Plans Change...

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.