I like my ring!

Too often I'm struck by the fact that women, (especially Doctors), have huge diamonds on their rings. I keep thinking - Did he buy your love too?

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!

Asia traveling

Samara H. welcoming TCC travelers to Istanbul at the airport. 

Naomi H, Anna Williams, and Samara H. are happy to be reunited again.

Worship on Sunday morning with Julie and Brian Sylvester at the Houston's apartment.

Woship was sung in English and so was the message from P. Travis. 

Pray for their Kenny's new sermon series in 1 Cor.

Kindra H. with an amazing spread of Turkish food yummy!

Made with a neighbor-friend and then by herself.

Touring the Hagia Sophia (this last one was stolen from Julie's camera)

Public transportation = Bus, taski (taxi) or ferry boat

Brian & Julie Sylvester catching the bus for our Batman flight.

Istanbul is populated by 13 million people! 

Pray for these unreached people.

I know you'll want to see a pictures of Hudson! (Julie's pics again)

Zzzz's in the van.

Spiritual Walking

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

I often find myself exercising more as the weather is warmer, so the past two days I walked around the lakes and was awed by creation yet again. I love seeing the Canadian geese, woodpeckers, squirrels and the tall tress around me - I just had to soak it in. Glorious design by a great Maker! So I stopped midtrack in my jogging and started praying and the verse that has been on my mind recently is Ephesians 5:15. A spiritual walking through our life and He is watching, guiding, our steps throught the Spirit if we ask Him too. The wisdom of God is here in front of us - His word. Father may I become wise in the way I walk, speak and act. May you make the most of my time and continue the work you've begun in me.

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.

tis the season

Well I cannot believe it's December 2010! As I was writing the date several times at work my pen kept wanting to write "11" (november) I still cannot get over it.
John and I are going to be celebrating our 6 month anniversary on the 18th - also my birthday! Yay I love my sweetie.
I made a couple of my presents this year for my family. Using iron-on stuff for fabric and I just made some yummy cinnamon rolls! I however did not make John's gift as I have in the past. We have a small tree from Michael's and hope to have a big tree when we live in Dayton next year.
We are also excited to go with our church TCC to a mission trip in March 2011! Yay John and I both haven't been together overseas yet. I'm really looking forward to it. As are our friends Julie and Travis Williams. I love the idea of keeping our heart focused on Christ's coming this season and looking forward to being with my family in 4 days! What a time of celebration this will be as we haven't been united since our wedding in June. I think Andrea just said she's putting up the tree and lights on the house. I cannot wait to be back. And I'm definitely going to La Casita once!
And 'tis the season to Live for Him.

Lately

Tomorrow I'll be attempting to cook my first turkey. I'm going to try several ideas, I'll be using an oven bag and suggestions from the Trader Joe's website on roasting a turkey and combine them we'll see what happens. I heard it's harder than it looks.
I've been happily making plans to prepare a meal with my friend Lindsey Davis. She also has amazing talents of cooking! We already know we'll have plenty of food and leftovers. I made really cute invitations with a turkey on them and the back states "Turkey fellowship at the Popes'" when and where etc - who needs Martha Stewart when I have my own creative ideas right? Well, I still like her websites on scrap-booking and her other inventive crafts.
John and I purchased a table today from Lowe's it's a folding six foot table. Yay for more celebrations and hospitality in our near future.
John and I recently traveled to Dayton in a four seater plane. It was really amazing. I love seeing the states this way. And by far love by passing the terminal, security and traffic at RDU. We just pop ourselves in our seats. Jack and his wife Ashley are so generous in helping our church plant from the very start. God has blessed us beyond measure. John preached on Sunday at Kionos, he stated that God has one mission not missions and we get to be part of that!
John and I went to Harry Potter last night. I was actually pretty scared at the scenes especially when the snake pops out. John is so sweet at any movie he'll let me hold his hand through the entire movie. I feel like his one and only princess.