We're so close to being moved in!! We've been busting our butts the past few days to get everything that we need. Running all over the city to get to one store or another or to go pick something up.
Let me tell you- moving flats is quite the task when you have to use public transportation only! If we didn't stand out before to the Hungarians, we definitely do now. When I come back to the states, I am going to have some amazing looking arms, though, let me tell you. Hills everywhere and carrying 40 pounds boxes... woo!
We're almost there though. We have most of the big stuff done, it's just getting the little stuff done now. I can't wait to get stuff semi-together and post pictures!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Progress
We're so close to moving into our flat! I'm so excited. It's in an absolutely gorgeous part of town with amazing views and shops everywhere. God truly blessed us with this flat because we didn't think we'd be able to afford something quite this nice, but God definitely provided.
We move in on Saturday, but we're working hard to get everything settled before then. As we speak, Tom is meeting with the landlord to work out all of the furnishing which will hopefully be there shortly after our arrival. I can't wait to decorate :)
I will miss the closeness with the team in one central location though. It's been so nice being able to wake up every morning and share devotions together and really grow close together spiritually as well as emotionally.
Funny story- this whole money difference is difficult to get used to. Yesterday, we went to the restaurant and it was Jo's turn to handle the check to practice. After paying the bill, we told her to give the waiter 500 forents which is a little more than the average of 10% tip here. Before we know it, Jo is handing the waiter a 5,000 forent which is equivalent to about $25!!!! Luckily, I caught her right before the waiter walked away and got everything straightened out. It was so funny though!
I'm all too positive that these funny stories will be a regular occurence.
We move in on Saturday, but we're working hard to get everything settled before then. As we speak, Tom is meeting with the landlord to work out all of the furnishing which will hopefully be there shortly after our arrival. I can't wait to decorate :)
I will miss the closeness with the team in one central location though. It's been so nice being able to wake up every morning and share devotions together and really grow close together spiritually as well as emotionally.
Funny story- this whole money difference is difficult to get used to. Yesterday, we went to the restaurant and it was Jo's turn to handle the check to practice. After paying the bill, we told her to give the waiter 500 forents which is a little more than the average of 10% tip here. Before we know it, Jo is handing the waiter a 5,000 forent which is equivalent to about $25!!!! Luckily, I caught her right before the waiter walked away and got everything straightened out. It was so funny though!
I'm all too positive that these funny stories will be a regular occurence.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Busy busy busy
Well, today was quite a successful day which is always a great thing. We got several things accomplished today and according to Tom (our director), "If you can get one thing done in a day, you've accomplished something." So, apparently we conquered like 4 days of work today.
We have been walking and walking some more and sweating even more than walking. Man oh man is it warm over here. But that's ok. A new diet + lots of walking = getting into great shape. The hardest thing so far hasn't been necessarily beating the jet lag, but has been staying up past 8 pm. We wake up pretty early and then push all day, so we're pretty pooped by the end. We just try to stay up to an average of about 10 pm so that we can stay on top of the jet lag and not let it get to us.
That's all for now. Tomorrow, we're having a cookout with some missionaries and some great people that have been helping us get settled into the city. I've cooked dinner for everyone the past 2 nights, but tomorrow I get to make an American dessert for everyone to enjoy. Just have to figure out what that may be... :)
We have been walking and walking some more and sweating even more than walking. Man oh man is it warm over here. But that's ok. A new diet + lots of walking = getting into great shape. The hardest thing so far hasn't been necessarily beating the jet lag, but has been staying up past 8 pm. We wake up pretty early and then push all day, so we're pretty pooped by the end. We just try to stay up to an average of about 10 pm so that we can stay on top of the jet lag and not let it get to us.
That's all for now. Tomorrow, we're having a cookout with some missionaries and some great people that have been helping us get settled into the city. I've cooked dinner for everyone the past 2 nights, but tomorrow I get to make an American dessert for everyone to enjoy. Just have to figure out what that may be... :)
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Safe and Sound!
I'm finally here!! It's so weird because I don't actually feel like I'm living here for a year- it's like I'm on a temporary mission trip or something. I know that it'll eventually hit me though and it'll be hard. The prayers are much appreciated.
Hopefully, I'll be able to start taking some pictures here soon. We started our orientation today and it's been both interesting and informative so far. We're learning about money and budgeting today and then after that we will be taking a trip to the grocery store to practice buying some stuff. I feel a little bit like I'm in Preschool.
Keep praying for us! We've hit the ground running pretty much and it's a little difficult when you're jetlagged.
Hopefully, I'll be able to start taking some pictures here soon. We started our orientation today and it's been both interesting and informative so far. We're learning about money and budgeting today and then after that we will be taking a trip to the grocery store to practice buying some stuff. I feel a little bit like I'm in Preschool.
Keep praying for us! We've hit the ground running pretty much and it's a little difficult when you're jetlagged.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Unbelievable
Today officially marks the time that says I have less than a week until I leave! My incredible mom through a luncheon for me at her work in order to get awareness out for my trip and to help raise support. It was incredible. Everyone in her office came to the lunch that my mom provided and they were all so inquisitive- it was fantastic! I shared as much information as possible with them to let them know what I'd be doing for the next year.
I'm leaving tomorrow for Maryland to hang out with my dad for the remaining time in the States. Even just officially leaving Virginia for Maryland is scary. I've done it a million times, but this time is seems to...official. I'll have a good time with my dad, my brother, and my brother's girlfriend though, so I'm pretty excited. Tonight I will hang out with my mom and make sure that I have everything together before I go to Maryland. Everything seems so surreal at this point, to be honest.
