just another week + 1 day

Us outside our hotel in Entebbe .. chillaxing after a long day playing with kids

When I get emails from Freeland telling me every detail about his day (seriously every detail. I love it) and how he loves what he is getting to do but is ready to be back home with his smokin hot wife (thats me) .. I realize how much I miss him.

and then when I wake up and its raining in the morning .. (because it has been the last 4 days & he happens to be the worlds best cuddler) - I realize how much I miss him

but also when I had to mow the yard on Sunday and when I have to balance the check book & make sure bills are paid - I realize how much I miss him

and today when I smelled something funny and discovered the dogs got sick all over our carpet (you dont even want to know what that entails when its a dog that weighs over 175 pounds) .. I realize I miss him


all the days when I sit down and see a movie on TV I want to watch - I realize how much I miss him

and when I go to bed at night and the other side of the bed is empty .. and there isnt anyone saying turn out the light so we can go to sleep or laughing at my retainers - I really realize how much I miss him

but also when I stare at ugly walls that need to be painted - I realize how much I miss him

or when our vacuum breaks and I have no idea how to fix it .. or when I have to do laundry by myself and there isnt anyone here to see what a huge accomplishment that is and celebrate it with me - I miss him

but its the worst when he is able to call for a few minutes and I get to hear his voice and hear him laugh - I really really realize how much I miss him then.

and the list goes on and on and on... just another week + 1 day.

(Yall must be dying - it will be an entire month since you last saw Freeland by the time he gets home .. how are you dealing?!)

PS - oh and the dogs are fine. They arent sick anymore! not to worry.

PPS - I didnt brush my hair for pretty much the entire 2 weeks we were in Africa.. I did wash it. Just never brushed it.

3 down .. 2,997 more to go

Since a few of you (few meaning just my family) have called, texted, and/or emailed asking what is taking me so long here are 3 pictures to hold you over. :)


That is Freeland's that she is wearing at the clinic. I love that.


These munchkins were all playing under this table while we were walking through the streets.


Oh Lordy I miss that man. (both of them)


there are LOTS more where this came from. Im just having trouble figuring out how to break down the trip into post on here.. but I promise soon I will get it done.

I kind of stopped "processing" the trip for a while - mostly because I wasnt really sure how or what that looked like. But then I realized its also because that takes work to make myself sit down and think through it all.. and I was avoiding it.

SO I made myself sit back down this afternoon and start processing it again. Im glad. Its really exciting to think back through the trip again. And it really does help to figure it all out. I just cant wait for Freeland to get back so we can figure it out together.

okay - more pictures soon. Pinky Promise.

One of us is home ..

I am back in the US of A .. (shh.. Ive been back for a few days now. Just hiding I guess)
I am still trying to process everything and Im not sure that I ever will.
I am definitely touched & have been deeply changed by our trip
I am especially shocked we didnt bring back a baby with us
I am so excited to tell you all about the last 2 weeks
and Im more in love with Freeland than I ever have been
I have a lot more to pray about
I feel restored and lost all at the same time
I really hope & pray that God calls us to go back again one day

in the mean time while I still slowly crawl out of my hole that I have been enjoying here is a song that Im l-o-v-i-n right now:

The Call - Regina Spektor



For too many reasons to list I love this song.

Freeland is now in Kenya. He has sent me the most wonderful emails every day and we have been able to talk some too (thanks to skype) Its been sad being home and adjusting without him but Im also so incredibly thankful he is there and he is having the best time. Bob got on the phone last night while we were talking and said "I believe Freeland & I are long lost brothers" that made my heart jump. How wonderful & crazy is it the way God planned all this out!

Thank you again for all your prayers. Once I get some other things organized I promise to start uploading pictures! (we took about 3,000 pictures - no joke)

PS - I mowed the grass all by myself yesterday! Im very proud of myself.
PPS - Extreme Home Makeover is currently in Erie so maybe I can also sneak over and get some pictures of that too!

Here we go

Today is the day. I cant believe its finally here.

We are leaving for Africa as I type this. We are sitting at the airport.

Incase you have no idea what Im talking about click here, here, here, or here.

We've been up longer than I care to think about packing, finishing all the last second things, visiting with friends, running errands, cleaning out my inbox at work, etc. etc. etc. But in 1 hour none of those things will matter. The trip will finally be here.

Even just a minute ago I was overwhelmed with the knowledge that as hard as I try there is really no way to fully prepare for this trip. I know there is no way to comprehend what is in store. And as much as I think I understand what we are going to be doing or what were going to see - I realize that I have no idea what we are about to witness and experience. I do see where God has filled my heart with a deep love for the people already though. Just thinking about it really overwhelms me. And I realize we dont need to be prepared - we just need to go love people.

