Houston

My grandparents owned an ice cream shop when I was a little girl, and from what I'm told they sold some pieces of little furniture made by the Amish in the area. My little red table and chairs came from their shop and have all the markings of Amish craft, including the painted designs on the table and chairs.

I remember setting up my table and chairs in the small apple orchard behind our farm house and having tea with my dolls. Once I left for college and later got married, the table and chairs were stored in the farmhouse attic. When we moved to Houston, TX to plant a church I took the table and chairs with us. Josh was almost 3 and Jamie was just 9 months. That little red table and chairs served as a place to color or draw or have pretend tea or set up a grocery store or an extra table for the little ones when we had company. It was at that table that Jamie told Joni about Jesus, and Joni ask Jesus into her heart at a young age.

When Dennis and I were sorting through our big move, I gave the table and chairs to Jamie.

The rocker and the little red table and chairs are the only two things Jamie decided to take with her to New Zealand. At this point, their only two pieces of furniture.

Sentimental value... Jamie couldn't have summed it up better:

Both pieces went on that truck today and as I rocked Iris in the middle of boxes and the movers, I realized I would have paid a lot more to keep those things. They make up home for me and are apart of who I am and what I want my girls to know.

Priceless.

That Saturday feeling...

2011-12-10T04:55:00.001-05:00

Thinking of my mom today. It's Saturday. Growing up, Saturdays were clean and bake days. My mom still does that at the age of 80. Still makes the same chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cake I grew up on, often adding pie or another type of cookie into the mix. I called home a few nights ago. It wasn't Saturday, but mom was making peanut butter cookies, and Dad was unwrapping the Hershey kisses to top them off. I had to smile at the thought of it.

My mom is the best house keeper I know. Dennis says she spring cleans every week :). She keeps things neat and tidy, no clutter, and clean as a whistle, but still with a lived-in feel. Keeping a well-kept home is something I learned from my mom. Give away what you don't use anymore, throw out what's worn out, and take good care of what you have.

Being the only girl in a farming family, it was up to me to help mom with the homemaking. Once I was old enough to help out around the house, we created a system. The Saturday she would clean, I would bake, and the next week, we would trade. I remember as a teenager, if it was my week to clean, I'd come home from school on Friday's and start cleaning the upstairs bedrooms to get a head start so my Saturday was free to go to a home basketball game or whatever.

I'm in the kitchen today making pie dough for a dinner tonight when we'll be having some Hungarian friends over for pasta, and apple pie a la mode for dessert. Ela tells me it's Zoli's favorite. Spritz cookie dough is awaiting it's destiny in the fridge. In the states, I have an electric "cookie shooter" that presses the dough out at the speed of a cookie factory, as long as you keep a 1-2-3 rhythm. My mother-in-law gave it to me for Christmas years ago. I found a manual press here in the city that is doing the job just fine.

I'm hoping to make dough for a Christmas favorite. Our family just calls them "Christmas Cookies." I first tried them at a Christmas cookie exchange when we lived in Holland, MI... that's a long time ago. They were melt in your mouth little sandwich cookies that started the cookie tradition for our family.

This year I'm adding a new cookie. We'll see what the family thinks. While in Poland, I tasted some yummy cookies made by the European Union President's sister, a favorite passed down in the family. I couldn't stop eating the shortbread strips covered in a translucent white icing. They're simply called "Butter Sticks." I'm hoping mine turn out as good as hers.

I plan to freeze the cookies, hoping they stay intact in flight on Christmas day.

Though Saturdays aren't my cleaning and baking day per say, I still get a Saturday feeling... a feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction of a day well done. When the house is fresh and clean and the sweet aroma of cookies, cakes, and pies permeate every room of the house. It's always a nice reward to cozy up on the couch with a good book at the end of the day or put in a favorite movie :).

I've got that Saturday feeling today, so much so that I had to stop and post this blog :)... thinking about my mom, and Saturdays, and traditions. Now on to rolling out that pie dough.

Looking A Lot Like Christmas in Budapest

2011-11-29T19:27:00.001-05:00

Well, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. We arrived home from travels in time to see the official start of Christmas in the city, which appears to be the first Sunday of Advent.

Unlike last year, the Christmas markets have expanded from Vörösmarty Square to St. Stephen Square. I happened to be by St. Stephen's Cathedral on Sunday late afternoon wandering through the market, when I began to notice a crowd gathering, along with reporters, and cameramen lined up with their tripods in place. Since it's been turning dusk by 4:00, I stuck around. I had an inkling that there was going to be a big deal with the Christmas lights. A tall Christmas tree in the middle of the square with lights strung out in circular fashion making a canopy above the market was about to come alive. Bells and snowflakes hung from the poles of street lights. I stood on the steps of St. Stephen's to watch the sight unfold.

Some very important people (at least I'm assuming) got up to a microphone to speak. I watched the faces of the crowd, wondering what was being said. After the formalities, a dignitary looked up toward the sky along with everyone in the crowd, and just as I thought, the lights came on. The crowd broke out clapping at thebeautiful sight!

Christmas markets with St. Stephen's in the background

From the steps of St. Stephen's

As I made my way down the steps toward the square I caught a glimpse of a Catholic priest making his way through the crowds. I was intrigued. There was more to come. Navigating my way through the crowd, I followed the entourage to the other side of the square, where the first candle on a gigantic Advent wreath was lit. Then, I'm certain a portion of scripture was read by the priest.

It was a fitting celebration to usher in Christmas. A reminder that Christmas is about anticipation, about hope, about the expectation of a coming Savior. A Savior that brings hope and love and joy and peace. I am reminded every day of this anticipation. Large Advent wreaths mark squares and public gathering places. All sorts and sizes of Advent wreaths fill the aisle at the district markets where fresh flowers are sold. The reminders fill my heart with gratitude to not only know that a Savior came, but that I know him and that he has made himself at home in my heart.

When the first flakes begin to fall, I will be delighted at the freshness of new fallen snow... as long as it doesn't stick around too long. I'll take the Christmas season in Budapest over snow any day.

A Day in Sarajevo

2011-11-27T16:00:00.001-05:00

Even though Dennis and I travel frequently, we rarely take time to explore a city or a country as tourists. There's a purpose to our travels; a destination that links us with our colleagues.

Last week we decided to add an extra day to our field visits. Since we were in Bosnia, and since we had some freedom with a rental car rather than timed flights, we drove on windy mountain roads and through several tunnels, making our way to Bosnia's capital, Sarajevo.

I didn't know what to expect in this city still undergoing post-war reconstruction. It has been 15 years since the siege of Sarajevo during the Bosnian War (1992-96), the longest lasting siege in the history of modern warfare. The break up of Yugoslavia brought on all kinds of territorial tension. I remember a poster our son-in-law brought back from a mission trip to Sarajevo several years ago. A lone cellist sat in the national library, a burned out shell showered with shattered concrete.

It was an overcast, dismal, gray day as it was, but as we neared the city, the sights of a country trying to rebuild added a bleak landscape to the skies above. On the outskirts of the city we saw factory buildings with broken windows and crumbled walls, bare of any life, only rusty equipment to show its once productive days. Homes along the roadway looked worn and weary.

Drawing closer to the city, tall high-rise apartment buildings, so typical of the Communist era, were packed into the landscape. The tired, gray concrete masses looked aged by 40 or 50 years, though they might have been less than 20.

Eventually we came to the main boulevard that connects the industrial side of the city with the Old Town, the historical and cultural side of the city. The boulevard's official name is Ulica Zmaja od Bosne, but better known since the war as "Sniper Alley." During the siege, civilians trying to go about their daily lives literally ran for their lives as they raced across the street or along the street dodging possible bullets from above. Over a thousand people were injured and 225 killed (60 children), targeted by snipers in the hills surrounding the city or from high-rise buildings.

There was a part of me that wondered why the travel guide, Lonely Planet, listed Sarajevo as one of the top ten cities to visit in 2011. Our hotel receptionist even said the city "is boring... really, once you walk beyond the Old Town."

The city has a sadness about it. And, maybe that's one of the reasons why it's listed in the top ten. The sadness of war and barriers and conflict, lest we forget. It's been a place of historical turbulence. It was in 1914 when Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated along with his wife, Sophia, while visiting Sarajevo. Our hotel manager matter-of-factly said as he pointed out the bridge (above photo) where the incident happened directly across the street, "some stupid boy pulled the trigger." And it was that assassin's shots that set off World War I.

As we walked through the Old Town we came upon a mosque, synagogue, Catholic church, and an Orthodox church, no less than a block from each other. I read later that Sarajevo is referred to as the "Little Jerusalem of the Balkans." This in itself makes Sarajevo a unique city where religions live next door to each other.

But in spite of its sad history, they continue to rebuild, and life continues on. It was impossible to get a glimpse of the national library bubble-wrapped in construction sheath protecting it's fragile structure during reconstruction.

Inat Kuća - an old Ottoman style
house turned restaurant

Look for this scene in the
upcoming movie Venuto al moda

And, in spite of the overcast, damp-weather day that it was, Dennis and I enjoyed walking the streets of Old Town passing by markets and coffee shops and eateries. We checked out the new McDonald's down the street from Old Town, the first in Sarajevo... the first to Bosnia. We had an amazing Bosnian dinner at a highly recommended restaurant at the bottom of the hill where our hotel was located. In fact, our hotel has some fun trivia. I asked about an enlarged photo by the receptionist desk. It was explained that the hotel owner was posed next to Penelope Cruz. The steep, narrow, cobble-stone street just outside the hotel front door was used to shoot a scene for a 2012 movie. Cruz and the film crew stayed at the hotel.

The effects of war were evident on our drive home. As we traveled through the Republic of Serbia, a region of Bosnia, we saw house after house abandoned by families driven out during the war, only shells remaining. I wondered about the families... were they still living... what happened to them?

Bullet scarred house near Croatian border

I thought of Paul's words in Ephesians 2 - For he himself (Jesus) is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility...

He is the answer. He is our peace.

Thanksgiving in Bosnia

2011-11-27T15:17:00.001-05:00

Dennis and I just finished up a week of travels to Croatia and Bosnia. We were able to meet individually with our team members on both of these fields, plus spend a day with our national pastor and his wife in Split, Croatia. Thankful for these on-field days when we get to dialogue face-to-face with our team, catching up on field specifics, as well as deepening relationships.

Thanksgiving fell on the days we had in Bosnia. How special to gather around the table with friends for a true Thanksgiving dinner.

Seasoned with herbs from the backyard, the turkey was moist and flavorful.

Ah! Sweet potato and green bean casserole.

Two silly, but special kids!

And, of course, apple pie topped with a special message :)

We trust you all had a special Thanksgiving. We have so much to thank God for... family and friends are always at the top of the list. Thanks for being a part of our lives!

Renewing the Face of Poland

2011-11-17T06:11:00.001-05:00

I've been reading a series of fictional books based on historical truth by Bodie and Brock Thoene over thepast year. One of their book series in particular is based on Europe during the2nd war. The extensive research done particularly by Brock Thoene, weaves factand fiction together, giving a blanket history during the era of World War II...a history lesson of sorts that provides context for the different countries wevisit.

I live and walk in places where only my imagination can filter through the enormitiesof war and persecution, of what it was like to be imprisoned by Communism for40+ years. A few weeks ago I flew intoWarsaw, Poland where Dennis I met on connecting flights to Krakow. He wascoming from the Czech Republic, and I was arriving from Budapest.

Emotions rose within as I overlooked the city of Warsaw from my planewindow. I remember reading how this city was literally bombed and shattered tosmithereens. Poland, in the middle of a tug-of-war between Nazi Germany and theSoviet Union, was raped, ravaged, and sacked to the point of utter devastation.Poland was violated and defaced beyond recognition. Forty years after the German invasion, Pope JohnPaul II visited his native country, giving a call in Warsaw's Victory Square to"renew the face" of Poland. "Let thy Spirit descend, and renewthe face of this land!" he prayed.

As the plane descended for landing, it dawned on me that most of thebuildings I could see were no less than 75 years old - eight out of every tenbuildings were destroyed by the end of World War II. Grief welled up within asI considered the injustices done to innocent life, and the ugliness of war.

A few hours later, Dennis and I arrived in Krakow, the only remaining cityrelatively undamaged by the war. It is a beautiful city with the Old Town MainMarket Square dating back to the 13^th century; also known as thelargest medieval town square in Europe. But perhaps Krakow is remembered mostly forthe concentration camp, Auschwitz, where millions of men, women, and childrendied horrific deaths between 1940 - 45 during German occupation. In more recent years, it may have been the 1993 movie, Schindler’s List, that portrayed the effects of the war and tugged at our hearts to learn of a business man who one by one saved Polish Jews from entering concentration camps by employing them in his factory.

It was in this city that Pastor Piotr greeted us at the Krakow airport.Though this was Dennis' third time to Poland, it was my first time to meetPiotr and his wife, Joanna. Piotr and Joanna have their own stories, as do the people that make up the church in which they serve. Life-changing stories. I love to hear the background of their stories, their search for meaning in life, and how they found Jesus to be the answer. We enjoyed the hospitality and warmth of Piotr and Joanna'shome, along with great conversation about life, family, the church, leadership,among other things. We had the pleasure of meeting many of the people thatattend the church that Pastor Piotr shepherds. It was a joy to worship withthem, where Dennis had the opportunity to preach.

Sharing the transforming message of Jesus Christ is what Pastor Piotr andthe church is all about... renewing the face of Poland, one life at a time. In a city where the repercussion of war can still be felt, good things are happening because of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. These are the faces of life change in Krakow, Poland.

Pastor Piotr and Joanna

Edward,former member of the Communist Party, transformed by the love of Jesus.

Once apart of promoting communist revolutions throughout the world,

he now passes outthe scriptures to people.

Sharing a Polish meal with the church people

The smiling faces of life change.

May God's Spirit continue to descend on this land,
renewing it's face one life at a time by the transforming power of Jesus Christ!

Pray for Pastor Piotr and Joanna, their family, and the continued growth of the church.

I know it's not Christmas yet, but...

2011-11-07T13:24:00.001-05:00

Last week while Evee was still here we decorated for Christmas. I have minimal decorations, but enough. I like it that way. I can store it all on one 2-foot long shelf. The two pictures below are basically what I have, plus I'll hang some garland and lights on the balcony off our second-story flat before Thanksgiving.

Thanks Evee, for helping us decorate!

So, since we're a bit in the Christmas spirit around here, today I couldn't help but think of the 1822 poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas" as I hung up wash to dry.

"All the stockings were hung on the heat register with care..."

Did you know that prior to this poem Santa Claus

had never been associated with a sleigh or reindeer?

Two Holidays in One Week

2011-11-02T18:14:00.001-04:00

It's always great to have family visit, but it's always hard to say goodbye. Tomorrow Jamie, Evee, and Iris fly back to the states. Our flat will be too quiet. We will miss the little voices that have filled our home over the past couple weeks.

