There is something about picking up a book and escaping into another world.  Whether it be a world filled with wizards and wands, a time long ago, or a love story- there is something magical about reading.
 
This is the gift we want to give our children here.  That they could experience the joy of reading, and be able to utilize that skill to empower and better their lives.

Throughout this year, we have worked with the kids in small groups to help them improve their abilities and confidence in reading.  They have worked so hard and come a long way!








 The kids don't always get a chance to shine, but seeing them take pride in reading their book is such a blessing.

The last couple of weeks the kids have been on spring vacation. We have spent that time preparing lessons and activities that were out of the ordinary for them- trying to give them new experiences that make being a kid so fun!

We had two days of special science and art lessons taught by us and our Scottish counter part, Kirsteen. The kids loved doing science experiments- especially making chemical reactions and slime!


We had art lessons on pattern, color and perspective. The kids were so quiet as they diligently worked on their masterpieces. They enjoy being creative and trying new things!


We celebrated March and April birthdays with cupcakes and presents!


We had a couple of special events with the kids from Kirsteen's music class. We got to chaperone a group of kids at the movie theater and Pizza Hut. We watched a 3D movie, the Croods, and it was most of the kids' first time at a theater, let alone a 3D movie! We all had a great time!


We also took the younger music classes to McDonald's (always a hit!) and watched Brave. They got to choose their own happy meals and were so excited.


We put together some sporty activities, volleyball, frisbee, and yoga. They had never heard of yoga, but enjoyed doing different poses- and coming up with some of their own!



This past week was our favorite so far in Romania. We set up reward parties for our reading classes. We took small groups of them from the orphanage and brought them to our house to play just dance, cards, make and eat a yummy meal, and watch a movie. They really enjoyed getting special time and attention- and they loved helping make their dinner, it was probably their favorite part!





Quote from the week from little Marian, who said during dinner, "You guys are like our moms!"
"Steven too?!"
"Yeah!"
Best compliment we could ever receive.
{h}

This is the door.



Said door is a very colorful door.  A very old door.  A very broken door.  It is the entrance way to our classroom where most of our lessons happen.  Therefore, it is a very frequented door, as an escape route for the kids out of their normal environment.

The door is not just a passageway, it's also a barrier.  Sometimes we need to keep kids out.  When we have reading classes with the younger children, the older ones are kept out, so we can give 100% of our attention to the little kiddies for an hour.  When we have youth group with the teens, we rely on the door to keep out the younger kids.

The only problem is the door.

The door is about 100 years old and is always breaking.  Might have something to do with the kids literally ramming into it to break it down to get in.  I think they imagine they will find Narnia when they spill through the door.

So sometimes one of us has to stand guard at the door.  Block it.  Lean against it from the inside so we can continue with lessons or youth group.

I love the door.

The door shows me that the kids have seen God.  They know when they come through the door, one of God's servants is waiting to hug them.  Kirsteen is in there with instruments and patience.  Steven is in there with a soccer ball and words of wisdom.  The interns, Megan and Samantha, are in there with smiles and laughs.

The kids will physically break down the door to get that attention, love and connection.  They have felt God their Father, even if they don't realize it.  Thankfully, we are free to share His word with them everyday.

Last week, I was blocking the door as Steven was sharing a message with the youth group.  One of my little buddies, Robi, smashed his RIDICULOUSLY CUTE little face against the broken pane of glass to talk to me.



"Haley! Hi!"  Very loud voice.  Distracting all of youth group.

"Hi Robi," I whisper. "You have to be quiet because we are about to pray. Do you want to pray with us?"

"Yes!"  A bit quieter.

"Ok, do you know how to pray?  Close your eyes and tell God something you are thankful for.  Like, 'Dear God, thank you for Robi because he is such a good boy.' Your turn."

Through the door, he says the entire Our Father. In that really cute way where kids don't understand all the big words clearly.  Like, 'your willbie-done.' But he thanked God for all of his blessings, and at the end he adds "and thank you for Steven and Haley for helping me."  He looked at me through the missing glass (I was peeking) smiled and ran away down the hall to play.

