Winter Weather ?

While snowstorms are raging across the US we are battling sandstorms over here.  Sidewalks covered in sand. Sand blowing across the roads. The skyline obscured by sand. No, we aren't having rolling blackouts but we are tired of the sand covering our cars.  The kids are ticked that they are missing the snow days and the slipping down the sidewalks in Carrollton. Oh well. Maybe another time.

Just before the sandstorm blew in, Mike and I took a break in the Empty Quarter. A huge desert about two hours from here. Sallie had a youth retreat and Robert was at a Boy Scout camp out in the same desert.  So with a free Friday night, Mike and I spent the night at a resort-Qasr al Sarab. It was beautiful. Breathtaking. Having lived here for 3 1/2 years means we have seen a lot of desert, but this went on forever and the silence blanketed us. (We are pretty excited about silence since the construction is still going on outside our windows.)   

Sallie's weekend retreat was great. Robert's camping in the desert was a bit more rustic than our experience. Wind blew all night. It was cold. Sand. No pool. No huge round bath tub. No room service. No sleeping bag, He forgot it in the back of the car before they hiked in. (Bet he doesn't do that again. Ugh. )


Today I thought we were done with the sandstorm so I washed my car.  I jumped the gun.  Not two hours later it is all gray again..and spotted, too. I drove under some window washers. Sigh. .  Maybe tomorrow the weather will clear, here and in Texas!.

   

A Visitor from Home

Oh goody. More construction out our bedroom window. 

All I can say is I'm glad Colleen did not stay another night.  The day after my dear friend got on the plane back to Jordan, the construction barricades went up in front of our building and out came the bulldozer and the back hoe!  That night, from 12 to 5 am the pounding and banging began. And today is Day 4.  Since the building out my window was finished it has been so nice..but here we go again!!

Tea at Emirates's palace

Al Ain Palace Museum

Sallie, Sophia and Joey walking thru the Oasis in Al Ain

But Colleen's visit was fun!  We went to tea at Emirate's Palace with three other friends. She saw the gold ATM machine(put in money, out comes gold) and walked thru the exhibition of all the museums coming to Abu Dhabi. Didn't get to the Grand Mosque but she took pictures as we drove by on our way to Al Ain.  There she saw Sheikh Zayed's  palace where he received visitors in the early years as ruler of Al Ain-from 1937-1966. We also went to the Oasis, walked thru all the palm trees and then had lunch at a park near by.  



Fortunately, the rain held off.( That was frustrating. We get rain maybe twice a year and it comes when we have a guest! ugh.)   Colleen also got to go to a birthday party with Sallie and me while she was here.  My friend Huda, Egyptian but lived here all her life, has a daughter who turned 10. We had a party for her and Colleen joined us. It was so fun. Ingie is darling and she loved having all of us there to celebrate. When we came out it was raining but Mike picked us up.  I managed to slip and nearly break my back FIRST, but he showed up before I could fall a second time. Granite sidewalks are not the best for walking on in the rain.  Colleen's visit was fun. It's nice to have someone come from home and it's nice that she lives close. No jet lag. :) Our countries share some similar things..like crazy driving and circular reasoning but  they have fun differences, too.
I'm pretty sure when we drove up to the airport in Amman last summer I didn't say, "Wow. Even the airport looks like a mall."
Hope she comes back soon. Or maybe we will take Sallie and Robert to Jordan. The rest of the family is anxious to see Petra, so maybe that will be next.

A New Year

We just finished our fourth Christmas holidays in Abu Dhabi.  Hard to believe it's been that long. Ryan stayed for nearly 3 weeks, but Russell only had a couple days with us. Still we made the best of it and thoroughly enjoyed our time together. I think in the years ahead there will be a couple of stories that are repeated around the family dinner table.

On Thurs. Jan. 6, Ryan checked Russell's flight info. "Oh Mom! Russell gets in tonight at 8". "ÖK, I thought it was Friday, but I will call your dad."  ...Guess where this is going? Yep. Mike, Ryan and I drove to Dubai after work, only to discover that we arrived a day early to get our boy.  Ryan's face was priceless as we stood under the TV screens and I asked him if he happened to notice on the info the words...NEXT DAY.  Mike's face..not so priceless. So yes, we were anxious to see Russell. So anxious that we got there a day early. :)  But in order to not make the drive a total loss we drove to the hotel by Burj al Arab(sailboat hotel), ordered coffee and enjoyed watching the Burj turn colors.  On Friday, the Kenneys picked Russell up at the airport. They were in Dubai for the day. Whew. We were glad. By the way, we hadn't checked the airline either..so not only were we there on the wrong night, but we were in the wrong terminal.  Next time Mike will make sure Russell sends the info to him directly. Oops.