This afternoon a few tears slipped out as I faced the reality of saying goodbye in the morning. It didn't help that we were decorating for Christmas with holiday music in the background. It's the earliest I have ever put out decorations, but with Evee here, how could we not? Only 5 days after Evee and I carved a pumpkin for Halloween. So, tonight the jack-o-lantern was lit up, along with our Christmas tree that looks a bit like Charlie Brown's.

Papa dancing with the girls

Evee helping Papa make dinner

Papa and Grandma's helper

Sweet little Iris in her new PJ's who napped through the pumpkin carving and Christmas decorating.

So fun to hang out with Jamie... shopping, coffee, lunch out, Dutch Blitz and Speed Scrabble in the evenings, plus a couple at home movies. I will miss her.

Rainy Day Fun

2011-10-26T09:59:00.000-04:00

The Palace of Miracles, a children's museum in Budapest, was a great rainy day activity with Evee and Iris. All kinds of "please touch" fun things to do. Iris toddled around entertained by all the kids and activities.

First... a stop at McDonald's :)

A giant table and stools

A piano to play by foot

Papa got into "flying" the plane as much as Evee

Driving a square-wheeled car

Bungee Jumping

Iris and Papa on the tram

Swinging with Papa

The Ussher's in Budapest

2011-10-22T18:18:00.002-04:00

It's been a great week with Clint, Jamie, Evee, and Iris visiting in Budapest. Love having them here, showing them around the city, keeping Evee and Iris so Clint and Jamie could have a getaway in Vienna via train, and just hanging out. Unfortunately, Clint leaves in the morning for flights to New Zealand, but we're happy to have Jamie and the girls stay with us until November 3. So pictures will be in order over the next two weeks. :)

Checking out the castle with Evee

Evee and Iris at Heroe's Square

Iris toddled all over Heroe's Square with Papa

Evee posing with a famous Hungarian poet

Having fun at the Castle

Iris and Papa at St. Stephan's Cathedral Square


Gotta have hot chocolate while the grown ups take a coffee break

Along the Danube with the Castle and Chain Bridge lit up at night

Praising in Color

2011-10-08T15:13:00.000-04:00

In June Dennis and I made a trip to the UK where he wasto chair the British Isles District Conference in Birmingham, England. We arrived a couple days early to drive just across the border into Scotland to meet Marc and Penny, colleagues inmission.

Dennis met Marc two years ago when he attended a leadership course. I was eager to meet this couple, but I had no idea as we drove up to their home how significant our time would be.

During our first evening together, the four of us gathered in the livingroom to chat. It didn't take long until there were two conversations. Penny and I sat in comfy chairs sipping tea and realized that we had a lot in common. Weshare the same decade in age, which gave us plenty of things totalk about! We discovered that we have similarities in family background, spiritual journeys, interests, a passion for helping others find healing and restoration, and a passionate heart for our children.

During our conversation, Penny shared about a recent book she hadread entitled Praying in Color. She described how the author, Sybil MacBeth,shares her story of using pen and watercolor pencils to sketch designs, addingcolor with the pencils, finishing it off with brush and water. It was an intriguing idea, and Iinstantly took interest in this new avenue of prayer.

I have never considered myself artistic, but I can doodle or draw simple pictures. Thankfully, praying in color is notjust for those who have artistic ability. I discovered just about anybody could do this.

So I tried. Up to this point I have done what I call praising in color. Each ofthe three drawings I have done so far demonstrate what God has done in my lifethis past summer. As I ponder scripture and reflect on God'scharacter, my mind begins to create an image. My soul wells up withgratitude as pen meets paper, and the piece begins to flow.

One day in September I sat on apark bench that lined Déak Square, one of Budapest's busiest squares. People were passing by on their way to tour or shop. I pulled a journal out of my bagbought especially for this new prayer idea with thicker pages for the strokesof a wet brush. I had a scripture in mind - Youhave turned my mourning into joyful dancing from Psalm 30 - and I began to draw. This versedescribed what God did for me this past summer. He took thosethings that have weighed heavy on my heart for too long, giving me a newperspective, replacing the heaviness with joy. I name each of my pictures. This one I call Dancin’ Shoes!

By the time we left Scotland, I had anew friend, and a new way to enhance my prayer life.

Thanks, Penny, for sharing the praying in color idea with me. You are one of my grace-filled gifts of summer 2011.

September 24

2011-09-24T04:00:00.000-04:00

Around the 24th of the month, I go into a bit of a melancholy mood. Today is no different. I wasn't picking up on it right away, and then it came to me a few months ago. It was March 24 that we lost our precious Margot June. Six months ago now.

One of the things I was looking forward to was to add Margot's picture to the photo display of grandchildren on my kitchen windows. Three are in Pier One frames that I got around the Christmas season several years ago. At the time, I only had three grands - Evee, Stella and Miles. The frame was meant to be a tree ornament, but my intent was to use it year around for this very purpose. The window pulls in our Budapest flat serve as a perfect place to hang the pictures. Now that I can no longer get the small frames, I purchased small round frames with a suction cup on the back to mount new additions - Iris and Margot - to the window display.

Even after Margot's death, I still wanted to add her picture. It's the only thing I have to remember her by. I purposely suctioned the frame near Stella's picture. Sisters.

Before we moved to Budapest, I bought a beaded tropical bird napkin ring (Pier One again :) that reminded me of a hummingbird. I only purchased one, not planning to use it as a napkin holder, but thinking I would find a place for it somewhere. I just liked it. I'm fascinated by hummingbirds. Love to watch them flit in and out of flowers, drinking in the sweet nectar.

Well, I've had it stored in my desk drawer all this time, because I hadn't found that special place. As soon as I put Margot's picture up, I thought of the hummingbird. The ring fit perfectly around the suction cup, and there the little bird stayed.

It seemed so fitting for Margot. The smallest ofbirds, feathers shimmering like that of a prism. Each little twist and turn producing iridescent colors in the sunlight. Flirting with flowers, they're here and gone, only to return again with the flutter of their wings humming in mid-air. Did you know they are the only group of birds that can fly backwards?

Tiny. Beautiful. Fascinating. It just seemed to be the perfect place... next to Margot's picture. I like to think of Margot flitting in and out of our lives. She flits in when I see a six-month old baby. She flutters about when I'm skyping with Stella. She dashes about when I think of our family spread across the world. The humming of her wings will always be a reminder of our sweet little Margot. I miss her.

Wings... see Josh's recent post on Stella's wings.

Stefanie & Ramona

2011-09-22T12:02:00.001-04:00


Ramona and Stefanie

It was in July that I received an email from my sweet friend, Kathrin, who I wrote about on my blog three posts back. Her daughter, Stefanie, and friend, Ramona were backpacking for three weeks across Eastern Europe. They would be staying in hostels, but she wondered if they could stay with Dennis and I when they came to Hungary, one of the ten countries they were planning to visit.

The dates coincided with non-travel days for us. Of course, we would be delighted to host them in our home. And what a delight these twenty-something Swiss women were. Ramona's husband gave his blessing to a three-week separation since he was focusing on writing his thesis. Stefanie, an adventurer at heart, was set on seeing Eastern Europe by backpack and train before she headed to the states to work with inner-city children in New York City over the fall/winter months.

Taking them around our grand city of Budapest was a joy and a gift to me. I love the twenty-something age. Perhaps it's because I see the 20's as pivotal in my own life. Choices made in the 20's often determine the trajectory of life. So, it was a breath of fresh air to hang out with Ramona and Stefanie.

A grace-filled gift of summer 2011.

Sweeter Than Honey

2011-09-16T06:08:00.000-04:00

In my last post I shared about my new Hungarian friend, Gyöngyvér, who was preparing for a lecture in her area of expertise, but needed to brush up on her English since the lecture was to be given in English. She was so grateful for my assistance that she kept finding ways to "pay" me.

One day when I arrived at her 4th story flat a bit earlier then the scheduled time, she greeted me at the door and then apologized that she had to leave for a few minutes to run down to the ground floor to meet someone she was expecting at the front gate.

She returned with a brown paper bag, and then with a big smile on her face, pulled out a big container filled with honey.

"This is for you!"

I took it and held it up to see honey so light and clear that I could practically see right through it. I gave her a big hug, thanking her for her thoughtfulness. She explained that the man she met at the door is from the countryside where he extracts honey from his hives. She had him deliver it that morning especially for me. She proceeded to tell me that Hungarian honey is some of the best around, especially when it comes straight from the countryside. "So pure and sweet."

I couldn't help but think what this gift meant to me. There are two places where the Psalmist speaks of honey in relationship to God's Word. When Gyöngyvér gave me the honey, I was instantly reminded of these two passages.

From a portion of Psalm 19:
The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
      reviving the soul.
   The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
      making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
      bringing joy to the heart.
   The commands of the Lord are clear,
      giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
      lasting forever.
   The laws of the Lord are true;
      each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
      even the finest gold.
   They are sweeter than honey,
      even honey dripping from the comb.

And, Psalm 119:103:

How sweet your words taste to me;
they are sweeter than honey.

Like the bowl full of cherries that Gyöngyvér had given me just the week before, God was giving me gifts from nature that reminded me of His nature. What beautiful images of His love and grace. A reminder that the winter season does come to an end, that the leaves bud and the fruit blossoms, that the bees return to collect the nectar, and that He makes all things new once again.

Gyöngyvér's gift of honey was yet another grace-filled gift of summer 2011.

Side note: Did you know that honey naturally resists molds, fungi, and other bacteria, allowing it to last for years without refrigeration? :)

A Bowl Full of Cherries

2011-09-12T18:50:00.003-04:00

One of the privileges I had this past summer was to come along sideGyöngyvér, a Hungarian psychologist, who was preparing to give a lecture inEnglish at a conference in Vienna. A search for a native English speaker whocould help her brush up on her English and make sure her lecture wasgrammatically correct ended up being me.

We met in her flat or at a coffee shop twice a week for four weeks editingher lecture document and working through the correct pronunciation of Englishwords. She wanted to pay me for my services, but I kindly told her that I didnot expect pay. I considered it a gift to be able to meet with her, getting toknow her, and sharing our native language with each other.

Often times we caught the attention of other coffee patrons as we watchedintently at how the other would form syllables or letters with proper lip formation or tongue placement. I'm sure it looked like we were doing charades. We would lean in with our faces about a foot away from each other repeating back andforth the proper sound. It wouldn't be long until we would lose all composure,laughing at ourselves at how silly we must have looked and sounded.

It was after our second meeting that Gyöngyvér said she had something forme. She handed me a small gift bag filled with cherries. Ihave never been one to eat cherries, but I thanked her for her kindness.

I didn't give it much thought until I got home, washed the cherries, andpoured them into a red bowl. And then it hit me. Life is like a bowl fullof cherries. I smiled at the thought. Ipopped one into my mouth, squishing out the seed, surprised by the sweet and refreshing taste. Why had I not liked cherries before?

Dennis was gone for several weeks at the time. I ate the whole bowl ofcherries in a matter of days. Every time I popped one into my mouth it was areminder of God's goodness and grace even when life isn't always like a bowlfull of cherries. Gyöngyvér's gift was indeed a grace-filled gift of summer2011.

Kathrin

2011-09-02T12:36:00.000-04:00

The first time Imet Kathrin was in May. She was attending a conference in Budapest that Dennisand I had registered for as well. My stateside friend, Marlae, had emailed meto let me know that Kathrin was going to be in the city and encouraged me toget together with her. Kathrin is from Switzerland and fills the role of Moms In Touch (MITI) Regional Director in Europe, while Marlae serves as ExecutiveVice President for MITI.

Little did I knowwhat a grace-filled gift she would be! Kathrin radiates with joy. Her love forJesus is contagious. We met several times in a matter of days, and just likethat, I felt like I had found a life-long friend. We shared deeply, prayedtogether, and laughed together. She was a breath of spiritual fresh air!

One evening we satoutside the conference center on a park bench following the dinner hour. I readout loud from Isaiah 40:26-31 - verses I have known for years, but Marlae had recently sent themin an email as an encouraging reminder. I needed to be reminded that God never grows wearyor tired. That his understanding has no limits. That he gives new energy to thetired and worn out; fresh strength to the powerless. That he is the Creator ofall the earth.

Just as I wasnearing the end of the chapter, I felt drops on my arms. I finished thepassage a bit puzzled as to where the drops were coming from. Was there a bird in the tree above us? It was a beautiful day with blue skies and sunshine. I soon realized that I was feeling the first drops of a fine spring rain.

"Kathrin, it's raining." We looked at each other with wonder, and then we started to laugh. Kathrin said the Holy Spirit was raining down on us.It seemed so fitting. We immediately stood up searching the sky for a rainbow. Though we didn't find one, we were certain there must have been one hiding behind trees andbuildings that were blocking our view.

In a matter ofminutes, the rain stopped as quickly as it had started. We saw it as an expression of God's trustworthy naturethat we had just read about minutes earlier.

We sat back downon the bench to pick up where we left off. Kathrin took my Bible and suggested thatsince my friend Marlae couldn't be with me, she would pray those precious versesfrom Isaiah over me for her! Very deliberately she softly and slowly prayed thescriptures, sometimes repeating a phrase three times to let it soak into mybeing.

Don't you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth?
He never grows faint or weary... He never grows faint or weary... He never grows faint or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
He gives power to those who are tired and worn out... He gives power to those who are tired and worn out.
He offers strength to the weak. He offers strength to the weak.

I don't think I'll ever forget that day that Kathrin and I sat on the park bench. The Holy Spirit "rained" down on us in more ways than one.

Kathrin was (and still is)a timely gift. She is one of my grace-filled gifts of summer2011.

A Grace-filled Summer

2011-08-28T14:32:00.004-04:00

No other words suffice, except grace-filled. I have little else to describe the past 3.5 months. It’s been nothing short of a beautiful journey since the break from my blog on May 17^th. I tend to live my life in seasons, and what a season it has been. Grace-filled, because I have felt God’s love and care so keenly, perhaps more than any other time in my life. The tenderness of his heart drew me right up into his lap. His words brought comfort to my soul, nurturing my heart with encouragement and hope. He surprised me with his love. In the timing of a book. Through people I had never met before. Through precious friends. Grace-filled gifts brought a smile to my face. To some they may have seemed like silly gifts, but oh, they had so much meaning for me. He knew. The sweet reminders of his love brought tears to my eyes. They still do.

I can’t remember the religion professor who taught what I’m about to share. It was a new bit of theology that I hadn’t heard before, and at the time, I’m not sure that I fully understood it. In an attempt to demonstrate how salvation is an ongoing process, he relayed the following train of thought - I was saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved. All this to say... I understand this now. This summer has been one of those I am being saved ones. I sense a fresh newness in my life, and it’s all because of God’s grace.

In the days and weeks ahead I want to share with you some of the gifts God gave me in this grace-filled season.

Thanks for your patience in my return. I am eager to start blogging again. It has been a good summer, and I am back.

Still taking a break

2011-08-06T15:56:00.000-04:00

But, I will be back...

Taking a Break...

2011-05-17T15:54:00.000-04:00

An interlude. A hiatus. Time out. Intermission. Pause.

I'll be back.

Spirit Lifters...

