Kenya, day 2

Sat. 6/20 - 10:30 a.m. (GA); 5:30 p.m. (Ngaamba)

Morning entry:
We finally arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, around 6 a.m. this morning -- however, our luggage did not. I am trying to get my spirits up, but am struggling because I am FAR outside my comfort zone. The poverty here is oppressive; filth is everywhere. I long for home. (WOW...that was honesty, eh?)

(This picture is taken from our bus (window closed) of a market on the side of the road.)

I am really searching for what God is teaching me -- vanity, pride, disinterest, selfishness, all the above?

Evening entry:
We went to the village of Ngaamba today and spent a few hours. the children chased down our bus, about 100 of them, because they were so excited to see us. The women of the village are precious! They served us a feast of topas (fried flour tortillas), fried pancakes, chicken, tea, and fruit. I tried not to be too picky, but I didn't eat much.

 

 

(Just a little tired after 3 days of traveling! Don't know why this is underlined...)

The children from the school within Ngaamba-West all sang to us by their grade levels. It was amazing to hear them sing of their faith - their belief in God and Jesus, their unwavering love for our creator. I was humbled. Could it be that their faith is so strong becasuse they rely on God for everything? My own faith is weak in comparisson.

I am looking forward to spending the day at church tomorrow with the people of Ngaamba. I expect my faith to grow.

Kenya, day 1

I thought that the best way to share my experience in Kenya would be to share my journal entries from my time there. Sorry this first entry isn't all that exciting...just keep coming back. Pictures will be included!

Fri. 6/19 - 5:30 p.m. (GA); Sat. 6/20 - 1:30 a.m. (Ngaamba)

I can't believe it's been little more than a day since I left home.
So far:
        Atl --> NYC = 4 hours delayed due to NY bad weather & plane over-heating on the tarmac.
        NYC --> London = barely made flight on red-eye; we arrived in London and got to our flight for Ngaamba 5 minutes late - they would not let us board the plane. Therefore, a 9 hr layover in London equals TOUR!

We got train tickets to Pattington station and saw Big Ben, Parliament, West Minister Abby, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye, the National Museum, and more as we (literally) ran thru London. It was awesome to take everything in, however, London is not somewhere I would choose to vacation.

We made our flight to Ngaamba in perfect time.
        London --> Niarobi = when we boarded the plane a man was screaming and fighting with police officers. Apparently, he was being deported and wanted to take one last stand. He was arrested and dragged off the plane. It was a bit unnerving to start the longest leg of our trip that way, but glad the situation was handled before take off!

We are now over the Mediterranean Sea, about to cover the continent of Africa. We have 5:05 to reach Niarobi. The flight (my seat especially) is quite uncomfortable. I was able to sleep the first 2 hours after take-off; now, I'm waiting for the movie Slumdog Millionnaire to begin. Once over, I hope to sleep the remainder of this flight so that I am emotionally and spiritually ready to enter Ngaamba.

I miss Scott and the kiddos tremendously. I got my tears out when we left NYC, but my heart justs longs to see them and hold them. Right now, that's my struggle b/c the trip has already seemed so long with all of the mishaps. 9 more days feels like forever. I pray for their safety and that Landon & Ella Beth will welcome me home with no hard feelings. Scott was brave and generous to let me go on this mission trip. I have such a wonderful husband!

 

And, I'm off!

Ngaamba, Kenya, here I come!

Woke up this morning to find that Ella Beth appears to have Hand/Foot/Mouth - which is just about right. Thankfully, HFM isn't too worrisome since I leave to travel the world. I suppose this is Satan's last attempt to keep me from going. It's not working. ;)

My travel itinerary goes like this:

GOING: Atl --> NYC --> London --> Nairobi --> Ngaamba

RETURNING: Ngaamba --> Cairo, Egypt --> Paris --> Atl.

I can't wait to see all of these places!!!

Please keep Scott, Ella Beth, and Landon in your prayers (health & safety) so I can keep that off my mind while I'm away. Please also keep my team in your prayers that we will get along, and do great things for the people of Kenya while we're there. I am sure they will do much more for us, though!

I look forward to sharing my experience and LOTS of pictures when I return!!!

I'm off!

MUST READ!

If you are a mother of a girl - of any age - I encourage you to read the book 5 Conversations You MUST Have With Your Daughter. I have put a blog image and link in the sidebar of my blog. I encourage you to add it to your own blogs. There is amazing wisdom, guidance, and information to be found!

http://5conversations.blogspot.com/   Click the top right photo where it says "If you are a first-time visitor, please read this welcome post from Vicki!" That will get you on the right start!

I am so encouraged by Vicki Courtney for sharing truth through her book and her blog. I hope you will be, too!

My fella, and a few other things

Landon turned 15 months a couple of weeks ago. He is growing up so fast. What am I going to do when my baby is no longer a baby??? Scott says we're "done" - so I'm trying hard to soak up all I can these days!
note: Landon weighs 19 lbs (not on the chart), and is 30 in (20 %).

