I'm Back!!!

And not much has changed here...it's still crazy!!! So, while I was home I had to go to the doctor b/c I had an ear infection...gross I know. It no longer feels like someone is putting a clothes hanger through my ear, so that's good. Anyways, I don't know if it was my ear infection or if I just forgot how loud it is here. I kept on asking my friends, "Is it loud to you?" They were like, "Allison, it's always like this; you were in America too long."

Just in case you haven't experienced it, jet lag is sent straight from the devil!!! It think it's affected me more since I've returned. I landed at 8am and had to meet/speak the new group of workers at 10am. There is no telling what I said...I cannot remember anything. They let me talk to them the next day too. Well the day after that, I asked one of my partners to book my train ticket back for me and to email it to me b/c my card won't work online. She did and sent it to me. Well I woke up, checked my email, saw that she booked my ticket, and proceeded to the train station to buy my ticket!!! I got there stood in line, then left to find an ATM, stood in line there, and then realized I remembered seeing my ticket in my inbox. At this point, I had spent 1 1/2 hours trying to buy a ticket I already had. So, I called my partner to confirm the time the train left and I realized I had 2 hours to get back, get my bags backed, and get a cab to the station. I made it to the station literally running to jump on the train as it pulled off. Which wouldn't be that big of a deal if I didn't have 3 huge bags with me. It was insane!!!

It doesn't end there. Once I was on the train and men helped me put my bags overhead b/c I couldn't lift them (I'm weak), I sat down and tried to relax. Well the older man in the seat beside me wanted to talk. I'm always weary of sharing my testimony and the gospel with people on train or plane rides b/c no matter how it goes, you're stuck beside them the rest of the journey. In this case I had four hours by this man, but the opportunity arose, so I shared. He was like, "That's great! The UFOs are really using you to make this world one!" What???? I didn't even know how to respond. I'm rarely short of words, but I was speechless.

Needless to say, that was one of the roughest/craziest days ever!!!

Tonight once I arrived back home, I took the bus out to eat w/ my teammates. Of course, it was packed and a man's behind was nestled on my shoulder the entire time. My teammates just patted me on the back and said, "Welcome Back!!!" Craziness All the Time!!!

Baby Heath!!!

"I have found the one my soul loves..." Song of Solomon 3:4 Most peeps use that scripture on their wedding invitiations, etc...but I'm going to apply it to this little guy: This is the look he gives me before I pick him up:My sisters:

Heath's favorite Aunt (Center)

How can I stop him from growing while I'm gone? Please email w/ suggestions.

Signing Off

I know I've been the worst blogger recently. It's not from lack of things to blog about, I'm just struggling to share. My past few journal entries have begun by, "God you've given me the craziest life ever, but I wouldn't change it for anything!" Over the past month, I've had extreme highs and other times have knocked me onto my knees. That's where I need to spend more time anyways.

My sister is due in 8 Days!!!!, but I'm moving into my new flat tomorrow and won't have internet for two weeks. When I get the call, I'll be running up the mountain to get internet access so I can skype my family at the hospital. Yeah, her hospital has wireless internet...how awesome is that?

Also, I'll be coming home for a visit in 3 weeks!!! I'm not sure if I'm ready for America yet or maybe I'm not sure if America is ready for me. I know for sure I'm ready for Wal-Mart!!! and to see my baby nephew!!! I think my excitement is equal for both. Just kidding. Baby Heath wins.

Anyways, I hope things are going well for you guys. I most likely won't post anything new until October, so don't bother checking this site. Hopefully by October, I'll be over my writer's block.

Peace!!!!

Pictures!!!

I was scared to try the Banana "Pain" Cake

The devil bus...

The most fun kids ever!!!

This kid has character and I pretty much love him.

The result of my cliff dive...

You know, the usual...traffic

The death curve

The lady, second from the right, offered us chai so we said yes. She proceeded to milk her cow and then used it for our chai...YUM or not

Apple trees were everywhere. I carried around peanut butter so every time we picked them; I ate mine w/ pb. Nationals didn't understand why it doesn't taste like butter.

Sorry...I've been horrible at updating my blog. I'm staying at a guesthouse all week and I'm moving on Saturday. Once I move and we get internet, I'll update.

#3

Today the 3rd wedding that I was asked to be in since I've been here is happening. Abbie and Allen are getting married. Abbie and I have known each other forever and I cannot believe I'm not going to be there. It's hard to believe its even happening. I thought prayer would be more beneficial that my presence anyways, so I decided to fast today. Well I just blew that...I made blueberry muffins last night and I just ate one. Geezz!!! Lord help me.

Anyways...Get Pumped Allen and Abbie you become official big kids today!!!! I love you guys!!!!

I'm Back!!!

I'm back in civilization and I have a ton of stories. I'm still trying to put to words everything that happened on the trip.

One day all I could write in my journal was:

"It's was crazy but great day...after

5-cups of chai

2-near death bus rides

2-mountains climbed

2-trainings

1-demon possessed woman

1-bucket bath w/ a free electrocution treatment

&

1-bite of mutton"

I'll send out an email update once I re-coop.

Why Me???

Is the question I get to ask because my bathroom looks like this:

Yeap, my toilet was there. Now my beautiful blue toilet is in two pieces.

This morning our landlords knocked on the door to inform me that the plumber was coming to fix the clog in my shower drain. I was ok with it, because I was tired of standing in water while I showered. Eventually Abby and I heard the man hitting the marble with a sledgehammer. Needless to say it was a peaceful Sunday morning until then. At first I was scared to look in my bathroom b/c I didn't want to know what he was doing then I was dreading it b/c I knew it was going to smell like sweaty man. Well it smelt like sweaty and smokey men by the end of the day. At one point I had four men working in there. The thing that really confuses me about the repair is where does the dirt come from? I live on the second floor...the ground isn't below me. I don't understand how you knock a hole in the second floor of an apartment and find dirt.

I wish I could say my bathroom is fixed but it's not. It still looks like it does in the pictures above. Abby's family arrived a few hours ago. She's totally pumped. They are great and fun people, so its going to be great. Now even greater since we'll all be sharing the same bathroom!