Chuckles

Sometimes it's the little things in life that brighten a day with laughs.

Following Our Savior

 

"When He had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed His place, He said to them,

 

"Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, Your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet."

~John 13: 12-14

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

 

~John 13: 34

 

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

~Mark 10:45

All Dolled Up

I especially enjoyed seeing the little girls all dressed up for Navruz! Here's a few of the little ones that I saw in the park yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

Park Festivities

Today was the official date for the celebration of "Navruz" in this part of the world; an ancient Persian holiday that marks the coming of spring. It will be celebrated in various ways for the next few days; with singing, dancing, and special foods made only during this time. There are also certain dresses (like the ones I and my students are wearing in the pictures below) that are worn mostly during this time.

 

One of the most popular ways to celebrate this time is to go with friends to a park and stroll around, taking pictures, enjoying the spring weather, and maybe even a picnic. My students' family and I had the chance to do just that with my host family of last semester; a wonderful family of four girls, who are now my dear friends.

 

Fatima, my youngest host sister and Katie are both seven-and fast friends!

 

Though surrounded by girls, Michael enjoyed the chance to use his roller blades.

 

I was happy to get mother-daughter pictures with Wendy and her girls.

 

 

My 17 year old host sister is so good with little ones; infinitely patient and fun.

 

I'm a fan of this little fellow!

 

My host sister's aunt; she offered a shy smile for my "professional camera."

 

My dress, made with the national "atlas" material.

 

I absolutely love this time of year, when the world seems bursting with new life. It reminds me so often of the fact that my Savior is not dead-He's alive!!! And through Him, I can have new and eternal life. That is the best news I've ever heard!

 

I wish my camera better captured the majesty of the moutains surrounding the town. If they are so great, how much greater must be the One who made them!

 

 

The main entrance to the park.

 

 

 

Wait-Is it Spring, or Winter?

 

 

 

One day it was Spring-nearly 80 degrees!

 

 

 

 

And then two days later, it was winter again!

 

 

Now I'm not entirely sure what season it is-but it sure is beautiful here!

 

Ancient Beauty

An ancient fortress

 

The view from the fortress

 

A wedding party celebrating at the national site

 

 

All Creation Sings His Praise

This place is a land of mystery and majestic beauty, that somehow simultaneously whispers and shouts, "God is great! God is Creator! God is King, Savior, Redeemer!"

 

 

 

 

 

And He is.