Last Day in Cairo

It was the last day in our trip. Uncle Magady invited us over his place in Shobra. It was Joicy grand mom home for many years. It had many memories for her and she was so excited to see it again.
The family came over to spend with us the last day and we had more food and more quality time.
We miss you all.

Cairo-Family Day

Joicy family were so great. They put this amazing day together. It started by uncle Yosry picking us from home and going to el tab3y. A real egyptain food place. We had breakfast then we went to the train station to pick up mom. Soon after that we went to a club in Nasr city where the whole family gathered to spend time with us.

It was so nice to have them all in one place and enjoy their company. Mom and I were so pleased with every thing planned. Thank you so much to this and for all your wonderful gifts.

Khan al Khalili

The area is known for being one of the oldest areas in the capital. the narrow streets full of stores selling hand Kraft and hand made souvenirs. It is also a good place to grab nice meal with the real Egyptian taste.

Sitting by the Nile

There is nothing compared to sitting by the Nile. We found a nice cafitria right on the Nile near the fish garden in the Zamalak. It was such a nice time sitting there and resting after a busy day of touring the capital.

Cairo Tour

Shalaby is the place to have a good hawawshi sandwich. It is located in el 3atba city in cairo. We really wanted to have this kind of food since we don't find it any were in the US. Paster Abel Messeh and his wife took us to this place where we had the best lunch ever. The he took us to the Mango King in Ramses. Oh, I can't forget this Mango, it is so good. We loved it.

Cairo Tower

Joicy, Hany and I went to the top of Cairo tower. It is so nice to see the capital of the middel east from above. It was our first time, and we would do it again next time we visit, this time we will do it at night so that we enjoy the light sights.

Ne3ma Bay

Swimming With The Fish

I never thought that is possible, swimming with the fish without even diving....
The hotel is located in the bay, or gulf where a lot of colored fishes swims every where. After a nice breakfast in the hotel restaurant, we took after pictures by the reception area then we walked down to the beach where you will find the best clear water in the enter world. It is an experience that I will never forget.

Alf Laila We Laila

Just 20 min from Na3ma Bay you will find this place Alf Lala we Lala...
The place is designed to give you the feeling of the old days and how was the Islamic culture impacted the art of the country. The place is build to an open space where it has many stores to shop and has a nice food and entertainment.

Riding The Sands

That is something that I always wanted to do. Friends of us recommended it to us and we took advantage of it. The bust came to the hotel and then dropped us at the location where we picked up our bike. We wore head scarf and drove into the sand. It was nice watching the mountains and every thing thing that the desert had to offer.

Sharm El Sheikh Second Day

Sharm El Sheikh First Day

We stayed at Sofitel Sharm el Sheike after recommendation of many friends.

The hotel in on Naama Bay hill, as a result each room has a a see view.
The hotel has three different restaurants, Arabic, Asa in, and Indian.

We had a blast in the hotel, we highly recommended it.

Alexandria Last Day

Alexandria Second Night

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Alexandria Second Day

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Alexandria First Night

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Alexandria First Day

Egypt, Beni Suef Cont.

Egypt, Beni Suef

Egypt's Trip-First Day

Ramy & Nancy Wedding

Wonderful Wedding

Ramy and Nancy Rehearsal Dinner

Great Night, we can't wait til tomorrow :)

My Florida Trip

It was another sweet surprise from the sweetest husband in the world Moody, I came home one day and he surprised me by showing me an airline ticket booked for me to go see my parents in Orlando FL for a weekend. I was speechless and all I could do was hug him and thank him, of course I was disappointed that he was not coming with me. However, this showed me more of his sweetness of letting me and my parents spend quality time together.
I flew to Orlando and I was so happy to see my family and friends, everyone came over to spend time with me where talking and laughing lasted till two in the morning both nights. The first day, my cousin Annie and I went shopping in Millennia Mall and at night we went to Universal studios city walk where everyone came to meet us. The second day, I spent some time with my parents where we also went shopping together and walking in the Loop, then all my friends came over and had dinner then we went to downtown Disney. It was a lot of fun to be with everyone and was so nice to get to see them all.
However, there was something missing….I missed Moody so much that I couldn't pass five minutes without calling him and hearing his voice. This was the first time we were apart after we got married for almost eleven months. It was so hard on me to be away from him for a whole weekend, I couldn't enjoy my time like I used to before when I know that we were too far away in distance from each other. This trip got me to realize how much we became closer together and was really happy to see how much we couldn't wait to see each other. On the way back, I was looking forward to give him the biggest hug and tell him how much I love him and missed him.
Thanks habibi for this sweet surprise and thanks for always looking for ways to make me happy. I love you.