I cant wait.

We're going to Uganda. (Jinja & Entebbe) Freeland & I will both be on the medical team. Freeland is actually going to be leading the team. And well - I have no idea what I will be doing seeing as I have no medical experience but Im just thankful to get to serve along side Freeland and be there together. He did teach me how to check someones blood pressure today - so thats one thing I can do. :)

Practically, I have no idea if I will be able to call anyone or ever get internet anywhere so it may be 2 weeks before you hear from us. In the mean time Thank you for all of your support & all of your encouragement. I dont know that I will ever be able to say thank you enough or in a way that it deserves. But thank you.

And of course, please continue to pray for us, our team, and the people we will be ministering to in Africa.

I wish I had more time to write, elaborate, etc. but our plane is currently boarding so thats all I have for now.

PS - I feel it very important to share with you (and to make sure it goes on the record) that I officially packed my suitcase (for a TWO WEEK trip) in a carry on size suitcase! Miracle - I think so! Im very proud of it.

**Updated**
We're in New York and just met with our team. We're loving everyone. My thoughts so far are this: I think I will pretty much just be in tears for 2 weeks straight. Freeland too! I have already cried twice & we arent even in Africa yet. Our team leader (who is wonderful & I already LOVE her) was explaining what the medical team will be doing and going over what each day will look like and the tears just starting coming. She said we will be seeing somewhere between 200-250 people each day. And that every day we will be turning people away since there arent more than 24 hours in a day - and that will be one of the hardest parts. We'll be working with anyone and everyone. I will be doing intake, distributing medicine, and helping crowd control since she said it is going to be very overwhelming with the large amount of crowds that will be waiting outside. Freeland will be seeing as many people as possible and helping in anyway he can - even if its just praying with them.

I will also get to see Freeland doing what he loves to do & caring for those who are sick and in need. I cannot wait. Freeland is of course beside himself and cant wait to actually be there and get started.

We will also be in an orphanage some days and I cant wait to go and hold every single baby they will let me..

Okay gotta run. We're off to the start figuring out the luggage. If I get a chance to update again before we leave I will. If not - we're on our way to Africa now.

pictures, cherry blossoms, and rain

So while we all continue to wait for our internet to be set up I am going to work with what I already have. Our computer is still sitting in a box so I cant upload our pictures from vacation. Not to worry though our internet is supposed to be set up today. (meaning I wont have to live/work out of coffee shops & panera anymore) and I can hopefully get organized.

Anywho, a while ago our dear friend Christy introduced us to her friend Rachel. She is a local photographer here in Erie & I've been following her blog ever since. And a few weeks ago she wrote that she needed a Couple to take pictures of. Freeland & I happened to be free so we offered to run and meet her. I was so excited because I am always eager to watch/learn/etc. how photographers do what they do. And this gave me the chance to see. And I knew it would be fun getting to hang out too! So we ran out (in the rain) and met Rachel & some of her friends to take some pictures. Here are a few that they took so you can all see. I love them! Make sure to check out all of their websites! (I posted links to all of them) They are all very talented & we had lots of fun!

These first pictures below were all by Rachel (puremotif photography):











To see more of her pictures from that day click here and here! She's wonderful & Im so glad Christy introduced us!

2 of Rachel's friends were also out there. And I loved getting to meet them too! They are also super talented. Here are some of the pictures they took:

These were taken by Amanda Kifer





You can see more of hers on facebook here

And these pictures were taken by Heather Neckers.







To see more of her pictures click on her blog here

And did I mention it was raining! Seriously! They took all those while it was raining! That takes talent my friends! Heather, Amanda, & Rachel .. thank you so much for letting us be your little subject for the day! We had a blast. I think youre all SUPER talented and I'm glad I was able to meet all of you & watch you work your magic!

PS - I died my hair while I was in California so its no longer dark brown! AND Freeland shaved his head.. so we no longer look this way anymore. :)

while we all wait on the edge of our seats for a recap of our trip

.. I will leave you with this:


see more Fail Blog

paper towels

I meant to post this on camille's birthday for her. (In the chance you arent aware she is a proud owner of the shamwow thanks to her brother. Best Gift Ever!) .. so when I saw this I thought of her. Obviously I never even turned on our computers over the weekend so Im just now posting this. But I think you will all enjoy it. Especially if you have seen the original video





Still working on the whole internet, moving, packing - unpacking, enjoying life thing.. keep you posted.