il fait du soleil sur les nuages

fall 2010 - came and went!

2010-12-05T09:58:00.000-08:00

What a fabulous fall it has been! God has blessed me in more ways that I can describe over the last few months. My blog hasn't gotten much love as I've been busy with work, life and learning to press more in to God! I've had two awesome interns for the semester - Sarah and Lydia - who have helped me in more ways than they'll ever know.

September was busy with new groups starting and the joy of seeing old friends as students made their way back to Marseille.

October went by like a flash! Meeting with students, developing the outreach to women and looking for lots of new friends!

November began with a quick trip to Germany for a meeting - then I had the joy of hosting my mom and brother in Marseille for a few days, then joining them for a few days in London. Thanksgivings kept us busy after that. Wow - November was eventful!

December has begun like the others - I was shocked when it arrived and we haven't slowed down at all! While many are busy studying for exams I've been finding new ways to keep myself busy - enjoying physical therapy for my back, beginning to train for my next half-marathon, trying to develop some ways to serve within the city, and spending the last few moments with the interns before they leave on the 14th.

It has been a splendid semester! It is hard to believe that in just a little over 4 months, I'll be back in the States, seeing family and searching for a job yet again. I'm praying that God's grace would continue to cover me and prepare me for all that is next!

Christmas plans - a very cold trip to Central Asia - we'll see how I do (o:

spain - la deuxième fois

2010-08-19T00:44:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to catch up on the events of the summer I need to back up about a month and take you to Spain. We had a company meeting in Madrid and then I was able to stay with some wonderful friends in Barcelona for a few days and see the city!

Madrid: I had a wonderful time! The night of our arrival in the city was the World Cup finals so a group of us went to the center of town and watched it the way any true Spaniard would have - in the streets with 1 million of our closest friends on one of 5 giant screens! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Madrid also served as a time to connect with colleagues, learn about how to be more effective at our jobs, and just spend time with each other - laughing - mostly! I was able to do a little walking around the city one afternoon and even saw the location of the Spanish Inquisition, a palace, point zero, and ate at Taco Bell and TGI Fridays! Great visit!

Barcelona: What a fabulous time we had in Barcelona! I stayed with a great couple there who have a son that I know from church in the States. They graciously welcomed me into their home and were fabulous hosts! Galen was also in Barcelona, so we met up during the day to see the sights! And wow, were there some sights to see! We enjoyed a self-guided tour of the city via metro and bus to see the architectural works of Antoni Gaudi - where we get the word gaudy! We saw the arc de triomphe in the city, a park that Gaudi designed, a very old hospital with amazing architecture, a main street with "human statues" (people who dress up and stand very still - just like a statue - incredible to watch). I went with the couple I stayed with to a Greek theater and we saw a very interesting dance and musical performance - very thought provoking! Galen and I also went to a castle on top of a hill overlooking the city. It was built in the 1800's and until recently still used to house military and supplies - it is now a museum. It was nice - just much younger than we anticipated. The last day I enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the beach! The beaches are sandy and much wider than in Marseille - it was a great trip!

what is love

2010-08-01T03:51:00.000-07:00

I think it is easy in our culture today to find different definitions of what love is. I've heard some say it is "never having to say you're sorry" or that "love is friendship set on fire." Even popular authors of the last two centuries chime in on what love is.

"Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired." - Mark Twain

So what do you say that love is?

In my scripture reading this morning I ran across a verse that really struck me. I've read other passages in the Bible about what love is - "God is love" - or vice versa - love is God. This is true. Indeed He is the author of love. Today's verse sort of expands on this idea in a way that is applicable to our lives.

"And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love."

2 John 1:6

While this explanation may seem to be vastly different than 1 John 4:16 "God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him," I would argue that not only is it not different, but it is remarkably the same. As we walk with God - grow closer to him through our study of scripture, prayer, and fellowship with others who also believe - we are being transformed into His likeness. If His likeness is love, then will we not be transformed into a way of life that is motivated by love?

I've found this to be true - when I spend time with God by reading the scriptures and praying - my thoughts, motivations, and actions are founded in His love and strength rather than mine. So, to "walk in love" I must 'walk' with Him - I must do what His Word says. If I am obedient to His Word - how can I help but "walk in love."

cinqe terre, italy

2010-08-01T02:46:00.000-07:00

This is a bit late in being posted - as we went to Cinqe Terre, Italy back at the beginning of June, however, the pictures are so beautiful that I can't neglect to post them in this space. Galen and his brother kindly invited me to join them on their trip (I'd planned to go a few weeks later, but plans had changed and I wouldn't be going)! We rented a car and drove the 5 hours to La Speza, Italy where we parked the car and trained to the first of the five tiny towns along the western Italian cost.

We had dinner at a cute little restaurant and I ordered the gnocchi with pesto sauce. Incredible!!! I was able to secure a bed in a hostel the first night and before I went to sleep my hostel-mates arrived - all of which currently attend Texas A&M. It was quite a humorous situation - my burnt orange blood surrounded by the maroon and white - but I had a great time getting to know the students and swiftly falling asleep!

The next morning we hiked for a number of hours - up and down hills - up and down stairs - in and out of wooded area and coastal views - it was magnificent! The guys were walking pretty fast, but I look every opportunity to snap some photos and enjoy the incredible view! We stopped for breakfast at a little cafe - had some amazing Italian coffee and this awesome buttery flat bread! Yumm! We arrived in Vernazza around lunch time - checked in to the hostel and then enjoyed some amazing pizza and time on the beach! I think I also had 3 portions of gelato that day - simply amazing - one of my favorite parts of the trip for sure!

The last day we got up and began walking pretty early. We ate fruit on the way. The hike was quite difficult with all the up and down - but the trail on some parts was very tiny and we were passing lots of hikers going the other way. It was risky to pass each other as there was often a small cliff or stream on one side of you and a wall of rock on the other - but it was doable and kinda fun! We made it to the last town before lunch and enjoyed some good pizza before hoping the train back to La Speza to pick up the car. Our drive back was a little long and included a detour and lots of rain.

I will say - one of my favorite things about driving in Italy are the tunnels! Instead of super winding roads they just cut straight through the mountain! It is quite an experience - passing through hundreds in just a few hours of driving.

So - highlights of the trip: pizza, gelato, hiking, beautiful views, cute towns, and great company!

allez le filles!!

2010-06-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Our season is over, but our friendships aren't! I've had a really awesome opportunity to get to know some awesome people and brush up on my softball skills this past spring. I've been playing for a local women's softball team called the Medley's. We play against 2 other teams in our region and we've participated in a few tournaments. I make a point of bringing brownies to share at games and enjoy watching the frenchies eat there fancy pasta salad or other gourmet food item for lunch between games. We recently went to Italy for a tournament and I was able to have my very first taste of Italian pizza...and my first taste of two full days of softball after two nights of sharing a very small two-person tent with my friend Julie! We had a great time!

I've really enjoyed my time with these fine ladies - come fall I'll be joining them in a co-ed league. Should be fun! (I might want to improve my batting skills by then!)

spring time hiking fun!

2010-05-01T05:46:00.001-07:00

Spring in Marseille has brought with it sunshine, warmer temperatures, fresh green leaves, happy faces on the locals, beautiful blooms, and a LOT of pollen! While my allergic reactions are par for the course this time of year, the beauty and splendor of spring time in southern France is unbeatable! With the Calanque (the mountains that surround Marseille) so close, I can't help but frequently find friends and head up for a hike! Depending on where you go you'll see views of the city, the sea, tiny villages, and nature! I've really discovered that I have a passion for hiking and enjoying God's creation! There's something about that feeling I get when surrounded by raw beauty...it takes my breath away. I was reminded during last weeks discussion group that "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." John 1:3. How thankful I am during these amazing months of renewal and new life, to be experiencing the the handiwork of God - the Creator of all things! I am truly blessed!

tamales...in france?

2010-05-01T04:32:00.000-07:00

Tiffany and I had the honor of learning the time old tradition of Mexican tamale making...in France! Our friend Carolina invited us over for a day of tamale making! From the boiling of half a pig's head to wrapping them in banana leaves (corn husks are hard to come by), it was a wonderful adventure! We had a great time mixing English, French and Spanish and getting to know some really fabulous people! Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed making and eating these yummy treats!!! Oh - and let me not forget to add that we had the most amazing fresh guacamole I've ever tasted! Such a fun day!

brussels, belgium

2010-04-12T09:40:00.000-07:00

I made a quick trip last month up to visit some friends in Brussels. I was able to spend time with a great family - the Kollmans - and some great girls - Sarah and Christie. I got a nice tour of the town, sampled some Belgian favorites (fries and something called vol aux vents - chicken breast covered in a white cream sauce with tiny meat balls - a typical Belgian meal - both were fantastic). I tried some great waffles that have syrup mixed in with the batter - so when you heat them up they are moist and tasty!! We took a little day trip to Namur, a city about 45 minutes from Brussels and enjoyed the small town feel and the view from atop the citadel. I had a really great time playing with the kids and chatting it up with the adults! Brussels was a fabulous city for a visit and I was even sent home with Dr. Pepper, chocolate, and yummy cookies!

[almost] spring time in st. tropez

2010-03-22T05:37:00.000-07:00

i had a wonderful outing with suzanne last week to visit st. tropez, about a two hour drive from marseille. we spent the day walking the streets, running in to 16th century buildings, and climbing up a large hill to the top of the town. we had a quick lunch while we walked and even enjoyed a little local gelato! during the drive we saw about 100 sheep along the road and their dreadlock sporting shepherd. we hiked up to the citadel which was complete with a moat! we sat along the port and watched a large yatch back into its slip. we noticed that most things around town weren't open and were being renovated - as it isn't quite tourist season yet, it was clear the town is preparing for the summer...but we had a lot of fun and got some great pictures! Enjoy!

semi-marathon: paris

2010-03-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

i had a wonderful weekend in paris visiting some great friends and running my first half marathon! it was a busier weekend than anticipated as i hadn't realized the need for a 'medical certification' (simple physical). note: in the US the 'medical certification' is simply - me, signing a release form that says i won't sue if i die. so - my relaxing saturday of picking up my race packet, lunch with the deans, and hot chocolate with alice quickly turned in to: tears rolling down my cheek, frantic phone calls, popping in to pharmacies and hospitals to check for dr's and appointments, a dr.'s appointment at 5:30 and a mad dash across town to pick up my race packet by 7pm. it was crazy, but it turned out to be a very good day!

race day was COLD! it was 30 F with a wind chill of 16 F. there were about 28,000 runners and i was in the back due to my pace category. i crossed the start line 15 minutes after the clock started and crossed the finish at 2 hr and 15 min! alice and tisha were at the 10k mark with signs and smiles and they were joined by jason and megan at the finish line cheering me on! it was a great race and much easier than anticipated!

marathon in the fall? maybe so! anyone want to join me in a run from nice to cannes in november? i'd love a running buddy!

purpose, price, promise

2010-03-01T02:52:00.000-08:00

I spent this morning listening to a sermon online. This is a frequent practice of mine - I have this thirst for learning of the scriptures, learning of God's desire for his people and His plan for this world. Usually my sermon listening comes from the Village Church podcast that I move over to my iPod shuffle before I head out for a run a few times a week. Today, for a change, I listed to a preacher who I think also really gets to the heart of what the scriptures say. He spoke of Matthew 24:14 and discussed God's plan for the nations and our role, as followers of Jesus.

"Do we believe that Jesus is worthy of the glory of all 11,690 people groups on the planet?"

...if we did, we would live like it! I challenge you to live like it. What's stopping you? What's hindering those around you from hearing the message of life?

Listen to David Platt's sermon from 11/7/09 entitled: Engage the Lost.

mornings in marseille...

2010-02-08T01:56:00.000-08:00

since the start of the year, my mornings look a lot like this. fresh cup of coffee, something edible on a plate (usually eggs, but this was a special morning of 'french toast'), and that pink Bible i got in focus the weekend before i graduated from college (thank you Vicki for picking those out). i love mornings these days. i sit at the table in the kitchen - overlooking the neighborhood (i imagine that i can see the sea between the trees - i can't). i watch the wind pass through the treetops and the blue skies or the clouds rolling in and i marvel at the creation of our great God. i open my Bible and this incredible story of God's love for us pours out of it. his Word even says "our mercies are new every morning" - i miss it if i'm not paying attention - but lately, i get it - i'm experiencing those mercies.

preaching to myself

2010-02-07T13:07:00.000-08:00

I think it is easy when things are going well to forget that you are broken and in need of a Savior just as much in that moment as you are in the moments where you feel at your worst and stuck in quicksand that won't seem to let up. I've found myself in that quicksand at times and lately I've been reminded of some times in my past where I first put my toe in the sand, knowing full well that it wasn't God's desire. Instead of immediately taking it out I let my ankle get pulled in. Then it was my knee - then a leg - then two legs. All along I kept thinking "if only I hadn't put in that toe" "if only I'd stuck with what I knew to be right, and followed God" "maybe then I wouldn't have two legs stuck" "what will God say now?" "If I change my ways, starting doing things 'right,' then will he pull me out?"

I am currently reading Genesis and was struck by something this week. "The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time." (Genesis 6:5) It is very clear in this verse, and especially in the dark things we see in this world, that there is not a natural good within us. We are the creation of a holy and perfect God. He is without blemish. We are clearly not. Isaiah 64:6 says "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." So, if we are innately evil and even our righteous acts are like filthy rags - how can we access a God who is holy - without sin? "God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21) So, it is through our faith Jesus that we might have right standing with God.

It is especially in the moments where I am keenly aware of my own sins - past and present - that I realize my need for grace and mercy. God offers all of us the opportunity to receive cleansing by placing our faith in Christ alone. "Therefore we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 5:1)

Our sins are washed away, our hearts made clean. In my attempt to visualize this, I often think of those times at the beach where I'd write something in the sand with a stick - my name, favorite sports team or 'hi mom' - and moments later a wave would rush over it and the words I'd written would be gone. I'd never see them again. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17) We've been given a chance, through Christ, at a new life. A fresh start. Right standing with our creator God.

This week I've needed to hear these truths. It makes me wonder if any of you need to hear them again, or even for the first time. I hope this message of reconciliation cuts deep into your heart and I pray that God will draw you near to himself and show you the grace and mercy found on the cross of Jesus.

Love you, friends!

thinking on him...

2010-01-20T00:26:00.000-08:00

"The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will." Proverbs 21:1

Thinking this week on this verse and the implications. The hand of the Lord turns even the hearts of kings. His hand turns it wherever he wants it to be. Will He not do this for me also?

Though the Lord turns the stream of water, there are millions of drops of water that move in and out of each other. Each one different. While they end up in the same place, the arrive there after very different individual courses. Is it the same for us? Does the Lord turn us where he wants us to go, mold us into who He wants us to be...but we have the free will in the midst of it to splash, hit rocks, move with the fish, rush around in some places, and slow down in others? And yet he knows the exact course of each drop.

Sometimes I have to just settle in and realize that there are things for me to fully understand and there are things that I've simply not been given the ability, in my finite mind, to understand!

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law." Deuteronomy 29:29

May I focus my attention on the revealed things, resting in God's sovereignty, and leave the secret things to Him who is able to direct my path.

kazakhstan

2010-01-18T14:51:00.000-08:00

Went on an adventure to Almaty, Kazakstan last week. I spent time getting to know friends, learning a little of the culture, spending time with God and brushing up on my Russian language skills...or lack there of. You'll be glad to know that I still know how to say two important phrases: "I want cookies" and "I need cookies." Who wouldn't want to know how to say that? Needless to say, now that I'm back in France I'm experiencing a lot of language confusion!

I spent a lot of time laughing, playing cards, watching movies, playing with a fabulous 2 year old, walking the streets of Almaty, getting into snowball fights, throwing the football, learning to snowboard, and having great conversations about anything you can imagine. I saw God moving and working right before my eyes and was challenged to continue pressing into Him with my whole heart. The Lord is faithful!

Here's a video I put together of my time there! Not sure what happened with the music...so just pretend like it lasts for the whole video (o: Click Here!

my weekend in paris

2010-01-18T14:41:00.000-08:00

I created a video of my time in Paris! I always think pictures tell the stories much better than I can. After two days of trying to get it on youtube and have the video show up on my blog I finally gave up and am just including the link! So, just click here and enjoy!

The weekend was spent with my dear friend Alice (an incredible tour guide by the way) and a variety of other friends! I was able to hit the high points and even venture out to Palais Versailles with a friend, from the Village Church, and his family. It was so incredible to see the places I've always seen in movies and read about in history! I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to visit! By far my favorite part of the trip were the great conversations I had! Thanks friends!

Bonne Annee!!! (Happy New Year)

teaser

2010-01-04T13:32:00.000-08:00

Well, I survived Paris! I had an amazing, amazing time with Alice! I even met new friends and saw most of my team (o: I am leaving tomorrow for another adventure and don't have time to post everything, but here's a little teaser of my time in Paris!

Joyeux Noel

2009-12-28T09:40:00.000-08:00

Joyeux Noel! Merry Christmas!

I had the joy of spending a few days in Lisboa, Portugal with some great friends over Christmas! Mike and Sarah Prewitt and their children: Carolina, Caleb, Elaina, Ethan (and #5 just days from being born) welcomed me into their home and included me in their holiday traditions! I also had the joy of seeing Don and Valery Hulsey and meeting their beautiful daughter, Anna! Here's a bit about my time in this wonderful city!

