Family Visit

I know it has been a long time since I have blogged.  I apologize.  Things have just been going fast around here lately.  My family came out to visit for two weeks, and when they left it took a little bit to get back into the groove of things and life as we now know it.  It was great to have my family come out and visit and see where Andrew and I live.  We had an extremely busy time while my sisters were here trying to get in all the site seeing.  The second week, after my sisters left, and it was just us with my parents slowed back down to normal pace.  A little too slow for my parents I think :)  Since it is so hot here during the daytime.  Most people simply stay indoors until the sun sets and then everyone comes out.  Quite a different routine than we are used to in the States.  And, even when we are out and about, it is a lot of just sitting around, sipping coffee and watching people.  Much more relaxed and slow paced.

So, without further adieu, here are some pictures from when my family came out to visit.

The Family getting ready to leave from the Atlanta Airport

Getting to see my family for the first time in 9 months!

Down by the beach, showing the family around our town

Andrew and I at a fancier restaurant in the capitol

Doing some hiking (or riding of camels and mules) around the Rock City

At our favorite restaurant :)

Nice resort on the Dead Sea

Visiting Jerusalem

Me and my sisters in front of the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem

Mom really wanted some henna done before she left

The second week my parents were here, my Mom and I went to a local handicrafts center where low income ladies make recycled handicrafts to sell.  We had a three day intensive sewing seminar for some of the ladies to teach them another trade.  Here my Mom is helping some ladies make beads out of magazine papers.

Since my Mom and I went to do the intensive sewing class, it has opened up some doors for me to go back.  For the next four weeks, I will be returning to this center to do some more in-depth sewing training.  I am excited about the opportunity, but a little nervous about being the only one who knows how to sew.  Please keep me in your thoughts over the next four weeks as I struggle to teach ladies to sew (in Arabic!) and hope that it opens up opportunities for friendship.