It was a good day

(the title is for Paula)

I say it was a good day, even though nothing great happened. I was just dreading it, but everything proved to be just fine, actually good. I taught my classes, which I still feel so underprepared for on a constant basis (proves to be very draining), but they were fine. Then I judged the middle school science fair projects for 3 hours, which I was originally dreading but found myself really enjoying. Then I went on a walk with Izabella in our beautiful 60 degree weather we're having right now, carrying on a heart-to-heart conversation that I found really encouraging. And the day was topped off with breakfast for dinner with the Welshes. I am surrounded by such sweet, godly, amazing people. God is so GOOD! And I am more and more aware of my need for Him every hour.

Why doesn't the media report on good things happening around the world?

I have many reason why I resent the media. I don't have time to thoughtfully articulate them all here, but I have stumbled accross a link that epitomizes their bias and agenda. There ARE good things going on in the world. Even by G. W. Bush. It would be a nice change to hear about them. What the media withholds is as influential as the bent with which they do "report". While this isn't a full story, it makes a good point. Scroll down and read the comments, too. I found the comment by David Newton especially insightful. Click on the title of this entry to go to the article.

The Great Pumpkin Cookies

So my absolute favorite cookie out there is the chocolate chip pumpkin cookie. Growing up, my mother would traditionally make Choco-dot pumpkin cake for my birthday, seasonally appropriate for November. I still love that cake! The combination of pumpkin and chocolate is just amazing. Well, I stumbled upon a pumpkin cookie recipe about 4 years ago and I knew we were bound to become very close friends. I changed it around a bit (not something I always try to do to my friends...) so that it was healthier. The amount of butter and sugar in the original is way more than necessary, and you don't even miss it in the final product. Pumpkin itself is sweet and bakes into something soft and chewy and delectable. BUT, I had to incorporate CHOCOLATE. The original recipe with just the icing is also very good, but you can't get any better than the heavenly combination of pumpkin and chocolate. You cannot go wrong with these cookies; everyone loves them. And so I give you my recipe. While there is no truly healthy cookie out there, this is certainly a much healthier alternative to regular chocolate chip cookies, providing lower calories and more vital nutrients than their predecessor. Indulge below:

Lisa's Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup dark brown sugar

¼ - ½ cup butter

15oz canned pumpkin

1 egg

1 tbsp. grated orange peel

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

2 Tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 c. or more =) dark chocolate chips

Cream sugar and butter in a large bowl. Add pumpkin, egg and orange peel and mix together. Add dry ingredients slowly and mix. Drop by teaspoonful on ungreased cookie sheet and bake in 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.

Iced version, also very delicious:

Ice with frosting after they are cool. (If adding chocolate, don’t ice at all)

Frosting

1/4 cup margarine or butter

2 cups powdered sugar

1 t. vanilla

1-2 T milk

Heat margarine in med heat until light brown. Add other ingredients until smooth consistancy.

Dependence is a good thing!

I have been greatly encouraged recently through the following passage by C.H. McIntosh:

"Now nothing can be more fully blessed than the position of hanging in childlike dependence upon God, and being entirely content to wait for His time. True it will involve trial; but the renewed mind learns some of its deepest lessons, and enjoys some of its sweetest experiences, while waiting on the Lord; and the more pressing the temptation to take ourselves out ofHis hands, the richer will be the blessing of leaving ourselves whollydependent upon One who finds infinite joy in blessing us.

"How little Jacob knew, in the opening of his history, of this blessed mind!How little was he prepared to wait for God's time and God's way! ---he much preferred Jacob's time and Jacob's way He thought it much better to arrive at the blessing and the inheritance by all sorts of cunning and deception than by simple dependence upon and subjection to God, whose electing grace had promised, and whose almighty power and wisdom would assuredly accomplish all for him.

"But oh, how well one knows the opposition of the human heart to all this! Any attitude for it save that of patient waiting upon God. It is almost enough to drive nature to distraction to find itself bereft of all resources but God. This tells us in language not to be misunderstood, the true character of human nature. In order to know what nature is, I need not to travel into those scenes of vice and crime which justly shock all refined moral sense. No; all that is needful is just to try for a moment in the place of dependence, and see how it will carry itself there. It really knows nothing of God, and therefore cannot trust Him; and herein lies the secret of all misery and moral degeneration. It is truly ignorant of the true God,and can therefore be naught else but a ruined and worthless thing. The knowledge of God is the source of life---yea is itself life; and until a man has life, what is he? or what can he be?

