The flight overseas, while not so bad for the grown-ups and our 6 year old, may be a bit tough for “the littles” (the 3 and 22mo old). So just for kicks, I decided to check out what it would cost to fly all five Cokes from Houston IAH to Germany….first class (we plan on taking a train from Germany to Budapest).

So…how much do you think it would cost? Take a second and get a number in mind…then look below.

KAPOW!! Over $37,000!!! Ridiculous? Hilarious? Both methinks.

Right now is a time of almost complete transition for our family. We’re in the application process with WorldVenture in prep for relocation to Hungary. With that comes discussion of all the physical transitions that accompany such a big move. Homes, schools, belongings, transportation and the like. Another part is the emotional and mental transition. Our hearts are already overseas in way.

Then there’s the seminary transition. Lord willing I’ll complete my final courses in August and wrap up my first seminary degree. My time at Western has been life changing. Because I was a distance student I wasn’t able to develop friendships with as many professors as a residential student normally would. But, the few men there I did have the opportunity to connect with have deeply impacted my understanding of Scripture and my walk with Christ. I went to Western to be strengthened in the essentials, challenged in everything, and to spend time with men whose lives make me want to be more Christlike. All of those things took place. And now, I’m transitioning from seminary life. I look forward to attacking the “things to do after seminary” list!

And then there’s the health transition. I had an MRI done on my head yesterday and I’m hoping to get results today. There’s some eye issues and we did the scan to see if there’s swelling or a growth behind my left eye. This presents a transition all its own, depending on the outcome. We’re praying that God will graciously bring a method of healing that will relieve the pain and not require too severe of a solution. My hope is to be matured in this process as He intends (Rom. 8:28) and to not be delayed in relocating to Hungary.

So it’s transitions all around right now. I’m so thankful for Christ! He truly is the unshakable rock that holds the foundation of a believer’s life together. Stress, nerves, and anxiety all come in waves at different times. But they are nothing compared to the joy of having Jesus as my Savior. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Luke 9:51. It reads “When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.” I find that a powerful verse. Jesus, knowing that mockery, false accusation, pain, betrayal, crucifixion and death were waiting for him, nonetheless “set his face” to walk straight into it. This is my Savior. The living God who walked straight into the storm that he might bring everyone to Yahweh. It brings stability and grounding to my heart in the middle of many transitions.

Quick view of the Pest side of Budapest from the top of St. Stephen’s basilica.

Dome of the Basilica from Terry Cokenour on Vimeo.

We returned to Houston on Friday night after a long delay in London and lost luggage. The jet lag was definitely far worse coming back. I didn’t feel quite human until about noon today. The smoked ribs and sausage at my brother’s place definitely helped bring me back to form!

The trip was absolutely wonderful, wonder-filled. We learned so much and saw more of the people and culture than we expected to. Great thanks go to the Seller’s for their warm, generous hospitality and priceless assistance in planning our days. Without their help the trip we certainly have been far less productive.

Likewise, great thanks to the Keierleber family for loving our youngest daughters and giving them a great stay away from mom and dad. We can tell the girls really enjoyed Mr. Paul and Mrs. Tricia.

Christina and I are still adjusting to being back. It seems wierd because we were only in Hungary for 12 days, but I think we both allowed ourselves to imagine we were living there. It was a bit of grown-up make believe I suppose.

So, we’re just about caught up on sleep and getting ready to jump back into our family routine. We’ll have more news soon, but for now we’re quite busy sorting through pics, video, momentos, and catching up with life back home.

Here’s a pic that Keith Sellers took (he’s a much better photographer than I am).

There’s a building in downtown Budapest with a terrible history. During WWII the Nazi’s used it to interrogate and torture those suspected of being against the totalitarian state or sympathizing with those who did. Religious leaders, civic leaders, their families and friends were brought there.

After the Allies defeated Germany, it was decided that Hungary would be under the rule of the Soviet Union. They went from the frying pan into the fire. While the communists celebrated how they “liberated” Hungary, they soon put this building to the same use it experienced under Nazi fascism. The torture continued. Hungarians were targets of their own state.

The building was recently turned into a museum; a monument to honor the victims and to put names and faces to evil committed there. It’s now called “Terror Haza” – Terror House. There’s no video/photo allowed inside, except for one wall which honors the victims. The Nazi’s and communists kept detailed records of their interrogations, records which helped to construct the monument.

Terror House from Terry Cokenour on Vimeo.

Budapest Street Musician: Saxophone from Terry Cokenour on Vimeo.

Budapest St. Stephen’s Basilica from Terry Cokenour on Vimeo.