God is Good

Last night I went to bed with a dry tickle in my throat. Maybe this rhinovirus ('cold') that everyone else is infected with has been waiting for my immune system to weaken. I can't let it get me! I laid in bed wishing for sleep to fall upon my eyes....but my mind wouldn't slow down. I just want to thank God for the Good things he's given me in life. I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with my family last week. I watched my 2 year old neice take real digital photos for the first time in her life (I think) - mostly of her fingers, something she's been watching me do since she was a baby. Her voice rings in my ears "YEESA YEESA" (translated : Lisa Lisa!). I'm trying to teach her how to spell her name with a little song, something I learned from my good friends and their daughter that works well with toddlers. Recently I have been graced with new friends, reconnecting with old high school friends, and a new roommate this year - all very welcome additions. I prayed for patience about this time last year, and I've been through such trials this year that I believe I understand the attitute of "you better not pray for it unless you really want it...because it won't be easy." I may be able to find that prayer... Here it is.

"I wonder what I'll be thinking in 70 years (yeah...I'll probaby still be around if it is up to the genes)...hopefully I will have learned the depth of living a life of pain, therefore living the depth of love. Living a life of sin, therefore the depth of forgivness. And hopefully I will have built a strong legacy for my grandchildren to carry on. A legacy of loving others. Especially those who are different from our own selves." - 12/12/2006

I've already knocked out the pain and sin part in just one year, and am also experiencing the depth of love and forgiveness - which is mostly sweet, but sometimes bitter sweet. Wow. Oh dear.... I wonder if I could alter my prayer a little.... I wouldn't mind an easier life in some areas (is this selfish?)... there are definitly some areas of my life I'd like to do a little bargaining with God (although I typically do not promote this!). In the meantime, with prayers and tears here and there, I bite my tongue and pray for His best desires for me. I've tried to take control...and when I do it isn't usually a good thing!

I realized yesterday, while writing essays for my MPH applications, that I have actually visited 6 of the 7 continents of the world, save Antarctica! That is pretty cool. Although, on most of those continents, I've only visited one country. I thank God for allowing me the opportunity to see His people and His creativity. Traveling has allowed me to see myself (and our Creator) through a different lens. I realize that I am blessed with many opportunities, and this is something I struggle to not take for granted. For instance, I have days where I DO NOT want to go to work. But I need to suck it up and realize that my job is a gift. Most people in the world do not have the luxury of work. YES! To many, the ability to work is a luxury! So, on those days that I don't want to go to work, I will strive and pray to do so with a good attitude in the name of those who are not able to.

I hope to post about Kiiza and Dennis, my two other students, soon. I don't feel that many people read this blog, but I do this more out of a commitment to keep my desire alive for serving others. I know this Blog has mostly been about Uganda so far, but I hope to share more about other facets of my life and experiences eventually. Until then...