toasting

Before our ski lesson, Maddie and I got lunch together in the food court at Mall of the Emirates (which we have come to call MOE). We lifted our small paper cups filled with coke and i said, "What shall we drink to, Miss Maddie? Skiiing? Dancing?" She said nothing. I asked again, "What should we drink to?" After a short pause she said, louder than i would have prefered, "ME!" then bumped her cup to mine and took a big swig.
So here's to Maddie. She doesn't mind toasting to herself every now and again. Sometimes I want to toast to myself too. I want to give myself a pat on the back when I win those secret victories like not falling when I get off the ski lift. Good job, Emma- you're doing great.
I've been looking back through my journals and noticed that most of my prayers start with. "What is the matter with me? I fail at everything. Help me get it right." Well today I'm going to celebrate my little victories and forget about my lame..ness.
So here's to taking a shower this morning even though I didn't feel like it. Here's to tipping the taxi driver an appropriate amount (I usually tip way too much). Here's to talking to people about things I'm nervous talking about (religion and relationships). Here's to holding my tongue when I really want to kick and scream.
Here's to making silly movies. Here's to good friends and great talks. Here's to Bible studies and beach time. Here's to skype. Here's to God and the many little victories He has throughout each day.
And here's to you for reading this blog. I know it wasn't easy...

FOCUS photos

"We're having a deep conversation...can I borrow some face wash?"

What an amazing weekend! Friday morning started out normal enough, church, children’s church, lunch, swimming…a nice Friday. The FOCUS conference was suppose to start at 5 but everyone is late in this country so we showed up around 7 right when things started picking up. We thought maybe we were too late but it was really quite perfect. At this point I had few expectations and very few ideas of how the weekend would end.
“Find your small group leader for dinner!” Small groups? Aw dang it. I hate breaking up into small groups. I always get stuck with people who don’t want to talk. The 5 of us were from very different places; Egypt, France, Africa, Iraq, and of course buckeye country. I can’t help but smile when I think about how we all have such different lives and yet we’re all sitting around a table in Dubai searching the scriptures. Our group talked on and on about the mysteries of the scripture and we had a hard time keeping to the question. “times up” Aw dang it. I hate leaving my small group.
We stayed up late Friday night playing taboo. can you picture a group of girls, many whom speak English as a second or third language, tryin to explain a word without using several helpful words? ha ha loads of fun. At one point Kathrine came in and told us of her deep conversation with katie and then in the smae breath asked for face wash. She seemed to be high or half asleep...maybe both. It cracked us up! It may not be as funny to you but it gave us a tickle :)

The speaker. Stirring. Overwhelming. Wonderful. His name is Thabitti, originally from the Bible belt but is now serving the Lord in the Cayman Islands. He preached the Word purely and powerfully. I could have listened to Him preach for hours….we very well may have…I don’t actually know. My concept of time went out the window 
The weekend was about the promises God made in the OT and the promises kept in the NT. I love how He reveals things to us by His grace. It is by His power that He opens our eyes and hearts to His Truth. I’m telling you, this week God opened my eyes to some wonderful things. Christ is in ALL scripture. Anna and I are learning that as we read together and find Jesus in all things, big and small. Everything is about Him and His plan. Where can I go from your Spirit? If I go to the heavens You are there. If I make my bed in the depths you are there.
I sometimes hurt for reasons I don’t fully understand. I won’t let myself dwell in selfishness. It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about The Lord and His glory. Where can I serve you, Spirit? You are in all things so help me to find you and do Your good work.
It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about the Glory of God.
I fail. Others fail. Pride puffs up and will eventually deflate. What then? Only the Word of the Lord will remain…

