Whirlwind

The Lord is slow to anger and great in power...His way is in the whirlwind and the clouds are the dust of His feet. -Nahum 1:3

Today I sit in a dark cool basement far far away from all the sights and places I have experienced this past year. In a couple weeks I will be setting off on an all new adventure to the shores of the USA where I will be attending College and "The Masters College" in Santa Clarita, California. As look back over my final month in Europe and the month I've now spent in the states I can think of no better word to describe it, but : Whirlwind.

My last post here was a short description of my time in Ireland. Some people might refer to that week as the calm before the storm. As many of you know the news I received my last day on that little green island in the Atlantic set my whole world spinning, and changed life as i knew it forever. 

We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You. - 2 Chronicles 20:12b

As I went through the motions of school, work, and life back in Hungary each day anxiously awaiting news of my mothers diagnosis, I was at once relieved that her sudden seizures were not caused by cancer or a tumor, only to find out a week later that it had been a miss-diagnosis, and in actuality she had a tumor the size of a golf ball on the left side of her brain.

For as long as I live I will never forget that night or the following day when I questioned everything. When it seemed that my life was closing in around me and there was nothing I could do about it but sit and watch my world crashing in, helpless to fix it or stop it. 

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face...then will I hear from heaven... 2 Chronicles 7:14

But then something amazing happened. I believe it's called the Body of Christ. My room mates, friends, classmates, staff leaders, people I'd never met a day in my life,  prayed. Hundreds of God people throughout all creation paused even if for one brief moment to lift the burden of another to heaven. I felt every one of those prayers, and I know I'm not the only one. Prayer is a powerful thing.

And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus-Philipians 4:19

 

As my family went through the process of deciding on the appropriate course of action. I went through the motions of the life I'd become so accustomed to in Hungary awaiting their decision and learning to trust in the Lord on a whole new level. I remember looking around, in the past, at other families and friends of mine who had parents and siblings experience things like cancer, and being somewhat in awe of their strength, and wondering how in the world they managed to go about their lives normally when it seemed everything was wrong. Well now I'm one of those people and I must say, I've discovered on a very personal level that the verse above (Phil. 4:19) applies to far more than just putting food on the table. For in the past months I've seen the Lord provide not only for all mine and my families financial needs, but even more outstandingly for my emotional and spiritual needs. God really will NEVER give you more than you can bear, and He will ALWAYS supply you with the courage, faith, trust and strength you need for each and every day, hour and minute. Not more than you need, but certainly never less. His methods may vary, but He will ALWAYS, ALWAYS care for his children. Did you see that? Read it again. I mean what I say. I can't count the ways He used my roommates and friends in those final weeks as began the process of leaving school early in order to arrive back in the USA in time for my mother surgery. But it didn't even end there They have continued even now to be the very hand and feet of Christ, along with many others, as my mom has undergone, surgery and treatment. I love them all so very much and can never thank them enough.

If we are faithless He will remain faithful for He cannot disown Himself. - 2 Timothy 2:13

The end of my little adventure was not how I expected it to be. I missed my graduation, and my European Excursions were cut short. But I came to the point where those things didn't matter so much. While those were my plans, they obviously weren't Gods. I had lots of plans for this summer, and so did God, but they weren't the same. Now sitting on the other side of this phase of the whirlwind I know I've grown in immeasurable ways through it all and must conclude God's plan is infinitely better. Who am I to question His methods? Of course I didn't always feel that way. I don't want to give the impression that my faith through out this whole thing was always what it should have been. I'm only human, but thank God for his grace and mercy. That he would chose to shape and mold a sinner like me is astounding.

I remember relating to my RA that my whole "Word of Life Hungary" experience had turned into something of a furnace. She smiled at me, and with a little laugh said, "Mishaela, sometimes it's good to be in the flames." I couldn't agree more, if God want to refine us as through fire, then so be it. 

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17

Despite all the chaos surrounding my last days I was able to make some incredible final memories, ones that I know I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Here are some pictures of those last few weeks, God truly did bless me, even during this time.

