Day # 160 (not that anyone is counting…)
Wow, it has been a long time since I have updated this thing, and I apologize! I’ve been quite busy… my mom is in the other room right now cleaning up some dishes as I write. I can not tell you how wonderful it is to have her here. I have a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when I think about her leaving in 3 days. We had an amazing time traveling through Austria and Germany using our Eurrail passes. We spent 3 days in Vienna, then traveled to a small ski town in the Alps (Sankt Johann) where we spent our days hiking, sightseeing, swimming, reading, and traveling. We went to Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Munich. I hope to post some pictures of our adventures soon! We’ve spent the last 5 days here in my apartment in Budapest. My mom was put to work… we spent 3 days cleaning and preparing OM Hungary’s Training Center for upcoming camps and a place for guests who will be serving with OM for the summer. Working up a sweat while scrubbing toilets, vacuuming carcasses of dead bugs, and washing the floors was probably not my moms idea of a vacation, but she was so happy to do it! Working together made it fun. We worked hard to get the job done so we would have more time sightseeing and relaxing. It’s been so neat to share some of my favorite sights, sounds, and tastes I’ve come to love these past 5 months. Last night we made a big batch of traditional Gulyas Leves (Goulash soup), and thoroughly enjoyed the finished product!!! I am going to miss her so much when she heads home… sigh…
I’ve realized even more deeply how God created a desire within ME for companionship. I have met many unforgettable people and made great friends here, but there is nothing, NOTHING, like waking up to someone who REALLY knows you, having a cup of coffee with them, talk about things that really matter, and share the things you love most in the world with.
My mom flies home on Monday, and that same day I will hop on a train for my next outreach in the southern part of Hungary, in a small village called Liter. I will be teaching English in the mornings, leading children’s programming in the afternoons (check it out…. this international organization/ children’s curriculum is great: www.kidsgames.com), and working with families and/or the local church in the evenings. I may not have time to sleep, haha.
After a crazy busy week I will return…. and start a 2 week intensive English teaching course the next day. I’m excited about the English course because it’s in the village next to mine, meaning I will be able to work during the day and sleep in my own bed at night (what a concept!). I am also VERY excited to work with a group of Americans who are serving in Austria for 16 months, but are spending 2 months with OM Hungary this summer.
So. That is my next 3 weeks…. I will keep you updated as to what my plans are after that.
Now- if you have the chance, or remember to do so, I have some prayer requests:
A) safe travels for my mom as she heads back home (and PRAISES that she arrived here safe and we had an AMAZING time together. God is so good. He knows exactly what I need, exactly when I need it)
B) Praises- my rash is pretty much healed. The doctor and specialist I saw were awesome, diagnosed it correctly and the cost was entirely reasonable. Whew!
C) Some tough stuff- this is a very strange time for me. It feels like my time here is coming to an end, I will be home in about 2 months. One moment I’m excited to begin the next chapter of my life (getting a ‘real’ job, finding an apartment, etc.) and seeing the people whom I miss so much! The next moment I’m sad to end this amazing adventure, and say goodbyes to the places and people I’ve come to love. One moment, I look at a calendar and realize how FAST these next 8 weeks are going to fly by, the next moment I realize that 8 weeks is still a long time when it comes to language barriers, long days of hard work, frustrations with cultural differences, and I don’t know if I can possibly do it. One moment I want to extend my plane ticket and stay longer, the next moment I want to buy a new ticket and fly home tomorrow. The prayer request (I bet you thought I’d never get to it …) please pray that I enjoy my time here, but that I am ready (emotionally and spiritually) to go home. Please pray that I am patient and content in my circumstances. Please pray that I have grace for others when I am in frustrating situations. Ugh. I am seirously on an emotional roller coaster. I don’t even know what else to say, except I am glad that the spirit intercedes for us when we know not what to pray…. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=52&chapter=8&verse=26&version=31&context=verse)
I really appreciate you taking the time to find out what I’ve been up to, and appreciate it even more when you lift up praises and requests to the God who is ultimately in control. I know I am affected by other people praying for me.
Aldas Békéség. (Blessings and Peace)
