Why a Second Blog?

I can define myself a lot of ways. I am a Christian, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, teacher, Aggie, Texan, and roommate. In the past few months, I can add another label to my identity - expat. One day, years from now, I'll be able to tell stories about when I lived in Egypt. I'll share about crazy Egypt and my hodge podge expat bubble where there are no lines between personal and professional life. We work, play, travel, and live together. It's a beautiful thing that you love - quirks and all. However, it is just as diverse as the world around you. And they are the reason for a second blog.

As much as I love my expat family, I have to be very careful with how I share my faith. As a Christian, I knew moving to a mostly Islamic country would be a challenge. I wasn't too concerned about living with my expat community because I had friends that weren't Christians in Texas. I wasn't ready. Spending 31 years in the Bible Belt did not prepare me to live in the other 98% of the world. I'm learning that people who are not Christians in the Bible Belt either hold similar values or have become very tolerant of us. Other people - not so much. I adore my new friends but there are individuals that do not hold either similar values or tolerance. This is a HUGE eye opener for sheltered Dana. I have seen people physically respond when I talk about my faith/Jesus - face turn to stone, turn away to not look at me, arms cross, literally taking steps back, or being able to see a "wall" come up. And I'm not saying anything more than the fact that I went to church last night.

I am in the process of learning how to be real with my faith in new ways. It makes me miss being fully transparent and fully known by people. So as an attempt to keep relationships open, I'm starting this second blog. If you want light hearted, travel, or everyday types of posts, keep checking out the other blog. I'll still update it and post those links to facebook. This one will not be mailed out. It will share what I'm struggling with, working through, and needing prayer for. It will be more transparent and real. I'm not promising anything life changing - just honesty.

So welcome.