courtney; me, life, romania

a bit of my heart...

2012-01-20T23:40:00.000+02:00

I have just been listening to some music a friends posted and oh how my heart has been touched and blessed!

For me and my family here in Romania the last little bit has been hard and this week was filled with hard things to hear, waiting in lines,visa application, new laws and many tears. I know life is full of many things we can't control and things that just come unexpected, but when you have been waiting for something you've hoped for years to finally begin, it's hard to hear that laws have changed and the way to go about it might be more difficult then originally thought. This bit in Proverbs came to mind the other day in the midst of all this: Hope deferred makes the heart sick. I knew this adoption would not be easy or even life for that matter, but I think some days I would just like a bit of normalcy. I don't have the strength anymore, I'm tired. What if I don't get the papers I need? What if they say no again? I don't know if I can bear it. So my heart has been heavy this last week.

But God is still good! I have a wonderful husband who loves and supports me and whose trust is strong! And our family, both far and those close that serve together with us have been in prayer with us and there has been much love and encouragement! Today as I was teaching school, my son and I were talking about Thankfulness in all things and as I was giving him examples, it was me who was being taught as well. Today and yesterday has looked much brighter. My heart has been awakened and comforted through song and truth and the reminders of the faithfulness of my God that he has proved and I have seen over the years. The Lord has done great things! Life is not over and everyday holds newness and mercy; of that I am thankful. So, though my heart is still a bit full of sorrow, it also holds some excitement of what is to come; and hope! I firmly believe that life fully lived has both sorrow and joy and you can not have one without the other.

our morning...

2012-01-08T21:29:00.000+02:00

first, we woke up to snow! it was a lovely site since our winter has kind of felt like the turning of winter into spring. i've been hoping and asking Jesus for some snow cause it sure is fun and beautiful! so, since i was just asking for it the night before on a clear, star filled night, i was excited and joy filled my heart - how good our Jesus is! also, we have a wood / coal burring stove brick stove that we use to heat our house and so since my husband was off to cook lunch for the team, laz and I went out to go gather up wood and coal for a fire to warm and cozy up the house. this was to my sons delight as he was just itching to go out in the snow... plus he loved to come help us gather the wood. so we put on our boots and grabbed our box and basket and headed out to the chicken yard to the little brick cellar of sorts.

the rest you can see through photos....

Pappa's first hair cutting attempt...

2012-01-08T21:13:00.000+02:00

I've been saying I'm going to give Laszlo a trim since we have let his hair grow since our wedding in July...and as you can see from our new years photos, his hair is quite long and crazy. So, my husband decided to have a go at it this Saturday...I went in from time to time to check and see all the many curls that were falling to the ground. I told him he should maybe not quit his day job :) He did ask for help once...or rather advice on how to continue.... but anyway Laz sure thought it was fun to have his Pappa cut his hair!

Happy New Year!

2012-01-04T23:43:00.000+02:00

We wish all of you an amazing year full of newness, adventure, laughter and wonder! Love to all and Blessings in 2012!

1st attempt at the 'serious' pose (how???)

2nd attempt...much better! All looking at the camera.


Ok, time to smile and wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Fireworks show from our porch

A bit loud I'd say...mostly the small ones Pappa was lighting...but still love'n it!

And Sparklers to finish off the new years eve party at the Björks!

some of my favorite things...

2012-01-04T23:26:00.000+02:00

New Years / Winter arrangement on the porch.

some Yummy goodness my husband made!

My favorite decorated space in the house!

Christmas in photos:

2011-12-26T21:13:00.000+02:00

TREE DECORATING

CHRISTMAS PANCAKES


WOW! A LOT A LOT OF GIFTS MAMA!

UM... WHAT TO SAY...MY BOYS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BJÖRKS!

OUR TASTY BOXING DAY FIKA!

It's already December and soon Christmas...

2011-12-18T23:21:00.000+02:00

....and many months have passed since since I have last blogged. I know I have not been so good at keeping up with that...life just gets busy and I don't stop to take the time to add bits here and there about life here in Romania and our new family.

So let me try and fill you in on a bit of our life the past few months:

We have been really working and loving time together as a family and teaching Laszlo about what it means to be a family. He's now lived with me full time for a year and a half but with his Pappa just a bit under half a year and so there has been much learned and we have really seen progress in him and in school and just every day life things. Some things are easier for him now that he's growing up and such a change from last year with even the putting on of socks and shoes that where such a source of frustration. I also think there is something about having a Pappa. Laszlo is more settled, sleeps better, eats better and relaxes better and all this started soon after we were married and Jonte began to live with us. I love to see it! It's amazing and such perfect timing and such a wonderful thing to share life together and responsibilities with someone.

Anyways, my focus has been our family and mainly Laszlo. He's in Romanian school 3 days a week and 2 days a week we do school at home in English and let me say that this fall has been a wonderful on compared to last year at the preschool he was attending...it was disaster! I love being apart of his learning and watching him learn the English letters and numbers! It's been a challenge at times but I really do enjoy being apart of his learning (in every day things as well) and having a scheduled has been good for the both of us.

The rest of my week is spent driving some special needs children that are in foster homes to a school an hour away for them to be able to attend school a few days a week and also helping out a bit at our special needs school here in town where Laszlo also attends. I've been helping out a bit in our warehouse to gather things for our foster families and their children. And of course I've been going up with my good friend Katie to the hospital when I have a bit of free time to hold and love on those babies that are just laying there. I love that part...they are so very sweet those little ones and the 2 that we have there right now are so very precious and we see make progress...little Eniko and Iosif... but I do hope that soon they can return to their families or be placed in new ones very soon. One or 2 hours a day of holding time is not much when you are that small. Oh Jesus, show your grace and mercy to the little ones.

In October we went for a visit to Sweden to visit my husbands family and friends of ours from here in Romania and to also share at a church and raise some more support for our continued stay here in Romania. It was a wonderful time to see a bit of where Jonte grew up and a blessing with the Church and friends. Plus I did a few things I've never done before like ride a long board, go on a motorcycle ride... yes I was a bit scared and held on very tight but I enjoy the Swedish forest at the same time.

