And so the journey begins

Saying goodbye to all you’ve ever known is not the easiest thing to do. Fortunately God has blessed Taylor and I with each other which has already been extremely beneficial in this entire thing.

I have so much to tell, because just in a few short days, so much has already happened.  I shall start with a funny story and then move on to some other things that have happened.

Let’s being with the time Taylor and I heard screaming on the plane. And not just any screaming, screaming of complete fear. Of course no one else on the plane was doing anything. So mine and Taylor’s teacher instincts kicked in and Taylor got up to figure out what was going on. Well, a little girl was stuck in the bathroom. I think what we found so funny is that the mom had just left her daughter in the bathroom alone and also the fact that no one else was doing anything. We were a good eight rows away from the bathroom too. We laughed about that for a while.

Taylor and I found ourselves a bit nervous on our last flight, but luckily neither of us had anyone sitting next to us, so we slept majority of the ten hour flight. We didn’t know who would be picking us up from the airport, or what we were even supposed to do upon arrival, which also made us nervous. By the grace of God, there was another missionary on the plane who had lived in Uganda for six years who helped us to the max. We are hoping to visit her someone during our stay here.

We had about an hour and a half drive from the airport to the family home and when we arrived we chatted for a bit and then fall asleep laughing about the journey, and falling asleep with tears in our eyes when everything started to sink in.

We were soon awoken by a rooster, dogs barking, and a singing man. So we decided it was time to get up, get dressed and head out to meet everyone. The kids were getting ready for school, but they all greeted us with warm hugs and, “hello aunties.” They kids call us Auntie Kelsey and Auntie Taylor. It’s quite sweet to be honest. I’m enjoying being an auntie. We observed what everyone was doing and made our way to the garage I think it is. The garage door was open and a little boy, two years old came running towards us. I thought he was going to run right passed me, but he ran straight to me and clung onto my legs for a good three minutes. That’s the moment I knew this is where I was supposed to be.

We were given some of the best tea we have ever tasted and then one of the girls showed us around outside. After, we talked to Mama Sara about what the plan was. We decided to take a boda-boda ride to the school to learn about the curriculum. After talking to the head-mistress, we went to the P-3 class and taught a math/art project which posed to be much more difficult than we thought it would be. Drawing ten petals on a flower was quite a chore apparently. The classrooms are less structured than those in America and they also move at a much slower pace. I can’t tell you how many times our students ran out of the classroom and would come back a bit later.

Once our boda-boda was back, at least eight students came running in to tell us our ride was there for us. We rode back to the family home, played hide-and-seek, and then found our way to our room where we took a good long, four hour nap. Much needed! We woke up to the kids singing in the living room and made our way out there. They were doing a bible study type thing. After we sat down for dinner which was rice, beans, pumpkin, and avocado. It was surprisingly good! A lot better than the porridge we tasted at the school earlier in the day. After dinner we helped some of the girls draw pictures for their sponsors while they secretly wrote us letters.

Here’s what one says: “Dear Auntie Kelsey, I love you. I hope you have good days here. I hope you like the colours on top. God loves and cares for you. You are so beautiful. How are you? My best colours are dandelion, scarlet, ruby and violet. My best animal is an elephant because it’s the biggest animal.”

Taylor and I were then given an “internet stick” if you will and we made our way back into the social media world for a short while and are trying to keep an eye on the lizard on our wall. I thought spiders were bad…I am absolutely terrified I am going to wake up with this lizard on me. The kids told us the white lizards are good lizards because they eat the mosquitoes. I still prefer it not to be in our room.

I have been challenged to a guitar battle on Saturday, and Taylor and I both have been challenge to a “football” match. We will see how that goes.

Anyhow, I am missing everyone back home…my family, friends, WOLFPACK, the RA staff, and all my residents. Although, I am definitely enjoying myself and am looking forward to the rest of the journey.

Speak to you soon!

You're Gonna Miss This

Today was a bittersweet day and instead of boring you with every detail, I will cut to the chase.

I came back to my room at midnight from being at a friends house, to find my countdown until Uganda changed to 194 days. It is actually only 19 days. Seeing this made me a bit sad if I'm completely honest.

