Three Years Ago...

I wasn't planning on blogging today... I have been thinking about it but actually planning on doing it. Yeah right. But here I am writing out this blog post. Mostly because I happen to finish my homework early tonight and instead of going to bed I checked my e-mail. I had a message from Rachael Stoner. It said...

Remember this. I am so thankful for you :)

Attached was the first e-mail I had ever sent to the Stoner's introducing myself. It will be exactly three years on December 10th that I sent that message and it was on December 20th that I started the application process of joining ABWE. 

Reading over that first e-mail I had sent to the Stoner's, I am kinda impress how well it was written. It was definitely a God-thing. It's hard for me to wrap my mind around how much my life has changed in the last three years from moving to France, getting kicked out, going back, moving to Romania, and ending up with my current job as a nanny. 

As I am getting ready to fly across the country to help out my cousin next week, I have really been thinking about decisions and life choices lately. This e-mail was a great reminder that God is in control of everything and he has a much better plan for me then I ever imagined. 

A Year to This Day

This weekend a year ago, I had gotten a message from the Stoner's through a friend saying that Dan's was having health problems and they wanted me to contact them as soon as possible. That call was pretty much life changing. We were in the middle of the last month of camp. I was wore out and tired looking forward to flying back to France in only a couple weeks to see my adorable kids. 

Little did I know that call was going to lead to many more calls via skype with bad internet connections over Starbucks drinks in a Cluj mall. Those calls consisted of the Stoner's explaining Dan's cancer to me and my possible future plans. Over the next month, I made the decision to apply for my Romania visa and see were God would lead me. 

God lead me to stay right there in Romania. It's crazy to think of everything that has happened in just the past year and I am excited to see what else God has planned for life. Even though some days it feels like I am going to be in the same place forever. It's nice to be reminded how far I have came along in the past year. 

God is Able

This morning started out rough for me. I had planned to wake up early and go work out but I couldn't get the car out of the garage and blah, blah, blah.... It was rough but I did make it to the gym. 

On my way to the fitness room I ran into Beth. She is a regular at the y she has been going there for as long as I can remember, she knew I had went to France to help the Stoner's. So she asked me about my time in Europe. I told her how I ended up in Romania working in the orphanages. Beth is adoption from China, so as I told her about my time working in the orphanages. She completely understands but not from my perspective but from a perspective as a little kid. 

Beth was adopted when she was eight. She remembers what it likes to live in the orphanage and hopelessness a child must feel. But Beth was lucky enough to get adopted unlike many others. Beth understood when I told her of my wish to adopt all the kids and to give them hope for a better future. 

Talking to Beth this morning, reminded me of how much I still miss Romania two months later and how God does work miracles. I am sure as a kid growing up in a orphanage, she never imagine that she would be blessed by such an amazing family here in the U.S. So instead of putting God in a box I am going to pray for all the kids I work with for God to move in their lives because 

He can do anything!

Sweetest Day!

Since I have gotten a few compliments on my new blog outline. I decided I need to step up my game in blogging. Just to let you all know I designed that blog heading while watching The Voice with my roommates. I guess you can say that's where I find my true inspiration?

Anyway so a friend posted the origin of Sweetest Day on facebook. And it really touched me probably cause it began in Cleveland (woot woot, go Ohio!) and second because it was started by a man who wanted to bring happiness to the orphans which makes my heart happy.

This past week has been good in so many ways. I have gotten to volunteer at the orphanage partnered with Anchor of Hope. Which has been lots of fun. The kids are starting to recognize me even though they are so young. It's makes me miss the Stoner boys sometimes but I remember God put me with these orphan kids right now for a reason.

I also got to see my babies this week. They had a few more newborns come in from a couple different hospital so we have a lot kids right now. Sadly I didn't get to see my orphans kids at the Pinocchio orphanage. Kim's Pastor and his wife are visiting us this week. And stories of the kids have seem to come out more and more. All the horrible things these kids have went through breaks my heart. And of course it makes me want to be able to adopt them all even more. But since I can't, I am excited to see them and share the little love I can. 

