Will's first trip to the land of Mozart

Will & I boarded a train to Vienna on Friday at 1pm. I had lunch waiting (Thank you McDonald's grilled chicken wraps) and we were off. I love the train.. so fast, comfortable and quiet. The countryside was beautiful and I enjoyed a nice afternoon nap.

We arrived and went straight to the Hunters!! It was such a blast seeing my dear friends.. and us remembering its been almost 4 years since we met at MTI in Colorado! We had yummy pizza, spinach dip and brownie trifle! Will got to smash (play video games) and a bunch of girls and I sat around the table for some girl talk!!

Saturday was a lazy start to the morning and while Whitney went to Basketball Practice (She coaches a middle school team) we went to check out the city. First Stop.. noodles.. so yummy. Second stop, St. Stephen's Cathedral where we walked around and prayed for Austria. The candles here are for you to light and pray for someone or something. I love the reverence of old churches. Then we walked around the Hofburg Palace and went into some shops. It was freezing so we then just got on a tram and did some sight seeing on the ring road in the warmth.

Last stop was for Schnitzel and beer. So yummmy. Then we went back to Whitney's for a lazy afternoon. Lindsey came over and we had salad and then we went for ice cream at the best Gelato place ever! MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP! I miss it. They don't have it here.

Sunday, we had brunch with Felix & Leslie and it was great to finally introduce Will to Leslie (my college roommate). Then we got back on the train and poor will has a cold. ;(

So, its back in Budapest and work is to be done and people to meet, etc.

cute things

as many of you know.. I love love cute things..especially when it comes to letter writing and stamping.

I was reading a favorite blog of mine, simplesong, and she did a post for etsy. Have you discovered etsy? I love it. If not check it out.. etsy.com

Anyways, I love writing letters and here is a return address stamp that I'd love to get my hands on.. so cute ;)

The second thing I was drawn too were the letterpress (can't ever get enough letterpress) recipe cards..oh how I love cooking ;)

One Year Ago

This is from 2 days after we first started dating.

One year ago, on January 4th, Will asked me to date him..exclusively.

We had been hanging out..I thought exclusively ;) already but we were official boyfriend and girlfriend.. at the time we were not sure what was going to happen.. He was a month and a half away from leaving Lynchburg and moving to North Carolina to do a prayer internship.. I had accepted a job at Corvinus University in Budapest and was planning on moving in the summer. We weren't sure what would happen with us but we knew that we enjoyed dating each other..

So here we are.. one year later, 6 months, 2 weeks and 5 days away from getting married, living in Budapest.. who knew.. ???

God knew.

I'm so thankful for my husband to be. I waited 28 years for God to show me the man I would marry.. it wasn't easy waiting..watching so many friends get in relationships, marry and even have kids. He is perfect for me and I am learning to love him more every day, but its not hard. I love how hard me makes me laugh and how silly he can be. How he makes me breathe when I'm stressed or calms me down when I'm frustrated. He is my best friend and I can't wait to be his wife.

Love you VILIMOS ;)

New things

Today, I was offered a second teaching position within the International Studies Program at Corvinus. My good friend, Mark Newell works in this program and got me the foot in the door here but I turned it down for the full time position in my current job.

This job is a blessing and I'm really looking forward to stepping into a English for Specific Purposes Realm. I will teach in this program on Tuesdays and Thursdays and it is half hungarian and half Chinese. I will also broaden my number of students and this semester will be a busy one... but those who know me know that I love busy ;)

I am excited about this opportunity and am really looking forward to it!

Now my month will be full of prepping for both sets of groups and making sure I'm ready to step into the classroom doors on February 8th.

I refer to these verses.. Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

I am praying over many things since this new year has begun. I hope you continue to have a great start to the new year!

Here is a picture of my university at night. On the left is the "old building" where I might teach some of these new classes. The building on the right which is lit up is where my office and my classrooms are.

New Year's Sermon

I got to hear my dad preach today at the DelPest Golgota Church in Budapest. It was a great sermon and I gleaned much wisdom from it...

Here are four questions which I am contemplating..
-What do our words and thoughts tell us about the condition of our hearts?
-What are the ways I am training my mind for God's use?
-What do my fears tell me about what I really believe?
-What am I doing to care for my temple?

2011: a year of balance so that I can be used by God

and lastly a verse..
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Happy New Year

Its the end of January 1st and I'm about to go to sleep. I'm thankful for the year that has past. So much has changed in my life in a year and so much will change in this coming year.

It has been a whirlwind two weeks with my family being here and getting ready for them to arrive, Christmas parties and spending time with those I love here.

I hope that everyone's holidays were wonderful, Christ-filled, delicious and filled with peace.

As I embark on this next year of my life.. the end of my 20's.. I hope to increase my time with my Lord and Savior to become more firmly rooted in him. I also look forward to the day that I can call Will my husband!!