October 16, 2016

Pack. Fly. Romania. Unpack...Pack. Move. Unpack. Breathe.


Do you know how incredibly difficult it is to title these blog posts? It's SO difficult! I've already changed the title three times. Anyways...Guess who's back, back again, Casey's back, tell a friend...! If you know where that's from, you're my best friend.

So yes, I'm back in Romania, for the third time, and I'm happy to report that it still feels like home. It's such an unexplainable feeling, but one that I am thankful for. You may or may not know this, but I kind of had a hard time while I was home in the States. Take out the "kind of". I had a hard time while I was home in the States. Honestly, I can't even pinpoint why it was so hard, but I just know that it was. I wrote a few words about it in my last blog post. I feel a little better now, but I know that I need to work on/through some personal things. I have an unfinished blog post in my drafts that goes into more detail on this, but I'm not quite ready to post it yet.

I wasn't really planning to say all of that, but this is usually what happens when my fingers hit the keyboard. And this is why all of my blog posts are so insanely long.

I just did it again. Back to the topic. The day before I flew to Romania, I received an email from Roberta. She has lived in Romania for just over 20 years working with the Church of the Nazarene, and she is just delightful. She lives in a gorgeous home in the citadel (the old part of town located above the rest of the city) with Dorothy, another woman who has lived in Romania for over 20 years. Both of these women have made such an incredible impact on Sighisoara, and Dorothy is continuing her impact in Greece with the Central European Field's NCM Refugee Response.

All of that to say, Dorothy and Roberta offered to let me live in their house, if I wanted to move. Now, here's the tricky part. I LOVED my old apartment. I lived on the second floor of another gorgeous house, referred to by some as a museum. The house is full of beautiful antique furniture, books and more. My land lady was so unique and interesting, and I hated to leave her. I really loved it there, and I could have been selfish and stayed there. But, I think God had another plan, a better plan.

Side story: I struggled a bit to fundraise while I was home in the States. Now, let me follow that sentence up by saying a humongous THANK YOU to everyone who has continued to support me. I continue to be so insanely humbled by the continuous flow of support that come in, financial gifts, prayers, etc. I would not be able to do any of this without all of you.

With that said, I also have to be honest and say that I have not yet reached my support goal, which causes me, and my human self, some anxiety. If you know me, which I'm assuming you do because you are reading this blog, then you know that I am an introvert. Like a major introvert. So when my life's circumstances require me to reach OUT to people...and ask them for support...I really just want to curl into a ball and cry. But because I know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing and where God wants me, I walk up in front of large groups of people...and still cry! This makes me giggle because, as many of you have witnessed, I cry a lot when I talk about my life's circumstances. It's all so ironic. Good one, God ;)

Back to the moving story...so God had a plan. That offer to move was an answer to prayer, mine and yours. This move saves me some money each month...which means my mission funds last a little bit longer. And I get to live in an absolutely adorable apartment within an insanely gorgeous house. I feel a bit spoiled.

Hopefully now you understand the title of this blog post. I packed to leave America, flew to Romania and unpacked at my old apartment. I knew I would be moving as soon as I read the email with the offer, but I wasn't sure when I'd be moving. And with so many other transitions in my life, I needed to unpack for my own sanity, so I unpacked everything. About a week later, I found myself packing again.

After talking with my land lady (last Saturday) and giving her the customary 30 day notice, I had planned to stay until the end of the month, but plans change. Long story short, we agreed that I would be moving out on Saturday (yesterday), which worked out better for both of us for a number of reasons. So I packed my suitcases again, plus everything I didn't bring back to the States with me, and moved yesterday. And then, of course, I unpacked again. I'm not quite finished, but I'm getting there.

I have a cute little desk with an incredible view, which I was excited to set up. I lined the window sill with all kinds of cute stuff including pictures, art, Romanian pottery, etc. It's my favorite little spot. Potential photo to come.

One issue that I'm having is that I have A LOT of papers, which is kind of annoying. Papers for RSP, papers for Kids' Club, papers for the Nazarene mission world, papers for Romanian class, papers, papers and more papers. I don't really know what to do with them so they are currently in piles on a table...and that's where they'll remain until I find a creative way to house them. I'm open to suggestions.

Before I end this post, I'll briefly attempt to answer the popular question of "what are you doing this time around?", which is a totally legit question to ask. And my answer right now is "Umm...good question". I'm kidding, well, kind of. Long story short...I'm basically doing what I've been doing, which includes working with Kids' Club at Veritas, co-leading It Takes Courage (character development program for teens) with Adela, working A LOT with the Romanian Studies Program (specifically in following up from visits/contacts while I was home PLUS preparing for 4 students coming in January for the spring semester), and other various activities that come my way. Basically, I'm staying busy!

So, to summarize, I'm back, I moved, I'm getting settled. Prayers appreciated as I continue to settle back into life here. And if you feel led to support me financially, contact me :) Right now, I'll be honest and tell you that my greatest financial need would be my student loan payments. I'm (slowly) working on contacting the various loan folks to see what my options are, but until then, I need to keep plugging away. PayPal is the best way to give towards my personal fund, again, if you feel led to do so.

Thank you to those of you who read allll the way to the end. You're the best. As a gift to you, here's a photos of me and Raegan enjoying our horchata at my unofficial going-away dinner. I miss her...and Mexican food.