So good!
That has been the phrase that ever resounds in my mind. It has tried to make it on at least two other blog posts, but, due to the fullness of this life, they never reached completion.
It is true. God is so good.
I see it again and again.
Understanding comes in moments of desperation- when I realize that God and God alone can teach me what I have strained my brain to get but never completely did. (i.e. 2300 days:)
Trials come. And I am so thankful, oh, so thankful.
This is only because God is good.
He knows my human heart, knows that I must again and again realize my nothingness, knows that I must recognize my utter dependence on Him that any thing be accomplished.
He is faithful.
Despite the fact that I begin each meeting with fear and trembling I see Him work. What a privilege!
I wasn't speaking last night so I was assigned to pray with Eniku during the meeting. All that filled my heart was praise- praise that God would give me this opportunity to be apart of this group of Youth for Jesus, praise that God would allow me to be apart of an amazing work of bringing souls to Him.
Pretty much all the young people at my site were from the same area of Hungary. They all had obligations of work, preparing for school, extra, so they were planning on leaving on Monday. It has been top on my prayer list as I see that these kids are on the verge of making decisions for Christ. Besides that, they are the most awesome group of kids to work with, and their presence would be sooo missed. I've been praying that some kind of miracle happen not specifically that they would stay but that, somehow, God would break through.
The other day their group came together and decided that they really needed to pray about this. They did (all was unbeknown to the rest of us). Next morning, one of them was reading his Bible and found 2 Chronicles 15:7, "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded." It was like God was speaking directly to their situation. Their plans were completely changed. Should of heard the cheering when the announcement was made yesterday that they are staying. My heart could not be more thrilled! But this is a test of faith for some of them...we pray that God will provide for their needs as they are faithful to His call.
God IS good.
Our meetings are blessed. I've come to love the people at my site so much. I look forward to seeing them every night. I didn't see them tonight though -went to Christina's site to do special music. The two of us share a very strong sense of loyalty...we're not the kind that like to visit a new site every night:) But I did it tonight. Afterward, I realized that God arranged it for a purpose. We met a neat family that was visiting from a neighboring church. The husband spoke English so we were talking with them. He asked, "you know fountainview?"...we were like, "Of course, we love fountainview". He said, "I was there once -only three weeks, but it was one of the best things that ever happened to me." He started listing a few names that he remembered. Besides the Luchaks I didn't recognize any except "Mr. Ford". He said that he had a boy...and that he lived in the "new red house nearby".
25 years later, on a totally different continent, most random country ever, at a little tiny evangelistic series, this guy was talking to the daughters of Mr. Ford's boy (Yep, that would be my Dad:). So do you remember George?
Spent the afternoon singing in the little seminary room with a few of the other girls, so much fun. Homemade cake, and I mean, homemade from the grinding of the wheat, seems to be a mid-afternoon Sabbath treat. Our cook is awesome. I really like Hungarian food. It's definitely different from the food we have at home, but good stuff!
I start preparing for my next leg of the marathon of meetings tomorrow morning. I'll try and get Christina to keep you updated. I think I will be out of bloggy world again for awhile.
But just know: God is good.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Driven to My Knees
We are gaining a new appreciation for many things in life. I already love the simple, the casual, the spontaneous. And if anyone out there has not figured it out, I love people.
There is no exception in this country.
Most of the conversations that I engage in here are a mixture of broken English and rapid fire Hungarian. We get the general idea of some of the conversations. Many times we don't. But I'm learning to listen...to enjoy what I can't understand and to truly appreciate what I can!
Everyday the other FJK students' English improves. Those that couldn't say anything before are trying out basic conversational phrases. Those who spoke a few words here and there are now engaging in deep conversations. It's amazing. What's also amazing is that this language that has sounded like one continuous string of noise for the past week and a half is now sounding like words. We are even venturing on saying basic phrases ourselves.
Still, we have some challenges in communicating, but we are embracing them.
Sabbath morning. I'm sitting by my new BFF (yes, I have many!). Chella is my co-speaker and just a beautiful, beautiful girl. Her English has improved a hundred percent since I've been here, and she's doing a lot of casual translating for me. It's still a challenge to translate stuff like sabbath school. You have to understand: our church here has a ministry for the blind- absolutely remarkable, but anyway...a blind girl was brought in and set by Chella. She lifted Chella's hand and examined it. All of the sudden, she brightened up and grabbed Chella. She absolutely knew who she was just by feeling her hand! Che-Che turned to me and explained that this girl spoke very good English and that she could interpret for me. She did. Amazing. Translation was incredible. She is one of the most intelligent people that I have ever ever met. Not only did she have great linguistic skills, she already knew the historical examples that were up on the screen. She knew the scientific terms for the the pictures that she couldn't see.
