3 reasons to bee happy.

2 blog posts in row?? Crazy.

Three reasons to be happy today...
Reason 1.
My cousin Monica has a really awesome blog - sugar stiches
She recently posted this. I had to share. It's perfect.
haha! I'm still laughing.


Reason 2.

All the bees have graduated!! In case you're new around here, the bees consist of Staci Payne, Mallory Peterson, and Ashley Agoranos. And they are my best friends. I bought these bee wings awhile back as a joke. Congrats you two! This picture made me smile big time!!

Reason 3.

I found these baskets this morning at this big school market/garage sale type thing. Pretty good find for a pretty good price.
I got these for my mom for her upcoming birthday and mothers day! Happy Birthday/Mother's Day mom! You won't actually receive them for awhile, ha, but here they are!

So yeah, this post is mainly for myself but oh well.

banana tunes.

happy friday to you.
today after work i made chocolate banana bread, listened to good music, and edited a video.
a good night if you ask me.
here's my current music recommendations. nothing new, but was listening to these guys tonight.
if you want to win me over, just play me a tune like this :)







and here's a similar banana bread recipe.

sorry if you were expecting a profound post about africa or something.
it's only bread and music tonight folks.

i miss the powerhouse, and RV, and that trampoline, and rollerblading.
but i'll rest easy tonight knowing that seasons are meant to be just that...seasons. and they are good in their time.
with a new season comes new changes and new growth.

love yall.

happy camper

I spent my Easter weekend camping at Hell's Gate.
Here's a few pics from the weekend. I'll apologize in advance for all the zebra shots. They're my fav :)

qualified vs. equipped

Qualified: be entitled to a particular benefit or privilege by fulfilling a necessary condition

Equipped: supply with the necessary items for a particular purpose; to provide with whatever is needed for use or for any undertaking


I’ve been thinking a lot about being qualified versus being equipped. After days of thinking on this concept and observing my own life and the lives of the people around me, I’ve reached a conclusion.
I think often times we get caught up in wanting to be qualified - whether it be for a new job, a position, or maybe a new season in life. But I don't think we necessarily have to be qualified in order to be used. Because here is the truth:
God equips us for every good work.

Tonight I sat around a fire with about 20 or so full-time missionaries and heard them tell stories of how they’ve seen God’s faithfulness on the field, in their personal lives, and in their respective ministries. And I thought to myself how it is so evident that God has definitely equipped these people to fulfill His purpose here in Africa.
These men and women sitting around the fire were regular people just like you and me. They didn’t have to “fulfill a necessary condition” or be qualified to come here and share the love of Christ. No, simply they have been equipped by God to come and make His name known half way around the world.

So you see, I don’t think it’s quite so important that we are qualified. Rather that we recognize and live in the truth that we are men and women equipped to do God’s work.
Truth be told, I’m completely UNqualified. So it’s good news for me. :)
I'm currently learning how to walk in this truth, but it's difficult at times. It's also encouraging. Encouraging that God wants to and does use regular people...unqualified people.

What do you think? Qualified or Equipped? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

So life in Kenya...
I really like it. :)

One of the biggest differences is just the pace of life. Many things are just simpler. And I like that.
Many things we do without thought in the States take much more effort here - boiling and filtering water to drink, walking to the grocery store/market, making a meal, etc.
But I really like it. A lot.

Maybe my next post I'll do a typical day over here. I realize for many people who may be reading this, you may never get a chance to travel to Africa. So I'd like to do a good job of painting the picture...but that's difficult. Good thing my job is to take pictures and video. Ha.

Speaking of, wow - this job I've entered into. What an incredible opportunity. I am completely humbled and 100% excited about getting the chance to serve in this capacity for my time over here. God is moving.

This weekend, Easter weekend, I am going camping with a few other people to a place called Hell's Gate. Should be fun. Hopefully I'll come back with a good baboon story.

Speaking of Easter, I've been listening to one of my favorite songs all day today."Death in His Grave" by John Mark McMillan.

You should definitely check it out sometime this weekend.
Now, I'm not normally one to go on and on about music or songs or stuff like that (not that I have anything against people that do, ha) but there is something about listening to John Mark. His music has the ability to make me feel "at home" no matter where I am. And today I felt that. These songs make me feel very nostalgic - which is a good feeling. They tend to remind me that home is relative - not to put my hope in a physical "home" somewhere.
Anyways, blah blah, super serious, but thought I'd share.

Sending my love from Nairobi, Kenya!
Tana

in case you've forgotten...

happy monday.

shout out to the bests.
proof that i have the best friends in the world. literally. :)
thanks mal, ash, staci, nik, erika (for the envelopes!)



happy monday everyone!

kenya: week 1

Sorry (“pole” in Swahili) I haven’t blogged in awhile. I haven’t had access to Internet for awhile now. But, here I am!

Where do I even begin? Happy one week in Kenya to me!
This week has been FULL of language and learning. Which is exciting to me – I love learning. Learning new names and faces, learning how to navigate my way around this city, learning a new language, learning which foods to eat, etc, etc. Lots of learning.

