Thursday, August 30th:
Walked to the school first thing for a meeting. No kids as the school day had been canceled. We got home by 10am and I was able to get a lot of lesson planning done. I took a nap in the afternoon and slept much longer than I had intended. In fact when I woke up, I realized that John and the maintenance man from our school were over, looking at Sarah's room to install the split (AC/heater unit that mounts on the wall). They went right to the market, bought one, and came back with a couple men for installation. In no time at all, Sarah had cool air in her room! That is a major accomplishment, especially as it was finished in one day. As they left, I went to my room to get something and saw that my family was calling me! We got to talk for a few minutes, but John, Mary, Sarah, and I had already made plans to go furniture shopping before dinner. We walked to the furniture store and Sarah was able to pick out a wardrobe, desk, nightstand, and we both got a desk chair! So many things accomplished in one day - AMAZING! We treated ourselves to dinner at the Turkish wrap restaurant (Tantuni), then walked home to meet Andy and Lisa for some ice cream. We were able to talk about some of the transitions with the school which have been difficult to decipher. For now, we are simply taking one step at a time and doing our jobs to the best of our ability.
Friday, August 31st:
Woke up at 6:20 this morning, threw a load of clothes in the wash before Skyping with my family. Eithen "woke up" when he heard me (he had just gone to bed), so we got to talk a little bit. Stephen showed me his new school clothes (always a fun time of year) and I got to talk to Dad and Mom for a little bit too. I still feel like I am floating through each day. Everything seems normal, but I'm not sure that I've fully adjusted. I am beginning to wonder if there will be some shock once I finally find my feet on the ground. Devotions have reminded me to lean upon Christ, that "all things are safe in Jehovah's hands; what we entrust to the Lord will be secure, both now and in that day of days towards which we are hastening." He knows how much I FEEL I have given up to be here and how much more I am afraid I will have to give up. My feelings are secure with Him. My spirit rests in the knowledge that God's will is always best, but the flesh continues to put up a fight.
Finished my lesson planning and worked on an art project for my room. I will post pictures when I am done. I am trying to make my room more personal this year, since I realized it was hard to come back here when it didn't feel like a home. Sarah has been a great encouragement and we've had fun putting the house together. We drew out our family trees and a timeline of our lives in the kitchen (picture coming). It was a fun bonding experience and a good visual aid showing how God has led us through the years.
In the afternoon we went over to John and Mary's for a break from school, then had Pizza Hot delivered (well, John went and picked it up!) :) It was better than I remembered, except for the olives which I took off and gave to John (an ongoing joke since he dislikes them as much as I do.) Thankfully Mary and Sarah like olives, so they get extra on their slices. :) We were hoping that since it was evening, things would be open again, so we ventured out to Mazi. Western Union wasn't open, which meant we couldn't get our wire, but we took a nice walk and then picked up some groceries at Mazi.
After all the lesson planning we've done, I've come to realize that this will be a busy year. I still don't feel mentally prepared, but I am trusting God to guide my footsteps and open my eyes to see all He is doing here. My desire, more than anything, is to have my heart turned in the right direction that it might align with His purposes.
Friday, August 31, 2012
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
August 28th and 29th: Settling In
Tuesday, August 28th:
It's hard to believe how quickly I've adjusted to being here again. I am back on my morning routine - up by 6 for devotions, followed by a workout video, then preparations for the day. This morning I had the special treat of Skyping with my family. It is the first time I've "seen" them in over a week. We had arranged to talk at 8:30pm PST. Mom was cleaning up dishes when Dad said he would put the boys to bed.
Mom: "What time is it?"
Dad: "8:30"
Mom: "Oh! We are supposed to Skype with Sissy!"
In a flash, Eithen is off the couch and bolting up the stairs, "We a talk to Sissy on the 'puter! We a talk to Sissy on the 'puter!"
It was fun to see everyone. They were hanging all over Dad's chair to get a look at the screen, doing somersaults, and taking me around the house to see their new room arrangements. It was a great way to start the morning, though it made me miss the regular family routine.
At 8:15, Lisa came over and the four of us ladies walked to school together. That was a fun change from last year since my schedule was so different from everyone else's that I wasn't able to walk with them.
