Eid Mubarak!

It's Eid al-Adha! Eid is a fun and important holiday here in Lebanon. School is canceled, stores are closed, families get together, and sheep are slaughtered. I actually saw a sheep being slaughtered on my way to breakfast this morning!

Eid al-Adha (festival of sacrifice) is a Muslim holiday that honors Abraham who was obediently willing to sacrifice his son. This story is found both in the Koran and the Bible. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son but before he lowered the knife, God provided a ram to die in the place of the son. After understanding the basis of Adha you can see that the slaughtering is really an important part of the celebration.

The Lebanese also celebrate this holiday with new clothes and giving gifts. Families gather and have a big meal. Some families pray and read from the Koran together. They also celebrate with fireworks and gunshots into the air. I can hear music from my room right now! Another important part of Adha is giving to the poor. Families often give meat to poorer families. Happy Adha!

My New Nephew!!!

So, this post has almost nothing to do with Lebanon...but everything to do with my life. Yesterday the most amazing baby was born! My sweet nephew was born October 4th at 2:42pm. 6 lbs and 3 ounces.

Meet Boone Allen Massey!

It has been really hard to be away from my family and I wish I could be there to hold him! Thankfully Skype helps out a little. While everyone was waiting at the hospital and talking to the doctors I was able to sit and wait and listen "with" them. After Boone was born, I even got to hang out with my sisters, mom, and Boone in the hospital room. Amber set me up in the corner so I could listen and talk to them from Lebanon.

My roommates and I decided to celebrate Boone here in Lebanon with a birthday party for him. We got cupcakes and balloons and all wore blue. We played some games and listened to baby themed music like Justin Bieber's Baby as we waited for Boone to arrive. After he was born my roommates all took turns praying for him. I am so blessed to have such incredible friends!

Here is a picture of me and Tabba a few months ago, a picture of Tabitha, Brady, and Boone, and some more pictures of sweet baby Boone!

What a beautiful family! Hamduallah (Praise be to God!)

Thankful for Tuesday

Last night I sat in my Beirut apartment in the dark for the third straight night. We're having electricity problems in our building and some days the power is out for hours during the day and most of the night. This means we frequently climb the seven flights of stairs to our apartment with no AC. It's easy to have a bad attitude about all of this. Last night as I lay on the floor, trying to keep cool and stop myself from complaining (even more than I already had), I was reminded that, although using my phone as a tiny flashlight to find the bathroom really stinks, I have so much to be thankful for. I can rejoice even though I can't see the faces of anyone in the room (which is probably good because they can't see how bad I'm sweating.) :)

Here are ten things I am thankful for today:

1. I am thankful to be in Lebanon.
2. I am thankful for my family at home that I miss and love so much!
3. I am thankful for a great group of friends at home who love and support me.
4. I am thankful for all of the restaurants in Beirut that will deliver food right to my door (including McDonalds...it's really amazing)
5. I am thankful for this video and all of the laughter it brought to me and my roommates today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7PQggB12cY&feature=youtu.be
6. I am thankful to serve a God who is the same yesterday, today, and always will be.
7. I am thankful for amazing Lebanese friends who put up with my bad Arabic and dumb questions.
8. I am thankful to live by the sea.
9. I am thankful to be loved beyond compare by the creator of all things.
10. I am thankful for Tuesday and the reminder that I am blessed.