You Never Know…

We have learned so much about ourselves and others on this trip! We’ve met and visited with people with fascinating life stories. I love to listen to stories. There is so much that can be learned by listening.

We were in Albuquerque for a Hungarian event yesterday and we had dinner with a couple of friends from my college days in Nebraska. We chatted for several hours last night to catch up on kids and life stuff. It was wonderful to reconnect and hear about what was happening in their lives.

During the course of the conversation, we talked about their son’s love for Hungary, a recent trip they took to Europe, and her grandmother’s Hungarian heritage (this was news to me!). Her grandparents ran a “Magyar Cukrazda” (Hungarian Bakery) in New York City in the Hungarian area of Manhattan–just around the corner from the Magyar Ház (Hungarian House)! Wow! We have been to that area frequently since we moved to New York. Back in the day, there were many Hungarian businesses in that area. In fact, I often run into people who lament about how easy it was to access Hungarian things in NYC and are frustrated so few businesses remain. It is just a little wild to me that someone I know from over 30 years ago has such a close connection to where I live now.

The things we don’t know!

Sometimes they are fun connections–like the one I described with my friends from college. Other times they are very difficult life stories that finally come to light after years of processing.

Everyone has a story that is worth hearing. And everyone has a story worth sharing. You never know what you will learn about someone when they start to share about their lives. Maybe the biggest challenge with getting to know one another’s stories is taking or having the time to listen. I know that has been a challenge in my life depending on the season I am going through. But I need to be more intentional about listening.

You never know what you will learn!

When people share difficult stories, it is hard to know what to do with what I have learned. Heartaches, struggles, and joys are all a part of the human experience. We can learn a lot by listening and it can inform our praying.

As you spend time with people this week, think about what they are saying and consider what you learn as “prayer points”. Then pray for them. Sometimes that is the best gift!

On the Road,

Liz

What is Remembered?

We spent the day at a Hungarian festival in Phoenix yesterday. There was delicious food, great music, a wonderful family atmosphere, and the carrying on of some fun Hungarian traditions!

I had the opportunity to meet with several customers face-to-face that I only knew from phone calls and emails and that is always a special time. I have never been to Phoenix before so it was interesting to run into so many people I “knew” or knew about me. Some people knew about the festival and came because I mentioned it in my e-newsletter. The best feedback from a newsletter is some sort of action — and people attending a festival they didn’t know about before they read my newsletter means I am doing my job. I don’t know the names of everyone who receives the Magyar Marketing newsletter so it is always good to see the action of participation.

One particular gentleman came up to our booth and said something like “Are you Elizabeth’s daughter?” Well, I did have to go around and greet him because I love running into people that knew my mom — they usually have a sweet story to share.

Let me explain first that there have been several times Hungarians have come from Hungary to resettle to the United States. One of those times was in 1956-1957 following the Hungarian Revolution. Another time was in the 1980s and my mom helped resettle refugees during both times.

So, this gentleman came to the United States as a Hungarian refugee in 1982 and started off in my hometown of Youngstown, Ohio. Naturally, he loved my mom! He said, “I looked at the name of the business and I looked at you and I knew you were her daughter!” So we took a few photos, I gave him a quick hug, and he went off to enjoy the festival.

My mom was definitely one-of-a-kind! She was smart, forward-thinking, and loved helping people — not just Hungarian immigrants, although she definitely had a heart for them. Those who remember her remember stories of her service, compassionate and gentle spirit, quiet faith, and love for people.

What will you be remembered for?

Every snapshot of my life isn’t pretty, so I am sure there will be some people who don’t think happy thoughts about me. Of course, we are all works in progress.But my prayer is that I am remembered by most who knew me as showing God’s love and grace, among other things.

On the Road,

Liz

Drink Up!

Sagcroppedw

Of course, water is good for everyone all the time but it is especially important when traveling through arid areas. It is important to plan ahead, have an ample supply, and stay hydrated. Water is precious.

We also noticed some homes collecting rainwater in barrels; preparing ahead for the dry season. They don’t waste it and they are very intentional.

Are there times you drink deep of God’s life-giving Word in anticipation for those desert times?

My most intense communication with God always seems to be during those dry times. When things are going well, I am, unfortunately, not quite as serious a student as I am in times of trial. The more challenging the moment, the more God has my attention. I am “all ears”.