On Sat. we went to a coffee place by the beach.  We sat outside in the gorgeous weather and Ryan taught us a card game.  He doesn't play a lot of cards but his local friends here taught him this game. It's an Arabic game which is a lot like Spades but the trump changes. After I dealt I looked at Ryan on my left waiting for him to bid. He said it was Russell's turn, who was sitting on my right.  Apparently he learned to go counterclockwise. It really is an Arabic card game. But the best part is that after two hours of playing the score was 0 to 0.  Two hours and we didn't get anywhere....  

Robert  had fun over the holidays riding bikes with his friend, Evan, and playing his new video games with his buddies. Sallie and her friends sang in the International Carol Sing, had a Christmas party, went to the Youth For Christ Christmas conference-Desert Challenge, and hung out.

Next week we have a friend coming to see us from Jordan.   That will be fun. We will show her the sights.

Happy 2011.

 

Pix and Gifts

 

 Robert and Jared prepared for their evening debut as shepherds in the Christmas Walk presented by our church for the community. Costumes easy to come by over here....Just walk to the neighborhood store. Mike joined the Wise Men for this year's Walk. Obviously type casting. Looks very wise to me.

The toddler Jesus ready to receive the gifts from the Magi. Although only two and a half, after the first few groups walked thru he would receive his gifts with a great big thank you.  He then bade them farewell with a hearty..Thank you for coming!!

           

Sallie and Robert and I waited for Russell to come thru Dubai last night. He was on his way to Texas. Here Sallie looks at the Dancing fountains, and Robert poses under Burj Khalifa.

We took presents to Russell and decorated the hotel room to surprise him.

Ready for Christmas. Sallie named the snowman..Robert Frost. Frosty is just too boring.

We were blessed to have a short visit with Russell last night. Mike couldn't go due to work commitments but the kids and I enjoyed our time with him.. In fact, he is now in the air heading to Newark from London, and then on to Dallas. In 5 days, Ryan will be here.  I'm sure I will have more to write about Christmas. We'll see if I actually do it.
There is one last thing I want to incluede, though. My friend, Pattie, was in a taxi the other day.  Her taxi driver was Pakistani.  She asked him how he was doing. His answer..Ït is very hard here. I work hard all day to make the quota(her word not his).   It is very hard. I want to go home but if I go home it is hard for 10. If I stay here it is hard for 1 but if I go home, it is easy for me and hard for 10.  I stay so it is better for the 10. They go to school. It is good for them.      When Pattie gave him a generous tip, she looked him in the eye and said, "This is for the 1..not the 10. Go and have a good meal." He left with what might have been watery eyes..and Pattie walked away reminded of what is really important this season.


         

It's December!

Mike has been at his new job for a month now. Everyday I find myself thanking God for His provision. During my walks in the park every morning, I find myself smiling that we don't have to leave.  At the park on Mondays with my homeschooling friends, I find myself just looking around the group so glad I won't be saying goodbye. Last night our small group from church had a spontaneous Christmas Party and I found myself full of thankfullness for their love and support through the recent craziness. ( I also find myself urgently praying for our other friends here who are going thru the same thing. )

On December 2nd, the UAE turned 39 years old.  To celebrate(not just the holiday itself but also that we got to be HERE for it)  I invited our friends in walking distance to come over for chili and cornbread.  Has to be walking distance cuz no sane person drives on that day.  It's like a 6 hour long parade with no rules all over the city. We had fun watching the crazy cars go by and the kids had fun coating everyone in canned snow and silly string.    

One of our favorites, but by no means the fanciest.

Those of us who love Christmas are glad that the UAE decorates with their flags colors...and the lights stays up all December.

Having chili before heading out to the Corniche to watch the fun. Sallie's friend  making the peace sign. :) Ligia from Mexico originally, and Pat from Northern Ireland gave my chili two thumbs up. 

This morning, the rest of the family is still snoozing. The light is just coming thru the living room windows. The tree is up. I have candles in the windows...and beautiful Christmas music playing as I write. Russell will fly thru Dubai on Tues. and we will hug his neck for a few hours before he ventures to the US. Ryan arrives on Dec. 20th to be with us.  Christmas is coming, for sure.  Every year it sneaks up, but this year I find myself more thoughtful...really contemplating Christ's reason for coming. His birth, His sacrifice and His love.  Maybe, after 36 years as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am finally understanding alittle bit better how much it cost Him to be born to die. For me. A sinner saved by His grace. Forever grateful.
The reason to celebrate.


