Toilet Problem

One Saturday I was looking forward to a day of resting at home, maybe doing laundry, organizing stuff and reading a book.  But as soon as I begun to make these lovely plans, when I flushed the toilet water began running out from the back all over the floor.  I flushed it again and this time a giant flood came pouring out.  The drain in our floor was plugged for some reason so after mopping it up with a towel and squeezing in out in the shower I took off my shoes and braved a few more flood-flushings to try and feel where the water was coming from.  Couldn’t figure out anything except that if I didn’t call the repairman right away the whole house would soon be flooded. 
I called the repair shop that is just 5 minutes up the street, explained the problem on the phone, and an hour or so later a man came and looked at the puddle from the door.  I asked how long it would take to fix it and he said, “Oh I don’t have any tools with me now.  I’ll come back later with tools and fix it.”  Oh my, good thing I didn’t have to go anywhere.  Two hours later a different man, this time with tools thankfully, arrived.  He pulled the whole toilet out and removed a grocery bag full of assorted junk and ick that was plugging the pipe.   

I was thankful that my Turkish friend talked the guy down from 250 lira to 150.  He bellowed over the phone, “That’s an outrageous price!  I’ll come over there right now if I have to!”  I gave the man his 125 lira, he smiled and took a piece of candy from our bowl by the door and left.  Apparently he was happy with what he got.  And I was just thankful that no pipes burst!

Phil 3:7-10

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything a as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

Sometimes I wonder why I pray for hard things like, “Lord do whatever it takes to make me give up everything that I counted as gain in order that I might know you more.  And Lord, do whatever it takes (even sending me though sufferings) so that I will experience the grace of Your righteousness and blessings given to me just because I have the smallest seed of faith. 

Not because I am clever enough, because I earned it, or because I am good, but just because He wants to.  He answers prayers like this.  And then sometimes I complain, because what I want in the moment is an easy, problem-free life.   I asked everyone to pray I would be more humble, to trust Him more, and for perseverance.  There have been ample opportunities this year where I had no other choice.  Those who ask receive.  May I always remember the good works of the Lord.

Good Food

Mushroom kebap that made me smile.  I haven’t gotten tired of the food here yet, though when you go to restaurants they pretty much all have the same things.  But I think you could say that about America too.  I choose to just enjoy every chance I have to eat something new or delicious, or something routine and unexciting.  Thank You Lord for daily bread that is more than just bread.  I truly am blessed!

An Ir. friend brought over a couple of oranges that I thought were going moldy or something because they had dark spots on the skin.  I thought I better eat the quickly before they went to waste.  To my surprise when I opened it up it was purple inside!  I guess they’re called “blood oranges.”  Maybe this will not come as a surprise to any of you but I couldn’t believe my eyes!  Rather tasty as well.

Reverse Culture Shock

I hadn’t even left Turkey when reverse culture-shock hit.  In the airport a German man began asking an American woman questions about how her trip was and as she replied in “normal” everyone-in-the-whole-airport-can-hear tones I almost couldn’t resist the urge to shush her.  The more she talked on, oblivious to how much she was sticking out, the more irritated and uncomfortable I became.  You just don’t talk that loud here in public.  But she didn’t know that, so I kept my mouth shut and thought about how acculturated I have become.

The airport in Germany was one of the quietest places I have ever been.  Maybe Germans are even quieter in public than Turks.  It was really nice for getting some letter writing done.

My niece asked for if I wanted something while I was drinking juice so I used the convenient Turkish was of saying “no” by simply raising my eyebrows, and then turned away.  Shortly after, I realized that in my present culture this gesture did not communicate the meaning that I had intended.  I explained and my family had a fun time trying out this new way of saying no.

Family Time

Ringing in the New Year with our plates full of our favorite foods.  He is SO good!

Me and my best friend, who listens to me, cries with me, shares her clothes with me, tells the guys in Turkish how to cut my hair right, has served me hundreds of glasses of tea in a needed moment, prays with me, forgives me, hugs me, and shares life here with me.

 

Fish cookout!

Along with lessons about culture and language I've learned to cook a few simple dishes.  This is a meatless rice dish with onions and raisins that is very delicious!  I haven't met any food I don't like yet!

Cooking is a good way to learn new vocabulary and have time to chat while we wait.  They really enjoy sharing something from home that is important to them.
Here is a lesson is the proper way to mold the meat patties so that they turn out the tastiest.




I am so thankful for how the Lord has provided just the right person to help me learn Farsi.  She's quick to pick up on what I want or need to know and amazes me with her ability to read my mind!  She loves to chat and explain new things and is always making jokes.  We laugh a lot together, especially at my mistakes! 

Be Careful What You Say

Today in my language lesson I was learning about what to say when some pays you a compliment.  I wanted to come up with examples so I said to my helper, "Like, what if I said 'I like your jacket'."  She replied, "Then the other person would say, 'Oh, would you like to have it?'" and might try to give it to you.  Wow, cultures are so different.  Can you imagine an American doing something like that?  The way that the compliment can be appropriately given is to say, "It suits you."  And then I guess they won't try to give it to you.  So I need to learn how to say that.  Along with a lot of other things... :)