Merry Christmas! (Although technically it's already over for me...)

So, it's true that I leave more than anyone else you've ever know...
we have firmly established that... So, in keeping with tradition, I
have decided to travel with Daryl and Sabrina to take Sabrina's mom
back to Windhoek so she can fly out. I will be meeting with Mick to
do my initial debriefing since he won't be around in February when I'm
in Windhoek. I will also be getting my windshield replaced so that I
can sell my car in the next few months.

I realized the other night that I can now count in weeks the amount of
time that I have left. It's a little bit scary! I have just read a
book called 'The Art of Coming Home'. It's specifically for people
who have been living abroad and it discusses the issues that people
face upon re-entry into their own culture. The book had some amazing
insights and I hope to be sharing them with you in the next few
weeks. I think that it will help me and it will help you to know a
little of what to expect from me. I have already started composing
the emails in my head, I just have to take the time to sit and get
them down in the computer.

Christmas here was wonderful. Daryl, Sabrina and Susan (Sabrina's
mom) really incorporated me into their family and we had a very
special Christmas celebration over the last two days. A big blessing
was that Daryl found a turkey that we enjoyed on Christmas Eve. It
was my first turkey in 3 years! :-) It tasted amazing! Today we
went for a swim at one of the lodges.... it's odd to be singing
"Dashing through the snow, on a one horse open sleigh..." when you're
in a bathing suit and sweating!

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas as well!
love and hugs,
kimmie

p.s. the intention of writing this was to say that I won't have
internet access while I am in Windhoek... I promise that I will try
to catch up on the whole mess of emails when I return though!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Just a little note to say that I am thinking of you all and wishing you a Merry Christmas.  Not too much has happened around here lately.  I took a few days off to start packing (EKES) so am enjoying some quiet days.  I added some new pictures for you to check out.  

with loving prayers for a blessed and safe Christmas,

kapande

Click here to see my hero, Sabrina, saving me from a deadly killer

Click here to see the Christmas celebration at the hospital

thank you

Dearest family and friends,
wow... I have never received so many email responses in my time here.
Thank you for your warm words of encouragement and condolences. It
has been a rough few days but I am getting through.

I know that the reason I am getting through has been in part due to
your love and prayers for me. The following Bible verses have been
key in reminding me that God is in control and that I don't have to
face troubles alone. They remind me that I can trust God, and that he
will give me the strength that I need.

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone
is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be mightily
shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty
rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your
hearts to him, for God is our refuge." Psalm 62:5-8

"Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul
clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:7-8

"I said, 'You are my servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your
God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand.'" Isaiah 41: 9b-10

Thank you for your continued love and prayers.
much love,
kimmie

she was "just" a cat, but she was my cat and I loved her!

Dear family and friends,

I never did tell you what happened with my cat, Olive, and her
possible pregnancy. Since it had been less than a week after finding
her in that compromising position when I took her to the vet, he
decided to go ahead and spay her the next day. The surgery went well,
and, though we had a drunk cat when she came home that day (I think he
used too much ketamine) she was fine. Things had been going really
well until a few weeks ago when she developed some bleeding. Knowing
she no longer had a uterus I took her back to the vet. He thought it
might be due to infection so he gave her a shot of antibiotics and
told me to keep an eye on her.

I was petting her last week when I noticed a lump in her abdomen. I
tried to take her to the vet but since he's the only vet for the whole
region he isn't always in. I found him in yesterday and he scheduled
her for exploratory surgery today to find out what was going on. I
took her in this morning and said I would come back to check on her
then went to work.

I was sitting at my desk at work typing when I looked up and saw the
vet through the window. I knew it couldn't be good news. I met him
at the door. He said he was sorry and that she made it through the
surgery but died while he was sewing her up. He walked me out to his
truck where he showed me the cyst that he had removed from her abdomen
along with the pus. He agreed to bury her for me because I knew I
couldn't deal with it. He was very apologetic as I stood there crying
and petting her through the cage. I have so far spent the rest of the
day in tears. My boss was kind enough to let me come home. Mary flew
out yesterday and Daryl and Sabrina are going to Etosha this weekend
so I'll be alone. I know it's going to be rough, but I also know God
will give me the strength to get through it.

I appreciate your prayers.
kimmie