Today was a great day! We went to the center and got to see the kids. They've grown so much and were so happy to see us! It's amazing how much they've blossomed. They are all very loving, very energetic but behave very well. The staff is amazing and really love and work with the kids which is such a blessing for them, and for the ministry.

We had our first Christmas party with Mariana's family. They were so excited when they came. They got their family picture, then the kids put on a great program! They all had on their new outfits for the family picture and looked adorable. Mariana's family enjoyed the party, had some great things to eat, the program, sweet treats and then a visit from Santa! They were all so excited with their gifts. We were supposed to have two parties, but one fell through because of work schedules so tomorrow we'll have a full day, with three parties, plus the Isaiah Family picture and staff picture, and glamour portraits as a special treat for the ladies on staff. They work so hard and love the kids, and this is something just for them.

Internet seems to be slow and we're having trouble loading pictures. We'll give it one more try and if no luck, will try again tomorrow. We really want to share the fun pictures that were taken today.

Thanks for your prayers and for all who made this possible. We'll update again soon.

Love, Missy, Kim, Alan, Paula Lois

Mous Craciun (Santa Claus) Is Coming To Town - TOMORROW!

We cannot tell you how excited we are about how God has blessed FMN again this year. There are so many of you that are part of our team, and we've said it before, and we'll say it again, we couldn't do this without you! We've wrapped and wrapped, and baked and iced, and laughed and shared memories of the last three years being in Romania to share the birth of Christ! We have two parties planned tomorrow and we can't wait, and can tell you without a doubt, the families can't wait either! We are so blessed to be the delivery crew, and thank you all! Thank you too for your prayers, because they worked! Keep sending prayers and praises up, to the one we celebrate at Christmas, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Love you all!

Kim, Missy, Alan, Paula & Lois
Rachel, Dave & Iza

Santa's Bags Are On The Way!

Thanks for the prayers for our bags to arrive for the Christmas parties! After several calls, we talked to Paul tonight and he's on his way with all 11 of our bags! We're so excited because the kids and families have been asking when we are coming for a while. They knew we arrived, and we didn't see them today for two reasons.......one because we really didn't want to come empty handed, and know they wouldn't understand that our bags didn't come with us. And, we needed to shop for food items for the parties and for items needed for the Isaiah Center and for the Lodge. Soon we will be playing Santa's elves, wrapping, wrapping and wrapping and getting ready for the first two parties tomorrow!

Some of the team went to the gypsy market that comes every Monday, where gypsies come from all over to sell anything and everything. Then we all went to do the shopping. Paula is with her Romanian family spending some quality time and should be home later tonight.

We'll load some pictures that were taken today to share with you. We can't wait to share many happy faces tomorrow when we begin our celebrations of Christmas in Romania!

Love, Missy, Kim, Paula, Alan & Lois

Note from Lois - Special Prayer Request for My Sister Donna

Please pray for my sister Donna, as she will be traveling with a team to Liberia, leaving on Tuesday, the 29th. They are working with an orphanage for special needs. In this culture, they believe these children are considered outcasts and are believed to have been witched by the devil, and some are left to die. Donna and her husband Everett adopted a beautiful little girl, Alice, when she was three from Liberia (now in the 1st grade), and Donna will be meeting Alice's biological mother and sisters, and seeing firsthand, the poverty and hardship in Liberia. We are so thankful for Forget Me Not Ministries and missionaries here at home and all over the world, who love and to care for the "least of these" to bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ.

Donna, I know that God will use you in a mighty way....you are such a blessing to all you meet. Praying for your safety, good health and for God's light to shine through you this coming week.

Love you! Lois

P.S. Still waiting on our bags, Santa's bags to arrive from the airport....keep praying please!

We're in Romania!

We arrived save and sound today around 11:30. Paul and Dana were there to pick us up. Unfortunately our bags didn't make it. We hope they will be delivered tomorrow or Tuesday. Pray for that please........that's all of the Christmas gifts and supplies needed for Christmas in Romania!

We're at the lodge, looks great and feels just like being at home! We're excited to be here! We hope to get some rest tonight and be ready to roll tomorrow.

Please pray for all of us, that everybody stays healthy and that God will shine His light through all we say and do this week. And, please PRAY for those bags to arrive ASAP!

Love, Kim, Missy, Alan, Paula & Lois

We are almost there!

We were blessed with getting on all flights, no problems and no delays. An extra blessing from Missy, we were able to fly on buddy passes saving a lot of money...plus all five of us were in business class on the nine hour flight! We stayed in Amsterdam last night and saw some of the city which was beautiful! We will update again once in Romania.

Leaving for Romania on Friday - Can't Wait!

Five of us are leaving Louisville on Friday for Romania to celebrate Christmas with the children and families cared for through the Forget Me Not Ministries Isaiah Center. This is the fourth annual Christmas trip, and it has been a huge blessing for all involved!

Even though there are only five people in the team picture, there are so many more that are part of our team! We have been blessed with many individual, family and corporate sponsors, along with First Baptist Church of Jeffersonville and Northside Christian Church’s K-5th graders! This could never happen without all of you, and we are so grateful to each and every one!

Please pray for our team as we travel, that all of our flights will be on time, and that we arrive safe and sound in Budapest on Sunday morning. Please pray too for our families, for health and for safety while we are gone. We are excited to be the first team to stay in the new FMN Lodge! We can’t wait to see Rachel, Iza, Dave, Michelle and Urb, and all of the kids!

We will update the blog as much as internet permits, sharing daily activities with lots of pictures. Several people had problems commenting on the blog last year, and this should not be a problem this year. If you choose to comment, all you do is write your comment and then choose name/url, and sign your name. We love it when we hear from those at home, and feel that this is a way that you are part of our team, and in following the blog, you’ll know what to pray for, and what to PRAISE for!

Our prayer is that the true meaning of Christmas is shared and felt in Romania, and that is the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He IS the reason for the season!

So blessed!

Kim and Missy Chappelle, Alan Combs, Paula Wathen & Lois Wadsworth