Wow. I can't believe it has been a year since my last blog post. Nothing too exciting was happening though so y'all didn't miss out on much. School started...Christmas was awesome...I got a job at a health food store...became a vegetarian...finished my first year of college...and of course couldn't go too long without getting out of the U.S. so I went to Paris, France.
My school (CBU) is very big on missions and carrying out the great commission and so each year they said out heaps of teams to different countries. When I first started hearing about it I instantly knew that it was something that I wanted to be a part of and that God could use to grow me even more. We applied before Christmas but didn't find out which team we were on until January. We had a big team reveal night where you get put with your group and then everyone finds out at the same time where you are going. It's pretty crazy and really fun! When my groups time came we all were blown out of the water. Our leader was wearing a funny hat and we didn't really know why until he announced that we would be traveling to Paris!!! We would be there for a total of 3 weeks. For the first month and a half or so we had no idea what we were going to be doing other than working with College students over there and building relationships with them. At the time that meant meeting them in Cafe's, touring different places with them and finding wherever else they hung out at. As you can imagine, we got many snide remarks from people who thought France was not a M-field. If only they knew how dead that place really is. We trained for months once a week and did fundraisers and various activities which were awesome and built team bondage. We eventually discovered that we would be doing what is called Ethnography where you go and do surveys, studying the other people group by immersing yourself into their lives and culture. I was SO stoked for that. I mean I love getting to know other cultures and seeing how others live their lives...what they value, how they deal with different situations...all of that stuff. I love it and now I was being given the chance to go to one of the world's most famous cities and use that love to show others Christ's love. Ultimately the workers there want to build a church/community among the university society because really there isn't one right now...or at least one that is growing at all. Soooo the training that normally takes about 7 or 8 months to get through, we received in about 2-3 haha. It was awesome though. Learning how to listen and ask direct questions that could lead to deeper things...it is pretty difficult....heaps more difficult than I imagined it would be. One person generally asks most of the questions while the other writes down info. We thought we would be paired with a person from our own team but when the times came closer for us to leave we discovered that some of us would be with students from the States who were already living there for the semester. At first I was very anxious about that since I was one of the people who would be paired with a stranger...haha...looking back now that seems so ridiculous. I knew God was in control, however, and I was determined not to get down about it and just trust Him. Things always seem to turn out better when you do that :)
SO we left for Paris on May 4th at 3:30 in the morning....geesh that was early...but it's alright since that meant we all wanted to sleep on the plane. Once arriving there we were met by the lead worker, a couple who is living there for a few years and another woman who is only supposed to be there through this year I believe. Anyways we bought and received our 'Navigo' passes which got us around the city on Public Trans for the 3 weeks. Man I wish the States had better public transportation. We had the option of taking Metros, RERs (like subways), Trams or buses. I loved that cuz that meant you also did heaps of walking....awesome :). So we got settled into our hotel and immediately headed to meet the 4 students that we would be paired up with and they sent us on a scavenger hunt for a couple of reasons. They wanted us to stay awake...get used to the public trans system and just briefly see all of the biggest tourist sights. We all weren't really sure what to think of the 4 of them at first but over time they proved to be one of the biggest blessings for me. The day was exhaustive but just what we needed to stay awake enough to sleep at the normal time in Paris and the next day we just discussed what exactly we all would be doing and why it was important and all of the informative stuff. I was so excited going through it because we were actually going to live out the months of training we had been prepping for.
The next day they split us up into our pairs and sent us to our schools...there were about 4 schools I believe and each had 3 CBU students and one Hands On student. My partner's name was Katelyn and we were at a University called Censier. We headed over there with the other CBU pair and just prayer walked around it a bit and asked around about what this university was really known for. It is a mainly Literature and Cinema studies school. It is one of the smaller ones but I liked that because it made it easier to run into the same people again and again. Each day we would be on campus for about 5 hours....4 of ethnography and then 1 for a lunch break. It's strange to walk up to random people and ask them if they speak English...but you get used to it after a while and we came to realize that it was not as difficult as we originally assumed it would be. The common stereotype of the French being rude and closed off to Americans couldn't have been farther from the truth. When we explained what we were doing and asked if we could ask them a few questions they were always more than willing to help us out, if they had the time. Ultimately we wanted to build relationships with the students we talked to and Katelyn and I had such good chemistry together and our personalities meshed so well that making friends was not very difficult. Prayer was SO important, however, and we tried our best to not rush things our way but wait and rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us...when we did that, we were continually blown away by the conversations we were able to have with people. We were able to go so in depth with some people on the first conversation and share our beliefs as well and they still wanted to talk with us later and meet up again, haha. It was awesome! Well, awesome and sad at the same time. In going deep we were able to see the need that is there and just how dead the city really is. Church has become a past time for old people and God no longer exists in anything anymore. There are still believers out there of course, some of which we did run into :), but the majority are searching, ignoring or don't care. There was one day where I really feel like God was allowing Kate and I to feel what it was like to be alone and away from Him cuz she was not able to concentrate and simply could not feel God's presence at all not matter how hard she tried and while we were praying she asked for Him to help us feel what it is that the students felt and tears immediately came to my eyes as I realized that what we were feeling for one day was so little compared to what they feel their entire lives....and to think, people laughed at us going on a trip like this to Paris....the city of lights and love....kinda makes me want to slap 'em ya know? We had our ups and our downs but through it all Katelyn and I encouraged each other and searched through the Gospel for encouragement. Every morning I looked forward to meeting her at the school and seeing what God had planned for us that day.
