Streaker

I was sitting on my bed reading my Bible the other morning. There was peace in the house. Noah and Callie were in their room building houses with blankets on their bunk bed and Lucy was... quiet somewhere. I wasn't too worried. It was one of those (all too often) moments where I was willing to trade 30 minutes to myself for time afterwards spent cleaning up whatever she was destroying. I did not care, I just wanted some time in the Word!! After a bit, Lucy runs by my doorway stark naked!! Noah and Callie go beserk laughing. I get her repampered and redressed. Life goes on.

About 30 minutes later Callie begins screaming at the top of her lungs, "Mommy, Lucy peed in my toy bin! Ahhhhh! There's REAL pee in here!" So I go to check it out, and sure enough, I had missed her lovely little deposit earlier. The child had stripped herself naked, emptied out Callie's toy bin, and peed in it (not even spilling a drop). Lord help me! She is potty training herself!!! And I used to tease my mom that I had to fill in my own baby book, at least I didn't have to potty train myself (I don't think!)!

HELP!!

So, I need your help! Christmas is one week away, and I am struggling to come up with some traditions, food, and ways to make it special. Here, it is absolutely just a normal day for everyone else. They have no idea that it is such an important day to us. Of course, I do not want the world around me to stop and throw a Christmas parade. But, I would like some ideas on how to help my family focus on the what and why we celebrate and to have special fun together. PLEASE give me your ideas!!

Boobies # 2

I see a theme forming on this here little blog! Yesterday in my language class the teacher wrote:

Titiz değilim.

The first word is pronounced just like it is spelled. The other American girl and I met eyes and got the giggles. She was laughing so hard she was crying. So, of course everyone wanted to know what on earth we were laughing at. So I told the them that titties is a rude way to say boobs. The other word means I am not. So, our sweet little teacher was quite embarrassed that she had just written that she is not boobs. (In the language here it means she is not hard to please/ particular.)

Torn

The life we lead here is by our choice. The Lord most certainly called us here, but he did not force us. He is sweet and gentle and always waits patiently for our response to His calling. So we are here. To be perfectly honest, I try to keep myself upbeat and peppy on this blog with an occasional side order of kid pictures, funny stories, and bad attitude. But, really I try to keep it on the light side, for your sake and mine.

But today... today, I need to be completely real with you, just for a moment. Everyday, no... EVERY MOMENT I feel like I am teetering between hope and failure. When we came here, we were full of expectations and dreams, and so far things have not turned out like we had expected. No surprise, I am the queen of miss-expectations. That is not to say things are terrible or fantastic. They're just different.

It is impossible to begin to accurately imagine what life will really be like when you you are moving your family half way around the world. Can I just tell you, quite frankly, culture is a b%&^! Sorry to say that, but it is true. You cannot imagine how entrenched and engulfed you are in it until you are out of it, and then it's too late, and everything feels funny! Then you are grappling trying to understand and for goodness sakes sort of fit into the new culture, while being faced the reality of your culture- the good and the bad.

One of the things that I struggle with the most is our financial situation. In our old life, we had it good- we knew we did, and we appreciated every bit of it. By the time we were 30 we had the adorable kids, the cars, the dream house, Justin was a well respected engineer with a great firm, etc. The American Dream was in our hands, but our spiritual dream was not. You see, the Lord had been wooing and changing our hearts. He opened our eyes to an entire portion of the world that had never even heard the truth about Jesus. And after a whirlwind of slowly and scarily putting one foot in front of the other, we are here.

And we are poor.

The thing is, we're not really poor, but I just feel really poor. In our old life we were more than comfortable, we had everything we needed and most things that we wanted. It felt like we were in control of our money and therefore in control of our future. Here, we must rely completely on God which means giving up control. Before, life was good, but it was not God's best for us. Here, I truly believe that this is God's best for us, but it dang sure doesn't feel like it sometimes!! It is selfish and embarrassing to tell you this, but I am struggling with the choice to be poor. We are dependant on others and their generosity. More importantly, we are fully relying on God here. He has promised to provide and we know he will.

You see?!?!?

