Thursday, January 30, 2014

Be*DO*Be

Writing a post starts nearly the same way each and every time.  After blocking out a period of time, I find myself typing a few sentences and deleting them just as quickly as they make their appearance on the screen.  And as I type, I wait for the right sentence to make it's way out of me and onto the screen.  And when it does, I know that the other sentences will flow.   It can be hard to put into words a life that is so rich, so full, and so increasingly normal.  Yes, so increasingly normal.  And that is probably one thing that has stood out to me since I returned back here from the States.  I have been asked from multiple people... "how is it being back?"  I find myself pausing.... my initial response is that it has been so good.  The pause?  Some self-imposed belief that it should be more challenging... should be more difficult and yet, praise Jesus, it has been good! And for that I am thankful!   

Currently it's Thursday afternoon.  Up until a few minutes ago, I had a fan blowing almost directly on me... and then without any warning... the fan sputtered to a stop.  The power is out.  It's been on and off much of this week.   With the fan no longer blowing warm air on me, I am quickly feeling the heat of the day.  We are in the middle of our dry season and well, it's hot.  I would capitalize the word hot... but something in me is worried that would be asking for some of you to jump through the screen.  I realize that for many of you.... hotness is not a known word right now.   But in my neck of the woods... hotness is so part of the day.  Clothes washed and hung out to dry are ready to be taken off in just a short while.  Dirt carries no moisture and flies around with any significant movement.  Trees and bushes along the road are covered in a sheet of dust.  If you happen to be on the back of a boca boda when a vehicle drives by, you best close or avert your eyes.  The dust is sure to sting.  And as you close or avert your eyes, you hope the man driving the motorcycle has enough stamina and wisdom to keep his eyes open.  Cistern levels are decreasing and the anticipation of rain is increasing.   When it comes, it will be gladly received.  Very gladly received.  
A gust of wind and things go flying... 
clothes drying.... 

The sun shining brightly... 



One of the sweetest gifts of being back is reconnecting with many people here who have become such dear friends to me and jumping back into life.  

Baby Frank
In late December, U. Ronald and A. Rebecca said good-bye to their sweet 9 1/2 month old baby boy, Frank.  oh Frankie! He was such a sweet boy.... and I am thankful for the time God allowed me to know him.  For now, it is a journey of faith with U. Ronald and A. Rebecca. Time to process, to remember, and to stand in trust of our God.  Our God who has good for us... even in the hard... the HARD with capital letters.  Will you continue to lift them up in prayer?   

There has been time to just connect with my kids at the Worcester family.  Most of them returned home from their time with family this week.  It's been neat sitting and hearing about their time... eating Jack Fruit together... and just being.  School starts for them this coming week.  

The clinic---- it has been good to be back.... so good! And it has been so good to be back with my coworkers.  This past was my first weekend on call and it was anything short of busy! There were several urgent trips to the hospital... one of those involved me driving full speed, nailing the horn with an unresponsive little baby in the van.  He spiked a fever and went into convulsions.  After being worked on for a bit, he perked up quick and is doing much better.  

One of the things that God has been working with me closely on is the importance of spending time with Him first thing in the morning.  This has been a struggle for me.  To be honest, the pull of the needs and the distractions of the day  are often easy deterrents for me.  I struggle with turning to these things with the expectation or hope of spending time with Him after I do ____ or "once I get to the clinic" and too often, I miss out on quality time with my Jesus.  Before I came back, I spent some time praying with some dear friends and the thing that God challenged me on was to spend time at His feet....instead of jumping and getting lost in tasks...even getting pulled into things that are good.  It was a challenge that resonated deeply within me.  Upon returning to New Hope, we had a week of spiritual development... an opportunity to come together.... and to grow and worship together.  A pastor from Canada came and he shared a lot of good stuff.  He said three words that stuck with me..... a reminder, I believe, from God.  Be. Do. Be.  Three simple words that have sunk deep into my soul.  To be with my God... to do as He leads... and to BE once again in HIS presence.   And my prayer is that even in the doing, I would continue to be in a state of "being" with Him. And so as I embrace this year at New Hope.... I embrace all that He has planned for me.  And I embrace the commitment to make sure that I am spending plenty of time at HIS feet... first thing in the morning.  And as I rest at HIS feet, I trust that He will lead me and guide me.   Guide me through all that He has planned... whether it is bandaging a small wound at the clinic, speeding in a vehicle to the hospital, or listening to whoever is in front of me..... I am choosing to rest in HIS guiding and leading.  

And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.  Isaiah 58:11




 Thank you for being part of this journey.... 








Saturday, January 25, 2014

Part A.... of hopefully a soon to be Part B

It's crazy to think that it has been nearly two weeks since I left.... 

Taking a walk in the middle of the snowfall.   (c :  

And what's a walk without a few snowballs being thrown....

 and arrived to....
catching the rays..... 

Morning Congestion on my commute to work. 




And said goodbye to dearly loved community..... 
   


