Dictum ad tua mater

I have laughed so much while chatting with my friends today. It's even more fun doing it in Latin.

Thanks, Morgan, for starting the madness.

1000 Words

If you would like to see photos from my trip to Uganda, you can find them at julieinuganda.shutterfly.com.

If you have any questions about any of them, feel free to ask.

Hope you enjoy!

Random Thoughts from My First Week Back

It's been a good first week being back. My sleep was really screwed up for the first 2 or 3 days. I went to a birthday party for a couple of friends and here's what happened.... Jason may be faking, but I'm not; it was pitiful. Thanks for taking me home, Whitney.



Besides getting my hair cut (big deal #1), I also bought a new laptop (big deal #2). I got it yesterday and can't wait to use it. Daddy, I need you to come over and get it set up for me; I've done all I know to do.

A couple of friends came over last night and we cooked out and made homemade ice cream, then watched some "tv". It was good to just hang out and not feel like I had to answer questions or entertain anyone. It was also pretty funny. I'm sure Whitney will blog about it soon so wait for it.

The thing I was honestly most excited about was Friday night. Once a month, our Sunday School class, along with groups from other churches, meet at Lynn Park(?) to feed the homeless and spend some time with them. When I got back from Uganda last year I told myself that I would start taking part in this, but it took until a few weeks of going back this year before I joined in. I'm so glad I did! I thought I had missed it this month but I had not, and I was glad.

We spend the first 30 minutes or so just passing out drinks and food so that is a good time to get your feet wet interacting with the people. It was hard for me at first to just walk up and start talking, but my friend Shannon is really comfortable with it (or at least she seems to be) so I just hung on her coat tails that first time. This time was a little easier, especially since I recognized faces from before. But this time was also really weird for me. I was passing out waters and had just given my last one away when I heard a girl say "excuse me ma'am." I walked over to her just as someone was bringing her and her friend a plate of food. I put my hand on her shoulder and waited for her to turn around. When she did, I recognized her face but wasn't sure from where. As soon as she started talking I knew. She asked me if I used to teach Home Ec. at West Jefferson High School, which I did. She told me her name and asked if I remembered her, which I did. I really hope I didn't seem rude to her but I was so stunned that I'm not sure about the look on my face. We talked for a little while longer as I fought back tears. I'm still not exactly sure how she came to be homeless but my heart broke. She was not just a nameless face in a crowd of homeless people, I actually knew her and had known her for years, since she was in 7th grade. She ate her food and didn't stay around long, but she did stop to hug me and gave me her cell number before leaving.

I don't believe it was a random coincidence that brought our paths together again, so this leaves me wondering..."what now?"

It Was Donated

I got my hair cut today. It's shorter than it has been in several years, but that's okay, I like it. I took a picture of it with my phone; I'm not sure if you can tell a whole lot about it. It's hard taking a picture of yourself with your phone. I have a weird look on my face, too. Anyway, here it is in case you are wondering what it looks like.



I really am going to blog about my trip to Uganda sometime soon. Every time I sit down to type, I find something else to do. Guess I'm just not ready yet.

So Tired

I just finished unpacking...if that's what you call taking everything out of the suitcase and putting it on the floor, the bed and the dresser. The suitcases have been put away, but now I'm left with a mound of laundry, gifts for people on my bed and dresser, and random things just lying around. I don't know where to begin to make my room clean again.

I've talked to several people today and they all have the same question, "how was your trip?". I don't know how to answer that right now, so if you ask me this and I stare at you with a blank look or stammer over my words, please don't take it personally.

I think it might be best if I just go back to sleep for a little while.

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope

Today was our last day of clinic and to be honest, I'm very glad. Yesterday I got to hold babies again but this time something special happened...one of them sneezed in my mouth while I was oohing and aahing. Today I have had a sore throat.

It's been a good trip; I've really enjoyed loving on the babies and children, praying with the patients, laughing with my teammates, and being with my Uganda friends, but I'm ready to go home.

The ladies went shopping after clinic while the guys went to play golf at the only course in Uganda. Mark Parker will preach the first sermon at the new church plant in Namulanda tomorrow and then tomorrow afternoon, we will head for the airport.

By the way, our flight gets in at 10:50 pm Monday. If you are awake, come see me at the airport.

B-29

First of all, thanks to Scott Baker for having a world plan on his Blackberry.

So, we made it to Uganda as scheduled. We thought me might have to spend Saturday in Amsterdam because our flight was 3 hours late leaving Detroit. Missing our connection in Amsterdam would have meant not being able to fly into Entebbe until Sunday...flights here are only every other day...but our pilot made up for lost time.

Saturday and Sunday were great days of rest. We got to go to a Ugandan wedding, and 2 hours later, we went to the reception. I'm glad I experienced it but will be okay if I never have to again. I left my camera on the bus that brought us back to where we are staying, and it hasn't shown up yet so I have no photos to put on here.

We just finished day 2 of clinic and things are going well. I've held many babies, been peed on, laughed a lot and cried a little. I'll write more later about the area we are in right now.

Tomorrow is our last day of clinic at Namulanda and we will eat an American meal tomorrow night. Thursday is our rest day and we will shop and go to the Nile for a little boat ride. Friday and Saturday are clinic days at Zana Presbyterian clinic.

I miss my friends and family. Please keep praying.

Penny, Ota is almost 5 now and cuter than ever, and thanks for the slippers, they have been very useful.