Celebrating the 4th in a Foreign Land

Celebrating any American holiday can be a bit challenging when you live in a foreign country. There are no US flags waving around town. Daily life goes on and no one gets a day off from work. I saw no signs for fireworks being set off to celebrate our country's freedom (fireworks are just a daily part of life here, so it's not that special). There were no supermarket fliers promising great buys on hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips, sodas, or other fun picnic treats. So, you have to make a concerted effort to celebrate, thinking on the meaning of this important holiday and trying to create some fun things from home as well. I was blessed to have the ingredients to make a yummy (if i do say so myself) cheesecake. I also found the things to make a pretty good cheeseburger. With my American flags waving inside and patriotic music playing, The 4th of July was celebrated in this foreign land from this small apartment. As I was thanking Father for our nation, the freedom to w_rship Him was what stood out the most. We have many wonderful freedoms, but the most important one to me is the freedom to w^rship Him. This privilege is one that parts of our world do not know. So, I celebrate our great nation and the freedom to give gl*ry to our King of Kings. I also pry that the people of this nation without this right would have the opportunity to hear about the One who can give them true Freedom!

Can You Ever Receive TOO Much Help???

Going to the supermarket here in my host country is an experience all on its own. I do have the luxury of an indoor supermarket that is nice with stocked shelves. The import section in my new city is about the size of the Asian import section in my hometown. I now know how those Asians feel living in small US cities.

One area of the supermarket that I try to stay away from is the laundry detergent/health and beauty aids area. In other parts of the store, the staff just kind of let you look and don't try and make suggestions. But in this part of the store, they are VERY willing to make suggestions and tell you what they think is the best brand for the best price. On a recent trip, I needed to buy some body wash...very simple, right??? As soon as I walked up the aisle a swarm of employees started coming up to me and giving me their suggestions. I turned around and counted them. I counted eight women around me picking up bottles for me to try out and give my approval. This was a culture stress moment for me. I wanted to scream and run out (REALLY)! It was quite overwhelming. It was Father who helped me to calmly continue on my quest for this body wash and finally find a suitable fragrance. I politely thanked them ALL and headed for the checkout. Whew! Moral of the story...buy your body wash in a small store with only one clerk:)

A Visit To The Countryside

After being back in my host country for 2 months and making friends, I had the opportunity to make a trip out to the countryside to visit a Sunday group. As I was sitting in the service, I couldn't help but think about the conditions and how so many Americans would not have sat for two hours on a hard bench with no back without complaining. Of course, I'm talking about ME. In my heart, I was complaing that I was so uncomfortable. Yet, I didn't hear the others there saying they were uncomfortable. They were just seemingly glad to be there. I can definitely learn a lot from this bunch. It was a blessing to see how they wrshipped Father with such a passion.

Following the service, we were invited to a member's home for lunch and some pryer time. These folks don't kid about prying. They get with it and it is fervent. They were so welcoming and such a blessing to me. It was an honor to sit with them and have fellowship. One of the things that came to mind during this time was the fact that Father is at work all over the world. Out in the middle of nowhere, there were people wrshipping Him. The world may never see or know them, but the King of Hven knows them and that's all that matters.

Traveling In My Host Country

Travleing around in East Asia can always be fun and exciting. These pics are from a trip with friends out to visit different areas close to my city. There are always interesting places to visit and things to see. Thankful to see such a very different culture from different angles. Enjoy the pics!

Home grown electricity in the making!

Visiting an ancient city

Taking a rest in a minority group housing setting

The geographical center of Asia

Sitting in the middle of the geographical Center of Asia

Getting to the point at the geographical center of Asia

Supporting My Peeps!!!

Lady Bug and I anticipating the beginning of the Ceremonies!!!

Cheering on the US as our athletes were entering the stadium!!!

The Big Event

As we prepare for the beginning of the Games, I wanted you to see a few pics of my city as we all get geared up for this exciting time for the world.

Visiting Friends

On a recent trip to another city, I had the opportunity to spend time with dear friends and receive encouragement and refreshement. So thankful for our time together.

A trip to Mickey D's!!!

How about a chicken foot to gnaw on???

Girl time!!!

Some camel hang out time for the small and the smallest!

I Came, I Saw, I Climbed!

During a recent trip out of my city, I had the opportunity to visit with some precious friends. One day, they took me to this neat area with this good sized mountain. Well, we climbed the mountain, all 6,424 steps (exaggerating, well maybe...). My calves were so sore the next day, I could hardly walk. It was a great time and a wonderful opportunity to be out in nature.

I Feel the Need for Speed!!!

July 4th proved to be a fun day with time in the park, a great meal at a local Tex-Mex restaurant owned by Texans, and the watching of Independence Day! As many of you know, I have felt the need for some time to be behind the wheel of a motorized vehicle. Well, that need was finally met through my trip to the park. It didn't last as long as I would have liked, just two laps, but it was enough to give me what I needed. Thanking Father for our nation, the many freedoms with enjoy, and the numerous ways He has blessed us!

