Sunday, May 12, 2013
Monday, January 14, 2013
FROM THE LAND OF DUST AND CAMELS
I want to open with a direct quote Rob made to me a few days ago: "If living in Australia taught us anything, when dad says something is easy, it's not." He was specifically referring to the riding of a city bus to his and Meaghan's first day of school in Melbourne and the time Bobby booked his ticket back to Georgia Tech from Melbourne through South Africa to Atlanta. Suffice it to say neither turned out well. Rob and Meaghan never made it to school that day and and Rob arrived in Atlanta via Europe 3 days later than expected with no luggage.
I know I'm a slow learner but I'm having a hard time with with our door locks. I am paranoid I will lock myself out. The door will always lock behind you so you better always have your keys and know how to use them You have to turn the key for 2 clicks (or is it 3?) The last click serves as turning the door knob. Bobby says it is easy. I will not even discuss the deadbolts. He also says they are easy.
We have been in Doha a week last night. The city skyline is modern and attractive. Initially driving in from the airport, my reaction was that there are lots of ostentatious buildings here which are lit up like Vegas.
I do not eat a lot of meat and pork is not even is not even not even my first meat of choice but we went to a Chinese restaurant last week and there were no pork dumplings! Also, how does a New Mexico girl season pinto beans without salt pork? I will let you know when I figure it out. It is crazy how we crave items which we would normally not miss simply because it can't be had.
The super markets we have gone to are huge and there were more familiar brands than I expected. We thought we would check out another grocery store which is said to be more upscale this past Saturday but when we got there, it was closed in the early afternoon basically for siesta.I remember this being quite common in Israel but this is the first time Bobby has seen it here. We will try again later.
Yesterday In answer to our prayers, Bobby FINALLY, passed his fingerprinting requirement on the third attempt to secure a resident work visa. Not that our prayers were the same but we both got an answer. Ha! His prints have not been distinct causing him to essentially to fail because of psoriasis . Bobby said he really did not pass but the the immigration process was dumbed down for him. Anyway he could not even get a drivers license without this visa and you cannot buy a car without a license much less stay in the country. Since my visa will be tied to his. I will also be required meet some medical requirements. I do not know about finger printing.
This past weekend, we went out for Lebanese food on Thursday night The restaurant did not even open till 7:30 We thought it opened at 7:00 so we were extra early. The food was very good and we had theHead Waiter's uninterrupted attention all evening because nobody else was there the whole time we were there. Sort of creepy in a Jack Nicholson kind of way as the restaurant was also in a Hotel. Remember The Shining? Come to find out the locals dine much later than what are we are accustom to. Friday and Saturday are the weekend. Sunday is a work day.Worship is on Friday. Saturday we also had lunch out and encountered the same situation. We got there about 12:30 and had a leisurely meal and as we were leaving the locals were pouring in. Sunday is a work day. It seems odd but I'm told you get used to it. I hope to soon establish a routine to be able to know what day of the week it is because now all days are feeling the same.
Saturday we also went to the Souq Waqif which as I understand it means Old Market. It takes you back in time. Its not an artificial tourist attraction and is really interesting inhabited by the Qatari people. The best thing about the Souq was the smell of the spices and the gorgeous Arabian horses.Today Ive spent the better part of this day in the study.This is the first timeI have heard the call to prayer from our house.What a reminder to pray for truth.
I have not felt unsafe in Doha in the least at any time. I look forward to exploring more. The only gripe I have to share is that do not like the the concept of the compound It feels like too much togetherness: work, school,play and possibly church. It feels a bit oppressive. I hope I am wrong, but if not, please join me in singing "Don't Fence Me In".
I know I'm a slow learner but I'm having a hard time with with our door locks. I am paranoid I will lock myself out. The door will always lock behind you so you better always have your keys and know how to use them You have to turn the key for 2 clicks (or is it 3?) The last click serves as turning the door knob. Bobby says it is easy. I will not even discuss the deadbolts. He also says they are easy.
We have been in Doha a week last night. The city skyline is modern and attractive. Initially driving in from the airport, my reaction was that there are lots of ostentatious buildings here which are lit up like Vegas.
I do not eat a lot of meat and pork is not even is not even not even my first meat of choice but we went to a Chinese restaurant last week and there were no pork dumplings! Also, how does a New Mexico girl season pinto beans without salt pork? I will let you know when I figure it out. It is crazy how we crave items which we would normally not miss simply because it can't be had.
The super markets we have gone to are huge and there were more familiar brands than I expected. We thought we would check out another grocery store which is said to be more upscale this past Saturday but when we got there, it was closed in the early afternoon basically for siesta.I remember this being quite common in Israel but this is the first time Bobby has seen it here. We will try again later.