November was filled with an early Thanksgiving with our team here. Everyone brought a bit of food to share, the napkins rings where made by the kids, and the day was lovely and relaxed...it was nice. Then Jonte and I were off to visit Colorado for Thanksgiving there, a trip to the mountains (wonderful!),Christmas tree cutting (one of my favorite days!) and a wedding reception for those back home to attend since our wedding was so far away. It was also the time of our legal name change. So I am no longer a Brown, I am now officially a Björk! I will always be a Brown at heart but I'm happy to have my husbands name and proud to be apart of his family... they are lovely!

So, now it's almost the end of this year and we have bought our tree at a place in town on the corner, helped sort Christmas boxes for our school kids and their families and others we give to during this time, decorated the tree and put up lights, driven the kids to school and shopped for my day to cook for our team, held some babies, Advent with my family, Monday night worship and cmas party with my team here, watched the snow fall last night with a very excited boy and many "oh thank you Jesus'!", gathered again clothes for our foster kids and some hats and gloves along with socks and tights for Hope and her family (a girl that lived with me as a baby for some months 7 years ago), running to the post office to mail letters and practicing for our annual Santa Lucia caroling day the 13th. Love singing to those at the old folks home...they love it too! You can see tears as we sing and excitement like children when our children hand them Christmas gifts... I love that my son can be apart of this service in this country; his country. Much has gone on this month and I'm exhausted. I'm looking forward to break time to be home a bit more with my family. There is more to be said but I think is is long enough for now. I'll try and add pictures during the rest of this month and the months to come.

Lots of love to all! May you be amazed at all my savior has done for you and the greatness of the God that can command the storm to stop and whose son came as a little baby to save us and bring us freedom all those years ago!

Here are a few photos from these past months:

our sweet 8 year old boy

the attempt

the master

Helping Pappa

Romanian Thanksgiving

lov'n the snow...& I'm lov'n his face

Nov. 23rd from Brown to Björk

Colorado Thanksgiving with the family!


Tree cutting and chilli eating

Dad & my husband sawing away

Marghita town lights

our lovely & wonderful smelling tree!

...the past few weeks...

2011-09-24T00:21:00.000+03:00

Today is 2 months since I married my man! This morning I had flowers bought and dropped off just after Laz and I had finished breakfast... He's sweet that one!  And a good man as Laz would say.  I know I don't have so much time or experience to compare too, but these past 2 months have been wonderful! I'm so happy to have a husband, a family, and a home.  

These past few months have gone fast and been plenty busy.  Now the Autumn season has come, Laszlo has started school and Alex, the little boy that has been in part of our family for a few days each week for this past year, has a new home with lots of brothers and sisters!  We are overjoyed for him and we love his parents!   So now I'll post a few pictures our our move from our apartment to our new house and all our little helpers!  Plus some of life with boys and men, my 32nd birthday complete with blueberry pie (check Laszlo's face for proof :), and summer river days.  

Enjoy!

Thanks to all my moving helpers!!!

who needs ear plugs when you have these...they are good for so many things...working or sleeping!

never fear! the mosquito killer is here...always prepared for some hits even while sleeping!

don't let those mosquitos our of your site or the swatter our of your hands!

summer love'n ...water and friends


lovely Alex...always ready with an incredible smile!

the day I became Mrs. Björk...

2011-08-08T23:23:00.000+03:00

Well, I did say that the next time I wrote that my name would be changed and I would be a wife and have a HUSBAND! So here I am writing as a newly married woman with a new name! Oh Happy day! But I can't believe how quickly the time passes. Lots of planning for that one day in July... so perfect and lovely...a day I dreamed of for many years! Both Jonatan and I tried to take in as much as we could but there is so much to see and feel in such a short time...but we did enjoy the day and so did Laszlo too...he wanted fireworks and the got both that and sparklers so he was a happy camper. Plus he looked like his Pappa all dressed up and looking oh so handsome! I'm not going to write so much more tonight, I'll let the photos say the rest. I did want to post just a few so you all could get a glimpse of the day... more photos are to come when our lovely photographer, http://www.emilyelizabethphoto.com/, finishes all the editing from our wedding day! And, since many of you were not able to be here on our day, if want a bit more description from our day, then check our our lovely friend's tale of the day: http://katieworner.blogspot.com/. Enjoy!

...just a few days left...

2011-07-20T00:18:00.000+03:00

Well I need to be in bed... but I just thought I'd post a little update since it's been just about 2 months since my last post. It's now closing in on the date of July 23rd...which is the day I am going to become a wife! I will be marring the man I have fallen deeply in love with and the one I continue to fall in love with each day. He's got lovely blue eyes and is such a hard worker a wonderful bread maker and is becoming a wonderful father to our son Laszlo. He's AMAZING! I can't wait for my man to become my husband! So after this weekend we will become a true and daily family... Laz will have a Pappa that will share our daily life and I will have a man to love on and a house to share with him. So many things are changing but we are excited! Plus my family has been here the past few weeks and Jonatan's parents as well. We could not have put this wedding together without them! So thank you family for all your love and support and hard work!!! It's going to be lovely! A blessing that we could all be together and just enjoy one another even though our visits are few and far between.

Ok, I will post again... but the next one will be after I have changed my name from Brown to Björk!

some pictures of spring time...

2011-05-23T21:32:00.000+03:00

Market Sales

baby ducks

spring flowers from market shopping

long dirt road thru the country side

little white church on the hill

castle ruins in Radna

the vibrant colors of the fields

white painted tree trunks

lambs

Happy Easter

2011-04-25T11:38:00.000+03:00

Hope your Easter weekend was as relaxing as ours. A time of being together, Enjoying the loveliness of Spring, and talking of why we Celebrate this weekend of Life and Joy! Peace to your households this Spring! Remember the Life given in Love so we can have True life and friendship.

well, it's happened...

2011-02-21T23:44:00.000+02:00

I now have a ring on my finger and not just any ring, my grandmothers engagement ring promised to me years ago for me to have when I met and fell in love with what was to be my man.  And now I have fallen in love with an incredible man that asked me to share his life with him and who has chosen to love Laszlo and I..... and of course I said YES!!!  

And this is how Laszlo thought it was done:  

Winter Days...

2011-02-08T23:20:00.000+02:00

and now he is 8!

2011-02-02T23:12:00.000+02:00

I think this picture says it all...he was a very happy boy that day seeing the room filled with balloons, his wonderful, fun, and yummy monkey cake that he and Jonte made, the party games played and lovely gift he received from all his friends. And I was a mama that had a moment of "oh my, he's getting big. I can't believe he's 8...I'm a mama of an 8 year old!" All in all it was a great day but I sure did have a tired boy after all that party time and a 6am wake up!

