NEWSLETTER: June 2019

10 Highlights for 10 Weeks - Part 2 Recently, I haven't communicated well. I shall assume that you offer continued forgiveness on this and for that I am grateful!! Life continues on here. The "10 for 10" line was supposed to highlight 10 things in my first 10 weeks in Uganda after returning at the end of January from a short sabbatical. I'm pretty sure an additional 10 weeks (plus more) has passed since the first part. Not to worry...I remember (most) of what I was going to wright for part 2 and all of what's in my brain is still applicable. Without further delay, let me get right into it.

6. News from the office  New job and new boss. That's right, a couple months back, I switched jobs. Surprise! I still work at the same place and serve the same amazing missionaries around central Africa as we seek to further the Kingdom. I was asked to consider and did accept the position of Office Manager. I realize this isn't the typical thing that comes to mind for someone serving overseas for mission work. There is much admin and background work that goes into the organization (and probably any company). Leaders have noticed my ability to see how different parts overlap and work together. In this new role, I try to keep they overlapping pieces working and interacting smoothly. It puts me in a position to see processes and put things in motion to make improvements where needed so that we can serve the missionaries in our region more efficiently which will in turn spread the Gospel.  The leader for our office and region has also changed or is changing. This has been a long anticipated and planned for change as the previous one and his family have needed to transition back to America. The new one will start on Monday after we've had an interim and unique transition time. Please pray for this ongoing transition in the office. I think some of us, myself include, are still processing the grief as one leaves and the anticipation as a new leader comes. Picture: My office complete with some pictures hanging above the computer and a lovely chair for visitors when someone comes to see me. Prayer Point: Please pray as my new role continues to develop and gain definition. Pray for clarity on how I should focus my tasks. Please pray as we continue this transition with our leader.  Pray that everyone would have grace for each other and that we would all of a learner's attitude as we move forward under new leadership for the office and region.

7. Two Great Weekends  At the time of starting "10 for 10" there were two fabulous weekends on the horizon. One of them was camping with two other ladies. Their husbands were gracious to take care of their kids and let the ladies get away. We stopped for an adventure at a ropes course on the way. It was incredible! We didn't know what to expect but it far exceeded anything we could imagine. The second weekend was a friend coming to visit from Kenya over a long weekend. We had met at meetings in September and have stayed in touch. It was so great to be together again as she will soon make the transition across the ocean. Picture: From the ropes course, here I am crossing the spider web section. It was sooo much fun! Prayer Point: Though it is weeks later, please join me in praise for the time with my friends. Looking through pictures of these adventure out of the city and time with friend(s) on the long weekend, I was reminded of how blessed I am that God has provided the exact friends I needed in different situations.

8. Doing Well  You may remember that I went to the states for about six weeks at the beginning of the year. In a nutshell, the last quarter of 2018 had worn me down and I needed a major reset. Thankfully, my leaders acted and suggested I get a break and some much needed rest. Since returning at the end of January, I am so thrilled to say that I have been doing well. Actually, just last week, a good friend was telling me that she can still tell that I doing really well. It is reassuring to know that is seen from others and not just my opinion. I'm still human and this is still life so there are times of homesickness and the typical bad day everyone gets from time to time. In all the greatness, I am sure that Waffles (my dog) plays a part in this. She's been a great addition to my life. Picture: Waffles and I just laying around enjoying life. Prayer Point: Please join me in thankfulness for this time in the states at the beginning of the year. Thankfulness that AIM has policies and procedures in place for such a time and need. (I've learned not every organization has this.) I'm ever thankful for all the logistics coming together of where to stay and how to get around. I'm thankful for the time that I had with a variety of people, each one that encouraged and helped in their own unique way. I give thanks that even months later, it is clear how wise that decision was and that the rest and encouragement received sustains me still.

