Small Victory.

There are several things I like about grocery shopping here. It's so nice to have grocery stores on every corner. I rarely do a "big grocery store run" I just stop in on my way home and grab what I need for dinner that night. I also love how fresh the fruits and veggies are, and the prices are amazing! However one thing I do not like is that I have to bag my own groceries. Which wouldn't be that big of a deal, except that the person behind me is always in a rush and by the time I can figure out the price in Turkish, pay for my groceries, collect my change, and begin bagging my groceries, the person behind me is now beside me bagging his/her groceries. It stresses me out. And I have started shopping with my fanny pack so I have easy access to my wallet.

Anyways last Friday I ran in real quick to pick up a few items for the sleepover and decided to purchase some Nutella. Well I got home and realized the Nutella was not in my bag. I checked my receipt, and sure enough I had paid for it. I thought, "Oh well, there goes my money." But then I realized I needed to go back and explain what happened - not because of the money, but for my own sanity. Often times here I feel like a mute child, unable to communicate like I want to. So I figured out what I needed to say, and went back to the grocery store. The lady was so helpful and I actually understood what she said, and the best part I got my jar of Nutella! This is a small victory, but I am rejoicing and thanking the Father. 

IKEA

On Tuesday, Bec and I ventured over to nearby mall to do some shopping. I ended up getting a small bookshelf for my bedroom at Ikea  Ikea is the best - it feels a little like home - which is strange since I've never even been to Ikea in the states. I've also never purchased furniture from Ikea (although it is the main thing they sell). Anyways when I got home (and after Bec had helped me lug the box up 4 flights of stairs!) I asked my roommate if we had tools and she said, "Oh all the tools that you need come in the box, but I'll help you, its gonna be challenging." I thought she was kidding. She was not. 

After dinner, she was busy doing something so I thought I would at least get started. But after opening the box and looking over the directions (which are listed in at least 20 different languages), I decided to wait for her help.

The pictures are the best. 1 - Only use these tools. 2 - Don't try to do this by yourself, it will make you happy if you have a friend. 3 - Don't break the boards (Or maybe don't put together on a hard surface). 4 - Don't have questions, but if you do call Ikea (I'm curious as to where this call center is located).

My sweet roommate was so helpful and dedicated to getting this put together. Seriously, I would have probably given up. We both almost did at one point when the boards were not lining up correctly. My solution was to cut the wooden pegs with a knife. We took the whole thing apart and started over and realized we were putting the shelves into the top boards, instead of the side boards. Anyways we finally figured it out and I am glad we didn't cut the wooden pegs or call Ikea. 

Here is the final product! It feels so good to have a place for my books, picture frames, jewelry, and some bins for organization. I love it!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A Day Off

Today I had the day off. PTL. I didn't realize how much I needed it. Since I arrived last Wednesday, I have been going non-stop - which is good and the way I like it! However it all caught up with me today and I was very thankful for a day to rest, finally unpack, do laundry, and even go for a run. It was wonderful. There is this awesome park about a 5 minute walk from my apartment. I have a feeling I will spend a good amount of time there. It did my soul a lot of good to relieve some stress (that I hadn't even realized was there). I am sleeping great, but am still very tired. It's a good tired, but I am having to learn to set some boundaries and guard my time. Plus I forgot how exhausting it is being in a city of 5 million people. Things are still going well and I am thankful to be here. Now that my room is unpacked I feel a lot more settled and at ease. Here are a few pictures of the park I ran at, and also my bedroom.

Also, saw this craziness on the ride home from dinner. Five guys in rollerblades (welcome to the 90s) holding onto a moving bus!

Here I am

Well here I am with my first blog post in two and a half years. I didn't neglect this blog on purpose. It just happened. I moved back to the states and for me the blog was no longer seemed necessary. Now there are TONS of people in the states who have great blogs...blogs I love reading. But I am not a writer, and I don't feel as though I have very profound things to say. The purpose of this blog is the update people on my life in Turkey, and every once in a while I share something from my heart.