"This is a true picture, so far as Jacob was concerned; but it only gives us one side, and that the gloomy side. Blessed be God, there is a bright side likewise, for God had to do with Jacob; and in every scene of his life, when Jacob was called to reap the fruits of his own plotting and crookedness, theGod of Jacob brought good out of evil, and caused His grace to abound over all the sin and folly of His poor servant.

"When Jacob had made all his prudent arrangements, we read, "And Jacob was left alone, and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day." This is a turning point in the history of this very remarkable man. To be left alone with God is the only true way of arriving at a just knowledge of ourselves and our ways. We can never get a true estimate of nature and all its actings until we have weighed them in the balance of the sanctuary, and there we ascertain their real worth. No matter what we might think of ourselves, nor yet what man may think about us; the great question is, What does God think about us? and the answer to this question can only be heard when we are "left alone with God."

"Hence, though Jacob is called to tell out his name,--to own that his nameis "Jacob," or a supplanter, he received for himself the name of "Israel,"or "prince," which was a great step in advance."

And I serve the same God Jacob served!

Christmas 2007

The entire family met in Lawrence, KS, for Christmas 2007. Words cannot describe how special a time it was to have everybody there. So fun. The snowstorm of the decade blew through early on, and so we had lots of cold and snow to make for a true Christmas.

Here we are, in all our glory and splendor! and Mom and Dad are matching again...they're so cheesy like that! =) They actually didn't plan that at all. They're just basically two versions of the same person. That's how solid they are.

Most of the festivities took place at Sarah and Charlie's house.

Stacy and Noah wait patiently for their turn to open presents =()

Pyro Pete promptly palliated the penetrating cold by building a fire.

This kid loves books. Cars and trucks were semi-entertaining, but looking at books (or playing chase) was far more fascinating for the Joshers.

See what I mean?
Babi and Dedo relishing the duties of grandparenting.

Here we are getting ready for some serious sledding. Erik is especially intent.

Brian and Jake making the climb after a run

21st century Dorothy

In many ways I can relate to Dorothy of the acclaimed story Wizard of Oz. A week ago I just wanted to go home, and 4 days ago I tapped my heels 3 times and said, " there's no place like home", and then 2 days ago I woke up in Kansas. But really, truly I can't relate. Kansas is not my home. And in all honesty I don't know where to call home. That's been the case my entire life, but it's just so interesting how it has persisted until now, with my parents moving from Kenosha to Lawrence. They are the only home I really know. There is a lot of significance to a "place" that is called home. The memories, the scenery, the smells, the sounds, the people, the familiar roads and buildings all contribute to our sense of belonging and security. And in that regard I am priviliged to be able to call so many places around the world "home". But the home that I refer to anymore when I say "I just want to go home" simply means being with my family and relaxing in the security of their presence. I am just a little girl who needs to be taken care of, and my family knows how to beautifully. The comfort and security I find in them is the best safe harbor in the world. I think Dorothy would agree with me on that.

Transportation trivialities

How about the time when...

...our gas tank leaked our full tank, $70 worth of gas, on the side of the road, and we didn't get it fixed for a week? And then when it was fixed, it only stayed that way for a day before it broke down again? And how after 3 days it's still sitting out front waiting for the car shop guys to come pick it up?

...or how about when we were sprinting through the puddles to catch the bus that was five minutes early, only to see him pull away without us? And then immediately out of NOWHERE there appears another Volanbusz, who's driver had witnessed our plight and graciously gave us a private ride into Diosd?

...or how about the time when I was dreading the 2o minute walk back to the house only to have Gabor and Kriszti coincidently stop and give me a ride home?

It's snowing!

It started off like just another ordinary Sunday here in Budapest. We made the rounds picking people up to go to church and cruised into the city. It was a cold day, but not especially cold. Sara walked the few blocks from our less-than-stellar parking spot without her coat on. It still wasn't winter. Church was refreshing and encouraging as usual. After it was over, we walked out into the foyer, and Paula exclaims, "It's snowing!!". Boy were we all surprised to turn and see that her statement was true indeed. "Golly gee, Paula!" cried Sara, "you're right! How splendid!" "Let's go snowboarding today!"I said emphatically. "Patience now, dear Lisa" the more sedate and sensical Minkee admonished. "This is just the first snowfall. Let's give it some time to accumulate." "You're right, Minkee" I conceded. "I am just so happy that we actually have snow". "Me too", agreed Paula, with a sigh. " We hardly had any snow last year. In fact, it snowed TWO times. That's it. Neither time did it last more than two days." Sara turned around and with a thoughtful look on her face said to us, "fantastic, isn't it? to enter church in the Fall, and exit into Winter".

