Transitions.

Adjustment, change, acceptance, forgiveness, doubt, nerves, love, missing, regret, guilt, stability, thankfulness...These are just a few words that begin to describe the way i've been feeling the last week and a half since I've arrived back on American soil. Needless to say, it's been a transition and I'm sure it will continue to be.

My heart and my head just have not had time to line up. My heart, is most definitely still in Ethiopia. My head knows that right now being home is a good move. I need start my first grade position which I am so thankful and excited about, begin to save a bit of money, think about master programs, and get some experience in the classroom. I'm a smart girl, my head knows that it's right but this dang heart of mine. I'm just so sad. :(

I miss Ethiopia so much it's unbelievable. Almost daily, I'm brought to tears thinking about the people there and how I wish I could see them, even if just for the weekend. I am so blessed to have truly made a family in Ethiopia, but it breaks my heart that I chose to leave and was only able to give 10 months of my life there. So many people opened their homes and their hearts to me and I fell in love, and then had to walk right back out.

Everyday I find myself almost angry at people here. It might be my family members, best friends, or the strangers I encounter in passing. I find myself not caring to talk about the things I cared about before I left and constantly comparing my life here, to my life in Ethiopia. It just doesn't add up, it doesn't make sense. The indifference, the inequality. Where is God's justice? Where is God's love? Why can't we come together as a human race and make sure that ALL people have at least, food, water and shelter? I look around me at the excess, even in my own life,  I truly don't understand it. I hear people complain about their fancy phones, their cars, computers... and all I can think about are the orphans in YenegeTesfa or the students in the public primary schools who have SO little.

I don't know. Maybe in time it will make more sense? I need my idealist humanitarian to come to an agreement with my realist side...the dissonance may take a bit of time to settle and for my heart and head to stop fighting.  In the meantime, I get to be the teacher for a classroom of kiddos that are just starting to form their own thoughts and feelings about this world around them. My ability to shape those thoughts and feelings is pretty exciting and it' my goal they walk out of my classroom with knowledge about how big, but connected this world is.

In time, I know it will get better. The tears will stop flowing and my heart will stop missing Ethiopia as much as I do right now.  I just have to remember, izosh...be strong, chin up ;) Good things are to come, and I have a classroom of 1st graders waiting for me come September.


<3 

How lucky am I to have something so special that it makes saying goodbye this hard

Well, the day has come that I never thought would. This journey the last 10 months has been an incredible one with lots of ups and downs, and I've definitely learned more about myself that I thought I would. I've realized after living in Ethiopia for 10 months, the sky is the limit. Put me in rural Africa or a huge city like New York and I can make it work. I've learned to be resourceful, how to live without things like water and electricity, how to handle being really sick away from home, and how to make a family away from the one God gave to me. 

Saying goodbye to Gondar was one of the hardest things I've had to do. To be honest, it made me question if I was making the right decision to come back to the states to work vs. staying here in Ethiopia for another year. But, I think that living in Africa will come again. Not sure when, or using what avenue but I feel pretty positive this will not be the last time for me to spend an extended time in this continent and that I will see these people again. 

I am saying goodbye to one chapter, but hello to another. I have accepted a position at Morris Bye Elementary in the Anoka Hennepin District as a 1st grade teacher and cannot wait. Being a "real" teacher has always been my goal, and now it is reality. As difficult it was to say goodbye, I know that good things are in store for me.

Here are some pictures and descriptions of the people that meant so much to me. These were all taken the last few days. 

Last day of section 2 Classroom English. Teaching was a great part of the experience. 

The lovely Fikirte- she was my language tutor for the first 3 months I was here and became a great friend. 

Melishu, "Anateye" or "Mother dear" This woman was so amazing and we both cried when I left. If I ever needed anything, she was the lady to ask. Couldn't imagine my time without her. 

My favorites.

