Friday Cooking Day

Yup, just got home from Friday cooking day. Every week we are required (and I love it so it isn't so much a 'requirement' in my eyes) to sign up to cook and clean for the team of missionaries here. I was sure missing the team from England though this morning (that's right - Tim, where were you?). The past two times I have cooked I had a team of youth taking over for me. Which, was really fun, I have to admit.

I was thinking a lot this ,while I was cooking, about miscommunication. This has been something that God has laid so much on my heart over the past year. Different people, different groups of people sometimes can struggle with something more than others. I think here in Marghita, those of us serving together most struggle with communication. Almost every day there's something jacked up because of miscommunication.
Earlier this year I spoke to my team about how this is so not how God wants us to live as brothers and sisters in Christ. God is NOT a miscommunicator. How He communicated, when He communicates, the way He communicates - it's perfect for every situation. So, I believe, we are called to strive to be good communicators. Even if it goes against our culture to communicate in a different way, we should. If doing so means that we are communicating better with each other. Unfortunately I don't see enough motivation - not just here, more in general - from those who love Jesus to want to be better communicators with each other. It just makes me really sad. Sometimes to be a better communicator means having to become really humble. I understand that - and it's really hard to give up pride in place of good communication. Believe me, the past 4 years on this team has been a learning process of this big time. I am more and more so choosing to give up the pride for the sake of good communicating but it's still not perfect...I know that. But, the deal is this - we have got to get over the "humble is hard" deal and just start communicating well. Miscommunication can cut so deep.
Right. So that's what I was thinking about all this morning while making Cheeseburger Pie for 24 people. : )

Caleb and I are in our final "free days." Monday will start the year's schedule. When I say 'year' I mean September through May - more of a school year. We've had about a week and a half of taking it easy, helping out where needed but no set schedule. Monday though - bring it on!
Each day will start with preschool for Caleb (Mommy style!) and then off to the various responsibilities and areas of serving that I am involved with here in Marghita at FCE. Mainly that will be at Casa Alba orphanage running the Bible programs with all of the kids. And, the great part is, my friend is going to do this with me this year. Yay!

I'm really hoping to get some more songs written and FINALLY be able to record the kids' romanian worship album. For two years now I've put this as a ministry goal and nothing has happened. Mainly, because I don't have a spare minute EVER.
And, also, I am praying that my bosses accept my new schedule for this year which would also include time to FINALLY continue the Bible courses I started online. I feel this is a door that God opened and I haven't been able to take it seriously because, once again, no spare minutes. These courses, I think, could help shape some of the giftings that God has given me - ones that I use on a daily basis. Would be good to give them more of a firm foundation - does that make sense?

Oh, and I just wanted to clarify how the heck I'm heading to the States in another week. Some of you were a little confused about this. My younger brother is getting married, my little sister bought me a ticket. Totally a surprise for me! So, there you have it. The shortest explanation I've ever given for something in my entire life. I was able to plan a stop over in Philadelphia on the way to the wedding to share about Romania with a church that I did a lot of growing up in. We moved there when I was heading into the 3rd grade and moved after I finished the 10th grade. I can't wait to go back and I can't wait to see my little brudder get married! Yay!