the cooler autumn weather has come...

Today was one of those days that I wish I had my camera with me. It was one of those days that I just wanted to capture the moment and some of the sights I saw and share them with all. It was one of those days I wish family and friends could have experienced with me and my kids. It was just a normal day really, but with a little bit of love and laughter added. Actually the last few days I've felt a bit like that...the weather change...it's good for us, I think it's changes us as well. And if you watch, I bet the seasons or more the creator of them, will romance your soul a bit with the changes and beauty of what they bring. It's the little things, the daily things that we often miss. The wind slightly blowing as it wisps our hair about and then the leaves begin to circle, falling down around us. The sidewalks covered with fallen leaves, making a lovely path for us to walk on; soft and colorful! The quite walk home in the crisp night air. The little every day things are the things that we love anyway... of course big gifts or exciting new things can make our hearts skip, but when a friend calls to say hi or drops by; or you get a letter in the mail; or your child runs up and gives you a kiss; or your kitchen stays clean; you make an amazing meal that you enjoy with family and friends; your baby smiles; you get a hug, etc... LIFE!
So, back to today, the 13th of October... I'll try to capture it as much as I can since most where not here with me nor did I have my camera. I planned to take a walk up the apple hill (as we call it here) for some fall picture taking of the fences and corn stacks, but I woke up to pouring rain instead of sun. This weather I didn't expect and was not so excited to be out in. But, when I left with my kids for school, the excitement on their faces to be out walking in the rain was enough to get me excited too! Laszlo's smile was huge and he just laughed. "Mama! It's raining and my hood keeps falling down!" So we fixed that and then went off with a skip and a run! I think we skipped and ran most of the way hand in hand, Laz just looking at me his lovely grin and freckly nose. I love him! And his new face with the wrinkled up nose...it's my favorite! And don't worry, the joy was still there when I picked him up after school, although he was a bit more tired. But then I forgot his rain coat so I got another "Mama!" But all was fine when I tied a flower scarf around him that I just bought and gave him one of my gloves. So we were hand in hand again one glove each and then laughter came again. Kids find so much joy in new things and if we watch and let ourselves be caught up in the moment, then we too enjoy them as well! I think kids are our reminders to not get stuck in mundane adult life, but to live it through eyes of children.
So, then we get to the guest house (where we eat lunch everyday) and Laz finds this bright pink comb and starts to brush out his curls...so a fro has begun! He's hilarious that kid!
And not to worry, the rain has still not stopped! Tomorrow will then be another rainy day full of umbrellas... those that actually protect you from the rain, those that old ladies have that are half broken and half blow away; there will be pink ones and blue ones, stripes, flowers and polk-a-dots. Kids will be walking to school trying so hard (well guess it would depend on the child) to not step in every puddle along the way. There will be have grins on faces as they enjoy the rain on their faces while still trying to keep their umbrellas from blowing away. Old ladies will stick their pink umbrellas under trucks, hoods will be held in place with wet, cold hands as the wind tried to blow them off and the rain comes to bring showers of water. Enjoy tomorrow and watch for those small, daily glimpses of life.

Laz...

...and his many faces! plus some photo's with mom and our fun dress up dance parties around the house and vacation time up in the mountains!

my market finds....

...and this is why i love market days!

marghita days

the town i live in has been a town for 42 years now. so every september, on the last weekend of the month they have a town fair or carnival. the main street is closed off from friday to sunday, rides are set up on the street, a stages in the center, and vendors come and sale their wares. it's a bit like friday market only much bigger and with less fruits and veggies. there is pottery for sale, random toys and gifts, clothes, baskets, hot dogs, cotton candy (or candy floss as my friend calls it), kozonac (this really great sweet bread rolled in nuts or coconut), drinks, gyros, cartof pie (french fries), etc... and then there is the giant airbed type slides, face painting, bumper cars and some go cart racing...which laszlo loved watching! so we had some pocket money and some extra jobs for our kids to make a bit of money and then many of us went out and enjoyed the day in town! we went in the morning when it was quieter and full of less people and more time and room for our kids to ride the rides. but we also went out a bit in the evening to see all the lights on the rides and the folk dance stage performers...and one audience performer too!
oh yes, and there was a large pig roasting on a spit and fireworks to finish the weekend celebration!
so these are some of the photos that documented our day.
hope you enjoy!

Today, Septemeber 4th 2009...this is what I read and was blessed!

...from Isaiah 35... Joy of the Redeemed.

" The desert and parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. ...they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.

Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, ...'
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. ...only the redeemed will walk there, and the ransomed of the Lord will return.
Gladness and joy will overtake them, sorrow and sighing will flee away." AMEN!!!

How wonderful and amazing is our Lord. He is good and what he does is good.
Read this whole chapter for your self and put your own Amen at the end. This is our God! We want to see these things in our own lives and in the world around. And I think it's safe to say that we all long for the words at the end to come true. Let his JOY fill you today!

power...

