problem with pictures

I tried but was unable to upload any images to the blog. I will continue to try but it may not be possible. :O( If that is the case I will just post a lot of pictures when I get home. But in the mean time I will just write out some blog entries because the blog is still the best way to keep in touch with everyone. I will have limited access to a computer while I am here so even when I do get a chance to use one I won't have much time. It's much easier for me to type up something that many people can read rather than writing tons of individual e-mails.

Well, as I'm sure you've figured out, I have made it to Uganda safely. The trip was super long but it went really smoothly. I am in Fort Portal now. I like it here so far. It is absolutely beautiful, but is also pretty poor. My house, the one I'm sharing with Lindsay and Cassie, is very small. It has two little rooms. There is no water or electricity, our "toilet" or "cho" is down a little hill behind our place. The shower room (it's really just a little closet type place with a door) is right next to the cho. The neighbors seem to be very nice and I'm looking forward to developing better relationships with them. The neighborhood children are really cute but they don't speak any English...oh wait, that's not true, they do know how to ask for sweets. ;O) All in all, it's bee a little overwhelming but in general it's pleasant. I still do not know what exactly I am supposed to be doing, I will fide out in the next few days. I will up-date you all again when I get the chance.

Ramada Inn

I hardly took any pictures today, mostly because we're not in Uganda yet so I just didn't see the point. So unfortunately this is the best one, the only one, I have from the day. This is some of the group standing in front of the Ramada Inn desk checking in after a very long and arduous trip from the airport. In short we were dropped off at the airport by our somewhat grumpy bus driver and had to figure out how to get our 24 pieces of luggage from the airport to the hotel for the night. We managed and are now fairly comfortable in our rooms but tomorro it'll all happen again as we attempt to get back to the airport. Our flight leaves at 8:00am so we need to be up bright and early (3:45am) to begin haulling all of our stuff back to the airport. hmmmm.....this is what I wanted to do, right?

Good-Bye Nani!

Tonight I went over to my brother's house to to spend some time with him, his wife, and my niece and nephew (Arabella and Tucker). Below are a few pictures of the kids saying good-bye to me, their "Nani" (that's the nickname Tucker gave me when he was too young to say my real name; it's stuck over the years).

Bella and I playing on the couch. She has no idea I'm leaving, so while I'm saying good-bye she's saying "Hey, the TV that's on in the corner is really interesting."

Here's another picture of me and Bella playing only this one was taken by my three-year-old nephew Tucker. Nice work Tucker! You must take after your uncle Greg. :O)

This is Tucker giving me a "floor hug" good-bye, because regular hugs are SO last year.

phase 1 of packing complete

Me and my "packing buddy" Emily looking mighty proud at our accomplishment of almost fitting everything for the Chedesters (missionary family in Uganda) in one suitcase. It took some brain power to figure out how to get it all in but between the two of us we came up with some pretty clever ideas.

Thanks for your help Emily! :O)

healthy as a spring chicken

Yessssss! I can still go to Uganda...

and I'm really jazzed about that!

• I just went to see my doctor this morning and he said that the blood tests I had done on Thursday indicate that my liver enzyme levels have dropped dramatically and are now almost back to normal. This means I am healthy enough to leave on May 30th and can begin taking the Typhoid vaccine tonight. I am so thankful, and in retrospect I am actually really glad that all this craziness happened when it did. It gave me time to reflect and pray and now feel more confirmed in my calling to go than I did before.

• Thanks again to all those who were praying for me and supporting me in these last few weeks. You have been such an encouragement.

FUO becomes FKO

me looking at my thermometer quizzically

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that my FUO (Fever of Unknown Origin) is now a FKO (Fever of Known Origin). The bad news is the origin. I have been sick for almost two weeks now with a sort of hybrid disease. I've had a combo of Yellow Fever (due to a vaccine I received weeks ago) and Mononucleosis (mono for short). One positive thing is that I am now currently into the full blown mono stage and have lost all signs of yellow fever. Boy, can I find a silver lining, or what?

I am posting this information on my blog about Uganda because there is a chance that this illness could effect my ability to go to Uganda. Mono is a six week disease and everyone reacts to it differently. Right now I am feeling alright but my blood tests from last week indicate that my liver isn't sharing my feelings. My liver levels are high, or something to that affect, and that has to get back to normal before I can take my Typhoid vaccine. All this needs to happen in a matter of weeks. So I'm getting a little concerned. I am going to have another blood test in two weeks and hopefully that will come back normal and I'll be able to get on with my life.

Thank you to so many of you for your prayers and support during this time. I have been very encouraged by all the phone calls and e-mails I have received. I'll keep you posted on how I am doing.

retreat pictures per Sharon's request

more pictures from the intern retreat...

Reflection on the lake

Sarah (intern to Ireland) on the dock

intern silhouette


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