The story should match the pictures I've included in the slideshow below! Enjoy!

I arrived on Tuesday to find the entire Prewitt clan at the airport (Don and Val attempted to make it too...but my flight ended up being delayed). We went on an adventure to a famous monastery by the river, laughed over french fries, sipped Starbucks drinks, and ate an amazing pastry made by the monks right there in Lisboa! We had a fabulous first night!

Day two we headed out of town about an hour and perused around a well known Portuguese ceramics factory. I picked out a few of my favorite items and then enjoyed some time in the park with the kids! Afterwards we ate at a hole-in-the-wall restaurant and I ordered the beef with mushrooms...it is the closest I've gotten to my Dad's beef stroganoff in years! Yumm! Spent the evening with the kids while Mike and Sarah went to an appointment. We had "massage Aunt Kate night" and Caleb taught me to play chess. Each of the kids gave me a hard time about being almost 27 years old and never learning to play! The "massage" included plastic Ikea spoons on my feet and wooden spoons on my back. I've never experienced anything quite like it, but the kids had a great time!

Day three was spent visiting Don and Valery's fun apartment and sipping on some coffee! I then joined some friends: Jeanette and Esther at Chili's for lunch! I hiked in Spain with these two girls back in August. We had a wonderful time at Chili's...complete with queso (not the same at all, but was fun to order)! Afterwards I made it back to Sarah and Mike's area of town via metro. Mike drew me a map ahead of time, thank goodness! The metro in Lisboa is much larger and nicer than Marseille...it was a fun little adventure! Elaina, Ethan and Carolina helped me make Mom's sweet potatoes and Sarah prepared bread. I sat and listened to Sarah read the kids "The Night Before Christmas" and then we stayed up late wrapping gifts!

Christmas day was wonderful! I woke up and joined the family on Mike and Sarah's bed for the reading of the Christmas story and time in prayer. We held up the figures of the nativity as Mike told the story. It was a special time! The kids opened their stockings from Santa, we had some amazing bread that Sarah made and then the rest of the gifts were opened. The kids got bikes and all kinds of other goodies. I got some special things from home, my traditional stocking from the James family, and some fabulous things from Portugal! Thank you Sarah for my platters that match the ceramics I purchased a few days before! Some friends came by and had Christmas lunch with us. We had a football game on the TV, ate a lot of food, and listened to the kids laugh. I even got to skype my Mom...what a great day!

On Saturday we took the kids down to the park to ride their bikes. Mike taught Caleb to ride his bike in the span of about 30 minutes. It was so nice to see the kids get out, stretch their legs, and just have a great time! We enjoyed some yummy coffee and sandwiches and headed back to the apartment to get me to the airport...that's when the adventure began!

I thought my flight was at 2:45. Mike couldn't find his keys but we only left a few minutes later than expected. He and Carolina took me to the airport. When we arrived Mike realized my flight was at 2:25 and it was already after 1:45. We rushed around and found the counter where I needed to check in. They wouldn't let me check my bag because it wouldn't make it to plane...but the guy said if I took out my liquids, they would let me gate check my suit case. Ok...so we started running. Made it to a different area but weren't sure it was where I needed to be, so Mike went back to check. I spent a few moments with Carolina praying that the Lord would provide in whatever way he saw fit. The guy at security wouldn't let me take my bag through on the first try, but showed me favor in the end and let me pass. I made it through security pretty quick and then took off running. I was yelling "pardon moi" as I ran down the hall. Luckily people moved pretty quickly...unfortunately my gate was at the VERY end! When I finally made it there was no one at the counter. I yelled down the stairs past the counter a few times and started praying again! Moments later the gate attendant appeared, quickly checked me in, and I took off down the stairs and on to the bus that took us to the flight. I made it! The Lord provided all the way! Though the box of dishes wouldn't fit all the way under the seat, no one told me to move it! I made it to Marseille in one piece!

Hope your Christmas was delightful!!!

Now onward to Paris for New Years! Looking forward to spending time with my friend Alice and getting to explore the city! If you have any "what to do in Paris" suggestions, please send them my way!!!!!

a busy time of year

2009-12-06T13:35:00.000-08:00

it is only 6 days in to december but it has already been a busy month already! i'm preparing in many ways for the days i'll be traveling over the next month and am starting to get very excited about the people i'll see and the places i'll go!

thanksgiving was fun and we spent it with great friends here in frace. we did our best to recreate the traditional thanksgiving feast and celebrated far from family and friends at home.

marseille has transformed into a christmas wonderland over the past few weeks. there are christmas lights along the streets, markets specifically for holiday gifts and a little bit of christmas cheer in almost every window you pass.

this month we've said goodbye to some great friends from language school and have finished our formal study of the french language. this has started a new chapter to our time here...what i like to call p.s. post-school! while i expected to have a lot more 'free-time' on my hands, i've had the great opportunity to meet with more students and invest more in friendships i've been building!

i hope you'll enjoy this updated slideshow of pictures! i ask that you pray that i would remain ever so close to the Lord above and that my hearts desire would be to please and honor Him!

bonsoir mes amies!

-kate

woman of character

2009-11-30T14:32:00.000-08:00

The last few weeks I've been really praying about what it looks like to be a woman of character. I've really come to a place where I am clearly seeing my sin and am overwhelmed by the grace our Father in heaven has given me through his Son. I'm pushing on in this journey and praying that God will mold me into the woman He desires for me to be.

I listened to a challenging sermon today. The sermon was on marriage and preached by Matt Chandler of the Village Church (the church where I'm a member back in DFW). I realize I'm not married, no need to point out the obvious, but the content spoke a lot about things that we as women and men should be concerned about and things that we just shouldn't be. He mostly referenced 1 Peter 3:1-7 and shared about women hoping in God above all else. He spoke of how our hearts, as women, should be adorned with the gifts of the Father above...with the words spoken in scripture and that our actions should be representative of this. We should speak with wisdom, gentleness and out of godly hearts. We are to encourage and lift up those around us. To speak Truth, to love. These are things God has been teaching me about lately and things I realized very quickly do not come naturally to me! I'm striving to let the Lord be the one to take hold of my heart, to push me towards holiness. That I would have patience, the heart of a servant and the confidence that comes only through His grace!

I challenge you to make time to hear this one...and let me know what you think! Click here to listen.

Please also pray for Matt Chandler and family. Matt had a seziure last week and a mass was found in his brain. To inform your prayers, please click here.

pictures as of late...

2009-11-15T10:27:00.000-08:00

i thought i'd give you a few updated pictures! we had some friends over to celebrate halloween and here are a few pictures from the night! it was complete with candy corn sent from the States!

i've had a chance lately to develop one of my favorite hobbies - cooking! i've had a chance to make some of my favorites from my time in kenya: pizza, tortillas, granola, etc. and some new ones like cream pesto, cake and creme brulee! i included a picture of my salsa (a weekly thing in our house...who doesn't like salsa?!?!) and my newest adventure, chicken soup! i'm looking forward to practicing my "from scratch" recipes!!! let me know if you have any ideas!!! in the mean time, i'm considering taking a french cooking class!

from fall to winter

2009-11-15T01:38:00.000-08:00

Things are beginning to slow down a little. Students are preparing for exams and everyone is beginning to discuss where they'll go for Christmas vacation. The weather is changing. It has been much cooler lately, the leaves have changed and now many of them are under my feet as I walk. We've had more cloudy days in the last month than my entire time here put together. The time changed a few weeks back and it is now dark around 5:30. If I walk home after dark I can smell fires in the fireplaces. It's moving from fall to winter and I'm very excited about it! The stores are beginning to put up their Christmas wrapping paper, trinkets and candy. Marseille is turning into a different city.

My roommates, Katie and Courtney, have gone home and Del is leaving for England on Monday (a huge answer to prayer). Our team is changing. We had a great training on team dynamics last weekend and I'm excited to see how the Father uses this for His glory!

I have a new roommate, Leah! It has been a joy to have her here and she'll stay until June.

Just two more weeks of language school! You can lift up the exams I'll be taking!

The last month has really been wonderful. God has been revealing Himself to me in various ways all month and has been giving me great opportunities here. You can pray with me that I'm able to stay very close to Him over the next few months!

I have some traveling coming up! I'm hoping to make it to Paris before the Christmas lights come down and visit some friends I met on the Camino! I'll be going to Lisbon, Portugal to spend Christmas with some of my closest friends from training. (I mean, if you can't spend the holidays with your biological family, you might as well spend them with families who treat you like you're a biological child/sister/aunt)! I have another trip planned in January and should have a chance to do some snowboarding. (please do pray for this!!! if you know me, you know that I have horrible balance and tend to get hurt...I'm going for a clean record with no injuries!!! - that's for you Mom!!!)

I'll have the chance to cook some holiday food in the next few weeks! I've never cooked most Thanksgiving food items as I have a fabulous family back home who makes the "best" of everything! This year I'll get the chance not only to make it, but to utilize French ingredients too! Luckily some amazing friends back in the States were ready and willing to send packages with things we just can't get here! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who sent things! You've served as our provision and we are so grateful!

To those of you wondering if I'm keeping up with college football, the answer is yes! I haven't missed a Texas game yet and have even logged some hours watching other great games. Galen and Leah are both Alabama fans, so this has been quite a colorful football season! I'm looking forward to seeing how the teams pull it out in the end!

Off to watch French softball and French/American football! Should be a rich afternoon!

Thank you especially for your prayers and support! Miss you!

where is my hope

2009-11-01T04:18:00.000-08:00

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Revelation 21:4

Lately I've had the pleasure of talking with and praying with and for some people in my life who are walking through some very grave times. It has brought to my attention once again the undeniable fact that we live in a very broken world. We live in a world of pain, death, tears, hunger, sickness, broken promises and darkened hearts. We are faced with the consequences of sin all day and at times it seems hopeless. We are naive to think that we ourselves can fix the fractured reality of our being. At times it feels as if we are just spinning our wheels, utilizing everything we have inside us, every bit of strength or know-how, and yet we never accomplish what it is that we desire: peace, rest, hope.

What a powerful promise we find in Revelation 21:4 - God will wipe the tears from our eyes. He will stop death, and mourning and crying and pain...and hunger, and sickness and broken promises...He will bring us into a new order.

"He who was seated on the throne said, 'I am making everything new!' Then he said 'Write this down for these words are trustworthy and true.

He said to me: 'It is done.'

Revelation 21:5

As believers we find some of our greatest hope in these words: I am making everything NEW...it is DONE! Praise God for His great power to make things new: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old is gone, the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Jesus said, 'It is finished.'" John 19:30 Our atonement for sin was completed on that day when Jesus died on the cross...in Him we are a new creation. I challenge you to reflect on this truth and ask the Father if you are in Him, have you been made new by trusting Christ...or are you trying to do things on your own?

I'm praying that you would have an intimate experience with God today, that whether you believe or not, that you would experience Him in a new way and that someday soon you would have a personal experience of being made new!

I'm excited about the day when He returns and the world is no longer fractured. I'm excited about a time when I'll be in heaven and there will no longer be pain or hunger or tears or broken promises or darkness of any kind.

My hope is in Him who saves.

october 2009

2009-10-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

well, it has been quite a busy month! language learning is going pretty well and i'm feeling more confident in my french. courtney had her last concert, i visited a really neat cathedral in town, we've had dinners with friends, our friend alice came to visit and we made an afternoon trip to nearby casis. i taught myself how to make a slideshow...so if it ends up working it will be my new way of posting pictures! courtney and katie are moving back home tomorrow and it will be the beginning of a new chapter for me here in marseille...would love if you could lift up the transition for them and for me!

red bull flutag marseille style

2009-09-27T13:44:00.001-07:00

it was a fabulous day here in marseille! the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, and strange aircrafts were being pushed off of a large platform at la plage david! we met up with some friends and had a really great time!

today was red bull flutag. it isn't really possible to describe the randominity of this event in words, so i'll mostly let the pictures and video speak for themselves! each team (usually 5 or 6 people per team) is responsible for four things: a creative aircraft design, fun costumes, a coreographed dance, and of course the ability to make their aircraft fly. Seems easy enough!

such is france

2009-09-23T09:03:00.000-07:00

It has been a really busy last month in Marseille and it is only going to be busier! I started language school two weeks ago and am very slowly feeling more comfortable using French in my every day life. I'm starting to get to know the city better and am really learning to love it here!

I went to my first rugby game last weekend with Katie and her friend Matt. Both teams were wearing red and we seemed to be in the middle of both sets of fans...so we just cheered with whoever was cheering and had a lot of fun! Here are qualities we think every rugby player must have: 1. agility 2. tenasity 3. gnashing of teeth. Rugby in one word: Danger! We had a blast! I'll be attending my very first European soccer match in a couple weeks!

I've begun trying to note some things that I tend to see here in France that are a bit different than the streets of Dallas, TX and I tought I'd share a few and maybe get a grin out of you! This shall be in list form: men in shorts shorter than what I'm comfortable wearing, women in...well, less, kisses for everyone (bisous in French), bakeries (boulangerie) on every corner, elementry school class field-trips via the metro (can you honestly imagine being responsible for 25 8yr olds on a subway?), cafe at any hour (cafe is coffee in French...but it is more like espresso), 5inch heals...anywhere, the average McDonald's value menu is approximately $8 and includes less food...it is also one of the cheapest places you can eat, pre-packaged flan, HUNDREDS of cheeses to choose from at any grocery store (some as expensive as 60 euros a kilo and more), escargot in the frozen foods section, skinny jeans on every girl...and even most of the guys, people who drive on the sidewalk-be it motorcycle or car, it is usually acceptable in most places (keep you on your toes)...

I'll add to that list soon, don't you worry!

Off to lable things in the apartment with French words! We're attending Red Bull Flugtag here this weekend, I'll take lost of pictures!

camino de santiago august 2009

2009-08-27T06:53:00.000-07:00

the camino journal

2009-08-27T05:45:00.000-07:00

Day 1: Marseille to Leon
Galen and I flew to Madrid and took a train to Leon. God kept us safe and even got our luggage there in one piece. We played cards to pass the time and Galen turned the volume up on his ipod to drown out the sound of the screaming 5 year old next to us on the train. Highlight of the day: Dominos pizza at the Leon train station!

Day 2: Leon to San Martin - 27km
With 14 of us all together, we started our walk about 8am today. We took a lunch break in the town we'd planned to stop in and decided to keep walking. We met a nice British man today who is traveling with a New Yorker. While I already had two blisters at the end of today, I feel like I could have walked at least 5k more.

Day 3: San Martin to Astorga - 26km
Today we left at 8:45 and arrived at 2:45pm. While it was a long day, my feet felt fine until about noon. I switched from the chacos back to my shoes and kept going. Some more friends joined us in Astorga and now our group is 18. I spent a lot of time today praying that God would help me let go of physical things here on earth as well as hopes and dreams that I have in my mind - replaing them with more of himself instead.

Day 4: Astorga to Foncebadon - 30km
Left earlier today, about 6am and arrived by 12:30. Stopped along the way today for Spanish tortilla (eggs, potatoes and onion served almost like a thick omlet) and cafe con leche. I walked the last 8km with Heidi and it was all up hill. What a great feeling when we finally reached the top! Some others arrived before us and we had a great lunch, steak and fries! I'm gaining more and more blisters and am in increasing pain. Maybe it will be better tomorrow.

Day 5: Foncebadon to Ponferrada - 25km
I've been in pain all day. There were a lot of hills today and I found that with my blisters and my quads, it hurt a lot less if I jogged down the hills instead of walking. I bought a walking stick back in Astorga and it served as a great balancing tool as I went. I must have jogged at least 5k but probably more today with my pack on. Sheesh! Made it about 5km outside of our destination and checked my feet. Once I popped a blister we were on our way, but I was in extreem pain. I began asking God what I should do. He told me I needed to take a car to the next town and rest. The only thing I could think was "but I want to do this, I want to finish!" It was very clear that I was being given an opportunity to lay down my pride and act out of obedience. I soon found a car with a really nice girl to take me in to Ponferrada. The albergue there had a spring fed pool for soaking your feet and a dr. to care for them. I was so thankful. God is so good!

Day 6: Ponferrada to Villafranca - 23km
I took a bus today with two others from our group. It was about a 30 minute ride while the group walked for about 5 hours. I went to a pharmacy and got some supplies and also visited the post office. A fellow pilgrim shared that you could mail extra things to Santiago and pick them up when you arrive. So for less than $10 I packed up about half of what I'd brought and sent it on! Thank you Lord for a lighter pack! Had some neat spiritual conversations today. I'm glad I was not only able to rest, but also able to hear how God is working in others lives.

Day 7: Villafranca to O'Cebreiro - 33km
Wow! I cannot believe I made it today! It was almost all up hill and the last 10km was very steep the whole way. My hiking buddies were a great encouragement today and I really focused my time in prayer to allowing God to be my strength. It is easy to depend on our own strength when we think we have it. Today I did not have strength, but only that which was given to me. Actually, that is ever day! But today I began to realize that truth! We hiked from 5:30 am to 2:15pm and there was not room for us in the ablergue so we had to get a hotel. Yet another blessing! Galen and I found a neat fair trade coffee place along the way today. It was a good, but very difficult day. Two friends prayed for me tonight that God would heal my body. I wait expectantly. I really appreciated the emails of encouragement today!