   

Eid

We are celebrating Mike's new job.  What a relief this week to not have to be working on figuring out our next move.  Mike worked for two hours on Thursday and then began a week of vacation.  It is Eid al Adha. The Festival of Sacrifice where Muslims remember Abraham's test to sacrifice his son.   We are also enjoying a visit from Russell.  So glad to have him here. He planned to go to Tajikistan but decided at the last minute to come here instead.  I think all my references to the wonderful weather convinced him. :)

 

      

Along the Abu Dhabi Road

The view from Alice's new flat.   

Early this morning I walked thru the park by our house and along the Corniche-or beach sidewalk(in Cuba we call it the Malecon, in New Jersey the Boardwalk.)  The weather is finally cool enough to go a bit later in the mornings which is nice.  I saw some men fishing. They looked Sri Lankan.  I passed by other early walkers-Indian, Arab, Asian and more.  I found myself smiling. Nice weather. The Arabian Gulf. Cool breezes. The whole world walking by.  Sometimes I am amazed at what it means to live here.

Pictures of the last couple of months ran thru my mind.  Images of new friends just being introduced to life over here...All the times they ask why this or why that and we just laugh. Teaching English to an Ethipian, a Filipina, an Indian and an Emirati.  Learning more from them than they learn from me.  Observing Sallie while she leans forward to tell the Bible story to the 3 year olds in Friday School at church.  Their little faces...Indian, Vietnamese, American, South African all turned toward her expectantly.   Mike and I laughing with friends while we ate dinner at a beach front restaurant.  Friends standing by us as we face the future. Taking Mike to lunch. Paying for our dinners.  Beating the bushes for us in search of some way to stay.  Mike and I attending 3 films from the Abu Dhabi Film Festival is another image I reflect on.  So fun to see these movies from places like Lebanon, Pakistan and Cuba.

 We met some wonderful believers from the persecuted church in another country as well recently.  Overwhelming really.    It took my breath away to hear the stories of how God is working.  What a privilege to be a part of that.  We also said good bye to our friends in the building..Armenian/British. They got fed up with the parking and moved to this new building down by Emirates Palace. Let me just say..I'd live there too, if I could. But Alice and Wahe had us up to their place for a delicious meal..along with our Japanese and Serbian friends, before they moved.   We will miss running into them in the lobby but we plan on bugging them often for coffee on the balcony with the Palace view. :)

Mike had a good interview last week.  Hopefully we will know something soon about a job here. He also had an interview in Saudi but we have decided that is not best for our family.  Better to return to Texas without a job then move to a questionable position in a much harder place.

Parking update: Just for fun......
I think I mentioned that AD has installed paid meters for parking.  Our sector has them.  But we have had so many complaints that there aren't enough spaces for our area that we are not getting tickets anymore. So let me see...illegal parking that was legal, became illegal, but now illegal parking is legal again but only in our neighborhood.Everywhere else it is still illegal.  Meanwhile, we have an empty mall parking garage with over 1300 parking spaces which would solve all the problems but well...not an option. Please don't ask WHY.  


Hope to have some good news soon.
Thank you again for all your prayers.

Mattie  

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!!

Time to Eat

Window display for Ramadan

I did not know when I wrote the last sentence on my previous entry "Who knows what the next 3 years will look like?" that it would include Mike losing his job.  Yes. It is true.  Thursday morning on the way to work, Mike's boss called.  This is your 30 day notice,etc. etc.( His boss has yet to speak to him in person, but don't get me started. ) So, once again, we are at the "what next?"stage.  At least this time we know the drill. And Ryan is not in the middle of his senior year.  Nor do we owe so much on our cars. It is better. Not great by any means, but better. We also know many, many friends are praying for us.  Please don't stop.

Today Ramadan is over. Hooray!!  This means we can eat in public. We can drink in public. And we can even chew gum in public.  All of this during the daylight hours even.  We are almost giddy.  Our kids were so chatty on the way to church that it reminded me of how excited we get before Christmas. :)   Robert said at least 6 times.".We get to eat lunch at the mall after church today!!! yay!! "! We also feel a break in the heat.  It is only in the low 100s today.  Sounds weird but feels way better to us. So we have complete our 4th Ramadan in the Middle East.  Kind of feels normal.

