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"

Checking out the Pandas

Me and a pic of a panda. It's as close as I could get to one:)

Tasty Bamboo!!!

This sign was too funny to pass up!

Some days I feel like this!

These guys are too cute!

This guy was just hanging out in a tree taking a nap. Not the most comfortable way to sleep, but he didn't seem to mind.

Recent Trip...

On a recent trip outside our city we saw many beautiful sights. Check out the pics below.

Breathtaking scenery!

Can't take Kentucky out of the girl!

Pine trees and snow. Too much like Christmas!

Who needs a pooper scooper when you have a pooper catcher!

Choosing my horse for the next Kentucky Derby!

Father's amazing beauty in His creation!

















When you gotta go, nothing can stop you!

Considering all His hands have made!







Riding on a horse pulled cart. A ton of fun!

Corn Anyone?

In my host country the snacks here are different. When I think of our traditional American snacks, I think of potato chips, candy bars, snack cakes, candy, nachos, etc... You get the idea. Well, here it is not a strange thing to see people munching on sweet potatoes or an ear of corn while waiting on the bus or going shopping. I find such humor in this because it is so unusual. My friends and I recently took a bus trip to a nearby mountain ouside the city. On our return trip, we pulled up to a stop light. I looked out and saw a street vendor selling roasted corn. I saw one of our bus passengers open her window and yell out, "How much?" She actually bought two ears of corn through the window before the bus pulled out once again. She broke the ears into four pieces and she and three of her friends enjoyed a nice snack on our ride back into town. Cultural differences still amaze me:)

My Newest "Wild Hair"

Just got a new hairdo and thought I would share it. I've found a great salon with a wonderful hairdresser. You girls know what I'm talking about when I say that it's not easy to find a really good hairdresser that you trust. So, this is the result. It's much easier to fix and doesn't take as much time. I'm all about that. Thankful that Father cares about even the little things we need:)

Barnum and Bailey Has Come to Town

Due to our lack of understanding the names of places here, it is just easier to name a restaurant something that catches our eye or something that happens while eating there. My friends and I have affectionately named this one particular restaurant "The Chick Restaurant.” We named it this because we were eating lunch one day in there when a small group of baby chicks waddled in and one of the waitresses had to shoo them out. I went with my friend Millie one evening to "The Chick Restaurant” for dinner. Millie and I sat a little close to the kitchen where there is a large fish tank with big fish swimming around. Talk about FRESH FISH!!!!! I was watching as one of the waitresses stuck her hand down inside the tank and began rooting around for a fish. We both began watching the girl go fishing. She pulled out a large fish and just let it fall over the side and drop down on the floor. I got so tickled that I couldn’t quit laughing. She proceeded to drop another one on the ground. I thought she was just not able to keep a hold on them, but later I realized that she was allowing them to drop to their death so that the kitchen workers could prepare them for someone’s meal. During this time, I looked over and saw a dog wander into the restaurant. He was taking in the sight of the fish falling to their death and he began sniffing out the situation. I couldn’t help but laugh harder as I thought of it being kind of like a three ring circus here. No one even batted an eye as the fish were flying and the dog was sniffing. It’s just a day in the life here...

Visiting Friends

On a recent trip to visit the A family in another part of the country, we had a wonderful time of fun and relaxation. Sweet friends, great fun, and GOOD TIMES!!!

Having Fun with the A kids!!!

In the market!!!

Part of our trip was on a train. I got the middle bunk!!!

Beautiful scenery!!!

Amazing Waterfalls!!