Newroz Break 2012

Our Newroz break started almost a week earlier than scheduled.  On the morning of March 1st we heard the heart-wrenching news that our friend, teammate, and fellow worker was shot and killed by one of his students.  He taught faithfully at a school 5 hours away that is in the same network as ours for 6 years. Although the break started early, it came with quite heavy hearts.  The first few days were spent with our team, praying, talking, and processing.  Then after a "snow storm" we made the trip to Sulaimania, Iraq to attend the memorial service for our brother and to be with the team there. 

Although we will never know on this side of heaven the entirety of the story.... It was still an amazing testimony to God's forgiveness and reconciliation (a concept foreign in this culture).  He will be greatly missed by all who came into contact with him; but God is sovereign!

We spent 4 days there with the team, then took this bus-load to Erbil to spend a night with our directors there. (also enjoyed some onion rings, fried shrimp, and milkshakes with M-n-M's!)

 

When we got back to Duhok we immediately started helping with the soccer clinic. But then enjoyed a few leisurely days. Going for walks....

dreaming of the potential of this city

and drew closer to our teammates. Playing the name game, sharing meals, and going out to eat together. I love these guys!!!! 

I also got a Kurdish cooking lesson for Chicken Briani. The jist of it is to just fry everything in a lot of oil. :o)!!!

We went to our neighbor girl's Birthday party.  

 

Went for drives with our neighbors and friends  

learned T-ball with a broken stand and stick with friends. 

Then the actual Newroz holiday began.  3 days of feasting and celebrating the Kurdish New Year.  Fires always kickstart this holiday.  So Andy and Dan (our teammate and neighbor) took apart an old washing machine to make our "fire-pit". Job well done guys!

We invited friends, neighbors, and coworkers to enjoy hot dogs (chicken franks), sweets, and pop on our 3rd story roof.  It was super fun!

Andy with a fellow teacher from school enjoying some hot dogs

The city was decked out for the holiday.  

We got dressed up and waited for our Kurdish friends to pick us up for the picnic.  

We found the perfect spot..... always an ordeal.  We drive 30 mins, they debate whether if it's good enough, drive an hour longer and finally decide on THE ONE, which looked just like the one we passed by an hour ago... at least it looks the same to us.

We set up... of course it's not like the American style of picnicing... (Pack a cold-meat sandwhich, apple, and chips).  If they are going to DO IT, they are going to DO IT RIGHT! They spent all morning making the traditional dishes: Iprax, Briani, Nook, and Zalata to bring for the picnic.

 I spent half of this meal-time in the car feeding Zephie since my dress didn't really allow me to feed her outside.  But it was fun watching from a distance... it's a different perspective to just observe and not participate.  It's good to do every now and then... makes you appreciate both perspectives.

Then some lounging around took place: Flying kites

 Eating seeds and playing dominoes

It was super hot in the sun... So we set up a little shade area for Zephie Delal... where she basically learned to roll over.  She has done it before, but not repeatedly like this.

Of course, she was the center of attention... 

Then the well known game "Throw Rocks" started.  One team throws a rock to try and knock the big rocks over on the other team's side.  Kinda like a Kurdish Style Boccee Ball???!!!

Of course... we danced and listened to music...

and just sat around drinking tea and chatting:

Delal ended up falling sleep as the sun was setting. A little nap on Mama's lap is always welcome every now and then. :)

We enjoyed some Chicken Kebabs and fruit to close our evening.  Then it got a little too dark to do much else.  So we headed home in the crazy traffic...everyone was exhausted.

Overall, it was a GREAT break. Just like last year, a great Newroz celebration with our closest friends here. But we were both ready to get back in the swing of our normal routines. As close to "normal" you can get here anyway! :)

Ms. Zephie Delal= 4 months

Hi Sweets in the cute blue jeans!

 Meet John Henry.... Uh la la la! They are only one month apart, both made in Iraq, and are such good friends :)

Although not her best friend. (sorry Henry) but at least for a few more years this girls heart is for her brother! 

   He lives up to his name "Protector" although at times I can tell he's itching to wrestle you already. Patience buddy... your time will come.  They couldn't give each other more kisses, or snuggles throughout the day!

 I mean who doesn't want to cuddle with this little loves?!?!?!

 or look into these eyes all day?!?!? 

I know... that's why I can't get anything done (including this 4 month update a few weeks late!)

Love you Sweets!

xoxoxo

First Month in Duhok

our view from our roof

We survived (and enjoyed) our first month back in Iraq! 

 Traveling here was different than the first time over last year.  1. Extra kid= car seat, stroller, diaper bag, nursing, etc.  Much more "stuff" to bring. 2.  Airplane was full so no extra seats. All of us shared three seats. Different from last year where we got bulk head and a full row of seats. 3.  Didn't have to travel (land in Iraq) in heat of summer- Whew! 4. Traveled straight through all the way to our house. 5. By God's grace no delays, problems, or huge freakouts by the kids (or any of us for that matter)  Lots of patience was needed by all. 

Thank you for individual, never-ending TV recordings in our plane seats, and some decent food to make the trip go reasonably quick! (I was remembering the warm fuzzy thoughts of that Raspberry White Mocha I just enjoyed in the Chicago airport)

 Then.... our first few moments back in Iraq waiting for our 2.5 hour taxi ride to Duhok.

Our craziness first few days, as we were trying to organize, clean, and arrange our house.  Our living room was Zander's room until his room was ready.

Although our house was in much better condition than our house last year, we still had lots of cleaning and fixing up to do.  But over and over again, we thanked God for his provision in housing for us!

We started to orient ourselves to the city again.  Adjusting much faster than last time, as we understood a little more language, and where things were in the city. This makes such a BIG difference. There was some really beautiful sunny days. Probably in the 50's and we get an amazing view of the mountains everyday!

We were TOTALLY pumped when we found this new park though! Thank you Lord! Slides, monkey-bars, walking path?!?!? NO WAY..... Sha-Boo-YAH!

Although not exactly sure why they feel the need to just chop off the tops of all their trees? Hmmmmm?  Some things we will never understand.

Rug cleaning (Kurdish Style)

 Zander was a little more help this year!

Reacquainted with our friends!

Potty-Training.... Arghhhhh. Let's try to keep it positive and say that we had some bright spots.  Where special candy from America came in handy when he went poopoo on the potty.

He likes to draw people these days. Here's his portrait of our teammate/neighbor/friend Miss Julie. 

Speaking of TEAM. Our first month our team consisted of these lovely people- from left to right: (Me, Stacy, Zander, Helen, Andy, Julie, Dan)  Team Duhok is growing and thriving!

Don't worry our kids get LOTS of love from everyone here!

Our teammates from last year John and Mary will be joining us with their new little guy Henry who is one month younger than Zephie.  Pictures of them hopefully soon! :)

That's typically how I know what to write- just use my pictures to have a photo-journal to document what we have been up to.  Unfortunately I don't have any pictures to show of all the people we have reacquainted with, new friends we have already met, or any of the students at the school where Andy is at most of the day. We are super thankful for this last month.  The little things and the big things that God has and is doing-- In our hearts and people we come into contact with.  

Thanks for journeying to Iraq with us!