Winter walks...

2011-01-05T23:28:00.000+02:00

my son... happy happy beautiful boy! loves the snow! loves to pull his sled through town. loves his mama and my hat that is like his...only with a pom pom on top! makes him smile.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-01T10:45:00.000+02:00

It's Christmas Eve...

2010-12-25T01:49:00.000+02:00

...and the house was a mess and the tree yet to be fully decorated. But the stockings were hung on the shelves by ribbon, the little kitten's one already filled. Cakes had been baked and the santa calendar had been filled. 2 happy little ones entered to see what had been left for them, Christmas lights all blinking and lit making it brighter to see. Then ornaments were hung with care and excitement and angle hair thrown all about... our tree looked great with random ornaments hung here and there and 2 happy little boys I had here!
Have a wonderful Christmas Even and Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

oh the snow...how fun it is!

2010-12-25T01:35:00.000+02:00

Laz and his snowman he made with the help of his friend Dani.

...it's christmas time in the city...

2010-12-19T23:16:00.000+02:00

a night away enjoying a lovely christmas market with close friends, hot drinks, sweets, shopping, and a wonderful meal together! it was a fabulous winter evening with the snow falling all around and covering the ground, music in the air, and everyone bundled up to keep warm!  i would say it was most enjoyed!

snow.Snow.SNOW.

2010-12-19T23:07:00.000+02:00

HAPPY HAPPY BOYS...SO EXCITED FOR THE SNOW! MAMA IS TOO! IT'S NICE TO HAVE SOME LOVELY WHITENESS IN THIS COLD AND RIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS! WE HOPE IT LAST. THERE IS TALK OF RAIN ON CHRISTMAS DAY BUT I AM HOPING OR RATHER 'DREAMING' OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS WITH ALL THE CHRISTMAS CARDS I HAVE NOT YET WRITTEN! AND FOR MORE DAYS FILLED WITH SLEDDING AND HOT COCO!

Christmas Tree!

2010-12-16T22:28:00.000+02:00

So today on our walk home, we passed the corner of Christmas trees sellers and non of us could wait til tomorrow...we all got so excited so I ran back for the camera and we bought our lovely trees and carried them home by sled and some very happy, helpful children! There were a lot of 'Please Mama' while we were standing in front of the trees trying to choose... and my wonderful friend said I was my mothers child as I choose a different tree then first looked at. Plus I choose one a bit too tall so we will have to saw it down a bit, but I'll save my man from drilling in extra branches like my dad does every year :) It's a great tree and even little Lucy went to check it out after we brought it home. Soon as we walked in the door and took off our boots Laz proudly showed it off to her...he's so excited! More photos will come when the lights are strung and the decorations hung.

meet little lucy lou!

2010-12-15T22:50:00.000+02:00

Mos Nicolae - Dec 6th

2010-12-15T22:32:00.000+02:00

"December 6th night before the night is known as gifts. It comes when the "Saint Nicholas.""When I was a child, polishing my boots and put them in windows to be stuffed with presents. I had friends who would place their wooden shoes at the door, a sign that there would come Saint Nicholas. I never asked where it came from, because both I and my friends we woke up with gifts in shoes, a sign that Saint Nicholas would come and the door and the window."

-translated from this: http://www.crestinortodox.ro/sarbatori/sfantul-nicolae/mos-nicolae-122504.html

This tradition is very loved here in Romania by most children I would say :) They get goodies and gifts left in their shoes in the very early mornings waiting to be found when they come to the door! Laszlo was most excited to put out his wellies since they are the biggest of his shoes! But, interestingly enough they were switched in the morning with these Gruffalo type slippers! Even better and still filled with goodies! So now he has 'monster gruffalo feet' and a Santa stick...plus some chocolate that was a pre breakfast snack! One happy boy I had!

the 5th...Tree cutting day for the Browns..all of them :)

2010-12-12T00:47:00.000+02:00

So this is family tradition every year and for the last few years I have missed this very loved day of heading to the forest with the sisters and parents and friends to scour the woods for a lovely, fresh Christmas tree (that mom approves of). We usually end of singing along to our favorite Christmas tunes in the car and then start the day off with some cinnamon rolls and hot coco! Now it's time to head into the forest and find our tree. As you can imagine it can be tricky with 7 woman all with different taste but a few that are more picky then others (yes that would be me and mom but her vote out rules us all). Once we have our tree it's time to carry it back to the car and load it on top but not before a family picture of all of us holding the tree :) Then it's lunch time of hot chili to warm us up. One year we played foot ball, one year we found the greatest and fasted little sledding hill and we played on that forever! Then it's home to decorate the tree... but first dad adds in some branches so all bare spots are covered. Mom does the lights, but I think I saw a picture of Hattie doing them this year and then it's time to decorate with all our random ornaments both new and old. Red bows finish the tree. I love these memories and this year my friends helped me recreate it, only Marghita style. It was a bit more ghetto...well a lot but the love behind it was there and the fun and my Romanian family. Cinnamon rolls were made as was hot coco. A saw was brought for 'branch' cutting and we took a trek through the forest. Our boys were a bit confused since there were no cmas trees there but it was a fun day all in all that ended by heading home to hang some homemade ornaments by Katie and Laz on our lovely 'branch'. Then a favorite cmas song in our house was played that I remember hearing since I was a little girl....Tender Tennessee Christmas. And then we danced to that and a few other holiday songs. This day was great and started out with a story to me and Laz and Kiki... 'today is the day that a family with 6 girls goes and cuts down a Christmas tree. It is a very special day...' I had some tears of both sadness and joy. Thanks Katie and Martin and my Man and Laz and Kiki for making this day lovely and joining me in a very loved pastime from the Brown house hold. Enjoy Brown Family and Friends at the look at our day here...

1st runner up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvBIo0LL2DM

proud of our little 'branch' and his decorations he made for it!

Laz & Lucy both love it!

and december has begun...

2010-12-11T23:44:00.000+02:00

December 1st - Romania's National day!

My little guy asked me to dance as the music played in the town center.

the 2nd - cookie painting... icing and sprinkles are oh so fun & yum.

the 3rd: Blessing Ceremony for our kids.

