HELP!

Yes, in an attempt to make my blog "cute", I some how deleted my old blog template and cannot figure out how to change it back. Or at least find a new one that's cute. It is only taking html codes now. I used to be able to click "layout" and change the background to cute things. There is no "layout" button anymore.

Suggestions???

Naomi's Village

Our Team:

Bob and Julie Mendonsa (visionaries and leaders in Naomi’s Village) and their children, Emily and Will.

Ernie Bighaus (contractor in the construction of NV) and 3 of his kids, Alexis, Wyatt and Isaiah.

Dan Dickerson (attorney/botanist/handyman in assisting Ernie with the building process)

Myself

Our Location:

Kijabe, Kenya (It’s so small it’s rarely on a map of Kenya, so good luck finding it). Kijabe is about an hour and a half outside of Nairobi in the Rift Valley region.

Our Task:

Naomi’s Village. A children’s home that will house up to 110 Kenyan orphans, just 30 minutes from Kijabe station. Many of the children will come from the surrounding community (Maai Mahui) and a nearby IDP (Internally Displaced Person) camp. Completion date goal: August 2010.

Maai Mahui:

Maai Mahiu, Kenya is a town on the major highway from Uganda through Kenya, known as the HIV Highway. The region is semi-arid and Maai Mahiu has no real sustainable industry other than trucking and prostitution. A transient male population, disease, and poverty leave many children homeless and orphaned.

IDP Camp:

In January 2008, post-election violence displaced thousands of Kenyans. Several IDP camps sprung up in the Maai Mahiu area on the desolate plains outside of town. 3,000 people still live there in tents or makeshift homes with no surrounding trees, running water, electricity, or protection from the elements. The number of orphans in this IDP population is presently unknown.

Kijabe, Kenya

I made it to Kenya!

I am hoping to post a blog this week, so check back in a few days for an update!

The Schedule

The goodbyes have begun. I am just not very good at saying goodbye. I get really awkward and clam up and get a little stuttery. I wish this part was over and I was on a plane and able to breathe. No more to-do lists, no more errands to run, goodbyes already said, packing finished, etc. Although, because all of the stress is over, the first plane ride is typically when I finally break down. I know that's normal. Most people have their anxiety attacks after the stress is gone. But still, I wish I was past this part, though a friend told me tonight to enjoy these last moments.

So here's the schedule for the next couple weeks:

-Tomorrow (the 24th) is my last day at my church (I'm sure I won't be able to hold back the tears so I'm preparing myself in advance to be ok having a splotchy red puffy face when I see people for the last time for a while)

-Monday (the 25th) I go home to my parents' house and spend the week with them.

-Spend the week packing (I've done none so far!) and last minute errands.

-Thursday (the 28th) is a day I have dreaded for years now...going to the dentist! Pray for me Thursday! I don't think this dentist offers laughing gas and even if they do, it's too expensive.

-Monday (the 1st) 4:50pm board a plane to London.

-Tuesday (the 2nd) fly from London to Nairobi.

-Wednesday (the 3rd) I'll finally be in my new home, Kijabe! Hallelujah!!!

Project 7

Check out this company, Project 7:

Project 7 Teaser from Project 7 on Vimeo.

Project 7 Mission Statement from Project 7 on Vimeo.

20 days

My new home in 20 days!

Stranded and Fragile

Coming to you live from Borders Books in Dallas Texas!

So today was NOT my day. If you do not live in the area, I will preface by telling you that we have been having insanely cold weather recently. For example, when I woke up at 4:45am this morning to take my roommate to the airport, the windchill was SEVEN degrees! Insanity. We Texans do not even know how to comprehend this sort of cold, nor do we know how to prepare for it!

So last night I was heading out to go watch Texas play in the BCS national championship and noticed that my car was making some funny noises. I hadn't started my car in advance to let it warm up, so I just figured it would stop once it got warmed up. So fast forward to this morning. When I left the house at 5am, my roommate and I noticed the car was making some crazy noises. I had warmed it up in advance this time, but again, just figured it was a cold weather thing. We don't have weather this cold, so how am I supposed to know this isn't normal?! The noise died down a bit, but I still knew it wasn't normal. But what can you do at 5:30am about it? I went back to bed for a little nap before I had to be up to meet a friend for brunch. Again, I warmed my car in advance, but apparently the damage had already been done. When I got in the car at 10am I saw a little puddle under the front. Oops. I called my mom on the way to eat. I didn't think it would be radiator fluid because I didn't notice it being green. But, of course, it was.

If you don't know my car, it's a little ghetto. The hood doesn't stay open. So I convinced my friend to stay around with me long enough to throw on the gloves and hold open my hood so I could check my radiator fluid. Empty. Of course. Like, bone dry. She took me to the closest car shop we could find. They didn't actually sell the fluid, so then she took me to Autozone. I bought 3 gallons of fluid (not having a clue how much a car usually takes). We went back and she graciously held open my hood for me again in the 20 degree weather (and let me remind you, we were not dressed and prepared for this!). I filled my radiator up and she headed home. I took the car to the closest car shop and they have my car.

So now, I'm stranded. I had a huge to-do list for today. I've been slightly stressed out recently anyways, with trying to pack and move and figure out flights and dates, etc etc etc. I've warned multiple friends recently that the best word to describe me right now is "fragile". Today, I was fragile. I'm not going to lie, I've shed a few tears of frustration. But that's typical of fragile people, right?

In an attempt to at least get a little bit of work done today, I grabbed my laptop and started walking, in search of internet. And man, it's COLD! If I would have known I would be out walking in this weather today, I would have put on long johns and thicker socks! After walking for over a mile or so, I found Borders. Was pretty excited about having a hot drink to warm my fingers and internet to get some work done. I stood in line. Ordered the only drink I really like that the menu suggested. They were out of that one. Of course. Ordered something else. Got my drink. The figured out that Borders is apparently busy at 4pm on weekdays. There wasn't a seat anywhere and people were already waiting to sit. Of course. This isn't my day. So I have made myself at home in the corner of Borders. Got online to check emails and my email system is down. So what else? I read for a bit, but was too distracted, so the only other thing I could come up with was BLOG!

So, many hours and more than $400 later, I anticipate a call from the car shop so I can put on my coat and gloves and make the trek back to get my car. Unfortunately, the sun is setting fast and I know it's just going to get colder, but I'll pretty much do anything at this point, just to get back to my house, put on my pjs and watch a movie!

This was not my day. And I'm ready for it to end!