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!'

just thinking

...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.

"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.

Autumn Recipies...

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.