Along with the work...we also got to play :). We were able to travel to the main tourist sights and take heaps of photos and have heaps of laughs! The Eiffel Tower was incredible but while we were waiting in line to go up it started to rain on us...haha...typical Paris weather I guess. We made the best of it though and still thoroughly enjoyed seeing the sights from the top. There was one evening, also, where we saw the sights at night and we got to see the Tower light up with hundreds of twinkle lights...it truly was magical and I felt like I was on the top of the world. Then there was the Notre Dame. Oh the Notre Dame....it's gotta be one of my favorite sights in Paris. I love old cathedrals and this one is simply outstandingly gorgeous. Totally crowded of course but being able to walk through it and simply stand before it's marvelous engravings was sooo cool. Also during the night tour we went there and I was able to just stand before the incredible carvings in awe of the beauty...in front of and around me. We took a couple trips to the Louvre...the first time it was closed and the second we were able to walk through....oooo goodness it is huge. It really is overwhelming to try and take it all in. Incredible and beautiful of course, but you have to REALLY love museums and all types of art to appreciate the whole thing. The Mona Lisa really isn't that impressive but still...it's history and that made it cool. At one point my friends and I came upon this room where not a lot of people were there so we layed down on the couches for a bit (totally NOT Parisian politeness) and then they told me to sing cuz the acoustics were incredible. So I started to sing Ave Maria and was taken back to the good old days of high school choir with Andy and it was sooo beautiful. I wish I could have continued but people started to come in and give me funny looks (something that I am pretty used to hehe) so I decided I should stop. We were able to walk along the river that runs through Paris also a few times and eat long the side of it. People do that all the time to just hang out and it is so much fun. It is such a romantic place (when you aren't smelling the weird smells that also come along with the city) with so much beauty to it. Those weren't the only places we went to but I think you get the idea that we had heaps of fun also...all the while serving our Father!
Paris really is incredible. I was expecting to stand out a bit more with my loud laugh and random breaking out into songs but the Holy Spirit totally enabled me with an adaptation to their culture that I did not expect. I had prayed that I would be able to be respectful of their way of life and He definitely answered that. I was perfectly content to be quiet and meditative at times and actually I wished I had had more time by myself. I'm not sure if it was because I was used to traveling by myself for so long or what but the hardest thing for me was actually being with my team for such a long period of time....we really never got alone time and with a group of 9 extroverts...that can wear on a person; even being the outgoing and bubbly person that I am. For this reason, also, I was so thankful for the Hands On students because they, having been there for a longer period of time, were used to the culture and knew how to behave out and among the people. Not to mention that they were so much fun and I felt so connected so quickly with them. I enjoyed getting to know them just as much as I did the french students, haha. I know that God was teaching me patience among other things through me dealing with having 10 people around 24/7 and I am glad for that but it was still so difficult sometimes. But hey He never says it is going to be easy right :)
So as things were winding down I knew it was going to be difficult to say goodbye. I always get so attached so fast and this was only 3 weeks! I was used to being with people for months at a time with my other travels and this time I didn't have that option...that was pretty difficult to accept at first but we were able to have a pizza party at the very end for all of the friends we made that was so much fun...in more ways the one...and it made saying goodbye a little bit easier. It is still hard knowing that our part was accomplished and now it is up to God and those still living there to carry on what has begun. Of course that does not mean we stop praying...cuz prayer is equally important...but we can't keep wishing we were still there longer cuz we aren't and there is a purpose for that. I miss it greatly already but I rest in the knowledge that there are still people working there and God is not done with that city. "Savior, He can move the mountains...my God is mighty to save".
Someday I'll go back...not sure when or how but someday. I plan on for sure seeing some of the Hands On students again...if not hopefully all of them but first they have to come back to the States. Can't live in Paris forever unfortunately. The rest of my team is splitting up for the Summer and doing various things. I start to now prepare for a week in June with my friend from Australia as well as a week trip with my church to Guatemala in July...that will definitely be interesting. I'll have more stories i guess from that also :). Until then hugs and kisses!
