Responsibility

I am starting to feel like a grown up again. Not that I have a job or anything but I have gotten a lot of responsible things done this week. Like making sure my housing and scholarship is all finalized for school in January, applying for insurance, looking for a car, drinking Starbucks, and the big excitement for me - getting a cell phone again. I even had the opportunity to make sure I got good customer service. I am in the states now and expect that much. The story is the FedEx man tried to skip me but I was expecting the package so called to trace it. He had put in the computer that he had made an attempt at my house. Mistake, he got a written complaint and my phone arrived about 10 minutes later. Yeah, for the new take charge be an adult Letha.

I have also had another highlight this week. Now that the parents are back I got to be fun Auntie Letha again and take the two older girls to a movie. I promise I had way more fun than either of them at Enchanted. A must see for all who love the same kinds of sarcastic, sappy, chic flicks that I do. And just a few more pictures of my adorable nieces.

This is for all you Moms out there

Chill'in

Singing at A Union Christmas

Smiles

Making Christmas Cookies

I just spent a wonderful, busy week taking care of my three nieces. Now the girls were on their best behavior and did very good for me all week. Still, it was a very busy week. They never stop! I thought I was pretty prepared to take over for just one week of parenting duties. But let me tell you I was glad to hand them back over to the real parents on Saturday evening. We did have lots of fun as you can see in the pictures, but I am glad when my time comes to parent I will start with one. And I really did appreciate all the people who offered to help and who made a big deal about me playing the part for a week. Thanks for all the help and encouraging words. This was a week to store in my special memory treasure box.

Smile Tirza!

Since I last wrote...I have had a prayer tea with women at Northbrook, helped teach my nieces biology and have lots of fun with them in Jackson, became a fan of Barbie movies, spent an evening making crafts at the Girl's Club sleepover, been debriefed in Virginia, had a great conversation with a women on a Delta flight, went shopping with Heidi in Tennessee, got stuck in the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, entered a new country and sadly did not get a new stamp in my passport, ridden the sky train, bus and sea bus in Vancouver, Canada, had Thanksgiving with family in Washington some of whom I haven't seen for more than 5 years, used my limited Arabic to visit with a lady who has recently moved here with her family, got my hair highlighted, worshiped in Arabic, used a microphone to share with 3 differenct groups about experiences from the last two years, seen my first snow in two years. And these are just the most exciting things I thought worth mentioning. To say it simply my life has been very full of blessings this last month. I can't even begin to start recalling and giving thanks to all who have filled my life with good things.
Letha

Hello Friends,

I was going to apologize for not writing like I promised, but I figured if you all saw the pictures you would understand why I just haven't found the time. I am loving being Auntie Letha again! Enjoy Sunday Morning Smiles

Princess Time

Dressed up for Trick or Treating

Silly Faces (Bria does much better at the silly. I think she learned it from her Dad)

Lots of Hugs

Remember
I just finished reading Deuteronomy and it seemed rather fitting as I am soon to arrive back in the land of wealth and plenty after a two years in the desert. As most of you know it seems like Moses is really trying to get the people to Remember! I want to remember where I have been the last two years so that I won't get distracted and turn from Christ Alone. Right now I am thinking how impossible that would be, but Judges seems to be telling me that it is easier said than done so... May I always remember
~ the long months in the heat without any sight of rain so that I can rejoice in every cold and rainy day
~the lonliness so that I will always appreciate company
~ God's Faithfulness, Comfort and, Peace so that I will keep going forward and enter all the doors that are opened before me
~That I did go to a new and scary place and I did find a job so that I will be courageous
~ The view of the volcanic rocks and the ocean so that I will praise God for His gifts to me
~ The caring people and friends who welcomed me into their homes and helped me to speak and understand Arabic, so that I will always pray for them and do likewise to others living in a strange land.
So many more, I could fill a book
Deut 8:17&18
"He did it so you would never think that it was your own strength and energy that made you wealthy. Always remember that it is the LORD your God who gives you power to become rich, and he does it to fulfill the covenant he made with your ancestors."
11:22 "show love to the LORD your God by walking in his ways, and clinging to him."
31:8 "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD is the one who goes before you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you or forsake you."

