Birthdays

I finally downloaded pictures from my camera... and thought I'd share a few of the kid's birthday party's.

Isaac turned 4 in June- We got to celebrate his Birthday in Nebraska with some family this year.

He wanted a dinosaur birthday

He also got to go "water skiing" on his birthday

Rachel turned 8 in July - She had a space party before we went to the states with her friends and then had a princess party with my parents in England. (in a real castle!)

Her world cake

In Rose Castle's Tower

Levi turned 3 in September - We had a Pirate birthday for him here in Uganda w/ some good friends.

Until next year :)

Introduction Ceremony

One of Jesse's co-workers is getting married, and we got invited to the "introduction ceremony". This is a traditional ceremony of the two families meeting. I believe that traditionally after this ceremony that the man and woman would be considered married, but now that's not the case. They will still have a "wedding" in a church in December. Check out Scott's blog for a low down on how the ceremony went. (no use in repeating what a much better writer has already written right?!)

Here are some things I love and not-so love about the introduction ceremony

1. I love that there are African drummers and dancers that perform throughout the ceremony. Jesse & I told Rachel that she should have that at her wedding. She just looked at us and said NO. But seriously it would be AWESOME!!!!

2. Didn't so much love that it was supposed to start at 2:00, but didn't get underway till 3:45. Awwww African time.

3. Loved the dresses of the women of this tribe. They are from the border of Uganda and Rwanda, and their dress is sort of sari like. very pretty. Unlike the traditional dress of the Buganda tribe, which is what we see around Kampala.

Some of Jesse's co-workers

4. Didn't love so much that it lasted 7 hours. A long time to sit there.

5. Loved that I got to try Ugandan food again. It's something I'm really glad I don't have to eat every day, but it is pretty good to have once in a while.

6. Didn't love once again standing out as the "muzungu" (foreigner) But what are you going to do...yes, I'm white. We even got to stand up and say our names :)

7. Loved seeing all the traditions, and knowing that although it's a "show" now, you can really imagine what this was once like, and still is in the villages.

Gerry & her "King" Martin

8. Didn't really love what I had to wear... see #3 above. I had no idea what to wear, and I have a lady who cooks on Saturdays, and she said that I had to wear traditional clothes..so she ran home to let me borrow hers. Well hers was more of the Buganda version... actually the fabric was beautiful, but really no one can look good in that dress.

9. Loved seeing Jesse wearing the men's traditional dress.

10. Loved seeing Gerry & her man... she had the biggest smile on her face, and just looked beautiful!




Overall it was a really neat experience. Don't think I'd like to go to one every weekend, (see #4) but I am really glad we went to this one, and am really happy for Gerry & Martin!

Reason #472 Why I Love Christine

Christine is our "house-helper". Man, it always feels weird calling her that. There are many terms people use here for the people who help around the house, but I can't seem to come up with one that really fits, and feels right. Because really she is so much more- she is really apart of the family now too.

Not only does Christine, help clean the house, do the dishes, iron the clothes, make the beds...etc, but she will also watch the kids for me if I need to run out. I mean can you believe it! I get to go to the grocery store without kids!!! It's amazing!

Well anyway, Rachel is starting 3rd grade this Wednesday, and so on her request we were going to go get a pedicure this afternoon, while the boys napped. When we got back, Christine told me that Levi had taken off his diaper and pooped in his crib... gross! But did I have to clean any of it up... nope. She already had the bed changed, and had washed out the dirty sheet. Wow, I love her! & yes, I know I am soooooo lucky! :)

Man, I suck at blogging....

... is it time to just throw in the towel?

Back in the States

Jesse & I are back in Virginia for about two weeks. We are back for this. If you've never gone to this before, you should. It's already sold out for this year....but keep it in mind for next. : ) & you can follow it online this year... just click here.

We left the kids in Uganda this time. We were very fortunate that my parents were able to come down to watch the kids for us. So the kids are having a blast w/ their oma & opa, and Jesse & I were able to fly alone for the first time in a very long time. It was wonderful. I miss my kids and all, but flying with 3 kids, does not make for a relaxing trip.