PS: We finally have our apartment picked out in Hungary! I can't wait to get there and take a million pictures :)
I'm leaving tomorrow for Maryland to hang out with my dad for the remaining time in the States. Even just officially leaving Virginia for Maryland is scary. I've done it a million times, but this time is seems to...official. I'll have a good time with my dad, my brother, and my brother's girlfriend though, so I'm pretty excited. Tonight I will hang out with my mom and make sure that I have everything together before I go to Maryland. Everything seems so surreal at this point, to be honest.
PS: We finally have our apartment picked out in Hungary! I can't wait to get there and take a million pictures :)
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Prayer Needs
So, we all know that God has been absolutely incredible throughout my journey and has more than provided for me. Today, I spent the entire day trying to get sort of packed just so I had a general idea of what I still needed to get, etc. It's been a long day to say the least and I've realized that I have far too much clothing. During my time packing, though, I spent a lot of time praying for the things that still need to get done/happen before I leave.
I'm still praying about my fundraising. Even though God has blown my mind and provided so much, there is still a long way to go. I know that God will give me the perfect amount that I need, but doesn't mean I still can't be bringing it to his feet. The second main thing is my car. I really need to sell my car (preferably before I leave) but it's been difficult because it's been in the shop and can't show it to anyone. So please just keep these two main things in mind as you think about my trip and I would appreciate it more than you can know!
I'm still praying about my fundraising. Even though God has blown my mind and provided so much, there is still a long way to go. I know that God will give me the perfect amount that I need, but doesn't mean I still can't be bringing it to his feet. The second main thing is my car. I really need to sell my car (preferably before I leave) but it's been difficult because it's been in the shop and can't show it to anyone. So please just keep these two main things in mind as you think about my trip and I would appreciate it more than you can know!
Monday, July 5, 2010
The Final Countdown
So, since today is technically Monday, that means in exactly 2 weeks and a few hours I will be shipping off to Hungary for an entire year. There is no point in hiding the fact that at this point I am more nervous than I have ever been in my life. Don't get me wrong, I am way beyond excited, but the anticipation is killing me. Even more than that, I am starting to realize that I am saying goodbye to friends that I will not see in a year...if ever again. It's a very hard realization to take in and makes me sad even as I'm typing this. I know that this is a God thing, though, and that I will make great friends overseas, but that doesn't ease the pain too much.
On a much lighter note, however, God is continually blowing me away with His faithfulness. A few days ago, I talked with Tom, the director of CEO, and he told me that I had passed the $3,000 mark. I was not too happy about that because I was hoping and praying to be a little further in my fundraising, but Tom reassured me that I was on the right track and that with $3,000 I could get started over there, but I would just have to budget a little bit.
Well, recently I went to go visit some of my closest friends (and my surrogate Aunt and Uncle..the Starkers) in KY for a week before I left. We were out for a car ride and they were asking me some more detailed questions about my trip. Fundraising came up as a part of it and how I had recently been encouraged by a former teacher that God would without a doubt provide the money that I need for my trip. The very next day, the Starkers handed me a check for $2,000 and told me that since they were lacking a home church at the moment, they prayed and decided to tithe their money to my trip instead. I was ecstatic to say the least. I logged on to my email to tell Tom about the donation when I received another email from the Reynolds family (another close family friend) saying that they too were lacking a home church and were writing a check for $1,500!!!
After being completely overwhelmed by God's faithfulness and goodness, I could do nothing but cry. I could not believe that after lacking in my faithfulness to God that he would still choose to bless me in such a HUGE way. This whole time, I've been praying to get at least $5,000 before I left and now I have over $6,500!! In one day, my donations literally doubled. God is so good and I just can't get over it. I'm sorry this is long winded, but I wanted to do the story justice and just show you that God truly does bless those who are doing his work. :)
On a much lighter note, however, God is continually blowing me away with His faithfulness. A few days ago, I talked with Tom, the director of CEO, and he told me that I had passed the $3,000 mark. I was not too happy about that because I was hoping and praying to be a little further in my fundraising, but Tom reassured me that I was on the right track and that with $3,000 I could get started over there, but I would just have to budget a little bit.
Well, recently I went to go visit some of my closest friends (and my surrogate Aunt and Uncle..the Starkers) in KY for a week before I left. We were out for a car ride and they were asking me some more detailed questions about my trip. Fundraising came up as a part of it and how I had recently been encouraged by a former teacher that God would without a doubt provide the money that I need for my trip. The very next day, the Starkers handed me a check for $2,000 and told me that since they were lacking a home church at the moment, they prayed and decided to tithe their money to my trip instead. I was ecstatic to say the least. I logged on to my email to tell Tom about the donation when I received another email from the Reynolds family (another close family friend) saying that they too were lacking a home church and were writing a check for $1,500!!!
After being completely overwhelmed by God's faithfulness and goodness, I could do nothing but cry. I could not believe that after lacking in my faithfulness to God that he would still choose to bless me in such a HUGE way. This whole time, I've been praying to get at least $5,000 before I left and now I have over $6,500!! In one day, my donations literally doubled. God is so good and I just can't get over it. I'm sorry this is long winded, but I wanted to do the story justice and just show you that God truly does bless those who are doing his work. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)