So here I am. Back again in a country I love. Thankful for the opportunity to be here. Today was my first real day in the city. My roommates had a visitor in town, and I was able to tag along as they showed her the city. We started the day with Turkish Breakfast (something I have really missed - eggs, cheese, bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, honey, jelly, butter, and unlimited çay). 

 Then made our way by bus and then metro to the water. It was a beautiful, sunny day and great way to see the city. The day I arrived it was rainy and foggy. 

 My new roommate posed so I could get this picture of the bride and groom having their picture taken.

Thoughts

I have just finished reading Crazy Love by Francis Chan. If you haven’t read it, you should. It is a great book and really gets you thinking. This life I live is not my own, I was bought with a price and I desperately want to live it to glorify the Father. The entire book has been convicting and good, but one chapter in particular stood out to me.

You probably know that I am in the process of packing up to leave Turkey. I am moving back to the states on June 23rd. There are many things I am looking forward to, but also many things I will miss. To say it is all “bittersweet” hardly does my feelings justice. Anyways, because I am leaving and am only allowed one 50 pound bag (I am paying extra to check 3 total!), I have been forced to go through and leave a lot of things here. At first this was a very hard process. I wanted so badly to keep all the things I have accumulated here – my skype phone, printer, picture frames, decorations from IKEA, etc. For a brief time I thought I would put these things in storage, just in case I come back. How silly!

Then I read chapter 7, in which Francis encourages us to hold our possessions lightly. They are very temporary things and they are just that – THINGS! He says “We are loaded down with too many good things, more than we could ever need, while others are desperate for a small loaf of bread. The good things we cling to are more than money; we hoard our resources, our gifts, our time, our families, and our friends. As we begin to practice regular giving, we see how ludicrous it is to hold on to the abundance God has given us and merely repeat the words thank you.”

He also encourages us to see the connection between giving and loving. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave...” We can see right there that one of the best ways to show love is to give.

In light of all, last week my roommate and I packed up all our “random” possessions that we didn’t want to take back to the states (picture frames, candles, toiletries, lotions, American foods, etc). We took 3 big boxes to school and within a couple hours EVERYTHING was gone. And I mean everything. It was the best feeling, knowing that I was able to bless people through my giving. We could have had a garage sale and sold the items…none of it was junk. But instead we just gave it away and as a result I was blessed. In Acts it tells us it is more blessed to give than receive. I am sure many of us believe that, but do we really live like we believe it?

It has really challenged me and made me think about all the STUFF I have waiting for me when I get back to the states. I am looking forward to going through it and getting rid of a bunch of it. And not just because I don’t want it anymore or it doesn't fit, but because I can bless someone else through my giving. If you are reading this, I want you to keep me accountable. When you see me ask me, “What have you given away?”

See ya’ll soon :)

Weekend of Good-byes

This past weekend was FULL of good-byes (and some tears). Friday night I hung out with one of my Turkish friends for maybe the last time. Saturday, I had a good-bye party for a family that is moving back to the states. I went straight from the good-bye party to the Teacher Appreciation Dinner. It is always fun to see everyone outside of school - dressed up and enjoying themselves.

As a way to honor teachers that are leaving, they ask another teacher to share stories or encouragement for the leaving teacher. My sweet (and quieter) friend, Meghan, who teaches 4th grade was asked to share about me. She decided to rewrite the lyrics to "God Bless Us Everyone" and sing it in front of the entire restaurant. It was so cute and precious. I kept thinking , "I cannot BELIEVE she is doing this!!"

Sunday was the last house group before everyone dispersed for the summer. They chatted over me and sent me out well. It was a very special time - I am so grateful for the opporunity I have had to meet with this group the last two and half years. They have become my family here and I will miss them dearly.

I went straight from House Group to school for a good-bye party for two British families that are returning to the UK. They asked me a few months back if I would lead line dances for them. They didn't want their good-bye party to be sappy and sad, but happy and fun. I have enjoyed getting to know them and their families - and have especially enjoyed having British friends :)