Celebrating Cinco de Mayo

Sallie watches the rain.

It was fun to celebrate Robert's 15th birthday last weekend.  Robert, our Cinco de Mayo boy,  invited 5 buddies to go see Ironman 3 and then spend the night.  Highlights of the celebration included..video games.. no surprise there... pizza...again no surprise  and ...Playing basketball in the rain!  Big surprise there.  

Mike and I are having trouble believing he is 15, but we are so glad for his new friends and our continued adjustment to living here in Doha. Friends make all the difference. :)  

Mike and I wanted to go out for Mexican dinner as many places hosted special Cinco de Mayo evenings, but Robert said he wanted Stroganoff and yellow cake with chocolate ice cream for his family birthday dinner. So that is what we did. 

Feliz Cumpleanos, Roberto! 

April Showers

I have been woefully delinquent writing this month. Here it is the end of April and I am just sitting down to write.  This will be a summary of our month.

1.  Sallie and Robert both had great trips to Nepal and Jordan.  I asked them to write so I could put their stories in my blog..but well, here I am. Just mom..filling everyone in. I cannot do justice to their weeks away, so maybe I will pay them to write. :)

We had a family dinner for Sallie's birthday when she got back.

2. Sallie turned 18 in Nepal!

New friends in the Compound.

3. This month I have made friends with more of my neighbors.  Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine are some of their home countries. So fun getting to know them better. Funny thing is...they see me swimming laps often and some are interested in swim lessons for either themselves or their kids. I never thought those swim lessons that I taught 25!!! years ago would lead to new friendships halfway around the world!!

4. More news of the day..RAIN RAIN RAIN.  What in the world? The rainiest desert this month! Oh and Earthquake, Earthquake, too!  Mike was on the 21st floor for the first one.  He said it was not fun. There was a guy from California in the room who figured it out first.  As Mike tramped down the 21 floors he kept thinking of Sallie in Nepal. Robert in Jordan. Me not answering my phone. He did not like the feeling at all. I, by the way, was swimming laps..blissfully ignorant that there had even been an earthquake!  The second one was also only felt by Mike.

Chilis for lunch after Church

The teens at Chilis.

5. More friendships forming this month.  As we settle into life in Doha, we are slowly feeling more connected to the friends we have made. It really does take nearly a year to transition to new places. Finally this is feeling more like home.





6..We made our first trip to the beach. The day was filled with wakeboarding, boat rides, sand castles, food and fun for all.  It was especially nice to get away from the city and spend time with some of these new friends. It was about an hour drive to the spot but it was fun.

And coming next month?? Mike and I go to Jordan to celebrate our upcoming 30th anniversary. Robert has a friend coming from Abu Dhabi. Sallie wraps up her senior year. Prom. And then in June? Graduation!!

And They're Off!



Jordan team being prayed for on Friday at church before heading to the airport.



Sallie and Brittany loading up for the airport Thursday morning.

My Poor little car.... covered in sand....

Sallie and Robert left town this weekend for Nepal and Jordan.  I think it will be challenging for both of them.  Although it is only for one week, the days will be packed with work projects, orphange visits.  hikes into villages and on Robert's trip they will meet many Syrian refugees whose lives have been destroyed by the war.  The teams have prepared since January as best as they can to be ready for what the Lord lays before them this week. Skits, reading some good books, like The Word Came with Power, memorizing verses and spending time getting to know each other better. I pray that the Lord will be glorified as the kids serve and worship Him in the next several days.

And what did they leave behind? Mom and Dad missing them, for one thing..and a major bad sandstorm. My car was washed in the morning and looked like this later in the day. Yuck.

When Sallie gets home she will have turned 18.  I guess not everyone can say they turned 18 in Kathmandu. :)




"Bye Mom and Dad. See you soon. "



The Dichotomies of Doha

Look closely... truck full of sheep. 

On the right. Red truck with lonely donkey

Good morning.

 Every weekend and sometimes during the week we run across interesting passengers.  They are sharp reminders that we are a long way from Dallas.  Not just that there are animals staring at us. It's the contrast.  Tall, gleaming buildings, 5 Star hotels, Lamborghinis,  Mazeratis  and Fred the Camel in the back of a tiny beat up Pick Up.    Mike and I just look over at each other and grin.

It's Official. We live in Qatar!

