2018 Resolutions - Just putting them out there.

I really hate to say that I have a few resolutions for 2018 - so cliche!  So easy to drop and break them. But, I do have a few.  I think I am pretty predictable but I am sharing them here so that maybe I won't let these fall by the wayside in the race that is life in Uganda.

1.  Continue running and complete the half marathon on January 21.  Then, complete at least one more half this year.  I might (might) consider training for a full marathon. . .  (am I crazy?)

2.  Journal everyday.  Before my life went into overdrive I did this everyday.  EVERYDAY.  But somewhere along the way, I stopped. I need to do it - it is therapy and so encouraging when I look back on events of my life.  Ways God brought me through my struggles and to remember the victories.  

Yeah, my eyes are closed and my hair is big.

3.  Blog at least once a week.  (I am doing good on this so far!) Also, be more open - share my thoughts and random ideas as I type.  I may loose some of my 8 followers, but at least it will be real.

4.  Read through the Bible.  I was 90% finished last year, but I stopped. Those minor prophets, Leviticus and other OT books just got the best of me.  But, I am going to have another go. Does listening it on audio count? I could go through those books while I cook lunch or fold laundry - there is an idea.

5. Continue making healthy (generally) choices for my food and lifestyle.  Life is so much better when I am healthy.  I want to stay where I am or get better. Do not retreat!

Hovering Goal and my stubbornness

I have had the goal of running a half marathon for many years. I have started training several times. I even signed up and paid the fee the first time I was training.
But life has gotten in the way. Not excuses but REAL life events. Life events that usually only happen to missionaries or to people living in third world countries.
The first time I was training, I ended up with cerebral malaria and almost died. Malaria isn't like a cold or even the flu. The first time you have it, it knocks you down and then drains all your energy and reserves out of you. The cerebral variety also leaves you with residual headaches for about a month after the virus is gone. Training is over!
The second time I started training, I got Typhoid Fever and Malaria at the same time!  Trading is over!
The third time, I got a stress fracture in my foot and I got a baby!  Let me clarify- Anna came to live with me- it was sudden and I was overwhelmed with having a 13 month old that was the size of a newborn. She was weak, very sick and needed me more than I needed  the half marathon. Training was over for the third time!

Running in the Santa Hat Fun Run 10K in Kampala on December 17 - I was happy!

I have to admit that I felt defeated. I was wondering if I was setting unrealistic goals for myself- blah blah blah. . .
I am a stubborn person. No, let's say strong willed. Determined. Stupid(?). Whatever. I REALLY want to meet this goal. It is looming over me.
So, I have been training again - for the fourth time.   But this time is different. This time is better.
First, I have had malaria so many times now that it doesn't knock me down, it just weakens me for a few days. And I am not as susceptible to it. (Told you I was stubborn). Secondly, I am training with someone. Heather had graciously agreed to support my craziness and run with me.
I can't really think of a third reason but things are just better.
I am in week 9 of a 12 week plan - I have registered for a half-marathon on January 21!  I have three weeks left!
We can do this!
I can do this!

Deliberate and focused

I deleted the Facebook, Instagram and Twitter apps from my phone. I found that I was mindlessly scrolling and missing the real moments. I was missing time with Anna. Not letting my mind wander. Not listening to God. So, I took them off. I still have the accounts, but they have to be accessed on my computer. More deliberate and more focused social media time.
This way I can be more deliberate and more focused too.

Playing Opossum

The baby woke early this morning, very early.  Each time this happens, I “play opossum”.  I get her out of bed and go straight to the couch.  I lay down, cover up with a blanket, close my eyes and pretend to be asleep.  My hope, each time, is that she will see me sleeping and decide to lay down beside me and go back to sleep.  

It never works.

This morning, as she sat wedged between my body and the couch I practiced keeping my face relaxed.  The game of Opossum has to be convincing to work.

 Round 1:  After a bit of stillness, I imagined a sleeping baby in my arms.  

I slowly opened one eye. . . there she was, right in my face, smirking at me!  Actually, she was just smiling sweetly and staring right at me, but it seemed like a smirk.

I quickly closed my eye again.

Round 2:  I feel little stubby fingers trying to pry my eye open!  Oh, no!  Squeeze tight, pretend you are asleep!

No luck.  She pulled open my eye and laughed!   A twenty month old is beating me at my own game.  “This is my game, my opossum game!  You are not playing by the rules, baby girl!”

