Proud Mom and Gramma

Hi,

I wanted to share some photos taken at Christmas of my three children and their spouses, and my precious two year old grandson, Dylan, and his new baby sister, adorable Reese Anne Yarbrough, born December 3, 2009.

All six of my big kids make me proud each and every day. I thank God for blessing me with them, and for their unique talents and gifts, that bring so much joy into my life. It has been the most difficult part of our time here in Libya, being away from them, and the rest of our family and friends we love so much. But, each has continued to keep in touch, and to encourage and support Rick and me, in this very different season on our lives.

As for being a "Gramma", well, there are just no adequate words to describe this wonderful new role I have had for the past two years. Dylan helps me slow down, and smell the roses, notice the tiny things he sees, and enjoy life, "in the moment". I'm so thankful for Reese also, and the opportunity to be the grandmother to a little girl this time around. Pure joy!

Look Up!!

Hi Family and Friends,

Some time ago, a dear friend of mine told me to "look up", instead of down, and this truth has comforted me so much as I have been apart from our home. God really does care, and is here with us, giving us hope in His good plans for our lives. As I flew back to Tripoli from the states, the clouds were magnificent, so much more amazing than I have ever noticed on my trips abroad. I thought of so many things, the people in my life who are now with God in heaven, the beauty of our world, and the loveliness of "looking up."

My love to each of you,

Lynn

Tripoli.......again

Hello family and friends,

I have returned to Tripoli to join Rick for the spring, part two of our year here in Libya. Being at home for two and one half months, and spending time with each of you was wonderful.

Tonight, I am suffering from jet lag, but I have to say, I got to see a camel on our trip back from the airport, a white camel !!

Here's an observation about camels from a five year old: "Why do camels have hair on their humps?" Answer: " So the water won't freeze!" Cute, huh?

Now, to close my first "spring" blog, keep those emails and prayers coming, we are sending our love to everyone, Lynn

Two Months in Texas

Hello Everyone,

I've been in The Woodlands since November 10. One friend recently told me that she missed reading my blog. Sweet of her, but frankly, I've felt no need to communicate using the blog, because I've had my cell phone, and the freedom to just pick it up and call when I was thinking of someone. Such a nice convenience I've often taken for granted, I'm sure. But now, I thought it was time for an update.

So, to make my long two month long story, short, I arrived to a storm here at home. My daughter in law had been hospitalized with high blood pressure, pregnancy related. She spent a week in the hospital, and was put on bedrest for the remainder of the pregnancy. I immediately began my intensive "Gramma" duties with my cute grandson, Dylan. Now, I have a beautiful one month old granddaughter, Reese Anne Yarbrough, born December 3. Adorable!

Next, my sweet, loving father in law, Chuck, went to heaven on November 18. We all miss him so very much, but are thankful that he didn't suffer, and is now reunited with his wife. Rick was able to come home for his dad's service, but then, after a week, went back to Libya, through Malta, to get his work visa renewed. Rick worked a week more in Libya, then he was able to spend three great weeks at home with all of us for the holidays. Tonight he begins his journey back to Libya for the spring.

In addition, I arrived to find a huge water problem in our 4 and a half year old townhouse, 25 feet of damage in the master bathroom and closet, mold everywhere!! What a mess we have had for the holidays, mold remediation, and demolition, followed by reconstruction. There were even workmen here on Christmas Eve morning. The bathroom is finally finished though, a builder defect, someone forgot to seal the seat in the shower!! I'm thankful we were able to get to the bottom of the problem, and get it fixed. Whew!!

I actually thought I might come home and work at my old school, substituting, but God had other plans for my time here at home. For now, our life is in Libya. More blogs to come.

Love to all, Lynn

Libya's Top Ten-According to me,anyway

Top Ten Things I Like About Libya

Here goes, in no particular order, except for the first one:

1. Being here with Rick

2. Beautiful, unique, blue color of the Mediterranean Sea

3. Camels

4. Libyan Soup and the delicious, pita-style bread to go with it

5. Christ the King Anglican Church's choir

6.A tree with lovely orange and yellow flowers, don't know the name

7.Two dinar movies

8.Marcus Aurelius Restaurant

9.Friendly people I've met here

10.Close proximity to Europe, and other cool places to visit

OK, so those aren't in any order except for the fact that I've been very thankful to have been able to share this with Rick, and see what he sees. Now, it's time for me to go home, back to Texas, to be a part of the lives of so many that we love. Seems right for me to go now, even though I'm sad to leave Rick here. God has a plan, and we are trusting Him with the future.

