the haps in photo form...

Sorry it's been awhile. My computer died and will have to take a "vacation" back to America so I'm bumming off other people around for posting and email. I've had some fun experiences this month so here are a few pics (ya'll seem to enjoy those)...

That's me and my good buddy (^) on a mountain! A group of us took a drive up to the top of one of the tallest mountains in my area. It's been getting a comfortable cool at night in the city and it was COLD up there. I bet this attire wasn't what you expected to see me wearing here!! This picture would be more funny if you could see our entire outfits. I have on a long shirtdress that's knee length, cords, tennis shoes and my denim jacket cutting in the middle of all that. My friend has on a floor length black robe w/ her hoodie. Stylish -eh?

S'MORES! Yup, we had mellows from the states, the skinniest balcony on earth and a little grill. No graham crackers, but we made do with tea biscuits.

A group of us (^) went to eat dinner at hotel for the break fast meal at sunset one night. It was delicious. To be honest, I really just posted this to show that sometimes I wear normal, matching, what I've come to consider "cute" clothing =^) If no one else, I know my 'trainwreck' kids will appreciate how much that means to me.

This is another fashionable moment captured at our roof top fish fry last week, and your introduction to my NEW roomie, M. Yup, that makes 5 of us now. She's wonderful and has already taught me tons about the South and cows. I used to only have one ranching anecdote (involving the breeding of miniature cows) in my repertoire. Now I have a few!

This is the first break fast meal I shared at a friend's house. The food is delicious here, and this month has been full of new things that only appear during holiday.

I hope you all are well. Know that I love you and I miss you. Please let me know how you are doing and what's going on back home. I'd love to know! Hopefully soon there will a post about what I've been learning this week. I've almost got it all articulated.

Rainbows

The first picture is from FL - my mom saw it the day my Grandpa died. The second I took yesterday, the day of his memorial service, outside my window in qville.

“And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of the flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth. And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud, and I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth.” Genesis 9:11-17

Yesterday we had a major thunderstorm. It was glorious. My roommate and I went out to do some errands when the rain had let up a little (so we thought). When we were wrapping things up at the market the heavens broke loose again and we ended up being soaked. Respectable women don’t run in the street, but once we were ‘round the corner to our small street I ran and twirled in my balto and flip flops and of course stuck my tongue out to feel the drops landing in my mouth. Once inside our gate and completely out of public view, I splashed in the huge puddles we have to wade through to get to our front door. After we were inside I looked out our living room window at the beautiful mountains only to discover a rainbow - a full arch all the way across the sky. Beautiful.

Rainbows are pretty incredible in that they appear with the rain. Noah didn’t need a rainbow on a sunny day to remind him that God is faithful to keep his promise not to destroy everything with a flood. But you better believe when it started pouring Noah took comfort in that bow across the clouds! It was a pretty amazing reminder to me that He provides the grace and reassurance where and when I need it. Yesterday was pretty rough not being home as my family gathered together and I was here feeling very far away. The gift of a gorgeous FL summeresque thunderstorm to play in for a few minutes and a rainbow too was a wonderful reminder of the joy to be found in the midst of trial and His faithfulness. I know that He is the lifter of my head and the God of endurance and encouragement.

Also, right before these verses and in only the 9th chapter of Genesis you already see the importance of blood being required to compensate for death. So from Adam and Eve being covered with the skin of an animal that God kills to cover their shame to this story to the whole sacrifice system and so many other places we see the plan for Jesus being revealed. Wow – what significance a rainbow has now – an ETERNAL covenant, and back to Jeremiah 33 we go. And if my OT scholars have any say I’m sure there will be more when they teach me about rainbows, clouds, rain and Noah.

garments of praise

"Put on the garments of praise

For the spirit of heaviness
Let the oil of gladness flow down
From Your throne
Put on the garments of praise
For the spirit of heaviness
Your joy is my strength alone
My strength alone"

This has become a pretty important concept in all I've been learning about being relentless. On the day when all I think I want is to sit with my fam in the states I am here and amazingly enough I have joy (being able to consider it pure joy, as it were - my mom's been teaching about that a lot these days). It's not easy to be far away and tears are involved, but He's good and providing for us. So in the midst of it all I must give thanks for I am redeemed (Rev. 21:6), and He is establishing His kingdom and creating in us a hope for that.

