Days in Wadi Musa

Wadi Musa.....

Standing behind Petra mountains 

Matt and I shopping around Wadi Musa...

Wadi Musa at night....

Matt found an instrument.....

Wadi Musa restaurant....

Days that we get in Wadi Musa are defiantly our favorites...

PICTURES!!!!!!!

Me and some other girls getting ready to attend a Bedouin wedding!

Some little girls I met at the wedding...

Here is Elijah! 

  

Here is Noah!!

Here is Hannah!

Here is Josie!!

Matt playing with lil Noah...

Taylor playing with Noah!

Matt and I in a Bedouin Tent...

My first day on with a new job digging...This is how I feel about it...

JUST KIDDDDING I LOVE IT!!!! 

Me and Matt digging together!

Me and Matt with Abu Alie..

Me and Matt at Abu Alie's cave shop....

The last couple of days I have been laying down in a Bedouin tent haha! I have been very sick...

Thank you all family and friends for all your encouragement. I have needed a lot of it the last couple of days...

xoxoxo,

L-E 

New Focus....

James 3:13-18 


¹³Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. ¹⁵Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. ¹⁶For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.


Friends and family please continue to keep me in your prayers!


L-E

“Dance teacher...Dance teacher... Come dance with us “

I HAVE A HELPER!!!!! Wooop wooop! The last couple of days have been a lot easier with Jillian helping me with the four kinds! It is also fun having another adult here to talk to so I don’t feel so lonely. Praise Jesus for that one! The kids still don’t like the thought of someone else taking care of them but as the days go buy they are getting more used to me and now Jillian. So thank you all for your prayers when it comes to this subject!

I got to share my story about how dance is my ministry back at home and how the Lord has used in my life. Kristiana would translate what I was saying so I had to speak very simple and slow. I thought it was going to be a lot harder to use a translator but I was for sure surprised how easy it was. The Lord defiantly spoke for me because there were some things that would not have sounded so smooth. When I was telling my story I realized how much the father has blessed me in so many ways through dance this past year.  After I shared we then all got up and started dancing around in the Bedouin tent. It was so funny when they would make fun of how I dance their style. It is very difficult to move your hips and flick your arms on certain beats like they do. My sister Olivia would by far be a pro! I enjoyed this experience more then I can express. I defiantly felt the Lord in the room with us laughing and smiling at how goofy we all were.

A couple of days ago I got to attend the last day of the Bedouin wedding I went to a few days back. I was still amazed with how many women could fit in one tiny room. This time a lot of the women brought their children so it was amazing to see how many little ones most of them had. I laughed on the inside when several different women came up to me giving me a hug and a kiss saying “Dance teacher….Dance Teacher come dance with us “(of course in their own language that I could barley understand) I felt very special.  Closer to the end of the party we had some food be brought out to us with lots of rice and chicken we all would share with our hands. I about threw up when I realized we were sharing one paper cup with water and by the time it was handed to I know was just all backwash hee hee =) Dad and Mom I drank it ;-) I felt very lucky to be able to attend a village wedding here in Jordan. It was defiantly a memory I won’t forget!

Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit uses us to speak the truth to these people.

Much love,

L-E 

Bedouin wedding.

Yesterday was long with the kids 7 hours in the morning till lunch time but we defiantly kept busy with several different activities. We had story time, played lots of toys, made popsicles, played baseball outside and many other random things…. I have been babysitting for several years not alone being the oldest of six Sanders kids but this I think will stretch me to its core. Its defiantly difficult taking care of 4 kids that have never had anyone else take care of them and also being raised completely different then I have. So saying all this without further details please pray for me daily because I have the kids 7 hours a day. My biggest prayer is that I don’t allow myself to get overly frustrated but to shower the kids with as much love that I can. I haven’t had a full days break from the kids since I got here so please pray that I don’t get overwhelmed.

