It's another rainy day in western Washington, I'm just sitting in my little cottage watching the rain fall, the waves come up on the shore, and the wind blow through the trees.

When it rains in Sierra Leone, the red dirt washes into the ocean, casting a red hue in the water. It's amazing how that red mud can mix with ocean, causing red mud waves to wash ashore.

Today the water close to shore is a little dirty. It reminded me of the mud waves.

The First Trip to Alaska!

John arrived safely in Anchorage, AK on Dec. 20th after a three day ferry ride and three days on the road, then Christmas night I got to join him there! My initial impression of the place was BRRR... Actually I really can't complain, it's not that different from Spokane. It's cold but the land is beautiful, as you can see in the pictures. It was a great time and of course, I can't wait to go back!

The local moose, across the street from the favorite coffee shop!



Cross-country skiing at a park right in Anchorage, these trails are filled with bikers, runners, skiers, even horseback riders!
Notice John is covered in snow, I am not... he spent most of the time on the ground.


This is crazy!!

Mountains outside of Anchorage

The top of Alyeska Ski Resort: we took a tram to the top where they have a restuarant

This years Christmas was really interesting for me. It began with a Bah-Humbug attitude. I'm not really sure why, but I'm going to pull the Sierra Leone card. There is all this commercialism, buying people things they don't really need, and then people being rotten to each other because of the stress of the season. But what is this season really about? However, I had to force myself to get out of this slump and enjoy it, remembering what I was feeling last Christmas. Last year I wanted so badly to be home, sitting by the fire, Kelsy and I laughing so hard that our stomachs hurt, nigthly walks in the snow... As much as I missed my family back in Sierra Leone this year, I realized that I needed to make the decision to enjoy and make the most of it this year! So I decorated cookies, went on our yearly Christmas night walk(on the 23rd), laughed enough with Kelsy to make up for last year, and soaked up ever moment with family that I could! As life continues to change, I realize the importance of living in the moment and taking it all in when you can, knowing that it won't always be like this.

They've Left

Last Friday, Quami, Eddie and Massah returned to Sierra Leone. It was sad to see them go, but I know that it is best for them. They were actually ready to go. It's easy to think that they wouldn't want to go home, but home is still home and they were ready to get back to a familiar place and away from this cold.
On Thursday night we had a Farewell Party for them and they got up and shared a little about there experience in America. Eddie talked about the first time he used an automatic flush toilet, how he was looking, looking and then all of a sudden it just flushed! Then he went to wash his hands and he was looking for a way to open the tap, but he just put his hands under the faucet and it came on! It was much funnier hearing it from his perspective. And Massah shared about going to Disney World in her best Valley Girl attitude, which she picked up while she was here!
It was wonderful to have them here and seeing them go just made me want to go with them all the more. But I know God has called me to be here right now, so I will stay!

I'm Surrounded by Liars!

Everyone I know has proved themselves to be very good liars this past week! Let me explain...

Last weekend(10/27) we had our final COTN Benefit and it was here in Bremerton. It was quite an exciting event since my family was going to be there and also John's family, but no John. Yes, I was to handle the meeting of the families all by myself. However, surprise, surprise, John was there. He flew in the night before and showed up at the benefit! Apparently, everyone knew but me. I just didn't realize they were all such good liars, especially Kelsy, usually I can get anything out of her! Anyway, it was great fun and I'm glad that I was surprised!

"I like reading your blog, but I have one request... You need to write in it more!" Sarah Saunier

Okay, okay I know I'm not very good at this!!! I've been told that I'm still in the 16th century when it comes to all the new technology stuff. I remember hearing something about our generation being remembered for the "you tube" revolution and I had just recently heard about it. Maybe it's true, I'm behind the times. But rightfully so, I was away from all this for a year!

This last weekend I had a reunion with my dear friend and partner in Sierra Leone. We finally got to re-attach the string we had between us for a whole year! Even if it was only just for the weekend. Sarah came up mainly to visit Quami, Massah and Eddie(it's okay, I know where I stand) but we also got to spend some good time together. It was weird to see her here because we've never really been together in the States at all. We were both so clean, and not sweaty, and we didn't have any children hanging off of us.

We met up with Sarah on Friday and took the kids to the Library in downtown Seattle(what a great library, I think I could spend hours there). It was a lot of fun and I think the first time the kids and Quami had ever been in a library. They had a great time reading all the books and trying to get us to read the books that were written in Japanese! Afterward, we went to lunch at Red Robin. Sometimes it is still strange to see these kids just walking down the street in downtown Seattle!

Saturday we went to the aquarium. When the Sierra Leoneans were in California for our benefit, they went to Sea World, so needless to say, the aquarium was not that exciting. But it's just great to spend time with them. They will be leaving soon, so I'll take all I can get!

It was great to catch up with Sarah and for all of us to be together. I must admit that all the Sierra Leone talk made me miss it a lot. Sarah is planning on leading a teacher team down in June and she's asked me if I would co-lead with her. I know this would be blast, but we'll see what happens.

This weekend we have our final benefit in Bremerton and then the benefit season is officially over! I'm excited for things to get back to normal, or maybe this is normal, I'm not really sure! My parents and Kelsy will be attending so I'm excited for them to see what I've been up to and to learn more about the other faucets of Children of the Nations.

I Did Mt. Townsend!

On Monday I got to celebrate Columbus Day(which I haven't done since third grade), with the day off! A lady I work with, Robbin, invited me to go hiking. So we hiked to top of Mt. Townsend, starting at 2,880 elevation and ending at 6,280! It was quite a hike, but the view was absolutely gorgeous and it was actually sunny! Once at the top we could see Mt. Rainer, Mt. Baker and Glacier Peak, incredible. Along the way we met up with the Retired Hikers Club, so when we were feeling a bit tired and wanted to rest, they pushed us on. Geez, I hope when I'm in my 60's and 70's I'll still be able to do things like this. It was just a beautiful day, enjoying God's creation and getting to know Robbin better.