Lucy's Birthday Post #1

Some people don't really celebrate birthdays or make much of a big deal about them.  We are not one of those families!! We have a few birthday family traditions, and we like to try to make as big of a deal about it as possible.

We start with the birthday person's favorite breakfast.  This year Lucy chose poğaça.  They are like little biscuits filled with cheese.  She LOVES them!

We buy them from our local bakery, so Justin had to head down there to buy fresh ones.  Lucy could not wait to open her presents.  She was too excited.  So presents came before breakfast.

Opening her present from Mom and Dad

We got her some little Fur Real Friends.  This one is a small little dog.  Lucy LOVES animals.

Gamma and PawPaw got her a little horse that has its own carry purse. 

Lucy is very lady-like and dignified!

New pajamas

Polly Pocket Camper.  All summer while we were in the States she saw the commercial for this toy on tv and asked for it constantly.  I guess advertising works! 

The camper was a hit!

Posing with her new Polly Pocket and horsey pjs.

Horsey came to eat breakfast with us.

Lighting the sparklers.

The Birthday Girl with her birthday poğaça and sparklers.

Noah and Callie were to sweet to help Lucy break in her new toys!

Remote controlled My Little Pony airplane.

She loved it!

This is the playground for the little animals we got her.

All the toys got their chance to fly in Pony's airplane!

Another tradition that my Mom accidentally started last year is decorating their own cake.  Last year when Mom came to visit she brought a Funfetti cake and frosting with sprinkles.  She also sent one in the package for Callie's birthday.  Thank goodness she remembered to send it for Lucy because she was expecting it, and I had forgotten!!  I made the cake the night before, and then Lucy put the sprinkles on all by herself.  She was so proud of the cake she made for her birthday!

She was concentrating so hard.

Just a little taste!

Pressing them in nice and pretty!

So proud of the final product!

The rest of the morning we played with all of the fun new toys.  She took a short time-out to watch half of her new My Little Pony video from Aunt Melissa and Uncle Paul sent.

I will post the pictures (*** warning*** LOTS of pictures) from her school party tomorrow.

Lucy Patricia

Lucy- 3 months old

Lucy- 1 year old

Lucy- 2 Years old

Lucy- 3 Years old

Lucy- 4 years old

We're Back

We returned home from the conference last night.  It was a really good time.  We learned a lot and got to spend time with like-minded people.

The kids had a good time.  They are so good at making fast friendships with other kids.  There were not many other young kids there but there were a few, and just the right ages!

We rode down on the bus.  I have been skeptical all these years of the public coach buses even though I heard they were really nice.  I could only imagine Greyhound.  Boy, was I wrong!!!  It was really nice.  Each seat had a screen in front of it and you could choose from all sorts of movies, television shows, games, or music.  They have a steward that offers constant drink and snack service.  Our bus was clean and comfortable.  We were all pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed the bus.

The hotel was not what we had expected.  They usually are not in this country!!!  But I had double checked on their web-site and there was a pool.  The kids were so excited to get to swim.  Once we arrived we ate a quick lunch and then went to check out the pool.  Um... it was nice, but it cost 15 lira per person per day.  I was so mad.  The kids were devastated!

After a while of considering it we decided that we'd just take the hit and pay the money to swim.  We were all looking so forward to it.  I, in protest, did not pay the price to swim.  To be honest, I was just still so mad.  Who ever heard of a hotel charging its guests extra to swim?!?  Apparently here its not all that uncommon.  But still, I can't handle such craziness.

We rode back with some friends who were headed this way and had extra room in their car for us.  That was fun, too!

Today, Justin is at the immigration department with Noah and Callie trying to get their visas.  You have to make an appointment now, which is much better than when we first started doing this a few years back.  You used to stand in line for hours, packed body to body while pushing ever so slightly.  Now once your set of numbers is called you get to join the line.  Its not quite so tightly packed and the pushing is not constant.

We usually try our best to get the first appointment in the morning, but now they make appointments for students in the afternoon.  Noah and Callie's appointments were for 2:00.  I got a text from Justin at 2:15 that said they are three hours behind and the number system is out of order!!

You can bet he is going to have a headache when he gets home tonight!!!

In other news... tomorrow Lucy turns 4!!  She is so excited!

