2 weeks without a blog--- AM I IN TROUBLE?

So many things have been going on since my last blog. I first need to apologize for not being more consistent on my blogs.

*49 days until I land in Raleigh, North Carolina.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Lately, there have been a lot of things happening here in Velence, Hungary. I went through a period where my car broke down, I grew another wisdom tooth in a rare place and was indeed in a struggling mood. With all three things taking a tole over my life, I began to believe I had no room for anything else... except for my bed.

However, God has been good to me. I have recently gotten another car, my tooth does not hurt (even though I can still feel its existence.)

So that pretty much sums up the first week of no postings!

This past week, I have had off from work. October 23rd is a really big holiday in Hungary. It was when a Revolutionary War took place. Mariann's birthday is also on October 23rd. Therefore, I got to spend last Saturday at Mariann's house. There I got to see most of the translators that were on my trip to the Ukraine and also some new lovely faces. AND GUESS WHAT! An American face popped in also. Derek came to visit Mariann on her 25th Birthday too! Which gave me happiness... first off, because my mom sent me some awesome stuff and secondly, well I could talk normal (even if it was only for 24 hours!)

On Sunday, we were able to go to church (Derek & I) with Mariann's family! It was exciting! After church Derek and I got to actually visit with our home church: Piney Grove. Not actually go there, no. The church set up a screen so that we could talk to our church family! What an amazing experience for everyone! It was a highlight of my life! (Thanks Glen, Preacher and a special thanks to Mike Cole!)

Monday & Wednesday I was able to travel into the city with two of my dear friends: Speedy & Victor. Neither of them are fluent in English... which makes my trip even more special! Getting to learn the language is much more easier when ... nobody knows your language. It makes you really want to learn it. On these two days I was able to ride with them to do their routine activities. It was an amazing experience because... I was able to visit more places that Hungarian Baptist Aid have set up to help their community. I attended a homeless shelter. I was able to meet the guy that is in charge of the homeless shelter (he could speak fluently in English). He told me about the story of how the homeless shelter started. It began by taking blankets and food to those who were on the streets... realizing that this would not be enough, they began finding places where they could sleep. They now own a house where 100 people sleep every night. These people can sometimes be drug addicted... therefore, they help them get off the drugs. Once they realized that this was too not enough, they then built houses out in the Country where they could live 8 years after they have been taken off the streets. They find a job, learn how to earn and save money and begin their families. All through this process they learn about our Jesus, who washes the dirt, the grind, the streets odor and their drug addictions away...and learn about what he has done for each and every one of them. I believe that I am so fortunate to be one of the first people to come to Hungary to live from America with Hungarian Baptist Aid because I am soo excited about the programs (that I did not even know about) that are in place. We can assure ourselves that Hungarian Baptist Aid is making their Country a better place. Thankfully, I get to be in the midst of these people daily.

Tuesday night was so much fun this week! Victor, Speedy & Mariann came over. I wanted everyone to try an American meal. I made homemade veggie soup (only my 2nd time ever). I do not know if they had pity on me, or if they really like it... but they said the loved it... !! We ended up playing UNO! And it was so much fun.. It's so awesome that I have friends here now... it's so important.

Now--for a blessing!!! There is a lady that North Carolina Baptist Men have been talking about coming and joining me! I got to speak to her yesterday! OH, how excited I am to know that there is someone on the way to become apart of my team... She will be able to laugh at my jokes, ride with me in the car, and help me teach! It's a blessing, I promise! We will even, HOPEFULLY be riding home on the same plane! Keep her in your prayers... for it is a long journey for her as well. It will be just as challenging coming to a foreign Country and learning new routines... but I am so excited that I will be here to help guide her through the things that I have already learned.

Thank You all for keeping up with my blog. Please keep praying for me! I promise you, it will not be this long before I post again...

PLEASE CHECK OUT MY BLOGS ON YOUTUBE!!!!!!

Love you all,

Jessie

new blog posts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LEaiyawsq_Y so here is my new blog from today

Please check out yesterdays too!!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff_ZRerIht0

Will be writing tomorrow.. very tired!!!

Have a great night from Hungary!!!

Love

Jessie

A VIDEO FOR EVERYDAY I AM HERE.....

So.. I have decided to do a video blog..for everyday that I am here.. It will show you something that I am doing.. or going... or seeing.. or etc. I think it is a good way to show what I am doing here... It will be fun for me...and hopefully, fun for you! Please check out my postings. I have already done yesterday and today.