Day 8: O'Cebreiro to Triacastela - 20km
I walked the first 10km today and then was not able to go on. I secured a taxi and met the group at the albergue in town. Most of today was spent alone, in prayer, and resting. I was so thankful to rest. My achilles tendon has become very tight. Almost too tight to walk. It is possible I won't be able to hike tomorrow. I listened to a sermon today on Luke 19 and the pastor talked about how everything we have - material things, our health or our lack of health - all of it is a gift from God and should be used for the purpose of furthering his kingdom. What a great perspective to have. I was also reminded today of the story of Daniel when his three companions and put in the fire and the king tells them to have their God save them. They say that whether he saves them or not, he is still God and is still good! That's where I am. God if you heal me or if you don't, you are still God and you are still good!

Day 9: Triacastela to Sarria - 25km
Took a taxi today with two others. We arrived pretty early and spent some time in a hiking shop close to the street where the albergues are located. I was able to buy some hiking socks which should help my feet in the coming days. My spirits feel more lifted today and I am very thankful. I'm hoping that my pain will subside and I can make it the remaining 100km. (To receive your compostela - or completion certificate- you must walk the entire last 100km). A big group of us had pizza for lunch and I was able to spend some good time with the Lord. I had dinner with some new friends, one of which is a fellow longhorn! I'm asking today for the Lord's provision in all things and praying for the strenth needed to complete the hike.

Day 10: Sarria to Portomarin - 23 km
My friend and I left at 5:15 this morning and had arrived by 10:30am. We arrived early enough to get a bed in the municipal albergue (these are the least expensive placed to stay in each town). While I'm in quite a bit of pain, it is nothing compaired to the last few days. Thank you Lord for the strength to finish today and finish strong! I spent a lot of time today talking to God about thankfulness and he has healed my achilles tendon. I have no pain there. Listened to a great sermon today while walking. It was on servant leadership and said that to be a servant leader you must be willing to commit yourself to prayer and being in the Word. This is my prayer!

Day 11: Portomarin to Palas de Rei - 27 km
I left alone this morning at 5am. (I leave much earlier than others because I know my pain slows me down and I want to get a bed in the next town). I prayed as I left for God's provision today in finding my way, in strength to continue, and in encoruagement along the way. Not five minutes later I was joined on the path by two Spanish women. They chatted and I listed for a few hours until the sun came up. They shared their breakfast with me as we walked and bought me cafe con leche once the cafe's were open. They walked with me all the way to Palas de Rei and while they spoke no English and I spoke very little Spanish, they were the answer to my prayer for provision today. Lord, I am so thankful that you are quick to answer us when we are in need.

Day 12: Palas de Rei to Ribadiso - 27km
Left early this morning with Jake. We spent a lot of time talking about how God has brought us to the place we are in our lives and the ways he has molded and formed us. We talke about ideas for our time in France and with excitement about things that are already happening! We and 5 others stopped in Ribadiso tonight. The albergue has a camp like feeling with cabins and a river. We were able to soak our feet in the cold water, enjoy meals a the only cafe in "town" and enjoy eachother's company. While my pain was sever for the last 5km today, God was glorified. What more could you ask for! His will, not mine be done! Ran into some German friends tonight and am looking to visit them in January. So excited!

Day 13: Ribadiso to O'Pino - 24km
Walked today with two other girls from our group. We talked as we walked, we sang as we walked, we danced and laughed as we walked. The last 15 minutes of the hike today was raining. The only rain we've seen on the Camino. We walked faster! We secured a place in line and got breakfast until the albergue opened at 1. Today was the coldest I've been in Spain! God was gracious to provide strength today!

Day 14: O'Pino to Santiago - 25km
The six of us walked together today. We walked at a good pace but spent a lot of time laughing and singing. When we finally made it to the edge of Santiago we were so excited! Unforunately it was at least another 5km to arrive at the city center where the cathedral stands and where the line had formed to receive your compostela. Thankfully the Lord provided and we all made it! WOW! WE MADE IT! What a long journey it has been, but a great one. God has shown himself to me over and over again and beconed me for a response. He's opened up doors for great conversations along the way and I am learning more and more about who he is and who I am in him.

We had Burger King today and Dominos pizza for dinner in the plaza beside the cathedral for Courtney's 25th birthday! Six of us stayed the night in a woman's apartment that she's opened up for pilgrims. What a great day!

Day 15: Santiago
We moved to a new albergue today, had a quick breakfast and then attended the pilgrim's mass at the cathedral. It was interesting to listen to the Spanish being spoken for the service, see the hundreds who were there to witness it and get to spend about an hour and a half praying for those around me. We saw the shrines set up for Mary, the disciples and saints. They even had machines where you put in a Euro and a candle with a tiny light bulb lights up. It was a really neat experience.

We had frapes at a chocolate shop in town. I can honestly say it was much better than any Starbucks frapaccinno I've ever had! Courtney and Ester and I had a fun time looking at European fashion and trying on some outfits to pass the time! We passed friends from the Camino as we wlaked the streets and it was a fabulous culmination of the weeks of walking.

Day 16: Santiago to Madrid to Marseille
We made it to the airport in Santiago and checked in, had breakfast and were on our way. Galen, Courntey and I ran into some American friends in the Madrid airport and just made it to our flight. Courtney and I colapsed in the apartment as soon as the door shut behind us! Shower and clean clothes were at the top of our list!

Thank you to all who supported me in going on this journey financially and through prayer. I am so very thankful. I don't know what my expectation was going in, but I know now that I never expected to encounter God in such a real way! Thank you for making it happen!

Pictures to follow!

almost there!

2009-08-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

well, we´ve made it within 40km of santiago (two day hike) and life is good! 6 of us are stopped in a small town for the night. i have no idea what the town is called and all i know about it is it has one cafe and the albergue where we will sleep. the albergue is set up like camp cabins and has every amenity we enjoy: ample bathrooms, doors on the showers, multiple sinks for doing laundry, plenty of clothes lines, benches, tree cover for shade, and an ice cold river for soaking our feet. we´re pretty easy to please these days (-:

i can´t believe my feet have made it three days of hiking in a row! i can honestly say that it is the Lord giving me strength to complete the task! i arrived today probably in the most pain i´ve experienced on the trail so far...but after two hours rest i decided that if i knew there was a place to stay in the next town, i would go further! i would never have imagined that after going 26km i would want or be able to continue on.

what a ride this has been. i´m looking forward to posting a little more detail of our journey when we arrive home in Marseille. can´t wait to share details like: today i felt like death or today i arrived and realized i had five new blisters. i know you´ll love it!

alright, about to eat dinner then it is off to shower and bed by 9...i could get used to this!

thank you for praying! keep it up, just a few more days!

blessings!

six down, six to go

2009-08-14T08:38:00.000-07:00

well, today officially marks the half way point for the camino de santiago. we´re having a great time but i can tell everyone is starting to get very tired. i´m hoping tomorrow will bring fresh spirits and smiling faces!

to days back i found a blister on my heel after about 22km of walking. once i fixed it i almost couldn´t put my shoe back on. i had a small battle with God about walking vs. hitch hiking. i finally decided that the only reason i was still walking was because of my pride. so, with the help of some friends, i found a really nice girl about my age to take me the last 5k. it took only 3 minutes driving and the team about an hour and a half walking. i was able to see the ´foot docotor´at the albergue that night and it even had a spring fed pool i could soak my feet in. day 5 was spent with katie and another friend...on the bus! a 30 min ride brought us to perferrada, spain where i was able to get some additional supplies for my feet and even mail some things i didn´t need on to santiago where i´ll pick them up when we finish! my pack is much lighter!

i walked again today. walked with galen, darby and alice. it was the hardest day on our schedule, 31km or 19.4 miles. since it took us about 45 min. to get out of town at 5:30 this morning when we left, i think it is safe to say we went more than 20 miles. we also went from 500 ft elevation to about 1,300 ft. quite a work out! it took us about 8 1-2 hours to complete and the albergue was full when we arrived. God took care of us and we´re staying in a hotel tonight! it even had a bathtub, which i´m planning to use for my soar tootsies!

we´ve got 6 more days and then it is back to france. please keep praying for our bodies, this is certainly taking it´s toll on many of us!

thanks for being on the journey! i look forward to posting pictures when i return!

adios!

feet

2009-08-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

all is well on the camino trail except our feet! they are not happy! so...while i have one minute of internet time left in the middle of no where in spain (the town name starts with an f and is about 12 letters long, not something i´m willing to attempt at this level of tiredness). a few of us went to the ´foot doctor´yesterday at our albergue (like a hostel, but for pilgrams and less expensive). they used a needle and thread to fix us up...no lie! all of us ladies are much stronger than we imagined! today we hiked about 18 1-2 miles. never thought i´d be able to say that. when given the option of stopping for lunch i decided to keep going. you see, my feet were numb by that point and i knew if i stopped i wouldn´t be able to keep going. turns out the last 6km, or about 3 1-2 miles was up hill. heidi and i made it! leaving at 6am and hiking till 12:30 turned out to be a good choice, we got a bed in the town we wanted to stop in while others did not. it is clear that God is the only one giving us the strength to complete our hike each day...praise Him for that! looking forward to Him giving me the strength for tomorrow. í´d love for you to pray for this as well!!!

buen camino! (good camino to you friend...the typical greeting of those walking and biking)

the valley of the shaddow of death

2009-08-04T04:23:00.000-07:00

It is a real place. Did you know that? I had no idea, but in Israel, there really is a Valley of the Shadow of Death. I heard a man speak today on valleys and I couldn't help but sharing some of what he shared.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Here were some main ideas:

You have to pass through valleys, but you don't have to succumb to them: the Word tells us that "though we walk through" these valleys, He is with us. This gives us the ability to be in the valley but not be stuck there alone...we get out! As we know we suffer we can remember that Jesus also suffered, 1 Peter 4:1.
You can't anticipate every valley, but you can choose beforehand how you'll respond when you're faced with one: choose not to give into the despair or the fear faced there. God is with you. Isaiah 43:1-5
You can rely on God's protection and His desire to draw you near: He gives you a rod and a staff. The rod is protection (kind of like a tomahawk) and the staff, for the shepherd, is always used to draw something towards himself. God desires to draw you near.
Shadows are always bigger than reality. They are not a good representation of what's really happening, only what we think is happening. Shadows can't hurt you. Shadows only exist where there is light. You can only see the shadow if you are turned away from the light. So, turn towards the light and you will no longer see the shadow. When we are facing the light, we realize there is no need for us to let fear grip our lives.

I really loved hearing this today. I'm not in a valley but I'm also not on a mountain top. I'm somewhere in the middle, waiting. Waiting to see what the Lord will take me through next. May He be glorified in my waiting and may I be obedient to Him no matter where He leads. May all of us make up our minds not to fear, but to cling to the Lord, following His footsteps as He goes before us.

buen camino!

2009-07-30T18:29:00.000-07:00

Well, we´ve made it to astorga, spain and completed our second full day of hiking. we´ve gone a total of 32 miles so far and are staying strong! So far I´ve met some really neat people and had some great conversations. Though parts of Spain look a lot like Texas, the mountains we´re coming up on and the town we are staying in tonight look like nothing I´ve ever seen. Certainly we are enjoying God´s awesome creation! We´ve had some interesting things happen so far. This morning I was sitting down to eat breakfast and almost sat on a cat who was in the chair I had pulled out. Once I realized it I got up. The cat didn´t move...so I kindly pushed the chair back in a picked another! We have been eating a little at a time as we walk. It is like we´re walking a little more than a half marathon each day. (Erin and Kristen will recall our half marathon in January...this is the same, except I´m carying a 20 lb pack on my back and walking about 3 extra miles). Certainly our diet includes any type of food we can find! I like this diet, eat whatever you want and walk a whole lot! I can already tell most of us are losing weight...I wonder how we´ll look after 12 days of this. Need an answer to lowering your BMI? Ha! Don´t worry Mom, I´m drinking a lot of water! Below is a map of where we´re walking. Hope you´ll join us by praying! Also wanted to say thank you sooooo much to all of you who sacrificed to get me here...thank you for your generous contributions. God has been so faithful and it has been really neat to hear about people´s spiritual journeys. Looking forward to hearing more in the next week and allowing God to be our strength! Please pray for my feet...blisters are the least fun part of the hike :)

Buenos Dias!

volunteers, volleyball and variety

2009-07-27T14:16:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy last week or so. We had a volunteer team from Houston here and did some intentional walking around town, showed them the work we are doing here and even got to visit some sites with them! We visited Notre Dame de la garde here in Marseille. This is a cathedral located at the highest point in the city. It is a beautiful place, but really brought to light the depth of Mary worship here in southern France. I prayed as I walked and soaked in the vastness of our city.

I also visited Palais Longchamp at night with my team and some friends. How beautiful it was in the day didn't measure the beauty at night! Our other adventure was to Chatteau d'If, the location of the famous story, the Count of Monte Cristo. We took a ferry out to the island, about a 20 minute ride, and hiked all through the prison and grounds. It was incredible to say the least. The pictures don't really do justice to the beautiful views or lonely cells. We did have a great time learning about those who would have lived here and imagining what life would have been like when this prison was in use.

The end of the week and weekend was spent with French friends and observing the Swatch World Series sand volleyball tournament down at the beach. Being just a 15 minute walk away, I didn't miss much of the action. The players spent time on the sidelines, meeting the crowed and making friends. We were able to get some great pictures and watch phenomenal athletes do what they do best! I even had a chance to meet Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser, of the 2008 Olympic team and Galen snapped a photo! The U.S. men's and women's teams both won Gold for the first time at a Marseille tournament. It was a blast!

We had to say goodbye to Katelyn this weekend. It was sad to see her go, but what a sweet time it was with her here. We're all really excited for her to finish up school and pray about coming back to join us next year!!!!

The highlight of the last week was definitely Sunday night. A close friend of ours, one of the college students, was baptized in the Mediterranean Sea after sharing how Christ has changed her life. It was such a great culmination of what God has been doing in her heart. You can rejoice with us in this!!!

Pray for us this week! We're beginning our month of travels and I'll be taking mulitiple sets of teammates to the airport and we'll all meet up with some of our old friends in Germany for a company meeting...then some of us are off to Spain for the Camino de Santiago hiking trip we've been anticipating! I'll keep you updated as I can! Thank you so much for your faithful prayers!

Bonsoir!

may my love increase

2009-07-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 5:6

While it is never my desire to take scripture out of context, I wanted to share a little about where my heart and mind were drawn today when I read these words. Faith, expressed through love. Wow. How often do I try to express my faith by things other than love...morality, the language I use, my works, etc. Not that any of these is bad in and of themselves...but what is better...what counts is LOVING those around me. A sacrificial love. Christ, on the cross expressed the type of love we are to have for one another. This is a love that is willing to humble itself, take on the sins of the world, and die on a cross that we might live. If only I could love people with this kind of passion. What if we could all love people with the love that Christ showed us. In fact, we can. As we ask God to intervene in our selfish hearts, he can teach us to love like this.

This is my prayer, that my faith would be expressed by how I love.

May my love increase.

sweet tea and gelato

2009-07-14T06:58:00.001-07:00

I had my first French, standard, driving experience on Saturday night. I didn't hit anything and we are all still alive, though it was less than a smooth ride to say the least! We met our friend Bruno for dinner at an amazing crepe restaurant by the beach and got to enjoy a beautiful sunset. On Sunday Katie and I wanted to see if IKEA was open so I could pick up some needed items like a towel, some sheets and a comforter...I currently am using a borrowed towel, borrowed sheets and am without a comforter. It is usually warm in our room at night, so not having a comforter is not a sacrifice by any means! Unfortunately IKEA was not open...but KFC was. Gosh, the food here in France is soooo different from the States! I mean, my chicken strips and fries were a new cultural experience. Just kidding! I'm actually really surprised by how many things you can get here, though there are a few that you can't find. Driving to and from KFC was quite an experience, but much improved from my first night's drive! Katie is a great teacher!

On Monday I went with the roommates to Monaco for most of the day and made a quick stop in Nice for some gelato. Monaco is about a two hour drive from Marseille. It is a beautiful place, very clean and full of interesting sites. We visited Saint Nicholas Cathedral where Grace Kelly is buried, saw the outside of the aquarium (this is a beautiful building) and walked through the gardens to the palace. It was an overcast day, so we enjoyed the cooler weather. We had lunch on the boardwalk and did a lot of walking. Nice was on our way home and all I wanted was a stop for gelato and a view of the beach! The city, like Monaco, is built on the side and base of hills that lead into the Mediterranean Sea and Nice is known for it's 15 beautiful beaches! We sat on the edge of the beach tasting gelato and then drove back home!

My evenings are now filled with dinners made at home and a lot of sweet tea. I'm loving my life in France!

Galen is joining our team today! At this moment he is in the air and will be landing here in Marseille in about 30 minutes. You can pray for him as he arrives. Pray also for my friends who are going to places all over the world. Pray that all of us would be obedient to the call that God has placed in our lives because of Christ in our hearts!

Here are a few fun videos from the day!

oh the joys of the french life

2009-07-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

It has been a week since i arrived here in marseille. it has been really great so far and i'm feeling very blessed! God is teaching me a lot about unity, patience, and his soverignty. I've been meeting new french friends, seeing more of the city and prayer walking with our team. it has been wonderful!

