Reflections on transition . . .

Well, it’s been a pretty rough ride the last eleven months! I know I haven’t blogged like I should, but if I had a blog for every unwritten blog in my mind, you would know way more than you would ever care to know about me. :o) This ride of returning to the United States can only be compared to a roller coaster. Each time I would think that I had conquered this thing called transition, it would take me for a spin. In fact, although it might be almost May, I still have my “moments”. For example a few weeks ago, I was collecting two dollars from each child in my class for something and one child brought me quarters – eight of them. I looked at that bag and looked and kept wondering why I had too much money. Well, I was trying to count them like shillings instead of quarters! I felt so embarrassed that I couldn’t even count quarters. I could tell loads of stories of how many reverse culture shock moments I’ve had. Who knew it would be just as hard coming back to America?

. . . and leaving Uganda

When I left Uganda, I was so ready to be home. I was emotionally drained and tired of living in a third world country. I was quite happy with never going back. Now that I have eleven months behind me, I guess that absence does make the heart grow fonder! I’ve realized how much I did learn while being there and the amazing things that God did for me. Now, I would absolutely love to take a trip back there, but doubting that I ever will. I find that Uganda is never far from my mind, but I try not to talk about it much simply because I don’t want people to get tired of me always referring about Africa. So, any time you want to hear more – please ask me – I would LOVE to talk!

. . . and the school year.

School this year has also been an interesting journey. I was asked to come back to Dillon Christian School and teach first grade. I’ve enjoyed this year (I do have a wonderful class!!!), but am really looking forward to next year. I think my transition has taken so much out of me that all I could do was the next thing. I felt like I didn’t really regain my joy in teaching until March. Now I’m having so much fun and I’m so sad to have to say good bye to these kids in three weeks! Actually to be truthful, there’s four and a half weeks left, but I will be chaperoning the senior mission trip (to Jamaica) May 19 – May 26. So once I leave on that, I won’t be back until the last day of school. Look for more updates about the Jamaica trip later!