It's not a choice!

Here's a terrific post by The Rebellious Pastor's Wife.

Enjoy!

Party Time!

Tonight a friend from work had a party. If you've never partied with Arabic women, you don't know what you're missing. No men, no alcohol...some people would think that's boring. Not at all. The hijabs come off, the hair comes down, the cleavage comes out...and a good time's had by all.

I can just say that I really hope my friend's neighbors really like her.

One of the disadvantages of being a veiled woman

A few years ago I began teaching here in Kuwait. Many of the students have mothers who are veiled. I only see their faces during parent-teacher conferences since there are no men present.

My friend made the comment to me that she wondered how the kids all seemed to know which veiled woman was their mother. Now not all women wear the same loose, flowing abeya. Some are very fashionable with beautiful decoration and that would be recognizable, or perhaps the purse she carries, etc. But I think it must be the eyes, the way of walking/standing. How a woman carries herself, covered or not, can say a lot about who she is.

I have a friend who covers. She's the pharmacist at the clinic where the kids and I go whenever we catch the Kuwaiti crud or have ear infections, etc. (BTW, if any of you need any children's Panadol, just let me know. Every time we go they automatically prescribe some. I could open my own pharmacy with that stuff alone.) I've been tutoring her boys. We've been friendly a while, always chatting. She's the one I mentioned a few weeks ago that got the kids in to see the dentist when I left a couple of IDs at home. I finally got to see what she looks like. And she's as cute as I thought she was. I'll have to tell you about her boys sometimes. They're antsy, they bicker, they get us off the subject constantly, and I love 'em to pieces. I have a blast over there.

Anyway, I'm sure there are distinct disadvantages to being a veiled woman. Not the least of which is this. I can honestly say I've never heard of something like this happening before.

She’s mine… she’s mine; Fisticuffs in row over ‘veiled’ wives

Ash Wednesday and National Day-what a combination!

Today is Ash Wednesday. Today Christians around the world are told, "remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return." I went to Salmiya Souk today on an errand. As I passed through the food court I saw a Phillipino couple sitting at a table with ashes on their foreheads. I almost stopped by and said, "Ah, you went to church today!" I wish now that I had. Solidarity is a good thing.

We had our Ash Wednesday service at the vicar's house tonight. It started at 7:30 and we were warned in our e-mail to allow plenty of time since traffic in Ahmadi is heavy during this holiday. No, not Ash Wednesday. Today is National Day (celebrating Kuwait's independence from Great Britain) and tomorrow is Liberation Day (celebrating Kuwait's liberation from Iraq). It's customary for children and *adults* to run around spraying cars with spray foam. They also spray from their cars. I regretted leaving all the cans of foam that Baba left in our bathroom at home. It was a quick trip from our house to the exit off the highway for this home. But that's all the good time we made. The rest of it was a slow crawl. The car was rather foamy by the time we got there.

The service was good and had just started when the Peanuts and I got there. The Diva wanted ashes too but the Little Prince didn't. One of these days he'll want them. We had fellowship afterward and a good chat. If you saw our vicar's bookshelf you'd think he was Muslim. Nothing like being prepared if you're going to live in a Muslim country.

On the way home we were creeping along again. These boys were running down the sidewalk and stopped to wave at the Peanuts. They bother to spray us though. They were covered in foam...probably had sprayed each other more than any cars. They went on ahead of us and did something to an SUV about 2-3 cars ahead of us. I don't know what it was but all of a sudden they took off running back behind us to their SUV. The driver of the SUV they did something to got out of his car and went running after them. He was a rather large man...not someone I'd want to have chasing me. And he was ticked! He chased them and kept them from closing their door. Their dad got out and went around to "talk" to him. The driver of the SUV in front us got out and went back to try to break things up. Finally they returned to their cars...the big guy was calmer but still ticked.

We left their house about 9 and got home around 10. Normally it takes MUCH less time than that. I'm thinking tomorrow I'm staying home after dark...unless I'm armed with some of that blue foam spray in my bathroom.

