Tuesday was our last FHE and last time at the church. The missionaries had a pancake night for their english students and we got to join in! It was fun...but being there always is! It was also our last time with the missionaries here, which was a little sad..I am going to miss them a lot!!
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| We love the missionaries! |
To celebrate our last week, we tried going to restaurants we hadn't gone to yet! One night we went to Cavalerul Medieval...and it was actually in a building that looked like a castle! It was pretty cool! My favorite was the Panoramic Restaurant. It was at the top of a hotel in the middle of Iasi and it was amazing! It was a pretty fancy place..but it was still cheap, which was perfect! The view was spectacular! We could see the whole city! And we were up there right as the sun was setting, so it was beautiful! And the food was delicious..which is always a good thing!
Wednesday was my last day at the hospital...I don't think I will really miss the hospital itself. I won't miss the grumpy nurses or the weird smells or the creepy hallways...but there is something special about our time there. Being there for the kids is such a blessing. To see a child who is all alone and be the one to brighten their day was something really special. Playing catch with a little boy, rocking babies to sleep, chatting with a teenager who knows english..those are the things I will miss! There are a lot of sad things there, but I have also seen a lot of love. I see mothers caring for kids who aren't their own and nurses who really care about their patients and love talking to us. Those little moments made our time there so worthwhile. Remembering that it isn't about us, it's about the kids, is what really makes it so great.
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| The hospital |
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| Twinning with Hannah |
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| Love them! |
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| Windows |
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| Typical hospital hallway |
The 15 year old boy we have been talking to was there on our last day and we have just loved getting to know him! When we walked into the room on Wednesday he had a big smile on his face and he gave Cammy, Sabrina, and I each a bracelet and it was so sweet!! I am going to miss him!
And the hardest thing of the entire summer....saying goodbye to everyone at the orphanage. Oh my goodness, I don't even know how to describe it. Our last day was just like any other. We played with the children. We laughed and danced. I sang songs with Monica. Except the whole time we all knew this was it, which made it hard. The time flew by....and before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye. I was procrastinating as long as possible....I went to say my first goodbye and had to walk away from the child because the tears just started flowing. I was able to pull myself together enough to pick Monica up. She was just singing "Wheels on the bus", happy as ever, while I was trying my hardest not to completely lose it. I didn't want her to see how upset I was. Then I made my rounds to every child in the room. One last hug, one last kiss. It was hard...harder than I even expected. These children that I love so much. They each have such a special place in my heart. To them, this goodbye didn't mean much. They get new volunteers every four months, so they are used to it...and I guess it is better that way. I am glad that it didn't have to make them sad. I watched as Hannah had to say goodbye to Xavier...and started crying again. I think he saw me...which made him realize it was time to say goodbye to Hannah. Their special connection still makes me smile.
Finally it was really time to go and I knew I had to say goodbye to Monica...I don't want to say I picked a favorite because I loved every child so much...but Monica was the one I felt closest to. I adore that sweet little girl so much. She made me smile and laugh and we had so much fun together. I will never ever forget her. I just wanted to carry her home and never say goodbye, but it was time. At this point I was sobbing...I hugged her tight, mostly because I didn't want her to see the tears streaming down my face. I think she knew what was happening, because her singing stopped and she just hugged me back...and in that special moment my heart was so full. I set her down in her wheelchair, gave her a kiss, said goodbye, and had to leave the room as soon as possible. I walked out into the hallway and continued to sob. I actually felt my heart break a little. I was a little embarrassed and was worried I was overreacting until I looked up and saw Morgan walking out of her room crying just as much as I was. She walked over to me and hugged me and the tears continued. Soon we were all out in the hall and I realized we were all crying and it was a sad but sweet moment with all of us. Teo talked with us afterwords and thanked us for everything we did and one of the girls in our group goes "I think the kids did more for us than we did for them" and Teo's response was "I know". And it is so true. These kids have taught me so much...they have changed my life. They have allowed me to learn and grow and serve and love. I am forever grateful to every single one of them. I will miss my days in the orphanage so much...it was so special and something I will never forget. I will miss the workers who do so much for the kids! I will miss Teo, who is one of the best people I have ever met! I will miss Sarah's wobbly steps, Baby Human's cute smile, Lauren's adorable laugh, the way Dora tries to crawl around the room...everything. I hope that one day I can go back and see the kids one more time! We left to walk home..and just like that, it was over.
