At the Desert Ranch with the Yongs

We went to the Desert Ranch with the Yongs-and had so much fun!  Once again it was just so great to be out in the real nature of Dubai, with some real quality time with the camels this time.  I have to say that camels are awesome!  They have such a bad reputation, with their apparent stinky breaths, but to be honest, I would have to bust that myth! They are real characters, so gentle and... funny!  They were taking dates out of our hands and so very eager for more.  Hannah was even sharing with them, she would have a bite from a date and give the camel the rest, a half a date taken gently out from her tiny fingers!  The donkeys were the next big hit, after feeding the horses we only had 4 carrots left for them but they were determined to find something more to snack on, even if it was the empty date box!

From there we went and had a picnic under a big tree and the kiddos decided to do some gardening and extra exploring, it was just beautiful to watch them have so much fun! 

Lunch with the Ladies

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.  James 3:17-18

We've sadly come to the end of our study in James.  It was such a great and practical study, so challenging and often convicting.  I believe (and continue to pray) that we grew from the lessons we learnt from the wonderfully vivid James, and that we be "doers of the word, and not hearers only", growing in our love for our great God and for each other.  

      

To mark the end of the study, we did what all women love-bake,cook, enjoy a delicious meal with special sisters, and chat... and laugh ...alot!  It is such a blessing to be involved in the lives of such special ladies, to study God's Word, discuss it and apply it together.

   

I tried to get a pretty picture with Luke and the girls, they've spent alot of time together the last months and I thought it would be nice to have a picture...just one decent photo of the three of them together.  It didn't happen.  But I got some great shots of the charming Luke that I will treasure forever!

My Growing Princess

Our dear Donna has been wanting to ride a horse for a while, and we finally got her on one! We went to the Gecko Club with Carrie and had a really great morning enjoying the natural beauty of Dubai (horses, camels, goats, ducks, donkeys and lots of sand!).

When it was time for Donna to get on the horse, she was scared, but we thought about what an amazing animal a horse is, and how wonderfully our great Creator God had made him, and what a great privilege it would be to actually ride a horse, and all her excitement returned. She did so well, sat so tall and straight and tried very hard to do all the things she was told to do (hold the reins-shorter, sit straight, how to turn, how to start, how to stop-all in one lesson!). I was very thankful she got and took the opportunity!

The horse she rode was called Tenesee, a champion horse who won a 120km long distance race with the Sheikh of Ras al Khaimah. Donna is very, very impressed with this...

How is it that our baby has grown up into this beautiful little lady already? The bible says children are a blessing from the Lord, and man I am reminded of this daily-a couple of times a day! But this morning I was reminded at a more intense level; God in His mercy, graciously blessed me, as undeserved as I am, with this little girl who becomes more precious to me with each passing day.

Donna's First Poem

Donna reciting her first poem....

The Coolest Baby Shower

Nora organized a fantastic Baby Shower for Shella and Kwasi. 

I haven’t laughed so loud and so much in a while, it was brilliant! The games were fun and mind twisting, the food was amazing, the weather was perfect, but the best part was the wonderful people! 

 How amazing it is to be part of God’s family, that even in a place like Dubai, United Arab Emirates, you can come together from 4 different continents and celebrate the coming of another blessed miracle from our awesome Creator.   God is so merciful to allow us little glimpses into heaven, to get a minuscule feel of what it will be like when we all come together from every tongue and every nation and praise God perfectly, forever!

Praise God for brothers and sisters in Christ, and especially for the newest baby brother that is to arrive very soon!

God bless you Shella and Kwasi!

Birds of Prey Show

We went with the Yongs to the Birds of Prey Show just outside Mirdiff.  My favourite was the American Bald Eagle.  What an unbelievably impressive creature.  I felt very honoured to hold him-I even feel a bit American because of the allegiance I have to their bird!

It was such a privilege to witness-up close, the amazing creativeness and ingenuity of our Great God!  All we saw were “birds”, yet each of them were so amazingly different, and so, so, so cleverly designed to ensure its survival. 

Praise God for His birds!

Their website:  http://birdsofprey-show-dubai.jimdo.com/  

My Birthday...

What a privlege to spend my birthday with my favourite people! We went for a very yummy brekkie at Shakespear's and then went to Barsha park (again!). It was so special to have fun with the girls and Ryan: God's best blessings on "my" day!

Unfortunately I put my camera away for the rest of the day, but it carried on being a great day! Kate and Warren came over for Mexian and a movie (How to Train Your Dragon) and chats-a brilliant end to a brilliant day!