Med Cruise Update

So I know we got back from the Meditteranean cruise almost 2 months ago and I haven't written anything about it! There just seems so much to share and so much information that it is overwhelming. My mom has been keeping a blog about our cruise. In fact, it started before we even left. The idea is that people interested in cruising can check it out and hopefully find some helpful information, especially if they are on the same boat/trip we were on. My mom has been posting great information and photos about each port along the trip. Check it out if you are interested. She is isn't finished but you can check it periodically to see what has changed.

***Click Here to Visit the Cruise Blog***

Resident Permit Process

In order to stay in Romania more than 90 days you need to apply for a temporary Visa or in our case a residence permit. We did this last year and now are having to do it once again as the first was only valid for one year. The process moved fairly smoothly last year, considering the Romanian system and all the horrid warnings we were given. Then one year later, we thought it would go just as smooth, if not smoother. But we were wrong! The last few months has been an ongoing process of trying to renew (or extend) our permits for one more year; one more final year. It feels like we have been taking steps forward and taking steps back each stage along the way as if we are involved in some complicated dance with the foreigner's office in Bucharest. Granted some things have been our fault, but some things have been due to misinformation. We cross our fingers and pray that it is almost over. We have turned in all the required paperwork only now to wait for the office to issue one more piece of paper that we need to go and pay one more, hopefully final, payment. We will do this next Monday. We probably will never be able to explain to you what an ordeal this was and expect you to understand unless you have been in this situation in a country like this. One day we hope to journal everything that has happened down in hopes of laughing about it later and appreciate the card in our hand that gives us the permission to live in Romania. But today it is one big headache that we can't wait to go away. 

Visit from Our Home Church

Last week a group of 4 people from DaySpring Baptist Church (Waco, TX) came to visit us and to visit Project Ruth. As our sending/supporting church they came to support us and experience ways in which DaySpring might possibly connect with Project Ruth. We had a wonderful time of reconnection and fellowship. We had our share of fun visiting Roma churches and villages, involving ourselves in activities at the Ruth School (i.e. painting and serving lunch), the Bucharest sight-seeing thing and even a trip to the mountains. It was refreshing to get to visit with familiar faces and close friends. Our time came to end, but it wasn't goodbye. We look forward to being with DaySpring once again.

Another Year Older

So last Sunday I celebrated my 26th birthday. I am slowly moving into my late twenties. I better enjoy it while I can. Sunday was a quiet day. After having semi-celebrated my birthday over the last couple of weeks with family and colleagues, today was a day for just me and Wes. 

We went to Starbucks so I could get my birthday "cake." I opted for the fat-free (or was it just low-fat?) blueberry muffin and Wes went all out with the choco-chocolate cake. We enjoyed the afternoon doing something we both love: reading and drinking coffee at Starbucks. 

That evening, as is tradition with our family, I picked any restaurant I wanted for us to go eat. I chose this excellent Indian place we discovered on Valentine's Day. We split our usual favorite, Chicken Tikka Masala with some rice and naan. We miss all the different ethnic options we used to have in the States. This hit the spot. 

My colleague in Hungary, Clista, gave me a package of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie mix. There is no way Wes and I should ear that much by ourselves, so I decided to share. I made a batch of sugar cookies and took them to work. It was tricky because I had to make icing from scratch and search several stores before I found sprinkles. Everyone seemed to enjoy the cookies. I guess it is a good sign when people start taking their 2nd and 3rd one. Thanks Clista!

So year 26 started out great! Thanks to everyone who wished me a Happy Birthday!

Team Meeting Update

We just arrived home from a productive and enjoyable team meeting. The team met together in Athens, Greece. We were able to use the facilities of another CBF ministry, PORTA, who ministers to Albanians living in Greece. During our three days of meetings we were able to hear updates from other CBF personnel in our team, take care of continual business and have fellowship with one another. Some sightseeing was on our agenda but not the main way we spent our free time. We had been in Athens last August and felt we saw most of what there is to see (I am sure we missed some). This time we wanted to visit and spend time with friends and colleagues. The week is over and we are home now. Ready to get back to life in Bucharest. Thank you for your prayers as we travelled last week and as we continue to live and work with the Gypsies in Romania, Europe and India.