After the services, we had casual conversations about education, extra, but I soon realized this was no casual girl. She has education in political science, journalism, English, history and maybe psychology or sociology. It sounds like she's going on to get a doctrite in a specialized area of communication. Alot of it went over my head! More than her educational achievements, this girl loves and is loved by soo many people. Friendships don't take long to build and they are strong with this girl. I realized as she was translating everything for me that I'm more handicapped than she is. Nothing inhibits her.
This same girl brought her twin sister and her mother hiking with us today. Spent a lot of time with her- "leading" her. But she doesn't really need "leading". She is strong, athletic, and has won metals and awards in marathons. She climbed a tree in front of all our astonished eyes. She has very strong senses. She knows when there is a tree in the way. She knows when I am standing by her. She knows the difference between my hand and everybody elses. She even explained how she can sense the difference between different colors. "Red is very warm. Blue is cold. Yellow and... maybe green are in between." She told us why she and her twin are blind. Born three months early, they spent the beginnings of their lives in an incubator. Other than being extremely premature, they were fine. But the oxegen levels in the incubator were not kept where they were supposed to be - 99%. It was kept at 99.5%. This is what completely changed their futures. They live in darkness but not hopelessness. Andrea only emphasised how grateful she is to be able to have her mental functions undisrupted. Apparently most kids who go through this end up with severe delays. She says, "I don't know what I'd do without my brain."
She told me her story of finding God. Very touching. She was soo excited to learn that I keep a journal of prayers or as she says, "letters to God". She thought she was the only "weird" one. But she shared how it was so encouraging for her for to look back at these entries. She found truth by "reading" the Bible for herself. She realized that the Catholic church was missing truth, and at fifteen years old she quit going to church and worshiped God according to how she found Him in the Bible. These were lonely days for her. She said it was very, very lonely. The local church here, though, reached out to her through their ministry for the blind. Today she is a Seventh-day Adventist. She stands alone. Her family was very upset when they found out that she wanted to be baptized, but she stuck with her commitment.When she asked me about my family and learned that they were Adventist, she was like, "Do you pray together before meals? Do you do activities (think she meant-family worship) together?" Yes, we do. But how can I explain how for so long I took these things for granted? How I, despite all the blessings of growing up in a Christian home, was a rebellious little girl? All I could say was "Yes, we do...but I still had to find Jesus for myself".
Standing alone is what so many of the young people here do.
Their stories are unfolding as they get more confident in their English. There are very few who have a mom and dad who both love Jesus. There are very few that get to go to church with their whole family. But there are many who live in divided families, broken homes. Many who are the only Christians in their families. There are many who stand absolutely ALONE with only God at their side.
I can't even blog the stories.
But know this. If you are one of my friends back home, if you have a family who has loved you, guided you, prayed for you, brought you to church, YOU are blessed beyond measure. Do not, for a moment more take any of it for granted. You have no excuses. Do you love God? Are you willing to stand for Him in the face of rejection or loss? Face it. There are people here who have been given much less yet their faith is beautiful.
One of the students had worship for us the other morning. He step by step shared from a chapter in Isaiah the Love of God. It was awesome. After, he explained how this was what inspired him to share Christ. He said that since he has found the love of God he can't hold it in, and that he must share it with everyone. The words are evident in the way he works for souls. Very blessed to have him and a couple siblings at my site! Praying especially right now for his older brother - here and such a blessing, but has not yet made a commitment for God, only here for about a week more, than heads back to his contracting job. This time is short. Praying for a miracle.
Actually, I find myself driven to my knees more than ever before. There are so many people making eternal decisions right now. I plead that they would be reached. We have a good attendance at our sites so far. Wish I had time to tell you more of the stories, more of the experiences, the challenges, and the victories we have already seen, but I'm really busy just living them. I'm thankful for a small room, though, all to Christina and me. We are blessed to be together...yes, God is working in our lives too. But more than just our late night chats, I'm thankful to have a quiet place to pour out my petitions to God. Ms. Leasa promised us that we would feel an urgency to pray like never before, and it is so true.