I am so excited that in about a month I can...
1. Be with and get to know my nieces again
2. See and visit with friends and family in TN
3. Go shopping and buy new clothes
4. Wear jeans and be comfortable
5. Be cold!
6. Drive again
7. Go outside without my head covered or wearing my black abaya
8. Miss speaking Arabic
9. Walk down the street and not being the center of attention
10. Go to see a movie at the theater
11. Enjoy a cold cup of fresh milk
And the list goes on - the countdown has begun and I am so very excited about the next big step in this journey of life.

Awhile back Kara asked for more pictures. So I went out the other day and got some more of my neighborhood and house. Pretty exciting, but sights that I see everyday. Enjoy

Confession
I have to admit that I generally avoid reading the prophet books. It just gets so confusing between all the measurements, the beasts and trying to understand and apply it to my life now. I am more likely to be found reading the gospels or something by Paul. But since coming here the books of prophesy have come to mean so much to me. I love looking for prayers and promises to claim for these people here. Still I find myself putting off reading some books like Daniel. I have made for myself a bit of a timeline/schedule you may say to reading through the Bible. I was suppose to read Daniel last month, but got a bit behind and kept putting it off until yesterday. I was looking forward to the first six chapters. I had a book as a kid about Daniel in the lion's den and I can still see the pictures in my mind as I read the story. It is definately one of my favorites of all times (why haven't they made a movie about Daniel?). Anyways I got to the last six chapters and decided to get through them and I will admit I was as intimidated and confused as ever trying to work through the prophesy, BUT then I got to chapter 10 verse 11 and 12

"And the man said to me, 'O Daniel, greatly loved of God, listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up for I have been sent to you...Don't be afraid Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer."

How amazing! Daniel is my hero today.

Do you know where and when these pictures were taken? And for another challenge who took the picture?

Hope these words are as encouraging for you as they have been for me. They are from one of my new favorite songs on my new Jaime Jamgochian cd, that I recieved from the wonderful group who kept giving and giving to us all on my trip.

You Are

More than I ever imagined

Deep within my heart lies passion

For who You are

The one who spun the stars so lovely

Set the universe above me

that's who You are

I want to see Your glory appear

I want to feel Your presence drawing near

God of Hope extraordinary

Matchless love there's no comparing

Abba Father always caring

You are

Peace that passes understanding

Peace that grows always expanding

In your hands my life a treasure

Yesturday, today, forevermore

That's who you are

When I stop to think of all Your wonder

Your mysteries I soon discover

there is more

of Who You Are

Do you have a favorite part of speech?
You remember the 8 parts of speech, taking apart and labeling sentences. I work a lot with those 8 parts of speech with my language students. They really are quite important. So, do you have a favorite? I do, well today I do (I don't think I usually have a strong opinion). I love prepositions. You know everywhere the squirrel (or lizard) can go. Or as I have my students learn - adds information regarding time, place and manner. Why do I suddenly had this love for the strange words called prepositions? Because of this quote I read by Saint Patrick. I was walking the other day and the words kept going to my mind reminding that I am not here alone but...
Christ shield me this day
Christ with me,
Christ before me,
behind me,
in me,
beneath me,
above me,
on my right,
on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every person who thinks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ is the ear that hears me.

Who out there loves to read Francine Rivers books? I do! One of my favorites is her book The Last Sin Eater. I have always thought her books would make great movies and finally someone has done it. My roomate returned home yesterday and brought with her a stack of new movies - yeah! The one I am most excited about and watched last night is The Last Sin Eater, based on Rivers book. You all need to see it and tell others about it. We need to support quality movies that share Truth, so here is my effort. Now I can't say it was the best movie ever but this isn't a critique so I will leave it at that. I may be way behind the times and you all already know about this movie but if not I hope you can find it. It is definately a book worth reading and I enjoyed watching it on the screen. I haven't read the book too recently but what I remember the movie stayed pretty close the the original. Letha

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