The Ussher's in Budapest

It's been a great week with Clint, Jamie, Evee, and Iris visiting in Budapest. Love having them here, showing them around the city, keeping Evee and Iris so Clint and Jamie could have a getaway in Vienna via train, and just hanging out. Unfortunately, Clint leaves in the morning for flights to New Zealand, but we're happy to have Jamie and the girls stay with us until November 3. So pictures will be in order over the next two weeks. :)

Checking out the castle with Evee

Evee and Iris at Heroe's Square

Iris toddled all over Heroe's Square with Papa

Evee posing with a famous Hungarian poet

Having fun at the Castle

Iris and Papa at St. Stephan's Cathedral Square

Gotta have hot chocolate while the grown ups take a coffee break

Along the Danube with the Castle and Chain Bridge lit up at night

Praising in Color

In June Dennis and I made a trip to the UK where he was to chair the British Isles District Conference in Birmingham, England. We arrived a couple days early to drive just across the border into Scotland to meet Marc and Penny, colleagues in mission. 

Dennis met Marc two years ago when he attended a leadership course. I was eager to meet this couple, but I had no idea as we drove up to their home how significant our time would be.

During our first evening together, the four of us gathered in the living room to chat. It didn't take long until there were two conversations. Penny and I sat in comfy chairs sipping tea and realized that we had a lot in common. We share the same decade in age, which gave us plenty of things to talk about! We discovered that we have similarities in family background, spiritual journeys, interests, a passion for helping others find healing and restoration, and a passionate heart for our children.

During our conversation, Penny shared about a recent book she had read entitled Praying in Color.  She described how the author, Sybil MacBeth, shares her story of using pen and watercolor pencils to sketch designs, adding color with the pencils, finishing it off with brush and water. It was an intriguing idea, and I instantly took interest in this new avenue of prayer. 

I have never considered myself artistic, but I can doodle or draw simple pictures. Thankfully, praying in color is not just for those who have artistic ability. I discovered just about anybody could do this.

So I tried. Up to this point I have done what I call praising in color. Each of the three drawings I have done so far demonstrate what God has done in my life this past summer. As I ponder scripture and reflect on God's character, my mind begins to create an image. My soul wells up with gratitude as pen meets paper, and the piece begins to flow.

One day in September I sat on a park bench that lined Déak Square, one of Budapest's busiest squares. People were passing by on their way to tour or shop. I pulled a journal out of my bag bought especially for this new prayer idea with thicker pages for the strokes of a wet brush. I had a scripture in mind - You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing from Psalm 30 - and I began to draw. This verse described what God did for me this past summer. He took those things that have weighed heavy on my heart for too long, giving me a new perspective, replacing the heaviness with joy. I name each of my pictures. This one I call Dancin’ Shoes!

By the time we left Scotland, I had a new friend, and a new way to enhance my prayer life.

Thanks, Penny, for sharing the praying in color idea with me. You are one of my grace-filled gifts of summer 2011.

September 24

Around the 24th of the month, I go into a bit of a melancholy mood. Today is no different. I wasn't picking up on it right away, and then it came to me a few months ago. It was March 24 that we lost our precious Margot June. Six months ago now.

One of the things I was looking forward to was to add Margot's picture to the photo display of grandchildren on my kitchen windows. Three are in Pier One frames that I got around the Christmas season several years ago. At the time, I only had three grands - Evee, Stella and Miles. The frame was meant to be a tree ornament, but my intent was to use it year around for this very purpose. The window pulls in our Budapest flat serve as a perfect place to hang the pictures. Now that I can no longer get the small frames, I purchased small round frames with a suction cup on the back to mount new additions - Iris and Margot - to the window display.

Even after Margot's death, I still wanted to add her picture. It's the only thing I have to remember her by. I purposely suctioned the frame near Stella's picture. Sisters.

Before we moved to Budapest, I bought a beaded tropical bird napkin ring (Pier One again :) that reminded me of a hummingbird. I only purchased one, not planning to use it as a napkin holder, but thinking I would find a place for it somewhere. I just liked it. I'm fascinated by hummingbirds. Love to watch them flit in and out of flowers, drinking in the sweet nectar.

Well, I've had it stored in my desk drawer all this time, because I hadn't found that special place. As soon as I put Margot's picture up, I thought of the hummingbird. The ring fit perfectly around the suction cup, and there the little bird stayed.

It seemed so fitting for Margot. The smallest of birds, feathers shimmering like that of a prism. Each little twist and turn producing iridescent colors in the sunlight. Flirting with flowers, they're here and gone, only to return again with the flutter of their wings humming in mid-air. Did you know they are the only group of birds that can fly backwards?

Tiny. Beautiful. Fascinating. It just seemed to be the perfect place... next to Margot's picture. I like to think of Margot flitting in and out of our lives. She flits in when I see a six-month old baby. She flutters about when I'm skyping with Stella. She dashes about when I think of our family spread across the world. The humming of her wings will always be a reminder of our sweet little Margot. I miss her.

Wings... see Josh's recent post on Stella's wings.