With the end of Ramadan the schools will now start up. Church activities will return as well.  Highschool Youth Group for Sallie. Junior High group for Robert.  I am going to teach in the Kid's Friday school classes this year as well.  Am praying that it is for a long time....  :)

Time to head to the mall. I think I will have Thai Express fast food today.  Mike will, too, or maybe Indian Butter chicken  from Tandoori.  Sallie is going to have KFC with a Hardees chocolate milk shake.  Robert's going for Burger King. No surprise there.  But  the best part is..it's during the day!!! in public!! Woo hoo!!

Bye for now..

Three Years In

Can it really be 3 years since we moved here?  That's what goes thru my head on some days. Then, on other days, it's more like Have we ever lived anywhere else?  :)  It was in August 2007, when Mike picked up his bedraggled family, some time after midnite, and drove us to the villa he where he was staying. People I never met opened their home to us until the following week when we moved into our 1400 square foot apt. in downtown Abu Dhabi.  And so it began...

Driving in a land filled with drivers from everywhere.(with lots of different opinions on how to get from one place to another...)
Eating new foods
Making new friends, then saying goodbye one or two years later
Attending church with believers from all over the world. One Friday when the visitors were introduced 12 different countries were represented..Nepal, China, South Africa, Philippines, Myanmar, Nigeria and more
Learning how to communicate in English with people who speak English but don''t understand it, because there are so many different people who speak different languages and work here that English is the working language.(If this sentence confuses you..welcome to our world.)
Having Burger King, Chilis, Texas Chicken(Church's Chicken but name is changed..:).. and others deliver to the door
Dry cleaninig delivers too. Good thing cuz Mike wears a suit every single day to work.
Parking at home in Texas was easy with at least 12 choices on any given day. For the last three years we have parked on barricades, by dumpsters, in major intersections, on crosswalks, up on sidewalks, and down the middle of street . Sometimes we just throw the hazard lights on and leave a phone number in the window to call. (Update on parking.Now it is all paid parking. Can't do any of the above mentioned parking solutions where the paid parking meters have been introduced.  Problem is there aren't enough spaces for all the cars. Hard to explain. Very frustrating. All would be solved if the apt. buildings had parking garages. We have one but it only has 10 spaces....)
Adjusting to a landscape that looked pretty much like Mars.  When Mike arrived by himself in July of 07 he really felt like he had landed on another planet.  Maybe Tatooine or something. Lots of desert and sand and then pockets of trees and lights.  Then you come over the bridge and see one of the biggest mosques in the world sometimes lit up in purple. Takes some adjusting.

Obviously I could go on and on..but you get the picture. Or at least some of it. Our lives changed a lot.  Perhaps one of the biggest changes is in Mike's world, though.  The professional, "try and get a job done", world.  It is definitely not limited to the construction world, though.  The challenges facing any professional are   immense.  It is way too complicated to explain here, and really, you wouldn't believe me.  I'll just give you one  example of  how it is.  Our friend mentioned that on his job sight they were having a rodent problem. Those large box traps were places all around the wall perimeter of the building.  The men came to lay the pavers for the sidewalk.  They cut each paver to fit around the mouse traps.  All around the building. Hmmm...It is not easy to do things here.  From the top executives to the paver guys, you could say there is something lost in translation.  :)

As I close, I want to tell you about the most recent great thing about living here.  It's being closer to Russell. He just spent 10 days here with us.  His office had some training in Dubai so he came early. He attended the training and then came back to our place for a couple more days. We all got to hug on him and hear his story.   We were able to meet his coworkers and have dinner with them.  What a blessing.  Now, were we still living in Dallas with our 12 parking places, and green grass and trees, we would have missed that. Somethings are just irreplaceable!        

I wonder how the next three years will look?  :)

Back Home

3500 year old cedar tree.

Robert looks out over the valley.

The day Russell was leaving.

While we were in Lebanon I had  many fun ideas for my blog.  Now I am finding it hard to write.  We visited amazing places and were stunned by the beauty of the countryside, as well as the friendliness and hospitality of the Lebanese people.  I even daydreamed about actually owning a vacation home near our friends so we could return there regularly.  Having all 6 of us together in such a wonderful place was a dream come true for this mom.

