A Very Happy Birthday

Well this New Year has started off busy. Stacy, our admin person, dealing with all money, salary, receipts, etc., was away for six-weeks over Christmas, so I have been keeping up with all of her stuff, as well as trying to stay on top of mine. To say that accounting skills are not my strength is an understatement. But somehow I managed and she came back on Sunday morning, much to my relief:)

Last week though, getting to celebrate my birthday here, was pretty special. Mind you, it was the first year out of the past six that I have not been skiing with Dad either on my birthday or a couple days give or take around my birthday – so inklings of missing home were definitely there. Thursday, on my birthday, I had to go be at Ekisa the whole day because Emily and Emily had to go to Kampala and Erika was at a training conference, so I got stuck holding down the fort. Which in all honesty is not much to complain about.

When I walked into Ekisa, a big group of the kids and mamas gathered around me and started singing Happy Birthday. I really wish I had it on video, because it definitely tops as my favorite Happy Birthday ever! The rest of the day I really spent as little time in the office as I could, with the exception of getting a few things done, and spent as much time getting cuddles from kids as possible. I think Rachel told me “Happy Birthday” every time I walked into a room the entire day with the amount of enthusiasm as the first time she saw me. Zeke told me “Birthday wo” (meaning “your birthday”) every time he saw me, and plenty of kids asked me where the cake was/when we were having it. Made me feel a little bit guilty that we weren’t even having cake until the next day, and sadly there wouldn’t be enough to share. That evening, Emily, Emily, Erika, Ditte, and I went out for a nice dinner and it was great to spend time with them, and feel loved and celebrated. Really thankful for each of their friendships.

Friday, I took the day to myself. A friend had sent me money for a “free day” to use however, and I found it on my birthday as I was getting out birthday cards that had been written to me before I left. So I used that money and treated myself to a Ugandan ‘spa day’ which included a mani, pedi, facial, and full body massage for the equivalent of $30! Only in Africa, I suppose! That night we had cake and played games with a couple more friends from around town, and it was really enjoyable. Saturday, Sam came over for the afternoon and while I cleaned my room, we listened to music and he drew me pictures, he helped me make food for dinner, we watched Peter Pan, and he finished my birthday cake from the night before. Fun birthday celebrations all around!

Twenty-three was a pretty great year, and I’m excited for twenty-four!

2014

Well, like so many people, on this first day of 2014, I am sitting here reflecting on the past year. And I am blown away.

I started the year back in Charlottesville finishing up my last semester of college, student teaching in a wonderful classroom with eight precious, little boys.

I lived by myself, housesitting for five months, with a dog and three cats – for most of the time anyway.

I got involved in a Community Group through Portico Church, and was a part of awesome fellowship. I got baptized, and became a member of the church. The first time I’ve done this by myself.

 Through many prayers and back and forths, I decided to go back to Uganda, and despite Dad’s reservations, bought a one-way ticket.

I got to celebrate with one of my best friends, and be part of such a beautiful wedding and incredible day!

I graduated with my Masters’ degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Virginia.

I left for Uganda on June 1^st, and apart from some minor (major?) snags at the airport, made it there safely. Such an incredible peace being back in a country and a place that seemed to grab a hold of such a big piece of my heart. And the smiles of these kids, so incredibly wonderful!

I began my role as Adoption Coordinator, something so new to me, but so humbling being able to allow the Lord to work through me despite inadequacies I felt. We had good meetings, bad meetings, encouraging, discouraging, but through all of it, Jesus continued to comfort the questions I had, reminding me that while I’m fighting for His children, He already knows the plans He has for each of them.

Holly came to visit me, and I got to show her my life in Uganda. Such a wonderful visit with a wonderful friend.

I saw Jason go home with his family. With his brother and sisters and aunt. He now has a forever family. A child, who has lived in an orphanage his whole life, now has a home.

I met some great people coming and going through Jinja, but great friendships that challenged me, but pointed me to the cross. I am thankful for those.

I have gotten involved in great community here, with others who are here longer-term, and able to invest in each other’s lives. Such a blessing to walk alongside others who are here serving and following the Lord’s call for their life.

I got to work with our two amazing social workers with our second domestic adoption case, see an amazing woman pursue and desire a child, and become a mom.

My parents came to visit! I never thought that my Dad would be here, but they both were, and I couldn’t be more blessed to have been able to share all of this with them. I got to experience new parts of Uganda with them, like raft the Nile and visit Sipi Falls. And we got to celebrate Thanksgiving together.

I got to be a part of Amy’s story, whose Mom had been lied to and manipulated, but who continued to fight for her daughter. Amy was resettled with her mom right before Christmas.

I celebrated Christmas in Uganda. Bittersweet not being home, but I love that it is now part of my story, having gotten to celebrate the birth of our wonderful Savior with these kids that I love so dearly.

I brought in the New Year with friends, eating our belated Christmas dinner, watching Ugandan fireworks, playing games, and complete with champagne.

I know I forgot things, but looking back on the last year, these things stand out. I have spent seven months of the last year in Uganda, something I don’t think I ever would have planned or thought. But I am so incredibly thankful.

It’s hard for me to even think about what 2014 will bring – but I’m so excited. Thank you for taking the time to follow me in this journey that the Lord is taking me on. I know He has big plans for this next year, bigger than I can imagine and better than I could plan.

So here’s to the start of 2014!

Love from Uganda from Sam and me!