One Month of Married Life.

One month and two days ago, I married the best man I've ever met. And since that day, people have been asking me non-stop, "So, how's the married life?" I always try to come up with some sweet, genuine answer that doesn't scream, "I'm tired of people asking this question!" Kip just smiles and says, "Welp, the food's better."


I hate to admit it, but I kind of thought becoming a wife would make me into some Betty Crocker/Susie Homemaker/Ree Drummond hybrid. I knew deep down that it wouldn't, but hey! A girl can dream, right? :) What I REALLY became was a busier, slightly more frazzled, but completely happy version of me... one that STILL didn't know how to cook much more than baked fish and salad. Eek!

I've tried several times to cook meals from scratch for Kip and I. Some have turned out great (Pot roast, spaghetti, cinnamon waffles), and others have not come out so well (Martha Stewart's chicken salad, chicken & fried rice...). I recently posted a Facebook status about Kip's experience with my cooking skills...



A lot of married-much-longer-than-me wives found my plight quite humorous, but promised me it would get better. ;)

The hardest part of marriage so far hasn't just been the cooking, or the laundry, or trying to keep our cute little place somewhat picked up... it's been to remember to GIVE. Waiting tables filled with fussy, hungry people can be emotionally and physically exhausting sometimes. However, I've noticed that over the past few weeks, my most common prayer has become, "Lord, fill me with so much of yourself that it overflows for Kip, because I have nothing left in me!" The struggle is what keeps us on our knees and pressing close to the Lord, and for that reason, it's ALL worth it. He continues to fill my heart with joy and peace, and my body and mind with energy and clarity, and I'm so thankful.

I'm praying that during the coming, days, months, and years, that God will mold me to be a suitable helper for my sweet man in all areas of this new adventure called "Marriage!"

So, Wives of the world... any advice for the newlywed? I'm in desperate need of some easy, healthy recipes!

Brownie Bites (the dust)

Alright, I'm going to admit it right now: I want to be Ree Drummond. There, I said it. I want her life. It just sounds so fun. She shoots guns with her husband, homeschools her kids, takes pictures of her basset hounds, and somehow manages to have time to crank out ridiculous amounts of delicious recipes. Of course, the grass is always greener on the other side of the internet. If you don't know who Ree Drummond is, then you should. She's the woman behind the Pioneer Woman blog. You should leave here right now, and go read every post she's ever done. Not only will you learn some fantastic new recipes, you'll be in tears from laughing at her stories and quick wit. She's just wonderful!

Anyways. Since falling in love with PW, I've attempted several of her recipes. One evening, my dear roommate and I decided to be adventurous and make Brownie Bites. I purchased all the ingredients, and got to work. Shouldn't be too hard, right? Ha.. ha.. haha... riiiiight.

We started out alright.. chocolate was melted and ready to go..



While we waited for it to cool, suddenly a tall, handsome man came bursting through the door, swept me off my feet and offered to chop up the chocolate for the icing for me.



Okay, that's only mostly true. A tall, handsome man did offer to chop up the chocolate for me.. but he pretty much just came through the door like a normal human being and offered to help. He also knows that I probably shouldn’t be handling really large, really sharp knives.

By this time, the chocolate was mostly cooled, and I proceded to complete the rest of the steps of the brownie batter. I was getting ready to grease the pans, when Roomie jumps in and decides she wants that to be HER job. (She had already given up on my miniature chocolatey dreams and moved on to making some PW cinnamon rolls, which are very, very, very, very, very good.) I was hesitant, because the pan needed to be generously greased and floured so the bites would pop out easily once they came out of the oven. Then, the handsome guy that chopped the chocolate for me decided to step in and try his hand at the baking game as well. So, we each greased a pan how we thought they should be, constantly critiquing the other pans and arguing over whose would be better. We filled the mini-cups with brownie batter, and IN they went, with all our hopes and dreams along with them. (And Kayla went back to her cinnamon rolls.)



Anxiously, we waited for the oven to give birth to our new precious little brownie bites. Suspense hung in the air. The tension was thick. The drama was real.

15 minutes later, the moment of truth arrived. What was the verdict...?






FAIL. Not only did they stick to the pan, they were very dry and just overall... bad! After a brief period of mourning, we gave up and made a normal pan of brownies with the remaining batter.

So I salute you, Ree. Not everything is as easy as you make it look. However, my brownie baking days are far from over. I fully intend on trying this again one day, hopefully with a better outcome.






Oh, and in case you were wondering... Kayla's cinnamon rolls came out perfect. I'm not bitter at all. Really. Promise.

Home Again.

