www.melanieroorda.blogspot.com
PS: I know I haven't been uploading any pictures. Sorry...
And furthermore. I left out a couple of important people from the "thank-fest":
Dorothy and Roberta. What wonderful women who live to serve our God. Their example, guidance, and love continues to mean so much to me.
The Cini family. My experience without them would have been so very different. They definitely helped to teach me a lot about ministry and growth. I pray that their work in Tsigmadru continue to grow and flourish.

Okay, really now. THE END. :]

Closing Out.

Alright, so this sounds utterly depressing, but it's not. Life continues to go faster than I can grab hold of and time has come to close out this beautiful chapter of my life. That does not mean by any means that:
a) it doesn't exist and never happened.
b) I won't come back and revisit memories and stories.
c) I'll forget everything. People, places, lessons learned.
No way! God has done incredible things this past year and I continue to stand in awe of his grace and wonder. I continue to learn new lessons from the experience. I don't think it will ever really be "over" in my heart or mind. God will continue to shape my life emerging from this amazing experience. Romania has shaped another new beginning, where another new story will be written. Our God is the ultimate planner and weaver. I'm sure that he will continue to weave the threads of Romania into the pattern that remains to be mine and I can't wait to see how that looks...how he does that.
Here are a couple of things that I want to share with you as I end this blog. I am working on uploading lots of pictures from the past year. I hadn't done it as the year went on for multiple reasons, but now I have time to do it and hope that some of you will enjoy them. I'll slowly add album by album. So I hope you revisit and share in the memories as I do.
http://melneurope.shutterfly.com/action/
Also, after my time in the Ukraine, I had said that I would post entries elsewhere to read about that experience. I never did, but I have had them all this time saved on my computer. Now as I make this transition, I think it's time to share. This blog is a one time only type of thing. The only posts you'll see on it are the ones there already. And take your time reading them. There's a lot to be read so if you get bored...read it piece by piece. I promise it's worth it.
www.melukraine.blogspot.com
Lastly, I want to tell you that I do intend to start another blog about my experiences this summer and upcoming in college. I'm not sure when I'll begin that one, but I will be sure to post the new address on here when it does. Again, I know for sure that God will be weaving my past experiences with my new ones and it could (will!) get interesting. So I hope you take the time to follow me through the new adventures involving becoming the dreaded college freshman. It will be funny, that I assure you.
And the ultimate last thing is a word of thanks. I can't say it enough or express it in words that portray it's depth, but I am so thankful to everyone who is supporting me and has done so for the past year. I am thankful for your thoughts, prayers, cards, encouraging words, financial support...everything! Thank you so, so very much.
Thank you to the Dunn's in Arad specifically for helping me through a lot this past year and taking the time to invest in understanding me and being such an incredible support. Thank you for your hospitality and sharing your wisdom. Thanks for everything!
Thank you to the Rapps, Kazmierskis, Hoefleins, Spauldings, Dickinsons, Faros, Kellers, Aunt Sandy and Uncle Daryl, Grandma, Nian and Rayven, Harps, Drews, TC, Greenos, Jan Francis, Kennedys, Khulkins, Deb McClarin, Redfields, Rebers, Babcocks, Stewarts, and more of course. If I forgot to specifically mention you, I apologize! I know that there are some people who chose not to be recognized and I thank you as well. Know that you all have made this entire year possible and helped us to be the hands of our church in Romania. I hope and pray that you would continue to support others in their missions' experiences.
Those of you reading from Romania...I miss you more than I can say. I wish you all the best and assure you that I am anxious to hear from you! I want to thank Mama, Tati, Emil, Liana, and Lian and Andrei specifically for their amazing hospitality and love.
Also, the Capusneanus and Ludus for the same.
I miss you all so much.
And now I leave you with a verse that I remembered as I began the year and all throughout and continue to remember as I leave it:
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20 and 21

"How are you doing?"

I have heard the question a multitude of times in the past couple of weeks. And everytime I respond in the positive. "Good! Really well." Then I always check myself, "I am good, right?" Yep. Honestly, I don't think the transition could've been any smoother.
I thought that I would ache to go back to Romania and be miserable for a little bit, but the truth is, it was time. I needed to come back to America, to come home and be surrounded by family and friends who love me unconditionally. It felt like one of those foam-pit things. You know, the pool sized hole filled with squishy foam squares with a long trampoline leading up to it.
I was jumping and jumping (and loving it). And once I got to the end where the pit was, I got a little scared and hesitated a bit. Cause jumping is great and I wasn't so sure what the pit would be like. But time got the best of me and pushed me over the threshold, bringing me to the softest and most comfortable landing ever. It's been especially relieving after having jumped for so long. My jumping muscles are getting the biggest and best possible break.
To sum up the past couple of weeks:
I came into the airport at about 12:30 in the am on Sunday (a week and a half ago) and was greeted by a few friends. It was the perfect amount of people. Any more and I would have been overwhelmed. We chatted minimally before I headed home to my big, beautiful bed. I had a couple of good beds in Romania, but nothing hits home like your bed.
The next morning I was off to church with mom and dad. Before I knew it, I was standing in front of the congregation getting all blubbery and thanking them for allowing us to be the hands of Pearce in Romania. (Which is totally true and worth blubbering about).
Then mom and dad made me an incredible london broil (beef!) meal and I thought I would fall out of my chair because it tasted so good. We went to Community of the Savior that night and I got to experience the church that I've heard all about for the whole year and anxiously awaited visiting. It was really cool.
So my days since then have been spent relatively "low key". I discover something new everyday, like the fact that I don't need a match to light the stove OR the oven! Spanish is not Romanian no matter how hard you try to make it the same. And eggs are white. And driving is like riding a bike. Cell phones are not permitted whilst driving a car. Swinging is still just as exhilirating as it was 335 days ago. The root beer is dee-licious. Cheddar cheese is incredible stuff. Reading a book in the sun is heavenly. Wegmans is still huge and very put-together. Golf is the same sport it was when I left. Knowing very little about the latest movies leads to bad decision making. There are developments springing up all over the place like mold on month-old applesauce. Hanging out with friends is still as fun as it ought to be.
Part of my adjustment being so calm and clean is that everything feels so dang normal. I feel like I was dropped back into life as it was. Yet my brain is racked with all sorts of new information and lessons learned. And sometimes the change in others peeks out at me, too. And I smile. Because I've realized that while I was away, things changed. Just as they should. Hey, although 15 year old me thought that the world revolved around my head, I've come a long way. And it's awesome to see those changes, to feel them, explore them. It's as if this huge feast is going on, but everyone from my life here in America has brought a course. So now we have all sat down and the feast has begun. Exchange of lessons learned and stories unheard doesn't disconcert me, it makes my experience richer. I don't know if I'm making any sense. I don't mean to sound like "oh my year was better than yours", no. That's not the point. The point is that all of our experiences mixed together and layered on top of one another make this beautiful piece of work, this fantastic feast. And only God can craft something like that. His fingerprints are all over this transition and for that, I am so thankful.
Praise God for his grace and strength. For his peace that surpasses understanding. And for the beauty in life that unfolds itself in unusual and unexpected ways. Praise his unending and limitless love, that we can only stand in awe of.