Sunday Sneak Peak

Goin' Out of Town

We are headed to a city just a few hours southeast of here today.  We are attending a conference about how to be culturally contextual while staying spiritually strong.

Can't wait!

On a not so spiritual note... the hotel has a pool!  Belly flop!!!

All you Need is LOVE

I have just finished reading the third book in a row that speaks about the power of love.  Each one came to me from a different source and they are very different.  I am not so dense as to think it is a coincidence!  


I have come to the conclusion that the way that Jesus dealt with people was out of pure love.  He didn't manipulate.  He didn't serve himself.  He wasn't lazy.


Jesus looked to the heart of the matter and spoke truth in love.  That's why the Pharisees couldn't trap Him.  They couldn't force Him to react to a particular situation, person, or accusation.  Jesus didn't react; He lived a life of pre-emptive love.


I am slowly getting that.  


I know that the only reason that I am here is because the Holy Spirit within me gave me a heart for these people.  There is absolutely nothing- NO THING- in me that would want my life to be like this.  Yet, here I am.  And my heart feels at home here.  The Lord loves my neighbor who lies too much as much as He loves me or even Billy Graham!  His Father's heart is for my  neighbor to know it- to finally experience true Love for the first time.  


I pray that my heart is becoming more and more like His heart.  Full of love.  I want to be slow to speak, slow to anger, and quick to LOVE!


I wanted to recommend the books that I have read recently:


Same Kind of Different as Me:  This book is a really interesting story about how people can change each other's lives.  I was really touched by the true friendship that resulted in the end.  (Hopefully that's not a spoiler!)  The thing is, that early on the friendship took lots of work.  It is hard to love someone who is so different than yourself.  I feel like I am living that out right now.  To take the time and love to listen and understand someone else.  The results can be amazing and life giving!!  Read this book!!


Tea with Hezbollah: The title caught my eye because of where we live.  I thought Justin would enjoy it, but I am not so much into politics, so I figured I probably would not end up reading it.  Justin read it really fast and loved it.  He promised me that it's not at all about politics and all about the Parable of the Good Samaritan.  So I began to read it.  Amazing!!  These guys literally sit with some of the scariest people you can imagine and simply ask "get to know you" style questions.  One of the premises is that when you know someone it is harder to dislike them.  They did an amazing job of steering clear of politics in the world's political hotbed.  The humble approach they take to sitting and drinking tea with powerful men, all the while asking insightful and interesting questions blew me away.  The heart of the novel really is the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Since Muslims believe in Jesus, they often asked the interviewee what they thought of His greatest commandment- "to love your neighbor as yourself."  The answers are surprising.  Read this book!!


The Imam's Daughter:  I read this in one day.  It is a heartbreaking true story of what life is like for so many women today.  I felt like a few of my friends here could have written this book- at least the first part.  (I am still praying for the happy ending for them!)  It gave me a lot of insight into why things have gone so wrong for these people and how love is more appealing than ever.  Not just appealing, but in my opinion, the only way that Muslims will see the truth of Christ.  I think you should read this book so that you know how to pray for my friends here and how to pray against the spread of ignorance in Islam.




That old hymn, "They will Know we are Christians by our Love" could not be more true.  Unfortunately, Christians are among the most unloving people these days.  It seems to me that the only way to share about Jesus in this world today is to love others more than ourselves.  


True love is one of the most attractive things in the world.  Everyone, EVERY ONE, desires to be loved.  Only the Lord is offering true love that will never fail.


My hope is that the love that He has filled me with will seep out to those around me.  For me that means going over to visit my neighbor even though they smoke and it makes my head hurt.  It means calling my friend in America even though I'll be on the phone for hours.  It means visiting the sick.  It means actually listening to Justin talk through his stressful day even if I need to talk, too.  It means giving a lira to the little boy begging even if I am convinced that his mother is using him to profit.  It means praying for people when I say I will.  It means getting off this computer and playing Memory with the kids.  It means being thankful for what we have and not looking at what we don't.  It means listening to what other people say when they speak instead of thinking about what I am going to say or something else entirely.   It means taking the time to follow-up with people.  It means dropping a card in the mail to someone.  It means choosing to serve my family with joy.  It means using kind words.  It means making a meal for someone in need.  It means having the discipline to study a difficult language so I can speak with people heart to heat.  It means having the boldness and faith to pray for people right then and there.  It means dying to myself.  It usually means doing the exact opposite of my first inclination because that's of my flesh and truly loving others has nothing to do with flesh!