Plus, just check out the amazing beauty of His creation. This is a red geranium, how nice!

Break Fast!

Fast breakin' time with traditional dates and fried food and the not so traditional lemonade and ice cream!

TOP 10 DAR ES SALAAM!

So this past week I’ve been in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to visit a good friend and I thought I’d give you my “Top Ten Reasons to Visit Dar” complete with pictures. Then my plane got delayed a few days so I’m still here and thought I’d add another number for the extra days:

11. English Magazines (All the best – Time, The Economist, GQ…you can probably guess which two I bought).

10. On the Road Stuff: awesome billboards, driving on the “wrong” side of the street and ghetto rigged radio (you have to set these things up if your stereo gets stolen).

9. Two words: Dr. Pepper. It just makes the world taste better. (So do A&W rootbeer and crunchy Cheetos!)

8. Bungalows and the Beach. These are at Kipepeo Beach where Mar and I spent one night on the beach. The place is pretty much complete with restaurant/bar, rooms, the beach and the Indian Ocean. You know a girl from FL has to have the beach on her Top 10!

7. Pedicures. Yeah, we get gross feet in Queensland and having someone else scrub ‘em off, rub ‘em and paint my toenails a pretty pink was amazing.

6. Mama P’s Gingersnaps. That’s right - my mommie’s package of cookies for Marissa arrived while I was in Dar so I got to enjoy them too!!! They are delicious, and you should request your own box sometime or at least ask for the recipe.

5. Restaurants: seafood, Indian, Chinese, Lebanese, American, Tanzanian…mmmmmm.

4. Short sleeves and no bandanas - all day everyday inside and outside.

3. Green grass and awesome students at University of Dar es Salaam. I got to meet lots of the girls Marissa works with and we had some beautiful bonding time on the grass hanging out under the trees. That is something I really miss from UF so it was just like hanging out at home. I also went to their on campus Sunday service which pretty much rocked it just like GCL (my college church). I felt like I was at home for a couple hours there.

2. Marissa! Yes, the best thing about visiting Dar is my friend Marissa. We basically spent the whole week encouraging each other and getting to work out some of our experiences from the last few months. She took me in and created safe space for me to vent, cry, laugh, joke around and just chill with her for a week. It was refreshing to have such a close friend sing my song back to me when I had forgotten some parts. I am thankful for this week and for everyone who lifted it up.

1. Flying regional airlines that cancel/delay and getting bonus days with Marissa!

*for more pictures you can check out Marissa’s blog. It should be up soon. Also, there will soon be a facebook album!

CONGRATS PAM AND JON!!!!

To two of my favorite people in the world...CONGRATS on your engagement. I so wish I could be there to celebrate with you and the rest of the GCLers. Can't wait to hear the whole story.

May God be gracious to you and bless you and make His face shine upon you, that His way may be known on the earth, His saving power among all nations.
(from Ps 67)

from my living room window!

I lift my eyes up to the mountains; where does my help come from? My help comes from You, Maker of heaven, Creator of the earth...

toga, go greek...

This is roomie A and I. We bought fabric today to take the tailor (getting things made here is super cheap). Just before the prewashing prep we decided to make like togas. Yes - those are grapes and my cup's empty! Just didn't want anyone to think I'd suddenly become overly serious since moving =^)

ps jmay, know this is partially for your benefit -go greek... but really - a shout out to jmay from TN - CONGRATS on your greek class placement for grad school this fall!

to all you UF kids - I hope rush week is funny as always.

Grand Canyon Sunrise

I just finished reading Through Painted Deserts by Donald Miller and a good chunk of the book reminded me of when my family went to the Grand Canyon four years ago. My sister and I walked down a little bit on the Blue Angel Trail to watch the sunrise. It was amazing - something I'll never forget.

