Day # ?...I've really lost track. All I know is, PFO is almost over. Today was a really nice day. We had seminars in the morning; one in particular on how to protect the kids we will be teaching emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Most of this I have learned in my education classes, but is still always sad to hear the statistics of children that are abused. I naively thought that might be absent on the mission field...yet again, reminded how 'in the box' I think. This particular topic is hard to talk about and listen to, but always a good reminder of how to be aware and sensitive with the range of children that will be in my class. Afterwards, we got the afternoon off, and got to enjoy a talent show put on by participants of PFO. The Kenya Clan decided to participate by being really good audience members and enjoy the talents of others...and personally, I think we did a great job with that! Now we have set up the projector in our classroom, and are going to unwind from the day with a movie. Still loving these girls and will be missing them lots when I go. One and a half more days and it's back to Cali!

What day is it??? I know I'm almost to the end, and boy am I ready. It's funny, today they told us when we get to our destinations, we will go through a honeymoon stage, a flight stage, fight stage, and acceptance stage (stuff we have been learning over and over again). However, what I noticed during that talk was that the stages I will be going through in Kenya have been the exact stages I've gone through here at PFO. The first couple of days were so fun and I just loved all the newness (honeymoon). Then, flight (wanting to get right back home to a real shower), and now I am in the fight stage (not quite here long enough to make it to the acceptance phase), and I am getting a bit frustrated with all the seminars, meetings, and uncomfortable surroundings. I am also realizing more and more each day what exactly is about to take place here in a few short weeks...I'm moving to Kenya!!! wait...what?...I'm moving to Kenya?!?! ...when did that happen? It's all quite emotional and digesting it each day is getting a little bit more difficult with each new seminar. Don't get me wrong...I'm excited...but wow...I"m moving to Kenya... As crazy as things are going to be when I get home, I am very ready to sleep in a real bed and take a shower in a shower I don't have to coordinate with 50 other girls (yes, there are four I believe for all of us...good times). Please pray for strength and perseverance as I finish up the last couple of days here.

T-Minus 3 1/2 days and counting: Today was better than I expected. Our morning was full, but we got a nice break in the afternoon where I got to go for a nice run and swim which was much needed....especially after this morning's topic...being single on the mission field...my favorite topic (NOT). I found myself wanting to bolt from the pew I was sitting in and go for a run right there...to somewhere very far away. I feel a little strange putting this out in cyberspace for anyone to read, but it is an issue I deal with continually and feel it is important to be real in order for those of you who are praying for me, to add this topic to your list. The speaker talked about how being single allows for an opportunity to reach sometimes more people single than when we go over with a spouse. That is all well and good, but going to this new country 'alone' so to speak is something that really weighs on my mind. This whole thing is scary, and going by myself is even scarier. I am continually reminded God is with me, BUT, nevertheless, it is still scary! Anyway, some good points were made, and let's just say I am glad this particular lecture is done and over with. We then got a little bit into the philosophy of Christian education, which was quite interesting! After lunch, we met with our small group advisors to go over some personality tests we had taken before PFO...haha...very interesting stuff...I would reveal what they said, but then I'd have to...well, you know how it ends...j/k. Oh, I almost forgot, we got to meet our school director today and his wife and they are awesome people. I am excited to get to work with them...so different than what I've been dealing with at PBVUSD these last few years; a breath of fresh air. Now i get to gear up for my 2 page paper I am to write about all I've been learning...I am beginning to think school NEVER ends :/

Day #7: And on the seventh day...God rested...Amen! Today was a great day of rest! Last night, I got to eat an Amanda Meneses original delicious dinner, do some laundry, and sleep in a real bed. Oh what a treat!...not to mention the company. We slept in today, went to Amanda and Mundo's church, and experienced an awesome church service. We listened to Pastor Bryan Houston from Hillsong church of Australia and he spoke on something that is very tender in my heart right now; not living in the past, but believing in a positive future...wow! As I move forward into this great adventure of life, I realized there were things of the past that I needed to surrender to God in order to allow Him fully into my heart again, ultimately allowing me to serve him in the fullest in the upcoming months. It was a very powerful message to say the least. I then enjoyed a relaxing day filled with 2 Starbuck's trips...yes 2!! Now, after a nice day of rest, it is back to some long days. We are all feeling a little resistant as we enter the final 4 1/2 days of PFO wondering how much more information we can take. I know it is going to be good, but need continual prayer as I have said before, there are some long days ahead! Here we go!

Day #6- Today was quite interesting. We had safety training for in case of terrorist attacks, threats, or just basic common sense training when in an unfamiliar environment. It was kind of scary to think about the possibilities of danger, but I'd rather be a little scared than walk into this new culture completely naive. Luckily, East Africa is typically known more for muggings (if anything) than for murder...and yes, I say luckily, because money almost always takes care of those situations (so I've been told). I'm not worried though. I know, as cheesy as this may sound, that with God on my side, I will be fine, and I can honestly say that if anything were to happen, at least I will be serving Him in the process. May sound bizarre to some, but I have a true peace about walking into my upcoming situation. Anyway, on a lighter note, I am really starting to see how God is so detail oriented and I am so grateful. The group I am going over with are just so great and I can't say enough, how grateful I am for that. We all get along so well and I feel like I am already going over with a group of friends. Remember, I have only known them for 6 days...I don't know about you, but for me, this is amazing. God knew who I would do well with and he has blessed me so much with placing me with a group he knew I could thrive with. In addition to the details, God knew I would need a regular bed to sleep in, so I get to spend a night with Amanda and her family again which I am loving! Southaven is one of the most random places to have training, but I couldn't be more thankful to be close to one of my dearest friends and get a truly restful break from the long days at PFO. Lastly, favorite quote of the day "Americans have watches, but have no time. Africans have the time, but don't have watches." Love it and yay for a break!