 Tigle, Aster, myself, Alaseb and Melishu. These women made my experience in Ethiopia.I believed this before I left, and even more now that I am onto the next adventure, but life isn't about where you are but about the relationships you build and WHO you're with.  These women helped to make my experience an amazing one. These women became my family. Words cannot express how much I am going to miss them and how guilty I feel for leaving. There is no doubt in my mind that these ladies were a gift from God to me, to make my homesickness, physical sickness and hardships of living in Ethiopia worth it. Love them so much and it was so hard to say goodbye.  

Betty and Aster- my Habesha sisters :) Aster is who I went with for Easter to her hometown in Dessie. Her sister Betty is 15 and such a fantastic young lady. Her English is fantastic. Aster is who I was closest to in my time at Gondar College. I became a part of her family and her mother even called me every once in a while to make sure her frenji daughter was doing ok. So fantastic. 

Goodbye Party! These boys are great- 4 guys I got pretty close to during my time. They were Mitch's (my peace corp neighbor) best friends and knew how to have a good time! 

Edom.

 My favorite 2 1/2 year old in Ethiopia. I am sponsoring her to put her through school because her mother can't afford it. She is so fantastic and walking away from this little girl was so hard. I can't imagine a mother's love for their child, especially when I realize how much I love this little one, and she isn't even mine. 

Usman and I at a going away party at Gelane's house :) 

This guy has been an absolute God send for me since I've been here. He is a peace corp volunteer with a year left after I leave. He deals with all my crazy emotions and is so great to spend time with. I'm thankful I haven't had to say goodbye to him quite yet, it will be the toughest one to say. We are heading to Italy together for a little R&R for 12 days, so it will be wonderful to spend some quality time together before me heading for US and him back to Ethiopia. 

Even after looking at these pictures it is so clear to me how blessed I have been with building relationships in the short time that I've been here. Thankful for what I've been given and what I've been able to build with my time here in Ethiopia. So bittersweet to open the next chapter, but excited to see what is in store :) 

<3 

The Good Life

Feeling thankful today. It's been a great start to the week and I even got to talk to my mom this afternoon on Skype for a bit :)

Can't get this song out of my head today.

<3 Happy Tuesday. 

Izosh...and Happy Easter my loves :)

Note: This blog post is all over the place, if you finish the whole things though, I promise it will come together ;) At least in my head it does, so that's what matters!

When I moved in to Gondar college, the first day I am lying if I said I wasn’t a bit horrified…especially at the bathroom situation, or lack thereof. I had been traveling since 4am that morning, with a years worth of luggage, then come to find out I have a dirty house with a shared public bathroom to use. I was ready to break down and cry. The Dean said ok, well, we’ll just take you to a hotel! And then, that was that….which to me was even worse. Here’s the new ferenji who is too good to stay where we are letting her. But, he insisted I go to the hotel…

It was me, 5 ladies I have never met before, my Peace Corp neighbor Mitch and my counterpart. As we go to the hotel, I was fighting back tears. I was so overwhelmed, didn’t want to stay in the hotel and didn’t know how to say no. I had no idea what anyone was saying to me...all I was trying to do was not to break down and cry. Some of the women noticed I had began to get teary eyed, and they said to me “Izosh, Izosh Liz” I finally got the nerve to just say no, that sleeping in my place would be just fine, and they continued to say “izosh” as the tears continued to well in my eyes.  I had no idea what it meant…that just made me want to cry more.

Turns out “Izosh” means, “Be strong, Chin up…” and continues to be one of my favorite Amharic words. It’s such a good word, isn’t it? It is used when things are hard to get through or someone is struggling. Could be used when someone passes away, a person is tired from work, is having a fight with a friend, or someone is just having a hard time carrying a jug of water. In any case be “Be strong and Chin Up” is my mantra for this experience in Ethiopia.

