New blog

Hello!  I have just started a new blog called Rice Couscous chronicling our life here in Morocco. It will be very similar to this one but will follow our new transition to Rabat. Please join me over there!

http://ricecouscous.wordpress.com/

I thank the Lord for His kindness in caring for our family these past four years. He provided for me through the Valley Fever lung illness and for our family living in this city. All glory to Him. 

4 years later

On Christmas Eve we went to the Roman ruins that are close to our house.  We took this photo (on the bottom).  I realized that I had a photo (above) from February of 2009 in the same location.  How the kids have grown.  And for those observant ones, yes I am wearing the same sweater!  Ha Ha!  A lot has happened in 4 years, the Lord has again proved Himself faithful to us and our family.

Happy 13th Birthday Josiah!

Josiah made a brief entrance in the 20th century--born December 30, 1999.  I remember being worried about Y2K, having had complications with my previous delivery.  My doctor reassured me, had me donate my own blood the month before, and then we had waited.  Josiah came before the new year dawned and things went smoothly.  We named him Josiah (meaning "fire of the LORD") Shawn (to honor Patrick's side of the family).  I remember soon after telling a nurse what Josiah means and her responding that usually they turn out similar to the meaning of the name and I had better watch out!

Josiah has some fire in him!  He is super agile and balanced (like his dad), likes to do extreme type sports (like his dad and Uncle Shawn), and has a sensitive side (like his mom).  He is a peacemaker in our family and his humor tends to make heavy moments lighter.

It's been a special treat for his birthday these last years that he gets to spend it with his close buddy and their family.

May the Lord use this 13th year to mature him, to give him greater compassion and discipline, to build on the strengths that he already has.  We sure love him.

We spent his birthday with our friends in another city.  There were three families with a total of 6 adults and 13 children.  This is an annual event at Christmastime, therefore Josiah reaps the benefits of a lively birthday!

 When you have that many people, you just have to play "four on a couch!"  Great fun!

Happy 8th birthday Hannah!

 Birthday week began on Sunday with some singing at our weekly gathering in the city 1 hour north of us.  I made a triple chocolate peppermint brownie (gluten free!) and my sons were seen standing behind the buffet (one in striped shirt above) grazing with chocolate crumbs dropping down.

 On the actual day, December 4th, we walked to our friend's house and had some cupcakes and a song.

I can't believe that she's already 8!  She is so full of life, observations, and conversations.  I'm so thankful for her, she makes me laugh and warms my heart.

The slaughter

This time of the year rolled around again--the sheep sacrifice.  Here is our neighbor's sheep hanging from their roof.

 It is hard work for the women.  Here our neighbor is taking the intestine and cleaning it and splitting it open with her fingers.  There is a fancy little braid they make and then they cook it in a stew-type dish.

 Here is some fat hanging on a line.  On the first day they barbeque the liver and either wrap it with this thin fat or (for the health conscious) put a small piece of fat between the pieces.  It's quite good, highly seasoned and tasty.

 Our neighborhood friends who have quite a business going--they burn the fur off of the heads and legs of the sheep.  They pull in a bit of money (but notice all of the staff needing to be paid!!).

A very unique time!  The actual slaughter of the sheep usually includes the whole family, kids included.  It's kind of like our "trimming the Christmas tree," a festive and happy time.

1st Day of School

 

We did start in early September, but thought I'd still post "First Day of School photos" because they'll remain in these grades for the rest of the year.  They are getting older and hopefully wiser too.

His kind provision--sorghum

Having to keep a gluten free diet in a developing country can be a bit daunting.  But God has provided every step of the way.  Our recent find was at the feed store as we were getting bunny food.  Having never seen the grain in the photo I immediately asked what it was.  "Food for doves," was the reply.  Hmmm.  We took a few grains home and sure enough, it's sorghum!  Sorghum flour is used a lot in gluten free cooking in the states. It's a whole grain, high in fiber and iron and rich in antioxidants.  Bring it on!  We went back, bought 2 kilos (he said his wife also grinds it up and adds it to her bread), and brought it home and ground it and sifted it.  I'm so thankful to have another option besides rice and corn flour.  Hooray!