Monday, May 25, 2009
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Coming to an End
Well, it is Saturday, May 31st and my time in Jordan is unfortunately coming quickly to an end. In just 3 short days I will be on a plane back to Cali. My heart is now in the position that it has come to hate...torn between two groups of people that I love. Even as I write and think about this my eyes are brimming with tears. One side of me can't wait to get home and see all of my family and friends that I have so dearly missed but then there is the other part of me that dreads leaving my family here in Jordan. I can't even being to describe to you all back home how great these people are....especially when you look at all that they are enduring and sacrificing because of their love for Christ. I feel so genuinely blessed to have lived amongst and become a part of this awesome family. I will strongly miss Jay's constant teasing me and the way he is able to bring the best out of people and how he brings laughter to the household....actually pretty much anywhere and everywhere he goes. I will also miss the awesome friendship that I was able to establish with Kim. Her wise counsel and thoughts have grown me so much...in the way that I view things and especially in the little (or not so little) areas that my heart is still feeling hurt. I have had many failed attempts at trying to get them to come back and work at the church. It seems that God has them here for a reason...but who knows...maybe someday :) Of course there is no amount of telling how much I will miss the boys and the way they bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart. It makes me very sad that I won't be able to watch Aiden grow to be the amazing boy that I know he will be. I won't have anyone to climb on me or to sing me twinkle twinkle little stars with many of the words missing or made up, hehe. It is my prayer that these boys will grow to be like their daddy...strong in faith and who they are in Christ and of course like their mother as well...kind and compassionate to all.
My experiences here have been more amazing than I could ever have hoped for. Never did I think I would walk where Israelites have walked or see places where Jesus, my Savior, has been. It makes my soul soar to think about it all and to look back at all of the fun times shared with them. I don't want to make this too sad because I have no doubt that I will be with them again but I just wanted to try and express how much this family means to me and how much I will miss them.
On the other side of things; I am very excited to get back to the other people that are so dear to me. I have missed my family and friends greatly and cannot wait to get back into all of their lives this Summer. I plan to do many lunch dates and beach days with everyone....and hopefully some pool parties thrown in there if my daddy would be so obliged to do some of his amazing grilling :) Unfortunately the catching up with my brother will have to be put off a little while longer since God has provided him the awesome opportunity to go to Florida this Summer...but there is no doubting that it will happen.
In August I never thought my travels would begin and now that they are over it is hard to believe that I actually experienced all that I did. No amount of words could ever be enough to express my gratitude towards my daddy for setting everything up...and of course for all of those that supported and prayed for me through this whole thing as well. So here is just a big "thank you" to you all. You have helped change my life and been part of God's plan to transform my heart to truly seek after His will and to find His never-ending love and protection.
My experiences here have been more amazing than I could ever have hoped for. Never did I think I would walk where Israelites have walked or see places where Jesus, my Savior, has been. It makes my soul soar to think about it all and to look back at all of the fun times shared with them. I don't want to make this too sad because I have no doubt that I will be with them again but I just wanted to try and express how much this family means to me and how much I will miss them.
On the other side of things; I am very excited to get back to the other people that are so dear to me. I have missed my family and friends greatly and cannot wait to get back into all of their lives this Summer. I plan to do many lunch dates and beach days with everyone....and hopefully some pool parties thrown in there if my daddy would be so obliged to do some of his amazing grilling :) Unfortunately the catching up with my brother will have to be put off a little while longer since God has provided him the awesome opportunity to go to Florida this Summer...but there is no doubting that it will happen.
In August I never thought my travels would begin and now that they are over it is hard to believe that I actually experienced all that I did. No amount of words could ever be enough to express my gratitude towards my daddy for setting everything up...and of course for all of those that supported and prayed for me through this whole thing as well. So here is just a big "thank you" to you all. You have helped change my life and been part of God's plan to transform my heart to truly seek after His will and to find His never-ending love and protection.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Baby Aiden
Around 3:30-4:00 a.m. (I think) I get woken up and the surprising announcement is told that Kim's water has broken and they are both heading to the hospital, meaning I need to stay home with the boys (which of course I totally don't mind doing). Well, try going back to sleep after that news....not very easy let me tell you. Instead I sat there and prayed for a while and eventually got a little bit more sleep. It hardly seemed like I had closed my eyes, however, before Jay was calling me telling me that baby Aiden had arrived!!!! That is definitely one of the fastest labors I have ever experienced. I was SO excited and I got the wonderful privilege of telling the boys the good news. Justice thought that he was just going to go to school so immediately when he got up he had started to get dressed in his school clothes. I then told him that he didn't have to go to school today in which he replied...."Oh yea! I forgot.....wait why again?"...he was so cute. When I told him that his mommy and daddy had gone to the hospital in the night and that Aiden was born his face and eyes lit up like a light bulb! He was so excited and was talking really fast and laughing, haha...he was now the OLDEST brother, as he reminded us of many times :). Salem was still sleeping and so when he woke up he wasn't quite as excited as Justice because he was still in sleep-mode but later he was absolutely adorable saying over and over how Aiden had come out of mommies belly. We were all anxious to get to the hospital to see him and I am pretty sure Justice asked me when we were going about 50 times that morning, hehe...of course I would be too if I had waited 9 months to see my new baby brother. We were told that our friend's the Blisses would be coming around noon to pick me and the boys up and take us over to see him. The boys and I began to get ready (very excitedly might I add) and eagerly awaited their arrival!!!!!
