Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas from Kenya everyone! I have been at YWAM Athi River in Kenya now for five days and am enjoying my vacation or holiday. I completed my first quarter of SBS absolutely warn out physically, emotionally, and spiritually...so I am so blessed to just get away to a place that I love like YWAM Athi River. (Its the closest to home I can get here in Africa!) As I approached the base I was overwhelmed to tears to realize how faithful God is. I remember in February, after our month long stay, I dragged my feet as we left. But now I am back and feel that I will return many times in the future. So far I have seen so many giraffe that I can no longer count of my fingers! I have enjoyed going for jogs through the bush trails and see them almost every time. Yesterday I saw a group of seven of them and when they saw me they decided to run as well. It was so beautiful to see them as they majestically glided in front of me. Along with my walks and jogs through the bush I have also enjoyed helping out in the kitchen and visiting with old friends and new friends from the current DTS. I really feel like this time that I have off from SBS is a time to renew my relationship with God. To be very honest somewhere in these last three months I have become so wrapped up in the work of SBS and other small things, that my relationship with God has suffered. I know that I haven't completely missed God, but I also realize I haven't made him my top focus. So I'm praying for God to revive my heart, restore, instruct, rebuke, and change me so that I may be able to commit to another quarter of SBS, but this time with my eyes on Him and not so much distracted by the small meaningless things that will pass. I really believe that God wants me in the SBS, but I also realize that I need to re-surrender myself to him in order for me to get the very most that he has for me. I really am seeking to hear God speaking me and directing me as I spend my time here in Kenya and also as I return to Uganda. For Christmas I am staying at the base with a few other people. We will have a chicken dinner on Christmas day and hopefully do some other fun things. I am planning to spend some time this upcoming week making cards, communicating, cooking, helping out on the base, and relaxing. Without snow, family, and friends it is hard to imagine that Christmas is almost here. But I am planning to make the very best of all that God has given me and will enjoy as best I can. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas as you spend time with your loved ones and celebrate the joyous birth of our Lord Jesus Christ who so humbly came to this earth so that we may be restored to the Father! God bless you!