This was actually before Spring Break, but I couldn't finish this blog with out a little bit of my Lillian visit on here. Lillian came to visit me for about a week on her way back from Israel. It was so special to get to share my new temporary home with her!

I like to refer to this as my ultimate worlds collide picture - Brasil and Hungary =) Abi and I took the day off school one day to show Lillian around Budapest =)

(Me, Abi, Lillian)

~insert Spring Break Rome and Ireland trips here~

My last week in hungary the Word of Life Missions reality group from New York came. They spent time ministering in the public schools and many other things. one day we had a picture scavenger hunt...this task was to get the whole team on the tire swing =)

*I also want to insert a thank-you to this team here for all their prayers for my mom and family...many of them came up to me during the week , though i had never met them before, just to let me know that they had heard about my mom back in New York and were praying.

on my second last weekend in Hungary our whole dorm with the exception of Miri went into Budapest just to be able to spend time together before we all got separated. Yana and I sang at a christian coffee house in town and we all spent the next day just being together. 

(marie-Pier, Emi, Me, Yana, Steph, Marianne)

We had a little Picnic on Margit island on the Danube.

(Steph, marianne, Yana, Me, Marie-Pier, Emi)

I love her =)

(me, yana)

Yana playing her disciplinary mother role =P

(Yana, steph, marie-pier, Me, Marianne, Emi)

On my second to last day a group of us took a bike ride down to the next village to go to the sweet shop or Cukrázda.

(Jonathan, Marianne, Trisha, Me)

We had lots of cake and ice cream and laughs =)

(Trisha, Me, Marianne)

On the way back to Toalmas we stopped on the side of the road to run through a canola field.

(marianne, Me)

From the sweet shop I rode straight to a pizza party with all my fellow Brasilians that we had been planning for the whole semester and finally fit in to my very last weekend.

(Gabriel, karine, me, Luana, Roberto, and David is behind the camera )

My last day - in between classes we went and took pictures for old times sake =)

(yana, marianne, marie-pier, Me, Miri)

The next morning, Wednesday, May 12, 2010 I put my last few possessions in my suitcases, and said good-bye to the people who had been my family for the past year. My dorm presented me with a notebook that they had passed around the school for people to sign, and lots of other little gifts that tied into the many many memories we made together. As i sat in my airplane seat jetting across the Altlantic, reliving all my precious memories, and reading everyone's notes. One of them ended like this :

" Life is short [and hard at times] , but what a gift."

Interestingly that rings truer to me now that it did then, but the phrase stuck with me. My European Excursions can be described as nothing else. A good and perfect gift, from my loving Father of heavenly lights. 

The Lord has watched over my coming and my going, He watches over me both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:8 -   (revised & personalized) 

thanks for reading =)

The End

The luck 'o the Irish

Following our almost surreal trip to Rome our jolly 6 pack split up to explore new sights and destinations, it was a saturday morning when Johanna Lutter, Abi Mahon, and myself rolled out of bed and boarded the first available bus to the airport. We spent the morning in the air, and after a short layover in England we touched down in cold, rainy, yet stunningly beautiful Ireland.
The three of us followed the directions of a rather boisterous bus driver to our new Youth Hostel just a 15 min. walk from O'Connolly street in down town Dublin. Quiet and picturesque, our Hostel was located next to a park with a little duck pond and surrounded by a neighborhood of typical European town homes with brightly colored doors and big, round, brass door knobs.

We spent a total of 7 days in Ireland, mostly spent in Dublin with the exception of one day when we took the train to Houth, on the coast. While Ireland was nothing like Rome as far as Architecture, tourism, or just things to do in general it provided us with a much needed break. We were able to sleep in, relax, explore, and managed to fall in love with the country of the Irish.

Typical street on our daily trek to O'connoly street in Dublin.

We found lots off cool looking buildings on our walks...actually most of the cool looking ones were bars =/

This is the back side of Dublin castle....apparently they thought it need a little brightening up.

the Stables of Dublin castle

I believe this is St. Patricks cathedral.

