Phillip and Rebecca Mefford

Mutlu Yıllar Happy New Year! It is hard to believe another year has gone by. In the first entry of 2010 we introduced the phrase “leyleği havada gördü,” like the stork we are always on the move, taking in as much of this place as we can. And now we are thinking of a different kind of stork—the kind that comes to your doorstep with a little bundle of joy. In light of that, it is difficult to anticipate what 2011 will be like, but one thing is certain: our Turkish neighbors will have their doors open and tea brewing in tiered pots (except now we won’t be the center of attention any more!). Our family looks forward to journeying through 2011 with you. Enjoy the New Year’s celebrations! Our tea glasses are ready for a refill!

Noel Baba S anta Claus Among its plethora of historically significant features, modern-day Turkey boasts the home of the real Saint Nicholas, Demre, what was once included in the Roman province of Asia. Although tourist maps distinguish this location with the red-clad commercial Santa Claus, reputable sources recognize that there was a bona fide Nicholas of Myra who was very devout, generous to the poor, and at least generally depicted with a beard. We haven’t personally wandered down to Santa’s home town, and we are not ones to venerate statues of people long gone, but we can appreciate this person who had a giving-spirit. Thinking about it, the movies depict Santa Claus as being innately benevolent (who wouldn’t be if you had a workshop of expert toy-making elves at your command), but we have a suspicion there was something motivating this Saint Nicholas; a model of true gift-giving, of true sacrificial generosity. Though we can’t know what really shaped a man so enshrouded in lege

Hazır mısınız? Are you ready? As of this week we are at “term pregnancy” meaning that if the little one shows up any time between now and the due date he will not be considered premature. His little body is just about ready to be born, and we hope we’re ready too! We’ve discussed a birth plan with our doctor, the nursery is set up, and grandma and grandpa are on their way…We’ve been pondering: 1. The amazing way God has designed our bodies to form inside our mother’s wombs. 2. How can we help our family and friends feel apart of our son’s birth and growth as a child when we live so far away? 3. How can we do a great job at raising a third culture kid (TCK), whose passport will be American but who will start his life in a different country? In what ways can we help him prepare for being not quite Turkish and yet not 100% American? How can we encourage him to speak the language and culture of Turkey, while at the same time preserving his blood nationality?

Balkabaği Pumpkin There is a Turkish desert served in the fall which simply consists of cut pumpkin covered with syrup and crushed walnuts. To our taste buds, it’s not quite the caliber of pumpkin pie, but there is something comforting in having the same produce available here that we can get back home in the States. And so, with fall fading and winter proceeding, pumpkin patches and corn mazes long in our memories, we want to share another Nasrettin Hoca (Teacher Nasrettin) anecdote with you: “The Great Pumpkin” Nasrettin Hoca was lying in the shade of an ancient walnut tree. His body was at rest, but, befitting his calling as an imam, his mind did not relax. Looking up into the mighty tree he considered the greatness and wisdom of Allah. "Allah is great and Allah is good," said the Hoca, "but was it indeed wise that such a great tree as this be created to bear only tiny walnuts as fruit? Behold the stout stem and strong limbs. They could easily carry the great pumpkin