pre-birthday entry

The dear Englishmen and Rachel have returned to the UK. I really miss them already. On Friday the children prepared songs to sing them and each member of the UK team received a special speech from one of the children. I shed tears of joy in seeing the blessings flow from both the children and these dear servants.
Eric, one of the UK team, asked me the other morning, "And how's your health and temper this morning?". I enjoyed this ever so much given the English accent and his dear ways. In honor of him I shall start incorporating this saying into my everyday greetings.
Friday evening we had a BBQ using the newly constructed grills, which where one of the many projects completed by the UK team. So good to have continents and worlds collide as we had Romanians, Americans, Brittan's, and Gabriella from Brazil around the tables. Seemed to me that the world was as it should be. I felt quiet again just observing and preparing to say goodbye. Rachel reminded me of a thought I often have as well - in heaven we will not say goodbye and there we'll be together, all and forever with Him who made us. Something to look forward too. Lenutsa told me that I am an enigma because I don't talk but she sees me thinking all the time. I think that I am changing here - never had someone say such a thing of me.
In the last week, I have been able to help plan with the team ministering to young mothers and their babies. They are currently visiting 4 mothers with babies or who are yet to give birth. It has been good to put some of my social work knowledge to use in helping develop progress/tracking forms and general brainstorming. You can be in prayer for these mothers as they have difficult circumstances to overcome. And also pray for creative wisdom for the team b/c these are complicated situations. For example, one mother is yet to give her baby a bath and is 4 or 5 months old. The baby doesn't eat often and seems to not be thriving. Yet this mother loves her baby. How can she be helped? Loving encouragement and instruction are the beginnings hopefully but there is needed intervention from the Lord.
Saturday we took another trip to the countryside and spent the day in a village with Valis' parents. We were a herd with 7 adults and 4 children (kids from the center came with us as well). All day we played board and card games and ate yummy snacks. Later the boys played frisbee in the road until they pitched it over the neighbors fence one too many times. A little boy came out and played nearby, curious. I took a picture of him so hopefully I can add that later as I do not have my camera today. We also saw a lady with lavender hair! Took her picture too but haven't decided if it is mean to post it (might have even been mean to take her picture but ...).
I became terribly car sick on the ride back and that has reminded me of a silly thing here in Romania which makes public transportation less than pleasant at times. There is a belief, especially among the older generation, that a breeze will make you sick. So...any time someone (especially old ladies) feel breeze on their face they order the window closed. Every maxi-taxi and bus has windows but they are rarely open. Add to this perfumes, men who have been working all day, bad breathe, swerving traffic and a warm day ... and there you have a recipe for great nausea! I am slightly exaggerating the severity but you get the idea. I am trying my best to learn, to be patient, and just laugh about this cultural difference but it is hard not to just want to throw your hands in the air and scream - for of course, in my mind this makes no sense at all! But ... still I must respect. However, I have two feet and so most places I prefer to walk. And that is the end of that story.
So... my BIRTHDAY is tomorrow! And I will be 29 - no REALLY, 29. Have two gifts from friends to open which I brought with me all wrapped from the States - have resisted peeking. Hopefully, I will be able to arrange a little gathering of people to watch a movie or some such fun. We shall see. I also will have to buy treats for everyone to serve after lunch. And, I am excited for the kids to sing to me. I was a little worried having a birthday so far from home but I think it is going to be okay. Still I will miss celebrating with my peeps.
I am beginning to sense how difficult it is going to be to leave here in a few months, uggg. And life back in the states will seem so strange. jobs? cars? a house? and school? I want to be open to wherever the Lord would lead me. I came knowing that I would want to continue seeking God's purpose and place for me to serve Him. Still uncertain as to where that will be. More often than not these thoughts and decisions are not as filled with anxiety as one may expect. And yet I have my moments of fear. You may all help me to pray.