Little Things

None of these things are noteworthy for a single post so I am just putting them all together. Some of these things happened awhile ago but oh well.

A cute little shop of Hungarian Folk Art. Everything is hand painted and is able to be personalized. 

On a Saturday taking pictures in the city with Jana, we saw a major dog walk. I mean like thousands of dogs and their owners. I think Hungarians love their dogs.

Isn't she just precious?!

Ruth and I went to the Easter market. It was like a miniature Christmas market and still cold. ha!

Ruth and I also went to go visit the largest Jewish Synagogue in Europe, Dohány Street Synagogue. 

Concert in St.Stephen's Basilica.

 Finger painting with the kiddos. 

We are growing green beans!

Coming next will be my quick trip to America. #wadewedding and #nursesarah

Poland

The first weekend in April was Spring Break. Woo hoo!!

In February I mentioned to my friends, Glenn and Cile Borders that I was interested in helping some missionaries out during my spring break if they knew of anyone that could use an extra set of hands. The Borders are missionaries with the IMB and are apart of the Member Care team. The next day they sent an email to their supervisors, the Atkins. They are missionaries now serving in Slovakia that I had the pleasure of getting to know my senior year at Ouachita while they served as missionaries in residence and spent time together in Budapest when I first arrived here in August. (It is a rather small world we live in.) So the Atkins sent out an email telling their fellow team members who I am and the dates I was available within 30 minutes the Roberts responded. So off to Gdynsk, Poland I go.

The week was absolutely wonderful and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Here are a few pictures here and there of the week.

One night I got to spend the evening with these too lovely ladies, Ella and Macie while Mom and Dad went on a date night.

Bible Studies are hosted in their home twice a week. It was a very humbling experience to be apart of  Bible study in Polish and English and know that we serve the same God. The leader Luke talked about being thankful and continually giving thanks. We learn a lot about ourselves when we say what we are thankful for.

Angela, Ella and I went rock climbing with some of Ella's friends from school. 

The Roberts took me on a little tour through old town Gdynsk. We stopped in the pottery store, where I made a little purchase. All the pottery is handmade and hand painted. Serving dishes can be used in the oven as well. This picture doesn't quite do its justice. 

 We stopped in a candy shop and watched them make it. They were so kind to give us a little sampling. It was a hard candy that tasted similar to a Jolly Rancher but it had an image on the inside of it.

I cooked dinner one night. Their friend, Tracy from Karkow came to join us for the long weekend.

On Friday night the girls ministry had a sleepover. Angela taught a wonderful lesson on God's love for us.

Random things from the week:

I found a 7-Eleven in the airport in Malmo, Sweeden where I had a layover. Sadly they didn't have any Slurpee's but they did have Ben and Jerry's. 

Who needs bacon when you can just buy bacon fat?

TkMaxx the polish version of TjMaxx. 

The name of this grocery store translates to Lady bug and set up like an Aldi. I learned my lesson that they only accept cash in these stores. 

Macie's giggles were contagious. 

On the friday night sleepover, we also celebrated a birthday. I learned birthday celebrations are a little different. When it is your birthday it is your responsibility to host and you provide the party and food. Especially for the older generations, it is considered rude if you bring dessert or something to someone's birthday dinner. 

A trail by their home. It was so peaceful. 

This was ironic to me - snow on the beach. The body of water in the picture is the Baltic Sea.

It was absolutely a wonderful week and I wouldn't have traded it for anything. I am so thankful for the Roberts family! I hope that I was able to be a blessing as much as they were to me. 

Easter

 Despite that Easter occurred more than a month ago, I am still determined to post about events that happen. So here comes the "catch-up" once again.

At Rainbow Hills, I shared the Easter story with the children and in the afternoon we played games with some easter eggs. The games included hiding them, having races with them by pushing them with a spoon and then musical chairs. Musical chairs is our party game. haha.

On Easter, I helped with leading worship by playing the viola at church.
...Am I an expert at this? no.
Am I available? yes.
Do I get nervous before I play? yes.
How long has it been since you played last in front of people? 5 years.
Did I enjoy playing? yes. 