Russell and Mike left after the first week.  Ryan stayed until July 31st then returned to Abu Dhabi.  Sallie, Robert and I flew home on August 6th.  Naturally touring the ancient ruins and the cedar forests was beautiful. Walking the streets of Beirut, seeing bullet holes from the civil war was thought provoking and sobering. The new buildings and restored areas, however, gave cause for hope.   Many days we just hung out in Dhour Choueir( our host Anwar's boyhood town) and played games, took walks,  laughed and talked.  With 30 people there(6 families) there was lots to talk about and lots of meals to prepare. :) The town itself is several hundred years old.  One night Anwar and his sweet mom showed me an old part of the village...from the 1500s, or so.   If the walls could talk.....

So you see, I have so many great ideas for my blog. But then, when I got home, I got a call from Russell.   It was Saturday and he told me how his good friend had been killed in the countryside of Afghanistan, working in a clinic.  What does a mom say to her boy when he shares news like that?  I am afraid I failed miserably. No great theological truths...just tears and wishes that I could hold him again like I used to when he was a boy and needed a hug.  And what about this young man's parents? And all the other people who lost loved ones that day?  I guess we just keep leaning in...leaning into His arms.  Trusting. Knowing that in the end there is victory.  There is joy.

 
  

A Taste of Lebanon

After the trials of getting my visa in order to get here, I am so glad I made it.  As we prepared for this trip to visit Anwar's hometown in Lebanon, Dhour el Choueir, his face would light up.  We all love our home countries but whenever Anwar talked it was like we were going to be visiting heaven. :) It is beautiful here.  We have seen Roman ruins built on the temple of Baal. We have driven thru mountains and gazed at vistas that stretch forever.  Today we walked through 2 million cedars.  Some as old as 3000 years.  There were times when I wanted to sneak away and simply sit in awe of God and His amazing creation. In fact, Ryan was able to do just that.   The weather is glorious. The people are friendly.  And I think I want to move here.

I will write more later and add pictures but I wanted to send a quick update.  Lebanon is amazing.  More later!!! 

Family Circus

I taught English to adults for many years.  One of my fun things to use were the comic strips from Family Circus.  Remember the ones where the son would meander all over the place before he got to his destination?  To go to school he would chase a dog, play in the park, up the slide down the slide, around the swings and on the merry go round. Over he'd go to the ice cream truck and on and on...

That's what the last 48 hours has been for me. Saturday night at the airport, my second passport turned up missing.  This is the one that has the residency visa in it...the one needed to leave the country and reenter the country.  Yep.  Not there. So I raced home to frantically search the apt. Nothing.  I raced back to the airport to make sure it hadn't turned up in lost and found. Mike, Sallie and Robert went thru security and flew to Lebanon ahead of me. Russell and Ryan had flown out on a morning flight.

Naturally, that night I searched and searched. I slept a bit, but mostly prayed and racked my brains.  First thing Sunday morning I drove to Mike's office to ask what I needed to do.  As all expats are sponsored by their employers, this is the place to start.  And so began my "adventure"(see previous post) into immigration, lost passports, and residency visas.  From 9am until 4pm I traveled up and down stairs, in and out of offices, in and out of buildings, and even to the other side of town several other offices in two other buildings. I got stamps and signatures and bad directions from just about wherever I went.    Finally, at the end of the Sunday I could see the end in sight.  So up again this morning to finish up.  Once again...up and down, in and out, go here, no go there, no that is not right.  At 1 pm when the lady said "We can't do without photo," I thought I would scream. Not one person had mentioned photo up until that point. It turns out I didn't need one. And so it goes.

Finally, at 4 pm today I got my passport and my new residency visa right there in it. I will hopefully be on my way to the airport, to join my family and friends who are having lots of fun, in less than an hour.  

By the way, all of our visas expire in November. Ha ha ha ha ha...Then it happens all over again.  I'm thinking the guy at Mike's office might do it this time. I'm done.

On a side note, it sure is nice to have friends who are around when things get rough. Pattie peeled me off the ceiling a few times. And my friend, Wael, talked me thru several steps and made phone calls to help me. So thankful for great friends!!!

    

Great Adventure

I'm not sure if I have shared how Robert and Sallie hate the word...ADVENTURE.  "Mom," they say,"it usually means either you are lost or we are going to be bored silly." I just laugh at them and we keep going.  (Most of the time they are right, but NOT always.)

