The Storytellers

In December, Chadwick's brother Andy visited, and we all drove to a small village in Eastern Hungary called Mezőkövesd, to learn about the area our ancestors came from long ago. We met a man named János, who has beenentrusted with keeping the histories and stories of the area - as well as Hungarian culture from the past hundred years and earlier. He shared several stories with us about his own cultural heritage, connections to our family in that area, and along with his friends - gave us a tour of farming machinery, equipment, and tools of the 1800s in Hungary. Through it all, he was literally "bubbling over with joy" (and maybe a little wine). He was obviously excited about the opportunity to share the things he loved. He was excited to tell the stories, and the people who served alongside him joined in his enthusiasm. Even when he needed to take a break, his staff continued to take us around the museum. We didn't speak the same language, so communication was minimal, but we had a gracious translator with us that allowed us to understand the basics of each item we were shown, and each story told.

At one point, we were taken to a room with pictures on every wall, showing the progression of the museum itself. Starting by the door, the story began and continued to unfold down the wall and around the corner until the most recent photographs and portions of the story were on the other side of the door. At that moment, one had the feeling that you were literally "entering into" the story itself. We were becoming a part of the story, simply by entering into that room. We were thankful to be able to visit and to share the experience and hear the stories. We've just completed the seasons of Advent and Christmastide, where we are reminded of the stories of God arriving as a humble infant so that the Love of God could be revealed and known in powerful ways. The stories of scripture and seasons of church worship will continue, and we are invited to see ourselves as "entering into" these stories, to become a part of God's Love actively being revealed. The question is - will we become actively a part of the story we've entered, or passively smile and appreciate it's beauty as a tourist or historian? Will our homes and family gatherings become museums of a life previously lived in faith - with great pictures and stories to tell - or are we actively inviting our guests and our children to join in prayer for a life dependant on the continuing provisions, activity, and Lordship of Jesus Christ? As churches, do we celebrate the seasons of Advent, Christmastide, Lent, Eastertide, etc. as something that "has happened long ago"? Or do we celebrate how these stories from long ago continue to offer transformation and New Creation Life to our homes, our families, our communities, and our world still today?

We're so thankful for every card, letter, and package that is sent. These girls know they are loved and kept in mind by good friends back in the US!

Even without a car, we've been thankful for the nice sunny winter days that allow us to

discover nearby places to stay active in fresh air!