Sep 1, 2012

Lessons from a two year old



She is the cutest little girl I know, a miracle straight from God’s throne room.
Her screech when I come through the door is priceless! Her heart beats wild and she beams with excitement. I have had good belly laughs watching her discover the world around her and I have learned a few lessons too.

One day, I watched as she tried to demystify a ray of light. She grabbed it with all the might her hand could master, turned her little chubby palm over to see what she had caught but … it was gone. She tried again, grabbed the ray of light, slowly and carefully turned her hand over and again… nothing. She looked puzzled but within seconds she was skipping along to the next thing. Don’t stop being curious.
On another occasion, I watched again as she raised her forefinger and thumb to catch a bubble, the shock and surprise on her face when it popped and disappeared was priceless. Life from a child’s point of view is fantastic! If only I could adopt half her perspective, I would absorb more joy out of life. The mundane would not be. Praise would continually be on my lips. Jesus says the kingdom of heaven belongs to those with child like faith.

She is affectionate, always concerned for others. She reaches out and rubs her brother’s shoulder when he is upset.  I nearly choked yesterday and it was ever so soothing to hear “mummy, are you okay?” I felt better instantly. Showing concern for those near and dear makes the world a better place.

She is dramatic.  When she is upset, she throws every emotion in there, tears roll, she throws her hands down in frustration, falls to the floor and shakes uncontrollably, but words such as grapes, cookie and Elmo bring all theater to a halt. She’ll immediately dust herself off and trace the origin of the words. Except for the tear marks on her face, one would hardly tell she had been crying. Go through the emotions (maybe with less drama) but don’t bottle it up. When you are done, dust yourself off and keep moving.

She counts to ten, she knows her colors and she sings the alphabet. She is content with routine. She is lighthearted and cheerful. She loves to laugh. When we have tickle time, it’s so much fun to see her out of control. She laughs so hard then she says “funny! Again”.  I love it! She makes me feel young again; her zest for life stirs me up. 

She has had no trouble going to bed at night or napping during the day but since she turned two, she is expressing resistance. The world is more interesting. She comes up with excuses like “Amani go potty” I rush her to the special seat, make sure she is seated then she looks at me and says “not coming” or “all done”. We head back to bed and suddenly “my neck hurting”, “my stomach hurting” and now her favorite “Amani say goodnight daddy”. I used to drag daddy in to say goodnight until I discerned her little game. Even the cutest and innocent of us has a trick or two up their sleeve :-) .

She is organized and always eager to learn. She makes attempts to do everything by herself like brushing her teeth, locking and opening doors, dressing up ... She repeats each new word she hears. She can even say “Frankincense” how cool is that?

She likes clothes, shoes and necklaces – daddy had better save up double. I fore see some serious spending in the future. A girl needs to look good! She has got that down alright.

She is spontaneous. I love the way she bursts into song. We enjoy free entertainment when she dances, mostly to music in her head.

She is focused. She knows exactly what she wants and articulates it ably. Attempts to dissuade her will be intercepted with a firm “no!” not in defiance but more like“I have thought long and hard about this and this is what I would like to do” as if to say “I got this mom!”

She loves her fruits; we all know the benefits there in.

To think that she would not be here if Nziiza or Kwizera had made it leaves me in awe of God. His way is perfect!  I’m continually reminded that “All things work together for good for them that know the Lord and are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Aug 28, 2012

Seasons of life

Summer is almost over, the leaves are green with tints of brown around the edges. It rains from time to time but the sun is steadfast.This marks the first year since we relocated.

It feels like we have been here a lot longer. We are adjusted for the most part. I have learned to work faster and cook simple meals. I'm told there are 2 magic kitchen tools I need to get and I'll be set - a rice cooker and a crock pot.
I've let go of certain battles, if I ask a certain young man to take a shower and he wets his hair for inspection, I don't sweat it.

It's been a quiet summer with people traveling on vacation. Office has been sparsely populated but people are trickling back. Most conversations center around summer vacation destinations.
4 years ago, Uganda was my dream destination, I yearned to return. I'd listen in envy as friends recapped their travel episodes. I missed the food. I laughed and listened intently to the latest news on the streets of Kampala. Now, I simply smile, I'm not desperate to make the trip, what used to be so dear is paling. I would love to see family but with technology, the ache is bearable - the yearning hushed for a period. I want to see and experience other parts of the world; Tuscany, Spain, France, maybe in that order.
Seasons of life, I believe that's what they are called.

This past weekend was awesome! I had a full house for the entire weekend. Five adults, 1 teenager, 2 tweens and a toddler, great stuff!
We had fun - something about being with family, no pressure to impress or fuss. The silence was comfortable, the laughter was loud. The guys visited museums, the ladies went shopping.

