So-  we don't actually know when we are leaving yet.  We thought it might be August, but now it will be in early September.  We are so excited to go, that we kind of feel like we are in limbo... loving spending time with family and friends, while wondering what our new life will be like!

Things we know:
-we will start language school pretty soon once we get there
-we will live in some type of apartment (think Eastern Euro block apt)

Things we don't know:
...everything else

For a person who could be considered type A, the unknown is a little scary, because it is, well, un-known.  But a freeing part of being a Christ-follower, is that I am not a slave to my own planning/organization "issues."  There is freedom in knowing that however and whenever I get to Romania, God is preparing each step of the way for his purpose.

One thing I am sure of; I have only a small glimpse of what the Lord's purpose and intention is for us over there.  And how exciting is that?!

{haley}

  We have been in Brasil for about a week now, and we are LOVING it!  Probably because we have gotten to spend time with some really great friends, Leo and Tati, and their new, adorable, perfect, beautiful baby, Bella!
  We have seen many sights, eaten LOTS of food and had a great time just being with our friends.  This is just one goodbye in a long series of goodbyes that are to come before leaving for Romania.  So, needless to say we are NOT looking forward to leaving on Saturday.  But, such is life, and we still have a few more days of fun left!  More pictures coming soon!

well summer is here and school is out! I have had a wonderful experience working at the elementary level kids for the  past few months. it is such a joy to watch the kids explore and grow. I already miss all the kids, but am excited to get back to all my kiddos in RO! happy fathers day everyone!
-steven

     So, it's official- we are moving to Romania at the end of August!  A few weeks ago, we met with the directors of H2H, who said we had raised enough money to start our ministry in Bucharest.  We will be spending our first 6 months in language lessons, and assisting other staff members in the abandoned baby hospitals and orphanages.  We are so excited to begin this journey, but it is crazy that we only be in the United States for 2 more months!
     As we prepare to leave, we are asking friends and family to pray for us.  We have raised 70% of what we need to work in Romania for 3 years.  We are leaving in faith that the Lord will provide the rest of the money once we are there.
     We are so blessed by all of the prayers and support we have received.  We will be updating more frequently so we can keep you posted on our new adventure!

  I've heard people say, "when you wait patiently, God speaks." 

  But sometimes he doesn't.  Or, more likely, sometimes, he just says, "keep waiting." 

  This is the overall message I get as we wait for our funding to come in.  The only thing, at this point, that determines whether or not we can go to Romania, is money.  We have asked every human being we know for prayers and financial support!  Sometimes, in the waiting, God says, "pray."

  We pray that the Lord blesses and keeps safe all the kids in the orphanages in Romania.  We pray for strength for the current H2H staff to continue to minister and love on all the kids.  We pray that the laws could be changed to open up international adoption from Romania.

  And we pray for money- that God would continue to provide the funding that we need to go to Romania.  Just today, a friend gave us another check, because she got a bonus at work!  It never ceases to amaze me how generously God gives to us through friends and family.  But, in everything that we pray for, I know that money is nothing to God.  There is not a currency that stops him from carrying out His will. 

  So, while we keep waiting, we pray.  And while we pray, we hope and believe. 

This week we had two H2H staff members send us notes from some of our kiddies.

Our little Marius said "hi" and wanted to know when we are coming!

Laurentiu, an older boy sent us this message:

Dear Steven and Haley,
Thank you for the card and for the picture. Thank you that you came here with us and that we got to play together.  I hope you will come back to Romania soon.  I have a brother at another orphanage.  His name is Nicu.
Love, Laurentiu

We cannot wait to be in Romania, working with these boys, and others who we haven't met yet.  Please pray for continued financial support, and for every precious child to know the love of Christ.

A letter we received from Marius (about 8 years old) via an email from a H2H staff member.  It made our day, especially when we found out the letter was composed by candle light when the orphanage electricity went out!

     As we STUFFED the box full of candy canes and soccer socks at the post office, I wanted to stuff myself inside to be shipped to Romania! We packed a Christmas box with letters to our kiddies that we have known and visited over the last few years, all the while wishing we could see them soon.
     I have realized that I have two fluctuating emotions about moving to Romania for 3 years. I keep feeling either sheer excitement, or, like everything I do is going to be the last time I do so in America! This Thanksgiving was difficult as I realized I wouldn’t be here next November to celebrate with our families. But then, when I read the H2H staff blogs (h2hint.org) and see the amazing thanksgiving dinner they prepared for 50 Transition home graduates- I cannot wait to be a part of it! I have never lived more than 45 minutes away from my family, and it will be extremely difficult to live oceans away from them. I struggle to reconcile those emotions with the joy I find in the prospect of working with all of the children in the orphanage, abandoned baby hospital, and transition homes. BUT, all I know is that God put this calling on my heart- to share the love of Christ with children who have been abandoned. I used to think that missionaries had it all figured out, and it was an “easy” decision for them to go where they were called. But, now I realize, we are all called to make choices for Christ- whether we leave the country or not- and we are compelled to serve him because of his grace and mercy. The missionary field is everywhere- all around us. When Jesus was asked which commandment was greatest, he gave two! “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39.) Any by neighbor, He meant everyone. Even as I prepare to leave my literal neighbors for some across the continents, I pray that I daily love my current neighbors as Christ loves them. I mean, when you think about it, which lives have affected you more? Those strangers or acquaintances who pass in and out of our lives? Or, friends and neighbors who embed themselves into our lives? I want to be the kind of neighbor who cares, gets involved, and commits to the lives of those around me. So for now, I pray to be that kind of neighbor in San Diego. Next August, I hope to be that in Bucharest.
     As Steven and I wait and pray to go to Romania, we feel so blessed by friends and family who have given their prayers and finances to our cause. We need $13,000 as a start up fund, and $3,500 in monthly support. Currently, we have $9,000 as our start up fund, and $100 in monthly commitments. Monthly commitments are our biggest need- to help pay for our housing, food, and ministry supplies as we seek to bring basic education to special needs and struggling kids in the orphanage. If you would like more info about how you can help- just let us know! We love and appreciate your support during this new adventure in our lives!
~Haley