Titus 2 Men And Women

PROJECT: ROMANIA
BRIAN CROSSLEY
JANUARY 2003

January has been a busy month for our family.  Our son Colter was married on the 11^th.  His new wife Breanne brings our total number of children to 12.  Breanne is a perfect big sister to the girls and we love having her as part of our ever-extending family.  Back in Romania, other then a few typical, minor problems the household is going well, according to the e-mails.  As we’ve mentioned, this is our first time away from Romania with kids there and it’s a test to see how it will all go.  So far, so good, praise the Lord!  Meanwhile, some connections in Romania are working on our next two additions, Loius and Minodora, a boy and girl both about a year and 10 months.  If all goes well they will be there when we return.  Please pray that the Lord will provide a home now, as He did the land.  Housing is our biggest need right now.  It will be very challenging to find a rental house to handle 14 people.  We really miss the kids back home and look forward to a European family reunion when we return.

Here in the states we visited churches in California before crossing the country to Florida and then to Georgia.  The delay in our car prevented us from being able to visit very many churches in Florida but we're back on our schedule now.  The Willis family of Calvary MBC in Orlando treated the family to a very special day at Disney World.  We also enjoyed visiting with the folks at the Macedonian seminar for a day and had a great evening with Bobby and Florence George in Auburndale.

I haven’t heard how the Little Flock ministry is going, but the reports about Full House and the Harmon children’s ministry have been very good.  The Romanian young people doing these ministries have e-mailed enthusiastic reports of the meetings.

TAMYRA’S UPDATE

My life lately has been quiet the whirlwind this last month.   As I mentioned in my last report, the wedding went very well and was wonderful!  We love Breanne. My mom and sister were amazing at helping with whatever needed to be done and really came through for me.  I have to admit I overextended myself (just a bit) and could not have done it all without their help.  Even though I was very busy, I LOVED every minute of it.  Being on the other side of the world I felt a bit detached and was thrilled that I got to jump right in and help with the planning.  I had a blast and was right in my element.  The Lord knew I needed to feel a part of their special celebration.

We have spent many hours in the car (driving from CA to FL) and the children have done well overall.  In all honesty I do hear "are we there yet" at least 50 times a day and many times have lost track of which day of the week it is (course I’ve done that in Romania too).    We finally did make it to FL and were able to make it for one day of the Macedonian Missionary Conference.  I have always enjoyed this conference and am very grateful to them for the information they shared with us before we went on the field.  It was so accurate and really did help prepare us for the adjustments we would face.  I was blessed to speak to the Ladies Aux. at Calvary MBC in Orlando, Fl.  So many had questions and words of encouragement and promised prayers.  Thank you ladies. 

On Friday, some dear friends of ours gave us a present of a day at Disney. My girls were able to renew their friendship with Dessa and our day was filled with wonders.  It was one of those special days you freeze-frame in your mind.  I will never forget Blythe waving to Mickey as we left that evening.  Her little hand kept waving and waving until Mickey was no longer in sight. 

I am constantly monitoring emails and most of the kids are behaving themselves.  We have only had one revolt where they decided we don’t have to do our chores anymore (nice try).  A few are giving Ms. Maria and Anca a run for their money but for the most part they are doing good and behaving themselves.  I got a call from my mom one night (at 1:00 AM) that there was an urgent email that Child Protection in Romania needed proof that we could support the kids, by the next day.   I started to panic, what did they need (bank statements, a statement from us or Greenacres?).  This is very typical of how things are done, I need this right now!  Brian was calm and reassured me that things would be fine.  Fortunately, Alex, Anca and Florin dug though some paperwork and found enough to pacify them.  Praise GOD.  These young people have been amazing while we are gone and a tremendous HELP!  

Even though traveling can get weary, I have enjoyed seeing many of my friends (and even getting to know some new ones) and spending a little time with them. I never realized how much I needed this and told Brian that seeing them again has been like balm to my soul.   It amazes me that even though we have not seen each other in years and we now have an ocean separating us, friendship goes past all that and you just pick up where you left off.  I love you guys and treasure those moments! Each of you has a special place in our hearts.

Love to all,
Tamyra

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