If you have read through this blog post, you, perhaps, have too much time on your hands. (Joking.! I'm sure my mom will read this and no, she has no spare time with all the kiddos:) But please, you've had, maybe, a glimpse of the work here. You know there are people here who are deciding whether they will follow God or not. Please take a moment and pray for these souls. You shall meet them very soon.
There is no exception in this country.
Most of the conversations that I engage in here are a mixture of broken English and rapid fire Hungarian. We get the general idea of some of the conversations. Many times we don't. But I'm learning to listen...to enjoy what I can't understand and to truly appreciate what I can!
Everyday the other FJK students' English improves. Those that couldn't say anything before are trying out basic conversational phrases. Those who spoke a few words here and there are now engaging in deep conversations. It's amazing. What's also amazing is that this language that has sounded like one continuous string of noise for the past week and a half is now sounding like words. We are even venturing on saying basic phrases ourselves.
Still, we have some challenges in communicating, but we are embracing them.
Sabbath morning. I'm sitting by my new BFF (yes, I have many!). Chella is my co-speaker and just a beautiful, beautiful girl. Her English has improved a hundred percent since I've been here, and she's doing a lot of casual translating for me. It's still a challenge to translate stuff like sabbath school. You have to understand: our church here has a ministry for the blind- absolutely remarkable, but anyway...a blind girl was brought in and set by Chella. She lifted Chella's hand and examined it. All of the sudden, she brightened up and grabbed Chella. She absolutely knew who she was just by feeling her hand! Che-Che turned to me and explained that this girl spoke very good English and that she could interpret for me. She did. Amazing. Translation was incredible. She is one of the most intelligent people that I have ever ever met. Not only did she have great linguistic skills, she already knew the historical examples that were up on the screen. She knew the scientific terms for the the pictures that she couldn't see.
After the services, we had casual conversations about education, extra, but I soon realized this was no casual girl. She has education in political science, journalism, English, history and maybe psychology or sociology. It sounds like she's going on to get a doctrite in a specialized area of communication. Alot of it went over my head! More than her educational achievements, this girl loves and is loved by soo many people. Friendships don't take long to build and they are strong with this girl. I realized as she was translating everything for me that I'm more handicapped than she is. Nothing inhibits her.
This same girl brought her twin sister and her mother hiking with us today. Spent a lot of time with her- "leading" her. But she doesn't really need "leading". She is strong, athletic, and has won metals and awards in marathons. She climbed a tree in front of all our astonished eyes. She has very strong senses. She knows when there is a tree in the way. She knows when I am standing by her. She knows the difference between my hand and everybody elses. She even explained how she can sense the difference between different colors. "Red is very warm. Blue is cold. Yellow and... maybe green are in between." She told us why she and her twin are blind. Born three months early, they spent the beginnings of their lives in an incubator. Other than being extremely premature, they were fine. But the oxegen levels in the incubator were not kept where they were supposed to be - 99%. It was kept at 99.5%. This is what completely changed their futures. They live in darkness but not hopelessness. Andrea only emphasised how grateful she is to be able to have her mental functions undisrupted. Apparently most kids who go through this end up with severe delays. She says, "I don't know what I'd do without my brain."
She told me her story of finding God. Very touching. She was soo excited to learn that I keep a journal of prayers or as she says, "letters to God". She thought she was the only "weird" one. But she shared how it was so encouraging for her for to look back at these entries. She found truth by "reading" the Bible for herself. She realized that the Catholic church was missing truth, and at fifteen years old she quit going to church and worshiped God according to how she found Him in the Bible. These were lonely days for her. She said it was very, very lonely. The local church here, though, reached out to her through their ministry for the blind. Today she is a Seventh-day Adventist. She stands alone. Her family was very upset when they found out that she wanted to be baptized, but she stuck with her commitment.When she asked me about my family and learned that they were Adventist, she was like, "Do you pray together before meals? Do you do activities (think she meant-family worship) together?" Yes, we do. But how can I explain how for so long I took these things for granted? How I, despite all the blessings of growing up in a Christian home, was a rebellious little girl? All I could say was "Yes, we do...but I still had to find Jesus for myself".
Standing alone is what so many of the young people here do.
