The Journey

Well, friends, I'm writing to you from Mozambique, hearing the call to pray echo across the city.  But first, I'll tell you about the journey here. I have four months to tell you about being here!

My travel started Wednesday morning, with packing up my grandparents' car.  After saying goodbyes to my sister, brother-in-law, and my adorable little niece, I ran a last few errands and then drove an hour to my grandparents to return their car.  I piled my suitcases on my aunt and uncle's porch, and spent an hour or so chatting with family until my aunt got home. Then we loaded my suitcases (minus my little travel pillow, which apparently grew little legs and ran off with one of the kids) and we drove to DC.  From there, I checked into my flight in record time.  I was at the airport three hours early, and conveniently, no one else was in the queue for check-in.  I walked straight up, checked both bags straight through to my final destination, and then went through security.  That also went very smoothly.  I think both check-in and security took about thirty minutes.  My next stop was to find another travel pillow in an airport shop, buy some water, and then settle in to wait.

I had a slight moment of panic when the staff at the gate for my flight wanted to weigh all hand luggage.  I've learned that the best way to avoid overweight checked baggage is to put books in my hand luggage, but this did not bode well for my hand luggage.  Being rather sneaky, I quickly rearranged my hand luggage so the weight was split between my "hand luggage" and my "personal item" (which is a rather large purse!).  They only weighed the one, said it was fine, and then I went back to my seat and switched it around again, putting what I would need during the flight in the bag that would be under my seat.

After my final texts were sent and phone calls made, I turned off my phone and prepared to board.  I was on an Airbus 340, and the center luggage compartments are very high for a 5'2'' person.  A very kind man saw me trying to figure out how to put my bag up, and he took it for me.

The flight was reasonably full, but the seat next to me (I was on the center aisle) was vacant.  I came to appreciate that much later in the flight.

We took off at about 5:45 p.m.  Once we could, I turned on my little entertainment set and started scrolling through the movies.  I was not very sleepy during the flight, and I watched One Thousand Words (eh, it was ok but not really good), Salmon Fishing in the Yemen (LOVED IT!!!!), Hunger Games (Didn't read the books, but so many people keep talking about it I figured I might as well....I probably still will not read the books, nor would I buy the movie), Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, and Madagascar.  Towards the last two, I was falling asleep.

We stopped in Dakar to fuel and take on some new passengers.  After a brief hour on the ground, we were off again, with another eight hours to reach Jo-berg.  By this point, I was starting to feel ill.  I don't know if it was the food, but I started to feel like I could be sick.  It was so nice to have the seat next to me available to stretch out a little more.  The flight attendant brought me Schweppes Ginger Ale and a hot wash cloth and I started praying that I would survive the flight.  I dozed a little bit and by the time we landed, I felt reasonable but still not very good.  I walked down the steps of the plane to the shuttle for the terminal with a gorgeous African sunset glowing in the distance.

Once in the airport, I started feeling ill again.  I also had to decide if I needed to go to the International Transfer section or Immigration.  Technically, I was continuing on to another destination, but I knew I would need to go through Immigration in order to go to my hotel for the night.  With a deep breathe (more to calm my stomach), I went through Immigration.  After Immigration, I came to baggage claim.  Dad had said I would probably need to collect and then recheck my bags.  I waited and waited until the very last bags were circling on the carousel, but neither of my bags were there.  I went to the man who was collecting the last unclaimed bags and showed him my claim ticket.  He assured me my bags would have been sent straight to my next flight.  Hesitantly, with another prayer for divine provision, I went through Customs and found my way to the City Lodge.  Thankfully, I had packed my pjs in my hand luggage.

The next day, I repacked and found my way to the appropriate counter for my next flight.  The woman working could only tell me that my luggage was in their system, but she could not guarantee that it would be on my flight.  Apparently there was no way to tell exactly where my suitcases were located.  With another prayer, I went through security and to my gate.  After waiting another hour, I boarded my second plane.  This was a much smaller Embraer 135.  To give an idea of how small it was, I was in seat 4B.  The flight was only an hour and half.  Before I knew it, we were landing at the "aeropuerto internacional de beira."  All twelve of us deplaned and went through Immigration.  I could then go to the luggage carousel and...my bags were both there!  Both locks were broken but they were there!  I then had to x-ray all of my belongings, shuffle them back onto the cart while six men watched without helping, and then I could go get my visa.  After that, I was able to give my parents big hugs!

