It is a hot Sunday afternoon here. I hope the cool weather is not gone for too long. We just returned from the Abram church. It is smaller than the Popesti church where we usually go. Romi is visiting us this weekend and we usually do not return to Popesti for church when one of the orphans is with us.

 Yesterday, we had a very full day…more so for Fred. In the morning he took Romi, Emese and Janos bike riding in the FCE office parking lot. Eme and Janos are 7 and 8. They have been riding for about a year now and can ride circles around Romi (who is 15). Romi has never ridden a bike before, but he will learn.

 We want Romi to learn to ride a bike because in September he will move to the transit house in Marghita. All the boys there know how to ride a bike. We hope he will be allowed to go to school here in Marghita. We heard some rumors that some of the children might still have to go to Popesti to the special school. I don’t know about the others, but Romi is very intelligent. He is #1 in the 7^th class at the special school. I can’t imagine why he was ever declared ‘handicapped.’ Things are so unfair to the orphans here.

 During the bike riding session, I met with a volunteer and her foster son. This boy is three and is already very difficult. I am helping her with some parenting strategies. Besides being abandoned, he has had cancer and has been in the hospital a lot. After this I worked on the computer in the FCE office.

 Later, we had a meeting with Brenda about volunteer team issues. Then, Fred took Romi and Craciun to the park to play Frisbee. We are trying to do more with 11 year-old Craciun as we may be the ones who escort him for plastic surgery. His face is deformed because of a terrible accident. We just discovered scars on his head so I assume he had much abuse. He is now at Casa Alba with toddlers and preschoolers…not a good deal for him. He has problems with depression and has even talked of ending his life. It is hard to find a family for him here because of his disfigurement. We are concerned about his future.

 When Romi and Fred came back we looked at photos on the computer of the Colorado team’s weeks of camp. Romi wants me to print out every other one. He is especially interested in photos of family Dewey. Not just the ones he knows but the whole family. Since we are his bunic and bunica (grandparents) he is overjoyed to have many matus and matusas (uncles and aunts).  He now has many cousins, too. Maybe someday some of you can meet Romi! He is an amazing kid.

 So, there you have one of our days. Today will be a little more restful. Soon, we will go to the volunteer house for lunch. Then we will take naps while Romi makes albums with his photos. Fred will probably get Craciun from Casa Alba and go to the park.

 This week, before our visitors come Wednesday evening, I must get my first two edited chapters off to my editor. Several people here have read the first chapter and really, really like it. Now, if I can just do as well with the next six chapters. Most are in the first draft stage. It is very difficult to find blocks of time to write.

 Off to lunch!