Europe...

(written Tuesday afternoon on the train) We are on our way from Munich, Germany to Budapest, Hungary via the Rail Jet. Quiet and smooth at 100 mph. Nice to relax and look out at the German countryside – passing towns, evergreen forest, farmers working in the hay fields, rows and rows of corn, rolling hills – reminding me a bit of my home state of Pennsylvania. Hopefully we will still have daylight to see the Alps as we pass through Austria.

We spent one night in Budapest a couple years ago without any thought of ever living there. I remember loving the city with hilly Buda on one side of the Danube River with a castle as its backdrop and flat Pest on the other side with stately government buildings and city life. This time we return with a different perspective and purpose. Tomorrow we will check out potential housing options, thanks to the Free Methodists friends we have yet to meet.

There’s a little boy behind me reading books out loud in his German language. So sweet. Having Evee with us all summer, I’ve been intrigued with how quickly children learn their native language, at first by imitation only. In less than three months it was fascinating how quickly Evee’s vocabulary grew and her communication skills developed. I’m looking forward to learning a new language. Perhaps Hungarian.

As we make this trip I am reminded of verse 8 in Psalm 32: The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. This I trust Him for.

(Late Wednesday night. First I could get online to post since we arrived in Budapest. We had a beautiful day in the city connecting with some great people that work with the Free Methodist World Mission. We must have walked at least 8 miles in the city today. Checked out an apt. that's a very good possibility. Budapest is a beautiful as I remember :).

Taken on the train through Austria

Entrance to potential new home...

I loved the stairs that went to this second story apt.

Tomorrow is a national holiday in Hungary - St. Stephen's Day. Lots of activities/events and most shops closed. We'll be meeting with the Europe Director for the Free Meth. missions and his wife for lunch. Then an afternoon train will take us to Vienna, Austria. More later.

Family. Anniversary. Birthdays.

All three happened in one week.

Our time in IL with Kari and Stella (and Kari's family) was great. After three days of hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail, Josh booked a last minute flight (with frequent flyers mind you) and joined the rest of us on Sunday morning! A surprise to Kari.

Stella is such a sweet little girl... gotta love those
big blue eyes!

Something about a grandbaby...

And on the way home between IL and MI, we spent a couple days in Indy with Julie celebrating her upcoming 23rd birthday early since we'll be returning from Europe one day before Sept. 5.

Josh celebrates his 30th birthday today... how can this be?


...which means that Dennis and I celebrated 31 years of marriage two days ago. This, of course, makes us feel rather older (note I didn't say old, but older)...

Thanks to a wonderful honorarium we were able to spend a night away at the J.W. Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids and enjoy a pleasant and delightful dinner out. I'm so glad I married this man! Can't imagine life without him.

Now we're back for our last weekend in Grand Haven with Clint, Jamie and Evee.

Look for posts from Europe next week! We take off Monday.

Winding down...

With less than two weeks until we leave for a 3-week stint in Europe, the summer is winding down early for us. Clint, Jamie and Evee leave on the 17th, the same day we fly to Europe. The time has flown by. Too fast.

We had Dennis' brother, Doug, stop by a few weeks ago. So good to see him even if for a short time. And, Regina stayed with us for a week. Always good to have her!

Julie was up this past weekend... perhaps the last time she'll get to visit us in Michigan. The weekend was so full we forgot to go by our old house. Loved having her! Never long enough. We had the Buth family over for the Coast Guard fireworks, along with Ian and Danielle Swyers (friends of Clint and Jamie's... ours, too :) who were up for the weekend. The top deck off the condo was prime seating for some amazing fireworks. There's nothing quite like the CG fireworks!

This weekend we get to see Kari and Stella in Moline, IL while Kari is home visiting family and attending her high school reunion. That little girl is going to get spoiled with two sets of grandparents doting over her. Can't wait to see them!

Out for a walk on the pier.

The Buths - John, Jill, Koby, Gerrit, and Mason