Molly Malone statue :
"In Dublin's fair city, where girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone."
I definitely heard that song more than once walking about the streets of Dublin's fair city. =)

Houth.

the coast was absolutely stunning.

later we hiked to the top of the cliffs =)...like i said the view was stunning

Ironically enough we enjoyed lots of sunshine in Dublin. We decided God must really really love us to give such unexpected perfect weather everywhere we went.

Oh our way out to the Coast we stopped in a town who's name escapes me and meandered through a beautiful park to see this castle =)

Johanna got fish n chips =)

Our favorite dublin restaurant was very American...lol
Eddie Rockets was one of our favorite hang out spots =)

Ireland was fantastic, and I am so glad that week of memories to add to my little bag of European Excursions.

All roads lead to Rome

The Roma crew:
Daniel Robert Koontz, American, WOLBI intern. Laura Wilson, New Zealander, French MK, WOLBI 1st yr. student. Antoine Houle, French Canadian, WOLBI 1st yr. student. Johanna Lutter, German, former WOLBI intern, WOLBI 1st yr. student. Abi Mahon, Canadian, WOLBI 1st yr. student. Mishaela Parker (moi) Brazilian/American MK, WOLBI 1st yr. student.
Mission:
Walk till we drop. See Ancient Rome. Eat gelato...as much as possible. Eat pizza at least once. Find Kim Hagar. Have a picnic. Find cheap travel. Walk to the Mediteranian. Enjoy the sunshine.Find Luigi. Appreciate every moment.
Mission Report:
We Departed from Budapest, Hungary Monday evening March 29, 2010, and Arrived at nearly 10 pm in Roma, Italy. With a renewed burst of adrenaline and a fresh sense of adventure our team of 6 scouted out an appropriate floor space for our airport camp out. Setting up camp in a perfectly magnificent corner on the second floor, we dozed off one by one only to awaken one by one tired, achy, and cold and desperate for anything but a cold marble floor to stretch out on. At long last morning dawned, and not one person remained in our miserable little corner.
With waning energy but expectant spirits we once again set out in search of transportation to our youth hostel. Several hours, many salesmen characters, a couple hikes across the airport, and bus ride with a very helpful, friendly old man later we found our selves walking down an old dirt road to our cabins at the "Country Club Castel Fusano" in Ostia, just 1 euro away from Rome, and 45 min, walk from the Mediterranean. It took all of 2 minutes for us collapse into our oh so very soft warm beds only to awaken several hours later, shower, and set off on our first excursion to Rome.
The fascinating thing about Rome was that the entire time i was there there was never a moment when i walked down a street and couldn't find something impressive, historical, or just flat out beautiful surrounding me. We spent a total of 5 fantastic days in Rome seeing the sights, lounging on the shores of the Mediterranean and picnicking by the ancient monuments that date back to the time Paul and the Apostles walked those very same streets proclaiming the gospel for the very first times.
I thank God constantly as i remember that trip, how we would pray together every morning on the Metro before we did anything else,How he allowed us to live and experience Rome in a way that most never will. What a privilege that a group of friends could walk the footsteps of those who witnessed the life and resurrection of our very best friend and Savior, and that we, his children, could walk those footsteps each day remembering what a rare and precious gift it was to be there.
Photo Archives of the Journey:

our camp out in the Roman international airport...
(Dan, me, Laura, and Abi)

we had a picnic in a park out side the impressive monument designed by Michael Angelo pictured below.
(Me, Abi, Antoine, Laura, and Dan)

Like i said...very impressive monument.

The Spanish Steps...at the time we didn't even realize that these were the Spanish steps...sure glad i stopped to take pictures =)

The Circo Maximo...where Romes chariot races and such were held...like the place in Ben Hur...there's not very much left of the place.
(Antoine, Dan, Laura, Me, Abi, Johanna)

Chillin out above the Ancient Roman ruins watching all the lucky people who actually got to walk through them...see the coliseum in the distance?
(Me)

the girls of the trip...the Coliseum was phenomenal...incredible to think of all the early church saints that went through this place. We just have no idea...
(Laura, Johanna, Me, and Abi)

climbing around the old city...pretending to be statues =) good times
(Me, Dan, Antoine, and Abi)

