Old Updates: The One Where Amanda Shared Her Favorite Things

Summer 2020

When Daniel suggested changing up our update letter for these two months and instead sharing a few of our favorite things I wasn’t quite sure how I felt. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what I was going to share. Is anyone else like that? Perhaps a bit more negative and not readily able to share what you are thankful for? It’s something the Holy Spirit has been working on in me.
But as I sat down to really think and began to write, God really showed just how good he has been to us and specifically to me over the past few months. I think Daniel did a great job of sharing his and our love for some of the local businesses (we LOVE supporting local, and live so close to so many great businesses and people!) so I am going to share some slightly more “odd” favorites. 
 
Time outside

This summer I have discovered how much I love spending time outside, which seems funny to me because growing up in Indiana I had so much access to land to roam but never made the most of it. But I think missing that ability here in the city has pushed me to explore my surroundings more. It’s also a bit ironic that I decided to dive into the “great outdoors” in a land where air-conditioning is not the norm. I’m learning to be ok with being hot! It has been so wonderful to use our Saturday Sabbath to sunbathe in what I call our “backyard” (really it’s a public park on the backside of Gellért Hill, about half a mile from our flat). I have also 

enjoyed getting to practice some of my  non-vocational skills, like photography. Stopping to take photos on walks has made me enjoy my surroundings even more. 






Light
This is a strange one, but I really enjoy the light in our flat. Especially since spending more time here due to COVID, I have been so thankful to have a beautiful, comfortable place to call home.

Crocheting and Knitting
I love being comfortable and cozy, but I love it even more when I can be doing something semi-productive and crafting is a wonderful outlet for me. I have been knitting since high school and I recently taught myself how to crochet, so I have been enjoying spending my evenings and weekends unwinding by creating things out of yarn. It’s a way for me to “actively rest” as well as love others by providing them with handmade gifts AND it has pushed me outside of my comfort zone to practice my Hungarian and get to know the kind ladies that work at the yarn store near our flat.

 
Banding Together Binder 
The women on our team have been meeting together using the Banding Together curriculum and I recently ran out of room in my first notebook, so Daniel got me this beautiful binder from a local shop that I can continue to add to. It may sound funny, but it makes my time spent with God just a little bit sweeter because of my little human brain that enjoys pretty things. And it was a sweet gift from my husband. :)

 

The Message, Bible Translation
Maybe it is because of my snobbery in studying literature at University, but my brain tends to equate importance and wisdom with a very specific type of language (usually the kind with complicated syntax that is just generally confusing). For that reason I have spent far too long “looking down” on The Message and refusing to really read it. But in the past few months I have absolutely loved referencing The Message during my Bible Study time. I often read first in my ESV translation, and then re-read The Message and it has given me a whole new way of understanding and internalizing scripture.

 
Coffeehouse Five Podcast
Ok, this might seem a little strange and possibly self-serving, but I have been incredibly thankful to be able to listen to the sermons from my home church (and my dad) online. I love my dad, but I’m also thankful for his teaching, and the wonder of the internet has allowed me to continue to learn from him, even across the world. 

 



Golgota
Getting plugged in at church here has been a larger 

task than I think I anticipated, but I am so thankful for our church here, Golgota. After months of feeling a little lost and alone, Daniel and I both took the leap to get involved and serve at our church and through that we have gotten to know the people at our church better and are happy to be developing a community here. I was also able to go to our church’s annual summer retreat and spend the week outdoors camping, practicing my Hungarian with the primarilyHungarian congregation (thankfully the sermons were translated!), worshipping, and making new friends. 
 

These are just a few of my current favorite things! 
Next month we will be back to a more “normal” update letter. Things have been busy around here as we are back in Hungarian classes, Daniel is heading up Discipleship and I am finishing up details and statistics on the business plan.
We are also in the beginning stages of planning our first trip back to the States to raise the rest of our support and visit with friends and family, so we will be updating you all with those details soon!
 
I want to leave you with a verse I keep going back to these days in hopes that it is as encouraging to you as it is to me (in The Message translation, of course):

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. 
Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me— watch how I do it. 
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. 
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Matthew 11:28-30