We have decided to call our random update posts, “desert days”. In these posts you will just find random things that we have been up to, are experiencing or that we are missing. Hope you enjoy!

1. Learning. Tomorrow we will finish up our 2nd week of Arabic school! We are still smiling and enjoying it. The scribbles (Arabic letters) that once were now have meaning and we are able to put sounds that make since (well almost) with them!

2. Meeting. We have met more neighbors- excited to develop relationships with them & learn Arabic from them. My neighbor above me speaks English (really well), but said that she would love to help me with my homework and studying– looking forward to this- she is super sweet.

3. Driving. We got our CAR!! What a blessing this is- we can now explore (hope to do lots of this this weekend), help other people out, and not be stuck to our immediate surroundings. A huge thank you to our friends here for helping us make this a reality!

Just in case you didn't know...Chase made me take a pic of this

4. Cooking & Eating. I have been experimenting with cooking and learning how to cook here- with a gas stove/oven, with slightly different ingredients & at a later hour — yes we have joined the Arabs and eat dinner 8 pm or later…

Taco soup with homemade tortilla chips

5. Enjoying time together… I love getting to spend lots of time with Chase- whether it is in class, studying, watching movies, reading… whatever it is that we are doing it is a blessing that we get to do it together!

6. Crafting- remember the fabric that I got from the souk? Below is what I did with it. I am really happy with how it turned out… I got the idea from the kojo blog.

7. Discovering that Chase is a “social media” introvert (as in facebook, the blog, email.. etc), but he is trying to work on it and keep you all up to date better. Rest assured that he is his usual extrovert self in class and around town!

8. Missing family, friends, and our community as we approach our one month mark (which is tomorrow!)… We have been blessed with great people here and are slowly developing new relationships/friendships. Know that we love & miss you all dearly.

9. Wearing jackets to class in the mornings!! (well Chase isn’t, but I am and I LOVE it) I know that it is going to get hot (really hot) soon, but for now I am enjoying the cool breeze in the mornings & the need for my jacket and sometimes even a scarf 🙂

enjoying a cup of chai latte from Sugar Browns!

10.  Adjusting. We know that this is going to be a continual process, but we are feeling a little more “here” everyday. And for that we’re thankful.