Today is the first day of Eid, which means that Ramadan is over and people can eat in public during daylight hours. We are going to meet up with some friends from church out in the desert for a barbecue in a little bit to celebrate. Some of them will be camping, but since we don't have any gear with us, we will just stay for the evening.

Yesterday was a big day for us. We found out that we are expecting to have a son! We had already decided on the name Noah Gabriel, so now all we have to do is wait 4 months to meet him. It is a little scary to think about having a boy, since all we know is how to raise a girl, but God is sufficient and will get us through. We liked the name Noah, because in the bible he was reputed for his righteousness. He lived over 600 years old! To be considered a righteous man for that long is amazing to me. I like that heritage for our son, and will do my best to train him in righteousness for the Lord's namesake. Gabriel was a messenger of God, so we liked that name as well and pray that our Noah will carry God's message far and wide.

Friday we had the privilege of hearing a well-known Christian speaker who was visiting Bahrain on his way from Saudi. Bob Sjogren used to live in Arizona and we met him years ago when he spoke at a seminar at Bethany Community Church, where we used to go. He has books and videos that are most excellent and change your view of what it is to be a Christian. Anyways, his topic that evening was Joy. How do we find true joy and what is it. Most of it I had heard from him before but it was an excellent reminder for how to live my life and reinforced what my thoughts of God really are.

Well, I am off to pack for the jaunt into the desert. I will write more later and send some pictures at that time.

Yesterday I went to the women's prison here in Bahrain. It is located in Isa Town (Jesus Town), and currently there are 80-90 women behind bars. Most are women who've overstayed their visas and can't afford to pay the fines. I expected to see mostly Indian, Pakistani, or Filipina house maids that ran away, but there were 5 Russian girls that surprised me. I went with 9 other women from church and it is only because the prison has just now granted permission for us to come and minister to the women. Only women that are 'officially' Christian are allowed to come.

So, here is basically what happened. We arrived at about 8:50 a.m. and were ushered into this little room about 10x12 feet with filing cabinets on two of the walls, a rug in the center, and a plant in the corner. We moved the few chairs that were in there into the outer office so that there was more room. We stood there until 15 prisoners filed in. In their pajamas, and looking very sleepy. One was a young Asian about 15 or 16 years old. Wonder what she did.... Anyways, they all shook our hands or gave big hugs and kisses and then all sat down. I was kind of in one of the corners against the filing cabinet and all the Russian girls gathered around me and sat down. Since there was no room for me to sit, I figured I'd stand. Susan (by chance it was the woman I gave my cat, Shadi, to when we left Bahrain 3 months ago) started with a scripture reading and prayer. Then we sang some songs, in English, and then she passed out some photo copied drawings she had done of the life of Christ. She asked if any of the women had crayons to color in the pictures, and when they said no, she said we'd bring some back next time. Now, up until this point I was thinking it all felt a little juvenile but the crayon comment made me feel like I was in VBS helping with the little kids. I had to check my attitude because God can use ANYTHING to reach people, even that. Hmmm....maybe that is why I almost fainted, because of my poor thoughts. Well, I did almost faint and I had to quickly ask the Russian girl in front of me to scoot forward so I could slink down the wall to the floor in a cross-legged position. My legs fell asleep because of how crowded we were and from not moving for 20 minutes, but it was better than falling down!

We then broke into little groups to ask for prayer requests and to pray. I managed to get one from a girl named Yulia. She has a court case in a week and she asked that that go well and to pray for her family back in Uzbekistan, especially her 3 year old baby. I told her I would. Then, one of the women that came with us came over and she speaks Russian so the rest of the time was spent with them conversing in Russian. I listened politely and when she noticed me staring at her she asked if I knew Russian and where I was from. I told her I was American to which she replied, "You look Russian". I told her I get that a lot. I do! Mostly in Iran, and sadly it is because most of the Russians that they encounter are prostitutes. Wonder what they'd think now that I am obviously with child. When we were all done, we prayed, said good bye and left. I came back to the villa and ate a piece of cheese, had some gatorade and slept on the couch for almost 2 hours. The whole rest of the day I was very dizzy, even while sitting or lying down. I think that it was a combination of getting a cold, which I have a very small one, and being somewhat dehydrated. It is very hard during Ramadan to sneak drinks out in public, since it is quite illegal during daylight. So, I need to stay in in order to get enough fluids in me.

Today I am much better with only a slight runny nose and some sinus pressure, but am drinking lots of water to flush it out. The baby is doing well, kicking a lot harder and more often. I am having trouble finding a comfortable position at night though, so that doesn't help much. I am thankful that we have a bed to sleep in and a roof over our heads, and I don't want to come across as complaining, so excuse me if I am.

My little sister is singing in Flagstaff tonight. Just thought I'd mention that. She is in a band called Lesser Heroes and is the lead singer. They just released a CD and will have a big night for the release in November. I am really proud of her. She is pursuing her dreams, but hasn't left God out of the decision. Go Mary Ann!

Ok, off to do some dishes and laundry. God bless you all!

Today I am rather homesick. It has been creeping up on me the last week or so, but now it has hit full force. It didn't help to relive the whole summer as I got caught up on our finances, entering in all the receipts from all the places we went with friends. Then while checking email, I notice a flyer for one of my favorite craft stores, Jo-Ann's, and that made me sad. I have lots of crafts to do, but they are all packed up and waiting to be shipped to wherever we are going to end up living. All of that is in God's hands. Is this a hard life to live? Yes, definitely, but God's grace is sufficient for even this. It is a small price to pay compared to what Christ has done for us, right? So, I'll stop my belly aching.

We are in Bahrain, staying at a villa of a friend who is out of the country until mid November. It is a nice place and very affordable - free - so that works out well for us. The days seem a little long since there isn't much to do here in Bahrain in the first place (no offense to my Bahraini friends), but it is also Ramadan and most places are closed during the day here. I am cooking and baking, and cleaning, and when I tried to do the ironing Cody reminded me that John has a maid that comes and will iron them. So, I am left trying to fill my time. I am going to the women's prison on Thursday with the church, and tonight we are going to a bible study group. On the 20th, Bob Sjogren will be visiting on his way to somewhere else, and we will go hear him speak. If you don't know of him, he is a great Christian teacher with some books out there like "Unveiled at Last". I might join a Pilates class with my friend Allison, who is also pregnant. I have been doing some here, on the floor, that I got off the internet.

Taylor has begun her home school studies with NorthStar Academy, and is trying to make up 8 weeks of school. She is doing well so far. She enjoys it, but it is long hours and gets pretty boring being in the house all day. I know the feeling....at least she has structure.

Well, I will wrap up for now. Off to make cookies for tonight.