A List

SO much has happened in the past two and a half weeks! Our life has been like a whirlwind! A really great and fun whirlwind.

Here's a random list of thoughts...

1. I went to the bank the other day and didn't even know how to deposit a check anymore! I felt like an idiot.

2. My brother's wedding was BEAUTIFUL and so much fun! We danced, laughed, and saw so many family members and old friends. I have never had so much fun at a wedding!

3. I am shocked at how foreign yet how familiar things feel.

4. Dryers are AWESOME! I had forgotten how wonderful and quick they are. Oh sweet mercy... I want one!!

5. Making choices is too overwhelming. There are way too many choices- regular, large, low-sodium, low-fat, shredded, new and improved, classic, quick cup, individually wrapped, snack size, family size, bite size, with bacon, sensitive, preservative free, etc. The list could go on for days. Ugh... what to choose!

6. Driving is one of the best things on earth!! I can run several errands in the same trip. Justin and I can carry on a conversation. Our family can listen to music. The automobile... THE. AUTOMOBILE. IS. AWESOME!!! Thank you Henry Ford. We rented a minivan for the summer and I may not give it back!!

7. I feel like my brain has taken a vacation. I cannot figure out wether it is because I accidently went blonde (another story for another day- involving not quite enough beauty shop vocabulary and a sexy male hairdresser) or if its because I am overwhelmed. But the blank stare is my favorite look these days!

8. Dear dresses, I love you! It is so fun to wear cute little dresses again. (Hey Mom, Bet you NEVER thought you'd hear that statement from me, did ya?!)

9. Foods that I had forgotten about- Cool Ranch Doritos, Fruit Loops, sausage gravy, barbeque potato chips, Sun Chips, Blimpie, Dr. Pepper, Bubblelicious Bubble Gum, Slush Puppies, Sourdough Bread, Country Time pink lemonade, granola bars, blue cheese dressing, banana pudding, cool whip, red velvet cake, rice crispie treats, and grilled cheese. I cannot imagine how I forgot about them, because... YUM!!

10. It has been so amazing to spend time with friends and family again. My heart and soul are so full!!

11. I am afraid that my kids will think this is what life in America is always like and never want to leave. I am pretty sure they will remember this as one of the best summers of their lives.

12. I might, too!

What has happened to me?

Before we moved overseas I could hardly slow down to the speed limit. Now I can hardly reach the speed limit!

Why have I slowed down so much in three years of not driving?

America

We have been in America for almost two weeks. During our time here we have eaten more than our fair share of pork products, camped with my brother and his family, given my other brother away in marriage, been to a wedding shower, tried our best to spend every waking minute with our precious family and friends, celebrated Justin's and Noah's birthdays, sent the kids to Vacation Bible School, driven our rental van with complete joy, gone to the funeral of an amazing man, eaten too much, and been spoiled rotten.

So far, so good!!!

We have adjusted to the time difference- for the most part. I just woke up from a two hour nap. Lucy slept through my brother's wedding- she was supposed to be the flower girl! The kids sometimes wake up at 6 am and other days wake up at 9.

I am amazed at how my brain has clicked back into "American Elizabeth" mode. One day I dropped the kids off at Bible School and went back out to the parking lot and got into my rental car. Problem was it wasn't my car!! Before we moved I had a silver Honda Odyssey, and that's what I hopped into! We are driving a blue Chrysler minivan! My brain is a little mixed up to say the least!!

Not much has changed here, but it all feels different. I know that's because I am different. I am surprised to find how much of the middle eastern culture I have adopted without even realizing it!

Most of all I am just so happy to see our loved ones again. It is a blessing!!!

Pictures to come... someday!

Leavin' On a Jet Plane

We are getting the plane right now!

Packing My Bags

I am far too busy packing my stuff and preparing my house to be vacant for three months. For some reason I feel the need to wash everything we own- rugs, curtains, bedding, Oh my! You name it and I bet its hanging out to dry somewhere in my flat!

Lots to be done! But, I wanted to take a minute to say thank you for praying for us.

Justin not getting that job a few weeks ago was a big shock and disappointment. But we know that God is working in us and for us. We have no clue what our next step will be, but we are not afraid because we know He will be with us!

Our disappointment is far outweighed by our faith. We trust the Lord!

"This is the Message I've been set apart to proclaim as preacher, emissary, and teacher. It's also the cause of all this trouble I'm in. But I have no regrets. I couldn't be more sure of my ground—the One I've trusted in can take care of what he's trusted me to do right to the end."
2 TImothy 1:11-12

"Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen."
Ephesians 3:20-21

Snaggle Tooth

We have an official snaggle tooth!!



Callie's permanent front teeth have been slowly pushing her front baby teeth farther and farther apart.



They were getting more and more bucked, and sort of crazy looking!



Wiggle- wiggle!



Toothless smile!! Now she looks like my (toothless) neighbor downstairs whom I cannot understand a word she says!



The first tooth fell out while Callie was eating lunch just a few days ago, and today the other one fell out. Callie is not much of a tooth wiggler, so it takes a long time. And these suckers were hanging on for dear life!!!