We are staying at my sister's beautiful home.... if you've never been in her home, it's like walking into a magazine. Seriously she has some very incredible decorating skills! So we are trying to recoup, although Jesse's schedule is packed full, so it's a little harder for him.

We've already been able to see some friends, which is always wonderful to reconnect. Already went to the dentist (had my first cavity- not fun!) -- i blame this on having to drink bottled water all the time (no fluoride in the water). Got carded... that made me feel good after I just turned 33 this past week. The Uganda weather must be good for me! : )

Still need to do a lot of shopping. Isaac kept telling us that if we go to America we better bring him Lucky Charms. & try to fit in seeing some more friends. Busy times, but always a great time to also feel refreshed.

If you wouldn't mind, please pray for my kids while we are gone. Talked with Rachel yesterday, and she was in tears. I know it's hard for us to be away, but I know they are in great hands! Also pray for my parents, that they will have the energy to keep up with two very energetic boys. Thanks!

FotoFriday

FotoFriday

Can I hear a Hallelujah?!

FotoFriday

See Uganda is not that different from the states.

FotoFriday

I'm going to try something new. I don't think I post enough pictures of life around here. I often forget what seems "normal" to me isn't to everyone else, so maybe this will help you get a better idea of life here in Uganda. So every Friday I will try to post a picture, it's much easier on me than trying to write something clever :)

So without further ado, here is the first picture of fotofriday....

This is the organized chaos of the Taxi park - downtown Kampala

update

Just a quick update on the elections. Museveni was announced the winner (he's the current president & has been for the past 25 years) which was a surprise to no one. Everything has been very quiet. I was expecting some protests of the elections, but there has been nothing. Not that I blame anyone. There are military everywhere. & they would shoot if anyone tried to protest, even peacefully. (I love freedom of speech!)

So life seems pretty much back to normal. Although I am glad that we did not have to leave or were in harms way, I'm a little sad that nothing is going to change anytime soon. Praying for patience. :)

& just to prove life is back to normal, i got pulled over today, and within 2 minutes of the police officer talking with me, he asks me "so what are you going to give me?" I tell him I won't give him anything, I don't pay bribes, and he just smiled, and tried to explain to me why it's not a bribe, it's just a gift. After trying to convince me for 15 minutes, that he would take me to court, he let me go on my way. Awwwww, gotta love the law enforcement.

Elections

Today is the presidential elections here in Uganda. For the past months there has been campaigning. And many, many posters...

That's a good reason to vote for someone right?!

These were stuck on our wall outside our house. (they don't come off very easy)

This is one of the oppositional candidates. He probably has the best chance against Museveni.

Many, Many, Many posters, everywhere!

The process here is very different then America that's for sure. Click on this website to get an idea of what Ugandans are saying about what's going on here. Lots of corruption, violence, and threats. Many don't see the point in voting. Which I completely understand. But it would be an amazing thing to have a fair election here.

I've gotten asked if i'm worried, especially since what's all going on in Northern Africa & the middle east. And I'm not too worried. But again, you never know. My guess is that there will be some riots, but that they won't get too bad. The results don't even come in till Sunday night, so if anything does turn south, it won't probably happen till then.

I've done a tone of shopping, and we are just planning on staying home for the next few days. Rachel is out of school till at least Wednesday, and the IJM interns are coming over today to hang out & watch a lot of movies. : ) (of course our dvd player died this week, thankfully Ray (the guy living with us) has one we can use!)

But we'll keep you all updated. Thanks for the prayers!

...or flying cars

Transitions

We got back to Uganda one week ago, after being in the states on our first "official" furlough. We had a month long rest of being with family. It was wonderful. We spent 2 weeks in Nebraska with Jesse's family & 2 weeks in Colorado with my family. I'll post some pictures soon.