Meager meandering.

Alright, mom has been telling me I need to blog (wierd that mom can tell me what I need to do again, huh?) . And I do. I will write something soon. But, I'm just not sure what's best to write now. Things are going well. I'm feeling at home here in America. Strangely normal. Little things are surprising me along the way.
Of course, I miss Romania. I miss the people and the place itself.
I am trying to adjust healthfully, but I'm not sure what that means either. I'll let you know how it goes.
Anyway, the pictures above are from Sendi's graduation...the whole reason that I stayed behind a few days in Romania. It was a beautiful process and I was blessed to be a part of it.
Hm. Again, not feeling up for detailed explanations tonight. But I'll fill you in soon, really. I just needed a few days off. And now I feel like I can get the gears in the brain greased to move again. So I'll crank a new one out in the next couple of days. =]
Hope you're as excited as I am.

Last this, last that.

Life is extremely busy right now.
The Hopkins have officially left the country and will be in America this evening (your time). That is a truly strange feeling. These next few days I'll be trying to say goodbye to everyone. Turns out I know more people than I realized last week when I was attempting to plan out how this week would go. It's hard having to say goodbye over and over. Having to explain that I have no idea when I'll be able to come back to Romania and no clear idea what God is calling me to next. Sometimes I feel a certain expectation to know exactly where I am going, what I will end up doing, and how long it will be until I return. Only God knows.
One thing I have learned to do fairly well here, is to take it one day at a time. Focus on living the best you can in this day. And then when you rise the next morning, you can think about that one. But sometimes I still struggle with it. I want to say "this fall! I'll come back this fall!" or "next year! for sure next year!" but I can't. The way God weaves Romania into my life from here on out is truly up to his handiwork and I can only wait to see what that will look like.
So these past few days we've had some "wrapping it up" type things to do. Our last teen meeting all together was on Friday. On Saturday we went to Viscri with the Ludu family. On Sunday we had a big church picnic up on Vila Franka and I also went to church service in Tsigmadru for the last time. Yesterday I spent trying to prepare things for later in the week and also went up and helped the Hopkins out a bit. We had our last Monday night dinner and after that the Mailat's (the family I live above) came to say goodbye and send them off. Today I had elderly club, where they all were insistant on telling me I must come back as many times as I can before I go. And now I am off for my last trip to Tsigmadru where we'll have kids club and teens club. Tomorrow I have an equally full schedule, but mainly of going to see people.
I won't deny that the prospect of leaving all of this behind makes me really sad. I am trying to enjoy the time I have left, but having everything labeled "last" in my head is frustrating. I want to yell "no it's not!", but instead the truth remains and it really is.
I am so thankful for this year. I can't even put it into words. I am so blessed by so many people, I don't know if I will be able to express fully how much I care. And God is so faithful and real that it's overwhelming.
I don't know if this will be my last post from Romania. It very well could be because I really don't want to waste any more time on the computer. But if that's the case, I want to thank all of you profusely. Thank you for your support. Thanks for your prayers and comforting words. Of course, you will hear more from me. I will continue to write upon return.
Multumesc din suflet! (Thanks from the soul)

What day is it?

Most of these pictures were taken by Ange. I won't deny the fact that I didn't take very many. And we forgot to load Kristen's before they left. But these do a good job of capturing it.
Together again. At a cafe in Sibiu.
On a sweet bridge in Sibiu.
This one is for you, mom.
Beautiful Sibiu! Doesn't it look like a postcard?
Ange's all-time favorite picture. =]
Most of the group of teens that came to Prod for the retreat.
Porch in Prod.
Kristen and Ange with one of my elderly friends. They played rummi the whole time! And she talked and talked to them while they nodded their heads and said "da!".
Sendi and I at my apartment.

Oh dear. Time continues to fly and blessings and riches pile on top of each other with each passing day. I spent all day Friday bringing my friends to catch their flight in Bucharest and before I could even think about them being gone... Saturday I ran into mama Capusneanu who asked whether or not I was going to the Veritas picnic. I said I hadn't been invited, to which she responded, "what are you waiting for a hand written invitation? You're coming with me!" So we met Anita at the train station and walked up to Vila Franka (a restaurant that overlooks Sighisoara). And just about the whole staff was there. It was so much fun just to have time to be with everyone all at once. Oh, and guess who showed up? HANS! I didn't think I'd ever see him again! But he and Rhiann came to Sighisoara for the week.
So I'm sure this week will be spent just trying to drink it up and keep up with the race. I still can't believe that it's really been almost a year. And I still don't want to face the reality of leaving behind home here. I don't have to yet...