2011-05-13T17:30:00.001-04:00


Miles sporting his new shoes - kind of like the Keens G'ma wears :). Love this little guy who is so full of energy!

Evee dancing and twirling on her 4th birthday, which was Easter Sunday this year.
Her name means "life," and she certainly gives joy and life to our lives.

Our precious little Stella all smiles on Easter Sunday as she joined in on an Easter egg hunt.
She looks like her Daddy here, I think.

I wanted to post a video of our sweet little Iris laughing but I couldn't download it,
so this December photo will have to do.
You can catch her laughter on Jamie's blog here.

Our hearts still ache for our beautiful Margot. Though we never met, we miss her presence in our family.

Rest

2011-05-07T18:40:00.000-04:00

After reading an email response from one of my dear prayer gals tonight I was reminded of Psalm 23. The Good Shepherd makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside the still and restful waters.

I referred to these quiet waters in the lush green valley in my last blog post. Eventually, I thought, I will get to those still waters where restoration will take place. Eventually... because I was still in the path of the gushing waters coming down the mountain side. It was there, I wrote, that I would surrender to His unfailing love, His compassion and mercy. New every morning.

Well, perhaps I wasn't really surrendering. I was still trying to do things my way. I wanted to keep pushing forward, thinking my body, heart, and mind could somehow survive the gushing waters if I just stayed strong. If I'd just grit my teeth and bear the weight of the pounding waters, I could withstand the force.

I'm realizing that to surrender to His love means that He will do what He knows I need most. Like a loving parent who knows their child needs sleep in spite of the stubborn fight to resist a nap, He knows when I have pushed my body too far.

That's when He makes me lie down.

This week I tried to keep going. Tried to push forward, thinking I could somehow handle life, even with an all-night bout of food poisoning that drained me of any strength I had gained back the days before.

It didn't work.

It was then that my loving Shepherd forced me to lay down. He led me out of the forceful waters and took me to the green pastures where the still and restful waters flow peacefully. I had to stop trying to do life. I needed rest.

Come to me, those who are weary, and I will give you rest...

God grants rest to those He loves.

I have given rest to the weary, and joy to the sorrowing.

Jesus said to his disciples, Let's go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.

I finally gave in. I surrendered. I claimed helplessness, and fell into His arms of love submitting to what He knew was best for me. More than a nap. A quiet place of rest. A place where He is able to refresh and restore the soul.

Every Morning...

2011-04-29T02:17:00.001-04:00

It's in the morning hours upon awakening that my mind is bombarded with thoughts. Thoughts tumble through my mind like water rushing down a mountain stream, randomly consuming my pondering as they encounter the rocks, boulders, and fallen limbs of life.

It's been a wearisome month in so many ways. The thoughts that consume my mind in the mornings can be majestic and fierce all at the same time.

I returned to Budapest this week feeling the toll of this past month, only to fight with a fever on the flights home. A doctor visit confirmed bronchitis and a sinus infection. I've been in bed the past two days. Two days I really needed to regroup after the long haul of everything.

A phone call to my parents today brought the news that my brother's farm was hit by a tornado in the early morning hours with extensive damage to his chicken barns.

There are no guarantees.

No guarantees of what life will be like. Of what is to come.

No guarantees of life or death. No guarantees that tornadoes will evade life or possessions. No guarantees of sickness or health. No guarantees as to how life will turn out.

But this one thing I do know. A sure guarantee. The love of God is unending and His grace and mercies are new every morning. Every morning. (thoughts from the book of Lament 3:21-24)

I have no other place to put my hope except in His unfailing love. Therefore I will not be consumed.

It is in the morning hours that I will surrender. When the spring waters race down the mountain side from the melting snows of winter, consuming anything in its path, it is there that I will surrender. Surrender to His compassion and love. His faithfulness. A lush green valley awaits below. A place where still and restful waters restore.

Great is His faithfulness. Every morning.

Little Ones to Him Belong...

2011-04-09T22:06:00.003-04:00

I've been preparing my heart for tomorrow when Josh and Kari and Stella, family that is near, and close friends gather at a site amid the Angeles National Forest for a simple, yet meaningful memorial service for Margot.

Though a different setting, certainly a different calendar season, and definitely a different stage in life, I find our loss with Margot drudging up emotions that are always close to the surface whenever an infant dies.

Forty-nine years ago I stood by a baby brother's graveside on a blistery January day. With my small hand in Dad's, the pastor read from the Bible and my two sets of grandparents encircled a little plot of ground on a hillside cemetery near my childhood home in eastern Pennsylvania.

Grasping my parents loss was beyond my six-year-old comprehension. I knew that I had lost a brother. One of two born just days before with no indication of imminent death. This little one, Randy Eugene, lived one day. I never saw him, but that day still stands as a marker in my life. I was old enough to understand sadness - I saw it in my parent's faces - but too young to fathom their depth of grief, the ache inside, of a baby lost to death. My mom still in the hospital with my other newborn brother wasn't able to attend the graveside service. Something I still lament for her today.

Little did I know on that January day in 1962 that a day would come when I would be the grandparent in similar circumstances.

Sunday's memorial service will trigger these childhood emotions as I watch little Stella take in a scene that she can't fully sort out. My heart will ache with, and for, Josh and Kari. I will understand for myself the emotions of a grandparent. Emotions that cradle the generations. The sorrow of a grand-baby never held, layered with the anguish of watching our own kids experience such deep heartache.

Little ones. To Him belong.

Comfort...

2011-04-03T20:12:00.001-04:00

The past two Sunday's Dennis and I have attended church with Regina. For those of you who don't know her, Regina lived with us the summer she interned at Spring Lake Wesleyan and from that time on she became one of our "other daughters." Thankfully she lives in Pasadena now. Regina, and her brother, Randy, have been kind to take us into their home - not only us, but all of our family members who have visited as well. She and Randy have had such servant hearts in caring for us and our entire family during this time of loss.

We are also blessed to have Jamie and Iris with us for several days. Cuddling little Iris has been therapeutic for us. Mike, Joni, and Miles are driving up from San Diego today. Family is comforting at this time. We look forward to having Julie here over Easter weekend (while I am still in the states).

A song we sang in church this morning filled our hearts. Another comfort for us:

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light my strength my song
This Cornerstone, this solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled when strivings cease!
My Comforter my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

We continue to walk this road of grief as we daily await word on Kari's kidney levels and overall condition. The reports over the past two days are showing signs of improvement, for which we are grateful. Kari is beginning to feel her body healing. These encouraging signs lift all our spirits, yet the journey of grief, the emotional healing will be a longer road ahead, especially for Josh and Kari.

Thanks again for all your love, prayers, and support as we walk a road not taken before. I'm reminded of something I heard from a friend of ours whose wife died of cancer last year about this time. He called it "new grace." Grace that we haven't needed before.

New grace.

This I find in my Comforter, my All in All.

Tears...

2011-03-30T11:57:00.000-04:00

This morning I picked up my Bible hoping to find some words that would bring comfort. Flipping through Psalms to the place where I had last read, my eyes were drawn to a page where I had circled a verse that apparently had meaning to me at another time in life. Psalm 56:8 was meant for me this morning:

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

I am so thankful that Jesus saves our tears and knows our grief. As we weather this storm I can only keep my eyes fixed on Him until the waves of grief and loss subside. But, the coming and going of the tide will always be a reminder of our sweet little Margot.

I wanted so badly to hold her, cuddling her in my arms and looking into her face, studying her every feature and marveling once again at new life. It's what all grandparents look forward to in those first moments.

There will be a day. I look forward to that day when I will see her for the first time.

No more tears. Ever again.

Our Loss...

2011-03-28T21:23:00.000-04:00

My blog stats show that many of you have been checking my blog over the past several days... I'm sure looking for further details on our recent loss. So, I will try to put some thoughts to words in our time of grief.

I had already been anticipating the post where I would be posting pictures of our new little grand-daughter with all the details of her birth. She was due on April 10. My plane ticket was booked for April 9, when I would arrive in CA to help out with the new baby or await her soon arrival.

Everything changed on March 24.

Kari, our daughter-in-law, was outside with Stella (our 2-year old grand daughter), when she tripped while carrying Stella in her arms. In an attempt to break the fall for Stella she landed on her pregnant belly. Josh rushed her to the hospital and within a half hour of the incident the doctor was performing an emergency c-section.

Less than a minute phone call in the middle of the night (Europe time) from Josh informed us of this news. We never went back to sleep awaiting the next call assuming that we would hear about the birth of a new grand daughter, in spite of the fall. We never expected to hear the words on the other end an hour later... "we lost Margot."

Margot June Jackson was stillborn at 5:46 p.m.
Weight: 7 lbs. 12 oz.
Length: 21 inches

Pictures that Josh took of Margot while he and Kari spent time with her in those first hours show a beautiful baby girl with dark hair and a button nose. So perfect. So fully formed. We only wish that we could have held her. Our hearts ache with such deep loss for Margot, and for Josh and Kari as they walk through this time of heartache.

Kari's health was critical the days following with the amount of blood loss she suffered. All is stable now except for her kidneys. We are hoping and praying that the kidneys will begin to function as they should.

The love, support, and prayers from people all over the world have been such a source of encouragement and strength for all of us.

A Perspective on Thinking

2011-03-22T04:41:00.000-04:00

An excerpt from a John Piper article posted on the recent Catalyst site caught my attention. It was the first word of the paragraph that kept me reading further until I eventually clicked on "more" to read the full article.

I'm a thinker. Sometimes I wonder: Do I think too much? What should I do with all my thinking? When does it cross the line of an unhealthy introspection? Does my thinking stifle my doing or does it generate momentum in my life?

I found Piper's article - Seek it Like Silver - worth the read as he sorted through his own tension with thinking and feeling and doing. It gave me something to think about :). A new perspective for those of us who think a lot.

Perhaps the following paragraph will whet your appetite for more.

Thinking is indispensable on the path to passion for God. Thinking is not an end in itself. Nothing but God himself is finally an end in itself. Thinking is not the goal of life. Thinking, like non-thinking, can be the ground for boasting. Thinking, without prayer, without the Holy Spirit, without obedience, without love, will puff up and destroy. (1 Cor. 8:1) But thinking under the mighty hand of God, thinking soaked in prayer, thinking carried by the Holy Spirit, thinking tethered to the Bible, thinking in pursuit of more reasons to praise and proclaim the glories of God, thinking in the service of love–such thinking is indispensable in a life of fullest praise to God.

Cleaning Windows

2011-03-16T03:19:00.000-04:00

Today I cleaned the windows in the front of our flat. The sun was shining in gloriously, which made the buildup of grime from winter even more obvious.

With 11 foot ceilings, I definitely needed to get out the step ladder. I usually have two rags in hand. A "dirty" rag that catches the layer of dust and dirt on the first wipe. As I made my way down the glass pane, the blackened rag made me wonder how we look out these windows every day and don't notice the grime. The second rag, my "clean" one, finishes off the task with several wipes, until the windows shimmer in the sunlight.

When I was completely done with the windows, inside and out, I stood back to make sure I had hit all the spots. I couldn't believe the difference.

All winter we've been pulling up the outside wooden shades, letting the daylight flood our study room. We had grown accustomed to the dust and the winter "dirt" that comes with the elements. It wasn't until I cleaned them that I realized how bad they were. The whole room seemed to come alive with the new, clean look of just-washed windows.

I thought of how our souls need a good spring cleaning from time to time. God's light reveals the soiled places of our hearts, yet he stretches out his heart of love, wiping the soil and grime away with his forgiveness and mercy. His warmth begins to thaw out the weariness of a winter season when the heart, perhaps, has grown dull and listless. His generous grace is applied with joy and delight, renewing the spirit. The soul is reborn once again.

In this season of Lent I am ever mindful of my need for spring cleaning, and grateful for a heavenly Father who cleans with two rags.

One Word: Mid-Life Perspective (Round 2)

2011-02-28T11:16:00.000-05:00

I've been going through the points from Keith Drury's recent Tuesday Column entitled "Happy 50th Birthday," a look at the decade of life we call the 50's. My last post focused on his first six points. Starting with #7 I'll continue with my thoughts as I ponder this word "perspective” - my word for the year - in light of his article.

7. "Last job." Keith throws out a valid assumption that in your 50's you're probably going to make a choice of sticking with the job you have or moving on to what will probably be your last job before retirement age hits.

Except for a few part-time jobs in the mix of raising kids, I committed to being a stay-at-home mom. When I was raising our four children, along with my involvement in the work of the church, I knew myself well enough to know that I couldn't have managed a full-time job. My best play has been to come along side Dennis to support and encourage, and to be available to serve where my gifts and strengths fit best no matter where we are in life and ministry. But, who knows... maybe someday down the road my "last job" will be my "first job." As for Dennis... as I said before, going beyond local church ministry wasn't on our radar, but the early 50's definitely brought about change for us. Keith says it's rare for a person to take on new work in their 60's, though, he says it sometimes does happen.

8. Health scare. Health issues can begin to surface in the 50's. There are certainly no guarantees on life. We both try to live in a healthy way and have been blessed with good health thus far. In fact, Europe has been good to us health-wise. We walk a lot, eat less sweet stuff, and eat smaller portions. We ask one of our missionary friends here in Hungary if they gain weight when they go back to the states. Without much thought she responded: "As soon as we step off the plane." It's true!

9. Family changes. Keith sums it up like this. You enter the 50's with kids finally leaving home. You usually exit the 50's as a grandparent.

Well, this certainly has been true of us - going on 5 grands at the half way mark (at least for me :). Moving overseas has changed family life, though even before we left Michigan, we were navigating what it looked like to be a long-distance family with our grown children living from east coast to west coast. Intentionality is key! Technology has definitely given us an advantage. We can Skype, phone, email, and facebook within minutes, if not seconds. But, no matter if the family is near or far, the family dynamics change in this stage of life. As Keith pointed out, everyone use to come home for Christmas, now we visit the kids for the holidays.

10. Faith. I'm going to quote Keith's remarks for this one rather than try to summarize.

You may settle some faith issue you took for granted in your 40’s 30’s and before. You may face some doubts you never entertained before. You might enter what James Fowler calls “conjunctive faith.” You might become more close-minded and more open-minded simultaneously.

I think in this new era of post-modernism and post-Christianity, Keith's statements especially ring true. I will only speak for myself here. I have asked more questions about my faith in this decade than ever before. The Christian beliefs that I have always held to, and perhaps at times took for granted, have been tested in this decade far beyond what I ever saw coming.

I have another article by Keith in my files where he shares the pencil-pen-blood issues of our faith. (See Keith’s article on pencil-pen-blood here for further understanding into these thoughts.) Without going into much detail here, I can say that I have become more open-minded in those things that are pencil and pen, but even more solid in the blood issues of my faith. As a child I can remember quoting the Apostle’s Creed every Sunday morning in the church my family attended. It had meaning to me then as I considered the words recited along with the rest of the congregation. And, those words have even more spiritual significance to me now that I am in my 50’s. Not many years ago I remember Dennis preaching on Thomas, the doubter. “Lean toward, not away from Jesus,” he encouraged those with faith questions. It made sense because it’s the Spirit of God who “guides us into all truth.” So much more could be said here, but I leave it with that.

