Birthday Bash and The Kili Half

Last week we celebrated the birth of our little Zoe. It is so hard to believe she is already two. I knew before she was even a thought that there was another person to be added to our little group. Now I cannot imagine our family without her. She is truly a ray of light and a comedian in the making. I love watching her little face change expressions and also seeing how she changes every day. Her vocabulary is growing by leaps and bounds and she continues to want to be part of the "big kids" group. We celebrated her birthday a day early with home made pizza and cupcakes. The day of her birthday was spent in the car. We were originally headed to Tanzania...

Our first trip to Tanzania was discouraging to say the least. Brian and I got up at five in order to get the car pack and the kids ready to be on the road by six. Step one accomplished! About and hour or so later the car stopped running and we were forced to pull off the road. We called a friend to pick me and the kids up and Brian called the mechanic. After an hour or so we discovered one of the wires connecting to the ignition had come off. Brian was able to fix it and we were on the road once more. After traveling for a couple more hours through beautiful country we made it to the Kenya Tanzania border. There we found out we would need a log book to show proof of ownership for the car as well as different insurance. We had neither. We were able to secure insurance and get our departure stamps from Kenya customs. We drove through the cross section to Tanzania customs. There we found out for a single entry visa we would have to pay $100 per person, that adds up quickly when you have six people. Not to mention we would have to pay a fee for the car. We decided that given those costs it would not be practical to continue. We got in the car and headed back to Kenya and Nairobi. I cried. I figured this was just God's way of telling me I was being superficial and selfish and that I was not supposed to run this race. I spent a fair amount of time trying to let go of the race and asking God to help me know there was a reason for it.

Once we got home and got settled for the evening we got a phone call from some long time Casady family friends. She was offering to watch all four kids so that Brian and I could cross the border and I could run the race. We took her up on her offer, secured some seats on the shuttle and found a place to stay. Saturday morning we headed to the Tanzania border once again. This time we crossed it. We made it to the hotel in time to pay for and secure my spot in the race and then headed out for dinner.



Mishikaki (kebabs), tandoori chicken and zanzibar pizza...yum!

After a poor attempt at sleeping it was up and out to the race. I felt a mix of nerves and excitement. The energy at the stadium was awesome! I told Brian from now on I only want to run races in Africa! For the start of the marathon the first ten rows of people were Nationals after that it was all the Mzungu (white people). I have to say it was very humbling to watch those guys go tearing out from the starting line.



Before the race, Kili in the background




 After we got out of the stadium grounds we headed up hill... for 10.5 kilometers (or roughly 6.5 miles). I realized right away how poorly prepared I was since all my training was done on a treadmill. I did not dwell on that or how much it hurt. I was trying desperately to soak it all in. I also realized I should have been running with a camera. This was like no race I have been in or seen. Shortly after we made it to the road we had a row of matatus, cars and pikis honking at us and splitting the runners like the red sea in order to get their passengers to their destination.

The steady uphill grade wore on me right away and I decided instead of trying to be a super star I would walk up the hills, as many of my fellow racers did, and run on the flat-ish spots. I kept telling myself that I would get to go down on the way back, it helped...a little. As we headed up the road we had an awesome view of Mount Kilimajaro as it peeked through trees and over the hills. We ran by farms, shops and houses. There were a number of well wishers on the side of the road who would laugh, clap and shout at the runners. I assume it was encouragement but since I don't speak much Swahili I can't be sure. :) I saw people running in hiking boots, loafers, jeans, suit jackets, dress shirts and capri pants. From time to time two to three kids would jump in and run with us for a kilometer or two, dressed in their church clothes and wearing flip flops and sandals.

It was amazing to see the marathoners and half marathoners fly passed towards the finish line. I was counting my stars that I had chosen not to run the marathon.  After long last I reached the top and got to turn around. I have to admit that the down was not as easy as I had hoped it would be but it was a nice break from going up. I still allowed myself to walk and for a good part of the race frog hopped with a number of other racers. The last several kilometers I tried to push my self even harder. I was going to finish this race in less than three hours! I was worn out, starting to hurt and my lungs felt like they were on fire. I could see other racers walking towards me wearing their medals. I felt a push from somewhere inside and made myself move my short legs a little faster. I could now hear the music from the stadium and the announcer calling things out. I ran into the stadium and through the finish line. I was done! I wanted to laugh, cry and lay down.

About two and a half years ago my cousin died in a motorcycle accident. When we were kids we were going to get married. We were only about a year apart in age and when he died it really sent me for a loop. He was a runner and I have now worn the pin with his picture in two races. It got some attention this time and one of the officials asked me "What's this all about then"? After I told him I was asked again by the woman holding the camera, little ole me got an interview.