The crowds cheered.  Horns honked. Cameras flashed. People danced in the streets.  Ok, maybe not..but I am pretty darn excited that the Hildebrands all have Resident Permits for the country of Qatar.  After a total of  14 trips to 6 different government buildings(this includes two unnecessary rides to the American Embassy who did not tell me I did not need to be there), in a two month time period, costing us approximately 2000 dollars, yes,   WE HAVE OUR VISAS!!!
Here is my friend and driver Sadiq, from Bangladesh, been here 20 years. I could not have done this without him.
Next week?  Drivers License. Visas for Sallie and Robert for their Spring break trips....

Hey, after 7 months, we are almost moved in! :)  It  is time to celebrate

Room for Friends

Friendship Festival!  That is how March kicked off. ASD, Sallie's school, does this every year. They invite the community and host a huge event. It is a carnival like atmosphere, with dunking booth, jail, bouncy houses and arts and crafts. Oh and lots of people and lots of food. Mike and I took our camping chairs and set them in the middle of the action and enjoyed the hustle of everything.  New friends stopping to say hi, Sallie and Robert hanging out with their friends.  It is nice to have friends.

Speaking of friends, we have had visits from Anwar, our friend from Abu Dhabi( went to Lebanon with his family a couple of years ago), and the Kenneys this month as well. They moved to Oman before we moved here and this was their first time to come see us. It was great to catch up with them.

We love the fact that we have a place for people to stay with us when they come. Guests actually have room to relax. And Sallie is not kicked out of her bedroom!

Oh and on top of all this friend fun time..the kids can actually have friends come over. And Mike and I don't have to leave the house. There is room for all of us. :)

So to all our friends and family...  You are officially invited to come visit.  We love it!  

February: Fun and Done

Winter Formal

Goofing Off

Dances, plays, spring break mission trips. Visitors, schoolwork, prom. We are racing toward the end of the school year.  Maybe I am over reacting but honestly I feel as though I can't catch my breath.  I remember feeling this way twice before... in 2006 and then 2009.  Trying to keep a stiff upper lip but failing much of the time. Stop the train, please!    She can't graduate. It's too soon. We will miss her too much.  Trying to capture these fun, exciting times and just enjoy them. And not think too much about how lonely we will all be when she is halfway around the world beginning that new part of her journey.  As I said, trying but not failing much of the time. Ok, it is only February..  Breathe, pray, smile, cherish, hug, breathe again. Take more pictures.  .

Soap Opera by David Ives Sallie as the washing machine. 

Jordan and Nepal teams joining together in prayer for their  Spring Break trips in April.

Carnival Qatar!

The music outside the restaurant window had us looking at each other blankly.  What in the world?  It was a band but it wasn't playing Arabic music.  That's for sure.  6 of us were dining in the Moroccan restaurant in the middle of the Souq Waqif in Doha.  A popular tourist spot with good food and lots of shopping.  What in the world was that sound?? Well, turns out that MardiGras or Carnival as they say in Brazil had come to Doha.  I can say it was probably one of the more bizarre mind jumps we have had since moving to the Middle East.   But it sure made us all smile. Especially the parade of people following them up and down the sidewalk....    What next?? :)

Love and Support

Ok, I admit it. I haven't felt like writing since I got back from the US 10 days ago. Just having trouble getting my thoughts down.  After saying good bye to everyone in Dallas, I flew to London. 48 hours after taking off I landed in Doha. Had an unexpected layover in London, but got to see some good friends that we know from Abu Dhabi. My layover became a  nice visit with dear friends.

Since my return I have had many opportunities to tell Scott's story. Every time I retell it I am overwhelmed at what a wonderful story it is. I am so very thankful that with each telling I am able to share the peace my sister and I have had during all of this knowing that Scott is in heaven and that before he died he was a changed man.   Sometimes I am overwhelmed with thoughts of how different this story could have turned out.  So thankful.

Sallie and Robert are starting their second semesters. Hard to imagine that we will have only Robert home with us next year.  The months are flying by.

Here are some pictures of some of the wonderful faces from our memorial for Scott.  I will never forget the love and support of old friends and new.

    

A New Day

     It is in the early hours of morning that they appear.  The thoughts and pictures seem to come during those jet lag hours when I can't fall back asleep.

