R&R in J

We just completed a week of rest and relaxation in the beautiful Petra, Jordan. It was a much needed break for our greater team (from 5 different areas we all gathered) and a good time of spiritual, emotional, and physical renewal. We had friends from Lancaster, PA join us to bring the Word, encouragement as well as share their many talents with us, and we also had friends from Sheboygan, WI join us to help do a vbs for our kids and help with child care. The week would have been very different and definitely not as fulfilling if all these folks hadn't come, so thank you to all that came and those that supported them and made it possible!

We had a great time filled with laughter and tears, and many good memories were made. Each morning we would come together for fellowship and a message, then most afternoons were fun in the sun and for the evenings we would have activities like the talent/no talent night, survivor and other fun and games. I've included a picture of Scott dressed as a woman for a challenge in our survivor game! We also had a great time catching up with friends that we only see once a year. Overall it was a huge blessing. The kids all wore themselves out through play with each other and having lots of fun activities during their vbs time.


Last year we went to this same location and Zeke was terrified of the pool. This year we almost couldn't keep him out of it. He was still somewhat hesitant at times, but overall enjoyed splashing around and playing with the other kids in the pool.


Another funny experience was that Zeke was once again very comfortable with the local people. The funny part is that he thought they were the people from our area so he kept speaking our local language to them instead of arabic. They kept asking me what he was saying! Another interesting thing was that we discovered that Zeke has an amazing memory for names! He learned almost all of the kid's names and would use them whenever he saw one! Not bad for being just shy of 22 months! Zeke made friends with the man who ran the bar by the pool and was able to scam juice for not only himself, but for his little friend B as well!

I think a fun thing to do, when possible, is to go from one amazing time to another...and we get to do that be heading to the states! My brother is getting married so we will head back for that as well as some connecting with friends and family. It will be a packed time, but I am so glad that we had this first so that we aren't showing up to our families as completely wiped out people! I will try and blog once or twice while we are there, but I promise nothing! We will be back in action by mid-September, so if you don't check back here often plan on checking back in at that time and I'm sure we'll have lots to share!