everything is an adventure...

I am safely in Hungary, slept through the night last night, woke up at 6am, made some coffee, read psalm 113, and am now still the only one awake in the house :)

traveling is an adventure...i used to think airports were too. now i think reality has struck and i realize that airports, while a great means to an end, these airports are not my friend.

i flew out of k-zoo, into the city that i love (chicago) and after being told to wait in a (wrong) line for an hour, and after traversing back and forth from terminal 1 to terminal 5, and then back to 1 and then back to 5...i most successfully

missed my flight to paris.

practically practicing trust.

however, thankful that it was chicago i would have to spend the night in (i was rebooked for the next day) i called my wonderful friends at MBI who picked me up, hugged me, bought me a toothbrush, tried to cheer me up by showing me amazing magic tricks (i know the quarter was never in your pocket, by the way), fed me, and it was somewhat refreshing.

i arrived a little extra early for my flight the next day (which was delayed almost an hour) made it on the plane... and there was much rejoicing.

the flight to paris was uneventful. watched a couple of movies. played a couple of games. was defeated several times in solitaire (not sure how that works because i was playing myself)

the airport in paris is crazy. lots of riding a bus around. riding a bus to terminal 2E from the plane. walking through random hallways. another bus to terminal 2B. (these buses give the same impression as watching the 40 year desert wanderings of the israelites)

then using my camera case as seating for an hour (don't worry, it's sturdy), finally at the right gate..
boarding the plane...
but first getting on another bus, driving to the airplane..
finally sitting.
finally sleeping on the flight

finally arriving in Budapest.
finally seeing people i know.
finally walking on non-airport owned earth.
finally unpacking.
catching up.
relaxing.
anticipating.

trusting Him who hold all things, knows the exact places and times of where we should be, and teaches us so many things if we would just see them.

a week away!

It is only one week from today that I leave for Budapest! I am so thankful for everyone who has been praying and supporting this trip. I am excited, scared, and everything inbetween.

It is exciting because I am getting the opportunity to do what I love: travel, see Tamara and Atilla (two amazing people), use video to tell the story of God's work, and further pursue where HE would have me in the future

It is scary because this abstract idea of "missions" is suddenly becoming tangible. And as I pursue where I am to be in the future (I graduate from Moody in one year) moving somewhere away from family and what I have always known begins to sink in. the reality suddenly begins to show underneath the adventure covered idea of what it means to be a missionary. and i fear failure.

I continue to lift this all up in prayer, to be open to opportunites, and realize that where I serve is not what is important

but WHO I serve...and he is constant, unchanging, and completely in control

please pray for last minute preparations

for the remaining support (I am so thankful and blown away at God's provision thus far-and the support of so many!)

for guidance and direction for the future

the english camp i am helping at-pray for God to begin working in camper's hearts, for the team of teachers coming

the video project-that everything would go well, that God would be glorified in it

for the workers in Hungary, the believers there, and those who need to hear the Gospel

that i would fall more in love with Jesus Christ

Thanks so much! I will try to update this often while in Hungary as well.