Miracle

Who would have thought that an early arrival at the train station and a lack of lunch would set the stage for such a random encounter.

I arrived at the "gara" to meet a group of women headed to the mountains for some time away. I decided to arrive early to allow for some time to grab lunch before our scheduled departure. After standing for a few minutes holding my tray and suitcase, a man waved me over. Without giving it much thought, I saw down. I ate in silence for a bit, hoping this awkward situation would be over soon. After a few, long minutes, he asked where I was from.

From that point, we established that he had been to MN, would be studying in Ohio, lives in Spain, and was on his way to visit his family in Craiova (a city in Romania that I have visited). It was nice to have "lunch" with a friendly stranger in the train station and certainly provides a fun story to tell. Who knows if I will ever run into Bogdan again-in a train station McDonald's or elsewhere, but it certainly brightened my day and reminded me that God can cause the paths of any two people to cross if he so desires:)

Falling

I was on my way home from my language lesson last night, when I realized that the man beside me was falling for me-quite literally. It took some effort on his part, but he managed to pull himself away long enough to move to another part of the bus, only to risk falling for someone else. I guess it is hard to resist the forces of gravity when swayed so strongly by the crazy driver in front:)

Amazed

You dance over me
While I am unaware
You sing all around
But I never hear the sound

Lord I’m amazed by You
Lord I’m amazed by You
Lord I’m amazed by You
How You love me

How wide
How deep
How great
Is Your love for me

Music and lyrics by Jared Anderson
© 2004 Vertical Worship Songs

How amazing that God chooses to love, to teach me, to bring laughter into my life, to bless me, to listen to me, and on and on.... I'm amazed!

Truth

Why is it that we find it so much easier to believe the lies that satan throws in front of us? This weekend, I had a chance to explore truth with a friend, to explore the lies that we believe. I find that it is so much easier to believe truth for others and hard to integrate truth into my life. Unfortunately, that means that each day I choose to believe lies over truth, the truth gets harder to believe.

Lord, I have heard Your truth and refused to beleive it in my life. Please help me to hear Your truth and choose to believe it! Please bring people into my life to help me believe. Thank you for revealing yourself to us and for loving us even when we don't believe!

Let It Snow:)

Snow has come once again to Bucuresti, Romania. My roommate tells me it started in the middle of the night, but I can only be sure there is snow on the ground and it is still lightly falling. The city looks so much brighter and cleaner with that thin layer of beauty shrouding the dirtiness beneath. I can't say that I am looking forward to walking on snow or ice, but looking out on the city from the 8th story of my apartment building, it looks beautiful.

Father God, I thank you for your beauty and the world you have created that shares some of that beauty with us. May we turn our eyes to you.

Goodbye

It seems to be the regular pattern here to celebrate the comings and goings. God graciously brought us a number of new teachers and families this year at BCA and others are leaving. A number of our Korean families are leaving mid-year to return to Korea. Another family will be leaving because of medical reasons. It is hard to see dear friends and precious students leave, not knowing when we will meet again. For many, we have the hope that if not on this earth, we will be reunited in heaven. Praise God!

Still

Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust

Hillsong United
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan

The last two months have been beyond what I could have anticipated. The beginning rush of school just hasn't seemed to end. It is such a blessing to know that I can find rest with Christ-that I know that He is Lord of everything and knows what is right around the corner too!

Satisfied

Am I satisfied with Christ alone? I would like to think that I would be able to honestly reply to that question affirmatively. However, I find myself hesitating. What is it about living in the world that I feel like I need things to hold on to or people to fill my days? If I had to choose between the things of this world or my relationship with God, how trivial the things would seem and yet they hold more allure for me than I wish they did.

God, help me to know that if I have nothing else in this world, that you are enough. May your love, grace, strength, presence, hope, guidance, support, refuge, faithfulness... be more than enough to satisfy me-that I won't turn to anything else, but instead cling to you.

