What a difference a year makes!

Jesse having one last Longhorn moment before boarding the plane.

March 7, 2012: It was exactly one year ago today that my dear husband and I boarded a 6:30pm flight to the UAE and  embarked on our brave, newlywed adventure as expatriates.  It is amazing to think about how much has happened in the last 365 days of our lives and reflect upon the long and winding journey that has brought us here.

In the last year, we have:

• sold a house and two cars
• bought and sold a car, 5 appliances, and a yard full of tropical foliage 
• lived in a two bedroom town home, a hotel room, a 6 bedroom villa, another hotel room, a one bedroom apartment, and finally a very normal 3 bedroom house with no marble to be found!
• been to 7 foreign countries (8 if  you count California, jk jk)
• learned the importance of reliable luggage (although the Lulu suitcase is still kickin' it)
• acquired four new Apple products
• said good-bye to old friends, managed to make new friends, said good-bye to them, and made even more new friends--all of them exceptionally awesome people!
• endured 115 degree and -16 degree days, sandstorms and snowstorms
• acquired four new Apple products
• experienced some of the absolute worst and best days of our lives (sometimes the same day)
• seen what it is like to be loved deeply by friends, family, and our gracious Lord
• celebrated one year of marriage and two birthdays (all in one weekend)
• prayed for miracles and witnessed them
• consumed numerous cups of coffee...and a few bottles of wine, too :-)
• cried tears of pain and suffering, joy and happiness 
• learned how loving people transcends all cultural and language barriers
• and finally, shoveled our way out of a 6' of snow!

While life brings many challenges, I cannot help but give thanks for all of these times that made us stronger and closer to each other.  God knows that we have learned enough to write a book, and we give him all the glory for bringing us to Russia in one piece.  

The best part about this adventure is that I got to share it with my very best friend in the whole world--my rock, my Habibi, my муж, my love!  I look forward to all of the exciting new experiences we will have in the next year, knowing that the best is yet to come. 

This picture sums things up pretty well--sometimes when you're buried in snow and it just keeps on falling, God hands you a shovel and somehow creates a clear path.  And when the storm is over, the sun is shining even brighter than before.

Always thankful,

Allison