January 2017

Lianna singing in ICSB student Christmas concert

 

Over Christmas break we have lots of Alumni come back to visit their families, friend, and teachers. It is always a treat when they come to our international church and lead worship.  This picture depicts 2 families and some of their kiddos. They are all alumni except one is a senior in high school this year. 

The day after Bjorn left for the states to attend a seminary course on Spirituality and the Family at Moody Theological Seminary, we had friends come to visit for the week. We had a lovely time hanging out, playing games and touring the city together.

On December 31st, we headed downtown to see the Christmas market before it came down for the year. We had a great time.

We enjoyed spiced apple and plum juice. It was so yummy!!

Our friends' dad studied at the same Hungarian university that I did back in 2000.  Although at the time we didn't know each other, and we studied here a few years apart. Crazy to think about...the Lord knew that I would need a test run living in Hungary. He was so gracious to give me that gift. I had no idea that I would EVER move back to Hungary! 

You'll notice that Josiah is in a stroller here in the picture.  While our friends were here, he sprained his knee and couldn't walk the majority of the time they were here. Sadly, they did it the second day they were here, but thankfully, Lindsay, my friend was here to help me with managing extra doctor appointments and carrying him around the house for the week while Bjorn was gone. 

While at NextStep training, a friend of mine introduced me to Bible journaling. This sketching scripture book was written by her and a friend. Alyssa and I had fun practicing some alphabet letters and each other's name. 

Yesterday we received some sad news that our dear Great Grandma Dorothy Olsen died.  While we rejoice that she is in heaven and that we will get to see her again, it is always sweet sorrow to have to say, "Goodbye." While we have missed the funerals of many beloved relatives and friends for the past 12 years, Bjorn will fly back to the states on Sunday to be with family and celebrate the life of his dear grandma.  He is thankful to be a part of her funeral service. 

This is my verse that I am claiming for the year of 2017. There is such comfort knowing and resting in this TRUTH when chaos always seems to be around the corner.

A little 2016 Fall

Alyssa had fun celebrating her birthday at school

We had so much fun with Grandma and Grandpa Olsen in town in November!

Josiah napping with Grandpa

Met some amazing sisters in Christ at NextStep

On my way to NC, I had a quick lay over in ORD, got to see my parents and drop by Wrigley for a quick picture 

Cute little cub fans

Kids excited about postcards from friends

Selah has found a new favorite spot to sit and take a break

Lianna's 4th grade class came to buddy read to Alyssa's 1st grade class

Attended Linda Dillow conference in Budapest where one of my previous ICSB students was a main translator for the conference 

Being Silly

We found a shop that sells used special needs bikes...Lianna was thrilled! 

The Parliament downtown Budapest at night

July 2016

Presenting at The Moody Church

 Celebrating the 4th of July

 Bjorn with his professor Dr. Bill Thrasher

 Josiah on his first Metra ride downtown Chicago to go see his allergy specialist

 Alyssa busy at "work"

 Being goofy at the dentist's office in their waiting room with their props to keep you distracted ;)

 Making new friends

Celebrating a big birthday :)

ICSB Tourney 2016 Video

ICSB Basketball Tourney Video

Elementary Chapel

Sweet Selah Faith

Many have asked how did we decide on the name Selah. The word Selah is found in the book of Psalms and Habakkuk in the Bible.  Most scholars understand the word to mean to "pause and reflect,"and/or "praise and lift up." It is also understood to be serve as a pause or break in music. This may have been when the musicians stopped to breathe, sing acapella, stopped to praise God or maybe even took a moment to lift their hands in praise.

Selah's pregnancy created lots of opportunity to pause, reflect, trust and lift our hands in praise to God.  At the beginning of my pregnancy, the doctors told us that maybe she was an ectopic pregnancy and that maybe there was one baby in my uterus and one outside.  I had multiple ultrasounds to solidify that there was in fact one baby and she was in my uterus. As you can imagine, we were so relieved to hear that she was growing healthy and gave us an opportunity to "praise and lift up" worship to God.

Of course then there was the whole medical evacuation where I was told I had placenta previa. It is still a mystery as to what happened. Did God miraculously heal me? Was I misdiagnosed? Yet again, another opportunity to "pause and reflect" on God's goodness and sovereignty, and praise Him for bringing us all to the States for the rest of my prenatal care and delivery.

When we found out we were expecting sweet Selah, Bjorn and I both excited and nervous. We were thrilled to think that God would entrust us with this precious gift, but also honestly nervous with having faced so many previous health challenges in our family.  We were both encouraged when her pregnancy made us stop to "pause and reflect" on all that God had done and accomplished in our family.  We were encouraged to think about how He alone has sustained us through many trials. Since coming to the mission field and becoming parents, we have quite a pile of Ebenezer stones, where we are reminded of how God has helped us and proved Himself faithful and worthy of our trust.  We know that being a follower of Jesus does not excuse us from pain, disappointment, sickness, or trials...BUT, we can be confident that we WILL NOT have to face the struggles alone.

So...we can be confident that as we trek this new path of being parents to sweet Selah, God will walk with us and when the hard times come...which we know they will...we can trust Him and rest in His sovereignty.

Becoming a parent has increased our "Faith" as we continue to walk with Him and trust him for our future.  We have witnessed many miracles in the lives of our children that have increased our faith.

Thank you Heavenly Father for blessing us with our sweet Selah Faith.  May she grow up to know you and put her trust in you. As she grows, may she hunger to know your Word and learn to rest in your great love and grace.

And that my friends, is the story behind how we picked our baby girls name, Selah Faith...

Wrapping up the School Year

Family Field Day is always a big day for our ICSB families. Here are a few pictures from the event.

Bjorn considers it a real honor to lead the sports program at ICSB.  Every year he is amazed at how God uses sports ministry to build relationships with students, and the opportunity that it brings to build relationships with these young men and speak truth into their lives. Here is a snapshot from the end of school year sport awards night.

Here are a few snapshots from The Moody Church Basketball camp that took place just a couple of weeks ago. With Trisha and the kids in the states, it allowed Bjorn to host the team of men to stay in our home in Hungary.The mornings started off with a high school camp from 9-12am.  Middle school camp ran from 1-4pm.  Elementary camp ran from 4:30-6pm. Lastly, there was a High School Advanced camp some evenings from 7-8:30pm.