On the way to their house, they took me to the beach for my first glimpse of the Indian Ocean.  The rest of evening was spent at Mom and Dad's house.  And so begins my time in Moz.

Pool Fun and Independence

Independence Day was a fantastic day.  I drove to spend the day with family and we spent the day eating, talking, and swimming.  The pool was only a few degrees cooler than the air, and it felt fantastic.

I love days like this.  The best holidays are spent just relaxing with family.  Given the current heat, a pool helps too! :)

Days blur by...

I can't believe it is July already!  The last few days and weeks have been very busy.  I truly meant to write more about Michigan, but that now seems distant already!  I came back from Michigan, had a doctors appointment to get my various shots for Mozambique, and repacked my bags and headed to Massachusetts for a few days with one of my best friends.  

I realized that in the last month, I've been in seven states and travelled over 3,000 miles by train and car. 

I arrived in Boston Thursday night, and Friday we headed up the coast of Massachusetts, briefly New Hampshire and then on to Maine.  Maine's nickname is vacationland and we decided for Leslie's birthday, he needed a vacation from Boston.  We made a good choice, I think.  Maine was lovely, with a nice slow pace as we didn't really plan our travels and just wandered to whatever we found interesting.  Our main goals were lighthouses and beaches.  We also went a state park and Fort Popham.  

After a return to Boston, we promptly headed further south to Rhode Island, to join two other friends.  I love getting together with friends I've known for a while.  There is a special level of comfort and laughter always follows.

Monday, we decided to explore Boston once again.  We took a Duck Tour, one of the amphibious tours where you are in one vehicle for both land and sea.  I loved the water part of the tour the best.  Boston's harbor had a number of extra vessels due to the upcoming holiday.  

It was over all too soon.  I took Amtrak back to my sister's, and now, I need to start packing for my next trip.  I leave in a week for Mozambique.  It feels surreal.  I'm looking forward to it, but it still seems distant.  I think I've been going a lot of directions this past month, trying to fit everything in before I go.  (Actually, this weekend will include a bit more travel too.)  All of this has kept me from daydreaming too much about the next journey.  But regardless of what I feel, it is rapidly approaching!  

Michigan

On June 15, I picked up my rental car, packed up my things, and drove to Michigan for a six day retreat.  The few times I've needed to rent a car, I've gone to a Hertz office nearby.  They have been so helpful and friendly (and cheaper than the competition), and this time was no exception.  They even gave a little upgrade of a GPS, the Hertz NeverLost system.  I was so excited because our GPS, Edith, is actually "Sometimes Lost."

The retreat was to include a "technology fast," which is quite challenging for me!  I warned my family that they wouldn't hear from me for a week, and I planned to do my best.  However, technology really is a part of my life.  For instance, I planned to read.  Most of my books are on my iPad.  I don't own a watch.  Why would I need one, when I can look at my cell phone for the time?  Being single and living abroad, most of my communication is via technology.  Once I got to the retreat location, some of those challenges took care of themselves.  Our location was remote enough that I didn't have a signal for my phone or internet!  I chose to still take my iPad, because the reasoning for the fast was to be resting, not working, and since I was using it for rest, that seemed appropriate.

I've gotten ahead of myself.  The drive out was pretty nice.  We had a lot of rain the days prior to my departure, and I kept thinking, "I do not want to drive 700 miles in the rain!"  Thankfully, the rain cleared up and I had a gorgeous day to drive.  I love driving through the mountains of Pennsylvania.  I drove through four tunnels, over many other mountains, and then I reached Ohio.  And it was flat.  And then I got to Michigan.  And it was flat.  It was still pretty, but wow, it was flat.  