Their stories are unfolding as they get more confident in their English. There are very few who have a mom and dad who both love Jesus. There are very few that get to go to church with their whole family. But there are many who live in divided families, broken homes. Many who are the only Christians in their families. There are many who stand absolutely ALONE with only God at their side.
I can't even blog the stories.
But know this. If you are one of my friends back home, if you have a family who has loved you, guided you, prayed for you, brought you to church, YOU are blessed beyond measure. Do not, for a moment more take any of it for granted. You have no excuses. Do you love God? Are you willing to stand for Him in the face of rejection or loss? Face it. There are people here who have been given much less yet their faith is beautiful.
One of the students had worship for us the other morning. He step by step shared from a chapter in Isaiah the Love of God. It was awesome. After, he explained how this was what inspired him to share Christ. He said that since he has found the love of God he can't hold it in, and that he must share it with everyone. The words are evident in the way he works for souls. Very blessed to have him and a couple siblings at my site! Praying especially right now for his older brother - here and such a blessing, but has not yet made a commitment for God, only here for about a week more, than heads back to his contracting job. This time is short. Praying for a miracle.
Actually, I find myself driven to my knees more than ever before. There are so many people making eternal decisions right now. I plead that they would be reached. We have a good attendance at our sites so far. Wish I had time to tell you more of the stories, more of the experiences, the challenges, and the victories we have already seen, but I'm really busy just living them. I'm thankful for a small room, though, all to Christina and me. We are blessed to be together...yes, God is working in our lives too. But more than just our late night chats, I'm thankful to have a quiet place to pour out my petitions to God. Ms. Leasa promised us that we would feel an urgency to pray like never before, and it is so true.
If you have read through this blog post, you, perhaps, have too much time on your hands. (Joking.! I'm sure my mom will read this and no, she has no spare time with all the kiddos:) But please, you've had, maybe, a glimpse of the work here. You know there are people here who are deciding whether they will follow God or not. Please take a moment and pray for these souls. You shall meet them very soon.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
FJT...
That is the abbreviation for Youth for Jesus (hint: this is Hungary).
Busy, busy...
Ever since all the kids arrived.
Sermons
Classes
Dishes
Cooking
Worships
Outreach
We're starting to get into a routine though.
Making friends with a bit of a language barrier can be a challenge. It takes effort. At supper last night, we decided the Americans could not sit together. The other kids couldn't understand it. They were all moving over to make spots where we could be together:) That's what I mean when I say sweet...very thoughtful and everything. We finally got through to them that we were trying to break a habit. They accepted.
Our conversations, our jokes, our laughter is over the simple stuff.
The food processor is will forever be the food professor.
People here have a last name and a Christian name....(until you find out that was a miss translation). They have a completely normal first and last name.
Hungarian kitties don't understand Hungarian "t-t-t-t-t" . You see, cats speak English because they come when we say, "Here kitty-kitty-kitty".
Only understood if you were here. But these are the beginnings of friendships that I pray will last for eternity. Never want to forget these beginnings.
Culture-wise. At first glance, everything seems to be fairly close to US culture. But there are alot of really neat things in this culture that are different than we've know.
I thought I was getting well trained every time we'd pray to stand up, but Charissa had to jab me this morning to remind me get on my feet.
Song services here are lovely. The girls have very beautiful, true voices, but only one other pianist. Christina and I play alot. We've had to adapt our tempos. Music here is pretty classic. They were a bit overwhelmed with all the instruments too. We are doing more with just one or two instruments. The voices here are the important part.
Food is scrumptious. Hopefully, I can learn to replicate some of the Hungarian dishes to try at home. There's no food lines here. We set the tables for all of the people -glass dishes, everything. Washing station is outside the eating tent and everyone does their own dishes. Actually most people do their own dishes ++. Work ethic here is impressive. These kids are not slackers at all. It's so fun to work with them. It's easy to sense a real spirit of service and a willingness to go the extra mile to help out.
Miss Leasa's classes have been excellent. She has challenged everyone to either start or deepen their devotional life. That is the theme for this month, but it is a new challenge for many of these kids. It makes it all the more beautiful to see them, Bible in hand, going out to find a quiet place with God in the morning.
Talked to my other me yesterday- actually my sister. I'm inspired by the testimonies. God is at work in His army of youth. There is no denying it. We are going home soon. Please pray for us here in Hungary. God has plans for FJK. I believe it!
Busy, busy...
Ever since all the kids arrived.