11. Generativity. Dennis and I have talked about this as we entered this decade. We have observed “older” folks who become inwardly focused. Keith calls this inward focus “stagnation.” We observe others who keep giving of themselves. This is where Keith’s word “generativity” comes in, which is all about investing in the coming generations. This is where Dennis and I want to live and continue to live… life-long learners who are life-long investors.

Well, I guess Keith skipped the #9 and I didn't notice until I was listing this out on my blog. So eleven points to think about instead of twelve.

Since I'm a seasonal person, I thought maybe the word "perspective" would last me for three to four months. Then, my plan was to move on to another word. But I'm telling you, if I have many more things come my way that speak into my word "perspective," it's going to have to last the year.

It's going to take me a year to get the focus from "perspective" in full swing. You may be hearing about this word all year long!

One Word: Mid-Life Perspective

2011-02-24T12:00:00.012-05:00

I'm beginning to wonder if this word of mine - perspective - has something to do with mid-life. Is mid-50's mid-life, or am I too late?

Today I read through Keith Drury's "Happy 50th Birthday" posted on his Tuesday Column. I'm not sure what inspired him to write it. Perhaps now that he is past this decade he can give us 50-somethings a forewarning of what to expect. Or, maybe it was a thoughtful gift for someone's 50th birthday, and knowing Keith, he decided to pass it on to the rest of us. (Keith is professor of practical ministries at Indiana Wesleyan University. His Tuesday Column has been running for at least 15 years I believe.)

I read through his 12 points mentally rating both Dennis and I in this mid-life checkup. I'm sure Dennis will appreciate that I included him. Keep in mind, Dennis is two years younger than me, so he has an advantage here. :)

1. Productivity and Influence - Keith says the 50's could be the most productive years of life for the Kingdom. The prime years. Not too young. Not too old. I think this could very true of Dennis. I think I need to pick up the pace. The past 5 years have been transitional in several ways, thus my word "perspective" to get downright focused on the things that matter.

2. Burnout - I actually think we went through this planting a church in Houston, TX in our 20's. Hopefully we learned lessons then that will prevent that now.

3. The Great Compromise - The essence of this is that in our 50's we face the reality that maybe not all of our dreams will come true. Some people settle with that reality, and others see it as an opportunity to dream again. This line got me: People who imagine doing all kinds of interesting things in their 60's seldom do them if they haven't started them in their 50's. I think we have both realized that our dreams have been tweaked a bit, maybe a lot. What we thought was going to be a life-time of local church ministry turned into a call beyond the local church to the continent of Europe. I don't think that was ever on our radar. As for me, I've got 5 years to get things rolling to keep the 60's vibrant and fulfilling. Again, that word perspective is timely.

4. Empty nest - Yep. We've been there for 5 years now. Dennis and I got married in college between our sophomore and junior year. We had our firstborn between our junior and senior year. Did we ever have a honeymoon? The honeymoon has begun and I hope it never ends. We sold just about everything we owned to move to Europe, moved into a 1,000 sq. foot flat, we're car-less, and have the privilege of traveling throughout Europe involved in Kingdom work. I think we're making up for lost time.

5. Marital Changes - Keith says we either grow closer or further apart, but many in their 50's find marriage satisfying. In light of #4, I'd say we're getting closer and satisfied :).

6. Physical Changes - I've always felt young... until my 50's when my body began to do things out of my control. I haven't always taken to these changes very gracefully. But, I want to grow old gracefully. I want to stay as fit as possible, so I run 3x/week and exercise, try to eat right, keep myself up-to-date with the trends (but within my age limit:), and look as beautiful for Dennis as I can. As for Dennis, last year was the first I saw any gray hairs on that guy! Incredible.

Twelve points, six more to go. I'll save the second half for my next post. :) Here's to the 50's!

One Word: Panoramic Perspective

2011-02-21T15:23:00.002-05:00

One of the comments left on my last post on choosing a word for the year began like this: "That's a very big word..."

Perspective is a very big word. It can cover the expanse of the universe in a thousand ways. It's a way of looking at things, a point of view, or a frame of mind. That can go in lots of different directions for lots of different people.

As I mentioned in my last post, God is taking this word far beyond what I thought. We're not even through the second month yet, and my word! - perspective - is taking on some unique angles that I believe will bring defined focus and direction to life.

Several years ago on Dennis' sabbatical we drove out of Jackson Hole, Wyoming after a nights' stay to begin our drive toward Yellowstone, then onto Glacier National Park. Driving north, winding along the Snake River, the sweeping views of the Tetons kept our heads turning as one mountain peak rolled into another. At a distance, we could survey the 40-mile long stretch of snow-capped mountains that seemed to rise out of nowhere from the flat green pastures before us.

"Perspective" is taking me there in these first few months in the journey. Not back to the Tetons, but inviting me to step back and take a panoramic view of life.

In January I was gifted a book written by one of my favorite authors, Henri Nouwen, Spiritual Direction. I read it through in a matter of a week, and I'm now in the process of reading it through a second time, pacing each chapter over a week's time in order to soak it in deeply. The book, a posthumous presentation of Nouwen's teachings and thoughts on spiritual direction, has been incredibly timely, especially in light of the word perspective. In the fourth chapter entitled, Where Have I Been and Where Am I Going?, Nouwen describes how he taught his students on the spiritual life in relationship to these questions.

I sometimes drew a long straight line from the left edge to the right on the blackboard, and I'd explain: "This is our eternal life in God. You belong to God from eternity to eternity. You were loved by God before you were born; you will be loved by God long after you die." Then I would mark off a small segment of the line and say: "This is your human lifetime. It is only a part of your total life in God. You are here for just a short time - for twenty, forty, sixty, or eighty years - to discover and believe that you are a beloved child of God. The length of time doesn't matter. Life is just a short opportunity for you during a few years to say to God: 'I love you, too.' "

Now, I don't believe this is meant to be a sobering thought, though it might come across that way with the reality of how short life can be when measured in the line of eternity. But what the long straight line does for me is to give perspective from a distance.

I can take the chalk and mark my small segment of life on the blackboard. I can say that I am a beloved child of God living in the segment of life He has given me for this time and place in history. As a beloved child of God where have I been? As a beloved child of God where am I going? These are the questions I'm asking as I view the panorama of my life.

One Word - Part One

2011-02-10T05:28:00.001-05:00

Perspective. My word for the year.

Dennis preached on this very thing some 20 years ago at the church where he was on staff at the time - Central Wesleyan in Holland, Michigan. I believe the message was titled, "Choosing a Word for the Year." Since then, we both have chosen a word for the year. It's the idea of choosing a word - rather than setting goals for a new year resolution - that will bring a theme to life that concentrates on the "be" side of life rather than the "do" side of life.

Recently I was having coffee with a new friend who was sharing about a group of gals she meets with weekly. She told me how one of the gals suggested this idea of choosing a word for the year. She called it a "one-word resolution." I asked her where they got the idea. She wasn't sure and suggested googling it. I was just curious since I'd been doing this thing for years and hadn't really given much thought to it outside of the end of the year thought processes that move me to that one word.

Later that week I googled in "one word" and discovered pages upon Google pages about this one-word resolution. I didn't know that the one-word resolution became such a revolution! :)

Our new lifestyle that requires a lot of travel was the main direction I was going with this word, perspective. My Mac Widget dictionary defines it like this: a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view; a true understanding of the relative importance of things.

For me, it was a matter of keeping a positive attitude in the midst of what sometimes seems like an upheaveled life of packing suitcases, living out of them, sleeping in umpteen different beds, and not always having your own space. Not that it's an abrupt or a sudden change, we plan out our itinerary well in advance, but even so, sometimes in the moments it can get wearisome, especially for this "everything has a place" and "I need some space" kind of person.

But, what I'm finding out - not far into this new year - is that the direction my thoughts were going with this theme were minor to how God intended to use this word in my life.

Could it Be??

2011-02-05T11:05:00.000-05:00

Mother nature might be teasing us already here in Budapest, but it was a gorgeous day today. The sun was full on. Only a patch of snow here and there. I think I even saw the beginning stages of buds on the trees. Could it be the beginning of spring?

My mid-afternoon run was a delight as I saw senior couples walking hand-in-hand taking in the mild temperatures. So sweet. Lots of families out with little ones riding bikes, young parents pushing strollers, enjoying the sunshine for a leisurely walk down by the river at Lágymányosi Park. Dog walkers, bikers, you name it, everybody was out. Ahhh! The sweet smell of spring. Glorious!

Sorry my mid-west friends...

Back Home in Budapest...

2011-02-01T15:47:00.000-05:00

One of the things I'm beginning to see as a pattern once we return home from weeks of travels, is that about four or five days in, I go into a bit of a letdown. The anticlimax comes after constant people time. It's short-lived, but a reality that I'm aware of.

Granted, I need my space within those extended times of travel, whether in the states or in Europe, to pull away to replenish my being, but I do enjoy the interaction, the investment, the experience of giving and receiving encouragement, and just plain getting to know people. In essence it's all about community. Certainly I'm developing community here in Budapest, but that all takes time and with the realities of the language barrier it takes even longer.

Just like clock-work, that day hit last Wednesday, five days in from our arrival in Budapest.

That day we decided to go to our "second office" (Costa Coffee) to just get out of the flat. I personally like the peripheral noise of the coffee shop that takes up some of my brain's humming, actually enabling me to concentrate better :).

Dennis and I were working, among other things, on downloading a software program on my computer that would give me access to some nice benefits when traveling on Outlook and for working with our data base, but typical for us, we had some glitches to work out. And, Costa's internet was down. Of course. It was just one of those days.

Dennis made his way up to the third story of the mall to catch the internet available at the food court. I opted to stay at the coffee shop to work on things that didn't require internet. I had placed my Bible and journal in my bag, something I always try to have with me just in case I have time to read or journal on a long public transport or whenever. I pulled out my Bible and began to read where I had last left off - 2 Corinthians 7 - where Paul is writing about his arrival with Timothy in Macedonia. Upon their arrival Paul writes - out of obvious discouragement - how they felt pressure from every which way.

The sentence that caught my attention was this - But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. I read through the rest of the paragraph of Paul's joy in seeing Titus, closed my Bible, and quietly under my breath prayed, God, would you encourage me today?

That evening I received a facebook message from one of our Czech friends. "Well, it's official. We're headed your way Friday afternoon... We don't have any big plans. We definitely want to hit up Costa Coffee! ... it might be fun to stop by at some point and see your place. HOWEVER, we all understand what it's like to just get home and need time to just "be" so there's no pressure on that notion."

She and three other gals were coming to Budapest and I was feeling pretty giddy by now.

I returned the message with "I don't know what you intended this time to look like, but I would be thrilled to hang out beyond a stop over at our flat (which we would welcome... no pressure at all... are you kidding me). Even beyond "just coffee." Can you tell I'm in need of community! But, let me say my HOWEVER, I don't want to impose, so any time I get, will be such an encouragement to me."

Our "HOWEVERS" were soon put aside as we made more specific plans for the weekend. They were staying at an apartment offered free for the weekend by one of the gal's brother, so we compared notes on our address and where they would be staying, and from there we began to set plans as to where we would meet on the metro.

Well, they all ended up coming over for an enchilada dinner on Friday night (thanks to Dennis:), which was special for our Czech friend who had never had enchilada's before. I met up with them on Saturday and we had a girls day out starting out at Costa for coffee and breakfast, sightseeing at St. Istavan's, the Dohány St. Synagogue, the Grand Market, lunch at our favorite Thai place, took the #2 tram along the river where we could see the Buda castle side and stop to see the Jewish shoe memorial, ending at the Széchenyi Thermal Bath where we enjoyed bath-like water in freezing temperatures by the light of the moon. We laughed and joked and shared and enjoyed the entire day together. I didn't get home until midnight because we found a TGIFriday's in the city and ended our evening with an American dinner!

I thought about my simple, yet heartfelt prayer on the Wednesday before. God had indeed encouraged me with the kind of weekend that I haven't had in a long time. I find that whenever I ask God to encourage me, He does. I could fill in Paul's sentence like this: But God, the God who encourages the discouraged, encouraged me with the arrival of my friends from Czech.

I thought of how on those days that might best be described as "some days are like that," we simply ask the God who encourages the discouraged to encourage us, and then watch to see how He fills in the blank. It's a verse that I won't soon forget, and I'll have four beautiful faces to remind me of a special day that meant the world to me.

Lifelong Learning...

2011-01-19T15:22:00.000-05:00

I don't know what it is about college campuses, but they inspire and energize me.

Dennis and I are finishing up our last day at Bethany Bible College (New Brunswick, Canada) where we have enjoyed engaging in all sorts of venues with the student body. From Dennis speaking in chapel to classroom teaching to one-on-one sharing, we have certainly found our days here to be fulfilling in many ways.

Perhaps it's not the campus, as much as it is the students and faculty, that send bursts of energy into my being. I love the atmosphere that a college campus creates, and I love the stage of 20-somethings. They are in a learning mode, growing toward maturity, and asking questions of life. I love being a part of that.

I was in the bookstore the first day I was here and wanted to buy so many books, and wished I could take the classes the books represented. I want to be a lifelong learner. Always discovering, keeping my mind stimulated and growing, whether in a formal or informal setting.

If you know my life story you would understand how significant it is for me to call myself a lifelong learner. Stepping out to attend college at the age of 20 was a step of faith that jumped huge hurdles of self-doubt and insecurities in my academic abilities. What a joy it was today to share with a class of Bethany students how God has worked in my life to bring a competency and confidence that I never could have imagined as a high school student.

Thanking God for the opportunity we have had over the past three days to invest in the students at Bethany, and we hope to see some of them on the Europe fields in the months and years to come!

Thoughts from 35,000 feet

2011-01-10T10:04:00.000-05:00

I remember the first time I flew in a plane. I was 19 years old. Flying from Miami to Manaus, Brazil. I remember gazing out the window in awe of the puffy clouds that summer day in 1975. It was my first mission trip with a group of teens from all over the country. I only knew the friend that signed up with me. We were both disillusioned with our current jobs and ready for some adventure. We came upon the Teen Missions pamphlet in a local bookstore and picked it up as we paid for our purchases. We had three choices out of the many opportunities to serve in missions around the world. Guess enough others wanted our first two choices, so those being filled up, our third choice became our adventure - building an airplane hangar on the Manicore River in the Amazon region of Brazil for the Wycliffe missionaries. It was a summer that changed my life.

But the thing that takes me back to that adventure more than anything else is when I'm 35,000 feet high looking out an airplane window.

I remember realizing the minuteness of man as I looked down on the monopoly size houses and streets below. Who is man that you are mindful of him?

I was struck with the awesomeness of a sovereign God, Creator of the universe, as I looked out over the vast, unending stretch of cosmos before me. I can never escape your Spirit! I can never get away from your Presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there. . . If I ride the wings of the morning, If I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

With kids and grandkids living here, there, and everywhere, plus our role in Europe, I have had opportunities to gaze out an airplane window more than I could have ever imagined since that first flight in 1975. In fact, I haven't counted, but I would venture to say I've had over 30 literal windows of opportunity to consider such thoughts since our move to Budapest a year ago come the 13th of this month.

