I am here!

I got here last night. It was a loooonnnnngggggg flight. I had two 4 hour layovers. zzzzzzz.

Sara picked me up and I got to eat dinner at her house. Afterwards she drove me to my apt. where I eagerly began setting up my computer.

Zap!@##&**!!

I needed to switch the power supply...USA vs. European. However, I couldn't see it very well. So I went to switch the lamp on. However, the lamp is plugged into the same power strip as the computer. No problem, turn on the power strip, right? NOT! Duh my computer, the very same computer I just carried back to Romania, the very same computer that was still set to U.S. settings...yeah well...no longer working. I had it plugged in to the power strip. I had no idea it would matter. I mean I hadn't turned on the computer yet. well it mattered. I blew out the power supply immediately. It was all I could do not to cry. Waaaahaaa. Nas pa....It sucks.

So I went over to Luminita's house and emailed home. Hopefully Alison, who is coming in less than a week, will be able to bring a new power supply to me.

Oh and I called Radu, my lawyer. Well of course he can't meet with me until sometime on Friday. I asked him about my Romanian Residency card, but yet again...of course...he hadn't even checked to see if it was in. It gets old real quick...This followed by crashing computer...bleck!

Today, Thursday, I went to the Office of Foreigners to pick up my Romanian Residency card by myself. Yay it was in. The picture is not attractive, but oh well. It is good for 5 years. I also went to the DPC. They gave me a list of need to completes for my atestat...adoptive mother. At least I have a list! I hope to get it done this next week. God willing. Hopefully, Radu will meet tomorrow and we can start getting things done.

Oh...and I STILL can't see the boys...officially. Which means, I can only see Nicolae when his foster mom wants to let me and I can't see Cristian at all ....YET. Now they say I have to wait until I get my atestat completed. "Just a bit longer. Two months" It never seems to end. grrr.

Anway, I am using Karen's computer right now and hopefully, my computer will be up and running again soon.


I am here, I am safe and doing my best to get things accomplished in this country called Romania.

Love,
Debbie

Heading Back to Romania

I wanted to let you all know that I am heading back to Romania tomorrow.
Please pray for me and my family. It has been so great being home and leaving yet again, is hard.
My prayers are that everything with the adoption will now move quickly and that I can be home before the end of this school year. Sooner is good too.
Please pray for my mom and dad too. God keep them healthy and safe.
Pray too for Bev. She picks up all the loose ends when I am gone and I know it makes life hard on her for me to be so far away. It makes it hard for me as well.
I leave tomorrow morning. Tues. Oct. 16th. Ironically enough, it is the exact date, four years ago, when I got the call letting me know that I could legally begin adopting Nicolae and Cristian.
God give me strength and incredible blessings.
Love,
Debbie

A Fun Photo From Home

I love this picture. Every time I see this photo it reminds me of how wonderful it is to spend time with the people I love so much. It is hard to believe Daniel is a freshman at Beyer now and Tomas is at Wofford College in S. Carolina. And Bev... she is still the best sister ever. I have about another week or so at home before I head back to Romania.I am so thankful though for the time I got to spend at home.

Daniel - Beyer High School Band

This Friday I got to watch my nephew Daniel march with the Beyer High School Band during half time at the football game. He is so talented.

I love you Daniel! Auntie Debo


Here is a slide show I put together for all of you to enjoy...

Make a Free Flash Slideshow

Street Children of Bucharest

I just posted a video called "Street Children of Bucharest" on my Blog. It shows exactly what I see in Romania on a daily basis. I travel these very same places. Mirel, the boy I mentioned on a previous email, is exactly like the children shown in the video.
FYI...The video starts out with some background information followed by music and videos. The plastic bags you see the children holding and breathing into have glue in them. They sniff glue to "escape". Escape the cold, escape hunger, escape life.

I hope you take time to watch the video and to pray for all the children who live on the streets of Romania

You can view my blog at: debbie4can.blogspot.com

Nicolae and me singing "La Multi Ani." Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is our mom's birthday. I videotaped Nicolae and me singing La Multi Ani (Happy Birthday) to my mom the day before I flew home to the states. Happy Birthday Mom. I love you! I am so happy to be able to be here to spend your birthday with you. love, Debbie

Nicolae and me singing "La Multi Ani."

The Simple Things

Hi all,
I wanted to let everyone know that I am back home in the states. I just flew in late last night. I actually flew right into Modesto. Nice.
I am at my house and I am so thankful for the "simple things". Like airplanes that can get you home from far away and for a house to call home. And for things like my washer and dryer. In Romania, I use the bathtub and a clothesline. Although there are times when I do get to use some of my friends' washers. What a blessing. And well, nobody has a dryer. So, I can't wait for soft and fluffy ...yea!
I am also thankful for being able to see my family. Ok, so far I have only seen Bev and Ann, but I will catch up with the rest of my family today. I can't wait to hug them, laugh with them, share with them, see them. So "simple", but something most of us take for granted.
I plan to drop by my parent's favorite breakfast spot this morning and surprise them. I can't wait.
My mom's birthday is this month and it was one of the big decision factors in me coming home right now. Also, since I have to wait 30 days for my Romanian residency card anyway, I thought...why not wait at home?
Being in Romania has certainly taught me to REALLY appreciate the "simple things".

We can't make "time"... only God knows how much of that we have, but we can make the decision (with the time we are given) to spend it with the people we know and love.

Love,
Debbie