Decorated Tripoli

Hi!

Rick and I have spent an enjoyable Monday together as he received an unexpected holiday today in addition to his one tomorrow for the September 1st Celebration. The pictures show some of the decorations which make Tripoli look so festive. The mosque is lit green at night, and the other two pictures show Guesthouses 1 and 2. Ours is on the right.

We are watching fireworks tonight from the roof of Guesthouse 2. Their view of the downtown area is better than ours. Some are walking into the city tomorrow for the festivities, but Rick and I have decided not to go since the crowds will be tremendous.

So, I wanted all of you to see what we are seeing, wish I could bring you here to spend some time with us !! I miss you all, and am sending my love, Lynn

Friday(I mean Sunday) in Tripoli

Great church service today, our Canadian pastor was back from his two month leave!! Even though the Egyptian associate pastor is very nice, it is so hard to understand him with his thick accent. But today, we heard every word of the sermon from James about trials. Probably a great sermon to preach to a group of people living in Tripoli, Africa! My favorite moment was when a tiny, little boy from Nigeria walked up during the service and reached out for my hand. He unashamedly stood very close to me, and I patted his soft hair while he ate his cookie. I'm not sure where his mother was, but he was in the care of another lady who had a tiny baby also. Anyway, I thought to myself, how sweet, and this is how we should all greet each other at church, with love and acceptance. What a beautiful picture of the love Jesus has for each of us !

While I am writing, the call to prayer is sounding. Ramadan is well underway now, the Muslim people have been fasting and praying from sunup to sundown every day for a whole week. You can almost hear the sigh of relief when the sun goes down and they can "break fast". The city is very decorated right now also, in anticipation of the September 1 celebration. Flags all over the building, banners everywhere, and decorations which will be lit on most lamp posts downtown. It is really going to be quite a day, the 4oth year celebration of their independence, and 10th year of their being a part of the African Union. Many dignitaries will speak, and millions will be in the city for parades and fireworks. Rick's company doesn't encourage us to attend, just because of the masses of people who will be there, so we plan to set up on one of the roofs to see the fireworks that night. It will be a holiday for Rick, so that part is to be celebrated for sure.

Hope each of you is well, and that God is giving you His peace. Please let me know how I may pray for you while I am here, love to all, Lynn

Day One(Again)

Hello Everyone,

I have terrible jet lag today, but am determined to stay up until a reasonable time. If my blog doesn't make sense, you'll know why ! Well, Libya is still here, and I'm back. Rick met me at the airport, and all of my bags made it. What a nightmare loading a 52 pound suitcase, I called it "The Beast", onto a cart to put it through the "security". I've never seen anyone monitoring the screen, but OK, I'll follow the rules. One big benefit of traveling without my husband, the only one, I was waved to the front of a big line of men in passport control. The man checking my passport asked where I was from and when I answered, Texas, his face lit up, and he replied, "Texas! Beautiful!" I agree!

Two thoughts for today, comfortable and familiar. Ever thought about how wonderful it is to look around you, either at your home, or in your community, and see so many familiar places and people? And, how awesome it is to feel truly comfortable? Well, these two feelings are not to be taken for granted! Being home was wonderful, and I enjoyed the month I spent there so very much. I felt so comfortable in the familiar surroundings, and soaked in time with family and friends. Now, even though not much is comfortable or familiar, Rick and I are experiencing it together, which in itself, is what it's all about, having someone you love to share life with, no matter where God sends you. All my love, Lynn

I'm Going Back to Libya, and to Rick !!

Dear Friends and Family,

Today at 4:25, I return to my sweet husband, and to our home in Libya. It has been sheer joy for me to see so many of you, and to soak in the family and friend time that God gave to me while I've been here.

Thank you for taking the time to call me, spend your precious time with me, for all of the lovely lunches out, and just relaxing with you. I am a blessed woman to have your love, and I know that love and prayers are what are keeping Rick and I sustained. We miss all of you every day that we are away, but will be back during the holiday season. Our second grandchild, a girl, is due the week of December 2-9. What a Christmas gift her birth will be !!

Much love to each of you, please keep in touch, Lynn

News on Precious Grandbaby #2

Hi to Everyone,

Well, I know that my husband is really the one with the amazing pictures and news from Tripoli, but I have some AWESOME news of my own. My daughter in law, Mary, had her ultrasound on Thursday,and I got to be there. Our second grandchild is a little girl !! We are all so excited and have already begun the wonderful fun of looking at little girl clothes. Brian says we can "frill" this baby up all we want. The due date is December 16,2009, but Dr. Francis says we will meet her sometime during the week of Dec. 2-9. Can't wait to meet my sweet little grandaughter !

Just wanted all of our family and friends to share the blessing with us, Lynn

PS Big Brother Dylan has no idea what is coming his way.

Rick in Malta, Lynn in The Woodlands

Rick is headed to Malta again tomorrow for an adventure by himself, and I am wishing I could be with him. It is so nice to be home, and I know that, of course, I really can't be two places at one time. Tomorrow, I'd sure like to be. We saw so little of the wonderful island on our first trip three weeks ago, so now it's up to Rick to discover some more of this special and beautiful island without me, then we'll be ready to return together to explore some more. 

Rick and I have been together for 35 years, including the two years that we dated, and I can happily say that I'm really used to him!! I like being with him, and sharing our lives together. This apart living is not really my cup of tea, and I'm sure I don't want to do this very often. Rick is definitely the more adventurous of the two of us, but all our shared experiences are what has made our marriage so very rich, and wonderful. Libya is just one small part of the life we share, and I'm so glad that I went with him so that, even though I am away now, I understand what he is experiencing over there. When he talks about work, and the people he is around, I can picture all of it, and I don't feel so lonely. 

So, to my adventurous husband of 33 years, have fun in Malta, and discover some great new places that we can return to together, lots of love, Lynn

Austin

Hi to all,

Well, my husband is definitely showing me up on the blogging now that I'm back on Texas soil. He is getting to be quite an expert blogger, and I am so very proud of his upbeat attitude about everything he is experiencing while in Libya. It's been hard to be so very far apart, but I'm very thankful that God gave me this trip home, and I have loved seeing so many wonderful family members and friends.

This week, I am blessed to be in Austin, with my dear friends Ken and Judi Kimler. Judi is the "Gramma" that I hope to be. She has two adorable grandkids, Corbin and Ruby, who are almost 6 and 3. We are just enjoying life together, playing with Ruby's fairy princess dolls, and watching Corbin as he invents things, and figures out how things work and are put together. These are the sweet moments that make life worth living, and I hope that with my grandchildren I will always remember to stop and smell the roses. Slow down and enjoy the days that God gives us, and the simple things in life. Ken even put two tires on my car today, and filled in for my international husband. What a gift of love to sit at Discount Tire !! 

The hill country is just as stunning as it always is. I have loved my few days here, lots of love to all, Lynn