Al-Jazeera Weatherboy

One of our primary news sources here is Al-Jazeera. Despite what you may have heard, it's not so bad. For the first time, the other day I saw this. (Please excuse the terrible picture from my piece of junk phone.)

Invitation

Some days I walk to and from dropping the kids off at school with one of my new neighbors. She has also just moved to the area. A few weeks ago she invited me to join a group of ladies who read the Koran together at her house on Friday afternoons. Because of my class schedule, I could not join.

Just the other day she told me she had a dream about me. In it, I was teaching the group about the Koran. I was shocked and excited to hear this. One of the primary ways that the Lord reaches people in this part of the world is through dreams and visions. I am praying that this dream would come to fruition. That I could teach them the truth of God.

Please join me in praying for this woman and her network. Pray that Jesus would continue to speak to them in their dreams and draw them to Him! Also, pray for me to be open and willing to speak for Him.

Sunday Sneak Peak

What we look like these days...

Super Woman

It's not even 9:30. My house is clean, all of my curtains are washed and re-hung, the laundry is caught up, my to-do list is almost finished (notice that "post on blog" was on the to-do list), all 3 kids are in bed, there are enough left-overs in the fridge so I won't have to cook for 2 days, my inbox is empty, the bills are paid, my address labels are updated, I taught Lucy how to put her own laundry away Callie to vacuum and Noah to sweep the kitchen, there is grocery money in the bank, I am in my pjs, my sweet husband downloaded 2 new episodes of 30 Rock, a shot of Diet Coke and a chocolate bar are waiting for me... is this heaven?

Free to a Good Home

Adorable, fun-loving, adventurous, healthy, house- broken golden haired three year old is in need of a good and loving home. Shots are up to date. Speaks two languages. She goes by the name of "Lucy" but it is probably not too late to change it to a name of your preference.

In interest of full disclosure (and because NO RETURNS are accepted) a bit of information must be shared.

"Lucy" likes to shout out things of interest to her. For instance, on the minibus the other day we were sitting right next to one of the very religious Muslim men with the long beard, beanie cap, baggy pants, etc. She pointed at him, her finger not 3 inches from his face, and began asking all about his "big beard". Yesterday on the minibus, she was standing next to a seated lady. She began saying "this lady stinks, this lady stinks!" Often times while walking to school she suddenly transforms into a dog or tiger and has to crawl on all fours. When people try to squeeze her cheeks (quite often) she hits away their hand, sticks out her tongue, and says "I not love you!" She got her lovely little face as close as possible (we don't wear seat belts here) to our taxi driver last night and began examining his head and hair- or lack thereof. Then the questions about his baldness began to flow and at one point she touched his head!

Free to a good home. Supplies included.

I'm Back

Ok... so my mom teased me that I said I was going to start a new thing (Sunday Sneak Peak), started it, and then haven't written a word since! Too True! Sorry. I let school, and kids, and life get in the way between you and me. I won't do it again (this is not a promise!!), ok? Please forgive me. I'm trying to get back int he writing groove!

Sunday Sneak Peak

I am starting a new thing where on SUndays I put up a picture of some interesting part of my life. So if you have questions or want to see something in particular, let me know!!



Today's picture is of one of my best friends with her mother-in-law. She was the first person I met here. When we were walking around looking for a place to live she called down to us from her balcony and told us about the apartment across from her. It was locked so she had us come in and look at hers to get a feel for what it looked like. Her name is Dilek and she totally took care of me early on. She would show up at my door, say come on, and take me to visit friends. I jokingly called her my agent because she introduced me to so many people and watched out for me so much. She was not scared of the fact that I didn't speak the language. She was truly a God-send. Her friendship has been such a blessing!!

We decorated for Christmas today. It took 15 minutes!!! No kidding!

My Latest Email

Hey Guys!

I cannot tell you thank you enough for the cute card and chocolate!!! It came yesterday. Can I just tell you that NEVER in my life have I tasted anything as wonderful as those Butterfingers!!! I forgot what I was missing. Good thing I guess!!!

But now there is no turning back! I made a pact with myself and God that this summer while we are in the States that I will eat a king size Butterfinger EVERY DAY in hopes of being burned out on them by the time we return. I swear, never have I tasted anything so good. Sweet mercy! You are my Santa Claus!!!

The kids can have their fill of the Reese's Peanut Butter cups. They are dead to me now that I have tasted the heaven that is known by the name Butterfinger!

YUM!

Dare I say it again?


YUM!!!

Love,
Elizabeth

Gün

My neighbors are finally making efforts to get to know each other and me. I am so happy!! Most of them have lived in this building for about 10 months. So, they've had time to settle themselves in, and now they are looking to make friends.

We have started a gün every other Monday. Ladies get together in the afternoons, rotating whose flat we meet at. Everyone brings 50 lira and gives it to the host. It is the way women here save up money. Since none of them work, they can skim a bit from the budget to pay into the kitty every other week. When it is their turn to host they get 550 lira! They either use that money to buy something big (appliance, mattress, etc.) or a piece of gold.

Also, it seems like a gün is your chance to show off your cooking. The women make so much food!!! So we just sit around talking, eating, and drinking tea for 3 hours! It is so fun. 12 women in one room! Whew!

PLEASE!!!!

Lucy: (yelling) This food tastes terrible!!!

Me: Lucy, please don't speak to me that way!

Lucy: (still yelling) This food tastes terrible, please!!!

The Best Part of Christmas

The best thing about Christmas for us is that we get to choose our own traditions. For everyone else here, it is just a normal day. But we keep the kids out of school, I skip school, we lock our door, and we hide from the world. We stay warm in our jammies, open gifts sent from America, eat yummy food, enjoy each other, and celebrate Jesus. It is extra fun because it feels like we are playing hookey.

I am so looking forward to Christmas this year. This weekend we will pull out our little "Charlie Brown" Christmas tree and put out a few decorations. The kids are so excited. It really is so fun to experience Christmas with them.

School

The next course that I need at my language school has opened up. So it looks like December is going to be a busy month!!! My classes start on Wednesday. At least we know what to expect this time.

Christmas Quiz

What family traditions do you have for Christmas?

If you could do anything for Christmas what would it be?

What is the best gift you ever received for Christmas?

What is your favorite Christmas song?

What is your favorite Christmas memory?

What is on your Christmas list?

Thankful

Today I am feeling thankful.

I have a lovely and safe flat to live in. My family and I are healthy. My husband loves our children and me. My kids are wonderful little bundles of personality and weirdness (in all the good ways). We have so many people that love, support, and encourage us. We have a Savior who numbers the hairs on our heads. He hears our every word and walks with us in this journey.

Life is good!