Hey guys!  I have my own blog now for Kenya...not much is on it, but just thought I'd pass it on!  I'm sorry that i have been so MIA recently...the only excuse I have is work early in the mornings, teaching swim lessons, then getting off late at night!  But things will hopefully change as I just got hired today as a Waitress at Rio Grande!  I'm looking forward to not being in the sun so much and hopefully having more energy for other things in life!  Miss you guys a whole heck of a lot!

-The one going to Africa

M.I.A. because of A.I.M.

Hello all ye Beautiful Dollhousers!

I just got back from New York just a few hours ago!  I was up there for my Candidate's week retreat for Africa Inland Mission!  Whoo Hooo!!!!! I'm super pumped about Africa now!  Haaa...there was a little mistake about my acceptance... Although I had thought I had been accepted a month ago, that was actually just an acceptance to Candidate's week!   Oooops, but I was officially offered the position yesterday and before they could finish their sentence, I said "YES!!!"

It was quite the week....very intense!  It began with an hour and a half of me (JUST me) sitting in a room with a psychiatrist (= AWKWARD!)  I'm sure you would have loved it, Catherine!  It was really quite humorous cause I felt like I had to say the right things in order for my time to go by quicker...it didn't.  He would ask me questions like (no joke) "So how did that experience make you feel?  Bad?  What KIND of Bad?"  Haha...I had to keep from laughing a few times cause it felt like I was on Candid Camera because my psychiatrist was so stereotypical.

From that meeting, I had to meet with my Headquarters director where we had to discuss logistics (What I would be doing, where I would be living, how long I will be serving, what kind of ministry, and so on) And here is something I'm surprisingly excited to report:  I'm not leaving till JANUARY '09!  I went into the week thinking that if I don't get accepted to leave by October, then I will be a failure and disappointed.   Turns out, that I would actually be leaving the end of September, and would have to have all my support in by  August...yeah, wasn't gonna happen!  So although January seems like a long time away, I have TONS to do including 2 weeks of stateside language school.

I think the most difficult part of the week was having to swallow the "Risk Assessment" Lecture.  I always knew that there was some sort of risk involved when going to a foreign country, but AIM didn't sugar coat their lecture one bit!  In fact, before the lecture began, one of the missionary wives passed around Kleenexes...lets just say I should have taken one or two....or three or four!  I realize now the naivety I carried with me when thinking about dangers in missions.  I also don't want to come across as sounding that I am proud or prideful for going into a dangerous part of the world... I am not saying that at all, but I am sharing this because Danger and safety are some concerns of mine that I would ask for you to lift up in Prayer!  I also realize that I am at the hands and Mercy of our Lord.  Tonight at dinner I was debriefing my parents on the week, and when they asked me about the risks involved in going to Kenya, I shared with them few and shallow stories of what I had actually heard.  They asked me, half joking, if I wanted to purchase a body guard over there...I realized that us as believers have something even better than a body guard and He goes with us EVERYWHERE and his name is not Jack Bauer.....his name is Jesus Christ!  This name is not one to be taken lightly.  Joshua 1:9 was an incredible verse brought to my attention this week, " Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."  And that verse isn't just for me in Kenya, its for you-Catherine in Richmond, you-Hannah in San Diego, you-Sarah in Harrisonburg, you-Leah in Norfolk!  

One of the missionaries told me a story one night that put things into perspective for me... He shared with me that he had been mugged,beaten and robbed, multiple times, bitten by a cobra and pronounced dead, and dragged out of his car at gun point while Rebel Soldiers tied him up and pointed a gun at the back of his head and played Russian Roulette for four straight hours....he went through ALL of that and is still alive to tell me of these experiences all to say, "If you are in the Hand and will of our God, you are invisible until He calls you home."  Kinda gave me chills when I heard it, but its so right!  We have nothing to fear, because truly if its not our time to go...we aren't going anywhere!  And if it is...then all the better, that God wants us to be with Him!

