the chase: 232 days down and 5 to go

I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise that my [almost] 8 months of learning, traveling, serving, growing, laughing, crying, teaching, blessing, receiving, praying and meeting is quickly approaching its end. But somehow it still catches me off guard. Then I remind myself that none of that is ending, its simply going to take place in a different time zone, culture and continent. And that to me is beautiful.

Georgiana and her cake!! La Multi Ani!!

Its been a busy last few weeks. I've spent time laughing with my friends and learning from them. Traveling to other parts of the country to meet with the other fellow Kontaktmission missionaries [and seeing some beautiful colors of fall in the mountains along the way]. We also have grieved the loss of a 26 year old man from the community. It was heart breaking to see the family mourning. He leaves behind a wife and young child. But even in the midst of the heart break life some how goes on. We celebrated birthdays and new life. Oh, how delicate and lovely the gift of life is. Many days we so easily take it for granted, but even more importantly is the life after death that will be either more lovely than we could ever imagine or more horrifying than conceivable. But with that reality comes an assurance of a beautiful eternal life in Christ our savior.

Its late and I'm sick and I should rest so I can be healthy before my 48 hours of traveling. So I'll be brief and hold some stories for my return. So don't forget to ask me!

But I guess one thing I'd like to share about my time here in the little corner of Romania that I've been living life in is this. Prayer is a powerful weapon. I pray that each of you use it wisely, abundantly and with faith. God is faithful to us. But we also have to be faithful to him and have faith in him. He tells us to "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" [Matthew 7.7] and in Philippians 4.6 we are told "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God". These are reassurances that God wants us to seek him for our needs, even our smallest worries. He wants us to have faith in him that he will come through for our needs.

I've been working with a family of believers who take prayer seriously and are grounded in the knowledge that God works when they pray. I've seen very clearly the work that is done when we ask. Its been a blessing, its been eye opening and it is good. Because he is good.

Speaking of prayer. I want to ask for your prayers right now.
1. Travel [I will begin my journey home late wednesday night and arrive home on friday afternoon] So pray that everything goes smoothly and for safety. (7 hours of it is by car)
2. Health- pray that I recover from this cold quickly and preferably before I leave :)
3. The relationships I've made here, that I can continue as best as I can to communicate with them and keep them in my heart and lift them up in prayer.
4. For the communities I've worked in. That they would continue to make disciples here and grow and multiply.
5. For my reverse culture shock. As I enter back into America and the life that is very different from the past 8 months. Pray that I adjust well and quickly, and that I am able to process what I've learned and maintain a healthy spiritual life in the midst of adjusting back.

I appreciate it :]

Also, another bit of news. I've begun training for a half marathon [13.1mi]. Its to raise money/awareness/research for Lymphoma and Leukemia. So I'm excited about it!

I am also extremely excited about the holidays this year. Both Thanksgiving and Christmas!! It'll be a great time to catch up with loved ones and celebrate some truly amazing things!!

I learned how to make 'Torte' this week [traditional Romanian]. Its like bread but its not baked its pan baked. soooo good. I cant wait to make it for you guys!!

As always. Heres some pictures from my life.