Spring, Transformation, Pools, Connected

Here is the latest update from the Horvath home.

Ahhh...Spring
As I type, I'm looking out our office window, we're surrounded by huge, trees already full of green leaves. In fact, it is green everywhere....all shades of green. It has been raining all day. Today I had the best surprise. I went outside to check out my garden since I planted some veggie seeds 4 days ago. I was shocked to find that some little sprouts are already up. I've been praying for God to bless our garden (seriously...I have been.) He's answering! Most of the seed packets state it takes 1-2 weeks for germination. I can't tell you how excited I am!!! Planting and getting the garden ready was an amazingly sweet experience. All last week, while I shoveled, moved rocks, and planted, I had 3 little helpers involved in every stage of the process...Ava helped dig, make the holes for the seeds and drop the veggie seeds. Lily scattered thyme seeds around the stone path. Josh was stealing our shovels, trying to move rocks and dig, sitting in my lap each time I sat to plant seeds, and hugging me from behind. It is truly a family project and we hope to enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of our labor all summer long! For those who live in Austin, we'll share the bounty. (A special thanks to Brett for being the brawn behind the digging and tilling of the soil.)

Followers With the Potential for Transformation
I read something this week about Jesus' disciples. "To the rest of the world, they seemed unimpressive. Unwashed, untaught, and sometimes uncouth. But Jesus saw in them exactly what he needed--followers with the potential for transformation." That is a crazy thought....that Jesus isn't as impressed by what we can do (read and write in Greek and Hebrew), what we don't do (cuss, do drugs, get in drunken brawls), at who we know, what we know, what we do for Him, how many hours we serve, etc, etc. He's not as impressed with all of that as He is with our desire to change, be transformed, be teachable. Easier said than done! Another quote I love "God is more concerned about our character than our comfort. His goal is not to pamper us physically but to perfect us spiritually." A guy came to house church named Mike...he's just a regular dude, puts in glass windshields and stuff for a living (which is how we met him...he put in our new glass in the van). His first time at house church was this past week. It was amazing to hear him speak about how he is looking for a place to hang out with other Christians put doesn't want to go to a "traditional" church. He spoke of his desire to have Christ continue to transform him and for his "woman" (as he referred to her) to believe and accept Christ. He also talked about even as a Christian, he still makes bad choices and hates that he does it. By looking at him, you would never guess that he was as knowledgeable as he was about the Bible or that he was a Christ follower at all. Funny how we have an idea in our head about what a Christ follower should and should not look like. Just because someone doesn't fit the mold, doesn't mean I should count them out. This week Christ reminded me (yet again) to try to see people as he does....all in need of Him, a Savior, to transform them.

News From Our Home
The kids are good. Yesterday we went to Ava's school's playground. All 5 of us were running around, playing soccer, swinging, doing the monkey bars (some of us better than others...if you get a chance, try it, it is a workout for a 35 year old...makes me wonder how we did without getting tired back in the day). Josh LOVED roaming free in such a big space. Last night when I was tucking Lily in she said "Can we go back to Ava's school playground. I want to live there." Fun time had by all. Josh got a haircut this week and is still happy and huge. He's doing great on the stairs (and my back, shoulders, neck thank him). Lily is perfecting her dress-up technique...she's quite skilled at accessorizing with scarves, hats...she's thinking outside the box, too...tutus for hats, my shirts for dresses, etc. Happy to report that a few of Ava's teachers told me she has really adjusted to her new school and doing great. Her main teacher said last week that she has caught up and is doing great in all her subjects (even math!). She's even in the top reading group. We're starting to have the neatest conversations with Ava, she's really thinking and learning. At dinner a few days ago, she asked me if I'm sad because I don't live with my parents anymore. What a great question! Brett and I explained how when you grow up you want to move out (some kids more than others...ha!) and especially when you are ready to get married, you're ready to move out of your parent's house. So cute!

Beaches, Pools are in our Future
We're headed to the beach! Brett's parents are taking us to the beach for a long weekend (almost week) around Memorial Day. We're so excited to rent a big condo in Port Aransas, TX within 100 yds of the beach. The kids first time to go to the beach, and we're all thrilled to go on May 22-27 or so. (Almost a month to get in shape to wear swimsuits...ha!) They don't allow pets at the condo (sniff. sniff. Emmett would love the beach... so sad!) A friend recommended a great kennel for Emmett outside of town. I totally trust her recommendation (her dogs are treated better than most people's children). Hopefully, he'll have fun in Leander, TX while we're away. We've been working on the pool, and it is almost ready! Brett has quickly become proficient in all things pool....chemicals, vacuuming, sweeping, shocking. It's still a little cold in there but the temperature climbs daily as it gets warmer and warmer here. Last Tuesday as I drove to Bible Study, a temperature sign on the side of the highway said it was 99! It still feels good to us (probably because we have 2 air conditioners in our home or maybe because we moved from a frozen wasteland ). The pool is huge, and we're all so excited to break it in! Come visit us this summer...you can swim and eat food from our garden!

Connected But Not Connecting
I went to a Women's Conference this past weekend with my lovely friend Shannon. Guess what it was about? Community. : ) The speaker talked about in the Western world how we are SO connected (Facebook! Twitter, Email, Faxes, Text messages) but not necessarily connecting with each other in a personal, authentic or satisfying way. I keep hearing from many of my friends things like "I have a lot of friends but not enough deep friendships." or "I'm too busy to keep up with my friends." The speaker also mentioned that 41% of Americans of fewer close friends than they did in the recent past. We Westerners are brought up to be self-sufficient and self-reliant. I think that is one reason it is so hard to be real to each other...to not always say "I'm good" "I'm fine" but tell those close to us that we're afraid because our parent is sick, we're shocked at how hard marriage really is, we're lonely and need to get out of the house, whatever! I challenge you to find someone to be "real" with.

Parting Thoughts
Let's see..what else? Brett is doing a Coaching Clinic in San Antonio in May, and he is one of the Trainers. Very Cool. We have regulars coming to House Church and it is GREAT! Still Wednesdays at 6:30. I found a local brewer of Kombucha that is my new favorite brand and cheaper than the Synergy brand. (Don't know what Kombucha is? Google it. It is a "tea" that is great for you and quite addictive (in a good, healthy way).) I (finally) got new glasses and contacts. I saw my friend since Jr. High (years ago my Taco Villa lunch buddy now Dr. Wally!) He did a great job. I can see better now than ever before...my night driving has improved greatly. That's all I can think of . We can't tell you how much we thank you for your prayers and miss you. You are a true blessing to us!

Love, Tiff (and Brett and kids)