It seems unreal that a year has passed by. This year was like any other for us, full of ... EVERYTHING NEW!  Truly, everything we did and learned this year was something new; mostly exciting, though sometimes frustrating.
     This year's highlights:
          -learning Romanian
          -surviving our first horrific snowy winter
          -connecting with a bunch of kids who love us as much as we love them!
          -"being there" for our kids in the small. everyday ways
          -working together as hubby and wife and teaching partners
          -taking the subway- it's so fun!
          -summer camps hugging and entertaining the kiddies
          -travelling through a bit of Europe (we definitely have the travel bug!)
     Lowlights
          -ridiculously cold, snowy winter- SERIOUSLY, I WORE 3 PAIRS OF PANTS AT ONCE!!!
          -missing our friends and family- Mr. Skype, wherever you are, I thank you with all of my heart
          -grocery shopping; Oh Trader Joe's where art thou?!
          -not being able to do more for the kids
       Really, it has been a year of blessings. We have a nice apartment, internet, enough food and necessities.  We have the amazing privilege of going to work everyday and spending time with some of the most beautiful souls God ever created.  We get to love these amazing kids who love without reservation. There are no words to describe what it is like to actually see small miracles happen. A quiet kid opening up and asking questions. One of our kids sharing their story about getting dropped off at the orphanage.  A little angel face calling us mommy and daddy, just because we are THERE.  Indescribable.
     I had a conversation with one of our older kids, we call him our brother.  He is 18 and about to face the real world; job, bills, being on his own.  While we were talking he said, "I am glad I came to the orphanage.  I remember being with my dad, we were very poor and he didn't take care of us at all.  But if I had never come to the orphanage, I wouldn't know all the wonderful people I know- you guys and everyone from H2H.  So, I am glad God brought me to the orphanage because it changed my life."
     I don't know if I will ever truly understand what each of these kids go through in their life, but I am always amazed at how God cares for them even when it doesn't look like it.  That a child who has lived through things that no child should, could have the faith and understanding that God was caring for him the whole time.  What an honor it is to walk beside these precious kids that God has not forgotten.

~h

         

So after a wonderful summer of ministry we took off for two weeks to travel around Europe and visit with family. Our first stop was the romantic city of  Paris, France. We landed out in Beauvais airport an hour outside of the city and drove through the lush green countryside for an hour as we made our way into the city. As soon as we arrived we were in awe. We checked into our hotel and made our way through the city looking for something to eat. Problem was we were constantly distracted by the stunning archetecture and the Parisian lifestyle rumbling and bustling around us. Finally our stomachs were in complete revolt and we slowed down for a bite to eat. Our time in Paris was quick, but packed full of great food, sights, and casual strolls through the city. Highlights: The Eiffel Tower shining in the night sky, croissants, and the general charm of the city. Low lights: The Mona Lisa. First of all the painting is tiny and second of all it was like a red carpet movie premier with hundreds of hungry paparazzi pushing, crowding, and screaming to snap a picture of one of the most famous pieces of art. So much for peacefully gazing at the most well known painting in the world!

Haley at the base of the Eiffel Tower

Joan of Arc at the Notre Dame

The Arc de Triumph

The Eiffel Tower...and US!

There she is...

Venus de Milo

So pretty

The Brandenburg Gate

Bikes!

Charlottenburg Palace

Hanging out at a park

Haley's cousin!

Shopping!

Spreewald

On the boat in Spreewald with Haley's grandparents

Church in Dresden. The dark colored bricks are what remains of the building after it was bombed during WWII. The statue out front is of Martin Luther.

At the Palace in Dresden

Berliner Dome (Church)

Marburg, a small town of old homes in the foothills near Giessen.

Castle that inspired many Brother's Grimm stories.

The Blue Mosque

Across the Bay

Friends!

   Well our last team of the summer left this past week and I guess that means we have finally wrapped up an incredible summer of ministry. Things really slow down out here in August. A large portion of the population takes vacation and everything just seems to chill out a bit. The kids were away at the mountains for a week and got to ride horses and raved about the good food (meaning soup). We have spent the past few days just hanging out with kids. We had a couple of older kids over for dinner (when the little ones were at the mountains) and we watched a movie and hung out and talked. Haley has been bringing books and having story time with the little ones and afterwords we play cards and laugh and joke. We brought a Romanian dubbed version of the Jungle Book to the orphanage a few days ago and the kids sat transfixed for 2 hours laughing along with the movie. If anybody started talking they were quickly met with a chorus of shhhhhhhhs's. This is quite rare as even movie time is accompanied by a cacophony of small chatter and side conversations, but they had been so incredibly bored that they were determined to suck every ounce of entertainment out of the movie. 

working hard!

don't we look fancy?!

We also just finished camps with groups of teenage boys and girls.  My favorite part of girl's camp was spending time with small groups of girls chatting about life. Translation: girl talk!  But conversations that begin talking about Edward vs. Jacob turn into real discussions and comments that are important and meaningful.  I thank God for those times when he gives me opportunities to speak value and love into a young girl's life.  

hanging out by the lake

just dance was a hit!

young beauties

 Steven spent a week with the young men playing soccer, slip n' sliding, and talking about how God is near to us in the midst of trials.  He and the boys had a great time getting away and just being boys together.

ultimate frisbee

with some of the awesome boys

how many people can fit in the swing?!

buddies for life!

I can't describe the feeling.  But I wouldn't change it for anything.

We are well into summer and enjoying the sun and summer camps with the kids! We get to spend time with the kids in small groups and do lots of fun activities.  We have Bible stories, skits, games and crafts.  But the biggest hit is definitely the POOL!  The kids live for the pool and stay in the 3 straight hours each day without tiring!  We are enjoying the time with the kids so much, and despite the sunburns (haley:) and chlorinated eyes, we LOVE summer camp!

making picture frames

hula hoop frisbee toss

melting ice blocks with their bodies!

swimmy time!

watch me jump!

steven giving his message about the race for God

goggles!

boat races in the pool, super fun!

 The best part of camp has been seeing the kids outside of their typical environment.  They get so excited to ride in the car on the way to camp and look out the windows.  They love eating different food and checking out our house.  We love being a part of a normal experience for them and watching them enjoy themselves.  Having small groups is great; each kiddo gets lots of attention and one-on-one time with the staff and volunteers.  We are so thankful for the experiences we have here each day.  Walking through life with these precious kids is the biggest blessing we have experienced in our lives.  Our prayer is that God continues to speak into each child's heart and that they would know how great His love is for them.
-haley