I drove most of the way on Friday.  The retreat started on Saturday, with an arrival between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Once I drove through Detroit, I figured I should start looking for a hotel.  I decided to drive to Port Huron, which would leave me with about 80 miles to drive on Saturday.  When I stopped for dinner, I called ahead and booked a hotel room in Port Huron.  The closer I got to Port Huron, the more nervous I got.  I kept seeing signs for Canada, and instructions to use the highway I was using to go across to Canada.  And my GPS, the NeverLost, kept telling me to go straight!  Three miles before the Canadian border crossing, I reached my exit.  And there was construction.  And a detour.  The detour was taking me even further on the Canadian bound highway!  

Now, I was back on the highway, my GPS was telling me I missed my exit, and I was thinking, "I didn't bring my passport.  I can't go to Canada."  I got off at the next exit, figuring I would just do this the old fashioned way and find a local to ask for directions.  Instead I found the hotel, which was great, since it was now 9 p.m. and I was pretty tired!  

The next morning, the NeverLost and I began our journey again.  I checked out of my Comfort Inn and turned on the GPS.  It told me to get back on the same highway.  I was muttering to myself at this point.  With a big sigh, I turned on the car, got back on the same highway, and headed even closer to Canada.  And the NeverLost told me to take exit 2.  Fortunately, I was paying very close attention and there wasn't any traffic, because the exit the NeverLost told me to take was marked with a big orange sign stating CANADIAN CUSTOMS ONLY.  I did not take that exit.  I carried on straight and took the next exit and prayed to God that I wouldn't be crossing any bridges.  

I did not cross a bridge or end up in Canada, thank the Lord.  Instead, I found M25, which was the highway I needed.   Now this made me giggle, because the M25 is also the name of the Motorway around London.  However, this is the Michigan version:

There was significantly less traffic than one might find on the London M25.

But before I got too far from Port Huron, I (wisely) thought I should fill up the car with fuel.  As Leslie said when looking at the map, "Oh my goodness, Port Huron is the last town before the final frontier!"  I stopped at a gas station and began to fill up the car.  I used the little clicky latch on the handle so I wouldn't need to hold the handle the entire time, but as regulations state, I stayed with the car.  Thank goodness I did!  I heard a "glug glug" and thought, "Oh, it's full."  But the little clicky latch didn't release!  So, I grabbed the handle (leaving it in the fuel tank because fuel is still coming out!) and frantically fiddled with in.  After a few tries, it released.  Now I had fuel down the side of the car, on the concrete all around me, and on my hands, and I was having visions of gas stations exploding.  The practical side of me was also thinking, "Oh man, I had to pay for that fuel!"  Clearly I am capable of thinking many things at once!  I very calmly closed my fuel tank, printed a receipt, and walked into the gas station to ask for help.

I'm so glad two girls were working.  I stated the problem, wanting to tell them more about the handle and that it should be fixed.  I suppose my Eastern directness was too direct for her Midwestern-ness because the girl seemed to think I was complaining and she gave me a complimentary voucher to take my car through their carwash and hand sanitizer for my hands.  I clarified, but she assured me that she would have someone look at the handle.  I took my little Nissan rental through the car wash, and was back on my journey.  I was driving north, along the "thumb" of Michigan.  There are some really lovely roadside parks which are along Lake Huron, because the M25 runs parallel to the edge of Lake Huron for some distance.  

And then there were more detours, which took me away from the coast and further inland.  

All in all, it was a very nice (albeit long) trip.  I arrived at the retreat around noon and used my barely there signal to text my family that I had arrived safely.  After that, I dutifully turned off my phone and took my book down to the lake, prepared to relax.  Vicious horseflies interrupted that with their biting, but I did last about an hour.  After that, I unpacked, took a nap, and before I knew it, was headed to another lodge for our dinner and first meeting with the other guests.

