I know it has been awhile since I've updated. I think the lack of a consistent internet connection has made me too lazy at attempting to post a new blog!
We are still in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire and Marshall and I both leave next week for Malta!! He flies out two days after me, and we will visit with friends in Malta until the beginning of August when we leave for THAILAND!! We have to fly back to Malta because all of our stuff is there and Marshall needs to complete the official "pack out" so they can ship it all home for us.
I am so excited to meet up with some of our favorite people along with eating the best Salmon Sashimi I have ever had!!
I can't believe our five months in Abidjan is coming to an end. We have met some of the most amazing people here and we are so sad to say goodbye! Since Marshall and I went to the court house to sign our marriage papers on Thursday (Finally Mrs. BLAIR!), our sweet friends wanted to throw us a wedding party on Friday night! They went all out with some of our favorite American foods, gave me a bouquet, bought us a cake to feed each other, had a champagne toast and even played our song while we danced! It was such a special night!!
They made AMAZING food!!
It's a "cake smash" right?! :)
Since so much of our heart lies within this continent, we will definitely miss the beauty of the land and people! Who knows if we will ever make it back here, but I am trying my best to take in each moment and really treasure it!
Two weeks ago I also met an awesome girl who was visiting her husband here. Keela and I became instant friends and I'm so thankful to have had such a sweet girl to spend my days with!
Last week our awesome friend Carol got a hold of a Japanese woman who is living here and set up a day for us to learn how to make sushi! It was something I had been wanting to learn for so long and I'm SO glad she gave us a hands on class! I can't wait to keep practicing until I'm brave enough to make it for a dinner party!!
All of our rolls by the end! We had so much sushi!
I am definitely looking forward to shopping at Target soon instead of like this... :)
I'm Loving... that I finally ordered my wedding dress! It's a pretty simple beach dress and now I'm trying to figure out how I want to do my hair... Suggestions?!!!
I'm Loving... that we finally have all our in-country flights and hotels booked for our trip to Thailand!
I'm Loving... this beeeeautiful house in South Carolina that I want us to buy! My momma is going to check it out for us on Sunday!!
I'm Loving... our Memorial Day weekend, and our long walk through a village we found! The kids were sooo precious!
I'm Loving... that I got to spend a day with a sweet Korean friend here who is showing me so many amazing recipes! I especially loved these rolls (they are incomplete without this spicy red sauce drizzled on top!) These are just veggie, but you can do seafood, or whatever else you want.
I'm Loving... the pure, contagious joy of this African family. Makes my heart smile!
I'm Loving... these peanut butter/oatmeal energy bites that I made. They are the perfect snack when you just want a bite of something small but substantial!! No Bake Energy Bites
I'm Loving... that one of my best friend's, Kim, just got engaged! Wooo Hoo!!!
Isn't this the sweetest picture!!
I'm Loving... these funny, recent Pinterest pictures. So true!!
I'm Loving... this moment captured of my friend Lesilee's homecoming with her hubby. I just love these pictures of her son and husband! Tears!!!!
I actually had this post ready to send on Wednesday but our lovely internet connections kept me from doing that. I still figured I would post it anyways...
I'm Loving... all the new tv shows I've been streaming online... Hart of Dixie, The Client List, The Lying Games, Army Wives, and the end of Desperate Housewives!
I'm Loving... all the wedding planning I'm doing and that the day is finally coming soon!!!
I'm Loving... these new Body By Vi Shakes Marshall and I have been drinking everyday... we feel amazing!
I'm Loving... my amazing fiance... I still can't believe I'm marrying my best friend.
I'm Loving... my new precious niece Stella Marie!
I'm Loving... this yummy spicy sausage and pasta recipe I made for dinner. I needed something with few ingredients and could be modified...and this hit the spot!
I'm Loving... looking at pictures and activities of Thailand... we are going to have the best 3 weeks there!!
I'm Loving... all the african women that carry the huge baskets on their heads... they are not only beautiful, but strong and poised.
I'm Loving... that my two sisters and momma send me pictures daily so I don't miss anything of my nieces and nephews!! They can send a picture from their phone as a text message and instead of putting in a phone number, they put in my email address and it comes right into my email. LOVE it :)
I'm Loving... thinking about a job when we get back to the states...and actually having a purpose and a life!! :)
I'm Loving... the two little girls on Ellen... Sophia Grace and Rosie. Youtube them if you have never seen them. Adorable.
I'm Loving... that its Friday today and we are going with the marines for fish and chips! It will be good to get out for a bit!
I'm Loving... that I went to an art show here and met with one of the artists. I had him paint me a picture for half the price as the ones he was showing and I get to pick it up today!! Will post pictures tomorrow!!
This is Africa. But what is it really like? Does it mean living in a small hut in the middle of a dust field? Are there millions of homeless, sick children surrounding you at all times? How can your heart handle the despair? Your eyes the devastation? Is Jesus there... and if so, how can you prove it? See it?