I don't mean to sound crazy or anything, but I heard so much this week and am excited to share it with you all! :)

On a more logistical note... I found out some details about what I'll be doing in Kenya!  I'll be living in Nairobi and will indeed have to learn Swahili (or at least be able to say phrases like, "Please don't point that gun at me" or "Can I please buy your goat" or "I am from Canada" ...haha JUST KIDDING ;) ).  I will be in my own office and will be working on Graphic Design, Journalism, videography, and photography!  I will be working out of this office 3 weeks in a month and one week a month will be spent out on assignment!  Assignments are usually a week long where we will be working on video recording, journalism, and photography.  We will either be traveling via Landrover, small jet, or commercial airline.  We will be staying in Hostels, Missionary houses, tents, mud huts, under the stars, in our small jet, or in the Landrover.  And our showers???  Rain.    It will be quite the stretching experience for me...but Heck, I'm a Dollhouse girl... Adventure is our middle name, right?

Anyways, I'm exhausted and have to get shots in the morning :(  Blahhhh.  

Love you all and miss you lots!

It takes a bit to load, but it's 5 minutes of pure bliss :) (when it loaded, the sound is off now about a second, sorry!)

A Sweet, sweet ending

It's about time that I actually wrote a blog... So here it is.  In order to end out our 4 years on a happy note, the Dollhouse and the Turton Family took a trip down to Edisto Island, SC.  Its a pristine, barrier island about an hour from Charleston.  Absolutely relaxing! A view of the marsh and ocean from the front porch hammock and porch swing was complimented with a great dock in the backyard overlooking the marsh.  The beach is littered with shells of ALL varieties creating such beauty and also providing a challenge to walk barefoot and layout. 

In true Dollhouse fashion, we started the days with some needed exercise to balance out all the sun bathing.  Whether it was running, walking, or doing lunges until my butt muscles fell off, I truly loved every minute of an aspect that is highly valued in our house.  My parents made great breakfasts for us as well.  The famous Turton cheese pancakes were made. Cheese? Yes. Cheddar Cheese. Absolutely Fan-friggen-tastic on pancakes.  We made it to the beaches around lunch time, soaked up the sun for a few hours and came back to crab on the back porch.  

Crabbing deserves its own paragraph.  If you have never had the pleasure to crab, you must do it before you die.  Our technique consisted of 2-3 "spotters" on the top deck who would yell down the location of the crab. Another person held the net and the other had the line with bait.  The first day brought most success with 5 crabs.  And yes, we steamed them, picked their bodies filled with green poop for meat, and made crab dip.  So great.  It was a highlight of the week.  And it dominated our time at the beach.

Another highlight included the epic marsh trek prompted by Hannah's desire to walk in the marsh.  She and Kate, with crocs on foot, walked into the creek by the marsh off the dock.  All was fine at first... But... I couldn't help but dare them to walk up the side creek.  I had a sneaking suspicion of what would happen because Hannah had sunk into the bank a few minutes prior, but who wouldn't want such guaranteed entertainment?  So they accepted the dare... Minutes later Hannah is screaming and sinking up to her knees in MUD.  Crocs are getting sucked into the mud, snails are sucking onto their toes, construction workers next store are staring and laughing, I am bent over laughing, and Tudors is peeing her pants.  Hannah and Kate manage to make it back to the dock, crocs and all.  HILARIOUS.

Each day would end in a great dinner courtesy of my parents.  We'd then hang out, take a walk, watch a movie (never watch Spanglish with your rents...awk.) or play speed scrabble.  The week was completed with a trip to one of my favorite cities, Charleston.  LOVE it.  We walked all over the town.  We first went down to waterfront park and then the famous market to do a little shopping.  It has all you could ever want: jewelry, food, t-shirts, sunglasses, etc.  Afterwards, we walked around town looking at the historical houses... one of which I will live in one day.  We then walked down to the Battery overlooking the river and Ft. Sumter.  We had some dinner at a Tapas restaurant.  Very different in that the entire menu is appetizers, all of which come out at different times.  It was very yummy and a different atmosphere.  But one of the drawbacks to sitting outside came when Tudors received a little present of POO on her head from a local bird.  Yet another HILARIOUS moment, which led to Sarah admitting she also was pooped on  earlier in supper.  Dinner went on without any further poop events, and then we caught dessert at various locales...gelato, pie, etc... Went home barely making it come with our lives as some PSYCHO yelled at us out the car window at a perfectly warranted driving move on my part :)

I think that I speak for us all when I say this was the perfect way to end out our time together as a house.  It brought relaxation after exams and graduation and quality time to share in the final moments.  No this is not the end of the Dollhouse... but we know a lot is about to change.  My prayer is that each of us remains true to the person we grew to be together but also develop more into the woman God wants us to be in the future. Love you all--- 

Knightley's Day Out

 "Stop worrying, you have to let him go sometime!"  said F-14 fighter pilot, Tom Joyce.  Our Beloved pet, Mr. Knightley has been pretty anxious lately to go outside, however, I have been even more anxious about letting the little guy go.  I just feel like he won't know how to survive...AT ALL!  And tonight proved it for me!   After my dad kept telling me to just let him out, I put his collar on (left the bell on so I could follow him), opened the door and watched him explore!  I'll post the pictures of his Burke exploration however, as you will see....he didn't get very far.  

