Well, we made it through our first week! There is a US embassy here in Adana and there is a supposedly "controlled, peaceful protest" there today. We are not allowed to go off base today just for extra protection. Our safety is very important to leadership here and they will fly me home if they feel it is unsafe for the spouses. Prayers are always accepted, but please do not be worried about us!


Some of our belongings should be coming next week, and I am very much looking forward to that! As you know, they loaned us some furniture until our stuff gets here. The full size bed that they gave us is ridiculously uncomfortable. It's kind of like sleeping on the kitchen table, actually. They also loaned us some sheets...and they are absolutely ridiculous! It's like they are one bed size too small. Every time you move one corner of the fitted sheet will pop off. And the top sheet and blanket fit so they just cover all the top surface area, but nothing more. Every time one of us turns over, the other is completely uncovered. We basically are forced to cuddle real close in the middle of the bed flat on our backs. A couple days ago we went to the thrift store and got some real sheets, and let me tell you...I feel like a Queen!! It's the little things in life.

We also got some loaner kitchenware. We have two plates, two bowls, four sets of silverware, two small pots, one very small frying pan, a cutting board, a colander, and that's about it. The other day we decided to make some eggplant parmesan with our delicious vegetables we got from the market. Talk about a challenge. We had to get super creative, and it ended up taking us like an hour in a half to cook dinner. It was delicious though! Needless to say, we have been signing up for everything that offers free food. On Tuesday I sat through a 5 hour workshop to get free lunch! Totally worth it.

Jordan has been working every day, and I have been desperately trying to find ways to entertain myself. Sitting in an empty (ugly) house all day is about enough to drive me insane. The other day I got an hour in a half massage for $30! It was amazing. I make many trips to the BX and the library. It feels good to be walking around so much, but I will be glad when my bike shows up! Bible study is starting up this week and I'm excited for that!

The job situation looks very bleak for me here. I went to the clinic to talk to someone about nursing, and she said that there is 0% of a chance of me getting a nursing job. This is a Turkish base, so the civilian Turks have job priority over the Americans. The Starbucks here doesn't hire Americans at all. I have been told that I have to be very patient if I want a job. I turned in my application to volunteer with the Red Cross and I am looking forward to that!

I have decided that I want to get my masters degree while I am here. I am looking into programs now. Since I won't be able to work as a nurse for two years, I might as well work on my education!

Here are a couple pictures of things at my house that I like.

I love our rose bushes!! One way that we can "give back" to Turkey and also develop relationships is by hiring a gardener! Our gardener's name is Hasam and he is amazing and takes such good care of the yard. When we got here our rose bushes were pretty bad looking, but through Hasam's TLC, they are starting to look beautiful! A couple days ago I accidentally locked myself out of the house so I was sitting on the porch waiting for Jordan to come home. Hasam went to the store and bought me some bread because he felt bad for me. Haha!

 I love our built in book shelf! We only have a couple books right now, but once our stuff gets here we will have much more to adorn the shelf with!

 Look! Bananas!

 My sweet husband got me flowers!!! I love being married to Jordan!

My sleepy man getting ready for a nap in the hammock. I love that guy!