LBates's Xanga

New Years in Amarillo

Fri, 04 Jan 2008 00:26:06 GMT

It was such a blessing to be able to travel to Amarillo for New Years. Seven of my Ugandan teammates were able to make their way to Amarillo as well so we could all hang out. We enjoyed talking, drinking coffee, laughing, singing, and remembering memories together as we shared about where we are and where God is taking us. The time we had together seemed much too short, but it was truly refreshing.

Hanging out in Becca's kitchen. It was Sunday night, so we took part in an Mbale team tradition and had pancakes.

A wonderful community! Our last picture of 2007 and first picture of 2008.

Frozen Fog

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 00:45:55 GMT

When I woke up this morning, I got to see the wonderful weather phenomenon known as frozen fog. The trees and bushes were covered with what looked like snow, but it was formed without it actually snowing. I don't really understand it, but I do know that it was amazing!

My First Iowa Ice Storm

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:58:17 GMT

On Saturday morning the freezing rain came, covering our yard, driveway, and my car with about 1/2" layer of ice. Needless to say, I stayed inside all day. Late afternoon, the freezing rain changed to rain and the weather warmed up slightly, but the ice didn't melt away very quickly. Thankfully the roads were pretty clear Sunday when we drove into town for church. The parking lot however, was a different story. I'm not sure if I'm quite ready for my first Iowa winter, but I guess I don't have a choice. The weathermen are predicting more snow this week and possibly more ice this weekend.

Our bushes and trees were covered with ice along with the blades of grass. Many of our windows had a layer of ice as well.

New Home in Iowa

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:23:24 GMT

Sorry it took me so long to post these pictures. We don't have internet in our house yet and I can't update my xanga from the church or high school computers.

This is the house Jess and I live in. It's right across the street from lots of corn fields, though they're all harvested now. This third one is a picture from my driveway. In the picture is one of the trains that passes by at all hours of the day. I don't really notice it much anymore.

Our nice big kitchen. Our dining room. Our family room. We also have a sitting room, an office, and a bathroom on the first floor.

My room. It doesn't feel like home yet, but I know that it soon will.

Monday, September 24, 2007

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:53:22 GMT

I was blessed this weekend to have my friend Jenny come to visit me in St. Louis. We went to the Cards game on Friday night. Even though the Cards lost, it was a great evening. Saturday we went to the Missouri Botanical Garden. The weather was perfect for being outside and the Garden was so beautiful! It was wonderful to see God's amazing creation.

Saturday, September 15, 2007

Sat, 15 Sep 2007 13:36:22 GMT

Mark and Jamie's wedding was beautiful. It was good to see teammates and friends from Uganda.

Phillip and Laura sang special music. Their son Israel was so excited about Jamie's wedding.

Girls from Mbale. Picture of those who have lived in Uganda.

After the reception a group of us went bowling and then out to dinner.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 02:38:58 GMT

I am now in Kilgore/Longview, TX for Jamie and Mark's wedding. It is so fun to reconnect with the girls and team that I lived and worked with this past year in Uganda. We got to hang out with Jamie last night, which was a tremendous blessing. Tonight we went to the church for the rehearsal dinner and got to see the Sheros, our Mbale teammates, and several other missionaries that work in other parts of Uganda.


Girls at Jamie's bachelorette party.                         Mbale girls.                                                      Jennifer, Laura Beth, me and Becca E.

I had the opportunity of watching the Shero children while Phillip and Laura practiced their special music and I had so much fun. I love their kids and was excited to hear about their new experiences they've had while on furlough.

Shamrock Visit for Becca

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 03:00:50 GMT

Audra and I made a trip to Shamrock, TX to visit Becca's family. She will be in Uganda until December. I think it was a happy and sad time for all of us. We were glad to meet each other and spend some time together, but it also reminded us that Becca isn't here.

So, these pictures are more for you Becca than anyone else. I love you and miss you my friend. Sometimes....Sometimes....Sometimes I just want to hop on a plane and meet you in Entebbe.

Palo Duro Canyon

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:09:02 GMT

I am now in Amarillo visiting Audra, one of my teammates from Uganda. On Sunday evening, after a good Sunday afternoon nap, we went to Canyon, TX and walked around Palo Duro Canyon. It was beautiful! The weather was warm, but not hot. It was just good to be out walking around such a pretty area and just getting to chat.

General Mills Tour

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 15:47:04 GMT

After spending a week with the Varnos, they dropped me off at my cousin's house which was about 30 minutes away. I got to be the first family member to see my cousin's new house in Minnesota! It was great to see them and to see Maple Grove, the town they live in. On Saturday before they dropped me off at the airport, we went to General Mills World Headquarters, where my cousin's husband works, and got a tour of the building. It was very neat.