A Few Random Pictures

I'm sure nobody has even noticed my lack of blogging.... but I keep telling myself that I need to write more about my trip. Finding the time and energy however has been a struggle lately. I journaled a lot while traveling and it tends to be that the more I journal personally, the less I blog and vice versa. Though since I've been home, I've not done much of either. :) 

Today I just have a few random pictures from my trip around the world (it was more like half the world). I'll try to write more soon! 

Kids grow so much in 3 years time!

the beautiful, awesome city of Istanbul

Hagia Sophia

Met up with Dad overseas for a couple weeks 

a famous mosaic inside the Hagia Sophia

Turpan- Ancient cities and Mummies in the Desert

One of my last days in Xinjiang, we set out for a day adventure to the nearby city of Turpan. We took the highspeed train and reached the city in roughly an hour. The temperature was vastly different from Urumqi! It was like we transported directly into the middle of summer. Maybe it something to do with the fact that its a desert.... 

First stop was food. Our driver that we met at the train station took us to a local Uyghur place that was delicious! The Polo we ordered was 100x better than the stuff we had earlier in the week in the capital- probably the best I've ever had! And we had grilled meat kebabs also.... mmm, good! It was hot in the restaurant tho! whew. 

Next we went to the city museum. Some museums are cool and others are lame, but this one was interesting. Outside of town are some ancient ruins of a former city. In these ruins, several mummies have been found. They weren't embalmed like the Egyptians used to do to their dead, but simply because of the dry heat of the desert, these bodies have been preserved. One of the first things you see in the museum is several mummified hands. Kinda of startling if you aren't expecting it. Farther in are several full mummies, some remarkably preserved. One guy even had his toenails in tact! The history was interesting to read also- all the different peoples that inhabited that region over the centuries. There were a few dinosaur skeletons also. 

Now on to the ancient city itself! We drove out of town a little ways past vineyard after vineyard. The area is known for its grapes, raisins and wine. The green of the grapevines stood in sharp contrast against the tan sand. We also drove past the Flaming Mountain- its red rock sides look like flames of fire. Being non-tourist time, there was practically nobody at the ancient ruins. We wandered through old houses, climbed walls, peered into dried up wells and created random stories about the former inhabitants. I love history and geography, so exploring ancient ruins is right up my alley. 

Nearby is a traditional Uyghur village where the inhabitants still reside in mud/clay huts. This particular town has been in that particular location for hundreds of years. Now it has been partially commercialized, but still it was neat to visualize how these people lived for generations. The view was incredible, as the village is set back against the hills. Within walking distance are some old Buddhist caves that unfortunately we didn't have time to visit. Turpan is a place I'd like to visit again, for sure! 

Highlights from my Trip

Was trying to figure out some numbers from my trip around Asia. As best as I can figure....

Airports - 18 different ones, a total of almost 40x

(one airport I visited 9x!)

Hours in the Air - 80+ flying!!

plus another 50 or so hours of layovers

Hours on a train - 19 (for a 9 hour trip)

Hours on a bus - about 40

Beds slept in - 28

Drank GALLONS of tea

Ate yak, camel, horse, fish, even tofu (once), but no dog

Rode a scooter! (for 3 seconds)

6 months in Asia - PRICELESS

Since I've been home, many have asked me how my trip was.... how do I condense 6 months of experience, joys and sorrows in just a short answer? It was a good trip - because my God is a good God!

I went to some new places this time, met a lot of new people, experienced some crazy days, had sleepless nights, cried many tears, laughed even more. I hope that I was able to encourage those I visited.

Most of all, from this trip I am thankful for what the Lord has done in my heart personally. He has taught me much, refined me through sorrow, encouraged me with joy and has allowed me to be a small part of other's  ministries.

Here's a picture from each month...

October - Kashgar's Old City

November - friends in HOT southern India

December - Ganges River in Varanasi

January - sunrise in Hatgal

February - Tsagaan Sar with Cofer kids

March - my little buddy Daniel!

