Snow to Sunshine. . .

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...

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!

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

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!

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!

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

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."