Jollification

Jollification dates back to 1809 and is derived from the anglo-french word "jolif".

Just a little history of the new word I learned today!

I looked up jolly because that is the word I wanted to use to describe how I have been and I learned JOLLIFICATION!!! How fun of a word is that! Anyhow the meaning...MERRYMAKING!

JOLLIFICATION would be the word I would use to describe Christmas here in Romania so far...People walk the streets and dress up in cheap Santa costumes that they can buy at the store...even taxi drivers get in on the jollification by dressing up as Santa Clause!!!

Today 12-26 is a holiday as well as the 25th! I personally like that they lengthen the time that Christmas lasts!

Anyhow, just wanted to drop a line and didn't really know what I was going to write...that's that! I leave you with a photo of some jollification that Ryan, Armando, Romi, and I all participated in yesterday!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Praise the Lord for new experiences and people to share them with...I can't say this is the most traditional Christmas I have ever had...

God has most certainly blessed me with the company I am surrounded with and the opportunities I have had here...

I met a girl on my last trip named Noemi...She is now 21 and she was an orphan and doesn't really have a family or anyone to care for her. I had the opportunity to hang out with her yesterday! We went on a train and a bus to the shopping center. Quite frankly I think it would have been quicker to walk! Oh well...

I bought her a new coat because she needed one and a dress for a New Years party as well as some accessories...I am so blessed to have had the ability to do that for her and my prayer is that she would know the depth of God's love for her! Please join me in praying for her!



Also...the boys are fabulous! I have loved getting to know them as 18 year olds! We have had lots of fun PLUS challenges as they ARE teenagers...Takes me back to me being one! HAHA! Anyhow I am so thankful for Romi and Mando and the new relationships I am building with them!

Romi is very techy and loves his muscles! He is also more serious and toned down...but has a good sense of humor as well!



Armando is more playful yet VERY helpful around the house! He likes to do his hair and is into taking time to get ready!


Ryan and I are having a great time spending time together, in the kitchen mostly, and preparing for Christmas! We have been taking turns baking while the other wraps presents and tonight we all four had a fabulous dinner and then went walking in downtown Arad with a couple from one of the children's homes here! Christmas here is such a cool thing! They go caroling until all hours of the night and everybody is out and about just spending time together rather than in. Very interesting and FUN!





I need to retire but wanted to send out an update after this fabulous festive occasion! Can't wait till they open their presents in the morning!!! And I am not gonna lie...can't wait to open mine either!

God bless you ALL this Christmas!

Lovins,

Amber

Romania update 1

God is so good...

He has certainly prepared the way for me to get here these past months and even in the past days!

I was to leave on Tuesday December 16th from Pittsburgh airport...They were putting out a bunch of winter storm warnings and the such and I had to get to Ryan's parents so that they could take me to the airport. Well, when I got there his mom was upset that she couldn't accompany us because she works as an occupational therapist in the schools and had school the next day. Because of the winter storm warnings she thought she MIGHT be off the next day but we didn't want the roads to be bad either for the treck to Pittsburgh, which was about a 45 minute drive. We packed up all the goods that they had for me to bring to Ryan and the boys and went to bed.

The next morning I woke up and looked out the window...NO SNOW!!! YAY! I walked to the kitchen and there was Ryan's mom and dad. I was like are you off school??? She said yes. She worked in a different school district than the one they live in and the winter storm came ALL THE WAY UP TO THE LINE. The route we needed to take to Pittsburgh wasn't touched by the winter storm at all! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

So then I got to the airport, we ate, and bid farewell and I boarded the plane. Low and behold, I looked out the window and it started snowing...I think God was just assuring me of His control! Thanks God!



Since being here I haven't done too terribly much, I have been getting through jet lag and a cold and getting gifts ready for Ryan and the boys and that is about it. Arad has changed quite a bit since I was here last. I don't really know how to describe the changes but it is good. It is being built up more and more commercial but not in a bad way...It is nice to see the little mall that they have compared to the mall before that reminded me of a bad flea market...the mall now is an actual mall!

We went 2 churches yesterday and enjoyed fabulous worship at one, where I recognized the tunes to songs and follow along...The other church is non-instrumental Church of Christ and Ryan is more of a leader there. He led prayer a couple of times and served communion. Sometimes he preaches as well. So, the first church is more of a way for him to be fed and the 2nd is where he serves...plus we like instruments! :)

After church we went to McDonalds and I had a headache and went to a cafe...that is where I took the pic at the top...I had lapte calde cu mierte...hot milk with honey...not exactly what I wanted but it WAS good...I didn't know what I ordered...I thought lapte was latte! I wanted coffee but OH WELL!

During my time here the Scripture of 1 John 4:7-20 has been a great reminder...http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20john%204&version=31