Weekend Wrap Up

Another week has gone by. We have been here for nearly 4 weeks. A month’s worth of unpacking and organizing, settling in and making this new place feel like home. I spent a little time on Saturday putting some pictures back into their frames. The frames were shipped on the container and the pictures flew with us on the airplane. It just felt safer to have them with us. Most of them sat on our piano, which we don’t have here so I’ll have to find a new location for them. Others will find an empty spot on the wall.

On Saturday afternoon, I was able to go to a resource fair at a homeschool convention. I would have liked to attend the sessions too but it was $65 for one person and we just couldn’t afford that now. But the resource fair was free and I walked out spending a total of 75 cents. I found two books at the used book sale and some neat resources from the Federal Reserve Bank for FREE! Those will fit in with the economics course that Gabe and Hannah will be doing this fall. Check them out online. ALL of their resources are free.

Later this week, hopefully, I will post some more exciting entries. Some of them just might be:

Dog Days of Summer Bloggy Giveaway – Come back tomorrow and see what it is!

Welcome to My Home- The Tour

Full Circle

Overwhelmed

Although this city was our home 15 years ago, I feel overwhelmed as we drive around. So much has changed in the years while we were gone. I recognize places here and there but mostly I feel as if we have moved to an entirely new city. We live outside the city itself but still in a very populated area. There are so many stores. We have several Wal Mart stores to choose from and two good libraries fairly close by.

The overall transition has been challenging, leaving me overwhelmed in other ways too.

Physically – the move itself was strenuous. Add to that my broken toe (it’s healing but still hurts if I’m not careful) and the daunting task of getting this apartment in order.

Emotionally – leaving everything we know, both in Romania and Alabama. Starting over. Reuniting with some friends. Finding out that a once close friend has passed away and another is suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Financially – I have mentioned that in a few other posts. That gives a glimpse of the situation. The loss of my diamond could go under both finances and emotions.

Spiritually – Here I am again quoting one of my favorite verses. You will notice that it is on the header of my blog. Although I have read the Psalms many times, I didn’t “find” this verse until 1997. It was a decade ago when I found myself in a foreign country with nothing to cling to but the precious Word of God.

This new beginning here is not as dark and difficult as our first months in Romania. (Someday, I will write about that.) These days are uncertain and challenging but we are excited about the possibilities that we will encounter in the coming days and months. Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Psalm 61:1-2

What verse do you find yourself going to time and time again?

The High Cost of Moving Part 2 - Thursday Thirteen Edtion #44

Thanks to Karen at Write from Karen for the banner

Moving can be a costly adventure. Moving to another continent is even more so. Most people do not consider the financial cost of a missionary, or others living overseas, coming home. All of our appliances were European except for our refrigerator so we had to sell them and buy new ones. Here are some things that we have had to buy to settle in here and make this home functional:

1. Washer
2. Dryer
3. Toaster
4. Iron
5. Blow dryer
6. Microwave oven (OK, it’s not a necessity but my family thinks it is.)
7. Can opener (Just a manual one. They are cheaper and they fit in a drawer)
8. Vacuum cleaner
9. Swiffer wet jet ( I hate traditional mops)
10. Broom
11. Dust pan
12. Shelves for the laundry closet
13. Over the door shoe holders for vertical storage

The High Cost of Moving - Thursday Thirteen Edtion #43

Thanks to Karen at Write from Karen for the banner

I cannot believe it has been an entire month since I have done a Thursday Thirteen. June was an extremely busy and eventful month. If you don’t know what’s been going on, you can read some of my recent entries. You can gather from my TT that we have moved from Romania, temporarily to Alabama and now to Virginia. The cost has been high. Here are a few things that we have had to spend money on for this move.

1. Container to ship our belongings back to the US
2. Plane tickets for trip back to the US
3. Storage building to hold all of them until we find a place to live
4. Survey trip to search for employment and residence
5. New to us vehicle
6. Moving van rental from AL to VA
7. Bottled water for loading the van in the Alabama summer heat
8. Van fuel for a 650 mile trip
9. Fuel for the car that followed the van
10. Vehicle inspection and registration
11. Driver’s licenses
12. Apartment deposit
13. Eating out when cooking wasn’t possible

Moving Misadventure

Shortly after I posted my blog entry last Saturday night, John came into the room where I was and said that he couldn’t sleep. So we decided to go on over to the storage building to sort through our belongings in the “cool” of the night. I think it was only about 80 degrees or so at 10 PM. We had to go through some of the boxes and decide what needed to be stored there in Alabama and what needed to go to Virginia with us. Because we now have an apartment, things like the lawn mower and wheel barrel wouldn’t be necessary. Those and other things were moved into a smaller unit. While there, I turned around and kicked a huge jack and it felt like I broke my pinky toe. It didn’t swell or bruise but it sure hurt for a few days.