Breath of fresh air

That title embodies the past 10 days.
It has been such an incredible blessing to share "my world" with my friends and to introduce them to the place and people I have fallen in love with. For a few transient moments I was nervous about what that would look like. "What if they don't like it? What if they don't understand? What if they ask me all sorts of questions that I really should know, but have no clue how to answer? What if it seems like I've just been flopping around all year, not accomplishing much of anything?"
Then I realized all of those questions were ridiculous, whispers from the evil one. These are my friends who love me unconditionally and have supported me all year. Who just want to see and experience what life is like for me because I mean that much to them. That thought came while standing in the airport waiting for them to walk in and it occurred to me once again just how richly God has blessed me in my life. I feel like I have enough already to last a lifetime. Sometimes I wish I could say "stop! stop! I don't deserve it." Of course his amazing grace swoops in and hushes me. God's all-consuming grace, fills one with all-consuming joy, that's irresistable...even when things are hard. I have a hard time understanding how or why or even when this truth invaded my life this year, but it's something you don't compromise with persistent and useless questions. You accept it and embrace it, knowing full well that it may not always feel this way. I've been told before not to question where God has placed you, but just to listen and accept the blessings he pours over you. Share. Use the life of abundance given to you and bless others with it. Don't make it about yourself.
Okay, back to the week's activities. Traveling last Tuesday went well although it was unplanned (on my part) really. Leaving at 3ish in the morning, I took the train to Bucharest. Jumped on the metro and then the bus, arriving at the airport about 5 full hours before their flight came in. I actually enjoyed my time exploring, people watching (you know we all do it), and reading. Once they came through the gate I was quickly informed that all of their luggage was missing. HA! I couldn't help but laugh nervously as I thought of them being sucked behind the counters of "lost luggage" here in Romania and not resurfacing for two or more hours. However, half an hour later we left for the train being told that their things would show up the next day in Sighisoara "hopefully". All were in good spirits though as we left for the train and things like "well, this would have been no fun lugging stuff with us anyway" were said. Aaron, Kristen, and Kyle's luggage did show up the next evening. Ange's not until Friday afternoon.
So Wednesday Karen and Maurice decided that they were willing to house Kyle and Aaron the whole week for the cost of food. That was a relief because it would have been a little more difficult had they stayed in a host family. We had a relaxing Wednesday and pretty much just "hung out" all day. Karen had kid's club, which Aaron and Kyle attended, while Kristen, Ange, and I stayed with Liam.
Thursday we had another laid back day. I had planned for all of us to go to Sibiu and meet my friend Anita there, but it was supposed to rain. So we stayed in Sighi. We went to elderly club in the morning and then did some typical tour-like stuff after lunch. Climbed the clock tower. Went to House on the Rock. Enjoyed just being together. I'm pretty sure this was the day that we also went to go see the woman that Karen has been making visits to all year (and I've mentioned in a previous blog) Tanti Lenuta. It was really good to see her again and also interesting for me to see how much I could understand of what she was saying. Man does she get carried away talking about all sorts of things sometimes...=] It was fun to see her and hear her tell stories again though.
Friday was the day we left for a neighboring village, Prod. It was teen retreat time! We spent Friday afternoon, Saturday, and Sunday until late afternoon in Prod with the teen group. It went fantastically well and I believe God really worked in many of us in different ways that weekend. I was so glad to have that time with Sendi and Csilla as well. We had wonderful food gathered by Karen and prepared by one of the kid's mothers (with varying peoples' help too). We ate, laughed, played, ran in the rain, sang, talked, and stayed quiet together. I'm not sure that anyone wanted to leave when it came time. We had an adventure getting home after a vehicle broke down, but eventually all of us returned safe and sound.
Monday we decided to go to Sibiu. It is beautiful there and I loved it the first time (with Maggie and Anita) and loved it all over again the second time. We took an early train and spent the whole day just strolling around, climbing clock towers, sitting in cafes and parks, enjoying the sun. Again, just having time with each other felt incredible.
Tuesday we went to elderly club and family center lunch. After that, we all went out to Tsigmadru. The boys rode with Nelutu and the girls caught the maxi taxi. We hauled a snack and craft with us and just enjoyed time with the kids and with the teens. It was awesome to have them meet Nelutu and see the ministry out at the Nazarene Center. Especially for Aaron and Kyle, who had seen it when it was only a vision, literally stakes in the ground of a field.
Wednesday we went back to elderly club and enjoyed our time there. We thought about hiking to the Briete with Nolan and Liam while Karen had kid's club, but it was just too hot. So we mostly stayed home. Though we did go for a short walk to get ingredients for making dinner that night. After getting back from that walk, the girls and I headed back to the apartment to start in on dinner for the family I live above. Pizza, salad, toast and cheese, strawberries. With mandarine oranges in jello and sweet cream dessert. Yum! Csilla and Anita both came over to enjoy the meal with the whole gang. It was Kyle, Aaron, Kristen, Ange, Anita, Csilla, Lian, Andrei, and I. Liana and Emil ate too, but after the rest of us, so I didn't get to see their reaction. =] It was funny to watch Lian and Andrei as they ate "American" pizza. That night was great.
The next day was Thursday (yesterday). Last day already! We did some errands around town pretty much the whole day and hung out with Sendi and Csilla. For dinner we enjoyed a Romanian meal cooked by Karen and Liana that was absolutely delicious. And then after that we went up to Villa Franka with David and enjoyed the view as the sun set while eating some "house cake." All of us got home fairly late and then us girls continued the trend of lateness by staying up and enjoying the stars, packing, and talking. We had to do an up and down check of my apartment because something of Ange's went missing, but after that we settled down for a full 3ish hours of sleep.
Getting up at 4 to be ready by 5 and at the "barrier" at 5:30am, we dragged all things to meet our autobus on time. Loading in, we set off together and their super long day of travel began. I went with them to Bucharest airport, dropped them off, and hopped right back on the autobus to come back to Sighi. And now here I am.
I cannot believe that their time here is over. And furthermore, I can't believe what that means for my time here. But for today, I think I'll continue in denial and just try and catch up with some much needed sleep.

Chaos and I like it.

I'm going to pick up my friends from the Bucharest airport tomorrow. What time? Don't ask because I haven't figured that out yet. It could be 3 in the morning or it could be 6. The plans are a little sketchy right now. But that's okay with me and I'm not worried at all because all that matters is that they will be here. Ange and Kristen will live with me in my apartment and Aaron and Kyle will live with a family on the Veritas' staff. 10 whole days. And you better believe that I am going to enjoy every minute of it. =]

Moving forward.