Burnin' rubber!!!

Checking out the latest news!

Jack, Jill, and Lady Bug playing around!

This little girl workin' out in her beautiful white dress! Yikes! Get out that stain stick!

Me, Jill, and Lady Bug on the log ride!

Lady Bug hangin' out!

The result of the log ride...WET!!!

Goin' to the Mountains

Our gang recently took a trip to some mountains close by our city and the day was just perfect. We enjoyed mountains, a waterfall and some other fun things along the way.

Isn't Father amazing to make such a beautiful display of water!?!?!?!

How about these mountains?

This water was EXTREMELY cold!

We took a horse pulled cart up close to the waterfall and the horse carts had their own parking lot complete with this really fancy sign that says, "Horse Cart Parking Lot."

K and C braved the icy water and let us know that they were "OK"

Is this a bus? NO! It only looks like one. It is a bus turned into a bathroom. Yes, it's true. Men on the left and women on the right. What will they think of next?!?!?!?!

Saying "Goodbye"

I am learning that living on the other side of the world means that I have to say, "hello" and "goodbye" a lot more often and the "goodbyes" are never fun. Tonight, I had to say, "goodbye" to my dear friend, Matilda. She is heading back home soon to the US and then on to Canada where she will continue her studies in art and the Word. After seeing each other nearly everyday for the last two years, I will miss her greatly. She has become like family to me and after having experienced so many things together over the last two years, it was difficult to see her go. We've ridden about every form of transportation together except a yak. We've traveled together, laughed together, cried together, prayed together, and seen Father do some amazing things around us. I have been once again reminded that things always change. But, I am thankful that our Faithful Father does not change. Praise Him for that fact. Asking Father to bless my friend as she begins a new chapter in her life.

You Spent the Night Where?!?!?!?!

Matilda recently celebrated her 24th birthday and wanted to do something unusual. So, she invited some local friends and we went about 45 minutes outside of our city to stay in a yurt. A yurt is kind of like a big rounded tent that some of the nomadic minority groups have lived in and continue to live in today. I was expecting plain ole' tent camping. Yet, our yurt had the conveniences of a tv, dvd player, a piano, tables and chairs, and a coal burning stove. Pretty fancy, I must say. Maybe almost like RV camping, minus the bathroom. They also have a section that is a flat surface built up high covered with some type of material and that is where everyone sleeps. You just grab a blanket and pillow and find a spot. We had a great time eating, watching movies, playing games and seeing the surroundings. It's nice to get outside the city to a quiet place and relax a little. Thankful for this time of rest and refreshment.

Forgetting to pay....

We have this great vendor at the front gate of our university that makes tortillas. It is great fun to watch him make them. They can make them plain or with an egg cooked inside. They are both delicious. One Sunday I was purchasing some to take for our fellowship time. I ordered them and then the girl bagged them up for me. I took them, thanked her and went on my merry way. I heard someone calling out. I turned to see what was going on. Little did I know that the shouting was for me. The tortilla man was rubbing his fingers together as if to say, "Where's my money?!?!" I was so embarrassed and quickly returned to apologize for my blunder. Everyone laughed as I paid and offered my apologies again. I don't know if I'm getting older or if living in a foreign country is making me more forgetful. Whatever the reason, I'm glad I can laugh about it and make others laugh in the process.

A Chirping Chick and an Ice Cream Truck

My alarm clock finally bit the dust. From previous experience I have found that if you purchase an alarm clock from a vendor on the street it usually sounds like a time bomb ticking . So, I opted for an alarm clock from a nicer store where I usually shop. Usually, in the clock area, there is someone to help you select a clock and they also put batteries in it to let you hear how it sounds. Well, this time, there was no one around and I was in a bit of a hurry. So, I just selected one on my own and took my chances. After I returned home, I got out some batteries to get my clock going. As soon as I turned on the alarm, I realized that this was no ordinary clock. Most clocks awake you to the sound of a number of consecutive beeps that grow louder as it continues to go off. Well, my new clock begins with a sound like that of a chick chirping. It then proceeds to begin playing a song that sounds like it would come from an ice cream truck. To finish it off, when you turn the alarm off, a sweet little voice comes on and says, "Good Morning." I laughed my head off and had to let Matilda and Katie in on the fun. We all laughed together as we continue to be reminded that everyday is an adventure here in EA.

McDonald's, Monkeys, Elephants, and Airports

Me, Cocoa and Ronald












A monk buying a bird. Afterwards he set it free. Hoping that he may find true freedom...

Some young boys playing and singing on the street.

Matilda telling the elephant with her hands: "I got nothin'."

Didn't know that elephants smile!









This little guy had his breakfast, lunch, and dinner ready to go.








This little monkey wanted Cocoa's glasses

instead of the banana!

Just hangin' out!

Seeing the sights from the back of an elephant!






In the airport we found this bench that was too funny, so we had to act out the caption:

"For the old, tired, and pregnant"