I’m so thankful that I have a Lord who has given me the ability to be strong because He is strong. “I come to the cross where love WAS defined, and that love, in turn defines my life.” It’s Easter weekend in the States, (next weekend for us here in Ethiopia) and I am just reminded of how incredible our Lord is, and how He has saved us while He died on the cross. The song in my head today is, Might to Save by Hillsong . “Take me as you find me, with all my sins and failures and fill my life again…” We must be strong, we must keep our chins up because our Lord IS mighty to save us from our burdens, from our sins and from our struggles...He died and rose again, for us. 

I’m not going to lie, this past week or so has been a rough one. Missing home, unsure of future events, tired of the daily inconveniences like no water….and then, I think of “Izosh” and even more, that I am saved because of Him.  Tonight, it hit me hard that so many people are struggling around me. Some in particular who are at home, you know who you are because we’ve talked recently, and others that I see here in Gondar on a regular basis. We all have our own mountains to climb and challenges to face. And to you, I say “Izosh” (or Izo if you’re a man)…Be strong…Keep your chin up. Remember that Our Lord saves, He is the author of salvation. He conquered the grave, so that we can be strong. 

Izosh…izosh :)

<3 

10 Things that have happened Lately... :)

I apologize my friends, I've noticed that I have not updated this blog in quite a while! Things here are quite busy, and to be honest writing my blog has fallen by the way-side. Time to get back on the horse :)

Here are 10 things that have happened lately, or will happen in the near future that can summarize how life has been over here in Ethiopia!

1. I've been experimenting with Ethiopian recipes in my house lately. (I'm turning into an Ethiopian they say) I've successfully made Shiro Tagabiono (pounded chickpeas in a thick hummus consistency. Eaten with Injera) AND for breakfast Kinche- Ethiopian Oatmeal. Delicious and Nutritious ;)

2. Booked tickets Home! July 15th I'll be in Minnesota! Counting down the days until I can hug my mom, and have some serious cabin time with my lovely sister :) (Dad, Tim and best friends..I guess I'm excited to see them too;) )

3. Successfully created an Early Grade Reading training manual. My biggest project lately has been training 20 college students who then went and trained primary school teachers in Gondar. We trained over 100 teachers, which means the training affected over 6,000 primary school students. Pretty neat, huh!?

4. Met Sisay- a 12 year old boy who ran away from home because he was being abused. The police took him back to his family, but his father denied him and said he did not want him anymore. He is now living on the streets in Gondar. I am working as hard as possible to try to find a place for him to live because he has no one. It breaks my heart, and I've shed many tears over the situation. He's also been lost for the last week and I can't find him on the street- continually praying for his safety and his future. Trying to do the best I can.

5. Frenji Time- The other foreigners in town and myself have been getting together the past few Sundays to make brunch together and enjoy and it's been lovely. So blessed to have them here. Onee of them also has awesome music, so I've taken a bunch of African music and I'm in love with it :) New music always makes me happy.

6. No Water...Yup, it's true. Still no water. I've decided it's a problem with the piping because the other places on campus will have water, but my house won't. It's been frustrating, but no use in always being upset about it.. Just trying to deal the best I can. I've come to a realization that it will be bucket baths until I leave..at least I have electricity to heat up water most of the time!

7. New Classes! Started the 2nd semester of classes. Teaching 2 sections of Classroom English. Basically a Classroom Management type class. It's great so far- the students are clever and anxious to learn from a native speaker. So far so good.

8. New Door! They FINALLY built a door in my house so that the bathroom is more accessible and closer to use. Truly a luxury. It's quite exciting that it's finished. It's funny though, because I tried to open the door today, and it doesn't work. hahaha..Oh Ethiopia ;) I'm hoping it's just stuck, or I havn't learned the "trick" of how to open it yet!

9. European Adventure! My friend and I have booked tickets are are traveling to Italy together when I leave. I can't wait to spend 12 day with him in Italy- it will be fantastic. We are visiting Rome, Venice, Siena and Sardinia. So excited. Afterwards, he is traveling back to Ethiopia(he is a peace corp volunteer here in Gondar) and I will travel on to Belgium, and Amsterdam. Then I will finally take the flight to USA. Exciting things to come :)

10. Applying for jobs and updating my resume. Since I'm coming home, I've decided that it's probably best to stay home for a while and teach in the states before my next adventure abroad. So that means, job searching and applications :) Just trying to keep my head up, it's a tough market out there.