Mom, I had a friend take this picture is for you: 

The following pictures are of my Easter lunch at the Stirlings. I provided the traditional deviled eggs.

The following is a game where you try to figure out the famous city. I was absolutely terrible at it. For this one I'll give you some hints. First picture - What is the girl wearing? Second image - What kind of fruit? Third - just add an "S"

answer: minneapolis

On the Sidelines

So, this blog has not exactly been priority lately. No particular reason I have just been busy doing so there is not much time for typing.

Spring has arrived. FINALLY. It was definitely the longest winter of my life …and for Hungry for the past 200 years. literally. There had never been so much snow, ice and rain in Spring in 212 years and such short daylight hours in 100 years. (I got that from one of my coworkers)

View from my home

Margaret Island

Margaret Island

So what has been keeping me busy?

At my church, Danube International, I am now apart of worship team by playing the viola. This is a still new development and I have only played a couple times. I am definitely a little nervous because I haven't really played since high school. I just don't look to see who all is out there until after. ha.

Last Fall, I helped with the Junior high ministry every other Sunday night and I have continued my commitment for this Spring. I am now a bit more involved and teaching some.  

The Gibson's, missionaries in my neighborhood host people from various countries to receive counseling. In the downstairs of their home is an apartment for missionary singles, couples, or families to stay. I have now become their new "assistant." My job description goes something like this: baking for Bible Studies that are hosted in their home, taking pictures of events that occur in their home for a book that I want to make for them, making dinner occasionally (because I like to cook), run an errand here or there and just be a little helper. If I could have a business card that just said "Helper," that would be just fine with me. ha!

I continue to tutor on the side twice a week and attend Bible Study every Tuesday night with college and young adults. 

Saturday visit to Miscolc, Hungary

Posting about Easter and a week in Poland will be coming soon...

Weekend with Emily

Emily is such a dear friend of mine and we became friends at Ouachita. She is studying abroad in Salzburg, Austria and came to visit me for the weekend! The weather was quite cold and there was a terrible snowstorm that came through on Friday and all the trains before hers were cancelled. Her train was delayed but I was SO glad she made it. We had a wonderful time catching up, sharing experiences and how the Lord has been teaching and using us as we have been abroad. 

We went to the Hadik cafe in Budapest for lunch on Saturday. This cafe has been around a long time and back in the day it was a place for famous Hungarian writers to do their writing. 

We went to the big covered market...

Went to see Parliament and some statues that I actually know something about. Ha! 

Then we went to Margaret Island, which is my happy place. 

We went up to the Castle District just in time for sunset. The sky was absolutely beautiful!

A night shot across the bridge with the Basilica in the background.

Of course we did a little shopping, had a movie night and I might have given Emily a haircut. Needless to say, it was a wonderful weekend and a delight to have someone from home see my life here and meet my community at church on Sunday. I have been blessed richly and I am so thankful for this opportunity to be living in Budapest. 

St. Patrick's Day

Well, we got a heavy snow last weekend. Agi and I just looked out the window as it fell and were both a little sad. Yes, it is beautiful but it is the middle of March. The snow is just so cold especially when it is windy and the birds were beginning to sing. Hopefully this will be our last weekend of cold and Spring weather is soon to come. 

We are learning about all the different nations and they are coloring the flags of different nations. When we celebrated St. Patrick's Day the Friday before we learned about Ireland. 

We had a special guest, Lucky, who magically moved around the room throughout the day. 

We also celebrated a birthday! Cakes with marzipan are quite popular and the horses on the cake are completely edible. L turned 5 years old!

Mr. and Mrs. McCloud

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. McCloud!!

How I wish I could be in two places at once! Nikki is such a sweet friend to me and we shared many memories as we completed our student teaching together in the same grades in Arkadelphia last Spring. I am SO blessed by her friendship and so excited for her and Mason as they start this new chapter in their lives.