Thinking about Romania... at Easter

In 1995, Todd and I took the trip of a lifetime and brought back a "live" souvenior - - our daughter Ana-Maria. Our "trip" was actually to get her, sight unseen, after her adoption had been completed via power of attorney, in Romania. That trip changed our lives.

We stayed in an apartment in Bucharest that was very old and run-down, but had everything we needed in it. There was a small sort of hallway kitchen, a main room that had a nice dining area and an old futon-styled couch, and a TV. There was also a teeny hallway to a teeny bathroom, which had all we needed (toilet, old rusty tub, and sink), and a small bedroom. Outside the living area and bedroom was a wooden balcony that overlooked a courtyard, and on the other side of the courtyard was a very fancy outdoor restaurant where live ethnic Romanian music was played until about 3am every night. Of course, the first nights, this run-down place and the strange sounds of the music (we had to have the windows open - no A/C, and it was August, 100degrees plus in the days) made it difficult for us not to expereince the anxiety of being in a different world. We couldn't watch the TV but more than an hour a day and even then it was not in English. The one hour we could turn it on was when they were playing Superbook cartoons (in English -but with Romanian subtitles) and Ana-Maria loved them. Thus, we were literally immersed in simplicity. Oh no, we even had to talk to and relate to each other all day long! For food, we could walk to the open market or stop by a grocery - - there were no grocery carts though (and even when I went back in 2000, though they had them, they were tiny!). We got used to buying only what we needed for a day and carrying it back, with a toddler who was just getting used to us. We were a bit afraid of getting sick from the food, so we carefully boiled everything and prepared our meals... and that filled up some of the time. We sat on the floor for hours and played with the same blocks, with Ana-Maria - - it is amazing how many uses for stacking cups and blocks one can really find! In the evenings, we were blessed to be picked up by some people we had just met on the airplane on the way in (yes!) and taken to places to walk, and visit. Their company was so dear - - though neither of us hardly spoke each others languages.

I could go on and on - - but what I am getting at, is we were happy... euphoric! Of course, we had just gotten Ana-Maria and she was everything we'd dreamed of and more... but we also were living simply. We were not "plugged in" all day long. We weren't "supersized" all day with food and entertainment. Instead, we were relating to each other and those around us, and taking a new unusual place that had a lot more to offer than the place of abundance where we'd come from. One of the strongest and lasting impressions made on me was one evening, at around dinner hour. We heard a lot of shouting and such from the balconies in the courtyard of our building. I looked out, and chidlren were playing games with each other from the balconies of their apartments. I would have given anything to hear the words in English, but they were evidently saying things to each other, dropping down out of sight behind their railings, and then popping up again - lots of laughter. There were probably about 10 different balconies with kids on them playing this game. I kept thinking "yeah, and we've replaced that with the TV or video games... what a loss for America!"

The lesson of this week had a profound impact on me and is one I have to revisit occasionally. On days my kids are "bored" I think of that, and I encourage them to find some "unplugged" self-entertainment. When I grocery shop (and I mean GROCERY shop - - we put the back of the car FLAT at Costco) I think of how much of what I'm buying we really need at once. Some is good - - it is a big time-waster to be in and out of that particular store too often. But mostly, I think about how much "stuff" has gotten in the way of the relational lives God built all of us for.

As Easter weekend comes and we prepare to spend the weekend with very special friends, I am remembering this special lesson from Romania. This will be a relational weekend, hopefully as unplugged as possible, and one honoring the risen Lord.

By the way - - that "strange" music we heard in the nights became a lullabye by the end of our 5 night stay in the Romanian apartment, and we have several CD's of it here. Go figure!

Easter Blessings - Laura

Fun Weekend - and back home again

I went out of town this weekend - - my sister was married on Saturday, and Ana (oldest dau) and I flew in for her wedding. It was fun - - and we got a little break from "real life" too. I'm back now and working away at "stuff." It now seems to always be calling me to eliminate more of it, which is good! This morning I've been trying to catch up on wash, and pitching any clothes that are marginally fitting the kids. :-) I think the "attitude" is sinking in!

