Good times...

Archaeological Museum, Istanbul, Turkey 2010 

Make sure you get out and collect some moments...

Happy Weekend!

thought for today...Victory!

Heybeliada Island off the coast of Istanbul, Turkey 2010

Back in late February of 2010, we embarked on what we thought was a routine visa renewal, the lure of cheap airfare and the recommendations of others, led us to Istanbul as the place to wait for our paperwork.  We ended up stuck there in limbo for two and half months.  Just a few weeks into what we thought would be a three week trip at the most...we were dealt a harsh blow.  Tom's work visa would not be renewed and we would no longer be able to live in Russia.  We felt defeated.  We could not understand what God was doing or what direction He was taking us.

All we could do was pray and wait.  

Each day we would leave the dreary little rental apartment to explore as much of Turkey as possible.  We had no idea how long we would be there or if we would ever be in that part of the world again.  So we tried to make the most of this heartbreaking situation.  

On this particular day Spencer and I boarded the ferry to check out Heybeliada Island. 

I packed our guidebook, some snacks, water, and my cellphone, which served as the only camera we had access to on our trip.  I wanted to sit on the beach and read.  Spencer wanted to hike.  Reluctantly I agreed to the hike.  I wanted to stay on the well marked paths.  Spencer wanted to wander off and see what was on the other side of the trees.  

This was the view we were rewarded with for stepping off the path...

Spencer went out even farther than I dared to go.  

His curiosity and desire to experience life to the fullest led him down the mountainside a bit to get closer to the edge of the cliff.  He only stopped because I was screaming my head off for him not to go any further.  

I was still trapped in the limitation of what I could see and what I thought was safe.  

He was 19 years old that day...just three weeks before his 20th birthday.  I am grateful that Spencer forced me off the well worn path and further up the mountainside.  And I am grateful that I got to see his victory stance that day.   

We won't see victory if we are afraid to move beyond our comfort zone.  

Victory for Spencer came as he walked out to edge of that cliff.  He moved slowly... but step by step he went... he raised his arms in triumph...and then went even further forward.  He told me he felt exhilarated and close to God.  I was in awe as I watched our youngest son challenge himself to do more.  

As we made our way around the island I felt challenged to get a bit closer to the edge...

It is by clinging to God, and not our old habits or fears, that we are led to victory.  

May you follow Him all the way to the victory He has for you!

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Galata Tower

Spencer and I had time for one more tourist spot and we chose the Galata Tower also known as Christ's Tower or Lighthouse Tower you can read about it here:http://www.galatatower.net/english/

After the elevator takes you as far as it can go then you have to take the stairs!

The views from the top are to live for!! 


We leave tonight for Russia and should arrive very early tomorrow morning.  Our time here has had its ups and downs but we are truly grateful to have had this experience. Thanks to all for prayed for us!

At last we have visas!

We finally have our visas and will be leaving Istanbul tomorrow!! This has been an unforgettable experience and I am grateful for how it has impacted my life.

Over the past two months of our wait I began the practice of counting the endless gifts that God has blessed our lives with and my list and thoughts are kept here: www.aimingforaquietlife.blogspot.com

You can also join in the community

Krispy Kreme in Istanbul

If you are looking for a Krispy Kreme doughnut this is the mall to go to.  Yep, Subway sandwiches for dinner and doughnuts for dessert.  Worked for me!

New Mosque

Spencer and I visited Yeni Cami or New Mosque today. It was started in 1597 by Safiye, the mother of Mehmet III but was not completed until 1663 by Turhan Hadice, the mother of Mehmet IV.

Entering the courtyard the first thing that struck me was the men washing their feet before going in.  Only the men did this... not the women.

Every one has to take off their shoes to go inside.  Plastic bags were provided to carry your shoes around in.

this is a view of the ceiling

the men prayed near the front and the women stayed behind screens near the back.

close up of one of the wall tiles

Women prayed behind the screened wall on the left of the photo... the people walking around were tourists taking photos like me.