I always want to say something profound or reach some kind of revelation when I sit down to write. Why is that? Why do any of us have the desire to say profound things or to do profound things? To be people who change the world and "make their mark." Can we not be more happy if we simply humble ourselves and stay quiet? Won't God teach us more through this than through constant meaningless chatter? And if we ever reach that point where we are no longer intentionally trying to say profound things or be profound people, this is when God will shine through us most and speak truth into our lives. Isn't it ironic how that works? We need to be willing to give it up in order to recieve and obtain what we desire. And of course that very lesson is portrayed through the verses of Matthew 10:38-39:
" and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
It is easy to look at those words and ignore the truth in them. But once you take a deep look into yourself and what you are striving for, their relevance speaks clearly.
Over the past few days I've been thinking about this concept and wondering what my ultimate goal is. What am I striving to be? More importantly, who am I striving to be? The person God made you to be is not too far from the reality. The question is are you going forward and actively trying to be that person and make it reality? Are you trying to bring the eternal to the mortal and live out God's kingdom on earth, like Jesus did?
Are you bringing joy, peace, happiness, positive energy, patience, kindness, and wisdom to the table? Or are you bringing the opposite?
I know for sure that I am messing up and making plenty of mistakes along the way, but the important thing is that with every day I am trying. I want nothing more than to bear and bring the fruits of the spirit to those around me. And although it is messy and not always the most fun and again, mistakes are made...it gives life the value that it deserves and makes it worth the struggle.
"It is not that we are perfect now or that we will never have to struggle. Or that the old person won't come back from time to time. It's that this new life involves a constant, conscious decision to keeping dying to the old so that we can live in the new."
Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis
So you've messed up. Ask God's forgiveness, apologize and make amends with those you need to, forgive yourself, and then pick yourself up and move on. Move foreward and put the past to rest. Continue to strive to be the you that God intended you to be and bring the best he has blessed you with. God is doing a new thing now.

Oh Life.

What I’ve been up to:

*Went to Tsigmadru over a week ago for “carnival” with the kids. They all dressed up in costumes and brought snacks. We scored costumes, handed out prizes, and played several games. About 7 of the teens came to help out with that before Nelutu brought the teen group out to Bezid (I think that’s the name of it anyway). It was once again one of those things I knew nothing about before seeing and experiencing it. This time “it” being a beautiful lake. Nelutu had bought all the makings of a Romanian gratar (cook-out) including mici (said “meech”…it‘s a type of Romanian sausage that is a mixture of meats), pork, bread, mustard, salad, tomatoes, cucumbers, and juice. We hauled it all to the gorgeous lakeside and enjoyed an afternoon of eating and relaxing under the sun.

*Two Fridays ago now, I went out with “the ladies” (Dorothy, Roberta, Morag, and Magda B.). We took a leisurely drive a few hours out of town to see several things including a craft fair, a “volcanic” lake, and a bog. The drive itself was breathtaking, the rolling hills, mountains, and huge pastures of Romanian countryside coming in and out of scene along the way. We had a great time together just being away for a day. One of my favorite things to do on trips is to allow time to “go the long way” and lollygag, taking time to look for something distinctive (but not really caring if you actually find it). We stopped in several small towns simply to observe the little things. Things like a unique fortified church and overpriced (but really nice) guesthouses. At one point we pulled the car over in a place that had a view and cowbells in the background (who doesn’t need more cow bell?) and pulled out a picnic. Again, it was just an all around beautiful and fun day.

*Last Saturday I went on a hike with David and Sandor. We saw a lake and then hiked up behind it to one of the highest spots in Sighisoara with an incredible view. I had forgotten how beautiful it is from up there and it was fun to re-experience that with two of the funniest guys I know. David is the Hungarian-Romanian guy I work with in Elderly Club and Sandor is a guy from Germany, who is actually Hungarian too, and came to Sighisoara for the month of April to do some work for school.

*Nolan’s birthday was also last Saturday and he turned seven! I went up to visit him in the afternoon and enjoyed cake and presents with the family.

*This past week I got sick on Tuesday and haven’t been 100% since. The worst of it was the first day though and even then I kept telling myself “I can manage being sick one day out of an entire year,” so it really wasn’t too bad. Again, I’m just blessed that it’s only been once this the whole year.

Other than that, it’s been a fairly normal week. I’ve just continued to be blessed by my friends and have really been enjoying going to see them and just being in each other’s company.

I did miss mom and dad this week, what with being sick and all, but it’s the good kind of missing. The kind that just makes you grateful for how wonderful they are.

Today I think I’m going up to the Briete which is flatlands up in the hills of Sighisoara that have huge oak trees that make you feel real small. It’s our first attempt at walking there, so it will be an adventure. Hopefully the boys and Karen and I will find enough wood to build a fire big enough for some good ol’ marshmellow cooking. The boys have been waiting to do that for awhile now. =]

So, that’s life lately, I guess. I know it’s not much for 10 days worth, but I don’t have much more time to even write out what’s been on my mind. Another day, another post (as I always say…)

Should have asked more questions.

Once again I admit to falling behind in updating. And once again I have excuse upon excuse. Life never seems to slow down, does it? In fact, with each passing month it feels like it picks up speed. My year here has felt similar to the phenomenon of velocity increase throughout a lifetime. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. When you’re five years old summer feels like heaven, literally lasting an eternity. Day after day is spent exploring and facing adventures. Those days feel five times longer than normal and everything is bigger than yourself and worth investigating. However, with each passing year summer gets shorter and things begin to shrink. Christmas comes faster than you can say “school‘s out for summer” and then all of the sudden it’s Spring and everything is green. And in my case, with Spring comes your birthday knocking at the door much sooner than anticipated and then, well, crap. You’ve passed another year and on comes an even faster one. Buckle up and enjoy the ride, don’t freak out. At least that’s what I am telling myself.