Please pray for Baba and his family back in Lebanon. His father passed away Sunday night from an apparent heart attack. His funeral was today. The Boss went with his dad on this trip. He was so happy to know that his father wanted him along and he was the only one to go. This is the only trip he and his dad have ever taken together.

Polycarp of Smyrna

Today in the Treasury of Daily Prayer we're remembering Polycarp of Smyrna. Today's writing is from Valerius Herberger.

Polycarp means a Christian who bears much fruit. This is a true, Christian name, for the Lord Jesus said in John 15:16, "I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide." For them, the noble seed of the Holy Gospel falls on good ground; they hear the Word and keep it in a good heart and bring forth fruit in patience (Luke 8:16). This Polycarp was a disciple and diligent hearer of John the apostle and evangelist, and he called the heretic Marcion, who met him once, a "child of the devil" without any fear. You see, no one should betray the truth with silence. When people demanded that he deny the Christian religion, he said, "For eighty-six years I have served Christ, and He has never injured me. Therefore how could I curse and blaspheme my King, who has given me salvation?" When he was ninety years old, people wanted to burn him. In the midst of the fire, he prayed, "O God, the Father of Your Son, Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of You, the maker of all creation, I call upon You, I confess You, that You are true God; I glorify You because of the high priset, Your beloved Son, with the Holy Spirit; recieve me and make me a sharer in the resurrection of Your saints. Amen." Now since the fire spared him, as it did for the three confessors in Daniel 3:23, he was stabbed with a sword. Three days previously, he had dreamed that his pillow was burning; from this he quickly concluded that he would sit in the fire and would sweat. Dreams that cause us to pray and pursue Christian devotion, for which we also have clear admonitions in God's Word, are not to be despised.

Welcome to the modern world

Kuwait’s divorce rate highest in the world after US, say experts

KUWAIT CITY, Feb 20: Kuwait is second to the US in the rate of divorce cases in the whole world, reports Al-Qabas daily quoting participants at a seminar organized by the Family Security Society recently under the slogan “Divorce Cases.” No details were provided. Dr Khadija Al-Mahmed explained the society is focusing on maintaining family stability in the country. She said the society has compiled comprehensive files on regulating the rights of workers and sponsors to protect maintain family security, which were presented to the Council of Ministers. Disclosing the society has opened a file for forgotten Kuwaiti women, Al-Mahmed affirmed “we approached several authorities without causing any media uproar in the country. Many children are victims of broken homes. I am still confused whether our problems lie in the constitutional provisions or the implementation of the law.” Sons threaten to shoot father for marrying another woman KUWAIT CITY : Police are looking for four unidentified youths for threatening to kill their father, reports Al-Rai daily. According to a security source the father recently got married to an Egyptian woman and the children did not approve of the marriage. They even told their father to divorce the woman, but the man refused and stood his ground. The foursome then, armed with guns, barged into the man’s apartment at an unidentified location and threatened to shoot the father and his wife. When the father screamed for help the sons escaped. A complaint has been filed at the Ardhiya Police Station.

Angels Help Our Troops In IRAQ ?

You have to watch this! You won't believe where he baptizes people!

Remembering Luther

Today in the Lutheran church (among others) Martin Luther is remembered as doctor and confessor. He died on 18 February 1546 in Eisleben, Germany. In honor of his life and work in reforming the church, placing emphasis on the biblical truth that God declares us righteous by grace through faith alone for Christ's sake...not in response to something we say or do or "decide", here is an excerpt from his writing. The following is from the Treasury of Daily Prayer.

