This is Me

This is a collection of memories from my life that probably won't make a whole lot of sense to someone who wasn't living right there with me. It's just for fun so if your really bored, read on... I am not a poet, so it just is what it is.

Where I am From (Thanks Beth for this idea.)

I am from Red Bud Drive and Friday night sleepovers at Grandmothers, from playing tic tac toe and painting finger nails. I am from jungle camp, Mexico and High Plane Lane.

I am from 4 years of being absent and disconnected from my homeland to returning and loving the journey, only to repeat it all over again. I am from tears all of the way across the Atlantic Ocean to joys in the Indian Ocean, I am from "Good-Bye".

I am from retreats on a lake and an ocean, train rides through the plains ridden with wild creatures lurking in the darkness, waterholes that bellow in the night. I am from wondrous smells of the early morning, sipping on a cup of piping hot, sweet chai and listening to the calls of the wild. I am from buffalo chases and elephant warnings, giggling as we speed away.

I am from a faith deeply grafted into my soul. I am from a dad's early morning devotions and a mom's welcomed hug everyday, an acceptance that never fails. I am from affirmation and support, from unconditional love, from church buildings and evangelism at the park. I am from miracles and I am from faith, I am from a blessed place.

I am from Sunday night popcorn in asparagus soup, nights of Mexican pili-pili delicacies and game nights. I am from telephoning back in time to wish a Merry Christmas to family after I have already had one. I am from house girls who love and house boys that steal.

I am from matatus and "It's just over the hill,"to two hours later. I am from a people that are not concerned with time, a society that runs at it's own pace.

I am from mandazis and chapatis to casava and ugali, I am from Madaraka with maize roasting on a street side grill with chili pepper and lime, I am from angels and robbers.

I am from compounds and big iron gates, from guards that sleep to windows crashing in danger and phone wires cut. I am from a night of barking dogs that causes fear to rage. I am from fog horns that alert in the night and from a family running scared. A protected family.

I am from 2 organizations that meld into one at school, from kick the can to peppermint tea, sardines and camp outs to early morning carpool on bumpy, red dirt roads, from collecting hedge hogs and flipping off of the bars, mass choir and avocado trees. I am also from Swala dorm and roommates that sing and dance for fun, weekends with my parents who bring Chooze and Chevda, video nights and Caring Community, cold mornings and stoking the fire, fudge in the kitchen and community showers. I am from heart break and hawks that swoop for my lunch.

I am from a family who left behind a brother for the purpose of healing, a sadness that no words can describe, a mourning that lasted for a night, a joy that came in the morning. Reunited.

I come from the land of seasons that do not match my own. Rainy and dry seasons that sometimes are always dry, from flowers that never seem to die and from desert sands where hyenas laugh in the night.

I am from glass bottled, warm cokes to smelly sausage and bread that never lasts and milk from the mountains that is sweet to my tongue, from meat hanging in the sun, coated in flies with a sign that says "No spitting allowed." I am from blue dukas full of African treasures that beckon tourist.

I am from 3 colleges in 2 states, from studying with friends and launching pumpkins out of the window. I am from being thrown in the air to landing in the hospital. I am from the tragic loss of my best friend. I am from loving 3 children as if they were my own, to a heart breaking good-bye. Reconnected.

I am from a noisy home of laughter and whining, where the inhabitants are forever entwined in a circle of love. I am from cries in the night, cuddles and kisses with prayers for good dreams. I am from clean and messy, from excitement and deep sadness. I am from teaching my kids to read and write, to do math and know their history and science. I am from 4. I am from them.

I am from the love of a man. From one that cherishes and cares for me, one that I can never live without. WE are from whimsical plans, fun loving moments,dashed dreams, from difficult decisions to heartbreaking news. Our hearts are one.

I am from Dixie Land first, the equator second, the frozen forgotten third, the Ozarks next and then a state all it's own. East and West, North and South. They are all my home. I am the 'lady bug' always dreaming of the other side of the ocean.

This is me. 

The house I grew up in while in the States.
Red Bud Drive

Our first family pic in Kenya with our new dog Rocky.
SIL center that we lived and worked on for several years.

The fam ~ early 90's at my Grandma's house. Finally all back together!

My grandmother and grandaddy...I spent the night with them most Friday nights before we moved to Africa. We spent lots of hours playing tic tac toe and she let me paint her finger nails over and over.

Uganda- This is one of the churches that my dad has built. He did most of this church with one drill bit...another miracle story worth hearing!

Church we attended in Loitokitok, Tanzania

Mount Kilimanjaro, Loitokitok, Tanzania

One of the several goodbyes at the airport. This was after a visit to the States right before my junior year.Nicole, Chris, Ronald, Todd, Tammy Smith, Jennifer, Pastor Armand, Heather, Dennis and Kirk in the back and me in the front. ( I love you guys for coming to send me off!!!)

This was the first time we had to say goodbye to my parents after they were first time grandparents. I can remember that day so clearly...RIPPED. MY. HEART. OUT.

The Wollner bunch in our homeschooling room in the basement before it was updated. (I have to clarify because it is so ugly in this picture ;) ) It is so awesome to be their teacher!

Outside the blue dukas. Inside...tourist treasures!

There were rows of these little shops that were packed with their crafts and paintings. You could trade your hat, your shirt or your shoes. It was so fun! Sadly, I think these shops are no longer there.

If the ears are flapping, you better get a move on.

Hyenas. I didn't have a picture of the ones I was referring to, but here are some from Masai Mara.

Jadini Beach. We had retreats here.

Jadini Beach. The most beautiful beach I have ever seen.

This is the park we usually went to for evangelism.

This picture is only showing the No Spitting sign, but it doesn't show the beef that is sitting out in the sun on the other side of me and the chicken that is stacked on shelves out side.