Today we had a time of prayer with our small kids at Casa Alba. So many days go by as I'm working there that I just feel I barely make it through the shift. Other days I'm overwhelmed because I know they need much, much more then just clothes, a bed, and food... they need healing, love, moms and dads, they need hope, grace, hugs, tears, safety. And then today, not only did these small children pray and thank Jesus for each other and ask for moms and dads to come, but we, as some of us living here and a team that came to serve our kids this week, also took the opportunity to pray over these kids. Tears came to my eyes as we laid hands and prayed over our children. The realization of God's plan for these kids and the opportunity to be apart of asking God to speak over them and about them and to call out truth of who these kids are and what they are to be and to disclaim what they are not, was incredible!
These kids are of high worth; they are wanted; they are loved - by the Lord and by us; and the plans for their life is great! I could see a picture of protection around them. A time to speak truth into their life and ask God to begin now to open their eyes and ears and heart to see and hear and know Him. These kids are young and mold able. This is the time to invest in their lives; to teach and encourage and love. How privileged I feel to have been apart of this day and to continue to be apart of their lives. May every day be like today and may we see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven! May our kids love and give and worship Him. And may they grow up to be all they were created to be! Amen and Amen!

rainy days

Spring has come to Marghita and so have the rainy days. First we had crazy snow, then freezing cold and ice everywhere; and now the spring rains! The warm days I love as well as the sun shine and lovely breeze, but the mud I could do without. I would bet the kids would say otherwise! What is better then a muddy pond in your back yard? It's warmer out and so you can play longer, your nice and dry execpt for your socks, and your boots squish when you walk?!! Seasons are changing and soon the time. The grass a bit higher, the trees will soon blossom and bloom, and the happiness and joy of new life will soon be felt by all.
So here is how it was just a bit ago, here is as it was today, and more will follow by what it will be.

Laszlo's thoughts, words, and songs.

Today when Laszlo was washing his hands, hands, hands (songs can be made from even the simplest request)... he jumped up to see him self in the mirror and exclaimed: 'I have curls!' Yes indeed! Always have!!! Who would have known...new discoveries every day!
And, the other day I was explaining why we eat. I said we are like the flowers, if they don't get water and sunshine they don't grown and if we don't get food then we don't grown. ...'and we need rain???' Well water, yes. So I know that he was listening because the very next morning he asked me: 'Am I big?' Yes, he is growing! Next week he will be 6!!!

be my everything

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE! I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!

"No matter what this day will bring
I will lift my hands and sing
Oh be my everything

I'll make my life an offering
In you alone, I believe
Oh be my everything,
My everything

When the world comes crashing down around my feet
And I can't see ten feet in front of me
Jesus, I know that you are strong when I am weak
So please help me, allow you to be
My everything

No matter what this day will bring
I will lift my hands and sing
Oh be my everything
I'll make my life an offering
In you alone, I believe
Oh be my everything,
My everything

And there are times when it seems as though you're far away
But I will hope in you, for this is the day that you have made
And thank you Jesus for this blessed gift of your grace
For helping me to see,
My need for you to be
My everything

No matter what this day will bring
I will lift my hands and sing
Oh be my everything
I'll make my life an offering
In you alone, I believe
Oh be my everything

No matter what this day will bring
I will lift my hands and sing
Oh be my everything
I'll make my life an offering
In you alone, I believe
Oh be my everything,
Oh be my everything,
Oh be my everything,
My everything"
(lyrics by Telecast)

New Years Eve 2008

Bed time... little Cera: 'can we read a book?' me: No, it's late and time for bed. 'well can we pray?' yes, we will.
Cera is 4 and her prayers start well and then just end up telling a story about the Christmas tree we have, and her birthday that was just a few days ago and yet she thinks and hopes it will be again soon, and her walk to the store. She also asked me today was it was night time and I tried to explain that ever day the sun it up and it's day time and then it goes down and the moon comes up and it's night. To that I got a - Nu Cred ca soare mege jos. (I don't believe it goes down.) She was quite matter of fact. And when I tried to explain the New year coming and that there are 12 months in a year and then we have a new year, she didn't get it and just kept asking why were were having a party and who's birthday it was. She is just so excited about birthdays since hers was just last week.
So then, back to bed time prayers... Laszlo begins to pray, like every night: 'Multumesc (Thank you) for Cora (my mom), Dan (my dad), and Mama lui Katie' (my roommates mother who was just here with us for Christmas). Top 3 in prayers for tonight! Then he continued to be Thankful for: 'the Big Christmas tree & the Small one. Amin!'

And we are so Thankful for our ONE Christmas tree! It was a gift and we have enjoyed it....especially the decorating! Well actually, I must stop myself and say, Laszlo was right. We have the big, real Christmas Tree in the family room, and a small fake one on the dresser in our bedroom. So he was right!

(more pictures are to come, but here are just a few)
And....
HAPPY NEW YEAR! LA MULTI ANI from Romania! or as Laszlo said on the phone to my mom: 'Happy Birthday to you, you, you!'