SHARE 2017

I think it is safe to say that we have now established an annual family tradition with our participation in the SHARE Family Education Conference in Hungary. This week is hands down one of the most anticipated weeks in the year for our family, and for 85 other families too as this year’s registration was full in a matter of days.

Why do we keep going back?

For the relationships, the feeling of belonging, the encouragement, the learning, the pool and the list goes on. Samuel described it as a “family reunion.” Families return year after year and so the people start to feel like a second family. The kids know the hotel like the back of their hand because the location remains the same every year. If you could see the joy that pours out of our children as they are surrounded by other MKs you would understand why we desire to prioritize this conference. This feels like "home" to them and they absolutely thrive and are so encouraged as they reconnect with old friends and make new ones. For our kids who have no Christian friends and no youth group this gathering is even more cherished for them.

My good friend, Karilyn (Mom of Claire). The most generous of friends, who always makes me smile, listens and  just loves the Lord! Oh, and we are always exchanging travel tips and good finds.

We are so thankful that ALL of us were able attend this year, as Jonathan’s health has been unpredictable over this past year. Unfortunately, we all got hit with bad colds (including Mac!) the week prior and in fact I lost my voice the day we traveled to Hungary. I did not fully regain my strength until returning home. That was such a bummer to have to lip sync during worship for the first few days. Jonathan held up well for the first three days before taking a nose dive with gut pain that confined him to bed the rest of the week. Most likely it was something in the food or the fact that he was in the course of another treatment to kill off parasites and they decided to fight back. He was able to get some pain meds from the in-house doctor that helped take the edge off allowing him to drive us 9 hours home by the end of the week.

The kids and I soaked up every moment of the week. Emma shared a room with Claire, while Samuel and Luca had an adjoining room to her brothers. We only saw the kids in passing throughout the week.

Samuel spent a day in Budapest with the teens for an “Amazing Race” competition. In groups of 5-6, they raced around the city seeking to complete their twelve tasks. It was an educational experience as most of the tasks involved historical landmarks.

Teens

For example, they had to count the shoes along the Danube River that are placed there in memory of the Jews who were forced to jump and drown in the river.

Count the number of bullet holes in a wall that were made in the 1956 uprising.

Find a “SHARE 2017” lock on a cage full of locks.

Accurately count the 1500 Jewish Stars outside a Synagogue, and the list goes on.

They had time to stop for an ice cream too and this is the ONLY picture that Samuel actually took on his Amazing adventure for the day.

Emma participated in the Talent Show once again. This year she performed a gymnastics routine as a four some. Months and months of coordinating across three time zones took place through Skype to pull this off. It was a sheer delight to see the girls perform! 

Emma, Claire, Lenna and Abigayl

They are already thinking about next year and have changed their Skype chat group name to “SHARE Dancers 2018”. (No assumptions being made or anything about next years expected attendance!) The video doesn't capture the full synchronized routine, but you will get the gist.

Luca was always running out and about with friends or perfecting his pool table skills. He also was able to get assessed for some sensory processing concerns. We found the resulting information to be very helpful and will continue to seek ways in which to better equip him and help him.

Kyle and Luca

Although three families from our agency where on furlough this year and unable to attend, we were happy to have three first time SHARE attendees from our agency that joined us. It is always wonderful to expand out network of friendships through various regions within our organization. One of those families was from our own Italy team, so it was great to have some extra special time with them as well. In total there were 6 families from our organization and we enjoyed our traditional Thursday night pizza together at a local restaurant. We got in on a good deal of half-price food nationwide since it was “Gluttonous Thursday”. (It is similar to “Fat Tuesday”)

Ladies Tea...colleagues from Central Europe and Italy

Luca's SHARE teacher and fellow laborer in central Italy.

The drive home was either laced with tears or deep in sleep for our kids. The M family caravanned with us to the Italian border so at least Luca and Emma got extra friend time in the car. An emotionally charged week, ending with emotional good-byes. 

Life of a MK is so tough, and yet I don’t think they would trade their experiences for anything.  The countdown is already on for next year, but in the meantime texting, video chatting and emailing will keep these kids occupied and connected with their life long SHARE friends until they meet again.

Claire and Emma 

Goodbye Siófok