For Today, Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

Outside My Window... 

Cold and sunny with a snow-covered ground. 

 I'm thinking...

We really need to increase our monthly support.

From the learning rooms... 

The older girls are getting so much better at doing their work on their own.  I have to be more diligent to check their work and do thier follow-up questions or narration.

I am thankful for... 

Our suburban is bought and our insurance is paid up for six months.  Also that we have siblings that pitch in and gift us with money when things are tight...    

From the kitchen...

   I found this article recently. We talk about this all the time here in Saudi. It is like living in a different time. The article says 90 years. I would say even longer than that- like more like 400 years ago. But, a lot about it is good. The values at its core are good. It does take it too far, of course. I have found that the women do not view their rights like we do in the West though. It's hard for us to understand, but most Saudi women don't want things to change as much as we think they would. Most of them are happy to do whatever is best for their community and their family. They don't have the desire to drive for the same reasons that we do. They don't wish to be free and equal, but they desire to drive only because it would make life easier and better for their families.

    I found this debate online about the driving issue. It is interesting reading everyone's opinion on the matter. I wouldn't drive here either because it's really crazy on the road. I can barely stand being a passenger. It is really bad!! They're going to have to provide better driving instruction before giving women drivers licenses. The last thing Saudi needs is more drivers because that just means more accidents and more people dying in them every day.

    When I first moved here, I would overt my eyes when I would see a woman fully covered, but then I realized that they aren't trying to be invisible. They are still there and want to be seen. They are just being modest. So, I have had to change my habit and look these women in the eyes. And I can tell that they smile back at me. They are good people.

    Rob has some time off from work because of the Eid Holiday and we are loving it. We talked about what we are all thankful for and they all said daddy. Robby- I am thankful for daddy because he put pressure on my foot when it was bleeding (he cut his foot on glass, lots of blood, but he's ok. Daddy to the rescue!) Justin- I'm thankful for daddy because he's the best. Alex- I'm thankful for Daddy because he buys us stuff. Connor- I'm thankful for daddy because he's nice to me. At least, Rob said he was thankful for me.

And we got to go the Pizza Company and then, to Swensens. Our favorite thing to do here!!

We made crowns. Jesus is our king.

Love that dimple!!

We sang a song that we got from Sadlier We Believe to the tune of Frere Jacques.

Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ
is our king;
is our king.

He rules with peace and justice.
He gives life to all people.
We praise him.
Praise our king.

Let us worship,
let us worship,
Christ our king;
Christ our king.

As king he shows the way,
the truth, and the life.
We praise him.
Praise our king.

Then today, we made our own Pledge of Allegiance to Jesus. (By we, I mean Robby.)

Pledge of allegiance to Jesus the son of God and the King of Heaven.

Please forgive our sins on the earth that we stand on.

But take us to Heaven to be with the Son of God.