April - day I left Asia

Blessings

If I could just sum up my stay in Kstan in a few words, they would be....

kids, scooter, CRASH, concrete walls, pain, kids, sore muscles, cooking, bazaar, volleyball, kids, eating, basketball, services, egg/tomato sandwiches, kids, walking, pictures, coffee, new friends, more pain, and blessings. 

Anara, Daniel, Ira

At every service I attended in Kstan, there was time for sharing blessings. I realized that I do not thank the Lord enough for the blessings He continually showers into my life. Numerous little things, big things, things I take for granted, things I love dearly, so many things. It was a great refreshment to me to share a few of God's blessings with others and to hear what they were thankful for. And even when I didn't share audibly, it encouraged me to think of other things on my own to praise God for.  

having fun - Lidia, Vernica, me, Nastia

The biggest blessing God has given me this past month has been His abundant grace. During my stay in Kstan, I was not only dealing with much physical pain from my accident, but also emotional and mental pain. I can honestly say it was probably the lowest time of my life thus far. I was dealing, or trying to deal with some news that I had a hard time wrapping my mind around. News that was a blow to me. There I was in a place I had never been before, with people I had never met before, thousands of miles from my family and friends, trying to get through. But do you know, that God's grace reaches to the farthest corner of the earth!? I can testify, it does!! 

I want to praise and thank my Lord for His grace, His strength and His hope in trials. I want to thank Him for putting me with people that were able to help me spiritually during a dark time, for friends many miles away that wrote to tell me they were praying for me, for wise Biblical counsel, prayer and those who just listened. 

Other blessings from the last month would definitely have to include the new friends I've made. The more I travel, the more I long for heaven! Almost every where I've been I leave a part of my heart, but one day I'll be able to gather with my many friends and loved ones from all over the world around God's throne and we'll all praise Him. And the awesome thing is then we will all be able to completely understand each other!! The amazing thing now is that in many places I have brothers and sisters in Christ and though we may not be able to talk about everything because of our language barrier, we still can have a real friendship! 

my tall, very awesome friends

Yo My Yo

Another blessing to me is the ability to play volleyball and basketball. May seem like a small thing to some, but I love sports and during my first week when I couldn't play because of the pain, I ached to play. Glad I healed enough to play with the kids. Have a few more wounds that need healing. (got two more today) Wish you could have seen my incredible flip/somersault in the air while playing basketball. :) It was impressive, if I do say so myself. Some kid ran in front of me and I started falling, somehow somersaulted and landed without hitting my head, neck or back. I was glad, since falling on concrete isn't the most comfortable. Only have a small bruise on my elbow from that one. 

Rita likes this one cause my feet aren't touching the ground. 

One last thing I want to share - I want to thank God for pain. Yes, you read that correctly. I'm grateful for pain. Physically - because it reminds me there are limitations and helps me to work on my self-control. 

And emotionally/mentally/spiritually - because that's when God can really work in my life. When His strength is infused because I have none left. Pain can make one stronger if they accept it and work through it. 

One question that was put to me that helped me....

"Are you willing to trust God with this, even if He never explains the reason(s) why?" 

Trusting God isn't always easy.

But it is ALWAYS worth it.

setting sun in Urumqi

Out and About

Last week I was able to go for a drive into the mountains south of where I am staying. I didn't drive, but I enjoyed the ride greatly. It was a gorgeous day - about 60 degrees with sunny skies. As we drove higher and higher into the mountains, it got a little cooler and snow became deeper. A lot of the road near the top of the mountains were covered with snow and melting slush. Before that, the roads were swimming in mud. 

country road

 My pictures don't even begin to do the sight justice. I love seeing rolling green and brown hills set against a backdrop of snow capped mountains, with a blue sky above. Our Creator is an amazing artist!!

mud slide/waterfall

 On the way back down the hill, we slid and fishtailed a little. Seems we weren't the only ones who had problems with the slickery (yes, I did mean to say slickery) roads. We passed a vehicle that had slid off the road. They stopped us and asked for help. Neither of us had a tow strap, but they had a piece of wire. I didn't think it would work; it wasn't very thick wire. But they hooked the vehicles together and we started pulled. Snap! The guy tied a knot in the wire and refastened it to our trailer hitch. Yes, a knot in the wire. We tried again. The car started moving forward, but not back onto the road, merely along side it. Then it started tipping a bit. Mr. Allen said, "if they go over, we're going with them...." At one point, I really thought they were going to roll down the hill. Pretty sure my heart stopped for a second or two. But somehow we pulled them out of the ditch and back onto the road..... all with a piece of wire that had a knot in it!!!! Yep, that's the way it's done here. :) 