Here you can see what it means to believe. It may indeed seem an easy matter, but it is in fact a high and great art. Therefore when you feel your sin, when your bad conscience smites you, or when persecution comes, then ask yourself whether you really believe. At such times one is wont to run to saints and helpers in cloisters and in the desert for succor and relief, crying: "O my dear man, intercede for me! O dear saint, help me! O let me live! I promise to become pious and to do many good works." That is how a terrified conscience speaks. But tell me, where is faith? If you believe in the words of Christ, "None of them is lost whom Thou hast given Me" (John 17:12), then, as a Christian, you must say: "I acknowledge no saint here. I am a poor sinner deserving of death; but in defiance of sin and death I cling to Thee, and I will not let Thee go. I have taken hold of Thee, dear Lord Christ. Thou art my Life, and this is the Father's will, that all who adhere to Thee have eternal life and be raised from the dead. In the meantime let my fate be what it will. I may be beheaded or burned at the stake." No other life-whether it be called the monastic life or the life of St. Augustine or of St. John the Baptist-will arm a person for victory. Only faith in Christ can do so. -Martin Luther

Eternal Life

Enjoy, folks!




Also, for some good explanation of St. Valentine's Day, check out THIS.

A Sad Obituary...is there any other kind?

Obituary printed in the London Times........

Interesting, and sadly rather true

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense,
who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old
he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic
red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable
lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; Why the early
bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my
fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend
more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not
children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but
overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old
boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens
suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a
teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his
condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing
the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining
their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental
consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but
could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted
to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became
businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their
victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from
a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed
to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled
a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and
Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility,
and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I'm A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Light haze my foot!

Today I had an appointment to get my hair colored.

I took the kids to school and it was really dusty. Last spring was bad for dust storms because of the lower than normal rainfall last winter. This winter it's barely rained at all. On one good downpour very early in the season and that's it. The rest of the rain is been more drizzle at very inconvenient times. I have a girl with very bad asthma in my class. She already misses 1-2 days of school a week, sometimes more. I may never see the poor little thing again!

I had a little less than an hour after getting home this morning before I had to leave for Y's house for
my appointment so I checked mail, etc. I thought I'd pay a visit to my regular weather place to check out what they were saying about it. Light haze. Yep, that's right, light haze. Does this look like light haze to you?!




















































I took these pics on the way home. It was worse leaving than arriving. As I drove down the 30 I thought I'd snap a quick pic for you to see. Then I noticed it getting worse. Then worse. So 3 pics on the way home.

I've also included a pic of the floor downstairs. The harees in our building takes excellent care of the place. Every few days the floor gets mopped to keep the dust down. He must really hate this time of year.



















Driving in a dust storm is interesting. You get the traffic and visibility of a snowstorm but with much better traction. I'd much rather drive in this, thank you. Not as pretty to look at once you're home though.

Well, was it worth it? Oh, yes!

Kafta

Stacy has been asking me about Kafta. I have to say I've never barbequed it. I've eaten it that way...cooked by someone else. Here's a recipe for it that I found in my cookbook. Stacy, compare it to the one you have.

Barbequed Kafta

1 1/2 lbs. ground lean beef or lamb 1/4 tsp. cayenne
1 medium onion (grated) 1/4 tsp. allspice
1/2 c. parsley (finely chopped) 1/4 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 tsp. salt

Metal or wooden skewers may be used. Combine and mix all ingredients well. Take a small amount from the mixture and wrap around the length of the skewer, pressing firmly. Cook over charcoal. Do not overcook.

Serve with hummous, yogurt-cucumber salad, Tabouli, or inside pita pockets.

I've noticed in restaurants that the meat isn't very thick on the skewers. Play around until you have the right amount to wrap around the skewer without being too heavy.

The Kafta I've made before are:

Kafta-Potato Bake

2 lbs. ground lean beef or lamb 4 medium potatoes
1 medium onion (finely chopped) 1/4 c. tomato paste
1/2 c. parsley (finely chopped) 2 cups water
2 tsp. salt dash salt
1/4 tsp. pepper dash cinnamon
1/4 tsp. allspice

Set oven to 350F. Thoroughly mix first 6 ingredients. Spread mixture into a greased 9x12 inch baking pan.