The one true sign of discipleship is intimate oneness with Him – a knowledge of Jesus that nothing can shake. –Oswald Chambers, from My Utmost for His Highest, August 16

He knows us by name. That’s where Chambers starts and he ends with this statement. Living here has convinced me that “a knowledge of Jesus that nothing can shake” is worth the process of sanctification. For a long time I thought I was in the middle of refinement, but today I realized all of the sudden that it is quite possible this was all just a time of preparation for the real business of sanctifying. It’s like He’s always saying – you weren’t as far as you thought, the cost you’ve paid is the beginning. There is more. Maybe it’s time to be willing no matter the cost – even those things I have held so closely. I had a thought last night that for some reason there are hopes and disappointments I choose to keep close and could very well be getting in the way. “A crushed spirit who can bear?” That’s one of my favorite proverbs. In any case, I’m not really sure where all this is going besides to say suddenly everything that seemed a deep refinement is really just like peering over the Grand Canyon, but when you look at a map or fly over in a plane or even hike it you know there are canyons upon canyons and peering over the edge or walking a couple switchbacks on the Bright Angel may seem deep, but the more you learn, the more there is. So I realize today we’ve just walked a couple switchbacks. There is much more to do. I wonder what will I find on the rest of the way down and do we have to hike back up another unfamiliar way? Maybe. But so far He has provided whatever I need at every step. He has not been slow to reassure that He indeed loves me and is pursuing me with His redeeming love. A certain feeling comes over me at times like this – a heaviness of heart, but also a knowledge that my sin and His grace has brought me here. I am already a new creation and forgiven. I am also being more equipped to fulfill my purpose for existence. I can’t wait to see the sunrise from inside the Grand Canyon again. This metaphorical one and the real one. I may have to preempt a trip my dad promised me if I ever get a doctorate and just go with a friend when I get back to America. I'd love to see those painted deserts and the Pacific coast again. Daydreams for now, but it’s part of a longing for real home that can only be fulfilled one day far, far away. Such big places are the closest thing to His majesty I so long to lay my eyes on. He has given us expressions of Himself. Amazingly enough a trip to the canyon doesn’t provide a glimmer of what my community shows me about Him. We are, after all, created in His image. So for now, my mirror and my friends will suffice to be my Grand Canyon sunrise. Maybe one day I’ll have both. In all this, I’ve been learning the significance of walking closely with Him. I love how Chambers puts it and it’s my desire for you. Look around at the believers in your life and see Him there, see Him in the sunrise, and settle down long enough each day just to gaze on some reflection of His beauty. It’s worth it.

My adventure to the capitol!

I went to the capitol this weekend (about 6 hours away from me), and I think the story will give you a pretty good view of how life often goes here. It's a little longer than normal, but all you Schadenfreude fans get ready:

Wednesday
A pleasant trip with roomie A and a few guys from our city to pick up new teammates. We drove through the mountains, our van full of musical flashbacks to better years (at least for music, can you ever call jr. high 'better?'). When we got to the capitol we hit bad traffic because the city floods horribly. There were stalled out cars everywhere. It was reminiscent of FL hurricane season. We finally found open roads after driving in a big circle. Then we ate Pizza Hut and arrived at the house of good friend and teammate, B, where A and I crashed for a couple hours, hung out w/ B and slept. She will be featured again in later segments of the story so I've included a picture here:

*A quick shout out for B: she nursed me to health, played hostess twice as long as expected, navigated me through the capitol via cell phone at 6:30 am, introduced me to people I might be able to find a project through to work on and owns 10 seasons of 'Friends'...she's pretty much awesome. And her house has lots of tea and coffee! =^)

