Where have I been?

I know it's been a very long time since I updated and here I go. I will give you a brief run-down of my activities in the States. I spent just 6 weeks in the States. Originally, 6 weeks seemed too long, but it ended up being too short. Many teachers that went home usually stay until the absolute latest moment and end up arriving in Kenya the night before orientation. My home base was in Aurora, Colorado, where I spent time with my mom, dad, Jane, Troy and Alina. The hardest part about being in the States this time was that I had to borrow people's cars to get around -- thanks Mom and Jane! For the first week, I visited many friends and family members. I showed them pictures and talked in person about my Kenya experience. It still seems true that people don't know much about Africa or don't have a good understanding of it. Kenya is developing very quickly. There are normal houses, apartments, roads (to a point) and skyscrapers. It's out in the bush where you find huts and long drops (toilets / outhouses). So I helped to enlighten people on what Africa is and how the Kenyans are. There are many things I appreciate about the Kenyans and also things that annoy me. I appreciate that they care so much for people and are very helpful. I don't really care for the African mentality of no time concept. You know, all our cultures have things that are not good, but we do them because of culture. I can discuss that in a later entry. So back to friends and family. I got to see so many people and I drove all over eastern Colorado, but I enjoyed my time with each person I saw. It did seem very strange for me; in my head, everyone was how they were a year ago, but in reality, they have moved on. Not to say that they left me in the dust, but that since I was far away, relationships change. That was very difficult for me. I really care for all my friends and family and I miss you all greatly!! After just one week in Colorado, I flew with my mom and nephew, Evan, to Kempton, Pennsylvania to visit my mom's side of the family. The last time I was there was about 4 years ago. My cousins have grown up, gotten married and had kids. Strange. We had a family reunion with all my mom's brothers and sisters and their kids and families. It was so nice to see them all again. Evan had the joy of being on a farm. We stayed at my Aunt Sue's house which is an old farm house. Evan went fishing, drove a tractor and experienced farm life (minus the animals). Oh yeah, when we were boarding the airplane to go to PA, Evan said "It's hot in here, can we open some windows?" I laughed and some passengers did, but others looked a little terrified. After PA, I came back to Colorado for about two and a half weeks. I did more traveling within Colorado to see people. Plus I got to spend more time with Evan and Kaitlynn, his sister. They have grown so much. One Sunday, my dad and Jane had a get-together with families that I grew up with. I even gave an impromptu speech about Kenya. It was nice to see everyone. Those weeks went by quickly and I soon found myself traveling again. I left on July 5 to go to Ohio to visit my dad's family and then I was going to Virginia for a wedding. In Ohio, I stayed with my grandfather. He took me all over, including up to Lake Erie and through Amish country. We had lots of time to talk and for me to understand more about my family. My grandma died in January, so this was my first time to be in Ohio without her. From Ohio, I flew to Norfolk, Virginia to go to Jonathan's wedding. I met Jonathan in college in Spanish class and we soon became good friends. We even traveled through Europe for six weeks. It was a blast! He is now in the Coast Guard working in the JAG unit. His wife, Bethany, was a Spanish teacher at a Christian school in Norfolk. Although I didn't know Bethany before this trip, it seemed like I knew her for a long time. They are a great couple and I know that God is with them. I got to spend a few days before the wedding with them. For Jonathan's bachelor party, we went jet skiing in the ocean. I got pulled over by the Coast Guard -- not for speeding. They wanted to ask me if I knew where the fire extinguisher was. It was a random check and I didn't know, but the jet ski company did not tell us, so they got in trouble. The only tragedy was that Jonathan bumped his face and nose on the handles of the jet ski. He got a fat lip and was scrapped up a bit. Bethany reacted well to the news, despite the wedding being the next day!! He healed quickly and looked normal for the wedding. I was asked to be a groom's man, so I was part of the ceremony. They had a time of worship and also a time where Bethany returned the purity ring that her parents gave her. It is symbolic, but very powerful to both Bethany and Jonathan's testimony. For their honey moon, no one, except Jonathan's commanding officer, knew where they were going. Now I know that they went to Colorado and enjoyed the Rockies. Good choice! When I returned to Colorado, I had just 3 days before I left. I celebrated my birthday a little early with my mom.  I got to eat very good ice cream cake from Dairy Queen -- the last time for two years.  I had some last meals and times with my family and then I was on my long journey back to Kenya. Once I arrived in Kenya, I had to move into a new apartment and then 3 days later, fly to Congo for a misson's conference. I will tell you more about that soon as well as post some pictures. Thanks for reading.