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When even lost luggage, constant rain, and weather much colder than you packed for can’t get your spirits down, you know you’re where you’re supposed to be.

Oradea, Romania: Beauty for Ashes Center– yep, this is exactly where I’m supposed to be.

My first day back in the motherland was filled with logistics- trying to find lost luggage, getting a Romo phone number, getting a tramvai (tram) pass, and other such things that must be done.

But, today, my first REAL day, was absolutely wonderful:)

I was greeted early in the morning by the sunshiny faces of the girls at the ROM Beauty from Ashes center, making me forget all about the wet, nasty weather outside, and so ready to get started! I didn’t know how the girls would take my coming- accepting? rejecting? adjusting? welcoming? It’s hard to have someone new to step into your daily routine of things. But I can honestly say that Day 1 was great! The girls were so warm and welcoming. I worked with them all day, just helping them with whatever jobs or activities they were doing, trying to get a feel for what a day in their lives is like at the center before I get plugged in to whatever my niche shall be. We joked, told stories, sang, worked side by side, and kept wishing we had each other’s accents. There was so much going on at once, but everyone had a job and knew exactly what they were doing- some getting wedding stuff ready since the director of the center is getting married in a couple of weeks, some working on the products that they sell, others organizing clothes, others cooking, others at work, others at school, others babysitting... but they all were like a family. And I think that’s what impressed me the most.

For any given group of people, it’s hard to say that they’ve reached the point of acting like a family. ESPECIALLY for a group of orphan girls, who haven’t ever had a family or much love and care. To mix these girls with Romanians, Americans, volunteers, social workers, friends, and say that this big jumble acts like a family is a miracle- yet they do:)

I can’t wait to do life even more with these girls, and see how much I’ll learn from them while I try to teach them and share some of what I know and some of my life with them.

And what you’ve all been waiting for... PICTURES!

The Beauty from Ashes House of Romanian Orphan Ministries where the girls work, most of them live, and everyone that is involved performs their daily activities.

Handmade decorations in the living area.

Sweet little Rebecca.

Emma, one of the workers.

Jetta, another worker, and the mother of Rebecca.

Eva hard at work!

Carmen, the newest and youngest member, babysitting.

One of the things the girls do is croquet these flowers along with various other styles to create headbands or brooches that are sold. The girls also make cards, wedding invitations, and other such things at the center as part of their working program.