Exit of Expats in Egypt

This is the last posting here. I will keep the blog alive because I have heard many times over, that some of my posting is helpful, most of it is originally enlightening in a light-hearted way and so I hope it will help other expats as well as enrich those who cannot go but want/need to know more about Egypt's rich culture, outstanding history and loving peoples!

We are settled in here. I will be creating a new blog of our life here. It will be private. If you are interested, send me your email address, I'll invite you!

Thanks for looking and

HAPPY EASTER!

mourning for His pain...
celebrating His resurrection...

I loved hearing Joshua recount the whole story to Jasmine this year...and explaining that eggs give hope of new life...and that's what we have in Jesus - hope of new life! Thanks for sharing this journey as we embarked across the globe and back again!

Love

~Wendy

Settling into Michigan

I really have not adjusted to the cold weather. I am trying not to be a baby about it, but frankly I am uncomfortable when I'm outside of my electric blanket! lol!!

I wanted to show you the new colors in the bathroom (oranges) and my bedroom (cranberry with cream). Obviously there's still some work to be done settling in, but really we're just having a normal day yesterday and today :)

I am so thankful for treasured friends emailing me encouragement and reminders of prayers! So thankful for the big sacrifices my parents made! I am so thankful for the friends who came alongside me hour after hour - Melanie (even tho my pants fell down a few times and she saw more than she wanted of me). And Julie for organizing meals! For all the people who have lavished us with hugs, notes, prayers, meals, and other support...THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I was riding today, I realized how much I missed just being out like that....but then the tears came (and made me EVEN colder)....because I just miss the people in Egypt MUCH more than the "things" here!!!!!!!!

Well, here's a glimpse of us settling into Michigan! School is set to start for us on Monday. Joshua is happier with his math and recess routine for homeschooling here than he liked in Egypt, so I think we'll be off to a good start!

I'm cooking on my new stove for the first time today! STONE SOUP! the kids and I enjoy cooking together so much....I miss the giant sweet carrts and more robust zucchini, but we'll adjust - at least I have my parsnip ;)






and yes, I am still using Arabic with the kids :)

and we'll keep it in our homeschool routine!! I don't want us to lose it! I heard a Sudanese woman recently and we spoke a bit together :) She was shocked and happy! Lovely woman, new to the US via Canada, via Egypt. She has no idea how much our little conversation blessed me! or how confused all the white people were watching it happen! LOLOLOL

Caught Unaware

These are things that I did not anticipate with returning culture shock...

the birds here are SO small! I remember thinking robins, cardinals, red-winged black birds, were such big birds. But after watching 50+ duck-sized crows daily fighting the garbage with 100's of cats and dogs.....the daily birds here seem SMALL! however, they seem MUCH more colorful ;) Egyptian crows are black and grey.

However, i do miss those wood-pecker looking things! They are smaller, but still MUCH larger than jays and cardinals.

there are semis and tractors everywhere! Very rare occasion to see really big semi's in Egypt. Staring and gaping involved whenever we did see one. HA HA! We saw 2 tractors while in Egypt- perhaps it was the same one on two different occasions! HA! But I keep seeing these giant farm devices and feel like a small boy with wonder in his eyes while gaulking! HA!

are the grocery carts in America on steroids or WHAT?! I remember thinking they were small in Egypt, but I don't remember being so overwhelmed by size...returning to these Meijer American grocery carts truly is a distraction and conversation piece thru the entire experience! Tho i have yet to fill my cupboards, perhaps it won't seem so big when I do that! HA!

mental anguish from lanuage! I remember being so exhausted mentally trying to understand English from Egyptians and other Africans...then learning Arabic...but me oh my, I did not expect to return to it again! I can't just "talk freely" - i am still thinking in Arabic and sometimes correcting my English after not speaking with Americans! HA!

I didn't even drive in Egypt - NOT ONCE! And yet, after a couple weeks, I still have the mindset of the driving routine in Egypt! watch out! Tho I have only run 1 red light (everyone was stopped, so I was like...WHY NOT GO?! oops!) and I passed a guy on the shoulder..and no he wasn't turning....he was doing 10 under, so I passed....Joshua quickly squealed out in fear "WE'RE NOT IN MAADI!" oopsie! LOL I figure with my big truck, no one will stop me! LOL just kidding

attachment to Egypt - it still baffles me that God gave me such an increased heart while in Egypt! I remember I didn't realy unpack in Egypt for weeks....but unpacking the luggage today at our house was way more emotional.....I could smell Maadi and memories rushed back...I've been so blessed! I grabbed onto gifts people had given me....souvenirs I'd purchased....that 14 months really was a lifetime of memories...along with spiritual and personal growth! I was excited to go to Egypt but terrified. Now I'm terrified I'll never return.....

personal boundaries - I already knew I didn't have my full American boundaries anylonger....but I didn't realize how hard it would be for me to be surrounded constantly by everyone else's large boundaries. I apologize in advance if I make you uncomfortable...but just know I'm just as uncomfortable with yours! LOL

When we get settled, I'll take some photos so you can all get some "closure" to our story! I realy enjoyed the opportunity to share this journey, to feel your prayers and let you experience a bit of the "world" thru our eyes.