Love my neighbor as myself.

***************

1 Corinthians 13

The Way of Love

 ¹ If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don't love, I'm nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. ²If I speak God's Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, "Jump," and it jumps, but I don't love, I'm nothing. ^3-7If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don't love, I've gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love.

   Love never gives up.
   Love cares more for others than for self.
   Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
   Love doesn't strut,
   Doesn't have a swelled head,
   Doesn't force itself on others,
   Isn't always "me first,"
   Doesn't fly off the handle,
   Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
   Doesn't revel when others grovel,
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
   Puts up with anything,
   Trusts God always,
   Always looks for the best,
   Never looks back,
   But keeps going to the end. ^8-10Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
 ¹¹When I was an infant at my mother's breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.
 ¹²We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
 ¹³But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

**************

Just then a religion scholar stood up with a question to test Jesus. "Teacher, what do I need to do to get eternal life?"

He answered, "What's written in God's Law? How do you interpret it?"

He said, "That you love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and muscle and intelligence—and that you love your neighbor as well as you do yourself."

"Good answer!" said Jesus. "Do it and you'll live."

Looking for a loophole, he asked, "And just how would you define 'neighbor'?"

Jesus answered by telling a story. "There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

"A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man's condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, 'Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I'll pay you on my way back.'

"What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?"

"The one who treated him kindly," the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, "Go and do the same."

Luke 10:25-37

Games

Next Tuesday is Lucy's birthday.  I asked her pre-school teacher if I could come and lead the class in some common American party games.  (One year I had a birthday party here for Callie and instead of making the kids run around wild while the women stuff their faces I led the girls in some games.  They loved it!)

Now, I'm nervous about my bold act of volunteerism.  I know I am going to do pin the tail on the donkey.  That was a major hit at Callie's party a few years ago.  But, I want to do at least 3 games.

So, can you help me with some sure-fire party games for 4 year olds?  They MUST be easy to explain!!!  Any help would be appreciated and may help decrease the amount of nervous sweat that will be pouring off my face!

Done it Again

Well, I've gone and done it again, haven't I?

I was on a roll posting frequently and then BAM!  I got off track!  Now almost a week has gone by and I've written nothing.

Sorry!!

I'm back on the ball now!

When Pigs Fly: A News Update

Check the sky because today the pigs are flying!!!  And I am a happy girl.

Today started like any other day.  But then about 9:30 the washing machine repair guys called and arranged to bring my machine back.

After I regained consciousness from the shock I knew today was going to be a good  GREAT day.

The guys brought my beloved machine back all cleaned up and fixed.  They even replaced a broken knob that I had super glued back on the thing- no charge!

For the knob not the newly replaced electrical system.  That cost big bucks!

When the machine broke I considered that God was giving me a sign that I should run out and buy a new washing machine.  And as long as I had made the trip to the store I should celebrate the fact that dryers are finally coming into the country by buying one of those, too.  A fantastic plan, no?  He assured me that this was not the case.  So did Justin.

I will survive.  But after doing laundry all evening, there is not a spare nook or cranny of the flat that does not have some sort of wet fabric hanging from it!  My racks can't hold it all!

In other great news, I spent the afternoon eating cheesecake.

HELLO!!

We don't really have that here.  But, there is one little shop in the most lovely little village nearby that is owned by a foreign lady.  She sells some of our products, so my friend asked my to ride along with her to check the stock.

What kind of friend would I be to allow her to ride alone, or eat cheesecake alone, for that matter?  Mine was chocolate.  It was divine!

The final straw to the loveliness of today was as I was cooking dinner the school shirt store called.  They got the shirts in that I needed.

Can I get an Amen and a Hallelujah?

I fainted again!  Oh, the shock is to great for my weak ticker!!!

My neighbor and I went up there and got the shirts.  They are in my house right now!!

In total I went up to that store no less than 6 times.  The last few they would laugh when I walked in.  That's why they finally had mercy on me and took my number down.  Tonight the call came!  I felt like Ed McMahon was at my door handing me a big 'ole check!!

It was a great day.  Great indeed!!!

So, check you local forecast.  Look to the sky.  Pigs are flying somewhere right now!!!