Day #5...it's getting harder to look alive! Ok, so as much fun as I am having learning about everything...it's about time for a breather. These days are extremely long and I've just about reached my information absorption cap. With that said, I learned a lot today about changing my teaching methods to ensure a classroom where I am respected by my students and their parents. For example, in the US, it is seen as a positive thing to allow student discussion, or use strategies like think/pair/share. In many cultures, students will lose respect for you if you are not the only one talking the whole time. What?!?! I am all about getting out the info and then letting the kids do the rest. I am a big believer in the kids being the ones who learn from working hard; not me...if you are not a teacher, that might not make sense...but the saying goes, if you don't have a voice at the end of the day and you are exhausted, then you did all the work and the kids didn't do enough. Anyway, kind of eye opening for me that there are many things that will need tweaking. It's all part of the learning experience though, and I need to start realizing the way I am used to things being done is NOT going to be the same. I just need to keep repeating that over and over in my head. At the end of the day, I was able to fit in a nice run which helped relieve some of my tension and then the girls and I set up a movie on a projector in one of the classrooms we are sleeping in (aren't we crafty already??? :). It was a nice end to a long day. One more day, and then a break...very excited!

Day #4: Conferences today were focused on learning about the cross-cultural transition process starting now and continuing throughout the year. Apparently, I won't be adjusted to Kenyan culture until Christmas time or after...wow! That is a lot to digest; especially for someone like me who is a home body and is a big creature of habit. Time to step and think out side the box! The process goes as such: Involvement, leaving, transition, entering, and re-engagement. Right now I am involved in my own culture and what is happening to prepare to leave, when I leave I will be going through a grieving process on several levels, then I will transition into the culture, finally enter the culture, and eventually (after a full calendar year), re-engage in the culture and hopefully feel comfortable with everything. That is just a very short version of what I learned today; kind of dull, but helpful for me as I start experiencing feelings I have never had before that come with having to prepare to leave what I've always known and enter into the unknown. On a lighter note, we got to take a tour of the NICS building tonight and meet all the amazing people involved with this whole organization. I cannot say enough how impressed I am by these people. Please continue to pray though, as the information at PFO seems to be getting heavier to digest with each new day.

Day #3 (6/23/10): Spent the day learning about TCK's (third culture kids, or kids who have lived in another country other than their passport country) and how to create a classroom environment that allows us to relate to our kids and understand where some of them will be coming from. Good for me to know considering I will probably have third graders who have traveled more than I have! Lots and lots of good info! Also got to enjoy a run at the local gym with one of my soon to be colleagues, an evening church service where we got prayed over by a local baptist church, and then back to the gym for an evening swim. The days are packed here, but as you can tell, I still have time to fit in some fun activities as well as time to get to know the girls I'll be working with next year. I am continually amazed by what God is teaching me and how he is surrounding me with uplifting 'sisters' I already feel like I know. I can't express the joy I'm feeling and gratitude for how well everything is going! Bring on day 4!

Day #2 in Old Miss 6-22-10 (exactly one month until departure for Kenya)- long day of conferences about different personality traits; learned a lot about ourselves and our soon to be colleagues...interesting stuff! Also heard an interesting African tale about a monkey and a fish...bare with me.

"There once was a monkey who got stranded on an island that became flooded. The only dry spot on the island was on top of a tree. Soo...the monkey spent several days up on the tree until some dry land appeared. As the monkey waited, he saw a fish struggling on the dry land. In order to help the poor fish, the monkey reached down and practically risked his life to save the fish. He picked him up and placed him on top of the tree on a nice dry spot where the very excited fish who was flopping around could remain. Soon enough, the fish calmed down and looked so peaceful that the monkey decided to leave. The monkey walked away feeling so happy about saving the fish." Moral--An ignorant love can do great harm. An informed love can be a tremendous blessing.

I believe the point was to be informed about the students I will be teaching...otherwise, a right motive can do great harm if I don't understand the children I am loving and spending time with. Just a cool theme of the day I thought I'd share!

First day at PFO:

Prayers were answered-I am having an awesome time, learning lots of important info, and loving the girls I will be working with! Could not have been a better first day. Plus, Mandy got to come help me set up my lovely cot which made it even more special.

PFO-the beginning of the adventure

It is the day before PFO and I have been lucky enough to spend a few days with one of my oldest friends, Amanda, and her family before it all begins. I have enjoyed my stay and am anxiously and excitedly awaiting the first day of PFO. PFO stands for pre-field orientation, where I will spend about the next two weeks in I'm assuming some intensive training on what I will be doing for the next two years. The days all begin with bible study and are filled with fellowship and conferences full of information. I really do not know what to expect and so I will feel a lot more at ease after I arrive tomorrow and it all begins. Please pray for me as I begin this information filled two weeks!