My first group in the morning is the class that was formerly called 4B. Yep, the "rowdy" group! Of course, having them first thing in the morning may prove to be a blessing. There were only a handful this morning, so it was difficult to tell if things will be different from last year. (School won't officially start until all the students are in attendance, which is apparently optional during the first few weeks.) I had them start by writing down three goals for the year. I told them that if they meet those goals at the end of the semester, then they will earn a reward from America. Instead of viewing school as something imposed on them, I hope they will learn to invest in their education and push themselves to do more than what is expected of them.
My second class was 5A (previously 4A). We have two new students in the class and I am really excited to have them there. After the class wrote out their goals, I shared my own goals with them: become a better teacher, help my students succeed, prepare them for the next grade level. The eyes of the new students lit up and they were soaking in every word. They seem like bright students and eager to learn. I hope their desire to learn will have an influence on the rest of the class. Next, I discussed my class rules:
1. Try your best
2. Be respectful
3. Listen
And my discipline policy (X - warning, XX - leave the class until ready to follow the rules, XXX - lose your long break). It is fun to start at the beginning of the school year since I can lay out my expectations and establish my own policies.
Immediately following I teach 6B. They are a fun group of students (Julie taught them Literature last year) and I am looking forward to working with them. After a half hour break, I teach 6A. I substituted for them last year and worked with some of them during the soccer clinic. We went through the same things I had discussed with the 5th graders. They are better listeners, so it didn't take quite as long to go through everything.
At noon, I was done teaching. Sarah didn't have very many students in her last class, so she ended early and we taxied home together. The afternoon mostly consisted of lesson planning and trying to stay cool. The city electricity went out again for an hour, so we had our fans on and lots of cold water. In the evening, around 6:30, we went to the art supply store called Zanest. Sarah got a taste of the market at night when it is ten times busier (cooler though too). I tried to look at it through her eyes, going back to January when I went to the market for the first time. It seems like a lifetime ago!
When we got back, we watched a movie with John and Mary. It was a relaxing way to end the evening, even though it meant another late night!
Wednesday, August 29th:
It was already pretty warm when Mary and I started our walk to the school; part way there, the school's maintenance man and his little daughter stopped to give us a ride! So thankful!
Had a very encouraging time in all of my classes. I outlined the procedures for our class (how to: start with a warm-up assignment while I collect homework, ask a question, ask to leave, organize their binder, etc.) Each class seemed attentive and eager to follow through correctly. It will be interesting to see which group picks up on them first (and whether or not I can remember to enforce the procedures!) :P
After school (which is still in "preparatory week") Sarah and I walked home for more lesson planning. I got a lot accomplished and it is good to feel motivated and implement new methods that were too difficult to start half way through the year. I am hopeful (and praying) that the consistency will help improve behavior this year. Sarah and I made dessert in the late afternoon for our team meeting. We made no-bake peanut butter bars, which are always a good standby.
Team night provided much needed refreshment in the midst of a busy week. We shared a wonderful meal together. Lisa made a salsa chicken spaghetti casserole, which was the most flavorful dish I've tasted here (as I recall) and Mary made a great salad with Ranch dressing. Andy shared a devotion about the blood of Jesus Christ. The verse given to me to read was Hebrews 13:12 "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate." God's Word jumped from the page and spoke directly at me. Since I started packing to come here, I've struggled with leaving my family and friends to live a life that is so different from theirs. It was hard over the summer to relate in our experiences. As a team we have adopted a new acronym - FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out. I definitely have FOMO. It is hard to live so far away, knowing that my brothers are going to keep growing up, my sister is going to keep moving on with her life, and my parents will continue going through their daily routine ... without me! I want to share every moment with them - taking my brother to football practice, sympathizing with my dad over his number-crunching, helping Mom grocery shop, and cuddling up for the bedtime stories. Tonight's Scripture reminded me that Jesus suffered OUTSIDE the gate that I might be sanctified with His own blood. His suffering took Him from the heights and glories of Heaven to a lowly manger to a scornful people to the shame of the cross. May God make me willing to suffer (in a small way by comparison) outside the gate of my family and physical comforts that others would be sanctified.
It's hard to believe how quickly I've adjusted to being here again. I am back on my morning routine - up by 6 for devotions, followed by a workout video, then preparations for the day. This morning I had the special treat of Skyping with my family. It is the first time I've "seen" them in over a week. We had arranged to talk at 8:30pm PST. Mom was cleaning up dishes when Dad said he would put the boys to bed.
Mom: "What time is it?"
Dad: "8:30"
Mom: "Oh! We are supposed to Skype with Sissy!"
In a flash, Eithen is off the couch and bolting up the stairs, "We a talk to Sissy on the 'puter! We a talk to Sissy on the 'puter!"
