Thanksgiving

Well, I just celebrated my first big holiday away from my family, which was difficult, but God provided like only He can. I spent thanksgiving with the missionaries I have worked with during the summers, the McIntires. They have been a blessing during the four months that I have been here, and I am especially thankful for them inviting me to spend time with them during the holidays. I also got to see a missionary couple that I haven't seen in over a year. It was a very welcome surprise for me this Thanksgiving. Since I couldn't be with my family this year, I was very thankful for these two families.

We ate, had a time of worship through music and a devotion, then ate some more, played some games, and left. I spent the remainder of the day with the McIntires, not wanting to go home and sit alone. All in all, it was a good day, but it was very different.

I did get to talk to my family on Thanksgiving, which was very nice. It was good to hear all of their voices even if I couldn't be there with them. I really just wanted to check up on them and make sure that had followed all of the family traditions. I could just picture them slacking because I was gone. Anyway, they had done most of the normal Thanksgiving activities, and I added those things that were missing, such as the complaining about watching football all day and making fun of my cousin.

Unfortunately, I was also reminded of some other things that weren't so pleasant. (Thank you, Shane!) My cousin so kindly told me not to even think about the food they had eaten. He wasn't even going to mention the turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, etc. I really appreciated him being so kind and thinking of me. He said all of this as he was headed into the kitchen to get some ice cream. Cousins! It's great to feel loved!

On Thanksgiving morning, I woke up and remembered I had pictures of my family. It just so happens that all of these pics are from previous Thanksgivings. Isn't God good! I set them up so that I could see my family. Not quite the same as being there, but it made me feel a little better.

It was great to have a place to go on Thanksgiving. I didn't know most of these people, but they let me eat their food anyway. It was good to be surrounded by people for a little while. I also got to enjoy some good Baptist humor.

These are a couple of students who I've been working with on trumpet. We got to play as part of the Thanksgiving service. They are sounding really good!

After eating, I just sat back and relaxed. It was good to eat most of the same foods I would have eaten in the States. They didn't all taste the same, but it was comforting just to have them there.

This is the McIntire's son and one of my students. We laugh a lot! I can't believe that he calls me Miss Mize! After we played our trumpets, he cheered for me, "Yeah Miss Mize!" He cracks me up, but it's nice to have a fan.

Getting Bigger

This post is about all things big. The kids are getting bigger and growing so much. The changes are fun to watch. I also had a reminder this week of the great, big state I came from. Also, some of the fruit here seems to be rather large.

While all of these things are great (and big), this wouldn't be about all things big if I didn't take the time to mention my God. He is the biggest and greatest there is. A couple of weeks ago when I went to the beach for the weekend with some friends, I had the opportunity to spend Sunday morning with God on the beach. I sat on a rock in the ocean and just watched and listened to the world around me. As I watched the tide come in and the waves crash on the shore, I was reminded once again how small I am and just how big He is. It's amazing to sit in awe of the creator and just enjoy Him and praise Him for His creation. How big He is that He can be here in Senegal with me and there in Texas with my family! I serve an awesome God!





Njaga was a baby the last time I saw him. Every morning his mom would give him to me to hold while she worked. Now, he's walking around (staggering) and talking (mumbling). He looks so much like his big brother (Papa) did when he was his age. I really didn't recognise him the first time I saw him because he is so much bigger. Walking?! My little baby?





Papa has been one of the cutest kids around for the past several years. He's looking less and less like a baby and more and more like a little man. It's been great to see how's he's grown and changed with each year. One thing that's remained the same, though, is that he can always make me laugh.

Also, check out the cool Texas shirt he's wearing. That was a gift from two summers ago. It made me so happy to see him wearing it. It's great to see anybody wearing something from the great state of Texas!

Mama is Njaga and Papa's big sister. She is also growing and changing, though she still makes some of the best faces. She is starting to take on more responsibility in her family. Even though she's still really young (about 6), she is still expected to run errands for the family. She is frequently sent to the store that's right next to the house to buy things the family needs. She's still a little girl, though, and I love to play with her.

Look at the size of these grapes! I couldn't believe how big they were. All of the grapes here are this size. I held off getting some as long as I could because I heard they were a little expensive. However, in the end the temptation was too great, and I had to try them. (I have too much of my dad in me. I can't turn down a good grape.) I don't know how much I paid for them, nor do I want to know. I do know that they were very good.

Namonala Khadi

These pictures are for Khadi Sylla, my roommate from two summers ago. She called yesterday to talk to the family, and they loved it. Even though, they couldn't talk to each other very much because of the language barrier, they enjoyed it because they know that Khadi loves them.

Khadi, wish you could be here to see them in person. They do, too! Until a time when you can, enjoy the pictures. Namonala, suma xarit!

Pop misses Khadi! Okay, so maybe he was just being a little fussy, but if he knew Khadi, he would miss her. Also, notice that he is sitting up by himself. This is new, but he can't do it for very long. I'm excited about getting to see all of the stages of his development.

"Khadi, nomonala! Cana nyo fi ci Senegal?" (Khadi, I miss you! When are you coming to Senegal?)

This is Yandeye lecturing Khadi about visiting. "Warnga nyo ci Senegal com Seynabou!" (You need to come to Senegal like Seynabou!)

Papa wanted to talk to Khadi, too. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on, but he was excited to talk on the phone. He just kept repeating, "Mangi ni." (I am here.)