What's Up!

Vaccinating cattle, meetings, visiting people, murder mystery parties, and playing with my dog is how I've been spending my time here in Zambia.  I try to keep myself busy and sane, learn a little along the way and keep taking one day at a time!

 All dressed up for our Murder Mystery party!  A group of volunteers finished their service, so we were able to say good-bye with a little fun!

 Out in the hills keeping the cattle healthy!  I played assistant to the vet as we were out and about vaccinating in the area villages!  We vaccinated over 1,000 head of cattle for Black Leg and 20-30 dogs for rabies.

 Spicing up my outdoor kitchen!  Just added a few wild flowers to keep things classy. 

 Just enjoying a quite evening of no electricity in town!  Roasted maize, singing, and good company!  I visit this Catholic Girls home and their volunteers when I get the chance. 

Finally!  My neighbor and his wife came over to finish putting cement in my outdoor kitchen!  After 5 months, it was finally done.  I guess it's better late then never!  And it does look nice, too!

 Jaylene.  This girl is growing every single day!  She had quite the time down at the dam and is as loving and sweet as ever.  She likes to visit our neighbors throughout the day, but luckily makes it home to sleep outside my door at night!

Here I have just finished washing my little girl, Jaylene!  Never before have I given a dog a bath until I came to Zambia.  It gets harder and more tricky now that she gets bigger and bigger.  I was quite wet and dirty after making her all shiny and clean!

The next few months will be filled again with meetings and fun!  I hope to keep encouraging my community towards building and finishing their market and starting to dip their animals.  I will continue helping at the local clinic weighing babies and assisting the nurses.  Maybe I'll learn how to build an outdoor oven with bottles, sand, and clay.  And I'll keep working on keeping my garden growing and hopefully producing lettuce, cilantro, garlic, tomatoes, and others!  

Everyone take care and feel free to shoot me an email, message, or the like!  Cheers!  

I'm Still An American

I can travel all over the world. I can learn new languages and adapt to different cultures and customs.  I can eat strange food and bathe from a bucket under the stars.  I can do all these things.  

I can meet and befriend all varieties and colors of peoples.  I can live and learn with and become a part of many families.  I can plant tiny or big roots in every country on this earth.  

However, that doesn't or shouldn't change where I come from or who I am.  

I will still miss my parents and siblings at home.  I will still want to stay connected with all my friends across the States.  I will still feel most comfortable in my sweatpants and a long-sleeved shirt.  These won’t change.  

I will still crave a tasty Jersey beef burger or steak.  Blueberry pancakes will still be an ideal breakfast food.  I will still love listening to country music.  I will still want to hug and kiss and love beautiful baby calves. These won’t change.  

Living in a new place challenges people in all different ways.  It is hard to be a minority.  It is hard sticking out like a sore-thumb.  It is especially hard trying to help people who seem uninterested in any help.  Each day is a new journey with ups and downs.  

The past few weeks and months, I have been able to meet and spend time with more people who've shared their kindness and made me feel closer to ‘home.’  There are super farmers, missionaries, and others here in Zambia that area always willing to offer a meal, a ride, or a hot shower.  I met some American missionaries just recently that went above and beyond good hospitality!  

After having lasagna for supper as well as a delicious lettuce salad with homemade dressing, we enjoyed a tasty pecan pie.  We discussed Texas and the Midwest, hunting and cooking, and life.  Finally to top off the evening, I had the best shower yet in Zambia!  I was able to bathe under the stars with the bright sliver of moon shining.  However, this was no bucket bath.  Nope!  A real hot shower with amazing pressure!  What a great night!  

I truly enjoy learning new things, travelling, and experiencing life.  But, sometimes, it’s the people and little things closer to home that really can brighten our days.  It is the feeling of being truly comfortable that we all need from time to time.  Adversity and challenges make us stronger, but caring for our selves and taking a break is sometimes necessary.  

I am proud of where I come from.  I am grateful for my family and how they raised me.  I am super happy I have had so many fantastic opportunities and experiences.  I am still an American, and proud to be one!  

   This is me.  Just me!