Thursday
I wake up sick as all get out (stomach issues, vomiting, ickiness galore!) so we spent the day in watching Pride and Prejudice (new version) and Friends. At this point I was beginning to contemplate a longer stay in the capitol. Many people here do medical work, but A, B and I happen to be three of the least medical people here so we called around since we're clueless. We were finding it humorous we would be stuck together when someone got sick...
Friday
Thought it better not to travel through the mountains for 6 hours sick (and the van was full) so thought I'd wait until Saturday to travel back with roomie A and her team's new folks who flew in this week. Luckily I was up to an outing so B and I went to the grocery store to pick up a couple things they can get here, but we can't get in my city. On our way down the stairs in the store B fell on some stairs, broke her pinky, popped it back into place and passed out from being so disgusted. I caught her head, and along with some help from women around she only slid down a couple more steps. Again, being totally non-medical and not knowing this city at all I'm thinking crazy things like: "What hospital would I take her to? Would she just be worse off for it if I took her? How long does a passed out person stay out of it before you begin to worry? Is there a DOCTOR in the house?" Luckily, she woke up after just 10 or 15 seconds. We sat there for awhile on the steps (totally inappropriate thing for women to be doing) and many people asked me if she was okay as they walked by staring. One woman even asked me, "Is she just tired?" Yeah. I decided to steal the line anyway. I purchased the groceries and by this time B was able to walk to a taxi and home we went. We (again, not medical) figured ice would be good and got that confirmed by a nurse too. At least I got some language practice telling everyone my friend sitting here with her head between her legs and me holding cold water on her neck was "just tired."

Saturday
Well, the van with roomie A left at 10, but I want to attend a political forum until 12 so looked like I would take the bus for me Sunday morning (Saturday afternoon was already full) which means I could still meet most of my obligations back home. I got to meet a few of B's connections (my main reason for coming was to scout out potential jobs), and enjoyed another extra day in the capitol. Then I went to an English conversation group at an institute and on to dinner. I got to eat sheesh tawook and falafel on this day. Yum! There is much more food variety here than in my city.

Sunday
I went to catch my bus this morning at the normally scheduled 30 minutes before departure.



*This isn't really my bus, I just thought you might want another picture. It's semi-authentic in that it's from here! Pay no mind to that funny writing (it's some other tourist's picture off the internet. I promise I do NOT know how to write like that).

I got out of my taxi and asked anyone who wasn't busy which bus goes to my city. After a couple minutes I thought I was on the right track. Nope! A group of young guys went running after a bus and the driver motioned closed and drove off! There went my bus home. I went to the other bus station (after having B talk to my driver on my mobile phone to figure out where it was), and they were all full too for morning and afternoon. I got back to B's house in one piece. My plan then was to stay until Monday and ride back with some people going to a city about 2 hours away and then riding a public transportation car to my city. However, B went out to run an errand this morning and learned that a South African couple we know was coming to our city today from the capitol so I hitched a ride with them and after three days of delays made it home! Ironically enough, I was reading Donald Miller's Through the Desert the last few days and the whole theme of flexibility and not being tied to a schedule seemed utterly appropriate. But it's great because we all live here so no one was offended when I had to call and cancel things because we all know it's how it goes.

This is the new life!

These are from my language lesson a few days ago. My helper and I made "mashee" - stuffed zucchini, potatoes and bell peppers. We stuffed them with ground beef, onion, tomato and SPICES galore. This is in my kitchen, and while we don't usually sit on the floor that's very typical here as kitchens are usually small and without much counter space. We peeled the veggies over the dust pan, crushed the spices in our mortar and pestle and stuffed the veggies on the floor. If anyone wants this recipe or the typical bean dish eaten for breakfast let me know and I'll email ya! It was yummmmmy!

Beach

My roomie K and I went to the beach this weekend and it was a marvelous get away. Food first - the pictures above are from a chinese restaurant and Pizza Hut. Can you imagine? So delicious! We stayed at a hotel one night that had a beach side pool and also beach access. We did get to eat out at the hotel restaurant without long sleeves or a bandana! This weekend I got to read a marvelous book, Redeeming Love, based on the book of Hosea set in 1850s California. I was yet again reminded of His constant love and acceptance of me. He indeed has taught me to love, trust and live. I felt my heart melting yet again, yet at the same time feeling sorrow at the stark realization of His pain at my rebellion and the price to redeem me. What rejoicing at His everlasting covenant with us has marked the last few days! It was a refreshing time physically and for my heart.

