Picture Time! I thought I was going to be alone all week, but PTL I have been blessed by a visit from friends. They came and stayed for three days and it was wonderful. They didn't let me cook but made all my favorite local dishes. Here are two of the many pictures we took. I am the shiny white face - my friends love my pale face they said I shined like the moon. I let them know that wasn't a compliment for me. The second picture is during my cooking lesson. I wasn't much help but had lots of fun trying. Enjoy Letha

The price of eggs...
So I have been thinking about this post since someone commented awhile back on the price of a papaya. I know living here is a lot cheaper than most places around the world but I wondered how the price of things compares to where you are.
So today I went to the local vegtable stand and bought
1 kilo carrots
1/2 kilo tomatoes
1/2 kilo onions
1 kilo bananas
A large handful of bisbas
And my total came to about 330 Riyals
I bought eggs last night and paid 200 Riyals for a dozen
I bought a new phone battery a few weeks ago and paid 1500 Riyals
I took the bus across town and paid 30 Riyals
Just paid the electric bill (it was extremely high because we are using a/c) 14000 Riyals
So how does this compare with what you are paying? The exchange rate stays about 198 riyals to the dollar.
Letha

I haven't written much about my new occupation (I guess it has been a year already, but still feels new) - that is teaching. I never thought I could be a teacher but have loved working with and seeing my students improve in their English skills. I have never learned so much grammer in all my life! I wanted to write a quick blog to brag on my new class. They are all such hard workers and I am so proud of them. Today they handed in an essay about someone who is important to you. Just when you think all men are nasty, lazy and no good qat chewers you hear a different perspective.
"I'm writing about my husband. His name is Mohmmed. He is 42 years old. He works as Director of Disaster managment. He dresses in a uniform. He is a smart and great man. He helps me at home and he is also a great father. He is a busy man. He works a lot but he tries to stay with our sons as much as he possibly can. He loves reading very much. He reads the newspaper and magazines around noon and watches TV at midnight on weekends."
Isn't that beautiful? I did correct some of the grammer - hope you enjoy
Another student wrote about her parents who are both dead now. It was another wonderful but longer essay. Her Father taught her to be independent and to always take opportunities to continue in her studies.
Letha

I have become an addict and I want to bring everyone down with me. I love the blogging world. And if you are checking this site I guess do you too. So here are a few of my favorite, must visit sites.
1. caringbridge.org/ok/annajane/
2. lovelyfelix.blogspot.com
3. dkdelaughter.blogspot.com
4. bustrum5.blogspot.com
5. murtsub.blogspot.com
5. acupofteawithme.blogspot.com
6. africanfaders.blogspot.com
7. thinkingasawoman.blogspot.com

So if you all know of any others sites I must see - just let me know
Letha

Open Doors
I first realized my love for doors when I visited Zanzibar a few years ago. I have been so excited in my continued travels to find beautiful doors and windows. Here is a door that I thought was beautiful and the picture turned out quite well. It dates back to around 640. Pretty impressive stuff. Enjoy

Living the Highlife
We now have a fancy new coffee shop just around the corner from my house. I went by today to get pictures and a Caramel Frappacino. I was highly impressed. Don't know if it was good or if it has just been a really long time and I have forgotten. But it was fabulously cold and caramelly.
I am also excited about visiting the shop more often because two ladies work there everyday and are already becoming good friends. I also love the fact that she wrote what I ordered on the cup not because the place was so busy, but because that is what she was suppose to do. I have always been the only person getting coffee. I little boy came in for french fries. Fries seem to be the hot item. And really the most impressive part of it all is the fancy sign!

So Glad
This was inspired by my sisters Hannah and Kara
I loved their lists and didn't want to be left out so these are the first 10 things that I thought of that I am so happy to have today.
1. So glad I have family around the world who love and support me.
2. Fans and Air Conditioners
3. The Beach
4. Being welcomed into so many homes
5. I have a great place to work and meet people
6. Memories
7. Music
8. Books
9. Cold Showers
10. Hope

