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.

 
  

Thanks A Lot!

Here it is December already. For Thanksgiving we had several guests join us. Our Canadian friends from the compound, some coworkers of Mike's, and a young single teacher and her daughter that we had met in the grocery store were included.  It doesn't ever feel the same as our celebrations in the US but we have learned to make the best of it.  Mostly having it on Thurs. after work just doesn't feel the same and the fact that most people don't know what the holiday is in the first place. :)    

My friend Kathi and I scoured Doha for Christmas decorations. I am trying to replace those that are gone. I found a few things and a great tree.  Having to make a visa run to Abu Dhabi actually worked in my favor as well.  Last Thursday Robert and I headed to AD. Pattie took me all over hunting for fun things for Christmas. I replaced our Christmas stockings, found some more tree decorations and feel much better about how the house looks for Christmas. I still feel very sad at the loss of what I had but it isn't as painful as it was. I remind myself that it's only stuff. Hold it loosely.

I had tea with Huda and her new twins at Mary's house while I was there. Adam and Jesus.  Thankful that Mary was able to set it up so I could meet these precious little ones and give Huda a hug!  

Happy I had time to visit with our Small group while I was there. Friends for many years . 

Mike carving the Thanksgving turkey. Sallie waiting in anticipation. :)

Ryan comes in 6 days. Then Russell.   It really is beginning to feel like Christmas.

Party On

Nothing like a Lebanese engagement party to welcome visiting friends to Doha.  Nope! Nothing like it. Milt Mary and Rachel got to experience the full deal last night at our compound.  Cars parked everywhere. Arabic music blasting away for all to hear.  Pool closed from 4pm on to set everything up..light show, tables, chairs... food... food... music... And more!  The Lebanese know how to have a party.

The memo said the party would be over at closing. 11pm.  Ha ha hah.!  At 10pm they were delivering more chairs to the deck.  At 11pm Mike, who was about done with this party thing, walked to the desk and informed the manager of the recent memo.  Yes sir. 15 min. more. Ha ha. Uh huh. No, 11pm.  See this is what the memo says.  I paid my rent. My friend Melissa(whose two girls are 7 and 9) paid her rent.  This memo says 11pm. The music needs to be turned off.  This is our home too and the party planners agreed to the terms of the reservation. The manager approached the father of the future bride and some serious "discussion" followed.

A few minutes later the music was turned down.  At least our air conditioners could drown it out mostly. We hope that we will not be labeled as the bad neighbors. Hard line to walk. We shall see.  As a side note, this does not happen often and it was not near as bad as 3 years of building constuction running 24 hours a day in Abu Dhabi. Not even close. :)

Here is what I found this morning. Thought I would share. 

                                         

Windows and Doors

November...Doha..Qatar.  

Pattie and Barry came to see us over the Eid holiday. We showed them the town.  The Souk, the Museum of Islamic Arts and a couple of good restaurants. Mostly we put them to work.  Bought some furniture from some good friends who we knew from Abu Dhabi and are now leaving. Barry and Mike made two big trips with stuff and hauled it all in.  I bet Ryan and Russell are real sorry they weren't here for that.  Barry and Pattie were our first guests to use the upstairs guest room.  It worked out well. We hope to use that room a lot!

Yesterday we had lunch with some other friends from Abu Dhabi.  Had dinner at this great Italian place in the Souk with them and another couple from church.  We had a great time and loved the restaurant. Will definitely be returning there.  And hopefully with our new friends, too!

This couple lives on the Pearl.  A residential development of reclaimed land. Kind of Qatar's answer to The Palm in Dubai.  Very nice. Very empty.  The men shared about working here and the challenges and frustrations.  It is always good to commiserate together. It eases the pain sometimes. We women laughed about Audie's apt...  She showed us her nice balcony. That doesn't have a door. That's ok. The windows are big enough to crawl thru. If you turn sideways. And the view is nice.

You know what they say...if you don't laugh, you'll cry.

Doha, Abu Dhabi, the Gulf Region..Same, same but different.

