What If...

As I have confessed before, I am not so good with technology. But, it does not help when internet connections are super slow and unreliable!! I had picked out a few pictures to upload today, but it hasn't worked. Sorry! I am fully intending to continue to blog when I get home because I still have so many stories to share and pictures to show. So, keep reading and you will see them eventually! :)

Here is a story that needs no pictures. In fact, it is probably better left to your imagination. Last night I salsa danced with a large, sweaty Romanian man. I had the opportunity to go to a salsa dancing class that is taught by one of the Projects Abroad leaders. It started like a typical dance class with guys and girls working on their own steps before pairing up. When we did pair up I started with a very nice guy who helped me learn the steps, but then we would rotate partners. So, I eventually ended up with the large sweaty man who definitely danced to his own beat at times! Everyone was so welcoming and patient with me and I had tons of fun, even in spite of the sweat!

Before I left home, I wondered in one of my blogs what I would find to be normal here in Romania. Sometime in the past week I realized that life has become normal for me here. I know which side of the street to walk on at certain times of the day to find the shade because there really is a big temperature difference in the shade, unlike at home. I know how long it takes me to walk to the hospital, to the office, to the city center, etc. I know approximately what time to expect my shifts to start. I know that Romanian time is relative. I know what my favorite bakery in town is. I can tell a taxi driver where I want to go in Romanian- more or less. I know what time the sun will set and what time I need to leave the girls' house in order to make it home before dark. All these things have become normal to me, and I love it!

The longer I have been here, the more I have realized ways that the Lord has prepared me for my time in Romania. Some big things, some small things. For example, what if I had not been teaching for the last two years? I would not have built up my immune system from being around the students, and I am certain I would have caught something from all the sick children I have held. What if Liz had not gone to Africa and used Rosetta Stone to learn Swahili before going? She would not have known how useful it would be for me to use a language course before I left and never would have thought to get it for me. What if I had gone to school for engineering instead of music? I would never have been in The World Famous Cowboy Band, and I never would have learned to french braid, and would not have been able to meet one of the nurses on Saturday to braid her hair. What if I had become an engineer? I would not have summers off and would not be here now. What if I was not blessed by being born into a Christian family? I might not know about Jesus and His love for me and these beautiful children here. What if I had pre-planned my last week of travel before I came? I would have been sick right when it was time for me to leave Brasov and would not get to spend the extra time in the city. It is amazing to me the way that the Lord leads and guides us even when we don't realize it. Decisions that I made years ago are part of the reason I am here. Things that I did not choose have molded and shaped me into who I am and why I've chosen to come. I am reminded of Proverbs 19:21 which says "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." I'm so thankful that He has lead me to Romania and am excited when I think about where else He will lead me in my life!

Love from Romania!