NEWSLETTER: April 2017

A blurry time of opposites....

[It's ok if you need to skip to the end for the prayer requests.]

SO MUCH in so little time.

It truly does not seem feasible that at the beginning of this month I was pulling back into mom's driveway completing a 2,984 mi (4,802 km) road trip. It took me through 6 different states, created so many memories, and yet I was glad to finish it. 

Ten days ago I completed a 32 hour journey that started in Tennessee, USA and ended in Kampala, Uganda. With that I've officially embarked on another adventure in Africa. But the last month had quite a bit of adventure itself. 

Finishing a long road trip
Walks with friends
Making moments into memories
Last minute shopping for various things
Bonfire, grilled hamburgers, and s'mores 
Holding a sleeping, growing baby
Drinking last cup of favorite coffee 
Countless heart wrenching goodbyes
More driving to see those dear to me just one more time
Packing and packing and more packing
Airports and airplanes
Unpacking and settling
Joyful reunions with friends
Fun in the kitchen with friends

  

Left: Hours spent on the road to see so many.....totally worth it. 
Right: Trying to be present in the moment but wanting a quick snapshot to capture the memory.


 . 

Left: Last minute errands with a crazy schedule lead to a moment of walking into a store while eating a waffle. That's acceptable, right?
Right: Learning new recipes and delighting our tastebuds with kitchen adventures full of laughter and some fabulous food! 

Looking back through some pictures, I really felt the top picture depicts things so accurately right now.

It is a bit blurry, or maybe a lot blurry.

But there are glimpses of clarity. 

There are also brighter times as well as darker times. 

The painful, heart wrenching, tearful goodbyes are actually proof of the blessing of so many relationships filled with love, connection, and appreciation. 
There is bright excitement in getting back to work but I know it will come with difficult times to get caught up on everything and reach a point that I feel like I have a good grip on things. 
Blissful reunions with friends in Uganda mixed with other feelings as they have their own travels which will put long distances between us again. 

Some days being back has felt like I'm finally home. (Ironic since the last four months were called home assignment.) Yet other days there are culture differences that hit me like it is the first time I'm on the continent! Being here is so familiar yet there are subtle changes and I feel like I need to learn things that I knew with confidence last year. 

The month of April has provided a vast variety of experiences and emotions. Although, it may be only a drop in the bucket for what lies ahead as my journey in Africa continues/begins again. 

With a heart of mixed emotions, 
love for those near and far,
gratefulness for people and things,
anticipation for what is to come, 

Katherine


Prayer points - 

• that I give myself patience as I get back to work this week, that I don't try to do everything at once and I allow myself a little time to get caught up
• smooth transition from the "honeymoon" of being back into whatever phase is next
• Time management as I set boundaries for work, establish good rest habits, and build relationships with those around me
• New neighbor to be just the right person/family...whoever that may be (The Turkish family has left while I was away which is a little sad to be honest.)
• physical health - it would be so lovely to start off strong and especially start better than last time
• a teachable attitude
• abounding flexibility that is always needed during times of transition

Two less machines

I didn't do much of anything in the kitchen the last four months.

Sometimes I did try but often I was significantly encouraged to do something else.
Other times, I was busy.
And still other times, I was often traveling and the kitchen was the either a gas station or whatever snack I could reach in my box of snacks.

But when I was near a kitchen there were these fabulous machines that took care of things afterwards.

Those machines are no longer here.

Now I use the dishwasher that God gave us. I have one at the end of each arm. Washing dishes is one of my least favorite household tasks.
[Note: the sinks work fine. I was using the basin because I was trying to be resourceful with water that leaked from somewhere else. ]

One thing I did do the last four months was laundry. It it seemed to happen often. I remember one specific time that I was so thankful that a friend offered her machines to me within an hour of my arrival. Those clothes machines are also no longer here.

This is a bucket system that I found on youtube last year. A friend helped make it for me last year. I can just never quite get the right rhythm to get things clean like those can that have hand-washed clothes since they could walk. But this helps and in a weird way it is fun. Although, I don't have the right place for the spin cycle that is indicated in the video.

So, this is my life with a couple less machines. One small way that likely separates you and me. However, I'm still in a vast city with plenty of amenities including: electricity, internet, running water, restaurants, places to shop, etc.

Then and Now

The above picture was taken 21 April 2013. I had spent the last month in Rwanda and my roommate family came to pick me up at the airport. So many things about that month seemed so incredible. To begin with: How do you pack for a month? And at the end...what will it be like to return home after being in a different culture for a month.

This sweet girl grabbed my arm and said:
"ppssst, I love you"......."I just want to hold on to keep you safe."

It was a sure way to melt my heart as we drove home from the airport.

That was FOUR years ago. She is now 7 and we both had to figure out life while living with an ocean between us for two years.

Just last week, I said goodbye to her and her family again.
She has a younger brother now. He is a few months shy of being three years old.

That sweet boy saw me come and go many times during the four months I was in America. He was often sleeping or busy when I left but he sure celebrated when I came back, often announcing my arrival with all the might of his lungs....."KATHERINE'S HHOOOMMMEEEEE!!!!"

But last week when we said goodbye, he didn't really quite understand what was happening. He gave me a hug and said bye. But his sisters and his mom held on a little longer. After a little bit it seemed like he could tell this one was going to be different. He just kept holding on just like his sister did four years ago when I returned. Although, this time his sweet calm (possibly concerned) voice quietly said "I don't want you to go".

There's no picture to capture the moment and that might be a good thing. I suppose some moments are best to be captured only in our hearts.



Note: His mom intervened and provided the needed comfort for both him and myself so that I could walk away.

Fun fact: I still wear that fleece on international travel days.

A few points of interest:

This will be a quick one.

I am sorry that I haven't been writing anything. But I do have some ideas and pictures to cue stories when I find the time to write. I will also catch up on adding old newsletters to here.

Right now I'm on a countdown until the journey back across the ocean. In fact, sitting here with a friend I realized I'm exactly two weeks out from going to the airport. Two weeks!! So the lists are stacking up, plans are being made, and there's much to be done!

I want to make sure you know a few important things.

LAST CHANCES to see me!!
If we don't make specific other plans, then the last options to see me will be:

1. Clarksville, TN - Saturday, 8 April, 2-6pm*
you can email me for details
*presentation of pictures and stories at 3pm

2. Dyersburg, TN - Saturday, 15 April, 10-12am
you can also email me or my mom for details

Light snacks provided at both events. If you can rsvp, then great. But if you aren't sure then I'd love to be surprised by your presence.

ENCOURAGING ways to help!!
Gwen is organizing OBK - round 2. She sent out an email a while ago and I'm hoping you received it. Read here for more details.

PRACTICAL ways to help!!
I have made a short amazon wishlist for some items that I want to take back. I understand that this is being mentioned really late in the game. However, I'm thankful for things such has free two day shipping and the usual, buying things in a store. If you want the amazon link or want to know a thing or two that would be helpful, then just send me a quick message and I'll let you know what is left on my list.

MEMORABLE ways to help!!
As with last time, I want to take so many pictures back with me! I tried to be intentional about getting pictures with each of you as I traveled around and most of those will be printed. But I would also love you sent a picture of you (and your family) so I can add it to the album. It was so fun to look at it through the last two years. If we won't see each other, then you can also email me a picture and I'll print it on my own.