Why Must Mondays Always be Overwhelming?

I am beyond exhausted, so I'll try to make this quick. :)

Today was wonderful, heart-warming, encouraging, challenging, heart-breaking, and discouraging all in one. 

To go from holding a little girl from Rehab all the way to the park and McDonalds as she giggled, played with my hair, and said my name over and over, to getting caught in a rain storm, to learning the dark reality of what some of the older girls experienced just last night is just too overwhelming to process and try to share right now. 

These kids are receiving an incredible amount of love from the CTL staff (and we've loved being a small part of that), but what meets them after the staff leaves is dark and evil and ugly. Please keep praying for these precious ones. 

Please also pray for rest and strength for us as we're continuing our long days with little sleep. May we be open to all that God has for us and continue to be his hands and feet in Romania. 

I'll try to be a bit more thorough tomorrow. Noapte buna!

Sunday and Standing in Awe

Sunday, hallelujah! What a true statement that is. As we met to debrief tonight, one of the questions we talked about was "Where have you seen God today?"

More often than not, the answer was some form of, "Where have I not seen God?"

The examples ranged from worship in two languages during church this morning, to God speaking specifically to others, to missionaries we had never met having lunch with us and speaking into our lives, to the belly laugh of a girl from the Home of Hope this afternoon at the park. I could go on and on...

God is definitely with us and going before us, and we feel your prayers!

That being said, the Spiritual battle is also quite real and is trying to take us down--from physical ailments, to no sleep, to anxiety. The enemy is using whatever he can to thwart God's plans for us and those we are serving. But, we are confident in our God, and we KNOW that he has the victory in the end. What Satan plans for harm, we KNOW God will use for good. 

As our team met this evening and opened up about this very real battle, it gave us an opportunity to really come together, rally around each other, and kneel before our Father as we placed hands on each other and prayed. Through tears, we gave our time here to the One who has had our days planned before even one of them came to be. How GREAT is our GOD! 

We trust that he will do far more abundantly than all we could ask or imagine. As a few of our team members teach and share their testimonies tomorrow, will you please pray specifically that God will not only speak through them, but that through them and their stories, He will drastically and miraculously change lives? Please pray with us that He'll do far more abundantly than all we could ask or imagine. 

Oh, and did I mention that as I read a note to the team tonight from their pastor, he included that very verse from Ephesians that speaks about God doing abundantly more than all we could ask or imagine? Oh, and following that, we pulled out another card that had the Matthew 7 verses about building our houses on the rock--which just happens to be what our skit and lesson are on this week. 

Talk about God showing up! He is amazing...

Thanks for your continued prayers as we serve here in this beautiful place. We could not do it without you. 

Isus te Iubeste  si Te Iubesc!

We've ARRIVED!

Well,  as you've probably already gathered, we all made it to Romania safely. All of our bags even decided to join us--praise Jesus!

The flights actually went on without incident (albeit long), and we arrived without being too out of our minds. I can't even tell you how exciting it was to run up to my people in the Istanbul airport and give them real hugs for the first time since our training--I have seriously missed these folks. 

Last night we enjoyed a short briefing and dinner prior to getting ready for bed. What we thought would be a "quick to bed" evening actually turned into quite the team building activity as we (mainly the guys) tried to get a team member out of a bathroom that she had precariously locked herself into. We blame the door, not the team member. Through much trial and error (and I have to add, calm and patient men), our dear team member was set free--a night sleeping in the tub was just not part of God's will for her (for which we are quite grateful!). 

After about four hours of sleep (more or less for some folks), we gathered downstairs this morning to meet Marc (CTL intern from Bakersfield) and head out for a city tour of Bucharest. Though the sun was a bit scorching when the bus was stopped, we did enjoy the nice breeze and beautiful sights of the city as we ventured around this morning. 

This afternoon held a bit of free time (read: DUTCH BLITZ!) before we met up with our six little darlings from the Home of Hope apartment. We got to say a brief hello to the girls before Kim, Brandon, and I went with Bogdan, Delia, and Simona to check out the apartment and evaluate some of the current needs. 