JUST IN TIME FOR UNCLE PAUL'S WEDDING... AND ALL OF THOSE PICTURES!!

Sunday Sneak Peak

Here's a peek into our lives now that the weather is warm enough to play outside.


The kids play in the street here. When the cars come its "game off!" Once they have passed its "game on!"


When the spring finally comes, EVERYONE is outside enjoying the weather!



The boys play soccer eveyday.



Neighbors out walking, enjoying the beautiful weather. Hello, Mr. Sunshine, we thought you'd left us forever!!



Lucy and her friend Bushra. This little girl has been allowed to play outside (in the street) by herself since she was 2 years old!!



Noah and his friend Emre.



A lady from our neighborhood wearing the full black burka.



Emre's grandmother keeps an eye on him from her window.



Our local mosque.





Kids in America play outside until dark. Kids here play outside until the evening call to prayer.

1 Week

IN JUST ONE WEEK WE WILL LAND IN AMERICA!!!

It is so hard to know what to pack, what to leave, and how to prepare the house for being gone so long!





Callie and I are both wondering if this little bundle of cuteness will fit in a carry-on!! Should we bring her?

The Met has Nothing on Us!

Lucy's little preschool is just adorable. They LOVE her so much, and always do the cutest, sweetest crafts! Lucy loves going to school. Sometimes I think she loves her teacher more than me!!

They have been saving some of the best projects from the year for an end of the year art show. The entire school courtyard was filled, and I mean FILLED with some of the most adorable things you have ever seen! Justin was out of town, but the kids and I went. Lucy was so proud to show off her works of art!

Happy Wednesday, Yall

Do you need a lift this Wednesday?

Just look at this and it will brighten your day!!!

Scientific Research

I have worn many hats in my life, but never did I imagine that I would be a scientific researcher. Never say never!! I have used a very precise method to discover the cause of Tourette's Syndrome (the disorder that sometimes causes the afflicted person to holler out sounds, words, obscenities, etc.).

It is US!!!

Who knew?

Sometimes it starts innocently with a simple "Alo" instead of the standard greeting in the language here.

Older elementary children get brave and say, "Vat iz your name?"

From the particularly studious middle schoolers we get, "I m fine tanks!" when we don't even ask a question.

But it's the high schoolers who seem to be the most effected by the syndrome. From them we get a wide array of obscenities most always containing the "F" word.

UGH!

TWO WEEKS UNTIL WE ARE IN AMERICA!!!

Disappointment and God

A month ago God answered our prayers and dropped a job in Justin's lap. A job that was everything we were looking for, and more. We were excited and so thankful to the Lord for His provision. We prayed a lot about the position and proceeded.

We met with our team leaders and each team member to discuss the job, its pros and cons, and how it effected our status on the team. Through the process, the Lord really refined our calling and assured us that this country is exactly where He wants us. However, a different work/identity situation would be better for Justin. Since our team also runs a business, we felt called to leave our team.

To be honest, it was gut-wrenching, but kind of exciting because this new job was so attractive. We worked together as a team to ensure a departure that was unified and God-honoring.

However, just this week, Justin learned that he did not get the job. The CEO- a lovely believer- was totally shocked and disappointed, as were we, to learn that the board of directors had decided to expand the search. The suspicion is that the board knows of the CEO's desire to use this particular position to help "workers" like ourselves and is trying to thwart that effort. So the board wants to open the search to local candidates and at a minimum it will take 6 months. So the CEO advised Justin to look elsewhere.

We are disappointed. SO disappointed. It felt like this is what God had for us, and we were excited. Now, we are without a job, without an identity (i.e. reason to be in the country), and without a team. But we are choosing to trust God.

He doesn't promise to protect us from disappointments and hardships, but He does promise to walk with us and even carry us through them. We MUST choose to rely on Him now. He was good when an awesome job was at our fingertips, and He is good now that its gone!

God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, he orchestrates the rising and setting of the sun, He numbers the hairs on our heads. Surely He has this covered!

I know that God is far more interested in processes than positions. It is obvious to us that through this process God is going to work. He is taking us on a journey. The funny thing about decisions is that God doesn't force them He uses circumstances and process to mold and shape us. We feel like He is calling out to something new and different and using this process to refine us and grow us.

I will be honest. It hurts! But again, I am choosing to trust Him. He has never left me and has always, ALWAYS, provided faithfully for me. Usually with things better than I had even imagined.

So, if the God of the universe wants to take us on a journey, then we will go. Once again, we will step off the cliff with our eyes fixed on Him.

We know that He can drop the right job in our laps at any second, and there's a reason that this job was not it. He knows us, He created us, and His best is what we will wait for. Even when it is so very hard!



"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
Matthew 6:34

Furlough Count Down

Only three weeks until we are in America!!

Horray!!

...and yikes!!

So much to do, so little time!

Sum- Sum- Summer Time

Summer has hit this city over night. Sweet mercy it smells like sweat, fish, bus fumes, and cigarettes. And I know its not just me!!

At night you need a shower just to wash the city off.

Time to break out the skirts and hope for the best in the sweating department!!