 Today I got the chance to go into the city to look around a bit. Thankfully we had a little bit of blue sky, which is always nice. Missed the changing of the guards at the City Square, but got a video of the soldiers marching into the building. It doesn't seem like a very practical way of marching, but sure looks cool! 

Kyrgyz flag

 Just a couple years ago, the country had a revolution. This monument shows how they (supposedly) got rid of the bad and kept the good in the government. There are two main parties constantly vying for control, each accuse the other of being corrupt. And they're both right. 

Revolution Monument

national hero - Manas

Bishkek's "Big Ben" :p

Alone.... and Kindle!

ALONE.

What does that mean to you? 

For me, it means the past two days my ears have rang because of the silence that threatens to engulf me. At night, the dark and quiet closes in and reminds me that I am all alone. I may be living on the outskirts of a town with 3,000 other people, but there are only two Americans currently here. And the other isn't someone I would willingly chose to spend time with. 

I don't mind being alone. Reading, studying, tutoring and emailing have filled up much of my time. Besides the normal living, as in stoking the fires to stay warm and cooking food. But as much as I enjoy it, it is eerie. 

My Christmas presents from my family came a week or so ago. I had requested and received a Kindle! I love to read, but had refrained from getting a Kindle or Nook, because I prefer a real book. There is just something about having a book in your hands, breathing in the aroma of old paper and ink while living the experiences of another person during a different time. But I've realized this trip what a blessing a Kindle can be. While in Xinjiang we traveled with only backpacks for days. We had many hours in buses, but I couldn't  afford to bring any books. (besides my NT) One of my traveling companions had a Kindle with hundreds of reading options! I decided then and there, it was time to get one. 

Funny thing is, in order to add books to your Kindle library one must register the Kindle. No problem, except you need wifi to do so. Ugh, I am in the middle of Outer Mongolia! Wifi doesn't exist out here! All internet is dial up, so I can't connect and add books yet. The only books that came on the device are two different dictionaries. Now don't laugh, but at times I've taken to "reading" through parts of the dictionary. Hey, it's helping build my vocabulary! And it has been helpful also while studying, I can easily look up a definition when I want a better explanation of a word. 

Just to reassure y'all. While I may be humanly "alone," I am not truly alone. My Lord has never left me. And my time with Him has been sweet. 

God is good!

Oh, one more thing.... 

I just want to say "GO NANOOKS!!"

Our college hockey team, University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks have won the past six games! They are now #20 in the nation in Division I College Hockey. I may be thousands of miles away and not able to attend any games this season, I'm still cheering them on. I've been able to listen online to a couple of their games and have enjoyed it immensely. 

Psalms & Apple Pie

Everyone has days that they are discouraged. Guess its just part of living here on a sin filled earth. Even Paul had to remind himself to be content in all states of life. When I am down, I have several things I do to encourage myself. Lately, I have discovered another way. Now, we are not all alike, so what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. 

The past few days, I have taken to reading the Psalms OUT LOUD. It is easy for me to get distracted when I am reading the Word of God silently. So, I've been reading out loud and putting much emphasis on the reading. I try to read it as if I was the one saying or writing it. It has greatly encouraged my heart. There is so much truth in the book of Psalms about our God and what He thinks of us and how He takes care of us.

"I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about."
"I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high."
"LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:"
"But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation."
"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

And, another way to cheer me up.... :)

Apple Pie!

well, any kind of baking would probably do, but that's the one we chose last night. I had three helpers that were very anxious to help, I think so they could eat it faster. :p The type of apples were new to me and probably not my favorite, but we made do. And of course, a square pie is not the norm, but hey we are in India, guys! And who cares what it looks like as long as it tastes good!
and it was yummy!!!