A Light From Heaven

I usually don't get nervous when I meet "people of importance" - and I have met a few before. Actually, I don't think I've ever been nervous before an introduction. But, suddenly, as I stood in the "meet and greet" line for Jan Karon, I was. There were a hundred questions that I wanted to ask her - about her writing, her books, her faith. None of them came to mind as the line drew closer and closer to where she stood. I had the awful realization that I was going to shake her hand, stare at her, and awkwardly stumble away. And there was nothing I could do about it - I was frozen. Before I continue this tale, let me just explain why this meeting was such a big deal for me. Simply put, Ms. Karon is an authorial inspiration for me and the reason is threefold: she is a gifted writer, she has a sincere relationship with the Lord, and she has been successfully published in a secular market. Yep, that's what I want to be. Lofty, I know, but I can't shake the conviction that it is so important for Christians to be involved in the "arts", and that it shouldn't be in our own "Christian culture", but in the culture of the world! Someone once said that since we (as Christians) have an intimate relationship with THE Creator, we should be the most creative people around. But not to keep our creations for ourselves, but to share with everyone. At the event last night, Ms. Karon spoke of themes that she felt were woven throughout her Mitford series - unconditional love, grace, forgiveness. But she shared that the one that stood out to her the most was that of redemption. These books can be picked up at any bookstore by any person, and the story he or she reads is one of redemption - through a personal relationship with our Lord, I might add. I believe that is being salt and light. However, to finish my story... when my turn came to stand in front of Ms. Karon, I smiled (and blushed, because I still didn't know what to say). She warmly pressed my hand, took Bill's hand in her other, and said, "What a beautiful young couple; so sweet". Her assistant bent towards her, "This is the lady that asked the question about publishing a book with Christianity in it in a secular market". Ms. Karon smiled and squeezed my hand tighter. "Are you a writer, or do you want to be?" I melted and my tongue was loosed. Yes I do want to be, I said, but I just don't know what, how... my usual thing. She spoke to me some about that, and then ended by saying, "You will know when you have 'your story'. Pray about it and just wait. Pray about it". Pretty good writing advice from a New York Times bestseller.

Oh yes, and did I mention? When I came back to have my picture taken with her, she put her arm around me and said, "Take a good picture; she is going to be a famous author some day".

Ms. Karon wanted Bill in this picture too!

A New York Times Bestseller...and a wannabe.

Hungary Trip - July 2005

Ok, so I FINALLY posted pics of our trip to Hungary this summer. We spent nine wonderful days in Toalmas, a small town outside of Budapest, teaching English to campers at Word of Life. This was for us both, our first taste of Europe, and we fell in love with the people, the architecture, the land, and the culture in general. Thanks to all who kept us in your prayers - and please continue to lift up the students that we had!

The Chain Bridge at night - hanging over the Danube River like a guardian of its waters.

Parliament at dusk in Budapest- ethereal in the evening.

The steeple of Matthias Church. It was amazing inside too - it made me want to whisper.

Inside the market in Budapest. You could buy anything here - pastries, meats, veggies, as well as clothing and souveniers.

A Hungarian Pug - can you believe it?!? We found this fat little fellow not far from camp.

Our English students from camp.