We arrived at the hospital and had a little accident with Justice slipping and hurting his knee but he was soon on his feet again and running to get to his new baby brother. How I am supposed to describe the next moments I really don't know. From the time I entered the room I was so overwhelmed with emotion...I didn't even really understand it and definitely did not expect it. I have seen new-born's before but I think maybe only one that soon after and it definitely was not in this kind of situation. I had no idea what to really say or do. I was so content to just sit and watch the little guy. He was so perfect....so beautiful. Kim and Jay were a bit tired (as to be expected of course) but you could hardly tell. The room was filled with smiles, story-telling of how the baby came (which is quite a funny story) and lots of laughter.....basically, Joy; total, complete joy. I'm telling you, I am definitely my mother's daughter for I felt that if I were to speak I would burst into tears any second, haha. Although I didn't really need to speak for that to happen anyways...just looking at the tiny little new-born was enough to make me start. I think it was also a combination of things. God brought me here for more than one reason but I would say that this would definitely be a main one. If it had turned out that I wasn't able to do any other of the sight-seeing or fun things while I was here, it wouldn't matter at all...this would be worth it. Being a part of this wonderful family for these moments and seeing their love for each other and them spreading it, also, to me....it just hit me full on in those moments of watching Jason the giant hold his baby son that is like the size of his head and Salem and Justice peering over at their new baby brother and trying to be gentle with his tiny, soft head and Kim being happy as ever after just giving birth with the smile on her face that could light up a room. I feel like I am rambling now, haha, but it really feels like I could go on and on and never be able to fully express what I was feeling. Oh man when I was able to 1st hold Aiden in my arms....there was no stopping it. Tears of joy and love just came. I figured my mom and Mrs. Fowler (Darlene for Jay) weren't there to do it so I might as well fill in :)
I hope all of that made sense enough. Kim and the baby are already coming home today. I am so thankful that God planned it all out so that I could be here to take care of the boys and, as I have said already, partake in this miraculous moment of a new life beginning it's journey.
I'm sure Kim will post a blog about this as well so if you would like to read up on hers when she eventually gets around to it I'll post a link at the bottom.
11 more days...my my my time flies and I'm pretty sure that it is going to fly by even faster with the baby now here.
http://www.loving4boys.blogspot.com/
We arrived at the hospital and had a little accident with Justice slipping and hurting his knee but he was soon on his feet again and running to get to his new baby brother. How I am supposed to describe the next moments I really don't know. From the time I entered the room I was so overwhelmed with emotion...I didn't even really understand it and definitely did not expect it. I have seen new-born's before but I think maybe only one that soon after and it definitely was not in this kind of situation. I had no idea what to really say or do. I was so content to just sit and watch the little guy. He was so perfect....so beautiful. Kim and Jay were a bit tired (as to be expected of course) but you could hardly tell. The room was filled with smiles, story-telling of how the baby came (which is quite a funny story) and lots of laughter.....basically, Joy; total, complete joy. I'm telling you, I am definitely my mother's daughter for I felt that if I were to speak I would burst into tears any second, haha. Although I didn't really need to speak for that to happen anyways...just looking at the tiny little new-born was enough to make me start. I think it was also a combination of things. God brought me here for more than one reason but I would say that this would definitely be a main one. If it had turned out that I wasn't able to do any other of the sight-seeing or fun things while I was here, it wouldn't matter at all...this would be worth it. Being a part of this wonderful family for these moments and seeing their love for each other and them spreading it, also, to me....it just hit me full on in those moments of watching Jason the giant hold his baby son that is like the size of his head and Salem and Justice peering over at their new baby brother and trying to be gentle with his tiny, soft head and Kim being happy as ever after just giving birth with the smile on her face that could light up a room. I feel like I am rambling now, haha, but it really feels like I could go on and on and never be able to fully express what I was feeling. Oh man when I was able to 1st hold Aiden in my arms....there was no stopping it. Tears of joy and love just came. I figured my mom and Mrs. Fowler (Darlene for Jay) weren't there to do it so I might as well fill in :)
I hope all of that made sense enough. Kim and the baby are already coming home today. I am so thankful that God planned it all out so that I could be here to take care of the boys and, as I have said already, partake in this miraculous moment of a new life beginning it's journey.