Sermons
Classes
Dishes
Cooking
Worships
Outreach
We're starting to get into a routine though.
Making friends with a bit of a language barrier can be a challenge. It takes effort. At supper last night, we decided the Americans could not sit together. The other kids couldn't understand it. They were all moving over to make spots where we could be together:) That's what I mean when I say sweet...very thoughtful and everything. We finally got through to them that we were trying to break a habit. They accepted.
Our conversations, our jokes, our laughter is over the simple stuff.
The food processor is will forever be the food professor.
People here have a last name and a Christian name....(until you find out that was a miss translation). They have a completely normal first and last name.
Hungarian kitties don't understand Hungarian "t-t-t-t-t" . You see, cats speak English because they come when we say, "Here kitty-kitty-kitty".
Only understood if you were here. But these are the beginnings of friendships that I pray will last for eternity. Never want to forget these beginnings.
Culture-wise. At first glance, everything seems to be fairly close to US culture. But there are alot of really neat things in this culture that are different than we've know.
I thought I was getting well trained every time we'd pray to stand up, but Charissa had to jab me this morning to remind me get on my feet.
Song services here are lovely. The girls have very beautiful, true voices, but only one other pianist. Christina and I play alot. We've had to adapt our tempos. Music here is pretty classic. They were a bit overwhelmed with all the instruments too. We are doing more with just one or two instruments. The voices here are the important part.
Food is scrumptious. Hopefully, I can learn to replicate some of the Hungarian dishes to try at home. There's no food lines here. We set the tables for all of the people -glass dishes, everything. Washing station is outside the eating tent and everyone does their own dishes. Actually most people do their own dishes ++. Work ethic here is impressive. These kids are not slackers at all. It's so fun to work with them. It's easy to sense a real spirit of service and a willingness to go the extra mile to help out.
Miss Leasa's classes have been excellent. She has challenged everyone to either start or deepen their devotional life. That is the theme for this month, but it is a new challenge for many of these kids. It makes it all the more beautiful to see them, Bible in hand, going out to find a quiet place with God in the morning.
Talked to my other me yesterday- actually my sister. I'm inspired by the testimonies. God is at work in His army of youth. There is no denying it. We are going home soon. Please pray for us here in Hungary. God has plans for FJK. I believe it!
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Can't explain
Life the last few days has been the kind that a blog post just can't describe.
It's so full.
How can I describe the learning process, the joy, the spirit of our "preaching sessions" as Goosey girls and I rotate, critique, and pray with each other up in our little chapel room?
How can I tell you what it was like tour this ancient city in Hungary, show you with words what we've seen (no, I'm not a photographer!) , replay the experiences, mimic the spontaneous?
Started at Ambrus' house 10am on Friday.
Eniku was guide. This girl maneuvered us past guards, on trains, buses, around the city, here and there, to lunch, back home. Unbelievable- not a glitch. Absolutely enjoyable!
Saw:
Statues.
Basilica.
Synagogue.
Castle.
Soldiers.
Ruins.
Memorial tree with engraved names in the silver leaves of thousands lives taken in the Holicost.
Cemetery.
This place is rich with history.
But it was more than just seeing these places, and that's what I'm having trouble writing in words.
Heat
Laughter
Crammed busses
Sweat (I'm pretty sure I'm too young for hot flashes but I am almost convinced I'm having them at times)
Friends
Just sharing the moments
Yesterday, we split up for two churches. Christina and I went with Joshua and Andras to the site that I'll be preaching at. We were attacked with kisses at the door. Took me a minute to figure out what to do...love these people though.
Ms. Leasa and Eniku try to warn us in stories about this kind of stuff -very much appreciated. But we still have to figure it out for ourselves.
Joshua's message -excellent.
Potluck-good...but I'm pretty sure that they literally wanted the four of us to finish ALL the food on the table. We had to explain again and again that we were FULL and couldn't eat anymore.
Church here is an all day thing. After potluck they have another service. We asked them to combine afternoon services, so we had music, testimonies, and GYC and YFJ reports.
Blessed.
These are the hours treasured in our hearts. Beautiful. Unforgettable. Yet I can't explain them.
Sitting on the floor at the lovely Ambrus home. Being family. Sharing stories.
Until that chapter of our Hungary trip was closed.
Nebblets and Alonna took the train back home.
YFJ kids arrive today.
