So after 9 wild days downtown of anger and rioting (picture above taken by a friends daughter near AUC as she tried to get to her apartment to feed her cat.) election day arrived. People, mostly my Egyptian friends, were quite nervous. Of course most of my friends are Christian and that adds to their insecurity. I tended to swing quite a bit between my instinctive way of thinking, which is optimistic "Nothing is going to happen," to a somewhat uncertain conditioned way of thinking. After being in a bombing, and experiencing a revolution close up its not as easy to be light- hearted and optimistic as I once was.  All that said day one of election was very exciting and seemingly peaceful from all that I observed.The picture to the left is right outside my office. Women only lined up early and spent on average 5 hours to get to the front of the line to vote which is only one block up. They had tons of voting centers, which was a good thing cause 4 million voters in Cairo voting just today I heard. There was an exciting hum through out Maadi where I live. On a negative note the traffic was horrific! I mean traffic in general is bad but this was beyond bad! Today is a second day of voting in Cairo, and other parts of the country will vote on other days for the next few weeks. Continue to pray for peace and for a peace with how things turn out. Just because they are voting freely doesn't mean we are going to like the outcome and that is a tough pill to swallow for most of us. I lean heavily on the words of Scripture that reminds me that not one leader rises to power outside of God's will, He places each one to accomplish his plans, but I don't always like how His plans initially feel. Most stay focused on the big redemptive picture and not get caught up in the micro Amy perspective.

On a lighter side: Thanksgiving and Christmas Bazaar took place last week and both were wonderful successes! Spent T-Giving with about 25 friends enjoyed great food but even better the company. I like that I don't have to fight anyone for the gizzard and heart which is my favorite part of T-Giving turkey! I can do without the meat just gimme the giblets and I am happy. Caleb was Bonnie's helper. He set the kids table by himself and helped Skip scrub potatoes as well. Saturday was the bazaar. Caleb enjoyed spending all his allotted money, sitting on Santa's lap and he even got to throw wet sponges at Mommy...as did about 20 other kids. I sold sloppy joes for 4 hours straight and raised a good bit of money for our Christmas box project.

Arrrggghhh! I wrote a decently informative and long post yesterday but the internet is crappy right now and somehow it never loaded and timed out. OK breath and let it go Amy!

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all from chaotic Cairo! Yes the tear gas is flowing but it doesn't waft out to my neck of the woods, I assume it gets overpowered by our daily does of exhaust. Just wanted to check in and say all is well in my little haven of Maadi. I will head out soon for the feats at Bonnie's and Skips. There is a definite feel of lingering sadness as to what is happening and uncertainty but not any rel sense of danger. Of course I am not heading in the direction of Tahrir anytime soon. As you sit and give thanks for good food family and friends, just as I will do in a few hours, also intercede on behalf of this very confused land, truly there is a spirit of "dizziness" as Isaiah describes it, over this country. They have murals all around Cairo that claims "Islam is the answer" oh that they would know the truth!

Seriously All is Well

Ahhh such interesting times we live in. Actually I am glad protests are going on in the US so we can all feel a part of world upheaval. You might be thinking "Yeah but Occupy ... is so far from me and it really doesn't impact me." but see that is what I think to an extent concerning what is happening in Tahrir these days. Honestly if I didn't see news of it on FB I might not have a clue. Which isn't really a point to brag about I suppose, I should have a better feel for it all and definitely be more concerned as it affects the future of my home, but it gets tiring to ride the revolution roller coaster. Some people write and speak as if the end is near and Tehran style gov't is perched ready to assume control, while others speak as if it is the natural birthing pains of a new system. I don't know which is more realistic. As always I come back and find peace of mind in knowing God is on the throne and no party, nor military force, nor outside government presents a legitimate threat to his position. I guess the part I always struggle mentally with is, that we assume that God being in control means that all will be well=easy, and that I am not so sure of. The optimist in me never really thinks things will get that bad, I like being an optimist it is a better position to live and function from, but it may not be realistic who knows!