I was able to register for language classes last week and open a french bank account with no problems! From what I've heard this is very rare and should be celebrated! most people end up having to go back multiple times to get everything straight and wind up with wild stories. fortunately, I get to tell a crazy story of my own!!! I've tried using my ATM card from the States a few times and it hasn't worked. i tried again this week and the ATM ate my card! After going inside the bank I found out that I just needed to come back the next day to get the card back...no problem! When I went back the next afternoon I was told there was a problem with my card and that they had to ship it immediately to their "central card office" in Paris! Are you kidding me! From there it will be sent back to my bank in the States. Fabulous! So...I've gone a few extra days without access to funds...but my team has been great in helping me out! Only in France!!!

The girls and I moved into our new apartment, the Campbells old apartment (while they are in the States), and we're really enjoying eachother's company and our proximity to the beach! Just a 15 minute walk or a 5 minute jog to the Meditteranean. I went on my first run there yesterday and went back later in the evening to get some pictures. I hope you enjoy them along with some others from the Palais Longchamp (a monument to fresh water coming to Marseille) and our fabulous game of ultimate frisbee!

Thank you for your prayers!

le tour de france

2009-07-07T03:16:00.000-07:00

On Monday morning I met a few teammates at the metro and we headed down to the view port area of town (where all the awesome sail boats and yhatts are) to get our spots for the 3rd day of le Tour de France. We arrived about 9am, picked out a spot 20 feet from the starting line, and hung out there for approximately 5 hours, waiting for the race to start. I bought a fun, green, tour t-shirt and made a few new friends. Various companies were handing out free promotional items, so we took whatever they were passing around! I got two hats and some yellow "livestrong" sidewalk chalk. We even got to try a new Nestle coffee drink. In addition to the freebies, we also saw some neat people and cool cars! We saw a famous Swiss race car driver, the mayor of Marseille, and even got to meet and get a picture with the one and only, Ben Stiller! The race started soon after...it was so exciting! The camera men all around, the police atop their motorcycles and the lead cars taking off. Everyone was cheering and off they went! The bikes started fast at first and slowed down some as the bulk of the riders came through. I'm sure we "saw" Lance Armstrong, but we certainly didn't know it at the time!

I spent the afternoon with Katelyn and we were able to visit a favorite coffee shop in a stragegic part of town. It will be an area I visit quite often over the next two years. I'm excited to see how the Lord uses our prayers!

Here are some pictures of le tour, and of the view port area of Marseille! Enjoy, and thank you very much for your prayers and support!

adventure and arrival

2009-07-05T08:52:00.000-07:00

I've made it to France in one piece and with all of the luggage! I had a fabulous time in Amsterdam on the way over...a mini-adventure, if you will! I was able to store my carry-on luggage in a locker, aquire a map of the city, purchase a train ticket and get to town! I even had the chance to get my last Starbucks drink at the airport on the way out. Once in town I asked around a bit and figured out how to make it to the Rijksmuseum. The largest Rembrandt collection in the world is located in this museum. It was fantastic and I'd recomment it for anyone who has a chance to see it! I ran out of time or else I'd planned on seeing Anne Frank's house. Instead, I walked around, talked to a few people, and took some pictures before heading back. This was a great experience and the people of Amsterdam were very friendly and helpful! Here are a few pictures of my visit...

I arrived in Marseille on Friday evening. I'd been awake for about 24 hours at that point, but was going strong! (for some reason I was not able to sleep on my first, long, flight and thus decided to stay awake in order to hopefully "help" with jetlag). The girls picked me up, playing instruments, and cheering! I loved it! Definitely a great way to be welcomed in! We went back to the Campbell's place for a "going away" party...complete with queso, guacamole, salsa, taquitos, meat balls, cake, and a variety of sodas. It was almost like being in Texas! This did continue my Mexican food streak to 15 days in a row. So thankful! I finally made it to bed around 11:30 France time, 32 hours after I'd woken up on Thursday morning in Texas! Saturday was the 4th of July and I got to attend a party to celebrate at Katie and Courtney's apartment. We ate more salsa, had meat cooked on the grill, had an American flag cake, watched The Sandlot and finished the night with s'mores! It was a fun time to meet some new French friends and eat yummy snacks!

I've spent a lot of time with Katelyn, who I'm working on a special project with. We've begun brainstorming some strategies and are planning to start prayer walking in our city tomorrow night. I'm really looking forward to what the Lord desire to accomplish!

I'm curretnly staying in Daniel and Tiffany's apartment. It is a lot like an American apartment with just about all the same amenities. They live on the 4th American floor...the 3rd floor in France. There's a code to get into the building and the door keys here are really neat looking. I'll have to take a picture soon!

Here are some pictures around Marseille. There will be MANY more taken over the next two years! All of these placed pictured are within walking distance of where I live in town. So amazing!

texas fun

2009-07-01T08:50:00.000-07:00

Here are just a few pictures from all the fun that was had in Texas!

I hope you'll enjoy them!

It has literally taken me years to figure out how to make all the pictures small and have multiple per row. Yes, I know, it shouldn't have been this hard!

for the sake of His name

2009-06-30T14:21:00.000-07:00

i returned to texas almost two weeks go. since that time i've had the pleasure of great company. i've spent time with family and friends and most importantly, with the Lord. He's teaching me a lot about faithfulness, patience and a steadfast heart. these next two years won't be easy ones, but they will be exactly what the Lord desires. i feel like He's pushing me to a place where i can say over and over, "yes, Lord...choose me, i'll go...wherever you lead...yes, i'll do whatever you ask of me." i know there have been plenty of times in my life where He's asked me to do something and i've turned away, have you had this experience too? maybe it is time to take a risk? i pray that if the Lord is asking that of you, and i'm sure He is, that you would be willing to go, do and live for the sake of His name!

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,

'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?'

And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

Isaiah 6:8

heading back to texas

2009-06-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

well, it has been a great ride, these eight weeks in virginia. God has taught me more than i could have imagined! that's how He works you know...

"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us"

Ephesians 3:20

when i arrived here i wasn't even sure what to ask for. i didn't know how to prepare to leave this country or how to prepare my heart for what was to come. while i'll never "arrive" so to speak, i can say that i'm farther than i was before. that should always be our goal - look back to a week ago, a month ago, a year ago...and be able to say that we have grown closer to God and others than where we were before. i can honestly say that my heart is overflowing with the joy given to my through the holy spirit through my relationship with Christ. i am excited to live life in a new place and to daily work towards being light in the darkness.

pray with me as i leave behind so many new friends...and little pieces of my heart. pray for me as i head back to texas for two last weeks with family and friends. lastly, pray that my heart and mind would be ready for the work the Lord has before me.

dc and life in the north

2009-06-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

this is a picture of the road we walk down frequently. last week we were talking about how at this one part of the road you can't see which way it turns and you don't know what is coming up. such is all of our lives right now. we know there's a road. we know there are trees. we even know what the road feels like under our feet and what the trees smell like right where we are and where we've been. but we don't know what to expect next. it is in these moments that i spend the most time reflecting on the faith and hope i have through Christ.

it has been a while since i updated so i thought i'd put up a few pictures. we're getting near the end of our time here and i'm starting to think about how to say goodbye to these friends i've drawn so close to. it is a weird sort of thing...saying goodbye to people you've only known for 8 weeks, just to go home and say goodbye to people you've known for years or even a lifetime. this life is full of goodbyes i suppose. all i know is that leaving here will be much harder than i thought.

on a lighter note...we visited d.c. a few weeks ago and i got to see some of the sights i've only seen in movies or on the news. i cannot tell you how excited i was to be right there, take the picture, and just let a smile unfold across my face. it was very awesome! we even got to see the president fly in to the white house and feed a squirrel!!

during our time in d.c. i had the privilege of teaching some of the children how to prayer walk. we talked, talked, observed, and asked God to draw near to the people we saw on the street. it was by far the highlight of my time there. here are some photos from the trip.

i'll be back in dfw a week from tomorrow. i hope to see many of you then and give you one last hug! thanks for being on this first part of the journey. i'm so excited to have you with me as a meaningful and vital part of the next few years!

persecution

2009-05-26T17:03:00.001-07:00

we talked about the persecuted church today. well i didn't talk, i sat down, soaked in as much as i could and made notes on all the things i hope never to forget. the theme that kept hitting me was...

There isn't persecution where we don't share the Gospel

it is still sinking in. what profound truth. where we aren't risking for the sake of the Gospel, satan isn't bothering to work in the manner of persecuting believers...there aren't any, or they are just sitting on their hands and muting their words. isn't this the picture of so many American churches? we go, we sit, we leave. lives aren't transformed. hearts aren't being healed by the power of faith in Christ, the redeemer. we look to pastors to feed us, we eat, and then we come back when we're feeling hungry again.

they keep saying here "why would you want to export that." i submit to you that i never want to be a person that goes into another country and takes this muted faith, expecting God to move. as believers we are called to preach the Gospel, baptize and make disciples. all actions. when we sit we miss out on what the Lord wants to do through us to reach the world. not to say that He needs us, but how many of us feel that sweet, soft voice and just stuff it down. it isn't the right timing, risking is scary, what if they don't like what i'm saying, i'm too busy. the going out, the telling, this is the mark of a Christ follower. where do you land on this road?

i pray that our desire is to go boldly into the darkness with the light. that we may live transformed lives and that the demons would be afraid of what the Gospel is doing in the lives of those we touch.

i'm so thankful to be part of a body of believers in dallas that have this vision. i'm even more thankful to be sent by an even bigger body of believers, the church, to fulfill what the Lord desires in my life. will you go?

it happened

2009-05-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

i found two gray hairs today. it has finally happened...i'm slipping out of my youth. ha! i could be sad, start coloring my hair and pretend like i'm not in my mid-twenties, reverting back to sixteen...but i think i'll stay where i'm at. (no offense to anyone who colors their hair...i just can't afford it). with a little bit of life experience under my belt (i say little because of how many wise people i'm around who have some years on me and thus much more life experience) i can't say i'd like to go back. what i know now is much more helpful than where i once was. and who wants to go back to all the homework, drama and infinite unknowns anyway?

this has been a great week. God is moving in ways i hadn't expected and not moving in ways i did expect. i'm learning to pray scripture and to memorize it...etching it on my heart for the times the Spirit desires to use it. i'm so thankful to be surrounded by a family of Christ followers here to understand where i'm at and constantly encourage me not to become stagnant.

moving...that's the word of the day. either you're moving forwards or backwards...there's no standing still. with that in mind, my goal today is to move forward. what's yours?

thoughts on pm's

2009-05-05T13:42:00.000-07:00

courage isn't the absence of fear

courage is the absence of self

we've spent the day as students. well, we've been students going on three weeks now, but today was a special day...i listened more intently today than yesterday. today we learned about some basic constructs of the post-modern worldview. the worldview i'll be walking into in france. as our lecturer shared i found myself intrigued by what he was saying, realizing that almost every way i've been taught to share about my faith has been in the context of a modern worldview. my world has been rocked! i AM a post-modern. i live in this...yet i haven't been given the tools to reach these people. i loved being able to sit in this teaching and be given a way to contextualize this mindset...and apply values...

some of the ideas that impacted me most were the trumps: transformation trumps knowledge, transparency trumps profundity, influence trumps position and values trump education.

i'll leave you that to think on.

off to dinner!

so, we saved a cow

2009-04-28T18:32:00.000-07:00

walking is something i've found i do daily here in virginia. the evening weather is warm, slight breeze, and there's always great company. it is easy to find others to walk with and the hills provide for a great workout! usually the walk is pretty uneventful, but last night we had quite the event. i was walking with don and valery, an amazing couple from my quad, and we were headed towards the front gate of the complex. a friend of ours came over the hill headed back and he warned us that there was a cow that had gotten loose. a few seconds later a sheriff's car came by and warned us: "be careful, there is a cow that got out just up the road. don't let it get you!" we weren't quite sure what to think, so we continued on. just as we reached the other side of the hill we saw the cow, and the sherrif and the farmer. the sheriff and farmer had blocked the far side of the road with their vehicles and it looked like it was going to be up to us to herd the cow from out side of the road. unfortunately the cow had been spooked and was fairly aggressive. don went one way valery in the middle and me on the other end. we ran around, yelling at the cow, putting our arms out to stop her. don even broke a branch off a near by tree and chased her up the fence line with the limb. in just a few minutes, after being charged more than a few times we got her back into her pasture...before she could make it to the busy road just 50 yrds. away. sadly, the farmer and sheriff were of no assistance, though they later asked don if he was a cowman...and that if he was, why didn't he just grab that cow by the neck and drag her back. ha! can you imagine? a grown man dragging a massive cow down the street? or what would be more likely is don attached to the cow, with the cow dragging him down the street. classic!

might i also add that afterwards as we walked we could here her moo erupting through the quiet of the evening. the best example i can relate to this sound was the sound of the t-rex in the distance during jurassic park. unbelievable! i've decided to name the cow elsie after my "almost" adopted dog back in the day...but that's another story for another day.

off to bed! pray for rest, good health, and a fabulous ability to concentrate!!!

rockville, va

2009-04-21T06:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings from Rockville!

Well, I've made it to Virginia and am getting settled in. We had two flights yesterday and then a 2 hour bus ride. It is BEAUTIFUL here! Not the weather, but the landscape! It has been raining for two days and shows no signs of stopping! Good thing I brought that rain coat! I'm staying in what is affectionately known as "the quads." They are cabin like buildings (about 30 in all) and each have 4 apartments inside. I have my own bedroom, kitchen, washer drier, bathroom, etc. What a fabulous set up! I had no idea I'd have more than just a bed! Yesterday I was reunited with people I met at the January conference and today is a restful day with only a 5 minute meeting this afternoon. A Walmart run is on the schedule! God continues to provide confirmation.

I was able to talk with a future teammate yesterday via phone and hearing each other's stories really proved that God's desire for me is certain and where I've felt He is leading is in fact where He's leading. That's a great place to be! As far as prayer requests, please pray that the transition to life here is smooth, that I may continue to seek the Lord in all I do and that He may be exalted!

Happy Tuesday!

flight update

2009-04-18T21:08:00.000-07:00

So, I made it to Dallas...at...2am! It was the longest I've ever had to wait for a flight...10 hours! Thank you Lord for supplying me with a laptop and friends online! It was a long day, but a successful one! I even met some fun people in the airport and had a great bbq sandwich at 11pm :-)

One day of packing left! Hope I can do it all!!! Hopefully my trip to Richmond will be much less eventful!

I got a call today from France. Mentanna called to chat! (Mentanna, this is your shout out!!!) So fabulous! Just more and more confirmation that the Lord wants me in Marseille! I can't wait to meet the team in person!

Alright, off to bed so I can worship God and do lots of laundry and packing tomorrow! Sleep amazing sweet friends!

houston visa visit

2009-04-17T14:11:00.000-07:00

The great news of today is that my visa is in process!!!! After only an hour and a half in the Houston consulate I am pleased to stay that Stephanie, my first French friend, has pushed my application on to the next stage and promised me a visa in 2 weeks! I even had the added bonus of spending the lunch hour with Sarah Krause. She's such a delight!

In other news...I spent most of the week in Florida visiting Abbie, Nova and Allen James. They are some great friends (and considered as close as family) from Austin. Lucky for me they moved to a fabulous beach community in Bradenton, FL. I enjoyed a week of relaxation, chatting, beach and laughs! It was a nice break before we all buckle down at orientation next week and I met a lot of fun new friends!

I'm currently sitting at Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. My rental car today was sunflower yellow. Talk about making it hard to blend in to a place you've never been...give a girl a yellow car! It was one of those cars you pass on the road and think..."why"..."why would you buy that." Nice!

It is 4:18 and my flight is scheduled for a 5:15 departure. Twenty minutes ago I was delayed until 5:30. It is now listed as 6:35. I have a feeling it will be even later than that...but no reason to fret! In the mean time I'll just enjoy watching the huge rain drops, illuminating lightening, and tornado warning labels blinking on the TV screen.

The weekend will be busy, but great. I'm looking forward to saying goodbye to a few more people and spending time with Mom and Dad!

Bonsoir!

gratitude

2009-04-12T21:14:00.000-07:00

"The Lord your God goes with you:

He will never leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

I sit here on my bed and I don't have words to fully describe all that the Lord has done in the past few days. What I know for sure is that He has been fully present (as if He ever isn't present), and that He has moved in ways I would have never even known to pray for. I'm overwhelmed and very humbled by the outpouring of love, prayer and support. I do not have adequate words to express all that is going on in my heart...so I'm turning to the words of a card given to me by some special friends...

"God, give us the courage to know when to hold on and when to let go...

when to wait and when to be still, and when to leap a trust in You."

"Sometimes it isn't easy to know what God has in mind for us, especially when things happen that we don't understand. But He is always there to be our comfort and our loving guide. Reach out to Him in confidence...place your trust in His constant love."

Thank you Lord for your perfect provision, for the Truth of your sovereignty, and for the redemptive power of Christ through His resurrection!

a firm foundation

2009-04-11T22:19:00.000-07:00

Everything in my world seems to be changing...and it doesn't look like it will slow down for quite a while. I was reminded of a great Truth this week. God knew long ago, before the foundation of this earth, when I would take my first breath and when I will take my last. He knew who my parents would be and where I would go to college. He knew, then, that I'd be called to France and that He would make the way possible. He also knew the adversities I'd face and with what measure of faith and grace I would need to overcome them.