Today we went to a different gypsy village. I am not going to lie at first I was disappointed because I have grown close to the kids at our normal village that I didn't want to leave them. But this new village was also great to visit, the kids were awesome so well behaved and polite with me as I was struggling to understand. I am really happy for this opportunity to have another village to serve.

After I shared with you how my week went, I will go back to why I started writing this original post. Because of Sweetest Day! A lot of friends have been arguing about whether it's only an Ohio holiday or not. Sadly it is (or was?) and many Ohioans think of it as a second Valentine's Day. But that is not the reason it was started. It was started to bring happiness into the lives of the orphans, shut-ins, and others who were often forgotten.

So with the discussion of Sweetest Day on my mind. I decided to share it with my roommates and we have decided that this week we will celebrate the kids. We do this every week but since we missed this past week with everybody being sick ( I forgot to tell you everyone has been sick, some stomach bug going around.), we are going to try extra hard to put more happiness into the lives of our kids. To think most of these kids have faced more horrible things then I could ever imagine, I like to think that for 4 hours a week I can see them with smiles on their faces. 

My time in Europe..

My time in Europe is slowly coming to an end. I got a message from the Stoner's yesterday informing me that they are leaving for the states tomorrow due to medical problems Dan is having. So I am going to enjoy the rest of the time I have here in Romania then start heading my way back home. I am hoping I will be able to stop in Amsterdam to visit my dearest and best-est friend, Rachel. I know God has a plan for all of this. We might not be able to see it now but it will all work out in the end. 

Through this information I have learned to reflect and enjoy the moments and memories I have had here in Europe even more. My awesome roommates took me to go see Dracula's house on the way to camp. It was pretty awesome. I sorta want to read the book now. 

I have spent the last two weeks in the beautiful Transylvania mountains for camp. It is so refreshing to be here in Romania. Not that Romania has a lot to offer but it's the little things. Like people speaking English to me or being able to stop at Pizza Hut, KFC, or Mickey D's to eat. Who would have guessed fast food would be a blessing?!

It was pirate week at camp. Arg! It was so much fun.

This blog post like my train of thought right now is sorta random so please think of me and keep

 the Stoner's and the Guess family in your prayers as they are both in the states for medical reasons. 

Happy Birthday to Josiah!

It's Josiah's birthday, he is officially three whether he pees or poops in the potty. We celebrated his birthday with a monkey cake. 

He got all kinds of exciting things for his birthday like a bee bouncy ball, activity book, a bowling set, and of course the Curious George movie. 

He is a pretty special kid. 

French Alps

There is a lot benefit from living near the Alps. It's beautiful, peaceful, and just amazing. 

I think all of us were having fun. Enjoying the fresh mountain air and humming the Sound of Music to ourselves. 

Changes.

This week I am a loner. Rachel went back to Holland for a college interview thing so I am all by myself. I guess this is just a taste of what it is gonna be like next fall cause it's hard to believe that I will find someone as cool as her to hang out with. 

I know you have been waiting in anticipation all weekend to find out if the party potty really work. Well the poop has been having trouble making it to the potty. But his big boy pants have stayed dry almost all weekend. I am pretty proud of him. 

Potty Party Time!

A lot of people seem to think we are pushing the whole potty thing a little too early. But these people just don't understand that Josiah been able to pee on the potty for almost a year now and that a kid who looks like he's four, poops like he's four year old. In other words it's a rather big mess in a diaper. Not very peasant to change. 

So I take it on my part to give the boys baths during the week. I think we are avoiding the diaper rashes a little better then before and the boys are having fun. And as a swim instructor that makes me very happy. If Togo had a swim team, they would be on it :)

Ethan's a nature at blowing bubbles. 

Today is set aside to fully potty train Josiah (or at least I am hoping). So far so good. There has only been  a small poopy mess in his big boy pants but the rest of it made it into the potty. Yay. Less Diapers. Less changing. 

I miss my dog!

I miss my dog! The big furry love of my life. I try not to think about how much I miss him cause it kinda makes me homesick. But last night I was woken up by some ruckus, what sounding like to be squeaking and whispered talking. It kinda freaked me out! I sat up in bed to reach for my dog. Who naturally was not there... So I convinced myself that I had mice in my room and that it must be the Stoner's talking and none of that could hurt me so I fell back asleep. 

