Christmas!

The stoneware pot given to us by Robi Molnar--mayor of Kubekhaza.

The night before Christmas we opened new pjs from Grandma George.

Sarah loves her new music from Janet and family!

Look, Grandma Turner--more Barbie furniture from you!

Sarah shows off her new pocketbook and jewelry bags!

Hannah was really excited about her new paintbrushes and drawing set.

One of my very BIG surprises! Now, where will I put them???

Rob shows his new shirt from Grandma George.

The girls gave us this framed collage. On it is written, "Families are like fudge...mostly sweet with a few nuts."

Our big gift from Sarah and Hannah--a gift certificate for a whole day of servitude!

Blueberry Cheesecake for dessert!!

Rob, in his new Grandma T. shirt, putting paprika on the deviled eggs.

Rob and I couldn't finish the shrimp--there were too many!! We needed you, John!

Christmas Visits

Hannah and Lilli wait for Hungarian pancakes! Vanilla and chocolate pudding were the favorite toppings!
Sarah and Panni pose for the camera.
Boldi and Zsuzsi had some very special news to tell us!!
We enjoyed a nice visit with our neighbor, Maria-néni.

Rob and Gábor (Baptist pastor) wait for the Kubekhaza Christmas program to start. Sarah sang a beautiful solo in Hungarian and English.

The program was held in the UNHEATED Catholic Church.
The kids enjoyed seeing the live animals that were part of the Nativity.



Sarah and Hannah enjoy hanging out with Regi and Kristi just before the program.

Regi opens her Christmas gift while the girls watch with joy.

Béla, Bea, Regi with their "House Blessing" gift from us.

19 degrees in a Blizzard Outreach

More than 50 people showed up at Bela's outdoor worship tent, in a blizzard! The snow was falling so heavy, and accumulated almost 4 inches in the 3 hours we were there. (Of course this Virginia "born and bred" girl KNEW we weren't supposed to be out after the first snowflake fell!!) However, we had a great time!! Bela performed a skit with the help of 9 children, we sang several Christmas songs with the band, ate fresh donuts (Bela made more than 150--delicious!), and made crafts by candlelight. Some of the visitors commented on how comfortable they felt--and that it was such an encouraging time. Praise God!

Bela plans to have more events in the worship tent--only when it's warmer!!


Singing with the band!

The snow was beautiful!


More than 150 donuts--made from scratch, rising in front of the house stove.

Sarah and Hannah welcome some neighborhood girls, while Laci acts silly behind them.

Sarah sang in Hungarian and English.

Christmas Preparations!

Snow has come and Christmas is coming to Szeged!

We have decorated the apartment, put up our tree, and started to have friends over to celebrate. Béla and Bea, András and Erzsi and their families came over for a fun evening. Hannah and Anna had a Christmas cookie baking afternoon, with Donna's supervision.

Pre-snow, we had a nice visit out to Béla's for daughter Regi's 14th birthday party. What a special chocolate cake, with fireworks on top!

Big planning is underway on the strawberry farm. Tomorrow is the Christmas outreach in the new Fellowship Tent (High of 19 degrees!-we're wearing lots of layers!) Béla has even built outdoor bathroom facilities for the event. See the last picture with door open to the women's special spot!

Merry Christmas from Szeged!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Szeged Ice Cream Going Fast!

The ice cream season, which is coming to an end, is such an important one for us here in Szeged - we love the fresh, interesting, quality flavors that come in small scoops (about 75 cents a scoop). Interesting flavors include coconut, caramel, rum-walnut, punch (fruity with a little rum and raisins), rice (vanilla with rice bits) and Raffaello (coconut, vanilla, and chocolate). The girls often like standard fruit flavors like strawberry, lemon, or peach.



BUT Hungarians don't eat ice cream when winter season comes - it's bad for their throats! Yes, it's true that cold ice cream and cold drinks are avoided by most starting in November because it is considered a linkage to sore throats in the cold season. So, ice cream is becoming scarce in the coffee/pastry shops now, and by Christmas you will only be able to find ice cream in the German supermarket frozen section! Thankfully we had a couple terrific warm weeks beginning of November and got in some last ice cream visits!

A Weekend in an old Monastery

Donna, Laura, Lea, Keri, and Petra

Last weekend, several lady missionary friends and I traveled north of Budapest to spend the weekend in a former monastery, now hotel. It was a time of fellowship, encouragement, and sharing about the things God is doing in our cities, churches, and lives. Before going to sleep the first night, I jokingly said, "We have to get up for 5:00am prayers tomorrow." So when the 7:00am bells rang that next morning, I almost jumped out of my bed!

Here we are strolling the city streets. We all took turns pushing the stroller!

We enjoyed looking in the shops and in the local market.