Been a Little Busy . . .

 Hanging out with my PARENTS! On MY side of the world!! We had an amazing visit with them, and are so grateful they made the trek to come see our lives here. I'd be lying if I didn't own the ugly cry I had upon leaving them at the airport yesterday, but our time together was absolutely worth it.

I'm hoping a ridiculously lazy Saturday will be rest for my tired heart and body, and hope to pop in soon with more pics from their visit. Kiss my baby nieces for me Mom & Dad - and know that Nic Jeederman loves the heck out of you!!

Why I Heart Dirty Babies

The past week or so has found us blissfully at home; resting, reflecting, and preparing for the weeks ahead. It has been a busy summer, and although our schedules have been full, I'd have to say my heart has been even fuller.

I recently have begun working on the felt need aspects of what our team does here. Our team has done a variety of medical clinics, nutrition/sanitation trainings, etc. for many years, but this was my first opportunity to participate. I had my first trip "out" at the end of last week, and absolutely loved it. Our transportation during the three days looked somewhat like this: large interstate bus, to small/throw on any paying personal or animal 'round the mountain bus, hiking, back end of a large tobacco-leaf hauling truck, motorcycles, more hiking, small bus, back to big bus home. Baxter would tell you going three days without a shower isn't quite a stretch for me, but nonetheless after all that sweating and traveling a shower was the first thing I did upon arriving home.

In some ways, my time out in the villages was completely overwhelming. Seeing how difficult to reach these people were, how many untouched villages there were, trying to understand their local dialect OR their minority language, and the extent of their needs sent my mind and heart reeling. And yet, being able to have a minuscule part of providing clothes, building relationships, and training in the Word absolutely brought my heart to life.

We spent time with one family, where an elderly couple was raising their great-great grandchildren. (The in-between generations typically leave village life for work in often far away cities). Their home was modest and bodies frail, but it was apparent they gave these children the best they could.  As we removed a dirty, threadbare garment from a previously bare-bottomed little girl and gave her a new outfit, my eyes couldn't help but well up with tears. It was if in that moment, my heart knew this was what I was made for. This is why I came.

For me, it's opportunities and places like these that help me feel near to Jesus, and make my very soul come alive. And that feeling is absolutely intoxicating. It's being in those situations that I realize how truly little I have to offer, and yet am able to clearly see how He is enough for my inadequacy and their need. I am so thankful for this new season in my work here, and am already filled with ideas and excitement of how to proceed. Call me a crazy, dirty-baby lovin' fool - but I absolutely can not wait!

Since when was it August?!

I've found myself saying at a variety of points throughout the past year . . . spring is just busy! The holidays are nuts everywhere! Summer, well - what can you do? But, I've come to realize, accept, and even love that we are just people on the go.

In the past 2.5 weeks alone, we spent roughly 50ish hours on a combination of cars and buses (we tried to fulfill a dream of Baxter's a take a train - but no dice or tickets for that matter), but all going and doing wonderful things. We are both wiped and fighting a cold I think as a result of this month's travel madness, but are so grateful for the friends and experiences that have filled our days.

Here's a BRIEF shot of what we've been up to . . . 

 Celebrated SIX years of marriage to this hunk of a man . . . can you even believe it?!

Visited the home town of these dear friends and loved our time in this beautiful part of our country.

Wandered empty morning streets of an ancient city . . . 

Made sure all fires were completely clothed . . . 

Shopped and explored . . . 

And maybe even did some dancing over a city while on a hike one morning. Looking at these pictures makes me want to laugh at the memories and go to bed all at the same time. Thankfully, we've got a solid 24 hours before we hit the road again - so I'm off to enjoy my couch and my adventure buddy of 6 years!

The Pictures in My Heart

Whew. Did we have a good weekend or what?

Ummm . . . seriously?

So this week has to have included hands down one of the weirdest moments of not only my time here, but perhaps in my 28 years of living. Our company consults with area kindergartens to supply English teachers, and this week I pitched in to help out at a children's English camp. The schedule for Monday said butterfly garden, which I figured would be relatively simple. "The flower is BLUE", "the butterfly is BIG" is simple enough to say 150x in a hour in an insanely slow pace, so no big deal, right? It was raining when the kiddos arrived at the park, but no worries, come to find out there were "other" attractions at this particular venue. Imagine my surprise to see this:

 Followed by this:

 

All to announce him:

  

Yes my friends, your eyes are not deceiving you. We had come to watch an extravaganza of "little people", or as I noticed on a sign later "The Dwarf Empire", and the man you see above in the "King of the Little People". Singing, dancing, tiny motorcycles - you name it, this place had it. I took pictures partially out of complete disbelief, and also because I knew my husband would kill me if I didn't. (And if you STILL think there is no WAY this can be true, see here or here).

And of course no empire of little people is complete without . . . wait for it . . .

The cow with a fifth leg growing out its back. I know, I know, just when you thought it could get absolutely NO MORE ridiculous, it did. And this my friends, THIS, is my life.

Ummmmm . . . seriously?

If you need me . . .

I'll be at . . .

I'm filling in for a team member of ours at English Summer Camp for the first part of this week. This is basically a week where local kiddos get away to study . . . wait for it . . . ENGLISH! Just how you wanted to spend your summers as an eight year old, right? So far my favorite activities on the schedule include "milk", "find the deer", and "learn to wash our socks starting at the beginning." Thankfully these all follow nap time. : ) Wish me luck! Good night campers!

This is No Lie.

But this weekend, I made quite possibly the most delicious chocolate cake. EVER. Now, I can say this, because I was raised by a woman who taught me "if you can read, you can cook." So, I in no way am being obnoxious or a braggart, but simply affirming the divinity of Ina Garten.

A handful of our good friends graduated from college this past week, so we thought a full on feast was due to celebrate. I made Ina Garten spaghetti & meatballs (minus the veal + homemade tomato sauce [canned anything is kind of a no go here]).

Italian herb bread:

 

And then, the mother of all goodness . . . 

And yes, this little piece of culinary perfection was my first (a) layered cake of any nature and (b) attempt at buttercream icing. I added some sprinkles to make it more festive, but just looking at this picture makes me want to slam my face in it, and I'm not even really a cake person!

And sadly, I took NO pictures of the anything past the cooking part of my day - but I promise it was a wonderful and delicious evening with precious, precious friends!

So, moral of the story, go HERE, and bake this as fast as humanly possible. Trust me, you'll thank me later. Ina don't tell no lies.