Who Can I Trust?

This past week I was in the market for Halloween pumpkins. We had a Halloween party for our Friday night Bible study group and we planned a pumpkin carving contest. Finding good carving pumpkins in Budapest proved to be a little bit of a challenge and Jonathan found himself having a frustrating exchange at the local produce stand.

In Hungarian: Jon - "How much is your pumpkin?"

Salesman - "Oh, do you speak English?"

In English: Jon - "Yes, I do."

Salesman - "It's 600 forints per kilo, 

so 3600 forints total" (That's $18)

Jon - "No, thanks that's too expensive" 

Salesman - "But, it's a beautiful pumpkin!" 

What Jon later discovered was that I had paid only 600 forints total for the other pumpkin I had purchased. The salesman tried to sell Jonathan a pumpkin for 6 times what I paid at another market!!

The past few weeks have reminded me how hard it can be to trust. Living in a foreign country, dealing with a language barrier, maneuvering a different system tend to make us skeptical of everything and everybody. It doesn't help when you find your gas being stolen, your bills being overcharged, and your intentions being questioned. Feeling frustrated and slightly depressed about these situations got me to thinking tonight.

I found myself asking God, again, "Who can we really trust?" and His answer was clearly, "Me" I was reminded that when I can't trust the gas to be in my car each morning, or that I'm not being cheated on my utility bill, or unsure of the true market value of a pumpkin...that God really is the only person I need to trust. He has proved Himself faithful to us time and again. He has supplied our needs time and again.

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; But its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit." 

Jeremiah 17:7-8

Trusting the One,
Corinne

Celebrating 5 Years

Carter blows out his birthday candle.

This past Saturday, October 23rd, our family celebrated an important milestone in Carter's life...his 5th birthday! He celebrated in usual fashion with a party of friends, birthday cake and as much Buzz Lightyear paraphernalia as possible. It was really a fun day, as we followed up the birthday party with a family outing to an antique car show here in Budapest. McDonald's Happy meals, topped off the day.

As the saying goes, time flies. It's hard to believe our first born has been on this earth for five whole years! And I am sure when he is turning 55, I will say the same thing. He has been such a blessing in our lives.

Carter's birthday not only reminds us of the moment in time we first began the journey of parenthood, but it also serves as a time-marker in our journey through missions. You see, Jonathan and I learned of our first pregnancy just a few short months after we felt God's call in our lives to serve in Hungary. So at a time of great anticipation for the birth of our child, we were also discovering what missions meant for us. As we had excitement and fear about our new roles as parents, we also felt excitement and fear over becoming full time servants for Christ.

Yesterday, as we enjoyed the reflections of five years in Carter's life, we also pondered how far we had come since that day we learned about the new roles God had for us. From a couple to a family, from simply husband and wife, to mommy and daddy. From business people, to missionaries. Alot changed for us five years ago. And, we wouldn't want it any other way.

Carter's biggest fans,
Corinne and Jonathan 

Entertaining Angels

One thing in missions that is for certain is nothing is for certain. What appears to be an empty day on the calendar often turns into a divine appointment.

Last year at this time, we were sitting in our living room, browsing emails, when an instant message popped up on the screen from a young woman on an 11-month missions adventure. To make a long story short, we welcomed 7 strangers into our home that day. And that one day ended up turning into 14 days. Some people said we were crazy. Where did 7 people sleep in our little flat? Some people said "you must be exhausted" having guests for so long. Some people thought we were giving too much and getting too little.

One of the many things I've learned this past year: we may have entertained angels unawares. (Hebrews 13:2) God allows strangers to enter our lives. Our job is to show His love. Is it a sacrifice? Perhaps. Is it easy? Not always. Is it convenient? Rarely. Were we blessed to have 7 people stay in our home? Undoubtedly.  God pours blessing into our lives as abundantly as we have given.

This week, we received a call from some new strangers on a similar mission....lunch anyone?

Our seven strangers who became friends.

Flavors that Take Me Back

Ok. So, I feel like I have a little confession to make.

Food is important to me. Not just any food, but the flavors from home.

 I knew this was the case for most of my life, but a deeper realization came when I moved to Hungary. It's not so much the food, but the emotion and sentiment that my family has tied to food. I am sure this is the case for many families out there, but often our holidays and family moments involve a big meal with our favorite flavors.

I have discovered that Fall becomes a somewhat melacholy time for me. Partly because the business of the summer has past and the slower pace of the year has come. And partly because, well frankly, Hungarians don't partake in some of my favorite Fall flavors. Fall to me always means apples and apple cider, pumpkins and pumpkin pie, caramels, toffees, and sweet spices galore. But I find this country to be a little lacking. I try to make up the difference by baking apple dumplings and drinking warm coffee drinks, but I get a little sad knowing canned pumpkin and sweet potatoes are not to be had (except at great financial cost, lol). To make matters worse, November brings the ultimate in Fall flavors and the pinnacle of family food festivities - Thanksgiving.

Sigh. So...tonight I caved. I took the No. 7 bus 15 minutes into the city to Coffee Heaven. I splurged on an overpriced mocha and the most decadent Caramel Toffee Brownie Pillar. Mmmmm. It was delicious. For a moment, it was almost like home...well....except for the bumpy bus ride.

Sweet dreams,
Corinne