Homesick

The past few days have been extremely hard for me.  This is my favorite time of year and it's just not easy to be so far away.  We've decorated our flat, bought & wrapped presents, been to (and will go to) numerous parties, and even decorated sugar cookies...but it's just not the same.  I'm homesick. 

I woke up in the middle of the night, last night, sick.  It made for a long night and morning.  I missed several things this morning that I was looking forward to.  Skype was down, which meant I didn't get to talk to Tristan.  I was just having a lousy day!  I decided to cheer myself up with some Christmas music...and what was the first song to come on..."I'll Be Home for Christmas".  So, now I'm homesick, stomach sick, missing my boyfriend, and in tears.

Then I get a text:
"You have a package at the school."  My first care package finally arrived.  Yay!!!  My flatmates brought it home shortly after and we giggled like Jr. High girls as we opened the wonderful box of spices and treats from my parents.   I was so excited.  #1 We can finally season our food #2 I had a little piece of home in my hands #3 It was God reminding me that: I'm not alone; His timing is perfect; and I'm loved, even when I feel sick and lonely.  It's crazy how God used a box of things, which I would normally buy without thinking twice, to speak to me when I needed it most.

I also got to talk to my best friend (or as my students call her, my twin) and my parents on Skype tonight. 

How could this not brighten my day!

I'm still a little homesick...but that's ok.  How could I expect anything less with family and friends like I have?!  So, I'll go drink a flavored water, eat an Oreo, feel a hug from home, and smile...because I am loved...and that is worth everything!

Christmas isn't about warm fuzzy feelings, big trees, or traditions.  It is about Him.  I will celebrate His birth and promises with a cheerful and thankful heart-because He is worthy of nothing less. 

Merry Christmas!!!

Arabic makes my brain tired

I finally got to start studying Arabic today.  I have a local woman coming twice a week for a month-until I can start classes at the institute where I teach.  One hour in, and I now know my alphabet-written and spoken.  Is is sad that I found this to be a quite difficult?  My brain is already tired!  However, I was quite proud of myself.  Now, lets see if it sticks between now and Tuesday (my next lesson). 

I also have picked up most of the greetings, can tell the dabab (local transportation) to stop, and can buy fruits/veggies at the nearby street market.  At this rate, I should be able to have a conversation, fully in Arabic, just in time for me to come home!

I'm so excited to learn this beautiful language and look forward to the day that I can communicate with people on the streets.  Until then, there's always, hello, goodbye, and God bless!