Mom and Dad

my new carpet and pillow covers

i like

lookin' kinda chilly

forever young

smiling on a sunny day

authentic carpet experience

gorgeous!

on top of the world

st. john's basilica

me

always thinking

the rocks will cry out

our cute hotel in SELCUK

mom singing "our God is an awesome God" in the theatre

together

cheesecute!

Rick Steves guide book

tram

tunel

train

came to visit- how exciting!

Traveling around with them was fun. We did lots together, but to be honest, just "being" together was the best part. We especially enjoyed going to Ephesus- even in the rain!

My parents did so well with all the modes of transportation and definitely got their walking in each day! It's fun to see things through new lenses as well because after being here for 4 months, the "new" things aren't so new anymore. Here are a few pictures:

A few things they noticed:

* people park their cars however they want to- even half on the sidewalk and half on the road

* stray (or everybody's) cats are everywhere and there are plenty of street dogs too

* people don't acknowledge one another when they pass by on the street

* we throw our tp in the trash... although we were informed this was passe and you don't really have to do it anymore

* tea is always offered!

*There is no shortage of bread in this country (bakeries abound!)

* There's always room for more people on the trains, busses and minibusses

Miss Atoria

"Miss Atoria, I got you a Valentine's Day present. Open it. It's cough candies!" - Caleb

-They were actually "Coffee Flavoured Candies." Priceless. çok tatlı (Very Cute!)

I had one of those special moments a couple of weeks ago when we were on the bus going from our houses (2 of the families and I) to the airport when we went to Germany. I was watching the kids as we were on the bus. I stood there watching everyone and prayed over the kids as they sat there and I wondered what was going on in their minds. For some reason I felt soooo proud of them. I will always feel connected to these kids- even when they grow up and become aduts. They have captrued a part of my heart. I want to be a good mom one day like these moms are. If I felt such a sense of pride watching theese kids, I can only imagine what their moms feel!

dancing

I have yet to dance at the Sahil (seaside)... It WILL happen!

I was picturing it yesterday... vibrant coloured flags, singing freedom over this land.

"We gotta, we gotta, we gotta let the light shine. " -song by Kari Jobe- We are.

I saw others joining in too, wanting to be part of this expression of joy and wanting this hayat/ yasam (LIFE). abundant life.

Again, I say this verse, "You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord's name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love"

(Isaiah 55:12-13).

Here are a couple of pictures of my dad and I from the past couple of weeks:

special times of being together.

Dare you to move

Many people have a "list" of the things they want to do; things that you hope you can accomplish or learn to do, or "check off" for yourself. I never really kept such a list, but have been thinking about some of these kinds of things lately. My list is not deep, it's just the some things I'd love to do. This is probably an incomplete list, however, it's what I've got.

My List:

- Learn to drive standard

- Particpate in the Vancouver Sun Run (10km)

- Teach an aerobics class (just 1 that's all... not a full out instructor... any guinea pigs?)

- Travel to Newfoundland

- Learn to make Sushi

- See the Grand Canyon

- Go Skydiving (in Abbotsford, overlooking *my* city!)

- Own a business

- Keep a garden

- Learn to play some Jazz music on the piano

What's on your list? One by one, let's see these things become a reality.