Bland

I think that (bland) is an accurate portrayal of my life in Romania at this time. The city doesn't have much color, the food doesn't have a distinctive taste, and there isn't much spice in my life.

I made my normal trip to the piaţa (market) today to get fruits and vegetables for the week. It was amazing to be surrounded by the sounds, smells, and colors within that space. I had a wonderful time wandering between the booths looking for the best price and quality and enjoyed interacting with the people selling.

As I left the market and journeyed home, I tried to finds bits of color within the city that I maybe hadn't noticed before. There is an apartment building being painted shades of blue (most are still cement colored).

There are flower stands on most corners-freshly stocked today with bright and beautiful flowers.

Our apartment is bright and welcoming as well-what a blessing!

I think also of the laughter last night with dear friends, recounting our summers and last week-the "adventures" that may not have been so funny at the time, but as we looked back, we could see the humor.

On a recommendation from a friend, I made peach jam this afternoon as well and I am looking forward to a new flavor in the fridge.

Last week I learned to Cha-Cha (just in case I might need it). Perhaps this week I will learn the Salsa or re-learn the Waltz. How is it that I had to come to Bucharest to do that:)

It is encouraging to think about the little things that bring light and color into my life-especially as the blandness can be a bit overwhelming at times. It is my prayer that God would continue to open my eyes to the pieces of beauty that He has placed in this country, city, and the lives I interact with each day.

Wounded

There isn't really any other way to describe it. I don't know that you even would have spotted it, unless you chose to look into my eyes. I tried not to let on, didn't want others to know that my heart had been pierced deeply-I wish it wasn't so. I want to be one of those people that isn't bothered by the little things, but I find that I am-that I feel deeply-both the joys and the pain (sorrows). So, my heart is wounded, my confidence shaken, and my eyes downcast. I don't deal with this very well. It isn't a comfortable feeling and yet one that I find I confront more than I want to.

I turn this evening to the Great Physician-for I feel that he alone knows the truth of this wound and can speak truth to bring healing. Perhaps, if it causes me to look into the eyes of my Heavenly Father and seek to listen to what He says about me instead of believing lies, perhaps then being wounded isn't such a bad thing after all. Perhaps some good can come from the cleansing tears and the wounded soul.

Psalm 147:3-5-
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of stars and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit.

Isaiah 61:1-3-
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has appointed me to preach the good news to the poor.

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and
release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and
provide for those who grieve in Zion-

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and
a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

Filling Station

So, the first things that comes to mind is a gas station-at least in my mind. However in Bucharest this has taken on a new meaning for me...

Along the "canal" that I walk along (fondly called the Dimboviţa) there is a filling station. Trucks stop along here to fill their "tanks"-not with gas, but with water. The purpose: to drive around and "water the streets" before returning to start the process over. Why water the streets? I guess it helps keep the dust down-at least until the water evaporates. This goes on from spring until fall before snow and ice descend on the city.

I was thinking this evening as I walked home that it would be great if we had a place to be refueled. There are many days when I return to my apartment ready for refuge and rest.

As I pondered that, I realized that our "filling station" isn't confined to one location or season. If we long to be filled, God has promised to fill us. How amazing! No canal needed.

Matthew 5:6-Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Romans 15:13-May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 16:11-You have made known to me the path of life; you fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Lord Jesus, please come and fill me with your love, strength, joy, and grace. Thank you for being available-anytime, anywhere.

FROG

Fully Relying on God

After I wrote my last email, I continued to see frogs everywhere-coming up the stairs in a house, inside a car door, clinging to random windows or doors. Somewhere in the midst of life, I lost count, but I didn't lose sight of the message-at least the one for me.

As I worked this summer to raise support, I was certainly asking God for his help, but I know that I was also doing things my way. As the time for my departure neared, it was evident to me that in my strength, I would not be returning to Romania this fall.