Only wish I could transport myself to help my mom, give her a break for a little bit....don't like being so far away I can't do anything. She's the so strong, so brave, so amazing. Love you, Mom. Thanks for all you're doing right now.
It's so full.
How can I describe the learning process, the joy, the spirit of our "preaching sessions" as Goosey girls and I rotate, critique, and pray with each other up in our little chapel room?
How can I tell you what it was like tour this ancient city in Hungary, show you with words what we've seen (no, I'm not a photographer!) , replay the experiences, mimic the spontaneous?
Started at Ambrus' house 10am on Friday.
Eniku was guide. This girl maneuvered us past guards, on trains, buses, around the city, here and there, to lunch, back home. Unbelievable- not a glitch. Absolutely enjoyable!
Saw:
Statues.
Basilica.
Synagogue.
Castle.
Soldiers.
Ruins.
Memorial tree with engraved names in the silver leaves of thousands lives taken in the Holicost.
Cemetery.
This place is rich with history.
But it was more than just seeing these places, and that's what I'm having trouble writing in words.
Heat
Laughter
Crammed busses
Sweat (I'm pretty sure I'm too young for hot flashes but I am almost convinced I'm having them at times)
Friends
Just sharing the moments
Yesterday, we split up for two churches. Christina and I went with Joshua and Andras to the site that I'll be preaching at. We were attacked with kisses at the door. Took me a minute to figure out what to do...love these people though.
Ms. Leasa and Eniku try to warn us in stories about this kind of stuff -very much appreciated. But we still have to figure it out for ourselves.
Joshua's message -excellent.
Potluck-good...but I'm pretty sure that they literally wanted the four of us to finish ALL the food on the table. We had to explain again and again that we were FULL and couldn't eat anymore.
Church here is an all day thing. After potluck they have another service. We asked them to combine afternoon services, so we had music, testimonies, and GYC and YFJ reports.
Blessed.
These are the hours treasured in our hearts. Beautiful. Unforgettable. Yet I can't explain them.
Sitting on the floor at the lovely Ambrus home. Being family. Sharing stories.
Until that chapter of our Hungary trip was closed.
Nebblets and Alonna took the train back home.
YFJ kids arrive today.
Only wish I could transport myself to help my mom, give her a break for a little bit....don't like being so far away I can't do anything. She's the so strong, so brave, so amazing. Love you, Mom. Thanks for all you're doing right now.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
We're here!
Hungary. Beautiful. GREEN. Damp. Moist. Warm.
We are staying at the Adventist Seminary. It's small. It's quiet. And there's LOTS of room to run.
I ran and ran around and around the property this morning. Just wish my sister and running buddy was here. Miss her soooo much! But Stina~bee and I are having a blast with the Goosey girls and Ms. Leasa. We're just sitting around listening to Ms. Leasa's old YFJ stories this morning.
Rest and quiet is a blessed thing after yesterday.
Left at 7am. Got to the airport and our gate just in time. Only a half hour flight. Really wondered why we did this.!
The GPS said 11:45 for arrival time in Budapest for Leasa. That was when we left the car.
Things, of course, are always different than we foresee. We had discussed where we would meet at the airport. But apparently, airports are not all the same. Weren't sure where to go...eventually found this stairway outside that reached from departure to arrival. Christina stood at one end and I stood at the other watching for the gray little car that we left in Vienna. Funny thing is: over half the cars here are little and gray.!
Hours.
Waiting.
Cell phone doesn't work. No internet available.
People are kind of interesting- come and stand right in front of someone's face and smoke- somehow normal?! I move down the stairs a couple steps and then someone else moves over right in front of me again. I try another spot and someone comes and stands right beside me. Give up!
I literally had the idea as a little kid that if I ever smelled anyone's cigarettes I would have these disgustingly black lungs and probably die. I took the Janice attic lessons very seriously:)
Hopefully, such will not be my fate.
By about 4:30 we were climbing into the car.
Poor Ms. Leasa had some major trials. Thankfully she realized that it was a diesel-only car before she started the engine. But what a rollercoster ride to get the gas out.
Now we're here and we're happy!
Every step of the way we learn lessons of trust.
Our confidence is God. No problems, no surprises can overcome us as long as we know that He is in control.
Every difficulty is an opportunity for character improvement. Let's not forget it!
Monday, July 23, 2012
GYC
If I lived here I would seriously wear a watch.