Enjoying the simple things in life.

Aug 14, 2012

Kiprotich - a reflection of God's Glory!

“I always keep it in mind. I dream that I can maybe look like John Akii-Bua in time. Today, I joined the champions. I’m happy for that.” 

My tear glands act up each time I see a picture of Kiprotich running to the finish line with the Ugandan flag flying over his head.

I’m drawn to his simplicity, the humility sculpted on his face from years of struggle, hard ship, pain and determination. His dream finally fulfilled.

 Two joyful parents.
His family, excited at the news of his victory. It is beautiful!
Kiprotich brought home gold! The only medal for the country at the 2012 Olympics, the only gold medal since John Akii-Bua some 40 years ago, it is beautiful!


“Being unknown, now I am known,” the gentle and gracious Kiprotich said. “I am happy now that I am a known athlete.”

Kip was hardly known before he won the 2012 Olympics men’s marathon. He was probably not famous in his village, but he wished and prayed for this moment. Could he have been created for this moment? Has he fulfilled his purpose here? May be in part?

His experience reminds me of 2 bible stories:
John 1:45 - 51
Nathanael heard about Jesus and questioned if anything good could come out of Nazareth;
 45 Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote —Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
46 “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.
“Come and see,” said Philip.
47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”
49 Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”
50 Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You shall see greater things than that.”  He then added, “I tell you the truth, you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”

Ugandan’s wondered whether anything good could come out of their own country and ta-da! Kip did it!.

2 Samuel 12: 1-3
“The Lord sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2 The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.”

I compare two Gold medalists who are worlds apart; Usain Bolt, fascinating, even funny, he hushes his naysayers’ as he crosses the finish line and then strikes his signature pause. He has got it and he knows. Kiprotich on the other hand breaks new ground, humbly, when we least expected it.

America won over 50 medals, we won just one and how we treasure it.

I hope Kip doesn’t get corrupted by genuine and not so genuine offers that will come his way. I’m glad he has a wife and kids, sudden fame brings girls out of the wood works too you know.

Kiprotich you've made Ugandans proud, raised our drooping heads. You have touched my life and pointed me to scripture. Isn't that what God would have each of our lives be? A reflection of His Glory!


Aug 11, 2012

2012 Olympics! How is it going with you?

The London 2012 Olympics are quickly drawing to a close and I haven't watched a single sport. I should shut up and go embarrass myself elsewhere right? For a girl who grew up in a sporty family with memories of Munich, Helsinki, Barcelona, Singapore..., it's pathetic! Blame NBC for their greedy monopoly. Showing the opening ceremony several hours after the fact was just wrong. I could have watched the ceremony in office, if they had shown it live for example. Secondly (maybe more importantly), I don't have cable nor do I have friends whom I can budge in on for a few hours of TV. How much worse can it get?

Not all hope is lost.  Thanks to newspapers and Internet, I've seen and read about Gaby, Phelps, Mugula, Bolt, Kipsiro, Nzikuru ... I  like the photos. The lens captures expressions and holds them in that moment for ever; the determination, commitment, and focus curved on their faces. The muscle tone and posture, clearly a result of hard work and grueling training. Sleepless nights, planning and calculating moves, dreaming about opponents and how to kick butt.
Paul picked the right image to illustrate our walk of salvation - it's easy to comprehend through the Olympic eye.
I Corinthians 9: 24 - 27

24-25You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally.
 26-27I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.


Hebrews 12:1 - 3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

The Message version.
"Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he's there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!"

The joy of winning a race. I have seen the tears of exhilaration and those of disappointment. The pressure is intoxicating, it either builds or breaks. Keep your eyes on the prize because, when your hair becomes an issue just know, the yapping  will never stop.
Keep your eyes on the prize
Determination
It's never easy


Oh! the joy of winning
Pure bliss
So, how are you doing in your race? Are you training hard? Do you see the goal? Does attaining that Gold medal consume you? What about the obstacles? Are you clearing them or putting them there?

Jul 31, 2012

Lonely but not alone


Lost in the vast expanse of place and people
People gently and violently dying
Craving, longing, yearning for a touch, a smile
A sign of recognition
Not aware of the need but wanting it all the same

Cold, blank stares everywhere
Mechanical beings walk the streets
Heartless empty eyes stare into space
Searching for something they don’t know

Look into my eyes
What do you see?
More of you or something else?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 This poem is birthed out of a corner of my life,  a strange unfamiliar, familiar place.

Twenty Years, One Blog, Somewhere Between Here and Home

                                                       Twenty years ago, I left Uganda with a two-year-old, followed my husband to America, ...