Thankful

2010-11-24T21:36:00.000+02:00

As I stop and think, many things pop into my head... I am Thankful for those close by whom I see every day and share life with. I am so very Thankful for Laszlo and the Joy that he brings! For my man - I love him! For my bff...she's always full of song (and together her and Kels can make some pretty good tunes :)...for her hugs and loves on me and Laz. I'm Thankful for the team I serve with and each one of their strengths in life that they give. For our 6 little boys...how full of life they are! For this country and it's lovely countryside. I am Thankful for the amazing autumn colors I see in the changing and fallen leaves, the sunrises and sunsets. For my family. For all the many memories of Thanksgivings past with grandparents, cousins, aunts & uncles, mom and dad and sisters. Today I miss those a lot and my family more then I thought I would...But I'm thankful we can bake together...they are making pies and I have sweet potatoes on the stove :) I'm thankful for growing up and the friendships I now have with my sisters. I'm Thankful for my Dad and Mom and for all time and energy they put into raising us girls (I am realizing more and more the work it is :) I'm Thankful for the daily provisions and support I have in life and living here. I'm Thankful for love. And, I think Laz would agree... We are Thankful for little Lucy Lou... our new black nosed kitten. Tonight as the cold rolls in I am thankful for a warm place to sleep!

warm novemeber

2010-11-09T21:44:00.000+02:00

jumpers, kites, forest, walk, leaves, crunch, berries, fields, five, picnic, monkey,branches,running,talking, enjoyment, football, shadows, leaves, sunset.

the way He is...

2010-10-27T20:00:00.000+03:00

Laszlo's most requested bed time song right now is 'Our God is an Awesome God'. We've sang it almost every night for the past week or so. I can't remember when he first requested it, but I do remember it was an evening when it was a crazy day or last week when I found out that I have one more year till I can apply for residency (meaning my stay in Romania will be another year longer then originally thought). When he asked for it I remember a bit of a smile and a knowing in my spirit that those words are so true and how good God is to remind us of His truth through his children - even at 7!
Though some days are hard, sad and frustrating, I really do love that God's plans are not ours and that he works in ways we do not exactly think He will... that makes for a life full of amazement, adventure and trust. Maybe a bit scary at times and unsure (or maybe just a feeling of being out of control considering He is in control at all times) but much smoother or maybe just a well marked path as we walk. Sometimes I do stop and ask 'why'? But maybe to know the answer or the time-line or the out come would be too much for my heart to take... so God IS good and I know this to be true! I want to love like him and know I'm loved by him; to have patience like him as we learn and grow; to serve others with grace and tenderness.

rabbit again..just a few more of this sweet thing

2010-10-22T22:20:00.000+03:00

rabbit

2010-10-22T22:01:00.000+03:00

today we found a rabbit. a little white rabbit. quite unusual. made me stop... i had a little white rabbit just like this one when I was young like Laszlo. His name was Buttercup. I loved that little white rabbit so much that I would go climb in his cage with him...the cage my dad built for him. He loved me. Mom said he was like a dog and would come hopping up to me when he was out running around the yard. But I was very sad when that rabbit died and I didn't enjoy to feed him 'cause that meant running across the grass full of grasshoppers which I didn't like cause they were always jumping about!

lady bugs...

2010-10-22T21:47:00.000+03:00

...the other morning when i pulled my curtains back, the lady bug clan had gathered together for a warm nights sleep on my bedroom window seal... Laszlo loves lady bugs and I think they are quite ok, but I'm not so sure about them when there are more then 20 right there inside...I'd rather enjoy them outside just a few at a time. So here are these black and red flying bugs that have tried to move in & whom my little boy likes & catches oh so very much!

Stana de Vale,,,

2010-10-19T23:38:00.000+03:00

...the beauty of autumn (toamna) and a bit of our travels south this past sunday...
lovely romanian countryside, changing & fallen leaves, hikes, fika with hot coco & marshmallows of course! our dragon log, waterfall, family time, wooden churches, hay stacks & cows, a bit of rain on our mountain drive; enjoyment of a lovely day!

love him! love his face full of freckles, full of joy, happy!

2010-10-17T22:55:00.001+03:00

forest...

2010-10-10T21:56:00.000+03:00

togetherness... fire... collecting of sticks... hot dogs... marshmallows... autumn weather... changing leaves... fun!

Marghita days....

2010-10-07T00:12:00.000+03:00

Just a few photo's from our towns yearly celebration the last weekend in September...filled with street vendors selling food, clothes, random stuff, jewelry, pottery, and wooden spoons, etc... It's kind of like a small town fair but Romanian style. It's fun....the whole weekend lots to do and many people about. The kids love it! There are slides and rides and bumper cars and the most fun of all...fireworks to end the time...that is Laz's most favorite! Hope you enjoyed your gander at our snapshots! (I do enjoy the help of a thesaurus at times ;)

Sunrise this morning... breath taking! (thank you Jesus ...right mama?)

2010-10-05T23:48:00.001+03:00

Autumn...

2010-09-29T20:31:00.000+03:00

...brings rain and falling leaves; jackets and umbrellas out from hiding. layers, scarves, arm-warmers and wellies. Nuca on the ground along with acorns, sticks, puddles, and chestnuts. Children walking to and from school, outdoor cafes closing, flowers blooming their last, sandals being put away. Tea times, cozy nights, blankets, slippers and sweaters. Sunsets bringing the night quicker, darker early mornings. Less kids at the park, fields cleared and harvested, tractors out and about, hay bales dotting the land. Gypsy wagons returning from summer traveling, others filled with cut trees. Apples now in season, tomatoes ending theirs. The excitement of the change, the refreshment of the crisp breeze, the beauty and the colors!
I love the changing of seasons...my spirit longs for it and what it holds in life and creation! How amazing, wonderful, creative and lovely is the maker of it all.

1st day of school ...

2010-09-20T15:01:00.000+03:00

Autumn has arrived....