Coming and going is never easy. But I don't think i realized how hard it actually would be on me. Right before we were going back to the states, you start to get annoyed more quickly about how things work here. Driving & shopping are at the top of my list. I become less patient with everything around me. So by the time you get on the plane you are ready to leave. But then you reenter the states. And you forget how different it really is there. Everything is clean, and orderly. And the choices... oh the choices. It is really quite overwhelming.

For example, there are restaurants on every corner, how do you choose where to eat? Here it's easy, 1. is it open? 2. do they have food that's edible? okay let's go there. Then we go shopping at Walmart. Oh Walmart. I know that many people hate Walmart, but i have to say to go to one store and get what you need is AMAZING! I really need to do a post on grocery shopping soon, b/c it really deserves it's own post, but let me just say i usually have to hit at least 3 stores to get what i need. But anyway I digress, what I was going to say was that we go into Walmart and we need to pick up some toothbrushes.... there is a whole aisle of toothbrushes. I just stood there staring. How do you know which one to get?! it's all just very overwhelming.

The other culture shock that we deal with going back into the states, and just the amount of materialism there is. And I'm sad to say that i fall so quickly back into it. I look at others homes, and look at their decorations, and such, and i end up wanting, wanting, wanting. Looking to buy our kids toys for Christmas, i just want to get this & that & that & that. It's hard to be around that at all and not start wanting more. Now don't get me wrong even in Uganda, I still deal with this, but it is on a much lesser scale. It's harder here to want things when you see the kids in your neighborhood with no shoes on their feet, or the man begging on the street, or families of 7 living in one room houses. It's hard to see so much excess when you also see so much need.

Then on the flip side you come back. And I don't know why it is, but I always feel in kind of a funk after I get back to Uganda from the states. It could be the jet lag, or it could be culture shock again. But i always feel off. So transitions for us are not always easy. It's hard to live in two worlds. And I'm not sure my body knows how to do it well. Anyone else ever feel this way?

Oops

Jesse's had a terrible fever the last few days. He went to the surgery to have a malaria test done... just in case. Thankfully it came back negative, but they also ran a few other tests as well. When Jesse went in to see the doctor he was asked if he had taken all his medicine for his bilharzia 6 months ago. WHAT?!

Jesse & Rachel had gone in about 6 months ago to get tested for Bilharzia, b/c they had been in the local water here. Jesse was told his test came back negative, and Rachel's came back positive, so we gave Rachel the medication for it, and thought Jesse was in the clear. Well turns out Jesse's wasn't negative but positive. So the poor guy has been not feeling quite himself the past 6 months and had no idea why. So I am very thankful that he now knows what's been going on, and can now get treated for it. But it's still a little frustrating. My guess is that Rachel's test was negative and they switched the results around in their heads when they were giving them to Jesse. Thankfully there's no harm in taking the medicine.

Oh, the joys of healthcare in Uganda. : )

HELP WANTED

My friend had this dropped off at her house the other day. I just couldn't resist posting it.





Any takers?! : )

refreshment

refreshment |riˈfre sh mənt|noun- the giving of fresh mental or physical strength or energy
The last month has been a time of refreshment for me. My parents came for almost a whole month in September! It was wonderful. It's always nice to close the gap between your life in another country and the people you hold so dear. I often feel like I live in two different worlds that don't ever intersect, so it's really nice when they do.
Some highlights of my parents trip. 1. Going on safari w/ them to Murchison Falls. We didn't see any Lion, but it was great to get away with them. 2. My dad making my garden beautiful! He was out there everyday working, and wow, what a difference! 3. Going on a last minute get away to Sipi Falls. 4. Having them lavish their attention on the kids. It is so wonderful to have not only someone else entertain the kids for a while, but i love just seeing the kids playing with my parents. 5. My dad's birthday dinner. We were able to go out without the kids for a nice dinner, and it was a great night of some good adult conversation! I could go on, but you get the point. It was good for me to have them here. It refreshed me.
Secondly, we are very blessed to work for a wonderful organization who takes really good care of the people who work for them. Just 2 weeks ago, Jesse and I got to go to Malindi, Kenya (on the coast) for some R&R. There are 4 offices in Africa, and all the directors and spouses were invited to come. We stayed here. It was a small group of us, but we had a great time. The mornings we listened to John Ortberg and his teachings on FLOW. Then we had 2 hours of solitude. Yes 2 HOURS! It's very, very rare, when I have 2 hours to just spend with God. & I can't even tell you how much it refreshed my soul. The afternoons were filled with eating, drinking, laying out by the pool, snorkeling, reading, & swimming. WONDERFUL!
I was overwhelmed at how good God has been to me this past year. I feel very undeserving, but oh so loved. Life is not easy, but God is good and faithful, and it was so nice to be able to look back and see that.
And I just have to say that we have some wonderful Interns here that were willing to watch our kids for the four days we were gone! The kids had a blast, and we didn't worry about them a second!

