I really love blogging

...but not that moment when you're about to finish your post and the internet deletes all your hard and witty work, leaving you to start all over. Oh well, here goes...

So I love blogging. Love it. I read blogs like it's my job and now I have one of my very own. This is all so very exciting and I just can't contain my writing to only be on the subject of my summer in Africa. I'll tie it all together though so you won't hardly even notice, so hang in there with me and just keep reading. 

So update on Africa happenings: Hannah and I returned "home" to Lome this week. The feeling of returning to someplace makes me feel much more settled here. I never really feel like myself until I'm settled somewhere so coming "home" has been a blessing in the adjustment process. As lovely as it was to be back, it wasn't even the highlight of our week. We had the opportunity to go on a already-much-needed vacation to Benin for 2 days. Hannah and I expertly scheduled in a few extra days for traveling around Africa when we booked our tickets- always one step ahead we are- so we said yes when Will and Margaret asked us to join them on a quick trip to the coast of Benin. I don't think we would have taken a little time off so early if the timing had been up to us, but it actually worked out wonderfully. Week three of these internships is notoriously the worst (for culture shock, etc.) and it was lovely to have such a bright spot in ours. Some highlights of our trip: Body surfing in the big waves, being served by staff that had to dress as pirates, sipping fresh mango and pineapple smoothies by the pool, reading a good book for hours, sitting on the edge of the water realizing I'm on the coast of Africa, hanging out on the beach in the moonlight and seeing the biggest shooting star I've ever seen. It was lovely. 

Now we're back in Lome trying to tackle the never-gonna-end-until-we-get-on-the-plane-to-go-home pile of work we have to do. SO much typing to do. Now is one of those times I'm really thankful that I type like a T-Rex (you know, just picture it, I use only about four fingers) because Trinity didn't think it was a priority to teach me how to type. I love only being able to type about ten words a minute. Thank you very expensive education. (Disclaimer: I love Trinity and I believe they now teach their students how to type. I was just the one who slipped through the cracks. "No Child Left Behind?" I think not.) So anyway, we have SO much work to do and I'm praying that I will use it was a way to bring glory to God's kingdom. It's very easy to get bogged down in all this, but I'm praying and trusting that all this work will actually help someone. Working for His glory, not my own.

So now it's time for that part of my blog that doesn't really have to do with Africa so much. I'm starting a blog segment that I'm calling "Things I will never again take for granted" because being in Africa is something God is using to show me how much I truly appreciate some things but maybe don't take the time to notice. Those things that I love best and miss most. I hope these posts will serve as a reminder when I'm home to appreciate these things more. I also hope this will make you stop and think about something you may be taking for granted. Take time to say thank you for something special today. Write a note to someone, say a little prayer, whatever, just show a little extra gratitude today for all the blessings in your life. So without further ado...

Things I will never again take for granted: My lovely room mate Sarah Swygard. 

I loved living with Sarah this past year but didn't realize just how much I loved it until it was over. Thankfully we have a whole new year together ahead of us. She's the type of friend who buys you a birthday tiara and then makes you wear it so you can tell everyone that you're being forced to wear it (even though you are secretly so excited to wear it). She's the kind of friend who thinks to invite you to her too-good-to-be-true mentor's house for Easter brunch so you can have a delicious meal with a real family on a special occasion. She's the kind of friend who gets up early to come cheer you on in your first ever 5K and waits at the finish line to take pictures of you. She's the kind of friend who is up for anything and doesn't make fun of you when you want to give yourselves a celebrity couple name like "Krisarah" (catchy, isn't it?). She's the kind of friend who doesn't get mad when you wake her up at 6 am so she can drive you to the ER because you scratched your eye. She's the kind of friend who wants to start silly traditions with you like watching through every season of Alias and dancing through the theme song no matter how late it is. She is the classiest. And the sweetest. And I love her. Thankful her her selfless friendship and all that she means to me. 

Over and out. What are you extra thankful for today?