I am a swaying pendulum- going back and forth between gratefulness and selfishness! Who am I to think that I deserve one single thing? God Himself, in His extreme generosity and goodness has a plan especially written for us. Why do I struggle with it? You'd think after all the steps of faith we took to get here we wouldn't waver the way we do. Good grief... we're the Israelites!! Mercy, how I used to judge them!

The business that we work with here helps the urban poor. The stories that we experience on a regular basis will truly break your heart. So then, I swing back to the other side and feel guilty for what I do have. Why should I get to have a two bedroom flat when others cannot make rent on a two room flat? Why should I have to exercise to stay in shape when those that we work with are skinny because they are hungry.

So, maybe you can see.... we are poor, but we are rich. The kingdom of God is like that. Not everything is simple and neat, but it is better than anything I could do for myself.



"If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" Matthew 7:11


"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen!" Ephesians 3: 20-21


“[Mary's Song] And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”- Luke 1:46

Random Goodness

So, in my typical fashion, here are some random tidbits from the last few days...


Here is our most recent family picture. It was taken by our friend at our company's regional Christmas party. Not the best picture ever, but maybe its better than nothing!



A few weeks ago we attended a prayer retreat. The hotel we stayed at had a great indoor pool. The night before we left, this is how I found Noah sleeping. Do you think he was excited to swim?




One of our friends gave the kids a little bit of pocket money for the holiday (a typical custom here). Callie was a woman on a mission at the bazar. She looks like "Little Miss Priss" with her wallet, purse, and fancy new sunglasses.




In my last post I wrote about our friends who had just had a baby. Finally, Callie and I got to go over and meet little Sami. Oh sweet mercy, I forgot how little new babies are (and the way their head smells). OUCH! My ovaries are aching! This picture does not do justice to the tiny-ness of this sweet little thing. So adorable!!


Saving the best for last...
Today was "tea club." As soon as we arrived at the host's flat and were seated, my friend pulled two little bottles out of her purse. It was something called "ant oil." YIKES! I didn't quite understand it all, but something about the oil is made from ant eggs- GAG. Anyhow, I grabbed one of the bottles for closer inspection. There was a ton of Arabic writing and a picture of a big 'ole ant eating hairs away at the folicle. Ok, double yikes. This stuff was some sort of hair removal?!?!? Um, no thanks! I'll pass!!

Betül

We went to our friend's birthday party the other day. We love this family! They just had baby number two a few days ago. I can't wait to get my hands on him! I'm gonna hold him all day!

They have a weird obsession with face paint here. They always paint the kids faces. Here are some pics from the party.


Painting faces



The girls showing off their faces. I'm not sure what they are supposed to be.



Callie is supposed to be a cat.



Opening presents

Beautiful

Boobies

I walked in to find Lucy playing, and I guess she went through puberty while I was out of the room. Check out her.... ahem, growth!


Oops, caught in the act. I knew those were falsies!

This is what it looks like when Callie plays with the little girls from downstairs. They roll out their carpet on the patio and have tea parties, play dollies, and school. It is so sweet and simple.

My neighbor had a lotta folks over. Here's how I know...

Blockbuster Video It's Not

Can I just tell you about our new video store? It opened a week ago right across the street. Justin went in the other day to check it out. When he asked how much it cost to rent a video, they laughed at him. It turns out, that you choose a video from the display shelves and take it to the counter. There they hand you a copy (and I do mean copy) of your video. It only cost 3 lira. Hmm... I guess that's not illegal here.

Playing Catch Up

About a week ago I promised pictures form the day I hosted tea club. Well, life got in the way. Sorry! Here are some pictures of my sweet friends. Unfortunately "Crazy Head" was not there. Maybe next time.


Nihal, the Sisters, and Dilek (my very first friend here)


Menekşe, Dilek, the Sisters, me, and Lucy. With the exception of Nihal and me, all of these women are usually covered (wear headscarves). But, they remove them when they are inside with just women. Once they get their scarves on and the trench coat-style thing they wear for modesty they look totally different. Sometimes when I am out and about, I do not recognize women that I (should) know! Whoops!


