Cocoons and butterflies

The word "cocoon" came up during lessons this week as some of my classes and I discussed the exciting topic of plants and animals. We were talking about the names of the "babies" of various animals....eg. dogs - puppies, cats - kittens. We came to butterflies and said caterpillars. Then we talked about how the caterpillars go into a cocoon and are transformed into beautiful butterflies.

I asked my students if they'd ever seen a butterfly trying to get out of its cocoon, and watched the struggle. I asked if they knew what would happen if someone comes along, during the struggle, and "helps" the butterfly break out of its cocoon. No one knew....so I told them. "If we see a struggling butterfly trying to break out of its cocoon, and try to help it along by tearing away the outer cocoon, then the butterfly will die very quickly. You see, in the process of the struggle, the butterflies' wings are being strengthened, so that it can fly and live as it was intended. Trying to "reduce its apparent suffering or struggle" actually is detrimental to the butterfly and quickly brings death instead of life.

Obviously, it was an easy transition to discuss human life and the struggles that individuals face in life...and there are times when we need to let people struggle through the "cocoons" in their lives; yes we can cheer them on, speak words of encouragement, but we should not necessarily try to "remove" the "cocoon" because it is in that person pushing through that he or she will come out strong and will be prepared for his or her future life as a new butterfly!!!

Cutting grass and painting doors

As a teacher, I often have to wait years to "see results" in students' lives. Of course it is worth the wait, but sometimes I just need to see immediate results! That's when I find fun projects to do! Saturday, I went to a friend's house and had a blast cutting grass and painting an ugly green door! The grass was not too long, but afterwards it looked great! The ugly green door was really ugly. I put two coats of white paint on it, and the entire door and wall area where it is located was transformed!!!

Seeing these two "transformations", one not so radical, (the grass), and the other, shockingly (in a good way) transformed, (the door), reminded me of how God works in our lives. Sometimes, His work is subtle; He changes us and it's noticeable, but not earth-shattering! Other times, He does MAJOR work, and the transformation can be seen by all, at first glance, because He's done so much work in us!!!

May we always be open to the way that GOD wants to transform us, and may we never limit Him in what He wants to do both in and through us!

I'm naive

I had a very disturbing class discussion today with one of my classes of seniors. Quite honestly, I cannot even share the content of it; however I can share that I learned that I am very naive. I know about murder, I know about incest, I know about corruption, I know about cheating, I know about pornography, I know about all sorts of sordid things which are the reality of the world we live in. But, to hear my students frankly state what they did today left me speechless! All I can hint at is that the discussion made me think that our world is entrenched in what plagued Sodom and Gomorrah, plus some. I think my students got a kick out of realizing how naive I am...this "revelation" for me about them and about people brings me to my knees again, crying out for mercy.

Testing

I went to the post office today to mail two envelopes with pictures and letters. I stood in a long line for 1/2 an hour, only to get to the window and discover I needed to fill out customs forms. So, I had to step out of the long line, which had gotten longer, and fill out the forms. When I finished, I saw the line was even longer.....so I went upstairs to the usually shorter line....only to find a slew of people there too. I knew my patience was being tested, and I wanted to pass. So, I stood and waited.....a full hour after having entered the post office, I was walking out, having mailed two envelopes. Hmmm. As I walked home, I wondered if I'd passed the patience test, when the Lord decided to bless me. I ran into a student who graduated last year and we had a great talk! Then I ran into one of the girls who used to be in the children's home...we also had a good "reconnection" time. Had I had a "quick" turn-around time at the post office, these meetings would not have happened. We all would have missed out on the blessings, and I would not have been tested.

Attack cat

Last night, I accidentally stepped on Toby's paw---he screeched, and immediately, Simon, my other cat, jumped on Toby, attacking him!!! The two of them raced off toward my flat, Toby fleeing on a hurt paw and Simon in hot pursuit, and me chasing both of them trying to break up the fight! Poor Toby....hurt foot, his mom's fault, fleeing the wrath of his "thought-to-be" buddy, Simon, who has decided that he must attack Toby! My only explanation is that Simon is so possessive of me, that when he heard Toby screech, he thought he was screeching AT me and moved into "protection" mode. I and my neighbor spent the next 20 minutes trying to calm the two boys and get them back together again...Toby very leery about being anywhere NEAR Simon, understandably.

I'm reminded of the verse which says the enemy is like a lion, prowling around looking for someone to devour. We must always be aware of his tactics, but more importantly, our undivided attention should be on worshipping Jesus, and HE will warn us!

Models

Aren't we gorgeous? The outside is simply a reflection of what the Lord has done and is doing on the inside! This "international" group of women, two Americans, one American living in Hungary, and one Korean living in America, has been knit together in the Lord to live out the verse, "They will know you are my disciples by the way you love one another!"

Blessings in abundance

"...I call you friends!" Friends in the Lord are the most amazing friends one can ever hope to have! Pictured here is a group of friends with whom I share much. We all have a heart for the world; we all love to laugh; we all love to eat; but most of all, we love Jesus, and the mutual encouragement and admonishment exchanged is priceless. I will treasure this day in Budapest with these friends!

Blessings and Buddies

Do you have people in your life who are not only tremendous blessings, but also GREAT buddies??? These friends above are some of the dearest ones who fit into the "category" of blessings and buddies! They have come across the miles, across an ocean, to minister to the hearts of Hungarians, and in the process, I'm being totally blessed and encouraged! We were able to enjoy a day and a 1/2 in Budapest together as well seeing the sights! His blessings never cease!!!

Sunsets

I had a friend who used to remind me to take time to enjoy sunsets! So yesterday, as I was driving home from Debrecen to Szeged, there was a beautiful sunset; so I pulled over to the side of the road, and not only enjoyed, but took a few pictures.

I like to think of sunrises and sunsets as God's "good mornings" and "good nights", coupled with His "I love you!"