How is it that time so easily escapes us? I feel like I only began this adventure a few weeks ago. However, I’ve been to Kenya three times (and about to head back for my fourth visit), in and out of England, and spent three months in the States! I’ve found that time most closely resembles water. You can try to hold tightly in you hands, but it will inevitably slip through your fingers. The year has moved at various paces for me. Certain periods have slowed to where only drops escape at a time, while other stretches have flowed like a break in a dam. I keep promising myself that I will be more time conscious, but it never seems to work. So, I will make this promise: when I do stop to reflect on my journey (however frequent or infrequent) I will make a point to update my blog as well!
Part of my major issue with updating is the normalcy of every day life. I absolutely love my life in England and Kenya, but I’m not always sure how to sum up what I do. No matter who you are or what you do, life settles into a pattern. I’ve sat with my computer several times, prepared to write, only to come up with tasks people would likely find mundane. For example: today I went into the church office, I did some office work, I ran a few errands, I did some office work, I helped to do some cleaning, I went by ASDA (local grocery store) on my way home, I made tea (British for supper), and then I went to bed. As you can see, the day-to-day life is surrounded in normalcy. What is hard to insert is the joy and laughter that is often present. Charlotte (my roomie/co-worker/office space buddy/friend) and I often find ourselves laughing at the most ridiculous things, usually something stupid we’ve done, until we can’t breathe. I know that I may be doing small tasks or things that seem inconsequential, but I know the end results will be worth it. This brings me back to updating on a regular basis. Sometimes, there just isn’t much to say.
I know that the last time I updated was after my April trip to Kenya. (Ok, I realize that is quite a gap…) I will try to bring you up to speed on my life since then. I spent the first three weeks of May in England before heading back to the States. I was heading back for my American pastors 50th wedding anniversary. The plan was to take care of some other details while I was there (my passport didn’t have any pages left). What we hoped would be a short trip turned into a three-month period of waiting. While I missed England, this time allowed me to travel to visit family and share what I had been doing for the last 5 months.
At the beginning of September, I was headed back to Kenya. It is amazing how Bumala B’ is like a medicine for my soul. Seeing those beautiful faces can make any situation better. It was an amazing week spent with some of the people I love most in this world. I was honored to witness One By One’s first Dignity Day. We were able to equip more than 600 girls with sanitary products to allow them to consistently stay in school, teach them about sex trafficking, and that they have the right to say “NO!” The day was beyond amazing! Though the week was filled with so many other things, this was the overwhelming moment from the trip.
After a quick trip back to Kentucky to trade suitcases, I was headed back to England!!!! (Oh the joy that must be contained and expressed in the abundance of exclamation points) Uttoxeter was just getting back into full swing after summer holidays. Since arriving, life hasn’t stopped… and I wouldn’t want it any of other way!
Part of my major issue with updating is the normalcy of every day life. I absolutely love my life in England and Kenya, but I’m not always sure how to sum up what I do. No matter who you are or what you do, life settles into a pattern. I’ve sat with my computer several times, prepared to write, only to come up with tasks people would likely find mundane. For example: today I went into the church office, I did some office work, I ran a few errands, I did some office work, I helped to do some cleaning, I went by ASDA (local grocery store) on my way home, I made tea (British for supper), and then I went to bed. As you can see, the day-to-day life is surrounded in normalcy. What is hard to insert is the joy and laughter that is often present. Charlotte (my roomie/co-worker/office space buddy/friend) and I often find ourselves laughing at the most ridiculous things, usually something stupid we’ve done, until we can’t breathe. I know that I may be doing small tasks or things that seem inconsequential, but I know the end results will be worth it. This brings me back to updating on a regular basis. Sometimes, there just isn’t much to say.
I know that the last time I updated was after my April trip to Kenya. (Ok, I realize that is quite a gap…) I will try to bring you up to speed on my life since then. I spent the first three weeks of May in England before heading back to the States. I was heading back for my American pastors 50th wedding anniversary. The plan was to take care of some other details while I was there (my passport didn’t have any pages left). What we hoped would be a short trip turned into a three-month period of waiting. While I missed England, this time allowed me to travel to visit family and share what I had been doing for the last 5 months.
At the beginning of September, I was headed back to Kenya. It is amazing how Bumala B’ is like a medicine for my soul. Seeing those beautiful faces can make any situation better. It was an amazing week spent with some of the people I love most in this world. I was honored to witness One By One’s first Dignity Day. We were able to equip more than 600 girls with sanitary products to allow them to consistently stay in school, teach them about sex trafficking, and that they have the right to say “NO!” The day was beyond amazing! Though the week was filled with so many other things, this was the overwhelming moment from the trip.
After a quick trip back to Kentucky to trade suitcases, I was headed back to England!!!! (Oh the joy that must be contained and expressed in the abundance of exclamation points) Uttoxeter was just getting back into full swing after summer holidays. Since arriving, life hasn’t stopped… and I wouldn’t want it any of other way!