And, I still get the same sense of awesomeness when I look down on earth in all it's majesty - the barren desert of California, the juts and cliffs of the Rockies, the snow-capped Alps, the Danube winding its way through eastern Europe. I often wonder as we cross the expanse of cities, small towns, and rural life about the people below. Life. Needs. Desires. Relationships. And, again I'm reminded of the minuteness of man.

From 35,000 feet up man appears insignificant, yet we have a Creator who sees us as significant in every way.

Dutch Blitz and Family Seasons

2011-01-03T20:52:00.000-05:00

Today is our final day with family in CA. We left Pasadena a few days ago to return to Mike and Joni's to finish out this leg of the state-side journey. It's been a delight to connect with one of our "other daughter's" while in San Diego. Rachel Nafis (Pitney) lives in SD with her husband Chris. We've said several times as we hung out today... who would have thought when she and Julie were in Jr. High that years later we would be sitting in a coffee shop in San Diego playing Dutch Blitz?

Over the years our family has had numerous games we have played when gathering together for holidays or family vacations - Speed Scrabble, Up & Down the River, Uno, Poker, Catch Phrase. Today, our final day, was our first time to play Dutch Blitz - a card game we played endlessly and ferociously in the past - which reveals what stage of family life we are in. Not as many late nights or long competitive card games with little ones in the mix. In fact, one night in Pasadena, Dennis and I said we would stay back with Miles and Stella after they were down for the night, so the adults could go out. They decided they were too tired and opted to stay home. Funny how things change.

Mike, Julie, and I were talking on our walk back from the coffee shop this afternoon. We shared how fast our family is growing. We remembered when it was just Evee, and how it seemed a long season with just Evee. Now 3 more kiddos have been added to the family, and another one to come in April. We shifted our thoughts to 10 years out. Evee will be going on 14. Crazy thought! We decided she could babysit Julie's kids when the family gets together then :).

It feels like life went kind of slow when Dennis and I were raising kids. It took a long while to get through the first 25 years raising 4 kids. Now it feels like the years are flying by. Going too fast.

We'll do our best to keep connecting with our kids and grandkids over the miles, and find new games to play at family gatherings, with the grand-kids joining in before we know it. All I know is that I want to stay as healthy as I can to get in on all the fun and games, even if I still lose at Dutch Blitz.

Snow to Sunshine. . .

2010-12-29T17:45:00.002-05:00

We went from lots of snow in Cadillac, MI and Indianapolis to sunshine and the warmer temps of San Diego and Pasadena with Julie, the Morgan's, and the Jackson's.

Had wonderfully relaxing days with Dad & Mom J, and our snow fix for the year :)

Josh with Miles and Stella

Miles with Papa and Grammie - what a fun kid!

My favorite son :)

Unwrapping the presents

A walk to the Farmer's Market

Julie and Dennis

Josh, Kari, and Stella and baby girl Jackson coming in April

Mike, Joni, and Miles

Auntie Julie with Miles

The Joy of Family...

2010-12-18T16:50:00.001-05:00

Less writing and more photos. That's the next few weeks on my blog. It's not every day, week, or month, as far as that goes, that I get to be with family, so photos are in order. So are bragging rights.

With that said, we had a fun time with Clint and Jamie and the girls. They came with us to PA to visit my parents for part of the weekend. Great time with my extended family last night as we gathered in the living room.

Papi and the girls - Evee was dressing up Iris :)

Our sweet Iris with her big blue eyes

Love you Clint and Jamie! You are great parents to Evee and Iris and we are blessed to have you in our family. Loved having these days with you!

Christmas Begins!

2010-12-16T22:52:00.001-05:00

Loving time with Evee and Iris

Making cookie dough

My little helper

The finished product - Spritz cookies and Christmas cookies ready to be iced.

Christmas Changes...

2010-12-13T15:30:00.001-05:00

Our Budapest tree :)

On these days leading up to Christmas I've had this feeling that I should be doing more. By now, in the past, the tree is up and decorated. Maybe a few wrapped gifts under the tree. Stockings with gold-glittered names would be hung down the stair rail. If I was hanging stockings this year we would add another stocking to the thirteen that already represent our growing family. We are excited to welcome our 5th grandchild into the world in April thanks to Josh and Kari!

I probably would have already made soup - vegetable beef, chicken corn chowder - to put in the freezer until Christmas eve day. It was always our tradition to have warm bread and soup waiting after the Christmas eve services.

Fudge Sundae Dessert was a holiday tradition, another thing I could prepare ahead of time and pop in the freezer. I actually miss our Montgomery Ward chest freezer that my parents gave us as a wedding gift where we stored the beef they supplied us for the first 10 years of our marriage. What a practical gift that was! And, that freezer - passed on to some friends in MI when we made the move to Budapest - continues to keep going after 32 years!

I definitely would be making Christmas cookies this week. I had narrowed it down to two recipes. One simply called, Christmas Cookies, a sandwich cookie with the yummiest icing that melts in your mouth. And, Spritz cookies, Dennis' favorite (Josh, too).

Just when I was thinking about all this, I received several emails this week that warmed my heart.

Joni wrote, "I was thinking that we could make some soup here for Christmas as well as some cookies. I could pre make a couple pans of egg casserole and the chicken corn chowder ahead of time as well. Whatever sounds good. I was planning on making both of those things anyway... we can do them together... "

We'll be heading back to the states combining a conference, a college campus visit, and meetings, with visits to family over the holiday. I had forgot about the egg casserole that Joni mentioned. It has been a Christmas morning tradition that I could make ahead of time and pop in the freezer, too.

Then, this from Kari: "I've been thinking through food for Christmas, and I thought I'd email and get your thoughts! On the 26th, I'm planning on making chicken corn chowder and vege beef soup for everyone, since you all will be traveling up here during the day. I'll also make an egg casserole for the morning of the 27th."

And last night we skyped with Jamie and Evee and we talked about making Christmas cookies. For sure the Spritz. This week, in fact!

I've got to smile. Christmas changes, but really, not so much. We're so thankful that we get to see our family - all our kids, grand-kids and parents, too - and some of the traditions will keep on going, no matter how much life changes or where in the world we are.

An Unexpected Discovery...

2010-12-05T17:19:00.006-05:00

One of the things I enjoy in all our travels is meeting people. I’m especially delighted when I capture some one-on-one time – slipping away for coffee or lunch or just seizing some moments on the spot – that enables the conversation to go deeper. It’s my empathy at work, or should I say at play, because it’s not work for me to get to know people. I ask questions and the stories flow – passions, desires, struggles, sources of joy and fulfillment. I’m finding the world is a small world after all, and though there are different cultures, languages, and traditions, people are, well . . . people.

Dennis and I arrived Tuesday evening to a very cold London. In fact, the paper I was reading on the tube to Baker Street station said that it was the coldest November in England in 25 years. It felt almost surreal to pick up a newspaper that I could actually read or to hear conversations of those around me where I could understand every word. I had to pinch myself a few times to remind me that I wasn't in the U.S. even with the British accent.

Once off the tube at Baker Street, we walked a short jaunt to the London sight of Madame Tussands where we had made plans to meet a lady who is part of the Wesleyan Church in Great Britian. Katei approached us with a broad smile that shimmered in the night and brought immediate warmth to us in the crisp, cold air of the evening. Even though we had never met before, an instant hug seemed to be fitting and natural.

“Does pizza sound good?” she asked as we made our way across the street. I could see the blue neon lit “Pizza Express” on the corner. Pizza sounded good, familiar, and comforting from the cold and after a day of travel. As we rounded the corner, walking past windows of tables filled with happy pizza patrons, I commented about how busy the place was. With a twinkle in her eye, Katei responded in her British accent, “That’s because it’s good.” We were ushered to the basement seating area and seated at a table back in the corner where we situated our luggage, still in tow from our flight.

Katei, a classy lady – sharp, witty, confident, competent – is an obvious leader who takes her cues from God, then initiates in faith to make a difference in her world. I was immediately drawn to her. Women with a quiet confidence catch my attention and awaken my own heart to walk confidently. I took note that she made reference to her parents, who now live back in Antigua after years of ministry in the UK, several times throughout our conversation with fondness and great admiration. I imagined that she came from a family where high belief and the picture of a special future were lovingly expressed, giving her an assurance that launched her out into the world to exert her God-given gifts and abilities. I love that!

A bonus to the evening was when Katei mentioned David Wright, who moved his family to England in the early 90's to help establish a Bible Institute in Burmingham for the growing Wesleyan denomination in the UK. I leaned toward Dennis for a quick moment to quietly ask, “Is that Christin’s Dad?” to which he gave an affirmative nod as Katei continued on with her thoughts. Katei was one of the first students to enroll in the Bible Institute and engaged deeply with the Wright family.

My face lit up with the discovery of this information and once Katei finished her sentence, the words tumbled out of my mouth in an effort to fill her in on my connection with Christin Wright Taylor. Christin was 10 years old when she moved with her family to England and met Katei. Now twenty-some years later she lives in Bellingham, WA with her husband, and 3-year old daughter.

You see . . . though Christin and I have never met, we have developed a friendship in the past nine months particularly through her online writer’s workshop called The Blank Page. Our son, Josh, put me on to Christin’s workshop knowing that I enjoy writing. He even told me that he thought in another life if Christin and I had known each other we would have been best friends. Well, we didn’t have to wish for another life. Though the friendship is new and developing, we have discovered in a short time that we are like-minded about many things. It seems I keep running into Christin in unexpected places even though we are oceans apart. It’s really quite crazy to think about.

I had no idea that Katei’s story would somehow link up with my story. Suddenly we had something uniquely in common. Three hours later we finished our dinner. The pizza was as good as she said it was, but the real blessing was getting to know a new friend in Katei Kirby.

Later that night, after we separated ways, Katei and I let Christin in on our discovery via Facebook and email, which put her in a complete tizzy (as she put it). Her past and present worlds somehow united, or I like to say collided, without her even knowing it. (If you want to read Christin’s side of the story describing her moment of “tizzy” you can find it here on her blog.)

Somehow I can't help but think that there is more to this story that we have yet to discover. Someday I picture Christin, Katei, and me sitting in Budapest or London or the state of Washington or who knows where (!) having lunch together, the three of us, who met worlds apart, yet somehow united in heart.

Because, after all, it is a small world.

Five Things...

2010-11-22T16:11:00.001-05:00

Well, there is no Thanksgiving holiday in Hungary. So, on Thursday, while friends and family in the states surround tables filled with turkey and stuffing and green bean casserole and sweet potato casserole and pumpkin pie we will be having a regular day. My mouth is watering!

But, tonight we began something that I hope becomes a tradition for the two of us. We sat at our table for two just behind our living room sofa, eating a delicious meal of rice and chicken with an amazing peanut satay sauce that Dennis prepared. With Christmas music playing in the background, we took time during our meal to share five things we are thankful for. It was Dennis' idea that we take time each day this week to share five reasons to be thankful.

And so tonight, we began our list. There was something lovely and meaningful about that. It ended up being our entire conversation during the meal. We would elaborate a bit on each one, affirming and confirming each others thoughts. Our five things were quite simple, really, but so meaningful for the two of us. A few even brought tears to our eyes. Little things, but they seemed so significant.

Tomorrow is yet another day to consider five things. My heart is lighter tonight. All because of thankfulness.

Spain Was Meant for Me...

2010-11-17T14:29:00.000-05:00

Have you ever had one of those times when you were asked to do something for someone, and it ended up being something that you needed, perhaps more than those you were serving?

That's exactly what my Spain experience was like. The time in Spain was incredible, but not without challenges prior to getting there, and feeling extremely exhausted the first day I arrived. Due to unsuspected circumstances prior to leaving I arrived two days after Dennis, just hours before my first speaking slot.

I was asked to speak on a woman's self-worth, and so in my first session, I chose to talk about the lies women believe, plus the foothold that the enemy gains when we live with unforgiveness in our hearts.

I can not tell you the amount of oppression I felt going into this time and prior to my Sunday morning session. The unforeseen circumstances prior to leaving and flying out with only two hours of sleep closed in on me. Constant mind-battles with doubts and accusations tormented me. I shared Saturday evening in spite of extreme tiredness and blurred thinking on the anatomy of a stronghold based on lies, perhaps a bit abstract for translation, but trusted the Spirit's ability to articulate despite the language barrier.

Sunday morning came with the kind of a sinus headache that produces nausea. I almost bowed out of the morning session, willing to hand the opportunity over to Dennis, but I resolved to push through and I began to feel the headache lift. God filled me with peace, and I shared with confidence. God moved in that time in a way that I couldn't have ever imagined! I closed out that session with a "love letter" from God chocked full of His truths from scripture. Before I finished the letter, eventually every woman's face was wet with tears, including mine and the translator's. The Holy Spirit's presence was undeniable! God's Word was so powerful.

Later that morning during worship the ladies made their way to the front of the auditorium to dance to the worship music. Of course, they took me by the hand and I joined them in dance. What a joyful atmosphere in praise to the God of truth!

I needed to be reminded of the truths as much as the others. How easy we forget! I remember reading in C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity that “people need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” Perhaps this is why I'm so passionate about this topic of lies vs. truth. I need to be reminded as much as anybody else.

I've been living with an "angst," for lack of a better word. I think with all of life's transitions, the enemy knows when we are most vulnerable, and pounces on us with his lies and labels and doubts and questions. If we aren't on guard we take those negative voices in, letting them play out in our attitude and behavior patterns. The very thing I had prepared to share with the ladies in Spain.

On the flight home a few days later, I created my own sanctuary right there in my window seat. I sat and wrote in my journal, listing the lies I have been believing, taking time to confess, renounce, and declare them no longer active in my life.

I then wrote truths to counteract the lies, and walked off the plane that day with a new freedom in my heart. A freedom that welcomes the peace and joy and contentment that I can only find in the truth of Jesus.

Spain was meant for me, too.

Final Days with Family...

2010-11-02T19:27:00.001-04:00

Our couple weeks of family time is over and it's a bit sad to think about as I download photos from our final days with Mike, Joni, and Miles.


Joni and Mike studying a statue of Anonymous

Closer view of the mystery writer :)

Joni and I are lagging behind taking pictures - love this photo of Dennis and Mike

Visiting the castle in Visegrad about an hour from Budpest

Uh Oh! Miles is in trouble! He has Dennis' gloves on :)

Beautiful view of the Danube from the top of the castle

Miles exploring the cobblestone streets of Szentendre, a town about 20 minutes from Budapest


Loved having you visit Mike, Joni, and Miles! We miss you!

Mike, Joni, and Miles in Budapest

2010-10-25T16:59:00.001-04:00

Well, we have had back to back visits from family. Mike, Joni, and Miles arrived the night before Julie flew back to the states. It was fun to have them all here at the same time, even if it was just for an evening. We had an awesome time with Julie and would have loved to have her stay!

