July 07, 2006
I'm on my way!
I am just finishing packing and getting all my bills and business squared away. I have done more in the last few days than I normally do in a few weeks-- I got all my bills online, sorted through tons of paperwork, applied for a job, etc. Just try to plan ahead for seven weeks! It's rough. But I'm on my way, and I can't wait to see Africa.
It's not just what I will see though. I was thinking today about what things will smell like. It's easy to try and picture or visualize what it will be like to "be" there, but I don't know what it will smell like, or what the more humid air will feel like, or what the food will taste like, or what new sounds I will hear (or lacktherof, coming from the bustle of LA...). As I post pictures, I'll try to give a complete sensory description of things.
I have been thinking about what things I expect to miss. Of course I will miss friends and my bed and my routine in general. But I think that I will really miss music too. It is very "twenty-something" to be into music, always discovering new bands, going to concerts, driving in the car with speakers pounding. Without it so around me, I will really feel its absence. Hmm.
More later,
Libby
Posted by libbystokes at 10:01 PM | Comments (0)
June 30, 2006
Sharing Beauty and Wisdom
This morning I went with my mom to a little brunch get-together that her friend put on for her. About 15 women attended and my mom shared updates and told stories of life in Africa. I had heard many of the stories before, but they were still fascinating and touching and incredible to hear.
I looked at her talking with her friends this morning (something I haven't been able to do in six months!) and thought how truly beautiful and wise and wonderful she is and has become. Since serving in Africa, I think my mom has grown a lot and it was just neat to observe that beauty and confidence that comes with the increased knowlege of and relationship with God. I can honestly say that I hope to turn out like her when I grow up.
This is where we will be staying for a couple nights in Kenya before we go on Safari. I get to see the Indian Ocean!
Booya!
Posted by libbystokes at 09:50 PM | Comments (0)
June 28, 2006
Eleven days and counting
With just 11 days to go, I am just beginning to think about actually being in Africa. Most of my thoughts and worries and energy have been focused on all the things I have to take care of before I leave, or even on what I will be doing once I return. So now that I am starting to pack and prepare, I have to imagine myself living, traveling, eating, dressing, communicating, sleeping and interacting in a foreign country.
I am anticipating all travel with weariness and caution-- my theory is to expect the worse so as not to be disappointed. I bought a book of Sudoku puzzles to help keep me occupied on the plane. I hope to purchase a few novels as well (Barnes and Noble has a fabulous collection of petite hardback classics that are around six dollars each!), but as I am limited on space I will have to choose carefully.
I meet up with my mom in Chicago and we travel through London and on to Kenya. I have never been to Europe (or out of North America for that matter), so I am so looking forward to seeing and experiencing every bit of "new" that I come across. Although our layover is only two hours in London, I will always say that I have been there (I'll take what I can get, thank you).
In the mean time, tomorrow I am making one last trip to Disneyland before I travel north for a short visit with my dad. One thing that will be hardest to do without will be my friends (so I trust that you will all keep in touch and leave comments here and send emails etc.). I will miss my roommates: Marianne, Melissa, Michelle and Jenn. I will miss church and getting to know a new group in Tentmakers. I will miss my bed and my car (although I imagine that having experienced Africa, I will look on all my belongings with a little less fondness). I will miss familiarity.
More to come soon...
-Libby
Posted by libbystokes at 01:01 AM | Comments (0)
June 27, 2006
Welcome!
Thank you to all for your support and encouragement as I finish preparing for my trip to Africa. I leave July 8th and return August 27th, so please be praying during this time for my safety, health, and spiritual growth.
I look forward to being able to share my experiences here through words and images. Check back periodically to see updates and hear how things are going! (Better yet, send me your email address and I will notify you when I post a new message-- elizabeth [dot] d [dot] stokes [at] biola [dot] edu).
Thanks and God bless,
Libby :)
Posted by libbystokes at 12:18 AM | Comments (0)