Archive for November, 2008
Random Cheka Pic
Author: Dana
Say it with me. Awwww…
read comments (1)Christmas in Nairobi
Author: Dana
Thanksgiving Challenge
Author: Dana
Thanksgiving yesterday was WONDERFUL.
We had no electricity. We haven’t since last Sunday morning. (!) We’ve also been having water problems. Sometimes we have water and sometimes we don’t. For emergencies we have buckets of water sitting around the house. We also bought a few bottles of drinking water in case the water in our filter runs dry.
But despite all of that we pulled off a FULL Thanksgiving meal! With guests! Ten guests!
Here’s our menu: chicken (turkey is too expensive), sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, corn, gravy, dressing, deviled eggs, cranberry sauce, yeast rolls, gingerbread, and pumpkin pie. (Can you say carb-fest!?)
Yum! Can you believe that!?!? Jonathan cooked the chicken. Mama and I did everything else. It was so great. We had mama’s family and our gardener and his family over to eat. Because we have no refrigerator at the moment we had to eat all we could then send the rest home with our guests.
At first I thought it was such a shame that we couldn’t save any of the food but I have recently found out that people around here are struggling to find food and water because of the electricity/water problem. What a perfect time for Thanksgiving!
After dinner mama’s family blessed us with singing about God’s love. I tell you, I don’t mind having them over for meals more often if they’re going to sing for us every time! Wow! Then we sat down to make our gratitude garlands. I had cut leaves out of colored construction paper. Each person got a few of these leaves on which to write what they’re thankful for. We then punched holes in them and threaded a ribbon through to string each family’s leaves together so it could be hung in the home. Going around the room, each person had a chance to say what they are thankful for.
It was a great, great Thanksgiving. I feel so blessed.
The Small Things
Author: Dana
Sometimes it’s the small things in life that make it richer.
When we took Cheka to the vet last week a lady came up to the car with a bag of what I thought were cherry tomatoes. Therefore I ignored her until Jonathan turned around and said, “Do you want plums?” PLUMS!?!? YES!! What a find!
Lunch Break
Author: Dana
On the way to Kenya between Morogoro and Arusha we found a big shade tree to have lunch under. While we were there a few kids wandered up. They didn’t say anything. They just got close enough to see us and sat down in a huddle. We were there making ourselves sandwiches so we made them each a sandwich as well. We left them with some fruit, vegetables, and cold water.
These are beehives under that big shade tree. Mama almost didn’t get out of the car!
Nairobi
Author: Dana
Nairobi is definitely a city. Nairobi is definitely modern. Nairobi is definitely African. What a mix!
One minute you’re dodging people scurrying through a roadside vegetable market. The next minute you’re in gridlock traffic with skyscrapers towering over you. Once you’re out of that you slow again to dodge a man pulling a large cart of goods. At some points the buildings are clean and the roads are good. At others you’re surrounded by shacks built of scrap metal and wood, driving along bumpy dirt roads. Sometimes I would get relaxed feeling comfortable in a familiar city setting then something would catch my eye to remind me that I was still, in fact, in Africa.
Here are a few pictures all taken within the city of Nairobi.
Doggie Training Begins
Author: Dana
Okay so here’s the plan. Should I review with you how I feel about plans? Especially new plans? I didn’t think so…
We have a grand opportunity with Cheka to mold him from puppyhood to doghood. And hopefully not make the same mistakes we’ve made with dogs before him. (Because it’s not as important to never make mistakes but to learn from the ones you make.)
The plan is that Jonathan will let the dogs out in the morning then when I get up Asher and I will take them on a good long 30-60 minute walk feeding them afterwards. I will also spend a few minutes training Cheka in the morning and then around midday. His first lesson will be to “sit”. Once he gets that we’ll teach him to stay, come, and lay down.
When Jonathan comes home from work he’ll take the dogs on another walk followed by a short training session then the last feeding of the day. I like going on walks with Jonathan in the evening so I’ll do that when I can.
Jonathan has agreed to take the weekend doggie training so I can have a break from it.
And of course we have the whole housebreaking thing. He’s been outside a lot so far. We’re really going to have to step up the housebreaking when he’s inside more. We’re going to use the crate.
I’d love to think of a great ending to this post but Asher is “telling” me that he’s ready for bed…duty calls…
A Little Homesick
Author: Dana
I’m sitting here listening to “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and feeling very nostalgic.
Many things brought me to this place. First I accidentally called Cheka a “crazy poodle”. Oops. Then I went onto our website and saw the tribute to Theo. That made me tear up. Then I went to my blog and saw that it’s COLD in N.C. right now. So add to that Christmas music and you have the perfect recipe for homesickness. Especially when Thanksgiving is next week. No Fall colors. No family visits. And no turkey.
I realize this isn’t the end of the world so save your pep talks. People living far away from home have these moments and, honestly, they don’t come as often as you’d think. I’m happy and thankful for many, many things. My life overflows with blessings and purpose.
But for this moment I want to have myself a little cry remembering what life was like with a crazy little poodle, cold weather, and holidays in N.C. surrounded by those who love us.
We Have a Name
Author: Dana
The New Plan
Author: Dana
Don’t you just love that title? The. New. Plan. It’s THE new plan. The NEW plan. The new PLAN. Ahhh… That sounds good. Hmph. Where was I? Oh. The plan. Okay.
While we were in Nairobi I had this thought, “If I spent each month focusing on a different book of the Bible, how long would it take to get through the whole thing?” I did the math and realized I’d be finished just after I turn 40.
Wait. What was that? 40? Years old? I’m going to be 40? Okay. Anyway.
So that’s the new plan! One book of the Bible a month until I turn – um – right. I started with the Psalms for a couple reasons.
One. I want to be more worshipful. I want to be more honest with God. I want to see for myself what He can handle us telling Him… what He can handle ME telling Him. I want to pour my heart out to Him and just praise Him.
Two. And this is a very practical reason. Don’t you just love practicality? Ahhh… Hmph. Lost again. Oh right. I am in the middle of November so not a good time to start this new plan because I don’t have a whole month to focus on a book. Therefore, I’m starting now with Psalms going through December. If I read about 3 a day I’ll get through it in that amount of time.
I’ve only gone through the first 15 so far but I love it and I love my plan. My new plan. Yes. I’ll get over it…