GRACE

Last week I had the chance to go down to Selcuk (a town near Ephesus) for a HS retreat. Although I wasnt able to go into Ephesus I was able to climb a mountain at the camp that overlooked the town. One afternoon about 40 of us started up the mountain, really having no idea how far and how hard the hike was going to be. But it was so worth it, even though at times I thought my heart was going to pop out of my chest. This was an incredible experience - to sit on top of a mountain and to look down on the town of Ephesus.
I took the opportunity to read through Ephesians...imagining the town and people that it was written to. In chapter 3, verse 7-8, paul writes "I became a servant of this g0$pe1 by the gift of God's grace given me though the working of His power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, the grace was given me..." it goes on to say that it was given to him to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles.
I was able to identity with these verses in many ways. GRACE. I have been given grace, and everything good I experience in this life is a result of His grace at work. Every good and perfect gift is from above and all people experience grace. Whether it is common grace - the ability to breathe and laugh, learn new things, live life, smell the flowers, and the list goes on. And then there is special grace - grace shown to believers as they walk through life knowing the Father, experiencing the power of the HS, abiding in the love of a savior, and again the list goes on.

And even though I feel like I am less than the least of all God's people, even though I sometimes struggle with being here in a foreign place where I dont speak the language, even though I feel totally inadequate to do what I have been called to do..."the grace was given me."

look closely and you can see the amphitheatre.

transportation

Considering my city has over 17 million people living in it, getting around can be rather complicated. But I am slowly learning all the many ways - bus, minibus, boat, metro, the tunel, taxi, cable cars, and personal cars (my favorite ha!) Yesterday morning we went over to the Europe side for a meeting. Joan was kind enough to show Julie and I how to get there by public, it only took a little over an hour! First we took a bus to the Iskele (boat harbor), from there we got on a boat. Can I just say that I love riding the boat on the Bosphorous! Everytime I do I am just reminded of how awesome He is - what a wonderful creation we get to enjoy! Oh and on the beautitful boat ride we enjoyed a cup of salep - its this hot drink they serve that looks like glue but tastes like candy. It is so sweet and delicious and comes from the orchid plant! After getting off the boat we walked to the tunel and rode that up to the top of a street - from there we had another 10 minute walk and then we finally arrived! After our meeting we enjoyed a nice lunch and then walked around, it was such a lovely and warm day. We spend most evenings in our apartment, so I just enjoyed being outside and getting some exercise. Here is a picture of Julie and I getting on the boat to go back to the other side. Oh and they have this thing here called an Akbil - you put money on it and use it for all the different forms of public transportation. It is so handy and I love that I dont have to keep up with a bunch of coins.

Chicken...Fish...Soup...Salad

So today after language, Clay and I decided to go grab some lunch. I was excited to order in Turkish because our language tutor had taught us some good phrases to use when ordering. We found a restaurant that looked good and served lamachun - my new favorite meal (its yummy and cheap!) Anyways so we walked into the restaurant and immediately the waiter showed us to this secluded room with nice cloths on the tables and chairs. He leaves and brings us a plate and some silverwear, and then pulls out his order pad and says "chicken...fish...soup...salad..." Before the man can even finish, Clay decides he wants chicken. I on the other hand really want the lamachun. So I try to say in Turkish...do you have lamachun? The man just looks at me all confused. I say again: "LAMACHUN" He shakes his head. I point at the picture and say "I want Lamachun." This time he shakes his head and says "finished." At this point I just order the chicken. I am still not sure exaclty what happened, it is strange to me that he never gave us a menu and that he wouldnt let me order lamachun. He probably just saw some americans come in and though he would take them to this special room and get them to order the more expensive dishes. His plan worked - this time anyways!

another video!

I just figured out today how to upload a video onto my blog. So here is another one! I took this while riding the boat over to the Europe side. Men on the top deck of the boat were feeding the seagulls and it was a fun thing to watch! As you can see my new city is just beautiful :)

My Scottish Roommate

A few days ago the apartment telephone rang. Since I dont yet have a cellphone, it is normally a family calling to invite us over for dinner (which has been so wonderful!). So I walked into the living room to answer the phone only to discover the man on the other side speaking Turkish. I just listened for a second and then started saying..."english, do you know english?" Apparently he did not because He just kept on speaking Turkish. So I called Joan in the room, since she knows more Turkish than I do. And she at least found out that it was the man coming to repair the washing machine. A friend of mine suggested that since I love Joan's voice so much I should record her speaking, and so last night I did. This is a conversation she is having with the person from the school that is in charge of our apartment and maintanience. Its only like 30 seconds like and there is no video just sound.