I'll write more about that later :)

Lovers Leap in Tennessee

When I returned to the USA, I started to get the idea from a lot of directions that people were concerned about me because I don't have a plan.  If you know me, I like plans.  But at this point, I don't have one.  Actually, if you know me really well, you know I normally have about twenty plans and I just have to pick one!  And  yes, I do have a lot of different plans right now, but I don't know which one to follow yet.  I can't explain it.  I just have a strong sense that I need to wait.  Slow down.  And just take the one little baby step in front of me.

I have probably mentioned this before, but I have often been recalling a line Robert Redford speaks in the film version of Out of Africa.  He says, "God made the world round so we couldn't see too far down the road."  (Actually, that may not be exact, because it has been ages since I watched the film and I have a tendency to switch words around!  Also, I love the story, but have never actually finished the book, so I'm not sure if it is a line from the book originally.)  Back to the quote.  I just love that reminder.  It tugs at my adventurous side when my detail loving side gets anxious.

A few months ago, I started to get a very strong mental picture of my waiting.  I had a friend who frustrated me when she said I seemed "lost."  To me, lost is not at all the right word but I didn't know how to explain what I felt.  I mulled it over for a while, and this is what I've come to see.

I feel like I know exactly where I am.  I feel confident that I am where I should be.  But I do know that this is a temporary situation.  Whether I stay or go, something more permanent has to happen.  This picture in my mind is so clear.  Near Chattanooga, Tennessee, there is a place called Rock City at Lookout Mountain.  At one spot, the caretakers have placed a marker, pointing out that from this vantage point,  you can see landmarks in seven states.

I feel like I'm standing at that marker.  I don't feel lost at all.  I know where I am and it is the right place for me today.  There are so many directions I can see, and the view is amazing.   It is as though God is holding me here.  It is not a punishment or a lack of hearing His voice, but rather a chance to take in the beauty.

There is a waterfall there, 140 feet tall.  It was created when Rock City became a tourist spot.  I have a love of waterfalls, and for some reason, I've always loved this picture, which either Dad or I took in 2003 when our family visited Rock City.

The High Falls of the Lookout Mountain

The High Falls of the Lookout Mountain

Rock City has a legend of a Native American man who fell in love with a woman from another tribe.  When their love was discovered, he was executed by being thrown from the cliffs.  She was forced to watch, but escaped her guardians and jumped over the cliffs herself.  You can read the story for yourself, found on a old Tennessee postcard.  The lookout point is also called Lovers Leap because of this legend.  It is a very tragic story for such a lovely spot.

In my waiting, I have come to a point of having one step more certain.  I have finally bought a plane ticket, which helps to settle my plans for the coming months.  Mid July, I'll be making a ridiculously long 40 hour journey to Mozambique.  My parents are using their connections to find several opportunities for me to keep busy.  The really exciting part is that I will be staying in Mozambique for four months, returning to the USA about a week before Thanksgiving!  

The month until I leave will be pretty busy.  This Friday, I'm driving out to Lake Huron, for a week of retreat and prayer.  I will be taking my camera, but sadly, you'll have to wait to see pictures.  I'm not supposed to be using a computer or phone during the week I'm there!  After that week, I will be back in Pennsylvania, but then going to Massachusetts and perhaps Maine the following week.  Before I know it, it will be July and I'll pack and go to the airport.  Of course, I'll be keeping you posted on my travels!

Snips and Snails and Puppy Dog tails...

Last week, my good friend asked me to take some family pictures for her.  We found a morning this week that suited her family and my schedule, and I drove to their farm.  I was really excited by the opportunity, but a little nervous.  I enjoy photography and I know I've captured some great pictures, but there is a certain amount of pressure when I feel "expected" to get great pictures.  I love photography for the experience, the moment, the art of seeing the picture and then snapping the shutter to save that picture.  I was a little worried about being able to create the moments.  The impromptu pictures are always my favorites.  Fortunately, Amy's two little boys know me and we were at their home, so I knew I could count on them to playful and relaxed.  