Graciously, God "began" (continued) to work and provide for my support needs. In two weeks I watched him blow away my efforts and provide in unexpected ways-beyond what I imagined was possible. As he began providing, I began to allow him to work, relying on His power and strength. My faith grew in ways I might not have chosen, but are necessary.

I wish I could say that I knew it was going to happen, but I only knew that God was able-not whether or not he was going to choose to act on my behalf in that situation in "my timeframe".

It is my prayer that I would continue to rely on God-fully and not allow what I perceive to be great strength in myself to interfere with the plans that God has for me-His timing and location.

How Not to Be a Lutheran

So, in my best attempt to be a Lutheran, I decided to participate in communion the last Sunday I was in Hutchinson. As the ushered up the front rows, I asked my sister to explain what the proper procedure was in this church, I figured I was "ready". It was pretty simple really: You go up, grab a cup, kneel and then the elements are served to you. I didn't think to ask about what to do if there isn't any room to kneel. Why would I need to know that?

Everything went as planned until I went to kneel and there was no room at the end of the row. The one thing I hadn't counted on.

Not knowing what to do, I knelt in the middle where there was room. The bread had already gone by. An observant pastor caught that and brought me a “wafer”. So, needless to say, I was supposed to start a new “row” when that one was served, but in the midst of the moment, I didn’t know what to do.

After church, we had a good laugh! I can only imagine that a few other people did as well!

Strange !?

It is interesting that each time I return to Minnesota, there are different things that jump out to me as being very different from the way I live in Romania.

-stairs (don't have any in my apartment)
-large elevators:)
-"free" local calls
-air conditioning
-light switches inside rooms
-toilet paper on holders (mine is on top of the toilet)
-strangers that talk to you as you pass
-Andes mints/mint chocolate chip ice cream (see any pattern)
-my comfort in leaving things visible in my car
-immense number of products at Target (I still haven't made it through the store)
-how wonderful hugs are! (I just can't get enough)
-hawks on lightposts, hummingbirds hovering over flowers, deer wandering through the yard
-fast pace of life
-how "easy" it is to get things done here

Culture shock takes all different forms. These are only a few of the things that have been a bit of a surprise to me!

My Country Tis of Thee

As I sang this song tonight, it brought to mind many different images and thoughts. The first was a sense of confusion-which country is mine? Romania or the United States? Another thought came racing right after-is our country really free? If this song were to be written about Romania, how would it be changed.

In my mind, I also began to wrestle once again with the truth that neither country is truly my home. I will never be fully comfortable in either place. This isn't necessarily a bad thing as some may assume. In fact, it keeps me thinking about my true country-my true home-eternity in heaven. I wish I had the poetic ease to rewrite the lyrics to fit heaven-to adequately describe my eternal home/country. Praise God that this world is not our home!

Gata

"Finished" It was such a wonderful feeling to walk out of school yesterday knowing that things are finished-at least for the summer. And yet along with that feeling of wonder was a sense of loss as I moved things out of my classroom and up to my new office for next year. There are a lot of questions that fill my mind as I think about teaching something else next year. It will definately be different! The teacher's manuals for pre-algebra and alggebra 1 are under my desk with the rest of the piles ready to be packed-hopefully to be looked at this summer.

When I couldn't sleep this morning, I was thinking about how things are changing here in Bucharest-the good and the hard parts of that. I know that God will provide and yet it is a little bit scary to know that tomorrow I will be leaving what has become so normal for me to return to a place that feels so foreign.

Laura with Cazenescu and Margiola

With only so many hands and many babies, you make a lot of things work:) They are all such beautiful babies!

Laura with Bucur at the hospital

Babies usually only have their last names. Interestingly enough, bucur means joy in Romanian. It is my prayer for this little girl that she will know much joy.

Good Day!

I had a great day today-full of little things that made me smile:
-waffles-they actually turned out:)
-reminders of the love of my heavenly father
-park bench in the sun for writing letters to dear friends
-laughter
-cheap and delicious strawberries-you can't beat $0.50/lb
-walk in the rain

And heaven can only be better!