& honestly, if you do not have a YouTube account.. you may want to just sign up for one.. very quick and easy..and then you can subscribe..and it will be much easier to find them each day! Anyway, hope all is well.. keep praying for me!

Thank You,
Jessie

Website: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOv67D5oBV0 This is the second video!!!!

"Remember whose you are..."

Hello All-
Has there ever been a time in your life that you gave up on something? Threw something to the side because, you just did not feel like finishing it? Or how about something that is a little more serious, cancelling an appointment that would leave the doctors in a bind or quit a team that really needed you?

Well, I have always felt like I am a pretty dependable person. As may of you know, growing up I had many responsibilities. I was a manager of a pool by the time I was 18 years old and was working two jobs. (not for a particular reason--) One of the main reasons for this though is that I feel like when you commit to something then you should really stick with it--and try your best.

Let me be the first to tell you, I have wanted to get those suitcases out, pack them & hit the airport as quickly as possible a lot this week. Not because of something happening to me or because I was mad or upset. Mainly because I miss home. I knew coming into this trip that I was going to be in a very isolated situation. I knew that beforehand, but sometimes you can't grasp that coming from a go go go lifestyle.

Right now, i lack a lot of things that normally do not intimidate me. Probably because I am in a foreign country and there things around me that I do not understand. Situations that cause me to feel stressed.

I feel like above all--I'm here for a reason. The kids are really adjusting to me. (Side Note- Got a little off the subject here: I've been trying to learn to speak some Hungarian--and a little girl, Fanni asked me why and I replied, "Don't you want to be able to talk to me before I leave..?" and she responded, "i don't care." Oh, how truthful children can be!) During the day I am fine. I enjoy my time at the schools and even stay late for extra study groups and gymnastics, etc.

Sometimes in our lives there are things that become hard to do. You feel like you are sacrificing your happiness to achieve the goals that you have set upon yourself. Honestly, look back and think about everything that you have ever done that you have not done fully. Were you satisfied? And the bigger question is: Was God satisfied with your work? If I take each day as a count down to my final day here in Hungary, did I really accomplish the things that I came here to do? Or, did I just wait for time to pass me by and go home the same person?

So today, it's not only my choice--it's your choice too. Even though I am struggling in Hungary about different types of things happening in my life... there are things in your life in NC that are a struggle as well. Do you want to live your life and look back and regret the moments that you sat and pondered about your life for the future.. or do you want to live like everyday is truly your last. God gives us each day. Each day is for a reason... did you use your strength and abilities today to make yourself and others happy? Did you tell anyone about Jesus today?

My dad is a pretty amazing guy. Something he has said to me over and over is... "Remember whose you are?" You are God's people. You are here for a reason.

So please pray for me to stop being such a bum.. to get out of the house--learn more about Hungary.

I will be going to a youth conference this Weekend with some friends of mine that were translators in Munkacs. Next weekend is my friend Mariann's birthday weekend. Then the following weekend I will be going to Munkacs! *which I am very excited about.

Love you all-
jessie

71 days to go. But who is counting?

First, I am going to post a few pictures and then add my paragraph! ENJOY!!!! Check out my facebook page for complete pictures. Check out my blog for complete journalism. THANKS.

Anna & Mariann singing in the Praise Band at a worship service in Veroce, Hungary.
This is just part of my class. They are changing their shoes for recess.. and by the way.. you see the little boy directly in the center.. that's cheesing at the camera...well he's the little trouble maker i fell in love with the first day... and I'm still in love with him.. & i think he loves me too!! :)

GYORGY- he is one of the smartest little boys. He sits at the front of the room and always pays attention and works hard.

FONNI- She took first place in a horseback riding competition and since they know I love horses..she had to bring in her trophy and show it off!!!!

& THIS... this is my first pot of homemade veggie soup! I am very proud..!!!


Journal Time:

"If Life Throws you Lemons, Make Lemonade," was our quote from our Valedictorian of my high school when I graduated in 2005. It's funny how sayings can really stick and this one always has. Lemons have been tossed my way almost everyday. Fortunately, this far I have been able to squeeze them, add sugar and taste the lemonade.

One of the biggest concerns I have at this moment is the bilingual program and the teachers that already teach at the schools. Since I began here, there are only a couple of teachers that I am truly able to talk too. Sometimes it is a uncomfortable situation to me because the language switches all the way back to Hungarian and I feel like the odd ball! Now, don't get me wrong... I was expecting this to happen! Recently, I had a lemon thrown at me when one of the teachers told me to not speak English in the staff room and that it made them uncomfortable. Well at first, I wanted to shout, "You feel uncomfortable, HELLO! I am in a place of confusion.. road signs, buildings, railroad stations, TVs everything is written in a different language." I refrained from doing so. When Monika (the lady that heads the program-and a really sweet lady) sat down and talked to me about the issue... it seemed to be more hidden under that "no English in the staff room issue."