I had a rough morning, and I ended up being late and in a mood when I pulled into their driveway.  But my heart melted when two boys came screaming out the door, shouting, "Hope's here, Hope's here, Hope's here!"  It's awesome when someone is that excited to see you! :)  Ron and Amy corralled the boys, I grabbed my camera and lenses and we started shooting.  I've pulled out a few of my favorites, and I noticed that most of them aren't the planned ones.  I have better ones, where everyone (or 3 out of 4!) are looking at the camera and smiling, but I like the ones with the movement, the craziness of life with two little boys evident.  

Amy wanted to get some pictures with some of the farm equipment, and we tried to get some on the combine.  (I only know the name because they called it that!)  But I loved the idea of having the boys in the tires.  Colin wasn't so thrilled, but Gavin loved it.  

These boys are farm boys, and they love love love being outdoors and running around.  It is doubtful that photoshoots are high on their fun list, so keeping them from running away took considerable effort!  I started snapping pictures while two boys wriggled and giggled.  This is one that I really love but there are others that also looked great!

The boys also climbed into their play-house.  I love this picture.  It is impossible not to smile when Colin turns his grin towards you.  Those dimples get me every time, and Amy says they are his saving grace when he's been naughty!  I also really liked the shadows of the play house because it just makes his smile that much brighter.

Of course, the day before family pictures, Gavin got bonked in the head with a toy truck.  Here he is showing me his battle scars from playing with his cousin.  

I love the colors in this picture, but more than that, I love the fierce look on Colin's face!  He wasn't angry or upset, just very very focused.  

What a great family.  It warms my heart to see my lifelong friend so happy.  While she may not be a vet for a huge game reserve in Africa, or a number of other things she thought about as a kid, she loves her life.  

At the end of the morning, my concerns had been proven pointless.  There were no forced smiles.  (Maybe some forced stillness, but no forced smiles!)  I took over 500 pictures, and while not all are fantastic, I have a number of  great ones and many good ones.  The entire time, it was very plain that these two kids were just thrilled to be outdoors with their parents and just having fun.  I'll be more than happy to do this again :)

I know a guy....

My Pap is awesome.  He's a man of many talents.  When you need a good joke, he can tell you one.  If you are a stranger who needs a friend, he's your guy.  If you have a groundhog problem on your farm, he'll be there.  If you need some company, just sit down next to him.  If you like to laugh, you'll find he's a kindred spirit.  If you find your knowledge of the Wild, Wild West is lacking, well come on over for a movie.  Or, if you want to see boards of wood turned into something beautiful and creative, he's the carpenter you need.  

For a number of years now, my Pap and Nanny have come up with some great ideas for Christmas presents, which Pap has then spent hours in the wood shop fashioning for his grandchildren and now also great-grandchildren.  He's now working on a project for me, which makes me feel like just about the most loved girl in the entire world.  He's making a bed for me out of cherry wood.  I'm super excited for the end result, but I'm also intrigued by the process.  

Pap already had a pattern from an earlier project, so he picked the wood and got some from a local business.  Last Saturday, I was able to help him a little in the shop.  Tools are as unfamiliar to me as nail polish is to Pap, so I mainly contributed my muscles!  I helped to move boards around and measure them, while Pap did the final checking and the sawing, sanding, smoothing, and all that good stuff.  

I'm looking forward to more mornings spent in the wood shop with Pap.  This bed will be all the more special if I have the memories of working on it with my Pap.  I love you, Pap!

African Birds

I just started a lovely new book.  I'm preparing myself for a wonderful return to the continent of my childhood in July (most likely...no tickets booked yet), and I've been enjoying reading some wonderful memoirs from others who love Africa.

This book is called "Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide."  Peter is an Australian who went to Africa as a 19 year old and stayed, becoming a safari guide through the years.  His stories are hilarious, and his descriptions of the Okavango reaffirm my need to go there someday.

I started to laugh out loud when Peter began to explain his opinion of birdwatching.  He makes it clear that he came to Africa for the mammals.  After two years in the Okavango Delta, his interest in birds started to spike, despite his denial.

