Big Dreams

I've spent a lot of time thinking about all of the things that I would love to be able to do for my brother and his kids. I've decided to write them down so that I can keep focusing and slowly work my way through some of these BIG dreams.

* Build an indoor bathroom in Nicu's house

* Add another room to Nicu's house and provide heating in every room

* Make improvements to the house - many things are falling apart

* Build a kitchen for Nicu's house

** My BIG dream is to fix up my brother's house (my old house) so that they can live comfortably. That's my biggest dream right now.

And someday, one day - I want to be able to purchase some land for myself and build a home in Straja where I could spend my summers with my kids. *Sigh* Now that's a big dream. :)

Current Projects

Because of the many different goals I have, I feel like I always have ongoing projects. I really try to focus on having a current project at hand that we are working on. Our next trip is scheduled for September 2010. Our main focus for this upcoming trip is to raise money to purchase a food supply for Nicu, Mihaela and the children. On our last trip, we were blessed to be able to purchase some food for Nicu. It was such a neat experience for us. We were so grateful to my cousin and his wife who took us shopping and recommended food items to us. It was a really emotional experience for me. I was in tears the whole time we were walking through the store and while we drove to his house. I just remember being hungry all the time as a little girl, and I was so excited to be able to bring them food. I am so thankful to everyone who donated items for our yard and bake sale, as well as those who donated the auction items and also donated money. And of course, so thankful to family, friends, neighbors and everyone else who came to our sale and purchased the items. :) Without their help, I would not have been able to do that. It was so rewarding for me to be able to purchase that food for my brother and his family.

My goal is to be able to do that same thing on our next trip. In my trip updates, I mentioned that Nicu and his family cook on a 2 burner camping stove that is set up on a little table in their room. I would love to be able to purchase a real stove for him. It would make their lives so much easier and more comfortable. The money that we raise will go towards purchasing this food supply as well as purchasing the stove.

** As always, we accept any donations - clothes, shoes, garage sale items, auction items, items to sell, monetary contributions, etc.

I Have Reunited With....

Nicu ~ my older brother

Mihaela ~ Nicu's wife

Gabriela, Andrei and Cristian ~ my niece and nephews

Florin ~ my older brother

Albina ~ my Aunt (my mother's older sister)

Ion - ~ my counsin (Albina's son)

Viorica ~ Ion's wife

Razvan ~ Ion's son

Saveta ~ my cousin (her mother & my mother are sisters)

Vasile ~ Saveta's husband

Elena - Saveta's daughter - we are the same age

Rodica - Saveta's daughter

Aurel ~ my Uncle (my mother's brother)

Zamfira ~ Aurel's wife

Vasile ~ Aurel's youngest son

Alex ~ Aurel's grandson

Vasile ~ my cousin (my father and his father are brothers)

Luminita ~ Vasile's wife

Larisa & Mirabella ~ Vasile's daughters

Mihai ~ my Uncle (my father's brother)
*I wasn't able to meet him in person on my first trip, but I hope to on my next trip.

Maria ~ Mihai's wife

Niculina ~ my neighbor

** While on our trip I met a lot of people who remembered me when I was a little girl. I also have more family members to reunite with. I have several family members who do not live in Romania. Some are in Germany and some are in Italy. I also found out that I have a half-brother from my father's first marriage. We were not able to meet in person when I was there, but I hope to meet him when we return again.

It's been amazing to me to see how many family members I have that are in Romania. I come from a large family.

New Changes Coming ...

Well, I decided that I would post more often on this blog because I have a lot more stories to tell and more pictures to show. Plus once I figure it out, I want to post some videos of our trip. First, I have to figure out how to get the video from the super tiny dvd onto my computer. It will be fun to post some videos.

I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to customize my blog. It took me awhile but I did manage to make a 3 column template. I was way excited about that. I consider myself pretty computer savvy, but I feel so overwhelmed and completely out of my element when trying to customize my blog. I drew out my template but I am still trying to find some tutorials on how to make buttons, backgrounds, my menu, etc. So much to learn!

Hopefully soon I can get this little blog of mine completely customized and post some more stories, pictures and some video. :)

Missing Home

Is it ok to say that I am really homesick for Romania right now? Well, actually ALL the time but especially right now. It probably has something to do with these photos I just received from my cousin Elena. Her parents live in Straja and she was just there visiting them. (She lives in Italy).

I know it's the dead of winter but oh how beautiful Straja looks blanketed with pure, white snow.

I miss Straja.

I am inspired by this quote:

"In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of even greater importance. Let us open our eyes and see the heavy hearts, notice the loneliness and despair; let us feel the silent prayers of others around us, and let us be an instrument in the hands of the Lord to answer those prayers."

- - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

La Multi Ani

Thank you to everyone who supported our latest endeavor to send Christmas to Romania. We appreciated all of the items that were donated and purchased. Some of you even sent your own packages to Romania. Thank you, thank you!! I have been truly touched by everyone's kindness and generosity. Thank you!

A a new decade has begun, I look forward to a very bright and beautiful future. I don't know if it's just me, but 2010 seems like the start of a very promising and bright future. Not only do I personally have new goals for myself this year, I have many new goals and plans for this blog. I never thought I would start a blog about the Romanian legacy that is a part of my life. This blog has offered me a place to record my memories and my feelings for not just myself, but for my children, my family and for everyone else that has supported my endeavors and has read My Story. What a wonderful year it has been! My trip in October changed the course of my life forever and I am so thankful for that. With the dawn of a new decade, I look forward to continuing my journey as I learn more about my Romanian ancestry.

"The future is as bright as your faith." - - Gordon B. Hinckley

La Multi Ani (Happy New Year)!!