Dennis and I have seen some Budapest sights for the first time while out and about with Mike, Joni, and Miles. We took in a one-day trip to Vienna by train, and now we get to have some "Miles time" while Mike and Joni have some "just us" time in Rome.

Some out and about photos, but mostly of Miles :).


A walk along the Danube to see the Jewish shoe memorial.

Cast iron shoes in honor of the Jewish victims shot into the Danube during World War II.

Miles loved watching for the tram to come down the tracks. This was the look on his face when he saw it coming.

On the train to Vienna.

I'll take these pigeons over Saint Stephan's Cathedral in Vienna any day!

Bedtime story "Grandma and Me"

Running Together!

2010-10-17T15:44:00.001-04:00

Julie, my friend Olga, and I ran the Coca-Cola Women's 10K (6.2 miles) Run today. What a blast, and what a beautiful run through the City Park, through Heroe's Square, and down Andrassy Avenue. Dennis did his own run, catching us at different points on the course to cheer us on and take pictures. How fun to have Julie here to experience this run with me!

The running trio, though we all separated to run our own race just after crossing the start line.

Julie (center in blue t-shirt) entering Heroe's Sq. - I ran through this spot about 10 minutes later :).

A smile for the camera as she stays strong in the second half.


Too focused to smile at the camera.

About to cross the finish line. Reached my goal of finishing in less than an hour.

Afterward we soothed our muscles at one of the 50 thermal baths in the city.

Julie is Here!

2010-10-14T15:54:00.001-04:00

What fun having Julie with us in Budapest, our first family member to see our place and city. Jules arrived this afternoon and we took her out on this beautiful evening to show her the views along the Danube. We are so excited to spend these days with her.

Real People Who Lived History

2010-10-08T20:28:00.001-04:00

I've said this before since we've moved to Europe, and I will say it again. It's fascinating to hear real people tell stories that I've only read in high school history books or tried to imagine when viewing a place that marks European history.

Father Placid is one of those real people. At the age of 94 his mind is still sharp and his humor delightful.

Last weekend Dennis and I had the privilege of meeting Father Carl Olofsson, or Father Placid (the name given by his order of St. Benedict) in his 3rd story flat, the same flat he and his sister were raised in. Two hours later I had pages full of notes.

Father Placid was unable to finish his Benedictine schooling due to his arrest by the occupying Soviet Communist police in the spring of 1946.

He recalled entering what is now a museum in Budapest aptly called the House of Terror, once the former headquarters for the secret police of both the Nazi and Communist governments. The secret police terrorized, tried, deported, or executed anyone suspected of being an enemy of the state. Studying to be a priest was considered one of the Soviet penalty codes.

"Once anyone entered the threshold of this building, they were no longer a human being. If anybody wanted to kick me, they would." He spoke of night interrogations. Two spotlights zeroed in on his naked body, except for the sandals on his feet, while slanderous statements were meant to break him down.

He raised his hands in the air and with a triumphant voice declared, "The Soviet Union did their best to ruin me, but where is the Soviet Union today?"

He couldn't sit down in his private cell. He'd take one step forward, then one step back, and kept praying, and praying, and praying. "The Soviet Union made sure to send messages of insecurity to the prisoners. . . never knew when they would be shot in the head, legs amputated. . . they didn't want to be heroes, or martyrs, they just wanted to survive their hell. What did we have to do with the Soviet Union?"

He was sentenced ten years to a Russian Gulag in Siberia. He explained that Gulag is an acronym for The Chief Administration of Corrective Labour Camps and Colonies. It was there that he learned to find joy and blessings in an incredibly difficult place. He had four focuses that helped him to get through these years, and he encouraged fellow prisoners to do the same.

His survival guide:
1. Never complain. Don't dramatize our suffering because it will only make us weaker.

Instead of complaining Father Placid encouraged the prisoners to talk about their professions. He grinned when he mentioned how much he learned about other professions.

2. Suffering comes automatically whether you want it or not. Watch out for the little joys.

"That's the art of life," he said when he described finding extra pieces of cabbage in his daily ration of soup, or when a guard didn't make him take his hat off in -15°C (5°F) temperatures during the daily searches. The prisoners made a contest out of this survival practice. After dinner each night they would count all the little joys of the day. Once a prisoner shared 16 joyful discoveries and exclaimed that he didn't have time to suffer that day because he was so occupied keeping track of his 16 joys. A favorite song was sung to the one with the most joys for the day.

3. We are all men, guard and prisoner alike, but we can show the guards that we are a different kind of men because of Jesus.

He shared how he and fellow prisoners volunteered to work for a factory owner who had a contract with the labor camp to meet his government quota for his business. The man was shouting obscene words, cursing that somebody was out to ruin him because he wasn't going to make his quota. Even though Father Placid and other prisoners were exempt from this work due to their soon release, they chose to help this man anyway so he wouldn't get in trouble.

4. We cannot leave God out of the things of life. God must be included.

He explained how Jesus was his source of strength, and how that helped him to be a source of strength to others. “It was very hard for me at first because I didn’t know my purpose. But soon God let me know that I was there to help the other prisoners, and my attitude must give them hope. Before this I would often cry; afterward I tried to remain happy for the sake of the others."

When Father Placid was released after ten years, he weighed a mere 86 pounds. Because Hungary was still under Soviet rule, he was stigmatized upon his return, constantly watched by the Communists. No longer able to fulfill his role as a priest, he was given manual labor in a hospital laundry where he soon became the director for the next 20 years.

He smiled when he told us that he retired 34 years ago. He continues to be active in the life of his church. Our visit was on a Saturday evening, and at 9:00 he looked at his watch indicating that it would soon be time for bed. There was mass the next morning at 8:00 and confessions to follow.

Father Placid... a real man who lived real history, but more than that, a man who overcame the darkness of his world with a faith that would not let go and a joy that would not cease. He cheerfully declared, "No suffering can ruin the joy of the Gospel in my life."

This, That, & Gratitude...

2010-09-30T16:37:00.002-04:00

Well, it's been two weeks since my last entry. My desire is to post weekly. And, when I don't, I feel that when the second week has rolled by. Not that I think people are thinking, "That Gwen! I can't believe she hasn't posted something yet." But, then again, maybe I do feel the pressure that readers are disappointed when they click on gwenjackson.blogspot and there's nothing new. It's hard for me to believe I began this blog three years ago in September. . . and stayed at it! I get about 500 visits a month, so I guess people are checking!

October 1 is tomorrow! Missing the Michigan fall - apple picking, hot cider, the leaves changing color - but looking forward to our first fall in Budapest.

September has been a month for settling back into our flat and life in Europe. Dennis has been to Russia, Czech Republic, and currently in Macedonia. I joined him for the Czech side of the journey, visiting our teams in Brno and Prague. Great time connecting with team members and being the first to visit the flat of one of our newly appointed young couples in Prague. We stayed with our Czech national pastor, Marek and his wife, Jana, who were wonderfully gracious hosts.

Jamie with Iris and Evee

Our daughter, Jamie, has inspired me to make a gratitude list. If you go over to her blog at Baby Get Green, you'll find her latest post with a list of things she is grateful for during their season at Princeton Seminary. I love her life mission statement to "live a simple and peaceful life," which is not so easy in a world that stays so busy, and with two little ones! She's doing a great job!

Here's my gratitude list at the moment:

Dennis comes home tomorrow! I'm grateful for the days ahead that we get to be together before he's off again.
Our sweet language teacher, Lidia (more to come on that)
The Blank Page Writing Workshop - I am learning so much in this 6-week workshop and feeling more freer in my writing!
My health - gearing up for a 10K in mid-October
Julie is coming to visit in 2 weeks!!! A surprise that I discovered earlier than planned :)
Mike, Joni, and Miles will be here in 3 weeks! Can't wait!
The strangers who smiled at me today when I communicated with my new Hungarian words - they were very gracious

Thanks for the reminder Jamie. Gratitude nurtures contentment. I need that from time to time.

The End of Summer Run

2010-09-15T18:00:00.001-04:00

Last Saturday night I joined over 3,000 people in a farewell to summer run in the city of Budapest. I loved this 6.5K run because it began at 9:00 at night! That's my time of day!

The night was filled with lots of energy and excitement. I ran with my new friends, Sandor and Olga, and Dennis found a perch on the Chain Bridge where he captured some pictures. What a beautiful run - the floodlit castle in the background, the Danube, the bridges glowing in their night lights as always.

Before the race with Olga and Sandor

And the race begins across the Chain Bridge

Castle in the background as we make our way across the Chain Bridge


Coming down to the finish line. If you look closely I'm to the right in the pink top.

The Blank Page (again)

2010-09-11T08:22:00.001-04:00

How often do I sit before a completely naked piece of paper, staring at the bare page as if I have no words to dress it with? Every writer understands the blank page.

That's why I love Christin Taylor's Blank Page Writing Workshop, so much so, that I'm taking it again. After joining her launch workshop last spring, I decided to go another round this fall. The writing prompts, the feedback from others in the group, and the consistency of six straight weeks of writing can only give energy to my desire to write, not to mention, boost my confidence.

You'll find Christin's blog over at the Blank Page as well. Recently she wrote of her family's move to Bellingham, WA, where she reflected on her life as she unpacked her books, carefully organizing them on her bookshelf. Her thoughts made me think of my own move overseas eight months ago when I was in the middle of packing, considering what to do with my personal journals. Christin so graciously posted my thoughts on her blog as Part 2 of "Proof of a Past." That's what I like about Christin. Her passion for writing and her high belief in people create a wonderful blend as creator and facilitator of the Blank Page.

I just finished my first assignment for the Blank Page due next Tuesday, giving more concrete detail to Dennis' and my frantic trip to the train station last week (mentioned in my last post). Life isn't a blank page. It comes alive, dressed in color and full of expression, on the written page.

Green Pastures Eventually

2010-09-06T18:41:00.002-04:00

Just a week ago we were considering where we could go for a 3-day get-away. Even though it meant packing a suitcase (again), we decided that rest and relaxation was worthy of the effort. Our friends told us about a place in western Hungary called Hotel Szepalma, which means "beautiful apple." Once a royal estate dating back to medieval times, today it provides a secluded, quiet place for horse-lovers, hikers, and bikers to explore the beauty of the High-Bakony Mountain region. After a busy season in life and ministry, a quiet place sounded like just the thing we needed.

Although the morning we left began at a leisurely pace, getting to the train station was a different story. The light drizzle that began that morning had turned into a steady downpour by early afternoon. Unfortunately, the forecast for the next few days didn't look any better.

Since we had to take public transportation to the train station, packing the umbrellas in my suitcase was not a smart move. I remembered this as Dennis was unlocking the last door on our way out from our flat (we have four doors to unlock, plus a gate before leaving our place). After fishing through several zipper sections of my suitcase, I finally pulled out an umbrella. Just as we rounded the corner of our street to walk to the bus stop, we saw the 212 bus pull away.

The slight umbrella delay cost us a ten-minute wait for the next 212. Bus 212 came along, or so we thought. The heavy rain and steamed up signs on the bus distorted my view of the bus number, and so we boarded thinking it was the 212. Several minutes into the ride, Dennis realized we were going in the wrong direction. At the next stop, we got off what we thought was the 212 to discover it was the 272, caught another bus back to where we started in order to wait for the 212 again. This time we boarded the 212, which would take us to tram 61, which would take us to the train station. By now we wondered if we were going to make our train. It didn't help that the 212 bus sat through two red-lights causing us to be too late to catch the 61 tram in time to make the 2:11 train departure.

Quick thinking resulted in hailing a taxi as soon as we stepped off the 212, with only two minutes to spare. With hand motions and short English phrases we managed to tell the taxi driver that we were within minutes of missing our train. He couldn't go fast enough for us. Approaching the train station, Dennis threw a bill on the front seat to cover the taxi and as soon as the taxi pulled over, we flew out to find our train platform. Although all in Hungarian, helpful station attendants directed us to Platform One where our train sat motionless, but for how long? We showed a crew member our tickets and he quickly directed us to our train car. Wet, sweaty, and hearts pounding, we boarded the train lugging the suitcases along with us. Not hardly fifteen seconds later we could feel the slow, but steady rhythm of the wheels in motion.

Was this the prelude of our get-away?

Thankfully, it didn't prove true. Though we arrived with the wind and the rain still in full force, we were driven by a Szepalma staff member to our get-away spot. I found myself taking in deep soul-filling breaths as we drove further out of the town of Zirc, into the country-side of rolling hills and green pastures, with the Bakony's as a backdrop. Greeted by beautiful flower gardens and a warm receptionist I knew the frantic trip to the train station was not an indication of things to come.

The next morning we realized we were the only ones in the entire hotel! We had the place to ourselves for the next couple days. We read, we hiked (and asked ourselves several times how we ever hiked without trekking poles before - thanks again kids!), read some more, and even got a carriage ride. Two meals a day included with our lodging were gourmet amazing. We definitely picked the right week (the start of school) and the perfect place to enjoy time together away from the hustle and bustle of life.

Hopefully these photos will capture some of what we enjoyed at Szepalma.


Second day - though not clear and sunny, the rain stopped so we could hike. This is at the highest point of the Bakony's

Seasons...

2010-08-28T15:07:00.000-04:00

The end of Season Two. The beginning of Season Three. Dennis and I have found it helpful to break down this first year in Europe in seasons.

If you've read my blog post or heard me speak on Life Rhythms (thanks to Dave Drury) you'll know that I consider myself a Seasonal person. Seasonal living comes naturally for me. I tend to look at life in three-month blocks, which works well with the four calendar seasons. This topic was one of the seminars I shared at our recent annual conference in Germany.

What do 135 people gathering from all parts of Europe and the Turkic-Arabic world have in common?

need for rest and replenishment
family time without the pressures unique to the field
encouragement
laughter
spiritual and personal growth through the Word and teaching
voices gathered in songs of worship
a heart and vision to touch the world for Christ

What a way to finish out Season Two! We stayed in a beautiful spot and facility that bordered the edge of a forest with lots of hiking paths, plenty of play areas for the kids, and grown-ups, too. Meals were served with fresh produce from nearby gardens surrounded with beautiful flower gardens.

Vegetable garden on the premises

Lots of sunflowers!

We ate our meals in this building.

The forest paths.


Outdoor activities for all.

Our friends, Wayne and Jan Schmidt, joined us for the conference and ministered to us as they taught and shared from their passions and giftings. This being their first time in Europe, we took them by way of Vienna on the trip back to Budapest. What fun to have them as our first overnight guests in our home. Thirty-two years ago this month we stood in each others weddings. We found ourselves saying several times, "Who would have thought 32 years ago that we would be... " and we would complete the sentence in a variety of ways. So thankful for our time together!


Spending time seeing the sights of Vienna.

Season Two was a great one! Now onto Season Three as we continue life in Budapest, ministering to our M's who so faithfully give of themselves in Europe.

To everything there is a season,

and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go...

2010-08-12T18:04:00.009-04:00

Not leaving on a jet plane, although I just returned home on a jet plane from the states on Monday afternoon, and it's so good to be home.