Thankfully, I have a heart that has been changed by the power of the Gospel of Christ. Where there was once a broken heart, full of sin...there is now a whole heart, clean and shiny like new. It is here, in my heart mended by Christ, that I have a firm foundation. One that cannot be shaken. No matter what I face I can rest assured that this foundation is steady and unchanging.

"Surely he will never be shaken: a righteous man will be remembered forever.

he will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord."

Psalm 112:6-7

My heart is steadfast because the Lord has granted me the strength to trust in Him. I pray that also for you, that your heart my come to know Christ in an intimate and life-changing way!

marseille

2009-04-02T20:54:00.000-07:00

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,

Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

Psalm 139: 9-10

It seems as though this has been a long time coming. I remember that nervous feeling the first time I packed my suitcase for travel overseas and Mom drove us to the airport as we set off for Riga. There was a nervous, excited feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. A fluttering in my heart the first time I said the name Jesus to someone I'd never met before. There was something there, in that moment, that I had never experienced before. There was power when I spoke His name. As I looked out the window, watching our plane leave the ground and conquer the clouds, I remember thinking to myself, "talking of Him, it is the most satisfied I've ever been, I cannot imagine doing anything but this..."

That was eight years ago.

To this day I still crave that power that comes when you're in tune with the Spirit and you respond in obedience with a pure heart to where He's leading.

I am preparing to spend the next two years in Marseille, France. I am not only preparing to leave my family, my friends, my job and my comfort zone...but I'm also preparing to start fresh, learn a new culture and way of life. I am preparing for the Lord to turn my life upside down, break the walls around my heart down, piece by piece...and rebuild it will skill and perfection. My desire is that this blog be a venue for sharing my heart, my hurts, my joys and ultimately the Lord's triumphs. I hope that you'll come along with me on this journey of reconciliation.

waiting

2009-02-10T11:36:00.000-08:00

If ever I prayed for patience, the Lord is granting that prayer at this time. I am patiently waiting for final approval. Here I sit...having gone through over a year of praying and processing that has brought me to this place of the inbetween and somehow the Lord has answered my prayers for patience and peace. I am surprised, but why? Does He not promise peace if we are in Him through Christ? Does He not promise that He'll grant us whatever we ask in His name? Lately, as the Lord answers prayers that I've been praying for years, I find myself cought off guard. I guess I've been praying for it for so long that I'm surprised that I don't have to keep waiting for it. I suppose that is a sign of spiritual growth when you get to a place where you are granted what you prayed for, yet would have been willing to wait longer. The Lord has been gracious to me. I praised Him before, but I praise Him also now for His ever existing provision in my life.

Now for a bit more waiting!

.:.peace.:.

2009-01-05T21:10:00.001-08:00

it is such a simple sounding word.

five letters.

none of them are flashy like the "x" in extreme or the "q" in quick, yet it leaves much to the imagination. some use this word when talking about stopping war or doing nice things for strangers and friends alike. not that i don't support that view at times.

i am drawn to this word

lately

because i deem it worthy to

seek.

i am keenly aware of the

conflict

that occurs in my heart. a constant

battle

it seems. this battle between my human nature and my spirit. this disunity is not conducive to peace. i cannot create it for myself.

tonight i am encouraged by this promise: "the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." phillipians 4:7

i must constantly remind myself however, my action and attention is required. "rejoice in the Lord always. i will say it again: rejoice! let your gentleness be evident to all. the Lord is near. do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." phillipians 4-6

as i seek the Lord in order to find the strength to rejoice, to be gentle, to be thankful...i ultimately seek what i myself am unable to create in my own heart.

.:.peace.:.

long time no post

2008-10-23T20:05:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been quite a while since I updated. I'd like to get back in the habit of sharing things in this venue and reflecting on what the Lord has been doing! Life has been busy, exciting and full of blessings! Stay tuned for an update on the past few months and some plans for the future...including a trip back to Kenya!!!

Blessings...k

oh my aching knee!

2008-07-16T19:40:00.001-07:00

Well, it has been a while. A lot has happened in the last few months and I'm not sure what to expect next! So here's a little rundown for ya!

First off we've got Hand Camp! This was so much fun! My former roommate Amy works for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital in Dallas and they have camps for their kids and their families. This camp is for school aged children who have a hand difference. This picture is of the crew that was "in charge" for the weekend! A fabulous time was had by all!

Chelsea and I ran a fun race in early May. It was called Urban Dare and had the feel of TV's "The Amazing Race," complete with trivia questions and obstacles all over Dallas! It took us 3 1/2 hours and about 10 miles of running and walking to complete the race...it was a blast! Unfortunately I can pinpoint my knee issues to this very race. More later.

Soon after the race I had the pleasure of watching my favorite volleyball player play some very great games right here in Dallas! The whole James family came up for the tournament. We had a blast! And Abbie played GREAT!

In June Amanda and I attended the "Prom" that a group of our friends put on. It was a good excuse to get pretty and dance a lot! We had a great time!

I had a fabulous weekend with the Foster girls in June, complete with adventure, movies and yummy food!

In June I had to say goodbye to weekly meetings with my mentor, Sharond, and accountability partner Meredith. We had 4 fabulous months of meeting weekly for dinner, Bible discussions and prayer. I will dearly miss our time together.

Jamie came down early this month for a conference...or "workshop" as she would call it. We got in some good girl time in and even had the chance (thanks to the talented and beautiful Lauren) to catch the Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts concert! It was a blast! Thanks Lauren!!!

I had the pleasure of treating my father to a baseball game. It turned out to be the big 4th of July celebration at the Ballpark in Arlington and we were mesmerized by the big firework show after the disappointing Ranger loss.

Just last week I had the pleasure of joining Meredith for "High School Musical" right here for Dallas Summer Musicals. We had a great time and I'm pretty sure we were humming the tunes by the time we left! Thanks Meredith!

And now for the big news...knee surgery complete! Last week I went under the knife to repair a torn meniscus. Luckily it wasn't as bad as originally thought and I should be back to normal in two weeks...or so they say. It took about four days, but I'm now off the crutches and working hard to walk normally so people don't stare :-) Trust me...this is not a good way to look cool...all bent to the side. Ha!

Well...in a couple weeks I'll be visiting the James family and Lindie in Florida! I can't wait to get away for a few days. I'm also getting excited about the new role I have at my church, the Village. I'll have the pleasure of pouring into a few girls who lead Bible studies in homes across Dallas. I can't wait to get going on this new adventure of discipleship!

Have a fabulous July!!!

reflections

2008-06-10T20:21:00.001-07:00

I've found myself sitting back a lot lately and reflecting on what God has done in my life in the past, what He is currently doing, and what could be done in the future. There are many days where I long for past times because of the sweetness of His presence or the ease of prayer and the reading of Scripture. There are other days that I don't look upon as being so sweet, but as I live in their after-effects I am able to visualize a bigger piece of God's plan for my life than ever before. Being back in the States for longer than I was gone to Kenya has brought me to a place where it is no longer every hour that I remember the kids or the poverty or the spiritual battle. As it moves to 10 times a day instead of 24, I long for that dependence that I had upon the Lord for those months and I find myself in a place that I prayed I'd never end up again...where I allow doubts or distractions into my daily life and I trade grace, acceptance, strength, peace and forgiveness for the filth of this world. I am clinging desperately to this verse:

"He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6

This is Truth. He IS my rock. He IS my salvation. He IS my fortress. Therefore, I CANNOT be shaken. Wow, what encouragement. Not only does this proclaim that I'm not alone, it also proclaims that I am forgiven, accepted, protected and provided for. I can see over these past few months how God's provision continues to shine through and how my unfaithfulness at times is simply a place where God will be glorified more when He gives the me strength to turn to Him and not something that is fleeting.

The other verse that I'm drawn to lately is one that speaks to God's rule over creation and my utter dependence on him. It has also reminded me that God hasn't just called me to be His daughter and sit passively, but He has promised that as He has called me to go and do in His name, I am given the blessing of being able to ask Him for help.

"You did not choose me, but I close you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."
John 15:16

I keep this verse on my mind as I search for God's desire and plan for my life. I feel that, as scripture says, I am not made for this World...and may not be made for life in the States either! Through this I am seeking hard after the Lord and requesting that He open doors where He desires, and close them where His hand shall not lead me. I ask that you join me in praying the following verse during this time of prayer, transition and seeking:

"Take CAPTIVE my thoughts, making them OBEDIENT to CHRIST."
II Corinthians 10:5

I am daily thankful for you and for the role that you play in my life. I am excited to see how the Lord will use you over the next several months to push me, exhort me, encourage me and love me! Thank you for that!

Alright...here's a little life update!

I have accepted a leadership position at The Village Church as a home group coach. In layman's terms this means that I will be leading the leaders of the Bible study-type groups that our church has in the areas where we live. This will include intensive training and then being given the chance to teach, exhort and love girls in my community. I am extremely excited to see how the Lord will use this in the lives of these girls as well as my own. There may also be an opportunity in the months ahead to return to Kenya by being part of a team from the church. I cannot wait to see what the Lord has instore!

A few short weeks from now I will be moving out of the house I've lived in since January and into an apartment alone. After much prayer and consideration I have found myself in a place where I cannot glorify God in my finances and live here at the same time. I've made the difficult decision to sacrifice amazing roommates and a beautiful living space for a God that is begging me to give up parts of me that are not glorifying to Him. While I will miss living under the same roof as Amy and Shannon, I am excited to see what the Lord will teach me as I follow in obedience.

In other news, I'm having knee surgery soon!!! It turns out after a long and extremely fun race with Chelsea, I've torn my meniscus and it needs to be repaired. I haven't scheduled surgery yet, but I expect it will be in July sometime and that I'll be out of work for a week or two. We'll see!!! For those of you who know me well, you know that I tend to have one bigger injury a year...looks like 2008 has been taken care of! Onward to 2009!

Have a wonderful week friends!

Amanda is alive and I've been busy!

2008-04-01T20:54:00.001-07:00

For those of you who have been on the edge of your seats waiting to hear if Amanda survived her hospitalization in February. The answer is yes! I got to visit her in the hospital and have a few good laughs as we reminisced! She's doing Well!

We had a really fun reunion!
The next weekend I had short but sweet time with my friend Nathan! He was in town from San Diego visiting a friend and I got to steal a couple hours of their time together. It was fun catching up and then frantically rushing him to the airport to make his flight!

The next day we had a special visitor here in Texas! Daniel Lipparelli himself! Amanda and I were able to schedule in some time with he and Lauren...it looked a little like this: Mexican food (specifically queso), telling stories, laughing very hard, and playing cards (our pass time in Kenya on many nights). We had a fabulous time and miss him already!

Just this past weekend I had the joy of riding to Austin with my college roommate Chelsea (left) and meeting up with Marissa (right center) who drove in from San Antonio. We stayed with Jamie (left center) and all partook in the Capitol 10k this weekend. This was Marissa's first race ever! We were so proud of her! It rained almost the entire race, but we sure did have a blast!

Here we are last year! The costumes may have changed, but the smiles have remained the same! This has quickly become a tradition that we look forward to keeping.

Here are our ducks pre-race! We got so many compliments on our very 'timely' costumes. The goggles were a big help with all the rain, and we heard the 'rubber ducky' song from Sesame Street more times than we could count!

My Aunt and Uncle took us out to lunch at Shady Grove, one of my favorite Austin restaurants, after the race. I've been attending this same lunch for the past 6 years after the Capitol 10k. It has become one of my most treasured Austin memories!

My job continues to be a huge blessing in my life! I enjoy serving families at the hospital and love getting to know and work with a great group of co-workers and colleagues. Since my last post I have officially become a 'Covenant Member' of The Village Church and am looking forward to serving as a mentor of sorts for young adult women who lead small group Bible studies in my area. Perhaps the most exciting thing happening in my life right now are the two new relationships I've been building with my new mentor, Sharond, and our other mentoree Meredith. They have become a staple to my calendar on Thursday nights and it seems that God has placed us in this group because He has been plans. It has been exciting to see how the Lord continues to provide for each of us through the other two. Please pray that God is able to use each of us to minister to each other and those around us!

A little Kenya update: Things have settled down quite a bit since the first of the year. Most of the violence has subsided, but almost nothing is back to 'normal.' Hundreds of thousands remain displaced and in need of food, supplies, and shelter. As the government continues to map out their plan for governing, I ask that you continue to keep Kenya and its people in your prayers! Ask that peace would be restored, forgiveness would come easy, and that above all else God would be glorified.

I pray that you have a week full of the things of God! May you be blessed sweet friends!

prayer for amanda

2008-02-06T20:55:00.001-08:00

Let me start by saying welcome home to Amanda, Tmo and Aly! It is great to know that you are all back on American soil!

I wanted to send out a prayer request for our dear Amanda. Amanda is one of the only people I know that gets hurt as much as me...and well, she just has some bad luck following her around at times.

Amanda arrived in Texas on Tuesday after a long but fairly stress free trip back from Nairobi. Unfortunately just a few hours before leaving Kitale she sustained an injury on a peki peki (picky picky), or in English, a motorcycle taxi. With only limited medical care around she headed back to the States and prayed for the best!

Once home in Texas her injury was assessed by a family friend who happens to be a nurse...and made the decision to go to the ER at a near by hospital. Fortunately the doctors were able to quickly make a decision about her care and she was admitted for a round of two different antibiotics over the next few days.

Please pray for rest, peace, healing and purpose in this time for Amanda!

I spoke with her today via cell phone from her hospital room and she was sleepy but in good spirits and enjoying the pain meds while they last! She just asks that you join in and pray for her during the healing process!

I ask that you also keep Daniel in your prayers as he coordinates a big aspect of ministry in Nairobi this week. Pray for things to go smoothly, for doors to be opened and for God to be glorified. Pray that God gives him strength, direction and wisdom!

Have a most wonderful day sweet friends!

Kate

pictorial update

2008-01-19T22:24:00.001-08:00

Well, I've been home for over a month now...so I thought I'd give you a pictorial update of the last 5 weeks! It has gone by so fast and has been a lot of fun!

Here we go!

December 25th was spent at home with my family...we ate lots of food, laughed a lot and had an amazingly wonderful time!

Dad's ready for me to get in the kitchen!

Michael got a little sleepy after the gift chaos!

Me and my brother!

My cousin's precious baby, Brooks!

Family Portrait!

December 29th I went down to Austin to spend a few days with my favorite people! We ate great food, took out my braids, I got my hair cut, and got to share all about my time in Kenya!

Jamie learning a little Kenyan cuisine!

showing her how it is done!

Let the games begin!

my un-braiding angels!

Attractive, I know.

Vicki, Abbie, me, Nova, Bethany and Jamie!

"Before"

"During"

Thank you Hayley!

"After"

with Jamie and Abbie!

Beth Haddox is my favorite!

Dinner-O-Fun!

December 31st I got to stop off in Temple on the way back to Dallas to spend a couple hours with my friend Katie from grad school! Then I went to Emily and Mick's wedding with a bunch of friends to celebrate the New Year!

I love Katie K!

Amy, Lisa and I on New Years at the big wedding!

Curt, Nate and Billy

Roommates!

Omar...best dancer I know.

January 3rd was spent with a few amazing people! Lindie and her mom, Kathy, were coming through town, so I got to spend a few hours loving on them!

Kathy and her Lindie...they are amazing and wonderful!

January 10th was spent working at the new job, and bringing the night right! My small group took me to dinner for my pre-birthday night! They are wonderful and I love them!

My amazing small group girls!

Lauren and I got attacked by a bear...ahhh!

January 11th was my 25th birthday! It was filled with hugs, food and great friends! However, I must say, the highlight of the night was a surprise phone call from all my friend at the TI compound in Kenya...Love y'all!

Lauren brought my favorite food...queso...which promptly spilled ALL OVER her car! Thanks for trying Lauren!

Nate, Andy and Nick rockin' it on Rock Band

Michelle and me lookin cool

Sarah and Rachel!

Kyle, Mason, Mary Joe, and Sarah!

Shannon and Amy make me smile!

Girls!

Sarah, Missy, Omar and Rachel!

January 18th was spent with a few friends at the Dallas Stars game! It was very cold in there, but we all had a really good time! Stars won 3 to 1!

Me at the Stars game!

Go Stars!

Wes, me and Jonathan!

January 27th was a fun day! I got to hang out with my Mom this afternoon, greet at church this evening, and go to a really fun concert tonight! Quite a day!

Five Times August at House of Blues!

Wes, Me, Jonathan and Lori at the show

Well, that concludes our chronological photo diary of the past 5 weeks. I hope you enjoyed it and that you are all doing well.

I beg of you to continue praying for Kenya. People are still dying daily and the unrest does not seem to be slowing. Please utilize the websites listed on my last blog and keep up to date. Kenyans and all of the foreigners living and serving there are desperate for our prayers. Let's join together in the battle with them for a peaceful Kenya!

the run down

2008-01-16T16:51:00.001-08:00

I realize it has been weeks since I posted a blog...and to be honest even with all of this time to think about what to write, I continue to find myself not knowing quite where to begin. So much has happened in the past month in Kenya. Hundreds of people have been killed, hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes, countless business, homes, schools and churches burned to the ground and millions grieving and living in fear. With all of this going on it is difficult to think about yourself. It is difficult to be so far away from those who are hurting, asking why, and looking for something to have faith in. Perhaps the most difficult part for me is knowing that I believe in a God of love who desires to set people free from fear and hate...yet I'm not there to tell these people about Him. I ask that you continue to lift Kenya up in prayer. While the coverage of this volatile situation simmers here in America, continue educating yourself on the injustices happening all over the world, advocate for those being persecuted, and do the thing that God gave us power in...pray!