I'm sure Kim will post a blog about this as well so if you would like to read up on hers when she eventually gets around to it I'll post a link at the bottom.
11 more days...my my my time flies and I'm pretty sure that it is going to fly by even faster with the baby now here.
http://www.loving4boys.blogspot.com/
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Dead Sea
So we just got back from our trip like a half hour ago. We left about mid-afternoon and headed to the Dead Sea for a bit of a float and then tracked up the mountains to Herod's Palace where John the Baptist was held and probably killed. It was a really awesome day! Starting with the Dead Sea....oh man it is so weird to walk in and feel the difference in the water, first of all...it is super salty, of course, so the water makes you feel slippery and slimy kind of, haha as weird as that sounds. Thank goodness I didn't have any kinds of cuts or anything or it would have stung so badly. Kim's hands were just dry and it was stinging them a lot. Second, hehe, you really really float...if you just start to lay on your back in the water it will make your legs go up unless you force them down. It was awesome...I loved it! Holy cow but when you get out...gross!!!!! You have to rinse off and if you got your hair in the water than you really have to wash it out. I only got a little of my hair wet and even that gets so stiff from the salt and you brush your hands through it and can just feel the little salt grains....it was nasty and my hair was so gross by the end of the day!
Well, after the Dead Sea we traveled to Herod's Palace where John the Baptist was held and probably killed. It was so awesome! There wasn't much left of it of course but it was still awesome. Plus it was right at Sunset so it was really beautiful!
I'm home in a little over 2 weeks...I can't believe it. Things have been going really awesome this past week. Kim and I have been able to spend a lot of time together since she is done with school till the next term due to the baby coming. It has been so awesome for me and her getting to have some girl time together. We are anxious for the baby to arrive and the boys are so excited to have a little brother. Still hoping he will come before I leave.
I'm anxious for Summer but hesitant to leave...as always when this time comes around. Continued prayers are always appreciated and loved :)
XOXO
Well, after the Dead Sea we traveled to Herod's Palace where John the Baptist was held and probably killed. It was so awesome! There wasn't much left of it of course but it was still awesome. Plus it was right at Sunset so it was really beautiful!
I'm home in a little over 2 weeks...I can't believe it. Things have been going really awesome this past week. Kim and I have been able to spend a lot of time together since she is done with school till the next term due to the baby coming. It has been so awesome for me and her getting to have some girl time together. We are anxious for the baby to arrive and the boys are so excited to have a little brother. Still hoping he will come before I leave.
I'm anxious for Summer but hesitant to leave...as always when this time comes around. Continued prayers are always appreciated and loved :)
XOXO
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Aqaba
This past weekend was so incredible....never ever in my life did I think that I would be scuba diving in the Red Sea! We traveled to the city of Aqaba Thursday afternoon and checked into the hotel then went and got some dinner at a nice Chinese restaurant. The food was delicious and we had heaps of fun...continuing the fun afterwards by walking to a really good ice cream shop :)
On Friday we got to the beach fairly early. The hotel we were staying at has connections with the diving company or something like that and they have a restaurant area with an gated in pool area as well that had lounge chairs all around so the divers or others staying at the hotel could go there and not be bothered by others. It was really nice...especially because the actual beach part isn't that nice. The sand is more like rocks and little pebbles and it isn't like our beaches where it is sand that leads to the water and waves. The reef is literally right off the shore so you are pretty much standing on top of it while you are in the water, haha. So the pool is a nice area for the kids to swim and for the tourists not to be bothered by the locals. Anyways, so a little after the arrival a guy comes by and I fill out some paperwork and then Jay and I went back to get our gear on. I always assumed that the air tanks were heavy but oh my word I felt like I had a 200 pound man on my body because you also have to wear weights so that you stay down in the water (once in the water of course you don't feel that weight). So the instructor told me some basic rules and things and then we headed down to the beach....oh yea and I also remembered how much I am not a fan of wet suits. The breathing was really easy...that, equalizing the pressure in my ears and kicking my legs was about the only things I had to worry about because the guide was in control of my buoyancy the whole time since it was my first time. I was perfectly ok with that too because all I wanted to do was see the pretty fish and corral.....and Oh My Word did I see that! The reef was absolutely incredible!!! Jay had said that it would be nice but I did not expect all that I saw...it was so full of life and color! It really was glorious.....I kept feeling like I was in Finding Nemo, hehe :) It was crazy...I just had to keep telling myself that I was actually in the Red Sea, scuba diving among the reef; that it was actually real. I don't even really know how to describe it. Jay, Justice and I went snorkeling later and even that was amazing!! I dived for about 45 minutes and then headed back to the pool where we relaxed under the Sun for a while :) one of my favorite things to do. We did the snorkeling a little bit later and then headed back to the hotel after to get cleaned up and go to dinner. After dinner we walked around the city for a bit with a guy that we met named JF from Canada.....not too sure what his name stood for and I kept forgetting to ask him. But he was really nice and was at the pool that day as well and went diving so he and Jay had talked a bit. He was in Jordan by himself so we invited him to walk around with us. It was a gorgeous night and I loved just walking around seeing new things. The next day we went back to the pool and restaurant place and laid out a bit more....Jay and Justice went snorkeling while Kim, Salem and I sat on the beach and enjoyed the splendor of our King. It is really really cool to just look out at the ocean because straight across from us is Egypt, haha......o and you can also see Israel and Saudi Arabia from Aqaba....it is crazy! So yea straight across from our part of the part of the Red Sea was the Sinai Peninsula. All of these places that I have heard of growing up in school and stuff and I could see them all! God is SOOOO great!!!!!!!