This is "the Sisters' " grandmother. I call her Yoda-ette. She is so cute and wrinkled and fragile. She loves to talk to me, and I can't hardly understand a word she says!


Fatma and Osman


İlaydah (Nihal's daughter), Lucy, Jelen, and Osman


This is my friend Nihal. She was wearing normal clothes, but was about to do her namaz (prayers) in my foyer, so she slipped on this skirt over her jeans and a headscarf over her head. Lucy was watching her, and then imitating her. I did not know what to do. I didn't want to disrupt Nihal's prayers by snatching Lucy up from beside her (as they were kneeling prostrate on the floor together). So, I just let it go. Nihal has a little girl, hopefully she is used to this sort of thing!


We are about to start a week long holiday. It is the sacrifice holiday- when they slaughter the animals. I wrote about it here and here. So, Hopefully I can use that time to get caught up on my blog. I have lots of pictures and stories I want to tell you!

Got Bolts?

Today I found out a little too late that my seat on the bus was actually not attached to the bus. Made for an exciting ride!!

I'll post pictures and commentary from tea club this weekend. Just so you know, Crazy Head did not come. Sadness!

As for me... it's Thanksgiving. Year two of missed holidays. At least last year we were still running on adrenaline (or shock) from just moving here. This year... its a different story. I'm sad, I'm lonely, and I miss my family like crazy. I want to be home at my Mom's house more than ANYTHING right now. UGH! Why do far away places have to be so dang far away?

Absence makes the heart grow sad, really, really sad!

TEA CLUB TODAY!!!!

Noah asked if I was going down to visit the witch. And AGAIN I had to explain that she is a widow, not a witch!! A widow is someone whose husband has died and a witch is a creepy green lady who flies on a broom and does magic. SWEET MERCY! Thank Jesus that no one speaks English around here- they'd think we were real hateful people!!

Breaking News!!

I saw Duncan Hines cake mix at our biggest grocery store for the bargain price of 12 ytl!!!!! OUTRAGEOUS!!!

You Know you are in a Foreign Country When...

You are trying your best to order a Turkey from the butcher, but God only knows what you'll end up with on Wednesday when you call. And CALL!!! Ha HA! That's a laugh. How am I going to communicate with the butcher over the PHONE!! Lord, please help me! All I want is a real turkey to go with our Thanksgiving meal.

But, I digress (as usual)....

You know you are in a foreign country when your daughter asks you if she can go go look at the animals hanging from the ceiling (in the butcher shop) and then later on when you are trying your ever-lovin' best to order a dang turkey you look over and your children are brawling over whether the animal in the front butcher case is a dog or a goat. NEITHER!!!! It's a sheep... I think!

Çiğdem

My very poorest friend had her coal stove stolen a few weeks ago. They use them to heat their homes, and in the spring when it finally warms up, the women take the stoves outside and clean them thoroughly. Then they clean their homes like crazy (or even repaint the entire place if they can afford to) because the coal dust makes such a mess all winter long.

So, My friend took hers out, cleaned it, and chained it under the apartment stairs. One night the gypsies came through her neighborhood and stole everything in sight... including her stove. It is a tragedy because my friend is dirt poor. She can't even afford the coal to put in the stove. Usually she burns cardboard and scrap paper from work (she works in our office) and trash in her stove. She works three jobs because her husband refuses to work. He is abusive to her and her two boys, but she cannot divorce him because men have all the rights. He would automatically have custody of the boys, and no doubt make them quit school and work to support his lazy selfish ways. It is a terrible situation.

Slowly we have been reading the Bible with her and trying to make sure that she understands that the reason we act the way we do (loving, helpful, etc.) is because we are Christ followers, not because we are foreigners.

When I first met her, she was seriously trying to figure out a plan to kill her husband! She figured that even though she'd go to jail the boys would be in state custody and all three of them would be out from under the harsh reign of her husband. Now, things are getting better. She has grown in hope and faith. Her smile is genuine, and she is making the best of her situation. God is faithful and we are praying for a breakthrough in faith for her. Would you join us?

Exciting News

Tea club is going to be at my house this week, and you better believe that I am going to take pictures!! You have got to see my friends- including "Crazy Head!"

