Culture Stress

It's a lot like what everyone said it would be.

I became extremely homesick and overwhelmed by even the smallest of tasks. I did not want to leave our house. I cried-A LOT. And the tears helped me to heal. I prayed-both for my family & friends back in America and for myself. I needed God's comfort more than any other time in my life.

Missionary friends were my saving grace, as they would listen to me tell stories of home, vent about frustrations of living in a new place, ask questions, and vent some more. They all reassured me that they had been there at one point or another and that it was normal for me to be experiencing those thoughts and feelings.

On top of that, it hit me when I was in the middle of my 1st trimester of my second pregnancy. I was so sick that I could hardly will myself out of bed to care for my 9 month old daughter. It was bad. I was sick, depressed, and so exhausted. I slept many hours on the couch. I can't even tell you what we ate for those 6 weeks, because I didn't cook and we didn't have much to snack on, but somehow we made it through.

Thankfully, I'm coming out of "it". I am feeling happier these days and seem to be able to accomplish tasks on my "to do" list. I feel confident to drive around Fort Portal to do shopping and errands and am slowly getting things done around the house before baby #2 makes his/her entrance!

As far as pregnancy goes, I'm in my 14th week and am feeling MUCH better than before. I have energy and my appetite back. Even so, energy only lasts so long...and it is a very late 10:00 pm. :)

So, I'm off to bed on this Thursday night, feeling good about waking up to the sunlight and finding what tomorrow has to offer.

Procrastination

Yes, I am like my father at times...I began writing "thank you" notes to all of you who made my first birthday in Uganda SO special sometime in April, with the hope to finish them by May. Well, now it is mid-June, and I only have two more to go!!

I put all of the mail that I received in a Rubbermaid tub just a few weeks ago, and thought of all of you that took the time to send me cards or packages in the mail. IT MADE MY B-DAY FABULOUS!!! And it was even more wonderful because my birthday seemed to last for a month--the cards continued to stream in and I loved reading each and everyone of them!

So, here's an official, public THANK YOU and your more personal cards will be on the way sometime this week. :) (Nothing like taking my time, huh?!)

I want you to know that your continued encouragement and love to us (on b-days or normal days) keeps us going. You are our support system and we appreciate your partnership in our ministry in Fort Portal.