Car Challenges

If you remember, back in September we were driving here in Des Moines when we were hit from behind. The accident crumpled the bumper a little, but it didn't look bad. There was not enough time for the body shop to fix the damage since we had to leave for California. So, after we returned, we took the car in to the body shop. It took two weeks for the damage to be fixed since some of the unseen parts under the bumper had been damaged, too. That left us without a car for two weeks. Thankfully, Nick and Leona Venditti (Nancy's sister) were out of town and loaned us their car for a week and a half. Then Jim and Delores Winegar (another of Nancy's sisters) loaned us their car so we could travel to Michigan to spend Thanksgiving with Matt and Mandy. Thank you Vendittis and Winegars!

We were able to get the Sebring back from the body shop on Monday. The repairs to the bumper look perfect. The only problem was, when Mike tried to take the key out of the ignition, it was stuck! He had to go to the dealer to have it looked at. They said the ignition lock was broken and would have to be replaced. They would call when the parts came in, probably in three days.

This afternoon we needed to go to the store, but when we got in the car, it wouldn't start. The battery had run down because we had not been able to turn the key all the way to the off position! Sigh! The little irritations in life!

American Thanksgiving

One of the best parts of being in the US is spending holidays with family. We were able to spend a wonderful, delicious, relaxing Thanksgiving Day with Matt and Mandy in Michigan.

Then we drove back to Des Moines and had another Thanksgiving on Saturday with Nancy's extended family and Paul and Kate and Levi.

Three of Nancy's five sisters were there along with as many of their kids and grandkids as could make it. Nothing can replace spending time eating, talking and laughing with beloved family members.

Especially when that includes being able to hold a sleeping grandchild. Thank you, God, for family!

Hi, Kid!

Even though we miss Hungary, one of the best parts of being in the US is being with family. Last Friday our newest grandson Levi was introduced to his second cousin Connor for the first time.

Eight-month-old Connor was excited to meet his little cousin.

Levi is doing quite well. Last week was the first week in his almost two month life that he did not visit the hospital or a doctor's office. Levi is scheduled for his next surgery in December. Thank you for praying for him!

Hungarian Sausage!

We had a nice surprise on our way back from California. We were driving along a two-lane highway just before we reached the Mojave Desert and saw a sign that said "Hungarian Sausage." When we saw another sign like it, we decided we needed to stop and check out the Hungarian sausage. We found the little store, walked in the door and greeted the clerk in Hungarian. She gave us the blank stare we give people when they say something in Hungarian we don't understand. So we asked her if the owners spoke Hungarian. She said they did and that one of the owners was in the back of the store. When the owner came out, we spoke a short time with her in Hungarian. She asked us if we were surprised to find a Hungarian store "behind the back of God." She explained that she receives plenty of business from the busy highway in front of her door. We enjoyed looking at the familiar Hungarian spices and foods on the shelves and, of course, we bought some kolbasz (Hungarian sausage). Ahh, a little taste of home!

Grandpa's Magic Touch

We have spent the past few days getting to know our new 6-week-old grandson Levi. He is such a precious little boy! And his parents are doing such a good job loving and caring for the little one!
Thank you for praying for Levi. His most recent surgery to move his "little pooper" was successful. His next surgery will be in December to mend his cleft lip. And then in January will be the more serious surgery to rebuild and replace his bladder. We thank God that his bladder surgery is scheduled to be performed by a world-renowned surgeon! It is a wonderful blessing that Levi's family lives near Mayo Clinic and that he can receive such excellent medical care. Please continue to pray for little Levi and his parents.

Thank you, pastors!

Here are some of the pastors we met on our trip to California. Some of them we had known before, but most of them we met for the first time. Each of them treated us like "kings", and blessed us richly. We enjoyed our time in California, and we want to say a big "THANKS" to all of the pastors for your hospitality, friendship and generosity. May God richly bless you and your congregations!