Soooo....There ya have it! 10 things of what I've been doing lately...more to come soon.

Have a fantastic Easter! (I am craving Easter candy like crazy today!!)

<3

You know it's a good day with kids when they fall asleep on the way home..

This weekend I had the honor of going with Yenege Tesfa to a local beack town called Gora Gora, on the shores of Lake Tana, about an hour ½ away. My alarm went of at 6am, and we were on the bus on our way by 7. When I say “we” I mean all of the Yenege Tesfa kids, around 65 orphans ranging in ages from 7-17. All three shelters came, along with the staff, the house “mothers" and me. 

It was a great day. Once we got to the lake, the kids swam, played soccer, talked, sang songs, and played games all day long. The house moms made a delicious breakfast and lunch for us all. It was such a great day, and the kids could just be kids. When we all piled back onto the bus to head home, the kids were exhausted. Half of them fell asleep and their heads were bouncing around as we drove on the gravel road from the lake. You know it’s a good day, when the kids are so exhausted they fall asleep on the way home!

I’m so thankful to know the kids in Yenege Tesfa. I love being with them, I honestly think it’s my favorite part about living in Gondar. It’s just so clear to me how much they have impacted my heart.

 Here are some pictures of the day :)

<3

I have a confession...

Ok, I have a confession. I love fancy things. I have an inner beauty queen who loves to be pampered with manicures and pedicures, I love to eat at fancy restaurants and be in places that make me feel elegant and classy.

Sometimes this is hard when I’m living in Ethiopia.

Don’t get me wrong, I obviously did not come to Ethiopia to be pampered. I have a huge heart to serve and to do good in this world. If I got a phone call tomorrow and was asked to serve in Southern Sudan, Niger or Haiti I would do it in a heartbeat. This world needs people who are willing to go and serve in places where other people don’t want to go, and I feel like I have the ability to be one of those people. On the other hand, I love a good pedicure.

This weekend I traveled to a nearby lake town called Bahir Dar (about 3 hour bus ride from Gondar). I had to come because of work (a post that I will write about another day…a big project going on!) After the first night in a 10$ hotel which was clean, mildly comfortable, with luke warm water for showers…it just didn’t do it for me. I was craving an intensely hot shower, a pool to lay out by, and a bed that didn’t squeak when I turned over in the middle of the night. After living in Ethiopia for 5 months, is that really too much to ask!?

I decided to treat myself to a night at the Kuriftu. A resort and spa in Bahir Dar on the lakeside. A night comes with a complementary massage, manicure, pedicure, an amazing breakfast and delicious 3 course dinner. The rooms are incredible filled with a luxurious bed, a patio with a view of the lake and comfortable seating area and even a fire place to relax by at night. It might be a tiny bit out of my budget, but far less than what I would pay for a decent nights rest in the states! I just decided to use my American money and go for it…that’s what credit cards are for, right!? (Just kidding Mom and Dad, I used my debit card…and I promise it wasn’t that expensive;)

It just so happens that we got lucky this weekend. On Saturday night my friend and I had a fire in our room. A woman comes in and sets it all up in the fireplace. We ordered a glass of wine to our room…lovely, right? Ha…well supposedly our room was the only one in the resort where fires in the fireplaces DO NOT work! 10 minutes later and our beautiful room was filled with fire smoke. Whoops…they probably should have told us that was going to happen. Our smokey room led to changing rooms at 9:30 at night and the next morning the manager (from Boston) gave us a free nights stay, without the interruption. So here I am, looking out on Lake Tana on a relaxing porch writing this blog! I guess the smoky room was worth it.   

It’s interesting for me. When I’m at places like this, being 100% honest, I love it. The last 10 days in Gondar I’ve had no water and the electricity has been out every other day. Some luxury is good for a girl every once in a while. Right?

