Thursday, February 5, 2015

Intense Language Study

Hi friends!

Since arriving back in Bucharest, we have begun a period of intense language study, where we go to class 4 days a week for 3 hours each day.  We also spend a lot of time on homework and speaking in only Romanian, both with friends and each other.  This will be our "normal" routine through the summer. 

This is our typical daily schedule:
7:30-8:30 -- wake up and have breakfast
8:30-10:30 - language homework
10:30-11:30 - go to the gym
11:30-12:30 - have lunch
12:30-2:30 - errands/clean/paperwork
2:30-3:30 - travel with the subway to language class
3:30-6:30 - language class (4 days per week)
6:30-7:30 - travel home from language class
7:30-10:30 - dinner/relax/go to bed

Although Jessica is disappointed not to be able to go to zumba classes right now, she has begun a "Couch-to-5K" running program, and she is currently on Week 4 of 8.  Cameron is training for another half-marathon in May.  Cameron is taking an online PhD class called "Social Anthropology," which will allow him to dig deeper into the social structure of Romanian families.

We are also excited to report that we are happily participating in our local church again and attending a small group Bible study on Sunday nights.  Jessica is back on the music team rotation, and Cameron has already preached once at our church.

Running together at the gym.

Meeting with church friends.

Jessica singing on the music team at church.

Cameron preaching at our church.

Lunch at the mall with our friends, Adi & Iulia.

Visiting the Peasant Museum.

Sunday, January 11, 2015

Back in Bucharest!

Hi everyone!  We arrived safely back in Bucharest last Wednesday, praise the Lord, with all of our bags!  We were warmly welcomed by our supervisors at the airport, and they even left dinner and breakfast for the next day in our refrigerator.  Jet lag has hit us pretty hard this time, but we're slowly getting over it.  We're completely unpacked, but there is still a lot left to clean and organize.  Our upstairs neighbors came down yesterday and even gave us a welcome home gift!

Highlights of December:
 - Dec. 7 Cameron was ordained at North Wake Baptist Church in Wake Forest, NC.
 - Dec. 14 We spoke to two Sunday School classes at Parkwood Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC.
 - Dec. 19-28 Christmas with Jessica's family in Charleston, WV
 - Dec. 28 Cameron preached and Jessica sang at First Baptist Church of Nitro, WV
 - Dec. 29-Jan. 1 New Year's with Cameron's family in Knoxville, TN
 - Jan. 6 Flew back to Bucharest!

Here are some pictures from December:

Hanging out with Jared, Noelle, & Corban at Montreat College in NC.

Cameron's ordination at North Wake Baptist Church.

So glad both sets of our parents could come!

Last small group meeting in Wake Forest

With Santa
Opening presents at Jessica's aunt Jeanie's house on Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve service at FBC Nitro, WV

Singing "Silent Night" by candlelight

Of course, Baby Robert is the center of attention!  :)

Rev. Cameron Armstrong's first sermon after being ordained!

Jessica singing at FBC Nitro

Visiting the zoo with Amy, Hank, & Rory.
Visiting the zoo with Amy, Hank, & Rory.

Hank loved racing us at Bounce USA!

He also really enjoyed air teeball.

Matching mermaid temporary tattoos.

We spent hours playing Uno with this kid.

Christmas continued with John, Christa, & Robert.

Last Chick-fil-a meal for 3 years...maybe.

Dinner our last night in the US with Jessica's family.

Jessica's parents & brother took us to the airport.

Beautiful sunrise over the Brussels, Belgium, airport.

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Stateside: November Adventures

November was a crazy month for us!  We spent more time in airplanes than in a car as we traveled to the western United States.  Here is a quick rundown of our travels:

Nov. 5-9 We attended a work conference in Olive Branch, MS, (near Memphis, TN), where we were officially confirmed for our next three year term in Romania!
Nov. 10 Toured Memphis, TN
Nov. 11-12 Visited the amazing Grand Canyon in Arizona
Nov. 13-22 Cameron took a PhD modular course at Biola University near Los Angeles, CA
Nov. 23 Toured Los Angeles/Hollywood
Nov. 24 Toured San Diego, CA
Nov. 25-Dec. 2 Thanksgiving with Cameron's family in Knoxville, TN

Now for a few pictures!

We enjoyed meeting the new IMB president, David Platt.

Commissioning service in Olive Branch, MS.

"Walkin' in Memphis..."

National Civil Rights Museum, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot.

Grand Canyon

We had a great time staying with Zack & Maria & their twin boys in California.

Cameron at the School of Intercultural Studies at Biola University.

Touring Hollywood

Walking along the "Walk of Fame" in Hollywood.

Looking over Los Angeles at night.

Sitting with Forrest Gump (at the wax museum).

Adventures with Indiana Jones (at the wax museum).

San Diego harbor.

San Diego harbor cruise.

Old Town trolley tour of San Diego.

Dinner with Cameron's Uncle Em and Aunt Georgia in San Diego.

Quick visit with some family from Florida in Knoxville, TN.

Cameron with nephew, Hank.

Cameron with nephew, Rory.

Thanksgiving dinner with Cameron's family in Knoxville.

Nice afternoon at a cabin in Gatlinburg, TN, with family from Florida. (photo by Amy)

Great family photo by Amy (tandemflightphotography.com)