Heavenly Father ~ help me to desire your Word even in times of plenty. Amen.

Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
²but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.   Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

On the Road,

Liz

Misjudging Distance

While we have been traveling through wide-open expanses, we have noticed our judgment of distance is not accurate. We stopped so I could take some photos of this mountain. Sadly, I do not remember the name of it. But where we stopped to take the photo Don said the mountain was 17 miles from us. I wouldn’t have ever guessed it was that far away!

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This photo does not do this mountain any justice. It was beautiful! What I saw in front of my eyes and in the camera lens seemed like two different mountains. It looked so far away when I looked through the camera!

Then I zoomed in a bit. This is more of the view we saw from our vehicle.

Milesw

Lovely, isn’t it?

This misperception of distance is something I experience in my life on many levels. Sometimes I see the end goal and I misjudge how long it will take to get there. I find I have many goals and while the path may not seem clear, the general direction is.

What about those times where we don’t even see where or when the end is?

Working on a bachelor’s degree over an extended period of time
Raising a child with long-term health issues
Caring for aging parents
Going through the adoption process

It is easy to get focused on our own journeys and lose sight of the bigger picture. The words of Psalm 8 bring some things into perspective for me!

Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
²Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
³When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
⁴what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

⁵You have made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
⁶You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
⁷all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
⁸the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

⁹Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8 NIV

On the Road,

Liz

Sweet Surprises!

Yesterday, we took a little drive through some beautiful but dry land to reach an area called Catwalk Trail.

The rushing water was refreshing. The temperature was very pleasant and the sun was shining.

We walked along and took some photos and enjoyed learning about the history about the area.

I was waiting for Don and just looking around and saw this…

Curiosity got the best of me.

One never knows what they will find in these types of situations but I was pleasantly surprised!

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.” Jeremiah 32:17 NIV

What a great reminder for anyone, but a particularly sweet one for us!

On the Road,

Liz

The pause that refreshes!

Instead of doing a little bit each day, we have chosen to travel by doing some really big days with at least a full day off. Yesterday was a big day. We crossed another time zone and traveled through some barren lands in west Texas. The soil turned red and then changed to sandy. There was flat land and then some hills. I even got a notification on my phone about the phone rates in Mexico. We weren’t quite in Mexico, but we were close. When we arrived in Silver City, New Mexico we were very happy to find our hotel and get out of the vehicle. We needed to stretch! Thankfully, we won’t have another really long day in the car until next Monday but we will have full days between now and then. While we are in this area of the U.S. we want to explore. New Mexico and Arizona are new states for me so I am pretty excited!

Sometimes, the journey we are on is full of long days and we need to create our places where we take a break. There is only so far we can drive; only so much we can negotiate. Going further and faster isn’t something everyone can do. It all depends on our goal for the journey but our bodies, minds, souls, and hearts need a break and need to be refreshed.

Where can we go for refreshment?

God’s Word refreshes! God’s Word can provide encouragement for any journey. Even though The Book was written so many years before my life, I am always amazed at how His words can convict, comfort, and cleanse me!

God built in rest for us as through the Sabbath. Sadly, it is too easy in our world to be so caught up in achieving bigger, better, and more that we skip the Sabbath and wonder why we are exhausted. But as we turn our attention to God, we gain His perspective.

Heavenly Father – Draw me to you. Your refreshment is vital to my life! Amen.

On the Road,

Liz

A Step Ahead

In the book of Acts, Barnabas mentors Paul. Later, Paul mentors Timothy. There is always someone ahead of you on the road in life and there is always someone coming up behind you on the path.

Are you willing to share what you’ve learned?

If you know of a great spot to stop or an important place to avoid, you probably share that information with someone who is looking for recommendations. In life, there are many opportunities to give someone a “heads up” as they are on their way. Sometimes it’s encouragement and other times it is a word of caution. Maybe all you can do is listen and pray for them.

Are you willing to learn from others?

Likewise, there are times you are in a place where you can look to others who have been on a similar road. Maybe you are dealing with a wayward child, an aging parent, or a difficult crossroad in life – do you seek wise counsel? It may be that all they can do is listen and pray for you. But being heard and prayed for might be just what you need to provide encouragement for your journey.

At any point in life we can encourage, caution, and take heed. There is always someone who has been where we are going. And there is always someone who is headed to the place we just came through.

