Home To Home

I just returned to Romania after a one month furlough in Kansas. One of the questions that I often get asked is, "Which one is Home?" Kansas, and the United States, will always be my home. It is my roots, my foundation, my family and even though the US is going through difficult times, I'm proud to be from Kansas and I am proud to be an American. Romania is where I've lived for the last 18 years. It is my home. My daily schedule, my things, my kids are here. So I'm very blessed. I leave home to go home, no matter which direction that I'm going! My time in Kansas was very, very full this time around. I was with my family for Christmas. It is always good to catch up with my brothers and my 7 nieces and nephews. My younger brother and his family have gone through a difficult period this year and he was recently divorced. Because of this, I was even more anxious to check in with my nieces and nephews and be a support where I could be. I was able to visit some friends and supporters. I also gave several presentations and did some support maintenance. I gave the sermon at my home church one Sunday and tried to give the kids a taste of the orphanage during Wednesday Night Clubs. They decided to have a Romanian Birthday Party. We talked about how different celebrating a birthday is for an orphan, and how H2H tries to celebrate and make each kid feel special. The kids from my church brought small gifts that we will distribute in Romania. They collected about 3 suitcases full! I brought one back with me and the other two will hopefully come over with my some of my family that would like to come this summer. (God willing my older brother with his three kids and one other niece!) I also was the wedding coordinator for Claire Gregory's wedding. I was a babysitter and nanny for the Gregory family and they took me in as one of their own. I've been involved in Claire's whole life, so it was a privilege and honor to get to be involved in this major milestone as well. Whew! I know! It was a busy time. I returned to Romania on the 22nd. Jenny is on her furlough, so I came back to a quiet house. It has been good for me to see the grandkids and visit with the staff and the orphanages and reconnect with my family here. Back to life, back home!