Goodbye Doha...

It's hard to believe our time in Doha has come to an end. This place became home and where we had done quite a bit of growing as individuals and as a couple.  Everything about leaving is very bitter sweet.  I'm excited for the next chapter in our life, but truly enjoyed so much about this experience, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to live here for two years.

 If you would have told me 4 years ago that we would live in the Middle East for two years, I would have told you that you were crazy. Lets just say, I've learned to not ever say the word NEVER, because we honestly just don't know what God has in store for us.  I know he has quite a sense of humor, and although I was very against living in this part of the world when we began our job search 2 1/2 years ago, I'm so thankful that is where we ended up moving.  I've learned so much and have been able to open my eyes up and learn about various cultures, especially the Arab culture.

As I look back on the past two years, I laugh at some of the struggles we endured at the beginning, I shake my head at some of the things that still annoy me and am grateful to move back to where things will make sense (most of the time), I smile and tear up thinking about time with the friends and Doha family that we made here who are the hardest part of leaving, I am grateful for my faith and my provider who is always there, and I am filled with joy thinking about our travels/fun experience we have enjoyed both in Doha and during our travels.

I'm not sure when it will hit me that we've officially moved back to the States.  I'm excited to be reunited with family and friends, but our friends and family in Doha will always hold a special part in my (our) heart(s) and will smile thinking about our adventures.

So, as one chapter in our lives ends another begins. Looking forward to what is to come.

Love,

Kristin

Praise for answered prayers

It has been an eventful couple of weeks in the Wilcoxen apartment, as we've been preparing for our transition back to the States.  I'll be honest, I've had my moments where it has been tough to think about moving, because there is honestly a lot I'm going to miss.  Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to be back in the land where things make sense and to see/spend time with loved ones, but Doha has become home and it will be very bitter sweet to leave.

A few weeks ago, I was having a hard time with the upcoming move and was just feeling sad.  In addition to that, I had been applying for jobs for a couple of months, but didn't have any strong leads. Mark had applied to two jobs and received a job offer during his first and only interview with the second school he applied at.  A normal wife would be jumping for joy, but I was struggling because I had spent so much time applying, etc. and Mark only applied to two schools and got a job.  I was happy for him, but inside struggling with my frustrations and felt deflated. I started to feel angry about it all and struggled to talk to Mark about his job.  I recognized I couldn't handle this on my own and turned towards God.   I prayed quite a bit and was consistently reciting one of my life verses Proverbs 3:5-6
   "Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    Do not depend on your own understanding, Seek
    His will in all you do, and he will show you which
    path to take."

I sent my family an e-mail telling them the good news about Mark's job, but also asked for prayer because I was having a hard time.  I was writing the e-mail at school and tears were running down my face as I was just typing away.  My previous struggles with finding a teaching job were flooding back and knew I needed to continue to pray.  God worked on my heart and in a matter of two days the weight was lifted and my heart was softened.  There is honestly no explanation for it, other than God answering my prayer.  I apologized to Mark and was able to get truly excited for his new job and find out more details about it without getting upset.  This is not an area of my life that I'm proud of, but was so overcome with the answer to prayer that I can't help to share it with others.

Several days after God answered my prayer of softening my heart to be able to support Mark in his upcoming job, He began to open a door for me.  I received an e-mail from Traders Point setting up an interview with the principal.  After two interviews,  a recorded lesson, and more time in prayer, I received the job offer to be the 5th grade teacher at Traders Point.  I eagerly accepted and am overcome again by answer to prayer.

I honestly didn't think Mark and I would have jobs prior to our return to the States, but am so thankful that we do! This experience just continues to remind me of how great our God is.  Although things are not always easy, He provides us the strength to get through any hurdle in life.

So, thank you to those who had been praying for our transition back to the States and job search.

With love,

Kristin

"Half-Way" Meet-up

So, Barcelona may not be quite half-way between Indy and Doha, but it was pretty close when comparing our flight times.  My parents, Mark and I officially decided last summer that we would meet up for a vacation this year, and decided upon Barcelona. I honestly don't remember what all went into the decision making, but boy am I glad we chose it.  Barcelona was a fabulous city and would highly recommend for people to travel there.  It ranks as one of my top cities we have visited, as it is a beautiful city with lots to do.  It didn't hurt that we had great company there as well.

This marked our last vacation before moving back to the States this summer and feel as though we ended it with a "bang".  We had a great week with my parents exploring Barcelona.  This was my first time traveling with my parents, other than our beach vacations, and couldn't have asked for it to go better.  We all enjoyed similar activities and exploring the city together. :)

The sunrise while flying over Iraq

Barcelona's Cathedral...people were waiting for the Good Friday procession

We had a recommendation from a co-worker to check out the cat bar...we enjoyed having the beer from Indiana.  (#1 ART)

First night - enjoying the local cuisine (paella)

Mark had rabbit... 

Good Friday procession...very interesting, but didn't fully understand everything

Christopher Columbus monument

I learned over this trip that my dad likes to knock on random doors

This time someone answered...woops ;) 

Easter Service

Getting ready to tour the Sagrada Familia...an absolutely gorgeous church!

We went up one of the towers to enjoy the views...it was here where I began to learn of my dad's utter fear of heights

Fear of heights had not kicked in yet at this point...

dad's fear of heights kicked in and began quickly going down the stairs

My dad's reenactment of him quickly coming down the stairs

Went to the amazing light show...I can't believe they host these a few times a week!

Our only glitch (minus when my parents flight was delayed 24 hours on their return flight home, yikes!), was on Easter.  We managed to lock ourselves out of our apartment, and no we did not forget a key in the apartment.  The problem is we left a key in the lock and didn't realize it was there.  The key in the door on the inside prevented us from turning the key on the outside to get in.  We unfortunately didn't realize our mistake until 11:00 at night on Easter.  Keep in mind, everything is shut down, we don't speak the native language, and we have no phone to use for help.  We were in quite the pickle.  We found a small convenient mart open and some very nice Pakistanis allowed me to use their computer to contact the woman's place we were staying in (we did Airbnb) and then ran into other friendly women, one of which spoke good English, who called the police for us. The police came and tried to get in, with no luck of course.  Luckily, they were able to call a locksmith who came out within 15 minutes.  They pulled out their high tech piece of cardboard and slid it through the door to unlock it.  All of which took about 30 seconds, with a grand total of 200 euros! YIKES! We were just glad to have a place to sleep that night... I luckily was able to document some of the action (two photos below)

Mark using his HS Spanish skills to talk to the cops

The picture is blurred because I was trying to quickly snap a photo during the 30 seconds it took them to open the door.

Park Guell - amazing and interesting park, which was designed by the famous Antoni Gaudi

Dad is going to take a quick nap while we hike up a hill for some better views

My mom typically takes some rocks home from places she visits, but this one was unfortunately too big for their luggage

This sign was seen a little too late...the plant was already in the bag at this point. ;) 

Enjoying some Catalan dessert 

Roman Ruins

More sweets...enjoying some afternoon churros 

They are pretty excited about some fresh bacon!!

Enjoying a late afternoon snack/drink on the balcony (the views were nice!)

This place was AMAZING!!! 

We went to Montserrat for the day

My dad conquered his fears and rode the cable car

Taking a bit of a break with mi momacita while at Montserrat 

Candy store

This was an unforgettable trip and feel so fortunate to have been able to go and explore Barcelona with Mark and my parents. I hope to go back when they finish the Sagrada Familia. :)