While the rest of the team played with, sang with, and loved on the girls, we headed to IKEA to purchase some items that will prayerfully and hopefully aid in the functioning of the apartment. I particularly enjoyed catching up with Delia while meandering through the behemoth of a store. 

Upon returning from IKEA, we enjoyed some amazing food and a bit of team time. Now, we are all ready to crash--and by all, I'm fairly certain that about ten out of the twelve of us are already long gone. 

PLEASE pray that we can all sleep well tonight (now!) and wake up in His strength. I'm SUPER excited to head to church in the morning--one of my favorite things to do in Romania. 

Thanks for all your prayers so far! Please continue to pray especially that we'll see God's hand in all we do and we'll listen and be obedient to His voice. 

Te iubesc si Isus te Iubeste! 

Anticipation and The Big Dipper

As I went to take the trash out tonight, I couldn't help but look up at the night sky for a moment and admire the stars. My eyes immediately searched for the Big Dipper--as they do automatically wherever I am.

Why the Big Dipper? It's a constant reminder of how great and vast and mighty my God is, how small and insignificant I am, and how truly connected we are here on earth (although it seems far larger than we can fathom).

I remember making a deal with one of my closest friends in high school to look up at the Big Dipper every night at a set time while I was in Romania, knowing that that particular friend would be in another part of Europe doing the same thing at the same time. It was a reminder to pray for each other, a reminder of how much we cared about each other, a reminder that we were not alone--our God and our brothers and sisters in Christ were always with us. I remember feeling so comforted and so close to God each time I'd look up and spot that one tiny (yet incredible!) aspect of His vast creation.

All these years later, the Big Dipper still evokes a sense of awe and wonder in me. As I gaze at it, I can't help but ponder who else in the world is glancing up at the very same stars at the very same moment I am. Who else at that same second is in awe of the greatness of our God?

I am also comforted in knowing that my team (my family) in Pennsylvania can see "my" Big Dipper. It makes my heart slightly giddy to know that my kiddos and my dear friends in Romania can see these very same stars. We are thousands of miles apart, yet we will always be connected.

When I'm home sick for Romania, I often look up at the night sky and remember that I'm really not that far away. When I'm in Romania, I look up at the night sky and can't help but giggle when I see the very same stars I admire from my front yard. Isn't that just beyond incredible?

So, tonight I look at the Big Dipper with GREAT anticipation, for I know that in a few short days, I'll be looking at the same set of stars from a different perspective halfway around the world.

When you look up at the night sky during the next few weeks, will you spot the Big Dipper and remember to pray for us halfway around the world in Romania? I'll be sure to do the same and thank God for the amazing support and encouragement of my family and friends back home. 

Our God is an awesome God. He reigns from Heaven above with wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God! 

Romania and Jack Jack

I know I haven't written much on here lately, but my hope is to keep you all updated on our Romania adventures via the blog--adventures which will begin in FOUR (almost THREE) short days!

Those who have known me for any amount of time, know that Romania holds such a dear part of my heart. Yesterday, as I was scrolling through my Timehop app (it's awesome--go get it!), I came across this post from three years ago:

Who knew clipping fingernails could make such a difference... 

Three years ago, yesterday, I was in Rehab (an orphanage for disabled children), and I spent the day with a little boy that I fell completely in love with. His name is Valentin, but we fondly refer to him as Jack Jack (because he resembles the mouse from Cinderella). As my team took the rest of the kids from Rehab to the park, I stayed at the orphanage with Jack--holding him, loving him, trying to move and exercise his stiff arms and legs, feeding him, and clipping his fingernails. You see, the poor baby had cuts all over his face and neck from scratching himself with his long, jagged fingernails. A task that took less than a few minutes made all the difference to that sweet boy. I remember holding him and being so angry that he didn't have a mother to clip his fingernails, being so confused that someone could give this sweet boy away, yet trusting that our God loved him more than I could ever imagine. I had to trust that God would continue to take care of him, even after I left.

Fast forward three years: Jack Jack is now in a private-run orphanage with workers that love and adore him. He is sitting up, laughing, and moving. I praise God for the progress this dear little one has made. I praise God for taking care of this baby that I hated to leave. I'm not sure if I'll get to see Jack Jack on this trip, but I can rest in the assurance that he's being loved and cared for.

