Today. July 1st. Five years ago, Mike got off a plane in Abu Dhabi and was pretty sure he had actually landed on Mars. There was sand blowing across the highway. Black clad women, eyes peering from behind veils. White clad men, with long snowy scarves trailing down their backs. At least 10 times a day Mike asked himself if we were crazy. What were we doing? Sold our house hold goods, uprooted our three younger kids, left our oldest in Texas and landed in one really hot place, halfway around the world. He called us in Dallas...sure that we were making a huge mistake. But we pressed on, and one month later Robert, Ryan, Sallie and I said goodbye to our dear friends and family in the US. 24 hours later we landed in Abu Dhabi. These 5 years have been amazing. Laughter, tears, new friends, old friends, visitors, vacations, challenges, tests, sadness and joy. There were many days that it still felt like we had moved to another planet but slowly we adjusted and even learned to appreciate the amazing and sometimes difficult experiences.
AND NOW...
Today Mike began his new job in Doha, Qatar. Next month, after our 6th Ramadan in Abu Dhabi, we will join him there. Although we don't know what the future holds. We know Who holds it. And we are trusting in Him.
Details to come! Hildebrands in Sandyland..Part II. :)