We left about mid-day Saturday and took the longer drive home that is a more scenic route that takes you by the Dead Sea and so we stopped at one point and walked down towards the water. We weren't super close to it or anything and we were climbing on rocks and stuff. It was really really fun...I love the random parts of trips like that. Jay was taking some pictures and the boys and I were having fun with the rocks, hehe. The sun was descending so it was really pretty on the water. We will hopefully visit the Dead Sea soon but oh man even just to look at it is incredible....thinking that nothing lives there nor does anyone travel on it because their is so much salt that it just kills the boat and stuff. It is just a big body of water that sits there. It is like God thought to Himself "I'm going to put this here...at the lowest spot on earth, simply because I am awesome and I can, haha"....others speculate that that is were Sodom and Gomorrah was but who knows for sure. So basically the trip was awesome!!!
We went to prayer meeting this morning and I would like to ask that all who read this would just keep the people/families involved in your prayers for strength and healing and just that they would be blessed in all areas. Can't say much else but I would just greatly appreciate that and I think they would too.
Kim is due in a few weeks so prayer for her delivery would be wonderful as well....especially that the baby would come before I leave so that I can do as much as possible to help them out before I have to head back. Things are going great so far...perfectly healthy and kicking :) Jay and the kids are doing great as well.
Missing you all always! XOXOXOXOXO
On Friday we got to the beach fairly early. The hotel we were staying at has connections with the diving company or something like that and they have a restaurant area with an gated in pool area as well that had lounge chairs all around so the divers or others staying at the hotel could go there and not be bothered by others. It was really nice...especially because the actual beach part isn't that nice. The sand is more like rocks and little pebbles and it isn't like our beaches where it is sand that leads to the water and waves. The reef is literally right off the shore so you are pretty much standing on top of it while you are in the water, haha. So the pool is a nice area for the kids to swim and for the tourists not to be bothered by the locals. Anyways, so a little after the arrival a guy comes by and I fill out some paperwork and then Jay and I went back to get our gear on. I always assumed that the air tanks were heavy but oh my word I felt like I had a 200 pound man on my body because you also have to wear weights so that you stay down in the water (once in the water of course you don't feel that weight). So the instructor told me some basic rules and things and then we headed down to the beach....oh yea and I also remembered how much I am not a fan of wet suits. The breathing was really easy...that, equalizing the pressure in my ears and kicking my legs was about the only things I had to worry about because the guide was in control of my buoyancy the whole time since it was my first time. I was perfectly ok with that too because all I wanted to do was see the pretty fish and corral.....and Oh My Word did I see that! The reef was absolutely incredible!!! Jay had said that it would be nice but I did not expect all that I saw...it was so full of life and color! It really was glorious.....I kept feeling like I was in Finding Nemo, hehe :) It was crazy...I just had to keep telling myself that I was actually in the Red Sea, scuba diving among the reef; that it was actually real. I don't even really know how to describe it. Jay, Justice and I went snorkeling later and even that was amazing!! I dived for about 45 minutes and then headed back to the pool where we relaxed under the Sun for a while :) one of my favorite things to do. We did the snorkeling a little bit later and then headed back to the hotel after to get cleaned up and go to dinner. After dinner we walked around the city for a bit with a guy that we met named JF from Canada.....not too sure what his name stood for and I kept forgetting to ask him. But he was really nice and was at the pool that day as well and went diving so he and Jay had talked a bit. He was in Jordan by himself so we invited him to walk around with us. It was a gorgeous night and I loved just walking around seeing new things. The next day we went back to the pool and restaurant place and laid out a bit more....Jay and Justice went snorkeling while Kim, Salem and I sat on the beach and enjoyed the splendor of our King. It is really really cool to just look out at the ocean because straight across from us is Egypt, haha......o and you can also see Israel and Saudi Arabia from Aqaba....it is crazy! So yea straight across from our part of the part of the Red Sea was the Sinai Peninsula. All of these places that I have heard of growing up in school and stuff and I could see them all! God is SOOOO great!!!!!!!
