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