2010-09-19T23:58:00.001+03:00

Butterflies

2010-08-09T14:34:00.000+03:00

Sunday morning was lovely...we took a walk up the apple hill to get some fresh air and get out of the apartment in out into creation. It was a nice walk up, not too hot with a little bit of a cooler breeze. We reached the top and much of it is more meadow like now with many of the apple trees cut down and flowers and weeds growing all around. But it was lovely and I forget how much I love it up there. You can see the whole town from there. Its close to home, but far enough to feel you are outside of town and are able to breath a bit. So me and my kids closed our eyes and listened to the sounds: the wind blowing the trees and feeling it touch our faces, the bugs making noise, the birds singing and the airplane flying high in the sky. We danced up there, sang ..."I love you Lord" and "Ce Mare Este Tu" (how great is our God), prayed, and read words from the Pslams. My heart was refreshed and my spirit...as was that of my kids I think...you could see the calm and enjoyment on their faces. Then, we headed back down for lunch (after a few tosses of the parachute man :) as we crossed the bridge and passed the path to the canal, we saw 3 white butterflies in a line flying near the grass. Then they started to fly higher and crossed the street, still all in a line when a 4th one joined in. Now they were 2 on top and 2 bellow forming a square shape for a bit...the were flying together dancing and playing as they followed us on our way. The boys and I were amazed...I'd never seen so many fly and look they they were playing and swirling near the houses, on the roof tops, in and out of trees and flowers...wow, how beautiful and creative and good is the Lord and all He has made. What enjoyment He must get as he watches His creatures dance and sing and fly free!

greece in may...

2010-08-06T07:54:00.000+03:00

before I head onto the rest of the summer here ... i wanted to add a few pictures from Greece for your eyes to see from the adventures in Greece with the sisters and I and my bf and emily's bf. ... we traveled to Thessaloniki first and then took a train 6 hrs to Athens... it was lovely to see a bit more of the countryside some of the mountains as we headed out to meet the rest of the sisters! i could barely contain my excitement as we got nearer to their place of stay! it had almost been 2 years since i had seen most of them and since the whole family was together! (meanwhile, back in Romania, laszlo waited for his Buni and Grandpa to arrive!)
it was amazing to be in a place with so much history and where Jesus and his fellow followers walked, served and slept. to be in the old part of the city and look out onto the new and wonder what it was like to walk there a few hundred years ago. then you have the markets (which i love) that sell just about anything...including their restaurants. i've never seen anyone try and sell place of dinning more then in Greece.their so, Greece was great and the sea was my most favorite part...beautiful and something i'd been longing for the last 3 years...and this sandy beach, and clear salty water could never compare to the tx beach i've been too...so breathtaking! I think a second trip will have to be planed sometime soon. but the fellowship was the best! what a wonderful time of sisters, the beach, the villa, ice cream, sun dresses, the boy friends, pictures, pictures, pictures (since we were traveling with photographers :), these really amazing waffles with ice cream on top!!! ...the sea and breeze, sunny days, pools, buses, taxis, good greek food, lots of walking, night time walks by the sea in the crazy bustling town full of people on boats, in cafes, and vendors selling nuts, kebabs, bags, sunglasses,....and you name it. Greece, a lovely country with beauty and history surrounding it. Friendly people in a wonderfully unique culture. loved it!

summer dandelion blowing, a day on the moon, beach umbrellas, friends in Colorado, campfire w/ the fam, home again, 4th of July!

2010-07-04T23:10:00.001+03:00

the last few months...

2010-06-24T05:12:00.000+03:00

Well, once again it's been a while since I've written or posted pictures. I thought I'd be better but I guess I've had other things to take up my time... Laszlo, other kids, friend, family, and my man... so yea it's been awhile. But now I have a few hours as I sit here early in the morning waiting to check in for my flight home. And speaking of home, home or rather family came to me this May but now I am able to go home to them too! It's been almost 2 years since I've been home and 3 years since I've seen my Grandma. And so I'm soon on my way! About one more hour til 5 am and then I can check in. The past few days I've been trying to stay a bit more on top of things, but still it was a crazy rush to get to the bus on time, throw my stuff in my case ( I hope my clothes kind of match while I'm home :) and get some goodies for family and some to leave for Laz along with notes from Mama and photos of him and me. Oh my...I hate goodbyes. I love that kid and it was harder then ever to leave this time. I hope the next time I head home he can come with me. I already said goodbye about every week for 2 weeks as my family left at different times... I'm not sure what is worse, all at once or 1 by 1? I watched the sunset as I left Marghita and had some prayers and tears for my baby. Then I slept a bit and thought about the things I forgot and the things I hoped I remembered. Regardless, it will be good to be with family again! I hope to see as many friends as possible while I'm home but also have time with the family.
So, as I think back to the last few months I would say it was filled with spring blossoms that smelled so lovely as I walked up my little hill and rounded the corner to my place; rain and thunderstorms, the friday market which I love...but in May it was shopped by my Mom and Sisters! Lots of fruit and veggies, flowers, fresh basil, and aprons were bought and also fresh made cheese - Brunza! There was a trip to Greece with the Boyfriends and sisters...Athens and the Beach...would for sure go back again! The Sea was amazing and it's been so long since I've been there. Then it was anticipation for Laz for hi Grandpa and Buni to come ( grandma in romanian)...he was oh so excited!!! Plus, since Grandpa got there before Mama got back from Greece, he was able to come to the small airport in Oradea to pick up his Mama and all his aunts! He was a bit overwhelmed, but he did get to see real planes for the first time. And it was only our plane that flew in...I guess maybe just one flight a day! There were bike rides and wheelchair rides, lunch together and the park with Buni. A tour through some of the lovely mountains of Romania and lunch by a river, rock throwing and skipping, wadding and splashing and pretend fishing :) And then Laz and I had a day on our own...a day on the moon! His favorite story that Buni reads to him is when 'Little Bear goes to the moon'. So we made a moon and stars and space helmets, painted our faces, built a tent and flew to the moon! It was a very chill, very fun day just us two! Oh, and we also went swimming with Aunt Allie...that was a nice day too since it had been so hot. Then we left her at the train and waved goodbye...so planes and trains Laz had now seen.

2010-03-20T07:40:00.000+02:00

Ah... Spring!
Waking up to sunshine. Birds singing in the morning. White dotted fields with little lambs. Tulips and Daffodils for sale at the market. Baby Chicks. Parks full with kids playing after the emptiness of winter. Flowers beginning to break through the dirt - waiting to display their loveliness. Winter coats exchanged for Spring jackets. Grass turning green. Rain. Buds on the trees waiting for leaves and cherry blossoms to open. Walks. Joy. Beauty. Color. Spring!

pictures over the past few months...oct - feb. Enjoy!

