Morning Routine

It feels good to be back into my morning routine. I enjoy being up early when the city is quieter. Most mornings on my way to school I pass an older man who lives in my bloc. Since I've been gone most of the summer and not heading to school early I haven't seen him since May. This morning our paths crossed and he asked about my summer, vacation, and my return to Bucharest. As we were parting ways, he said that Bucharest is a better place when I'm around. It started my day off with a smile. Seeing him this morning was a blessing.

Come Again

I recently purchased a new portable phone because the one I had been using had an unfortunate, constant buzz during any conversation. After multiple attempts to try and remedy the situation, I decided to switch to my corded phone. I hadn't remembered how frustrating it can be to be forced to sit still while talking on the phone. There's so many possibilities of things that can be done during that precious time.

So, last weekend I sought out a new phone. I was amazed at the tissue paper packaging (saved for future use) and the sheer number of direction books. I'm guessing when purchasing a product in the US you might get two booklets-English and Spanish. Along with this phone came separate booklets for Romanian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Polish, and two I couldn't determine. Sadly there was no English booklet.

Growing Pains

I love learning. In fact, it's one of my top 5 strengths. I value the desire to learn in so many areas of my life. I can tell I'm growing, but it isn't always comfortable.

I spent the first part of August learning in Poland during our Europe Area Conference. Our first day was dedicated to a time of prayer. What a neat way to spend a day together--corporately seeking God in our lives and bringing encouragement, healing, and support to those we serve beside.

We spent time in whole group worship and teaching and had some small group teaching times as well. Our team (ReachGlobal missionaries serving in Bucharest) was able to spend part of an afternoon learning each other's strengths and how we can best capitalize on those strengths as a team.

For me, this conference was also a time of reconnecting with missionaries serving around Europe that I rarely see. I'm blessed by the people I serve beside in Europe! They challenged my thinking, helped me see my heart more clearly, and offered support in so many ways. Another highlight was spending time with some great kids at the water park one afternoon.

I returned to Bucharest exhausted and expectant. I can't wait to see what God does in my heart and through my life this year. I'm looking forward to seeing how He leads as I look ahead to the 2010-2011 school year. It's exciting to have renewed friendships and to look forward to staying connected in spite of the distance.

Among the Hidden

It's now been a few weeks since my return to Bucharest. As I use public transportation to get to/from school, grocery store, church, IKEA, etc, I'm faced with situations that I don't normally confront in the US. Nearly every day I'm asked for money by multiple people on the streets. This creates a certain level of discomfort as I try to decide what to do. I realized recently that the poor, homeless, and lost are those hidden in the US. I don't think I was asked once for money in the 5 weeks I spent in MN. I didn't see anyone sniffing a bag of glue or sleeping on the street. It isn't comfortable to be faced with the dilemma about whether to give money, but I find I'm thankful for those opportunities. It keeps me face to face with the realities of this fallen world, thinking hard about how I can give, and thankful for the way God meets my needs. It's a challenge for me as well to think about how I can continue to do the same when I'm in the US.

Day 2-why I love USAA

I arrived in Bucharest late Thurs night. Friday, I set about the task of cleaning my apartment (removing the layer of dust that had settled even with all the windows shut) and unpacking. Since I buy milk in bulk and had some juice on hand too, I managed to get by without needing to go to the grocery store.

This morning I decided that I wanted to eat more than cereal and macaroni and cheese. I grabbed my cloth bags and headed out the door. My first stop was to buy my transportation pass for the month. This went off without a hitch, but left me with only the equivalent of $2 in my wallet. I had planned on taking the tram to the grocery store and using the ATM there but happened to see one right near the ticket stand. And it's a good thing.

My pin was rejected twice. Thinking that perhaps it was an error with the particular ATM I was using, I walked toward another bank, but found the same thing. At least at each of the ATMs my card was returned to me. I started walking back to my apartment trying to think through options. I figured my bank wouldn't be open--perhaps not until Monday. I didn't want to call and wake up my sister (who has my financial/banking records). I could exchange some US dollars, but that didn't seem to be a great option.

I decided to try calling my bank. Amazingly, I was able to change my pin over the phone using an automated system. I grabbed my bags once again and decided to walk directly across the street before getting on the tram--just in case it really hadn't worked. It had. I got cash, went to the store, and returned home with groceries to 'fill' my fridge.

I'm adding this to my list of reasons I love banking with USAA. They make banking from overseas into something easy instead of a huge frustration and constant headache.

Faith

Our mission executive director recently wrote this on his blog, Leading from the Sandbox.