I feel extremely blessed to have had this experience. I thank God for making it happen and I also thank our friends the Bakkers, my wonderful bonus dad and my awesome hubby. So many wheels in this machine made a race possible for me. I would love to come back sometime in the future and run the full marathon, God Willing!!

I am blessed by all of you in my life. Thank you for your support and your prayer for me and our family. Thank you for following us in this phase of life.

Splash!

Two Sundays ago we took the kids to a water park here in Nairobi. It is always fun to watch the kids bounce around in the water and go zipping down the water slides. Jasper especially loved the bigger water slides. He also ran into some friends he had met the week before, they spent almost the entire time going down the slides as well as enjoying some of the other attractions. Zoe enjoyed going down the slides big and small while Alaina and Milo stuck to the little pool. Overall everyone enjoyed the outing and have made a plan to return to Splash! another day.

What does it mean to be Content?

This week I have found myself really asking myself what is it going to take for me to be truly content. Before we left my bonus dad gave me a series of books. Only one of which I have made it, part of the way, through. This book has challenged me more than any other book. I have been asked to search my heart for idols and die to myself daily. I can only graze the surface of what this has done to me and for me. I hope that in my "confession" I find that there are more parents out there that feel what I have felt. I am also reminded of the movie Shrek 4 which I'm sure many of us can relate to.

On any given day I can find myself feeling irritated by the fact that I have to get up before I would like to because one, or more, of my children is awake and ready for breakfast. More times than I care to admit I have gotten angry at my children for not catering to me and my needs. I have been desperate for a break and have imagined myself running away. (Now you know why I run) I have wondered why on earth God ever thought I could be a parent and really, four kids! In all of this I have forgotten one key element. Me. I have a responsibility, and a choice, for how I react, respond and view my life. I can choose to be irritated when one of the kids needs me to change my plans or I can view it as a chance to minister to them and be changed by God's endless Glory. It is amazing how the temperature of the day changes when I am able to step away from myself and see someone or something else. As with all humans I am flawed and unable to achieve the perfect attitude and feelings everyday but I have been able to change the way I view circumstances.

Another thing that I have been working on is this feeling of being content and happy. I wonder how much of feeling discontent is part of human nature and how much is conditioning. I asked my mom to send along a magazine that I subscribe to. I found as I started reading it that the feelings of discontent about my body and my "newness" in running began to surface. The other magazine I read had an article about being happy. I am guilty of thinking something I buy will somehow make me happy. And it might for a little while but then I am back where I started. There is a strange wheel I run that causes me to wonder what its all about. Do I go without for the sake of my family? Or do I splurge and then feel guilty later? This will certainly make me happy, I know it! Well, that was a little anticlimactic...  I am now on a mission to be content and remember that the world does not revolve around me. There are so many things that can brings happiness and contentment that don't need to be purchased. Listening to Zoe sing is one of them.

Yesterday the girls and I met up with the boys, their brother and their dad at the elephant orphanage. It was fun to see the baby elephants rolling around in the mud and playing with each other. There was a group of school kids that were also visiting the elephants. After the kids became disinterested, as kids often do, the four little white kids became the attraction. There was a group that got bigger and bigger as the minutes rolled on. Each kid wanted to shake hands with ours and exchange names. I watched as Milo soaked it all up. The girls, however, were more reluctant and attitudinal towards the attention.

A few weeks ago my husband bought his first suit. For our wedding he wore some khaki slacks and a button up shirt. I thought he looked handsome! A short time later I saw him for the first time in a tux. He did not wear it long. This suit was purchased because the possibility of getting in to certain areas for research could greatly increase if he really looked official. His efforts, and the suit, have already paid off.

The last few days have brought some awesome weather to Nairobi. For about four days it was quite warm, which made the nights slightly unbearable. Then the clouds rolled in and the heavens poured down! The first storm brought pea sized hail, lightning and thunder, not to mention sheets of rain. Last night I was awakened by the crash of more thunder and the pounding of the rain outside. I love storms like that!

This week we have also seen God's provision in ways I have not seen before. It is an awesome reminder that we are His and we are in His plan. I continue to be amazed at how He works and I look forward to what He has planned for the future. I think all the change and suffering is well worth it! In conclusion I have come to realize that my happiness and contentment rest in the Lord. I can choose my reaction and how I relate to life and most times it is not on my own strength.

I am blessed by all of you in my life. Thank you for bearing with me as I lumber through life and the writing process. Next week we celebrate Zoe's second birthday. A few days later I will run my race. I hope this finds you well. God Bless!