Okay enough of that!  Yesterday evening I got to attend a Bedouin wedding…. Well  kinda haha! Here in Jordan they celebrate weddings in three days. I got to attend one part of the wedding where the women that are invited get together and celebrate with the Bride. You would think it would be just like a shower back in the states but it is TOTALLY different… When we drove up to the place this get together was held I could not believe the amount of women that fit in this one room…. There were at least 250. I found a seat and sat for a little while nodding and smiling at the several different women looking at me. Kinda made me feel like some sort of celebrity haha! Closer to the end of our visit the sister of the bride came over and asked if I would go up and dance with them…. Just in case friends and family back at home didn’t know I am not usually the type to get up and go boogie with all five of my others siblings out on the dance floor at a wedding back in the states. At first I said “oh its okay I will learn and watch from you guys” of course that did not work so I said a little prayer to Jesus that I could copy them good enough…. It was a lot easier then I thought. You do a lot of shackin the booty and twistin those wrists! I was cracking up at myself and the different dance moves I was learning. So fun! I loved being able to teach them some moves we do back in America they loved it! So family back at home you would be proud of me!

Right before we left I had a 17 year old girl who knew a little bit of English came up to me. Her name I believe was Arola , she was very interested in me I could tell in her eyes. We had small talk at first why was I here in Jordan, What was I doing in Jordan, Where I lived in the states, and her biggest question was when we could have tea. She also got her camera out to take pictures. I really enjoyed talking to her and hope to have tea with her soon! Arola asked for my email so hopefully it will happen! Please pray for her to find the father while she lives in a Muslim home.

Thank you friends and family for the comments and your prayers. It encourages me to hear from you all!

Much love,

L-E

Update on the last 2 days

Hello everyone!

I thought I would write about the last couple of days. The first day I took care of my special friends Elijah and Noah. I must say it was a lot more difficult then I had imagined.  Both boys were not very happy that I was taking mommy’s place for a couple of hours. Closer to the afternoon Hannah and Josie stopped by to play with us. I will be taking care of them also for the next three weeks. Hannah is almost 4 and Josie is 2 so all four kids are very close in age. The first day I had all of them I was very overwhelmed. None of the kids have ever had someone else take care of them so a shocker for sure. Not only for the kids but me also.  After that day was over I was a little bit scared that the next couple of weeks were not going to be very pleasant for me.  Sometimes I wonder why I let my mind think what is happening to me I can’t handle. Doesn’t the Father say he won’t give us beyond what we can bare? I think so! After talking to both mommies I think life here will be a lot easier when I get a special helper! Please pray for me to have extra strength and patience.

 Yesterday I got a tour of one of the castles here in Jordan. That was beautiful and amazing to hear all of the history that took place right where I was standing. It was also amazing to look out and see several different Bedouin tents and other sand mountains everywhere.

On our way back from the castle we got to stop by a cave shop that was on the side of the street. You would not believe the things that this man had found and also had made. He gave all the girls in our group free necklaces.  This man you could tell had such a servant’s heart. Who only knew how much it cost him giving at least 10 girls free necklaces. I plan to stop by and buy a rug from him sometime soon! Maybe that will cover some of the cost….

 Closer to the evening we had dinner that was delicious maybe sometime soon I will learn what I am eating so I can share with you all haha! After dinner we all got together and had a worship time that Matt had lead for us. Having time set aside in worship and prayer seeking the Lords wisdom for the days to come was very good I think for all of us.

 Every day here is different so I can’t imagine the stories that are to come. I am very excited to see the council road team that gets here in a couple of days! Stay posted because later I am going to upload some pictures!

Much love,

L-E

"Jesus, You are strong when I am weak"

Wow, family and friends how amazing the last couple of days have been in Jordan. I am not going to lie it has definitely been challenging but such an amazing experience already! The last couple of days I have not felt 100% do to what is called “Vertigo” a sickness that you can get from major jet lag. Woops must not have slept enough on the way here =) There are times during the day I feel very dizzy but water and my Cliff Bar’s are helping! My friends here say they get Vertigo almost every time they come back to Jordan from the USA, so that’s refreshing! Please pray this passes soon because I need extra strength to be able to take care of my special little guys, Noah and Elijah! Jesus reminds me a lot that he is bigger than my flesh and will provide healing soon!