Callie has had ringworm for so long that we are going to make it our household pet and name it!

Oh the Places You'll Go...

Imagine my surprise and amusement when I found myself stuffed into a small car with five women and three babies. One of the women was about 673 years old, and I could swear that she is Yoda's twin (albeit slightly less green) sister. DELIGHTFUL!!

Rabbit trail alert!! Have I ever told you that the grammar structure of the language we are learning is backwards from English. Now that we are in the thick of language learning, sometimes our English gets a little "interesting!" This usually comes in the form of words we can only think of in the new language or English words in the new language's structure. So, we often end up speaking like Yoda. Get back I think on subject I will.

Anyhow, I think I have told you about my regular Tuesday afternoon date. I am part of a tea club. The same ladies get together each Tuesday afternoon for tea (and lots of food and talking). I am just getting to know some of these women, and I get quite confused when trying to figure out at who's house we will meet at and exactly where that house is.

Today it is rainy, YUCK. The motorists take much personal pleasure in trying to hit the puddles just as pedestrians are passing by. The kids and I totally got nailed on the way to school. FUN! But, I digress... Anyhow, it is rainy. My friend from downstairs said I could go with her to today's flat. I thought that they said it was just in the building next to ours. Lucy takes a nap in the afternoon, so I didn't put her raincoat on, I just had her all wrapped up in her blankie hoping she'd be asleep before we arrived at the lady's house. Imagine my surprise when I found myself standing next to the road, in the rain, waiting for a different friend to pick us up. Hmmm... where are we going?

After a few minutes and cell phone calls Arzu arrives. We pile in, and head up the street a little bit and stop again. That is when Yoda-ette was loaded into the car by her great grandsons. It was no small feat, as in the end, they just sort of picked her up and placed her in the car. Oh my, how I wanted to stroke those adorable little facial wrinkles. But, not exactly proper upon first meeting!! Believe you me, they were awesome- crinkle-ly goodness!

The boys got Granny loaded in and shut the door. Off Arzu goes! She turned up the music full blast- presumably so Yoda-ette can hear it and lays rubber. My favorite part of the short ride, besides the fact that I had no clue where we were going and how long we'd be there, was when Arzu hit a speed bump at full speed and Fatma, Osman, Lucy, Yoda-ette, and I hit the roof of the car. I would bet money that we made sparks on the street and possibly left our bumper there as well.

Once we got there, and it really wasn't very far, I guess they were just protecting us from the rain, I realized that today we'd be visiting with the weirdest member of our tea club. Oh good! I needed some excitement in my life today!! One of my friends called this lady "Crazy Head" (roughly translated) to her face. Well, that caught me off guard and I got to laughing so hard that I cried. This made everyone else laugh. In the end, we (Crazy head included) decided that maybe we'd call her broccoli instead because she has very curly puffy hair. OH. MY. WORD. This was the first time I have laughed that had since I've been here.

This may not quite be it, but it's the closest picture I could find on Google Images. I wish I could fully describe this woman to you. She bursts in and out of the room adding to the conversation. No one really understands her or knows what she is talking about. Her hair is huge and wild. She is hilarious. The best comparison I can make is that she is just like the grandmother character in the movie "There's Something About Mary." Needless to say, she adds much humor to our time together!

It was a good day!

FIRE!!

Fire shot out of my hair dryer yesterday while I was drying my hair. That was fun! I am old enough to remember when Michael Jackson's hair caught on fire while he was shooting the Pepsi commercial. Don't you worry there was not nearly as much drama involved in my little incident!!

This is the second small appliance that has caught on fire. The first was my mixer. Now, I think I have carpal tunnel from trying to mix stuff by hand. Oh, the difficulties of life! Good grief, I used to think that I was tough. NOPE!!

I want to know why the heck everything here breaks or catches on fire! What is the deal? I will be the first to tell you that I hate big government, but a few quality and safety regulations every now and again are beginning to sound like a good idea!!

Here is a list of other ideas that I would like to import from America...