The Dam Trip

I know, questionable title. Sorry. In my family it is a little bit of a joke. When I was a girl we used to ride The Dalles Dam Train. On this trip we stayed at the Masinga Dam Resort. We traveled to territory new to all of us, yes, including Brian. The trip was a combination of getting away from city life and Brian getting to see something he has read about during his time in the archives. It was both relaxing and very tiring, in the sense that whenever you are in a new bed you don't sleep all that well. Aside from that we woke up early to head to the Reserve in hopes of seeing some elephants. That night we were lucky enough to have neighbors that played their music, and sang, for us until three in the morning. All was not lost though. I found that the farther away we got from Nairobi the more relaxed I felt. While I worried a bit about snakes-a first for me-and the kids getting too close to the water, not for fear or drowning mind you but fear of crocodiles and hippos I found that I felt comfortable and at ease during this trip.

This weekend found me doing a lot of soul searching. Surprise!! I remember something I read some time ago. That a change of pace and change of place can put you in a position to see more clearly the path marked out for you. Please keep in mind I just paraphrased that and totally butchered it. It just helped me to remember that my purpose right now is to be the best wife and mother I can be. I will fall short at times and will never be perfect. When we were at home I was always searching for something else. Maybe school, maybe a job, please just something else. I still think there is something but I think the biggest thing is my family. I also think on a small scale when it comes to helping humanity. I am a one person at a time person, too large of a scale and I get overwhelmed. Perhaps some day I will find my "other" calling. I have determined that I will not get bogged down with to much other stuff and just focus on where I need to be right now and leave plenty of room for God to call me where He wants me.

Hippo foot print

"Where is the crocodile"

Alaina "flying"

In a past life I was going to be a photo journalist. This weekend I felt the old desire to take photos. I can remember taking pictures way back when and having a love for photography. I also have loved writing but found that I have not had the patience to really hone my skills on either of these things. Foe me pictures tell a story and mark history far better than I can with words. Though I have to say that I love writing things and looking back over them years later. What a great way to make a mark on this life. So now I have found two things that I truly enjoy (other than the hubby and the kids...and food). I am pleased to share both my pictures and my thoughts with you and that you read them and I assume enjoy.

I am truly blessed by all of you in my life! Please pray for continued growth and change in my and all our lives here. The half marathon is now a little less than three weeks away, please pray that I have peace about it and that our travel is safe. Please pray for Brian and his continued research and writing. Thank you for all of your prayer and support so far!! I look forward to seeing you all very soon.

Field Day Fun

Two Saturdays ago we packed the kids in the car and headed out to RVA (Rift Valley Academy) where Brian went to school. I now have only one more place to visit in order to see all the places Brian has called home. The kids had the opportunity to particiapte in Titchie field day. This is a day where the kids spend the first part of the day participating in various activities. This field day happened to revolve around water. Jasper jumped in immeadiately and was soaked in no time. Both Alaina and Zoe stayed glued to my side watched as people threw water on each other, played tug-of-war and other water games. Milo went in and out of joining Jasper's age group. All but Zoe went down the HUGE water slipe and slide. This day is also a chance for the Junior and Senior classes to raise money for class trips as well as their equivelent of Prom.

It is very common here to have house help. People have been continually shocked that I manage my household by myself. Mind you I am not a very good housekeeper I cook, clean and take of my kids everyday. Last week we finally hired help. I found almost immediately that I felt challenged. I felt dirty, inadequate, and lazy. I think if I had something else to do during the day I might not feel so strange. It is also nice not to have to do the tedious tasks we particiapte in every day. Though I have to say I truly enjoy hanging my laundry on the line.

It is amazing the difference in society. Our watchmen works seven days a week twelve hours each day. His wage for an entire month works out to be $62.50. For an entire month!!! People are always asking for work, money loans or some sort of help. One thing we have done is that when some one asks for money instead of just giving it to them they essentially earn it. While it may sound harsh the alternative would be a line outside the door. I am more and more convinced that the best way to help is to give people a sense of ownership and responsibility. I had mentioned getting a sewing machine, which I hope to aquire this weekend. Something that had not occured to me before was passing it off to someone here. Since the idea was planted in my head it has blossomed. The help I mentioned before is a single mother of two who also takes care of her sister. Though I am not a teacher I have approached her about the possibility of teaching her to sew and passing the machine to her. You would not believe how much a sewing machine could benefit someone!

Our time here has been truly eye opening and humbling. We are truly blessed to have this opportunity and I only hope that the things we learn and experience here change us and stay with us for a lifetime. I am truly blessed by all of you in my life!