30October2009 Rain in the Desert

We packed a lot of things when we moved. Household goods, clothes for the different season (I believe there are 2 here, cold and hot), toys, books, etc. We did not, however, think we would be needing an umbrella. The last couple days proved us wrong.
Yesterday we were visiting S & Z's school (they had a fall festival of all things) and several of the activities were outside. Within a couple minutes the sky went from sunny to cloud-filled and the next thing you know it was pouring. It was interesting to watch the reaction of the locals. One lady shrieked (yes, "shrieked"), "Oh, look it's raining." Others looked up and were pointing at the sky, smiling and laughing. The reaction reminded us of the folks in NC when it snows (minus the pillaging of milk and bread at Harris Teeter). It was basically youthful exuberance.
Today it has rained off and on all day. We were told that more precipitation fell in 2 days than all of last year's rain season. We're grateful but wish we would have brought umbrellas!
12bf

From the mouth of kids: While staring out the window yesterday, watching it rain, Z said, "Cars splashing puddles, the call to prayer....this is the life!"

28October2009 We miss....

After 3 weeks it must be pretty common to miss some things that you enjoy. We thought it would be interesting, and possibly a little therapeutic to list some of them. Here are a couple:
A misses riding around in his car seat, biscuits and his backyard.
M misses Nick Jr (TV shows), her toy kitchen and blow pops.
Z misses Taco Bell, sausage and Walmart
J misses Bojangles, Upstreet, liverpudding and Toys-R-Us
D misses microwave ovens, bagels, the Dog House & Biscuit Factory and her minivan
P misses the Office, pumpkin muffins, Home Depot/Lowes, Hunting Season and fall colors.
More than any of this stuff, we miss our friends and family. Skyping, Facebook and emails help but there ain’t nothing like the real thing. We hope you’re not taking it for granted!
12BF

23October2009 Quick Shot: Cityscape

Just one of the areas of our beautiful city. There are a lot of people here.

20October2009 Gibberish?

So we started our language classes this week. The kids are making good progress. The adults.....not so much. Arabic is a beautiful especially when written in script. When you're trying to read road signs in a taxi at 105 kph it's not quite so lovely.
With God's grace we will pick it up quickly and be able to communicate at least on a minimal level.
The other night P was visiting in the home of some precious refugees. He could understand them a bit and they could make out some of the things he was saying (and they were so very gracious about it) but it broke his heart not to be able to share more fluently. With time, Inshallah (God willing) it will come. The One who confused languages at Babel can certainly expedite matters if He desires! :)

One quick prayer request. While we were in training all the kids had kids their own ages to play with. M had a couple little girls that she went to school with, played on the playground with and simply adored. In our new city she has siblings and older friends but no one her own age to buddy around with yet. We would really appreciate it if you, on her behalf, would lift this matter to the Father.

18October2009 Three Candles

"That little girl is gonna change you!" Oh, if we only had a nickle for every time someone said that to us when they found out we were expecting a girl. Of course we knew they were wrong. We were seasoned professionals after all. We'd been to the delivery room twice already and had survived more than four years with two preschoolers. Surely another baby even a baby girl wouldn't be much different.
We were right...well sort of. The diapers and the feedings and the late nights were the same but there was something different about having a little girl. Particularly for her father. Sure there was lots of pink and a much higher pitch to her crying but it was and is something else. It's more internal, more of a heart matter. When that little girl snuggles up next to you and whispers she loves you (or even something more trivial like she wants a snack) it's special. So those folks, the ones we blew off when they predicted the change, those folks were right. And we are grateful for the difference. Happy birthday baby girl. Three years has gone all too quickly!

15October2009 Quick Shot: Honor Students

S and Z waiting for the bus on S's first and Z's second day of school.