PS The green tea picture above from the restaurant is for those of you who have been asking about my hair length...=^)

look mommie look!

Any of you who have spent much time with my family know cookies-on-a-stick. The first package I received here was a "cookie kit" from my mommie! My roomie K and I are going on a little vacation to the beach this weekend, so true to P. fam style I made cookies for the road trip! These are the first batch I've ever made by myself and they came out true to form (thanks mom for recipe, bags, chocolate chips, twist ties and baggies!). The only major difference was the crushing of the milk chocolate bars pictured above. Most crushing/chopping in the states doesn't happen with these tools, but here we use this almost daily for spices etc.


Our upstairs neighbors often send down plates of food for us, and we return them piled with goodies per custom here. Yesterday they sent us french fries, and today I returned the plate full of fries at lunch. I also sent up some cookies from the baking adventure. Late afternoon they sent down this cute little set up of tea for two to roomie K and I. It included a tray, two glasses, and a thermos full of yummy tea, and "cornbread." Hospitality at a new level!

FISH!

These are pics from one of my favorite places here. It's on the roof of a building in the fish market. You buy fish and bring it here -they fry it up in amazing seasonings and serve it with bread, french fries, veggies and dipping sauce on newspaper- yummy! (The large round bread is torn and used as your utensil to eat up!)

Happy S.A. Fest!

Hey Family!! Just wanted to post a quick note to let you know I'm thinking of you today as you 'reunion' in Michigan. Hope everyone has a great time, and I love you all!

HAPPY S.A. FEST!

new bling

These are baltos - we are commonly found in these long, black robes w/ colorful scarves and bandanas. Today I went to the market and bought a new one. My definition of "bling" has changed a bit in the last month! Below are pics of the ends of the sleeves on my new balto!



On a not so light note, I have been hearing sad news from the place that was my catalyst in getting to where I am now, and I am sad for my friends there. They've been through a lot the last couple years. Please ask that He will use this for good. For all of you who shared those times with me please know that I am lifting up you, our friends still there and our beloved city.

Mountain Lunch

A bunch of us went up on the big mountain for lunch at an outdoor restaurant and it was YUMMY! We ate for 2 bucks a pop and left quite satisfied and having enjoyed a gorgeous view. My roomie, A, and I in the middle pic probably enjoyed the bread a bit much! Considering this road, it's probably best I don't drive here (and taking into account my limited experience with the stick shift...!)

Bjork and my crazy flat...

Tonight in my house we were playing the lovely game of Phase 10 and listening to one of my favorite set lists – “jkids hit the road.” Along came a song called “Leaving on a Jet Plane” as done by Bjork and Jewel. So I announce to my roomies who were singing along, “Hey, this is Jewel and Bjork!” My roomie, K, says, “really?! That name is kind of dorky.” Oh the shock to my system – Bjork – dorky?!?! So I ask, “Do you know who Bjork is?” and K replies, “No, I don’t know who he is.” Again, shocked! We had many a laugh over that. And for all of you who love Bjork too, I did play some good songs for them to introduce. She has since informed me that sounds like a Swedish “man name” and her opinion hasn’t changed,. Oh well, I tried! Bigger fish to fry I suppose. Okay, now she wants you all to know she didn’t dislike the music, just the name. What’s in a name? Well, when it’s Bjork, apparently a lot because this has now turned into a long conversation about roses, smelling sweet, ESL (maybe they know ‘over there’ her name sounds like dork too), and name recognition. Hope your evening was stimulating as mine.

I told roomie A the power has been out for a long time and she said, well that all depends on what time it went out. Hmmm…think about that for a little while if the above wasn’t enough to keep you going for a long time. Now A is clamoring for an addendum (but just b/c she likes the word) so you know the above was very out context and she was in the middle of writing an email so wanted to give me a short and sweet statement to remind me that actually none of us can remember what time it went out. Now A says she must shut up while I’m blog updating or anything silly will make it on here.

I love my flat.

Roomie P says, “Khalos, enough” and breathed a sigh of relief at avoiding the above type paragraph devoted to her.