Merry Christmas Everyone! It has been a year of the unexpected. My trip to Kenya went very well and I feel blessed to have been able to go and be there. I met many wonderful people in the Village of Kandaria. While there, I discovered I was expecting our first child. I couldn't wait to get home to share the news with Bo in person...though I hated to leave Africa at the same time.
Once home, Bo and I went to Miami for a small vacation together and stayed with good friends from Saudi. We enjoyed the beach, Cuban food, and a real Cuban birthday party...all the family present :-).
I was able to get a short trip in to visit my grandpa in California before the school year resumed and enjoyed a visit from my best friend and her family while I was there. They drove up from So. Cal to see me.
Then, this fall came...football season, busyness, and my husband's usual fatigue...only it wasn't usual...it was worse than normal. Upon finally going to the doctor, we were stunned to receive the diagnosis of him having Leukemia Cancer. Not the news I hoped for, but God has been holding us close throughout the whole thing. Our church has been right there supporting us, my school community where I work has been so loving and supportive, and Bo's school has been supporting us in any way they can. Needless to say, Bo was unable to continue the football season having to spend the initial 5 weeks in the hospital. Now, 2 follow-up treatments are done and one is left next month. We are really praying for a remission report when he is through. Our baby boy is due in early March.
Tiki is ornery as ever, but makes us laugh a lot at his curious antics.
Bo and I just celebrated our 3rd anniversary and are praying for many more years to come.
Love and Hugs,
Heather
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Getting a Kenya Mindset...
On Thursday, I leave with a team of 31 people for Kenya. For the past week I've been repeatedly asked, "Are you ready?" My answer has typically been, "I guess." Which simply means, I haven't stopped to think about it too much. It's easy to get caught up in the preparation for the trip and not truly engage with thoughts of the trip until you're on your way.
When I left for Uganda Feb. 12, 2003...I spent a sleepless night before I traveled and then was hit with, "What was I thinking?" thoughts. I was moving to a foreign country where I knew no-one, had never been, and who no-one knew my family...for 2 1/2 YEARS! This was a completely new experience for me. I was my own entity...people would get to know ME and I was starting completely fresh for probably the first time in my life. It was a bit daunting to say the least. Now in hindsight...it was the best experience of my life and is lodged in my heart forever.
Back to the present (June 2011)...Preparations about done...three days til take off...only a 10 DAY trip this time...but a new experience nonetheless. I know about half of the team I'm traveling with and don't even know the names of the other half. We will be doing construction, adlib VBS and teaching as requested, home and church visits (which may require spot preaching/singing). Most of which are outside my comfort zone as I'm not what you would consider a conversationalist. I'm both excited and nervous at the same time. So...I'm beginning to get my mind back in Africa mode and beginning to think about the journey. I AM ready and AM excited now that I've been able to stop and think about it. I'm excited about what God is going to teach me through this trip and about the people I will get to meet.
Now the only question is...should I use my African accent...or just speak normal. ;-)
Please pray for us!
Good Relationships
Smooth travel
All baggage to arrive WITH us
Good Health and no Injuries during Construction
Love,
Heather Smith
On Thursday, I leave with a team of 31 people for Kenya. For the past week I've been repeatedly asked, "Are you ready?" My answer has typically been, "I guess." Which simply means, I haven't stopped to think about it too much. It's easy to get caught up in the preparation for the trip and not truly engage with thoughts of the trip until you're on your way.
When I left for Uganda Feb. 12, 2003...I spent a sleepless night before I traveled and then was hit with, "What was I thinking?" thoughts. I was moving to a foreign country where I knew no-one, had never been, and who no-one knew my family...for 2 1/2 YEARS! This was a completely new experience for me. I was my own entity...people would get to know ME and I was starting completely fresh for probably the first time in my life. It was a bit daunting to say the least. Now in hindsight...it was the best experience of my life and is lodged in my heart forever.
Back to the present (June 2011)...Preparations about done...three days til take off...only a 10 DAY trip this time...but a new experience nonetheless. I know about half of the team I'm traveling with and don't even know the names of the other half. We will be doing construction, adlib VBS and teaching as requested, home and church visits (which may require spot preaching/singing). Most of which are outside my comfort zone as I'm not what you would consider a conversationalist. I'm both excited and nervous at the same time. So...I'm beginning to get my mind back in Africa mode and beginning to think about the journey. I AM ready and AM excited now that I've been able to stop and think about it. I'm excited about what God is going to teach me through this trip and about the people I will get to meet.
Now the only question is...should I use my African accent...or just speak normal. ;-)
Please pray for us!
Good Relationships
Smooth travel
All baggage to arrive WITH us
Good Health and no Injuries during Construction
Love,
Heather Smith
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Want to Lose 5 to 20 pounds and inches in 9-days without dieting, pills, drops, or starvation? www.oasisjoy.isagenix.com Aside from weightloss...I can't wait to hear what other health benefits you enjoy from ridding your body of toxins and filling it with super nutrition! Let me know if I can answer ANY questions for you!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Now I know for sure no-one reads my BLOG anymore, so I shall write to myself.
I've lost 36 pounds!!! Only 13 more to go to get to my goal. WOHOOOOO! I'm feeling great, wore shorts for the first time in at least 3 years if not more, sat in the sun this afternoon. Life is good.
Upcoming event: This summer I am going on a mission trip to Kenya! We are working in a small town...planning to build a medical center there so the people won't have to travel as far for medical attention. We're also working with the school to provide lunches and in general share God's love with the people. I'm super excited about the opportunity.
My company: I work with the most amazing company with the most amazing products! The protein shakes (23 g of whey and cassein protein) have the most absorbable protein on the planet because it is not pasteurized, but freeze-dried instead so is live! Don't fret! It comes from New Zealand cows that are not exposed to pesticides or hormones. Then we have the Ionix Supreme full of hard to fine herbs and things that heal and restore. I'm probably healthier now than I've ever been. :-)
So...should anyone be randomly reading this...how are you?
Love,
Heather
I've lost 36 pounds!!! Only 13 more to go to get to my goal. WOHOOOOO! I'm feeling great, wore shorts for the first time in at least 3 years if not more, sat in the sun this afternoon. Life is good.
Upcoming event: This summer I am going on a mission trip to Kenya! We are working in a small town...planning to build a medical center there so the people won't have to travel as far for medical attention. We're also working with the school to provide lunches and in general share God's love with the people. I'm super excited about the opportunity.
My company: I work with the most amazing company with the most amazing products! The protein shakes (23 g of whey and cassein protein) have the most absorbable protein on the planet because it is not pasteurized, but freeze-dried instead so is live! Don't fret! It comes from New Zealand cows that are not exposed to pesticides or hormones. Then we have the Ionix Supreme full of hard to fine herbs and things that heal and restore. I'm probably healthier now than I've ever been. :-)
So...should anyone be randomly reading this...how are you?
Love,
Heather
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