Easter 2018

This is really belated, but wanted to share about our Easter here in Jordan. The American and Jordanian Easter holidays were one week apart this year, and this year we celebrated on the Jordanian Easter because that is when our church observes. The weeks leading up to Easter, we read the Easter story, and colored eggs.

The week before Easter, the Embassy had an egg hunt for the kids and a delicious brunch afterwards.

In  typical fashion, Benjamin wanted to take a picture with the Easter bunny, and Caleb wanted to have nothing to do with him!

On the Jordanian Easter, our church does baptisms at the Jordan River. We have been away on Easter the last couple of years, so we were happy to be able to be there this year. 

The baptism location is down the river from where you go as a tourist. It's across from the new Russian Orthodox church.

It was extra special because a couple of our friends' children were baptized. We started the service with worship music.

The people being baptized professing their faith in Jesus Christ.

Our friends' children being baptized, Scarlett and Ali. Everyone shared an individual testimony, then went down to the river.

Scarlett being baptized by her dad/our Pastor Greg.

Ali being baptized.

Closing worship music.

After the service, we had fellowship by the river and enjoyed some snacks to celebrate the occasion.

One of the ladies made a cake of the Empty Tomb.

The kids enjoyed playing with the muddy rocks and building ancient cities by the river.

Getting cleaned up in the muddy waters.

It is truly amazing that Jesus was baptized in these waters so long ago, and to witness others give their lives to Him. I am thankful for the sacrifices He made for us long, long ago. Our Savior is not dead, He is risen!

Baby girl at 21.5 weeks

We had a 4D sonogram today, which is standard in Jordan at this point in the pregnancy. At 21.5 weeks, baby girl is about the size of a large carrot and weighs around 1 pound. She started kicking a lot and Nathan felt it the other night and boys hopefully soon. We took the boys to this appointment and they loved seeing sister dance in my belly! Thankful for a good appointment today.

Dead Sea Fun

This past weekend, we went to the Dead Sea for a night away. We surprised the boys and took them after their baseball game, and they were very excited about the surprise. The weather was beautiful and water felt great, though it was a little chilly. We usually get in the sea first thing, then spend the rest of the day at the pools.

The first day Benjamin didn't want to get in, but he enjoyed playing in the shallow area.

Caleb has become a lover of floating and swimming in the Dead Sea!

Even baby girl got in on the action!

The second day, we all went in. But first Caleb and dad went for a swim out far.

Here comes Benjamin...

And all of us :)

The boys completed two challenges that day - a swim in the sea, and a swim in the cold pool, so they got ice cream as a treat :). The main pool and kiddie pool were heated, but the other pools (to include the one with the water slide) were not...but the boys and Nathan still went down several times. They are ready for the polar plunge!

There was  really swanky wedding at the hotel that night. The boys really wanted to go, but he had to explain we weren't invited. But, since it was outside, we were able to watch from a far.

On the way back to our rooms, we caught a belly dance show at one of the outside restaurants. She was really good and we enjoyed watching for a while.

Lots, lots, lots of pool time and swimming :).

It was a fun night away and we are always glad to visit this amazing place! We left with enough time to drop our stuff at home and get changed for Easter service at church. Easter post coming next...

Springtime at Jerash

This past weekend, we went to Jerash one day. It's been well over a year since we had been there, so we were long overdue for a visit. And, it was our first time visiting in the spring, and we had gorgeous weather! Entrance to Jerash at Hadrian's Gate.

The Oval Plaza. You can't tell from this picture, but Jerash was packed with people, more than we have ever seen. It was so good to see because Jordan has really been struggling with tourism for the past few years. We had to park in a separate lot because there were so many tour busses where we usually park.

Attempt at a family picture:)

This time Caleb and I both counted 62 columns total...

Next stop was the South Theater. I thought I took videos, but apparently they did not record.

Such a neat place!

Everything is so green this time of year, and there are little yellow and white wild flowers popping up all around.

Love these two!

View of the Oval Plaza from a hill.

An old colonnaded road. A fews things I love about Jerash are how the new city sits amongst the ruins, how well the ruins are preserved, and that it is only about 40 minutes from our house!

Caleb has such a great imagination, and he was making pictures out of clouds in the sky. This was a bird, and he found dragons, snakes, pirate ships, and all kinds of things throughout the day. It was such an awesome cloud day!

More ruins...

Temple of Artemis

Starting the trek down to the main Roman road. I think we counted about 79 stairs down.

View of the North Gate. All the times we visited, we never made it this far back. It's amazing what a little over one year can do for the boys walking ability. They hiked all over the park, and did not complain at all!

First time at the North Theater. You enter from the top and get this amazing view of the theater and city.

Starting the walk back to the entrance.

Love, love, love ;).

We stopped at the craft area on the way out, and got the boys each a pair of binoculars.

Our final stop was a delicious Lebanese restaurant for lunch, then headed home. It was a fun day!

Special Friends

One of the hardest things about living abroad is being far away from family. Being overseas, we have met many special friends that become our family, but it is sad when we have to say goodbyes. Last week, two special families left Jordan. Dan and Cathie arrived in Jordan around the same time as us, and we got to know them well the past couple of years. They were always so kind to our family and we will miss them, but hoping to see them if we make it to Maine or Northern Florida in the coming years!

Eric and Heidi have been very good friends of ours the past couple of years, and baby Ezra came into the world back in January. Eric was the Youth Pastor in our church, a great leader, and good friend to many.  They had to leave before we were all hoping, but they are settling in with his family in California, and we are excited to see what God has in store for them next.

We are so thankful for these Godly friendships and fun memories together!