Hi Family all over the World!
Im back home in South Africa and adjusting back to everyday life. America seems like a dream these days. Seems a bit crazy to think a couple weeks ago I was sitting in my parents house.
Since I am not much of a writer, get ready for lots of pictures!
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| This is Samson. He is huge! |
Being home is good. It is great time to see my family, catch up with my friends. But being home isn't perfect and struggles of being in America are real. In attempts to keep being very honest, Ill start with the hard parts and end on all the wonderful things I got to do and people I was able to see.
Remember that book “Kisses from Katie” that I talked about? Well I don't really know how to put into words the tough part of being home. so here is an except from her book. She puts her visit home to America in words that I cannot…
Confessions of a missionary:
“As I approached the Nashville airport to spend several weeks fund-raising there, I wasn't one of those people who exhaled. I realized that I didn't really feel I was going home; I was simply returning to the plan I’d been raised, going to visit my family and friends.
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| My Sister and I (Im the little one) |
Eating dinner at my parents’ table, sleeping in my old bed, and gabbing with my friends seemed almost surreal. I wanted to fit back into that place that I still loved and would forever call home, but it seemed impossible. Part of me was angry that the people around me seemed to take for granted even the simplest things, like having a meal or running water. Part of me expected at least some of my closest friends to understand what i had seen, but I found putting my experiences into words so difficult. Because sharing the realities of my new life was so hard to do, people around me found it hard to understand.
To my surprise, I discovered that I no longer fit in where i used to be so comfortable. I didn't live in this world anymore; I wasn't relieved or overjoyed to be in it again; and i wasn't comfortable there. A tiny part of me was SO happy to collapse into the hugs of my mom, dad and brother, but a bigger part felt so out of place. ….Most of the people around me expected me to feel relieved to be back. Understandably, many people I saw in my own hometown asked the same question: “Isn’t life hard in Uganda?” Of course it was hard, in certain ways, but they didn't seem to understand that what was even harder was being back in the States, away from my children. I felt my soul had been ripped away from my body, that my purpose had been stripped from my being. I hadn't realized what a transformation has taken place while I had been in Uganda, the spiritual richness I had experienced in material poverty and the spiritual poverty I felt now in the land of material wealth. Anyone could see that my life has been changed drastically with the addition of six children, but less perceptible and more powerful was the renovation that had taken place in the core of my being. Having been changed so much in my new home and then returning to my old one came with many tears, lots of stress, the loneliness of being misunderstood, and considerable disagreement and strain on my relationship with my parents, who were still hoping I would change my mind and come back to the States to attend college as I had promised them” (Kisses from Katie, By Katie Davis. Excerpt from pages 83, 84, 85.)
Such a real and honest portrayal of the internal struggle that happens living in two worlds. I relate so much to this, but one part in particular is the story of people seeing the practical change in my life but also the need of seeing the change in the core of who I am. Now that I could share some of the harder things about being home, here are the wonderful and great things about being in America!
I Left South Africa on September 28th and decided to take a small detour
on my way to California. My Aunt Jerri lives in New York and so we
arranged that we could explore New York City and then I could see where
she lives and work in upstate, like an hour past Albany. I have never
been to New York so i was super excited to see everything.
** If i ever gave you a hard time about a movie reference and America (example: Do people really talk like that, like in the movies?) I apologize. About the whole time i was in NY all i could say was "It's Like in the Movies!!"
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| The little Red Cottage is where my aunt lives! |
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| Central Park! All I could think about was the movies Elf and Enchanted.. |
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| Getting my New York Bagel |
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| Trevor Noah Representing SA! |
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| Times Square. Just waaay too many people for my liking.. |
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| My Beautiful Aunt Jerri and I |
When I finally arrived in California my Cousin Michael got married! It was fun to have my Mothers side of the family all together, even just for one night!
I was invited to speak at my high school! I got to speak to 5 different classes, in total about 200 students. Even though my high school experience was as close to miserable as you can imagine, it has been cool to watch God use me in a place I use to dread to be. I spoke about South Africa and my journey to being a full time volunteer and missionary, poverty, baby abandonment and adoption. I love getting to getting to share about something I am so passionate about and inspire other people.
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| Since taking a selfie in the middle of a presentation is considered unprofessional, this is all I have... haha |
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| My High School |
A very Sweet family, The McDaniel’s, have been so supportive over the last year and wanted to put together a dinner in my honor. It was a great night getting to share my life and all the babies. A lot of people came and managed to raise a good portion of my funds for this next year!
A huge Shout-out to the McDaniel's and everyone who came to support me, THANK YOU!
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| Sharing about what I love |
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| My Dad praying for me |
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| Saying good-bye to Clay and Anne-Marie McDaniel |
I got spent time with my dad, I was able to hang out with my mom at dialysis, have a weekend with my sister watching cheesey Christmas movies and had a fun date night with my brother. Visiting my (maternal) Grandmother is always so much fun, watching old movies and making dinner. My Best Friends are all married and starting families of their own now. It was great to catch up with them and talk about their new families. I saw people who didnt even know I was in South Africa and had great chats with many dear friends who have been so supportive since the beginning.
I think I was pleasantly surprised about all the support I received being home. The most shocking, was how many people actually read this blog. So many said to me "I just love following your blog". To be honest a lot of times I write this thinking my parents are the only ones actually reading these entries. So thank you to everyone who follows my journey and continues to remember me even though you only see my face once a year or maybe even never. And Thank you for praying for me as I am on this incredible journey.
Its Never too late, if would like to Financially Support me here in South Africa! I am still working Towards my Goal of being fully funded for 2016! If you would like to support me you can send checks to:
Valley Bible Church
7106 Johnson Drive
Pleasanton, Ca 94588
( Please do NOT write my name on the Memo Line but attach a note with my name on it. This way they know it is for me!)
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| Spend some great time with my (paternal) Grandparents! |
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| Date night with my Handsome Brother! |
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| We went to the Arcade! |
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| My mom would kill me if i posted a picture of her here, so here is her Dialysis Machine. So basically her life support 3 days a week lol |
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| My brothers dog follows the sun around the living room for his naps |
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| My fabulous, wonderful and Gorgeous Aunt Robin took me to a Sharks game! |
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| Ice Hockey is kinda the best sport.. just say'in |
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| Making German food and making my Grandmother proud! |
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| Hiking in my old neighborhood |
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| If anyone was wondering, This is the house I grew up in! Been a few years since our family has lived here but many good memories |
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| California beach! |
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| My best friend is having a baby! So excited to see this new little girl! |
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| Golden Gate Bridge! |
I told you lots of Pictures... haha
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| A rare family shot... L-->R Noah, Myself, Megan, Mom (Lynn) and Dad (Jeff) |
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| Keeping it Classy with my Sis |
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| Last California Sunset with my Dad |
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| Good-bye Dinner with my Family... Until Next time! |
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you,
and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
blessed are all those who wait for him.
Isaiah 30:18
On October 19th my Little Minnie Mouse was united with her forever family From Sweden. Well, Im not sure what else to say about it..... 