Round 3.  Squeeze the eyes shut.  Relax.  Be still.

Sweet hands started rubbing my checks. . . then “womp” on the face.  Note to self:  “Teach the difference in soft touch and hitting”

Round 4.   Eyes closed tight, I feel sweet baby breath on my face, then she is kissing my check.  She kisses me, then smiles, then kisses me again.

“Okay, okay. You win!  The Opossum game never was a good game anyway. . . let’s go eat breakfast.   I need coffee.  And a new game.”

Namungai Village

I decided to make some short videos of our latest trip to BUDUDA district, Namungai village. Enjoy!

Day 1:  https://youtu.be/QzKThTNbu64

Day 2:  https://youtu.be/m1MbV5Oz1s4

Day 3:  https://youtu.be/s5qaMtW2q2k

Finally, the day after our trip to Namungai, we had a women's conference, eye clinic and church service. Enjoy!  https://youtu.be/9KYgwvdLI_o

Subscribe to my YouTube channel and you will be notified when I post more videos. Such a great idea. 

Annoying but cute family videos

Well, today is the day.  I am returning to Uganda.

I have been here for about 3 1/2 weeks.  I flew back for my grandfather's funeral.  I am so glad I was able to be here with my Granny and Mama during this difficult time.

I also really enjoyed my time with my family - I love being with my parents, nieces and nephews!  Love it - Can't get enough of it!

In case you are wondering what I have been doing, I have made two videos of my time here.  Here are the links:

September 11 - 17, 2016 Summary:  https://youtu.be/Om98EqKGx4U

Kelon Crashed and Hay Jumping':  https://youtu.be/74i4Ec8qTO4

Swimming at Uncle Jim's:  https://youtu.be/g8qmWN_0ntg

Warning:  These are those annoyingly cute family videos - but Mom, Dad and I laugh every time we watch them, so maybe you will too!

If you like the videos, or if you want to see videos of Uganda, subscribe to my Youtube channel. I hope to begin uploading more videos of the ministry in Uganda.


See you in Uganda. . .

7 in 7!

7 different places in 7 nights! 

In August, I traveled to Bolivia to speak at a Missions Conference in Cochabamba.  It was great!

On Saturday night, Juan invited Brenda and I to share about the work being done in Uganda.  There were over 2,000 people there!

Brenda did an introduction and then I shared about the overall ministry as a video played.  Then Brenda shared about the Nutrition program specifically.

It was a great time.  So many people were interested in the ministry and showed interest in going for both short and long term missions to Uganda!

Then, I flew back to Uganda.

Start the count:

1.  Cochabamba (Wednesday)

2.  Somewhere over the ocean between Brazil and South Africa, in an airplane (Thursday)

3.  Entebbe hotel (Friday)

Stop.  In the Entebbe hotel on Friday night, I talked to mom who told me they had called in Hospice for my grandfather.  I traveled to the VOE (7 hours because of traffic), planning to travel to America on Tuesday.  

Go.

4.  VOE (Saturday)

I skipped church on Sunday morning and worked, trying to get some team planning done before I left on Tuesday.  I still didn't have a ticket, but the travel agent was working for a Tuesday night flight.

After lunch with the missionary staff, I laid down to rest - Exhaustion is not even strong enough to describe how I felt.  Then, my phone rang.  The travel agent could only get me a flight for the next morning at 3:55 AM!  I had to leave right then!

I hired a car that drove me back to the airport (5 hours).  I spent the night in the airport, struggling to stay away.

5.  Entebbe airport  (Sunday)

I flew to Turkey and then to Atlanta.  Kim Smith picked me up and took me to Gainesville.

6.  Gainesville home (Monday)

Pawpaw died that same night, at 2:30 AM.  Granny says he was waiting for me to get home!  I am glad I could be here with family.  My Pawpaw was so supportive of me - he worried all the time about me but he supported me and was proud just the same.  I will miss him so much.

We drove to Buchanan on Tuesday.

7.  Buchanan, Grandparents home (Tuesday)

We had Pawpaw's funeral on Thursday afternoon.  Mom and I returned to Gainesville late that evening.

I told Mom that I felt like there was fog over me for a long time.  I would wake up and wonder "Where am I?"    And to be honest, the reality that Pawpaw has died has not really sunk in yet.  I am just now catching up on my rest and have my mind working again.  All that travel will exhaust you!