I have been thinking a lot about travel, especially in terms of mission work – and I think it is just best to learn the language before you go. I know in many cases, that may not be possible, but if you think you may end up somewhere, I vote…learn the language!! I could go on and on, mainly because I have been in language classes every day for several hours, but I won’t. (If you’re interested though, the method we are using is LAMP. You should definitely check it out. Very effective.)

Since I surely can’t write everything that has been happening, (you would never visit this blog again!) I will tell you my favorite experience so far. Well, there are a few, but I’ll stick to just one. :)

The first time I went down to the market by myself and bought passionfruit and yogurt. Nothing too crazy happened, and the lady I bought from wasn’t even that talkative with me – I’ve had much better conversations with the mama’s at the markets since then. But this day was different. I had some extra encouragement from a good friend in the States before I went out. (I won’t mention his name because he is so humble and Christ-like I’m sure he would rather me not. Hehe)
But here’s the deal. I was scared. I hadn’t been out alone yet, I didn’t feel confident in Swahili, and I just felt scared. There’s really no other way to put it. I could church the word up a bit, and say I was anxious, or apprehensive, or nervous…but no – I was simply scared. And here is the encouragement I received:
Psalm 91.

That’s all. Read it for yourself. That day, as I walked down the street, I felt those words “blanket” over me. And I came back with a yummy lunch, remembering what a faithful God I serve. Poa sana. (very cool)

Last night I had Ethiopian food. Delicious! It was really interesting, and so cheap. It cost me 280 shillings, about $3.40.

Today I went rock climbing with the family I am staying with right now. The most exhilarating thing I’ve done in awhile. Got to drive out of the city and see some wildlife. It was beautiful!

Start work on Tuesday, move into my apartment on Wednesday. Wiki njema.

Just walking down the streets, everywhere I go, I am reminded of the poverty that so many of these people face….that most of the world faces. Sometimes in America I think it is a distant thought. Here it is a stark reality. I think to myself, WWJD – “What Would Jesus Do?” No really. Ha. May seem funny, but if Jesus were here today, I wonder what he’d do? I’m not convinced he would be living in middleclass suburbia.
And I don’t have that figured out in my own life nor am I wanting to point fingers at anyone, it’s just something to think about…and hopefully, something to act upon.

I’ll leave you with a few interesting things I learned this week. Take it or leave it.

The unemployment rate in Kenya is about 40%. During the Great Depression in America – the unemployment rate reached 20%. Hmm.
Also, the unemployment rate in Zimbabwe…..90%!!!!

Sudan is 1/3 the size of the U.S. Africa is huge!

Don’t point with your finger in Kenya. It’s rude.

Stoplights/stop signs actually mean nothing.

Calling your grandma from Africa is a very special thing. :)

Love yall!


traffic in Nairobi. I wish this did it justice.


had to take a picture of this.


resting.



where's waldo? oh wait, he's wearing bright yellow shorts. cool.

here i am...

"Simplicity of the heart and freedom from anxiety He expects of us, and gives grace to have both." - Jim Elliot

Reading outside under an African sunset tonight - my heart was full.

Now, it wasn't as glamorous as it may sound - I had buildings obstructing my view, lots of noise from cars on the highway nearby, and a few pesky mosquitos. But the beauty in tonight is that it didn't have to be glamorous or "picturesque" for me to feel completely content and at peace. But, nonetheless, I was in Africa, as the sun was setting, sitting in a beautiful area, feeling completely full. So for that, I am thankful.

I arrived safely Friday night around 8:30 (Kenya time).
I have already met many wonderful people. The place I am currently staying, there are missionaries from all over that come in and out - so getting to hear some of their stories has been great.

I got to see where I will be living shortly - and am very excited about that!

Currently, I am in language learning classes everyday for several hours. I have a Kenyan trainer that is helping me, so I am hoping to really get a good grasp. It has been so helpful out and about, already having a background in Swahili, although learning the language in a classroom is much different than conversing with someone in the market.

I will keep it brief for tonight, as I am very tired. Perhaps still recovering from jet lag, but overall feeling really great!
Thank you guys for your encouraging words during my time of travel. Very much appreciated.
Thinking of you all often.

Tana

carry hope.

"now's the time for us to rise
and carry hope to hopeless eyes
and show this world that mercy is alive

we're not afraid. we will abandon all
to hear your name on lips across the world
we will run in the wake of your love"

It's time!
I fly out tomorrow for Kenya!
I will be updating this blog a lot while I am gone. So feel free to check in now and then.
Hopefully I'll have some cool pictures and videos for you.

Not really sure what to think or how to "prepare". But I trust that the Lord has prepared me for this. He knew it was coming. :)
I will miss you all soooo much, but my prayer for all of us as I'm gone, is that we would simply be obedient to where God leads.
Whatever that looks like for you - that's my prayer.
Don't settle. And don't be afraid to "abandon all".
I think it's worth it.

Love yall.

So thankful,
Tana



In case your new around here, you can visit OFM's website for a better picture of what I'll be doing for the next 8 months!