1. Running potatoes through some sort of water before you sell them. I am quite sure that when I buy 1 kilo of potatoes 1/2 of that kilo is dirt. Potato brush nothing... I need a power washer!!

2. Crossing guards, pedestrian right of way, and stopping your automobile for people, especially women and children. I know this is a crazy concept! Who doesn't want to run over some one every now and again (OH... you don't... hmmm). I walk my kids about 2 miles to school each day. We, along with lots of other kids, have to cross 1 very busy road. You'd think they could pay someone to stand out there and help the kids get safely across. It would maybe cost 5 lira a day to hire a worker.

3. Not giving small children hard candy. The people here LOVE children. They are so adoring and kind. They always have candy to give. Now, I guess that a pocket full of chocolates would get a little melty (take it from me, I know about body heat- I'm a sweat-er), so perhaps a sticker or something would be appropriate. Lucy is two now, so we politely thank them for the candy, then I open it and bite off pieces and feed her. Its like a mother bird and her baby. Gross! The benefit is that if it is poisoned, I'll be the first to know! When she was younger, it was really fun because I would let her hold the candy (wrapped) in the person's presence and as soon as we got away, I'd have to take it from her. Can you say scream fest?

Wow... I'm getting into this!

4. Not littering. Women here keep their home immaculate. They clean every day and wash their windows and curtains about once a week!! But as soon as you walk out the door... UGH! People do not think twice about littering. I guess the bright side is that it gives really old city workers something to do. They walk around the city with brooms that are literally made from twigs tied together (think witch's broom) and a plastic container on a stick and sweep up. Unfortunately, they cannot keep up with the littering population. Maybe if people wouldn't litter those guys could be crossing guards!

5. Rating television, and putting things that are not appropriate for children on after certain hours. Mercy, I am afraid to let my kids turn on the tv and use the remote! You would be shocked what comes on during the daytime!!

6. This will never fly here, but eating pork. If only they could taste a sausage biscuit, oh sweet mercy, their taste buds would come alive!!! Hello, ham, it's me, Elizabeth. I miss you, and your friend sausage!!!

On a terrible side note concerning this matter.... I almost fed my friend some pork!!!! When the pastor from our old church in KY came through he brought some packaged bacon bits. I made beans and cornbread (yes... times are tough) the other night, and used some of the bacon bits to season the beans. Today, my friend was over, so I was pulling things out of the fridge for lunch. Callie was begging for the beans. I heated them up and was ready to serve them when I remembered what they contained. GASP!!! It would have been horrible. I am not sure I would have had the courage to tell her about my mistake!!! She absolutely would have gagged. Pork is so repulsive to them!! Thank you LORD for reminding about my secret ingredient!

That's all for now.

Facial Folicle Challenge '08

Overheard at dinner...

M: I sat next to the widow from downstairs on the bus today.
N: OH COOL!!! Did he do magic?!?!?!?!?
M: No, you are thinking about a wizard. I did not sit next to a wizard, I sat next to a widow. A widow is someone whose husband has died.

Liesel

Callie has changed Lucy's name to Liesel. (from Sound of Music)

Callie is Awesome

As promised here is a quick video of Callie doing her part in the Independence Celebration Program at school. Like I said, her class was the first to present, and she was the fist in her class. I know the video isn't great, and you can't really see her while she is speaking, but just know that the first little girl voice you hear is hers, and be really proud of her. I know I am!!!! The entire elementary and middle school, their parents, and lots of locals were there (think of who shows up for a 4th of July parade).




By the way... Noah's class didn't get to present their part because too few of the kids had learned it. So, the teacher would not let them go up front.

Independence

Here are the pictures from the Independence Day Celebration at Noah and Callie's school.


Noah with his class. He is standing next to his teacher. They line up in rows like this every day before school, stand at attention, and say the student's pledge.



Callie standing with her class, and her best friend from school, Dilara.



Students



Kids from Noah's class.



Callie's class during their presentation.



still Callie's class...



Callie and Dilara

Dear Lord,

Please don't let me forget tonight. The sight of my sweet Callie with her head sticking out the window of a taxi cab as the busy city lights wizzed by, and the sound of her singing Yes Lord, Yes Lord, Yes Yes Lord makes my heart melt. These are the days...