Vacation Time to the Mother Land

We are going to be away abroad for the next two weeks. We have not visited Egypt for a long time. It is 12 years and 6 for Joicy. We are super excited about the trip. We are going to miss every one as we ask you to keep us in your prayers.

The hotel in Sharme

The hotel at night
This is Alexandria

Luxor
Cairo
Cairo

Couples: What is your time of death?

Did I get your attention yet? See my death time is June 7th 2008 4:25 pm. Since then and my death is a process that just started but yet to continue.

In the the Firproof movie, Caleb didn't know that he is wrong. he was looking only to her mistakes.
the love dare is teaching us to lose ourselves in order to win what is important.
Jesus did the same, he sacrificed himself to win us. We are important to him.

In my post Do hard thing... understand it is worth it to let go of those hard things in order to win what is more important than those hard things.
The movie of Fireproof says, "you don't value something until you invest in it."

Caleb confessed that he loved other things, where he should been loving his wife.
Now let me ask you, do you love yourself more than your partner? And more than your marriage?
if you want tomato, you need to plant tomato seeds, so you need to break yourself to win it.
We learn from our society, to win, how about saying sorry. isn't sorry is a form of dying, self dying.
some time we fight trying to prove that the other person is wrong, instead of trying to resolve the matter.
Did you check your motives during or before your last fight with your partner. What was the purpose of your fight? Was it simply trying to prove him or her wrong.

See God's well for us is to die and seek his well. God well for us is to not ask what it is for ourselves.
When we get married, we tend to think that our partner is there to make us happy and that is marriage. But, how many times, we forget that we are their to make our partners happy as well.

See, if you died lately, it would be easy for you to make that special person in your life happy.
Remember, he or she isn't spacial because of who he or she is, it is because of what you think of him or her. Realize that your marriage is selfless covenant and is the date to celebrate the death of you and your partner in order to make ONE out of the TWO of you. Have a Humble Pie today.

Are you a Submarine?

This is the Cherry tree at my work parking lot. Every spring it flowers so pretty. I can only say that this tree been here for ever. Just look at its root. Every SPRING, I go and take a picture of it.
It is amazing how the season changes and how God is great.



Click Slide Show to see it in full screen. It is so pretty
This Past Sunday, I was teaching my middle Sunday school class about how we are living in the presence of God all the time as we walk this earth. That His work is every where. As result, we should live the fine line of pride and humbleness. Proud to belong to such great God and humble as we don't deserve to belong to him, but is his mighty grace we wanted us more than any thing.

More than 10 year ago, I heard that comment from a preacher, who said, many of us act like submarines, who are under the water for so long and only come out once a while they are out of food. He said that we are under the world all week long and only realize God presences as we enter the church on Sundays. We need to see God in every thing around us. The flowers, the sun, the rain, the snow, the seasons, the heat, the cold, and every thing.

Here is the Video I used during my Sunday school class.



Now, share with me and others how you see God around you... link below.

Churchy Flowers at the door steps

Last week, I noticed those new flower plantation around the outside of the church. It was a sign of the spring is in town. But this year was different. I noticed what Mary Baheg did. She not only taking care of the flowers, but she also inserted those verses in each one of them.

I didn't know how to think of them, or how the idea came to her but I liked it.
I didn't want to ask her about them, since I wanted to think about them for a bit and see what influence of the thoughts might have on me.
One of the things I did think of was how small things matter if you did it was a humble heart and with purpose in mind.

I think that the verses were put there with a purpose in mind. It also made the flowers even more meaningful and prettier. God is good in every way and I am sure he does appreciate all these small touches.

I also thank God for making me notice those small things, it makes me feel his presence is every where around us.

Margherita Pizza

It become a habit and a hobby to cook together once a week. I only can see it as benefit for couples to do. It does draw us close to each other and help us even communicate much more. We both enjoy it so much.
We followed the recepits found on Delish website.

I would love for you to leave us a comment with what you have cooked this past week..