We left about mid-day Saturday and took the longer drive home that is a more scenic route that takes you by the Dead Sea and so we stopped at one point and walked down towards the water. We weren't super close to it or anything and we were climbing on rocks and stuff. It was really really fun...I love the random parts of trips like that. Jay was taking some pictures and the boys and I were having fun with the rocks, hehe. The sun was descending so it was really pretty on the water. We will hopefully visit the Dead Sea soon but oh man even just to look at it is incredible....thinking that nothing lives there nor does anyone travel on it because their is so much salt that it just kills the boat and stuff. It is just a big body of water that sits there. It is like God thought to Himself "I'm going to put this here...at the lowest spot on earth, simply because I am awesome and I can, haha"....others speculate that that is were Sodom and Gomorrah was but who knows for sure. So basically the trip was awesome!!!
We went to prayer meeting this morning and I would like to ask that all who read this would just keep the people/families involved in your prayers for strength and healing and just that they would be blessed in all areas. Can't say much else but I would just greatly appreciate that and I think they would too.
Kim is due in a few weeks so prayer for her delivery would be wonderful as well....especially that the baby would come before I leave so that I can do as much as possible to help them out before I have to head back. Things are going great so far...perfectly healthy and kicking :) Jay and the kids are doing great as well.
Missing you all always! XOXOXOXOXO
Friday, May 2, 2008
Petra!
We went to Petra yesterday....OH MY WORD....never have I experienced something that cool that man has made. It was crazy!!!! It started off really cool because a couple ended up going with us that knew my parents from college. Talk about a small world!! Well, the husband new them from choir. The wife didn't but they also knew the Loftis' (the family from Australia) really well. So that was cool and I was able to have some fun conversations with Robin, the wife, on the ride to Petra. All of the women rode down in one car and all of the men rode down in another car with the boys. Thank goodness it was a tourist location so I was able to show more of my arm skin...otherwise I would have been burning up. I don't know how these women do it. Anyways, we had to pay to get in and then Salem and I got on a horse and Justice got on his own (everyone else just walked) and they took us to the entrance to the pathway through the mountains. From there you have to walk aways before you get to the Treasury but it's totally awesome because you pretty much feel as if you are in a movie. The rocks and colors are so cool. There were lots of people but I didn't care...it gives me opportunities to see more cultures and other people's reactions to it. Your first glimpse of the Treasury is just that...a glimpse through the end of pathway...then you exit the mountains and there it is!! It is so big and you just feel so tiny standing in front of it. Hehe...then I rode a camel with Salem and Meagan (the Bliss' daughter) rode with Justice. I was laughing/giggling pretty much the whole time. It's a lot different than getting on a horse because the end of the camel goes up first when they stand so you are like launched forward in the seat, hehe. From the Treasury we walked a bit and then got on a donkey! The donkey's take you all the way up to the Monastery. You can walk it if you want but it is a really really long hike and it is steep too so you're better off riding a donkey...even though that is a bit freaky sometimes too cuz you are on these narrow steps and pathways and that can be a bit scary when you are going up a mountain! The donkeys drop you off and then you have to walk up even more of the mountain! The Monastery is very cool too and while we were sitting down to eat lunch a couple of Bedouin guys came and started to climb up to the top of the it!!! It was CRAZY...they were barefooted too and it was so high! It was so cool to watch and one of the guys got to the very top and started playing an instrument, haha. It was awesome. From there you walked back down the mountain until you got to a safe enough place where you could get on the donkeys again and ride them the rest of the way back. That was pretty much the end of Petra...we all rode back and had dinner at Popeyes, haha. I never would have imagined that I would be able to see or experience anything like that and I am SO thankful to God that He has allowed all of this to happen!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Easter Break
It is hard to believe that April is almost over. In fact it hardly seems like I had an April, hah. But here it is the 29th and we are about to head into May...time does fly. I have had a pretty incredible time these past couple of days. Sunday was Easter over here and one of the team's kids was going to be baptized in the Jordan and Jay and Kim are really close to them so they asked us if we could go and so we spent the morning down at the Jordan river. I never thought I would be able to say that I worshipped the God Almighty in the very places where His son was present. It was awesome! Driving down there Jay and Kim were telling me a bit about where we were located and so we are on the side where the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years...it was crazy to look out at the actual terrain that they lived in...actually some Bedouins still do; don't ask me how but they do. When we got there we had to wait for the others to arrive who were also getting baptized and then we entered into the "sight" were they think that Jesus was baptized. It's a bit sad because there is a big Islam church right up from the spot but we were the only people there so we just sat on the steps and heard a couple of testimonies and sang some songs and then went down to the river. It was so crazy because you looked straight across to the other side and you are looking at Israel and their buildings with all of their flags flying in the air. They have guards posted so that you can't just cross over into Israel. You could also see the city of Jericho from the sight. My mind was amazed :)