When I headed upstairs to talk to Melissa this morning, I over heard the other missionaries talking about the noise too. So it was a relief to know I don't have mice in my room but my second thought was, "who was talking loud enough for everyone in the apartment building to hear. So by the time I made it back to our place I asked Rachael what had happened last night. And it turns out our apartment trash can was blown over by the wind which happens to be right outside my bedroom and some of the other missionary family went outside to see what was happening. 

I was happy to find out nothing was really wrong after all. But I still miss my dog. And I know if he was with me last night he would have figured out the problem a whole lot faster then I did. 

So in honor of my dog today, I thought I would share some pictures. 

Isaiah has always been there for me. Letting me try to drag him on runs, helping me get ready for prom, and taking my senior pictures with him. 

But I know he is in good hands and everyone is taking care of him back home.

Chambery - Take 2

Saturday, Rachel, Rachael, and I  headed out to Chambery to go out for lunch and do some shopping. It was tons of fun, filled with lots of cute clothes and yummy food. We ended up being able to go into the Chateau (castle) just to check out an art show we weren't allowed in to the real castle part but just to be able to see a glimpse was pretty cool. I got a few cute new shirts and a dress. So I am sure I will be posting pictures shortly with my new clothes on. 

Have a good hot Wednesday, hope your rain doesn't ruin your day!

May the fourth be with you!

As Isaac kept reminding us this is the only day of the year, may I repeat the only day of the year you can say that. So in honor of Star Wars we made cupcakes and watched episode one...

The cupcakes turned out great. The icing not so much but everyone was fine with using nutella as frosting :) Yum!

Spain!

While on vacation we had a few rainy days so we decided to go a little farther south and head to Spain.  I was super excited to get to see Spain and add another country to my list. 

We ended up eating lunch in a little local restaurant in the town, Cadaques,Catalonia. I tried to go with something original for Spain and chose a Spanish omelet which was rather yummy and went well with my tiny strong European coffee. 

We finished off our trip to Spain by driving up into the Pyrenees Mountains checking out a local lighthouse. 

It was an amazing view and getting the opportunity to stand on the Pyrenees mountains looking over the Mediterranean sea was an amazing opportunity. I am truly blessed!

Le Cap d'Agde

There are many things people should know before traveling in France. When driving/riding in a car remember there really aren't that many restroom stops along the road so don't be drinking too much before hand. While traveling you will have more of a chance to find a bakery that sell sandwiches rather then a fast food place. And thirdly I don't think there is such a thing as non-nude beaches..

The kids loved playing on the beach but we could never be on the beach very long till usually an old lady would be dropping her top. So we never spent much time on the beach. 

The french do pizza a little different in the south.. Adding an egg to the middle of the pizza.yum.

We got to go on a boat ride and take a closer look at the old prison on the shore.

We got to do some shopping downtown.

And take a visit to Spain... I will post those pictures later. So you all will have something to look forward too ;)

I am Back!

Back to the blogger world and back to France. My time in France has been great so far. I truly am home away from home. My living situation is a bit different this time. Living with the Stoner's, the constant flow of kids is always going through my bedroom but I am fine with that. Not much has changed in France the last three months. Trying to find a place open to satisfy my craving for ice cream at 7:30 at night is still impossible. And their regular vacations haven't stopped I am happy to say. Which I came just in time for...Lucky for me the Stoner's made a trip to the south of France this past week to spend some time on the beach. 

On our way to the beach we stopped in Nimes, France which is an ancient Roman city. While there we ate some Kebabs, saw a couple of churches, and visit a Roman Colosseum. It was a great way to start our vacation. 

Eglise ste. Perpetue et ste. Felicite

After our short afternoon in Nimes, we made it to the apartment by the beach in time to watch the sunset. 

Vacationing with the Stoner's was a blessing. Not only did I get to spend time with my family back in the states by the beach right before I left for France but I got to spend sometime with my other family by the beach in France. Truly a blessing!