Muscat is a Must

So...how did this faith muscle stretching thing go? Great.  Sallie had a wonderful time in Paris with the Hones. Definitely a trip she will always remember. Ryan and his two friends also had an amazing time driving from Lubbock to San Diego and back.  Definitely a trip he will remember but perhaps for different reasons.   And Russell, his trip is about to begin. He arrives on Monday and will be here a few days before he heads to Kabul.  He already said his goodbyes in Austin and is in Dallas right now doing the same thing. I've been praying for him a lot.  I remember those feelings and the sadness mixed with anticipation.

We also just finished a trip. Our first road trip of any significance. We followed Jeff and Mary Kenney and family to Muscat, Oman.   What a wonderful place. The people are sooooo friendly. And the beauty...very appreciated. It was about a 6 hour drive and included our first international border crossing by car.  Actually, things went quite smoothly. We were pleasantly surprised. :)   3 Days at the Intercontinental on the beach. Two nice pools. Great gym. Just enough sightseeing to get the feel of the country.  And back home again.  Did I mention how friendly the people are?  First morning there...walking across the hotel parking lot...and from the far corner a taxi driver yells..GOOD MORNING!!!  A taxi driver!!  Our whole family stood with mouths opened..is he talking to US??? We smiled and yelled our "Good Morning." It was great.

Mike enjoyed the breather from the chaos of working here, and we enjoyed the break from school and stuff.

I laughed coming back into town.. As we approached the Mussaffah bridge onto Abu Dhabi island,  Robert looks up and says, "Oh GOOD! There's the Grand Mosque. We are almost home. " Ha ha. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine anyone saying that. :)  It was a good trip. And it's good to be home.

We are looking forward to celebrating our Risen Saviour this weekend.  Blessings to you all.
He is Risen,
He is Risen indeed!

  

Here, There, and Everywhere

We stood together at 6am this morning. Sallie edgy with excitement, Mike and I queasy with nerves.  Mike prayed for Sallie, her flight and her visit with the Hones in Paris.  When he was done, I smiled and said this gives us all a chance to stretch our faith muscles.  Although, I think Sallie was fine with travelling by herself internationally, it was Mike and I who were/are feeling s t r e t c h e d. :)  The Hones'  flight is to land two hours before Sallie's.  I'm sure it will all be fine.
 As I drove Sallie to her flight I thought about that faith thing...How life is full of opportunities to trust God, big ones and little ones.  How we sometimes think we are in control, when we really aren't.  And how things come around that remind us of that.  I smiled because as parents we want to protect our kids from making mistakes and we are just sure that if we are right there with them everything will be all right.   Hmmmm.... But the truth is we can't always be there, nor can we always make things turn out right.  So we learn to trust.
Right now we have Ryan travelling across the US with two friends, praying and sharing the love of Jesus with those they encounter.(gonefishin2010.blogspot.com). We have Sallie en route to France and we have Russell preparing for a two year adventure in another Middle Eastern country where the Lord has led him.
This faith muscle- stretch- thing is not easy. Sheesh.  But you know what?  I'm glad my kids are who they are. I'm thankful they are learning about their own faith muscles.  And I'm especially thankful that my God loves them more than I ever could and He will fulfill His purposes for them.
'

ps. I'm also thankful that I can see Robert sitting on the couch right here in front of me. :)