He has risen!

At first he wouldn't smile, and then he gave me this

And  a concert before we left...

Teoman actually remembered the Easter Egg hunt from last year

It's Easter - those few Christian holidays where I can find Americans, eat American food, and feel American.  It means chocolate, easter egg hunts, ham, and the Hallelujah Chorus.

But this year it also meant potential terrorist target.

This is the email I received last night:

Embassy of the United States of America

Ankara, Turkey

Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Threat Against Places of Worship

March 26, 2016

U.S. Mission Turkey advises that Turkish media is reporting warnings of an Easter threat by ISIL against places of worship, including churches, synagogues and diplomatic missions. The Turkish National Police plans enhanced coverage for these types of locations. No specific locations are named nor is any of the information being attributed to the U.S.

U.S. citizens are reminded to maintain situational awareness and the ability to communicate in an emergency. Keep a low profile, stay away from crowds and demonstrations and avoid becoming time and place predictable.

I am registered in the STEP program and with the embassy so I actually receive these types of messages more and more frequently.  Usually the messages are indicating a protest and advising citizens to steer clear of the area.  All emails are concluded with web links for safety updates, travel advisories, embassy and consulate links, as well as a general admonition to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings, etc. etc. etc.

But this one made me nervous - so I talked with Tolga, talked with some military friends, and in the end decided to go to church anyways.  There are several churches in Ankara - but the one I go to is Tolga approved because it is so secure.  Nothing is foolproof, and there are always a million things that can happen anyhow - but the chapel is not advertised and its on the American military base which is inside the Turkish military base - which could make it more of a target but that game of trying to outthink danger never ends.  

So we all said prayers and went and made it back.  The only difference I noticed was at the first security checkpoint I stopped well behind the suburban in front of me, and the car behind me did the same thing.  We were all giving each other space. . . .

Ugh.


But then, I entered little America and its easy to forget what's out there when I look around and see everyone like me, in Sunday dress, singing from hymnals and sharing Bibles.  And while I don't miss America - I am still thankful for these moments.

beautiful smiles amidst spring petals

There are two amazing things about this photo:
How well they ate, and there is ham on both of their plates.

My Turkish-German sister-in-law sent me this
photo and Happy Easter Greetings ...
I'm confused but it seemed to complicated
to ask wha they were celebrating Easter ... I'm guessing
a foreign neighbor.