Nothing like getting home and having a three-day turn around before packing bags again. Dennis and I head out via rental car in the morning for Germany for our annual conference with all our Europe M's, plus those from the Turkic-Arabic world. I know it will be a great time of connection and encouragement.

On a side-note: Today Dennis and I celebrated 32 years of marriage. So glad I married this man. I love sharing life with him and partnering with him in ministry.

I Love You a Bushel & a Peck...

2010-08-07T13:28:00.008-04:00

It's an old song from 1950. Something Dennis' mom taught us when our kids were young. We've been singing it to Evee ever since she was born. So much so that Evee has most of the words down. We often end skype and phone calls with this little song. One morning while Evee and I were still in our pajamas and letting Daddy and Mommy get some extra sleep we did some recording. Check out the final photo to hear Evee live :).

I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck,
and a hug around the neck,a hug around the neck,
and a barrel and a heap, a barrel and a heap,
and I'm talking in my sleep about you.

Final days here in Princeton with Clint, Jamie, Evee, and baby Iris. I have mixed emotions. Ready to go home after 10 weeks of being here, there, and everywhere, living out of a suitcase, sleeping on umpteen different beds/couches, and travels that took us from east coast to west coast and north to MI. . . but sad to leave family.

Sometimes I wish we all lived in the same town. I could help out when needed; take the grandkids out for special times. We could call each other and say, "Hey, you guys want to come over for dinner tonight?" Or, "Why don't we keep the kids so you can have a date night." But, I've resigned myself to the fact that it is highly unlikely that we will ever be in close proximity. So thankful for today's technology - skype, email, and the Vonage phone service - that keeps us connected across miles and an ocean.

Fun times with Evee and Iris

Silly girl!

Introducing Our 4th grandbaby!

2010-07-26T14:34:00.002-04:00

Introducing: Iris Mae Ussher

Born: July 26, 2010 at 8:25am

Weight: 8'5 lbs

Height: 20'1/4 inches

From West Coast to East Coast

2010-07-22T22:24:00.011-04:00

Eight weeks of travels now, and we've covered the expanse of the U.S. from east coast to west coast. We flew out of LA last Saturday taking with us lots of memories of our time with Josh, Kari, and Stella, but leaving behind a nearly finished DIY dining table that Dennis and Josh built the last two days of our visit. Josh has been working on the finishing touches of planing, sanding, and polyurethane coating to complete the project built with reclaimed lumber. Check out Josh's blog for the whole scoop.

The happy carpenters with completed
table below

Out for pizza our final night together

At the playground with G'ma

Bedtime routine with Stella

From CA we flew to Indy to spend a few days with Julie. Then a drive to PA to spend some time with my parents; celebrating 60 years of marriage with the immediate family.

Dad and Mom with me and my 3 brothers

Our final leg of the journey before returning to Europe is awaiting a new grandbaby with Clint, Jamie, and Evee. Two more days to go to find out who this little one is. Stay tuned for an announcement on July 26th!

California (cont.)

2010-07-14T19:36:00.013-04:00

Well, Pasadena has out-shown San Diego's gloomy gray skies with temps in the high 80's to mid 90's with lots of full-on sunshine. Though not ideal for running, I still love this kind of weather. My 3-mile run today just after noon wasn't such a bright idea. The heat took every ounce of energy out of me.

On Sunday we finished out our time with Mike, Joni, and Miles following a great morning at Grace San Diego. Child dedication, communion, and baptism made this special service so uplifting. We were so encouraged by the life change that is happening in and through this body of believers.

Amtrak proved to be a great connection from SD to LA to connect with Josh, Kari, and Stella. It saved the kids driving half way on either side in what could have been a frustrating drive in heavy weekend traffic.

Even more than the warm sunny weather, we are enjoying our time bonding with Stella and hanging out with Josh and Kari. Trying to bond as much as we can in these days as this is only our third time to be with Stella in her almost year and a half of life. She has "Papa" down real well, but still working on saying "Grandma." Her sweet smile melts our hearts. Winking is something she learned in the last few months and she'll wink at just about anybody. We were walking through Home Depot the other day and she winked at one of the guy's working there. As we passed by he said, "Hey, she just winked at me!" I think he was flattered. Check out the fifth photo down and you'll get a wink from her, too :).

Spending time at a neighborhood park and just taking walks down the sidewalk, stopping to smell the flowers along the way, are treasures to take back with us to Europe.

Hmmm. . . think I need to work on getting some pictures of Josh and Kari, too :).

Dennis and Josh are hard at work building a kitchen table out of reclaimed lumber. The hope is to have it done before we leave on Saturday morning. Dennis is passing on skills he learned from his Dad. I'll be sure to post a photo of the carpenters at work and their self-designed table.

Happy Summer!!

Califorina...

2010-07-07T17:34:00.008-04:00

Flying into LA just after 9:00 pm on the 4th of July couldn't have been more timely. As we watched out our plane window, fireworks were bursting into colorful and spectacular displays all over residential areas and park lawns. We had no idea we would see so many just below us and in distant outskirts of LA.

Josh picked us up and drove us half way to San Diego to meet up with Joni. Even as we drove down the freeway fireworks were lighting up the sky on either side of us.

We're enjoying our time with Mike, Joni, and Miles. Miles has changed so much since we last saw him six months ago. He's toddling around, chattering in toddler language, making boy sounds, throwing balls and blocks (the louder the noise, the bigger the laugh), but nothing gets to us quite like his beautiful smile and big blue eyes.

Even though the temps are only in the upper 60's and the "June gloom" typical to this region have continued into July, we ventured out to Coronado Island, enjoying a walk on the beach and letting the water wash over our feet as the waves rolled in. The ocean breeze was exhilarating, as was the time spent with family.

Dennis is attending the Southwest Pacific District Conference today to make connections and to most of all say thanks to a district that has invested much into our Europe fields.

Enjoy the photos! Hard to narrow it down to a blog post :).

Grandkids...

2010-07-03T18:36:00.004-04:00

July will be filled with lots of grand-parenting moments.
Ones I'm sure we will treasure and take back to Europe with us.

We can't wait to get a hold of these three smiling faces very soon
and welcome our 4th grandchild into the world!

Celebrations...

2010-06-28T22:30:00.009-04:00

It's been good timing to be in the states this month. Lots to celebrate.

One of our "other" daughters, better known as Julie's best friend, Rachel, married Chris last Sunday in a beautiful outdoor wedding. Julie was Maid of Honor and shared one of the most meaningful toasts I've ever heard. Dennis and I had the honor of serving communion to the wedding guests during the ceremony.

My parents celebrated 60 years of marriage on June 25. We'll be celebrating next month when Dennis and I can be in PA.

Dennis' Dad celebrated 77 years of life on June 26. Doesn't he look great?

It was so great to have Dennis' brother,
Doug, in from Nebraska as well!

So, in between training weeks we've been hitting the road. One weekend to Wisconsin for the wedding and this past weekend to Michigan for a birthday, with a few stops to see SL/GH friends. It's been a bit crazy, but we're thankful for the time that we've been able to catch time with family and friends.

We're in our last week of training in Indy. Our brains are spilling over with information. We'll need some days to let it all soak in.

Next on the docket? Papa and G'ma time with Miles and Stella!

Waking Up to Starbucks in Budapest!

2010-06-24T00:52:00.004-04:00

It happened while I was out of the country. When I first heard the news I was hesitant to believe it. But, yes, indeed, the Starbucks Newsroom proves the news is true! What a nice surprise.

Starbucks opened it's first store in Hungary last week. None other than our beloved city of Budapest. I wonder... did they hear that Gwen Jackson moved to Budapest??

Oh, the Scope of God's Plan!

2010-06-19T00:05:00.005-04:00

Dennis and I have been back in the states for a month now. Today we finished our first week of three weeks of training in Indy. Practical and worthwhile seminars have been filling our minds as we learn of the many facets of living cross-culturally - from team dynamics to knowing the process of evacuation from a country if necessary to living incarnationally.

Taking notes, engaging, interacting, getting in the Word, laughing, praying, singing. . . have all been a part of this first week. These verses from Ephesians 3:14-19 especially spoke to me one day. I trust they will be a source of blessing and encouragement to you.

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Good. Morning. Evee.

2010-05-29T22:33:00.015-04:00

Evee and I have been waking up in the same room every morning since I arrived in Princeton. I hear her little sighs and whispers as she makes conversation with herself and her stuffed "Nemo," waiting patiently for someone to wake up. Facing the wall so she can't see my face, I try to get just a few more snoozes in before I turn over to face her bed. Not even two feet from my face I'm greeted with a smile as she peeks through the wooden bars that form the side of the crib-turned-toddler-bed.

"Good Morning Evee."

"Good morning Grandma."

When I hear her stirring, I always wonder what time it is. It's a relief if it's after 7:30. It could be as early as 6:15. This morning it was just before 8:00. Way to go Evee!

"Evee, should we take a walk to Starbucks this morning and have hot chocolate? Let's be real quiet so your mom can sleep in, okay?"

We quietly got dressed for a care-free Saturday, whispering to each other so we didn't wake up mom. We snuck out of the apartment, being careful to close the door quietly. Evee chose to ride in her stroller and as I pushed her along on the sidewalk of a tree-lined street, rain from the night before rolled off leaves, dripping on our heads. "The trees are peeing on us, Grandma!" she said through giggles.

We rolled into Starbucks located in a small mall not more than a ten minute walk from the apartment and ordered our breakfast. Cinnamon Dolce Latte with a warmed up apple fritter for me and a kids hot chocolate for Evee. We were going to share the apple fritter, but when we looked in the pastry case we couldn't believe what we saw - mini donuts with pink icing and white sprinkles! Evee's a girly girl in every sense of the word. Pink is her favorite color, twirling dresses are the only thing she wants to wear, and princesses who find their prince charming are a part of her imaginary world. The pink donut was just the thing for Princess Evee :).

A small round table with two chairs in the corner was the perfect spot for our morning outing. I looked across the table at my three-year-old grand daughter sipping her hot chocolate, munching on her donut, and had to hold back tears. Does it get any better than this? The music coming out of the speakers right above us wasn't helping my teary moment.

"Evee, this is so special. I'm so glad we did this. I enjoy being with you."

"I enjoy being with you, Grandma! I'm still hungry," as she finished the last bite of her donut.

"Would you like another little donut?"

Of course.

I got up to purchase another donut and gave her a kiss on her forehead as I made my way around the table. "Evee, Grandma loves you so much!" "And, I love you so much!" Talk about melting your heart right then and there.

I should have bought the special - three mini donuts for two-something - right off the bat. I went back to the counter two more times to buy a single mini donut.

We chatted, took pictures to show mommy, and talked about how nice it was that mommy was getting to sleep in.

By the time we finished, the mall stores had opened. We were content to window shop until we turned into a GapKids store. Straight to the sales rack, we found several dresses and headed to the dressing room. With every try-on there was a twirl in front of the mirror, followed by, "I could take this one home!" Two went home with us. Not surprisingly a pink dress and a bright multi-colored skirt that will match her pink flip-flops just fine.

Before our walk back home, we sat under the "big tree" in the children's department at Barnes & Nobles reading books about Dora and Lightening McQueen and Sesame Street characters.

I had a good morning with Evee and mommy got to sleep in. It doesn't get much better than that!

Evee Time!!!

2010-05-25T13:53:00.003-04:00

After smooth, uneventful flights on Saturday we were greeted by Clint, Jamie, and Evee. Dennis is in Indy this week for meetings, and catching some time with Julie in between. I'm loving hanging out with Jamie and Evee. I never get tired of hearing, "Grandma, I love you so much!"

The End of Season One...

2010-05-20T16:42:00.006-04:00

I pulled my last journal off the shelf trying to decide whether or not I should pack it for our return to the states. Sometimes I like to have my most recent journal handy for reference. It holds the bulk of my reflections and impressions on life for these past four months. Decision, decisions. What to take and what not to take for a 10 week journey. Will I need this? Will I need that? I don't want to wish that I had something, only to know that it's sitting in our flat some 4,000 miles away.

I remember speculating in the first pages of this particular journal that I would probably be writing my last entry just about the time we were completing our four months in Europe. And now here we are!

Dennis is mopping up final details for field work and preparing for leadership meetings... we're getting our flat ready for a summer hibernation, saying goodbyes to new friends, and packing suitcases as we anticipate seeing our kids and grand-kids.

It's been a great Season One. We are thankful for God's goodness and faithfulness in this first leg of the journey. We wouldn't want to be living anywhere else, nor doing any other work.

Thanks to all of you who have joined us on this journey! We couldn't have done it without your partnership.

Budapest! You're letting me down!

2010-05-16T08:53:00.003-04:00

If Only the Statues Could Talk...

2010-05-12T08:39:00.033-04:00

I've been wanting to post about this for some time now, but waiting for it all to come full circle for me. This week it did. Now I can tell the story. I've tried to keep it brief all the while giving you the background for the reason of this post.

At the end of Andrássy Ave is one of Budapest's most visited spots - Heroes' Square, one of the World Heritage sites in Europe. At least as large as a city block, the square displays the millennium monument built in 1896 to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of the arrival of Hungarians to this area. Coming from the states, it is difficult to even fathom such a long history! (The picture below is off the internet, as well as the historical photos in this post, in order to give perspective and historical imagery. The rest are mine. The Museum of Fine Arts is to the left of the square in the photo below.)

The two semi-circles of the monument house statues of kings and heroes significant to Hungary's history. Seeing these statues up close is fascinating.

Dennis and I had the opportunity a few weeks ago to walk down Andrássy Ave to see this spectacular spot at night.

Meanwhile, just outside the city limits of Budapest, stand statues of a different nature at what is simply called Statue Park. There is no sense of glory in this park. In fact, the grounds upkeep appear to be minimal at best. Statues kept for their historical and documentary value, but possibly more than this, a reminder of the 40 grim years Hungary was ruled by a communist regime. After the fall of communism in 1989, some statues were destroyed throughout the city, others were removed to create the unique museum of life behind the iron curtain.

Marx and Engles

I admire the Hungarians for creating such a place as I would think most of those who experienced these years would have wanted these statues demolished. There was quite a political debate over this at the time, but the decision to keep a select group of the socialistic icons prove the unquestionable years of dictatorship and oppression. Four decades that should not be forgotten. Statues of Marx, Lenin, Stalin, Engles. Statues dedicated to hard working men and women - a chief value in the new order (though with no reality of reward). The Soviet symbol of the hammer and the sickle displayed at the top of a flag pole. Countless soldiers armed for resistance. All of these statues seem to display the realities of force, limitation, control, death, deception... all justified in the quest for an egalitarian utopia.

One of the statues is a set of large bronze boots. These boots were once part of a tall Stalin statue located at Heroes' Square. During the Soviet years Hungary's heroes were hidden, covered in a vain attempt to shift Hungarians loyalties to the leaders of communism. (Compare the photo on the right with photo above)

Known as the "first tear in the Iron Curtain," the boots represent the Hungarian Revolution of 1956, a heroic fight for liberation. Perhaps then Senator John F. Kennedy said it best on the first anniversary of the revolution: "October 23, 1956, is a day that will live forever in the annals of free men and nations. It was a day of courage, conscience and triumph. No other day since history began has shown more clearly the eternal unquenchability of man's desire to be free, whatever the odds against success, whatever the sacrifice required."

