You knew this post was coming...

...the post about food!

I have tried a couple of different Hungarian dishes as well as Hungarain versions of familiar food this past six weeks.

After church one week we went out for an ice cream cone. Hungarian ice cream is creamier and softer than in America (more like frozen yogurt) and is sweeter than in the U.S.

The ice cream shop...

Hungarian ice cream...

Landon eating some ice cream...

We also went to a Hungarian's house (a friend of the Ridgeway's) and she fed us some Hungarian food. We had some yummy appetizers (nothing like some goose fat on bread with a little paprika sprinkled on top) and a stew that consisted of potatoes and sausage. 

Kotchious Kolosh, a Hungarian pastry, is also super yummy! It's bread with Cinnamon, chocolate, nuts, or just sugar on it. 

Making Kolosh...

 The final product...

I've also experienced some European coffee. By that I mean that the size of the coffee is way smaller than in the states. A medium was maybe two ounces of coffee (vs. 16oz in the states). It's great coffee, by the way, just smaller. 

Jo Reggelt ("Good morning" in Hungarian) is a brand of breakfast food that is quite popular. Basically, you're eating cookies for breakfast -- what's not to like?

Also, lots and lots of Nutella! I know you can get that in the states but it's widely available here. What is less available, however, is penut butter. And the PB in Hungary is much more organic than in the states (less sugar, more peanuts). 

Overall, I have enjoyed the food here. Sure, there are some thing in the U.S. that I would hate to live without (icing, granola bars, chocolate chips, pop tarts, etc.)  but trying some Hungarian food this past six weeks has been lots of fun.

Mary Kate



Hungarian Lesson #2

I hope you've been using "Szia!" (from Lesson #1) as a greeting to some of your friends. I've been using it quite often here in Hungary. I also hope you are ready to learn another Hungarian phrase...

The next time you want to say "Thank you!" to someone, try saying it in Hungarian. Köszönöm is the Hungarian word for "Thank you". To learn the proper pronunciation, go to this site http://www.forvo.com/word/k%C3%B6sz%C3%B6n%C3%B6m/ and click on one of the play buttons.

All of the encouragement I have received these past five weeks has reminded me to thank God for all of the amazing people He has put in my life. I deeply appreciate all of the support that my family and friends have given me during this trip -- you guys are wonderful.

Köszönöm!

Mary Kate

Librarian by day, a little lost by night

Since my last post I have gone to work at the library two or three times. So far my jobs have consisted mostly of cataloging books and dusting shelves. As much as I love hanging out with the Ridgeway family, I also love being at the library and in the city.

To get to the library, I take a bus and a tram. On Tuesday, Rusty went with me to the library but left around lunch (I was going to stay until closing time). He told me the numbers of the tram and bus I needed to take to get back to the Ridgeway's house and I wrote them down. That evening I was going to take public transportation by myself for the first time. Somehow, I ended up writing down the wrong number and therefore got onto the wrong tram! About halfway through the route I had a hunch that I had taken the wrong tram. I went ahead and stayed on, though, hoping and praying that it was, indeed, the correct tram. At the end of the route, I couldn't recognize the place at all... I was lost. By myself. In a foreign country. I went up to the driver and as he got out of his little box I asked him for directions. I hoped the driver could somehow tell me where to go since my Hungarian is limited to about ten phrases. As it turns out, he spoke English, told me which bus to go onto next, and I made it home an hour and a half after leaving the library (almost twice as long as it should take me). But, I made it. While lost I just kept praying. I never panicked, just prayed. I will admit I got nervous, maybe even a bit scared, but I made it. And, my confidence was regained on Wednesday and Friday when I took public transportation by myself again and made it without any mistakes or delays. I thank God that I am safe -- He is in control!

On a happier note, I visited the Budapest Great Synagogue and St. Stephen's Basilica on Wednesday. Both were beautiful!

Inside St. Stephen's...

The top of St. Stephen's has an amazing view of the city...

Mary Kate

"Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." 

-Isaiah 41:10

Less computer, more God

Since arriving in Hungary two weeks ago, I have spent minimal time on the computer. At home, I normally spent the entire day doing school on the computer, checking emails on the computer, and all-around just wasting time on the computer. In Hungary, however, I have gone several days at a time without checking email or even opening my laptop... and the amazing thing? It's not that bad. Actually, I'm rather enjoying it. I have been able to spend more time with the kids, more time relaxing, and more time with God. My mind is not racing with information I just read on Facebook but rather I am focusing on what is right in front of me: an amazing opportunity to serve God, experience another country/culture, and get to know a wonderful family. Sure, I'm on the internet right now blogging about not being on the internet; after I post this, though, it could be two or three days before I even check my email again (versus two or three hours like at home). It is quite refreshing to stop feasting my eyes upon a computer screen but instead to focus on God.

Renewed in Him,

Mary Kate

"'Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.'"
-Isaiah 40:28- 31

Easter weekend in Budapest

On Friday, the Ridgeway's took me to the Castle District in Budapest. There are many beautiful buildings and lovely views of the city from there. It was fun and I took some great pictures.

As I said last week, the Ridgeway family currently attends Calvary Church in Budapest, Hungary (their website is http://www.golgotabudapest.hu/). During worship Nola and Weston performed on stage -- they did a great job!

Soon after church we loaded up the van and headed over to Hollókő which is a village about two hours outside of Budapest. There is an Easter festival every year in Hollókő which includes Hungarian folk dancing, Hungarian food, and lots of Hungarian Easter eggs. Hollókő also has a beautiful castle and a little Catholic church. It was a great way to spend Easter.

St. Matthew's Church in the Castle District... 

A view of the Hungarian Parliament building from the Castle District...

Fishermen's Bastion (in the Castle District)...

At the festival in Hollókő...

The Hollókő Castle...

We all enjoyed the beautiful view from the Hollókő Castle...

The Catholic church in Hollókő...

The kids were still on spring break yesterday but went back to school today. I watched Landon this morning; we did puzzles, dug in the sand box, and he rode his bike around the neighborhood while I walked alongside. 

Happy Easter, everyone! He has risen!

Mary Kate

"While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, 'Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen,'"
-Luke 24:4-6a NASB

Margit Island

On Jacob's birthday, the Johnson family met us on Margit (Margaret) Island which is located on the Danube River. We enjoyed a picnic and then played, visited, and fed the ducks.

Madison and Nola put flowers in my hair...

Landon, Nola, and Madison watching the ducks...

 The kids also found a hedgehog in the Ridgeway's (empty) pool this week. They captured it for everyone to see and then set it free. In Hungary, a hedgehog sighting is supposed to mean good luck. Although some "good luck" would be nice, I think we are all continuing to ask the Lord for assistance.






The kids have been on Spring Break all week (they start back to school on Tuesday). Once the kids are back in school, I think I'll go to the library a little more to help out there. There are three rooms available for books and sitting/reading at the library. Only two are used right now, however, as the third room needs to be cleaned out. The Ridgeway's want to clean out the third room and turn it into an area where kids can read and play while their parents browse, read, and relax in the library. I think I'll be assisting with that project while I'm here. Other than the library, I will be at the house helping out with Landon. The Ridgeway's are a great family and I'm enjoying my time with them!

Mary Kate

Church in Hungary

The Ridgeway's go to Calvery Chapel Church in Budapest which is about 40 minutes from their house. The church meets in an old movie theatre. The sanctuary holds around 300 people and is full for all of the four services! The entire sermon was preached in English. After every sentence or two a translator would say the words in Hungarian.

I'll try to add pictures of church next week!

Mary Kate