And, I look forward with great anticipation to all the sweet little (and big) ones that I'll get to see and love on in a few short days. Please be praying for all of us during this journey. I've been posting quotes from Bob Goff's book, Love Does on my Instagram and Facebook along with a list of prayer requests. Please check them out if you haven't already.

Thanks for going on this journey with us. We couldn't do it without the love and support from all of you!

We're Heading Back!.... to Romania that is!

With the summer shaping up to be even crazier than normal, it seemed (not too many months ago) that Romania was not going to be a possibility this summer. I had resigned my heart to that fact... knowing that I'd be back again soon.

Or, at least I thought my heart had resigned...

Until,

Aimee Bradshaw went to Romania and had the audacity to FaceTime me. I got to see the ministry center, the staff that is now like family, and even a few of the kids during our sweet conversations.

And I. Just. Couldn't. Let. Go.

So, a while back, my madre and I went to have lunch with John Penrose. We were pulling at straws, trying anything we could think of to make our schedules work to fit Romania in--even if it meant just the two of us heading over right before school started (although that was far from ideal).

As we sat and ate some delicious Thai food, John rambled on about the summer schedule. I'm pretty sure I tuned out as soon as he said something to the effect of "There's a team going from Pennsylvania that has never been to Romania before. In fact, their church hasn't ever sent an overseas mission team anywhere. I'll probably have to go with them."

Uhhh....what? They're going in June (our only free month, but one that is already packed with teams in RO), and they need someone to go with them?! ME! ME! ME! Pick ME! Actually, I think it went more along the lines of...

John: I'll probably have to go with them.

Me: Unless you let me go with them.

John: Hmm, that could work.

YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!

Are you kidding me? Mom and I were seriously longing to go back to Romania, pulling at straws to find a time that would work, and now you're telling me that there's a team going (in our exact time frame) that could possibly use someone to go with them and lead?

God, you are WAY COOL! I LOVE how you worked that out and put that together for all of us.

We're IN!

So, we're headed back... in June... with a team from Pennsylvania (not before a training retreat and Skype meetings, of course).

I couldn't be more excited!

However, we can't do this alone! Scroll down for more information about how YOU can become involved!

 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.  -Psalm 82:3-4

Dear Friends and Family,

            This summer we plan on doing that once more—defending, rescuing, delivering. We are excited to have the opportunity to travel back to Romania with Children to Love International (CTL) to serve and help meet the physical, mental, social, and spiritual needs of orphaned and abandoned children living in Romanian government orphanages and those at risk of entering them. Our trip is scheduled for June 11-21, 2015; however, it is unlike any other team we have been on before. This time, we will be leading a team of people from Halifax, Pennsylvania who have never served in Romania before! During this time, our team will travel to Bucharest, Romania to help CTL share the gospel with hundreds of orphans and to support and encourage the CTL national staff.

Amy: I cannot even express how excited I am to be going back to Romania this summer alongside a team from across the country. I know this trip will be filled with challenges and triumphs. I trust that our God will do far more abundantly than all we could ask or imagine in and through our team! I also can’t wait to reconnect with the CTL staff and the orphans that I have fallen in love with over the last few years. Is it June yet?! 

Schelly: I am overjoyed to be a part of this new and exciting team to Romania. Since going for the first time two years ago (and again last year!), I have been longing to go back. I cannot wait to see all that God has in store for us, this team, and the Romanian children and staff. I am also looking forward to taking on more of a leadership role alongside Amy.

As thrilled as we are to be able to serve God and the people of Romania once again this summer, we definitely cannot do it alone. We are asking you to prayerfully consider being a part of our support team. We will need you behind us in prayer and financial support to make this trip possible. We need to raise $5,600 to cover the costs of travel, lodging, food, housing, ministry expenses, and health insurance in Romania for both of us. Our deadline for raising support is May 28^th, but we need to bring in some support soon to cover the cost of flights.  We are asking you for the gift of your prayers and whatever financial support you are able to share. We greatly appreciate your support (and of course, all of your financial gifts are tax deductible!).

