My Chocolate Supply is almost gone...

...so my packages need to get here NOW!
I mean I could go to Prince and buy some but I am looking for the good kind my mommy always gets me. :)

Also, I wish there was not a nine hour difference from home.
I miss my kitties....Odie is great but he doesn't appreciate me like my meows do. I tried getting that dog a bed (just an old comforter) so he wouldn't have to be on the ground and he hated it. I think he actually was mad cuz he know sits near the gate. What a weirdo.

So Laloyo really is trying to make it...since Saturday it has been overheating a lot. We put water in it only for it to still boil over a lot. Sunday we had to cancel our plan to go to Tegot cuz it was bad...then yesterday we had to cancel because we took it to the shop...then today the water line blew....I actually felt it (the engine is under the driver's and passenger's seat). So, guess what we had to do? Cancel. We took it in and we have to replace a major part and it will cost a lot. But that should be the end of the problems...for awhile. The mechanics we work with, especially David, really do look out for us and try to find the best way to take care of us. I actually think David felt bad sharing the bad news with us.

Here are some things that my mind is going through right now (I have a lot of time to think lately - oh boy!)

I am learning so much about generosity and kindness here it is unreal. People who do not have a lot are still willing to share their last meal with you. It truly blesses me. There is a part of me that wants to say "no - you need it! I can get more food somewhere else!" but that would devastate them. Even me saying I won't eat meat hurts them because meat represents being able to give the best...Mama Simon actually was bothered by it when Simon told her I don't eat meat! I feel like I should eat some now!!! (don't get too excited there Bobby)

I live in Gulu. There is a song that goes "My name is ___...I am from Gulu..." I can now say I am from Gulu. It still blows me away - I walk in the streets and I think of that Steven Curtis Chapman song about the streets of Uganda and it hits me even more that my feet are on the streets of Ug! Still doesn't feel foreign...

God really does follow up on His promises. When He promises He delivers. I am absolutely sitting in that. It has taught me to ALWAYS believe God and He will deliver in His timing. My heart, my ways, my thoughts might sway to the situation, but God will not. It is interesting to know that, by the way.

"INIT" is a new word of sorts that I have made up. You use it in this context:
"I totally feel in God's will. I am INIT" to be absolutely in God's will.

Finding God's favor....who deserves that?! I just can't believe that He decided to find favor with me. I did nothing...and He does everything. Wow. I am doing a study on Esther and I am at the part when she enters the king's throne without permission...the drama is if he will kill her per the law because she was not invited, or will he stretch out his sceptor for her to enter? Intrigued, I guess, he stretches out his arm and his sceptor for permission. She moves towards it, touches it and waits for him to say "What is it that you want? Ask, and half the kingdom could be yours."
There is where I stop, relate and sit in disbelief. I have stood at the entryway for such a long time worried that God would not fully accept me into His throne room. Fearful that if I entered I would be lost, disowned or thrown out because I am just not good enough to be in His presence. But instead of living in that fear, I entered a few months ago. I entered not because I thought I deserved to enter, or that I knew He would accept me, or believing I was owed anything...I entered because I saw that His hand was stretched out before me and death was not an option. He stretched His sceptor towards me and said "I have found favor in you". That was the opposite of what I thought would happen and it drew me towards Him like a magnet. Standing before Him, seeing His glory, I waited till He asked "Who should I send?" In response I said "me!" and it was done. My life has been sealed for a hope that is better than any life full of worldly riches.

I am reading an excellent book I would like to encourage any and all people to read:
"The Upside Down Kingdom" by Donald Kraybill (I know I shouldn't have this in quotes but I can't underline or italicize it so....quotes). Anyone who wants to read it and then discuss please let me know!! It really is great and helping me see things in perspective here.

I am noticing, even though people are trying to take advantage of me cuz I am white, that if I treat people with love and respect and PATIENCE it helps and it works in my favor. I have seen people act in different ways in response to this issue and I have to say the love of Christ prevails. And if someone cheats me cuz they want more money it is on them not me and I will give the money joyfully and fairly. (read the book mentioned above to get what I am getting at - GOOD STUFF!)

I am missing pizza and ice cream right now.

I have some pretty nice neighbors....even the adults. Collins was very helpful today...thank you Collins.

I miss books. I like reading a lot.

Here is some advice from my friend Jeanne: wear shoes at all times in Africa because there are a lot of tapeworms. Oh if people could just see the sanitation mess here they would understand why you want to even wear shoes IN your house.

PG for INIT!!
:)