Peel potatoes and slice into 1/2 inch thick slices and place evenly on top of meat layer.

Blend the tomato paste with water and pour over the potato layer. Sprinkle a dash of salt and cinnamon over potatoes. Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until meat is cooked.

Serve with rice pilaf.

OR

Egg-Stuffed Kafta Roll

2 1/2-3 lbs. ground lean beef or lamb 2 tsp. salt
1 medium onion (grated) 1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup parsley (finely chopped)
1/4 tsp. allspice 6 eggs (hard boiled and peeled)

Set oven at 350F.

Combine and thoroughly mix first six ingredients. Divide meat into two sections, flattening each into approximately 3/4 inch thickness, keeping the meat in a rectangle shape. Sprinkle half of the parsley across the top of each. Place 3 eggs across the length of the rectangle over the parsley and roll (as in jelly roll). Wet hands and smooth the outside well, sealing the edges all over. Place in buttered pan side by side.

Bake for approx. 1 hour, or until meat is cooked through.

To serve, cut into 1 inch thick slices. Serve with salads, or Hummous.

Sahtayn!

Neverending conflict...or so it seems

While there is finally a cease-fire, the strife is far from over. Terrorists continue to cause trouble, using their people as an excuse. If they gave a hoot about their people they'd knock it off. Israel continues to bomb Palestinians to pieces, with no regard as to whether or not they support the terrorists, or how young they are. They don't care if they're Muslim or Christian, young or old. For them it's about the land. Period. Yes, they have the right to defend themselves, but stealing land from people who've farmed it for generations is not a method of defense. It's theft, pure and simple. Both sides are after the money and power. Neither side cares about the people they claim to be defending. "Their" people are just the excuse for their atrocious behavior. Quite frankly the powers that be on both sides need to have their fat rears locked in a small dark room to fight it out amongst themselves and the winner gets a lifetime of privacy while they're replaced by people who give a damn from both sides. OK, that's my 100 fils on the subject.



Here is an article I found about Christians in Palestine, specifically Lutheran Christians.

While the article is mainly about Lutheran Christians, some of the comments made could certainly apply to Christians of any flavor. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Baba!

Today we went out to our favorite restaurant to celebrate Baba's birthday. It was just a tad windy. Those umbrellas in the top picture? When a good gust of wind came up at least one umbrella would tip over and blow across the restaurant. So when you felt the wind pick up, time to look up and get ready to catch an umbrella. The Boss was in charge of pictures today and he did a really good job, didn't he? Are you hungry yet?

Finally

We finally made it back to church today...for the second time this year!

The first time we missed it was because the Little Prince was sick. The next weekend the Diva had had fever too and a cough, the Boss had had some fever and headaches, and I was starting to feel a little under the weather too. The Little Prince was still coughing (still is even now, but not as bad) so I decided not to infect the whole church. Easy thing to do, by the way, since we meet in the basement of this villa and it's a bit cramped.

Last weekend we were all healthy but were invited to a friend's farm. So we skipped church and went straight to heaven. The fresh air and the good food, good company,...yep, it was worth it.

Today we were back, the Peanuts were pretty well-behaved. The Diva colored in her coloring book almost the whole time. The Little Prince really should have brought a couple of toys along because he got tired of coloring but even so, it could have been worse. The Boss sat with some friends and the Peanuts were fine with that. They didn't want to join them until after Communion. Since Sunday School is during the service they didn't notice he was with them until they walked by on their way up. So the Peanuts went to join them and I didn't hear them causing trouble so I guess they behaved.

They got some birthday presents this week. They're birthday isn't until next month but they got to open them anyway. One of the Little Prince's gifts was the Thing. We're going to watch the movie tomorrow after he finishes his homework.

Baba and I played a game of Monopoly with the Boss to night. Baba won...no surprise there. What was surprising was that I did so well for so long. Of course, I made the stupid mistake of trading a property of mine for two of his. Big, stupid mistake. Never again. From now on I play as cutthroat as he does.

