The best family night ever

First of all thanks to God for listening to and answering prayers. Second thanks to Heritage Builders from Focus on the Family for the ideas. Tonight was a great family night. The best ever. All others have been close to disaster, but this one was amazing.

We talked about the fact that we deserve punishment for sin and how Jesus took our punishment for us...and some of them actually understood. The last activity was me acting as a judge and each child being convicted of something they had done in the last two days and having their consequence read to all (a little intense, but had to get the affect of judgement day). They all recognized their guilt and were upset with their punishments, but knew they had to be done. Then I threw in the last one, that no one was able to go to the pool next time (side note, they had all gone today, but I stayed home working on family night stuff). That got them all riled up, but at that point I took off my judicial robe (bathrobe) and said, "But I love you all so much that I will do your punishments for you. In fact for those of you who have to write out verses (15 or 25 times), I've already written them." For the children that had to pay for things, I pulled money out of my wallet and I even stayed in the corner for Claudia. We had a great discussion about their feelings of guilt, and how I didn't deserve to do the punishments, but how grateful they were for my sacrifice. Maria caught onto the fact that this is what Jesus did for us. Praise Jesus for this opportunity to present the truth of what we deserve but He took upon himself. Keep praying for future family nights, and for daily teachable moments.

New Truth?

So apparently the Ninevites were incredibly wicked people (using human skulls for wine glasses). But they responded to Jonah's call to repent or be destroyed, just as the Lord expected and really just as Jonah expected--they turned from their evil ways. (This is what I understood in Romanian Adult Sunday School today) As a matter of fact, I realized today that God desired many populations to come to repentance and loved them just as much as He loved the Isrealites.

I KNOW God has a heart for the nations, but He just continues driving it home. Around this time of year I always get a little misty-eyed as my college-student friends head out into the nations. Yes, yes I know I'm also "at the end of the earth." Pray for all of us who are trying to make disciples and teach all that He commanded us. It's hard work waiting for the nations (or in my case 9 kids warded to the state of Romania) to come to repentance.

Things I miss

The fam
Friends
9:30
California
Mondern Conveniences (this might include anything from faster food, besides McDs; finding whatever you want, when you need it, or being able to order it and know you'll have it in a week or less)

Mexican food has been marked off the list for now as we have a plethora of tortillas and seasoning for tacos, fajitas, salsa and guacamole--thanks to Mom and Kim.

Ah, I was also longing for the Romanian goodness of cireşe (pronounced chee-resh-e), sweet, yummy cherries, but discovered that they are beginning to make their appearance at the local outdoor markets, along with fat strawberries which I also haven't seen/eaten in almost a year.

Weather Update

Last Wednesday it reached a near 90 degrees...I thought death was upon us unless I was in the air conditioning of the car. But all has turned back to "normal" 60s with a rain shower almost daily. We're equipped for the next heat wave, as I've purchased fans.

Saturday Night Live

Do you ever make a list just so you can check things off and then once the day is over realize that you weren't able to check a thing off? That's what today was like. However, I still think it was productive. I was actually beginning to feel a little bit like Martha this afternoon and think I need to spend a little time at the feet of Jesus.
My kids came over for a movie (which turned into two) and cookies today (thus my need to be Martha-y--had to have a clean apartment and fresh oatmeal chocolate chip cookies). It's just a different atmosphere here at home than at the house; and it gets them out of the village for a while.
Kati is sleeping over now. After everyone else left we went into town to pick out some new hair clips and pick up dinner...the only choice of McDonalds. We also watched her favorite movie-The Lion King. She was a gentler Kati than I've seen before. She was timid in town, and clung to me in the store. Of all the kids she's the one that gets under my skin the most, but she's also the one I pray for the most.

Zorro's birthday

Zorro was actually a little melancholy the day of his birthday (May 6). I'm guessing, but I think he was missing his family. I know what it is like the first big holiday you're without a member of your family, and I can imagine it was a little tough. But he cheered up with his cake, and really got excited when he opened up his gift--soccer cleats! The game was amazing. We made a pinata out of a soccerball and the kids took turns kicking the fire out of the ball.

livin' on the edge

I went 4-wheeling today with Nicu and Septi. It was AMAZING FUN, and I made it out with only four blisters (three of which were really never blisters, just the skin ripped off) and I think there will only be bruises on my right hand. I, however, did not fly off or drive myself into any ditches.

Family Time

It was absolutely wonderful having my mom and aunt here. We spent lots of time hanging out with the kids, visiting, shopping, and sightseeing. We took the kids to Sighisoara on Monday, May 1 and walked around and saw old churches and buildings and the museum. We climbed up (if I remember correctly) 279 stairs to see a church and explored a cemetary, looking for familiar names. On Tuesday Bethany, my mom, Aunt Kim and I set off towards Brasov. We hung out in the center that night and saw the Black Church and ate at Kentucky Fried Chicken (mmmm, corn on the cob). The next morning we got up and drove (after being lost for a good 1/2 hour) towards the village of Bran and Bran Castle (legend makes it a part of the dracula story, but it's really not). After visiting the castle, we did a little shopping with a very friendly woman. We were at her booth for probably 30 minutes so decided to take a picture. After Bran we headed towards Sanaia and Peles Palace. We took a less-populated road through the mountains and enjoyed driving a little slower and seeing shepherds with their sheep. We had a little run in with a sheep dog when Kim and Bethany got out of the car to take some pictures. We arrived at Peles and parked the car and started our uphill hike, but it was worth it, as the palace was magnificant. We ate at a hotel restaurant down the hill and then headed home.

We were also able to visit the baby hospital and Patelea (I can't remember if I have blogged about the family in this village, I'll get back to you on that one). Saturday morning we took Simona, Maria, Cornel, Daniel and Claudia Kalanyos home for a visit with their family. That afternoon we celebrated Zorro's birthday (next blog). Here the girls are all playing/watching a video game that Becky brought over for the day. Mom jumped in for a picture, but they weren't really excited to be in one this time.

In my dreams

So the other morning I'm livin' in that half awake/half asleep state where you can still remember your dreams. This is how it went down: I'm not sure who all was a part of the team, but I was a bank robber and was at work. Inside all the safety deposit boxes were american foods that you cannot find in Romania. I remember feeling complete joy and fulfillment as I loaded large bags of chocolate chips into the back of our truck. And I'm sad to say that the police sirens were really my alarm clock (ok the part with the sirens didn't happen, but how do you end a story like that?).