Most frequently Answered Questions
So I was able to visit this evening with an old friend who I hadn't seen in nearly a year. Long story short I thought she was married and moved to another country. She had been calling my old roomates cell phone - who by the way now lives in America. So I was very thankful that we were able to reconnect this evening. And to get back to the reason for title - Most frequently answered questions - you will often hear these answers come out of my mouth, just as they did once again this evening.
1. My name is Letha (sometimes pronounced Leta)
2. I am from America (pronounced Amreeka)
3. I am not married or another version I am single.
4. I have three sisters or there are four daughters in my family.
5. I am a teacher or I teach English at ALC.
6. I love living here.
7. I live in a house with two other single girls. Yes, we are all single.
8. No, I am not looking for an Arabic husband, because I will only marry someone who believes the same as me.
9. I love living here because the people are so kind and welcome me into there home. I love living here because it is a beautiful country. I love the sea and the mountains and the desert...
10. Yes, It is very hot today.
Same questions you are asked and answer on a daily basis?
Sorry I don't have a good picture - will try to get one soon - Hannah has some great ones on her site!
Letha

Blue Eyes
Have you all heard the story about Amy Carmichael when she prayed for blue eyes? But God had a plan for her brown eyes, so the answer was no. Then she went on to India and was able to disguise herself and enter the temples? I have always love that story and Amy in general. It has been said that she spent some time here in my city. How neat is that! This port was a very common port between Europe and India. I like to think that she shared her love and truth with some of the people here in my city before going on to India. Anyways back to the story of the eyes, I remember sitting on Mom's bed at one time and Mom telling us the story - I believe there was even flannel board pictures involved. Anyways I always wanted brown eyes so I could be like Amy. But still my eyes are blue. And let you tell you they are a pretty normal, typical colored blue eyes. But, since living here sometimes, like yesterday as I was walking down the street I felt like my eyes were soo very blue. In a country where everyone has brown eyes, my blue eyes are often the topic of conversation. And when friends find out I wear contacts they think they are to color my eyes - and I am asked if I wear blue contacts. I always have to explain that my contacts are clear I have to wear them to see anything - I am blind without them. This is a new idea to them, all the contacts they have seen or worn are just to change your eyes color. Funny story, one night I went to a friends house and her sister was getting ready for something. Her husband had bought her colored contacts and she couldn't figure out how to get them in. I gave a little contact lesson, they were all impressed with my skills.
What was the point of this blog? My blue eyes definately stand out here and I can understand Amy's need for brown eyes with a new appreciation.

Books
As you all know I love reading. It has been a challenge to find new reading material in the last year, I have read a lot of book twice! I will read just about anything and will form a strong opinion about it. I was so happy when Heidi came and brought me over 10 books - I read them all by April and I rationed them out. All this to say, I am so excited to tell you all about the book I have just started reading. I am on the third chapter and it is already excellent. You should go out and buy it. Just the first two chapters are worth buying and having in your personal library to read multiple times. What a challenge - If you haven't heard of it already the book is titled ' The Heavenly Man. Just thought this was worthy of a blog.
Letha

Hello
Sorry if anyone regularly checks this blog. I don't seem to have many great ideas of what to write about. But I had an idea last night as I was trying to go to sleep and a millions thoughts went running through my head. I am assuming America is as much into cell phones and all the gadgets connected to them. Here I have a trustworthy old Nokia that does nothing but call and text messages, but seems like all of my friends are getting bigger and better versions with cameras and videos. For a people who don't like their pictures taken I sure get my picture taken a lot!
All that to say - Since moving here I have become a text messenger...all my friends love to send creative texts just to let me know they are thinking of me. Some can get pretty creative, for example this last week I got these messages:
When I miss someone like you I just looking to the moon
or
the world need more of you and your smile
and my favorites
If I was an angel looking down from the sky
I'd fall out of heaven and forget how to fly
I'd throw off my wings and blow u a kiss
because U R sum1 even angel miss
and
people live-people die
people laugh-people cry
some give up-some still try
some say "hi"-some say "bye"
others may forget you but never will I

Where did those come from?
So I need your help...any fun little sayings I can send on to my friends?

lethadiane

Redeemed
1. to improve something that is not very good by including something this is good
2. to make someone FREE from the power of evil
Rescued - Ransomed - Paid - Purchased
Gal 3:10-14
1 Pt 1:17-20
Eph 1:7
Books of the Law
I don't often write about what G'd is teaching me but I just had to share with you all the power of this one word. The power of this one word captures everything that I live for. I have been redeemed! The wonder of it all - how often do we take the time to just sit with G'd and allow Him to teach us. I was able to take time on Thursday and sit with G'd. This is a lot harder to do than I would like to admit. I have so many distractions in my life. And this word is my theme - this one word is what I want to wonder about as I walk through my day. Because it is nothing small that I am redeemed by the precious lifeblood of my Savior.

