Ode to Ellie...

GOOD LUCK AT STATE ELLIE!!

I'm so excited for you to go to state Ellie! You deserve it. Running definitely brought us some good times. Remember our Indian run, getting water from DQ, and getting honked at from old men with mustaches? I miss running with you. I know you'll do great at state, good luck!

P.s. Don't forget to wear your toe socks :) LOVE YOU!

Grandparents.

Unlike most, I have 6 sweet Grandmas and 4 amazing Grandpas but share genetics with the typical two sets. I love my biological grandparents and am grateful for them in my life. The extras come from an assisted living home I worked at as a CNA. It's unbelievable how much love you can feel for someone when you serve them. I spent countless hours caring for these amazing people on a very personal level. It wasn't always fun, easy, or pleasant but thats what made the job all that more rewarding. I learned to love and laugh with these people. Leaving my "Grandparents" behind for Africa and saying goodbye I feared one would die while I was away.

My fear came true, twice.

This is Faye. She passed away the end of September. Faye and her husband, Melvin, were blessed to celebrate 70 happy years of marriage previously that month. Faye was a remarkable and strong women. She taught me patience and a deeper meaning of what love really means. I admired her husband and family for the commitment and care they had for their wife and Mother. I love you Faye and family.

This is beautiful Grandma Beth. I was told just today of her passing. My heart and eyes mourn for both of these wonderful women. I wish I could have attended the funerals. Grandma Beth was always optimistic and happy and always had a big smile on her face. Her laugh was contagious, she constantly made me laugh with her quirky sense of humor. She was also very loving. A day wouldn't go by without her saying, "I love you, Dear." I hope I can be as happy and loving as she was someday. I love you Grandma.

Bucket List.

I have a bucket list. It happens to be long and full of craziness. I am definitely a dreamer. When I dream, I dream BIG and thats how I ended up in Ethiopia. My list ranges from weird things like wanting to deliver a calf ( A human baby was way beyond that), to traveling the world, to girly things like hold hands and eat cotton candy, to ambitious things like run a full marathon. I have so much I want to do and see in this lifetime. I plan to make it epic and always interesting. October 21st was a big day as far as my bucket list was concerned. I got to cross off a major event on my list. Drum roll.... I got dread locks. Thats right, a full head of beautiful dreads. I've always thought they were cool and wanted them. Now seemed like the perfect time to complete the dream. I'm young and in Africa so why not? Its taken me awhile to hunt down a beauty shop that actually does them. I'v asked every Ethiopian I've seen with dreads if they knew where I could get them done. The common response was, " These are natural." I even had a man tell me he could help me make them using avocado and eggs. I kindly declined the offer. Luckily, I found a place that turned out being close to my house. I started the process just after 9 A.M. and didn't leave the shop till almost 5! Thats right, 8 hrs sitting getting my hair turned into a rats nest. I've never had a hair style take so long. First they connected extra hair to extend my own so my dreads would be long enough and not look ridiculous. Next came the relentless ratting and rubbing the hair between their palms. Following that they sewed the dread straight so it wouldn't be all frizzy and fat. The sewing definitely took the longest. It made them look good though. Next came hot wax applied to each dread, I have around 40 i think. Then I had to sit under the dryer to set the wax in. After all that they finally said I was finished. I have to leave the stiff wax in for a few days and then can wash it out. The dreads are crazy but are sweet! Ethiopia happens to the holy place for Rastafarians. It's their "Zion". I fit right in.... though I haven't seen any girls with dreads here not to mention a white girl. Oh well.

Dread locks- CHECK!

Homeless Project.

Dear Family,

An update from me has been long over due and for those of you wondering, yes I am still alive. Sorry It's been so long. Heres whats been going on in a nut shell-

I came to Ethiopia wanting to have an adventure, and boy did I get it. My time here has been filled with experiences that have been so crazy. The life I lead here is so different from what I've known from home. I've loved it though. Things I see, hear, and feel are indescribable. Thus, I feel like I can't really convey my experiences well to anyone and I can understand how foreign my stories must sound to people. I wish everyone could hear the begging mother's plea, feel the sick child take your hand, witness the swimming sea of colors at market, or simply smell the foul sent of uncleanliness like I do. Often, things around me are so real it almost seems unreal, if that makes any sense. Like camping with the native tribe, delivering a baby, or being in the middle of a riot, it has all been so unbelievable. It keeps life surprising and always an adventure and thats how I like it.

When I was planning to come to Ethiopia, people would often question me why I was staying so long. I never had a great response but knew it's where I wanted and should be. Now, I have no doubt of why I'm here for 5 months. It's unreal how fast life can change, it took just the instant for Wes to be injured. My carefree African dream quickly ended and the greater purpose of me being here unfolded.

I never would have thought Alyssa and Wes would be the ones in America while I was living in Africa. Having them away I've taken on the added responsibility of their children. I'm a single step mom to 5 kids at age 18 in Africa. Frankly, it's hard. I'm experiencing a very steep learning curve. These kids are truly amazing but like any other kid they don't come without their challenges. All this might forever cure me of ever wanting kids :) jk . I really do love them and I try to be thankful for the time I have to spend with them on such a personal level.

While the kids are at school I've filled my days randomly with really whatever has come my way. Sometimes I do more "mom" stuff. Which ranges from the shopping, making an after school snack, meeting with teachers, or going to the doctor or dentist (We've had some sick kids and chipped off teeth incidences). I go out and take pictures ( I'm working on a project focusing on homeless people. I think they are an extremely interesting subject). I've helped in an orphanage, I went with some American ladies ( Who have helped me keep my sanity) and met with a group of girls who are training to be professional runners. We taught them about personal cleanliness and their menstrual cycle. I can't believe their training. They run about 250 K a week! One of the girls was going, for the first time, to compete internationally in Ireland. I'm going again next week to meet with them and am excited to hear how she did. I also simply enjoy walking around and exploring and meeting with the people. I so wish I could communicate more with them then I can. I'm still looking for volunteer work thats a little less random. I've also been called to be a Relief Society teacher at our branch. I feel too young for all this haha. Heavenly Father knows best and I know, though it's hard, I'm suppose to be here not only for the kids but to learn and grow myself.

I hope this letter finds you all well. I'd love to hear from you.

With Love,

Kate