A Terry Family Christmas

Family Christmas 2007

For some reason, my family took multiple pictures this year during Christmas. Perhaps it was because we're not all together that often. Perhaps it was because Katy was determined to get the 'perfect' family picture. Or, perhaps it was just because we actually enjoyed being together. The truth of the matter is- I had a really good time with my family this Christmas.

It's not that I've not enjoyed my family in the past, but this year was special. I'd been away from home with little communication for quite some time. Plus, my little brother and sisters aren't so little anymore- it makes being around them much more bearable. I think I laughed more and just had pure fun this Christmas season- for that- I am very thankful.

News Flash: It's December

Matt in Vienna

SO much has happened since Nov 1st. Let me attempt to summarize:

1.) School- it's progressing. I think I'm moving at a slower rate than last year! How will I ever get everything done? This whole timing thing is ridiculous. I should be handed a yearly schedule that plans every month for me that lets me know exactly how much time should be spent on every topic and subject...why don't I have one of those? Are you telling me I have to create that myself?

2.) Matt came to visit. The pictures here are from his visit. We had 8 days together. We were even able to visit Vienna, Austria. Since this was Matt's first visit to Europe, I had to make sure he saw at least one other country. I was just there the previous month, but I thoroughly enjoyed my second visit. We had a teacher from Vienna Christian School escort us around the city. She did a wonderful job showing us the things that a resident would know and understand. I really enjoyed her perspective of the city.

3.)Thanksgiving: I spent time with Matt, and we cooked our own T-day meal. Turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and biscuits provided us with a genuine Thanksgiving meal. I was very thankful to spend the day with Matt- we had a really good time.

4.) We have 3 more days of instruction before exam review and exams. I am unable to consider the idea that this semester is over. I am also unable to comprehend the fact that I’ll be in the states in 11 days. Truly bizarre.

I’m announcing my arrival to Tallahassee on the 20th. I’ll be there only until the 26th when I’ve the opportunity to go skiing with Matt. Then, I’ll be leaving the country again on the 1st to arrive back in Hungary for my ReachGlobal conference.

I hope to see many of you on my brief landing in the states. But, if by chance our paths do not cross, I wish you a very Merry Christmas. I hope this season brings you joy as you celebrate the birth of the man who was God providing us with eternal life. I hope this Christmas season offers you many opportunities to offer back to God that which he has so generously given us: Life.

Main attaction: Starbucks...But I walked away with so much more

Vienna- October

Hungary celebrates their freedom and the victory of the 1956 Revolution in late October. The country takes two days to celebrate, and ICSB provides the students both American and Hungarian time to celebrate with these days off of school.

Mary Orr and I decided to rest for a couple days and then take an overnight trip to Vienna. The two hour drive is simple and direct, and Vienna is a beautiful city well worth the visit. In fact, after having been there- I'm dying to return.

Mary and I walked A LOT. The city is accessible by foot but not small. We saw St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Opera house (but no opera), the parliament building, St. Mark's church, 5 Starbucks, 4 H&M's, and many more beautiful buildings. We even took a short side-trip to view the Danube as it runs through Vienna. While Vienna is quite wonderful, Budapest can brag of it's beauty related to the Danube River.

We also visited the Hofburg palace, the Music House, and an authentic Austrian resturant. All in all, our 24 hours in the city were well worth the trip. I learned that there is so little that I know about the architechture, history, and culture of Europe. The greatest part is that I can visit and observe and never really understand it all. It's such a mystery, such an adventure, and such a great way to spend a long weekend.

Memorizing Micah

HS Retreat

I love working at ICSB for many reasons, but one huge reason is the emphasis the school puts on the students' spiritual growth. Of course, not all our students are believers; however, this does not stop the leadership from providing an environment where spiritual growth is possible and strongly encouraged.

One way ICSB fosters a spiritual environment is through the annual High School Retreat. A speaker is invited to challenge the students- this year the theme was Micah 6:8. The back of our shirts say "Walk On." The goal was to encourage the students to evaluate their relationships with others (do justice), with themselves (love kindness), and with God (walk humbly with your God).

The 3 day retreat was an excellent time for me to relax with the students. I didn't have any responsibilities beyond counting heads at meetings and praying for the students as they debriefed in small groups. While I found it difficult to balance my own spiritual introspection with my desire to pray for and challenge the students, it was the first time I really understood what it meant to be a teacher and a spiritual leader for my students. I've been bombarded with Biblical integration at school, but I haven't been able to step back from the classroom to see my students simply as spiritual beings. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to watch them worship and spur one another on toward more meaningful relationships.