Today, I dropped Sallie off with her friends to see a movie. Then I went shopping. I don't like shopping, but as I was at the mall, I thought I would run in a couple of stores. ( I especially don't like shopping in 115 degree heat and 300 percent humidity or whatever it is today. After awhile you quit checking. It's too depressing)

I answer my cell.  My friend (who loves shopping) laughs when she hears I quit after two stores.  But here is what I love.  "Did I tell you about my taxi ride?" "No,"(but please do, I am thinking, this will distract me from the incredibly hot walk to my car that must be parked in Saudi Arabia).  "I called my new guy that I have been using. You know, the one from Ethiopia. He is so nice and comes right away.  Anyway, we are chatting and I am giving him short cut tips to some places as he has only been here a few months. A car just about hit us and he swerved and did a good job of not getting hit.  I told him that it is crazy here. He said, 'Yes, it is.'  Then I blurted out, but wait until Ramadan.  Oh no, did I say something that would offend him? So quickly I said..you know, everyone is cranky from not eating or drinking all day. And it comes out in the driving. I don't mean to offend you. I am cranky too during Ramadan..etc. etc.  He said he wasn't offended.  Then I asked him if he was muslim.  'No, madam.  I am a Christian. I am from the first church.  My great great great great great...and however many..were all Christians.  I follow Jesus."

My friend and I shared a moment of thankfulness. Some things just stop us in our tracks.  And a taxi ride can be a cool adventure.

My kids aren't convinced. But I know better.  I put my music on in my car and the CD song that came on was..You guessed it.  "Saddle up your horses, we got a trail to blaze, thru the wild blue yonder with God's amazing grace. We'll follow our leader into the glorious unknown.....this is the Great Adventure!!"

Picking up Ryan tonight. Russell on Wednesday. And off to Lebanon on Saturday. Now I am sure that will be an adventure.
Oh boy!!!
  

Texas Friends Come My Way

June 19th I landed in Amman, Jordan.  My friend, Colleen, was their to greet me. That evening we picked up 5 other friends at the airport.  Granted we were waiting for them at the wrong terminal, but hey..Welcome to the Middle East. :)  After many delays and long hours of flying, we were all together.  They actually looked quite good.  Especially to me.  Since I'm not going to Texas this summer, I joined some of Texas in Jordan.

We spent 8 days together.  During that time we laughed, cried, shared, taught, and experienced the Lord working in so many ways.  We started in Amman. Visited a couple of churches to encourage ladies there, then traveled from the south in Aqaba(where we toured Petra, amazing!).  Later we traveled north to Husn passing by the mountain where Jacob wrestled and coming very near to the Sea of Galilee. The whole trip felt surreal.  The History, the beauty, the churches all over the place..and being with such great friends, all blessed me so deeply.   I can't wait to take Mike and the kids to see it as well. And to visit my new Jordanian friends.

Jordan is much like here. But oh, it was sooo much cooler. I wanted to bottle up the weather and bring it back with me. It felt  like Colorado. Sigh. The Jordanians were talking of the heat. But it didn't feel that way to me.

The 8 days flew by.  I tried to stop the clock from ticking. But, alas, it was over before I knew it.  Colleen and I waved our team, Margaret, Sheryl, Sheila, Marguerite and Kelly goodbye last Sunday.  Then she walked me to my flight.  A quick movie and I was home. I think I had made dinner, slept, finished my laundry..and more, before my sweet buddies made it home.  Oh well. That's life. :)

Colleen has promised to come visit soon.  She is jealous that we can get Blue Bell ice cream here. Can't wait for her to come.  

So now, we are going to get ready to celebrate the 4th of July at the beach tomorrow.  Sure am missing Mr. Pearce's homemade ice cream.  But maybe we will dish up some Blue Bell and pretend.

Happy 4th, Everyone!

From Start to Finish

            At first it was a parking lot...sigh. Those were the days.  We had no idea that in less than 3 months the trucks would move in, and the parking spaces would disappear.     

In February 2008, our friends from our church in Dallas watched from our bedroom window as truck after truck drove away with sand and more sand.   24 hours a day, 6 days a week. Lots and lots of sand.                                                                

After the trucks were done hauling the sand, the cranes moved in.  This crane was right outside our bedroom window.  We could have had tea with the operator and never left the room. :) 

Spring 2009. Scaffolding and clanging and banging.The building takes shape. The concrete pours were the loudest. All night long the trucks would come in.  Even earplugs didn't help.                                         
                            

Took this picture today from my bedroom window. They are finishing the streets up.  Not sure when the building will have power, but Mike says this summer should do it.  

Summer's Coming!

June 16th,  Sallie finishes up with school. Robert is basically done.  On June 19th, I fly to Amman, Jordan to join my friends from Dallas for a week of teaching and touring.  I cannot wait.  I have been preparing my lesson and even got some help from by Arabic teacher with some words.  She was born here but is Egyptian because you can't have citizenship here unless like your great grandparents or something were Emirati.  Makes it difficult for lots of people. She has an Egyptian passport but has hardly ever been there. Sheesh. Anyway, she is such a dear and helped me prepare some props I will be using for my lesson in Amman.