So I’ve had a wonderful week. One so full that in spite of all I just said, it felt like a month. (That’s another one of life’s crazy tricks isn’t it? Time is so strange.) I had a great day on Monday, cooking with Maggie. Our dinner was delicious and those last moments spent with people I’ve grown to love were invaluable. We had a lot of fun. Tuesday was difficult and I spent the day in complete denial that I was about to see my parents. Why must everything be made so complicated? Basically, I didn’t know what to do with myself. Which ended up being okay since I had no choice but to board a train at midnight and head toward Budapest, Hungary. I slept intermittently in my seat as the train barreled down the tracks and thought heavy things as I did so. I don’t know where my head was, but it wasn’t planet earth. It wasn’t until standing in the airport in Budapest that reality hit. I was about to see my parents for the first time in 9 months. All that lie between us was a gate that they would walk through at any moment. It was then that I sort of lost it. Although some would say I had lost it way back somewhere on Tuesday and then mid-Wednesday I actually ran into it and picked it up again like you would a five dollar bill left in your winter coat pocket. Either way, I could barely contain myself and once they did walk through the gate I thought I’d burst. I don’t recall ever being so happy to see them, except maybe after having my wisdom teeth out, but the lines between happiness and understanding were a little fuzzy after that procedure. This, this was just plain joy. It was calm after a storm, sense brought to panic, and replenishment of a dry oasis. Don’t get me wrong, I was doing great without them, but I had forgotten just how much love parents have for their children and how much I had missed feeling that. The point is: it was wonderful to see them again. And of course, to see my aunt and uncle too. I had not seen them for about a full year.

We stayed in Budapest for two days (one night). We went on a couple of tours with a very stylish and knowledgeable tour guide, met up with a friend and colleague, Larry Winckles, and enjoyed a couple of absolutely delicious meals together. We really enjoyed the beautiful sights of Hungary’s capital city, which although sounds a lot like Romania’s capital, Bucharest, is a completely different place. It would be easy to understand a mix up between the two, though. =]

We left Hungary on another night train. Try cramming six beds, along with the people that fit in them, along with all of those people’s luggage into a 10 by 25 foot area…and you’ve got yourself a sleeper car. I thought it was awesome, which is why I got the treat of sleeping on the top bunk of a triple-decker bed-space. I have to say, one of my dreams was fulfilled that trip. I had a fairly in depth conversation with our Romanian roommate, Rodica, about me finding a good Romanian boy and settling down to begin the process of making babies (I am at the ripe-old age of nineteen now, you know). She informed me after the passport control swept through that the man who came to our door was cute and probably a good pick, I should have asked him more questions. Well, I guess I missed my chance at romance right then and there, but that's okay. All I really wanted right then was to live out my dream of sleeping in a triple decker bunk. And that's what happened, sleep instead of romance. =] Upon arrival in Sighisoara, we trucked all of our luggage up to the apartment and immediately jumped into action, going from place to place. I could detail all we did together, but that would get tedious. The most important and best part of them being here was introducing them to the families and friends I have really come to know. It’s true that I dragged them (mostly willingly) to about four services for the Easter weekend and we could have gone to more, but it was mainly for the sake of meeting people. I wanted them to meet everyone and everyone had expressed wanting to meet them, too! And it was wonderful every time an introduction was made, every time that connection was united, and the bridges crossed. It was awesome to be able to finally convey and have them understand just how much I love the people here, and how much they love me and take care of me in return. I wish I could do a good job of that on my blog, but I don’t think it’s possible. All I can say is that the people I have met here have taught me so much and helped me an immense amount. They continue to bless me more than I could ever have asked for, or even imagined and for this I am so thankful. And all of that, in itself, is an understatement.

Of course, my family being here meant more than I can explain and their stay had multiple aspects of wonderfulness and layers of experiences. I haven't shared even half of it. Such is life though, complex and confusing, eluding all of us most of the time.

Being "less" busy.

So it's true that here in Romania I am less busy than in America. Well, I take that back. I am a completely different kind of busy. A refreshing, motivating, rejuvenating kind of busy. And who doesn't like that?
Today I will go to elderly club and enjoy a beautiful, bright, and sunny morning there. Then the process of cooking Monday night dinner will begin. Every Monday night I have dinner at Dorothy's house with the students, a peace corp worker, and any other volunteers in town that week. The students are obligated to cook at least once a semester for the group. I've cooked twice already, but I have so much fun each time that I'm back up to bat today. Also, you sign up with a "partner" and Maggie is mine for the night. We are so excited to cook together! We're having stir fry, rice, spinach salad, and a white coconut cake for dessert. Yum, yum, yum. Right after elderly club my day will be devoted to that. We'll go shopping at the open air market and then to several side shops in order to find all we need. We'll take our time and make sure to get everything because there aren't any stores up in the citadel and if we forget something it's a 15 minute walk to the nearest alimentare (store). After getting all we need we'll haul it all to Dorothy's house and begin to cook! We'll just prepare and cook all afternoon until it's time for cultural class at 5. Then at 6 we'll sit down and enjoy fellowship over a great meal with some wonderful people.
This will be the last Monday night dinner with the students. Which I can't believe. How has it been a semester already? Have these girls really been here as long as the last group was? It feels shorter.
It means my departure is not far off. How can that be true?
Tomorrow is no exception to the "different busy" rule. I will rise a little earlier than normal and start to clean. A tradition in Romania is to clean, clean, clean before Easter day. It's basically Spring cleaning, but everyone does it. Yesterday I was informed by Tati that by no means was I "let off the hook" of this cleaning experience just because I am American. I must clean before I leave for Budapest on Tuesday in order to have an orderly room on Easter weekend. He let me know right where the vacuum would be and told me that Tuesday morning was the perfect opportunity for me to get the work done. I laughed and thought to myself that it's good someone is telling me that it's time I organize myself and giving me a specific time because otherwise it would most likely be left undone. And he is right, I'm no exception. I'm actually looking forward to doing that and having a sparkling space. It will be nice.
After cleaning there is elderly club and hopefully I will make it there to see them one last time before Easter break next week. At 2ish I'll head out to Tsigmadru with Nelutu, Maggie, and probably Sandor (a new student in town) for kid's club and teens. Following that, I'll come home to pack quickly for the trip and then board a train at 11:30 at night and head for Budapest, Hungary. Taking the night train, I'll end up in Budapest early Wednesday morning and make my way to the airport to greet my parents and aunt n' uncle.
Reality hasn't sunk in yet (it's 48 hours away!), but I am SO excited.
Please be praying for safe travels and an encouraging time with one another. Also, just that plans would fall into place and run smoothly, seamlessly while they're here.
Thinking about "lasts" with the students and this short time with my parents has begun to stir up strong feelings about coming near to "the end". And working through that will be a challenge over the next couple of weeks, so please pray for that as well.
As always, I thank you over and over for being so very supportive and loving.

