Hello friends and family!
Fun fact: Did you know that wearing a black headband here means that you're in mourning? (for women, that is). Jessica found that out awhile back. She wore a black headband to English club and the girls there asked her, "Are you ok? What happened?" She responded, "Um, nothing happened. What are you talking about?" They explained to her the meaning of the black headband. In conclusion, she is now much more careful about wearing black headbands.
This week was very good.
On Monday, we went to our friend's Russian class again (which has been so helpful) and Hannah and I had lunch with our American friend, Dan. He encouraged us and told us about his time in this city. Later, we went to english club and played puzzle games with our local friends. And we each received a handmade hat from them as a thank you for just hanging out with them so often. I am blessed to have been able to meet these people.
Tuesday, I worked out at our little gym. We did an Insanity workout which just about killed me. We were supposed to go bowling with our American friends, but I felt kind of sick, so I skipped bowling. When my girls returned to the apartment, I saw Hannah lie down on the bed and just stare at the ceiling in deep thought. I came in her room and said, "I am 90% sure I know what you are thinking right now." She responded, "You know me too well." Turns out, I was right about what she was thinking. I tell you this just to say that it's gonna be difficult leaving my girls I've gotten to love and know so well.
Wednesday and Thursday, we spent almost all of our time with our American friends. Jessica (who is fantastic at editing photos) was asked to take family photos for a some of our American friends. I went with her to be the bag-holder and kid-entertainer. We made a pretty good family-photo team. The photos turned out great. For example:
We also got to have dinners, play Settlers of Catan, and watch Duck Dynasty with our American friends. I'm going to miss all of them so much. Just by their example, I have learned so much from them. The fact that they have chosen to live here for the sake of the Hope that we have is encouraging. I want my life to look like theirs.
Fun fact: Did you know that wearing a black headband here means that you're in mourning? (for women, that is). Jessica found that out awhile back. She wore a black headband to English club and the girls there asked her, "Are you ok? What happened?" She responded, "Um, nothing happened. What are you talking about?" They explained to her the meaning of the black headband. In conclusion, she is now much more careful about wearing black headbands.
This week was very good.
On Monday, we went to our friend's Russian class again (which has been so helpful) and Hannah and I had lunch with our American friend, Dan. He encouraged us and told us about his time in this city. Later, we went to english club and played puzzle games with our local friends. And we each received a handmade hat from them as a thank you for just hanging out with them so often. I am blessed to have been able to meet these people.
Tuesday, I worked out at our little gym. We did an Insanity workout which just about killed me. We were supposed to go bowling with our American friends, but I felt kind of sick, so I skipped bowling. When my girls returned to the apartment, I saw Hannah lie down on the bed and just stare at the ceiling in deep thought. I came in her room and said, "I am 90% sure I know what you are thinking right now." She responded, "You know me too well." Turns out, I was right about what she was thinking. I tell you this just to say that it's gonna be difficult leaving my girls I've gotten to love and know so well.
Wednesday and Thursday, we spent almost all of our time with our American friends. Jessica (who is fantastic at editing photos) was asked to take family photos for a some of our American friends. I went with her to be the bag-holder and kid-entertainer. We made a pretty good family-photo team. The photos turned out great. For example:
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Friday, we spent the day rock climbing with our local friends!!! The weather was warm. The rock climbing was great. We got a little dirty. We took some crazy pictures. The conversations we had were fun and very interesting. I'm just so thankful for days like those. I love the local friends we've made. We came home exhausted and happy.
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| Jessica |
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| Hannah |
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| This is the crack that gets me every time... |
Saturday, we went out to lunch with the women in our group of Americans. It was a delicious lunch and the waiters enjoyed speaking to us the four english words they knew: "Hello. Please. Goodbye. Ok." Afterwards, we went to one of ladies' houses and spent the rest of the day hanging out and making crafts. It was quite relaxing and a good end to the week.
Sunday, today we had three of our best local friends over for lunch. We ate good food, laughed a lot, took pictures, and lastly we told them three of our favorite stories. Each story was about a woman of the past who learned to trust, love, and give everything to the Father. After the stories, we gave them each a necklace with a heart on it. We left them with the encouragement to talk to the Father. Now all we can do is stay in contact with them and urgently plead for the saving of their hearts.
This Tuesday is our last full day in this city. A true love for this culture has grown in me since we arrived here. I'm going to miss this city and the people in it. I can never forget what has been done in this city and in these people. It's been difficult and saddening at times. It's been joyful and crazy at times. But throughout all of it, He has remained the same faithful and sovereign one. And He will lead us into many other places for His glory. There is no better life.
Press Forward. Stand Firm. Rejoice Always!
Thank you for remembering us so consistently. I can't wait to see you all when we return home!
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| I love the mountains THIS much... |