2010-03-06T10:15:00.001+02:00

saturday morning

2010-03-06T08:44:00.000+02:00

This morning we are just home and have been making breakfast... Laszlo loves to help in the kitchen so I had Oatmeal on the stove and he was stirring and said look Mama, Bubbles! It's making Bubbles! Oh, they are hiding. Then I put the lid on...why are the Bubbles hiding? So then it was time to eat and Laz wanted a piece of ice to cool down his Oatmeal as usual but the ice was moving everywhere he said :) Then he wanted to help wash the dishes or rather play with the soap on the pan. He said he was making fireworks ... he loves them! His 7th birthday cake was also a firework cake made with gummy worms. It was a bit ghetto but he loved it and helped make and decorate. I did not get my mom's cake decorating skills... so I usually make cup cakes which is much easier and each child can decorate his own.

Well, It's been a while since I've written anything on this lovely blog of mine that I really intended to keep up for you all that live far away and don't get to be apart of our everyday life... sorry, I need to be better at keeping up with this. So I guess I need to try and fill you in since October.
Mmm...where to begin? The autumn time was nice and full of many lovely days, walks prep for another wonderful and yummy Thanksgiving (but I did miss the closeness of my family). My lovely Swedish Man came back from working at home to live here and work alongside of our team here. We (us ladies that are on running the boys home) have been trying to make it a bit more homey and get ride of the incredibly sick cockroaches. My man has been helping too adding dimmer lighting and some fabric on the ceiling to keep the sound level down from our energy full boys :) They are 5, 6, & 7 years of age and it makes for quite an interesting house... Many funny table conversations or rather discussions about how to say Ketchup, or how fireworks sound. Boys, they are so different then girls. I have really enjoyed this age though since you can do more together... playing games, baking together, cleaning (maybe not so fun). And all of our boys are ridding bikes too and they love it! One of my wonderful friend's mother was able to get some donated and what a great way for our kids to play outside and release much of their little boy energy.
Ok, then it was the Christmas season which is always busy here as we are getting gifts and food together for those that have much less then us, delivering them to those families, preparing for the Swedish tradition of Santa Lucia to preform and sing for our friday night worship / game night for our youth, the Christmas party for the whole organization, and the old folks home which I enjoy the most! They really appreciate it and it was good for our kids too. They took a bit to warm up but then as we left each room Laszlo and some of the other would say Merry Christmas (in Romanian of course) or while singing Laz would go ask if some of the men and woman wanted him to sit by them... what a beautiful thing to see your children loving on others. And then we sang to some children... Oh Jesus, when will it change? When will parents keep their children and love them?
Christmas time... cookie baking, tree decorating (mine was a real and wonderful gift from a secret santa), cmas music, dressing up as santa, Christmas day walk to deliver cmas shoe boxes to a family we love but has much much less then us. When I walk into their one room house that is smaller then my bed room I am extremely grateful for my 2 room apartment and realize that I have nothing to complain about in size of living quarters. Christmas day was spent with my good friend Katie and her Mother and many other friends. Eating together, playing stress Uno, talking and exchanging gifts! Old friends came to visit :) and New year had come!
Then winter had come and left some for sledding and snow angels. The excitement of snow is new everyday with kids! Then we had birthdays, school free days, and gadac (cockroaches) exterminators, and vacation weekend up in the snowy mountains.
Now March has arrived and spring is on it's way! That means warmer weather with more time outside, cups of tea with friends while the kids play, walks, bike rides, baby chicks, apple blossoms, color added to all the gray, lighter steps as you walk...or maybe even a skip!
This turned out to be quite a long post... but I hope that all of those that read it and have been wondering how I've been and what I've been up to will enjoy and give it a read.
Happy Spring to all!

the cooler autumn weather has come...

2009-10-13T21:00:00.000+03:00

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...

2009-10-11T11:16:00.001+03:00

...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....

2009-10-02T10:32:00.000+03:00

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

marghita days

2009-10-01T18:37:00.000+03:00

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!

2009-09-04T10:55:00.000+03:00

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...

2009-03-18T23:08:00.001+02:00

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

2009-03-08T23:12:00.001+02:00

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.

2009-01-25T01:08:00.000+02:00

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

2009-01-21T10:44:00.000+02:00

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

2009-01-01T03:38:00.000+02:00

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!'

just thinking

2008-11-11T00:07:00.000+02:00

...just thinking that it's been a bit since i've last updated my blog. i've been meaning to this past week...but my mind and heart is full and so when i start to think i'm just a bit overwhelmed and wonder how i can really put it all on paper; especially so that's it's short and not a whole book! but right now i'm just down loading some pictures of laszlo to send to my dad for his birthday tomorrow. we made and mailed a card to him last week, running almost the whole way to the post office to make sure we got there before it closed! laszlo was so excited and just kept saying - 'run courtney! faster! we need to get to get to the posta! fast!' i also need to burn a few more pictures onto a cd for my dear friend and her family that are leaving in just a few days. so then thinking of her, i feel sadness in my heart as i think of saying goodbye - again. i know life is full of comings and goings, but the thought of saying goodbye is not a pleasant thought. i've said goodbye alot these past few years that i've been over here in romania. mostly to family, but also to friends. i hate goodbyes. i used to think they'd get a bit easier, but they don't, ever! but, in spite of all that, i'm also so excited for this lovely family and the next part of their lives that are about to begin! and then thinking (once again) of them, i think of the journey they've been on and the one i'm one and the one we will be on till the end. i think of the amazing lessons we've all been taught, especially these past few years in romania. there has been lovely and wonderful times shared with each other as friends and fellow workers. there has been many children that we have fallen in love with and cared for and watched grow up and some that have left to families. but we have also seen and felt pain and hurt. when you feel and let your heart love, that is what happens. but the lord has provided and brought comfort and help and love and precious babies in the midst of all that. he has created strong friendships and allowed us to be apart of each others lives on a daily basis. we have seen him work and i, at least for me, can say that it's wonderful to be apart as well as watch closely as the lord moves and works. tonight i feel overwhelmed as i think about all the lord has done for us and our friends and our kids! my heart is just in awe of him. he is good. he is blessing. he is my portion. he is my provider - the faithful one and the one i can trust. he is the greatest teacher, using his word and his people he created to be apart of that. life! so then, i guess i can say my life is full, my heart is overfull and my thoughts are as well. he knows me well and so i come as i am before him in thanks and also to lay my heart before him. i can't bare all this on my own. i don't think i'm meant to. i wonder, can i make it though the next few days as goodbyes happen again? and i'm thinking, how does sadness and joy mix? and hope? cause i feel both right now. and can i make it through the holidays with out family from home? i have before but can i this year? and what about all that is to be with sweet laszlo? i want to say i don't think so; but i know that's not true...because i have before and i know that he is faithful! maybe the title of this entry should be 'thoughts and feelings'. these are my thoughts, at this moment; tonight.

sunrise; sunset.