You should go and read this post. Really, go on & read it! & then let me know what you think....i'll share too. :)

And He's Two!

Have I told you lately how much I love this crazy little guy?! Well I do!

Happy Birthday Levi!

Isn't his hair awesome! : ) Jesse keeps wanting me to cut it, but I don't see why!

A Mom to Five

This summer I watched 2 boys for 3 weeks. They are in the process of being adopted by a single guy here, but he was heading back to the states to raise support for his NGO. He was gone for 5 weeks, and hadn't found anyone to watch the boys, so I volunteered to take them for 3. I figured 3 weeks, no problem!

It was CRAZY! Have I ever told you that growing up I always said that I wanted 7 kids... yep 7. I don't think I want 7 anymore. Plus I'm pretty sure Jesse would leave me.

But honestly, the boys are actually really good. They are 5 & 4 and overall would listen to me.... but they are 5 & 4 and they are BOYS. So they really can only be that good. The whole time they stayed with me, I could only keep thinking of our friends who have 5 boys. & i just kept wondering how they kept their house in order, and I never remember it being very loud at their place.... honestly, i just remembered our kids being the loud ones. But let me tell you, it was loud here for those 3 weeks. Of course it doesn't help that our house is made of marble, so noises just echo off of everything, but it was loud, all the time. & man those boys could eat! Jesse & I were amazed how they could pack it away. But overall it was good, and once they left I realized that having my three kids is EASY! This mom thing is no problem. ; ) It was amazing how easy it felt. I felt like i could really spend time with them, and get some toys put away, and actually have some time to myself.

So maybe not 7.... but I am hoping for at least one more (it's different when they're your own kids, right!?).... but i have to make sure Jesse will stick around first!

p.s. I know, they are adorable!

Broken

My heart is broken. It's not fair that an 8 month old has to die just because she was born in Uganda. My wonderful house-helper's niece has been sick. She's been in the Government run hospital for the past few weeks. She had surgery, but the surgeon messed up a very simple procedure, and now the little girl is dead.

My heart is heavy. A 3 year old who comes from the streets, she can not walk, talk, and is smaller then my 2 year old, and is sick with TB. She is to live in a “rehabilitation” home. It’s worse then a prison. http://sixtyfeet.org

My heart questions. Why should someone who has given so much of their life be told that the cancer is back, again? They have 3 young kids with another on the way. I cry out for answers.

It’s hailing right now. Yes, hailing in 70 degree Uganda. It was a beautiful day, and then within 5 minutes the sky turns black, and hail falls from the sky. It’s a violent storm. I watch as the trees outside bend in the strong wind. I watch our stalks of corn break in two. There is water seeping into the house through the windows and under doors.

It reminds me that this is not how it’s supposed to be. Even the earth knows this. We live in a broken world. And I need to remember that soon (hopefully soon) Jesus will come back and He will restore everything that is wrong. Oh Jesus, please come soon!

"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory

he will reveal to us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for

that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.

Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with

eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will

join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.

For we know that all creation has been groaning as in

the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we

believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit

within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our

bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait

with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full

rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies

he has promised us. We were given this hope when

we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need

to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we

don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)"

Romans 8:18-25 (NLT)