George Steinmetz
Illusions of Arabia
I love this picture. I first saw it in The National Geographic Magazine, Febrary 2005 issue. Someday I want the poster hanging in my home, until then let me share it with whoever stops by and visits my blog. Hope you all enjoy the amazing photography of the Empty Quarters. You can see more of Steinmetz work on his website georgesteinmetz.com

 

Reality Check
Have you ever realized how comfortable we get with our surroundings? When I first moved here I was constantly noticing new sights, new smells, new sounds. And especially those of the women I wanted to get to know. During my first week here I wrote in my journal about my first shopping trip. It was so interesting to shop with balto covered women in shops that carry the most beautiful colored scarves, material, jewelry and shoes. You can just imagine how beautiful they are behing their veils.
Well now I can call some of those veiled women my dear friends and I have gotten used to seeing my friends dressed in black. Actually I am very comfortable wearing the balto myself. Though I keep my face uncovered it would not bother me to wear the veil. This is a scary thought to me. I have gotten used to this way of thinking. It is not right to have to hid behind a covering to protect yourself. How have I gotten so used to this? What other things or ideas have I let myself get used to?
So you may be wondering what brought on this heartfelt question. I want you to hear the words one of my students wrote. It was a wake up call for me. A reality check. The assignment was to write about their plans or hopes for the future. Here is what my student wrote in her second paragraph. "Then, I don't like to get married because all men are the same but I must get married because I am in Y and I can travel to any place with my husband and I can do anything with him but I can't do it alone or with my family this is the habits in Y."
 

Because it makes me laugh...
Wish I could of taken a picture of the huge sign for Fizzy Wizzy at the airport but thankfully while in a small store in Sanaa Heidi found the real deal. I laugh everytime I see this picture and so thought someone else may also enjoy the fun. We get some good laughs every now and again with transliteration problems but this is just simply a horrible name for any drink. Enjoy
 

Cupcake Anyone?
Here are just a few pictures of all the cupcake fun we had! Lots of pink, red, frosting, candy and cupcakes! Mix it all together and you get a great girlie party. Thanks to Bekkah and Heidi who sent or brought all the fun candy and sprinkles. We had a great time. And I had fun giving all the cupcakes away to friends and neighbors.
 

Just because I thought this was fun. These are just some of the pictures we took while Heidi was here. The dukan, mosque and roundabout are the major landmarks to find my house. The Elephant and Sunset pictures are from a day at the beach. Just a few more reasons to come and visit. Enjoy Letha 

Hello Friends!
Can you believe it is almost February? So much for me keeping up with blogging! But I have a wonderful excuse, my sister was here! We went everywhere, seeing, tasting and experiencing my world. And I realized something while Heidi was here - I have grown to really love this country and its people. I could always appreciate its beauty and unique sights but I realized that I have grown to love these people in such a way that I want to know their stories, in such a way that I hurt deep down that they have so much need. Need for the Truth and Hope that I have found. Please look around you and find those people in your world who are searching.
We took tons of pictures so will be sharing those with you soon
Letha 

Happy New Year!

What an adventure this last year has been. I am looking foward to seeing where 2007 will take me. I can't imagine learning more, seeing more, meeting more new friends, just plain experiencing anything more than I did this last year but I am confident the Father still has a lot more to teach me and has more adventures for me to take part in.
I hope to write more on this blog and give you all a reason to check it. Enjoy the pics - this is one of me and my roommates at the local Chinese Restaurant.
Letha

 

Counting my blessings
1. A wonderful week with my parents. We got to travel around the country and visit some of my friends.
2. It is 'winter' here - It is so enjoyable to go out walking and feel the cool breeze. I actually might even appreciate a hot water heater for an occasional hot shower.
3. I am still loving working at the english center. I am busy this next month and so excited about my new friends.
4. Visiting old friends. Spent a few hours yesterday with a good friends and will go visit with another tomorrow.