Tea Time!

Here is a picture of me and my "Mississippi family" with our language teacher! She is so sweet and such a patient teacher! We are plugging along. We have four lessons with her a week, at least to start with this first month. On top of learning my new language, let me know if you know anything about the present perfect tense! I have my first pupil to start tutoring English! I'll teach my first lesson on January 20th. I think that the lady knows some English, so we'll see how it goes! I'm going to be doing Turkish and English homework these next few weeks! But I am really looking forward to meeting my pupil!
I don't officially have any neighbors of my own yet, so some of the family have been gracious enough to share theirs! Above on the right is a picture of me with 'Baba Anne', that means Grandmother! She let me call her grandmother! She is really the grandmother of Craig and Katie's neighbors! They came over and we made some treats and Katie ventured to make her first cay...tea! It was great and all the neighbors said so! She is going to be a great hostess! It was fun to get to talk some English and some of their language. We sat with dictionaries in hand the whole evening! Baba Anne only spoke Turkish, so when we ran out of things to say at one point, she looked at me and just started naming the months of the year and gesturing for me to repeat them! It was good practice. The only way that I recognized them was because we'd just learned them in class that day! She was eager to say that I was very beautiful and pinch mine and Katie's cheeks the whole time we were there! I am so glad that I have a Turkish grandmother now! I'm working on my hospitality. I'm going to whip up something to take over there next time for my in country grandmother. (smile.) Nothing like making some new friends and family! We're so excited for the relationships being made. Hopefully my neighbors will be this great! I'm still going to have to keep up with Craig & Katie's neighbors, though. Especially, to see Baba Anne.
p.s. I did go back to visit my friends in the scarf shop. Maybe I won't go every day, but they seemed to understand I wanted to practice speaking with them and not surprisingly, they remembered me! Remember, I am one of few Americans in this city, despite how much I look like a Turk...right. Anyways, here goes! I'll take a few new phrases each time I go!

Yarin

We have been having a great time in our city these past few days! I've gotten to taste true Turish cuisine. Restaurant style and home-style! Yesterday, we ate at a restaurant with three tables in it and we looked at the stove to see what was on the "menu" for the day. It was good! Language lessons are coming along, seeing as how we've only had two lessons and I'm already a little overwhelmed! But, today when I got off the bus, I stopped into a little shop where I met two younger ladies and bought a scarf. (I think they gave me a discount, we're fast friends already.) But, I was able to introduce myself and tell them I'm learning their language. I've made new friends! Might as well be friends to me, I can't really have a deep heart to heart with anyone yet...so a hello, how do you do, and name exchange is a start to friendship for me! I paid them and said, "thankyou,... tomorrow." Yarin means tomorrow. They laughed because I don't think this is normal or correct sentence structure. Little did they know, I meant to say tomorrow. I'm going to find out how to ask if I can practice speaking Turkish with them, and go back tomorrow!
Hopefully, I won't call anyone a turnip. I said that I was like a turnip the other day with my language teacher at lunch. She is young, single, and very sweet! I'm hoping that we will be good friends, too!
The schedule is very different here, but we are getting settled in. Lessons are three times a week. We are all still trying to get acquainted with the town during the afternoons. They are really night people here, though. My wardrobe last night was delivered by the local 'Super Wal-Mart' a.k.a. Carrefour, here at 8:30p.m. last night! They put it together and were so nice, I was just surprised to see the delivery truck drive up as I was thinking of putting my pajama's on!
I am quickly learning to love tea, other than my mom's sweet tea! We drink tea everywhere hot in little tea glasses. I am also quickly becoming accustomed to public transportation. No more mishaps with stopping the bus lately! Come to find out there is a button you can push to let the driver know you want off. I may find other ways to practice my language and just press the button to stop!
Things here are going good! God is revealing Himself in close and comforting ways that I took forgranted in the States. He is my Everything in a whole new way here.

PICTURES

I don't have an apartment with a view just yet, so I borrowed this one from friends! Including the middle view! More pictures to come soon! Isn't our city beautiful! If you can't tell from these, first take a closer look...but I'll send more pictures later! We love it here!

Durakta!

This means stop that bus (something like that)...and boy did I ever today! We visited our office today and got somewhat accustomed to the bus situation. The buses are really nice...sometimes very crowded! On the most crowded bus that we got on today, one of our American friends informed us that this bus was actually not very crowded at all. Hmmm... We rode all over town, had tea at a restaurant after being invited in. The people are so friendly, and well we're just noticeable that's all. Six Americans walking around is actually quite a site in our town.
Actually its a city and a big one at that! Its really pretty though, I apologize that I forgot my camera today so next week pictures are coming a.s.a.p. We took the bus downtown and walked around. We practiced some language. We all have these miniature notebooks that we carry around with us writing down any important words (today that included, "tuvalet, lutfen" which translates: "bathroom please"), and then when we meet people that we might run into again we ask them to write down their names. Don't worry,they are eager to do so! Everyone is so friendly!
So, I did stop the bus today using Turkish. I stopped us at the wrong stop and couldn't quite answer the doorman when he asked me exactly where to stop, but I used the word and I actually used it correctly! The rest I left up to my friend who has lived here for 5 months and knows more than about 7 words. My vocabulary is ever increasing, though! I got a few laughs--I am sure it sounded different coming from my mouth than a national-- because I had to say it loud enough at the back of the bus for the driver to hear it (so basically everyone on the bus heard me testing my language), but it was a successful try. I'll keep talking, you know I will!