Tonight I held my last floor meeting as an RA. These people have absolutely changed my life. I've found purpose here. I've found what I'm supposed to do in life. Seeing the number 194 written on my whiteboard made me wish for that to be the actual number.

And don't get me wrong, I am absolutely thrilled about Uganda. I literally cannot stop thinking about it I am so excited. I am excited that it's only 19 days away.

But seeing 194 and recalling  a few things that were said in my floor meeting made some song lyrics pop into my head.

You're gonna miss this
You're gonna want this back
You're gonna wish these days hadn't gone by so fast
These are some good times
So take a good look around
You may not know it now
But you're gonna miss this 

And it's these lyrics that made me regret every time I wanted to give up and quit the RA position. Because I already want every day back. I want to go back to the beginning, start over and live it again. I seriously wish the days had not gone by so fast. It seems as if I was just standing in the lobby welcoming the residents into their new home. And here I was tonight, having to start my goodbye process.

It makes me regret every time I spent playing my guitar instead of walking across the hall to say hello. Every time I wanted to sit on my computer alone, instead of opening my door to let people stop by.

But it's not about regretting things. God has blessed me greatly here and I am thankful for every bit I've encountered. I have dealt with some of the toughest things I've ever had to deal with, but I'm thankful for that. I've loved this, even through the difficult times.

A few months ago I was on a panel for people applying for the RA position and someone asked the question, "What do you wish you would have known before becoming an RA?" My answer was that I wouldn't have wanted to know anything more than I knew. Because if someone were to have told me that while I was an RA I would deal with: One of my residents dying, salsa being thrown on doors, my bulletin board being vandalized, posters being stolen, residents hiding, empty beer cans all over the place, some real rude people, and loss of a social life and any privacy, I never would have taken the position. I definitely would not have. No chance. But now that it's all said and done, I am where I desire to be in life, and I am thankful for everything I have had to deal with.

And I know I am going to miss this and want this back, but I am going to embrace these last few weeks of being an RA and college student. I am going to leave my door open, walk across the hall, and embrace every moment.

And I will probably cry like a baby when I have to say goodbye, but I am going to cry because it was good. I'm gonna take a good look around and take that key and open the door to the next room of my life. I am going to step on a plane and make a little journey to a new place. I am going to meet new people who I will fall in love with and will miss just as much when I am forced to say goodbye to them.

But it will be okay, because fortunately I serve a God who loves me more than I could ever imagine love to be. And this God of mine is going to take me by the hand through it all and everything is going to be okay.

So here is to these last 19 days in America, and to my new journey soon to begin.

Praying for full support in the next 22 days.
Still about $600 off.

Chacos!

I splurged and bought some Chacos for Uganda.

One of my friends is currently living in Kampala, Uganda and she has spoken of the fact that her sandals wear are quite quickly. 

Hearing this from her, I decided that I would search for a good sturdy pair of sandals.

I had heard good things about Chacos so I thought I would do some research.

They ended up seeming to be a good fit for the wear and tear of Africa.

So I journeyed out to REI and tried a few different types on.

I really liked the look of a brown pair in a new style.
Although with them all the way tightened they were still loose.

The lady helping me also said she believed the old model would more likely stand the test of time.

So I went to try those on and they were a perfect fit.
The only color options were bright blue and black though.
I really liked the brown of the newer model and although I like the color blue, did not want that.

So I went with the all back ones.

I have worn them a bit and they are definitely a bit different and will take some time to get used to. But they definitely are very nice sandals and provide a lot of support.

So I think these were a good choice. 

Hopefully they are are worth the cost!

I don't really have any other updates...still need to get my Yellow Fever immunization.

I will be selling something to help raise money for Uganda...so keep your eyes open for information about that coming soon!

Prayer Requests: That I will get on this Yellow Fever thing, that the rest of my funding will be provided, and for my heart as the days run at 38 until I leave. So soon!

Eeek! God bless!

Changes and Purchases

I have finally sent Loving One by One money for my air tickets and they should be receiving it tomorrow. Once they receive it, my air tickets will be purchased. I just want to say thank you to everyone who has supported me financially, because without you, none of this would be possible.