The update on the TI crew in Kitale and beyond. The entire North American team there has remained safe and has been able to get back to almost normal functioning. All of our projects are safe and have food. All of our Kenyan friends are in safe places and no one was physically harmed. Many of our friends have moved to safer places in their cities or in the regions of the country where their tribe is most prevalent. Overall we are able to share many praises that we weren't sure we'd be able to share...so thank you for fighting in prayer for our brothers and sisters! Now fight for those who don't know God's grace.

What happens next?

Right now Kenya is in day two of political rallies in key areas of the country. The cities to pray for are: Nairobi, Kisumu and Eldoret. Day one of the rallies was generally peaceful and police used force accordingly. Please keep day two and three in your prayers as well as all that follows.

Again, I encourage you to educate yourself on the situation in Kenya, pull friends, family and co-workers together and plead on behalf of this nation. Here are a few sources that have been particularly helpful for me in keeping up to date:

BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm

CNN http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/news/kenya.violence/

Daniel's Blog www.dlipparelli.blogspot.com

Meredith's Blog www.meredithlopez.blogspot.com

Amanda's Blog www.amandagoble.blogspot.com

Thank you so much for your emails, phone calls and concern. But thank you most of all for joining us in prayer for Kenya!

-Kate

Urgent Prayer Need

2007-12-30T15:30:00.001-08:00

"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Dear Family and Friends,

I come before you right now with a heavy heart. My team and friends in Kenya need our help. The presidential elections in Kenya have just ended and the new president has been announced. This has not come without much bloodshed and rioting around the country. My team members have been placed in dangerous circumstances and God has been their protection. I seek you out because I am counting on you for prayer. The team in Kitale and my friends Lindsey and Ryan near Nairobi are amongst the many on my long list to pray for. Please pray for their safety, for the stability of the country, for tribal clashes to cease, for no more blood to be shed and rioting to end, for honesty in the government, for all the adults and children in all of our projects that may be facing an unstable community, but most of all that God's Truth would be seen all over this nation.

The events of the last few days can be chronicled in the blogs located below. I ask that you take time to read them, to revel in God's grace, mercy and provision, and that you take them to heart, committing to pray daily for Kenya as a nation and the people who live there...remembering that not all are blessed with a peaceful nation as we are.

Thank you so much for your continued support of the Kenya people and thank you in advance for joining me in supporting the ministry of TI during this time. I place my trust in God's sovereignty and perfect will.

Grace and peace,

Kate

Daniel's Blog http://www.dlipparelli.blogspot.com/
Meredith's Blog http://www.meredithlopez.blogspot.com/
Amanda's Blog http://www.amandagoble.blogspot.com/

poetry night

2007-12-26T20:57:00.001-08:00

This has been a long anticipated blog post by those living in the compound in Kitale...but one that I've been a little anxious about. The main reason I've been anxious about it is because posting these poems causes me to alienate just about everyone reading the blog except for those who wrote the poems...since the poems are almost completely based on inside jokes and sayings that just don't make sense to those living in the outside world. But, I'm willing to risk it and post them because of my deep love and appreciation for the people who wrote the poems.

Explanation: A few days before I left Kitale Jared had the idea of having poetry night. I thought it was a great idea until he said that it would be on my last night in town...it wasn't quite what I had pictured my last night as. Moments later I got over myself and decided it was a great idea. Little did I know that Jared's idea was more complex than I could ever imagine. My last night began with a yummy Mexican dinner and then we all moved down to the fire pit to begin the poetry competition. I was "chosen" to go first. Next Eva went. I started to think that things weren't quite as I had expected when the title of her poem was "Everything I need to know, I mostly learned from Kate." This was my first clue...from then on all of the poems were about me and my life in Kenya. What a humbling experience. While most of the things said in them brought laughter to the circle, many words were shared that brought tears to my eyes and deep gratitude to my heart. Why on earth did I deserve to hear so many kind words, how did I earn such love and respect. That's when I realized that the love of God extends far beyond what we think or imagine that it will.

Here are a collection of poems from the TI, Kitale compound. Enjoy!

"Everything I need to know, I mostly learned from Kate"
by Eva Joy Senecal

Punctuality's important, but don't spaz if you're late.
If you grow out your hair, then grow it out big
And give it a style that Kenyans will dig
Give hugs that put the best mother to shame,
Talk about Jesus and love all without shame
Take correction well and be eager to grow
Be humble and open when it's hard to let go
Do what you love and learn it well
If you do it for God then others can tell
I.E. If you cook, give it all you got
And serve it joyfully whether appreciated or not.
Be a world traveller, but strong in your roots
Treat children like stars, not men with titles and suits.
Listen and learn and teach all who will hear
Stand on God's promises to conquer your fear.
His word is a fortress so don't make it fluffy
Be a lady with manners but never be stuffy.
Don't ever stop growing, thirsting and learning
Appreciating, singing, reaching and yearning.
Cause you'll never be done seeking God's will
Until your face to face before Him, abiding and still.
And trials bring joy no matter how tough
So everything I need to know, I mostly learned from Kate
I wish I'd learned sooner, but it's never too late
If we only had more time, well God only knows
What else I could learn but she's leaving and that blows
So whether in Texas or New England, I know we'll meet again
I love you, I'll miss you, kwaheri my friend!

"Kate"
by Meredith Lopez

K is for the Kind person that you are
A is for Amanda, your friend at your hip
T is for Texas, your happy home state
E is for Eating your yummy cheese dip

I is for Involved in all that you do
S is for Sexy with the braids in your hair

L is for Loving all of us in this house
O is for Outgoing and showing you care
V is for Volunteering your ear to listen
E is for Eager to help out with stuff
D is for Devastated that you have to go

So I'll try not to cry and I'll act all tough

But know that even though you're going
You are so loved by me
Although we are far away from each other
We'll be together again, you'll see.

I pray God is number one
In all that you do
I pray you'll always remember
How much I love you!!!

I'll miss you sweet Kate!!!

"Untitled"
by Timo

I wrote this Haiku
Because Kate is a good friend
I will miss her heart

"Straight from the Lord"
by Faith Hepner

Kate is a fabulous and talented girl,
She has some sweet African braids,
And love to love the world.

I found out Kate loves Napoleon Dynamite
And although the chapstick line is funny
That move just is not right!

Kate loves to dance and sing to the Lord
And if she's with you when baboons attack,
You'll never be bored!

Kate is from Texas and says 'y'all' a lot.
Although it doesn't fit in Africa
I'm sure the Texan men say 'that's hot!"

In African you learn you just have to make do
So Kate joins right in in the farts, burps
And talks about poo!

Kate like to say things like "that's outrageous" and "that's so weird"
And she encourages the kids to call Todd "Chuck Norris"
Because of his beard

I'm thankful for Kate in so many ways,
For her kindness and happiness
And servant hearted ways.

Although I'll miss her when she goes home, I'll rest in the fact that I know,
That she'll be happy in Texas With her
New job, country music and queso!

"One Fine Day"
by Daniel Lipparelli

One fine day, as she sat, with bills to pay
She pondered, she wondered, what more is there?
I want more to care,
To see life for all that there is, for all that it has,
Adventures to live, to play, to be as...

Just then her inbox chimed, she read
"I'm going to Africa, go to this website, more info you'll find."
That was enough for her, a few clicks, it didn't take long.
Before she knew it, she found herself on TI.com
The application was a bear,
Even though 15 pages long, she didn't care.
She pulled an all nighter,
She's a true fighter,
And before the sun came up,
She clicked send, took one more sip from the cold coffee cup.

She said a quick prayer and fell fast asleep
And was awoken a few hours later by another inbox beep.
"I got your app, it all looks real good,
I'll send out some references and hope you join us in the hip hoppin'n Kitale hood!"

She said some last good byes, friends, dad and momndo
Last burger with some fries, she wasn't going to the Rio
It was no time at all, she was on a plane
Headed to Kenya, with soon to come blogging fame.

She arrived safe and sound,
Watching the luggage on the belt going round and round.
There they were, her 5 million bags,
Emily Kate Ousley marked on all the tags.
She gathered them one by one
And headed out to meet Daniel, who was waiting for hours and thought he was done
A quick hug to greet,
They headed out to town, to rest, she was beat.
They arrived late at night,
At the Grand Holiday, what a sight.
She guarded the bags at the bottom of the stairs
As Daniel hauled them up one by one, she dodged his glares.
She didn't know, he didn't mind
A rare strong man, is hard to find.

The next morning came all too soon
They ate, haggled a taxi, and boarded a bus for the trip of doom.
Roads like these, she had never seen
She thought she was a traveling feign
9 hours later, bumped and bruised
They got on another taxi and along they cruised
To the TI house, what an amazing spot
Not another one around could be rented, stolen or bought.

Now the days to come, that's another book
But for the full story, go to Kate's blogspot and take a look.
However, a few things need to be said
Or the writer of this poem might end up dead.

Things we will always remember about Kate,
Well first, she was never once late
Also for a true fact to start,
She has a servant's heart
She is a master chef and cooks real well,
Any baked good, she could surely sell
And if she sees something in your hair,
She will pick it out, she wants all to look good, it's only fair
And about that one big bag,
Well, it's full of gel, that's no gag
And if you want to make her happy and won't have any peso
Just give her some tortillas and a big bowl of queso.

She put up with all my jabbing and jokes
I know she thought I would give up, at least she hopes
But I didn't, I kept on going on and on and on
Because I care so much for her, I'm not a fake, not a con
she endured "yonga," "that's what I'm talking about" and "the fact of the boda boda,"
But if I remember correctly, she did guess the mole and won a soda!

My favorite memory of EKO
Was the picture of her friends on the fridge, the ones from Sudan you know.
It traveled from place to place, almost ended in a huge billow
But in the end, for one week, it rest under my pillow.
God got a hold of her hear in many new ways
4 months have passed leaving behind many days
Kate's not the same person she was, some well spent time she pay
She's not the same person she was from that first fine day

Kate, as you go from here, to what adventures lay ahead
You have a family, a band, a body who loves you no matter what is said
We will stand with you and pray for you and love on you through all time
Even if it's said, through this dorky rhyme.

Now, we part, we say good bye, we go each one, their own way
And we meet again, on another, one fine day.

"Untitled"
by Aly

I just met my friend Kate,
I don't know you very well,
But going at this rate,
I know you're really swell!

All the kids love you,
They're going to miss you lots and lots
But I hope you don't feel too blue,
Because you got to meet so many tots!

Seeing your love for these kids,
It's really, really sweet,
Especially when you let them paint your eye lids,
And it doesn't come out so neat.

God will take care of you,
On your journey and when you're at home,
He will continue to guide you to
Wherever else you may roam!

"Kate in Kenya"
by Amanda Goble

You are my friend
To you, a hand I will lend.
You are so weird,
Our friend Todd has a really sweet beard.
Together we went to the coast
Every morning you eat toast
Once you went to Sudan
Jared often has long sits on the can.
You really like t. u. (for the record...my school is called UT -Kate)
Too bad they played like poo.
we met again at the Village
Kenya has a lot of hill-age
I am so so glad you aren't a man
Or super girly like Dan
You really like queso and mac'n'cheese
Your curly hair blows in the breeze
You and Jared have all kinds of matatu fun,
it takes a while before the ride is done.
our friends Eva Joy and Caleb got married super quick
I like when you have an afro, you should wear a wicked pick.
The Herrings came and made things loud,
they left behind Timo who floats on a cloud.
The wazee gave us lots of helpful talks
It was harvest season and they cut down the maize stalks
Too bad while you were here you couldn't date.
It is sad because you have a cute friend named Nate.
Before you had to leave you met Faith and Aly,
We had another girl named Jessica, but never a Sally.
Thank you for putting up with all of my farting,
This is going to be such a sad sad parting.
I need to finish this before its too late.
Goodbye and I love you Miss Emily Kate!

"You" (We We)
by Jared Gordon

Before reading, this poem requires explanation. Jared explained it like this: "I wrote the poem so it would rhyme, but went back and added things in parenthesis to explain myself." Now you know!

You called me poor and sweet (before we even met!)
Then made us all great things to eat (like Mexican night)
You laughed at me when I committed an offense (juice spilling)
Then lightened the mood when it was tense (told a funny joke)
You out ran me all the time (by the time I got up you were already back)
Then made queso, said some was mine (good times)
You would poke me once in a while (uncalled for)
Then help me clean a juice stained tile (thank you)
You would come second at most games (only Amanda could beat you)
When things got messy you'd take the blame (sabotaging the volleyball net)
I would try to beat you to town (via boda boda)
Somehow you'd be faster, I felt like a clown (disappointing)
You tried to make me a longhorn for life (with T-shirt propaganda)
Even though you're a champion, that's bee too much strife (self explanatory)
I saved your life going down a river in Soy (a proven fact of science)
Then you had the nerve to call me a boy (I cried...seriously)
I did a bad job of protecting you from a matatu dude (I'm a failure)
So hopefully you don't kill me/or are still in a bad mood (fingers crossed)
Congratulations on your masters degree (a big deal)
Perhaps you'll figure out T.F.O.T.B.B over tea (the fact of the boda boda)
According to your confession you've had more than one boyfriend (maybe 20?)
But due to TI law, that has come to an end (no comment)
You never did get to have a baby chick (Juanita)
But since I've been here you never got sick (who did you pay off?)
Even though you didn't like capture the flag (no worries)
You were an amazing prison guard, a fast tag (you caught me)
You were a part of the core nexus (of doom)
The dynamic duo, all the way from Texas (interesting theory)
I've never been to your state (t.dot)
So please forgive me Kate! (Emily)
Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday and all that Jazz (New Years too)
I no know a superstar called Kate with lots of pizazz (goodbye)

"Oh the things that happen in this house"
by Kate Ousley

Oh the things that happen in this house,
Sometimes there is fun and somethings a mouse

There are girls and there are boys
But none without their joys

Some of us are happy and single
Ready and waiting to mingle

Others are quickly wed
Under beautiful sunsets of red

We have the dogs, Kusko and Raisah
And read people of the Bible like Elisha

The females wash and paint their nails
While the men dump water pales

There are guards that do their part
And even Violet to make us look smart

We put our thumbs on our forehead
Playing cards until it is time for bed

Jared teaches us about the facts of life
While others cut the cheese, not with a knife

We laugh and we love
And are awakened by birds above

We cry and we hug
And we don't got a night without killing a bug

Oh the things that happen here
Just don't let D see you drinking a beer

We're silly and we're fly
And now it is time to say goodbye!

I hope you've enjoyed this special part of my time in Kenya! To all of my sweet poetry writing friends, thank you for the laughter, the tears, the sorrows, the joys, and the memories! I love you and miss you!

planes and trains and cars...oh my!

2007-12-23T05:56:00.001-08:00

Well, I never actually traveled by train this week, but I did travel by: bus, taxi, plane, shuttle, plane, shuttle, plane, and Mom's SUV. I think that makes the above title appropriate-ish.

So, I made it back to Texas from Kitale, but not with a little adventure and some close calls! I said goodbye to the crew at the compound. Not an easy task, but somehow I held in the tears. I arrived at the bus station to find about 10 of the street kids there to see me off. What a joy to hug them one last time! I loaded it all on and the driver pulled away.

our group at the TI compound just before I departed

the street kids saying goodbye

The 8 hour trek was rather uneventful except that arranging a taxi in advance without your own phone is quite a task! I borrowed a phone and thought I had it arranged, just to find out that the taxi ended up at my destination, not my origin. So, a random nice lady felt sorry for me as I stood on the curb with my three giant bags and arranged one for me at a very good price. I loaded up and was on my way!

I arrived at Lindsey and Ryan's home a little while later. There is something very comforting about spending time with them. The idea that we can sit down and share our trials and successes about living in Kenya and knowing that the other person understands and has been praying for you all along...it is just what siblings in Christ ought to do for one another. Anyway, we did all kinds of fun things over the next two days including: long morning walks, times together in prayer, shopping at Village Market which is similar to any really nice shopping center you can think of in the States, having really amazing coffee and Java house and/or River Cafe, watching movies on the lap top, and making one last Nakumat run for plane snacks before I loaded onto another taxi and headed for the airport.

Lindsey and I at River Cafe

After one driver change downtown I finally made it to the airport about 20 minutes after Luke. I lugged in my three bags and began praying once again that they would be under weight and that the third bag would be affordably taxed. Much to my surprise my check in was painless and free! Not only did they not charge me for my over weight suit cases, they didn't charge me anything to have a third checked bag! I was ecstatic! Luke and I got through security and passport control without any problems and headed to Java House for a little snack before boarding. Luckily we had plenty of time to shop as well and found some amazingly high priced souvenirs to gawk at. I found a necklace there that matched the one I was wearing exactly. I paid $11 and they were asking $45. Note to all foreign travelers...'Never, never, never buy anything at the airport." Yes, you can quote me on that.

