Sunday, March 27, 2011
Weight Watchers
Now that I am home, I have to be really careful about what I eat. With all these options, I find myself with a lack of self control. I gave myself a free pass the ten days I was in Kenya and the first two weeks since I have been home. That was a mistake. I have gained 15 pounds!!! Yikes! I feel like I have gotten the big cravings (Weinersnitzel, chips and dip, skittles, Jack in the Box tacos, etc) out of my system and I hope I won't crave them like I did in the past. It helps that my stomach has gone nuts with the food changes. To help maintain the weight loss and lose the rest, I have joined Weight Watchers. I need the accountability and structured program to keep me on track. I am trying to avoid the furlough fifteen! Ooops, too late. :) It's not to late to turn things around though and that is what I am attempting to do. I will keep you posted!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Office
Are there any Office Fans who read my blog? One thing I missed while in Sudan was watching The Office with friends. Did anyone watch this week's episode? Michael proposed to Holly and announced they were moving to Colorado! It was so sweet and funny and made me cry. I loved this episode!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Beach
I made it to the beach today. Finally. I missed it so much. It was wonderful to sit there, read, reflect on life and pray.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Prayer Request from Tonj
Dear Prayer Chain,
Please pray for our medical staff. Yesterday they had a horrendous day in the medical clinic. Monday is our busiest day and in the midst of seeing patients, a fleet of cars arrived carrying emergency cases from a nearby road accident. A small minivan used for public transport and definitely overpacked with people, was driving too fast (on a dirt and bumpy road) when the tyre blew out and the vehicle rolled throwing passengers in every direction. Our small clinic only has two consultation rooms, a wound care room and an observation room. All were packed with victims of the crash and then came the crowd control of family, friends and onlookers. It was chaos, and challenging to know where to start as each patient was critical and one in particular called Apoul was vomiting blood. Dennis and Margaret worked on her for more than an hour before she passed away. Please pray for the family of Apoul, she leaves behind a small son. The whole scene was quite deflating and after the emergencies were cared for the staff continued seeing the day to day patients. The accident victims were cleaned up and some referred to Wau with suspected broken bones and one had bleeding from the ear. Please pray for them as our car was not available to take them and patients were talking about not going for further treatment (70 miles on public transport) and returning home.
This leads us to ask for prayer for our new ambulance, as you can see it is desperately needed. We have raised the funds and have the ambulance ready for shipping from Dubai. Unfortunately, with the referendum last January and a new government coming in July, we have found ourselves between two systems and when we applied for exemption, it was denied without giving a reason. We are a registered organization in South Sudan and as this ambulance is 100% for the use of the community we are entitled to exemption. Our last vehicle received exemption without any issue but without exemption we face paying 33% import duty on the ambulance, a whooping $20,000! The only option now is for me to go the the Ministry of Health in Kuajok, a 5 hour drive on a very bad road, get a recommendation letter and then drive to Juba, another 17 hour drive, and reapply. So I am asking our amazing prayer warriors to hold this in prayer and boldly ask for favor on the new application. Due to prior ministry commitments I can not leave for Kuajok until after April 4th.
"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
On behalf of our team here in Tonj,
Sabet Kuj
Missionary
In Deed and Truth Ministries
Please pray for our medical staff. Yesterday they had a horrendous day in the medical clinic. Monday is our busiest day and in the midst of seeing patients, a fleet of cars arrived carrying emergency cases from a nearby road accident. A small minivan used for public transport and definitely overpacked with people, was driving too fast (on a dirt and bumpy road) when the tyre blew out and the vehicle rolled throwing passengers in every direction. Our small clinic only has two consultation rooms, a wound care room and an observation room. All were packed with victims of the crash and then came the crowd control of family, friends and onlookers. It was chaos, and challenging to know where to start as each patient was critical and one in particular called Apoul was vomiting blood. Dennis and Margaret worked on her for more than an hour before she passed away. Please pray for the family of Apoul, she leaves behind a small son. The whole scene was quite deflating and after the emergencies were cared for the staff continued seeing the day to day patients. The accident victims were cleaned up and some referred to Wau with suspected broken bones and one had bleeding from the ear. Please pray for them as our car was not available to take them and patients were talking about not going for further treatment (70 miles on public transport) and returning home.
This leads us to ask for prayer for our new ambulance, as you can see it is desperately needed. We have raised the funds and have the ambulance ready for shipping from Dubai. Unfortunately, with the referendum last January and a new government coming in July, we have found ourselves between two systems and when we applied for exemption, it was denied without giving a reason. We are a registered organization in South Sudan and as this ambulance is 100% for the use of the community we are entitled to exemption. Our last vehicle received exemption without any issue but without exemption we face paying 33% import duty on the ambulance, a whooping $20,000! The only option now is for me to go the the Ministry of Health in Kuajok, a 5 hour drive on a very bad road, get a recommendation letter and then drive to Juba, another 17 hour drive, and reapply. So I am asking our amazing prayer warriors to hold this in prayer and boldly ask for favor on the new application. Due to prior ministry commitments I can not leave for Kuajok until after April 4th.
"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12
On behalf of our team here in Tonj,
Sabet Kuj
Missionary
In Deed and Truth Ministries
Monday, March 21, 2011
Ode to the Cheesecake Factory
There is a place I love
with food so yummy.