Weary for words...pictures will do!

So Spring has finally, finally sprung and the trees are looking beautiful. In fact, the whole town is looking beautiful. The past couple of days have been rainy, but I have not a care in the world if it means more GREEN! Which it does, of course. So here's a few from "around town":


Meet Tommi. The cat who lies outside of my door every morning and greets me every night when I come in. I never thought I'd say I like a cat, but Tommi, I like.
Man selling seeds at the market. He was stunned that I asked to take his picture and then confused what to do when I pulled out the camera and he realized I really was taking a picture. He was a nice man though, and I thought his little seed chamber thing was cool.

These are pictures from the Ukraine:

This is the Mom's and their disabled kids' club. These are only a few of the members against the back wall of the room. They were the ones who really cheered me on when I had to particpate in a game up front. =]
The little lady in the middle is the one who insisted I take a dress home with me from her wardrobe. She was so joyful and beautiful, being with her was a blessing. My good friend Maggie is on her left.
This is a little boy I picked up at the Home for the Disabled. He was 9 years old and unusually quiet. But when I made faces and laughed he let out a giggle, too. He was precious.

One night Liam and I had a date at the pizza place Quattro Amici. He loved it. We played tick-tack-toe and ate plenty of pizza. Later he came over to my place and we goofed around a little before his brother joined us after a long day's journey to Bucharest (to pick up "Miss Debbie").

(He insisted that Pup-pup be in the picture.)
Nolan and Liam being their goofy selves on a swing in the "park". "Park" consists of a set of swings that has 2 out of four functioning places.
Csilla and I after our hike up a huge hill.
Yep, Deb's in town! And it has been a blessing having her around. She comes to elderly club every day! She has already preached on Sunday and done a little devotional for the elderly. She will lead Friday morning devotions for the Veritas staff, too. Continue to pray for her as she experiences Romania! This picture was taken after a hike up in the hills. We ran into a shepherd and his flock of goats and he let us hold a baby. =] It feel asleep on Deb, just like a puppy would. Cute! The experience rekindled my desire to have a pet goat. Wouldn't it be sweet?

Here is "the gorgeous Gorge!" (said "theee GORGEOUS gorge", of course):

And a little note to those of you hoping to hear more about the Ukraine. I am in the middle of writing a little summary-type thing that I will post elsewhere and link to this blog. I don't want you to feel swamped with reading and life is still moving fast with lots of other things to post about, but I do have plenty more to say about Ukraine. So click if you choose, once I've finished and posted the link.
Thanks to all who continue to read, pray, support, even just think about us over here in Romania, as we continue our journey through this year.

In it for the long haul

I don’t even know where to begin when describing what has happened this past weekend in Ukraine or even how I feel about it all. I guess I am still (and forever will be) processing it and trying to grasp the how, why, when, and what to do questions that surface on anyone’s mind when they’ve encountered something overwhelming.
I’ll start by explaining why we went at all and the basics of what we did from Friday morning when we left till Monday night when we arrived back home. In the city of Chernivtsi, Ukraine there is a woman working to further the existence of occupational therapy and support /aid mothers and their disabled children. The American students, Dorothy, Elena (she was my language teacher earlier in the year), and I went to encourage her and try and help her out in any way possible.
On the trip there, we stopped several times to stretch our legs and prevent the stiffness that comes with long (10 hour) car rides. My favorite stop was the largest and most famous gorge in Romania. It was GORGEous! Hahaha. Really, it was. Dorothy dropped us off at the mouth of it and we walked about a kilometer through, along a road that twisted and curved with a creek alongside it, the miles-high cliff sides climbing on either side of us. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It felt like something you dream of, or read about in a fantasy novel, or maybe see in a magazine (knowing full well that it was tailored by the mouse-click of someone with way too much skill in creating fake worlds). But no. All real. The stream gurgled on the side of the road and my brain couldn’t decide which to watch: The sparkling spring water flowing flawlessly over smooth, green rocks and forming wells of water that were all-too-tempting to jump in to…or…The walls of the gorge covered in moss and reaching so far up that my neck had to strain back in order to see the top and pick up the view of the fuzz that was actually trees sticking out of the sides and gracing the top. Thankfully the road lasted long enough that I could drink in both views for plenty of time. That stop in itself made the trip worth the long trek. Little did I know what was to come…
Friday night we met with our friend and spent some time getting to know her at dinner. She is a great lady, full of passion and vision. It was inspiring just being around her and her excitement for progress was contagious. It was clear to me that God was working some pretty awesome things into her life right now. As she said “it’s the season of miracles.” “Wow” I thought to myself, “what did I get myself into.” The type of “what did I get myself into” that just means it’s not what you expected and there is definitely something bigger and unknown behind it. The kind that makes me anxious and itch with excitement. God is at work there, that’s for sure.
We stayed in a Young Life facility there and that was great. I never could have imagined that I would get to experience Young Life in another country. I was so blessed by that. Upon meeting the leaders, I was told “Welcome! Any Young Life-er is a friend of ours and the rest of you have to work on that one.” I laughed to myself at how familiar and remnant of my past experience with Young Life that greeting felt. It felt like a piece of home in a way. I sat in on a club for a few minutes and laughed at the skit that made absolutely no sense in Russian and again took comfort in feeling like God spreads so very far and wide. I know it’s strange to find that in a skit that’s really rather pointless, but it’s true. I found my appreciation of Young Life grew a lot through witnessing it’s overarching message of love in a country where I couldn’t even understand it. Again, really cool.
Saturday we helped, which really just means participated, in the club (that this woman I’ve been talking about) started for the disabled and their mothers. It was really such a blessing. Volunteers from Young Life came and ran the club. They were incredible. Again, their compassion and love was visible and tangible. They were so excited about planning and running the club, so happy to have time with the kids and love on them. So good at what they did. We had craft, singing, games, skits, food, and more throughout the duration of the club. I again felt so encouraged and inspired simply by witnessing such a life-changing and joy-giving ministry.
On Sunday came events that I can only attempt to portray, but I know that I do so poorly because you just can‘t grasp it from reading. I don’t say that to belittle those who haven’t experienced it firsthand, I only say it as warning to those who choose to read on. We visited two institutions run by the government. One was a nursing home and the other a home for the disabled (mainly boys and men). The nursing home held over 100 patients and the other one over 70. I was shocked by what I saw here. I had read and talked about institutions before, but never again should I claim to know something before I’ve experienced it myself. The people in these homes managed to capture my heart and break it at the same time and all in only a few hours time. They were so isolated and alone, so needing love. Their conditions were awful. No running water at one of the facilities, and seemingly none at the other. It stunk and you could feel the filth hanging in the air and lingering on the patients. The saddest part was how few staff were in each place and how little attention each individual was paid. Hardly any. It could hardly be said that they were treated as people at all. Yet they were so sweet. Talking to us in a language we could mutually understand; kisses, stares, smiles, grabs. A part of me broke Sunday and along with it, the dam holding back tears did as well. I cried the majority of the day, replaying scenes from both places over and over. My world came flooding over me in all it’s ugliness and I questioned all that I stood for and defended formerly, up to that very day. The meanness and cruelness of it all thrust itself under my nose and asked whether I could take it. The answer to that question remains to be answered. My own selfishness has slapped me in the face time and time again since then. Here is where the “how?”, “why?”, “when”, and “what to do?” questions started. God’s still molding that clay. Right now it just feels like wet dirt. Heavy, ugly, uncomfortable, unproductive, and shapeless. Where do I go from here? I think that is a question only time and prayer will answer. God only knows. Praise Him for knowing though, I’d be completely lost if there wasn’t that truth to hold on to.