This picture of Abi and I was taken on one of my favorite nights of the whole trip when we sat out side the Pantheon by the fountain of love, as i later learned, we had a picnic and listened to street performers...it was the type of night that you see in a movie, and I'll never forget it.

walking along the shore of the Mediterranean sea at the sea side town of Ostia, Italia.
(Laura, and Antoine)

The Trevi Fountain.we tried to have a picnic here too...however there was an italian guard with something of an attitude who informed us that the Trevi Fountain was a National monument, not a playground there is no food allowed any where near the fountain. oops =P

I met up with Kimmy in front of the Coliseum...amazing day and I'm soooo glad I got to see her! Talk about worlds colliding!

Wondering around rome Antoine took it upon himself to find someone named Luigi, he would randomly ask men on the street if their name was Luigi...until finally...he found someone who knew a Luigi...it was the closest we got =)
(Laura, Luigi's son, and Antoine)

We had looooots of gelato on the trip...but this was our best find...a whole kilo of gelato for 9 E!!!!!! jack pot!
(Me, Dan, Abi, gelato people, Laura, Johana...hiding..and Antoine)

The Vatican on Good Friday, I must say this place sort of gave me the chills on good friday...behind us is St. Peters, thats as far as we were allowed to go on Easter weekend.
(Dan, Me, Laura, Abi, Antoine, Johanna)

Official journey conclusion: Mission Accomplished, and the trip of a life time!!! I'll never forget it!

Days go by

So much has happened since Christmas break, and even during Christmas break that I never shared here. Don't worry I won't try to fit it all into one post. But i did feel that I should share a little update on this semester before I launch into my more recent adventures over spring break and departure from Europe.

-My idea of an English Holiday-

That title is sarcastic, I'll let you know right off the bat. Most of you have probably already heard this story, but for those of you who haven't I will attempt to summarize the last leg in my Christmas break journey. Flying out of Spain I was all too aware of the awful snow storms raging all around London area, however when my plane took off as scheduled my worried evaporated and my thoughts were consumed with my Christmas break required reading and thoughts of how I would get from point A (London Gatwick Airport) to point B (the Morton's house where I was planning on staying) once we landed. So needless to say I was just short of speechless when after circling Gatwick for a good hour the pilot announced our plane had been diverted to Bournemouth- the southern coast of England, and even more shocked to hear after sitting on a runway for a couple hours that the airline would do nothing to get us to London or provide longing for the night. So as an 18 year old girl, alone standing outside what I'm convinced is one of the world's smallest airports, with but 10 or so Euros in my pocket, I was pretty scared to find out that the roads and rail lines to London were all shut down. So climbing into a cab with two complete strangers from one of the other 6 flights that were sent to Bournemouth I was able to pull out some money and ended up sharing a travel lodge room with my cab buddies. after a few hours of sleep I headed out the next morning and after a few debit card complications managed pay the ridiculously high train fare to London. Finally feeling like I was back on my feet again I settled in for a relaxing ride up to London with a missionary I met on the way from South Korea. Getting off the train and making my next connection should have been a simple task, and it would have been - had I not forgotten my backpack on the train in my hurry. So making a mad dash back across the Waterloo station on central London I arrived back at my platform just minutes after the train left carrying my backpack and all it's precious cargo away with it. In near tears I explained to the security officer my situation, how my back pack contained not only my most of my schoolbooks, but also my laptop, my Brazilian passport, and a whole bunch of tickets and official papers for insurance and such. The man just looked at my incredulously - unbelieving that I could forget such a thing (obviously i could believe it either!). What followed was one of the most ridiculous days of my life. my definition of ridiculous? Well to me ridiculous could mean a lot of things. Annoying, Difficult, challenging, incredible, awesome, memorable...well this day was ll of those. The security officer stationed me at a cafe, bought me coffee and lunch retuning to me every hour and a half or so to update me on my missing backpack.