It is so fun to watch Landon learn new things. His best teacher is Ella Beth - that is fortunate, and unfortunate, just depends on what her lesson plan covers. For instance, when she likes to make this awful horrible pain-inducing screeching noise in the car and Landon copies her...very unfortunate. But, then there are sweet things like learning to clean up toys (l-o-v-e this!), put his water cup up, asking for "more" food...quite fortunate. :)

One of Ella Beth's favorite past times is playing with sidewalk chalk. Of course, that is now one of Landon's favorite past times. Sometimes his idea of playing with sidewalk chalk is a little different...

:)

Scott's mom also dug out some old photos of Scott when he was little. Umm, who do you think Landon favors?

Scott at 3 months (with his parents).

Landon at 3 months:

Scott at 8 months:

Landon at 8 months:

Have you ever seen two babies look more alike?!?! Even as I was uploading these pictures, I started typing in "Landon" instead of Scott for the first picture!!! I love it!

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Other news...I leave in 5 days, 19 hours for my mission trip to Kenya. Right now, I can't even begin to think about packing because both of my kiddos are sick. Ella Beth has had many of the same symptoms of the "whatever in the world she had" in March. She has eaten (maybe) 10 crackers and 3 pieces of watermelon in the last 4 days. We have had to keep her on Zofran 24/7 just so she can stop throwing up/dry heaving. I've been scared; wondering if we are going to be back at the hospital. So far, it hasn't gotten that bad, but it's been close a few nights.

Landon also has a horrible bronchitis episode going on. We are having to give him breathing treatments just to help him function - especially when he's lying down. He has woken up numerous times because he can't catch his breath with all of the gunk in his chest.

I feel under attack by Satan, knowing that he doesn't want me to go and do God's work. It really ticks me off that he would attack me by attacking my children. When they got sick in March, it was right after I signed up for the trip. Now, only days from leaving, and they are sick again. Coincidence? I think not. I have thought about staying home, trying to switch out my slot for one on a different team later this year, trying to allow someone else to go in my place. However, I signed up for this trip because I want to go, and I really love my team. My heart yearns to travel and experience the newness of God's greatness with people who have never known of Him. Right now, I am committed to go, but I am praying for my kids to get healthy (and stay healthy) before I leave. I have lots of people praying, so I'm counting on Satan to find his place...way behind the Will of God!

On turning 30...

I had much anticipation about turning 30. I wasn't necessarily excited about it, seeing as how I was starting a new decade in my life. However, I would turn 30 again any day!

Scott surprised me with a Surprise Dinner Party! He went way out of his natural "non-planning" personality, and really did it up well for my birthday. I felt so loved! He invited all of my closest friends and our small group (only the ladies made it) to the Kani House for a great Japanese meal. Japanese is my favorite food, so it wasn't too out of the ordinary for him to take me there; I did mention going somewhere else on the way, but then I changed my mind - good news for Scott, eh!!!

Here's a picture from the embarrassing lamp shade ensemble that I had to wear. Too bad we couldn't capture the loud drum, clapping, and singing in the photo for the full effect!

Scott also made me the BEST gift I've ever received! It's a swing in our backyard that hangs from a 40-foot tree limb! AWESOME!!! (I love you, honey!!!) I can't wait to post pictures of me on the swing; I love going as high as Scott can get me - I lose my stomach every time! Of course, I share it. I'll have pictures of others having a thrilling time, too!

Thanks to everyone who helped make my birthday the best! Turning 30 wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be! In fact, I'm enjoying my maturity more and more these days. Ha! ;)

Fishin' should always end with a Ta-Da!

Lots of pictures, so beware!

We spent the long weekend at the lake with my mom. Scott's family joined us on Memorial Day, per tradition; as always, we had a blast!

Ella Beth was so excited to try out her princess fishing poll. (I hear princesses and fish go well together!)

See what I mean...Ella Beth caught this fish ON HER OWN! Scott wasn't even next to her when she was reeling it in!

She was tickled beyond measure! She was so proud, and she talked about this "really big fish" all day. :)

Daddy was pretty proud, too!

Showing Kaitlin how to catch a big one. ;)

Hanging out with Uncle Jason in the pool.

Landon was still a little sleepy after he woke up. Didn't expect to have so many people and so much water all around either.

The pool water was a little chilly for his tastes at the beginning of the day.

The two sweetest cousins I've ever seen.

This picture just cracks me up. Landon is looking for food, Ella Beth is talking, Kaitlin is smiling, and Hayden is crying. Love it!

Scott was nice to play in the pool with Ella Beth. She loved anyone who would join her!

Landon warmed up to the pool (once the pool warmed up for him), and he played for about an hour. He had so much fun splashing and throwing his toys out. Mommy got a work-out throwing them back in!

The day ended with smiles all around. Glad I captured this cute one. :)

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Ella Beth had her Gymnastics Jubilee last weekend. She absolutely l-o-v-e-s gymnastics! She talked about her jubilee all week. I am just tickled to death at how much she has come out of her shell within the last year. She puts it on thick when she's in her element!

Ella Beth was waiting in line for her turn to jump her heart out. Here she is turning around to make sure we're watching. Don't worry, sweet girl, we saw every second!

On the balance beam doing her favorite trick - throwing a kiss while doing her stag stand!

Ta-da! Love this girl!!!

Ella Beth and Ava celebrating after a fantastic Jubilee! These girls are just too cute when they get together!

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OK, so enough pictures already, right?!?! Maybe not. ;)