Guess who came for a visit last night?

They brought this as a gift.

And they brought their sister, dressed like this.

And she dressed like this. (actually, they dressed the same, Ruby just took artistic liberty - or didn't finish the drawing, I'm not sure)

Yep. You guessed it. Fatimah and her sister came to our house for a short little visit. I have been inviting her for a year, and she has been too scared to come. But this week I called her to get together for a visit and she said she'd like to come to our house.

It's a lot of pressure to have someone come to visit when it's their first visit to a Christian American's home. First impressions, and all. Guess what they saw at our house? Christmas lights, the tree lit and decorated, stockings hung, etc. They couldn't figure out how I got the tree here. "In a box. Folded up." It took a bit arm movements to explain, but I think they got it.

Fatimah got proposed to last month. She said 'no' again. She told me that she has a cousin that she would like that has intentions to propose (so he says) when he finishes school. This will be in a year or so. She said she told this boy no for now, and then when the cousin proposes she'll consider both - but she's hoping for the cousin. Fatimah brought her much older, single, sister with her. Her sister is 42 and lives at home with the family. She is an administrator at the Ministry of Education. Fatimah said she has been proposed to many times, most recently by a doctor - but she doesn't want to leave her family. Samuel said, "Did you tell her, too bad. That's life?" I said, "Easy for you to say, you're a boy. It's not 'life' to them. They have been raised NOT to be independant." Can you imagine marrying, knowing that now a man owns you? At least when it was your father and brothers, you know they love you. (hopefully) It's a scary thought that you have to turn everything over to someone you may have never met. Or. Your cousin. Whoever. (eeek) Especially when you can't divorce them if they turn out to be a total nightmare. You're stuck. So, I see her sister's point. Not that they said these things, I'm just trying to understand the reason for staying with your family and not marrying.

Fatimah talks of wanting to visit the United States. I tell her she can stay with us, in the summers of course. She says she can't go until she is married. I think her family wouldn't allow it now, and she would need an escort with her. At any rate, we had a fun evening. I was proud of her for being so brave to come to our home. I see her older sister was the only one she could convince to go with her. I made them a delicious chocolate cake, the one Steph brought to my house when we moved to Mill Creek. And also Steph's famous homemade salsa. I also dipped spoons in white chocolate and peppermint. Very Christmas-ee I'd say. They loved it all and wouldn't leave until I gave them the cake recipe.

They brought this display of yummy chocolates, and a special gift for Roo. As I've said before, Fatimah loves Roo. Little girls are always more fun to shop for. And she always gets the perfect little girl gift. Last night was a big drawing set. Roo wanted to draw them a picture, but didn't have time to give it to them before the left. I love how she always epxresses herself through art. Girls are wonderful, aren't they? Okay. So are boys.

So. That's it. Just thought I'd share a little. It was great to see Fatimah. They both loved my hair and want Minky to do theirs if and when she actually ever comes to visit me. But since she never reads this; she'll never know.

Masalama.