Approaching week 6

Hello once again from the UAE!

It's Michelle writing and I thought I would take advantage of the free time on my hands to write to all my friends and family back "home". I say "home" in quotations because this sandbox is quickly becoming our home as we begin to settle into life in the Middle East.

We are approaching our 6 week mark (whoa!) here in Abu Dhabi and I can't believe how quickly the time is already rolling. We continue to learn things daily about the culture, city, and life!

I have moved positions at my job from the infant teacher, to the 2 year old teacher, and now to the personal assistant to the manger/giving all the teachers breaks to plan for one hour during the week. Yeah, try writing that job title on a resume. I also am available to fill in when a teacher calls in as I still hold the "Lead Teacher" title. All that to say, for the past four days out of all the teachers, Braxton's teacher has had a sick child and I have been filling in in his classroom. Positive: I get to hang out with him and see how he is in a classroom setting. Negative: He doesn't do the "classroom setting" when I'm in the room because he's attached to my side the whole time. Needless to say, I haven't had much of a break since last week as we ride together in a taxi in the morning, I've been in his room during the day, and spend the evenings together. Although I'm kind of looking at it as getting paid to hang out with my kid all day, I'm hopeful his classroom teacher will return soon. He was beginning to be confident of me being at the school but not always with him and now I fear we will have to go through that all again. He couldn't quite understand how I would be at "his school" all day long but couldn't come and play with him. Anyway, time will tell.

Since I have last written, a few different thoughts/learning experiences have crossed my mind and I want to take a moment to elaborate and think them through- and I invite you to join along..

1. I am not the norm. As I sat in worship this past Friday morning I sat quietly. I wanted to tune in to all of the different voices as people from all of the world sang praises to our God. Everyone in their own English accents. It's so interesting to hear them all- African, European, Pilipino, Western, you name it. I began to think of myself as the norm and if they could only say the words like I do, then they would be talking normally. Then I had a (somewhat blonde I'll admit) revelation. If when they say words and it sounds different to me, I bet it sounds different to them when I say words. After much thought about this somewhat simple thought, I discovered, there really is no "norm". We are all so unique. Which led me back to our God and His creation and how not one person is made the same.

2. In America, land of the free, Christianity is "common". Much more common there than here, anyway. And for the first time, it feels so different to say, "Jesus is King" or "YOU are the God of this city." I guess it's because living in a Muslim nation where you are constantly reminded with the mosques, calls to prayers, women in burkas, men in kandoras, of the "common" religion here, it's bold to go against the flow. And it's really given me a new view on the Gospel and what it really means to me, my life, and my family. Also, after seeing the "For Non-Muslims" pork section and spending two hours in a very hot burka, I am thankful for the freedom that is found in Christ. And it means so much more...

3. All that to say, when I meet someone else who is a Christian, I want to jump for joy! I want to give them a big hug and say, "You know my God, too?!" It's like an automatic connection for me.

4. On a lighter note, I was filling in in one of the classrooms for the older kids and I was asking all of the kids where they were from. They were from all over but one was from Canada and when he said "Can-a-da" in his little 4 year old voice, I wanted to scoop him up and give him a huge hug! I said "Oh! We're neighbors!!" It was like a little 4-year-old piece of comfort! After all, our homes do share a continent!

5. It's been really cool to see how no matter where kids are from. Kids are kids. They all play together and language is no barrier. They all play cars, dolls, and blocks. They all have tantrums and are disobedient. And they all have soft spots and love anyone that loves them. Although, it is very interesting when a man with a kandora walks in the room, all of the Arabic kids run up and hug him and when a Westerner walks in the room, all the westerner kids run up to them. Funny how that works.

TGI Fridays. Yum. This has quickly become our new tradition every Friday (like our Saturday night). We have gotten to know all of the staff- including the manager, Mitch (Michelle) who comes by our table every Friday and gives us a coupon for 50 dirhams off for our next meal along with a free kids meal coupon. She is so nice to us and it's really cool to be building a relationship with her. Of course, all of the staff really like to see and talk with Braxton, but we like to think that they like us too :)

Zach has continued to have kidney stone issues and will be having some procedures done soon to get the massive ones out- but I'll let him blog about that. Just asking for prayers that the procedures go well and the stones can stop forming! Although, it is nice to only have a 50 dirham ($15! ) copay at the ER!

Almost two weeks ago we had a break for EID. It was explained to me that it was a holiday similar to our Christmas. We had 2-3 days off from work (plus weekend) and the intention was for any Muslims who wanted to make their once-in-a-lifetime required trip to Makah that they would have the time off. We took advantage of the time off and went to Dubai, stayed the night, and explored the next day. Maybe "explored" isn't the right word. But all that was saw was awesome. Huge buildings and it felt nothing like the typical Middle East that you think of. We spent the day at the mall, the largest in the world. I'm sure you all saw the pictures online but it certainly was a sight to see. We will be headed back to Dubai to see more. Maybe during our winter break (like our typical Christmas break).

Things I miss: Lipton cold brew ice tea
                     Ranch
                     Zaxbys, Chick Fil A, Waffle House
                     Driving (it's crazy here and I haven't mustered up the courage to take it on myself yet)
                     Addresses. Yes, addresses. They don't have them here. If you look up a 
                     location, it literally says "Behind ____, beside _______). VERY
                     frustrating. It makes living in a new city where you don't know
                     where everything is, very difficult

Things I'm thankful for: A husband to take on this adventure with
                                   Skype. All week long I look forward to our Saturday Skype
                                   session with both sets of parents. It's a chance to chat about
                                   everything and to see them. And I know they look forward
                                   to it too :)
                                   McDonalds. Yes, a taste of "home" in all of its processed glory
                                   New friends that we are meeting

Well I believe that is all for this post. I was going to post pictures but remembered all the pictures I have are on Facebook :) Love to everyone, thanks for following along in this journey with us!