The one common denominator of all great followers of God throughout history is that of faith. As Paul says in Romans 1:17, “The righteous will live by faith.” What really is faith? First it is believing that Jesus is the hope of the world as he claimed in the passages in John quoted in chapter one. He is the way to the Father. When we say yes to God, acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins and choose to invite him into our lives we are putting our faith in Him.

At that moment we become children of God, our hearts are cleaned up, the guilt of our past is lifted and we have an eternal destiny of life with Christ, forever. The decision to give God the steering wheel of our lives is the most important decision that we ever make.

In some ways, that is the easy part of faith. The other part of the faith equation is learning to trust God for every day, every situation and every issue that we face. Way back in the dusty pages of history, God appeared to Abraham with a radical message. “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and to the land I will show you’ (Genesis 12:1).”

Now Abraham could not Google the new location to see what it looked like, he had no map to follow, no knowledge of what God had in store for him. What he had was faith in God as God so he chose to take his family and start a life journey based on faith. That is why Abraham is the great example and hero of faith for Jesus and Paul in the New Testament.

Take a moment and put yourself in Abraham’s shoes. I doubt that he was initially overjoyed at God’s message. You want me to do what? You want me to go where? Why? Why me? I’ll bet that Abraham spent months sitting in his tent asking himself a set of questions:

Do I really trust God?
Do I believe that God has my best interests in mind?
Am I willing to trust Him with my future? Really trust him?
Am I willing to take the risk of really following God?

Faith is scary and risky! Faith means that I am saying to God “I am all in.” I trust you, I believe you have my very best interests in mind, I am willing to trust you with my future and I am willing to take the risk to follow you.

This is why life undone is an unlikely gift. It invites us to take a step of faith that we have never taken before to a depth we have never gone before because we have come to the end of ourselves and have no other good choices. Life undone invites us to answer the question, “Are we all in with God and can we trust Him with our future?”

Faith is easy when life is good. Faith is tested and hard when life is undone because now we must grapple with the goodness of God in addition to the plan of God. We may even face moments of doubt (is my faith well founded?) or anger (why would God allow this?) or resignation (is God really in my corner?).

Contrary to what some may think, these are legitimate and good questions because they force us back to God in prayer, force us back to His word and again confront us with the reality of our followership of Him. Every time we again answer in the affirmative our faith is strengthened, based now on a higher level of conviction than before because our faith has been forged in pain and difficulty.

Faith is the decision that we will trust and follow Jesus, no matter what our circumstances, believing that he is good and righteous and holy and has a plan for our lives that is beyond our understanding.

The writer to the Hebrews wrote “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1) and further, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Hebrews 11:6).”

And then referencing Abraham, the writer says, “By faith Abraham, was called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going (Hebrews 11:8).”

When life comes undone we face Abraham moments. Will we believe, will we trust, will we follow? You may be facing one of those moments right now. Your choice will make all the difference in the world as to how you walk out the difficulties you face. Faith is always a choice. What is your choice?

Countless times in Hebrews 11 we read the two words “By faith” about an individual who chose to follow God when all the chips were down. They include Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jepphthah, David and numerous others. The common trait in each of these men and women of God was their choice of faith not only in the good times but in the hard and difficult times. Because of their faith they show up on God’s hall of fame in the great chapter of faith in Hebrews 11.

That hall of fame continues to grow. Every time we choose faith over doubt, despair or anger we join those whose names are listed above. Remember, God “earnestly rewards those who seek him.” Those who choose Him, those who trust him!

Faith is directly connected to the peace that Jesus promised in John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Where does that peace come from that Jesus talks about? He says “In me” you may have peace. In Me. Our peace is not in our circumstances (they can be very bad). It is not in our conviction that everything will go back to the way it was before (It may well not). It is not in our ability to solve our problem (we may not be able to). No, our peace comes from our trust in the person of Jesus Christ. We can have peace “in Him,” in His presence, in His goodness, in His love, in His promise to be with us, and in His power to “overcome the world.”

When it is all stripped away, when all of our resources are exhausted as eventually they are, there is the one answer we have had all along, God is there, He is with us, we can trust Him. Do you…today? Are you willing to give to God your situation in faith with a simple child like trust and say, “Jesus I am all in. I trust you with my pain and like Abraham I will follow not knowing where I am going?

It was a good challenge to me to think about my faith.

Updated Status

I arrived home at 11:30 and then couldn't fall asleep right away...

On facebook, you have the opportunity to update your status, sharing with your friends what's happening in your life. So, here's a little of what's going on in my life.