Just the facts.

Some random facts in no particular order:
*I'm reading Mere Christianity and it's a great book. At first I had a hard time following him, but things are starting to piece together and the grand picture is a whole lot more clear.
*This weekend I was invited to go to the Ukraine with the students. So I am honored with the opportunity to see yet another new and exciting place in the world with almost no cost.
*I had a frustrating week last week for no particular reason, but the weather made up for it. It was absolutely gorgeous and sunny. This week I'm not having a particularly bad week, but the weather is gray and dismal. Which leaves me feeling groggy and disoriented, like someone woke me up at 3 in the morning and told me it was time to get ready for the day and then pushed me out the door.
*I'm applying for SUNY Geneseo even though their deadline for applications was January 1st and there is little-to-no chance of a.) getting in b.) recieving financial aid. But I am doing that whole scrambling "is this really what I want" thing before making a big decision. I can't decide what's better: going somewhere I know I will be comfortable and fit in, I know that the education is incredible and the opportunities for success are great OR going somewhere to try and figure out what I want to study because right now I'm real uncertain...and for a lot less money than the latter, and just about as equal a rigorous and reputable education.
The fact of the matter is that I may not have to choose because it would be rather miraculous if I made it into Geneseo. There is a peace about that whole situation though, I know God's guidance is behind it even when it feels like chaos to me.
*My parents are going to be here in 20 days. Actually I'm going to meet them in Budapest, Hungary and we'll stay there a couple of days before taking the night train together here. They'll be here for Orthodox Easter weekend, which also means my birthday!
*Everything is on the verge of being green and bursting forth color. I'm feeling caught in the suspension of Spring coming. The fluctuating weather is bringing me to a feeling of unease rivaled by wanting to take joy in the obvious potential there is behind it all. Through it all, there is the constant feeling of comfort in knowing it will come. There's no chance of it not coming. I'm just hungry for it. I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my shoulders and smell the sweet scent of blooming trees and flowers. I want to see green (my favorite color) blanketing the hills and wavering in the trees. I'm waiting anxiously...

Maybe not.

I knew when I said it, I'd regret it. The very same day that I got all Spring-happy, a storm came crashing in and we got snow! It was big snow too. It didn't snow a lot, but the flakes were HUGE. So I walked home that night with my leopard print umbrella (courtesy of two wonderful friends of mine) laughing at the irony.

The next morning I woke up to this:
And this morning I woke up to this:
Haha. Needless to say, Winter's not had it's final fall yet. It's been really cold the past couple of days! I'm hoping it doesn't last. This morning I felt like hibernating again. =]

"The times, they are a-changing."