We loaded on the plane, got settled, and away we went. My movie choice was The Last King of Scotland...scary and appropriate for leaving Africa. Afterwards I slept...a lot! We both woke up about an hour before landing, just in time for the breakfast service. Scarfed it down and headed for land. Once we arrived we realized we would be leaving from different terminals. Not wanting to spend the next 4ish hours along wondering in the freezing cold airport that is London Hethrow, I opted to accompany Luke to Terminal 1 for a little window shopping. We had a blast playing the 'how much do you think this costs game," and Luke actually tired on a leather jacket at the Timberland store that we later discovered cost over 1,000 USD. Crazy! We took fun pictures, got a little snack at a cafe and then I decided to pull out my itinerary and check my flight time to confirm the 10:20 departure time I had in my head. It was 8:00 and my flight was at 9:10...and I was a the wrong terminal. I suddenly went white and Luke asked what was wrong. I checked the time again and simply said "uh, I gotta go!" We rushed over to the shuttle bus stop and said our good byes. I boarded and began praying that I wouldn't miss my flight.

Luke with the guard

me with the tree

Luke's yummy frozen coffee

my smoothie!

goodbye Luke...I'm late for my plane!

Once I arrived at Terminal 4 I rushed upstairs and found my gate without any problems. They were boarding the plane, so I walked right on. We left about 20 min. later with me on board! I watched 2 1/2 movies on this plane (it had more movies that I had heard of than the last flight...that's what happens when you leave for 4 months...you don't know the movies anymore) so I watched: Blood Diamond (also a good one to watch after Africa, not before), a movie who's name has escaped me, and 1/2 of High School Musical 2 (a Disney movie that Nova's daughter Abbie...11...loves to watch). The plane had individual screens for movie viewing...not abnormal...but the coolest part was that they were touch screens. You could go from the main menu to the list of movies with just a couple of finger touches. Way cool! Can you tell I've been in African for a while?!?!

I made it to Detroit without any problems and through customs with my bags. At this point they should take the bags back and transport them to my plane...but no...they made me transport them. Luckily I had a cart to use all the way out into the SNOW where the shuttle bus picked up. (I was wearing a light pull over and my chaco sandals...not a good choice) They driver was a little annoyed that he might have to help me get my bags in, but once he saw the braids in my hair his mood lightened! Gotta love getting to the States and having everyone look at you like you're a hippie! I arrived at my terminal and actually got inside with all three bags and no cart. That's when I realized there was only an escalator. Is it legal to not have an elevator?!?! What if I was in a wheel chair? Anyway, I pulled it all onto the escalator and prayed I would make it to the top without squishing the 20 people behind me. I did and was fine until I made it to the American Airlines desk where I held my breath as they checked my bags in. Turns out my flight number had changed, so the nicest lady ever rewrote the number on all of my tags, overlooked the weight and the fact that there were three of them and sent me on my way! God's grace is amazing!

I spent the next four hours in shock. The moment I saw a Starbucks and Quizno's I had a mini breakdown. I wish I'd been happier to see them. But instead I was sad, knowing that the land of materialism was still in full swing. I got on the phone and talked to Mom, Nova and Lindie. Mom checked on my flight times, Lindie told me she was praying, and Nova shared the pertinent news that Brittany Spears sister is pregnant. Wow!

I boarded the plane with my energy sinking and found myself next to two Christian men. One was about 70 and the other 25. They kept me awake with stories of ministry and silly jokes. Turns out the 25 year old knows a friend of mine. I arrived with a smile on my face and bolted for baggage claim. Dad is the first person I saw when I came around the corner. What a comfort! We found my bags and headed outside to find Mom, who was circling in the car. After loading up we went straight to Uncle Julio's...one of my favorite Mexican restaurants, where we met my brother! Our family dinner was a blast, but we were all ready for bed once we returned.

On Thursday Mom, Dad and I took a little trip north of Dallas to my favorite BBQ place (one our family has been going to since I was probably a toddler, that is located 10 minutes from where our farm used to be). It brought back all kinds of good memories as I slurped down a glass of ice tea bigger than my head and saw a piece of chocolate cream pie with eight inches of meringue. We even drove by the farm on the way back! It was a great way to spend the day!

Texas country!

at Warren's...otherwise known as Clark's BBQ

Tioga, TX

at the Farm with Dad!

That night I headed over to my house in Dallas for a little get together put on my by roommates. It was so exciting to see everyone, tell stories of God's power and grace and see a renewed since of belonging to the group! Afterwards I picked my college roommate, Lindie, up at the airport and we headed home with smiles on our faces. On Friday we met up with Julie and drove to Ft. Worth to meet Chelsea on her lunch break for our annual Roommate Reunion. There's just a joy that I feel around these girls that cannot be matched. We had a fabulous time!

back to Dallas I go

Lindie, Julie, me and Chelsea at Chilli's!

Julie, me and Lindie at the house

When I arrived in Texas it was about 70 degrees...yesterday that all changed and it got down to below freezing last night. I will be bundled up in doors for weeks to come...I'm sure of it!

So, that brings us up to date for the most part. Over the next few days of Christmas prep I'll be reflecting on my time in Kenya. Check back for one last blog. Also, I added pictures to the blog about the trip to the coast...enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

saying goodbye

2007-12-15T05:33:00.001-08:00

There's never an easy goodbye when you leave a place after 3 months of investing in it. It is never easy to leave behind what you've worked towards or the relationships that have formed in the midst of it. It is not easy, but it is necessary and a part of life.

When I arrived in Kenya I thought it seemed like such a long time to stay. I would say to myself, "wow, 3 1/2 months is quite a while, are you sure you can do this?" Well, today I can say that 3 1/2 months is no time at all and that I could only do it with Christ lighting the way. There have been times of brokenness, joy, fruit, struggle, pain, happiness, and restoration...but most of all there has been God, moving, working and providing every step of the way.

I don't yet know how it is that God will choose to use what I've learned here or when it is that I'll find out, if ever. What I do know is that I've never been in a place where I have felt more at home, at peace and fully where I was supposed to be. I'm not sure if Kenya for me will be a place just for a season or will end up being for a lifetime, but I rest knowing that God will lead me wherever it is I should be.

One of the hard parts of leaving a place are the things that you'll miss when you're gone. Here are a few things I will miss: the kids faces, the tears, my house and the community that has been cultivating there, our friends and fellow missionaries, the yummy Kenyan food, laughter and late nights with card games and jokes, nights in prayer by the fire, God moving in abundant ways every day, answers to prayer on a more than consistent basis and the way that love can be pored out here on all that you meet, without anyone assuming you have other motives. Luckily many of these things can translate into my community in Dallas. Here are some things I am looking forward to in the States: seeing my family and friends, eating Mexican food as often as possible, having a church body that I feel a part of and that I buy into, hearing live sermons on a weekly basis (instead of podcasts), having people around you speak your language, and my bed...oh how I love my bed!

I'm blessed. God has given me great peace about the next step for me. I will begin a new job in January in Dallas and am looking forward to the new challenge. I'm excited about what God has for me at home and for where He will take me in the future. Transition times are good...and full of growth. I pray that mine is one that is God centered and full of grace.

Today I said goodbye to the kids in Kiminini. I held it together enough to say goodbye, but my bus ride to Nairobi alone tomorrow will be a very different story. Maybe then, with strangers all around, I'll take time to grieve what I'm leaving behind. I will be spending two days in Nairobi visiting Lindsey and Ryan before flying out on Dec. 18th and returning home Dec. 19th! I look forward to seeing all of you who have prayed for me so diligently. I can honestly say that I couldn't have done any of these things without your prayers.

Thank you so much for going on this journey with me. You are a blessing to me more than you can ever know!

Please pray that God continues to move in me, protect me, provide for me and guide me on the journey home.

the kenyan coast

2007-12-15T05:05:00.001-08:00

Last week Amanda and I boarded the Crown bus line to Mombasa. The seats were roomy, had tons of leg room and even leaned back. They gave us free water and we were off! Daniel had mentioned that the road to Mombasa, a large city on the coast of the Indian Ocean, was a really nice road. Lindsey had mentioned that at least the first hour of hit was horrible. "Who should I believe" I thought as we sat in Nairobi traffic for an hour before making it out of town. "Lindsey" I said...out loud, in the bus...after the first three minutes of the worst road in Kenya. Amanda thought I was crazy, but then I explained. Half way through we stopped for lunch and Amanda pointed out the portable Mosque that was set up at the bus stop. Definitely a new sight for me. The Kenyan coast is inhabited by a very large population of Muslims. Two hours later we hit pavement. Thank goodness! Without our seat belts on we would have hit the celling for sure...you think I'm kidding...I assure you I am not! After 10 hours in the bus we arrived in Mombasa...that 7 hour estimation was way off!

We were greeted by a fun new friend, Cynthia! Amanda and I met Cynthia in a Dallas REI store two days before coming to Kenya. We quickly discovered that we all went to the same church and that she would be coming to living in Mombasa in October. All of us agreed to stay in touch and did! Cynthia and her team member Jill picked us up in their car and we went back to their apartment on the other side of town. The first thing I noticed about Mombasa was how stinking HOT and HUMID it was! We spent the evening greeting their friends, watching You've Got Mail and making connections! Funny enough, a guy that had been there just two weeks before, also from the Village (my church in Dallas)! Even funnier, I know his sister, Beth! Crazy how people across the world can be connected!

Jill, Amanda, me and Cynthia

pretty bird!

The next day we did a little shopping in town and then headed up the coast for Watamu. Watamu is 2 hours north of Mombasa and is know for the Italian influence and beautiful beaches! We stayed at a place called Karabella, about 50 yards from Blue Lagoon. Yep...couldn't wait to tell you I'd been to Blue Lagoon. Anyway, our room had a large bed, terrible mattress, small kitchen, fridge, real shower with stone walls, and a lounge area on the porch. We went to the grocery store and bought some things. We cooked most days while we were there...but found 2 favorites in town: pizza and Italian ice cream. The first night we met a guy named Don, an American, who had opened an Italian ice cream shop a stones throw away from our hotel. We went no less than once a day and enjoyed flavors like: chocolate, pineapple, mango, lemon, strawberry, peach, and the list goes on! Yuuuuummmmmm! We also found an authentic pizza place with good prices and pigged out twice on really good pizza!

Our Hotel Room

Enough about food...the second day we went on a tour of Watamu and surrounding areas. We visited the Gede ruins and learned a lot about how far back Islamic roots were here in Kenya. We were taken by Turtle bay and then to a cave that the community use for various religious worship services. Afterwards we laid on the beach and got some sun! Unfortunately, SPF 50 was not enough for sweet Amanda and she was crispy by late afternoon. Somehow, with the same SPF, I was fine.

The next day we went snorkeling!!!! It was a ton of fun and the most beautiful fish I've ever seen! For the first time I actually saw a fish that looks exactly like Dorie from Finding Nemo. Very cool! We had a great time and had thousands of fish swimming around us at the reef. Even saw a HUGE eel. I'll pass on eels...for the record!

Hi Mom!

on the boat

The last day we spend exploring the pools of water with sea creatures that are formed when the tide goes out. We saw all kinds of things...like live star fish for example! Lots of fun! That afternoon I got a call from Lindsey and Ryan who had just arrived at Turtle Bay and were staying at a nice resort. They invited us over and we spent the rest of the day on the beach, boogie boarding (way way fun...you should all try it!) and the highlight- watching a sea turtle get released back into the ocean! So cool!

Each night we would get home before dark and be finished with dinner pretty early...this left us with a LOT of free time. We decided that playing cards was a great way to fill time and got really good and two person card games like: war, speed, and go fish. Ok, go fish was a struggle...have any of you played recently? Do you remember all of the rules? Anyway, it is more complicated than it sounds...or should be...but fun none the less!

We headed back on the morning of the 9th and spent our day in Mombasa waisting time until Cynthia and Jill were back in town. We ate a late breakfast, sat in the internet cafe for a few hours, and then ended up at a cafeteria type place for a couple hours at lunch...where we met two Americans and a Canadian that are staying in a town South of Kitale. We ended up talking for a while and they invited us to join them in exploring Ft. Jesus on the other side of town. We threw our stuff in their hotel room and walked on over. Ft. Jesus is cool...but not cool enough to pay $10 to get in. Residents pay about $1...so we knew we were getting ripped off, and they were closing in about a half hour. Instead we got a few pictures and headed down the hill to see the waterfront view. As we walked down we came upon a HUGE soccer game. There were literally hundreds of people crowded around a field less than half the size of a full field. They were loud and it was a blast to watch with Ft. Jesus in the backdrop! So fun!

Afterwards we got a hold of Cynthia and it turned out they had been in town all day but hadn't gotten our message. They met up with us and Jill took us to a really awesome gyro place! So yummy! I even got to snap a picture with the guy who was making Nan out front!

We loaded onto the night bus and got a thorough police check before heading out. I slept a good portion of the night, but not well. We arrived in Nairobi at 5:30 am and waited until 7 to visit Java House before tracking down a shuttle to Kitale. At the shuttle platform we were waiting for two more people before we could go, so I talked to our conductor and mentioned a new way of getting riders. He told me that if I got the last two passengers he would give me 50 shillings a head! Sweet! I was off...I walked around yelling 'enda Kitale, enda Eldoret' which means come to Eldoret/Kitale. Within seconds I had a lady talking to me, who walked me back to my shuttle...it was at that point she told me that she worked there and didn't know why I was yelling. Soon after I went back to yelling and ended up with three men talking to me about not yelling, one being a cop. Needless to say, I made them all laugh and hurried back to the shuttle just in time to see our last two people boarding. No 100 shillings, but still a full shuttle! Unfortunately we ended up changing vehicles in Eldoret...and in true Daniel style got in a huge battle with our driver who put us on a cheaper vehicle and tried to pocket our 20 shillings each. After 10 minutes of reasoning and insisting on a refund of our 40 shillings, he gave in and we won! This tells me that I can go anywhere in Kenya and take care of myself! No worries! We were very proud of the victory in principle and our 20 shillings!

We made it back just fine!

It was a great trip and there are a ton more details I've left off...but I hope you enjoyed the update anyway!

I'll add pictures as blogger allows! Have a wonderful day!

quick note

2007-12-12T00:45:00.001-08:00

Just a little hello from Kitale. We made it back safely and got a great nights sleep! I added a lot of pictures to the 'long road home' blog and will add the Soweto slum pictures when the internet decides to cooperate! I'll also post the blog on our time on the coast later this week!

A little shout out to those of you who love capture the flag in the dark. Last night's game was the best one yet. Definitely a passion I'll be bringing back to the States with me!

I pray that you are all enjoying the holiday season! May God bless you today sweet friends!

the long road back

2007-12-09T01:44:00.001-08:00

I'm currently sitting in a cyber cafe in Mombasa, Kenya. it is about 95 degrees. 100% humidity and all i hear outside are honking horns and vehicle engines. ahh...a typical day in Kenya!

Amanda and i have begun our journey back to western Kenya! we've had an amazing go of it here on the coast, and i must say that the beaches along the Indian ocean are the most beautiful I've seen!

since we've got about 8 more hours to kill before our bus to Nairobi, I'll go ahead and blog about the first portion of our trip! I'll have to add photos when we get back home.

the whole TI crew headed to Nakuru on Dec. 1st. We made it just fine and found our hotel quite quickly...Crater View Hotel...sounds classy, I know! I never saw the crater. We found it in a travel book, checked out the rooms when we arrived, and all agreed that for $3 a night it was do-able! (Let's just say that our standard for what is do-able has changed drastically over the last few months.) We had no water, but did have pillows and blankets and a lock on the door. All you really need as far as I'm concerned! Jared was anxious to find a TV to watch the Arsenal soccer game, so we all set out on a journey. I bought a fleece sweater on the way as I left long sleeves at home accidentally. for 100/= it was a good deal! (about $1.25) We asked a few people about places with TV's and finally settled on a really fun sports bar type place with amazing food! Pizza, mac and cheese, and fish...yumm! We had a great time, headed back to the hotel, played cards and hit the sack. Daniel was able to set us (Amanda, Faith and me) up with a great deal on a safari! We paid a total of about $40 and go our own van with pop up roof! Our guide was a ton of fun and found some great animals for us! We pulled up at the gate of the park and already saw about 40 monkeys! From there we entered and here's a list of what we saw (pics to come later): zebra, African buffalo, water buck, impala, flamingo, hyena, egret, ibis, marabou stork, wart hog, giraffe, Thompson's gazelle, grand gazelle, tony eagle, white rhino, bik bik, baboon, pelican, talapia (yep, we saw it jump in the water) and finally a guinea fowl. It was incredible!!!! But it had to come to an end. As we waited at the main gate for our ride back to town, we saw a few cute little monkeys. We had a little bread so we threw them a few pieces. Soon after one of them stole the bread back out of Amanda's sack....she'd set it down in order to dig out the camera. Seconds later we got a warning not to feed the monkeys. We complied, thinking...what's the harm. Then two of the small monkeys around us run away. We weren't sure what was going on. About a minute later the three of us are standing close together and out of the corner of my eye I see a large baboon running full speed in our direction. I stop and think "wow, this isn't good AT ALL!" So I yell "baboon!!!!!" and the girls turn around...we all start screaming and the baboon is circling us. Finally it rips a plastic bag from Faith's hand, sees that it is only water bottles, and runs away. In short, we were attacked by a baboon. Way scary, but a great show for all the locals that were standing around laughing at us. We asked if they would every bite humans and the response was "they wont' bite you, but they will scratch you until they get what they want" ...gee, great hope in that!

