Debrecen, Hungary

Last year at this time this is what Eli and I were doing. We went to Debrecen and helped a family finish a room in their house where they were going to house people and kids for the ministry they were doing there. I even got involved in hanging the ceiling, when they got to where I could reach. Russ and Trudy are amazing people! We had a lot of fun being able to be in their hose and fellowship with them and also help them with ministry needs. Trudy does some Gypsy ministry in Romania and I think that's what I would love to do if and when I go back. The picture below is the team that went to Russ and Trudy's home. Russ and Trudy are the couple in the middle back.

Reflection

This time last year I found my self in a country where no one understood me except the few people I went there with. I was so scared going there and now looking back and missing the way things are there, I think I could live there. Not in Budapest but in the villages. This picture was taken with the smaller children at the Orphanage that we went and visited with. We had so much fun playing with them. They could not understand us and we could not understand them but we connected. They needed love and we gave it. I was scared at first thinking how do I connect with someone who i cannot communicate with. But it happened and it was wonderful. Take a look at the little guy on the right, is that little Eli or what? I wanted to bring him home so bad. He has been adopted.
Looking back on this trip I am amazed at the things that have come from it but the one thing I am thankful for the most is the friendship that grew between Jen and I. We were friends before but I think on this trip we came closer together and I learned that I could trust her cause she trusted me. I Love You Jen! Thanks for being my friend!

L-O-V-E

You know that feeling where everything feels right
Where you don't have to worry about tomorrow or yesterday
Where you feel safe and know your doin the best you can
There's a word for that feeling it's called LOVE

L-O-V-E

Become

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?

We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously

give other people permission to do the same.

an excerpt from
A Return to Love
Marianne Williamson

Deep down inside we are all Princesses

This blog has quite a hidden story. But look what fun we had yesterday when we were stranded at the house.

WINTER GO AWAY!

Okay don't get me wrong I love winter, I love snow. But these cold temps are not fun! I love the sound of snow falling, Peaceful! I love the sound of snow under your feet as you walk along. I love how beautiful the trees are when the snow falls on thier branches and lays there covering them in a white blanket. I am so glad that Ellie and I were able to play in the snow atleast once. And Ellie had the opportunity to go ice skating this year for the first time, she loved it. I think that having an infant has made me want spring to come much sooner than it is going to.

We didn't get to go to the concert last night, due to the weather. It was very yucky yesterday. I took Eli to work and then tried to make it to work myself. I made my approach to Kern Lane and floored it and well lets just say that I didn't even make it half way up the Lane, so no work for me. So i went to Marty and Jens and waited till Eli got off work. Eli got off at 1 and we headed home. We had a nice day and evening together.

This morning we got packed up, got the ice off the car and got ready to leave. The car would not budge! We are stuck at home and cannot get the car to move. My guess is unless we do something soon to get it out we will be stuck tomorrow too. Oh well, it's nice to be stranded at home. Oh wait real world, we both have to work tomorrow and have 5 different activities planned for the night. We shall see what tomorrow holds.

Snow Anxiety

This morning I was informed that Snow/Ice was on the way. I had no clue, where have I been? So I am a little anxious about this. We are supposed to go on a busy trip tomorrow to a Chris Tomlin concert in Columbus. I am anticipating, will it snow, sleet rain, what will happen? We will see tomorrow.

My friend Lauren and I had a great conversation tonight. I am glad that I have friends to talk with.

Well kids are tired, okay mom is tired they are passed out, one on me and one on Eli. So I should go put them and me to bed.

Mike Deiner is going down!

Today was a busy end to a very busy weekend. Worship this morning was awesome! I was able to sit and type Steve's agape letter while Marty was playing. Worship was over and it was time for plugs. Thats when it happened, I hear my name being called from the front, Jenn Ruggles come on up. Let me tell you there was no warning before church that I was going to be called up, just come on up! I don't like to get up infront of the church. I immediatly started sweating and when I sat down I began to shake. So any suggestions on how to get Mike Deiner back, other than forking his yard, Just kidding!

We went to the Emmaus closing this evening. It seems like all the men had a good time. Paul Goshorn was the Spiritual Director for the weekend. He was leading us in communion at the end of the closing and it dawned on me that it was the last time that Paul will probably do that in our Community, How sad! Paul and Lisa have been so important to the Emmaus and Chrysalis, they will be greatly missed. They are such wonderful people, No one can fill their shoes, they are very special. I Love you Paul and Lisa and will miss you when you leave.

Well the Little Man screams so I must go take car of his needs.

Goodnight!

Emmaus

I spent the day at Trinity in Chillicothe at the Emmaus walk. It is so nice to be in the company of people who for the most part don't really care what you look like, how old you are, or any of the other things society uses to lable each of us. We are all there for one purpose to show others the love of Christ by serving them. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our day to day life that we forget how much we are loved and that we need to show others that love. Some people don't encounter somone loving them for no reason until they go on their Emmaus Walk. Wow if we all could grow up being loved by people for no reason. Think about the people in your church, office, school, neighborhood, or city. Wonder if they have ever been loved without reason. We all love people and certain people we have reasons why we love them, mom, dad, brother/sister, ect... What if growing up there was just one person in a teenagers life that loved them no matter what for no reason at all. Just because Christ first loved them. I hope that I can love people more unconditionally. It is so hard because society has engrained in us to put labels on everyone and we have reasons for being friends, enemies, for loving and disliking people. Hopefully I can get past the labels that we ,I, am so quickly to put on people when I first meet them or see them. Emmaus is not just for the pilgrims! I think that the team and the people serving also get something out of the Emmaus weekend everytime it rolls around.

Finding Me!

Lord I'm tired
So tired from walking
And Lord I'm so alone
And Lord the dark
Is creeping in
Creeping up
To swallow me
I think I'll stop
Rest here a while

And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give
And this is all that I can say right now
And this is all that I can give, thats my everything

And didn't You see me cry'n?
And didn't You hear me call Your name?
Wasn't it You I gave my heart to?
I wish You'd remember
Where you sat it down

And this is all that I can say right now, i know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.
This is all that I can say right now [right now], i know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.

I didn't notice You were standing here
I didn't know that
That was You holding me
I didn't notice You were cry'n too
I didn't know that
That was You washing my feet

And this is all that I can say right now, oh i know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.
This is all that I can say right now [right now], i know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.
And this is all that I can say right now, oh i know its not much.
But this is all that I can give, yeah thats my everything.

yeah thats my everything

everything........

David Crowder Band "All I Can Say"