This morning I met a young mother who needs an English teacher for her driver, housemaid, and business employee, from India, Ethiopia, and the Philippines, respectively. I am replacing a dear friend of mine who is moving away at the end of June.  I will really miss her and her family.  But the best surprise?  This young mom..is half Colombian... and she owns the cutest 9 mth old golden retriever.  She already said Sallie and Robert can come meet him. They are happy.

Next week, we will say goodbye to the Pritz family as well as the Phillips and the Novacks.  Not going to be easy. They have all been such wonderful friends these past few years.  I look forward to future visits and lots of fun times whenever we get back together.  I find myself reliving a lot of my childhood with all of these goodbyes.  Once again wondering how my parents did it....

So, there is the good and the hard.  But always, there is the choice to trust that God is in control and His ways are best.  Glad it is almost summer break.  Bet you are too!

Love,
Mattie  

Celebrations

My birthday was yesterday.  The last official birthday in my 40s. It was such a fun day.  I had lunch with friends. Got flowers and gifts. And tons of birthday greetings from facebook and email.  My friends all know how I love birthdays.  Robert even baked me a birthday cake.  And Sallie and Robert both cleaned the apartment.  Mike made the bed and brought me flowers..  I mean, talk about a great birthday.  We also just celebrated our 27th anniversary.  And on top of all of these fun times, Robert earned his next rank in Boy Scouts.    He is now a second class scout and will work hard next year to move into first class.  And it IS hard work. :)

The kids will finish school soon.  We are all ready for a break.   My friend, Pattie, and I went to look at Villas as possble residences next year, but for the price we can afford they would be way too far out.  Mike and I just aren't sure the pros...parking, quiet, more space, and so on..outweigh the cons.  Distance, maintenance, money, etc.  So we keep praying that maybe something will open up on the island that we can afford.  We'll see. 

So, I wrote this a couple of weeks ago but then for some reason it didn't post. I will try again. :)

Vanishing Act

I woke up the other morning and a strange sight greeted me out our living room windows.  It took me a minute to figure out what was wrong.  There were NO cars parked on the street across from us.  I called Sallie and Robert over and we all stood there in shock.   Now, we have known for months that they would soon put in paid parking meters over there, but to have the cars gone overnight was bizarre.  When we went to bed the night before, the usual 50 cars were parked up and down the street and presto..at 7 am they had disappeared.  For the following three days these weird events continued. We knew our time was short for our usual parking places next to the aromatic dumpsters.

 So, that Saturday Mike and I drove to the Parking Permit office in central Abu Dhabi.  I say Mike and I because I had to drive him there as there is no place to park.  I know, hard to believe.  Anyway, I put my flashers on and waited for Mike in the taxi pull out section of the road.  People don't like that but you gotta do what you gotta do.   I waited for about 15 minutes.  He comes out with empty hands. No parking permit.  These permits are a yearly pass for the paid spots along only your section of residence.  They cost about 400 dollars and they don't guarantee you a spot . If there IS a spot you can use it and not get a ticket.   "Honey, what did they say? Did you get a permit for us?"  "Nope, apparently we don't have a parking problem in our section." ?????????????????????????????   Anyway, because the paid parking is not on our side of the street and won't be for TEN months we can't have a permit.  Only those people across from us will have access to the 25 paid spots. It's ok to laugh. What else can you do?  :)

For a couple more days we were able to park on our side of the street, in the street. Then the tickets started showing up.  We did find a solution though.  There is valet parking for our building under the building that is behind us that is not finished.  We used it for awhile but then, when they scraped off the paint along the left side of Mike's car, and it cost us about 2000 dollars to get if fixed, we quit using it.  Perhaps the men parking the cars are better now as they have had more practice. But what choice do we have?   I WILL say it helps traffic along our road.  And the car is a bit cooled off by the time they bring it to us.  I'm sure we will get used to it, but the street still looks very strange.....      

