Jill Van Opstal-Popa - Its a Wonderful World: Inspiring Stories about Ordinary People and Gods Grace

2019 Jill van Opstal-Popa

Its a Wonderful World

Inspiring Stories about Ordinary People and Gods Grace

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019906175

ISBN 978-1-400326815 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-400326822 (eBook)

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This book is dedicated to my mom, Judy who always told me to write things down, and who is always an example to me of a woman of faith. I also want to thank my husband Paul, my partner, friend and love of my life. Most of all, I want to thank Jesus Christ for saving me and for loving me beyond measure.

And all the countries came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe in the whole world.

Genesis 41:57, NIV

K atiza sat on the hard bench at the Romanian Orthodox Church and looked around her at family and friends. Deep in her heart she held a dream. She dreamt of going away to a new land, a place without hunger or worry for tomorrow, a place where she could call home, but for now she looked around at her loved ones whom she would carry with her forever. As the congregation rose to sing the closing hymn, a young man from the village nearby caught her eye, Petru Popa; he was only five feet six inches tall, with a medium complexion, hazel eyes, and dark brown hair. He was her neighbor and her friend. He worked very hard at his fathers farm, together with all of his brothers and sisters. Katiza straightened her skirt and her babushka and smiled at him as he walked by. He grabbed her arm and together they walked outside into the bright summer day.

How are you? he asked casually, and Katiza thought how she would answer.

Im fine, she answered bashfully, glancing at Petru from the corner of her dark eyes. I have to go now because I have to help my mama prepare soup, and make placintas,

It was a very simple food that only used a few ingredients, green beans, sour cream, flour and cheese. Her mother taught her to cook, and she did it well, it was one of her passions.

That sounds good! Petru exclaimed, and as he flashed his handsome smile, her heart melted a little bit inside.

See you tomorrow at school? Katiza asked.

No, I will have to work at the farm, he answered as he walked away toward his parents village,

8 cups flour

pound of butter

3 eggs

salt

warm water

Filling:

1 pound cottage cheese

cup sugar

6 eggs salt

grated lemon rind

Sift flour, and add eggs one at a time, then add flour, warm water and salt. Knead until dough blisters. Roll dough into balls and place on floured board, cover each piece with melted butter and let stand for twenty minutes. Stretch each ball, and put in cheese filling, press shut with a fork and put into a buttered pan. Bake in a medium oven for one hour.

The Romanian Way of Cooking, p. 88

It was quite a long journey as he went on his way home. It was a difficult time, and every family struggled to put food on the table to feed their children. When he finally made it to his home, a white sturdy stone house with a bright colored curtain covering for a door, his mother pinched him on the cheek.

Are you late again, Petru Popa? she said.

She had prepared a stew with one of the chickens on the farm using herbs, the pieces of meat and even the chicken feet in the sauce. The whole Popa family sat at the large table that was set up under the tree, waiting to start their dinner. Everyone received a small bit of the stew, as well as some vegetables that were grown on the farm. The Popas had an ample garden with various fruit trees, grapevines, and fragrant roses growing close by. They had water from the well to drink, and the grown-ups were allowed homemade wine.

Everyone ate what was served on their plate without complaining, but Petru wasnt full. His stomach felt hollow after the meal. He looked down at his rough hands, and wondered what was to show for all of the hard work that he had done. Nothing seemed to change or get better in the small town where he lived. People worked hard and lived little and when they were gone, their children worked hard and lived the same way after them. Petru had a friend from a village nearby who had traveled to the new world of the United States of America. His letters had reached Petru and stirred inside of him a dream, a dream of eating more than chicken broth, a dream of no more famine or want for his family.

It was a dream that he couldnt shake, and he talked about it deep in the night with his brother Teodor, who also wanted to come along to America. America, the land where there was work for all, automobiles and plenty of food. He knew what he wanted and it wasnt staying here in Romania.

The following day, at the small school, Katiza could hardly concentrate on her lessons. She kept thinking about Petru, her friend, who she realized had taken residence in her young heart. His smile and the way that he tilted his head, were images engraved in her mind. As she left the school to head for home, her thoughts were flying to other places. Her family had known the Popa family for years, and though her mama didnt always approve of them, she didnt mind if Katiza was Petrus friend. When she passed him on the road, he was in town on an errand, he gave her a slight nod, and his eyes were enchanting. She decided to bring him to her house for refreshments. It would give him a chance to chat with her mama. Once they got there after the long walk from town, Mama had some simple little cakes made with poppy seeds and flour. Petru drank a tall glass of milk from the neighbors cow.