Kim and the kids are on Easter break right now so yesterday we went to the city of Jerash. That was SO incredible too! The ruins that are there from thousands of years ago are so awesome! Almost the whole amphitheater is still standing and in pretty good condition and they had guys in there playing the bagpipes and some of the Arabs were dancing around and stuff...it was such an awesome experience. As we were walking up a hill where you could kind of see everything I was just left speechless. To actually be in a Roman city like that and think about all of the history that happened there...man! I mean there were tons of columns that were still standing and entry ways and even an original road where you could look at the stone on the ground and see marks left from all of the chariots that road over them! I mean I can't even describe it. Salem and Justice love to climb on all of the "knocked down stuff" as they call it :) While looking at Artemis' Temple there was a group of Arab girl students and they immediately were swarming me, Jay and Justice (Kim had gone to sit down with Salem) and they wanted to know my name and where I was from and they continually wanted to take pictures of and with me. I felt like a movie star haha...it was insane! I walked away to find Jay and I found Justice surrounded by the girls as well and they were all amazed that Jay could speak English and they were laughing there heads off at him...they think that we are fascinating because we aren't from there and of course we are white and speak English mainly. So the girls continued to follow me and take picture after picture with me and then we went back out and they followed us back to Kim and Salem and then they were all talking to us and taking more pictures...and THEN when they were supposed to be leaving they asked if I could go with them..haha. It was pretty much insane and one of the most unique things I have ever experienced.
Today I went with Kim and visited an Arab woman that lived across from them at their old apartment. It was a really cool cultural experience because I was able to see the inside of their homes and what that all looks like. I thought it was really beautiful! They love to decorate elaborately...especially the Salon which is like the entertaining room for the men or certain guests. She served us Arab tea and coffee...I really liked the tea because they serve it sweet and normally put mint leaves in it. The coffee I much prefer to stick to our American way :) After that we went to the doctors and I saw an ultrasound of the baby :) :) that is just so incredible to me!
So my week has been pretty busy so far and it is only Tuesday, hah. Thursday we are going to Petra and that will be an amazing adventure!! I will ride a horse, a donkey and a camel all in one day haha. Can't wait!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x228/jmkettenring/Amman%20Jordan/
Kim and the kids are on Easter break right now so yesterday we went to the city of Jerash. That was SO incredible too! The ruins that are there from thousands of years ago are so awesome! Almost the whole amphitheater is still standing and in pretty good condition and they had guys in there playing the bagpipes and some of the Arabs were dancing around and stuff...it was such an awesome experience. As we were walking up a hill where you could kind of see everything I was just left speechless. To actually be in a Roman city like that and think about all of the history that happened there...man! I mean there were tons of columns that were still standing and entry ways and even an original road where you could look at the stone on the ground and see marks left from all of the chariots that road over them! I mean I can't even describe it. Salem and Justice love to climb on all of the "knocked down stuff" as they call it :) While looking at Artemis' Temple there was a group of Arab girl students and they immediately were swarming me, Jay and Justice (Kim had gone to sit down with Salem) and they wanted to know my name and where I was from and they continually wanted to take pictures of and with me. I felt like a movie star haha...it was insane! I walked away to find Jay and I found Justice surrounded by the girls as well and they were all amazed that Jay could speak English and they were laughing there heads off at him...they think that we are fascinating because we aren't from there and of course we are white and speak English mainly. So the girls continued to follow me and take picture after picture with me and then we went back out and they followed us back to Kim and Salem and then they were all talking to us and taking more pictures...and THEN when they were supposed to be leaving they asked if I could go with them..haha. It was pretty much insane and one of the most unique things I have ever experienced.
Today I went with Kim and visited an Arab woman that lived across from them at their old apartment. It was a really cool cultural experience because I was able to see the inside of their homes and what that all looks like. I thought it was really beautiful! They love to decorate elaborately...especially the Salon which is like the entertaining room for the men or certain guests. She served us Arab tea and coffee...I really liked the tea because they serve it sweet and normally put mint leaves in it. The coffee I much prefer to stick to our American way :) After that we went to the doctors and I saw an ultrasound of the baby :) :) that is just so incredible to me!
So my week has been pretty busy so far and it is only Tuesday, hah. Thursday we are going to Petra and that will be an amazing adventure!! I will ride a horse, a donkey and a camel all in one day haha. Can't wait!
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
http://s182.photobucket.com/albums/x228/jmkettenring/Amman%20Jordan/
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