A New Week Has Begun...

    It is almost the end of another weekend here!  Life seems to be running along as classes are almost half way over.  My class has continued to grow to about 18 students and I am now tutoring a married couple, Kani and Agreen, as well as Hajir.  I'm so thankful for this extra work as I have started saving up for airplane tickets, rental cars and a rent deposit for when I make my way back to the states.  A new potential opportunity job opportunity has come up for after this year as a new university has opened up.  The head of the university met with a number of our team members and is looking for teachers to work there after the opening.  This would allow me to stay over here and continue working with the team as well.  Just one more thing I would appreciate prayer for as I now have three wonderful opportunities that seem to be opening up, its going to be so hard to choose!

    This past Friday we all made out way out to Chum Chummal with a couple of our friends and spent the day eating, having pillow fights, playing games and hugging our now much bigger puppies!  It was a  nice chance to get out to the country, its so beautiful and calm out there.  Calm outside of the house that is, where games of Golf and Farkle were anything but.
    This past week we were able to meet up with one of the girl's that we first were introduced to on New Year's.  Her name is Rita, and she moved to Suly from Baghdad and is in her last year of studies for architecture.  That is keeping her pretty busy, but she is hoping to join some English classes during the summer.  I'm hoping to spend some more time with her, she is really sweet and might be coming to church with us tonight.  I'll also be playing drums again tonight for worship, which is a bit intimidating.  At least I think I can strategically plant myself behind a pillar and still be heard.
    Along with spending time with Rita I have been able to spend more time with my student Nigar.  We were able to visit her house a few days ago and seem to have passed her mother's test of approval because she invited us back for dinner this Saturday!  She is also helping me to work on my Kurdish every Thursday.
    Elise and I have continued to make our pilgrimages to the gym about three times a week and have gotten to know a few of the regulars a bit, although conversation is still stunted by the language barrier.  Laughter definitely breaches that barrier as we stumble around on treadmills that aren't receiving enough electricity or attempt to stretch in ways that I haven't been able to since age 16.

    Winter has arrived here in Suly, complete with snow (a full twenty minutes of it).  Unfortunately, as the temperatures decline, so does the electrical service.  We have discovered again the joys of The Hot Water Bottle and have been kept toasty warm with a combination of those, flannel sheets and the occasional addition of five layers of clothing.
     Upcoming events that I would appreciate prayer for:  We are looking to have a Ladies' Night a few days before Valentine's Day, along with a couple dinner, perhaps on the night off.  Continued prayer for guidance as to where I should travel next after this year is also greatly appreciated!