Even though the focus of the retreat was God and his glory, opportunities for fun were all around. The cold lake beckoned about a third of the student population after a 'boat' race. Soccer and volleyball filled free time. Freshman initiation woke 22 kids up at 1 am for face painting and boot camp. A bonfire allowed students to recognize meaningful relationships. One afternoon a head shaving rampage occurred as about 10 students and teachers decided to buzz their heads. About half of them look better for it.

God is working in students' lives at ICSB whether or not they are aware of it. My prayer is that I would be following his hand, pursuing his glory and keeping myself open to be used as a vessel however he wills.

Beginning New...Writing on your feet

ICSB Sept 2007

The 2007-2008 school year has been quite different than the previous, yet it's been exciting and so much fun.

The highlights of the first month and a half:

-New 9th grade class--they're funny, they're interactive, and they're really sweet.

-I'm assistant coaching the middle school soccer team. Head coach- Austin Branson. I'm having a great time. I even got to go to Vienna last week. We're not the most skilled team, but they try hard. Their size (extra short) keeps them from being able to run alongside bigger, faster teams. We've only had one goal scored, and sadly it was scored by the other team- for us. Oh well- we're improving and having a good time.

-I'm tutoring a girl named Lulu (well- that's her English name) after- school 3 days a week. It's a side-job for me because she doesn't go to ICSB, but she desires to go to university in America. I'm trying to help her with SAT practice. This is also a huge prayer request because I'm not completely sure what I'm doing...but I'm doing it- and I'm having fun.

-New roommates: We're having so much fun living together! It's busy with 4 people in the house, but cooking together and watching movies together is great.

-Drama Class: I have no idea what I'm doing- but I'm doing it. I love plays, and I have an incredible appreciation for theater even if I've never personally performed on stage. The class has 21 people in it (I was expecting 8) and ranges from 9-12th grade. We're learning the history of theater right now, but we're moving toward monologues, duos and eventually a stage performance.

-The new year scared me because I loved my classes so much last year. God has blessed me once again with awesome students. The students I was worried about not connecting with have become a joy to teach. The classes I worried about have become my favorite.

I love my job. I'm tired, and my weekends are full of school preparation; but I love what I do. I am blessed to be in such an encouraging and supportive environment. I couldn't ask for a better place to teach and better people to work with. What an immense gift to be in a place I love with people that inspire me all the time.

Arrival....Back to Budapest

That's right...I'm back in Hungary. I arrived in the country at about 11:00 am local time. For all you state-side in EST that's about 5 am your time. Thus, my travel time was approximately 13 hours. Not bad. It went by pretty quickly. I slept a little on the plane. I got here, had lunch at the school, was welcomed back warmly, and started the routine of re-entering my home and culture. It's been busy. I've already unpacked and gone to the grocery store. I've hooked the internet back up. And, I've slept in my bed again. Sleeping wasn't hard, waking up was.

Of course it's good to be back here with all the familiar people and places I love. There are a few things I miss about being home:
1. Starbucks
2. My mom's homecooked meals- I was spoiled over the summer ;)
3. My boyfriend (he should probably be higher on the list)
4. My car- but driving manual is kind of like riding a bike - it wasn't hard to get back into it
5. Laziness

As I anticipate school starting, I'll keep you updated on how all the planning goes and what needs prayer. Right now- I'd love to just cover my students with prayer. There will be a few classes of students I've never taught before, I'm really excited about this but also a little nervous. So please, pray for my unconditional love for them and their readiness and willingness to learn!

Minneapolis, MN

That's right- I'm in Minneapolis. It's my first time here. I can now check another state off the list of 50. I've still been to more states than countries...we'll see after this year.

I've been through a day of training here at the EFCA and ReachGlobal headquarters. So far so good. I've taken in a lot of information. Some of it has been very helpful and some I might never think of again.

The highlight of today: I updated my support schedule and we were able to decrease my projected budget considerably. I was initially supposed to raise around $31,000. I'm now working on about $22,000. As of right now, I believe I have about %50 of that promised or pledged. So, I'm still working, but at least my end goal isn't so high. Let me assure you that I don't actually need $31,000 to live in Hungary for the next 10 months. That was a budget with a lot of excess. We've worked my salary back to what it was this past year, and I'm happy with that.

Continued prayer:
support raising!!!
Preparing to return- I think that's going to happen about August 9th
Mentally preparing to start a new school year.

I cannot say thank you enough- but thank you for all your prayers and support!!!


If you'd like to participate financially in educating students in Hungary- send checks payable to ReachGlobal to

Reach Global
901 E. 78th Street
Minneapolis, MN 55420

in the memo line- 1452 (that's my donor number)