Wednesday, February 26, 2014

home

One of the great things the Lord has done for us is to provide us with a home.  And it's a lovely little house in a perfect location.  It's sturdy and well built; it has its own well full of good water; it's at the end of our street, right after the pavement ends and the dirt road opens up to go to the next village.  Fields currently stretch out on three sides of us, and no street lights are nearby to obscure our view of the stars.  While the house isn't finished yet, the Lord allowed Jonathan to meet Florin, a wonderful Christian contractor who has done the bulk of the work for us, given us advice, and been invaluable in so many ways.  It is wonderful to have someone so trustworthy and knowledgeable working on our home.


Most of you will never visit my home, but I'd like to show you around anyway.  Stay tuned for more posts introducing you to my home and village.


The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad. (Psalm 126:3)

Friday, February 14, 2014

making sarmale


The other day Jonathan and I made sarmale, a traditional Romanian food consisting of rice, onions, and usually pork wrapped up in sour cabbage leaves (think unshredded sauerkraut).  We left the pork out of ours, but they turned out delicious!

First you buy a head of sour cabbage from the piata and separate some of the leaves.


Then you cook up the rice, fry the onions, throw in a few spices, and mix.

Yum... we ate the leftovers just by themselves.
Next you wrap the rice mixture in the cabbage leaves.









Arrange the sarmale in a pot and let cook for a while.



Finally, enjoy!  :)

After dinner, we stuck the pot of leftover sarmale on the windowsill outside so as not to take up so much room in the refrigerator.  The next morning, the pot was still on the windowsill, but the heavy lid was on the ground, right side up.  (??)  We're not sure what kind of creature could lift the lid, but apparently their efforts were not worth their time, as only one sarmale looked like it had been nibbled upon.  Apparently whatever removed the lid doesn't like sour cabbage too much...  No matter: we just reheated them well and enjoyed the leftovers.  :)


Tuesday, February 11, 2014

windows of Heaven

It was always my fear that I would someday live in a house that had tiny windows... or very few windows... or old windows that wouldn't open or were painted shut.  I knew that, wherever God chose for me to live, He would give me the needed grace to live there, whether it had lots of big windows or not.  But as I would pass by houses void of windows on entire sides of the structure, I would pray that God would be merciful and give me a house with windows.

And He did.


Today the sun is shining, the temperature is near 60 degrees, and a strong breeze is blowing across the plains.  What a perfect day to open up our huge windows to let in some fresh air!  Yes, God gave me large windows.  Indeed, if they were any bigger, they would be glass walls instead of glass windows.  The windows are large, letting in lots of light; they are new, allowing them to be opened in two different directions; and they are many, with no room being deficient in natural light or airflow.  What a wonderful God we serve!

before the bedroom was finished

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  Malachi 3:10



O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth forever.  I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.  The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?  I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.  This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.  Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee.  O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. (Psalm 118:1, 5-6, 21, 23, 28-29)