Picnic

 This is a STORK!!  I know right....did you even know they were really real birds and that they live in Iraq of all places??? So if you know anything about storks,  you know they migrate, so part of the year they live here. I love seeing them in the spring on these huge power lines.

 They each have a mate and the same ones come back to the same nest every year. Amazing...what a beautiful journey. I love how God made so many beautiful creatures.

 We went on a picnic with our friends who believe. We went to this amazing spot that was completely shaded by these trees. It was perfect weather. There was a creek running through.

 Seru...beautiful little girl.

 Speda and Annie...they had so much fun running around and explore and being free.

 Kojin and Tim... I love that Tim has spent 2 years pouring into his life in a patient and humble way. He has gained access to his heart and we can't wait to see the fruit pouring back out.

 He loves his little girl. At the end of the day Seru had to poop. She is potty training...which is so hard. Doesn't matter which country you are in. You know your kids always pick the worst time to poop. They had brought the little potty with them. So they put her on it and because it was dusk and all the other picnickers were gone, it was a little eery in the forest. She began to cry in fear. She was sure a bear was coming out to get here. So her Dad made this big show of running up and down and scouting out all the places to make sure there was no bear, even though he knew there wasn't one to begin with. That made her feel a little better, but she was still fearful. So he squatted down behind her and wrapped her up in his arms and whispered to her. She calmed down and finally managed to get her business done. But as I was reflecting on it this morning, I thought...wow...that's just like me. Yes...it's true I would be scared to poop in the forest, but more over when I feel vulnerable...as she did with her pants down....I start to imagine things where they aren't. I can work myself up into a frenzy. My Father assures me there is nothing to be afraid of, but I go right on crying. I pick the worst times to do this to. But it can feel so real in my mind. Every time, my Father is so faithful to surround me with himself and talk me down and help me do what I need to do.

 What is it about boys and fire??

 Sweet helpers

 There are no words...she is so beautiful.

 Love this picture with the reflection of Lajan in the teapot and the forest over us.

 note to self: do not sit in the foreground of a picture.

 taking a little rest from exploring to play IPOD.

 Well....we tried.

 Annie

 Nassar

 Speda

 Jesse

 Toby

 Hamwar

 Taking a nap with a cucumber in hand

 The kids collected trash that others so carelessly threw into the creek.

 Washing hands at the end of the day....and blowing bubbles with the soap.

You can just barely make out Annie's bubble...you can see the top of it above the white car in the background. 

What a great day. Kurdish picnics are SO LONG! 13 hours from door to door. Phew! Tiring, but such  beautiful day. God kept my allergies at bay after my kids prayed for me and we had such a sweet time of fellowship. Felt like the Lord said he was bringing this family into something new and deeper with Him. Am excited to be a part of that.

Just Another Day in the Neighborhood...

 TRASH! I hate it! It's EVERYWHERE here. It multiplies. It oozes out of every nook and cranny. It runs into every drain and piles up in every empty space. It blows through the air. People think nothing of throwing their empty cans and bottles out their windows while driving or into the river while picnicking. It makes me sick. The kids in my neighborhood know NOT to throw anything on the ground in front of me, because I will chew them out and make them collect a bunch of trash. Occasionally since our big trash collection, they ask for a big trash bag and collect one or two. Usually on my suggestion or Annie's. But on this particular day they decided to all get together and they ended up collecting 62 bags. I finally had to tell them to stop because their wasn't any more room to place it. I was SO proud of them. I realized they were doing it for me. At first I was just amused by them. But when each child kept coming to me to report their collection and how many bags they had done or to show me the giant piece they found or to tell me the really gross thing they touched. I realized it was FOR me. They wanted to please me. They wanted my affection and affirmation for a job well done. 

 Once I finally realized that I made a big show of taking lots of pictures and affirming each one and exclaiming over each one. See that boy up away from the group by the house?? He is kind of the "bad" boy in the neighborhood, but even he collected the most bags and hung around from afar to receive my praise. God pour out your love on these kids and this sweet offering of trash.

 We opened up our yard for a rowdy game of something...not sure what. It involved a song and everyone was supposed to close their eyes...there are a few cheaters. 

 The next day, the city sent a dump truck to pick up all the bags.

 Here's Aram...proud of himself. Love this sweet kid. God has big plans for this little buddy.

The next day God asked me to watch Braden and Vera. They were such a blessing and a delight for us to have. So obedient and sweet. I couldn't have done it without my helper...Annie. She is so amazing and so good with kids. 

Scorpion Suckers

 Thanks Ms. Carol for your awesome package! The suckers were a huge hit with Jesse....

Annie however is a little unsure about eating THIS sucker...notice the scorpion....yeah it's real! These are the longest lasting suckers ever, because the boys will suck on them for a few minutes, then psych themselves out a little and have to put it down. Yesterday Toby accidentally crunched one of his pinchers and was very scared. HA! The neighbors are quite freaked out by these suckers too. Way to make a HUGE hit Carol!

Exploring

 I am not a huge fan of scenery shots. I much prefer faces. But Kurdistan in the spring is so stunning. Maybe you have to appreciate the bleakness of winter and the utter dryness and BROWN of summer, not to mention the scorching heat. So spring just feels so amazing. This is LUSH to us. Which we laughed about compared to our Kentucky days or Georgia or pretty much anywhere else in the States, people might say this was a drought. But this spring we have had such great rain that everything has green on.

 We headed to a little town called Dukan...a tourist town...right on the river in a little valley between huge mountain ranges.

 I can't help myself with these shots...I have to post them so I remember that it really is beautiful here. That's why I journal too and blog...to remind myself when I'm feeling bleak or BROWN that there are green times and perfect weather days.

 We went to the river with the Houghs and the Mewmaws. One word: FUN! Who doesn't like to throw rocks in a river? However, I wish I counted how many times I warned against falling in the river.

 Annie and Vera are becoming good buddies.

 LOVE this adventurous girl!

 cutest little nut scavenger

 These greedy musicians played for us and as soon as I took a picture demanded money and then took off after they got it. BOO!!!!

 Annie and Liv. Annie wants a little sister so bad. So thankful she gets to love on these little girls.

 So many cool, climbing boys in one tree. LOVE it.

 The poppies are especially big and bright this year.

 So I have seen this old fort for 3 years up on this mountain and we finally decided to climb up and see it.

 Totally worth the somewhat steep hike up....although I didn't have a baby strapped to me like the other two moms. My hikers were way ahead of me.

Vera playing with pretty poppies...I wish I could have gotten her profile just a little more...love all the sweet baby skin!

 Sadly so much history is lost around here, so no one seems to know how old this was and what it was used for. So we had to make up our own stories. Toby was a little disappointed to not find any armor from the dark ages here.

 yeah...we climb on ledges...that's how we roll!

 I made it into a couple of pictures!

 I love this picture because it's how I feel about me. I sometimes feel I got planted in the wrong place, like a flower growing straight out of a wall. Where's the lush field? How did I end up in a crack in some old wall? But I love that these flowers are thriving and blooming where they are planted. I am determined to be that person.

 First Team Photo...we were a little hot and tired...out of water...but a pretty good shot.

 My boys...discussing plans on how to take over the world...probably.

Friends, amazing picnic food, poppies, green grass, ice cold river, ancient ruins, mountains, blue skies...PERFECT day!

Family shot. what? are we really ALL smiling. impossible.

What a great day with fun families.