It was fun to see everyone. They were hanging all over Dad's chair to get a look at the screen, doing somersaults, and taking me around the house to see their new room arrangements. It was a great way to start the morning, though it made me miss the regular family routine.
At 8:15, Lisa came over and the four of us ladies walked to school together. That was a fun change from last year since my schedule was so different from everyone else's that I wasn't able to walk with them.
My first group in the morning is the class that was formerly called 4B. Yep, the "rowdy" group! Of course, having them first thing in the morning may prove to be a blessing. There were only a handful this morning, so it was difficult to tell if things will be different from last year. (School won't officially start until all the students are in attendance, which is apparently optional during the first few weeks.) I had them start by writing down three goals for the year. I told them that if they meet those goals at the end of the semester, then they will earn a reward from America. Instead of viewing school as something imposed on them, I hope they will learn to invest in their education and push themselves to do more than what is expected of them.
My second class was 5A (previously 4A). We have two new students in the class and I am really excited to have them there. After the class wrote out their goals, I shared my own goals with them: become a better teacher, help my students succeed, prepare them for the next grade level. The eyes of the new students lit up and they were soaking in every word. They seem like bright students and eager to learn. I hope their desire to learn will have an influence on the rest of the class. Next, I discussed my class rules:
1. Try your best
2. Be respectful
3. Listen
And my discipline policy (X - warning, XX - leave the class until ready to follow the rules, XXX - lose your long break). It is fun to start at the beginning of the school year since I can lay out my expectations and establish my own policies.
Immediately following I teach 6B. They are a fun group of students (Julie taught them Literature last year) and I am looking forward to working with them. After a half hour break, I teach 6A. I substituted for them last year and worked with some of them during the soccer clinic. We went through the same things I had discussed with the 5th graders. They are better listeners, so it didn't take quite as long to go through everything.
At noon, I was done teaching. Sarah didn't have very many students in her last class, so she ended early and we taxied home together. The afternoon mostly consisted of lesson planning and trying to stay cool. The city electricity went out again for an hour, so we had our fans on and lots of cold water. In the evening, around 6:30, we went to the art supply store called Zanest. Sarah got a taste of the market at night when it is ten times busier (cooler though too). I tried to look at it through her eyes, going back to January when I went to the market for the first time. It seems like a lifetime ago!
When we got back, we watched a movie with John and Mary. It was a relaxing way to end the evening, even though it meant another late night!
Wednesday, August 29th:
It was already pretty warm when Mary and I started our walk to the school; part way there, the school's maintenance man and his little daughter stopped to give us a ride! So thankful!
Had a very encouraging time in all of my classes. I outlined the procedures for our class (how to: start with a warm-up assignment while I collect homework, ask a question, ask to leave, organize their binder, etc.) Each class seemed attentive and eager to follow through correctly. It will be interesting to see which group picks up on them first (and whether or not I can remember to enforce the procedures!) :P
After school (which is still in "preparatory week") Sarah and I walked home for more lesson planning. I got a lot accomplished and it is good to feel motivated and implement new methods that were too difficult to start half way through the year. I am hopeful (and praying) that the consistency will help improve behavior this year. Sarah and I made dessert in the late afternoon for our team meeting. We made no-bake peanut butter bars, which are always a good standby.
Team night provided much needed refreshment in the midst of a busy week. We shared a wonderful meal together. Lisa made a salsa chicken spaghetti casserole, which was the most flavorful dish I've tasted here (as I recall) and Mary made a great salad with Ranch dressing. Andy shared a devotion about the blood of Jesus Christ. The verse given to me to read was Hebrews 13:12 "Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the gate." God's Word jumped from the page and spoke directly at me. Since I started packing to come here, I've struggled with leaving my family and friends to live a life that is so different from theirs. It was hard over the summer to relate in our experiences. As a team we have adopted a new acronym - FOMO - Fear Of Missing Out. I definitely have FOMO. It is hard to live so far away, knowing that my brothers are going to keep growing up, my sister is going to keep moving on with her life, and my parents will continue going through their daily routine ... without me! I want to share every moment with them - taking my brother to football practice, sympathizing with my dad over his number-crunching, helping Mom grocery shop, and cuddling up for the bedtime stories. Tonight's Scripture reminded me that Jesus suffered OUTSIDE the gate that I might be sanctified with His own blood. His suffering took Him from the heights and glories of Heaven to a lowly manger to a scornful people to the shame of the cross. May God make me willing to suffer (in a small way by comparison) outside the gate of my family and physical comforts that others would be sanctified.
