The Most Foreign Country I Ever Lived In....

It's been forever since I wrote two blogs back to back, but I didn't want to forget this one. :)
Every Friday we eat at the Al Wahda Mall after church. Most Fridays we are joined by about 30 other friends from church and today was no different.  We all catch up, eat, laugh and generally, just hang out. Most Fridays the parents of teenagers  stay until Youth Group gets out, then we head back to church to pick the kids up. Today, while visiting with some friends, the conversation turned to the introductions that we do at the end of church. I know I mentioned before how we have like 60 nationalities that worship in the services and every week new people come.  The introduction is always, Name, and Country of Origin.  Usually, although NOT ALWAYS the Americans don't say "Ï'm from the US" but  will say "I'm from Georgia. Colorado. and yes..Texas." So anyway, my Canadian friend leans over to me at lunch and says something about "When did Texas become it's own country?" Ha ha..blah blah blah...:)   But here is what got me laughing...From across the table my friend, Sharon, also from the US(New Jersey) says, "You know, Texas was the most foreign country I ever lived in...."  Naturally, I laughed out loud as she went on to explain herself.

As soon as I opened my mouth they knew I wasn't from there.
The food was strange. One night we sat down to a huge pile of crawdads and I didn't know what they were or how to eat them..It was the only thing on the table.
There were GUNS in truck windows.
I was introduced as Sharon, she's a Yankee.
There were tumbleweeds and sandstorms.
And last but not least...They expected me to know Texas history. I didn't even know what the Alamo was!!!  
Sharon and Brad have lived internationally for the last 18 years in Holland, England, Singapore and the UAE-

I'm still smiling.
bye, ya'll  

It's Not Easy

Obviously, it has been hard to write this month. Job hunting has pretty much consumed our thoughts and time. Still nothing to report in that arena, except that there is not a whole lot out there. Sigh.

Even so, this month we managed to have fun. Park Day resumed about 3 weeks ago. We have pushed that a bit as it is still very, very humid and still hitting the hundreds but we were all anxious to get back out there.  This week my friend, Huda, from Egypt joined us.  She brings her 3 precious kids and we all sit and talk.  Many of the old faces are gone, and missed, but new faces have come. Such is the life in this very transient city.  On Sunday nights Mike and I eat out while Robert is at Boy Scouts. Last week we went to the beach and ate at an Italian restaurant. That is always fun, especially when our friends Jeff and Mary join us.  Tomorrow the Homeschool group is headed to Emirates Palace for another classical concert. I think the orchestra is from Holland this time.  I told Mike to come, too. He has yet to experience the theater there. And we get to attend for free. Cool, huh?  It's also been fun this month as I started teaching English to a lady I met at an Emirati wedding a couple of weeks ago(her English is great but she wants to improve her writing.)   We talk and laugh and I enjoy our time so much.

Overall, yes, it has been a hard month. We really want a job and we really want to stay here. But we know that His plan is perfect. We will pursue any open doors and trust that those that are closed are for the best.    I CAN tell you though, that we feel the prayers of all of our dear friends and family..on this side of world and on the other side, as well.

Will let you know what is next for the Hildebrands in Sandyland, once we know. :)

Keep those prayers going. Thanks!!