12October First Couple Days (D's Perspective)

We are so surprised at how well our travel went. It was a loooong trip but we were blessed by a couple things:
1. The first airline agent we encountered was a gem. Her daughter was born on the same day, in the same hospital within several hours of our little one, A. She went out of her way to make sure we were taken care of.
2. The kids did great. The bigger two liked having their own seat, being in charge of the remote control for their tv and not to mention being on an airplane (the coolness did not wear off). While the smaller two enjoyed the snacks, apple juice and.....the snacks.
Since we've been here things have gone well. Our sleep schedules are still off but we're getting a lot done like setting up the home, learning about our city, getting our minds wrapped around responsibilities, etc.
On our second full day here were visited the older two's school. It is great! Z started this morning and came home talking about how he absolutely loved it. S had a bit of a stomach bug and will start in the morning. He cannot wait.
M and A have been my constant shadow. They like their new apartment and are were really glad to see their old toys that have been packed away. M is asking when her school starts. Uh-oh, she doesn't begin until next year. Both are happy and have already been a big hit with some of our new neighbors.
Thanks for your prayers. It has been so evident that our friends are lifting us up.
We love you!
12bf

11October 2009 Prodigal Bags Update

We slaughtered the fattened calf and will be throwing a big party!!! The four bags that once were lost are now found and are sitting in our apartment. Now if we could just find the energy to unpack them!

09October2009 First Morning (P's Perspective)

I imagined we’d wake up to the call to prayer this morning. Instead it was the gas truck beckoning our neighbors to purchase cooking fuel. Rather than going to a hardware store to exchange propane tanks as is the custom in the US, people in our city (and throughout the ME) buy theirs from these mobile vendors roaming up and down the streets playing very loud music akin to the ice cream man in the states.
Funny, neither D or the kids heard it. Nor did they hear the group of kids playing outside the window or the cotton candy, toy seller playing his flute to attract his young cliental. Twenty- six hours of travel had knocked them out. Regardless of the fact that my watch said it was well after noon, they were in deep sleep.
I walked around the apartment, trying to find the water cooler (more on this later) but kept going into the wrong room. My equilibrium must still be in the states.
After doing some stretches and a little yoga and drinking some water my wind was a bit clearer so I decided to attack the mountain of luggage resting in the middle of our living room. Out of the 13 bags, 6 carryons, 6 backpacks, diaper bag, stroller and car seat only four bags were no shows. Hopefully they will arrive within a couple days.
Around 12:30 I heard the call to prayer. I walked to the window and listened to the beautifully sad voice urging the faithful to worship. It was a great reminder that I needed some time focused on God today too. May those who seek Him find His true peace.

6October2009 Anchors Away...Or Something Like That

In about 12 hours we should be loaded into vehicles and headed to the airport. The kids are asleep, D is repacking a couple bags and tying up some loose ends and I came in to jot a couple quick notes (and to get away from Mt. Samsonite).
Today was tough. It seems everywhere we went and every person we ran into evoked another set of memories. Tomorrow may be just as difficult with more "see you laters". I guess that's just part of this process.
See you on the other side,
12BF

A couple "through the eyes (mouth) of a child" moments:
1. When hugging one of his uncles Z blurted out, "I sure hope I remember you."
2. After some last minute visits S weepingly whispered, "I just want one more hug from everybody."

5October2009 Merry Christmas

Because we'll be gone during the holidays Grandma decided to have the family over for an early Christmas. No presents but plenty of food, tree decorating and even White Christmas showing on TV. Maybe it's a bit silly but what a great principle. We should Celebrate Christmas more often!
12BF

2October2009 Kham-sah

We have just five (kham-sah in Arabic) more days in the US. Our schedule has been crazy but we have been blessed with some great visits with friends, including time at the Journey, and have accomplished so much.
Here are some things we could use prayer for:
1. Travel Mercies - Our flights are 1 hour, 9 hours and 4 hours. Layovers vary from 2 to four hours. It looks like we will have 12 suitcases, 6 carry-ons, 4-5 backpacks, a stroller and a car seat. We need ticketing agents and baggage handlers that are full of GRACE and PATIENCE.
2. Last Minute Details - There are still some things from legal documents to shopping to visiting friends and family that must be done. If time could move a little bit slower the next few days that would be wonderful!
3. Transition into New Community - Particularly the kids starting school a week from Monday and quick language acquisition for everyone.
4. Relationships - We can't wait to build new friendships but we need also want to make sure our marriage and family stays strong. If we're still on speaking terms after our flights we should be in good shape. :)
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
12BF

PS Our October newsletter, Footprints, will be coming from across the pond. If you would like to receive it send us an email (click on the stamp in the right column).