I know you will find out who you are

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Things were planned out for me in Africa. I didn't have to think about anything really from day to day but focused on the task at hand. That might be the hardest thing about coming back to the states thus far in a purely mental sense (not emotional, I still miss those kiddos and friends.)

I am moving back to Springfield on Monday which in-itself is not a huge deal, but it'll be the first time moving out of my parents house and into an apartment that I'll be living in for the foreseeable future.

All I want to focus on is Africa, but life is forcing me to move on. Unfortunate because life requires money. It's so frustrating to see people living with nothing and then coming back to the reality that I owe for first month rent, school books, trash can, shower curtain, electric, pet fee, and washer and dryer.

I'll just go live here.

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Leaving Town - Dexter Freebish

I left my heart in Uganda

Part of me doesn't want to write about what just happened in Africa. Part of me wants to keep it locked up inside and let it be a secret love there.

But I also want people to understand what happened to me. Why I'm different.

I won't lie. There weren't any gigantic shocks about the living conditions. This sounds so mean, ug. I have seen so many pictures and documentaries and things, it was hard to be shocked, even though the living conditions were so poor.

There was one thing that did shock me though. Joyfulness. The unhappiest time for me there was leaving. You can't help but be joyful in this place. People wave at you on the street and smile. Any child will laugh when you tickle them, and a piece of candy is the greatest gift they've ever received. Even though there is 9 kids shoved into one hospital room, if you paint their nails....

When people hug you there they mean it. They look at you right in the eyes and then embrace you into themselves. Some of the kids I hugged had never been hugged before, so when you hugged them, they didn't let go.

People have always told me that these are the most joyful people you will ever meet. But I know some pretty joyful people here at home. I thought maybe people just weren't looking for joy in the right places here in the states.

Theses are the most joyful people you will ever meet.

I'll tell you about the magic, and it'll free your soul.

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So.

There shall be a silence on Wonderment in Neverland for a spell.

I'm going to say this is a very good thing. A very good thing indeed.

I'm still crazy nervous. I took my first Malaria Pill last night and I didn't get sick (yes!)

And I started packing today.

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It actually went much smother than anticipated. I only had to smush my stuff a little tiny bit. Although I don't have another ounce of room and my suitcase is 5 lbs away from being overweight. My donations suitcase, not my personal. :-)

I've been talking to this amazing girl named Camber (<-----Link to blog. Go, Love, Follow!) She's going on the trip with me. I feel she was a god-send seeing as I can already tell we shall be kindred spirits. It helps to know I at least have an idea of the people I'll be with for 2 1/2 weeks (almost). So, my dear blog lovelies. I shall be a-wall for awhile. But never fear. I shall have many stories when I return. And I'm planning on doing several small posts when I get back, not one big giant one so as not to overwhelm people. It'll be like re-living the trip all over.

Lastly, If you can pray one thing for my trip let it be this: that I discover magic in the eyes, minds, and hearts of my Ugandan family.

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Do You Believe in Magic - The Format Cover (yes! I know right! Day just made. I was going to put the old version up and I found this.)

We found a wood, we unfound a wood, and then we cried

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I realized the other day, that when I'm in Uganda I will be looking at the same moon as everyone back home. Somehow this little fact made me significantly less nervous to go. Kinda funny how small things can make you feel better.

For example, I can be having a terrible night, but if I go outside and hear the ice cream man coming down my street at dusk, my bad night disappears.

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In one other exciting bit of new, I get to see Peter Pan when I stop over in London. I kind of don't understand why I didn't realize this before 2 days ago, but it didn't register in my head that London is where the statue is located. Also, there is an incredible story of how the statue was unveiled. Here is a clip.

"There was no pre-publicity or formal unveiling. The statue was erected secretly during the night and Barrie simply placed this announcement in The Times: "There is a surprise in store for the children who go to Kensington Gardens to feed the ducks in the Serpentine this morning."

Full Story Here

How perfect. The more I discover about J.M. Barrie the more I know we would have been friends.

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Africa is 3 days away. I feel as though I'm having trouble being most of the time. I feel agitated and uncomfortable in my own skin and also like I want to stay and be there all at once. It almost goes beyond nervousness. But Jesus is gunna come through for me. I just have to keep telling myself he's right on my shoulder. Right there, waiting to comfort me. And ruffle my hair.

And stop my bad dreams about losing things, stealing things, and going bald.

Trolly Wood - Eisley