One post from Uganda

So I'm here in Uganda, I've sort of turned my heart towards home. Today the Internet connection is speedy enough for me to blog for the day. I have so many things to tell you about my trip, but the best thing is that my friends are all doing very well. They aren't starving and they are very secure. Most secure in God's arms, but physically in a compound that gives the kids freedom to roam a little and still be safe.

I have to stay awake on the first leg of my return flight after spending a day travelling to Kampala and shopping for a few last minute items like malaria test and Bilharzia treatment then onto Entebbe to be dropped off at the airport. Staying awake at the right time coming over here made jet lag adjustment very minimal. I'm hoping to take a nap in Amsterdam. Please pray for my return flights. I had no troubles getting over here and I hope it is the same on the way home.

Please praise the Lord also for MM and the boys. It's been some fun for them while I've been away, but I think they are just barely keeping their heads above water and waiting for my return. Praise the Lord for the work he's doing over here. It's seems it's slow progress discipling but there is lasting fruit. Praise the Lord for all that he's shown me and all the blessings he's poured out on The Woottons and Connie!

We made it to Orlando...

After dropping the kids at G & Ps we departed but not before changing the oil in the van - very important DFs, very important...

I'd say that is was all fun and games leaving today, but a dead battery, Sunday drivers on Monday and defective printers at the car shop prevented such an adjective (or would that be an adverb... -I'm leaving for Uganda I don't care!).

We arrived and had a great time getting here after the bumpy start. As I type this Isaac and Clea are at home sleeping, preparing to get up in the AM and look for fuel. There was none in all of Ft. Portal. They are making their way to Entebbe to pick me up tomorrow...

About the good word on my last post: Blow some points on the Hyatt Regency at the Airport. Yes the rooms are outrageously priced , but if you have enough bonus points that you'd otherwise waste - they are worth it. Not only that but they checked my flight times and arranged to come pick us up and take me to my terminal so I'd be there on time! How totally cool is that. I'm so glad I stayed here.

Sorry if you've never traveled internationally, but it is really nice to know that I can eat a brunch in the hotel before we are set to go and then all my baggage and my car will be taken care of - It's way cool. The only problem we have encountered so far is that we don't exactly know what a good tip is for the valet service and the bell-hops! So, chime in here for me...

Bags are packed. now what

Without giving away any details to strangers, I'm leaving very soon!

I find it incredibly funny that my carry on weighs more than each of my checked bags...  

I have more stuff for my friends than I do for myself (OK the cured meat may be a little selfish, but I can't possibly eat 4 pounds of salt pork, 4 pounds of summer sausage and 2 pounds of pepperoni while I'm there.  Besides it'll give me a great opportunity to go on that beans and rice diet I've been wanting to try....

I spent last Friday with a missionary friend of mine.  She spent the past year in Switzerland.  Some people think that it was vacation, but I tell you the truth, it was not.  She spent more than a few hours alone - really alone - no TV, radio or phone or anyone else.  It wasn't a journey where she was supposed to be alone, but after her daily work was done (ministering to a precious aging servant!) all she had was time.  She could get on the computer, but even that was limited...  Emailing your kids is just not the same as talking to them or being with them.  Emoticons don't even come close to sharing all the feeling in your voice or face...  It was so encouraging to know that God showed up when she hadn't planned it.  

I have no real plans for what I'll do or be in Uganda other than a servant to my dear friend and her family!  Perhaps that's the best place for me to begin - with nothing to offer but me.  I could ask to go on safari or some exotic journey, but Uganda is exotic enough TYVM!  I'm content just doing whatever my hands find to do...

Like now, I have shoes to shod on my 3 yo, dinner to make ready and tidying up along with folding laundry...  

May the Lord Bless you and keep you and cause His face to shine upon you and give you peace forever...

Uganda Update

I'm slowly acquiring the things I'm going to take to Uganda. It's amazing how fast you can fill you luggage with things for a trip. I'm trying to minimize my needs for the sake of taking as much as I can for my friends. I've been really busy with life in the midst of getting ready to go and thus haven't been able to keep postings going here. I'm sure that I won't think of blogging my trip. I learned from November that such lofty goals are for the birds...

So, until I have time to write again...

I'm cheating. I have two blogs...

Here's a copy of my results from last week. I lost no real chest measurments last week, perhaps one inch in my waist. and maybe an inch in my waist. I might have lost 1/2 inch in my hips. Now I think the loss in my thighs is good because I lost 1.25 inches in the upper and 1 inch on the lower. I'm thinking maybe MM has figured out how to measure me. Is there anyone who can give pointers on actually measuring consistently! I'm frustrated.

If I assume the chest loss recorded last week was a farce and the upper arms thing was invalid as well, then I've lost 9 inches total. I'm not convinced that these measurments are real. That's 3% of my inches lost!

We'll see what next week holds...

T-Tapp Week One Results - Measurable

I have no idea how T-Tapp works, but I'm here to say that it works for me. I hope no one comes along to challenge my thinking about this. I have enjoyed working out. I am enjoying the results of working out. And, I enjoy not taking up all afternoon to do it and there are visible results already.

The list of areas I'm measuring along with last weeks and this week's measurements are present with my comments. I lost 5.5 inches overall in the past week. I may have lost more but my measurer isn't to thrilled at the idea of measuring me.

....................1/2/2008..1/10/2008
....................Inches....Inches
Bust/Chest ..........40.......36.75...good
Waist ...............37.5.....36.5....good
Abdomen .............41.5.....37.5....great
Hips ................42.......41.5....well enough
R Upper Thigh .......23.......23
L Upper Thigh .......22.75....23
R Lover Thigh .......17.5.....16.5....good
L Lower Thigh .......17.......17
R Calf ..............15.......15
L Calf ..............15.......15
R Upper Arm .........11.75....14......What?
L Upper Arm .........11.75....13.5....What?
....................294.75....289.25
................................5.5.inches lost in one week.
Weight (lbs.) ......158.......157.4

What happens when you are innoculated...

You aren't supposed to get Yellow Fever or Hepatitis A or B. But in the mean time, you get miserable. I haven't had a shot in years and by far this is the worst I've felt ever. Would someone please remind me to get the follow up shots when I return so I don't have to do it ALL over again next time I go (there will be another time, God willing!).

This afternoon I was most miserable. From chills to aches and pains. I know this is normal and much better than the diseases themselves.

I was able to double check my itinerary and I'm on Northwest Airlines all the way and my seats are confirmed and near the potty!

How do you carry water you like while travelling? You don't right? Yeah, that'll be the biggest bummer because I've been downing 1/2 gallon a day quite regularly. Of all the things I'll miss, that'll be the one thing I miss the most. Anyone want to find a portable distiller for me to take?

It's the little things isn't it. Also, if you'd remind me that I'm really glad I got the required immunizations, I'd be much abliged.