It's been several weeks since I returned back to the States from Romania. I have started my fourth semester at UNT (crazy!), and with it many new adventures have arisen! Over the last several weeks I have become more and more involved with I Am Second UNT, as well as CollegeLife at Denton Bible Church. I have been filled with so much joy and complete THANKFULNESS for all the new friends I've made, and how I've already seen God work through them. But more on that later. :)

I left Romania with an idea in my head of what I thought God was calling me to do here in the states. Since then, my plans have changed many times, and sometimes it's hard to know which "voice" is really God's. However, He is teaching me more on how to daily depend on Him, to die to myself and live to Him in the small things. His rod and staff comfort me!

All that to say, I sense that life is going in a new direction this year, and I hope to use this blog to track whatever happenings the coming days bring. I have quite a lofty list of goals to pursue, including cooking, sewing, Bible study, journaling, and of course blogging. ;) I hope to use these short-term goals as means of reaching my long-term and daily goal, which is to grow as a godly woman in Christ, and pursuing His glory above ALL else.

Bring on Fall 2011!

Otniel Orphanage

My time at Otniel Orphanage has ended, and I'm so very sad to say goodbye. I learned so much just being there with dear friends and sweet kids. I've been wanting to post something new for a long time, but I couldn't find the words fit for a simple blog post. What the Lord teaches deep in my heart is often so hard for me to describe. In the coming weeks, hopefully I'll be able to unpack a lot of the Spiritual side of things that I've learned and wrestled with while I've been here.

I went to Otniel wanting to serve. I wanted to "help." However, God had different plans. He taught me, through those kids, what it really meant to serve, to work hard, and to be joyful in all things. Within those pink and blue painted walls, it was not an "orphanage" that needed some American girl to come "save the day." It was a family, in need of God's new graces for each day, just like everyone else. Most of the kids there are around 14-15 years old, with a few younger and older. Many have been there for 10 years together. I saw some of the pictures from when they first came to the house. All of them have grown and matured into much healthier and happier children than they were so long ago. Praise the Lord for renewed life!

Days started with breakfast (bread with butter, cucumbers, and cheese.. or cereal with milk fresh from the cow that morning), then a "nugget" from Scripture, a few songs, and then chore time. Chores were of course the least favorite, but they were completed with minimal complaining. ;) One of the main spiritual lessons I've learned so far in Romania is that God desires humble obedience over grand sacrifice, and He sees us when we do the seemingly "small" things. He delights in us when we joyfully wash dishes, sweep floors, and milk cows. ("Whether you eat or drink, do it ALL for the glory of the Lord..") After chores, if it wasn't a school day, it was time to play, watch a movie, or swim! I swam twice in their huge underground concrete pool.. Once on purpose, and once thanks to some "help" from the kids. ;) It was cold, deep, and occasionally you found yourself swimming next to a friendly "broască" (frog)! He would then kindly be asked to exit the pool (a.k.a.. captured and thrown into the field). :)

I became very close with a little boy named Darius, who graduated kindergarten AND turned six while I was there. I was so happy to celebrate him! He has only been at Otniel for a few months, and is the sweetest little toot ever. Naturally he ended up
in most of my pictures from the orphanage. :) You could hardly find me without him!



Darius wasn't the only new friend I made. There were several more that I loved to laugh and try to speak Romanian with. One 14-year-old boy that has been at Otniel a long time, gave me a very sweet gift as I was pulling out of Otniel for the last time. He ran up to my window and in Romanian said, "Don't forget me." Then, with a smile, he handed me his "WWJD" bracelet that he received as a prize for perfect attendance at their church group. This is just a small example of the generosity and joyfulness I saw in these precious ones! Of course I will never forget him, or any of the kids at Otniel.

Now, it's time for beddy-bye. ;) Tomorrow is an early morning and a long day of travel. Goodnight, world!

One Week. Part B.

I have now been in Romania for one week. It seems so strange, to be back here again. It's been a great week of rest and spending time with my parents, and now I'm ready to go to the orphanage. I just wanted to write a little about the past seven days, at least for my own sake. I know by the end of my time here I'll be struggling to remember everything that I've experienced and learned during these first few weeks!

At first, being in Romania again was bittersweet. I was so happy to be here, but at the same time it made me miss a lot of old friends and teammates that used to travel with us. It was strange to reminisce about memories from years past, but not have the same friends here to laugh with. It was my first reality check: this is going to be different. Not bad, just different. :)



The first few days we spent roaming around Timisoara, exploring downtown, and visiting the mall. Everywhere we go is either on foot, by taxi, or by bus. The taxis are fun to take, because that means we get to speak a little Romanian. Well, TRY to anyway.. :) We are learning more a little bit every day, thanks to my parents' sweet Romanian Profesoara Emma at Areopogus!



