My Life In Kenya: A Musungu Memoir -- The End?

Where Do We Go From Here?<br /><br />The Kenya-Nevada connection has always struck me as positive and warm-hearted. There are clearly quite a few Nevada Episcopalians who care deeply about Kenya and act on their caring. But the Nevada-Kenya connection is also a little puzzling. For one thing, a lot of folks in Nevada believe we have, or once had, a companion diocese relationship in Kenya. We do not and never have. Bishop Kanuku has visited here and has spoken to our Convention. But we never sealed the deal.<br /><br />For another thing: There are three or four NGO’s operating in Nevada to support good works in Kenya. These NGO’s are supported, and in some cases, even led by members of the Episcopal Church. They report on what they are doing at Diocesan Convention, and we all come away feeling a bit of virtue-by-association, and many believe the Diocese of Nevada is actually doing good work in Kenya. Not so much. I have given a little discretionary fund money to Kenya. Last year we gave part of the loose plate offering from the Convention Eucharist to combat malaria; but the Episcopal Church in Nevada is not supporting anything in Kenya except on occasion here and there. I am grateful for the NGO’s and the participation of Episcopalians in their efforts. We want to encourage them and support them. But we should not confuse their good works with the Diocese actually doing something ourselves.<br /><br />So where do we go from here?<br /><br />I got a glimmer of an idea when Bishop Kanuku took me to the office of Ukamba Christian Community Services. They are the community and economic development arm of three neighboring dioceses in the Ukamba region of Kenya, which includes the Diocese of Machakos. They are actively engaged in Millenium Development Goal projects, building sand dams to help people survive drought, funding small businesses, supporting economic independence and equality for women, forming agricultural cooperatives, shifting agriculture from cattle which are high risk and low profit to goats and chickens which are low risk and higher profit. UCCS is quite an impressive operation. It receives support from multiple faith based sources – but none from two sources – nothing from the Diocese of Nevada and nothing from Episcopal Relief and Development. <br /><br />So I am wondering these things: Might we invite the Diocese of Machakos into a Companion Diocese relationship? Yes, we are already linked to the Diocese of Santiago, but diocesan partnerships are not monogamous. And this one would be different. Santiago needs to be economically independent of the West. Machakos is headed that direction, but Ukamba Christian Community Services needs seed money (literally and figuratively) to lift people out of poverty. <br /><br />The Anglican Communion is not a denomination. We are not held together by a centralized authority with a whip to keep us in line. The Anglican Covenant appears to be headed nowhere because we like it like that. We are a spider web of relationships. The Nevada-Machakos relationship is one of those threads. Might we want to mark the demise of the Anglican Covenant by strengthening our bond with Machakos, with a gentler voluntary partnership?<br /><br />Linda and I committed to sponsor a rescue girl in the Massai Mara; and we expect to contribute to building the Girls Hostel for ACK Kyandote Bulwa. But what might the Diocese of Nevada do? I will be processing that question with the Deacons and the Standing Committee, but ultimately it will be up to the people of our Diocese. It is a question worth praying on.<br /><br />Something I have been musing over. Since so many Nevadans act on behalf of Kenya, what does it mean that we do not form a partnership with them or do anything as a diocese for Kenya. I wonder if it says something, not about our relationship with Kenya, but our relationship with each other. If we were to make a commitment to Machakos together, what difference might that make in our ties to each other here?

My Life In Kenya: A Musungu Memoir -- The End?

Where Do We Go From Here? The Kenya-Nevada connection has always struck me as positive and warm-hearted. There are clearly quite a few Nevad...

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got a light?