My Victory Won

Dubai has forced me to think through my emotions more than usual. Anna and I hung out with some people who challenged us to be more bold and intentional about sharing our faith. My attitude was one of mockery and I'm now ashamed for that. My gut reaction was 'I'm doing just fine, thank you very much; I will share my faith with someone when I'm good and ready.' As i was walking home it was dark and the city lights were reflecting in the water. I stopped on the bridge and thought of the hymn Be Thou My Vision. I'm not doing just fine. All the things I've always been good at have not been my strengths recently.
I do fail. I'd be foolish to think otherwise.
When I was standing on the bridge God reminded me that I asked Him to stretch me this semester. I might as well let Him stretch me however and with whoever He chooses, even if its not the way I would have picked myself.
Anna's great. She strikes up conversation with anyone and everyone. She plays frisbee as often as possible and is always wanting to do something different. What would I do without her? My dad is doing well especially when i consider the stress he's under with his job. My mom is learning her way around Dubai's insane road system and doing occupational thearapy whenever she can.
I'm learning to find victory in my savior. that's where true victory lies anyway.

Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

trips and falls

Today was an outstanding day! I'm working at the church Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday which leaves Sunday (a work day, remember?) and Wednesday free. Well I've been eager to occupy those days and today was my first day watching Maddie. Sweet, wonderful Maddie!
We started off our day of fun with breakfast at a cute little tea room. While waiting for our crepes (Maddie ordered for the both of us) my little friend spotted a shelf of books on the other side of the room. She walked over and, with care, picked out two books and brought them back to our table. For her own reading pleasure she chose a book about a family of owls. And for me....ancient people. To be honest...I wanted to read about the exciting journey of the owl family but I guess Maddie didn't think it was age-appropriate. I guess I should grow up and read boring things...i just don't wanna.
Next we walked out to the parking lot and it was then when I experienced the first fall of the day. Wet step. SMACK. Maddie thought it was funny.
Ski Dubai was the most thrilling part of the day. We, with much trouble, put on all our skiing gear and waited for the instructor. I forgot what cold weather feels like. Walking into that life-sized snow globe was a bit shocking! I'm becoming a warm weather wimp. We learned how to do the basics and then got on the conveyer belt ski lift thing and as soon as I reached the top I took a tumble. Again, Maddie thought it was funny. Not a good start.
"pull yourself together, woman. A child can get off this crazy thing with no problem!"
First time down the hill...i'm out in 5 seconds. give or take. maddie thought it was funny.
First time going down the higher hill...out in 3 seconds. give or take. maddie thought it was funny.
Over all it was AMAZING! If you can believe it we both did better than expected. I'm looking forward to going back and taking a few more spills down the only skiing slope in the desert.
At lunch maddie realized she took the key to the mens room at our dads office. It may have been an interesting day at work :/
Bowling.
Window shopping.
Work out.
Exhaustion.
First thing Maddie said when we got in the car with Jane was, "Emma. FALL! ha ha ha". I pretended like there was one time during the day when I had a little stumble.
When out walking with the family (this means anna too) i tripped over the pavement.

ARE YOU KIDDING?!?

Almost in a routine

What on earth are we doing here? We've been here for about 2 weeks and I know one thing for sure, this is an amazing place to be.
I met with the pastor of the church I hope to intern with. He terrified me, to be perfectly honest! I walked out of that interview with one thought that stuck out more than the others, "I gotta step it up" I need to be pushing myself to grow and learn and be in the Word constantly.
I hate laziness.
I hate selfishness.
These things keep me from growing and understanding. These things keep me from change. I have a lot to learn from the staff members of the church, I can tell already.
Anna is going to class every afternoon and comes home each night with great stories. She is experiencing college in a whole new way with people who view the world in a whole new light.
We go to the beach often and walk around the marina. We work out and watch people play tennis from the balcony (it's a bit creepy). We've been to a college group where we met some really nice students.
My dad loves his work and my mom hasn't been afraid to jump right in and start driving around a strange city. Things are going great so i can't figure out why i sometimes feel a little sad. Maybe i feel guilty. maybe it's just the reality of change.
either way...i'm blessed