Colorado

There's nothing like a week based at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, in a forested setting, at a wonderful retreat center where we get waited on for every meal to recharge the batteries! What a tremendous blessing it has been to be here, meet with fellow missionaries from all over the world, laugh, cry, talk, sing, play, go for hikes, and just plain unwind. God is good ALL the time.

Rest and Relaxation

From the balcony of this retreat center, I can see Pikes Peak, which towers over my city of birth! I'm loving my time here in Colorado, where I'm getting a week of debriefing and renewal. This wooded setting is perfect for just what I need: rest and relaxation.

Family

There's just something about being with family! I don't get to see my family often, so these moments are precious, and we make the most of them so as to cherish them forever! This is my "little" brother and his dear family. We were together in the mountains enjoying father's day by taking a narrow-gauge railroad trip! Zack and Brooke have gotten sooooo big! I always enjoy my time with them and am truly blessed!

Colorado Mountains

My brother's Father's Day wish was to drive up into the mountains here in Colorado and ride the narrow gauge railroad in Georgetown. What a FUN experience that was for all of us! Not only was the sky a raging blue with just a few scattered puffs of clouds, but the mountains and trees and the raging river below us reminded me of the amazing creativity of God in His creation! We experience a bit of what it would be like to wind through the mountains long ago, up to the silver mines where fortunes were probably made and lost through the centuries. This truly is "God's country" out here in the West.

Microwave popcorn

Some friends and I were getting together to watch a movie and I was at the store buying, among other things, some microwave popcorn. When I got to the popcorn aisle, I stood there for about 10 minutes, looking at about 10 different brands of microwave popcorn. The differences varied from "movie theatre butter" to "carmel flavor" and just about everything you can imagine in between. I froze. I couldn't make a decision. I called my friend to ask which one I should buy. Even when she told me, it took me a minute to find THAT particular one on the shelf. Amazing. I forgot what it's like here in America. Can one have too many choices?

Back in the U.S.A.

As I stood in front of the dairy section, checking out the 10 different brands of half and half creamer for coffee, I was boldly reminded of the fact that I am indeed back in the U.S.A. In addition to my gaping mouth at the number of choices of half and half, I stood there shivering in the air-conditioning of the store. In fact, every store or "enclosed" place I enter is cooled with this stuff called air-conditioning. Because this is not a typical state of being in Hungary, I'm finding myself "chilled" a good part of the time I'm inside anywhere. I have resigned myself to the fact that I must carry around socks, a jacket or sweater, and long pants anywhere I go. It'll be an "Olympic Clothing Summer"....taking off, putting on, taking off, putting on, etc.

My initial observations on this particular visit (I visit a couple times a year) are the following: cars are BIG. (This always strikes me!) gas for cars is cheap! (sorry America, but we're paying $5+ in Hungary for a gallon of gas) housing is expensive! (can't seem to find a place to rent for $60/month here) EVERYTHING is readily available (don't have to search a lot of different stores) friends are GOOD! (I knew this already, but it's a fun reminder!) I love worshipping in English! (I knew this already too!)

I'm sure I'll discover other things as I proceed on this 3 month sabbatical, but it's good to be on this side of the Atlantic for a visit where I don't have to stop and think, "Ok, how do I say this or ask this question?" when I walk into a shop or restaurant! I DO miss my boys, though!!!! :-(