Istanbul

 We had a great time in Istanbul with our fellow workers from our organization.  This conference is annually, though it was our first time since last year we had just had Gwenyvere in the States.

It was a wonderful time!  We came away refreshed for sure though a little more tired since we had to deal with sleepy, grumpy, children most of the week!  Gwen and Adalynn both were able to get shots from the doctor who came to conference.  Maybe I can blame their grumpies, sudden clinginess, and sleepiness on the shots????  I am not sure how to even describe my feelings the first night as we sang songs in English with a group from our organization.   It was like I knew I was longing for this kind of fellowship and filling, but I didn't realize how badly I needed it until I received it.  I am not sure if that makes sense, but it was pretty powerful for me.  I am so grateful for a week of encouragement!

We stayed in a resort (probably not like what you are imagining, like the ones you may go to in Mexico and such, but it was still really nice...we even had air conditioning...and boy did we need it!).

 

We had an opportunity to go into the city one day and tour the touristy/historical parts of Istanbul!

 Blue Mosque

 Hagia Sophia

 

 Adalynn and Gwen both loved these lion statues that were everywhere in the hotel.  We had to stop and pet them every time we passed them...which was all the time!

We left Saturday morning bright and early.  Gwen threw up from motion sickness on Philip on the way to the airport, Gwen's two lovies were thrown up on, Adalynn lost her blankie, and we got stuck in traffic coming out of Moscow on the way home....so it took extra long to get back to Vladimir from the airport...like 5 hours long.

Thanks for your prayers!  We appreciate you!  

Blessings,

Philip, Kara, Adalynn, and Gwen