Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome aboard!
It has been sometime since I last wrote to tell of all my grand adventures and to express my learned (pronounced learn-ed for all you unsophisticated types 
) opinions on life and culture! The reasons are many and I will not get into them now. The reason I write now is because I enjoy it and many of my friends have shared that they enjoy these little glimpses abroad. I will briefly update on the last 5 months since my last post, then set forward the Now. I arrived in Riyadh for my first semester of ESL work with little experience, very little knowledge of English, and an open mind regarding the peoples of Saudi Arabia.
The experience for me was mostly positive.
The company I worked for, which is no longer running an education program, was disorganized and in many ways dishonest. Many of the teachers left disillusioned and bitter. By God’s grace I was protected and provided for my whole time here. I learned so much about Islamic/Arab culture! I learned about shame and honor, about hospitality and the value of community, and a lot about myself! I left Saudi with both an excitement and sadness. Excitement because I missed my family and certain foods and drinks! Sadness because I had made so many friends, had learned to work in routine and eaten so many delicious foods (Hashi Kabsa, Geriesh, Masoub!!!) And the time home did not disappoint my hopes! I was able to spend time with my family, watch my little brother get married, dance, eat, drink and be merry! Old friendships were renewed and new friendships were kindled! There were so many beautiful things that happened (one of which is still happening by grace!), and I was so genuinly thankful for the time home!
Thus it is with excitement and sadness that I again begin a 10 month contract in Riyadh. I’m excited to reconnect with my good friends here, many of who I have already talked to today! I am excited to be working again and paying off debt! I am excited to learn more discipline and be shaped more into a hardworking godly man! I am excited that I get to skype and email with my family, friends and a pretty gal from Tennessee (who is the only Ten-I-See)! I am excited for honey covered almond-filled dates and Arabic coffee and camel with rice! I am excited.
I’m also sad. I love so many people in the States! I will miss all my little sisters! I will miss playing tag with Sarah and our silly-goose conversations. I will miss sitting next to my mom talking while she inevitably rubs my arm or hair. I will miss my dad’s corny jokes. I will miss the mouse traps snapping at the parsonage and the laughter round the dinner table! I will miss the accountability, sincere love and affection of my brothers and sisters (not that their love or affections are any less sincere but that I am not in person to experience it!)! I will miss smaller things like Asahi’s and Sea World! The beach and making sandcastles! And a hundred other things!
Yet, I know this is the path and I want to walk it faithfully! I want to be all here while I am here, even while eagerly awaiting the reunion that will take place 10 months from now! (Inshallah If God wills!) I landed in Saudi not even 24 hours ago. As I write I am observing a class (I am not really observing, lol). I will begin teaching on Monday! My heart pounds in my chest with the responsibilities of the next months ahead, with the unknown joys and dangers that wait. And in my heart there dwells a growing joy and excitement at a future of good, whatever that may be! I live in my Fathers world, and everything: bullets and butterflies must work for my good!
This being the case, I hope to post much the next few weeks and months.