Monday, August 27, 2012
August 27th: Germany and More News
The Journey:
I realized after my last post that I didn't give any info about my time in Germany or the flight here! I left Monday afternoon, August 20th. Mom, Dad and the boys came to Medford to see me off. We checked my bags, then went to lunch for one last Mexican meal. When we came back, we found out that my flight was delayed by a half hour, so we had more time than expected. It was a teary departure with Eithen telling me, "You a go to 'Roc' and come back tomorrow. Then I a be a happy." I had a hard time dealing with the fact that I was going to be gone twice as long this time...
I went through security without any problems and fell asleep on the plane, feeling emotionally exhausted. We arrived in Denver too late for me to make my flight to Germany. The difference between this trip and the last one became apparent when I didn't even feel nervous about missing my flight. Once again, it was a good reminder to depend on the Lord and to realize that if this is His endeavor, then He will get me where I need to be. After bouncing back and forth between terminals to talk to customer service, I rescheduled for the flight leaving the next day. United gave me a free night's stay in a hotel with three food vouchers. I took a shuttle to the hotel, which ended up being thirty minutes away. It was a beautiful hotel though and I was able to rest and relax.
Left on time the next morning and had lunch at the airport. Left for Frankfurt at 1:30pm and arrived the next day at 10am. I took the train to Stuttgart (which was a new experience and served to remind me that I can navigate my way through a foreign country. It helped to relieve some of my trepidation about going back to Duhok.) My German sisters, Katze and Carola, met me at the train station. It was such a relief to see them!
We ate a late lunch together, then Carola and I went for a walk in downtown Nurtingen while Katze worked on a school assignment. Carola and I were able to catch up on life (it's been 8 years since we've seen each other!) The next day we went to Heidelberg, walked around downtown, had Eiskaffees (coffee with vanilla ice cream - my favorite German past time and super YUMMY!) then took the train up to the castle.
For dinner, Katze's parents hosted a BBQ for the family. We shared pictures and enjoyed being with each other. Carola and Katze helped me print my boarding passes and discussed whether it would be better to drive part way to Frankfurt, then get on the train, or take the train the whole way. We finally decided on the latter. The next morning, Katze and her family drove me to Stuttgart where I got on the train to go to Frankfurt. (On the way to Stuttgart we heard over the radio that there was a large accident on the autobahn going to Frankfurt and all the lanes were closed. God had definitely gone before us when we decided I should take the train!) Made it through the check-in process and security without too many difficulties. I found the right gate, keeping an eye out for the Bishop's and for Sarah. As I turned to leave and take a look around the airport, there they were, walking towards me! It was a happy reunion! Got one last Eiskaffee before we boarded. We found out that the Nelson's weren't going to be able to make it, so that was a disappointment. In Erbil, we got on our big bus with all our luggage and the rest ... is history (or at least in the last blog post)!
Monday, August 27th:
Moving ahead to today... Bishop's, Nelsons, Sarah and I went to the school in the late morning. We were greeted warmly by the teachers and got to catch up with all of them while we waited. It was one more thing to help me feel settled back into the life here. We met with the curriculum director who gave us our curriculum and yearly plans. It is good to be back to work!
When we got back to the apartment around 2pm, the city electricity was out (haven't had that happen in the last three months!) Sarah and I visited with John and Mary since our generator power wasn't working either. Around 4pm we took a taxi to Mazi and introduced Sarah to our local supermarket! After unloading our groceries at home, we got in another taxi and met the Bishop's at Shindokah Restaurant. We got our first team picture:
And introduced Sarah to after-dinner-tea:
Thankful to be here with a loving team, a great job, and a Father who is faithful and caring!
I realized after my last post that I didn't give any info about my time in Germany or the flight here! I left Monday afternoon, August 20th. Mom, Dad and the boys came to Medford to see me off. We checked my bags, then went to lunch for one last Mexican meal. When we came back, we found out that my flight was delayed by a half hour, so we had more time than expected. It was a teary departure with Eithen telling me, "You a go to 'Roc' and come back tomorrow. Then I a be a happy." I had a hard time dealing with the fact that I was going to be gone twice as long this time...