The drive to Virginia was smooth and uneventful. It was tiring because I had to follow the van and drive most of the way. Gabriel drove for about 30 minutes but that stressed me out and it was easier to drive. He’s a good driver but hasn’t had much interstate experience. I would prefer that he practice with his dad!

We moved in on Tuesday as planned. It was hot as predicted and besides a friend my age and Jonathan, a teenage boy, it was just us to unload everything. I made sure everyone was drinking plenty of water and Gatorade and we managed to get everything in. We even got everyone’s bed set up except for Holly’s. The pegs to the bunk bed were hiding somewhere and she slept with her mattress on the floor.

Wednesday morning we woke up surrounded by boxes. Anxious to get this apartment to resemble home, I started right away. One of the first things I did, however, was to whack my barefoot pinky toe, the same pinky toe, on a wooden chair leg. This time it swelled. This time it turned black and blue and purple. It’s better now but still needs healing.

The apartment is looking more like a home too, but like my toe, it’s going to take time to get it to where it needs to be. Hannah and Holly are sharing a room that is about one third the size of the room Hannah had to herself in Romania. The pegs were found and the bed is set up. I am going to go in there in just a few minutes and try to organize a few more things. Gabe has finished unpacking and settling in. It is refreshing to go into his room and realize that there is hope for the rest of this place.

All Packed!

All packed up and ready to go! We will leave early tomorrow morning and hopefully arrive at our destination in time for dinner. Our plan is to move in on Tuesday. The forecast is calling for extreme heat. Extremes seem to be the theme of my life, so why not? We have plenty of water packed for the occasion.

I do not know when we will have internet access. Gabe and I decided that it takes priority over buying a washer and dryer because we need the internet to order a set. LOL! Anyway, I am declaring this week "De-lurking Week". I know that I have people reading my blog but not commenting. Wouldn't it be a nice surprise to find a bunch of comments when we finally get hooked up?! Just say hello, leave your favorite verse, quote, joke or whatever you feel like saying (as long as it's nice please!!!)

Next post will be from our new home!!!! When was the last time you moved?

Melting in the Heat

Today was more packing and loading the truck. Temperatures were above 100 degrees. Did I ever mention that I melt in the heat? Extreme temperatures always give me a headache. I took a pain reliever before going outside but to no avail. We still have more work to do. Tomorrow we will go to the storage building EARLY in an attempt to work in the cool of the day – if such a thing exists in this Alabama summer. Wow! I cannot believe we have less than 36 hours. I need to go to bed and get some sleep!

Still Packing

In April, I found myself worrying about my son stepping out into the world when he started his first job at Chick-fil-A. Now, three months later, I feel relieved and somewhat proud that he is doing great and enjoying his job. He even got a raise! He gave his notice to the owner of the store that we are moving. He assured Gabe that he would give him a good recommendation and then we found out that the owner here in Alabama is good friends with the owner of the Chick-fil-A near us in Virginia! Moving is hard enough on kids and especially teens so I am thankful for this opportunity for him.

I am also excited about getting involved in a homeschool support group. Of course I have to find one first. There is a homeschool conference towards the end of July that I would like to go to. I haven’t had the opportunity to attend one since 1995. Of course that will all depend on our financial situation. Moving is not cheap and a trans-Atlantic move costs several thousand dollars.

John was able to get the moving van a day early at no extra cost. So we will start loading some things tomorrow. I am hoping to go through some of the boxes and leave things in storage that we won’t need in an apartment. I don’t like to wish time away but I just can’t wait until Wednesday. We will probably still be swimming in a sea of boxes but at least we will be moved in and on our way to getting settled.

Packing - again!

Our short visit to Virginia went well and if all goes as planned, we will be moving on Monday – this Monday. Thankfully most of our belongings are already packed and in the storage building. I am sorry to say however that it’s not as simple as loading it all on a truck. We are moving into a small apartment and everything won’t fit. So some things will remain in storage. John and Gabe worked on organizing that today and Hannah and I packed things up here. I am done in! There is a still ton to do to be ready by Monday morning. We’ll get some more accomplished later. Right now, besides taking a bloggy break, we are going out to eat with John’s sister. We’ve been blessed to visit with her. She is the only one of John’s eight siblings that lives in the same town with us. Next week, we will be family- less again. Just like in Romania but much closer and almost everyone speaks English!

Hannah finished her quilt while we were gone. Check it out!

Virginia - The Search

We arrived here in Virginia Saturday evening and had a great time visiting with a sweet friend. Her husband died of cancer last year, her children are grown and she is excited to have some company and someone to cook for. We went to church with her yesterday morning and then after lunch we drove around different areas of the city. I lived in this area for about 8 1/2 years but we left 14 years ago and so much has changed.

