Easter

 

I was so happy that I got to go to America and spend Easter with my family.   Just like every year my mom made Easter baskets for everyone.  I got chocolate and a movie.  I enjoyed American chocolate every day I was there. :)

 I hadn't seen my nieces for over a year and we had a great time playing together at the park.  I miss them but they know why I am here and support me all the way.

We played games, which is one of my family's favorite things to do.

Turkish Culture

 

Here I'm enjoying learning more of the ins and outs of Turkish culture.  This type of skirt and scarf is what young girls and housewives wear in the village and many still dress this way at home in the city.

Here are pictures of my new room.

Shortly after I moved in we went and bought a rolling nightstand, a bookshelf and a nice big closet for all my things.  It feel good to be settled in.

 

I often think of how Jesus didn't even have a pillow, let alone a whole closet full of clothes and books. I am very blessed and want to be thankful for everything He gives me everyday. 

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.