Maybe I’m just trying to justify to myself that it’s ok to sleep here when there are countless number of kids sleeping on the streets tonight in the same city I’m visiting. The disparity is so clear to me, especially when I’m at places like this. I guess I’m still trying to figure out how what I truly think and feel about that disparity which is going to be there regardless of if I spend my money for a night at the Kuriftu or not. It’s a hard balance to master. For me, it’s being able to mindlessly enjoy while other boys are sleeping in flour sacks…I guess I’m not sure what to think.

This weekend has been fantastic. I’ve gotten so much work done, feel 100% relaxed and have gotten my fill of luxury. At the same time, the luxury takes a toll on my conscience...

Hope you all had a lovely weekend,

<3

Back to reality

I'm currently sitting in Addis airport getting ready to board the airplane soon to head back to Gondar. Don't get me wrong, I really am looking forward to getting back to Gondar, back to work, starting another semester  with new students, my friends, my "house", I even miss Ethiopian food...BUT, this vacation was much needed and one of the best experiences of my life.

My last post was about Nairobi and looking back, still I am just in awe of how well we were treated and how blessed we were to stay with such an incredible family. After a few days in Nairobi, we took the night bus to Mombassa and Mombassa proved to be nothing less than amazing.

The first night in Mombassa we stayed at a backpackers hostel. We went out on the town the first night and partied in a beach bar that when we got too hot from dancing, we could just walk out to the ocean. As Nigisti and I were standing on the beach cooling off, it was just one of those moments where life just feels surreal.

We spent about 5 days in Mombassa playing at the beach, picking sea shells, laying in the sun, swimming in the ocean, sneaking into fancy resorts, eating fresh fish, consuming our weight in icecream (a luxury we don't have here in Gondar), shopping, finding amazing East African fabrics, we rode on a camel and on a bodaboda (motorcycles that are used as taxis around town), we visited Holler Park a conservation/zoo type place to feed giraffes and met some amazing people.

Other than the first night, we stayed with a lady who we met through couchsurfers.org (best invention ever). Her place was in a great location, she was so helpful and a good time to hang out with. There was another couchsurfer staying at her place at the same time, and small world because he was from Chicago! So it was a good time getting to know them and hanging out with people.

I feel so thankful to have had such a great vacation- seriously, people are so good. This world is so incredible and filled with many terrible things...BUT so many more amazing things. Heading back home with loads of jewelry, fabrics and a killer sunburn on my shoulders. I think I saw it's been a success :)

Here a few pics of the trip...

<3

Re-energized faith in humanity

I don't care who says different, people are good, this world DOES have people are are truly genuine, kind people. While being in Kenya, I've witnessed many of them.

Countless people had warned us about Nairobi and when we were sitting, waiting in the terminal at Bole International Airport in Addis, Ethiopia the same happened. My friend Nigisti who I'm traveling with and I were talking about our plans once we got to Nairobi.....or lack there of. After overhearing this, the woman in front of us turned around to again, warn us about Nairobi and tell us to take care. Little did she know we would be staying at her house the next four nights ;)

As we began to talk to this stranger in front of us, she told us lots of places too see, what to eat, where to go and what to be careful of. Alarmed that we did not have solid plan of where we were going, or how we were getting there, she offered to give us a lift. That offer then extended to inviting us to stay at her house with her and her family.

Tuesday through Friday night, Sandra and her family hosted us, fed us, and showed us around Nairobi. We each had a nice bed to sleep in with clean sheets and a hot shower to take. We went to the big markets, fruit markets, went out dancing, had homemade Kenyan food, met their friends, became their 2 beautiful daughters "adopted aunts" and made a trip to Nairobi National Park for a game drive. When the bus fell through for the park, their family friends (who were also incredible and drove us into town that day)  set up a private car, who was a friend of theirs, to take us on the game drive. When we left, our clothes were washed, our bellies were full, and she even packed us snacks of fruit, cheese and crackers for the bus trip. It was an incredible 4 days and my faith in humanity has most definitely been re-energized.

