Climbing

Finally my climbing shoes put to good use! This weekend Jason, Stephen, Andrew, Anna and I headed out of the city for some sweet rock climbing, repelling and giraffe sighting (chasing). Take a look at our photos here.  I am beyond blessed by this adventure, and these friendships!

This. Is. Happening.

From college friends, to post college roomies, to best friends (forever...duh). 

We have traveled the world together. From LA to Big Sur, to Pittsburg, to Dallas, to Nashville, to San Diego...

to Cabo!

to Scotland!!

To London!

Everything is more fun when you're with your best friend. 

And now???

In less than 2 WEEKS. 

Whitney. Lexi. KENYA. 

SO excited. So blessed. So ready. 

Fun Facts

Here are some random fun facts about my life here.

#1 (and the most important)? I found frozen yogurt 10 minutes away. Granted, it's not exactly like American frozen yogurt. But it is YUMMY and because it's called frozen yogurt, it immediately losses half it's calories, right? I enjoyed my first on last Friday with a new friend from my street.

#2 Drinking Coke is more fun here! They don't do recycling, so the responsible way to drink Coke Light is to buy glass bottles and bring them back to the grocery store when you're done! Not only is this eco-chic, it's obviously more fun to drink this way (duh!) and very nostalgic. It's like glass bottles of milk delivered to your door, only better because it's COKE, not milk. :) 

#3 The flowers are BEAUTIFUL and they are CHEAP. Which means fresh blooms in my room all the time with zero guilt. 

#4 No voicemail. Weird, isn't it? If someone doesn't answer their cell, you either keep calling, text, or let it go. At first I was worried, because heaven forbid I miss something important. But you know what, it's kind of nice. 

More revelations to come!

Thoughtful Jumble

I really want to write some profound post about my thoughts and emotions and experiences since coming here, but it feels like too great a task to put into words. Suffice it to say, it is good. The kind of good that only comes from God, the giver of all good things. It's exciting, it's challenging, it joyous, and it's fun. I wake up in the morning, and I feel simultaneously at home, and like I'm in a foreign world where everything is new and saturated with meaning. And that is a fun place to be. I have often wondered at how someone with duel parts adventurous spirit and also a longing to be at home and to be settled could possibly live in a state of satisfaction on both sides. And guess what? For the time being at least, I believe (I) have found it. (I being not me of course, since let's be honest I played a minimal/non-existent role in my own road to Kenya). Not surprisingly, my Lord knows me best, and crafted a role for me that would speak to my various layers of spirit. Don't get me wrong, I don't for a minute think the purpose of life is to feel a certain way, or that there is any real value in self-satisfaction. Life is not about me, nor is my role in God's kingdom about finding my perfect niche. I guess my point is that when we somehow, miraculously find ourselves in the midst of God's plan for our lives, instead of our own plan, we find a new level of satisfaction that has nothing to do with the outside elements. Yes, living a life of adventure and relative ease is enjoyable, and I'm loving every moment of it--but what I'm truly marveling at is the feeling of purpose and joy that I've found in the service of my King. It's the American dream to be your own boss, the king of your castle, the TOP of your self-propelling pyramid of being (what? just run with it). But oh the joy of living for someone greater than yourself, THE someone to be exact. Believe me, there is truly nothing sweeter than giving up all control to the giver of life itself.

That wasn't at all what I set out to write about, but it's what is on my mind, and what I'm thanking God for right this minute.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Creatures

In case you are worried that I'm living it up too comfortably here, based on my last post, don't worry too much. First, I found a lizard in my room. Right before I went to sleep. Lizards in the pantry, fine. Lizards in my room right before I lay my head down and stop paying attention for 8 hours? No. 

The next night, I caught sight of this beauty at bedtime. 

Yes, a Giant African Slugmonster. That's the official name. I think. Obviously I behaved like an adventurous adult who is capable of moving to another continent and can be entrusted with young minds...

(Yes, I know it's kind of blurry, and also that I'm speaking like an alien. I blame the adrenaline).

