Elet Szava, Toalmas, HU: 2009

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!

Book: Night by Elie Wiesel

I'm not sure how I stumbled across this little book. Actually, I think it was mentioned on a podcast discussing another book, Deathly Hallows (which I'm sure I'll discuss here later). The discussion had turned to the Ministry of Magic and the comparisons that could be drawn between what was happening in that book and what actually occurred in Nazi Germany. Yes...I think that's it. Not that it's actually relevant, but hey-it's my blog :)

This is book one of three in the Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel. The author was born in Sighet now a part of Romania in the Transylvanian region. It is an area that has been claimed by both Hungary and Romania over the years. While growing up there, Sighet was primarily a Jewish community and in 1944 the people were transported out of their town into Poland to the Nazi concentration camps.

This is an autobiographical book about the author being sent to and the time he spent at Auschwitz. After a little research I've discovered the story was initially written in Yiddish in a much longer form. The author condensed the original into this shorter version first in French in 1955 or 56 (I'm not sure). I read an Avon Discus edition published in 1969 with 127 pages. I found this copy in the fiction section of the used book shoppe.

It did not take long to read this book, yet it is overflowing with emotion and detail. It was not overly graphic, rather the accounts of events are very concise. The author is very frank when speaking about his faith...what it looked like before and how it changed during his stay in the concentration camp. It is moving...

Last summer I visited Terror Haza (the Terror House) in Budapest, Hungary. The photographs and very graphic portrayal of the deportation seen there are forever in my memory...while reading this story, those were the images in my head.

I'm not sure if this is subject matter I ever say I "enjoy"...I do however, recommend this book.

Bottom Line: Keeper-in my library.



Important Side Note: I just found out this book is recommended by Oprah's Book club. (this is me rolling my eyes) I do not EVER choose to read anything because Oprah says so...in fact, what she says usually sends me in the opposite direction--immediately. Don't let this deter you...the book was good long before Oprah thought so.

Book: The Pilgrim's Regress by C.S. Lewis

This is one of C.S.Lewis's early works (1933) and is not a fast paced fantasy nor is it an overtly theological discussion. It is an allegory.

I've never read Bunyan's tale of the Pilgrim's Progress so I cannot make a comparison. What I can say is this book surprised me in the end. It was a slower read for me requiring a little thought and recalling of other philosophers and ideologies of the 20th century.

For me it was well worth it. Here I am living in 2008-seventy-five years after this book was published and it fits. Of course things continue to change through time, but our civilization still falls back to the same ideologies time and again.

I was struck also by the journey the main character takes. I do believe that often what we seek most is just what we run from the quickest. Does this make sense, probably not. Is this my final thought? Yes.

This was another smaller book-199 pages in my paperback edition. I felt the pace was slower, but there is information to process. I recommend this book. It is easy to follow and if there is something that doesn't click---there is always Google search!

Bottom Line: In my library!

: )

...blazing moon...

I was lucky enough to catch the lunar eclipse last night. Only today did I see that we won't see another until 2010. (weird!) I tried to grab a photo--but it was too much for my meager camera to take in!!

Sooo...here is a link to a REALLY cool AP photo that was in my der Spiegel feed this evening. It is the eclipsed moon over a building in Jerusalem's Old City.

When I stop and think of the stunning things that happen in our world... Creation does cry out, doesn't it?

Just thought I'd share :)

: )

...downpour...

It's a funny thing, living here in Washington. It does rain...often.

Yet, there is rarely the down pouring of water from the sky with lightening, thunder and that sound of water drops beating against the earth that I love so very much.

Tonight, as I sat at my computer finishing up for the night, I thought I heard something outside. I stood up and opened the window wide to hear the sound of rain growing ever louder. As I gazed out into the darkness thanking the Lord for this most peaceful and fulfilling of sounds, I saw the sky lighten...again, thanking the Lord, for lightening isn't often seen in these parts. Then a few moments later the thunder began to roll.

Perfection.

It feels like I am slowly being washed clean...the cobwebs of thoughts that have been building in my brain are being cleared and my soul feels refreshed. With each roll of thunder and the crescendo of the rain...I feel peace.

I love that in a thunderstorm God appears clearly--every time, without fail. Amazing that these showers occur when I least expect them and this is when I truly appreciate them most.

AMEN!

: )

Hmmm...it really is pretty amazing the folks God brings into my life.

Really.

I'm so grateful for the friendships I have...and so aware of how often I take them for granted.

I was just reading over a friend's blog (see photo above). She is currently working at Word of Life in Toalmas, HU...and next month will be heading over to my continent to serve in Mexico for nine months. To see her spirit...and how the Lord is working in her life is humbling. ...and encouraging.

She mentioned these verses at various points:
Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
...and...
Jeremiah 29:11-14 For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope. When you call out to me and come to me in prayer, I will hear your prayers. When you seek me in prayer and worship, you will find me available to you. If you seek me with all your heart and soul, I will make myself available to you,’ says the Lord. ‘Then I will reverse your plight and will regather you from all the nations and all the places where I have exiled you,’ says the Lord. ‘I will bring you back to the place from which I exiled you.’

It never ceases to amaze me how the Lord uses everything to get His point across. These verses hit me in my core and reminded me of some very important truths.

First of all...it isn't about me-at all, in any way-nothing is about ME. It is about Christ...and His glory. The only thing that is about me is my trusting the Lord...and seeking Him.

Second...the Lord wants me to cry out to Him in prayer, seeking Him with all of my heart and soul.

God's promises are clear--repeatedly. I'm the one with the clouded vision.

My inability to remember truth on a regular basis sure gets me into a lot of holes. ...heh... God is faithful...in spite of my failures.

Are these truths comforting? Yes. Now to let go...and do some apologising.

: )

...here...

Here I am in Woodinville...in my little condo...getting a little dozey...thinking about being 'here'.

This photo is of my (very) adorable niece, Megan. It was taken when I was last visiting Arizona. She rather liked this little hooded floaty thing--as long as it was not floating! Here, she is firmly planted on the steps, laughing at either her mamma or one of her aunties, I'm not sure! ;)

I guess I wonder sometimes about how it all works out.

I'm here...and most everyone I care about is somewhere else. How I longed to be far from the desert and the blazing sun that resides there. How happy I am to be in the PacNW, where the sun is frequently tucked in with some wonderful clouds; creating not an oven-like scenario, but one of muted warmth that I enjoy quite a lot.

I went to Portland, OR for the first time this weekend and enjoyed it there very much! I was also reminded of how I love a roadtrip. As I drove about admiring the countryside, I had a chance to think about being 'here' and feeling 'far'. I think I am actually quite blessed. I live somewhere I enjoy. I am able to travel more and more. I love to have guests...so many sites to see and unique things here in the Puget Sound.

Though it's tough to say goodbye to friends and family, in many ways I have the best of many things. How I love that God's plans are bigger than mine--resting in Him...and trusting--that is a fantastic adventure. How I am grateful for our God...sovereign and good!