no real title for this weird one

So, I figure I should blog since it’s been about 10 days since my last posting. It’s hard because every time I think of blogging, all I can think to write are things that I think would bore you to read. We are now in the process of fine-tuning the Epoh project, figuring out meticulous calculations, processes, timelines…etc. Our days are consumed with running errands, meeting with people, paperwork, and decaling beads, and figuring out how to do our job. This is all stuff that I’m pretty sure would tempt you to start skimming my blog instead of losing yourself in it for the moment (huh, I think I just accidentally quoted Eminem right there).

I hope once we have some more fine-tuning in place, we will be able to have some more exciting encounters with the people here and maybe I’ll have more to tell you. However, I also have an expectation that our entire time here is indeed “fine-tuning,” which I’m afraid will render my blogging unexciting and weird.

Thank God for the hysterics that go on in this house that keep us falling in love with Betty, Sharon and Kimby. Today we were teaching Kimby how to dance. I managed to get a small bit of him on this video, but he didn’t dance as much when I was filming. But, you’ll see I did get some sweet footage of Betty and Sharon shakin’ it!

Randy and I are here with only one volunteer, Heather. Soon, very soon, the house will be full of volunteers and the dynamic will change drastically. We’re excited for that, but also enjoying the peacefulness of a somewhat empty house for now.

A lot of you know that I am a bit of what some may call a “clean-freak.” I’m not ashamed, but it can be a little time consuming to be a clean-freak. On my day off last Sunday, I spent hours going through things that had been in this house probably since Dave and Morgan got this house way back when. I threw out expired medications, lotions, vitamins; I organized all the DVD’s (which none of them were in their correct boxes…..hate that); organized the art supplies; organized the books, organized the misc. stuff and organized the bathrooms.

One of these days when the power goes out again, I’m going to completely face-lift the fridge and freezer b/c they are not looking pretty. The freezer is so overgrown with frost you can’t even put anything in it. Then, I also plan to go through all the kitchen cabinets and clean and organize. I aim to get these things done before the slew of volunteers come through. If you’re a clean-freak, then you know I will probably achieve my goal.

And finally, to end this completely random and scattered blog, I will tell you this:

My experience this year in Uganda is completely different than last year. I have responsibilities, goals, expectations, and people I am responsible for. My agenda this time around is to better things for LGH on the Africa side of things. My goal last year was to learn the culture, the people, the lifestyles, the climate, the joys, angers, sadness, hope and pain and of course, the dancing! I’m thankful I had last year to jump in with both feet having little to no responsibility, it has allowed me to feel grace to be alright with not fully doing that this time. I guess I just didn’t expect it to be so different (should’ve guessed it, but didn’t expect it). So, day by day we are getting things done and those moments of diving in the culture will become more frequent, I’m trusting they will and deeply hoping they will.

All that said, God has been sweet to work in to each day ways that make me LOVE, LOVE, LOVE being here. For instance, being on a pikki ride (motorcycle) at night, feeling the wind in my face, closing my eyes and completely trusting this complete stranger to safely take me to my destination; dancing (with or without others); Sharon's contagious laugh; Kimby calling his mother by her name, "beeeettty"; the Nile River; visiting women in their villages; free movie night at a local coffee shop; the glorious, and I mean glorious mornings on the front porch with the comfort of coffee; introducing Randy to everything and everyone I know here; Diane, the one who ones a shop on main street and helps me with the language here; and of course, the village children - so easily entertained they are, love 'em! I've quickly recognized my good fortune in being here and the experiences I'm having and have yet to enjoy are straight from the hand of God.

So, in future blogs, lets hope for your sake and mine that I am more coherent and fluid because not unlike this blog I've posted, I am all over the place and grasping for my senses. :)