  It is such a peaceful, joyful time, that they take me by surprise.  He is laying there with wires and tubes and hoses. swish, swish. in and out.  Eyes swollen shut from the blast, arms flat down by his side. swish, swish, in, out.  He never regained consciousness but I talk to him.  Like everybody else I've heard maybe they hear you.  So I remind him that I love him. That with all his problems, he was a good big brother. "When we were kids, even though you picked on me, you wouldn't let anybody else pick on me. And remember that time just the two of us were sailing with Dad to that new marina in New Jersey? And Scotty, I love you. I'm so glad we talked in September."

So I grab onto that picture. Breakfast at Mimis Cafe. In many ways meeting him for the first time.  This man, this new follower of Jesus. Oh yes, I recognize you. That sense of humor and gentle smirk.  His eyes clear and twinkling, yet hesitant like he's not sure either who this new man is. But yes, I see my brother. "Milk with ice, please." I had hot tea. And as the minutes pass, I get to know him. "I volunteer every morning at CCA. They've done so much for me. (every morning? really???) They are nice people, and my friend, Seth, he's always talking about God. I don't always get it but he's a great guy. You know, in the hospital I prayed, but Matt, I don't always know if I understand. if I got it..." (I smile as I look into eyes I haven't seen this clear in decades, yes, brother, you got it. ) I reassure him that it's ok. And he shares about church. Somebody talks, there is some praying, and we sing songs. I laugh out loud at this and he smiles. "So what do you think of the music, Scott?"(I am remembering years of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and more.  And the yelling from parents TURN IT DOWN!)  He smiles again and chuckles (this time I can't shake how much he looks like my daddy. grief upon grief. Joy upon joy) "I'm getting used to it," he answers chuckling, "and sometimes if you lean in real close you can almost hear me.."  Not in my whole life did I ever, ever think I would hear that my brother was singing praises to Jesus in church or anywhere else. Not in a million years.

And so this struggle comes over me in those wakeful, early hours.  O God! Such joy that he is in heaven singing praises loudly at the throne of grace!  Such relief! After the worry, the anger, and the fear, that would grip me since I was 10 years old and could understand his choices were bad.  It is gone! He is with Jesus! My brother, the lonely, insecure, mixed up, directionless, and lost brother is found. Is whole. Is healed. Full of joy. Praise God.

But there is that struggle, too. I only had two hours with this new brother. Wednesday night I met the family that knew this different Scott.  Story after story of this man; dependable, faithful, a hard worker, kind, at times even bold, going the extra mile, talking in front of a group of people about his new life in Christ (not in a million of years, my head says!!) Neighbors and coworkers, caseworkers and friends, all sharing these things.  God, why couldn't I know him that way? Why this ending to the story for me? for my sister?

Shhhh, peace. It's ok, Mattie, he's with me.  And one day you will have eternity to know him. You will sing and laugh together at my feet. It is for my glory. Shhh. Your prayers have been answered. He is mine. and always has been.

Psl.33:11
The plans of the Lord stand firm forever. His purposes to all generations.

My brother's words:

My name is Scott, I was put on Social Security Disability back in 2004 for mental and lower back problems. I was living in my own trailer at the time here in Lewisville with my family. A year or so later lost my family due to drugs and alcohol.  I had to get a roommate to pay my bills there.  During all this time I was getting help from CCA with food and bills. About 2 years ago my roomate had to move out to take care of his father.  I was not able to pay my bills so I put my home up for sale. It did not sell, so I lost it.  I was going to be living in my car until CCA was kind enough to put me in their housing.  While I was living here I was isolating myself, watching TV about SSD, worrying about losing my benefits and all the things that happened to me. On February 28, 2012 I tried to take my life. On one hand I cut 4 or 5 times. The other 8 or 9 times.  The blood kept stopping so after 3 hours I called the ambulance. While in the hospital I was joined by 2 people in prayer. This is part of my story. Now I am trying to walk the path with God by doing some volunteer work with CCA, hoping to find my way in life.
May 2012

Picture Time!