Here is a little glimpse into my world for the moment. I'm writing this as I lay next to our pool. We live in a nice house with lots of locks, rooms, and bugs. My favorite spot though is outside, under the sweltering hot and humid African sun. A tall wall borders our compound and I can't see out. But what I do see is palm trees and these long branches of beautiful hot pink flowers. They border the top of the wall and are intertwined with the barb wire to keep us safe.
Our Home
It's a beautiful site. Sometimes when I am home all day, I forget we are in Africa. Well, until the power and internet go out for no reason.
You know when things start to frustrate you sometimes and the more it happens, the less likely to be forgiving you are?
I feel like I've been like that lately. I feel like I forget who I am sometimes and more importantly, who God calls me to be.
The deal here is people drive insanely wreckless and crazy. They cause so many accidents by driving head on into traffic, so they can avoid miles of stopped cars. They make lanes to the left and right 3 cars deep across to pass you, and then want to cut in front. So your anger rises quickly at times.
This is just a 2 lane road and they pass on both sides!
They go the wrong direction on the wrong side... its just a disaster!
You also can't go anywhere without everyone wanting money. Because you are white, you are "rich" and in a lot of their minds, entitled to give them something. I know it's a tough life here for them and they have to do whatever they can to survive. I do get that...
But it doesn't make it any less frustrating day after day.
And then you just have your random annoyances. Lack of food product availability (like not even really getting milk!) Lack of language. Lack of convenience. Lack of reliable connections and communication.
You cope and make do, but sometimes you can radiate an "arghhhh" about life. I hate that I've done this lately!
My pictures are all blurry because I've only taken them while driving... but hopefully soon I'll be able to get out and capture some great shots!
But as I was sitting here listening to the birds chirp and watching the lizards run around, I heard something magical.
Breathtaking and soul capturing...
I heard an open air church service somewhere outside our walls... They were singing. Worshipping our Lord with the song "Breathe" by Michael W. Smith.
I recognized it because I know that song. I've sung it fifty times... only they were singing in another language. Something I couldn't understand or decipher. But my heart joined them. I got on my knees, closed my eyes, and was united in giving God thanks.
Thanks for giving us a home and safety in a country that is dangerous. For food even if it's weird and different, but that we have something to eat when everyday... we pass children begging on the streets. They do this hand motion where they bunch up their fingers and draw their hands to their mouths.
They really have no food.
I can't ignore this tugging on my heart and the sweet words in that song that say "I'm lost without you... I'm desperate for you."
It's true. Without Jesus' constant presence in my life I am lost. I'm not myself either. I get more irritable and grumpy. I get frustrated when people want money... even when they may not have had a meal in days. :(
I guess what I'm saying is I don't know about you, but I can't do it on my own. I 100% need God in my life at all times. His grace and love. Compassion and mercy. He adores this country, and so do I. The beauty in its simplicity. The love and community between neighbors, and how their hearts draw to Him. It's been over 4 hours that I've been listening to these Ivorians worship outside and they are still going. I think its about time I do the same. Worship Him through prayer for the hungry children that surround me. Ask Him to bring peace back into a country that last year was destroyed by war and bloodshed. And for my own patience when I can't read food labels, the internet goes down, or people cut us off.
Because the reality is, life will always circle around us in a crazy spiral. The only way to stand firm is to be rooted. Firm. Solid. Devoted. In Jesus.
Yes, this is Africa. And although the poverty, war's, and disease's devastate me, I am certain that Jesus is here and deeply rooted in so many hearts.
Because sometimes when you have nothing or feel like you don't know where to turn... you can grasp for Him. Always. He will be there. I just wish sometimes I didn't wait so long or til my patience grew thin. I'm a work in progress... I know this. Thank goodness He is already sold out for us... and that His grace and love will never waiver.
I love the verse that says...
Luke 6:20-21 “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours in the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.”
This reassures my heart that God also has a great plan for many of the Africans we meet. We love them and care deeply... And I vow to love and help them as much as I can while we are here!
Deuteronomy 15:7 “If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother.”
We landed in the this amazing country on March 31st and returned to Malta April 8th. Our week was just incredible! Not only was I able to share food lady and the tramp style with Marshall, but my grandparents were with us the whole journey too! (Ok, Marshall would never share a noodle with me, but it was that romantic in Italy!)
Our route looked something like this...
Amalfi Coast
To Rome...
To this amazing place in Tuscany...
To Pisa...
To Florence...
To Verona... (Romeo & Juliet Balcony)
And finally, ended in Venice!
These aren't my pictures, but I'm hoping to upload mine and blog all my favorites and passes about each place soon! I've been crazy busy packing out our house, moving, traveling, entertaining, sorting, selling cars, and canceling services. So many loose ends to tidy up in such short time! I hope to get back to blogging as soon as possible. We definitely stayed and experienced some absolutely amazing places and things and I can't wait to share them all... especially if you are heading to Italy! Until then...Ciao!
