New Loves

I love the Fall.  For me it is like New Years.  It is a time of new beginnings.  School starts and activities resume.  I am easing back into life here and trying to prioritize how to spend my time.  The Diocesan Radio Station and Pete have been encouraging me to increase my air time and I was just asked to speak at a parish on the topic of "The Role of Women in the Church".  I also started back with my HIV group and I was warmly welcomed with smiles, hugs and a Cameroonian song of welcome.

I am already working on two of my goals.  I started composting (which is way easier than I thought) and I am trying to increase my repertoire of meal preparation (especially local dishes). I made peanut stew one day and experimenting with different ways to cook yams and bitter leaf.

But I have two new loves.  The Martin Family has arrived from Lay Mission-Helpers and lives just a two-minute walk away.  I adore all three children, but two year old Patrick has stolen my heart.  He is soooo adorable.  Two nights ago we had the family up for a campfire and it was very nice to have them.  Patrick sang Twinkle Twinkle while Pete played the guitar. Maura and Ryan are great people and I also love that Maura is an awesome cook.

My other new love is our new kitten Cody.  His full name is Cody, Alex, George, Sparks Newburn.  I never imagined owning a cat, but he is the dearest thing and the girls are going crazy over him. He is already using the litter box and sleeps cuddled next to one of the girls.

Life is good.

-Joy