I went through security without any problems and fell asleep on the plane, feeling emotionally exhausted. We arrived in Denver too late for me to make my flight to Germany. The difference between this trip and the last one became apparent when I didn't even feel nervous about missing my flight. Once again, it was a good reminder to depend on the Lord and to realize that if this is His endeavor, then He will get me where I need to be. After bouncing back and forth between terminals to talk to customer service, I rescheduled for the flight leaving the next day. United gave me a free night's stay in a hotel with three food vouchers. I took a shuttle to the hotel, which ended up being thirty minutes away. It was a beautiful hotel though and I was able to rest and relax.
Left on time the next morning and had lunch at the airport. Left for Frankfurt at 1:30pm and arrived the next day at 10am. I took the train to Stuttgart (which was a new experience and served to remind me that I can navigate my way through a foreign country. It helped to relieve some of my trepidation about going back to Duhok.) My German sisters, Katze and Carola, met me at the train station. It was such a relief to see them!
We ate a late lunch together, then Carola and I went for a walk in downtown Nurtingen while Katze worked on a school assignment. Carola and I were able to catch up on life (it's been 8 years since we've seen each other!) The next day we went to Heidelberg, walked around downtown, had Eiskaffees (coffee with vanilla ice cream - my favorite German past time and super YUMMY!) then took the train up to the castle.
Eiskaffee!
View of Heidelberg from the castle:
The castle:
My time in Germany was definitely a blessing. I was able to sight-see and take a breath before transitioning back to life in Duhok. I could get around fairly well, especially as my German-speaking skills came back more each day. After Heidelberg, Katze's parents made schnitzel for dinner. More yumminess! The next day we went to Tubingen where Carola and Katze are both attending university. We stopped by Carola's apartment first, then went to Katze's while Carola went to her physical therapy appointment. We met up again and had pfankuchen for lunch in downtown Tubingen. There were a lot of neat shops that we walked by. A stream runs in front of the houses, so each one has a little bridge going across to their door. After lunch, we went to a factory store and tried on dirndls:
For dinner, Katze's parents hosted a BBQ for the family. We shared pictures and enjoyed being with each other. Carola and Katze helped me print my boarding passes and discussed whether it would be better to drive part way to Frankfurt, then get on the train, or take the train the whole way. We finally decided on the latter. The next morning, Katze and her family drove me to Stuttgart where I got on the train to go to Frankfurt. (On the way to Stuttgart we heard over the radio that there was a large accident on the autobahn going to Frankfurt and all the lanes were closed. God had definitely gone before us when we decided I should take the train!) Made it through the check-in process and security without too many difficulties. I found the right gate, keeping an eye out for the Bishop's and for Sarah. As I turned to leave and take a look around the airport, there they were, walking towards me! It was a happy reunion! Got one last Eiskaffee before we boarded. We found out that the Nelson's weren't going to be able to make it, so that was a disappointment. In Erbil, we got on our big bus with all our luggage and the rest ... is history (or at least in the last blog post)!
Monday, August 27th:
Moving ahead to today... Bishop's, Nelsons, Sarah and I went to the school in the late morning. We were greeted warmly by the teachers and got to catch up with all of them while we waited. It was one more thing to help me feel settled back into the life here. We met with the curriculum director who gave us our curriculum and yearly plans. It is good to be back to work!
When we got back to the apartment around 2pm, the city electricity was out (haven't had that happen in the last three months!) Sarah and I visited with John and Mary since our generator power wasn't working either. Around 4pm we took a taxi to Mazi and introduced Sarah to our local supermarket! After unloading our groceries at home, we got in another taxi and met the Bishop's at Shindokah Restaurant. We got our first team picture:
And introduced Sarah to after-dinner-tea:
Thankful to be here with a loving team, a great job, and a Father who is faithful and caring!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
August 25th and 26th: Back Up and Running!
Saturday, August 25th:
Arrived in Erbil around 3:30 pm with Andy, Lisa, Zander, Zephie, and my new roommate, Sarah. It seemed much easier to navigate the airport than last time, but I think it must have been because there were three extra sets of hands and a lot more experience! Driving from Erbil to Duhok, it didn't seem like we'd been gone all that long.
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We got to our apartment about 7:20 pm after stopping at Newroz Telecom to pick up an internet card (so thankful they were actually open!)
We were greeted outside our door by the neighbor kids who promptly helped us take our bags up to the apartment. Andy turned on the water for us, we switched on the electricity and in no time at all everything was up and running. Sarah unpacked and moved into her room. I set up the internet and was successful in creating an adhoc wireless network for both of us to use - hello iPad!
