I think I may have posted this photo before. It is of the yellow castle at Elet Szava in Toalmas, HU--formally known as the Andrassy Castle built in the 1880's. The wooden staircase at the main entrance (on the opposite side of the castle) is a replica of the one in the Paris Opera House.
This photo is of that staircase--definitely not the best photo...but it gives you an idea of what it looks like. Up the stars are rooms that guests stay in while serving at Elet Szava...or visitors during the school year. Through those doors is the Gold Room...so named for the golden painted bits around the ceiling.
The reason I am reminiscing is actually two fold...The first is that this time last year I was at Elet Szava with my two team mates preparing for the end of week banquet.
This was both a fun time and a sad time...it was great fun to get 'dressed up' and to have our supper tables all decorated. It was sad since the kids would depart early the next morning--as would we with most of the other Camp Volunteers from the States for a day of sightseeing in Budapest and Szentendre. Too bad...I blew up my camera charger that morning, so I cannot share any photos from Szentendre...but I can give you one of our supper table from banquet!
The second reason these things have been on my mind is because my good friend Talitha and I are hoping to return to serve at Elet Szava next summer. 
Tentatively we would leave on 10 July 2009 for another two week adventure! We will be serving again by helping with the English classes offered at the summer camp. Rather than working with the middle school kids, this time we'll be with older kids. The things we would be working on would more likely be sentence structure and conversation rather than simple vocabulary and basic conversation skills. I know that I am super excited to see what the Lord has in store for Talitha and I. She is in a time of transition as she continues her schooling in AZ as well as working full time. I am struggling with discipline and balance. God is good...and faithful. We both know that if God wants us to return to Elet Szava in 2009...that is exactly where we will be!