That door.  It doesn't really keep anyone out.  It definitely doesn't keep God out.  Ask, seek, knock and  the door will be opened.

Despite all that exists for these kids outside the door, they demonstrate faith and thankfulness.  I never cease to be amazed at a childlike faith.

                                                          they say that love can heal the broken
                                                          they say hope can make you see
                                                          they say that faith can find a Savior
                                                          if you would follow and believe
                                                             with faith like a child.
                                                                                          -jars of clay, faith like a child

Thank you God for the door.

{h}
                                             

     A lot of us have read the book The 5 Love Languages and learned a lot about expressing and receiving love.  In the Bible, God is always drawing His people back to Him in love.  Over here, I speak two languages, and I am always trying to speak a third- love.

     When Jesus was on the earth, He loved.  He loved through listening.  He loved through teaching.  He loved through healing, forgiving and guiding.  He loved through sacrifice.  We try to emulate this but IT. IS. HARD.  Stuff just gets in the way.  When we are stressed, it is harder.  We like to be right instead of compromising.  We hold on to things we shouldn't.  However, love says we can be forgiven and try again.

     That's why it is the language that can be spoken fluently by anyone.  People from different cultures, backgrounds, ages, statuses and colors can connect through love.  A child who has been abandoned and left without the love of a parent, can still speak the language of love.  It takes a while.  It takes trust and positivity.  It takes testing of faith and patience.  It takes courage.  But they can get there.  They can learn to accept your love.  And eventually, they can learn to accept the love of our Father.  Because they  have learned to speak love. They have felt it, experienced it, seen it.  They have learned of the love of Jesus Christ on the cross.

That is our prayer of love.

{haley}


Here is a video from H2H showing a bit of what we do here and who all these amazing kids are! (Please excuse my man voice- I had strep throat, which is why my smile looks more like a grimace :)

Well... we've been home...we've come back and a lot has happened in between.

We spent our holiday season at home in the comfort of friends, family, and the warm Southern California sun. We were blessed with moments of relaxation, side splitting laughter, and genuine joy as friends and family from New York to San Diego traveled out to visit us!

We were absolutely awestruck as we stepped foot into The Wave Church. Before coming to Romania we served as "children's pastors" running ministry out of the garage of an attending family's house. Imagine our surprise as we walked into the community recreation center and worshiped with a full band and saw a host of new families and faces that all seemed to know who we were. It was a beautiful time to share what we have been up to and be encouraged by our home church. Without them we simply could not do what we do!

We were also amazed as we spent time with individuals from both ends of the life spectrum! We sat down to chat with my Big Nana (great grandmother) who just turned the clock on 99 years and is still running strong. She was so genuinely thrilled to hear about the work we do with the kids and I was absolutely floored as she asked us to pray over her. What an amazing matriarch she is for our family! On the other side of things beautiful little Rowan came into the world just in time for us to meet her before we left. Congratulations to wonderful new parents Preston and Katie! We were so overjoyed to meet this precious little one and encouraged by the immense love that is present in this new little family!

We will certainly miss these beautiful sunsets...



... but we are also super excited to see these smiling faces again!

matching acorn letters

sight word slapping game

reading aloud

build-a-snowman game

candy canes!

with professor Steven

who doesn't love a good cupcake?!

unwrapping a candy bar with gloves on!

candy races!

decorating cookies

popcorn, cocoa and a movie!

We were happy to get to celebrate with the kids before we leave for home!  This will be our first trip home in 15 months- and we cannot wait! We will be speaking at the Wave Church SD on Dec 16th, so if you are close, stop by and see us!
  Blessings to you and your family this Christmas!
h+s

our kitchen with a tiny cute stove!

the living room

where we spend lots of time

view from the living room

our room with the mason jar chandelier  we made

Florin came over for dinner and a movie, and we made cookies.  He loves to cook and bake, and wants to learn all he can so that he can go to cooking school one day.  We had a great time chatting and getting to know him even better.

cookie time!

he's got the hang of it

buddies!

When reflecting on the many things we are thankful for, we are blessed in abundance by all of our friends, family and kids!