9. Revolving Door  This is a recurring topic and will remain a hot topic as long as I live this life. The revolving door of friends continues to revolve. I often tell people that there's no way for any orientation to cover this aspect of expat life. There is something so unique about the bonds formed overseas and when those bonds get stretched over an ocean, much grief is had for all involved. The above picture is from my balcony. Somehow the light area, dark clouds, and obvious rain seemed fitting for such a situation with a variety of emotions. Light - thankful for the good, the memories with friends. Dark - the gut wrenching feeling as people transition away that builds as the time approaches. Rain - the messy feelings of everything all mixed together and yet one must keep going through it all. Prayer Point: Join me in praise and thankfulness that God provides amazing friends to provide the support needed while our paths overlap. Please pray for the undefined loss as our paths part and we both make adjustments. Pray for these friends that are settling into America after up to 10 years of service in Uganda. Pray for the new friendships to form and current ones to deepen as I mend the holes of support these friends provided to me.

10. Home Assignment is Coming  This picture is from a day a while back when I started dreaming a little about what my next time in the states would look like. At the time it was some months away. However, soon it will be just four months away. That's right! In early November I will be headed to the states for 6 months. AIM refers to this as "home assignment". Historically, some may have referred to this as furlough. The problem is that furlough gives an implication that rest may be sole focus of this time. Other high priorities include seeing many of you, sharing stories about this term (since 19 April 2017), and raising more support where needed. Now is the time to start thinking about if you want to spend some time with me or if you have a group that may be interested in hearing about my small part in AIM's efforts to spread the Gospel in Africa. Just a few days ago, I made some tentative plans with friends for December. I started looking at filling in the time before and after and it made me realize how blessed I am to have so many people to see and places to go. It does mean that you should speak soon so I can get you on the list as I put the calendar together. Prayer Point: Please pray that I would remain present in life here and still find the right times to start planning for my time in the states. Please begin praying for the big details like transportation and a place to stay. I am praying for a place that I can use as a "home base" of sorts instead of continually going from one to another like I did in 2017.  Well, I will consider you a little bit more caught up on the happenings. I'd love to hear of the happenings in your life as 2019 reaches the midway point. Top picture: from the camping trip with friends. A simple sunrise selfie at the Nile. Be Well and Love Much, Katherine

