and now i'm craving crawfish.

(Let me give you the picture comments...I know you're a bit curious, eh? and they're worth it...the first pic is the student group that joined us this past week. Next, Craig-o got to drive the mondo van and none other than Katie was his fearless sidekick riding shotgun...you can't tell in the pic, but isn't that van a beast! We had so much fun leading the team this past week! We are perched on top of a castle on the Med. Then, yes, Katie and I got to ride a camel! Don't worry, apparently Katie has a camel driver's license from a previous ride in about the 2nd grade maybe, but I was riding without a license. Shh...don't tell. Then we're in a cave you can crawl some 70 steps down into the ground to see a ton of stalactites and possibly if you are more superstitious than we are...which we are not at all, be cured of asthma. Or think you are b/c of how ready you are for fresh air by the time you exit the underground cavern.
So, I know that I've been kind of M.I.A. this past week on the blogging action...you have all been on pins and needles i'm sure...we've been busy here! Yes, you guys definitely deserve a shout-out if you're reading this down there in good old Louisiana...We had a student group come from LA to visit this past week and they were pretty awesome and definitely a blessing to us. We were daily surrounded by even more Southern accents...but, it was really a great week of fellowship and like mindedness. Hopefully, my hostess skills are improving! I had the four girls staying at my house. Yes, suitcases exploded and the house was one big sleepover, but it was alot of fun having the girls around every day. They rode the bus with me every day like pros. We were so glad to have them all, they really were an encouragement and a good challenge in places that I'd become numb inside. but, I do have to say, guys...I am tired!
But so many good things have happened, that I'll just have to take one thing at a time to update the home front on. We took the students to see several places that are here in our area...this could be a plug for you--whoever you may be reading this--to come and visit us here! We went to Mersin to see, again...heaven and hell (if you are confused and rightly so, see previous blog), to one of the beaches where we definitely got to hum the Indiana Jones theme song (at least Jayme, Katie, and I did...smile) while we explored in and on the ruins of what used to be a castle. We went to Tarsus and walked in the place Paul called home as we spent the day talking to our Father about the people I'm coming to love in this place. We spent Good Friday night in praise and thanks for our great gift from Him.
I'm about at the 3 month point, and I just have to be honest...I was in need of some fresh eyes and encouragement and these special visitors were such an answer to prayer for me in this way. To end their visit, we had another special visit in the form of none other than our good friend Mr. Shelby from sweet home Mississippi, a dear friend to all of us. He's been here this weekend and tomorrow we're going to visit the biblical city of Antioch with him. He has brought a breath of fresh air with him and has been full of encouragement and excitement (as always). God has been so good this week to renew me and I can't wait to update you on our first Easter abroad in my next blog. It's been an absolutely amazing weekend. Get ready... It's been an awesome time to celebrate and be more aware of God's gift to us in the form of Jesus' sacrifice and to be able to share it with my friends in this place who have never heard before. God has been faithful in so many ways this week, and I needed and craved it in ways He lovingly knew and provided for, all the while glorifying Himself. Worthy is the Lamb. I pray someday these friends we've shared Him with will see Him for what He is... Worthy.