Yesterday
This Morning
Category: Other Page 80 of 181
Hi.
My name is Amy.
I am coming to a church or a neighborhood or a coffee shop near you.
For the first time in 8 years, I’m going to have the time to do more than just hug you or shake your hand or comment on how much your kids have grown.
I’m really, really excited about this. But can I tell you a secret? I’m also pretty nervous.
I am an introvert and initiating relationships is hard for me. I’ve come a loooong way since high school, when practically everyone intimidated me. The nature of my job has forced me to get better at initiating conversations. And here in Tanzania, I’m pretty good at it by now, because I’ve lived here a long time and I am comfortable here.
But the thought of living in America and getting to know American people? Kind of scary for me.
Because I know I will be the oddball. I don’t know anything about online banking or cell phone plans or what kids’ programs are offered at the YMCA. I’m terrible with fashion and make-up and making myself look American. I feel strange using credit cards instead of cash and I haven’t pumped my own gas in years.
And I know from past trips home that people don’t often really know what to do with me. I’m not sure if it’s because I am an oddball, or if it’s because I am a missionary and therefore not really human.
So can I just get a couple things out in the open right now?
I want to be your friend. Promise. And I am really going to make the effort, but if there are times when you are wondering whether or not I want to be invited to that women’s event or baby shower or scrapbooking party or whatever, let me tell you this now: YES, I want to come.
I want to connect with you. We are missionaries to Tanzania, but we are not immigrants to Tanzania. There is a big difference, because it means that California still is our home and we want to maintain a connection there.
I love to talk about Africa. But sometimes people seem intimidated to ask us anything about it. I think that’s because they don’t want to seem ignorant or they don’t want to admit that they actually haven’t been reading our email updates. But seriously, that’s okay with us. I don’t remember everything from your Christmas letters. I’ll probably ask you for the names of your kids more than once. We don’t expect you to remember everything about us either.
I love talking to kids about Africa, because they have no inhibitions. They ask, Do you live with lions? We love those questions. Adults think it, but they don’t ask it. Go ahead and ask. We won’t think you’re stupid.
And if you don’t want to talk about Africa, I’m okay with that too. I just want to get to know you. I’ve watched all the seasons of Downton Abbey and The Office and Modern Family. I follow U.S. news and politics, so we can talk about those things. Honestly, as I think about these last few years, the hardest part has simply been being a mom to small children. I’ve got 16 years of Africa stuffed inside me, so I know that makes me different. But we probably have more in common than you think.
So….will you be my friend?
Thanks. Can’t wait to hang out with you.
Love,
Amy
….and the winners are….. (picked out of a box by Grace and Josiah…and nobody peeked)…..
theologista
and
Janet P.!
Congratulations!
Since I know both of you personally and will see you this year, then I will give your prizes to you in person.
THANK YOU
to everyone who commented. I loved reading your comments….you have no idea! I wish I could send something to each of you! (and this was so much fun that I will do it again sometime!)
They came on Sunday afternoon. So many of them; these people we love.
And they played the games that Gil loves to play and has played so many times. And we laughed together and ate together.
And when the eating was done, they all sat down on the floor of the basketball court. The place where we have seen so many assemblies and graduations and sports tournaments and International Days and Christmas programs and the place where our hearts have been exchanged with theirs.
So it was a good place to sit.
And we laughed and cried and they loved us, and the sadness and the sweetness intermingled.
And then they surrounded us with their love and lifted us up to the One who loves us even more.
My cup overflows.
Dear Blog Readers,
Hi. I really like you guys.
I love writing. And you guys read what I write. So…thank you!
I have been doing a lot of shopping lately. We have a lot of people to thank, and a lot of birthdays and other holidays coming up in America.
But while I was doing all that shopping, I also thought of you guys, my readers.
So I bought you these. Do you like them? They are boxes carved in Zanzibar style, which is my favorite type of carving here.
I know, I know, there are only two. And I think there are about 200 of you. I couldn’t buy 200 boxes.
So……we’re going to do a drawing! Ooooooh…I’m so excited.
All you have to do is leave a comment. (I’ll tell you how to do that below.)
There are a couple of reasons I am doing this:
1. I want to thank you for sticking with my blog.
2. Because I want to know who you are. If I have a real-life conversation with you in America, it really helps me to know if you are reading my blog. Because, well, then I know that you know me. It’s kind of weird, actually, to think that you know me so well and I don’t know you nearly as well. But still good to know.
So would you tell me who you are?
This is the deal:
Leave a comment and tell me you are reading my blog. You can do this one of two ways:
If you have a gmail account or blogger account, just sign in with that username.
If you do not have a gmail account, then you can leave an anonymous comment. How will I know who you are, you ask? Well….sign your name after your comment! Then the anonymous comment won’t be anonymous anymore….crazy how that works.
If I don’t know you, would you please let me know how you found my blog?
And if the whole comment thing is just too technological for you, then just send me an email and tell me that you read my blog.
I will wait about a week, put all the names into a hat, and let you know the winners!
I am willing to send these boxes anywhere in the world.
Oh, one more thing. If you live in East Africa and already have a half dozen Zanzibar boxes in your house, then if I choose your name, I will send you a bag of American candy of your choice!
Thanks for reading!