I sat in that cafe for around 7 hours, missed all possible transportation to the family I planned to stay with, struggled to give up my will and control over the impossible situations I found myself in, saw how God kept me sane by giving me little things like free hot chocolate, and saw Him reveal himself, his protection, and work as I've never seen him do in my life before. It was a long 7 hours, but God certainly provided for me and in the end my backpack was returned to me with only one or two postcards missing from the front pocket. There is so much more I could share here, but I haven't the time. This adventure literally changed my life when i think about it. It taught me to trust the Lord on a more practical level than I'd ever experienced before, and I know it's something i will not quickly forget!

~~My 13th country in a year: POLAND!~~

Every year sing team has on weekend ministry trip this year we spent a weekend in February in Poland a WOL winter camps there here is the letter I sent out to my supporters for the trip with all that happend - once again God proved Himself marvelous beyond my imagination!
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Dear Friends and Family,

             I hope this little update finds you well! I just wanted to thank you all so much for supporting me and the sing team on our missions trip to Poland! God was able to do some awesome things during our long weekend there. I know it is a trip I will never forget.

 (above right: view from the hotel window)

            Sing Team and a few select others set out on our seven hour journey to Poland early Friday morning, winding our way through the mountains of Slovakia and up into the snowy slopes of Zakopane, Poland. We made it there around 3 o’clock without mishap. Thank the Lord, we had heard the horror stories from previous trips! We were soon ushered up to our rooms in a beautiful chalet style hotel that Word of Life Poland had    

rented for the winter conference and camps to follow. Although the weather was somewhat dreary during our stay the scenery that surrounded us looked like something out of a picture book. (below: Fanni, Yana, and I at winter camp)

Our first ministry opportunity was that Friday night where we were able to perform a few songs, translated into polish and then enjoy WOL Poland director Tim Good’s thoughts on the weekend theme: prayer. The next two days of the retreat were something of a blur. Because of the many blizzards across the USA recently the conference speaker was unable to make it until Sunday- the last day. Through out Saturday and Sunday Sing team and all the other staff and students that made the trip with us were stretched to our limits, filling in the empty spaces left by an absentee speaker. We crammed in a few quick practices and threw in a few new songs, solos, and sermons. By God’s grace lives were touched, even under such last minute circumstances. I got the chance to sing part of one of our Hungarian songs in English, our sing team leader Gabor, got to lead a few meetings, and our staff joined with Poland’s to put together several beautiful special numbers. It was great to see how all the details worked out, despite our worries.

            Sunday morning we were all very happy to listen to the intended conference speaker share the thoughts he originally had five hours to share. Of course because of all his traveling issues he only had two hours to communicate what God had placed on his heart. Nevertheless, despite the time crunch, I don’t think there was a person there who was not touched by what he had to say. Also on Sunday Sing team preformed a skit. Some may be familiar with the Lifehouse skit: everything. It is a very moving pantomime about a girl who begins her life in wonder at her creator and the world he created, but then a charming young man comes along and steals her heart. What follows is one thing after another: money, drunkenness, eating disorders, and finally physical abuse and suicide until the young girl realizes what she gave up in the beginning and throws herself toward her Savior, warring against the sins of her past until Jesus steps in and sets her free. If you’d like to see one version of this skit here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_M33GcJAmU Thank the Lord for using our feeble attempts to express his grace to touch other peoples hearts. Some were moved to tears. Many people were challenged to take there lives with the Lord to the next step, and some even to place their lives in His hands. Praise the Lord!

            Of course we also managed to fit in time for fun, including skiing and snowboarding for some, shopping in town, and lots of fellowship. We also got the chance to visit Auschwitz and Birkenau the holocaust concentration camps. Walking through old gas chambers, prisons, and execution sites paints life in a completely different way. It is amazing the cruelty that we are capable of, and I am left even more in awe of a Savior that would die for the likes of us.              (right: the famous gate at Birkenau, Auswitz 2)

            Over all the Poland trip was a time of growth, ministering to others, fun and fellowship with believers from all across the globe. And I just want to thank all of you for investing your time money and prayers in making this possible! The Lord is SO good!                                       