Love, Me

Beardy Man

Here's a random piece of information...

Last weekend Justin did not shave, and I loved the scruff so much that now I am forcing him to grow a beard. I LOVE it! We're a week into Follicle Challenge '08, and I must say, it is interesting. It is surprising what a face full of hair can do to change one's appearance! All through high school and college Justin had a goatee, but a real beard is a whole 'nother story. Maybe soon he'll look like" the Prophet" (as our friends would say)!

The weather has taken a beautiful and warm turn. It feels like late spring- all warm and sunny, but not hot. Hooray!!! Thank you Mother Nature, truce (for now)!!

The Fortress

A month ago the kids and I were out of school for 10 days for the holiday that follows Ramadan combined with our city's independence celebration. We checked the weather report for the prettiest day and headed out to this amazing fortress. We were joined by our friends and their three kids. Can I just tell you that this place was amazing! So old and peaceful. The views were stunning, and the neat feeling of adventure that comes when you visit a place with such an interesting story is captivating.

One of the things that I love about this city (and country) is the amazing history, historical sites, and ruins that are everywhere. I have never really been into history, but when you get to see and touch it first hand it comes alive. The stories feel so real, and I imagine myself in them, instead of forcing myself to plow through some boring textbook. So, anyway, here are my pictures from our adventure...

My upstairs neighbor must have a new job or something that requires her to be up and out very early in the morning. How do I know this, you ask. We have been awakened by her alarm clock at 5 am twice this week and by her blow dryer at 4 am once! Combine that with our downstairs neighbors, whose teenagers are playing music or fighting well into midnight, and it makes for one tired me! Oh well, I guess its our payback because we are really loud from 7:30 am until 8:30 pm. I guess its just a factor in apartment living.

I'm feeling terrible—I couldn't feel worse! 
      
Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember? 
   
When I told my story, you responded; 
      
train me well in your deep wisdom. 
   
Help me understand these things inside and out 
      
so I can ponder your miracle-wonders. 
   
My sad life's dilapidated, a falling-down barn; 
      
build me up again by your Word. 
   
Barricade the road that goes Nowhere; 
      
grace me with your clear revelation. 
   
I choose the true road to Somewhere, 
      
I post your road signs at every curve and corner. 
   
I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me; 
      
God, don't let me down! 
   
I'll run the course you lay out for me 
      
if you'll just show me how.

Psalm 119:25-32 (The Message)

Oh, thank God—he's so good! His love never runs out.
   All of you set free by God, tell the world!
      Tell how he freed you from oppression,
   Then rounded you up from all over the place,
      from the four winds, from the seven seas.

  Some of you wandered for years in the desert,
      looking but not finding a good place to live,
   Half-starved and parched with thirst,
      staggering and stumbling, on the brink of exhaustion.
   Then, in your desperate condition, you called out to God.
      He got you out in the nick of time;
   He put your feet on a wonderful road
      that took you straight to a good place to live.
   So thank God for his marvelous love,
      for his miracle mercy to the children he loves.

Psalm 107:1-8 (The Message)

Lucy's Actual Birthday

After Lucy woke up we told her that it was her birthday and she had presents in the family room. She shouted yee-haw and came running. I guess she understands!



Examining her presents.



Opening her doll from Grandma and Grandpa.



Lucy loves dolls and all things baby. She will only look at books that have babies in them, and if we see a baby out somewhere she runs over to it to stare and say "baby, baby."



Opening her present from Mom and Dad.



We gave her a baby in a carrier. Actually she picked it out at the toy store earlier and wouldn't put it down. So I bought it for her and when she went down for her nap I hid it. Out of sight, out of mind!!



Showing Daddy how to feed the baby.



Rocking the baby in her carrier.



Innocent face



Tongue face



As always, the box turns out to be the funnest thing.



Lucy's cake. It was sort of pitiful because I had to ice it using plastic bags with the corner snipped off.



At our friend's house, singing Happy Birthday. Her candles were a little crazy. The flame on them was huge!



Look at me! I'm two!



Licking the spatula.



Going back for more.