Month Two

Today is the end of our first two months in Doha.  Our house is coming together thanks to the help of my good friend Pattie.  She was here during our visit to the US and she and Barry came last Wednesday to visit us as well.  We worked them like dogs.  But the house looks great!  Plants, pictures, furniture. All looking good. The best part though was having good friends stay a few days with us.

As I write this a sand storm has blown in.  The sky is brown and the cars have already changed color.  I am glad we didn't plan to do much outside today. Course, also as I write this I am watching the News report the megastorm that is headed to the US East coast. No complaints from this desert dweller.  That thing is huge!!

I can watch the news because we now have internet, and TV services to our villa. No more hanging out at the clubhouse while Robert does school.  No more running over there to check our email and facebook. I kind of miss it. No, not really. We are glad to have most of moving issues settled. All that is left is for us to get our residents permits and for me to get my Qatari license. Not bad when I think of all that was happening last July, August and September.

As I finish unpacking the last boxes onto our bookshelves, there is one thing that makes me sad. My Christmas decorations have disappeared. We will call the movers this week to report it. Perhaps they are sitting somewhere between here and Abu Dhabi.  That is what I am praying, anyway.  It is only stuff but those boxes had stuff from my mom, and all the decorations I have collected for the kids over the years. Every time I think about it my stomach churns.  No way to replace it.  Maybe the movers will have good news. Again, it is all about perspective... I could be packing up and evacuating because of a huge hurricane heading our way....

Praying for friends and family on the East Coast,
Mattie

 

And Finally

Harper with Great Grandma Iolene

Russell introduced Robert to Crossfit while we were in Kansas. Robert says it is not as fun here in Doha.

As a final entry to my rambling about our September visit I must include all the great hugs given and received during the two weeks we were there.  Although it was such a short time we did get to see many of our friends and most of our Kansas family. (  I was very sad not to see my sister, her husband or my niece and nephew though.  It has been more than 3 years now. Not fun.  ) After our trip to Lubbock we stayed in Dallas for 3 days.  People coming and going. Lots of catching up in a short amount of time!  Then on Wednesday, early morning, off to Kansas for a few days.  It was pretty cold for these desert dwellers but we survived. Mike attended his 35th high school reunion and all of us, except for Sallie, got to meet Harper Hildebrand. Harper is the first member of the next generation in our line. And she is a cutie. She wears the title well.

Waiting for the Oktoberfest Parade in Stafford. Robert was chilly. 

Another special hug came from my brother, Scott. I had not seen him in several years and actually did not know where he was living.  Through many amazing connections and God working in his life, we saw each other Tuesday morning for breakfast.  It was a wonderful reunion and I am so thankful for that blessing on top of all the other great things that happened on our trip.

Breakfast with Scott. 

  The two weeks flew by and soon we were flying, too. Back to Doha, Sallie, and 90-100 degree temps. It is good to be back and over the jetlag.  Mike is working hard and this week is a short one with Eid coming.  Time for friends to come see us now!!        

Raiderland with Ryan

Seeing San Fransisco with everyone was not the only fun thing about our whirlwind trip to the States.  Early Friday morning we headed to Lubbock to visit Ryan at Tech.  We have wanted to do this for awhile and on this trip we made it happen.  Tom and Bonnie roadtripped with us so that made the 5-6 hour drive go by much faster.  Laughing and catching up across west Texas is the best way to travel.

Ryan has some terrific friends and we were glad to finally meet them.  Our short visit was packed with meeting his buddies, seeing Lubbock and Texas Tech and eating at some of his favorite restaurants. We weren't sure about Tech before he went there but he has made some good friends and obviously, for now it is home to him.  As a senior he has lots of decisions to make in the upcoming months but for now he is happy in Lubbock and we are glad we experienced just a little of his life there. \

Lunch at Chimys with Tom Bonnie, Curtis , Emily

Hmmmm guess who decorated the living room?

Although it wasn't California, this part of our trip was just as special.  It was hard to hug him good-bye.  I wanted to say just get in the car..and come with us. The goodbyes do not get easier.