God loves when we care enough for His people to share His love and grace and promises with them. We might only be “a step ahead” but sometimes our presence is all the encouragement someone needs!

Heavenly Father ~ help me to listen to those ahead and be willing to share Your good words with those who are coming up from behind! Amen.

On the Road! ~ Liz

On Being Prepared

When we headed out on this trip we left winter in New York. I knew we were going to warmer weather so I didn’t pack a lot of clothes for cold temperatures. Sometimes, what it’s like where you have been isn’t at all how it will be where you are going.

Do you need what you have?

Do you have what you need?

What is essential for the journey? I find that I like to have quite a few things along with me when I travel “just in case”. Trying to be prepared for a trip and all possible scenarios of need can be exhausting. Of course, when I “need” something and I have it along, I am thrilled to know I am prepared. But trying to find it in the special place I tucked it away? Good luck! There is nothing worse than being prepared but being unable to find the item.

Is it possible to prepare for every potential situation?

I try to make sure I have the basics and then be resourceful with what I have. But there are too many times I rely on my preparedness instead of relying on God and His provisions. I need to trust that God’s provisions will be enough to meet the needs of the day.

What is it you need for today?

I loved the reminder that showed up for me this morning. I was searching for the word “need” in the Bible and this verse from Exodus made an appearance:

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

I know that “being still” is a challenge for me which is why it is a focus for me during this Lenten season. Have you settled on a verse or two to focus on? Have you had the principles for those verses show up in unexpected places?

Heavenly Father, help me to accept Your provisions for this day. Amen.

On the Road,

Liz

Delays, Detours, and Disappointments

smallwaterfallpp I love when a new opportunity comes about that I can take advantage of. It usually isn’t something in the original itinerary – more of a last minute addition that we decide to explore. It is usually a fun, little surprise. But unplanned detours and delays are not exactly my cup-o-tea – especially if I have a timeline I am trying to accommodate! What about you?

How do you deal with delays, detours, and disappointments?

Usually, my biggest concern is with losing time and getting off track. I don’t mind being flexible when I have planned for it but when there is a place I really want to get to and I am delayed or, heaven forbid, prevented from reaching the destination altogether, I can get a bit cranky.

But if I am teachable in the midst of unmet expectations, I can learn a lot.

I don’t often knowingly choose the difficult road, though sometimes a life detour takes me there. But a lot can be learned from a delay. A new vision can come from a detour. A richer relationship with God can come from disappointment.

I am thankful God redeems my life. If I look back through the years, some of His deepest provisions for me came to me through delays, detours, and disappointments that were not in my plan.

Praise the Lord, my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
²Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
³who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
⁴who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:1-5 NIV

Heavenly Father—thank you for providing for me in the delays, detours, and disappointments in order for me to see You at work and have a deeper relationship with You!

On the Road,

Liz

Time Zones

zonesw As we are out and about we are going through different time zones. We left New York on Tuesday and will ultimately end up in Arizona. When I text or call people as I travel, I really need to think more about what time it is where the person is I am trying to connect with.

I often turn my phone on silent at night so my sleep doesn’t get disturbed but I have run into a lot of people who keep their phone on all the time so they can hear texts and phone calls in case of an emergency. But, if I wake up at 4am and piddle around and then send a text to someone at 6am my time, it might be only 5am their time! I have done it a time or two. For those of you who have been disturbed by this, I am so very sorry! Believe me, I am the last person who wants to disturb anyone’s sleep!

Have you ever thought of an important message you wanted to share with someone else but it wasn’t the right “time” for them to hear it?

There are times we communicate with people who are not quite awake or ready to receive the message. Maybe they are in a different zone or station in life or maybe they don’t see where their path is headed (even though others around them see things seem to be going in a dangerous direction). Our message might be heard too early to be heeded or too late to make a difference.

Prayerfully consider your timing as you contemplate the messages you send. And, above all, pray for God’s discernment on what to say and when. Timing is often important! Just because you are in a good “zone” for conversation does not guarantee the other person is.

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,

    a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3     a time to kill and a time to heal,

    a time to tear down and a time to build,

4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,

    a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

6     a time to search and a time to give up,

    a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7     a time to tear and a time to mend,

    a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8     a time to love and a time to hate,

    a time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
On the Road,
Liz