Ellen and Lindley

Cari belting a song into the her makeshift microphone...

And Friends are Friends forever.... ( c :
Appreciating having their pictures taken.... (or not!) 

A quick pic with the girls.... 

And a quick snapshot with the boys.... 




All the luggage at the airport.... goodbyes are so hard! 

Only to be greeted by community here.... 

A. Adhe cooking.... and directing... 

Everyone working together... we are going to have the best Indian Food in Uganda! 

A. Gertrude thinking.... and planning... 
                                     

And what' s a little cooking without a mini-flour fight.... 

even if the flour fight involves making one look a few years older.... 

but the flour fight has got to end... there is baking to do..... 






and serving.... 


and of course eating, good conversation, and 

And it's currently about 1:18 in the morning.  I should be in bed sleeping and yet, I am awake. The internet is working decently right now and I figure I would at least just get a little bit up from the last couple of weeks.  This post is full of pictures....of some of the many faces that have been and are such a blessing to me.... and there are so many more.  It was a delightful time in the States with my parents, my brothers, sisters, friends, and.... well, more friends!  (c  :  And it has been equally nice coming back and being so many people here, who have become dear friends to me! There is more to say.... more to share... and yet, I realize that it would be best to post what I have and trust the timing of the next post.  There is definitely more to share.... for now, I say good picture viewing and goodnight! 

Friday, January 3, 2014

Currently sitting at O'Hare International Airport.  My flight takes off in just about two hours.  It's been a VERY full last month... but a good one! So many sweet times of connecting with friends and family.  It's crazy to think that in just about 9 days, I will be heading back home to Uganda.  It's been a whirlwind.  I landed into Fort Wayne... stayed there about 10 days and then hopped in a car and headed to the western suburbs of Chicago.  Following my time there, I hopped a plane and headed south to Florida and visited with my parents, grams, and their friends.  Was even able to sneak in a little road trip to northern Florida where I met up with a high school friend.  Then it was off to Portland, Oregon to see my siblings.  A few days before I left Florida, I received word that my little buddy, Frank was very sick with malaria.  For those of you who have been following me on the blog, this little guy was born in March. When he was born, he was barely breathing.  And together, his parents and I, along with others, watched God sustain him.  He recovered fully and up until right before Christmas was an energetic little guy.  Ate lunch with his parents and him two days before I left.  And I assumed quite safely that I would see him again.  I have to confess that even with the knowledge that he was really sick with malaria, I assumed I would see him again.  I assumed he would recover.   And yet, as I was heading to the airport, I knew in my spirit that little Frank was dying.  I can't explain it other than I just believe that God gave me a heads up.  When I arrived at my gate and opened my computer and was greeted by multiple messages telling me that Frank had just died,  the tears came so strongly.  I craved home in Uganda and I craved connecting with his parents... all who knew this precious life.  I found myself mourning in a way that I don't think I had ever done before.  I just couldn't believe that he was really gone.  From a treatable disease.  And yet, despite the tears, despite a sadness that panted the depth of my heart.... there was a peace.  I wish I had fancy words to explain it... to put it into words... but there aren't.  It was just there.  God was just there with me.   On Sunday, I was able to call and talk with his sweet momma Rebecca and his daddy Ronald.  There was a lot of silence and a lot of being.... and really, I just can't wait to go and be with them.  To bring them the outfit I bought their baby boy and to show them the pictures that I had ordered for them.  Frank will not be forgotten.  Nope... I was his sanga (his auntie) and he was my little buddy.  And I don't understand why God brought him home so soon.  I won't lie... in my humble opinion (or maybe not so humble opinion), he went home to soon.  But this is where the plastic hits the road... this is where, by only HIS grace, I rest in knowing that God is good.  He knows what He is doing... even when we don't.  And so I leave you with some pictures... first of baby Frank... and then of some of the many people I have seen in the last month.  Thanks for journeying!




sweet Frank and his mom just days old recovering in the hospital. 

A priceless family portrait.  

The little guy I held so many mornings during training.... 
A recent family shot.


Frank, you will be missed.  I won't say rest peacefully sweet child... because you are undoubtably running around heaven FREE and HEALTHY! Love you sweet boy!

A great morning with many of my siblings! (minus 3)
Mikey P--ps and me! 
Bling Bling sis in law, Keri, sweet sis sarah, and Mikey P--ps! 








Caroline and Kimmy posing like days long gone
OH Kathleen.. my true Drama sister.  Oh the memories we have had over the years! SO great to see you girl.... 11 hours of driving for mmmm... maybe 5 hours of actual hang out time! so worth it! 

Allie, a dear friend since junior high! Such a gift!!! And so great to hang out!!! love you girl!

Dear friends from HCA! Love you ladies and so thankful that after all these years, we are still friends!


And there have been so many more people that I have been able to connect with, process with, listen to, laugh with, and simply be.... such a gift! SUCH a gift!

And I am off to my gate.... hopefully, my flight will be on time.  Snow is EVERYWHERE here in Chicago.....