Couples:Encourging Monday in Action

It is 12 noon on a Monday and so far it has been such a busy day, full of disappointments. I can't share much, but it has been so far one of those Mondays.

Over the weekend, Joicy was away in FL and it was a hard weekend for me. It was the first time we be apart for long time since we become one. The feelings was over whelming that I wrote this post. Questing Oneness in Marriage?

Joicy got me used on surprising me with sweet love notes in my lunch bag once a while. Today I was in a desperate need of motivations after few news on Monday morning. I was feeling down all morning and I couldn't even share much with her until I opened my lunch bag and found this sweet love note. It was prefect timing and great example of encouraging love; a post I wrote in the past about how is your relationship motivating you or not, and how love should lift you up high above difficulties.

Since I seen this note 15 minute ago, and I am all pump up and ready to conquer it all. Thank you my love, my partner and my future.

Now I want you to share something sweet, that your partner did for you recently. Just link using the form below and let every one know how he or she been so sweet to you.

Couples: FireProof, Never Leave your Partner Behind

Caleb: Did I offend you by walking in the doors….
Catharine: I am so tired; I am working, taking care of the house and watching over my parents
Caleb: it was your decision to work,I am tired too
Catharine: all you care about is working out and your boat

Caleb: why I can’t get some respect around here
Catharine: I want out
Caleb: if you want out, that is FINE by me

Caleb: Hi dad, Catharine and I are done
Dad: is there anything in you that make you to save your marriage
Caleb: if Catharine want to.

Dad: Listen son, I have a gift for you, which will require you to do forty days
Caleb: Dad, I can’t do this any more

Dad: you just doing enough to go by, aren’t you? You not a quiter.
Dad: you don’t value something, until you really invest in it.

Book: (day four) do something to expresses your love, not just words

Caleb: I don’t feel any thing
Dad: This love dare isn’t based on feeling

Caleb: friend: what is for today? 5
Caleb: study her
Studying her, trying to know what her likes and hates, understand her, and listen
Caleb friend: make it memorable date, fixes dinner with candel light

Catharine: rejects dinner

Caleb, Dad: I don’t feel any thing
Dad: you can’t listen to what you feel at the moment
Check your real motive what hard times come

Caleb: I am trying to please her, but I can’t do it by myself
Dad: I was there too, when I relized who I was and who he was, I needed him too
Caleb: I am good person
Dad: by your standard, have you loved god who gave you life?
Caleb /Dad: she is so stubborn

Dad: did she thank you for the past 20 days? Caleb: NO
Caleb: How I suppose to love someone who continues on rejecting me? Dad: GOOD Question?
Caleb: that isn’t what I am doing?
Dad: you can’t love her because you can’t give her what you don’t have.
Dad: I made the decision to love your mother either she deserve it or not
Dad: can’t you see that you need him? His forgiveness
Dad: would you trust him?
Caleb: YES

WAFFLE TIME

Caleb / friend: your faith, I am all in

Friend: god made marriage for live, you got to pray, don’t just follow your heart, you got to LEAD your heart

Caleb rescues a girl from a house fire and goes to the hospital
Catharine: you look terrible, Caleb: I feel terrible, Nurse: you got a hero on your hand!!

Caleb / dad: it seems like I am a hero to everyone in the world expect my wife! what is this so hard?

Day 24: watch out for addiction

Caleb: get rid of the computer and leaves a note for Catharine “I love You”
Catharine: leaves him the divorce papers to sign

Caleb / DR.: I made some mistakes, but I love her

Catharine: it is hard to second guess your self
Catharine friend: choose your choices carefully
Catharine: my husband had his chance

Song:
I am waiting, waiting o’lord, I will move forward, bold and confident,I am peaceful
It isn’t easy, but I am faithful waiting
I will take every step I obedience

Caleb/ Catharine: are you okay? Catharine: I am fine, don’t worry
Caleb: you got a fever
Catharine: why are you doing this?
Caleb: I learned to not leave my partner especially when there is fire
Catharine /Caleb: what day are you on?
Caleb: 43
Catharine: surprised, it is only 40 days
Caleb: who said, I should stop?
Caleb: I didn’t understand what love is
Catharine: I don’t trust you yet, I need some time
Caleb: take all the time you need
Caleb: I loved other things, where I should loved you. I need you to understand something, I am sorry

Catharine finds out that Caleb paid for her mom’s medical equipment
Catharine: looking for the ring… where is it?

