"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