Me, Meredith, Jared, Faith, Amanda and Daniel at Taidy's for dinner and the game!

The rooms in Nakuru...so nice! ;-)

Monkey and baby

First cool bird of many...Jamie, I'm counting on you for the names!

bird

Flamingo...thousands of them!

Stork

Grand Gazelle

Those cliche African trees

Tony Eagle

Me overlooking Lake Nakuru National Park

Female Water Buck

African Buffalo

Impala

Zebra

Pelicans

Wart Hog

Mean, mean Baboon!

Rhino with 3 month old baby

Did you know the Rhino can run up to 55 mph?

Thompson's Gazelle

Giraffe

We headed out and on to Nairobi. Faith, Jared and I were squished into the back of the shuttle van. Probably one of the worst squishings I've had in Kenya...and such a terrible road. Either way, we made it! Only a few bumps and bruises! Daniel's brother Luke is in the country for a few weeks and he and girlfriend, Ruth, met us at the hotel and got us settled in. Another adventure was soon to follow!

The sky over the Rift Valley

Carnivore is an elite restaurant for eating wild game. We decided to partake! While nothing was too exotic (as that would be illegal) we did get our share of meat at this Brazilian steak house formatted dining facility. Here's a little list of what we ate: lamb, chicken, turkey (bigger than me and Faith's heads put together) beef, crocodile and ostrich. The ostrich meat balls were buy far my favorite! We even got yummy dessert! It was a blast and all of us were sooo full by the end! Definitely a must try for those world travelers out there!

Look at that meat!

The group! Me, Amanda, Faith, Meredith and Jared: the token male!

Daniel with his fanny pack. Just a little question for Larry and Danel: Is this what you envisioned your son growing up to be? Has home school done this to him? At least he's secure!

Luke and Daniel...matching...surprised?

We headed back to the hotel and I had the second worst night's sleep that I've had in Kenya...and this in a hotel that actually has water and towels. The morning was great though...we went to Nairobi Java House for breakfast and coffee! They have a yummy, fairly western, menu and the best coffee drinks in the country! My vanilla latte was to die for! Could be because I haven't had one in months...but I think it is just that good!

A little shift in pace...

Afterwards we headed a little ways out of town to meet with some friends who would take us to the third largest Nairobi slum, Soweto, with over 200,000 people inhabiting it. This was one of the most humbling experiences I've had in Kenya thus far. As we walked up there were children all around. Their little bellies were hanging out of their clothes and their eyes were sad. There is a stench there that is not matched anywhere else. The river we crossed over to arrive there had been lined with trash and the water was gray. We were told that the last three people who had drank the water had died within hours of it. Every few minutes we saw men with large barrels on make-shift dollies running down the street. It wasn't until later that we learned those barrels were filled with feces to be dumped into the river. If these things are not evidence enough of the condition of the world we live in I don't know what is. There are children as young as two staying at home all day alone as their older siblings are in a free school and their widowed or abandoned mother is out from dawn to dusk finding work to provide a couple bites of rice for dinner. Like I said, their eyes are sad. The children jump and yell at the excitement of us being there, but as soon as we loose their gaze their heads drop and the smiles are wiped away. Seeing us is a sign of hope, a sign that there may be change in the future. But this hope doesn't last...these children know that many others have walked through these streets before and nothing has changed. Their hope is fleeting and momentary. We heard of a lady with a sick child. We went into their home and prayed for healing. We were able to leave a little money with them, but how many more were there that we didn't hear of. How many more were suffering in the shadows?

There's an amazing lady named Mary who has begun the only free school in the Soweto slum. She had 103 students last term. A cell phone company here heard of what she was doing and built a cafeteria ( a long room with a ceiling) and a kitchen (not like your kitchen at home...but very functional in this area)...but there is no one to provide the food. If the children here eat at all it is only two or three bites of rice, a small cup of liquid that a few fish bones were boiled in, or nothing. Another problem in this area are widows and women who have been abandoned by the fathers of their children. Across from one building is another with many rooms. Some are used as classrooms and others are now used to house desperate women and children. This gives them a place other than the streets and a roof over their heads.

The situation is desperate.

TI is planning to begin working in this area. We plan to begin a feeding program at the school so that all of the students get at least one good meal a day. We plan to design a program that will assist these desperate women in getting on their feet. We plan to do a work that others are not willing to do.

My time in the slum that day was life changing. I walked away with a heaviness in my heart and a mission on the mind. Please pray for these who so desperately need to see a way out, a way that is hopeful and redeeming.

The school Cafeteria on the left

The hallway of the 10 room school

the baby of a widow who lives in the school

me with Kate (right) and her little sister

some of the sweet kids that followed us all day

the trash pile on the other side of the river, within feet of people's homes

a typical home in Soweto

We headed back to town and went our separate ways. Amanda and I stayed with my friends Lindsey and Ryan and took a bus to Mombasa the next day. I'll blog the rest of the journey when I return to Kitale. As for now we've got an 8 hour bus ride to Nairobi and another 8 hour ride tomorrow to get home.

Please pray for safe travel, hearts dependant on Jesus and a clear vision for my last week in Kenya.

hit the road jack

2007-11-30T21:28:00.001-08:00

This is just a blog to fill in the stories of what I left out on the last blog...and to add pictures before we leave on vacation! And just a little shout out to my Dad...HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD! LOVE YOU!

On Tuesday we went to Kaibeyo, the children's home that Daniel and Meredith used to work at. We met all the kids, had some chi and then Amanda and I went to Eldoret to do her visa paperwork and so I could go visit Robert! It was a fun day!

Soldiers hiking through mud beside the road

The huts Daniel and Meredith lived in at Kaibeyo

The new litter of puppies at Kaibeyo!

Robert and his shop...where I buy souvenirs!

Amanda and I being silly!

Wednesday...Amanda and I went to see a bible school in Ivihiga (or way the heck out in the middle of no where)! We took a bus for about 2 hours, got off, took a boda boda about two min. down the road, and got on a matatu. We sat on this matatu for 30 min. (as it was empty) and watched all these people sitting outside. Then they all decided to get on and come with us! Sheesh! As they got on one of them handed me a baby...which was mine for the ride. Speaking of ride...I have never been on a matatu that was falling apart like this one was. There weren't seats behind the driver on that first row...only three in the back. People sat on maze bags, and to start the van four men had to push it down a hill so the driver could turn the key. Amazing! So, we made it to the next town and got on another vehicle for 30 more min. Once arriving in Ivihiga we were releaved as the pastor of the church and teacher of the Bible school, Andrew, found us! We thought, surely this place is close...we're almost there! Oh no! Wrong! Andrew was surprised that two white girls didn't have a vehicle...but we got on boda bodas anyway and off we went. 35 min. later, hill after hill...getting off, walking up, getting back on, and repeat...we finally made it! The facility was beautiful and placed at the base of a mountain. There were trees everywhere! The compound houses a church, Bible college for pastors, Bible classes for Pastor's wives, a medical clinic, maternity ward, tailoring school, and host site for mission teams. We had lunch, met the women and current mission team and then headed out. Five hours to get there and only time to stay for an hour and a half! Anyway...I was very impressed with their set up and with Andrew. It seems like God is doing a lot in this community and it was a blessing to get to see it!

So, we headed back...35 min. boda boda ride, 45 min. vehicle to the main road, and then another terrible matatu all the way back to Kitale. We had a great time...even with 10 hours of travel!

The Church

Church leadership...Pastor Andrew on the left

The rest of the compound

Baboons on the road

Once we returned home we headed over to a guest house called Karibuni Lodge for a women's gathering. It was pot luck and everything was sooo yummy! Best of all we formed friendships with women from all walks of life! We now have Muslim friends, missionary friends, and a brand new opportunity for ministry! Great night!

With Rhonda from Texas!!!! at Karibuni Lodge for Women's night!

On Thursday our sweet friends Rhonda and Katherine headed back to Canada. They are on the TI Canada board and are good friends of Meredith and Jared. It was so much fun having them with us! They are prayer warriors and blessed with the gift of encouragement! We'll miss them!

Rhonda and Katherine before they left us!

The rest of Thursday was spent getting my hair braided! I've been wanting to do this since I arrived and it finally happened! It took a short 4 and a half hours with 5 people on my head at all times to finish the job! My head was a bit sore and the hair really long...but I love it! You can let me know what you think!

Before!

During...ouch!

And after...with my full team!

So here they are!

Here's how I wrap them up at night! Attractive...I know!

Thursday night we had a girls dinner at Karibuni Lodge...and a dessert bachelorette party for Eva! This was easily the best meal I've had in Kenya- steak, baked potatoes, spinach, acorn squash, cauliflower, broccoli, really good gravy, and even sour cream (we've never seen that here)!!!! For dessert I had a brownie and lime sherbet...weird combo, but very yummy!

Bachlorett Party!

Wedding day was crazy but perfect! Our team was in Kiminini for the morning playing with the kids...then back at the house to help out! We all had bets on what time the ceremony would actually begin. The proposed time was 4pm...Todd won the bet with his guess of 5:30! The ceremony was simple and perfectly Eva and Caleb. Everyone came together and made it happen! We had dinner at the Boulevard...our fav! I'm so excited for them! Please keep them in your prayers!

Prayer before the ceremony

Caleb and Eva Joy Senecal!

Timo, Caleb, Eva and Janell

The girls at the reception!

Alright, that's it! I'm off to the house to finish packing, then it is on the road to Nakuru! I'll do my best to update as we go...but no promises!

Thanks again to Jamie, Nathan, Marissa, and Mom and Dad for the packages and letters this week! I'm sooooo spoiled!

LOVE Y'ALL!!! Pray for safe travel and REST!

an oh my gosh kind of blog

2007-11-29T06:45:00.001-08:00

This has to be brief as we've got a big dinner tonight. This has been the most crazy week of my time in Kenya. Monday I went to the dentist, Tuesday we all went to a children's home a little over an hour away and then Amanda and I went in to Eldoret to run errands and do some shopping. Wednesday morning Eva Joy told us that she and Caleb are getting marred. Then Amanda and I went to look at a Bible college outside of Ivihiga which was a 5 hour trip each way. Once we returned we attended a women's dinner at a cute place down the street and met all sorts of amazing women. (this makes me even more sad to leave...there's a built in ministry right at our fingertips!). Afterwards we found out the wedding date for the love birds is FRIDAY...yep, I said Friday! Today we sent Rhonda and Katherine off, I got my hair braided (those tiny braids, all over...pretty sure I look like a hippie!), then did shopping for the wedding. Tonight we'll throw Eva a little shin dig! Tomorrow we're spending the day out at Kiminini and then heading back for the wedding in the back yard, followed by a reception at our fav. restaurant. Saturday morning we leave for Nakuru for a safari, then to Nairobi the next day, followed by the coast.

As you can see things are a bit chaotic around these parts! But God is good! Please pray that I would take time to slow down, listen to the Lord's guidance, and obey!

Also...just a little note: First, Saturday is Dad's birthday...Happy Birthday Dad! and Lastly, my friend Bonnie is likely having her baby this weekend! Please keep her and her husband Riad in your prayers!

OH!!!!! And totally got QUESO in the mail 2 times this week!!!!!!!! Mom, Dad and Nathan...y'all are amazing!

three weeks to go

2007-11-26T03:18:00.001-08:00

I only have three more weeks here in Kenya and time is running short! I'm trying to take advantage of every moment and soak it all in as much as possible!

This is the beginning of a crazy week! Today I had a most interesting experience...a Kenyan dentists office! I decided that getting my teeth cleaned here was a good, cheap option! The office was very clean, the dentist very professional and with good credentials, and the payment hundreds less than the States. I got a cleaning and sealant on two teeth for less than $40...not bad! Getting my teeth cleaned is one of my favorite things! I love that slick feeling when you walk out the door!

We've welcomed three more people into our home. Rhonda and Katherine are friends of Meredith's and on the TI Canada board. They are here for a week. We also have the priviledge of having Faith with us from Reno for the next month or so. They've all brought a joyful spirit to the house and it has been a ton of fun getting to know them.

Tomorrow we're all going out to Kai Beyio, Meredith and Daniel's former children's home, to see the kids! A few of us will run in to Eldoret for a few errands, then it is back to Kitale for dinner.

Wednesday Amanda and I are heading to Vihiga. This is a small town a few hours away where the grandparents of my friend Nathan have a Bible college. We'll be spending the day with the Kenyan leader of the school and seeing how the ministry works! We're very excited!

Thursday a group is taking Rhonda and Katherine to the airport, and the rest of us are hanging out with the street kids all day!

Friday I'm doing something I've been waiting to do since coming to Africa...get African hair! That's right...in less than a week I'll have the tiny braids that I see all around me. I'm guestimating this will take close to 10 hours. I'll keep you posted.

On Saturday we're leaving for a little vacation! The first stop is Nakuru for a safari! Then on to Nairobi to see the new project in the Soweto slum area (more on this later). The team will head back to Kitale after this, but Amanda and I will be heading onward to the coast! We'll likely spend one day in Mombasa and then a couple days in Watamu at Turtle Bay. Indian Ocean here I come! This will add to the growing number of oceans and seas I've swam in! We're told that the Watamu area is where Brad and Angelina like to vacation...woohoo! Can't wait!

This past weekend we visited our children's home in Kiminini and I got a bunch of great pictures! As the internet is cooperating today I thought I'd load some for you to enjoy!

Brian, Johnston and Lodwa in their house of sticks!

Beautiful Lavinda!

Molongo and Jackie in their shelter

Molongo

Me and Mwongi! He's got the best smile!

Lavinda, Jackie and Molongo

kids!

Me and Mwongi in the shelter they built!

Johnston, me and Molongo

The kids singing

Carolyn, me, Molongo and Mwongi

Mwongi's pretty eyes!

Me and the girls!

tying my boda driver's shirt so it would quit hitting me in the face!

the boys with the toys they made: bamboo, plastic bottle caps, and a piece of wire

Amanda, Mwongi, Lavinda and me!

Dude! It's fall in Africa! Cold weather approaching!!!!!

Just kidding...this is a tree we found that is all red...
this is as close to fall as we're gonna get!

Have a wonderful week! I miss y'all!!!!! Pray that God will continue to move as we continue to lay everything at His feet!

game day!

2007-11-23T03:37:00.001-08:00

Today is the Texas vs. Texas A&M football game! Biggest football day of the year in my house back home...So, in honor of the big game, Amanda and I decided to take a couple pictures of the chaos that is our house today:

My Dad has promised to email quarterly updates...too bad it will be around 3 am here when the game finally ends! Sheesh!

Also wanted to update you on the last week. On Saturday we had Jessica here with her friends Shirley and Dan. They came with us to Kiminini to see the kids...and we even got a new TI staff picture!

Me, Amanda, Jared and Jessica

TI '07:
Daniel, Me, Amanda, Jared, Jessica and Meredith

We had girls night on Sunday at our Texas friend Rhonda's place! We soaked our feet, had coke floats, and watched a chick flick. It was so much fun! Here are the highlights:

Soaking our feet

being silly

Rhonda is so much fun!

Janell after toooooo many coke floats!

Eva and Mer!

Yeah for girls night!

I also realized this week that I didn't have any pictures of the Africa Connect group that lives with us...what on earth have I been doing for 5 weeks! Anyway, Monday was Luanne's birthday, so we got a group picture before they headed out to dinner! They are way fun and we love them so much! I also got a classic picture of Bob the day before...this explains a lot!

Africa Connect '07:
Bob, Timo, James, Caleb, Luanne, Janell and Eva

Doesn't he look like the 'money' guy in Oceans 11?

Lastly, I had my last couple days at Shimo Primary School this week. On Tuesday we talked about respecting people around us and respecting ourselves. On Thursday I mixed things up! We played a 'remember what Kate has taught you so she can feel like she's made a difference' game! I asked them questions about past lessons, they answered, and I gave them candy! They also each got a cookie to celebrate finishing exams! Here's a picture of part of my class!

My class!

Coloring their pictures

They I had each of them draw a picture of their family and where they live. Then they wrote an essay answering questions like: what do you want to be when you grow up? Why do you go to school? If you could change something about your life, what would it be? What are two things you are willing to change to make your life better? What have you learned in this class?

The answers were phenomenal!

Teaching

Today I went back for our last Bible lesson. I taught them the song that goes "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart, where, down in my heart...." It was so much fun! I even got a video of it! Then we talked about how accepting Jesus means we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts and that the Holy Spirit is what makes us able to talk to God in prayer. Afterwards we discussed what it means to make disciples and how they can begin their life with Jesus by praying, reading God's word, going to a church that teaches the Bible, fellowship with other believers, and telling others about their decision to follow Jesus. They were great! They soaked up every moment of it!

David! One of my favorites! (can teachers have those?)

My class hanging out before school

Kids in the widows!

I'm so sad that my time there is done, but it was purposefully and fruitful! I'm so thankful that I had the time I did with them, and that I was able to see the fruit of everyone's prayers back home! Thank you again for your prayers and support! These kids wouldn't have heard about Jesus the last few weeks without it!

Y'all have an amazing weekend...and Hook 'em Horns!

P.S. I added a bunch of pictures to the thanksgiving post so check 'em out!