The NEXT night, I opened my bedside drawer and found it filled with ants. All over everything including my hair straightener. So I sprayed it with poison. And no, I didn't explode the next time I turned it on. But I thought it might happen. Worth it!

So now I have instated a strict Creature Check each night before bed. I'm not afraid, but I'm aware. :)

Now if only I could block out the sound of the ridiculous bird that makes this sound for HOURS. Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.

Seriously, I thought it was a machine, but it's a bird. Oh Africa, you are wild and I love you!

yes, please.

This weekend was wonderful. Perfect, really. Last weekend I was hazy, asleep on my feet, and on major overload. This weekend was effortless, one thing fading perfectly into another. Friday was a great day in and of itself. Kim and Emily were off on a safari (I'm waiting a bit...wasn't quite ready to take it all in during my first week and I want to make the most of when I do go to the Mara), so Amanda and I had a few girls spend the night after a VERY productive and encouraging work day. We also hit up my first African market experience where I took in my share of tribal masks, elephant and giraffe figures, beads, etc and tried my hand at market bargaining. It was a bit overwhelming, but a really cool experience--I have no doubt shopping for gifts this Christmas will be the easiest thing EVER). Saturday I slept in and then went to Westgate, a mall SO very like a mall in the States that it's ridiculous. I guess a mall is a mall...I bought a few last things on my list for my room Lexification project. It's almost ready for its debut party. Seriously. More on that later. Saturday afternoon I went putt putting with my new friends Nick, Jane, and Joe at the Village Market, which is our local open air shopping center. It really reminds me CA...like a Kenyan version of the Grove. Yeah, I'm not roughing it so much here people. :) They have a bowling alley, movie theater, putt putt, a mini water park, and tons of shops and restaurants. Sadly Jane and I lost to the boys by 3 tiny points, but at least yours truly scored (the only) hole-in-one. Yay. We had a blast and then went out for an AMAZING, delicious Ethiopian meal with Stephen, Jason and Andrew at Habesha. I knew I was going to love it from the moment they brought out our appetizer of popcorn. POPCORN. At a nice restaurant. Served with strong Ethiopian coffee. Oh yum. We then feasted on a few dishes I haven't yet mastered pronouncing, let alone spelling, all with our hands. It was SO good. Nick, Jane, and Joe stayed at the house (they live outside of the city and come in for the weekends) and we all went to church this morning and followed that up with lunch at Village Market. I'm now enjoying my first rain, which thankfully I just beat home from my workout...with an unplanned jog at the end to avoid getting drenched. Tonight is catching up with Kim, Emily and our weekend guest Michael to hear all about their safari, and perhaps a little Mad Men thrown in there somewhere. 

Last but not least, two delightful things: HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOEY!!! Can't believe my little Z-Boo is 4 years old today. She had a Princess party yesterday and loved every second of it. Also, welcome to the world sweet little Evie Claire Prusa--Robert and Anna had their second daughter this week. She's about 9 weeks early, so she and the Prusa's would love your prayers. Mama and baby are doing well though, and I can't wait to meet her one of these days. :) 

ps...sorry no pictures from the weekend. I keep forgetting my camera, will try harder this week. 

xo

I live here

Today, I lived here. 

I visited our office, and met some of our Blue Sky Adventure Staff. 

I learned some Swahili. 

I went grocery shopping. 

Not only do they have my light cheese wedges, all the ingredients for my favorite soup, AND Haribo Star Mix, my sister will be relieved to know they have plenty of this...

I bought a bedside lamp, and some shades for my hanging light bulbs in the ceiling. Yes, they are pink. And yes, I have photos lining my desk mirror. In the States this decorating would pass for dorm room passable. Here, it is downright chic. Trust me. 

Yes, I know this picture is out of focus. That's because I'm not quite ready to show off my room yet. Patience, people, I have more decorating to do. 

I even went to see a movie, in the yellow Defender, a beast of a vehicle that is truly a Kenyan experience. Let's just say, if they make me learn to drive this thing, I'll be singing "Jesus take the wheel" nonstop. At the top of my lungs. While crying for my Mommy...

Tuta Onana!

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your won doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."