The end of one chapter, the beginning of another...

Many times at this time of year we think about what has happened in the past year and what we would like to change about ourselves in the following year. In the states, many people will be purchacing gym memberships, exercise equipment, nicorette, or some other things to help them adjust their lifestyle. We as a people want to become better, to look better, to feel better. But how often are we looking at how we can change ourselves, when we all know we can't.

As I have been contemplating where my life is right now, I believe that God is calling me forward. He doesn't want me to look at the past, or even really ways in which I may want to change myself. He wants me to focus on him.

Isaiah 43:18 - 19: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Looking forward to what God will do in 2007!!

I was so blessed to spend my first Christmas away from home with the Weaver family. They accepted me in as one of their own. Among a few other things, they gave me a calendar as a gift. That was so special to me because my mom always gives me a calendar every year for Christmas. They didn't know that, but God does. He knows exactly how to minister to me and how to speak my love language even though I am five thousand miles away from my family.

I have six keys for one flat...when I was in California, I had four keys, one for where I lived, two for my dad's place and one for my mom's place. If this isn't security, I don't know what is!

Szalagavato

Last weekend, my twelfth grade students had their szalagavato. It is a type of coming of age ceremony. They receive ribbons from their form teacher, the teacher who has been a type of mother/father to them their entire four years of school. The students perform silly skits or dances for their families, friends and staff members. They also have a beautiful waltz performed while wearing beautiful white dresses and tuxes. Here are some photos for you to see.

How can Christmas be two days away!?!? I can't believe how quickly the past two, really four months have passed!

The past six weeks went well. I did have ups and downs with the students and with my own homesickness. But I am so glad I'm here. I love teaching. At times the students don't understand me and that can be difficult. But there is usually at least one student in the class who understands me and can explain it in his or her own language.

I have started developing friendships at the church I'm attending. It is a Hungarian/English Calvary Chapel. Pretty much everything is translated into both languages. A couple of weeks ago, a friend had a birthday party. Here's a picture of us at the party. It was a lot of fun. It was kind of a themed party where people had to guess what two things she really likes that start with B and bring them or a representation of them as gifts.

Today I will be going ice skating with another teacher's daughter and her friends. I'm a little nervous because at home if I have a hard time skating I can always hug the wall. Well, in an outdoor ice ring, there's no wall. I'll be praying the whole time!!! :-)

I finished my first week of teaching in Hungary!!!

Things went well. Of course, I was a little nervous before starting. But, I'm looking forward to a good year. Most of my students have a good grasp of English, but I have to speak slowly and clearly. And...for those of you who are wondering, I do speak loud enough for them to hear me. :-)

I have 13 different classes that I meet with each week. Most of them I only see once, but I do have a couple of classes that I see 3 or 4 times a week. My classes consist of 10 to 15 students. That makes it easier to work with each one of them. I really like it.

My commute to school takes about 45 minutes. I walk about ten minutes to the tram and take two different trams. The second one drops me off pretty much right in front of my school. The commute has been nice as well. It gives me time to listen to some worship music on my way into and out of the teaching mode.

As is the case with anything, there are difficulties. Adjusting to the work ethic of a new culture is at times difficult. But I've been learning to be flexible and roll with it. So, I'm doing well. God is good!!!

SNOW!!!!!!!!!

I woke up this morning, and as is typical looked outside to see what Hungary looks like today. Well, it was raining, but that rain didn't look like rain at home because it was snow! I kept looking thinking is that really snow, I'd go to a different window and look again. Then finally I knocked on Erin's door and told her it was snowing. She jumped out of bed and came to look. It didn't stick or anything but still . . . I live in a city where it snows! I tried to capture it in some pictures, but it's kind of difficult to see. The most you can see it on are the leaves right outside of our balcony window.

Erin and I along with some other Americans went to the Hungary State Opera House yesterday evening. Verdi's Requiem was perfomed in choral format. The tickets were very affordable, actually less than seeing a movie in the states!! :-)

In some ways it's hard to believe I've been in Hungary for a week already. It feels like only a few days. But in other ways it feels like I've been here longer because it feels like home.

I have unpacked everything and started to settle in. I was able to get some things to organize my room with. There aren't any decorations in my room yet, but that's okay eventually I'll get around to hanging some things on the walls.

This past Monday, I met my principal. He seems very nice, and he speaks enough English for me to understand him. My network of people at school seem very supportive.

I still have a few more legal documents to take care of, but that should be done by Saturday. I got my resident alien card, a bank account and a cell phone. I'm so glad that I came out earlier than my original flight date.