We exited from the side and came out to see more men using the fountains on that side of building to wash before going inside.

As we were leaving the call to prayer was sounding... which means we made it in and out before the crowd hit for prayer time!

Hiking on Heybeliada Island

Spencer and I went on a hike today through the woods on one of the Princes' Islands today. What an adventure! We spent time taking pleasure in the plant life, the cool sea breeze and following paths that gave us the views in the above pictures...enjoy!!

Celebrating Children's Day

When we went out for a walk on Friday we were a little too late to see most of the Children's Day excitement.

However, we did see this little guy still in costume on our street.  The next day he was outside again playing in the same suit.  It reminded me of when my sons were little and one of them only wanted to dress like Batman.

Visa update

Our documents are en route to Washington DC. I cannot remember what plan this is... but it is well beyond A or B. Hopefully, we will have visas in hand to make our flight on the 7th of May.

Please continue praying for us, we are hoping to be back in Krasnodar in time for Tom to walk a fatherless young lady down the aisle on my birthday.

And as we wait I will be counting my blessings... you can read about that here: 1000 Gifts

tragic actor and his sidekick

another visa setback

Our teammates flew to Madrid, Spain to expedite our visa process. Why Spain? The Russian Embassy there had been favorable to many other expats living and working Russia. So we thought this was a sure thing. NOT.

Our friends were told no. This is the first time in five years that an Embassy is denying us because the paperwork says DC and not Spain. What? Our paperwork has said either DC or San Francisco each time we have gone though this process and we have never needed to go to either one of those Embassies to get this done.


They are making another appeal today but we do have back up plans in place. We may have to go back on simple tourist visas. We had hoped to be getting on a plane on Friday... but it looks like we will have to reschedule one more time.

At least we are getting to enjoy extended time with their 4 kids. After two days out and about in Istanbul we settled in today for a Cartoon Network Marathon!

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we wait.

Greenhouse Bookstore, Istanbul

I sent an email to the kind people over at the bookstore and she sent me great directions! We started at Taksim Square, took a bus to Besiktas, and from there walked over to board the ferry to Kadikoy. After a 20 minute ride you land at this station. This is the front of that building. With your back to this building walk to the crosswalk.






















When you are standing at the crosswalk you will see this building directly across the street. Walk to that building and take the sidewalk to the left (just follow the crowd!)






















You will see this Starbucks after you follow that pathway to the next street over... cross to where the Starbucks is and walk to the right of it. Follow that walking street up one 'block'.
























When you reach the intersection you will see this church. Turn right at that street. The street name is Murhurdar Caddesi but knowing that didn't help as there was no street sign there... just turn right at the church!


















Walk up that street until you get to Burger King and turn left.

























And although this photo is shot from other angle you will see the bookstore on the right side of the street about 8 doors up from Burger King!


















Enjoy your time there and trust me it will be worth the effort!!

A write up of the bookstore is located here... It is on the Asian side of Istanbul, and they have the largest selection of books English that we have seen so far. The bonus for us was the wide variety of Christian books. After spending 5 years shopping at a Christian bookstore in Krasnodar with only Russian books to offer this was a real treat to our souls!

Griffin??

Tulip time!!

Burqa style

I love that even though this gal has chosen to wear a burqa she is still showing her personal style with her purple leather jacket and red shoes!

Istanbul Modern

If you get a chance to go to this museum in Istanbul... take it! We had a great afternoon there. It was a bit intimidating because there was so much to see. The cafe is a great place to hang out. The view of the Bosphorus from there is breathtaking. There are also a few benches inside the gallery along the back where you can sit and contemplate the art as well as the waves!

Thursdays are free so we hope to go back again and see the things we missed the first go round!

Easter treats in Istanbul

It takes some leg work but you can find some goodies for kids and adults here to help make your holiday brighter.

We didn't try the chocolate bunnies...however, we found something very tasty and it reminded me of the bread and Easter eggs we had last year when we celebrated Russian Orthodox Easter with our friends Katya and Alexei!