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. 

Update
Sorry for the delay on finishing my story but our phone hasn't been working. The end of the story is very anticlimatic anyways - which I am very thankful for. Though it may make any feminists out their unhappy with me - a man took care of it all for me! On Monday nights a group of us get together for the obvious and so I mentioned my dilemma and verified where I could find the electric company. Then next day I got a phone call and the husband of a family working here offered to help me out! Of course, I was more than happy to accept. So I am not feeling so all alone anymore and the same man helped me out again yesterday to get our phone line working. I am more than happy to depend on men to take care of these things. I just hope something doesn't happen to my water! I paid the bill this week!
The highlight from this last week was that I was able to help host a Kids Party. It had been too long since I played kid's games and sang the hoky poky. We played a name game, Red Light Green Light, Simon Says, Father Abraham, Head shoulders knees and toes...We ended the event with acting out the story of the 10 Lepers who were healed but only one came back to say Thank You, and enjoyed some chocolate cake.
This last week I also started reading Beth Moore's Believing God - I highly recommend this book it has been greatly challenging me. In the book she asked for the reader to make a committment for a period of time. I have committed to strengthening my prayer life during this month of Ramadan and am excited to see how it will change my perspective and relationships.

So I told a friend just about two days ago that I did not miss America. I told him I missed a lot of people there but not the place itself. What would I miss? Well as always when you made statements like that it comes back to haunt you. Yes, today I missed America - I missed it big time. Let me start from the beginning. Yesterday I was given my electricity bill - not such a big deal, I didn't think so either. Well I went to the post office today (that is where we pay all our bills) with the specific purpose to pay the electricity bill and the phone bill. Well I gave the man at the counter (a man I really like, he has helped me in the past to get packages when the 'package man' wasn't available) my bill. He quickly stamped it and I made the mistake of questioning the amount. It was really high! And before I could think he tore the bill up!!! I think he thought I wasn't going to pay it because it was so high. The problem is you have to have the bill to pay the amount because he stamps it and it become your recipe. One side goes to you and the other gets sent to the electricity company. So now I don't have a bill. I am not worried this is a nice guy he will fix the problem. NOPE, he tells me now I have to go to the electricity office to get a new bill to pay for my electricity. I ask him why I can't pay it here...finally I understand that he needs my bill from last month. Okay I can do that - so I go home still not concerned about the issue thinking he will make everything okay. So I went back this evening and got the same answers as before, he just wanted to show me on my old bill the numbers I needed to show at the electricity company. He knows me arabic isn't so great and was trying to help me out but I was mad at this point. As always they point me to go over and talk to another man. This second man was really nice also but could do nothing to help me. I told him I just wanted to pay my bill but he said I had to have a bill/recipe. I told him the man over their ripped it up!! He told that man was a bad man, it was not good, but now I must go to the electric company. I have no idea where the electric company is! And I told him so - then he told the what every single girl felling all alone in a foreign country wants to hear - he told me to tell my husband to do it for me. That about pushed me over the edge. So I missed America today and the nice little envelopes you get in the mail and the nice litte envelopes you put your check in and place in the mail box the next day. I don't know when I shall go on the hunt for the electric company but I am sure it will be another adventure.
So now that I have told my dramatic story - on a lighter note I hope you enjoy the ridiculous picture of me. I have a friend who is very concerned about my lack of wearing makeup so last time I went to visit her I let her do my makeup. I was already to go to a party or wedding. She took over an hour applying layer over layer and tons of black eyeliner...I really do love living here and am learning more about myself (and my limits) and my Father everyday.
Hope to keep this blog more interesting in the next few months. 

Home Sweet Home
Here are some pictures of our house! It is a great house with lots of rooms, windows and most importantly fans.
Notice: I even made my bed for the pictures. We love the tile floors because they stay cool and are perfect for afternoon naps.







Here is the bathroom. Not usually picture worthy but ours is a bit different than others. We have both a western and a squatty potty - so you've got options.
And the shower is in the middle of the room - the nice part of that is our floor stays really clean and no tub duty.
Here is the outside view. We are the tallest building on the street. Just ring the door bell and we will ring you up to the second floor!
Hope you all enjoy seeing a bit more of my life here.
Let me know what you want to know more about and I will write about it or send pictures.
Letha

Good Food - Bad Food

New Favorites
1. Fazulia (Beans)
2. Fish Market
3. Shark Shack
4. Brost Chicken
5. Rice - this is not plain rice but with lots of stuff in it - you never know but it's great
6. Bisbas Sauce
7. Hummus and Bread
8. Swarma
9. Falafal Wraps
10. Ma-shekle
11. Tea and Popcorn (everytime I visit friends)
12. Lime Juice - the most refreshing drink ever!
And Foods I am not so fond of
1. Mango Juice - so thick
2. Sheep Meat
3. Local Candy
4. Ginger - this is a long story I must explain. I was at a friends house and we were talking about different home cures - one of which is hot ginger juice for a cold. Not knowing the arabic word for ginger they brought one of the roots out for me to see. As they were all taking bites of it they convinced me to try some. I took the tiniest little bite and my mouth was on FIRE! They all laughed at me - it was a fun evening. And now I know what ginger looks like!
Other great things about dining here is that you don't need to worry about having silverware, tables, chairs or even plates. We all sit together around a mat and share a common bowl. Everything tastes better when you share and eat with your hands and bread. Always the right hand! 

It's the Weekend!
This week has been great. I love working at the english center. Already I have made so many new friends in just one week! And another plus to teaching is the weekend. This weekend two friends came to visit and we are having a blast. Yesturday we went to the beach and enjoyed the pool until there was an invasion of staring eyes, then we found a nice place on the beach and enjoyed the breeze off the water.

To finish the day we decided to treat ourselved to dinner at Pizza Hut, then ice cream at the mall. Yes, that is a lone olive on my plate - it seems I am the only person in the group who can appreciate the olive - so I was given the pickings from everyone else.