Today we are job searching and apartment hunting. John has an interview tomorrow but we are knocking on as many doors as we can. We only have a few days here so our hope is that our searches will be successful in a short amount of time. Please pray that God will bless our endeavor and open doors for us.

Gabriel, Hannah and Holly seem to be doing fine in our absence. We left them in good hands of course, but have hardly ever left them. I am not sure if leaving them more often would be easier or not. Last year, Gabe and Hannah went to camp with John in the mountains of Romania. I was glad that they were with their dad, but being a mother, I still worried. The comforting verse from Psalm 23:1 came to my mind The Lord is my Shepherd . . . and the Lord spoke to my heart in that still, small, inaudible voice, "I am their Shepherd too, Karen, and I love them even more than you do."

I will keep you updated as our journey continues. Stay tuned!

Moving!

My life in the labyrinth continues but I think that we may have finally found the way to go. It wasn’t the way I imagined, but God always does more than we imagine. It wasn’t the way we had planned but His ways are higher than our ways.

We are planning to move back to where we came from. We have claimed Alabama as home for the last 13 years but Virginia is where we are from. Well, it is where we were from before we moved to Alabama. Anyway, John and I will go up there together in a week or so to check out job and housing possibilities. We are in awe as we watch God’s plan unfold.

And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it. Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel. Jeremiah 18:4-6

Karen & The Busy Emotional Very Long Day

Thursday morning began after a sleepless night. Neither John nor I slept well. I know this because I woke up several times during the night and each time John was already awake. We were staying at our friends’ apartment and I suppose emotional stress in addition to a room that was much warmer than we are accustomed to was the cause of our lack of sleep. John went to our house before daylight to finish some last minute things. I went over around 8 AM.

Hannah and Holly spent the night at another missionary’s house. We picked them up at 10 AM and went to visit our friends Zineti and Adara. It was a brief hour and a half with awesome coffee and dessert. We said our good byes and we are hopeful to see each other again. Adara has a dream of going to Harvard. I think she someday she will.

By noon we went back to the apartment where we were staying and picked up Gabe. He wanted to spend time with his friend Catalin who goes to school at 12:30. We then headed to Viorica’s – our post office customs official (retired) who has become great friends with us. Thursday was Mother’s Day in Romania and we brought her a gift. She also had gifts for the girls and I, some beautiful jewelry. Later, we went to Viorica’s parent’s apartment and chatted for a few moments. Another exchange of gifts and goodbyes.

At 2 PM we met our friends Dana and her daughter Luiza for lunch at Pizza Hut. Unfortunately, Dana’s husband Ovidiu is still out to sea so we did not get to see him. We had a good meal, a good time talking, John sold her a mobile phone. Another goodbye. Another “If you’re ever in America, we have a place for you to stay, where ever we might be."

Then we went back to the house to load everything in the van and turn the keys over to the landlord. Afterwards we had a few moments to relax back at the apartment with Monica and Ion and family. Two more couples came to say goodbye. We had dinner and got things ready to leave. John took a two hour nap. Then we had the hardest part of the entire day, saying goodbye to Ion, Monica and family. Gifts and belongings packed, prayers said, tears shed; we were on our way to Bucharest by midnight. The long day was not over yet. We had to drop off luggage and other belongings and then head on to Brasov. We arrived here at 6 AM, tired and ready for a physical and emotional break.

Moving Day

Our morning was off to an early start. The container was outside our gate promptly at 8 AM. Friends were here to help but we had to wait on the customs agent. He finally arrived and John had to go with him, somewhere, to take care of paper work. The rest of us stood around and waited.

I did not look at my watch when John returned. I think it was somewhere near 10 AM. Everyone quickly began carrying boxes and furniture outside. We worked without a lunch break until sometime around 3:30. I did send the girls to the store for some drinks and chips. Healthy, I know.

Thanks to John’s expert packing skills, everything fit. Praise the Lord! The sun did not shine all day, but neither did it rain. Praise the Lord! The customs agent did not give us any hassle what so ever. If you have ever lived in a foreign country, you know that this is a true miracle. Praise the Lord!

I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.

Psalm 7:17

Facing the Uncertainties

Kathleen and some others have asked me if my children are excited about our move. Like me they are experiencing a roller coaster of emotions. They are excited about the possibilities they will have in the states like being able to drive and get a job at age 16. Being closer to family is a huge bonus even if we do not end up in the same state. A plane ticket anywhere in the continental US is cheaper and easier than to Eastern Europe. At the same time, we are leaving what we know, what we are familiar with. We are leaving friends that we have had for years and facing the unknown. Holly, who will be 9 soon, is rolling with the punches. The uncertainties have not entered her little head too much. Her greatest difficulty right now is, “Mommy, what can I do?” All her toys and books are packed along with the DVD’s. The rest of us are far too busy to even think about school. I give her tasks to do but still she cannot keep pace with the rest of us. Gabriel and Hannah on the other hand realize, more than Holly, that we are reaching the end of our journey here in Romania. Most likely, we will never all come back at the same time. Life, where ever the Lord leads us, will be extremely different. Life here has not always been easy but it is good. And if life is good, what will different be? I am sure these questions have gone through their minds.