            Please partner with us as we serve this country that is so near and dear to our hearts. If you choose to be a part of our support team, please make a check out to Children to Love (mail it to the address below) or give online by visiting www.childrentolove.org, selecting “give” and then selecting “give to send a team member” (please designate “Amy Erickson/Schelly Thompson’s trip to Romania” on the check memo or online).

Thank you for your consideration in joining our team and touching and changing the lives of children and the staff in Romania.

Amy Erickson & Schelly Thompson

Children to Love International ~ P.O. Box 9575 ~ Bakersfield, CA 93389

Top 14 of 2014!

As 2015 starts off with a bang, I'd like to take a few minutes to look back on some of my most memorable experiences from 2014.

(You can read about last year's top 13 HERE!)

So, I give you... the top 14 of 2014!

1. Green Smoothies --Mom and I started drinking green smoothies for breakfast on January 1, 2014, and haven't looked back. I love them! My body seems to function much better after drinking a green smoothie than it does with any other "normal" breakfast food, so I'll stick with it!

Read more about our smoothies HERE!


2. Lady Antebellum-- I am actually not much of a concert person, but Mom and I decided to go see Lady Antebellum last year, and I was NOT disappointed. It was a blast! They put on an amazing show, and I loved singing along at the top of my lungs all night.

Read more about the show HERE!

3. UCLA Gymnastics-- The madre, some family, and I got to go to a UCLA gymnastics meet this year. For those who know me, you know I'm weirdly obsessed with gymnastics, and I have always loved UCLA. I had a blast!

Read more about the meet HERE!

4. Romania-- I had the amazing opportunity to go back to Romania last summer. As we know, this place is incredibly close to my heart, and I loved being able to go back with some of my favorite people!

Read more about our trip beginning HERE!

5. NEW YORK--I got to go back to NYC with my madre, our friend Debbie, and her daughter and grand baby this past summer. IT. WAS. AWESOME. I can't ever get enough of NY (well, unless I lived there--and I pretty much don't ever want to do that). 

6. Washington DC-- After NYC, we traveled to DC and had a BLAST (another place that I seriously love).  I got to see quite a few East Coast friends and have some amazing adventures! 

7. Best in Chow-- While in DC, we got to be a part of the foodie show, Best in Chow. Talk about awesome! It was an episode about donuts--does it get any better, folks?! 

I can't get the video to work, but feel free to try to look it up and find it if you'd like. :)

8. Yosemite--My mama's parents took us to Yosemite last July, and we had a great time all together. It was gorgeous, and I got to ride a horse. Enough said. 

9. I Said Goodbye (for Now) to My Grandma--My dear grandma went home to be with Jesus last July. I miss her like crazy, but I'm confident that I will see her again one day, and I know that she is up in Heaven, out of pain, praising Jesus every moment. 

Read more about her HERE. 

10. Taylor Kiddos Camp Bako-- My cousin Laura's three kids came to spend a long weekend in Bakersfield this past summer. We had an awesome time together. We swam, ate, went to a Blaze game, did the weather with Aaron Perlman on TV, went to John's Incredible Pizza, visited the radio station, swam, ate, went to church, swam, ate, went to see some awesome farm animals, and swam and ate some more. We were all exhausted by the end of the weekend!

11. Ashley's Wedding--I got to be a part of one of my dearest friend's weddings this summer. She was an absolutely gorgeous bride, and we had such a fun weekend together on the Central Coast. 

12. DISNEYLAND-- Our good friend, Hannah, wanted to go to Disneyland for her birthday, so of course we said "heck yes!" We stayed and played for two whole days at both parks. We did it all, ate it all, selfied it all, and loved every minute of it. 

13. CRPS Crushers 5K-- For the second year in a row, I participated in the Quench the Fire 5k to support the USC Pain Center and CRPS/RSD Research. This year, however, our team was much larger--woo hoo! My goal was to beat my time from last year....and I did it! Once again, it was a blast! I can't wait until next year!

14. Birthday Surprises--I sure was spoiled on my birthday this year. My room was "decorated," my kiddos brought me sweet presents, and my mama threw me an awesome surprise party!

Read all about that HERE! 

As you can see, 2014 certainly was one to remember. I can't wait to see all that God has in store for me (and all of you!) in the upcoming year! Cheers!