The essense of time

Do you ever wish you could make time stand still? You know, just lock yourself in a moment, a day or a place? That is what its like here. I miss you all dearly and even there are certain comforts from home that I miss like warm showers, my comfy bed, friends and family, and everything else that makes me feel at home there is still something about it here, something that I have adapted to, a place I can truly call home. I suppose home is what you make of it, that is what Ive learned here. Family is not who you are related to by blood but instead the people that surround you who love and care about you and who respect you regardless. Its this mentality that I hope to carry with me for the rest of my life. Ive only been here for a month or so and I don't know how I'm going to be able to leave. Its crazy, even on the 4th I felt at home, which is one of my favorite holidays and a time when I knew I would be homesick. This coming from the girl who doenst get homesick. So what have my few days been like? Well we've had some major uppers and downers. ha ha. July 4th, Wednesday Wednesday is my new day off. Elizabeth and I ventured to Kazuri beads, a factory where single mothers from the slums make beads and they are sold around the world. It was great to see how business can really help change a group of people and how the mentality of the women really helped boost their self esteem. From here I saw a sign for a wood shop so we thought, why not take a walk so we strolled down the road to Tomography a wood shop; which was nice, but over priced. From here we walked a few miles to Karen Blixen (Out of Africa, movie if you have ever seen it) coffee garden, had some tea and then went into town. Apparently the Embassy had a big whoopla but Sister Julie didn't let me know until later. boo. Well, Father D'Ag, the founder of Nyumbani, was American so he had a tradition of taking all of the Americans out for dinner on the 4th. Sister Mary now runs the show here at Nyumbani and although she is Irish she wanted to carry out the tradition she we went for a fancy-smancy dinner in town. I even had apple pie for dessert! Sister Mary was sneaky enough to grab flags from the US Embassy for us as well. To give you an idea the US Embassy is across the street from the UN (largest in Africa) and is about 4x the size of the UN. Moi, the former Kenyan ruler spoke at our 4th celebration; this is just to show how big of an impact the US has in Kenya. Our ambassador even spoke Kiswahili. So all in all, it was a wonderful 4th and although it was VERY hard to not be up north sitting in the back of the truck watching fireworks kids on each side and the aroma of bug spray and smoke followed by a bonfire and good family fun. I thought of all of you lots! Thursday the 5th Ignatius of the boys had a headache, so I hung out with him all day as he stayed home from school. Otherwise, normal routine. Friday the 6th We traveled to the Nymbani Village in Kitui , it is a project that has come very far and is AMAZING! They support HIV grandparents and children and are self-sustaining and GREEN! Very eco-friendly. It was amazing to see that in just a few years a whole village can be created and one that is full of love and growth. I have so much to say about this, but am running out of time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTIAN! Saturday the 7th NOT GOOD PEEPS. Something in Kitui did not agree with me. I was sick, Beth was sick and Gabrielle was sick as well. ICK! By the evening I made my way to the cottage as I knew the boys would cheer me up, but I was still out of it. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! Sunday the 8th Oh, I should mention Anita a new volunteer came on Friday she is Irish and just wonderful! Beth, Anita and I went into town after Mass. Oh how I love mass. We went to the Ya Ya shopping center where they have like a Flea market, we explored a bit and then did some grocery shopping. Good day! Monday the 9th TODAY and now I am late for cleaning because I wanted to write to you. Its ok, Mum Alice said no worries, I asked before. My thoughts and prayers are with ALL of you. Peace, love and Godspeed.