 Thank you for praying for my team while we were traveling. The flights felt like forever and especially the 8 hour layover in Germany. BUT WE MADE IT SAFE AND SOUND! The last couple of days the staff have been very busy cleaning the laboratory and office for Neil before several different teams come in for the archaelogical dig. The boys have been training for the technology part of the dig. While the boys are at the lab I am back with Kristiana and the two little cuties, Noah and Elijah getting to know them better and also being familiar with were all there snacks, crafts, toys and many other things belong. 


 Later in the afternoon today I got to attend a tea visit with Kristiana that was so fascinating. The woman here in Jordan are the most welcoming people. They do so without even saying a word. When I was in the Germany airport there were several woman waiting to get on my flight and EVERY single one of them smiled at me and would nod their heads looking so excited to see me enter their side of the world. Not to bash American woman, but I’m sorry girls, WE DON’T COMPARE….. Makes my heart sad and definitely desire a heart change by the time I return to the USA.


 Now back to my lovely “tea visit”, with the Bedouin woman. My heart was so anxious and excited driving through the village. When we arrived woman were waiting outside full of smiles to greet us. When I walked up to each of them they gave me a huge hug and a kiss on each side of my face. When we sat down one of the daughters in the house brought us a sip of tea! Haha! But don’t worry! I had 5 snacks during the hour we were there! HAHA! I am not kidding! My parents made sure that I was ready for the food.  I would have prepared my stomach for all the food I HAD to stuff down ;-) It was all delicious so I can’t really complain. =) They were speaking in Arabic most of the time but they were so interested in my life and what I do back in the USA. It was hard for Kristiana to explain to them that I am a ballet instructor but when they found out they were so ready for me to teach them what I knew. It was a very special connecting moment for me with them. Something else that touched me was when I talked to them about my family and how I was the oldest of six Sanders. I wish all of my family could have been a fly on the wall when I talked about all of them! I can tell that it is going to be very hard for me to experience all of this without my sister Olivia. BUT, I know in my heart already this will not be my last time here and I will bring my Mom, Olivia Emily and Sophia at some point. You would love the woman here guys! Yes Dad, I know you might feel a little left out but if I know you, you will likely already be on one of your Giant Experience with a bunch of CEO's.  I hope to experience more tea visits like the one today! I know I have written a novel so I will stop now but please check back soon because I am going to post some pictures of the village and my new my friends .

Much love to all,

L-E

“1 of 42

Well, hello family and friends! I am currently flying to  Denver, Colorado. The flight is roughly 2 hours. Once we land in Denver we have 45 min to get on our next flight to Frankfurt, Germany. All in all it will take about 10 hours in the air to Jordan. There are six of us traveling together. I am sitting next to Parker and Matt. Hopefully I will be able to have seats with Matt on the next 2 flights. I am the only girl on the 6 week trip. Hee hee! Thank goodness I have my Sweetness to protect me plus Taylor, Parker, Caleb and Justin for backup. =) I titled this blog “1 of 42” because that is the number of days I will be gone. Eeeeek can you believe 42!!!!! If you are interested in what I am actually doing please email me at lesanders90@yahoo.com or add me on facebook and I will give you all the info. =) Due to where I am serving, it would not be wise for me to give out info to the whole world via internet. If you are reading this blog I would like to thank you. It means the world to me that you are interested in the journey the Lord has me on. I hope to not bore you too much and promise to try and make updates short and sweet with maybe some pictures. Stay tuned!

Blessings and Prayers

-Safety traveling on three different flights.

-Tylenol P. M. works during the 10 hour flight so that I am not terribly jet lagged.

- Homesickness

-Open mind to the Lord speaking as he prepares my heart for what is to come.

- Blessing to my Doc. Thank you Wade.

- Encouragement from the ARTS (dance studio)

- Thank you Jesus for knowing this trip was meant to be experienced with Matthew.

- Love and comfort for friends and family lifting me up