...Okay, okay, enough. Sorry about the cheese. I was just having a bit of fun. But it has been snowing now for 2 hours straight, and this is just thrilling my soul. It's beautiful.

Your trivia for the day

We are experiencing beautiful fall weather here currently. I was out for a walk today, enjoying a little reprieve from a very busy and stressful day. Walking has become my solace, my means of de-stressing. So I was happily soaking it all in, the smell of smoke, the feeling of the crisp fall air on my face, the vibrant colors in the trees and the sunlight streaming through...it was so blissful and romantic. And then a bug flew up my nose.

Did you know.....
That tomato and paradise are the same word in Hungarian? I'm not sure which was assigned the word first...I need help seeing the connection. I love tomatoes, but there are better things to eat, like chocolate. That would make more sense if paradise and chocolate were the same word. But even then, I have bigger expectations of paradise than what I get out of a bite of chocolate.

Little Norbi Jr.

Here are some long-awaited pictures of Esther and her new baby, Norbi Jr.

Sarah, she LOVES the carry pack that you sent her.

I had a chance to visit her about a month ago, when these were taken. I wish she lived closer. But I hope to go visit her again soon!

Please Pray for Esther

Please pray for Esther and her new little family, as they are all sick. I just got off the phone with her, and she was at the hospital, where they are keeping little Norbi for a couple days. He apparently has a lot of fluid in his lungs. Esther was trying to sleep in a chair, all that they could do for her without charging her more for a bed. Her husband is also sick, but still going in to work. They are just off to a REALLY rough, tight start, and Esther is under a lot of stress. Stress never helps healing, and when mommy is stressed, it effects baby and husband, too. I know Norbi, Sr. is under a lot of stress, trying to provide for everyone, but he's having a hard time finding consistent, reliable work. Esther is such a strong person, but she broke down briefly when on the phone with me, so I know she's feeling the pressures of life in a big way. Please pray for them!

Did you know the Chicken dance is a volleyball practice cool-down?

I just remembered something from today that was so funny it made me laugh as I was in bed and falling asleep. I decided it was worth getting up and documenting. At the end of volleyball practice today, we coaches were trying to figure out who should be our captains, based on team member vote and our own insight. We made the girls laps while we had our little pow-wow. Usually I have them do different drills like high knees and grapevine and shuffles, but we just told Liz, a junior, to lead them in whatever she wanted to do. We were anticipating she would follow my example... She starts them off just jogging the first few laps, but as we're standing there in a serious discussion, all of the sudden we notice the girls not running by, but walking by, and doing the chicken dance! We just laughed, shook our heads, and went on with our deliberations. Next time around, the girls are now doing the Skooby-Doo/Shaggy walk, with their heads way forward and their hips way forward. They looked hilarious, all in a row like that. Leave them to their own volition and this is what they choose to do. I couldn't help cracking up at them. I love the freedom that they embody. Sigh. So funny. And good night.

tired but happy

I come home spent every day, after volleyball practice and grading papers and unit planning and everything else. I'm so tired. But I LOVE what I do here. I love teaching for so many reasons, but the biggest one is the opportunity to invest in these kids lives. I love these kids! I love my job.

Ratatouilli (the real stuff)

As I sit at my desk in my classroom at 7pm after a long day of classes and volleyball practice, I am thankful for ratatouille (the food, not the movie). It's so delicious and so nutritious. For those of you who are not familiar with it, it's a combination of any number of vegetables cooked down on the stove top and lightly seasoned. The main ingredients are tomatoes, zuchini, onions, and I really like mine with eggplant and summer squash. Some olive oil and garlic start it all off, and then there really is nothing more to add, because the flavors of the vegetables take it from there, and it's SO good. I really should say I'm thankful for Beth Weaver, one of the missionary ladies here who makes this ratatouille that is my dinner. She has an appreciation for nutrition like I do and in addition to ratatouille makes peanut butter (a very expensive commodity here) from just peanuts, salsa (also rare and expensive here), and sells these items at the school. I have her to thank for providing some nutrition to my hurried days.

language barrier

I have recognized a sense of uneasiness and insecurity ever since I've been back in Budapest, and I think I've pinpointed what was causing it. I am living in a culture that I know and love, but I still can't understand the words on signs or 95% of what is being said around me. I was reading in my journal the yesterday when I recorded the trip my parents and I took to the Czech Republic, and I cited how I felt so at home there, because I knew the people, the places, and I UNDERSTOOD what was being said; I could communicate. I wasn't left in the dark. I had anticipated (in my ignorance of Eastern European history) that Hungarian to be somewhat similar to Czech, and that I would have an easy time picking it up. But that is far from the truth. The closest language to Hungarian is Finnish, both being from the Finno-Urgic family of languages, neither of which are at all closely related to the Indo-European family. Anyway, I hate being left in the dark, being on the outside not able to tell what's going on. It's frustrating. But it's fueling my determination to learn Hungarian this year.