Mom & Dad have been meeting with her several times a week since they moved here, and she has graciously allowed me to come sit in and participate in the classes with them. I absolutely LOVE going. Emma, while sometimes intimidating, is such a good teacher and I've so loved learning to speak and understand a little more of the language. Areopogus is about a twenty minute walk from my parents' apartment. Since I have been here it has been pretty hot, but the Lord sent rain to us, and it has cooled off a LOT! Mom and I even put on sweaters today.


We made the walk home in the rain, hurrying along under our umbrellas and enjoying the refreshing 60 degree gift from the Lord. :)

I talked a little bit about the church in my last post. Oh, the sweet church! I love it so! I wish I had more pictures. I'll try to take some more Sunday if I get a chance. Tuesday night we went to Bible study, which was entirely in Romanian of course. I could hardly understand a word, and my butt hurt really bad from the chairs haha, but I just love being there.


Sunday night after church (I know I'm not writing about days in order! bear with me!), some of the girls called and asked me to join them while they went to the Centru. Of course I said yes, and I was so blessed to spend an evening eating dinner and walking around Timisoara with them!

This past week, God has taught me so much through the books of Hebrews and Romans. I rarely have much time to just sit and reflect on.. anything! These past seven days have given me the opportunity to do that. He has taught me so much about Grace, and about how much I depend on myself for my "right standing" with Him. How funny, that I came to share with an Eastern Orthodox country that Christ has provided salvation as a free gift, and I am the one needing a lesson in grace. Christ is our High Priest, the One who has come and paid the final sacrifice to pay the price for my sinful heart. "We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain." -Hebrews 6:19.

In the coming week, it looks like I will finally get to start volunteering at one of the orphanages here in Timisoara! Lord willing, I will go on Monday. I seriously can hardly wait to serve the Lord by spending time with these kids. I have absolutely nothing to offer them but the incredible unconditional love that I have received, but I so want to share it with them!

I suppose that's all I have for now. For those that are praying, thank you so much! I know you are, because I can already see our Savior moving here. He is so sweet to us, to allow us to be a part of His Kingdom.

Until next time,
Hannah

Sunt aici! :)

The Flight

Traveling alone was quite the adventure. After saying goodbye to my amazing Aunt Donna & "Unk" at the airport, (whom I could not have gotten here without!) I went on my own for the first time into DFW airport. I was nervous, emotional, and pretty much ready to barf. Just kidding... but seriously. When we finally boarded the plane, I had a window seat next to a very nice woman from India. She was very friendly, and offered me her cookie from the airplane meal ;) I fell asleep & slept most of the flight to London! At one point, the turbulence was so bad that I woke up, only to hear several passengers ask the flight attendants if "everything is alright.." They assured us that it was only turbulence and that it was normal.. but I still prayed anyway. ;) I decided to "pull an Amy Carmichael" and sing a hymn to myself as we bumped and jolted around. It helped me feel better.. & I prayed that God would put me in a deep sleep so that I would not notice the scariness. He answered, and next time I woke up we were nearly to our destination. :)

Once we got to London, I found out I had missed my flight and would be put on the next plane to Budapest.. which was 6 hours later! At 8:30pm (London time) I boarded the plane and fell asleep, once again. :) I arrived in Budapest, Hungary around midnight where my parents, Liviu, and Daniel met me with sleepy smiles and lots of hugs. They had been waiting to pick me up ALL DAY! When we crossed the Hungarian/Romanian boarder, Liviu said, "Bine ati venit in Romania, Hannah." "Multsumesc!" I replied, and he laughed with surprise that I could understand him. Even though it was 3:30 in the morning, we still had a joyful and entertaining car ride. The sign of a believer, I think, is joy despite any circumstance, and that is exactly what Liviu and Daniel had along the way. By the time we got to Timisoara, the sun was coming up to greet us. As I laid in bed to finally get some horizontal sleep, the birds began to chirp outside the window. Next thing I knew.. it was 3 in the afternoon and I pulled my groggy self out of bed to get some eggs and sausage mom was cooking in the kitchen. :)






Saturday was spent walking around downtown Timisoara, eating dinner, and resting up for church the next morning! The church my parents attend is one that has been very close to my heart ever since I came to Timisoara three years ago. My favorite part of being here so far is going to the church, to try and understand the language and speak a little myself. :) (More on the language part later.. ) The happiest I am here is with these sweet people from the church. I'm so blessed to know them and call them my brothers & sisters!

I'll write more later, but now... it's time for bed. Noapte Buna, y'all. ;)

One Week!

One week! 7 days! 168 hours! 10,080 minutes! I think you get the idea. Eeeeek! :) :) :) In just a matter of 7 days, I will be boarding a plane and heading home to Romania. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to any and all supporters who have so graciously donated funds and/or interceded on behalf of the people of Romania. Your prayers are being heard, answered, and felt by all involved.

A more detailed post to come soon, I am currently without use of my own computer. :)

In His Abundant Grace,
Hannah