Also, some changes are being made with what I will be doing in Uganda, so I thought it would be appropriate for me to let you in on those changes.

When Taylor and I arrive in Uganda we will share a room and bathroom in the current children's home. A few weeks after we arrive we will be moving along with all the children and teachers into the NEW children's home, where we will again share a room and bathroom.

With this move, we will be moving much further away from the New Creation Center where we were originally going to be teaching. Unfortunately, transportation is one of the most expensive things in Uganda and with this, it would be difficult, money wise, for Taylor and I to travel to the school to teach 2nd grade each day.

God has opened some new doors and we have each been offered a position as a home school teachers for the five 6th graders who live in the children's home. With this position, we would not have to pay to be transported to school each day and would be able to teach right in the children's home.

A school will be built next to the new children's home in the future, but for now, there is only the children's center which is not even complete yet. It will be in process of completion as Taylor and I arrive in Uganda.

I have already accepted the position to serve as a 6th grade teacher in the children's home! I am not sure what Taylor's decision is, so we shall see.

Anyhow, just wanted to keep you updated!

I am going to get my Yellow Fever immunization soon...need to get on that.

A lot of people have been asking me about "Africa" recently. Most of the time they seem to ask, "Are you excited for Africa?" And of course, I always respond with, "Yes, I am!" But then I lead on to talk about how I am also nervous about coming back to Sacramento after being in Africa. Why am I worried? Well, because when I come back I will no longer be in college, no longer in the RA position, and will not yet have a job. My life is extremely busy right now, and I am sure it will remain the same while in Uganda.But then I'll come back to California and be living  life of complete nothingness for a while. And then there is just the adjustment of no longer being in Uganda. Not seeing Taylor every single day, not seeing my students, or the people I live with. Life will be different and I don't know if I'm going to like that.

As I was talking to a friend today, she said, "You know, God opens doors at the right time, so I wouldn't be worried about coming back." She also talked about how she thinks it will be good for me to have some time to adjust back to the Californian culture. And I think she is right.

I am sure I am going to miss being in college, living on campus, being in the RA position, and everything about Uganda when I return, but I have to remember that God has a plan. A plan that leads me right where He desires for me to be. And if that's back in Sacramento, then that's right where I need to be.

I was blessed to receive my tax return yesterday. For the past three years I have never received any money on a tax return. I've always had to pay loads because if a stipend I was receiving. With this tax return, I am going to go purchase some supplies for Uganda. Some nice sandals since they seem to wear out quickly there (my friend Lisa who is living there posted on her blog about this). I am also going to get some baby wipes for Taylor and I, as well as try and find some cheap skirts since everything must be to my knees and it's rather hot there.

It is averaging 80 degrees there during the day, and it's only March! Eeek, can you imagine what it will be like in the summer?! We are going to return with some killer ugly tan lines. I'm sure of it.

Funding update: $2,385
Other update: I need to get my Yellow Fever immunization still. Blek. I also need to send my money to Sherry so we can purchase my plane ticket. I am going to do that next week.

Keep on Kicking Butt

I am quite thankful for people like Caycee.

I adore that she knows the book that started this journey of mine and the fact that she takes the time and care to pray for me. I know Caycee from 512, the college group I've attended. Over the summer 512 had a camping trip and I had the privileged of sharing a tent with Caycee and two of our other friends, Sam and Austin. All three of the girls have been people who have encouraged me, welcomed me, and have made me feel cared about. And it means the absolute world to me, and has made such a difference in my life. 

Anyhow...

I have recently been getting a bit discouraged as well as overwhelmed with everything in regards to Uganda. All the funding I have left to raise, immunizations, and just the thought of leaving university and off to a new country has been weighing on my mind quite heavily. I am beyond excited for Uganda, but it has been stressing me out recently. 

It was this text message from Caycee that reminded me of what I am doing, who I am doing it for, and where my mind should be. 

The prayers and support from everyone mean so much to me and  they are what keep me going in this sometimes treacherous journey. 

So for now, I am going to point my eyes to where they need to be and "keep on kicking butt."