For those of you closeby...I relish the day we will pick up where we left off...or rebuild what was lost...or start something anew!

For those of you I left in Egypt - I WISH I COULD WRAP PRAYERS AND SEND IN A DUTY-FREE PACKAGE SO YOU'D KNOW THAT THO I LOVE AMERICA.....EGYPT IS MY HOME!

Home is where your heart is.

Concrete to Country

talk about culture shock! being in the country today, I saw so many extreme differences, I had to photo blog it! First, I have to tell you.....when we got to Egypt, I hated brushing my teeth - the water there is NEVER cold! Until I became adjusted to it...I forgot..until I brushed my teeth here last week Th night..and Friday morning..and....every time after....THE WATER HERE IS TOO COLD NOW! hurts my teeth!

LOL

you know you're in the country in Michigan and not in the concrete desert of Cairo when you see bear hides hanging and maple trees running with sap into buckets! And when you can sit out back and roast over an open fire and make all the noise you want without a care in the world for who hears you!

GET YOUR HAND OUT OF THAT BEAR'S MOUTH, JASMINE, BEFORE YOUR GRANDMOTHER WALKS BY!
lol



the giant old trees reserving their energy for spring....so haunting and beautiful!


chickens in the neighbors yard as we went for a walk


hot dogs and marshmallows over an open fire

Where I need to be

First, I wanted to show you how much fun the kids are having on their bikes! :) With 2 layers on bottom and 3 layers on top, they keep warm riding their bikes. Jasmine is so fast now, when we went on the road, I had to jog beside her! Way to go, girly!








So many of you have lovingly supported me as I act like a toddler about having to return to the US ;)

Today, tho I may not be where I want to be....I was were I needed to be....

I had a beloved friend give me some encouraging reminders via skype this morning, the Holy Spirit used that to remind me of some other things while in the shower...and as I drove to my friend Tanya's church today, I actually enjoyed the sights around me. I opened my eyes....I can praise God in the storm and I will praise God in the storm. There is a storm within my heart, to be sure! But I was able to see His glory in creation...

3 turkeys waddled across the road while we waited

8 deer stood in a field waiting for spring planting

plenty of plump cows and horses adorned the farms

and hills roll alongside us

I also was right where I should be, at Tanya's church and with her family. I was not ready for a church where I was 'recognized' - but God had me at her church for another reason....to remember that each day we must surrender..right where I'm at! And to hear other people talk who had been brought to the US and this was no longer their home...to hear other's hearts who were bleeding like mine....

and to hear my kids reunite with her kids as if no time passed....

today...I was right where I needed to be and each of you have been instrumental in helping me see that - thru words of encouragement when you "get" what I'm feeling and thru prayers and support...THANKS! now enjoy the moments i enjoyed today! Thanks for looking!

Love from Michigan,
Wendy




Joshua is truly a Michigander! 36, sunny...no coat....window is down....BRRRRR! I have not acclimated as much as him *yet*

From Joshua

these are photos off his iTouch from his last day at school and his trip from Egypt to Michigan. Thanks for looking!

Note from Wendy

More things I am noticing...

1. sunrise in Egypt was around 5 am, sunset 5:30 pm
here sunrise around 7 and sunset around 9 and NO call to prayers - so silent in the country, my ears seriously are still ringing. I'm not complaining either way, just an observation.

2. at the grocery store yesterday, I was asked if I needed anything more, I said
"La, nnnno, thanks" that was an Arabic no mixed in with a stuttered English answer! LOL

3. I also ran into a man's cart and said "mmmmmmm sorry" I almost apologized in Arabic! lol

4. Driving was odd!!!! I was the only one on the road, I felt very odd! not sure how to describe it at all.

~Thanks for listening to my little rambles~

men mSr le Michigan

From Egypt to Michigan.

Joshua beat us! While we did pass overtop of him (they saw us on radar) at the tip of Greenland yesterday, they didn't go to Chicago first! ;) The trip for them went very smoothly, so after topping off and checking out the airplane in Goose Bay Canada, Rob decided to push on. Joshua arrived in Michigan around 4 pm. Anas and Rob will continue onto Kansas today. Please pray for Anas' family still! At least Rob can rest for a while and then push to find *ANY* job...it's not like that in Egypt. Anas can't switch social status and there isn't jobs...and the entire pilot industry...well....US can't even hold a candle to it!

