Jordan wrap-up

Just wanted to make sure I've recorded our last days in Jordan. It was hard to leave what have become good friends but there are good people in Cairo as well. Some of our friends left before we did. I'm sad I didn't get final pictures of them but fortunately I've got pictures of them at various times during our stay in Jordan.

Firas took us to a favorite Lebanese restaurant for his birthday dinner.


The next night he came to our house where we gave him a cake for his birthday. Firas had been to our house a few times for cake when we celebrated our birthdays. He had never really had American cake before he met us. He grew to love it along with other American foods like homemade chocolate chip cookies and egg nog. At the first he thought our sweets were too sweet but by the end of the year he could really put down the cookies, keeping right up with the rest of us.


We said goodbye to our housekeeper, Diana. She is a Filipina and still has children back in the Phillipines. Her youngest is 9--Cricket's age. The kids stay with Diana's mother and sister. Diana is hoping to take a trip back to see them soon. She hasn't seen them for a couple of years. Once again we've crossed paths with someone that really teaches us a lesson in gratitude. How fortunate we are that our family can be together.


We had the Schwallie family over for dinner. The Schwallies are originally from Sri Lanka but have lived in Jordan for years. They were one of our favorite families in Jordan. Stephanie was so welcoming to Clara in Young Women's. They are one of the kindest, most generous, most gracious families I have ever met. Something to aspire to.


We also said goodbye to Ala, the gardener. He, his wife, and child are living in the house now until it is rented out again. Firas tells us they are having the time of their lives living in such a nice home. I'm sure where they were living before didn't have near the comforts that this home has. I'm secretly--well, ok, openly--hoping the house doesn't rent out for a LONG time so Ala and his family can enjoy it.


And our very last night was spent at a place called "Books at Cafe." Firas wanted to take us there. We walked in and it was like a place you'd find near a University. There were a bunch of college-age, single-looking people hanging out drinking their lattes. Not really the scene for a Mormon family of 9. But we enjoyed it. The food was great. The cafe is the second floor. The ground floor is a bookstore. After dinner the kids each got to choose out a book to buy. The picture is of Dad and Petey trying to help Firas get his new ipod working. They needed Petey in there since she has a little more experience than the rest of us in that area.


Already it seems like Jordan was a dream. It went by so fast. Hopefully one day we'll get to go back. Well, Todd has already been back and will be going back again next week. But I mean I hope as a family we get to go back.