The Merry Month of May

Easter came late this year in Romania.  We didn't celebrate until the first weekend in May.  We had the normal H2H family gathering at the team house.  It is always a priviledge to be able to gather together as a family.  

 Karla enjoying opening eggs!

 Dying eggs with the transition boys and girls.  It takes away to dye 60 eggs!

 Easter baskets!

 Easter goodies!  This year the "golden" egg was hidden inside of a cupcake.  Vali, one of the boys that is currently in the transition program found it!

The Badea family was able to join us this year from out of town, so we had 7 of our 9 "grandkids" present.  We tried to get some good photos.  Those who photograph small children have my respect!

Spring 2016

This spring we had a unique opportunity to take a road trip as a staff as a staff retreat. So often we work together, pray together, some of us live together, but we don't necessairly get to spend time relaxing together. We decided to go to a region of the country that few on the staff had ever visited, Cluj/Maramures.   We drove quite a bit, but enjoyed seeing some of the beauty of the country we live and minister in!

This is at the Corvin Castle in Hunedoara

This is the "Happy Cemetary" that is in the Maramures.  The creator wanted to celebrate life in a humorous, realistic way. Every grave is in bright colors with a poem and picture carved in the wood.  I've never seen anything like it. 

In Sighet there is a prison that was used as a political prison during communism.  It has now been turned into a museum.  It was one of the best museums of its kind that I've seen.  A true tribute to those who suffered and died in the name of freedom.  

In Turda is an underground salt mine that has been turned into a museum and recreational area.  You can row a boat on the salt lake at the bottem or ride a ferris wheel.  It was very interesting.

March Highlights

Here are some more highlights from the month!  It is one celebration after another here in Romania!!

Okay, this was still in February, but we celebrated Jenny's birthday first.  Ruthie helped me make a pink, princess cake, because hey, we all know Jenny is a princess.  We also had a bowling party!

We had a team from Michgan here, from Mission Possible.  Flori, set up a manicure shop at the team house, to continue to gain experience.  She finish her vocational school in January and is is working as an apprentice in a shop.

We continue to have lots of baby time here at the Team House.  Karla and Daria are here often and are both growing so fast!

Flori's birthday was March 19th.  We had a small pj party to celebrate.  Her request, a minion cake.  Jenny didn't disappoint!

I had another birthday as well, on March 3rd.  

Fernando is my Birthday Buddy.  We share the same birthday and celebrate together every year.  He's getting bigger and I'm staying the same!  Isn't it amazing how that happens!

The Wonder of Childhood!

I don't know how each of you feels about letting kids believe in things like Santa Clause and the Tooth Fairy. I must confess that I fall in the middle. I think its good for children to be brought up and taught the truth, but at the same time I want to let kids be kids. I want their imaginations to run. I want them to feel awe and wonder in things small and large. I want them to get caught up in stories and dream. So often our kids miss out on these opportunities. Too often, they are forced to grow up too fast, to lose their inocence and wonder in life. We look for ways to help them build that wonder into their childhoods. We use things like play and stories, crafts and experiments, and trips out of the orphanages to experience new things.

 A couple of years ago, a young boy, Doro, lost a tooth. I started telling him about the tooth fairy. Half-way through my story I realized that I might have made a mistake. Doro is the kind of boy, who, after hearing that story, would put his tooth under his pillow to see what happens. At the orphanage nothing would happen. So, at the end of the story, I said, "but the Tooth Fairy only comes to Americans." I took his tooth home and then next time I saw him, gave him a few lei and he was thrilled. I thought I might have started something, but time passed with no one else telling me they'd lost a tooth. Then, last fall, a little girl, Nicoleta, came to me and asked if I could put her tooth under my pillow. I couldn't believe that close to two years later, she still remembered! I took her tooth and brought her a few lei. Now it has caught on! It is rare to look in my pockets or purse and not find a tooth, but I love the wonder that I see in their eyes. Through moments like these we build love into their lives, and as they learn to trust our love, they become more open to the love of Christ.

Karla Turns 1!!!

I returned to Romania and jumped right back into life! I made it just in time for Karla's first birthday! Princess Karla, had a princess party. It was a great day!

We love you Karla!

Kansas Time!

I spent mid-January through mid-February in Kansas on furlough. It is always great to see my family and friends. My nieces and nephews continue to grow up. My second oldest niece, Shelby, is a senior this year! They wait for me to come home to celebrate Christmas. Bless my parents-they kept the tree up until January 23rd!

These are three of my best friends from college.  We get together every time I'm home for furlough for a girls weekend!

The Holidays are Here!

A few days before Christmas the young men that are in the Boys Transition Program came to spend the Holidays up at the Team House. The staff all pitched in to help host them and prepare for the team. I would not have made it without my amazing staff! Sandel, a BTH grad who is currently going to seminary, volunteered to come stay at the house to help out with the boys. Having him here was an amazing blessing. He was great with the boys, plus it was great to be reminded, through watching Sandel, how God is working among our kids. He is a great example of the Hope that our kids have, only through Christ!  This picture is Sandel, Mihai, Ionut, Jim (a Team member), Alex, and Vali.

Christmas Morning was, as always, a treat!  It never ceases to thrill me, to be a part of experiencing life with kids who have had so little.  For the first time, for most of our Transition Kids, they woke to stockings, full of gifts, gifts under the tree with their name on them, a special Christmas breakfast, etc.  One of the comments that we've heard is "this is what is is like to have a family." 

                                                      The Team arrived on December 27th!  One of the fun parts of the Holiday Team is that we get to pass out gifts to this kids.  

The Team, with our honorary friend!

2015 Came to a Close!  It was time to say goodbye to another year, and welcome in 2016!