Getting Ready

Our summer here in the USA is winding down, and we're left with a few days of busyness before we head to the great State of Kuwait. There's a checklist full of things to do, including a lot of last-minute quality time with our friends and family. I'm actually very excited to get back to Kuwait and begin a routine that includes more than waking up at 9a.m. everyday, drinking two cups of coffee, and packing and unpacking a suitcase. At least, that's what it seems like I do everyday, besides driving to one place or another. Chris and I are both looking forward to the new school year and the traveling adventures that we may have, as well as spending some time with a friend of ours who is going to teach in Kuwait for the first time. We've been brushing up on our Arabic, too, which I hope to put to good use this year!

There are so many things that we'd love to do before we leave this weekend, but unfortunately, we aren't robots who can operate on little to no sleep at night. Well, I'm not, but I can't speak for Chris. In a time when I am getting little sleep and I'm found with mixed emotions, I'm reminded of this scripture, which was also shared at our church on Sunday:

Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." ESV

We are so thankful for this season of rest that we've had, and pray for God's peace as we deal with the joys and sorrows of transitioning into the next.

Florida 2011 Photos

We have two sites that have photos from all of our travels, simply because there are a lot of them. If you haven't yet, be sure to see them both. We still need to update them with pictures from our trips to Syria and Greece in the Spring, but that probably won't happen until we get back to Kuwait.

2008-Spring 2010
Summer 2010-2011

In the meantime, here are some photos from the Shankle family vacation to New Smyrna Beach this summer. Florida '11

Tew family photos

Taking portrait shots of people is always interesting, especially if they include little kids. That is a slight understatement when it comes to my 3 yr old nephew and 18mth old niece. My sister asked me to take some pictures of her family while we were on vacation in Florida, and here are just a few that I thought reflected the dynamic of the family well...

I did get some good ones, which I will post with the rest of them as soon as I'm done editing.

Florida '11

We're headed back to our home base after a week of awesome vacation in Florida. Pictures and updates will follow the 16 hours of driving if I make it.

Moore State Park

Another afternoon hike and picnic in Central Mass

The New England Outdoors

I don't know why, but it seems like we always spend most of our time in the outdoors when we're staying at the Freemans' house. We do a lot of walking, hiking, and water sports which we don't always do other places, probably because of the close proximity for doing these activities. All that to say, we've been having a lot of fun finding orange newts, rowing 'til our arms burn, and walking out in the summer sun. We've also been going to some free outdoor concerts over in Worcester, like the ones that the Massacusetts Symphony Orchestra does on Saturday evenings. Thankfully, we've had some pretty good weather lately.

Summer Visiting and at the Freemans'

Last Sunday, Chris and I had the privilege of hanging out with a family we know from Kuwait. I taught a girl in 1st Grade this past year whose family frequents the U.S. on summer vacation. Her dad studied at Penn State and Pitt and lived in the U.S. for something like 12 years, so the family was visiting friends in the Pittsburgh area. Since her mom and I struck up a great acquaintance during the school year, we said we'd try to see each other when they came, so we did! We took a ride on the Gateway Clipper, had shakes at the Hard Rock in Station Square, and ate lunch at the Grandview Saloon (formerly Coal Hill Steakhouse) on Mt. Washington. All in all, I would say it was a great day, except for the elderly gentleman who somewhat impolitely told us we talk too loudly. I guess there are some things you can't leave in the Arab world...

So far this summer, we've been busy dog-sitting, baby-sitting, and reading, and probably an equal amount of running around Indiana to visit and enjoy time with our friends there. This week, we also headed out to our friend Emily's, who will be coming to teach in Kuwait this school year. She taught in Taiwan for a few years and wanted a change, so we emailed back and forth a  few hundred times about teaching in Kuwait. She'll be coming in the fall, so her family graciously had us over for dinner and picked our brains about living there and in the region. I think that's the most I've ever discussed Kuwait while being outside of it, so it was fun.

Yesterday, we drove to the greater Boston area to visit Chris' family for a few weeks. We missed out on our home church's Open House, which let the public come in and check out the new building before the first Sunday service takes place this Sunday, July 3rd. If you have a chance and are in the area, you should go see what it's like. Sunday Services are at 10am, and from what I hear, they have an awesome new children's ministry area if you have little ones. You can see more about who they are here.

Our friend, Kyle, came up from Michigan today to spend a few days with us and see the area over the 4th of July weekend. He taught in Kuwait with us in 2008-09 and will be coming back there this coming school year for another round as well. We're excited to catch up and do some adventuring, including the 4th of July Spectacular, the Sam Adam's Brewery, and kayaking- all some of our favorite things to do in New England.

I'll be checking in periodically throughout the next three weeks, but I can't make any promises!