Yesterday In answer to our prayers, Bobby FINALLY, passed his fingerprinting requirement on the third attempt to secure a resident work visa. Not that our prayers were the same but we both got an answer. Ha! His prints have not been distinct causing him to essentially to fail because of psoriasis . Bobby said he really did not pass but the the immigration process was dumbed down for him. Anyway he could not even get a drivers license without this visa and you cannot buy a car without a license much less stay in the country. Since my visa will be tied to his. I will also be required meet some medical requirements. I do not know about finger printing.
This past weekend, we went out for Lebanese food on Thursday night The restaurant did not even open till 7:30 We thought it opened at 7:00 so we were extra early. The food was very good and we had theHead Waiter's uninterrupted attention all evening because nobody else was there the whole time we were there. Sort of creepy in a Jack Nicholson kind of way as the restaurant was also in a Hotel. Remember The Shining? Come to find out the locals dine much later than what are we are accustom to. Friday and Saturday are the weekend. Sunday is a work day.Worship is on Friday. Saturday we also had lunch out and encountered the same situation. We got there about 12:30 and had a leisurely meal and as we were leaving the locals were pouring in. Sunday is a work day. It seems odd but I'm told you get used to it. I hope to soon establish a routine to be able to know what day of the week it is because now all days are feeling the same.
Saturday we also went to the Souq Waqif which as I understand it means Old Market. It takes you back in time. Its not an artificial tourist attraction and is really interesting inhabited by the Qatari people. The best thing about the Souq was the smell of the spices and the gorgeous Arabian horses.Today Ive spent the better part of this day in the study.This is the first timeI have heard the call to prayer from our house.What a reminder to pray for truth.
I have not felt unsafe in Doha in the least at any time. I look forward to exploring more. The only gripe I have to share is that do not like the the concept of the compound It feels like too much togetherness: work, school,play and possibly church. It feels a bit oppressive. I hope I am wrong, but if not, please join me in singing "Don't Fence Me In".
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Coming Out of the Closet The Morning After
In this political season, I have purposely not entered the political fray. I never asked anyone who they were voting for except Bobby. And I did not and do not care whom you voted for. By the way that is why we have secret ballots.
I have been disheartened by the hateful words and attitudes of the public, and not just because many of you, unbeknown to you, have indirectly hurled them at me. I am not chastising anyone, as I am convicted by my own attitudes. While I may not have made public statements, many days, I thought some of you were as stupid as you clearly thought "my kind" was. Ha!
Here's a few things to remember:
Christians are not united in a certain political party but in JESUS CHRIST.
Families are not born with a particularly political ideology and are not genetically programmed to vote the same.
God was not surprised at the outcome of the election.
God can work through through anyone to establish HIS purposes. Even people as flawed and imperfect as me and you and President Obama
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to pray for ALL our leaders and respect the office.
Can we not agree to disagree with grace and love?
20 and said:
21
I have been disheartened by the hateful words and attitudes of the public, and not just because many of you, unbeknown to you, have indirectly hurled them at me. I am not chastising anyone, as I am convicted by my own attitudes. While I may not have made public statements, many days, I thought some of you were as stupid as you clearly thought "my kind" was. Ha!
Here's a few things to remember:
Christians are not united in a certain political party but in JESUS CHRIST.
Families are not born with a particularly political ideology and are not genetically programmed to vote the same.
God was not surprised at the outcome of the election.
God can work through through anyone to establish HIS purposes. Even people as flawed and imperfect as me and you and President Obama
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to pray for ALL our leaders and respect the office.
Can we not agree to disagree with grace and love?
20 and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
wisdom and power are his.
21
He changes times and seasons;
he deposes kings
and raises up others.
He gives wisdom to the wise
and knowledge to the discerning."
Daniel 2:20-21
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Give Kirk a break.
Today on TV, I caught some of the hoopla surrounding an interview in which Kirk Cameron was asked a question about gay marriage. Kirk Cameron answered the question truthfully regarding the issue, however, he did not malign anyone nor spew hatefulness. So,I say leave him alone.
Two things bother me about this incident: that people who do not share his opinion do not respect his opinion but they want everyone to respect theirs. The second thing is more personal. Would I be bold enough in that situation to speak the truth in love?
Jesus tells His followers that the world will hate us. If we have not been ridiculed for our lifestyle, maybe we are not all that different. Maybe we need need to turn up the light.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words will be given me so I will fearlessly make known the mystery of of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words will be given me so I will fearlessly make known the mystery of of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Ephesians 6:19-20
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