Squad Shindigs

 When I signed up for this trip I knew leaving in August would mean I would miss all the major holiday’s in the fall/winter with my family.

It was tough to think about but I was lucky because it ended up we got to be together as a full squad to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas! So it felt honestly like I was celebrating with my new family.

Just because I was surrounded by people didn’t mean I wasn’t homesick, this is a real reality. But thankfully through FaceTime I was able to still talk to my family and friends and be a part of their celebrations in small ways! 

Our Squad did a great job of creating a celebratory environment, bringing a little bit of home to the field with us. And shout out to Jaden’s fraternity that helped with the funds to make these events a reality monetarily. 

For Thanksgiving we had a “traditional” spread of chicken (they didn’t have Turkey), stuffing/dressing (the debate of what its called is still alive), potatoes, and green beans. After dinner we also had pumpkin pie and apple pie, and other assortments! We had a committee of people who wanted to bless our squad for Thanksgiving and they collected baby pictures of each of us. We then played a game of guess who with them. Once it was revealed which baby pic belonged with which adult we all took turns affirming that individual with Jesus-like qualities and intricacies that make them unique and important! 

I have a super sweet teammate that also went so far as to gather a video from my parents that she shared with me on Thanksgiving. After the festivities I did FaceTime my family and get to say hello! 

Christmas in Criaova was cool because the whole city square was covered in Christmas lights. It created such a fun atmosphere. Again people on my squad volunteered for a planning committee to put this holiday together for us. One squamate reached out to our families and had written messages from parents. We had a squad lunch with tons of good food – pasta w/ meatballs, Mac and cheese, chicken and tons of cookies and desserts. After eating we revealed our secret Santas by exchanging gifts. Banks gave me cake which I loved and did have for breakfast the next morning. I gave Lexy notes and candy (on the Race you have to give intentionally because we do have to carry things we receive the remainder of the race). Then before we all headed back to our house we played a game where you have to guess family traditions that each person wrote down. 

Many of you might not know but New Years is my favorite holiday. It is a closing of a chapter and beginning of a chapter. We get to reflect and process the past year AND look forward and plan the new year. Its beautiful! So I was so excited to celebrate in Romania this year and have a New Years to never forget! And boy did God come through!! 

The night before we had met a man on a bus that asked us if we were here for the Christian conference? We had no idea there was one in Timisoara at that time. So we looked it up and tried to find tickets but it was sold out. So after the New Years Eve service at Harvest Church Timisoara, the Pastor asked us what our plans were. He told us the conference had a concert and teaching for New Years and he could take us! Turns out he was the speaker at the conference one of the days! So for New Years I got to worship God in an auditorium of believers in Romania!! 

So holidays do look different in other parts of the world and it is tough to not be with your family and friends as usual, but I am so thankful of this year of looking different. Of sacrificing the comfort of “your” people to bring love and joy to other people. I also love the perspective gained about different traditions and outlooks on holidays from other cultures and even just different people on our squad. It will help me in future years be able to cultivate a more intentional holiday season and appreciate the togetherness even that much more.