 God bless,

Mishaela

The rain in Spain

I know I said that I doubted that anything could top Germany, but after my adventure on the way to Spain I wasn't looking for anything other than relaxation, and a much needed break from the stress of school and travel, that was exactly what Spain gave me. Before going to Spain, I never would have considered it one of my top locations, however after spending two weeks there I couldn't help but fall in love with the beautiful spanish country side,and the family I stayed with. There was in fact much rain in Spain during my stay there (which I'm told is very rare) but i didn't mind it much most days I stayed dry and warm sipping "fireside coffee" by the fire, and reading my systematic theology book (oh joy!). There were many hours spent with Mrs. Humes and Adrianna watching Larkrise, knitting, talking and knitting some more.
I spent both Christmas and New Years in Spain and absolutely loved it. The Humes family sort of adopted me for the time I was there, and I can't thank them enough for allowing me to be part of their family during the time I was there. Between Christmas and New Years I joined them on a little family vacation to the magnificent Sierra Nevada Mountains in the south of Spain. The scenery was breath taking, it was a trip i will never forget. I spent a lot of time walking, talking with Mrs. Humes and Adrianna, and just thinking. The Lord really knew what i needed over this vacation, and he didn't hesitate a moment giving it to me. Thank-you!

 This is the town I stayed in where the Humes live, just outside of Madrid. This particular picture was taken from the Iternational school that they work at. For those of you from Brasil, it is a ACSI school similar to AVA only bigger, and in many ways more similar to your typical US school.
This is Adrianna and I  on the way down to the Sierra Nevadas. the view from the road was incredible. I was supposed to be reading homework during this four hour journey, I didn't get very far- most of my time was spent staring out the window. I cannot help but marvel at God's creation. His workmanship is so evident in this little corner of the world...you'll see what I'm talking about the more pictures you see =)


sitting on the terrace of the house we stayed in in the quaint village of La Calahorra, which is surrounded by majestic mountains and the home of a 16th century castle (as you can see) the town looked like something out of a movie...I absolutely loved it!

One day we were supposed to go skiing but due to the cloud covering the mountain top and the 100 mph winds the slope were closed, but we had a good time hanging out at the top of the world at a little theme park type thing they had there and taking lots of crazy pictures!

Eventually the skies did clear somewhat but by that time we were ready to head back down to normal altitudes but it was pretty cool to be up above the clouds. Now I don't know what it feels like at the top of Mt. Everest but I imagine if it's anything like that felt, it must be astounding!

 

This was the ski town at the top of the mountain

You are resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains -Psalms

Back in La Calahora Mrs. Humes, Adrianna hiked up the hill to the castle gazing at all the breath taking scenery and talking. It was so good. I have to stop here and say something about these ladies. God has used them in awesome ways in my life, and the funny thing is i don't think they know it. the challenged me in my thinking, reminded me of the power of prayer, and the spiritual battle surrounding us everyday, that only intensifies when we drop our guard, get proud, and consequently render ourselves weak. It seems there is a particular attack on those of us who a just going off on our own, still unsure and often times facing our own questions and doubts and struggles for the first time- alone. Being reminded of that battle and being fully aware of the potential outcomes gave me my fire back in a way, made me want to fight it, and made me want to win. For those us here now at WOLBI Hungary I highly doubt that any of us could look back over the school year so far and not acknowledge that we are often times at war here. The good thing for those of us who hold tight to our savior-is we know that our battle has already been won. =) And in the process of that battle God has the habit of sharpening us for his use, or as mrs. Humes put it -wetting our clay pots down so that he can reshape and re mold them into what he wants us to be for his Honor and Glory. Of course no one likes to be squeezed and punched and all the tears in the process, but always keep in mind something beyond me is happening here- it's hard for a reason and the ending is going to be a miracle of God's design.

We even made it to the Mediterranean sea!!!

NEW YEARS!!!!!! HAPPY 2010

New years was an interesting celebration. we were together with several other missionary families. One of the traditions there is eating one grape at the strike of 12 on new years eve. then if you choke on any of the grapes you will have "bad luck" on the corresponding month of the new year. Lucky for me I don't really believe in luck, but it was fun to look around at everyone attempting to fit 12 grapes in the mouth at once =)