I never could have imagined as a young lady reading Agatha Christie's "Death On The Nile" that I would indeed one day see the land of Egypt. All I can say is it is absolutely amazing!!

Kelly, Kenna(Kelly's older sister) and I left for Egypt last Friday afternoon. We have seen many wonderful things during our time here. I realize it is a blessing to be able to travel and see things that have been standing for many, many centuries. The Egyptian people have been gracious and kind. I am thrilled to be learning more Arabic here, but it is apparently a unique Egyptian dialect. I will go home to Kuwait and try it out on "my people". I hope they will understand me. "Mish Mooshkula" ( is No Problem ,in Egyptian Arabic)

We enjoyed two stops in Egypt, Cairo and Luxor. Luxor has been by far our favorite! The valley of the kings and the temple of Queen Hetchesphut are absolutely breathtaking. I will edit more photos and post them upon our return to Kuwait. Now I am going to enjoy my last hours listening to the incessant horn honking in Luxor, while reading "Death on The Nile" by Dame Christie a second time and sipping Turkish coffee. Life is good!!

It is hard to drive in Kuwait. It is even more difficult when you are trying to snap photos non-stop. These are some of my favorite vehicles I have seen of late. It is real common in Kuwait for people to have pictures of the Emir and the crowned Prince on the back of their ride. Some of the decals are also of beloved dead Emirs and respected leaders. I thought this would give you a taste of our daily commutes on the Kuwaiti highways.

The last photo is an interesting one. This young man on the dirt bike was kind enough to do a "wheelie" for us on our very own street. As we were getting closer to home the other evening, he was driving ahead of us and at each light popping a "wheelie". The kids were getting excited in the back seats, hooting and hollering. This was after my Epiphany that I just need to love the Kuwaitis. I decided we would roll the windows down and cheer for the guy. I figured " I may think this is insane, but he is loving it and dying to show off." Kelly and I rolled the windows down and gave him the thumbs up and a round of applause. I showed him my camera and he pointed towards our street. He then proceeded to do wheelies up and down our street for the camera. We all waved and gave him the thumbs up, he waved to us as well. I was just glad he had a helmet on as most don't even do that in Kuwait. Timmy kept repeating all night and the next day "Guy pop his wheel up, Mommy!" It was the highlight of Tim's young life. Only in Kuwait!

This is an interesting post for me to write. The photo I attached to this post shows a peaceful morning on the Arabian Gulf. The photo represents the peace I have inside as I learn more and more why God has placed me here.

On one hand I want to share everything I am seeing in Kuwait and my perspective of it, but on the other hand I want to be careful to remember that we are guests in their country and here as diplomats.



Wikipedia defines the role of a diplomat as this, "The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and friendly relations."



I have chosen with my blog to be as truthfully kind as possible to the people of each country we will call home for each posting. That is just me, the true me that God has called me to be. I love many blogs and many other perspectives, but on my blog I will stick primarily to the positive in the interest of keeping up our "friendly relations" with the Kuwaitis. We appreciate them hosting us in this country rich with beautiful traditions and culture.



This past Thursday was an awakening for me. I came to a point where I had to say irregardless of what the people of Kuwait do or say I have got to be me. God has put me here for a purpose and I believe it is to show his love to the Kuwaitis and all the world for that matter. How I show love, I realize now, is quite different from many other cultures. In my culture we greet one another with a smile and a "hello" or a "hi". In my culture we wait in line to show respect for others and their needs. In my culture we (at least the majority of the culture) try to drive with respect, and we take other people's lives into account while driving. In my culture we bring treats to neighbors when they move in next door. In my culture we value pedestrians crossing the street and we stop for them to cross safely. In my culture we say "excuse me" when we run into someone in the super market isle. In my culture we look at all people as created by God and treat them accordingly.



I will admit since moving here I have gotten quite used to the prevalent culture here. I have become a curb taking fast driving mama who can push herself to the front of any group to get my needs met. I found myself not smiling at people or saying "hello", because it is not very common for that to happen to me. I found myself just trying to blend in, like that is at all possible with three blondies and two black sons. People stare at me, all the time and I found myself acting like they do towards me. Some in the dominant culture here can have an attitude of superiority toward other races, religions and creeds. At first this bothered me, but now I realize I must not let them or this place change me in a negative way. I must "be me" and be kind and show love irregardless of the response. I must "love my neighbor as myself" (Matthew 22:39), just as Jesus called me to do.



I have started to once again say "A Salaam Alakum" to all those I see. I even smile nicely, sometimes I am rebuffed, sometimes people light up and respond in kind. God has revealed to me that I have "gotta be me", the person he has created me to be. I am only accountable to Him. The people here may never like me, but I am here for a purpose. I will not hurt our friendly relations and I will "be me" by loving the Kuwaitis. I will be changed when our time here is done. I will "be me" and push through the awkwardness and try to show love to all I meet here in Kuwait. I am planning on starting this week. The kids and I will make cookies and bring them to our neighbors. Does love get any deeper than chocolate chip cookies?