Did you ever wonder?

-Why do people feed street dogs that whimper and whine?

-Why are children disrespectful to adults?

-Why do the taxi operators get so frustrated?

-How can you instill in children a desire to care?

-Why do museums close before their posted closing times?

-Why are elevators so small in Romania?

-Why are words so powerful?

I am guessing that many of these never cross the minds of the multitudes, but they cross mine.

Father, please give me your wisdom and help me to understand those things that you want me to understand in the present. For the rest of the things in life that are beyond understanding in my mind, I trust you.

Spring is in the Air

5th and 6th graders ready for the spring concert

Pieces

My heart broke today. It isn't the first time and I am sure it won't be the last time, but it was a bit unexpected. It started with the words, "Ms. Westrum, there's been an accident." I turned and one of my students was down on the grounds at the park where we were having our picnic lunch surrounded by students watching with concern. Even as I comforted her, I had no idea what had happened or what was the cause of the tears. Eventually, we were able to stand and walk toward a bench where she continued to cry. I was at a loss of how to help her. We started walking toward the church where we were going to practice for the spring concert. It was slow moving as I walked beside her holding her up and trying to support her as she hobbled along. The rest of the elementary swiftly passed us. I so wanted to be able to do anything to help her, to take away whatever was causing the pain.

I wonder sometimes if that isn't how God looks down on his children. He sees the pain that is in our lives, sometimes self "inflicted" and longs for us to tell him our hurts. I think he is also willing to walk beside us, supporting us while we hold onto our own pain.

When we arrived at the church, this young girl took some time in the bathroom and emerged with her pants legs rolled up, revealing wounded and bleeding knees. It was only when I could see what was causing the pain that I could do something. We found some bandaids and by the end of the day she seemed to be mostly recovered.

I am so thankful that God knows exactly what causes the pain in our lives, sometimes before we can identify what is causing it in our lives. He is our healer and comforter-even before I can "uncover" my hurts, he is working to bring about healing. Praise God!

Come again?

I am not sure whether my parents would find it so comforting to know that at two different times today, I had some "interesting" conversations with men today.

The first was this morning at the beach. I was in Constanţa for a field retreat this weekend and I decided to take one last walk on the beach before heading back to pile on the bus for the "short" ride home. On my way back toward the hotel, a man walking in the opposite direction asked for the time. After responding in Romanian, he decided to pursue the conversation further-did I live in Constanţa, where did I live in Bucharest, why was I here, was I single, could we walk together? After repeatedly turning down his pleas to walk together I was able to convince him that I needed to be on a bus immediately. Thus ended the interlude.

After arriving back in Bucharest, some 3 hours later than planned, my roommate and I stopped at the grocery store before heading to our apartment. We were obviously conspicuous because of our luggage and "American" look. While standing in line waiting to check out, we were discussing details of the weekend. A friendly man in front of us proceeded to give us advice about taking taxis in Bucharest. After checking out and claiming our luggage, we stepped outside to see him waiting for us. He asked which hotel we lived in and was surprised to learn that we lived in Romania (he was from Denmark here on business). Apparently from this new information, he decided that we weren't helpless women about to be taken advantage of by any passing taxi driver. Who would have known?

Picking Rice

Last week, I decided to make chicken stir fry for dinner. I pulled the bag of rice out of the cupboard and proceeded to measure out the rice. As I was measuring the rice into the pan, I realized that there were small rocks throughout the rice. I proceeded to search through the entire pan of uncooked rice and remove all the small rocks and other foreign objects.

Later as I considered my actions, I thought about my life. I am so quick to accept only the "grains of rice" in my own life-those things that I think are nourishing for me and somewhat pleasing. I am quick to pick out or avoid those situations or experiences that would be like biting on a rock in the midst of a bite of rice. Whether it is a hard day at school or a difficult situation in a relationship, I am quick to "jump ship".

