Hello, Africa.

I woke up yesterday to no internet.  That's not entirely unusual in Tanzania.  It happens fairly frequently and it's usually rectified relatively quickly.  I didn't panic.

Throughout the course of the day, I noticed the phone service was up to some of its usual antics.  Messages would apparently send yet not be received without a long delay of up to several hours.  Phone calls would cut off.  Service would be unavailable.  I was able to get several calls through to my internet provider, though, only to hear that there was a major issue going on that had large parts of town off the net.  I still didn't panic.

Clouds on a Sunny Day

There has been a clingy cloud over Colin, Heather and I today as we have tried to launch the new week of school.

It's Monday and we've been having a terrible time of it. We feel half asleep and fully discouraged. I don't know why we're having such a hard time today but I'm telling you, we are some sorry looking home schoolers. The kids did a great week of work last week, but today has landed with a thud and we are total duds.

I know Colin was really struggling with missing his brothers last night. I know I'm really discouraged about finances. I know Heather needs to grow in some of the fruits of the Spirit. (Come to think of it, I do too.) I know we all need to be more disciplined.

Colin only has English to go now and Heather has been let out of science early. Soon all books will be closed for the day.

The reality is that the sky is blue and we are healthy. I need to shift my focus.

Here's are a few things I'm happy about:

1. The air coming through our open door and windows is warm
2. The shade of green on two walls in our living room is really nice
3. Skype works most of the time
4. I have a cute dog
5. We have never run out of food or slept on the street
6. My husband thinks I'm great
7. I think my husband is great
8. Wild Hopes will throw a party for our soccer team tomorrow night
9. Byron is at lunch with our wonderful Tanzanian co-worker, Philemon
10. We get to join hands with good people and see good things go forward here

Shedding Frustration is Good for Me

I know I've been complaining about the internet connection from here. Whine, whine, whine This last week was a real doozie. (Doozie! When was the last time I used THAT word??)

The outstanding Jenelle is here for a visit and one of the things she was going to to do is tutor me in a few techie things. But those things are dependant on the net and the net is being a very sluggish creature.

By Friday afternoon there was a distinct grumpiness in the house as three of us who needed good net connection felt unproductive and helpless. (Poor, pitiful us!)

I finally couldn't take it any longer and so I climbed onto my bed, pulled my pretty white Portuguese throw over me and took a little nap. (BTW, I'm a firm believer in little naps, even though I don't live out my allegiance to the same very well.)

The nap gave way to tea time and we sat on our porch drinking and talking and draining the pot.

Later, after the tea things were cleared away and Byron had watered all the flowers and Jenelle had read some lovely essays by our friend Lisa McKay, the stars came out and we took our dinner outside where we could enjoy it by a little camp fire.

Fresh, hot, home-made chapatis, wonderful African beans, guacamole, a fire, the stars, Over The Rhine wafting across the airwaves and conversation. We talked long and deep and raw. That's the best way, I think.

The internet doesn't matter. Sure, I'd like to get some things done, but sharing life is a pretty good alternate plan.