This bilingual program is saving this school. If they did not have it with a native speaking person then this school would no longer exist. It is an agreement between the government and the school system. The teachers feel that they will be let go or taken out of the school system because they are bringing people from outside into their classrooms. Now don't get me wrong, the Hungarian teacher has nothing to worry about, hence we wouldn't have this problem. So last night I came home and I really thought about the issue. At first I was upset and mad at the situation. As I began to think about things, I came to the realization that I would have made the same comments. I, too, would be upset. Therefore, I took it upon myself to try my best to find a solution. So this is what I came up with. I went to the Headmaster (we know him as the principle) and asked him today if I could start a language course for teachers on Monday nights. This way, the teachers can learn the normal basic English skills. They would at least be able to communicate with me and any other American that showed up to do this job after me. I feel that it could be a really good gesture and it could also, help them realize that I am not here to take their job... I'm here to keep their jobs (so the school can stay up and running!)

So my week has been good. I should really post more because I am sure people are tired of reading this by now. I had my first full week of teaching the kids (all by myself) and it went really well. The first day, I was a basket of nerves but in the second day... the children started really understanding me. It was a blessing.

I live on a school ground where orphans live. The other night I had to get out and do something. I decided to go walking. I walked to the garbage can and on the way back... I saw these kids that were trying to play soccer with a ball that had already been destroyed. So this is my idea... I buy a ball.. I go out there and talk to the kids and play ball with them and bring the ball back with me at night.. just so i know i have it in the future. I think that.. I have felt like I am not ministering as much as I thought I would and I have all of a sudden realized... HELLO! You can still minister... it just may realllly be outside your comfort box.

One last thing. I took my computer with me to work the other day and wanted to show my co-workers what I had been doing in Ukraine. Showing them the pictures really touched some of their hearts. I am praying that they realize these people are at their back doors. I hope they realize that these kids don't have an education, no money to buy groceries, etc. These people are Hungarian just like they are. Maybe that is apart of my ministry too... to allow them to remember the gypsy people that are not out of the poverty like they are.

Well that's it for tonight folks. Please keep me in your prayers. Some days are really hard... and some are just a joy in itself. Love you!

Web Page Welcoming me to "The Green School" and "The White House" in Velence, Hungary

http://www.zoldligetsuli.hu/ This web page is where I am located being Welcomed into The Green School.

To go directly to the web page so that you can see what I have written CLICK THIS: http://www.zoldligetsuli.hu/index.php?printevent=20091001_jessie.htm;20091001

Hope to write another post later today! Just wanted everyone to see my introduction and welcome page that the school presented me with!

Thanks
Jessie

Szia Mindenki! ÉN szerelem és elvét ön minden!

Szia Mindenki! ÉN szerelem és elvét ön minden! (No, I really have not gotten that good! Just thought it would be fun to pull some legs!)

It says, "Hello Everyone! I miss and love you very much!

Well, it's crazy. I feel like I am up to date on my blog and then 5 days go by and I have not done a thing! I feel like my life in Hungary is going by so quickly!

I have been very sickly this week and I am thankful for all the prayers. I went and got pizza with a friend last night and I asked them to order me a Pepperoni Pizza. When I got home.. my pizza was a "PEPPER PIZZA!" I thought it was hilarious.

The kids in my classroom seem to be a little afraid of me. I mean who wouldn't be afraid of the new woman...that doesn't speak their language and all she knows how to say is "NEM" which means "no!" When the kids of recess, all of the teachers gather around a table and sit and talk. Let me just say that schools in Hungary are not exactly the same as the schools in America. Rules and regulations are not quite the same. Yesterday, they were playing 'futbol' (America's soccer!) and I decided to join in. After that, the kids were coming up and talking to me and giving me hugs! I think that is really what these kids need. Some outside time and they will warm right up to me. Tomorrow I will be going to the other school and playing volleyball with some of the older students! I am really excited and can't wait!

Tomorrow will be my first day teaching alone. In fact, both teachers that are normally there to help me... well they took the day off! So, ready or not here I come.

Let me just say..this time that I am spending alone... it is really helping me. My prayer life has become better. It is amazing what God is doing in all of our lives.

I'm sorry I do not have a lot to write..but I have been sick this week and just kinda of sticking around the house! Next week, i hope to have pictures and lots more fun stuff!!!