What have I been doing?

Hello friends,

I'm sure some of you have been wondering how I'm doing in the United States. I must say that it has been an adjustment time even though I was coming home to my home culture. I was given good advice when I was reminded that I had patience with the African culture when I was first learning about it. Now I need to have patience with the American culture as I get reacclimated to it once again.

I did have tooth surgery the other week. It turned out to be more intensive than what I expected, hence the bruise/yellow spot on my jaw.

I am still enjoying being cold and wearing cold weather clothes. I think I am definitely in the minority on that one based on what other people have said!

If you know me, you know that I am enjoying watching ACC basketball and the football playoff games. It is so nice to be able to watch a game almost every night. I could easily get spoiled with that.

As I have been looking back on these 3 past years in Mozambique I am continually reminded about how faithful God is and how blessed I am. I pray that as I share about Mozambique others will see the needs there and pray for the people and share with them in whatever way they can.

I will be traveling soon to different areas to share about the work in Mozambique. I hope to see you soon!

Reuniting with friends

One of the good things I have been able to do recently is to get back in touch and visit with some friends who I haven't seen in a while. Just thought I'd share pictures of them. Of course sharing meals with them at nice restaurants has been enjoyable.

A little snow in North Carolina

If you look hard enough you can see the snow flurries that happened today in North Carolina. Even if the snow didn't stick it was so nice to enjoy seeing it fall and to enjoy the cold weather.

Church photos

The despedida which my Mozambican church had for me was nice. We had a good service and then enjoyed some good food and cake. I just thought I'd share some of the pictures with you. The one thing which I can't transfer to you through the blogspot is the hot heat of that day. It has been an adjustment going from 30C to 30F.

Carol is in North Carolina

After a plane delayed day on Friday in Atlanta, I did make it home to North Carolina on Friday evening. My first meal was pizza and wings and they were good. My family and I opened a few Christmas presents but then we stopped and decided we would enjoy it alot more on Saturday after a good night's rest. We watched Wake Forest win their football bowl game over UConn and then opened presents. Its nice to be able to do things like drink water straight out of the tap and not have to worry about filtering it.

It didn't take long for my cat, Jasper, to find my bed and make himself at home. Actually he is probably more mom and dad's cat since they have had him for the past 3 years that I've been in Mozambique. But its still a cute picture no matter who's cat he is.

Pastor Manuel

If you have been keeping up with the blogspot you probably remember my mentioning a Pastor Manuel, the main pastor who I traveled out with on trips. The morning I left he showed up at my house for one last time. I must say it was sad. I had spent some time with him and his church people on Christmas Day which was a blessing.

Unexpected guests

On my way out of Mozambique I had unexpected guests at the Maputo airport. My first Portuguese teacher, Elsa, and her family came to the airport to say goodbye. It was so sweet. They did know what time I would be in the airport and they wanted to see me for one last time.

Coconut

What did Coconut do while I was packing? Well, Coconut found a little rest time.

A special night

One of the highlights of the going away party was a night at the farm. In the Nampula area there is a family who owns and operates a chicken farm business. On the last Saturday night before I left the missionaries had a going away for me. It was a special night.

Friends of mine planned the night and had some of my favorite things. We started the night with a time of worship lead by some of the teenagers then we had a Mexican food meal followed by ice cream and brownies. We would have had volleyball and outside games but the rain changed those plans.

Thank you Carola and others for making it an extra special night!

Two good guys

Leaving Mozambique was bittersweet as you can imagine. It was a place I called home for 3 years and during that time these two guys worked for me and helped me in many ways. They will probably never see their picture on the internet but I wanted to put it on their anyway. Their names are Arlindo and Able. If you can read their hats you can see which one is which.

African dress for Carol

My last Sunday in Nampula the church had a despedida (going away) for me. One of the things which they took great pleasure in doing was to have an African type dress made for me. They were so excited as Albertina was dressing me in the dress and fixing the headdress for me. It was a hot day and the extra outfit made it hotter but I wouldn't trade the memories of it, it was a good day.

On the pictures you'll see Carol before, during and after the "dressing" process.