Asia Traveling take II

John and the Sylvesters about to enter the Blue Mosque. A picture of the Turkey flag. 

John and I about to enter the Mosque and he's trying to warm up his nose...

John loved playing with the kiddos, this is Naomi and I think we are at a restaurant.

Johnny and I on the ferry boat. It snowed and rained several days we were there.

Brrrrr. 

Our hotel view was awesome.

The marriage seminar was a great success. There was time for fellowship and intentional couple time.

John cared for the older three brothers of one of the workers. John taught them new card games, and enjoy the Word together. Julie W, myself, and the Sylvesters took turns watching the little ones and also had times to sit in on the marriage retreat sessions. The hotel/cabin we stayed at was on the border beach area and although it was windy we enjoyed God's creation.

We glanced at the life of the H's and it's not an easy task. They are in language studies for at least 15 hours a week. It has been a blessing to be around their family and see how one functions in a big city. They share a van with another worker one week at a time. Otherwise the bus is another option, or walking. Kindra does the grocery shopping at bazaars/markets and serves her husband by watching and teaching their children at home while learning the language too.

The H. family took us to some ancient caves near the Tigris River. 

Tigris River

Kenny's Turkish is great so far. Just wait 'til another visit.

Everyone enjoying the view!

Then we had coffee on a deck with another amazing view of the river.

Goats.

children in the village

group shot!

Passport time

It's time to get my passport for our trip in March! I'm super excited to be able to visit some dear friends and family of our faith. I'm just getting crunched on time. The tickets are already purchased and I have no passport.
John is making several trips to Dayton regularly and he is getting more and more eager to move there. He and I are trying to pray often together and this time is so precious to me. I enjoy seeing him read a lot and it pushes me to want to read more. More aspirations include reading fiction this year, memorizing scripture, doing more outdoor activities, hiking, camping, or whatever that may look like. Our dear friends are expecting there first child - I am ecstatic for them. And as we approach the time to move I get a little sad and a little excited. The memories made here will last and so will the new ones we will be making.

there's no place like it

TOPSAIL ISLAND NC
The beach was a great get away from the city. I love what we call our " John and Amy time" - Here's some of the snapshots. Enjoy!




Molli's (a seafood restuarante that Shirley & Patricia Pope love)


A beautiful sunrise at the beach!

Ahhh Skin!
A really hot guy I was checking out

Long over due

Here are some photos of my trip with my mom. THANKS MOM for helping me drive across the country, share my fears, share the memories with me. (It was even her birthday on June the 6th) So almost 1950 + miles later, and 197 + dollars in gasoline bills, one stay at the Hilton Inn, one over night at Miranda's apartment...we arrived at Raleigh, North Carolina.

Yummy omlets before I leave!
The car is packed! Can you see it?


Happy Birthday breakfast at Cracker Barrel
Miranda Weston

Tennessee poppies

On Michael's birthday (April 29th) we traveled to the Chiricahua National Monument. I enjoyed God's creation during our walk-about. The desert scenery was amazing a smaller-version of the Grand Canyon but more rock formations. I didn't lug my camera up there so here's one from the wonderful google-image search. We had a picnic with the Bohlings (Leah, her mother and Kris) and then drove to the Sugarloaf trail. (0.9 mile hike and the trip back.) Michael was eagerly awaiting a phone call from his possible summer employment and his cellphone service was very unreliable on the drive to the Chiricahua's. Happy 18th Birthday Michael.


John is in Turkey for 10 days. His church, Treasuring Christ Church, has been there since leaving Raleigh airport on Friday, April 24th. They are called Team 10. One of his friends is blogging their daily adventures. The country is heavily populated with Muslims. They are praying for God's direction, will and guidance for living there among the people and share the good new of Christ!