During Russell's quick 4 day visit here in Doha, I dragged the family out for family pictures. Our last professional picture as a family was taken in 2006, the year before we moved to the Middle East. I have to say they all kept a great attitude and it was one of my favorite days.  (This shocked them all, but I just love pictures so much and pictures plus my family..so fun!) Our photographer was a gal we met thru church and she did a terrific job.  As 2013 begins I am happy to have a new family portrait!  Brianna also took Sallie's senior pictures over the Break. Our family portraits were at the Museum of Islamic Art here in Doha, but Sallie chose a much different venue for her pictures. Sheikh Faisal's Farm and Museum. There were trees and peacocks and birds, rabbits in a big cage, and discarded machinery and junk. Sallie loved it!!( We tried to catch the peacocks in some pictures but they were way to fast!) Both days were fun and we love the pictures.  
Happy New Year from the Hildebrands!!.

   

Holiday Scenes

 Our first Christmas in Doha is quickly flying by. Our 6th Christmas out of the US. I keep thinking that one year we need to get back and celebrate. I especially think that when I hear that we missed another big snowfall in Texas. Not sure my kids will forgive us for that. But we have had a good time this year. Ryan came, then headed to Kabul to be with Russell and then both of them showed up here together. What a great time it's been!

Shakespeares opened just before Russell and Ryan arrived in Doha. We celebrated by having breakfast there.  It's the first Shakepeares in Qatar..and a block from our house(.It felt like home to us since we spent so much time there when we lived in Abu Dhabi. )  Although Russell was only able to stay for a few days, we all had a good time and packed a lot in. I think my favorite Christmas activity was sailing on Saturday around the city and relaxing in the sunshine. We rented two boats and took a four hour sail. It was a bit rough at first as both the boys were beat from just getting back from Kabul the night before, but I think the time to relax and soak up the sun eventually felt good.    Also included in our time was a trip to the singing sand dunes. Kids were a bit disappointed on that one as they weren't singing too much. Someone said it has to do with all the rain they have had here recently. ( Someone mentioned going to youtube and you can find videos of the singing part.)

We had Christmas dinner with new friends we have made in Doha. Sure appreciated them including us in their festivities. And of course, Christmas morning was presents and laughter and cinnamon coffee cake.

Oh ... Something else we miss about Christmas in the US.   Mike used to bring so many fun gifts home from contractors and stuff. Fruit baskets, honeybaked hams, etc. But not here, nope..He did however, bring some stuff from work though. In honor of Qatar National Day.  A radio, a calendar, a journal and a cookie. :)  but no honey baked hams.

Cooking and Baking, Baking and Cooking

Creating

Chef Ryan and proud dad. 

Decorating Cookies! The cookies were gone in a couple of hous. Robert was not happy!

Julene and I made a chocolate pie. Yum. 

Shopping at the Doha Souk. 

Ryan arrived on Saturday and grilled us a delicious dinner on Sunday!  Also at our table that night were our friends, the Sawayas.  Honestly, having them here with Ryan really made it feel like Christmas.  Cookies, Christmas music, laughter, heart to heart talks.  And even some different weather..Look closely at the picture with Ryan cooking...RAIN.  For a whole day it rained.  Drank some hot cider and pretended it was snow. :)

Ryan is with Russell in Kabul right now. From his facebook statuses I think it is a wee bit colder there. Both the boys are looking forward to our "winter weather" in Doha.  They arrive early, early Saturday morning. Can't wait!!  

An Early Christmas

Christmas came early for me last night.  Along with the long awaited arrival of Ryan  was a surprise.  Many surprises!! Ryan, aka Santa Claus or my own Christmas elf,  brought a bag full of Christmas ornaments from my friends in Dallas and my sister in law in Kansas!    As I unwrapped and looked at each treasure I couldn't decide between smiling until my cheeks hurt of crying because of how loved I felt!  So I stuck with the smiling and simply enjoyed each Christmas hug. I cannot replace all the things that were lost but with this box I will make new memories and they, too, will be special.  As always with Ryan there was a story to tell about the ornaments.  How they arrived on his front door in a BIG box.  So big , in fact, he took a picture and sent it to Russell...   I laughed out loud as I imagined him shaking his head and saying..what now? :)  But he worked hard to bring me as much as possible and I am still sitting here overwhelmed. Although this Christmas we will be missing the US AND Abu Dhabi, I feel so loved and blessed.  Ryan is asleep upstairs. We have dear friends from AD here visiting for a bit. Russell will be here soon.  Our friends and family in the US haven't forgotten us.  And God, the Creator of the Universe, sent His Son to earth. Emmanuel, God with us.!
Still smiling.

Sallie decorates the poinsettia pots while Robert plays Christmas music. Getting into the spirit.