Small world

Yesterday I went to the dentist at the ministry clinic. He was young (looked like he'd graduated the day before), Kuwaiti, and spoke very good English. He asked where I was from and I said, "America". He asked what state and I said, "Missouri". He said, "No way!" Most people ask me what state and have no idea where Missouri is. I have to tell them where it is and they're still lost. He not only had heard of it he'd lived there. He'd gone to UMKC. Cool!

After he was done I had to get the x-rays. I went to the place he directed me to in Fahaheel. I couldn't find it so I went to this other clinic I've gone to (for my foot) and figured they'd know where it was. The doctor there (big office, maybe the guy in charge) got in his Pajero and lead me there! Then I go to the x-ray department and he tells me I have to go to the Adan Dental clinic. (Not even in Fahaheel.) I go there and the x-ray and wait for the film took less than 10 minutes. {sigh}

In the afternoon I took the kids back to the clinic for their check-ups. I buy the little stamps and realize that I have the Boss's civil ID but not the Peanuts'. So I start to walk out the door. I've made friends with one of the pharmacists. She's a sweet Kuwaiti lady who covers so I've never seen her face, but we love to chat whenever we see each other. She sees us walking out the door and comes to fuss at me for leaving without saying HI to her. I told her we'd be back. I'd left the kids' IDs at home. She says, "Never mind" and takes us upstairs. She talks to the guy and he says he needs the doctor's permission. I show him the Boss's ID and so at least he was "legal". The other two on file somewhere so it wasn't like we shouldn't have been treated anyway.

So we sat to wait. Actually, I sat, the Boss kept trying to go to sleep, and the Peanuts did everything BUT sit down. At least the couple behind us was enjoying them. LOL

The Little Prince gets called in first but we all go in. No way am I leaving 2/3 of my kids in that waiting room! This dentist was about the same age as the one I saw that morning and spoke very English as well. I told him about the conversation I had with the other one and he said, "You're kidding!" They were classmates. Not only that, but he's been to Springfield! He did a week's rotation there and loved it. (He obviously has excellent taste.)

Vacation!

I'm out of school for 2 weeks! Whoohoo!

I'm enjoying taking the kids to school in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon. I get to visit with parents after school while the twins and I wait for the Boss to get out. Sunday it rained in the morning and kept spitting for most of the afternoon. While we waited for the Boss the little ones just couldn't understand the words "stay out of the puddles". Finally the Little Prince rolled his pant legs up until they were up to his knees. Unfortunately it was after he'd gotten the ankles muddy.

Yesterday they had their school photos taken so they had haircuts Sunday night. I have to say they looked adorable.

This past weekend we went to a friend's farm for the day. It's about 5 km from the border with Iraq. I even got an sms from my mobile carrier welcoming to Iraq and giving me a number to call in an emergency. Sure, if I get in trouble in Iraq I'll call my mobile company. The picture in the post below was taken on the way up there as we passed the exit to one of the U.S. bases here.

The kids had a blast. There were chickens, ducks, turkeys, sheep, goats, a camel. I felt like I'd left Kuwait. The air was fresh! Fresh air in Kuwait! Can you believe it?! We even were given 4 ducks. Still living. Where to put them? After spending the night in the cat's crate in the bathroom two ended up in the freezer and 2 were dinner Saturday night. Everyone but the Little Prince tried them. He refused. Two days later he had a bad dream about a duck. LOL Maybe by the time we get around to eating the other two he'll be brave. Or we might just tell him they're chicken. ;) I'm just glad I don't have a vegetarian on my hands.

Sunday Baba and I went to buy cat food and get an oil change. Then we went to a Jordanian restaurant for lunch. Yum! Falafel, hummus, foul madammas, this other stuff I forget the name of but it's fried cauliflower and eggplant. I was in heaven. I could use a few more lunch dates with my husband.

This post if kind of all over the place, as is my brain on vacation. To finish, here's a video for you to enjoy. My life for the next two weeks. Enjoy!