Monday, January 28, 2008

Arabic Video Archive

I was looking back over some of our "study videos" from this last year and ran across this hilarious one of Matt. I really don't try to find all of the funny videos of Matt and post them but he is just so funny!!! AND.....since he never blogs I have the priveledge of showing you his funny moments and NOT mine! Hee..Hee!

Anyway, this video was taken earlier last year. Our teacher is using the verb 'to wash' over and over. Matt is acting out what she says. "He is washing his hair. He is washing his face." etc..

During this last year of language we have discovered that Matt and I are more opposite than we ever thought we were. I am good with just hearing our teacher say a new thing a few times and then allowing me to use the new vocab(kinda boring, huh?) but Matt always puts an interesting twist in each lesson! Our differences caused MUCH conflict at first but now he just takes the lead and decides how he wants the lesson to run. So, the teacher and I are surprised each day to see what Matt will pull out of his funny hat next! :)

By the way...we are just a LITTLE further along in Arabic since this video! :) In Sha Allah we will speak this language!!!! Uggggg!!!!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Bama Girl's New Flat!!!!

We have a friend coming here to live and we have been looking for a flat for her. We found one that we think is great! I have been talking with her on the phone and we tried to send pictures for her to see by skype but the computer was not cooperating. So, this is the method I chose for her to be able to see where she is going to live in just a few short weeks!! WE CAN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO GET HERE BAMA GIRL!!!!!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Eric and Chris Visit....

Here's the slide show I promised. We did so much more than you can see in these pics! It was a great time. Now maybe we can all catch up on some sleep! (:

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Overlook of the City


We have had some friends, Chris and Eric, here visiting us this week. We were not sure how things would go since we returned from the states about 48 hours before our guests arrived. It turns out that this is the way to return. Having them here made us just jump right back into the culture and language. We did so much in these last ten days. I will post a slide show in the next few days with many pictures of our touring of the city. It has been a blast! This is a picture of me and Matt at a famous mosque that overlooks the city. What an amazing view!!!!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Santa telling the True Meaning of Christmas

We love this clown and Santa. This is a clip of part of their skit. The song says that I have joy because Jesus is in my heart!!! How cool is that? Santa knows Jesus!!!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Surprise Duet

After all of the children sang together at the Christmas party, they left the room. I put my camera away because I thought the program was coming to a close. Suddenly, the teachers put Madison and Matthew Ray up on the stage and announced that they would be singing a song together!! (Surprise to me and to them as well!) I quickly got out my camera again so we could capture this wonderful talent! (:

Monday, January 14, 2008

Belated Christmas Party

Two days after returning here Madison and Matthew Ray had a Christmas party at their school. The school had planned it for the week before while we were in the states but one of the owners had a death in her family. So, we returned for the exciting event!!! Here are a few pics of the kids singing, Santa giving Matthew Ray a present and Madison as the angel in the Nativity. Stay tuned for the next couple of posts to see Madison and Matthew Ray sing a duet and an Egyptian Santa sing a song about the true meaning of Christmas!!

Madison was not very thrilled with this angel costume.


Matthew Ray with Santa.


Singing Arabic Christmas songs.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Always a Party at Grammy, Granddaddy and Juliana's!

We just returned back to North Africa from our visit to the states. We finished up our time at Grammy and Granddaddy's house in Arkansas. They were so sweet to let us literally "crash" their house for weeks! Below is a slide show of some of the fun we had there. Grammy, Granddaddy and Juliana always allow the kids to do so many fun and messy things at their house. We were sad to leave but we think Grammy, Granddaddy and Juliana were singing the Hallelujah chorus as we headed to the airplane! Thanks Grammy, Granddaddy and Juliana for everything!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

Meredith and Catherine

We took a short trip to Tulsa to spend some time with the Himayas. Meredith and Catherine love playing together when we get to see each other. They had a blast swimming at the hotel pool. Meredith even got to teach Catherine some more Arabic. Catherine, come visit us soon!!!

Time with Friends

Some of our dearest friends, the Cupples, allowed us to use their SUV while we have been in the states. We finally returned the car and got to spend one more night visiting with them. We love those friendships that just "pick up" right where you left them the last time you were together!!! We love you Bobby, Marianne, Ashli and Mallory!!!