Jordan Tidbits

There is obvioulsy lots going on right now which means there are many pictures and stories. I wanted to post a few of the other places we have visited and some of the interesting tidbits we have learned about Jordan. For starters, there are a couple of Jordan facts that just don't sit right with me. The first is that you can't flush toilet paper....which makes using the bathroom a little interesting. The second is that driving in this country is all sorts of chaotic! Child seats are not required and, in fact, are not often used. Lauren and Matt happen to have 2 toddler seats given to them by someone. The 3 boys basically take turns using those and we will often just be seen driving around like this...

 Here are a couple of places that might look familiar...

 This is a huge, 2-story Starbucks.

 A couple of days ago we went to the mall to let the kids play in the little indoor amusement center they have.

 After we played, we stopped for lunch at a very familliar place...

 Ahhh...a little taste of home!

Last night, Dad, Matt, Aaron and Jeff went out for an authentic dinner while the girls stayed home with the kids and ate some lasagna. I had brought over a gingerbread train for us to put together. I'm very impressed that it actually made it in one piece even though I packed it in diapers and towels. My boys were so worn out from the day that they didn't make it up for putting it together, so it was all Caedmon! Unfortuantely, our Reid took a spill on the floor and had another breath-holding spell. Even though it's happened before and in my heart of hearts I knew he would be fine, it was still just as scary as the first time!

 I'm a little surprised at how much English there is around here, however, this is a little odd to see when I pull up the browser on my phone...

The day after Christmas we are leaving for 5 days to visit Jerusalem, Nazareth and Galilee. I'm not sure what kind of internet access we will have while there but I will attempt to post pics if I can. I can't imagine a more appropriate place to be as we celebrate the birth of our Lord this year! We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!

Three Amazing Sites

Mt. Nebo

Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”

And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said. He buried him in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.  Deuteronomy 34: 1-7

 While driving around you will see many bedouins (desert dwellers). 

 The Jordan River

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased." Matthew 3:13-17

 While no one knows the exact location, this is the place that is believed to be the baptism place of Jesus. There is not much reference in the bible to the exact location in the river, but there are some other indications that would help, for example, the remains of the earliest church in the area was found near this spot (under the covered area in the above picture).

 The Jordan River is the border between Jordan and Israel (where we will be heading next week). We went to another part of the river which was literally just a few yards wide. So, right on the other side of it you could see the Israel flag flying.

 Landon putting his hand in the river.

 These police are pretty much everywhere. Aaron happened to catch this guy smiling, and while most of them are friendly, they are very intimidating.

It's not uncommon to see this while driving. Most of these people (even kids) are trying to get you to pay for a ride. In fact, when we stopped at the Dead Sea we were bombarded with 3 or 4 camels at our car doors. They wanted to put the kids on the camel for a picture and then try to convinvce us to ride and pay them. They attempted to pick up Caedmon who was not interested and immediately just picked up Landon and threw him on a camel without thinking twice about asking if this was OK. The second that camel started rising up in the air with my 28 lb. child I turned into mama bear. I immediately started shouting at them and thankfully Matt stepped in to help.

The Dead Sea

 It's not uncommon to see people swimming in the Dead Sea (as we witnessed today) but we chose to only put our hands in. It feels very odd, almost slimy and oily like.  

 Salt deposits



First Pics

These are just some of the pictures we have taken so far!

 Landon and Reid are absolutely in love with their little girl cousin! Landon asks at least 4 or 5 times a day to hold her. They are very sweet with her!

 They have a little slide, merry-go-round and swing in their yard.

 One of the views from the Thompson place

 Cousins...together at last!

 Yesterday we went to the Amman Citadel. This is basically an area of ancient roman ruins.

 Snack time for the boys....young and younger!

 Matthew and Camille

 We stopped for lunch on our way home! It was yummy! We had mana'eesh, which is kind of like quesadillas with different meats, veggies and cheeses.

 Strawberry Fanta

We are loving our time here and look forward to seeing more and more! Except for a few tummy issues, we are all adjusting much better. They boys had a rough couple of first nights, but last night they both did pretty good!