I have had a very rich weekend, full of wonderful experiences. Friday was a little odd. I had to keep reminding myself that it was Easter weekend. The majority of Romania is Orthodox and Orthodox Easter is a month from now. The church we attend (Sighisoara Nazarene Church) celebrates along with the rest of the crowd during "Orthodox easter" and so this weekend was fairly quiet in the way of easter-ish happenings. There are a few churches who celebrated this past weekend, but more on that later.
On Saturday, Nolan, Liam, and I decided to take a day out in the town of Medias at an indoor pool there. We had planned on taking the train both ways, but the train was so late departing that Karen and Maurice graciously drove us. It seems like only seconds after walking in the door the boys were headed for the water. They were so excited. I was too. We hung out in the pool for the majority of the day, only taking a quick break for food. A friend from Veritas came to swim as well and it was great to have their company for the day. Needless to say, by the time we got on the train to come home...all three of us were tired to the max. Liam and I rested the whole way home and Nolan made up for his lack of food whilst swimming. We had a great day together.
Sunday I woke up super early to go to an Easter service with one of the students studying abroad here this semester (Katie). Dorothy had told us that there would be an Easter service at the church "on top of the hill", which means the church at the top of the "German staircase" here in the citadel. It's the highest point of the citadel. Taking advantage of one of the very few churches celebrating at the same time as our American counterparts, Katie and I met at 6:30 to make it there by 7. It was a beautiful, cool and crisp Spring morning. The sunrise painted the sky slightly pink and the birds were chirping. The service was really nice. Although it was all in German (only partly translated into Romanian and then Dorothy whispering English at us now and then), it was moving. We started down in "the crypt" of the church and it was all lit up by candlelight. Then we worked our way up into the sanctuary and stood in a circle around a handmade cross and sang together. After the service there was breakfast at the parish house and I thought to myself "this is exactly what Easter should be like." We all enjoyed a meal of hard boiled eggs dyed red, sweet bread, and hot drinks. The dyed red egg has significance, but I can't remember right now. By the time second Easter rolls around, I'm sure I'll know. It was a lot of fun just to enjoy fellowship with one another, celebrating the resurrection of Our Savior.
After attending the Nazarene service I headed home for a quiet and relaxing day. The family that I live above is Orthodox, so I knew that they wouldn't be celebrating yesterday and that was okay with me. I really enjoy the opportunities I get to be a part of "the Romanian experience" and I know that will come next month.
So Mama and I went for a walk together yesterday afternoon. We walked to the cemetary where she and Tata are going to be buried. I know it sounds a little morbid, but I've got to tell you...in general Romanians have a better handle on death than we do. That's a statement to save for it's own entry. Anyway, it was way up on the side of a hill. And it was beautiful. The weather was beautiful, too. I'm not trying to rub it in for those of you with snow, but the sun was magnificent. I could go outside in just my longsleeves!
This kind of weather always makes me a little antsy. I get this feeling in my bones like I should be doing something, especially outside. I start to wake up a whole lot earlier and go to bed a lot later too. These are transitioning times.

"The Bachelorette Pad"

It's perfect! =]

The world is full of people

There is this thing called egocentrism that I learned about in psychology class last year. It’s said to be a specific stage that kids go through where they are completely focused on themselves and simply can’t understand the existence of other people, or at least the independent thoughts and feelings of other people. A common symptom of it is lack of regard when it comes to feelings. The children assume that the person in the room experiences everything they are experiencing, even their thoughts. Hence, they’ll launch into explanations that seem unconnected and reveal their own thoughts in ways that appear illogical to the rest of the world. “Wow, that kid’s got an imagination,” we all say. Often that’s a true statement and it really is quite a shame that we can’t share in their world the way they think we can. The imagination of a child is something to marvel at. Something I sometimes wish I could have back. I digress, back to the point.
Part of that egocentrism never leaves. It stays with us from the moment we are born to the day we breathe our final breath because it’s not just a stage, it’s built in. The moment the fruit was taken from the tree, our focus came off God and unto ourselves. Part of me wants to stick my fingers in my ears when I hear that again, simply because I am hearing it again. “I know, Lord” I want to say, “stop reminding me and help me fix it.” Then I pull back and recognize the fault of the response. It’s as if God directly points out the fact that I am focused on ME. “No, child” he says, not chastising, not scolding, or being condescending, but filled with love and understanding. And for a moment, things are so clear that fear fills me. I am so lost, so far off from living the way the Lord intended…how can I ever find that trail that is so hard to see. So narrow and distant. I begin to think to myself “I have no idea what I am doing…I really know nothing about being a Christian…how can I focus on others when I don’t have it figured out myself?!”
And then love in it’s most real and raw form always finds me and greets me where I am. Suddenly I find myself at the foot of the cross, humbled by the sacrifice of the Lord. Jesus died for us. How often do I hear that and it goes in one ear and out the other without any kind of true understanding? He died for us so that we don’t have to “figure it all out“. He gapped that bridge. He knows we’ll mess up and that’s okay. He forgives us every single time. EVERY single time. He knows we’re a fumbling, confused, clumsy, and blundering bunch. He loves it. Sometimes I wonder, “does he ever get sick of all of us making the same mistakes over and over again?” Ooooh, grace. That incomprehensible and perplexing thing. Grace. Hm.
I’ve realized over the past year that your whole life you continue to learn. Even the authors I’m reading right now, who write so eloquently as if they’ve got it “all figured out”, don’t! They don’t. They’re on the same journey I am along with the rest of the world. Along with the rest of the world…
Sitting on the train on the way back from Arad, I was trying to read a book, but found my eyes drawn toward the window for the majority of the time. I kept looking out the window and people-watching. We all do it, don’t deny it. I play this game where I single out a person and watch them for some time and then tell their life story (to myself, usually). It’s a pretty fun game when you get going with it, but today it wasn’t a game. Today I realized (for the umpteenth time) there are a ton of people in this world and there have been for a long time. People come and people go through this life like it’s only a flicker of time. And my egocentrism struck me like a ton of bricks. Every person has a life. I don’t know how I can verbalize this without sounding like I am extremely self-centered and clueless…like I am being “captain obvious.” But honestly, how often do we think of others in that light? That they are people who deserve just as much respect as we expect. Who could be going through similar things to us. Who could be facing situations much more than they can handle. Each person has their own family to be a part of (or maybe not!). Each person questions their life and purpose and wonders “what on earth am I doing here?” Each person has their own complexities of life to deal with. Their own feelings to tend to. Their own thoughts. When I think about how much is going on in my life right now, it boggles my mind to think that every person in the world has that. Everyone has to learn to live their own life and decide how they are going to do that.
And it’s right about there that I just want to get on my knees and say “This thing we call life is bigger than me. It’s more complicated and messy than I’m ready to be. It’s not easy and not always fun, yet You give me joy in living it. It is not all about me and I know that I make it to be all the time. Thank you for forgiving me of that and taking my hand to guide me through anyway. Thank you for your patience and grace with one so insignificant as I. Thank you for knowing each and every person’s purpose and loving us so deeply and richly when we are undeserving and ignorant most of the time. Thank you, Lord!”
God chose you to live this life. Delight in it. Live it to the full.

Life is great.

The apartment is great.
Hanging out with Nolan and Liam has been great.
Elderly club is going great.
Been doing a little work in Baragan with Maurice and Eddi, that's great.
Getting to know some of my Romanian friends a little better and that's great.
This weekend I'm going to Arad, that'll be great.
How many times can I say "great" before it loses meaning?
Life's been a blast and I've been enjoying every little bit.