****Shocking Update*****
(that may be an exaggeration)

Justin's shoes were stolen the same night mine were!!  We just didn't notice as quickly.  I talked to my neighbor today.  Shoes were stolen from her building, too!

I thought that all the shoes they sell in the bazar looked used.  Now I know they are!!  I cannot stop myself from staring at everyone's feet as they pass.  Who knows how I'll react when I see someone walk by with mine on!!

Good Conversation

This morning's conversation with Lucy:

Me: Did you have enough for breakfast?

Lucy: I did not eat Some Jellibons (our version of gummy bears).

Me: Ok.

Lucy: Do not look in the trash can.

Me: Why don't you want me to look in the trash?

Lucy: Absolutely do not look in there.  There's nothing in the trash can.

Me: It seems like you don't want me to look in the trash can.  Is there an empty Jellibon wrapper in there?

Lucy: What?

Me: Did you eat Jellibons this morning?

Lucy: I'm not sure.  Do you want to play ponies?

She's not as innocent as she looks!!

Who Stole my Shoes?

If you know me well, you know that although I try very hard to act laid back, I am not!  I am very intentional and methodical.  I love details, and I want things done right the first time.  Lovely, right?  I bet Justin would disagree.  Life with me can be very hard!

That little preface is important background information for what I am about to tell you.


MY SHOES WERE STOLEN!!!

In most Middle Eastern cultures homes are kept absolutely spotless.  Since everyone walks everywhere through who knows what nastiness on the streets, shoes are ALWAYS removed at the door.  They are never worn inside.

So we have a cute little shoe shelf right outside our door.  Last night when the kids and I came up to to our flat from playing outside I removed my shoes and put them on the shelf just like always.  (Read first paragraph about being methodical!)

Yet when we were trying to leave today to walk to school they were gone!!  We searched the house and the building stairs (seven flights) to see if they'd been misplaced or dropped down.

NO SHOES!!!

But I already knew that.  I NEVER lose anything because I am so methodical about putting things away.

Who on earth would have taken my shoes?!  Certainly they are awesome, but come on!


In other news, our washing machine is broken.  The guys came today to look at it and had to take it away and (I think) replace the electrical system.  When I asked them how long it would be gone they said, "a little while."

Um... 2 days or 2 weeks?  What's a little while?

They promised me no more than 4 days!!

Remember this (still) ongoing battle?

I should have kissed that washing machine bye while they were carrying it out the door because chances are that I will never see it again!

I guess a washing machine AND tennis shoes are on my Christmas list and its not even October yet!

First Day of School

The first day of school was last Monday.  Ironically, my kids' first week of school was my niece and nephew's fall break from school!  Anyhow, it went ok.  It is so hard to get back into the routine.  But I was so relieved when both Noah and Callie came running out at the end of the day with huge smiles talking about how great this year is going to be!

They are both so smart and do really well in school.  I cannot say enough how very proud of them I am.  They read and write two languages as well as speak the local language so perfectly that (without looking at them) you wouldn't think they were foreign.  They make very good grades, adapt well to new situations, and make friends quickly.  They are really doing such a great job at thriving here.  It makes my heart burst with joy and pride!

Here's their annual first day of school picture:

First Day of School 2010

Callie was mad about something so this is the best I could get!



P.S.- Happy Birthday to my dear sweet friend, Ramona!!  You are such a blessings to us!  Hope that your day is great!

Sunday Sneak Peak

Oh yes ma'am I did get to spend the afternoon taking pictures like this!  Sweet mercy the cuteness made my womb scream!  I tried to put the little(er) one in my purse, but their parents were watching me too closely.  Next time I'll get one!!

12 Drummers Drumming

Someone very important or someone who likes to party on my block must be getting married because they have been banging the drums and dancing in the streets for two days!  I want to dress up like a man and go up there and spy on them.  All I can see when I hang my head out our window is a tiny snippet of the man dancing.  It looks so fun.  And I know that the women must be somewhere (hopefully) having fun, too!

These aren't the best pictures in the world but maybe if you look closely you can get an idea of what they are doing.  The blurs in the middle are the men dancing.  It is so fun to watch!

TMI

My stomach is still having a really hard time re-adjusting from my summer diet of pork, Cheetos, and Dr. Pepper to my regular diet of tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and rice.