We took the overnight bus from Nairobi to Mombassa, Kenya last night and are currently on the coast. We're staying at this great hostel called Mombassa Backpackers. It's about 15$ a night... free pool, internet, hot showers, cook on site, but shared dormitory style bedrooms. There are big rooms as shared living space- a living room, TV room, outdoor porch and great poolside yard. Right now, I'm sitting on an outdoor porch, I hear about 5 different languages being spoken, everyone looks to be between 21-30, Red Hot Chilli Peppers playing in the background- awesome vibe and atmosphere. So far, success.

Alright, so that's it for now :) It's time to change into my swimsuit and walk to the beach (about 5 minutes away). I'm praying for the last half of our trip in Mombassa to be as amazing as our first half in Nairobi.

Cheers  :)

<3

Last day of the semester :)

Yesterday, was the last day of the semester. Next week will be finals, and then that's it! One more semester to go, I can't believe I'm half way through this experience.

 It was exciting preparing the final review for my students, being on the opposite side of finals was a great feeling. I can sense their nerves and anxiousness about the final but I'm hoping they will do as well as I want them to! 

I brought my camera to capture a few moments on the last day and I especially wanted a class picture of my 2 sections. I caught some good glimpses of my students working on their review, and also caught their smiles as I took out my camera. 

EVERYONE wanted a picture, and then they all took out their own cell phones and started taking pictures of me too, pictures by myself and pictures one-on-one with each student. It was quite the site to see...pretty funny. I also had a few girls crying because they were sad it was the last day. It's interesting to think that I made that type of impact on them in just 4 months..

Anyway, here are a few pictures of the day :) 

They are taking their final next week, and then..I'm off to Kenya for a 10 day backpacking adventure!

 <3

Putting a Face to a Number

The other morning while driving in a taxi, I noticed a young boy in the process of waking up. He had been using the cement as his pillow and was crawling out of his plastic flour sack, which he used as his make-shift sleeping bag for the night.  There is no way he could have been over the age of 8...

Over 800 children are living on the streets here in Gondar. Many of these children don’t attend school, hustle the streets and beg for their food. It’s a pretty astounding statistic when you really think about 800 children on the streets, eating, begging, stealing, and living  out their childhood while sleeping in plastic flour sacks. What was I doing when I was 8...what were you doing when you were 8? 

As I have blogged about before, I have spent some time working with Yenege Tesfa:Hope for Tomorrow which is a local NGO for street kids and orphans. Yenege Tesfa used some of their donated money and provided T-Shirts to give to the street children. They decided on t-shirts for the street kids because 1. The kids need clothes and 2. It’s great advertising (especially during Timkat, the biggest holidy of the year which is this weekend) I was able to be a part of handing the shirts out, and it was heart-breaking in some ways, but also eye-opening to actually see some of the faces that comprise that number of 800. We handed out around 60 t-shirts today, and have more to give tomorrow. One little boy I met was only 7 years old, his name was Goshu…

Yenege Tesfa has been an incredible NGO here in Gondar for about 10 years. They do numerous things for the communities children, but one of their biggest projects is giving housing to many of the kids they find orphaned on the streets. Yenege Tesfa currently has 3 shelters open. (I believe around 50 children live in the shelters) All of their shelters are at complete capacity right now and the need to expand is definitely evident.  They are planning to build a 4^th shelter, but are in the process of fundraising....

Alright, this is the part I ask you for money, right? No, not at this point (maybe later though!) I don’t want to make you give, or tell you to give, or even guilt you into giving, but just check out their website. Look at what they are doing here in Gondar and know that even small contributions make a big difference. If you feel moved to give, amazing and if not, it is important to be well informed about places, people and organizations like this. It has been such a blessing to volunteer for this organization in my free time here in Gondar and I can tell you first hand, if you choose to give, the money is being well used. 