The following comment made me giggle uncontrollably, as he describes a group of birdwatchers who came on safari with his company:

One group traveled with a well-known ornithologist (okay, well-known if you are a bird nerd) who gave a little pep talk to his group before we set out on our first drive: "There are two types of people who start watching birds. Those who have a love of nature that extends to all living things, and those who like lists and feel the need to get a whole set. Enjoy the birds, but take the time to enjoy the elephants and the insects and everything in between as well."

Peter Allison. Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide (Kindle Locations 1186-1188). Kindle Edition.

I laughed so hard because I think my Mom is one of those two types, and my Dad may be the other!  If you know my parents, you know which is which!

The "So not a vacation" vacation.

Amy and I haven't vacationed together since 2005, when she went to Edisto Island with my family.  At the point, I was entering my senior year of university and Amy wasn't even engaged to Ron.

We decided to try a mini repeat, and booked a two day trip to National Harbor (Baltimore) together.  Words really aren't adequate to describe those two days.  It wasn't restful.  We did have fun, but it was not restful.  

Amy and Colin didn't feel well for most of the trip.  Edith (our GPS) had some difficulties at crucial moments during our navigating to find the resort.  I found out quickly that Gavin does NOT share his food, so if you try to steal a French Fry from him, he will let you know in no uncertain terms that those are HIS.  (Although to be fair, he took my fries!  I know...I'm 28 and he's 3.  I'll deal with it!)  

We were nearly ready to order in the busiest McDonald's ever, when Gavin announced, "Mommy, I have to go  potty!"  So, I told Amy to take him, and I'd keep Colin and order our food.  I don't have the experience that a mom does of balancing a kid and finding my wallet in my handbag and not dropping said kid and paying for the order.  After I managed to pay, I realize that Colin had a death grip on the neckline of my shirt and I'm not really sure how low he pulled it!  

Once we got to the hotel and settled in, we found the pool.  Gavin discovered a favorite toy as well.  He loves pushing the buttons on the "Alligator," which is what we grown ups call the elevator.  :)  

That evening, we took the boys for a walk down by the water and found an Italian place for dinner.  Colin wasn't very happy and only wanted to be held by Mommy, and both boys only wanted to eat the cheese off of their pizza.  When Gavin needed the bathroom, a sleeping Colin had to be shifted to Auntie Hope, which I didn't mind.  Gavin came back and announced loudly and proudly, "I pooped!"  The businessman next to us tried not to snort with laughter.  

We definitely have some fond memories of this trip, but we also have some not so fond memories!  Colin was sick on the way home, and it resulted in a total wardrobe change for him and me cleaning vomit out of a car seat.  The highlights of the trip were definitely the time spent catching up with Amy and the boys getting completely used to me.  At one point on Wednesday evening, Gavin was sitting next to me on my chair and Colin came over to crawl onto my lap.  That is definitely a fond memory that balances some of the more...malodorous memories!

Starbucks Moment

The anthropology student in me was having fun analyzing people at Starbucks.  I was a few people away from the register and I knew I would have a few minutes wait, so I was entertaining myself.

The woman in front of me was wearing a long tee shirt and fitness leggings.  I figured she must have come from the gym, and I peeked at her shoes.  She was wearing little slip-on shoes, rather than trainers, and she had a long white scarf wrapped around her neck.  As I looked more closely at the design, I realized the purple pattern also had the symbol for OM worked into it.  Between the shoes (not good for a high impact class) and the OM, I guessed that she must have been at a yoga class.  I started thinking about how effectively Starbucks does its advertising, and I thought, "OM...Yoga...She's going to order a chai tea."

She ordered a chai tea.  :)

Graduation!

This weekend, my cousin officially graduated from college!  It was so nice to be here to celebrate one cousin's birthday and another cousin's graduation with a family day!

There's our girl getting her diploma! 

It felt right to be able to be at a special family event like this.  I have not regretted my choice to be overseas the last three years, but the hardest part of being away has been missing family and especially at milestone days like this.  

Jane Howard (English novelist) wrote, "Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.  Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."  So very true.

Early Artists

My little adorable niece had her first art show a few weeks ago :)  Her "school" hosted a "Celebration of Early Artists."  It was by far the cutest art show I've ever been to!