First Stop:  Quick Visit to touchdown who was also outside

Second Stop:  Neighbor's flower garden 

Third Stop:  Tree

Fourth Stop:  Kate's arms (I had to climb that tree just to get Knightley out cause he was stuck and squirming)...I didn't have a picture of this one of course

For now, he is back safe and sound in the Home of Tom&Deshua. 

P.S.  I got my new camera!

A Tribute to Sarah Lynne Moore on her 22nd!

Well, that's right...it's Sarah's big day today! She is officially 22, that age we're all dying to be when you don't sound quite so immature anymore (like at 21) ;) 

I just wanted to give a little tribute to Sarah for all those in Dollhouse who love her so, those not in the Dollhouse who love her, and those who haven't been so fortunate to know her well enough to love her!

Sarah is one multi-faceted girl. She is incredibly intelligent (I am even nervous to write this for fear she will cringe at misspelled words, misused words, or just bad writing- haha), hilarious, beautiful, creative, thoughtful, and unique (to name some of her traits).

If you know Sarah, you know she is someone who...

-will stay up all night reading a book, the whole way through (for fun)

-admits things starting with, "okay fine!..." when no one has pushed her to do so

-uses words in sentences that we all must exchange glances to make sure it's a word we're probably not expected to know the meaning of, then have to ask her to explain it

-sits on the couch, with her legs in crazy positions, sipping her Lipton Green Tea

-constantly thinks at a deeper level than a lot of people are used to, but challenges you to think deeper as well

-is truly in love with her God, and lives that out, and shows you more of who He is through who He has made her

-takes a nap at 10pm so she can then pull an all-nighter to write a 10 page paper due the next day

-yell out statements, with arms open wide, in NYC referring to the Empire State building being...

-even has some mean dance moves (including the Hula-Hoop, the snap, and so on)

well, those are just a few things that make Sarah Moore the special person she is...but I hope you know how much we love you, Sarah and thanks for what you are to all of us! 

Happy stinkin' Birthday, Sarah! We love you a lot. 

"Gratulation"

We made it! As Chipper said one night, "We gradulated!" So he got the action and the congratulations all over with in one word. Very thrifty with his words, that one. We all got our purple (barney) robes (costumes) on and walked with the Turtons and the Dude Ranch girls all the way to the stadium. Walking into the stadium with all of the parents/family/friends in the stands was pretty overwhelming. Somehow Hannah and Kate were able to pick out their families. We were all five "ISAT" majors that day so that we could sit together, so we got plenty of pictures. The next couple of hours could have been REAL boring, except that we entertained ourselves with hangman on cellphone, trying to start a wave in the crowd, taking pictures, watching Catherine flirt it up with the guy next to her (just kidding Catherine), etc. Sarah Roq was our tudents speaker and was great... she put a different twist on "Ambition," emphasizing humility and "quiet acts" instead of the in-your-face stuff we think of most. We finally got through it all, though, and went off to our different spots for our majors. I went to the Hillside graduation for English, philiosophy, history, anthropology, religion and language majors. The weather was great and it was fun seeing everyone go up to get their diplomas (mine wasn't as exciting as Chipper's though, where someone was proposed to right up their on the graduation platform.)
After the chaos that was graduation, we all went home for a nice relaxing time with our family at the Dollhouse. JUST KIDDING! It was craziness packing everyone into our tiny yard, getting tents up, chairs out and food ready. We did though, and had plenty of family (Hannah wins for biggest fan club). It was pretty chaotic, but fun to see all of the families together. The five of us were big time celebs, had about a millions pictures taken of us and smiles that were about to fall off at the end of the day. I don't remember that night at all. Honestly, it was that insane that day, maybe we all went to bed right after the herd left? I'm not sure. But it was our last night together at the Dollhouse. The next day (or the day after?) we were all wisked away for a week with the Turtons at the beach in South Carolina. We'll update on our time there soon, it was good times as always :)