Things are going really well with my flatmate, Erin. (Here she is pictured with me.) It will be a good year for both of us. She has been so helpful. God really blessed me with someone who has lived here before. She already knows most of the things that I need to do, when I wouldn't even typically think about them. She is part of the local Calvary Chapel church. I attended the church with her this past Sunday and will probably continue to attend for the remainder of my stay.

The weather has started getting a little cold for me. Yesterday evening I went out with my hat, scarf, and gloves and I was still a little cold. I hope my body adjusts to the climate here before it starts snowing!!!

Prayer enlarges the heart until it is capable of containing God's gift of himself.
Ask and seek, and your heart will grow big enough to receive him and to keep him as your own. Wherever God has put you, that is your vocation. It is not what we do but how much love we put into it.

- Mother Teresa

Hebrews 1:10-12

He also says,
"In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will roll them up like a robe; like a garment they will be changed. But you remain the same, and your years will never end."

First Entry from Hungary...


After my visa came in I decided to change my flight. Originally I was hoping to change it to October 27, 28 or 29. When I called the travel agency, the only flight that was open to me was on October 25. (Only two days later.) I considered my options, finish up everything in California and leave in less than 48 hours or arrive in Hungary with only three days to get unpacked and organized before starting work. Having ten days to get unpacked, organized, and somewhat adjusted was more important to me.

I packed up my stuff, e-mailed my flatmate to make sure she was ready for me and boarded the plane. Wow!! It's so crazy to me! God is definitely working on stuff in my life because that is so unlike my personality. But...God is not limited by my personality.

My traveling went well. The total flight time was approximately 13 hours plus a three hour layover in London. Two people from my ESI team and my school administrator met me at the airport. I was so happy to see them!!

My first full day in Hungary was quite full. Erin and I went to her school in the morning. I observed one of her classes and another ESI teacher's class. Then we went to my school, met with my administrator and picked up some books from my resource library. Then we went home and rested a little bit. Later in the evening, we went shopping so I could get some living/organizational stuff like a laundry basket, etc.

I already feel pretty well adjusted to the time difference. I think that is partly due to me altering my schedule before leaving California in trying to get everything done.

Thank you for all your prayers and support!!

My visa is ready!! I could legally go to Hungary at any time now. I'm so excited!

The papers necessary to file my work visa arrived in L.A. on Tuesday. So...things are now moving quickly. I have a flight tentatively scheduled for November 1. Today was my last day at work; I had been working part-time for the past four weeks. Now it's time for me to concentrate on training and getting the necessary items to take with me. I'm very excited and a little bit nervous!! { :-)

This past weekend I visited my brother and his family in Florida. I had not seen them in almost a year and a half. My mom and step-dad decided that it was important that I meet my 1 year old neice before leaving for Hungary. So they sent me on a plane and off I went. I had a really nice time.

My Story...
I have been working in accounting for the past four years. This has been a good opportunity for me both professionally and personally. Although, my heart's desire has always been in ministering the love of God to people both in the states and overseas. So, I am taking that next step and moving to Hungary to teach conversational English.
The organization I will be teaching with is ESI aka teachoverseas.org. I had applied and was accepted to teach with them in 2003 but did not feel ready at the time. I had been thinking about applying again this year, so I called in August to see about possibly teaching in the 2007 school year. When I called, I found out that they had an immediate need for a teacher this year. I did not feel ready, but I wanted to meet with them in person and talk about next year.
The day I went to meet with them, they were in the middle of training. I was able to meet with new teachers, veteran teachers and support staff members. I sat through trainings, meals and a teaching practicum. I ended up spending the whole day there, arriving at 9:00 am and leaving at 8:40 pm. I had such an awesome time. By the time I left, I had decided that if at all possible I would go this year. So, here I am preparing to leave. I still have approximately a month before I leave, but I'm very excited about this opportunity.

Yesterday I found out that I will still be in California for about two weeks longer than I had thought. We are waiting on paperwork from the school to send in my travel visa application. It takes approximately 25 days to get the visa once applied. So it looks like I will be in CA until the middle of October.

I started training my replacement at work yesterday. We will have two weeks working together. Hopefully it will go well and she will feel comfortable before I leave.

I moved out of Renee's house and back in with my dad this past weekend. My dad is going to store my stuff for me while I'm gone, and take care of my car. (Thanks Dad!!) I'll definitely miss the time that Renee, Sherlyn, Sherry and I had together. But I'm on to another season of my life. It's very exciting!!

Exodus 4:11-12
The Lord said to him, "Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say."

I am on my way to teach English in Hungary. I'm very excited! I currently have approximately 4 weeks left at my current job. Then I will wrap things up here in California, and be off to Hungary in October.