But regardless of what protest might be in taking place downtown, my usual life marches along out here in the 'burbs. It is the season for ridiculous busyness and many good deeds, and as much as I enjoy it I also can't wait for it to draw to a close and release the pressure. This week alone has a big wedding of a dear friend, Thanksgiving, and the annual Christmas Fair all of which involve preparation (organizing sloppy joe donations, dress alterations, and group menu planning) oh yeah and there is work like writing a bible study on whether or not God changes his mind, practicing music with kids, trying to find sponsors or money to make 500 Christmas presents for African kids, and looking for a new director of various ministries ...

This year I am determined though to plan out my time so that I can establish Christmas tradition and routine with Caleb. I have scheduled a day off for making cookies for Caleb and friends to decorate at a different time (lesson learned last year that baking and decorating can not be done on the same day... frustrating for child and mother), We will get x-mas stuff out and house decorated quickly after T-Giving so that we can get the advent stuff out ON TIME and started.

I am thinking about sending out last years Christmas letter and card which is still sitting here, not much has changed, Caleb looks a bit older but that is a minor detail! So don't be shocked if you get one :)

Looking forward to Dad's visit and looking for ideas of what adventure to go on this time. Thinking about heading to Mt. Sinai in search of POSSIBLE snow sighting, its not likely but we if we are ever to see it, then we at least need to put ourselves in a place where it could happen. Caleb is begging!

Here is a pic of him with missing tooth, our first! looking forward to many others :) Also a shot of santa's elves working on painting reindeer's for the bazaar.

A quick check in to say "Hi!" I am going into work late today as I attempted to sleep in but to no avail. I find myself in a bit of a tired rut having difficulty getting a good nights sleep on a regular basis. Monday is a very long day as I teach my bible study in the morning and again at night, but it usually follows on the heel of a late Sunday night (or more often an early Monday morning) as I try and finish up my lesson. I need to find a new rhythm besides the last minute panic that I am accustomed to.

I am doing another retreat this weekend for Third Culture Kids (TCK's) which is basically what all the expat kids are here but this retreat isn't primarily for my church group but rather for MK's from around the Middle East, kids whose parent's do ministry in a somewhat secretive fashion. We get them together every few years and try and create an environment where they can talk openly about their upbringing and some of the stresses and strains. The last time I did it, 7 years ago, we had an interesting mix some kids very expatty, as in American but living in another culture and others had really assimilated into the culture in which they were being raised. It makes for interesting discussion! Kids are coming from Sudan, Jordan and Yemen and a lot of them have observed this "Arab Spring" from a unique perspective. I am not the main in charge person so that helps, Caleb will go along and hopefully we will have some fun time together as well. It is the big Eid weekend which is the 40 days past Ramadan when the do the animal slaughter...won't be missing that sight!

Fall is really in the air and that is exciting, we had a definite temp change and that puts everyone in a festive mood! November will be busy as I have our big Christmas Bazaar event where we sell sloppy joes and this year gumbo as well, Thanksgiving and a wedding of a dear friend and old youth group kid. I am also in charge of a big fundraiser called "Takin it to the Streets" where we make 700 Christmas boxes for the students of the 2 African Refugee Schools we support as a church. SO if any of ya'll have interest in participating let me know :) Each box has practical stuff like school supplies, hygienic things, a toy, candy we will do a big party in Dec. and Santa will hand out the boxes.

Caleb is doing well and happy and growing! We pulled out his winter wardrobe and everything JUST fits but he can't grow a centimeter! he is such a long leggy kid! He really does look like a Widener in that sense, actually I always think he has more Widener traits than I, with his dark color, curly dark hair he and my brother Jeff's kids could easily be related. He is working on learning to ride his bike and hoping for a gameboy or some type of hand held game device for Christmas. If anyone has recommendations on which type I am open to hear as I know NOTHING about such things.

OK off to work and a new day