Tonight I left
with a big full tummy.
Chicken and cashews....
what combo is better?
Perhaps to the management
I should write a letter.
Good conversation
And lots of laughter
Vanilla bean cheesecake
soon followed after.
What is this place
so fun and sweet?
It's the Cheesecake Factory,
my favorite treat.
with food so yummy.
Tonight I left
with a big full tummy.
Chicken and cashews....
what combo is better?
Perhaps to the management
I should write a letter.
Good conversation
And lots of laughter
Vanilla bean cheesecake
soon followed after.
What is this place
so fun and sweet?
It's the Cheesecake Factory,
my favorite treat.
Driving
Someone asked me what I have enjoyed most so far and after thinking about it I decided it was driving (other than being with friends and family, of course). I really missed driving while I was gone. My car is not able to be driven at the moment so I have been blessed by people willing to loan me their cars. I must admit it's fun driving cars nicer than mine!
What I love about driving in the US is that people actually follow the traffic laws! In Nairobi there are very few traffic lights and it's everyone for themselves. There are laws, but I could never figure out who had the right of way. Plus matatu drivers are nuts and I don't think I could ever drive there.
Before I left, I could easily get annoyed at other drivers and often exceeded the speed limit. Now I am content to drive like a grandma and take my time. I must have absorbed some of the laid back, slower pace of life that I like in Kenya and Sudan. Even though traffic is nuts and people cut each other off, people don't get mad about it there.
What I love about driving in the US is that people actually follow the traffic laws! In Nairobi there are very few traffic lights and it's everyone for themselves. There are laws, but I could never figure out who had the right of way. Plus matatu drivers are nuts and I don't think I could ever drive there.
Before I left, I could easily get annoyed at other drivers and often exceeded the speed limit. Now I am content to drive like a grandma and take my time. I must have absorbed some of the laid back, slower pace of life that I like in Kenya and Sudan. Even though traffic is nuts and people cut each other off, people don't get mad about it there.
Uncle Randy
Sadly, a week before I came home, my Uncle Randy passed away after battling cancer. I thank the Lord I was able be home with family for his memorial open house held at my mom's place. Many people came by to pay their respects and share stories about him. It was wonderful to meet his friends and people from his work who knew him as Rudy. Uncle Randy was a cool, laid back dude who was beloved by many. He will be greatly missed.
(At Christmas a few years ago, clowning around with the family)
The Reunion I Have Been Waiting For
I love my family and friends, but I was really excited to see my cats too! I was worried they would forget me. I was relieved to discover they did not. Both seemed very happy to see me. I look forward to lots of snuggle time while I am home.
Welcome Home
I have been back in the US for one week and am enjoying being with friends and family again.
Our flight back to the US was very nice. We flew British Air from Nairobi to London (8 hours) and then London to Los Angeles (11 Hours). The seats were comfy and we had tons of movies to choose from. I was also very impressed with the food. Fortunately, I slept about five hours on each flight which made them go by quickly. At one point, I woke up disoriented. I didn't know what time it was or how long I slept and I blurted out “Did I miss the food?” Didn't want to miss that! In the London airport I had my first Starbucks in 16 ½ months. It was a tall Chai tea latte and was delicious! Once we got to LAX, I teared up when the Customs Officer said “welcome home.” I know they say that to everyone but it was very meaningful after being gone for so long.
Although we arrived during rush hour, miraculously, we didn't hit any traffic and made it to Carlsbad in two hours. There family and friends were waiting to greet us. It was a wonderful surprise. I finally met my 14 month old niece, Piper, for the first time. She is a cutie.
The next night, I surprised my 11 year old niece, Katryna, at her violin concert. She was shocked and didn't recognize me.
Since returning, it has been a whirlwind of nonstop activity. I am tired, but it has been worth it. I have missed everyone so much and have loved spending time with everyone. Sometimes it feels so surreal and it feels like I have never been gone.
I will try to keep my blog updated with my furlough experiences and describe what it's like coming back to the US after being gone for a while. Stay tuned!
Our flight back to the US was very nice. We flew British Air from Nairobi to London (8 hours) and then London to Los Angeles (11 Hours). The seats were comfy and we had tons of movies to choose from. I was also very impressed with the food. Fortunately, I slept about five hours on each flight which made them go by quickly. At one point, I woke up disoriented. I didn't know what time it was or how long I slept and I blurted out “Did I miss the food?” Didn't want to miss that! In the London airport I had my first Starbucks in 16 ½ months. It was a tall Chai tea latte and was delicious! Once we got to LAX, I teared up when the Customs Officer said “welcome home.” I know they say that to everyone but it was very meaningful after being gone for so long.
Although we arrived during rush hour, miraculously, we didn't hit any traffic and made it to Carlsbad in two hours. There family and friends were waiting to greet us. It was a wonderful surprise. I finally met my 14 month old niece, Piper, for the first time. She is a cutie.
The next night, I surprised my 11 year old niece, Katryna, at her violin concert. She was shocked and didn't recognize me.
Since returning, it has been a whirlwind of nonstop activity. I am tired, but it has been worth it. I have missed everyone so much and have loved spending time with everyone. Sometimes it feels so surreal and it feels like I have never been gone.
I will try to keep my blog updated with my furlough experiences and describe what it's like coming back to the US after being gone for a while. Stay tuned!
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