Laura ...

-is wide awake at midnight...and not thrilled.
-liked having 3 seats to myself on my flight from Paris to Bucharest...and the fact I got to see the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triumf from the window.
-doesn't know if she has the strength.
-thinks evaluating life shouldn't be done late at night.
-likes my parents.
-thinks airplane flights shouldn't feel like roller coaster rides.
-needs to deal with the leaky toilet.
-is thankful for friends on both sides of the ocean.
-enjoyed the drive home from the airport...back to speaking a foreign language I understand.
-isn't quite ready to unpack.
-is glad to be in my own bed.
-is glad to remember that in ALL things God is in control!
-started to crawl into bed before remembering I'd washed my sheets before leaving but hadn't had time to remake the bed the morning I left.
-is trying to decide what to do first...grocery shopping, cleaning, unpacking, school stuff...

From a Friend

I was sorting through old emails this morning and came across this email from a friend from the first time I came to teach in Romania--in 2002.

i do know that the most valuable thing you can give a kid is not proper english, a good curriculum, or even an abundant amount of knowledge. The most valuable things to give children exist and speak to us through our hearts. To allow children to see your soul, and experience theirs is true joy. To see the glimmer in their eyes, to inspire, to create and stir emotions, to breathe life with them, and learn from them. that is to truly live. If you listen, and listen close to your heart, it will tell you all you need to do and say and act. But you must not let the voices of society, tradition, normalcy, or fear of being unique block off your heart's voice. Children will aspire to what they see. Love, acceptance, and true nurturing of the soul is not something ever written down in a handbook, instruction guide, or expectations and guidelines in a teaching application. I know you have all you need in you. and the things you lack, the Lord will make you stronger or give you the tools to fulfill his ultimate plans. you are placing footprints on the souls of these young ones. Feel blessed. feel magical. feel excited and overwhelmed and under qualified, but don't forget to listen.

Thank you friend, for your words then that have come back to encourage me again this fall as I look ahead to a new year.

I Will Rise

I Will Rise

There's a peace I've come to know

Though my heart and flesh may fail

There's an anchor for my soul

I can say "It is well"

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

There's a day that's drawing near

When this darkness breaks to light

And the shadows disappear

And my faith shall be my eyes

Jesus has overcome

And the grave is overwhelmed

The victory is won

He is risen from the dead

And I will rise when He calls my name

No more sorrow, no more pain

I will rise on eagles' wings

Before my God fall on my knees

And rise

I will rise

And I hear the voice of many angels sing,

"Worthy is the Lamb"

And I hear the cry of every longing heart,

"Worthy is the Lamb"

In the midst of the trials of life, it's so neat to be able to say, "I will rise." May we be able to keep that perspective in the midst of trials.

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Although I'm not to this point yet, I've been excited to look back over the past year and thank God for the challenges and hard times because I see the work that has come about in my heart and life because of those situations.

Women of Faith

I am blessed to have a number of wonderful women of faith in my life. Women who live life dependent on God and seeking his will. I want to share about one particular group of women and the amazing influence they have had in my life.

Seven years ago, I was frustrated at not finding a teaching job, confused about what to do, and looking for an evening Bible study. I asked the coordinator at church about whether there were any options. The only studies for women were during the day--when I hoped I'd be working. So, I was a bit discouraged. I think only a short time later I learned that a group was going to start.

I attended this group with mixed feelings--not really sure what to expect being the youngest member and in a completely different life situation than the others. But, as I shared and listened, God knit our hearts together in an amazing way. At the end of that school year I was working full time and preparing to move to Romania to teach at Bucharest Christian Academy. They prayed with me and sent me off with their love--many of them choosing to support me through prayer and finances.

My expectations were low and I figured that after I'd been gone a few months they would forget about me and our paths would rarely cross. Instead, this amazing group of women continues to keep in close contact with me. They bless me each Christmas with a wonderful package full of fun things from home. Each summer I'm in MN we get together.

Just earlier this week we spent the evening together. I think I laughed more in that one evening than in the previous month. It was wonderful to sit with these amazing women of faith and hear about the work God is doing in their lives. One woman is trusting God as she goes back to school, sitting beside classmates years younger. Another is moving to a new townhouse in preparation for serving overseas. Many are living in the midst of struggles and loss, painful times, and yet you wouldn't guess that by the way they speak or act.

These women have become dear friends and coworkers, encouraging me and refreshing my spirit each time we're together or connect. I left the house that night with an amazing sense of God's presence and love for me shown through the lives of these special women. His care evidenced through their 'hands and feet'.