Frantic Fun and Fatigue

    Beauty and the Beast, Boy Scouts and Bogota...what do these have in common?  Only that we have been running from here to there for these events. Ok, I cheated with Bogota, as in Colombia.  We were at the Kenneys last night and I met two of the nicest ladies from there. They didn't speak English so it was fun to use my Spanish and laugh with them.  I really am Latin at heart. :)
     As for Beauty and the Beast, Sallie has worked about 50 hours with my friend Pattie,  the costume director, since February.   Last Wednesday the play opened and it was a big hit. We won't miss the running around or the long hours(which don't even come close to all the hours Pattie put into it) but it was fun to see it all come together yesterday.   Sallie is at her performance right now.
     And Boy Scouts? Robert will receive his next rank at the Court of Honor at the end of this month. He is very excited.   He actually ushered yesterday at the play to get some service hours in.  Those are kind of hard to come by here.  Needless to say, we have been scurrying and squeezing in last minute hikes and all to make sure he has all the requirements. Mission accomplished. We can breathe.

     I think Abu Dhabi fatigue is setting in.  This is similar to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but usually manifests itself in increased conversations with whacko drivers, lower tolerance for red tape, and total depression over the lack of parking.  And don't get me started on my phone that was stolen...went to get a new sim card. Office closed. Went back. Office open. Not the right paperwork. Get Mike's signature to prove I CAN replace my Sim card. Go back a third time. Get Sim card....but ......wait for it....Has Mike's phone number. So for the whole day he is stuck in Dubai with no phone...Oh my gosh. Will this never end. Actually, it did. The next morning. Back at the phone office, all straightened out.  But ..well...ADF is in full swing.
     And Robert turned 12 this week, too. His third birthday celebrated here in the UAE. Sometimes I am dumbfounded at how fast the years have gone.  And then I get stuck in traffic and I feel every one of those years. :)
Here's to summer break. Just around the corner.

WOMAD and the Weekend

WOMAD.  World of Music Abu Dhabi. Bands from all over the world come for a three day concert on the beach.    The beach is transformed with huge stages, lights, speakers, flags and thousands of people.  It's really something. And it's free.  Last night we heard bands from Iran, Sudan, and here. (We missed Cuba. They didn't start until midnight or so. :) ) . The night before it was Burundi, Palestine and Egypt. Bands from India, France, China and Spain are also here. It is amazing. We grabbed our camp chairs and just walked along the beach to each stage along with everyone else in the city, or so it seemed.   The night began with fireworks. They really like fireworks here.  Several of our friends were there so we did the trek from stage to stage with them.  It was a great evening.

Today Robert is off to a sailing expedition with the boy scouts. I am quite jealous. Sallie is spending the day helping my friend, Pattie, with the costumes for Beauty and The Beast.  This is the musical that the Abu Dhabi Choral Society is presenting the first week of May. Our friend, Katie, is Belle. Pattie and Sallie have lots of great stories. I think Pattie has been to at least a dozen tailors in order to get the costumes made and at least 6 or 7 are making the various items.   At one rehearsal a guy started to strip down in front of them and poor Sallie's eyes bugged out. Pattie quickly said to change behind the curtain...Sallie: " I don't even know him!"  Pattie: "You DO NOW. " They both  ended up laughing a lot that night.    

WOMAD was fun but we sure missed Ryan.  Last year we sat with him.  So, Mike, knowing that I missed him called him from his cell phone not caring about the cost. We only talked for a minute or so, but it helped.  Some things are still bittersweet.

Hope you have a good weekend, too. Ours is almost over.  

He Came, We saw, He left.

Russell flew through here last week. On his way to his new job in Kabul, Afghanistan. And I mean..FLEW.  He arrived Monday night at around 8pm. He left our apartment at 2 am Thursday morning to catch a 6:30am flight in  Dubai.  It felt surreal.  Went by way too fast. The week before he came I counted down the days and even hours. We went to see Il Divo in concert at Emirate's Palace on Sat. and I kept thinking about Russell coming. At the park on Monday I thought about Russell coming... And I thought Mike would never get back from the airport on Monday night! :)  But the time was way too fast.

While he was here we celebrated sweet Sallie's 15th birthday and even had a few late gifts for Russell from his 22nd birthday in February.  We hung out. Talked. Laughed.  And ate at his favorite places like Arab Udupi and Lebanese Flower.  It did feel strange not to have Ryan here though.  Just not complete.   Robert pretty much stayed glued to Russell the whole 50 hours.  Then he was gone. But you know what? He is basically in the same time zone!!! Only a 30 minute difference from us. I love that.   Course not really excited about the Kabul thing, but it keeps us praying and trusting.  And we love that he is doing exactly what he wants and that he is trusting the Lord to lead him.  

If you would like to read more about his adventures he also has a blog....russellhildebrand.wordpress.com  He's already told us some fun stories.....Not sure if they will make the blog though. :)

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. :)