Where's the mammoth???

Hunting. I feel as if I've returned to the basic stage of striking rocks, beating myself and grunting, all while wearing spotted, matted, ragged furs. Your typical cave woman! All because... I'm job hunting.

Yes, along with so many others, I'm trying to find a job. I've got so many applications out and seem to find that the positions are filled literally moments before my resume gets in. I was hoping to be working by the first of March, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen at this point.

So what do I do? I try to be thankful for the down time I have, and put it to good use in reflection and relationship building. I keep my chin up and keep filling out the applications. And I trust. I trust that even if the worst comes and my savings are all gone, that I am not alone and the world will not end!

So although I'm a bit "hunt weary" today, this is a chin up email! The hunt is on!!! I'll keep you posted on the prey....

Of Seagulls, fish, and photography

Thanks to a good friend, I was able to have a couple of days in Virginia beach. Thanks to God they were warm and sunny days where I could walk on the beach. It was a lot of fun to relax, greet the sunrise, visit with friends, wander around the quaint shops. However, to be honest, Kazakhstan is never far from my mind. Some days it's so easy to TRUST and know that there is a bigger plan being worked out...and others days it's just difficult to still be in a place "in-between." But all said and done the beach was nice no matter what the state of my mind!! So my friend, thanks for letting me come along for the ride!!

Fellow Kazakaphiles and Kazakh visitor...kind of

Sara Coggins, the Interlink Kids Connection Manager, is in the US right now. She came through Lynchburg and we got to meet up a few times. The last time I saw her was when I dropped her off in Richmond, VA with some Kazakh loving friends of mine (note the car)! Thank you Pam and Gilpin for a really encouraging time with great food and a nice, long walk, despite the chilly weather. I really enjoyed my visit with you and hope I get to see you again soon!!

So I went to Virginia Beach this past weekend....

Reunions & Daring Escapes

So there really is no daring escape, but there have been some good times reuniting with my friends here Virginia. Here are a few highlights of catching up with a family dear to me, MY CAR an adoptive couple I met in Kazakhstan and their little boy, and a good friend over some iced mugs of pop. And this is the short list. Dozens of people have rolled out the red/blue/green whatever color carpet to welcome me home over countless meals and coffees. I'm thankful for this time...though I look forward to working again sometime soon, God willing!!

I can cook!

Hey, so the past few days have been a reaffirmation that I can cook!!! I really began to doubt myself while in Kazakhstan because I cooked some, but nothing came out quite right. Everything was just so difficult. But I did some shopping this week (And nearly had a heart attack at checkout! I mean MY WORD! Food is so expensive I just about fell over! In fact, my wallet did. It actually leapt out of my handbag and ran towards frozen foods. I chased it down and caught it just in time before it burrowed itself among the meats....and speaking of meats....AGH! Again! So I was torn between the $12 organic, hormone free chicken and the $3 (larger pack) of hormone full chicken. What to do??? Do I want crazy hormones and preservatives, NO! Can I afford the other stuff? Sadly, no...but hopefully if I go back to Kazakhstan I will have many years of chemical free food! So I bought...don't say it, yes, hormone full CHEAP chicken. *sigh* Defeat.)

....ANYWAY...so I cooked. I made a beautiful sweet potatoe-jalepeno soup yesterday that Trish taught me years ago. My host Debbie loved it, but her sons turned up their noses. More for me...ahahahaha. Then tonight I cooked couscous with capers, creamed spinach with garlic and feta, and spicy rosemary-pepper chicken in a thick tomatoe base. Tasty!!!! I can cook!!! (And no recipes so it's the best ever!!! Recipes are just like someone telling you what to do which is great if you don't have a clue, but so affirming when you throw things in a pot...and they turn out okay!) And...bonus, Debbie's son actually liked it! I know a lot of people would just be polite but when you've got a picky guy cleaning his plate...SUCCESS!!

I don't know about the weather...or much else!

We've had cold, heat, and some beautiful ice this past week. I've been meeting with loads of people who are counseling me through the return to the states and advising me regarding my hopes to return to Kazakhstan. We've all agreed that taking time is important, as opposed to rushing back. We're looking at the long term and wanting to make sure I am as prepared as possible. Although I don't necessarily like the idea of waiting (who does?!) I can see the wisdom and am thankful for the input. I have a lot to think about!