2008-10-22T10:49:00.002+03:00

"FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN, TILL THE GOING DOWN OF THE SAME; THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE PRAISED!"

His FAITHFULNESS is shown daily in the rising and setting of the sun. Day & Night come every day. The sun rises and brings light to the day; it sets and the moon comes up and the stars come out to lighten up the dark night. Great is His Faithfulness!

sunrise; sunset.

2008-10-22T10:49:00.001+03:00

Autumn Recipies...

2008-10-20T11:14:00.000+03:00

Well, autumn has come to Romania and although it's been cold the past few mornings, the sun has come out and the afternoons warm up a bit and are beautiful! The leaves are falling and are many colors. The temperature is dropping and it's cool and crisp outside. We have pumpkins this year at the market (white ones...one the outside but orange on the inside. And, you can buy them by the slice! I mean why not? Anything goes here.) So now it's that time of year to grab a book and curl up in a cozy blanket, put on the kettle and light some candles! But then if your on your way out, make sure you grab a fun scarf and wrap it around you! Enjoy the colors of fall, walk through the leaves, eat a yummy red or green apple, and then head back inside for some autumn baking!
Here are a few recipe's I've made and have enjoyed the last few weeks! Happy Fall!

*Pumpkin Apple Butter:
1 Can (15 oz) pumpkin Or cooked pumpkin, skinned.
1 Med. apple, peeled & grated
1 C. apple juice
1/2 C. packed brown sugar
3/4 tea. pumpkin pie spice

Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan.
Bring to a boil; then reduce heat to Low.
Cook, stirring occasionally for 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Serve with "Drop Biscuits", buttermilk biscuits, breads, corn muffins, or hot cereals.
Refrigerate for up to 2 months

*Drop Biscuits:
1 C. warm water
3 Tlbs. oil
Mix in small bowl.
2 C. flour (white, wheat, spelt)
1 1/2 Tlbs. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
Mix with fork, then add oil and water mixing quickly with fork. Drop in mounds on baking sheet. Bake at 425 F. or 215 C. for 12 minutes. Makes about 10 to 14 depending on size.
[make only the amount of batter that you can cook right away, if more is needed, make up a new batch when the oven if free again.]

*Autumn Green Apple Salad
1/4 C. olive oil
2 Tlbs. Red wine vinegar (or I used apple vinegar)
1/2 shallot, finely chopped (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
celery (or cucumber)
2 apples, unpeeled, thinly sliced
lettuce
1/3 C. pumpkin seeds, toasted.

Mix oil and vinegar in jar and add before serving. Toss the rest together in a bowl.

Amazed!

2008-10-15T00:24:00.000+03:00

Yahweh -
> was, ... of the one who IS, the existing.<

Yahweh; God; the Lord. He IS - now! Present!

As I looked this up today I was in awe of Him and the realization that He is active and here at this moment! He IS!!!
He is on the move, or rather moving now. He will not forget; He remembers. He is the ONE who was, and is, and is to come!

And, He is the Provider! Why do I worry? He is the Faithful One. I know this, and I think I believe it, and yet still I doubt. So let me just tell you a little story from this morning that made me once again amazed: I've been needing to buy credit for my phone the past few days but have kept putting it off due to money. So this morning about 9 I get a text message and it's from the company I buy credit with, and it says I've received bonus credit for being with them another year! Praise and Thank you to Jesus! I was so happy and my spirit just knew, once again, that I don't need to worry about Anything! I will be taken care off... ALL my needs! He know every part of me and everything I need. What a wonderful Savior is He!
Wow! Still sitting here amazed!

...he remembers...

2008-10-10T01:17:00.000+03:00

trust. how hard is this? haven't i already learned this? i guess this is a life long lesson and something that will always be there to choose and use in every situation. it's a hard thing, especially when all seems against you and the ones you love and care for. why? when will the favor of the Lord come? will i see it...soon? will there be a glimpse of His kingdom on earth? or is he already at work, behind what we see with our human eyes? is he still in preparations or is he waiting for us to ask and seek and believe and trust? faith, trust ... waiting... it's not easy and i'm not so good at it; but when i do see the Lord at work, in only his ways and his timing and when it's the least expected - it's amazing and my heart gets excited about what's next. i know there is more and this is not the end. i know he's bigger and more powerful then anything or anyone else that exists. he is King and rules all! he knows us, each hair on our head and the words before they are on our tongue. he wants to show himself - to us and show who he is. he also wants to engage us. so (let us) i will wait (or want to wait but sometimes can't, or feel i can't) in expectation on his next move and mine with him. and we must pray! pray for things to move and peoples hearts to soften. we must be faithful and listen so we can hear what he is saying and where he is moving and so his power can come forth...call it! pray for favor for our children (the children of romania!) we need his favor; it's time for favor to be shown. let us trust, together. who can be against us if he is for us? who? if no one then why do we fear, or what do we fear and why do we doubt and forget all the times he's gone before us and his hand of favor and movement has been seen? trust. wait. pray. expect. join. and stand in awe!

to market, to market to buy a....

2008-08-29T23:55:00.000+03:00

since i love market days so much, i thought i would once again share this lovely 'morning of market' with you through pictures. so enjoy:

bed time 2..