Jasmine and I had smooth trips. We had a bit of turbulance, but nothing like we experienced on the way to Egypt 14 months ago. I didn't vomit even once and never even felt like it...

but what did happen is, I sobbed so hard that 2 flights, the crew wondered what they could do to give me a calmer ride, thinking that my problem was extreme fear of flying. The flight from Frankfort to Chicago, there was one Egyptian family sitting behind us to the right across the aisle in the 747. The first time I heard them talking and laughing, I turned and stared at them and smiled. They smiled back and I greeted them good morning in Arabic..the were surprised, greeted me back. The daughter (was a mother and 2 her son, daughter who were at least my age themselves). The daughter asked me how I knew Arabic and I told her that we were just moving from Egypt back to Michigan. we didn't talk alot, they were Egyptian Americans, so they have the same boundaries Americans do. I don't want mine back - I talked to SO many people yesterday in the airport! and Poor Tanya! LOLOL - when I put my arm thru hers at the airport to walk - LOL!!!!!! she said "WENDY, WE ARE NOT IN EGYPT!"

lol

We had meals that supplied sustainance, but I have come to love the fruits and meats of Egypt. I'm sure I'll put my 20 lbs back on quickly with all the preservatives and junk here :( Neither jasmine nor I liked the taste of the meats neither on the plane or the airport and always went back for something vegetarian. THO I HAD 4 SALADS IN 24 HRS! ha ha ha! aaaaaaaah....lettuce! :) without Pharoah's Revenge! HA!

My parents thought of *everything* to make us at home and welcome us as long as we need to stay! My beloved friend Melanie was at the airport with her 2 sons. It was awkward for our kids together, BUT.....her boys had litle handmade gifts that really almost made me cry again, I felt SO welcomed! Melanie told me (she knows me WELL!, didn't ask! lol) told me she's coming to help me get our stuff out of storage and work with me to set the house back up - THANKS LOVE YA GIRL! Tanya offered, but they'll be heading some place warm as a family - GO WITH BLESSINGS, GIRLY!!

Each of us 3 have our own bedroom here for now! My mom got Joshua's food and we'll do some baking today! The heat in here is up to 73! they really are going all out to richly bless us and welcome us! The kids and I slept 9 straight hours last night! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a peek at our trip and Joshua's morning....
You can tell Jasmine cried from Cairo to Frankfort :( bless her heart! She shed a few tears the whole trip, but when we got ON the airplane (even before my tears turned to sobs), she started sobbing and talking about her school friends and teachers we left behind, then she really started carrying on when she got to our church families....





My parents brought up all the toy stuff we took to their basement before leaving...and had it ready for the kids.

Transitioning to Michigan - these were the notes I made in my head...

1. Egypt cured me of my bathroom OCD!
I walked right into the airplane bathroom, didn't think or feel anything...we used it and exited, i giggled and said to myself "Egypt cured me of my bathroom OCD!"

2. The jetway in Chicago brought a neat familiar feeling. I expected the cold winter air to "hurt" my nose and eyes - but honestly, it gave me a familiar feeling - i cherished that cold fresh feeling in my nose! and even when we left the airport in GR to walk to my truck, it was familiar and nice!

3. My truck! WOW it seemed SO big after not being inside anything that big! and WOW were we going FAST! lolololol Only to Ain Sokhna have I been over 35 mph for any length of time! And why my dad didn't go between two semi's on the white lane, bothered me for a bit! WATCH OUT GRAND RAPIDS, WHEN I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL, IT WON'T BE PRETTY! LOL

4. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm BACON IS COOKING BEHIND ME!! I can't wait to eat the bacon!

5. Back on topic ;) I'm just as scatterbrained and silly as when I left! The other thing I noticed was my lack of personal space which I'm sure to struggle with for awhile! At a deli in one of the airports, I walked right up and stood by these two women who looked at me in the familiar American unfriendly way and I wondered what i had done..then I realized how close I was standing to them! LOL

6. I told the German flight attendants thank you in Arabic EVERYTIME they brought us drinks! lol One of the attendants kept offering me wine, telling me it would help me ;) That made me laugh usually! He tried *so* hard to convince me! And the German flight attendants kept speaking to me in French! which made me laugh...the Egyptians thought I was Italian, the Germans (I'm mostly German a little Swedish) thought I was French and then I spoke Arabic - what a laugh this gave me.

Thanks for letting me ramble and put my thoughts out to remember. I've cried already this morning. I made a list of things to get from the grocery store. thankfully, my parents live ina smal town with a small (American-comparison) grocery store. So I won't be too overwhelmed! The kids want bacon for breakfast and ham for lunch, we're having pork chops for Supper. I'm bound to have the 20 lbs put back on before I leave my parents! so..Amy and Ade..no worries, I won't be 'too' skinny for too long!

Best tangible gift - was the nutty bars and swiss rolls that Tanya brought me! MMMM! I'm sure they'll help me put on some American rolls! LOL

Love from Michigan to my Egyptian and American friends,
Wendy