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!!! :-)