In the land of sand storms, gentle people, and contradictions, my family has been given unique opportunities for learning, loving & living.
I believe there are no accidents, so having Sarah join us in the Kingdom brings a curriosity of "what is the lesson or the gift or the adventures that await her?" The adventures have already begun for Sarah & I get the pleasure of living vicariously. She has been scuba diving in the red sea, visiting Jordan, and meeting so many people from varied cultures that I have lost count. She has a blog, http://sarahtravelingteacher.blogspot.com/
where she writes her thoughts, reflections & adventures. She inspires, challenges & creates in a way that make a person want to read more. There seems to be "never enough" when one reads what Sarah writes.
Hubby-Bubby, Craig Parker, is into his second year of teaching math & science to ninth grade students. He finds it to be the most challenging work he has ever done & the most rewarding -- trite but true. He continues to write on his book & publish Raider Football articles (his most passionate endeavor). His greatest gift is in loving. He knows how to love his wife, his daughter and his friends in a way that leaves no doubt.
Next adventure: Sri Lanka & most of India in December, we hope. We are challenged daily with visas, banking, going anywhere during Ramadan (most things are closed until 9 p.m. when we are close to sleepy time) and our own limitations.
What I have learned:
- Saudis are friendly, shy, and generous.
- Because an Arab student seems to speak English fluently, they don't. Words and phrases that seem commonplace to an American have never been heard before by them & they are confused but too intimidated to ask the meanings.
- We think we are patient until we live and work in a foreign land - then we have an opportunity to learn greater patience.
- Wiring money correctly from another country takes many months and many tries before success is found.
- Wanting to be a better person & being a better person are quite different matters.
- I don't get upset anymore at things I cannot control. When the bladder/bowel become the issue it will challenge those "accepting what I cannot control" philosophies of mine.
- The difficulty of changing myself into a person who only speaks well of others, is not vain, finds humility, & doesn't take everything personally.
- I HAVE A LOT TO LEARN and I'M RUNNING OUT OF TIME!!!
