Thursday in Tripoli

Hi to Everyone,

Second full day here in Tripoli, great day for Rick reviewing contracts and getting to know his coworkers, quiet day for me, spent most of the day on my balcony retreat reading and resting. I think the balcony was God's great gift to me, knowing how very much I love being out of doors. Balcony decorating begins soon, flowers and bird feeders, plus a little table to match our plastic chairs. I have to have a place for my cup.

These pictures are some of the few that I have taken so far. My outing yesterday was a surprise so I didn't have my camera. All have been taken from my balcony, and yes, one was taken tonight after it got dark, so pretty. I love the weather, dry, and breezy most of the time. I would keep the windows open at night, but there is a lot of street noise, a howling dog(I'm determined to buy some doggy treats and make friends with him!) and young boys playing soccer. Anyway, we found out today that about 20 more AECOM employees are moving into our guesthouse, ARKNOHE, this weekend. I'm excited that there may be another woman who does not have a full time job with the company. Today, I actually called on a job for a nursery school teacher, fluent in English, and the woman asked me to send my CV. I said I would but had no idea what that was!! Anyway, it's like a resume. I hope to be a part time worker or sub to stay busy, especially while we are here at the ARKNOHE. We are on the list for an apt. Who knows when we might move, everything here takes a lot more time that you'd think. Today, my oddities are, I caught a bird in our lobby, and it took 4 men almost all day to repair two drains in our room. Very interesting systems here. All of the Libyan people have been very friendly and sweet exactly as our friends the Shanks described them. I may become the English Teacher here because everyone of the young people I have met wants to learn English. More tomorrow. I am thankful that our luggage will be delivered tomorrow it seems.

Love to all, we think of all of you every day. Lynn

Hey Everybody, we made it to Tripoli

It's late here in Tripoli, 11:00, and Rick has to work tomorrow, but I just had to keep my promise to so many family and friends and write my Day 1 blog post. We made it safe and sound, well, maybe not completely sound emotionally. The business class of British Air is AWESOME, Rick and I were greeted with a glass of champagne, by our steward. We each had a private TV, and our seat could lie completely flat for sleeping, so nice. Anyway, the flight was enjoyable and uneventful, until we arrived in Tripoli, and discovered that our bags, all 6 of them, and the computer, had not been transferred at Heathrow. Anyway, we didn't get them today either so everyone join us in praying for SOON.

I did cry yesterday, so overwhelmed with this whole thing, but I am better today. Rick got his company computer so we could SKYPE our kids and my mom, and Rick's brother Randy. We don't have a camera on this computer but we were so thankful to hear their voices. Be patient with us, more calls are on the way.

I began my journal, or future book, today and decided to write the things I find to thank God for everyday, and also an "oddities" section for some laughs. Believe me, I need to laugh right now, so I will be sharing some of these endearing stories straight from Tripoli. Today, I thanked God for so many similarities in His people all over the world. It was fun to see a group of children from "Victory Summer School" at a museum, cutting up and acting so wild, completely disinterested in the museum, just like my students at Buckalew that I miss so much.

Two ladies whose husbands work for AECOM invited me to go to the museum, lunch and shopping today. It was fun to be with them. I was thankful that God provided that for me, even within 24 hours of my arrival. He is good, and He does care about all of us.

I love you all so very much, and thank you for the lovely sendoff. Rick and I felt very loved, we are blessed by each of you.

Hi friends and family,

We're down to 48 hours before we leave for Libya. This week has been unbelievably emotional, so many goodbyes, I say, "see you soon", and just many, many wonderful memories of dinners with dear friends, small group celebrations, being prayed over at our church, calls, and cards. All has been very appreciated. We feel so loved, and blessed to have such incredible friends. Thank you to so many.

We're having a family sort of a day today. Lunch with my parents, celebrating Father's Day, and an early celebration of Anne's 27th birthday. Our dear friends, Ken and Judi Kimler, drove in from Austin to help us celebrate, and to say, "see you soon." We love our family, and will miss each of them so very much, and each in a very unique way, blesses us on a daily basis. These are truly the "good and perfect gifts" that the Bible mentions in the book of James.

We leave at 4:20 PM on Monday afternoon. We fly British Air to London, and then to Tripoli. As soon as we can get our computer set up, you will hear from us. Love to each of you.

I feel the need to keep blogging even before I leave, and also to continue even though no one else may ever read my blogs !! Writing is so very therapeutic for me. It is good for the soul, and so calming for me.

A lot is happening right now, I'm trying to return to school after 20 days off on Medical Leave of Absence. I need to be with my kids again, and soak in their enthusiasm and love of life. Since this may be my last month of teaching for a while, well, formal teaching, I need the closure of returning to the school that I love, and finishing the school year well. I hope to volunteer and/or substitute in one of the international schools in Libya while I am there. I need to be able to return to the states if I am needed here. Now, my sister, Lee is a priority, after learning of her battle with cancer. Please pray for her with all of your heart, that God will heal and give her peace.

Also, I am to be a "Gramma" again in January, my son, Brian and his sweet wife,Mary, are expecting their second baby. JOY !! I know Dylan will be an awesome big brother. So, I have some very important family situations, and I want to be available to come home if I am needed.

Our visas are being processed, we are expecting to begin our shots soon, and things are proceeding for our adventure to Tripoli. Please pray for us, dear friends and family.

Libya

Well, I'm going to begin writing about all of the happenings with our move to Tripoli, Libya. I have seriously been thinking about writing a book while I'm over there, with my thoughts about moving and all of the many adjustments that will inevitably take place. We are truly off on an adventure, and I am having every imaginable emotion, most days, all occur at once.

Since, I am such a people person, all I  can think about on most days is the departure from everyone that I love so much,  my parents and other family,  my 3 children and their spouses, friends, and of course my 15 month old grandson, Dylan. That part makes me very sad, but then I remember that my sweet husband searched high and low for a job in Texas for over 14 months, and I mainly feel thankful to God for giving him this exciting opportunity to do what he loves, and has worked for all of his career. I have been by his side for almost 33 years, and I'm not about to let him go without me.

So, this week, I have read a lot about life in Libya, and am cleaning closets making room for Brian, Mary, and Dylan to move into our townhome. So much to do, and only a few weeks to do it all in. How do you pack for a year in a country you've never been to? Carefully, I say, very carefully !! More to come.....

Dylan at 8 months!! What a smile, this is what it's all about.

We're back from Austin today and thankful to be home. The good news is that all of our family came through the storm safely. My mother and dad are still without power, but now that we have power, they will join us for a few days. I will be including a great picture of Dylan, who just had his 8 month birthday. He is crawling now, and such a happy little guy. His face makes me smile every day, and nothing is sad when he is around. Enjoy this picture of our little UT fan !!

Giving Thanks

Dear Friends,
I'm "blogging" from my dear friend Judi's computer tonight. We are evacuees from Hurricane Ike. What an experience, one I will never forget. Ike came in with a fury on Saturday morning, and caught us all off guard. No one expected what was to come. Our townhouse fared very well, but two dozen noble trees fell during the storm and it was so hard to watch them fall. However, how could we not be so thankful for the safety that God provided for us and all of our children, and for Dylan, who is now 8 months old. God is so very good and showed His love for all of us during such a scary ordeal. He wants us all to trust Him, and believe that He can take care of us. All I will have to do in times of doubt, will be to recall Ike and God's protection "when the trees fell."

With love to all,
Lynn