That evening and the following morning was spent cleaning and packing. Then Saturday afternoon we left for Bucharest. It was a little over seven hours away, and the van that took us didn't have air conditioning....it was one long hot ride. I have never been so miserable inside of a car. We were all drenched in sweat! I think we made the most out of it though!
Sunday and Monday were spent exploring Bucharest! We went to church on Sunday and it was in an actual chapel! So that was pretty cool! We got to walk around old town and went to Carturesti Carusel, a beautiful bookstore! On Monday we went to a cute park and rode bikes around...it was such a great day and we had so much fun! For lunch, we went to this nice restaurant called Caru cu Bere that has a great lunch deal. We had this huge four course meal for about 20 Lei! It was delicious. I also had the best ice cream ever at a place called Emilia's.
Then Tuesday we headed home...it was a long day of traveling, but I was so excited to get back to my family! After multiple flight delays and changes, I made it to Orlando. It was amazing coming back! Sleeping in my own house, in my own bed, with air conditioning...ahh it was just perfect! I missed Florida and my family and friends!
So just like that, my Romanian adventure is over. I wouldn't trade this summer for anything. Romania is amazing! I learned so much while living there! The language is great and the culture is so cool. The people are great! I met so many people who are so loving and selfless. I met people who have almost nothing, but are completely happy. I met people who have testimonies so strong, even with little support from others. I tried new foods, I learned some Romanian, I traveled, I met friends who I know will be in my life for a long time, I laughed, I cried....it was emotional and exhausting and completely wonderful. I will never forget my time there. It has only been one week, but I miss Iasi, Romania, and my kids already...but I know they are well taken care of and I am excited for the next group to meet these great people and experience all of the things I have.
Thank you to everyone who has been following my journey and experiences there! And thank you for all of the support!! I couldn't have done it without my friends and family! I love you all so much!
Romania will forever have a piece of my heart! Te iubesc, Romania.
Cu drag,
Madeline
And the hardest thing of the entire summer....saying goodbye to everyone at the orphanage. Oh my goodness, I don't even know how to describe it. Our last day was just like any other. We played with the children. We laughed and danced. I sang songs with Monica. Except the whole time we all knew this was it, which made it hard. The time flew by....and before I knew it, it was time to say goodbye. I was procrastinating as long as possible....I went to say my first goodbye and had to walk away from the child because the tears just started flowing. I was able to pull myself together enough to pick Monica up. She was just singing "Wheels on the bus", happy as ever, while I was trying my hardest not to completely lose it. I didn't want her to see how upset I was. Then I made my rounds to every child in the room. One last hug, one last kiss. It was hard...harder than I even expected. These children that I love so much. They each have such a special place in my heart. To them, this goodbye didn't mean much. They get new volunteers every four months, so they are used to it...and I guess it is better that way. I am glad that it didn't have to make them sad. I watched as Hannah had to say goodbye to Xavier...and started crying again. I think he saw me...which made him realize it was time to say goodbye to Hannah. Their special connection still makes me smile.
