The Carnival

 Another group in the big city put on a "Carnival" as an outreach this weekend. They brought in Team Xtreme to do a demonstration. It was like watching my brother perform! So FUN! Josh...you should totally do this someday!! This is Tua, from Samoa, blowing up a water bottle!

 The Human Helicopter! They got to pray with several  young boys. So fun to see!

 The highlight for Annie was getting to help out in the Unicycle Show. Annie bravely volunteered and didn't look back for one second! We were so proud of her!

 That's my girl overcoming her fears for a moment in the spotlight!

 I love this picture! Afterwards she said she felt a little sick to her stomach! When we were talking about later on in the evening she said, "Grammy and Mimi are going to FREAK OUT when they see this picture!"

 It was so fun to hear his testimony and to see someone really using their special gifts and talents for Jesus!

 This sweet family came up to us afterward, because they noticed Toby's glasses. He and Toby have the same eye conditions. We had a beautiful chance to share our belief and were able to pray for Ramin to be healed. It was beautiful to hear him say, "You are Injilis..." We are Gospelers! I love that label for us! He was most struck by the far that we actually read our Bible every day. We were able to challenge him to read his Bible and check out Jesus' healings. 

 Mr. Tua and Mr. Kevin... The REAL Strong Men! Love their heart for people and their ministry.

Mr. Dustin and Ms. Katie. SO fun to see them traveling all over the world together to share Jesus' love. I loved her dreads too!

Family Fun

 After our picnic on Friday we spent the night at a guest house in the big city. It was a little awkward and included sharing a bathroom with a Romanian opera singer by going through his bedroom to get to the bathroom. But still a sweet time. On Saturday we went to a park and enjoyed running around...oh and Jesse slipping in the mud and getting covered. Really?? Can't we stay clean for 5 minutes??

 I love this picture of her. 

 We tried to go to the zoo, but it wasn't open, so we went down this slide a few times.

 Ghetto...but fun.

 Later on we went to Sarah's baby shower. Even Annie got to play the games, she had to change a diaper while blind folded and talking on the phone.

 I got to make the cake and I love how it turned out. This cake survived 8 hours in the car on Friday...slightly squashed, but still tasty.

 The diaper cake arrived in one piece too.

Best part...getting to hold Ezra!

Qaladagh

 On Friday, we packed up the car and headed over the mountains onto a road we have never been on, over new mountains to a place called Qaladagh. Have I mentioned Kurdistan is amazing? Any Kurd that has ever left Kurdistan seeking an easier life will find it and probably find success, but sooner or later they all come back. Once these mountains and hills and valleys get into your soul, you just can't live without them. Every Kurd has a little "village" in them too. They all love to get out in the rugged parts of their country. They love cooking over an open fire and being outside. It's part of their very nature. I love that.

 We met Leila's family here. I love them too. They are so easy to be with. They are all so beautiful.

 Leila.

 Kababs over an open fire. so good. I think they cooked up 20 kilos of chicken. 

 Shirin.

 The first poppies in Annie's hair with an amazing landscape behind her.

 Toby and Jesse climbing in the budding almond trees. This family that we went with owned acres and acres of land filled with fruit trees of all sorts including peaches, apricots, oranges and almonds. They also had grape vines and a mountain spring flowing through.

 Sometimes you just need a good book to be your companion.

 i love her.

 Even a rope swing to play on.

 I loved this kid's mullet.

 Father and daughter. These two have a sweet little friendship.

 Halim...so beautiful.

 The guys...Tim really needs to work on his Kurdish pose...

 Getting water from the spring.

 hangin' out on top of the car

 eating chips with Diar

 lettin' my dance come forth...

shakin' it Behidini style...love the pinky grab. 

This day was truly amazing. I am so thankful spring is finally here.

The sights of Nawroz

 This is our view...this is our backyard, just over our mountain! I love Kurdistan!

 This year, after the snow, it warmed up and we dressed in our best on the 21st and headed on a picnic with friends. It's so funny to dress up in a suit, only to dig in the creek, find bugs and frogs, and fly kites! Good thing we brought a change of clothes.

 I don't think I will ever understand why they come outside only to SIT! It drives me nuts. I can't stand sitting still, especially if we are outside on such a glorious day! I should have had Tim take pictures of me in my jili playing Frisbee with the kids. That was the highlight of my day.

 Toby and Jesse...best friends...partners in crime...examining their captured prey.

 Annie...beautiful...lover of nature...wild and carefree. She loves to play and get dirty and look pretty.

 Love this little buddy with his girl shoes on.

 If anything is classically Kurdish...this is. My friend Zara serving tea. They always make it look so easy and natural and beautiful.

This is so Kurdish too...making food over the gas heater.

 Okay...so they did get up and dance a little. But they were all terrible dancers. It made us laugh though...i have two left feet, and anyone can dance the Kurdi line dance, but these guys were rough.

 Dolma for lunch...everyone was happy.

 My kids were the only ones catching frogs and getting dirty. Everyone else was horrified. They think frogs are so disgusting.

 Pretty girls...sparkling in the sun.