Two more weeks until mom and dad arrive. We have big plans for May and June. In May we (mom, Sharon, Debbie, Sue and I) will host a women’s conference in the beautiful hills of Valea Draganului; We have been slowly building up to this since last Easter. We met a few times when I was still there, in mom’s living room, discussing the topic of Identity, and preparing together for the context of the Romanian culture.
You may or may not have heard, but often times those who serve are more blessed than the served. It is in the American culture for people who feel that they have been blessed, to pay it forward, to bless others. Thank you for continuing to inspire me, my family and friends from PBC!
In Cluj the anticipation is on the rise. Everything is slowly falling into place. Notebooks are ordered. The Summer Series translation is done and ready to pick up from the printer tomorrow, together with the conference schedule. We still have a few spots open, and I hope and pray that God will bring those in need of such retreat there.
We had a BBQ in the neighborhood Saturday night. It was a hilarious delicious time. We met a few more of our neighbors, people from all walks of life, and we are starting to build a real community here. When we think we have no more time for anything or anyone else, we get an entire community to be part of and witness to. And we have our dearest friends Anca and Adi as likeminded people to keep on the path with and be an encouragement for each other. They are one of a kind; they inspire me and make me laugh so much!
Sunday morning we shared tea on the balcony, watching the sun rise while our men went for a 18 miles bickered up into the hills. Then Coco invited us to visit her at her parents, with Carmen, and eat homemade fresh baked on the stove dough filled with either plum jam or cheese, chives and dill. This is just heaven! We were driving through the beautiful hills, on our way back, as we picked up our boys from their biking adventure. The biking roads are not as smooth as the Californian ones, but the scenery is quite picturesque.
Next week will be a very busy one. Alas, we love it. Conrad is very busy with his design work, I am involved in a new StartUp called Tutora, and it’s no point in listing all the other things that keep us engaged intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.
We have been told not to bother with the church I went to while in college, but I have been drawn back here. And I worried that I am drawn there because of familiarity or some hidden fear to disappoint if I go to a happier, fuller, less troubled church. But I look back at these last 5 months and I realize what a blessing it was to start like that, humble. Nothing we did together is our merit. But some pretty great things did happen: serving together, butting heads and reaching a consensus, learning to communicate more effectively with patience and consideration, hosting full services, paving the way for women to have a strong, memorable and impactful voice, hiking crazy mountains together, and starting to build a bridge between generations. And regardless of what will be in a year, this year was worth every moment of transparency and joy.
And one more thing, for ever and ever we will be asked with a puzzled look: “why in the world did yo move back here?” I can’t help but smile now. It is hard to explain in terms everyone would understand. In a world so hungry for power, success, wealth, leaving Silicon Valley behind is absolutely crazy. We left it while we were still climbing, and climbing fast on the success ladder. But the more money you make and the more successful you are, the more responsible you feel to take advantage of this time and opportunities. And I have been stressed and worried sick sometimes. It’s a price you pay. You can become your own prisoner this way. The more you have the more you want. And you owe it to yourself, it’s your duty to your family to secure a future, sometimes at the expense of the present.
A successful Romanian painter living in Germany was asked by a reporter how much he earns. He said, don’t ask me that. It’s not a relevant question. You know what can ruin your life? Trying to earn more money than you need.
I am not saying that everyone should leave everything behind and do what we did. But this dream of living in Romania has been with us since we met. Certain circumstances made us realize how short life is, and we thought that if we don’t try to live our dreams now, we never will. Mostly out of commodity or out of fear.
If I struggled during the winter, which I very much did, it was to make me let go of my own fabricated needs for validation. We are now rested. We are happy. And we are learning to deal with different problems than in California. If life did’t have challenges to overcome we would all be very depressed. I am happy to report that I am slowly learning to choose my battles and to let many others slide.
Call me crazy. Call me whatever. This has been a fantastic year so far. There is freedom. There is joy.