As I have said before Joan is just lovely! She says things like, "Valerie will make you right." or "My Gitty Ant!" Last night she was making Julie and I omelets and Julie was saying that she doesnt know how to make an omelet on the stove. Joan said, "well how else would you do it!" Julie told her that she uses the omelet maker at her house. Joan just thought that was crazy, she said America does not know what "made from scratch" is. We started telling her about the show the Bachelor and she was amazed that such a show existed and that we actually watched it! hahaha. She helped me start my first load of laundry last night and then while I was on skype she went and took it out and hung it all up on the porch for me! She cleans all the time and is spoiling Julie and I. We are really going to miss her when she leaves!

my apartment

here are some pictures of my bedroom...my dresser, desk, and beautiful painting!

my bed is really big and comfy...its between a queen and a king!! and you can see my pile of clothes infront of my wardrobe (dolap), but i have now unpacked everything, which feels so good to be settled. and i think i am finally over jetlag...PTL!
this is my living room/dining room! very spacious and nice.

and of course the kitchen is great. last night julie and i had our first meal in our apartment - grilled cheese and instant soup. it was really yummy and i was pleased that we didnt burn anything down! hahah one small step at a time

here am i...

well this is my first post outside of the USA! i arrived safely on friday about 1pm (6am Eastern time). Since arriving I have been reminded of Dad's faithfulness to me...it feels so good and so right to be here. In all honesty this process has been a breeze (considering how hard it could have been) From saying goodbyes to the packing process, and from the airport farewell to the whole flying across the country thing!

I flew over with Selma and Julie, which I am so thankful for. I dont know what I would have done without them, especially in Germany trying to find our gate! Between the 3 of us we had 11 bags and they all came...which is just incredible. So after going through passport control and getting all our bags, we proceeded to exit the airport and a lady in customs stopped us.
Lady: Wait! Look at all this stuff. Is it all yours?
Me: Yes, it is all mine!
Lady: WOW...too much stuff! Do you have any electronics?
Me: Yes I have a computer.
Lady: What about camera?
Selma: I have a digital camera.
Lady: Do you have video camera?
Me: Oh no, just digital camera.
Lady: Oh okay, you may go through...
We are learning to celebrate the small victories: like exchanging money to buy a cart at the airport to carry all our luaggage, and finding the password to connect to our internet or even being able to unlock our apartment door (it can be tricky). And I have learned a very important word: teşekkürler - which means thanks! Even if I cant really communicate with them at least I can say thank you.

Oh and Julie and I have the most wonderful roommate...Joan, an older lady from Scotland! She is so kind and helpful, and I love her accent. I think of all these questions I can ask her, just so i can hear her talk! She is currently teaching the 3rd grade class, until I take over in February.
Well that is about it....once I get everything unpacked and my room straight Ill take pictures of my lovely apartment! It is so cute and I really like it :)

highlights

top 10 highlights from my last week in the states...in no particular order!

1) LB and I went to Wilmington and did some MAD shopping. She was a huge help and we accomplished a lot in a few hours...even getting lunch with her roommate!

2) Going to see Yes Man with LB! Not the greatest movie I have ever seen but it was funny. I still want to see Marley and Me, 7lbs, and the Curious Case of Benjamin Button!

3) Spending time with Haley in Greensboro, and quoting Sue from "Surprise Party"

4) Finding my pink hair brush. I was in Greensboro back in November for something with the Board and left my hair brush. I am sure the lady in housekeeping thought I was crazy, but she found it and returned it to me...for some reason it was really exciting!

5) For the last 4 years I have spent New Years in Greensboro at CCC Winter Conference. And I decided that was how I wanted to spend this new years! It was such a fun night...singing p&w, praying in the new year, and then having a crazy dance party! I am still recovering from staying up till 4am, but it was so worth it and a lot of fun!
6) LIFETIME REUNION. All 5 of the lifetime girls got to eat dinner together on New Years Day. It was the first time we had been together in over a year! I loved living with these girls my junior year of college...it was always a party :) We have added 3 boys to our group...a husband, baby, and fiance' 7) Surprise Party my dear friends threw for me. I had no idea and was totally surprised. When I walked in the house and they yelled SURPRISE, I was so confused, thinking it was a surprise birthday party for someone. Then I started looking around the room and seeing faces of dear friends and realized it was for me. It was a special night.

8) Spending intentional time with each of my friends, while being in Raleigh :)

9) Sunday! My last Sunday in Rose Hill was filled with some very special moments...RHBC is like family and it was a joy to share with them about my upcoming trip. My parents hosted a goodbye party at the house afterwards, which was so nice and good to see people and say goodbye!

10) The last few days I have been busy packing and trying to organize my life. Sometimes I get really stressed when I think about all I have to do and how its not going to happen! Then I remember Who is in control and I rest in that.

Alright enjoy the pictures :)