Wrapping Up

Today begins our official last week in Atlanta. The past few days have been busy...just the way I like it! :) Last Friday, I took Joel with me to visit Rasha and her kids while Tim took Caleb to visit his Muslim friends. (We are doing the split and conquer thing more often with the kids since it is getting too difficult for me to chase them both around.) After visiting with Rasha for a couple of hours, I went to pick up Tim and we ended up spending another hour or so with his friends. They immediately gave Joel a Coke....which we knew was a bad idea since this was his first one, but we chose politeness over reality. He ended up waking up multiple times that night and had some...hmmm.....stomach issues for the next couple of days.
Back to our visit. It was the first time I had met one of the guys (he is from Iraq and speaks very good English). I had a great time asking them questions, and Tim even humbled himself and changed one of Caleb's diapers. Apparently, that is not something a man would ever do in Somali or Iraqi cultures. I think we amused them quite a bit.
On Saturday morning, we met my friend Lori, her husband, and kids at the park for a bit. Then, that evening, I had a girls' night out at the Istanbul Cafe celebrating my friend Jenna's birthday. It was quite an experience - we sat on the floor, watched belly-dancing, and I consumed lots of different types of hummus dips. I wouldn't recommend this sort of entertainment for families, dates, or husbands, but it was fun nonetheless. :)
We went to church on Sunday morning at the Methodist church we have been attending. It is more traditional than we are used to, but we have really enjoyed it. The pastor's messages have been right on - we talked about what true hungering and thirsting for Him is. Sunday evening we had dinner at Lori's. It was actually the first time we have had dinner with anyone American who is not with GFM since we have been here! I am sad this friendship has only just begun and I am truly going to miss her.
I had my last doctor's appt here (hopefully!) this morning. Just one of those tedious appointments where they check your heartrate, measure you, etc. Nothing really new to report there. The boys had their last official day of school. Wednesday they have a little art show and carnival, but today was the last day to be with their teachers. They are both going to miss it so much.
And to top off the day, the GFM girls had a baby shower lunch for me! I still have not been able to eat a thing since....they are all such wonderful cooks. Thank you girls for spoiling me!
Please be keeping us in your prayers. Tim is leaving a week early from school to drive back with me and will be trying to finish his schoolwork when we get back. Packing and moving along with keeping up with the boys are all putting a strain on my body. I have been having lots of contractions and have turned into a waddling pregnant lady! I know all of us are going to have a lot of re-adjusting to do once we return to KC.

Girl Time

I hung out with Rasha by myself for the first time today. I left the boys at home napping with Tim so that I could actually just enjoy getting to know her better. Now that Khaled has a full-time job, we have had a difficult time getting together with them as families.

When I spend time with her, I always learn something new. We ask each other a lot of questions and I am relieved that she is from a similar open culture. By "open", I mean that they are not afraid to tell you what they truly think. While in Atlanta, we have been around so many other cultures that are not very direct so you never know if you are offending them or if they mean something other than what they said. I have to admit that I am not very good with those cultures.

Anyways, I really felt like we connected today. We have more in common than I would have ever thought. I have learned so much about Iraq. I had so many misperceptions....probably because I have never before had much of an interest to learn about different countries or cultures. I used to prefer to just stay in my own little bubble world. It is easier and more convenient that way. It hurts my heart to hear what others have gone through. I have always said that I refuse to read or watch the news because I don't think my heart is meant to hold all the pain in the world. Maybe that is still somewhat true, but I have found that closing my eyes to those around me is not what God intended for any of us. Don't worry friends that know me well :), I still believe most news is biased and tailored to dramatize the worst things in our society, but I have noticed a change in me. I am now interested in and pray for the things going on around in our world. Yes, it is more painful for me, but I have also missed out on some of the awesome things that God is doing around the world too. He is moving...through both the good and the bad!