More of Budapest

Some more Images from Budapest

I loved the rooftops in Budapest. They really seemed to have a Russian influence in their buildings and the roof at the top of this blog is one of my favorites. The pic of the buildings were just a street close to Jen's that is a pretty good example of what all the street buildings look like. The image of the gate and flowers is one that I took inside a very, VERY empty beautiful church building on Easter morning. We just happened upon the church on our way to Jen's friends/pastors house and there was not a soul in sight until leaving. One older woman came in right as we were wrapping up our visit in the museum of a church. It really gave me a good idea of what is happening over there in the old world as far as churches are concerned and also a deep sadness. Someone had gone to the trouble of setting up all those beautiful flowers for Easter morning but they were behind a locked gate a very big locked gate. Hanging in the back was Jesus, still on the cross. (Not an image that is unfamiliar to me, As a teen when my family was beginning to come out of Catholicism my parents would fight over wheter Jesus should still be on the cross or not. One would take him off and another would put him back on.) Anyway, the imagery here for me was big because although the church and their display were beautiful that Easter morning, the building was empty. What's it all for if the church is empty?

Finally, the last image is an example of Budapest art. Just kiddin, it could be art though don't ya think?

Easter morning, and The First Subway Ever made, in the world!!!

We woke up Easter morning in Budapest and the sun was shining the birds were chirping and we were off to Jen's church over there. This particular morning they were meeting at her friends/pastors house Jeff and Anna's. Her whole team was there and had brought lots of yummy food for me to enjoy :) and enjoy did I ever!! On the way to the gathering Jen took us on the first subway ever made in the whole world which just happens to be in Budapest. I did not know this. Sister did know this, and I was like a kid at Disneyland. Truly , I thought how cool and what an insight to the people of Hungary who have proved to be very intelligent people. Hungary is one of the only countries in Europe who somehow managed to survive the World Wars pretty much intact or least better than surrounding neighbors. Many of the buildings there are original buildings and that is something that is rare in Europe because of all the brutal hits of war that had completely demolished many countries. So this lil' subway trip was pretty fun. There was an old man on there that looked so much like my dad's side of the family (who have Hungarian blood lines) it was crazy. He kept staring at me and my sister and finally we asked if he would take a pic of us. That is the one at top of the page. It was awesome to see sister interact with him speaking his language. I was so proud of her. I am so proud of her.

More Budapest, right outside Jen's door!!

Arriving at Jen's place in Budapest

When we finally arrived to Jen's beautiful home we were all so tired that we took a nap in the middle of the day. I just have to brag a bit about her place. After seeing a few homes in Germany and just the hostel in Italy I was so happy to see that my sister's home is exactly what I wanted to see. It was white and crisp and clean and spacious for a European home. She has a huge living room that still had projector screen in it when we arrived from a previous girls slumber party that she had a week earlier. Her kitchen has beautiful cupboards that are white of course with glass fronts. Her bed is in a loft like area and her bathroom was pretty large again for a home in Europe. Her neighbors were quiet(at least while we were there) and most mornings I woke to hearing the birds chirping and the sun coming in her living room window. When we woke from our nap Jenny made us a pesto pasta dinner and we just relaxed, did laundry, checked internet, and basically felt like we were home only we weren't.

Thanks again Jen.

Arriving in BUDAPEST

This is inside and outside the train station that brought us from Venice to Budapest. It was an interesting train trip to say the least, and my passport got stamped 4 times as we passed through 4 other countries in route, but we arrived safely and we were very ready for a place to call home. Jen's place was like a retreat from all the busy European travels we had experienced. When I stepped outside the train station, even though it was raining , I was overcome with how beautiful Budapest is. I really didn't think that anything could surpass Venice but somehow I was pleasantly surprised by this city in Hungary.

What a PEST , BUDA is

My sister Jenny left today for Budapest, Hungary. I am sad. I know that she is doing what she needs to be doing and that it is only for a while(a long while) but I am still sad. I will miss her so much. For some reason this year was harder to say goodbye than last year.

I am thankful however, that we have the summers memories to get us through this next year. I am also very much aware of the sacrifice it takes to have missionaries for family members. Not so much to be a missionary but I could imagine somewhat. Anyway, I pray for all those who are living the life they feel God had called them to live AND for thier families.