December and January Chronicles

The month of December in our family was more than exciting. I know, you must be thinking: of course that’s what it is for all of us! In our case, on top of all the Christmas preparations we had two birthdays to celebrate and we took them seriouslyJ. Szandra just turned 30!!!!!! on December 2 and after a week of different surprises her birthday was finally over (Laci). Fanni turned 3!!! on the 25^th, yes, on Christmas day. That special day also needed a lot of special attention and a lot of preparation also. After Christmas we visited family and then we spent a couple of days on vacation near the lake Balaton. The lake was frozen of course and we had snow, the girls loved it. We also saw some swans and ducks looking for food, so we took them some and the girls fed them. We had the best time just watching our kids have all the fun and their glowing faces.

The major event for the first week of January was Fanni starting kindergarten. She had been talking about it all through the Fall months and she was so ready to go. The very first day we took her she said: “OK mommy, you can go home now, come pick me up later.” That was pretty sad in a way, though on the other hand I said to myself: YES!!!!!!! She still loves to go and to play with the kids. It is amazing to watch how much she learns and part of the reason is that she is in a mixed age group. They have 3 year olds 6 year olds and everything in between. They work together nicely, we have been told.

The second weekend Laci and I got to join a ministry team and go down to Serbia for a day. It was a looooooooong day, leaving our house at 7 a.m. and getting back around midnight. Yet, we were blessed beyond what words can tell. I will try though. The ministry took place in the small town of Moravica. Although the town is in Serbia, it is populated by Hungarians. We helped the team have a kid’s bible club in the early afternoon and then a youth bible club later in the evening. Both times we were impressed how well these kids and teens behaved and listened to whatever we had to say. There is not much going on in their little town so this once a month bible club is the place to go. Word of Life Hungary is sending down a team down every month to help the local pastor do youth work. There are several people who pray about doing this full time. Pray for them, they are very much needed down there.

The week after that Laci started to teach another course in the Bible Institute: “Introduction into Modern Missions,” followed by a Missions Conference this past weekend focusing on reaching the children with the Gospel. We really hope and pray that the students would keep their hearts warm for missions. This week Laci was busy teaching “New Testament Backgrounds,” while still working on his mission course. That meant that Tuesday through Friday he taught 4 hours every morning. I am sure he was having a wonderfully busy time since that’s the way he likes it.

Our newest family member at 19-20 weeks is growing and moving by now. Halftime!!!!!! This will be our first summer baby in the middle of camping ministry. Too bad there is no camp for 3 and a half and 1 and a half year olds … except grandma’s place. Now you know the grand plan. We would love to hear from you too. Drop us a note, we promise to read it. Answer? That’s Fanni’s job. She thinks she can read and write by now.
One last note: we are planning to build our home. The floor plans are approvedand we hope and pray to be able to start (and finish) this year.