Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter

 I had fun making these cookies for the kids to take with them to "Easter Camp". Some other workers put on a 2 day camp for foreign children! What a HUGE blessing! These two women put together an entire weekend packed FULL of lessons, worship, crafts, food and FUN! 
 So the least we could do was send along a few snacks. Cake pops...hmmm...not so great with melted chocolate, but tasty.
 I am one of those parents who misses their kids when away from them. I am not going to lie. So when they said they needed help to take the kids to the park and back, I volunteered. I had to get a peek at them and make sure they remembered me.
 Of course they were having a blast!
 BUT...I am not the Mom who clings or carries on or makes her kids feel sad. I encourage them to take flight! And they soared! I am proud!
 Who would want to take this group and keep them in their own house for 2 nights AND plan amazing times of meeting with God? These two valiant ladies! They were detectives for the weekend and tried to prove the question "Is Jesus still alive?" They had all sorts of activities and lessons and proofs that they found. They came back FULL of verses and knowledge.
 Annie had a blast running around with the boys, all the girls were a couple years younger than her. But she enjoyed her time chit-chatting with them inside. I love that she is a mix of pink, but covered in dirt! Beauty but unafraid of getting dirty and being tough!
 Jesse had so much fun with these boys! I can only imagine what is going on in his head in this instance. They surely believe they are 3 comrades marching off to war together to conquer the world...and they will!
 Meanwhile, Tim and I got to stay in a nice hotel and go out to coffee and dinner and shopping. We hardly knew what to do with ourselves! What a gift!
 We were home again for Easter morning and we made yummy carrot cake and crescent rolls!
 The kids hunted for their Easter baskets. Thanks Mom for instilling fun traditions in me!


 Tim found great hiding places behind curtains and hanging up on the rod! Took them awhile to find it!
 Jesse still didn't see his behind the curtain...the red blur in the background. 
 It's still fun to dress up, even when you are going to church in your own house!
 The girls!
 The gang!
 The boys...showing off the many ways of wearing a 3 piece suit!
 A family picture. Love that EVERYTHING is blooming right now. Our pomegranate tree behind us has grown so much and should give us lots of fruit this year. 
 All dressed up and playing!
Eating cookies in play clothes outside...much better! We had a great time of celebrating and hosted a few more Americans during this time as well...but no pictures of them. Sad. Thankful for our time! 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Kurdish New Year...Nawroz 2013

Love all these boys all dressed up!
 Speda and Annie...beautiful inside and out!
 Seru with her American candy stash that her Daddy brought home from Turkey! 
 Tim and KJ

 Lajan and I...a slight height difference, she is wearing heels and standing on a slight up slope.
 Love the freedom and joy of this picture and the girls running through this field of green.
 Eating a WarHead for the first time...so sour!
 KJ trying to pretend it wasn't hurting him.

 Love these flag pics.

 Tim made a ladder ball game and brought it as a gift to our friends. They loved it.
 
 He was so proud of putting together his first Lego creation. Jesse did most of it, as he has never been shown how to make something from nothing. 

 Let's eat...Dolma and Briani. 
Love how they are learning to love each other and show affection.
We had such a great time with them. We are truly becoming good friends and can just enjoy each other's company and friendship and be real with each other. 

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The Perks of the Job



 Tim got to take KJ to Izmir, Turkey for a couple of days this past week! They were meeting with another group of people that will co-labor with us. But amazing location to do "work." While the rest of us sit at home! (sarcasm intended!)
 So exciting for KJ to get to see Ephesus and walk the ancient streets of all he has read and can take it back to share with his people.
One day he will fill a stadium! 
While they were livin' it up in Turkey, we got to keep his oldest daughter Speda and help her learn some English. It was a long week for all of us, but probably hardest on Speda as it was her first time away from her family. She was so sweet and fun to have around. I am sure she has lots of weird stories to tell her family of how different we are!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

To The Tree

 A gross and dusty day to go to the tree, but mild and green. We have friends visiting our team, so we had to let them try the tree.
 Brad brought his corn hole game. Jesse was intense!

 This shepherd was taking a break nearby.
 We went out walking and got to watch a herd a sheep and goats pass by.
 The poppies are sprouting! My kids were SO excited about this! I guess that means I have done a good job of making it seem like a big deal every other year. Every time they saw a poppy we could hear them screaming, "POPPIES! POPPIES!" It's the little things in life.
 I feel like this could be a Gap ad...if Tim wasn't picking his nose. Maybe that is cool now??
 Even Blankie made the trip with Vera.
 Collecting tadpoles, although this year I made it clear that it was completely up to the kids to grow them. I want nothing to do with their slimy water. So...we'll see how they do.
Fascinating!

 These are some seriously COOL and FUN kids!

 A smile!
 Time for chicken...YUM!
 Most of us...
 It's fun to watch my kids love on Vera! Everyone needs a buddy to help put your shoes on sometimes.
 Little birdies in the tree.
 We finished the night off with some s'mores! Thanks Ms. Holly! You rock!