Happy Monday everyone! I hope your weekend was a good one. We all survived spring break but I will say I was happy for a return to 'normal' this morning.<br /><br />I was at Lowe's yesterday (surprise, surprise) and once again I couldn't pull the trigger and buy energy efficient bulbs.<br /><br />Recycling, eating organic, buying locally, low VOC - I'll help mother earth out as much as the next girl. But when it comes to lighting, I'm a bit hardheaded. (ok, I'm really hardheaded about a lot of things, but I won't go there. not without drinks.)<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0TmKblS_4iArB7xOrCnAWizAWBIf9kGiMUbF3AShgdts3LyU2I6CsxZYYJCJIZIPp-8_6XRkNQ9ON3pN5L4O1bqyVhojsCUWM3R0lwxk4OLW1acJ7HYrsblD7rWjfdh2BFri1mzOI17N/s1600/prod640021.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0TmKblS_4iArB7xOrCnAWizAWBIf9kGiMUbF3AShgdts3LyU2I6CsxZYYJCJIZIPp-8_6XRkNQ9ON3pN5L4O1bqyVhojsCUWM3R0lwxk4OLW1acJ7HYrsblD7rWjfdh2BFri1mzOI17N/s400/prod640021.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://media.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/prod640021?$PD$" target="_blank">Restoration Hardware</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />I like mood lighting. I don't have a bulb in my house that's over 40 watts. We have recessed lighting (halogen) in a few rooms and we have dimmers everywhere we can. But with the government starting to shake me down, and phasing out regular bulbs over the next few years (yes, I am hoarding my 25 and 40 watt bulbs like I'm preparing for nuclear war), I'm realizing that I need to adapt to this wether I like it or not.<br /><br />So Halogen, CFL, LED. What do you know? What do you use? What do you like?

got a light?

Happy Monday everyone! I hope your weekend was a good one. We all survived spring break but I will say I was happy for a return to 'norm...

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FMM: Current Favorites

It's been awhile since I participated in FMM, but alas, I am taking on today's topic of Current Favorites.  Stop on by <a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/2012/03/friend-makin-mondays-current-favorites/" target="_blank">All the Weigh</a> and see what FMM is all about!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/FMM1-1024x7501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://www.alltheweigh.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/FMM1-1024x7501.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><ol><li><b>Song </b>- <i>Woman Like You by Lee Brice</i>.  {Fun Fact: Lee Brice just hosted the 4th hour of the Today show last week with Hoda Kotb!!} I first heard this song on the way to church the very first morning after the Terrible Awful.  It reminded me so much of Joel and I just felt like it was another one of God's little hints to me to stay in faith, and trust that He would bring Joel back to me in due time.<br /></li><li><b>Drink </b>– Skim Earl Grey Lattes {preferably from Starbucks...but I make them myself too}<br /></li><li><b>Physical feature of the opposite sex (or the sex that you find attractive) –</b> I like his big blue eyes and lips.<br /></li><li><b>TV Show(s) –</b> Army Wives, Mike & Molly, and Bethenny Ever After.<br /></li><li><b>Actor/Actress</b> – </li><li><b>Book –</b> Right now I'm reading a boat load of books but I really love Joel Osteen and his latest, Everyday a Friday.  Another wonderfully, inspiring book brought to you by J.O.!<br /></li><li><b>Form of communication</b> – I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook.  I love that because I live so far away from home, it allows me to keep in touch with friends/family I don't get to see regularly.  However, I'm not a fan of those "forwards" that seem to be all the rage right now.  This means people reposting pictures of quotes/optical illusions/whatever else.  It reminds me of email forwards, which I strongly disliked.  Still, I love when people post personal pics on Facebook!<br /></li><li><b>Exercise</b> – Currently I'm really liking <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/03/refocusing-winning-outcomes.html" target="_blank">The Wave</a>!<br /></li><li><b>Food</b> – A <i>huge </i>part of my recent downfall.... Thai Basil Fried Rice! Ahhh!!!! It's going to be the death of me!  I simply cannot get enough!<br /></li><li><b>Quote</b> – "The harder the challenge, the sweeter the victory."</li></ol><br />Feel free to participate in this friend making affair... just be sure to go back to <a href="http://www.alltheweigh.com/2012/03/friend-makin-mondays-current-favorites/" target="_blank">Kenlie's page</a> and link up with the others in the comments section. <br /><br />Happy Monday!