The camels crossed the road to get to the race track! Today we went to the Kuwait Camel Racing Club. What an amazing thing to see.

We were excited to get to drive our 4 wheel drive Durango. The Durango just arrived in Kuwait and we have missed it!!! We packed up and headed out 6th ring road determined to experience something unique to this area of the world.

We were very impressed that as we got closer the racing club, people were directing us where to go. Even some kind police officers escorted us in the right direction when we took a wrong turn.

We arrived early and were able to see many camels up close. The camel owners and trainers were very accommodating with letting us take pictures and video.

Once inside we asked a man if we could drive further inside near the track. He told us that would be fine. We were able to follow the race in our car along with the owners and camel trainers. I think this was the best part of the experience. We were racing around beside the camels in 4 wheel drives with the wind and sand (or more accurately dust) blowing through our hair. During this time I felt like I was in a James Bond movie, it was surreal. The domesticated James Bond(Kelly) and I had to juggle five kids while taking photos and video at 30-40 mph with visibility almost nothing from all the sand being kicked up. I don't think James or the bond girls ever had to worry about one of their children flying out a window. This was the most fun I have had in a long time!!!

We were shocked to see some of the children who were riding around the track standing on some of the cars wheel wells. Yikes!! This does not appear to be a safe way to ride in Kuwait.

When we returned home everyone bathed or showered. It is amazing how much sand a few camel races can kick up. If you are ever in Kuwait or anywhere in the Middle East, catch the camel races. You will be glad you did. Just be prepared to need a hot shower afterwards.

Happy Birthday, Kelly!! My husband is now officially over the hill. Kelly is 40, wow we are getting older! When we met we were in our 20's. It feels like time is moving faster with each year that we age.

Kelly, you are my "knight in shining armor", my better half and the love of my life : ) I am so glad God made you!! We fit very well together as man and wife. Where you are very laid back, I am a little more tightly wound. We compliment each other on so many levels. You are such a special father, I am so impressed with the grace and love you show our children. They will form their image of God from your example. You are the kind of father that reflects Jesus' love to them. I praise God for you, Kelly!! Thank you for choosing me, thank you for being a man of honor and thanks for always being able to make me laugh out loud. Happy Birthday and may God continue to bless you in the years to come. With all my love and respect~

We enjoyed many fun family times this LONG holiday weekend. The kids loved riding bikes, shopping for rugs at the Friday Market, and our own "silly string" wars. We can say we found "true happiness" and it had nothing to do with Islam (see photo below). I loved the colors of the "true happiness" painting on the wall that we spotted while going to Fahaheel. Let me just say I don't agree with the sign, but it was unique so I had to capture it on film.



Timmy would like everyone to know that he found "true happiness" in the silly string war. HA! HA! Just look at this face in that photo, he HATED that stuff on him in anyway. It was very hard to get him to keep still for a photo of The Bunch. He cooperated, but immediately ripped the string off and ran into the open door of our mini van.



I would say I found "true happiness" at least for a time while shopping for rugs at the Friday market. I purchased three big rugs for 150 bucks!!! I am embarrassed to admit I have paid 400 dollars for one similar in the U.S. On of our favorite things about Kuwait is that rugs are inexpensive. I am not talking about the really high quality Persian rugs. I may have to purchase one of those before I leave as well.



Due to the fact that a bulk of our items that were supposed to be sent into permanent storage in Virginia arrived with our HHE (Household Effects), we are sending these rugs we purchased back to storage in the shipment that will go back soon. I wanted some everyday rugs that someday my grand kids can run, play, and eat on. I know nothing like planning ahead! We will probably do more rug shopping in another location at a later date and share it with you all. It would be beautiful to have a "magic" carpet to hang on the wall.



Speaking of magic carpets, the bunch had their own magic carpet ride. At the Friday Market there are men with wheel barrows everywhere that will carry your load for tips. At least we thought it was for tips. After this nice gentlemen had carried our three rugs and five children out to the car, he showed us something in English that it was 6 KD (Kuwaiti Dinars) for the use of his muscle and wheel barrow. YIKES! I tip the men who carry the groceries out to my car much less. 6 KD is about 24 U.S. dollars! I don't know that the ride was all that magical, or worth it. I am still not convinced that it really costs that.

The last photo was taken this morning. It was taken during a yucky sand storm. I can be honest, I don't miss snow, but I would take that any day over a sand storm. At least with snow it melts, can be plowed and dries clear. Imagine sand (really light dirt) hanging in the air, you cough, sneeze, have itchy eyes and the visibility is terrible. Sand storms do not equal "true happiness", my friends. Have a great weekend~