Having breakfast at Tia Hope's before going to her art show!

Anna going to school :)

Later, Anna "helped" while we went shopping for some things for my parents.  :) The little monkey was so tired!

Wanderer Me

Sitting on a couch has never felt so good.  I just finished moving for the umpteenth time.  There are at least two more moves in this coming year, and right now, I'm not thinking about that detail.

Joy asked me how many times I've moved in the last three years.  Having no idea, I decided to start counting, starting further back.  Since high school graduation, which is now ten years ago, I've been on the move.  During university, it was the usual moves, once a year into a dorm room, and at the summer, moving home or into my summer housing.  My final semester was in the Middle East, and that involved a month of traveling, involving sleeping in about eight different places in five different countries during that one month.  After returning home, I moved in with my parents, and six months later, I started an internship that took me to Colorado, and then to three Asian countries.  That internship was also very transitory, and I think my colleagues and I counted that we slept in about fifteen different places from September to February.

Four days, after returning home to my parents', we left for a month in Zim.  Again, five months later, I moved to another city in PA for another internship.

Following that move, I started planning to head to London.  From 2008 until today, I have moved 13 times.

I think one of my strengths is my adaptability, but it has been sorely tested in the last few years.  However, at times when I feel most tired, I get encouragement from other places.

In response to my three presentations on Sunday, a committee member wrote to my HQ that he "Appreciated her uninhibited expressive personality.  From the moment I introduced her, she stole the hearts of everyone with her message of love and compassion."  When asked what could be done to improve my presentation, he wrote, "Just turn her loose! She's dynamite!"  How can one not get energy from feedback like that? :)  His comments made my day!

      

Past, Present, Future

Sunday was a blur.  I spoke at a church I've never been to before, in two services, and in a luncheon afterwards.  I think it went well.  I don't really get nervous about public speaking, even in front of large groups, but yesterday I did have some butterflies when I saw how large the church was.  I have a new respect for pastors who preach multiple sermons each Sunday.  Giving two sermons and then another hour long question and answer time after lunch, plus all of the conversations when people came up to me to talk....I was wiped out.  I also had a 40 minute drive home.  

Life doesn't always turn out how we expected it to, does it?  There were two sisters at my table for the luncheon, one a senior in high school and the other in university.  Talking with them reminded me of how I felt at those stages in my life...when my high school graduation was painful close, and when I was trying to decide what to study in college.  I felt those choices were the deciding elements of the rest of my life!  Ten years after my high school graduation, those moments of angst seems far away.  There are new decisions that feel huge, new paths that I didn't expect, new challenges to be faced.  

Five years ago, I starting taking steps to move to London.  Three years ago, I moved to London.  Three months ago, I moved from London.  My curious nature wants to know what the next step is...will it include moving to a new country? Or will I live in the USA for a little while? 

Sometimes I feel a little discouraged and I wonder what the last three years actually accomplished.  But I'm a hopeful person, and those sort of thoughts don't stay for long.  How can they when I start to remember all the challenges, accomplishments, and joys of those three years?  There were sad moments, painful moments, hurts I didn't expect.  But Psalm 30:5 says, "Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning."  And this is a new morning for me.  God knows his plans for me, and I take great comfort from that promise.  It calms my desire to plan, to know each step ahead.  I feel a peace that I can't explain when people ask me what my plans are.  Others seem to be more anxious for me than I feel for myself.  

I think this is for the best.  It's easy for me to always be looking forward, planning, going, preparing.  I struggle with the "now."  But I know this time is critical.  Counselors might call it closure.  In Christian circles, it often is called "finishing well."  For me, it is a time to process, to choose what I take with me and what I leave behind.  If I knew my next steps, I think I would be focused on preparing, packing, planning....you get the idea.   

The lyrics of the hymn "I know who holds tomorrow" are a comfort to me.  I love the words of the chorus: 

Many things about tomorrow,

I don't seem to understand;

But I know Who holds tomorrow,

And I know Who holds my hand.