The revolt and victory only lasted 12 days before the Soviets regained control, but it was a major turning point in the Cold War.

On that day it only took an hour to topple Stalin's statue. By pick, by saw, by metal cutting blowpipes, thousands of demonstrators set to work on the statue at Heroes' Square. With engine power attached to a thick steel rope placed around Stalin's neck, the statue was pulled down to it's pavement grave, only leaving the boots intact.

With all this in mind, fast forward to this past Easter Sunday.

I was told of a friend's elderly father who watched the event captured on TV with tears running down his face. Over the years he had witnessed the forced marches, the solemn celebrations and the brash speeches declaring something to be that never came - an unrealized hope. But not this Easter. Now in the midst of the Heroes' Square which had witnessed so much pain, he saw 1300 young people dancing freely to lyrics that make reference to Hungarian heroes and a hopeful future for Hungary. But the lyrics don't stop there. They conclude that Jesus is the ultimate freedom - the hope of not only Hungary, but the entire world.

Who would have predicted this experience (click for video) on October 23, 1956?

Mom Joy!

2010-05-07T12:51:00.018-04:00

Well, it's been a great day, and it's not even Mother's Day yet!

I heard from all my kids today either via phone, email, snail mail, or video. It does a mother's heart good! An added bonus was hearing each of the voices of my grandchildren. Evee chatted on the phone while her mom was shopping at Trader Joe's. I love to hear, "Hi Grandma!" And then, "Love you Grandma" when it's time to say goodbye. My heart just melts at the sound of those words. Miles babbled over the phone at the end of a conversation with Joni and everything in me wanted to pick him up and squeeze him tight. Then, at midnight (yes, it's late here in Hungary) Josh sent an email with a link that shows a youtube video of Stella jabbering and toddling around her room before bedtime. Dennis and I laughed out loud at her sweetness, her laughter, and her noisy chatter. Oh, how fun it would be to be silly with her.

What a joy to be a mom! And, a grandma!

Today I received a Mother's Day card from Joni. I think it was the first time that I received personal mail since we moved to Budapest. Her meaningful words and a snapshot of the kids and me from over 20 years ago brought tears to my eyes. It stirred the sentimental in me and I found myself looking at old photos that I had scanned and loaded into my computer last year. Photos of births, birthdays, family vacations, holidays, school events, graduations, weddings... all brought back so many memories. Memories that capture the love, affection, laughter, togetherness that we shared, and still share, as a family. We had crazy times of acting silly and moments when we all had the giggles so bad we were out of control laughing. It always seemed to happen at the most inopportune times, much to Dennis' dismay. And we've had our moments of stress and tension to be sure, but I wouldn't trade any of it for the joy of being a mom.

Motherhood as I knew it back then isn't the same anymore, nor should it be. Now three out of the four are a Dad and Mom's themselves. The great thing about being a mom is that the family begins to multiply and making memories doesn't stop.

Wishing a Happy Mother's Day to all the moms that read my blog!

But, I especially want to say...

Happy Mothers Day to Kari, Jamie, and Joni! You all are great moms and I am so proud of you. I couldn't ask for more devoted moms than each of you are to Stella, Evee, and Miles.

Great memories... I am a blessed mom!

11th District Green Spots

2010-05-01T06:14:00.024-04:00

Discovering the green spaces in the 11th district has been a delight, especially in this Spring season. I always enjoy flowers and it's been an extra blessing to see more than I expected in Budapest. Tulips, flowering trees, forget-me-nots, lilacs, lily of the valley, spiraea, pussy willows, forsythia, muscari, are just a few that we see. Pansies are planted around the city as much as the tulips in Holland, MI for Tulip Time. What an amazing sight to see hundreds of pansies filling a grassy street corner or the center of a roundabout.

A nearby reed-framed lake surrounded by a walking path
and a shady park provides a green spot for relaxing or picnicking.
It's an enchanting sight at night to see the Catholic church
lit up displaying it's yellow baroque architecture.

I love this! It's a daily occurrence to see
these gentlemen gather for a game of cards
or chess at one of the lake park tables.

My running course parallel to the elevated train tracks.
Usually three trains pass by on the duration of my run.

The other day on a long walk,
I discovered this lovely park developed on a peninsula
along the banks of the Danube. Walking and running
paths are all over with plenty of spots to throw a
blanket and enjoy a sunny day.

And, last but not least, one of the "green spots" in
the 11th District is our landlords, Frank and Maria.
They are as delightful as the grassy spots we enjoy.
Beautiful people!

Plans Change...

2010-04-26T08:51:00.004-04:00

Not everything is under our control.

Iceland's volcano eruption spewing out smoke and steam, creating a cloud of ash that filled the sky and floated eastward toward Europe, also erupted all kinds of mayhem for many who had plans to travel during mid-April dates.

We were not exempt from the effects of the ash. With the uncertainty of departing flights, the Ecclesiology class in Brno, Czech and the arrival of our friends from Crossroads church who were joining us for that time, resulted in cancellations for all involved. Several were coming from the states with a stopover in London; national pastors were coming from London - it just made sense to postpone plans. We will definitely reschedule the class, possibly in the fall.

Dennis will be taking the train this week to connect with our Czech Mission Director for a few days in Brno, but other than that, we are home for a month. This will be the first time since our arrival in Europe that Dennis is actually in Budapest for more than two weeks.

And so... this past weekend we took time to enjoy the warmer temps that have been almost summer-like here in Budapest. Just in the past two weeks I have discovered several green areas in the 11th district where our home is located. A great walking/bicycle path that runs through a long, narrow park area parallel to the train tracks has become my new running course. Not quite as scenic as the pier walk in Grand Haven, but still grateful for this great spot where young mothers push strollers, bikers speed by on their way to work or play, and older ladies and gents carry their single bag of groceries home from a nearby shop. Yep, I'm taking up running again three times a week. Walking on the off days, though walking is a daily experience here in the city. Discipline will be key to my running with our various travels in the states this summer.

So, even though the volcano disrupted plans, we find ourselves thankful for a month of routine (hmm.. what's that?) before we return to the states for meetings, training, visiting grown children, parents, and the arrival of a new grand-baby in July.

Not everything is under our control, but as my friend scheduled to be in Czech with us this week quoted in a recent email: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Life doesn't always work out the way we think it will, but God is still in control.

Déjà vu in Russia...

2010-04-17T11:47:00.028-04:00

Following a late night return from Russia, we woke up on Thursday morning, opened the curtains, pulled up the shades to see green everywhere. There are pansies on our front balcony and tulips and forget-me-nots in our backyard. Even the dandelions are a welcome sight. Spring has come to full bloom in Budapest.

Our week in Russia was timely. It was the first pastoral renewal vote for one of our national churches. Pastor Anton accepted a four-year call. We enjoyed a lovely dinner in their home with their three boys, where Inna prepared a delicious meal of Russian favorites. Our M's hospitality was over the top. We enjoyed many good and strategic conversations around their kitchen table. I also had the privilege of sitting in on a ministry in the Vladimir church similar to the freedom ministry I was involved in at Spring Lake Wesleyan.

This trip was déjà vu for Dennis and I. In February of 1997, during our trip around the world, our family of six flew to Moscow, Russia where we all piled into a van that took us the four-hour journey to Vladimir. Just a month before we had received the shocking news that our friend, Ron Dawson, missionary to Russia, had passed away. We arrived in Vladimir with a heaviness for the Russian team as they processed this unexpected news. Dennis and I, along with Joni and Julie, stayed in the Ministry Center in the second story apartment where Ron and Barb had lived. Josh and Jamie stayed with the young adult short-term Go-Netters on the field at the time, many of whom now serve as career missionaries in Europe.

Last week Dennis and I took that same van ride, though on new and improved roads, and stayed in the same apartment as we had then. I thought of Ron and Barb often during our stay… transitioning to missions later in life, giving up family, home, possessions, to go to Russia. I recalled the story told of an empty key ring - no car, no home, no business - and Ron's words "now there's nothing holding us back." Now that we are in that same place, I find myself wondering how that was for them and thinking I would have had a lot of questions back then if I would have known what life would hold for us thirteen years later.

Well, as I write this on Sunday evening from our flat, we have a window open (photo on left - view from our back windows), the birds are singing and the sun is giving us its last warm rays as it wakes up the other side of the world. We just finished a skype call with one of our West MI churches, Crossroads, for their first morning service where they are focusing on missions. We'll be doing a second call in just a few minutes for their second service. Dennis and I are grateful for so many of you who partner with us through prayer and giving. Thank you!

This next week we are planning to take the train to the Czech Republic for connection with our Czech M's, and joining this trip with a week-long Ecclesiology class that one of our American professors is coming to teach to our national pastors (some coming from Poland and England), but we keep watching CNN to see if any of this will come to pass with the Iceland volcanic ash disrupting European travel.

Thanks for being a part of our lives!
Happy Spring!

Continued Travels and a Day Off

2010-04-01T04:27:00.007-04:00

Dennis and I returned home Tuesday evening from another week of travels. We had a great time connecting with our Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatian teams.

Every field visit has the same focus of team connection and training toward strategic initiatives that move evangelism and church planting forward. Pray for all the teams on the Europe fields - Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, Russia, Germany, Bosnia, Croatia, and the Czech Republic - as they develop individual and team goals and implement these plans.

Before heading back to Budapest, we took advantage of the rental car flexibility to take a day to do one of our favorite pastimes. A three-hour drive from Split, Croatia lies Plitvice Lakes National Park that has more waterfalls than you could ever imagine. There was hardly a moment where we couldn't hear the sound of flowing water. Every turn on the trail was awe-inspiring, breath-taking beauty. It was almost surreal to have cascading waterfalls literally surrounding us at times.

It was a perfect day. Not too cold, not too hot, plenty of sunshine, and very few people.

We can't say enough about the trekking poles our kids got us for Christmas. This was our first time to use them and we loved them! They saved our breath going up and our knees going down. Thanks kids for the great gift!

And, I've said it before. I love my Keens! Water, snow, woodsy trail or rocky path, Keens work for me. With a hard winter's snow melting on the mountain tops, the water was nearly at it's highest level. We hope to go back some day to catch the trails we missed that were immersed in water. There were times when the water was bubbling over the wooden footbridge or gushing out between stair steps.

It definitely was the refreshing day we needed.

Take a look at the last two videos to get a taste of our day.

Spring flowers were poking out everywhere.

Off again next Wednesday to Russia!

Happy Easter everyone! He is Risen!

Developing My Writing...

2010-03-27T12:25:00.003-04:00

Those of you who know me well, know that I enjoy writing. I've expressed my writing through two consistent pathways - my personal journal entries and this blog. One of the things I'm doing in this new season of life is to zero in on some personal development in this area. It's something I've been praying about. How do I hone my writing skills in Europe?

In a round-about way I discovered Christin Taylor - writer, author, and professor - who is launching an on-line writing workshop, The Blank Page Writing Workshops.

For all my writing friends, I encourage you to check out her site and if interested, sign up for one of her summer workshops. Christin is making it very doable for those with busy lives (which is most of us) to develop their writing skills in a simple, yet effective format. With grace and ease, Christin's style will empower the writer to express themselves freely, without intimidation.

I'm a part of her current workshop and wrote the following 500-word-max introduction describing my writing history.

************************

Sitting at my third grade desk conveniently overlooking the playground was a perfect seating arrangement for my daydreaming. I'd tune my teacher's voice out or take a break from an assignment to look out the row of windows simply to think about whatever my little 8-year-old mind was pondering at the moment. It was a consistent parent-teacher report. If I just daydreamed less – a lot less – I could be a better student.

Growing up in the country supported my habit. My world of pastures, creeks, and country roads provided a natural habitat for my contemplative get-aways. Soon I was keeping a diary. Keeping track of life, even if it was just daily happenings, was good for my soul. Those daily entries began to evolve into thoughts and feelings, reflecting on life, relationships, and God. Now, twenty-some years later, my life is summed up in an entire bookshelf of journals.

Not too many years ago I discovered my daydreaming was a strength! Thanks to Marcus Buckingham's book, Now Discover Your Strengths, I realized that what was once considered a detriment to my learning has become a window into my writing world. My daydreaming has been sophisticated to that of "intellection." Simply put, it means that I think all the time. There's just so much life to ponder and wonder about. I actually need to build time into my week to muse. If I don't take time to think, I would go crazy! This quality of mine is aptly described as my "mental hum."

And that's where my writing comes in. All my thinking gets sorted out best when I put pen to paper or fingers to keypad. Then, somehow life makes sense and there is purpose to my daydreaming. I love to learn about people and places, and have no problem asking lots of questions. I'm curious about the world around me and love to make it come alive with words.

Speaking of the world… my husband and I are currently serving in a role that has us living in Budapest, Hungary and traveling to all parts of Europe. My world has expanded and so has my thinking!

My most consistent writing flows out of my journal entries and a blog that I began in 2007, but I have a desire to develop my writing, taking it beyond journals and blog posts. I'm not discounting my journals – they are my life – but I want to write with a more purposeful focus.

My favorite book on writing is Anne Lamont's Bird by Bird and if there's anything I've got to overcome is trying to be perfect the first time around. That's why I'm excited about Christin's workshop on writing "lousy first drafts" because after all daydreaming isn't perfect and it took me way too long to write this intro.

Exploring Budapest...

2010-03-19T17:54:00.011-04:00

Last Sunday after church we took the day to check out this wonderful city we live in. Dennis had the day mapped out as he does so well :).

First stop was the Grand Synagogue. Budapest has the second largest synagogue in the world next to NYC. So beautiful, yet sad stories of the brutalities and mass burial of thousands of Jewish people when Hitler vented his rage in his "final solution" near the end of WWII. So many untimely, unnecessary deaths. It grieves me so when I see the injustices of the world. Interesting enough, the Germans set up office in the balcony of the synagogue which protected it from bombings.

The engraved leaves of the weeping willow tree are in memory of the thousands of Hungarians who died in the Jewish "ghetto" or concentration camps in 1944-45.

From the synagogue we grabbed some lunch at a hummus restaurant and then headed to St. Stephen's Basilica, named in honor of Hungarian's first king. A beautiful building ornate with many statues, paintings, mosaics, icons, plus the actual mummified fist of St. Stephen.

Our final stop was at Heroe's Square where statues of leaders and other historical figures of Hungary stand. Fascinating to look at these leaders and warriors of Hungarian's history.

This last picture reminded me of The Lord of the Rings :). We walked around this particular area for quite some time taking in the sights of a castle and the beauty of a large park area. It looks like a great place for warmer weather DAWG days :). Come to find out one huge yellow building we wandered into was a thermal bath with a large lap pool, other smaller thermal pools, spas, etc. There are 50 thermal baths in Budapest. We would love to try them some time.

So thankful for the fun day and the sun was out for most of the day. It truly was a much needed Sabbath!