Top 11 in 2011

Well its definitely been awhile since I've blogged and I wanted to get back into it.  Reading my sweet friend Tami's blogs have motivated me to start updating this often.  So I'm linking up with her today on her Top 11 in 2011.  You can check out her blog here. 

Thinking about this past year is really exciting.  We have so many great memories and moments so I'll try to highlight the best ones in order from oldest to newest...

11.  Marshall was promoted January 2nd, and although we were in Tunisia and the peak of the revolution was going on... this honor was definitely a highlight for us!

10.  Since I could only stay in Tunisia for 3 months at a time, Marshall and I took a little trip to Madrid, Spain in February.  We loved all the tapas, coronitas, and flaminco dancers!  My precious nephew Brayden was also born in February... I couldnt wait to see him!

9.  In March, we said goodbye to Tunis and hello to Malta!  Our new home!

One of the many many mosques.

Sidi Bou Said... where I lived in Tunis.

Golden Bay, Malta

8.  In April we went to Garmisch, Germany for Marshall's work conference.  It was amazing!!!!!!!!

The lodge we stayed at was at the base of the highest mountain point in Germany... Zugspitze. 

Our favorite... Hefeweizen!

We had to support our men so we made a sign with all of Region 7's countries flags.

The day before I left, I went to the Dachau Concentration Camp... so sad :(

7.  In May/June I got to go HOME!!  My brother married one of my best friends in June which was sooo awesome!  And my sweet cousin Jacqueline got married the week after!  We had lots of parties and receptions and family time!  A whole month with the most precious people to me!  I also got to meet Marshall's family and he got to meet mine :)  On my way home, I got to spend the day in Brussels... incredible city with all the chocolate, waffles, and stella beer!!!

Jacqueline and Zach's wedding

Girl's day out shopping ... LOVE them!

Marshall's niece and nephew... super sweet kids!  

Adam and Karina's wedding!

Two of the loves of my life... I cant get enough of them!

Brussels, Belgium

6.  In July, we had the grand opening of our new embassy in Malta!  

5.  In August we went to Frankfurt, Germany for another one of Marshall's work conferences.  We spent the week in the city and had a great time!  German food, beer, and culture is our favorite!!  My friend Emna also came to visit me from Tunisia!!  Great girl time!

Downtown Frankfurt

Rudesheim, Germany

4.  In September... Marshall PROPOSED!!!  The most magical day ever!!  Now... if we were just allowed to get married!!  9/10 more months before he is finished with the program and all mine!!! :)

3.  In October we celebrated Marshall's 32nd birthday and then he went back to the states for some training and I went to visit my friend Cristina in Spain.  She lives in Alicante and it was an amazing city!!

Her momma cooked for us often all the traditional Spanish dishes...sooo yummy!  Especially paella!

This was another favorite of mine... they call it summer wine, but its just red wine mixed with either lemon or orange fanta.  Delicious!  If you are going to make it, I would do 1/3 wine, 2/3 fanta!

2.  In November we had the Marine Corps Ball!  I love getting dressed up... but even more so, seeing Marshall in his dress blues!  Woo Woo!!  

1. In December my sweet precious new nephew Christopher was born!  I got to skype with my sister during the whole delivery too!  Such a special day!   We also spent Christmas in a recreated Bethlehem on the island of Gozo!!

I can't believe how amazing of a year we have had!!  I didnt really realize it until I just went back and processed it all!!  We are so blessed and thankful for not only our family and friends, but this life that God has blessed us with.  We are so happy, healthy, and super excited to return home and be closer to family!  So sorry for such a long blog!  I promise they wont be like this anymore.  I had a hard time keeping it even at this length!  Tomorrow I'm going to post 2012 goals... followed by lots of fun and random stories, recipes, ideas, and my new job details!!  Lots of Love...

  

this is the beach and you can see the mountains of the congo in the background.

one of the bible study/clubs of new generation that we spent time with yesterday.

these three pictures are from another club outside of our town. so many people meeting together to study about Jesus :) so wonderful!

this is africa.

• during a casual lunch conversation we somehow brought up the topic of noses. dieudonne then told us that a person's nose was how they distinguished whether you were a hutu or a tutsi during the war. they would stop random buses, cars, walkers, etc and if they didn't like your nose, they would kill you on the spot. dieudonne said his nose was a little of both so whatever group stopped him, he would have to convince them he was on their side.

• just talking randomly in a conversation i noticed two huge scars on this guys arm. i asked him what they were from and he said gun shots. he then showed us a huge scar on his leg from where they hit him with a machete. my mouth just hung open and the boys kind of laughed. this is their normal.

• we also met with the first group of street kids that new generation took in 12 years ago. they were between the ages of 3-8 years old. they are still living in a new generation house and finishing school. many of them work as well to help out with daily needs. their stories of having their parents killed in the war and having no place but the streets to live was so devastating. they have been given hope, Jesus, and a new life.

• we were sitting on the porch having a meeting and this little boy came up to us. we had our friend teddy claude translate for us. he asked us if we had any food he could have for him and his little brother. he was absolutely filthy with torn clothes. he told us that he has to dig through the dumpsters to try and find coals which he can take into town and try to sell. the little bit of money is how he buys food for his family. he didn't know how old he was, but i would guess 7. kim and i went inside and put a bunch of our food in a bag for him to take home.

this is africa.

Bujumbura, Burundi

walking to the internet with my mace, kim and i with our translator during church, and playing hot potato with the kids. i was running the music. :)

playing with the kiddos, and the middle picture is actually the first group of guys new generation took in like 12 years ago...its amazing to hear their testimonies!! the third picture is of this little boy jay. i was making faces at him during church and he was mocking me back.

they are so precious...the middle girl, (its impossible to pronounce their names so we make up nicknames) has a soft spot in my heart. she is one of 3 girls and really quiet and shy, but has been opening up so much lately and smiling. she has perfect teeth and such a sweet spirit about her.

we had a talent show with the kids...they all either sang or danced or did some sort of trick. they LOVED it. i have great videos i'll try and post. it was a lot of fun. even the older guys really got into it. kim and i had a good laugh :)