Isn't that a great reminder?

This week, I had another familiar lesson to relearn.  I am very hard on myself!  I've been taking a distance learning course that included some video recorded sessions sent to the professor to mark.  After I sent my final DVD to the professor, I started to feel really terrible.  I misread the the directions for one part of the grading criteria, and I was afraid I would need to completely redo the DVD in order to pass the class.  I was really upset.  Because of my move, I had already asked for an extension on the class, which was another really difficult thing for me to do.  Now, if I needed a further extension to pass the class, I felt like that would be total failure!  The professor emailed me on Friday to let me know he had received my DVD but hadn't graded it yet. All weekend, I anxiously checked my email, hoping I would have an email from him and yet not wanting to read it.  I realized I was being ridiculous and that it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to redo the taping.  But I still didn't want to have to do it. 

This morning there was an email. I opened it, and read his review.  He gave me full marks for the DVD and was very complimentary in his comments on my work.  

I had to have a little talk with myself.  Was it worth the stress I put on myself?  Nope.  Even if he deemed my DVD unacceptable and I had to resubmit it, would that have been so terrible? Nope.  In hindsight, it seems silly to have stressed out so much over one assignment.  It is one pattern of mine that I want to change.  

This leaves me with an sense of excitement and anticipation for the rest of this year.  As I wrote earlier, five years ago I started preparing to move to London.  But just six years ago, I didn't imagine I would live in London!  I've been really blessed.  I've seen some incredible parts of the world, met literally hundreds of people I wouldn't have encountered otherwise, and I've grown and changed a lot personally as well.  It is with a great sense of anticipation that I wonder...."What is next?"  :)  In my heart, I know I'll know at the right time. 

Warm African Dust

My book of choice for yesterday was a wonderful biography called Twenty Chickens for a Saddle.  Robyn Scott shares her memories of growing up in Botswana.  If you love Southern Africa, this book will make you smile.

My favorite part is below:


“Smell that, chaps,” said Dad, scuffing his veldskoen against the sandy track. “Nothing in the world like the smell of a dirt road in Africa.”

The cloud of dust, deep red in the rich light, hung still above the sand, glowing. Dad’s face glowed too: with the sun, and with pleasure as he inhaled loudly and gazed toward the light.

Once, on an evening walk, frustrated that I didn’t smell it too, I’d crouched down and stuck my nose right inside the dust cloud. “Just smells like dust,” I’d coughed, sneezing out a thousand tiny particles.

“When you leave Africa, Robbie—then you’ll understand about the dust.”

“There’s dust everywhere else.”

“Not like this.”

“Anyway, I’ll never leave.”

Even if I couldn’t smell the difference in the dust, as I watched the spectacular changing light—the polite thanks to the continent for tolerating the heat, sweat, and discomfort of the day—I was certain there wasn’t anywhere else I’d rather be.

“I’m sure you’ll leave,” Dad said. “But you’ll keep coming back. Can’t shake it off,” he sighing with contentment.

(Scott, Robyn (2008-03-27). Twenty Chickens for a Saddle: The Story of an African Childhood (p. 181). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition.)

I read this excerpt to an African friend the other day, and he smiled, knowing exactly what Robyn's dad meant.  

Patches in the Park

This afternoon was too gorgeous to stay inside, so I collected a sweet little lonely puppy from my sister's house and we followed a windy road to a state park.  We found a little section for ourselves, a decent distance away from the four other people in the area and put down a blanket.  

It was beautiful.  I meant to read, but between Patches and the sunshine, I found it a good time to think instead.  Sometimes, I just need to think.  And today was one of those days.  

I hooked about five leashes together to give Patches several yards of freedom.  She enjoyed it but I could tell she didn't like the limits! For a while, I felt like I was lunging a very tiny little pony as she ran laps around me, as far as the leads would let her go.  She settled next to me on the blanket a few times, but she roamed most of the time.  

She would come trotting back if she needed a drink or if she heard the rustle of anything that might be a treat for her being opened.  Patches was a very good companion for today's afternoon in the sun.