I have been through trials and difficult times in the past and have found the Lord faithful every time. These hard times shape us and mold us into what we are, vessels on the Potter’s wheel. They teach us that God is true. He is almighty. He is the Gentle Shepherd leading us. Thank you for asking about my kids and thank you so much for your prayers which are so needed. The days are physically exhausting but I know we could not make it through them except for the fact that we are holding tightly to our Father’s Hand.

Prayer Requests

I have yet to shed many tears but I know that I will. I feel them welling up in my heart even now. It may be because of sorrow, fear or stress; more likely a combination of it all. Your prayers are needed and appreciated. Here are a few specific requests for our family:

1. Faithfulness to prayer and bible study during this very busy season
2. Physical strength and health for the task
3. Wisdom to know what to pack and what to leave behind – we still have no idea of where we are going
4. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance with others while we are under stress
5. Good weather on March 5^th while we are loading the container
6. Time for fellowship with friends that we may never see again
7. That the enemy will be bound and not allowed to intrude in our lives to hinder us with difficulties such as the inevitable red tape one deals with in foreign countries or officials seeking bribes
8. A good home for my daughter’s sweet cat that we must leave behind
9. Our van to be sold along with a few other miscellaneous items

Pictures of Romania

This is the last edition of Thursday Thirteen. Thank you Leanne for Hosting this fun meme. Too much is changing in my life right now . . .

Here are 13 pictures of our first year here in Constanta. This is my first time to post pictures on this blog and for some reason, they would not go in the order that I wanted.

Hannah with a sampling of the abundance of apricots

Gabe and Holly in the mountains

Another picture in the Transylvanian Alps - Constanta does not look anything like this!

A fruit and vegetable market here in town

Fun in the summer under the grape vines - John put the water hose up in the branches and the kids had a great time.

A nearby store that I send Gabe to. He can get just about anything that I might need - one brand, one size and three customers is a crowd!

A goofy picture of Holly but I thought it was a good one to show how we have to step over a threshold or pipes in many of our doorways.

Gabe - outside view of a local store

Hannah practicing soccer in our yard

The road from Bucharest to Constanta - This is why I always say that it's a 3-4 hour drive. We never know when we will be held at a standstill in traffic. At least this time there was a beautiful sunset to enjoy.

A glimpse of our house from outside the gate- Gabe is playing basketball with neighborhood friends.

Our courtyard

This is the container that we had our belongings shipped here in. A similar one will be here on March 5th.

Packing and Perplexities

Moving as often as I have has made me an accomplished packer. A trans-Atlantic transfer makes the process a bit more challenging. Everything has to go into a 20 foot container. There are no second trips, no trailers attached to the back, no vehicles filled to the brim following the moving van, no storage buildings for what does not fit. It all must go into the container or into our 10 pieces of luggage for the airplane. I actually find it challenging to fill up a box with just the right items. There are few holes or empty spaces left when I am finished with a box. Small toys go inside games. Pencils and rulers fill any empty crevices that I happen to find.

Up until this time, I have never bought anything more than packaging tape for a move. Boxes have been found at stores or from a friend that had recently moved. Breakables were wrapped gently in towels, sheets, blankets, etc. This time we splurged on bubble wrap. We found a good deal at a resale store. My dilemma is that I do not really know how to pack with bubble wrap. I know towels. I know what feels right and how thick it needs to be for each item. Bubble wrap has been a new experience for me. Another thing that has been difficult is the amount of time that we have been here. Believe it or not, I have never packed five years worth of stuff before. These are my new perplexities. I am learning to deal with bubble wrap and I am wading through all of our paraphernalia one box at a time.

What about you? When was the last time you moved?

Settling In

Settling into a new home usually involves the hefty job of carrying in the furniture and boxes from the old place and finding just the right spot for them. So I find it appropriate to bring over a few of my belongings from my former cyber home. Someone asked if I would be decorating here like I did at HSB. Well, you know how it is when you move. The windows are not the same size, the shower curtain doesn't match the bathroom tile. The sofa no longer fits nicely across from the television. It's a process. I would love to do some decorating as soon as I can figure it out. We also have a lot going on here in the physical world that I promise I will tell you about soon.

Welcome to My New Home

My life seems to be about moving. Packing up belongings, hauling them to another location and settling in to a new place has almost become a routine. Now, it not only applies to my physical life but my cyber life as well. Today I am officially packing up my old blog and moving here. It will probably take some time to adjust to my new surroundings, find the best spot for everything and get settled in. I am so glad you dropped by. Welcome to my new home!