praying..

crazy, the impact a tiny, little human can have on your heart in just a few days and how sad it is to think you probably won't see her again. this one grabbed a piece of me on the way out the door and is still holding on. I fell hard. unexpectedly. I didn't want to pick favorites, you know? they all need so much attention.

it has been a little overwhelming, feeling so much for a girl I hardly knew but felt I could love forever. hope she could feel how much I loved her and how much more her heavenly father loves her. every. single. day.

praying for you, sweet little girl across the world.


if it were up to me, I would have brought her home. no question. can I please just have her?

wednesday without words: romania through the iPhone.

reflecting.

I think I'm better at answering questions.. so if there is anything specific any of you would like to know about my trip, feel free to ask! otherwise, I'm a woman of few words at the moment. well, okay most of the time..

layover in Amsterdam airport. didn't hate it.. definitely didn't love it. 

part of the view from Erin's apartment. I got lost in this view at least once a day looking out her window.

multiple weddings in the park during the weekends. I thought this little girl was so fluffy and cute.

school and hygiene supplies given to the teens of the Roma village in Budila.

the teens love playing ping pong when they come to their meetings with Erin.

was a little too excited to drive by this, I think. life is beautiful.

+ more to come.

processing..

as I settle back in to life as I knew it before Romania, I feel as though my brain is in slow motion. except a week has already passed since I came home and it has felt like a really big, fast blur. I feel like it was so long ago that I was walking the streets in the mountains of Brasov, yet the memories are so fresh and close in my heart. forgive me for not having many words to write to you before now. my present is full of reflecting and processing all that we experienced there, while I start a new season here. this is honestly the first time anything has felt worthy of writing, so bear with me. I want to share some more photos as well, although the ones I am able to post only just begin to tell a small part of the story in my heart. but meet me for tea and I'll show you the beauties in the hospital and the village and tell you all about the stunning little girl that forever holds a piece of my heart.

note: I know, I realize tea isn't possible for many of you.. an email will do just fine if you'd like to hear more. (: so any questions, ask away! or a visit is always welcome here. I'll even pay for your drink!

I love you all and am so, so grateful for your time spent in prayer for my safety and all of the donations you so graciously gave to make this trip possible. my heart was impacted in a life changing way that I am still learning and trying to fully grasp; even the second time around! and that in part, is because of your love and generosity.

mulțumesc. ești frumoasă. te iubesc. (thank you. you're beautiful. I love you.)

+ to be continued..

flashback to Michigan.

some of our phone photos from our time in Michigan before Romania, and some from sisterlove's phone too.

+

more photos (or a day off, so I have time to post some more).

{find the kitty}

{Alisha whipping us up a fabulous peach cobbler. I seriously felt like it only took her two minutes.}

{the oven that wins the award for most character}

buna ziua again.

bebeluşii. [bay-bay-loosh] (babies)

lots and lots of babies!

we have a shift at the hospital everyday, which is about three hours, and either view new parts of the city or meet with the teens from a Roma village during the other half of the day. all of which pull at my heart more than expected each time I am here.. the culture surrounding us, the little eyes that stare into mine, and the lifestyle the teenagers live-still with joy on their faces. if it wasn't so far from our families, I think I would be trying to convince my husband to move. you can shoot movies in Romania, right? right?

anyway, Erin and I were discussing how hard it is to write about our time here. so much can happen, but we find ourselves sitting at the table staring at a blank screen for a very long time. so maybe I'll figure out a way to write more soon, but for now I will just show you a photo of an egg. they come with feathers here.

not what you were wanting to see? sorry. here's something else to hopefully tide you over.

ali.

drum bun.

[droom-boon] (good travels, safe journey. or literally, road good.. ha.)

here's a little video of the ride from the grocery store to the house. enjoy. (:

ali.

Buna Ziua!

[boo-nuh zee-wah] (good day! or hello)

hello from Romania. we arrived last night (Friday.. still getting used to what day it is). today we are just getting settled; exchanging money and grocery shopping and whatnot. tomorrow we will have church with the Firm Foundations team and on Monday we will get to the hospital! so looking forward to seeing all of the babies.

hopefully I'll be able to update a little more soon and post some more photos. but that one above is from Erin's balcony, which is where I am staying. so beautiful. I don't know if you can tell but that sign up on the mountain says, BRASOV. that's where I'm at, if you were unaware. (: love you all. talk to you soon. and thank you for praying me here.

ali.