So good bye for now, I'll blog from Texas next, love to all, Lynn

Activities in Tripoli

Hello to all,

I haven't written much about Libya lately due to our trip news, so I will attempt to catch you up on some Tripoli happenings. I was invited to a baby shower for the sister of one of our drivers, Sala. Words can't describe the magnitude of one of these all female parties. The party was hosted by the grandmother, who greeted us warmly and seated us. It is a very nice honor to be invited to a Libyan party, since family is so important here. Incense was burning, small, very dressed up, children were running around a large banquet hall, and music was playing, very loudly. Now and then you could hear one of the older women make a loud "lalalalalala" noise, similar to yodeling, very high pitched to express their joy over the occasion. It happened many times throughout the evening, and always caught me off guard when I heard it. A very unusual sound, and the older ladies take great delight in making it.

Much later, the new mom enters the room, like the grand entrance of a queen, and her outfit is so ornate, covered in sequins, amazing gold jewelry, make up beyond words. She walks around the entire room with the infant who was in a beautiful blanket. Everyone exclaims over the baby, and most importantly, slips money under the baby's blanket. Women are not required to cover themselves when men aren't around, and they take advantage of this to show off their beautiful clothes, makeup, and jewelry. Dancing is very important too, and the Libyan women encouraged us to get up and dance with them. Embarrassing, but they appreciated the effort. We tried to leave at 10:30, thinking the party was winding down, but the grandmother walked over and pointed to our chairs, then motioned for us to "eat!" A huge meal came out, at 11:00pm! These late hours are the Libyan way, I have discovered. Anyway, it was an experience I'll never forget.

A week ago, one of our canasta friends took two of us to the pottery town, Gherian. Gherian is in the mountains, about an hour away. The terrain is quite different from that of Tripoli, and I enjoyed the change. Before we arrived at the pottery stands, we stopped to see the Troglodyte house, which is an underground house, over 350 years old. Apparently, this type of home was guite common, and there are still some inhabited ones in the area. The one we looked at had a large living room in the middle, open to the sky, and eight large bedrooms off of the center room. A young man was there to show us around, and said it was his family's home for many years, and that his dad was born in one of the rooms. He offered us hot tea, the sweet Libyan green tea, boiled, and poured to create foam on top, very good. Then we shopped at the pottery stalls, one after the next, along the road. A fun day for me, so interesting and different.

Just wanted to share two of the events I've been a part of here. I'm thankful for the hospitality and friendliness of so many that I have met. This will be forever a life lesson for me, to always open my heart and home and welcome those that God places in my life. Much love to all of you, dear family and friends, Lynn

Rome, Incredible Rome

Hello to all,

I'm reflecting back on our trip to Italy today, thinking about how to describe part three, the city of Rome. Unforgettable, is all I can say. Many here in Libya have been to Rome, and all have liked it. I guess one of the most amazing things to me was seeing ancient sights like the Coliseum right in the middle of a neighborhood. Vatican City had cute little restaurants and shopping all around it, as well as the busy city bustling all around in every direction, buses, taxis, lots of traffic and the pedestrians. Somehow I expected that these famous sights would be set apart somewhere, but not at all. They are only a part of the huge city. Well, the pedestrians rule the roost in Rome, no cars can compare with the crowds crossing the streets. Huge crowds, all going somewhere important. Kind of scary watching people head out in front of the cars, we did it too, you have to be bold and decisive. Anyway, so many impressions of the city, history, excitement, graffiti everywhere, on so many places you wouldn't expect to see it, restaurants, stylish people, and the shopping, and crowds. We were in crowds on the streets, in the piazzas, on the metro, in buses, you get the picture. Crowded !!

Anyway, I'm glad we went to Rome. My favorite part,besides sharing it with Anne and Ryan, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, stunningly beautiful. Now, I know what art really is, a gift from God. Pictures don't do it justice, love to all, Lynn