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.