Bill leaves for TZ

It's been awhile since I have written in my blog, sorry about that.  It seems like life gets so busy.  Since school let out, we have been living out of suitcases, visiting with family.  We want to spend as much time as possible with family before we return to Tanzania in a few short months. 
   We've really enjoyed our furlough time here in the States, and at the same time look forward to returning to our work in Tanzania.
   Bill is preparing to return to Tanzania tomorrow, for a month.  He is hosting a short term team out of North Carolina.  He will come back July 11th, and then we will prepare in earnest for our return to Tanzania as a family at the end of the summer.

  Things I will miss about America when we go:
1.  Our families
2.  Friends
3.  Our churches
4.  Libraries
5.  Parks
6.  Camps for the kids
7.  Conveniences (smooth paved roads, mail delivered to our house, stores with everything we need or want)
8.  Wal-mart
9.  Certain foods that we can't get overseas (chocolate chips, Gluten free brands of food, nice cheese...)
10. Ease of having the kids in activities like band, horse back riding, choir, etc.

                       Our time to return approaches!
For a list of things I miss about Arusha while gone, read my post: Why I love Arusha

Getting some answers

IBS

    That is my official diagnosis, after many tests, including a colonoscopy and endoscopy.  My doctor has prescribed prescription strength probiotics, and has told me to keep a food journal to keep track of which foods "set me off".  I feel better having an answer finally, but it does seem a bit "anti-climatic".  After all, IBS is just a big word to say "my stomach hurts when I'm stressed or I eat certain foods".  The good news is that it's not dangerous, and doesn't have any ill effects on my overall health.

   So, there you go!

Easter Message from a Child

Looking for answers

    For the past few years, I've been having stomach/GI issues.  Since I've lived in Tanzania for most of that time, I assumed that it was amoebic related.  Before returning to the States, I took amoebic medicine, worm medicine, and antibiotics to try to cure "whatever it was".  But, once in the States, things didn't really improve.  I went to the doctor thinking that maybe it was IBS, but she told me to try a Gluten Free diet.  Ironically, my mom had just started a Gluten Free diet a few months prior and so she had lots of information and ideas for me.
    I've been on the Gluten Free Diet since November, and started feeling better almost right away.  Not 100% , but SO much better that it was great.  Eventually, I went into a GI specialist to question why I still felt bad at times.  Maybe because I had gluten in the house for my family and was accidentally eating some?  After some tests, he determined that I had an infection in the intestines, something I hadn't expected at all!
    But, after finishing the medicine, I have felt worse again, not better.  I feel back to how I felt before starting the gluten free diet, even though it's been weeks since I stopped the medicine.
    So, now, I'm going in for a colonoscopy in April.  Not sure what answers I'll get, if any.  I am just praying that I'll get SOME answers before heading back onto the field in a few months.  I'd hate to leave again not knowing what's making me feel sick all the time.
    That's all for now.... just alot of uncertainty and wondering.  I'll update when I know something.

Katrina's Vision Therapy

                        Vision Therapy

   Katrina started Vision Therapy in February, and we now go up to the therapist every two weeks for an hour.  It is in Peoria, which is about an hours drive from us.  Katrina's therapist, Callie, has been very nice and has give us exercises to do at home.  The therapy is to improve her eyes' ability to work together, and see larger areas at a time during reading.   She also has glasses now, due to her being far-sighted. (Like me!  I just got my first set of reading glasses as well.)

    Some of what she does seems strange, like walk and forth holding a broom stick, and some seems obvious like tracking my finger moving back and forth, up and down, etc.  She has been very positive about it, and the therapist says she has improved already.  She will be giving us exercises to work on when we return to Tanzania.  We are going to the Vision Therapy Center in Peoria, IL, and I recommend them to anyone with reading issues, headaches during reading, etc.  They have even given us a "missionary" discount, bless them!!

Missing Homeschool

Missing Homeschool?

I never thought I would say it, but I miss homeschooling!  We had a rough few years, and I was glad to have a break from homeschooling for this school year.  But, now I am really starting to miss it, and look forward to starting again next school year.  What do I miss?

     Being able to teach my children and experience those "Ah-ha" moments when they learn something new.   Most of school is about reviewing what you know, but it is amazing to watch someone learn something for the first time.

     Being able to sleep until we wake up.  I have to say that I am not a morning person.  We don't usually start homeschool until 9 AM.

     Kids have more time to spend together.  During the day, the girls would take turns entertaining Jonathan between lessons.  They had time to play together before school started, instead of rushing out of the door in the morning.  There was more time to play together after school, because there is no "homework" in homeschool. (It's ALL homework!)

     I can make my own schedule.  If we wanted to take a trip to the beach in February, we did!  If we wanted to do school up until the weekend of Easter to not lose momentum, we did! 

     I could to therapy everyday with the kids.  We did Audibox each morning, which help increase memory skills, as well as help correct reading reversals.  When we go back, I'll be doing Vision Therapy with Katrina each morning to help strengthen her eyes in their ability to focus and work together.

      We took time to read the Bible and memorize scriptures everyday.   I have to admit that I haven't had time to work on their memory work since being in the States, but I've been trying to have them read their Bible each morning.  The curriculum we are using also is a Christian curriculum. 

       I have more time with the kids.  I am starting to miss the girls, they are gone all day!  I find myself looking out the window at 3 PM, and getting their snacks ready.  When we homeschool, we have all day together to talk, read, and just be together.

      

We would do Audibox, a therapy that  helps with memory and reversals every morning.

Our homeschool room in Nairobi in 2011.

         That is not to say that we haven't enjoyed the public school this school year.  We are!  Their teachers have been great, and they have made good friends which is something I prayed about for years before we went back to public school.  It's been a great opportunity for the girls to grow in some interests independently of each other.  Katrina has been able to join band and sing solos for choir.  I wanted them to have some idea of what public school is like, which is what I grew up in.  I'm glad that they are having a positive experience with it.  But, I do look forward to having them home again!

Enjoying Nature

At Sugar Creek Nature Center

     I grew up in "the woods"; we lived on about 2 1/2 acres of wooded land, with woods all around us.  I love being outside in nature in woods.  One regret about our kids growing up in Arusha, is that there isn't much "nature" or "woods" for them to explore outside of Nature Reserves that has an entrance fee, and you aren't allowed to get out of your vehicle.  So, we really enjoyed going to Sugar Creek Nature Center today, not far from our house.  The kids enjoyed playing outside in nature, climbing trees, crossing the creek, and breathing the fresh air.  I LOVED it, and we plan to go back, especially when it warms up in the spring.