10 Best

10 Best things about Summer 2007, in no particular order

1. Spending time with my family, whether over meals, while building a fence, or at the coffee shop
2. Being captivated by lil' Joshers; hanging out with his parents was pretty cool, too
3. Playing with Petey in his soccer league
4. Visiting Claire in DC, where we refused to back down in our tennis game due to some petty rainstorm. We got soaked.
5. National Spy Museum. I loved it. I am newly inspired... You THINK that I'm in Hungary just as a teacher...
6. Coffee, pool, pilates, spin, and running with Nat
7. running and walking by my Lake
8. KU's Dog Days! I LOVED those workouts...such a great idea
9. Actually relaxing while watching a movie. I learned It's OK not to be productive from time to time. (Except I wasn't exactly relaxed watching Gladiator for the first time)
10. Having lots of time to read my Bible and "Experiencing God". I've come away so refreshed.

10 Best Things about international airplane travel, in no particular order

1. You can watch Blades of Glory 3 times in a row.
2. You get an excellent trapezius workout carrying a 5olb. backpack around the terminals
3. You might get lucky and not have anyone sit next to you so you can spread out. I said 'might'. It only happens 2% of the time, but it's the hope of it that makes it one of the best things.
4. the sunrise
5. the moonrise
6. Every overhead announcement is translated into at least one if not two other languages
7. Flipping through the SkyMall magazine and seeing what ridiculous thing they've come up with now, like the stroller for your dog (!), or the attachments for your trees that make them look like they have faces
8. Sudoku
9. You can say things like, "Oh yeah, I've been to London". Just leave out the fact that you were on a 3 hour layover and didn't see beyond the tarmac at terminal 1, or else it wont sound as cool.
10. You never know who you might end up sitting with. It may be a guy who has this really cool flight simulation software on his laptop that he is so excited to show off to you, and shows you all the incredible missions he's flown on it, and while he's at it he'll show you pictures of all the cool places that he's travelled to with his buddies and his wife and for his top secret assignments, and before you know it he'll have kept you from 2 solid hours of sleep. And who wants to sleep on an 8 hour flight?


And finally, the 10 Best things, so far, about being back in Budapest, in no particular order

1. Kerek edgy capuccino?
2. My 4 mile running course in the hills of Diosd
3. Being with my good friend and roommate Pauuuuuuuuuula, who will kill any spider for me
4. Having such sweet landlords!
5. IKEA only 10 min. away
6. the drier, cooler climate
7. My coworkers - they are so amazing
8. that we start our workday off with prayer and a message from the Word
9. my house is aweswome- I have a queen sized bed! I've NEVER had a queen- sized bed.
10. I already KNOW this place. It's familiar territory for me. That makes such a huge difference.

pictures of my new place in BP

oohooh! For a virtual tour of my new place next year, please visit Paula's blog. I'm so excited!

Kenosha

I will miss my Lake, the ideal walking and running venue that it has been for 10 years now. I will also miss my Common Grounds coffee shop, the cute and quaint reading/hangout spot that it is. These two places have bred such great hopes and inspiration and discussions and reflections. I am a better person have spent time here =).

This may be Goodbye Kenosha for good, as my family will most likely be moving away this Fall. There is so much up in the air to know anything definite. But two things are for sure: you can now see the floor of my storage closet, and I am many sweaters lighter than I was at the beginning of the summer. In anticipation of my parent's move, I went through all my stuff to thin it out and pack it up. It amazes me how much I have accumulated over the years. It feels so good to get rid of things and SIMPLIFY! I am more nostalgic and pensive than anything about leaving Kenosha. My true home is heaven, so I've only always been "just passing through" this place. And so, as I sit in my room on my last night I just wonder where God will lead my parents this year, and then where in the world will I end up next year. TBD, according to His will. And because it will be according to His will, and because He is SO GOOD, I am excited.

my blogging world grows

I just added a new link! It's my seester Sarah's new blog of her family, including more pictures of the Joshers! Do check it out. In fact, go there to see the promised pictures of Joshua, because she's already done the work of uploading them. It's great.

here's a preview

He's adorable even when he's tired!