Here are a few pictures of today and the boys wearing their T-shirts. They were all smiles :) 

Checkin out his new shirt :)

Immediately changing!

All smiles :) 

These two were pretty excited! 

:) 

I met these kids today. Please, check out the site..

www.yenegetesfa.org 

<3

Patience.

Today is just one of those days here in Ethiopia. Yesterday, I went to do a training at a local primary school on classroom management and techniques to teach English and again...a communication gap. This is the 3rd time a "communication gap" has occurred, and needless to say I was pretty bummed. They asked me to come again today, they informed me they would call the teachers and tell them to come but at a later time so the gap could be cleared up. SOO... I took a 20 birr bajaj ride to the school this morning at 8am, and when I arrived...no teachers. "Communication gap.." Again. At this point...I'm just so annoyed, my patience is gone and it makes me think of why the hell I'm even here...

Yes, I'm teaching here in Gondar but am I making any difference at all? If I'm not training teachers, what else am I doing other than teaching 2 classes? Why am I away from all of my friends and my family when another Habesha teacher could easily take my 2 classes of students? Last night, Skyping with my parents, sister and her boyfriend was heartbreaking for me. I talk to them and we talk about when I come home and all the good food, big party and good times at the cabin we'll have. Then when I get off Skype, I realize it's still almost 7 months away. Can I do it? Am I meant to do it? Is what I'm doing here really making a difference, is it sustainable, is it worth it, it is what I'm called to be doing??

There have been lots of tears for me the last 2 days, just missing home and feeling frustrated with all of these "communication gaps..." After I left the school this morning, a teacher at my college invited me over to her house because she knew I was upset. Her name is Melishu, and she is just great. She fed me breakfast and made me some incredible tea (with fresh mint even...cool, eh?) I got home a bit ago, and I am still just feeling out of place...I decided to go back to the source of where it all makes sense...

I have to remember to have patience. I have to remember to be joyful always and rejoice in the good things. I can do this, and I will do this, but these last 2 days it's just been painfully difficult... These verses definitely helped me out today...


2 Corinthians 6: 4-6  "As servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness, in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love"

Romans 12:11-12 "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.."

Spending time thinking, praying and making an action plan of future work I need to do has helped me. I know I have purpose here, and most days that purpose is evident. It's just that homesickness mixed with "communication gaps" makes it a lot tougher.

Keepin my chin up, praying for patience and a brighter day tomorrow.

<3

Cheers to 2012 :)

I can't believe it's 2012....seriously, where does the time go?

2011 has been a year that will be hard to forget. I've spent just as much time on the continent of Africa as I have in America, racked up a TON of travel mileage, graduated college, moved my life from MN to Ethiopia for the year to volunteer, have slept in a tent under the stars in the Serengeti and taught at an International School in Tanzania. After officially leaving the Fargo/Moorhead area, I feel like I've truly  re-discovered who I am, and what I want to be. This year has been full of adventure, soul-searching and realizing what it is in this life that keeps me motivated and moving forward. I feel so blessed to have had the experiences that I've had and am interested to see what's in store in 2012.

I've decided not to make solid resolutions for the upcoming year. I did some reflection on 2011 and think that for 2012 I have basic goals, but not resolutions that I will only keep for a year. In 2012, I want to obtain my first teaching position in a class in America, I want to continue growing in my faith, I will continue to become more solid about my goals and dreams for the future. I would love to visit at least one or two other countries, and I plan to focus on my personal growth and health. I want to live clean; clean in the sense of the way I eat, the way I think, and the way I act. I have started this, but have not been faithful 100%. These are the things on my mind this year, as well as the years to come. They aren't resolutions, more of a way of life that I plan to maintain.

Either way, 2011 is going to be a tough year to beat out in terms of experiences! I plan to make it as great as possible, and so far beginning in Ethiopia has been an incredible start.

Cheers to my family, friends, health and a fresh start in 2012 :)