NEWSLETTER: April 2019

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10 Highlights for 10 Weeks - Part 1 Recently, I heard someone say that the reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once. This may or may not been heard on a show, though it also appears to be a quote from Albert Einstein. It seems that somehow 10 weeks have passed since I returned to Uganda after a short notice trip back to the states for some sabbatical time. In all that time and in the time before, so much has happened. I am so thankful all of it didn't happen at once. For the sake of a catchy line, I thought I would highlight 10 things. I will go back into the end of last year to help ensure you are caught up on the highlights.  1. Moved in November. Surprisingly, even some friends here are just now finding this out. I'm not sure how I managed to move in the middle of November and have it be not common knowledge. Since getting a vehicle almost a year ago, my life has had more opportunities. One of these means that it is no longer as necessary to live so close to the office. I had been wanting to get closer to church. With the ever evolving door of expats, my community of friends in the city has shifted too. The picture above is the front of the building that is now my home. I am in the half that is closest in this angle. There are two bedrooms and bathrooms up and the rest downstairs. I have loved being able to host weekly bible study group from church now that I am closer to those in my church community. Prayer Point: Though there have been many blessings, the change to living here has had some challenges. Please pray for wisdom and guidance in these.  2. Visitors and Waffles  At the end of November, I was blessed to go to a missionary retreat by Go Be Love. Possibly the best part of this was that my friends were not only leading the retreat but staying after to visit. Visiting doesn't truly describe all that they did. They encouraged me, served me, helped me, cared for me (I was sick while they were here), spoke wisdom into a difficult decision, and so much more. With them around, I laughed to tears and felt so loved. While they were here, I got a dog! Yep, I am a proud owner of a 4 year old Ugandan special (local mix breed). She was with another family and had been named Waffles. So Waffles she is. she often finds a way to be the center of things as she did in the above picture and was in the center (though under it too) of a card game. She's been fun and challenging. Prayer Point: Though it is months later, please join me in praise for the time with my friends. Even nearly 4 months later, I am still amazed that they would make the sacrifices they did so that they could be with me for so long.   3. Time in the states  Towards the end of my time with my friends, it was becoming clear that I was actually having quite a difficult time. Life had been a bit too crazy for too long and through all of that, I hadn't been doing anything to care for myself. I am blessed more than I deserve in the support of AIM and the leaders I have. They suggested I take a break and go to the states. With all the travel on both ends, it was an even six weeks from leaving Ugandan soil until I returned. The time in the states was so many things. It was so needed, so delightful, so challenging, so restful, so blissful, so surreal, and more. The challenging part was accepting that it was okay that I needed the break. Some of my time was spent at this lovely place and enjoying a tasty treat by the (electric) fireplace. I hope to go back at least once next time I'm in the states. Even today, I was in agreement with one of my leaders that it was good I went willing when I did. Otherwise, we both know I would have been told to go not too long after that. Prayer Point: Please join me in thankfulness for this time in the states. Thankfulness that AIM has policies and procedures in place for such a time and need. (I've learned not every organization has this.) I'm ever thankful for all the logistics coming together of where to stay and how to get around. I'm thankful for the time that I had with a variety of people, each one that encouraged and helped in their own unique way. 4. Church Family  Once I returned, I was delighted to get back to my church here. The first Sunday back, one of my good friends told me it looked like five years had been lifted from my shoulders. I'll never forget this. It speaks so much into the value of that time in the states. It also helps people all around (including myself) that there was such a noticeable difference. I recognize that there difficulties no matter where you live, but once out of your roots and known culture for an extended time, it is refreshing to be back even with the oddities of reverse culture shock. I am so thankful for the friendships that are deepening at church. I am thankful for friends that text me Sunday evening to make sure I'm ok after missing church one time. (I really just needed 24 consecutive hours at home.) This picture is from an even called Cell Fest. It is something the church has in March and is a time for fellowship and, of course, food. Cell group is the term of the weekly studies that happen around the city. What's the popular term in the states these days? I was so happy to be able to host everyone. It was a great time together all around. Clearly we ate well too! Prayer Point: Again join me in praise and thankfulness for the church home that I have here. I am so thankful for the friendships that have stemmed from being there. Please pray that our cell group would continue to thrive each Tuesday evening. Pray that we would be open and honest with each other, encourage each other, as well as challenge everyone.  5. You are mine, come back to me.  This picture is from the first morning I went back to the office in early February. This is nearly the same avoidance treatment that Waffles give me each morning. Don't be misled by the number of adorable dog photos on my phone, it has been a challenge with her. Since I left so quickly after bringing her home, it was understandably a bit of a challenge to earn her loyalty and trust back. So many times I've called her to me while she lays at the neighbor's door. She would leave me while I actively pet her to go run if she heard the door next door open. Through this annoying struggle, it had me thinking.....how often are we waiting by something that won't help us and God is calling us back. Our Saviour wants us to know we belong to Him. He is waiting with His arms open wide just as my door (and arms) are open wide for the dog to come and be loved. So many times I've told her, "I pay your bills, you belong time me." Have you found yourself being called back into belonging and closeness with our Lord while you are seeking fulfillment in an empty place? Prayer Point: Please pray that I would seek my deepest joy from our Lord. Pray that I would desire the closeness and make it my priority each day. Pray that I would know to whom I belong and have confidence in the things that don't have a stronghold over me. Well, I will consider you half way caught up on the highlights. As I wouldn't want you to have to read and process everything at the same time, I will wait and send the second half another day.  The second half includes a recurring topic, fun days, and news about how I spend my days. Be Well and Love Much, Katherine