There are NO clocks- except the one on the GYC stage...and since it represents
the time in which we live, it is continually almost 12.
Other than that GYC is GYC and it's awesome!
Seminars are great. Lots of stuff on Revelation- I
soooo appreciate it. Trying to take lots of notes. Also went to Justin's
leadership meeting this morning. It was unbelievably practical. A must hear for
every young person.
Testimony yesterday was amazing....and we just so
happened to have Jesse's parents as our small group leaders. So after we heard
the story from Jesse, we got the other side of the story. It was great!
We are having a great time with Ms. Leasa and
Kimberly (she left with her parents this morning). We stayed up late last
night...but my body is okay with anything because of time zone
differences.
Meeting many wonderful people from all over the
world. Went door to door with the sweetest German girl. She spoke German,
English, French, Japanese and a couple other languages. I'm forced to the
realization that our culture back home places so little value or emphasis on
learning languages. But what a blessing to have the ability to talk to people
pretty much anywhere!
We were surprised to find Ariane here. Having a
great time catching up on everything. Goosey girls came for a couple days. They
decided that Zach needed help promoting LIFE at the booth. They got Christina
to help and me a wee bit, but really, I'm not a natural. LIFE has been a huge
blessing in my life though...so I am willing to share that. We had a YFJ
reunion picture with Goosey girls, Zach, Andy and his brother and us at the
life booth. So Fun!
The evening devotional last night was great...was
the message that has completely changed me. At least given me reason and
purpose for every moment- of the rest of my life. It wasn't preached to me in
one sermon. It was everyday for a month last year. We had almost an hour and
half drive to and from our site in California...and it was then, I learned what
the GOSPEL meant. It changed my Bible study, changed my prayer life,
changed my life-outlook, changed my self-conscious personality. Now I live for
this Gospel.
The sermon last night was based on the book of Acts
and one quote that was drilled into my head on those long, traffic filled
highways..."Hanging on the cross, Christ was the gospel..." He is the
heart of our every message. He is the reason for our every breath. We could do
everything right but if we miss Him, we miss everything!
I get so excited when I here this message. It just
resonates within me. Because it's power has changed me. I do know that last
year may not have been the first time I've heard it...but somehow, it just
reached a deeper level in my heart and I got it.
Oh, I pray that Jesus would be uplifted as we
prepare for YFJ and the evangelism in Hungary. I'm afraid of myself getting in
the way. But I believe in the power of God to work with our absolute
nothingness to magnify Him.
Well, I can't think of too many more things to write.
Note for my family: We are flying to Budapest, it was too expensive to cancel
it. We are well fed. Not really too tired. Alive and blessed.
Thursday, July 19, 2012
On our way...
So I think our 'before trip' story has been well documented. It's been interesting...but...
I think we are on our way for real! Should be boarding the plane soon:) I'm thankful that we will make it to our destination the same day we planned! God is good.
Having fun already! Yep, we can have fun in an airport;) Already been asked if I speak Dutch and if I'm German. Sorry, neither.
I'm still giggling about the security guard bending down to the dear lady in front of us at the checkpoint where we were showing our ID, and asking "We're going shopping are we?!" Of course she cracked up with the rest of us as she tucked her credit card back in her purse and pulled out the right thing.
There's lots of stuff that is striking us funny... or as our friend Mary would say 'gives us the giggles'. Maybe we're tired?:) Don't feel it right now. Will soon. Many hours yet to go...cause we are still in Seattle.
It's our little cousins birthday today. Happy birthday, Shiloh! We love you.
Okay we are getting ready to board! Yes!
I think we are on our way for real! Should be boarding the plane soon:) I'm thankful that we will make it to our destination the same day we planned! God is good.
Having fun already! Yep, we can have fun in an airport;) Already been asked if I speak Dutch and if I'm German. Sorry, neither.
I'm still giggling about the security guard bending down to the dear lady in front of us at the checkpoint where we were showing our ID, and asking "We're going shopping are we?!" Of course she cracked up with the rest of us as she tucked her credit card back in her purse and pulled out the right thing.
There's lots of stuff that is striking us funny... or as our friend Mary would say 'gives us the giggles'. Maybe we're tired?:) Don't feel it right now. Will soon. Many hours yet to go...cause we are still in Seattle.
It's our little cousins birthday today. Happy birthday, Shiloh! We love you.
Okay we are getting ready to board! Yes!
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