Went to bed around 10, but couldn't fall asleep until after 2 am. It was hard to come to terms with the fact that I am really back here, that I am jumping into the ring again for round 2 with no guarantees that it will be any easier. As I lay in bed asking the Lord for help, I was reminded of a conversation with my best friend, Jessica. She was telling me that as we re-enter the arena God has called us to (whether it is having your 10th child or going back to a foreign country), we tend to remember the difficulties and trials, when we should be focusing on all the grace (at times extraordinary grace) that was given to meet those struggles. I pray that these next ten months will be evidence of that grace and the goodness of the One who provides it.
Sunday, August 26th:
Slept in later than I had planned, but Sarah and I got ready quickly so we could run our errands before the day got too hot. We left at 10 am and it was already about 90 F. I showed Sarah around the market and we picked up a new faucet for the entryway sink, a showerhead, and some miscellaneous items. I had to mentally prepare to face the barrage of staring eyes, smells, and feelings of complete cluelessness. I don't often pray for strength, endurance, and wisdom as I park at the grocery store back home, but it is something I do here every time I go to the market. After dropping off our things at home, we went to the nearby shops where we picked up some groceries - peanut butter, juice, water, chocolate (the essentials) :)
In the afternoon, I switched from tour guide to handyman:
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Sarah and I cleaned house, hung up some pics...
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...then rested during the heat of the day. I wasn't really feeling motivated to unpack, but dove in and got the job done. John and Mary had been delayed by a day, so it was a relief to hear they were in a taxi and on their way. Bishops, Sarah, and I met up at Sarky's for dinner, then brought back a pizza for the Nelsons. It was fun to hang out as a team again. I finally felt at home and able to thank the Lord for bringing me back. Missing Dan, Julie, and Stacy, but excited to see what this new year will bring.
Arrived in Erbil around 3:30 pm with Andy, Lisa, Zander, Zephie, and my new roommate, Sarah. It seemed much easier to navigate the airport than last time, but I think it must have been because there were three extra sets of hands and a lot more experience! Driving from Erbil to Duhok, it didn't seem like we'd been gone all that long.
Bus ride home:
Sarah and Zephie
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Andy and Lisa
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Lisa and Zander
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We got to our apartment about 7:20 pm after stopping at Newroz Telecom to pick up an internet card (so thankful they were actually open!)
We were greeted outside our door by the neighbor kids who promptly helped us take our bags up to the apartment. Andy turned on the water for us, we switched on the electricity and in no time at all everything was up and running. Sarah unpacked and moved into her room. I set up the internet and was successful in creating an adhoc wireless network for both of us to use - hello iPad!
Went to bed around 10, but couldn't fall asleep until after 2 am. It was hard to come to terms with the fact that I am really back here, that I am jumping into the ring again for round 2 with no guarantees that it will be any easier. As I lay in bed asking the Lord for help, I was reminded of a conversation with my best friend, Jessica. She was telling me that as we re-enter the arena God has called us to (whether it is having your 10th child or going back to a foreign country), we tend to remember the difficulties and trials, when we should be focusing on all the grace (at times extraordinary grace) that was given to meet those struggles. I pray that these next ten months will be evidence of that grace and the goodness of the One who provides it.
Sunday, August 26th:
Slept in later than I had planned, but Sarah and I got ready quickly so we could run our errands before the day got too hot. We left at 10 am and it was already about 90 F. I showed Sarah around the market and we picked up a new faucet for the entryway sink, a showerhead, and some miscellaneous items. I had to mentally prepare to face the barrage of staring eyes, smells, and feelings of complete cluelessness. I don't often pray for strength, endurance, and wisdom as I park at the grocery store back home, but it is something I do here every time I go to the market. After dropping off our things at home, we went to the nearby shops where we picked up some groceries - peanut butter, juice, water, chocolate (the essentials) :)
In the afternoon, I switched from tour guide to handyman:
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Sarah and I cleaned house, hung up some pics...
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...then rested during the heat of the day. I wasn't really feeling motivated to unpack, but dove in and got the job done. John and Mary had been delayed by a day, so it was a relief to hear they were in a taxi and on their way. Bishops, Sarah, and I met up at Sarky's for dinner, then brought back a pizza for the Nelsons. It was fun to hang out as a team again. I finally felt at home and able to thank the Lord for bringing me back. Missing Dan, Julie, and Stacy, but excited to see what this new year will bring.
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