Friend/ caleb: Catharine is in the bay.
Caleb: my Catharine?

Catharine: have I told you before hat you are a good man? Because I you are, and I FORGIVEN YOU.
Catharine: I want what happened to you to happen to me, is it too late?
Caleb: No

Caleb / Dad: dad, I am glad you didn’t give up on me or MOM.
Dad: the truth, I wanted out, but your mom is the one who did the love dare on me.
Caleb: mom did this?
Mom, I am sorry.

Catharine and Caleb smile and renew their vows

Couples: Questing Oneness in Marriage?

Oneness, I didn't think of this term until I got married, and I mean by that until I really got married. I didn't think of it so much during engagement nor dating. But, soon after few month of marriage I got to examine myself and my marriage and think of this term much more.

This weekend, Joicy went to visit her parents, and I stayed home alone. I believe that is the longest we have been apart for the past 11 month since we got married. Honestly, I didn't know how to feel at first. I was between two different emotions, one, I do like to be by myself once a while and I think it is very healthy to do that therefore I recommend it. One the other hand, I was missing her. The house didn't feel the same. This feeling got me today thinking again of meaning on Oneness. Oneness means to be united with someone, not to be one alone.

So, I went and I looked up the Internet to find a definition of the word Oneness and here what I came up with Henosis (Greek ἕνωσις - unity without parts.) Amazing words when I think of it.
Mike Mason writes " Oneness is the freedom to speak one's mind to the other about absolutely anything. Oneness is being as comfortable with silence as with speech. Oneness is perfect trust. It's acting the same way apart from one's spouse as with him or her. It's anticipating the other's needs, and feeling the other's hurts as one's own. Oneness is habitually setting aside all differences for the simple joy of living in peace."

It took me all by surprise, I NO LONGER know how to live as a single man. It is like once I become one with my wife, I NO LONGER can or able to seek my own way, because I am united in one with her.

In the last few month that I been married, I learned that every day, as a couple we needed to strive to that one goal of Oneness. It isn't by any mean removing any of my characters, on the other hand polishing it or completing it with my wife's characters. Think of it as a great piece of art that is missing part of it and in order to be complete, we need to add something to it.
It isn't easy and SHOULD NOT considered easy. In order to fit one part in a another, we need to do some work, like making room for that part.

Many times we try to establish oneness on our own,, and I am not saying that is wrong, but what I want to say is that oneness will become stronger and maybe easier as we come closer to God, He is the one who started our relationship in marriage and without him, we can't make it happen.
Let me confess, when I first married, I thought Oneness is for me and my wife to think the same, like the same things and be able to read each other minds. To be honest, I still struggle with that sometimes and I can tell she struggles too. However the real meaning of oneness is to be able to complete one another. It is when I am weak, she is strong. It is when I am upset, she is gentle. It is when she is worry, I am her comfort. Whe she is afraid, I am here protection. See the true Oneness is in our differences not in our similarity's. Read my post about: Balancing Couples.
(2 Corinthians 12:9). for God's "power is made perfect in weakness". Marriage makes couple stronger by making them more vulnerable to one another. As need arises, the fulfilment is provided in your spouse.
read my post on Polite Relationship Questioned.

Understand the Oneness isn't based on a feeling. The truth is that Joicy and I are, in fact, one. Matt. 19:6 “So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” We need to become one, that is God's command to us. But, we got to work on it every day and all time. Read my post Falling in Love vs Making Love.

I am learning, I am responsible for my actions and my marriage is result of my hand work. In order to work on our oneness, I am need to invest time praying together and also pray alone for your spouse. Read Couple: Pray for your Partner

There is no way for you to become one without talking to one another. Read Share Three Things Daily. Know it is hard to let go of ourselves and think only of our spouse but always Think Potential of your partner. Know Oneness is like a tree, the more you take good care of it, the more it gets bigger and cover you with its shads.

Never give up on trying the hard things, Oneness isn't' easy. However, it is differently worth trying. So learn that Hard Things are worth trying and most appreciated.
Until then, I will be waiting for my better half to come home on Sunday and home will feel like home again, because it isn't home without the people you love most. Remember to make your spouse a priority in your life and you will be in your way to Oneness.