a milestone in blogging and an update from Rennes

I know it may seem hard to believe for some, or completely insignificant for others, but I can't help announcing that my one post entitled 15 Things I Want to Tell my Third Culture Parents has received 1,000 views! That's a 1 with THREE zeros behind it!  It is especially significant to me because that post was very personal and vulnerable. If I were a rich megablogger, I would have had a giveaway to the 1000th viewer, but alas, quasi-public recognition is all that I can afford.

Alright, I must move on to other things with pictures or my sister (can you guess which one?) will stop reading altogether.

I arrived in Rennes Tuesday afternoon and went to a Jazz concert in the evening, which was a fun and different experience. It got a little strange at times, but the majority of the parts that I was awake for were enjoyable! 

It has been really cool to step into Melissa's world and live life with her for a bit; whether it be learning where to take the trash in the apartment building, walking down to la boulangerie and picking up baguette, meeting her friends and going grocery shopping, or participating in her ministry activities such as the English Club she attends on campus once a week. 

Okay, Erika, here are the pictures I took of downtown Rennes this afternoon.

 I love all of the cafés and the old buildings and architecture.

Why doesn't our post office in Emporia look like this?

Place de la République

Snacktime, anyone?

It's so nice to be able to take things slow and not have to rush to get everything done. After all, I do have "sept" semaines here and not just "cette" semaine. Right, Sam?

She's an ESU Alum!

Today was an important day for Sherlynn Goering. For those of you who don't know Sherlynn, here's a brief description. She is:

- my cousin of 24 years

- my roommate of 3 1/2 years

- my friend of a lifetime

(Super cheesy, I know, but I couldn't resist.)

A few other facts about her/our friendship:

- we like to run together because it gives us a chance to catch-up on life

- we've had a lot of crazy college experiences together

- she encourages me, inspires me, and teaches me

- she is a role model to so many people in so many ways

- she is beautiful--inside and out!

Sherlynn graduated from Emporia State University today. After the ceremony (she did an excellent job of not tripping across the stage), we celebrated with family and friends. I was asked to take pictures at the party--a job I did not regard lightly! I love taking pictures! Melissa, I tried to capture a bunch of pictures of family for you! 

The food was delicious!

 Precious Lydia! 

She has the prettiest eyes and the sweetest face.

 What a beautiful family!

 Oh, Matthew! 

  

 Awkward hand picture! 

 Cru Ladies Reunion Pic!

What a fun celebration! 

And just for kicks...

Have we changed in the past couple of years?

my mother, my mentor, my friend

God has blessed me with one of the greatest blessings He can bestow--He gave me Godly parents who raised me in God's Word, Truth, and Grace. 

With it being Mother's Day and all, here are a couple of ways that I am blessed specifically by her.

She is my mother.

 My mother has lovingly nurtured me, comforted me, spanked me, and trained me. She taught me how to sew and how to cook. She spent hours reading out loud to my siblings and I. When I broke my arm she took care of me. When I was new to school (again), she watched over me. She packed trunks with clothes for 3 years at a time, so I would have some new clothes to wear every year in Africa. She cooked, she cleaned, she made home my favorite place to be. She equips my father and has loved him and helped him for 30+ years.

She is my mentor.

Starting at a young age, she instructed me in scripture memory, how to have a quiet time, and was with me when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. When I was a little older, she started discipling me and we would meet just the two of us to study God's Word and discuss issues that confront any middle school girl, whether living in the States or in Burkina Faso! She was my actual teacher for two years and oh! what fun we had studying ancient world history and reading deliciously delightful books like The Master Puppeteer and Mara, Daughter of the Nile. 

Now, even though I am a teacher myself and no longer living at home, my mom continues to instruct me. She tells me what I need to hear, not always what I want to hear. She isn't afraid to hurt my feelings if it means pointing me back to God's Truth. She shares how God is training her and keeps me accountable in my pursuit for Godliness. She listens, she encourages, she prays. 

She is my friend.

I still love to go shopping with my mom. I love to spend the day with her if all we do is visit. She knows me better than anyone else on earth. She laughs with me and at me! She is goofy and likes to have fun. She has been a friend who has transitioned with me from the Central African Republic, to the States, to Burkina Faso, back to the States, back to Burkina Faso, and so on. She knows what makes me hurt and what brings the tears, even before I do. She lets me grieve as I need to, but is unwilling to let me remain in a state of despair and self-pity. She knows me well enought to get me an out-of-print book by an author that I love for my birthday, when I don't even think to put it on my list. She has held my hand during my darkest moments and cheered me on in my greatest successes.

(She is also a beast at bowling!)

My mom has made home for our family of 6 in many different countries. She has learned to adapt to various different cultures. She is willing to obey her Master and Maker whatever the cost. I am so proud. I am beyond blessed.

Proverbs 31:25-30

Strength and dignity are her clothing,

And she smiles at the future.
She opens her mouth in wisdom,

And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 

She looks well to the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of idleness.

 

Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 

“Many daughters have done nobly,

But you excel them all.”

³⁰ 

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

Happy Mother's Day!

a TCK kind of Birthday

May 4th, this past Saturday, was a big day. My little sister, Erika, had her nurse's pinning, and I celebrated the fact that I had lived 2 dozen years. The best part about all of it, though, was that my parents flew back from Niger and they surprised Erika and I by flying my brother down from Minnesota. I had not seen my parents in nearly 8 months and had butterflies in my stomach the whole 70 minutes that I drove home. Turning into the driveway and announcing my arrival with loud incessant honking, I couldn't begin to tell you how excited I was! What could be better than spending my birthday with family? A true gift for my TCK heart. The only one not able to come was my older sister Melissa. She was deeply missed and thought of often throughout the day. The following pictures are for her, giving her a glimpse of the festivities.

I am so proud of my baby sister. 

She's the best nurse EVER!

 

 

  

 Thanks for being such a Godly example and mentor to my sister!

 

We decided to pose with an African smile!

My birthday meal request was rice and peanutbutter sauce. So yummy!!! Seriously, one of the best meals EVER! Added bonus: no sand in the sauce! My dad brought back bottles of African cokes for all of us because, as you know, they are far superior to their American counterpart. We decided to save ours for another occasion. I had requested aloco (fried plantain), but unfortunately, there were none ripe enough. Another time. For dessert: something I never could have while living in Africa, but was/is always my favorite: oreo ice-cream dessert.

 Brother Andrew, official gift-giver.

 You are all invited to play Settlers with me. 

Putnams, better start practicing so you're ready for a game night!

 Of course, we wanted Erika to practice her nursing skills as she played with her new toys.

What's a Dorsch get-together without a good game of Pinochle?

I believe the kiddos won, right Grandma?  

What a day! What a blessing! 

For 36 blissful hours I was home.

And may the fourth be with you, too!

A shout-out to my housemate, Doh, for her talented artwork.