2008-08-24T00:27:00.000+03:00

...just forgot to add a bit of bedtime at work...the night goes like this (well on saturday)... bath time, p.j.s, teeth brushing, and toilet time! then in to bed for our crazy time of trying to keep 6 little ones semi-still for songs and prayer. and the song rotation goes: this little light of mine, he's got the whole world in his hands (and don't worry, it does include all the kids in the room plus me as well as snakes, bees, monkeys, owls, turkeys, horses, dogs, cats, ducks, etc...), away in the manger, and a nice melody of Alleluia with the smallest child sitting right next to me, eyes closed and hands folded... how precious is that? then prayers all around thanking God for the food, the walk, the park, the moon and stars, and for each one in the room. prayers for mom's and dads and praise to God who is Big and Good!!

bed time

2008-08-24T00:10:00.000+03:00

i was going to write the other night about this because it was just so cute and made me laugh. but, since it's been a few days and tonight is a new one, i will add just a bit about bed time (both here at the orphanage i work at) and my walk home with a 5 year old....
so first and tonight and last night... it was nap time first, then bed time, and Laz started with the usual question of wearing a 'dress' to sleep in. now that might seem weird, but i have some big t-shirts that i let him wear for bed since it's been so hot and i just have winder p.j.s at my place. now the other day he did say the big t-shirts, but usually - i want to wear the dress, and by that he means either the green or blue david crowder shirts!!! (good choice i say!) then one day, i brought a little girl home for a nap and to play with us in the afternoon and for nap time, even thought it was super hot - they both were so excited to wear the 'dresses' to bed... but she had a brown one and so i think Laz thinks it's hers and won't wear it - except tonight because the others had been washed and hung out to dry! bedtime is not the only time he wants to wear them, when the little girls talk of wearing them (and they do love that) he wants to too! i really think he just wants to dress up nice too, cause when i pull out a nice button up shirt he just smiles!
now on to a very different subject and yet it still has to do with nighttime... as Laz and i were walking home from work at the orphange, he first was looking up at the starts and then asking were the moon was, but then the questions turned into this: where is santa (mosu)? where does he stay? what are his shoes like? his socks? what does he eat? when does he come? is he sleeping? and what to say to all that??? i don't know! and then i started with he doesn't exist but Jesus does, that is true! but there was a man once name saint nick...he died (said Laz)?
so it was just a funny night and i thought i would share it! noapte buna!

reminder...

2008-08-18T23:36:00.000+03:00

during our worship meeting tonight, I was just reminded through a very random story in the bible, that God uses the 'foolish things for the world to shame the wise'. He works in ways we would not and with those we would not choose or in areas of weakness. that way He receives the Glory and we don't and all know it is Him, His work and Him on the move! it just amazes me and makes me smile. it's wonderful to know that the imperfect is used and the simple are chosen. we often feel unfit, or disqualified... but the ones ' less than' or 'not quite up to par', they are maybe the more humble and willing to be used or maybe they are the ones that let the Lord in because they have nothing else, He is their ALL! 'we are weak but He is strong'. He will rise up the lowly and they will be great! 'the first shall be last, and the last shall be first'.and the greatest thing ever is this: 'He calls things that are not, as though they were'! Amin and Amin!!!

kids...why they were created...

2008-08-13T22:59:00.000+03:00

...for laughter...

...cuteness....
...funness...
....their love for the simple things in life...
....swinging...
....smallness...
...just because...
...faces...
...and pure hearts.

They were given to us by the Lord to teach and train up in Him, but also as an example for us as to how we are to be... as children....trusting, innocent, full of smiles, real tears (not fake or non), simplicity, hope; full of life and joy! The Lord says this of them "...Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." matt. 19:14

truth

2008-08-09T13:38:00.000+03:00

it is for freedom that Christ has set us free!!!!
and he came that we might have LIFE! and have it
to the full... abundantly!
is this the life we live? why are we always struggling with
how we ought to live and continually falling into
old ways? we have new life with Jesus and we are
new creations!
"how great is the love the Father has lavished -[given, or bestowed]- on us,"
if this be true, then why do we often live in guilt,
regret, and condemnation? do we not know or believe
that there is non of that for those of us that are in him?
"our sins have been forgiven on account -[value, paid] of his name!"
we are overcomers, conquerors in him; victorious!
in 1 John it also says:
"I write to you young men,
because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one."
so then, let us live in this freedom and new life that we have been giving...
forgetting what is behind us and pressing forward towards what lies ahead.
joy should be our strength, life and blessings in our words;
gentleness and patience as our mannerisms.
let you eyes be open to behold his beauty - in creation and children; in all things!
let our time be used wisely and the simple, little moments be
cherished and not passed by in our busy lives and constant desire for the next thing.
let contentment fill our heart;
for he has given us everything we need in life and for life.
i have been blessed more then i thought. he is enough.
stand in awe! his grace is enough.
from the rising of the sun until it's going down, let his name be praised!

Friday - Market Day!

2008-07-19T00:41:00.000+03:00

Friday's are always quite busy here in town as it is Market day. I love market day and although we (my roommate, Laszlo, and another little guy - Kiki) got there a bit late, there was plenty there to look at and buy. Some of my favorite things about market day are all the people there selling their wares. Some of the Fruit and Vegi ladies I've gone to a lot are always sweet when I come again, but I like to look around to and buy from those selling just a little from their own gardens. This is part of their lively hood and that every little bit counts. Last week I bought apricots from a lady who was only selling 4 or 5 bags each weighing 1 kilo and super cheap. This week it was just picked small red apples and zucchini from one lady, peaches from another, blackberries from a third, flip flops for the boys, and some brightly colored flowers! The flowers, the ones sold at the market or the ones sold across the street from my old apt. by the 'flower ladies' as I refer to them as, are also a main reason to head to the market on a Friday morning! Every kitchen table needs some freshly cut flowers on it giving beauty and color. Another bit about the market is the 'apron lady'. She makes a few in the morning and then brings them to sell. Some are made from new fabric, some from old, but all are quite fun and random with it's color coordination's. Today my friend bought one for her granny and when my family was here last month, I bought a green with color polk-a-dots! Can't go wrong with that I say. Everything in the kitchen will turn out right with the proper apron!
So, that's the Market update! Stalls full of goat, cow, and sheep cheese, cucumbers, tomatoes, peaches, plums (anything in season right now), a bit of corn with more to come, watermelon, cherries, grapes, bananas, egg plant, onion, peppers, shoes, sunglasses, clothes - used and new, pots, pans, plants (by the bunch, roots included and wrapped in newspaper) fresh cut flowers, brooms, beans, paprika, dill, walnuts, eggs, honey, and more! The joys of the open aired market! Every town should have one.

the start.

2008-07-16T01:18:00.000+03:00

I've just started this whole thing, but I think it's about time for a place to journal my thoughts and my journeys and for you all (friends and family) to keep updated and share with me and life a little more often! Enjoy!