I recently read a book by John Piper entitled, "The Passion of Jesus Christ". In this book, Piper outlines fifty reasons why Jesus suffered and died. In one of these short chapters "To Obtain for Us All Things That are Good for Us", Piper states, "What then does it mean that because of Christ's death for us God will certainly with him graciously give us 'all things'? It means that he will give us all things that are good for us. All things that we really need in order to be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). All things we need in order to attain everlasting joy."

Each situation is being used in my life to bring about God's plan and he will work it for good. Who am I to question what God uses in my life or to easily accept the "easy" situations and shrug off the ones that I find more frustrating or painful?

Later Piper continues, "God will meet every real need, including the ability to rejoice in suffering when many felt needs do not get met. God will meet every real need, including the need for grace to hunger when the felt need for food is not met. The suffering and death of Christ guarantee that God will give us all things that we need to do his will and to give him glory to attain everlasting joy."

Praise God that He is all that we need-for each and every situation. We can do all things through Him.

Strawberries

Little red berries are starting to show up in the market more frequently. It was wonderful to bring some home with me the other day. What a wonderful snack! I look forward to watching the prices fall with each day.

Mega Image

Earlier this week I was in Mega Image (our neighborhood grocery store) and noticed a new product that was really exciting to me. It wasn't taco shells or even good quality peanut butter. Instead, Magnum bars have finally made it to this part of Eastern Europe. I enjoyed a wonderful ice cream bar on my walk home.

Thunder

Bucharest was hit with a thunderstorm that came back again and again during the day yesterday. Scattered throughout were times of sun and calm and then a bolt of lightning and rolling thunder would signal the impending rain. The streets of Bucharest were flooded with the rain when I ventured out and I ended up mostly soaked on my walk home-only intensified because I had left my umbrella at home.

It made me think of how God cleanses us-completely and thoroughly, again and again. He takes and washes everything away-as far as the east is from the west just as the water swept away dirt and debris. It never returns to us. May we allow God to completely cleanse us and allow our dirt and debris to be completely washed away. May we believe that he has truly forgiven us and satan has no business bringing things up again.

Baby Hospital

I spent the morning at the hospital near my apartment. There are two rooms there with babies who have been abandoned by their parents. I can't imagine how anyone could leave their child in one of the hospitals in Romania-being so uncertain about what will happen. These babies haven't been named so we talk to them by their last names: Georgescu, Margu, Parvan.

I arrived at 11:30 expecting that the nurse would bring in bottles around 12. They are fed every three hours whether they are hungry or not. It was after 1:00 when I finally left and still there had been no bottles for these babies. I was alone in a room of seven infants. There were two swings in the room which helped occupy two while I alternated holding the others. Hold one until it stopped crying and then switch to the next one that started crying. It was heartbreaking to have to put babies down that so needed attention and food in order to comfort another.

As I held these babies, it was amazing to be able to offer words of hope "isus te iubeşte" (Jesus loves you) and to be able to talk with them in my limited Romanian and fluent English.

Father, may they know your love. Please watch over each of these children, your children. May you provide for their every need. May they know that they are not alone-for you are with them. Amen

Hristos a înviat!

He is risen!

Last night I attended a midnight Easter service at the main Orthodox church in Bucharest. There was a large crowd gathered outside of the church even prior to 12. Large screens were set up so many could see what was happening in the entrance of the church. Bells tolled marking the beginning of the service marked with tranditions.
I was amazed at how many Bucharestians ventured outside of their homes at such a late hour to celebrate an event that has no meaning. As a part of the service, we each lit our candle and at least began the journey to our apartments carrying lit candles-to symbolize the light Christ brings to the darkness of this world.
And yet even as candles lit up the city on this night, I was reminded of the great darkness that remains in this city.

Father, may you bring light to the city of Bucharest. May I shine for you in the darkness of this community. Thank you for being the light of the world.