Friend Making Mondays FMM: Current Favorites

It's been awhile since I participated in FMM, but alas, I am taking on today's topic of Current Favorites.  Stop on by All the Weigh...

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Refocusing - Winning Outcomes

Sometimes I just don't have anything to say, and last week was one of those times.  Part of this is because I've been in a weight loss slump.  When I'm not losing, then it's hard to find the inspiration to write something substantial.  I know what needs to change, I just need to <i>do it</i> and stop saying I'm going to do it.<br /><br />Back in January, I <a href="http://the-big-weight.blogspot.com/2012/01/winning-outcomes.html" target="_blank">wrote about Weight Watchers' Winning Outcomes helpful habit</a>.  Here are some things I've stuck to:<br /><ul><li><b>Meal planning two weeks at a time:</b> for me this simply means carving out meal options for two full weeks - not actually tracking them and such.  That part I still need to work on.  However, I did plan out my day today and that feels like a huge relief!  I know I could have easily "blown it" today if I had not pre-tracked my day, overestimating how much I would have left for dinner. In fact I would have had next to nothing had I brought my usual snacks.  Must. Continue. Pre-tracking.</li><li><b>Two days of weekly activity</b>.  I've stuck to this with no problem - it was easily doable for me.  Now I've added in one extra day per week.  More about that later!</li><li><b>Eating out only one meal per week.  No Starbucks Mon-Fri.</b>  This was going well for me right off the bat.  I know applying this rule (along with the others mentioned above) had significant impacts on my weight loss... and the success I was having just a few weeks ago.  Then the Terrible Awful happened.  Then things quickly went downhill.  This rule is going back into effect...effective immediately!  While I have eaten 2 meals out this weekend - ok, fine, what's done is done - the rest of the week will be meals prepared by myself or Joel AT HOME.     </li></ul><br />Now that I've gotten that all off of my chest.... <br /><br />One way to combat my failed attempts at eating healthy lately has been to step up my exercise each week.  I'm trying to keep it varied, so as not to get bored.  While I'll still be utilizing the gym, I also found a new activity that I've been enjoying so far.  It's called <a href="http://www.firmdirect.com/firm/ecs/main/firm-wave.html" target="_blank">The Wave</a>.  You might have heard of this from an infomercial.  I actually read about it in <a href="http://www.allyou.com/" target="_blank">All You's</a> recent issue of their health magazine.  They touted The Wave and The Bender Ball as being some of the most effective at-home workouts available.  I've used The Wave three times so far, and all three times I've been very sore afterward, which means it must be working!<br /><br />I will be doing a full review of The Wave in an upcoming post.  In case you're curious though, I purchased mine from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Firm-05-54004-Wave-Kit/dp/B001VLFEDU/ref=sr_1_1?s=exercise-and-fitness&ie=UTF8&qid=1332767982&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a>.  The Wave is an arched platform that you use in conjunction with several workout DVD's. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulSF4do_S7HVX1pHvz0h_Y5Dw9IWYMc67w2ytgVqb-cde_LrT5Gj7J3q2n7joecBEn9p0QeK8I1NL3RX-tkUdcF5hW7UFRlGXsmtI5IjZzae9G8qx1keLQrf0_v_oZ-Z0CjT6Oaxpo8Q/s1600/the+wave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulSF4do_S7HVX1pHvz0h_Y5Dw9IWYMc67w2ytgVqb-cde_LrT5Gj7J3q2n7joecBEn9p0QeK8I1NL3RX-tkUdcF5hW7UFRlGXsmtI5IjZzae9G8qx1keLQrf0_v_oZ-Z0CjT6Oaxpo8Q/s320/the+wave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>If it gives me variety and isn't overly complicated, then I'll do it.  So far so good!<br /><br /><b style="color: #351c75;">Have you heard of The Wave?  Have you tried it?  What at-home workout do you like the best?</b>

Exercise Helpful Habits The Firm The Wave Weight Watchers Winning Outcomes Refocusing - Winning Outcomes

Sometimes I just don't have anything to say, and last week was one of those times.  Part of this is because I've been in a weight lo...

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