Back to the Future...

So, I am living in a different time zone now which I think is just the coolest thing ever. I'm actually kind of in the future because I am 8 hours ahead of probably everyone who will read this! Anywho...Here is what I took with me. And next to that is a picture of me at MC pointing on the Kugel to my country! How exciting! You really didn't think I was going to show you a picture of what I looked like the morning of January 3rd at the airport, did you? I was a bit emotional. To be expected. But I am here and the travels were great.
One tiny issue in Atlanta involving me sleeping through the announcement that everyone would have to change planes, I believe due to mechanical issues. I did not hear because I have already mentioned here that...I was asleep when this announcement was made. I was never suppose to change planes in Atlanta, you see.
So, I politely go up to ask the flight attendant if I can leave my bag in the overhead compartment for the continuation flight or if I might need to get off the plane and then reboard. She tells me that she has already announced this particular plane will not be going on to Chicago. Wide eyed and bewildered, I get into the terminal and I don't even have another ticket until Chicago to my country. So, I find out where my new but same flight is leaving--halfway across the Atlanta airport--and I sprint to my new gate. Because my flight is scheduled to leave in less than half an hour. I board my flight with my half stub of a boarding pass from the last flight which seems to be sufficient, only to find that I am the last person to board and there is no overhead compartment space. You've seen my luggage picture.
My luggage already wouldn't fit overhead during the first flight from Birmingham and I had to sheepishly take out items while travellers with frustrated sighs boarded around me(I was rearranging my luggage in the aisle at this point with some tears still free flowing, the goodbyes had just taken place.)
So, in Atlanta, finally a very nice man wearing a pin striped suit offered me some true insight when he said, 'we can't leave with your bag hanging out of the compartment like that, just let the attendant help you.' Helpful, eh? Anyways, I sat down and the announcement immediately came on to buckle seatbelts, we were ready to depart.
Can you imagine that I wouldn't have some kind of excitement along the way? I made it to Chicago and met up with familiar faces and we went from there. Smooth flying. By the way, Turkish airlines is clearly the way to fly in Europe or Central Asia. Everyone was so nice. The food was great! We got toothbrushes, socks, and little night masks to wear while we slept on the plane. I am a huge fan.
We made it to our new home and were met by our new friends here. Tomorrow we're going exploring and to get to know our city!
Amid all the excitement of going and sadness of leaving, God has given me peace. I am so excited to be living where I am for the next bit of time in my life. I have no doubt that He has placed me exactly where I am for this time. Here are the words to a verse from what has become my life song and they are so true of where God has me right now. He has made this new place the desire of my heart for this time and He continues to sustain me daily.
"Praise to the Lord who o'er all things so wonderously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wing and so gently sustaineth
Has thou not seen, how thy desires there have been
granted in what He ordaineth.
Hallelujah. Hallelujah."

A Brand New Year!

Yes, this is two blogs in one day, make that one night, for me. But, I am leaving the country tommorrow and felt this would be a good time to start documenting the journey properly. And really, who doesn't want a picture with fireworks on their blog, really? It's great. Totally New Year's material. I thought it fun to share with you! I spent New Year's Eve in Jackson, my last night in Jackson, and tonight is my last night in Birmingham...well, my last night on the continent, really. Okay, for two years. Maybe I am being a bit dramatic tonight. (smile) You can only imagine, huh? I am actually strangely calm. I know I am experiencing without a doubt, the "peace that surpasses all understanding," written about in Philippians 4:6, which can only be found in the Lord.
We have been to the grocery store twice today, Walmart and Publix. Oh, and we've been to Walgreens once. We have packed and repacked two oversized suitcases, two large duffel bags, one small carry on suitcase, one backpack, and a small over the shoulder purse more times than I can count today. Every time we come back from the store with Easy Mac or that last pair of shoes I forgot to pack...it's a game to see who can actually fit it into the suitcases. We'll just say they're rather full. I'm a girl, and well I'm prepared...for absolutely all and anything. Bring it on Central Asia, I'm ready. I say this today. Pray for me if you read this tommorrow or any day after that! Truly, God has been so faithful, though, to lead me and equip me emotionally, mentally, and spiritually for the next year and a half. He's always been faithful to me. How could I expect any less now? It's a brand new year on a brand new journey.

Going to the Chapel...

...and well, I didn't get married. But, I did get to watch my best friend tie the knot! And did they ever! It was such a beautiful wedding! I am a girl and a best friend of the bride, so maybe I'm biased...but, everything was just perfect. Congratulations to the bride and groom, Bethany and David Walker! I love you both! It was such a fun week to be a part of and I got to spend it in Jackson, which was clearly a bonus! My favorite people in one of my favorite homes! I didn't catch the bouquet, but it was still a lovely weekend! The bridesmaids in the picture are Sara and Bethany. It was so fun for all of us to get to be together. I'm so glad that I got to be a part of the big day before I left the country! It was just, "the sweetest thing."
P.s. (David has already made it on the blog once, so his picture is absent here. Don't feel sorry for him. See below.)