"Fall"ing

Since our return from Moldova the weather has been much colder here in Galati. Daily I am bombarded with chatter from Irina about the temperature outside. "Frig! Frig!" she insists and then goes off into a Romanian tirade that I cannot understand and then "tsk tsks" me when I leave the house in unsatisfactory attire. Apparently the city doesn't turn on the heat until November 1st so I've almost two weeks to wait for warmth. It is a small reminder of how spoiled I am at home.
I keep thinking about Fall at home. I really love the season - leaves, pumpkin carving, hot chocolate, cider, and Halloween, Thanksgiving. Ahhh. I am going to miss some things very much. I have been wanting candy corn and I don't even like it really. Funny the things you miss when they are out of reach.
Christmas is coming too! I cannot believe that I will be home just 10 days before. The kids here have completed special art projects in effort to raise funds for the center. It is part of the beginning of a job creation project. Together they have completed 4 Christmas cards that are available for purchase on the web. If you would like to take a look at the work the children have been doing and help support them go to http://www.wmfromania.com/Eng/news1.php. It is a beautiful way to incorporate support for the children with something you will probably do anyway around the holidays by sending out Christmas cards. Reminder - orders need to be in by November 1st!!!
Since we have returned from Moldova I have found myself sinking into a 2 month marker slump. They say this is the typical time for another bout of culture shock but I am stubborn and keep to the prideful assumption that I am immune to such trifles. All I know is that I don't really want to try anymore at understanding another culture, another people, or this Romanian language. This is a humbling realization because in my heart of hearts I know that I came to Romania to be made uncomfortable, to put myself in the place of having to work at seeing Christ in another because of my own humble state, to see God through another's eyes, to not have all the answers all the time. And these things have happened for me here in a beautiful way. I have learned so much from the people here and will continue too. It is a good breaking of pride that comes when I see myself falling from the heights I have placed myself in terms of having something to offer people. I am the same as everyone else; twisted and beautiful, sacred and profane, beloved of the Savior at all times. The Lord is now offering me a potent cure for what ails me. But it is good to stand in His fire. Hopefully I will come out more like Him.
Well, after that rather serious note, my final charge this evening is for everyone to enjoy Fall for me. Crunch some leaves, carve a pumpkin, buy candy corn stripped socks at target, whatever. Celebrate!
Much love,
Elizabeth