And... even though we were in town where my favorite outlet store is to purchase things for Tori and Cristian, I did NOT shop and thus didn't bring anything back with me. THAT in itself is truly a change.

Laura

My Closet

I just again attacked my closet. This is truly a PROCESS! 3 more tall kitchen bags of donations from there are ready for the Goodwill. The exciting part - - I no longer have off-season clothing in bins in the basement to switch seasons. Everything I own and wear is in my closet, for all year round. And I am sure there still is plenty that won't get its turn... so maybe in a few weeks I'll get rid of more :-).

SNOW day!

Yesterday and today, Cristian and Tori have been off of school for a snow day. While the kids have sat around wathing movies, playing with each other, etc... I have been going through stuff. I now have 3 bags of winter stuff that won't fit Tori next year to leave, and an additional 3 of spring stuff we don't need - most is too big, too small, or just duplicates. That makes 6 bags LEAVING! We've taken some handmedowns to the neighbors already... what a blessing to see stuff go and to have less to put away and deal with. Today I will continue ....

Finally - - an update. The "kitchen sink" kind

I haven't updated for some time (thanks Mo for the reminder!). This is sort of going to be everything that's been going on in no specific order - - the "kitchen sink" is full of things to share. Not all are the "dirty dishes" kind though!

First of all, I am still cleaning out. I chose to attack Ana's closet last weekend, after just feeling like it had gotten beyond any help she could give it alone. She was a trooper - - chose to allow me to get rid of whatever I saw fit. She also thought it good to get rid of things that are not within her school dress code, because in her words, if it is not modest enough for school why would she want to wear it otherwise? The things we kept that aren't in the dress code are jeans (everyone needs these!), and a few dresses. 5 bags went to a friend's house for her to have her teen go through, then pass on. 2 to Goodwill. In the hallway is still a basket of yarn (Ana knits) for Ana to sort and put away, a misc. basket for her to put away, and a basket piled HIGH with backpacks/totes/handbags she needs to clean out and then get rid of. Her spring clothes are in her closet now, and the only winter ones we put away are the REALLY winter ones - - one bin. (we brought up 3 of spring, but got rid of 2 1/2 of them, YAY!)

On the new house front, we're still in waiting mode. I am content with this - - we've done everything we can now, and it is up to God's Will at this point whether we buy the bigger house or not. My hands are open for God to give or take as He sees fit - - I only want to be in His will. OK - - I will admit, I do have dreams of being in the bigger house, but those can be flexible if our Lord makes it clear He doesn't want that.

Finally, we had a kiddo here who's crashing mentally. If you read the intro to this blog, I shared that we have some mental health issues in one of our precious children. He's again struggling, and we need prayers. I think we've figured out the root of it and adjusted the med that's setting him off, but puberty is hitting too so it is only a wonder how long this time he'll be stable. This has slowed me some, but not as much as it used to. I'm still cleaning and restoring!

Laura

Is the Effort Spreading?

After Todd took all that stuff in the garage to Goodwill Saturday, he also vacuumed the cars (yay!). I guess when he had all the seats out of the van to haul the stuff he thought it a good time to vacuum too... and then did the Volvo yesterday. He then came home and cleaned up a bunch of the garage! We still have boxes in there that are packed from our "move" last year that didn't happen. Most of that stuff we don't need, WHEN I get the basement all cleaned (whih still needs significant time and effort) I will go through the garage boxes, too! It was encouraging to see Todd get the cleaning out bug, too!

Laura

READY to GO!

Here is the pile of stuff to go to Goodwill that Scotty and Damon helped carry up from the basement yesterday. Scott and Todd are now taking all the seats out of the van, so they can load it all up and make it be GONE!