Finally it was really time to go and I knew I had to say goodbye to Monica...I don't want to say I picked a favorite because I loved every child so much...but Monica was the one I felt closest to. I adore that sweet little girl so much. She made me smile and laugh and we had so much fun together. I will never ever forget her. I just wanted to carry her home and never say goodbye, but it was time. At this point I was sobbing...I hugged her tight, mostly because I didn't want her to see the tears streaming down my face. I think she knew what was happening, because her singing stopped and she just hugged me back...and in that special moment my heart was so full. I set her down in her wheelchair, gave her a kiss, said goodbye, and had to leave the room as soon as possible. I walked out into the hallway and continued to sob. I actually felt my heart break a little. I was a little embarrassed and was worried I was overreacting until I looked up and saw Morgan walking out of her room crying just as much as I was. She walked over to me and hugged me and the tears continued. Soon we were all out in the hall and I realized we were all crying and it was a sad but sweet moment with all of us. Teo talked with us afterwords and thanked us for everything we did and one of the girls in our group goes "I think the kids did more for us than we did for them" and Teo's response was "I know". And it is so true. These kids have taught me so much...they have changed my life. They have allowed me to learn and grow and serve and love. I am forever grateful to every single one of them. I will miss my days in the orphanage so much...it was so special and something I will never forget. I will miss the workers who do so much for the kids! I will miss Teo, who is one of the best people I have ever met! I will miss Sarah's wobbly steps, Baby Human's cute smile, Lauren's adorable laugh, the way Dora tries to crawl around the room...everything. I hope that one day I can go back and see the kids one more time! We left to walk home..and just like that, it was over.
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| Last day at the orphanage |
That evening and the following morning was spent cleaning and packing. Then Saturday afternoon we left for Bucharest. It was a little over seven hours away, and the van that took us didn't have air conditioning....it was one long hot ride. I have never been so miserable inside of a car. We were all drenched in sweat! I think we made the most out of it though!
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| Loading up our suitcases |
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| Last gelato by Palas |
Sunday and Monday were spent exploring Bucharest! We went to church on Sunday and it was in an actual chapel! So that was pretty cool! We got to walk around old town and went to Carturesti Carusel, a beautiful bookstore! On Monday we went to a cute park and rode bikes around...it was such a great day and we had so much fun! For lunch, we went to this nice restaurant called Caru cu Bere that has a great lunch deal. We had this huge four course meal for about 20 Lei! It was delicious. I also had the best ice cream ever at a place called Emilia's.
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| We found a playground!! |
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| Our biking adventure! |
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| Anya, Cammy, and I strolling around Bucharest |
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| Parliament building with these babes |
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| Best ice cream ever!! |
Then Tuesday we headed home...it was a long day of traveling, but I was so excited to get back to my family! After multiple flight delays and changes, I made it to Orlando. It was amazing coming back! Sleeping in my own house, in my own bed, with air conditioning...ahh it was just perfect! I missed Florida and my family and friends!
So just like that, my Romanian adventure is over. I wouldn't trade this summer for anything. Romania is amazing! I learned so much while living there! The language is great and the culture is so cool. The people are great! I met so many people who are so loving and selfless. I met people who have almost nothing, but are completely happy. I met people who have testimonies so strong, even with little support from others. I tried new foods, I learned some Romanian, I traveled, I met friends who I know will be in my life for a long time, I laughed, I cried....it was emotional and exhausting and completely wonderful. I will never forget my time there. It has only been one week, but I miss Iasi, Romania, and my kids already...but I know they are well taken care of and I am excited for the next group to meet these great people and experience all of the things I have.
Thank you to everyone who has been following my journey and experiences there! And thank you for all of the support!! I couldn't have done it without my friends and family! I love you all so much!
Romania will forever have a piece of my heart! Te iubesc, Romania.
Cu drag,
Madeline
Wow! Just..wow! I am so proud of you and of everything you have accomplished these last 4 months. You served the children in Romania who have nothing to give back to you but their love. Everyday, for the past 19 1/2 years, your kind and gentle spirit has amazed me. I am so blessed to call you my daughter and my friend. I will always be cheering you on, even when you can't hear me. I will watch in wonder as your life unfolds. Well done my sweet girl. I love you bunches and bunches and bunches!
ReplyDeleteLove, Mom