My Own Personal, Heaven-Sent Ray of Sunshine...

Life over here can be a little crazy and intense with school, tutoring and everything else combined with the societal, cultural and language differences! Most days are really good and filled with lots of happiness and neat experiences. I can honestly say I love being here! But sometimes I get stuck feeling a bit frustrated with the different way of life/culture or just plain old homesick, longing for the things and the people I left back home. This time of year has been especially hard during the quiet times of the day when the mind wanders to all things sentimental. Back home the Christmas preparations are in full swing, the snow storms are raging and family and friends are gathering. It is so bizarre because I know it's the middle of December, but it could be very easy over here for Christmas to come and go and not even realize it. There's just no decorations, no lights, no music, no Christmasy feeling in the air! So with that said, this time of year is hard for a lot of Western people over here. However, God always provides just what one needs and He's done that for me too. He's sent me my own personal "ray of sunshine" in the form of a little boy - Khalid. :)

Today I was having one of those 'down' days. I don't normally tutor on the weekends, but Khalid wanted me to come help ease the anxiety of his upcoming Math test tomorrow by reviewing some key concepts, so I did. Once again, while being driven home afterwards, it struck me as it has a few times these past couple of months - I can arrive to tutor not feeling super great, but I always leave feeling happy and ready to face the realities of life again. It's kinda funny, but this little guy always manages to truly brighten my day no matter how dark it's been. That is why I have decided to write about him today. :)

Khalid is in grade 6 and I have the privilege of tutoring him 4 days a week. His driver, Moorgeesh, comes and picks me up every day and then drives me home when we're done. His family is a very kind and very welcoming Kuwaiti family! :)

Here we are, just hanging outside on the front stoop while Moorgeesh brings the car around.........it's so nice that it's cool enough to do this now! When I first started tutoring here, it was WAY too hot to wait outside for the car. Apparently brightly colored Crocs are all the rage over here with the kids........I have never seen so many different colors of Crocs!!!

Everyday we work on his homework/study and then always end by playing some kind of game INSIDE the house.......Kuwaiti houses don't have yards and because most of them are HUGE, the kids play inside and in Khalid's case even ride their bikes inside! So lately the sport of choice for the day has been volleyball. We have played soccer, basketball and attempted ball tag once, but I missed the step-down in the lobby, sprained my ankle and fell flat on the marble floor. So, we decided that maybe ball tag wasn't a good choice afterall......LOL. My ankle was fine, but I laughed for days after because all I could think of at the time was "Here I am, 30 years old, laying on this cold marble floor, I have fallen and can't get up all because I am playing ball tag in the house." At least we got a really good laugh out of that one though! :)

His older sister has a small business project going with flower arrangements, so she let him arrange a few one day. He made this one for me for Eid and was very proud of it! :) So cute!! :)

I am so thankful for everything I've been blessed with in life and all that comes with the amazing opportunity of living and working in this tiny, Middle Eastern country. As you are all getting ready for Christmas back home, I hope you take the time to stop and enjoy all the little moments of love and happiness that come your way. Sometimes God sends joy and encouragement in such unexpected ways- we just have to take the time to notice. :) Merry Christmas! :)