Kenya, Books and Summer

I have been reading those teen fiction books, about the girl and the vampire and the werewolf. You know the ones. My best friend has been bugging me for years to read them and I packed the first book in the series (which she gave me about two years ago), in my carry on as I packed for Kenya. I got sucked in to the love triangle as I was flying home from Kenya. That's where it began anyway. I'm in the middle of the fourth and last book of the series, and it's getting strange! I think I liked the second book the best. It was real, and I could relate to so much of it. Now, the vampire is so selfless, willing to give the world to his love, though he can't seem to give her what she needs. I'm more a fan of the werewolf. Selfish and impulsive, but knows how to apologize, and makes things right. He fights hard and is very passionate in all he does. His heart is pure, and seems more real. I guess I have always liked the bad boys, though I do love the old-fashioned chivalry and politeness of the vampire. I'm not as much a fan of the vampire who plays martyr, as it seems right now. Maybe I have become the cynic, but I'm not as into this last book, though the pages still seem to quickly turn. I'm about 1/3 of the way through the 650 or so pages, and reading because I want to. I think at this point, I just welcome the distraction.

When I left Kenya, it was winter, and so I have enjoyed spending some time by the pool, reading and relaxing since coming back to the US. My skin has bronzed quite a bit, and my dark hair has these lighter reddish brown streaks now. All these years, I blamed that on the dye I used to use. But it has been about a year now since I last colored my hair. The few gray pieces by my temples are showing now too, but I let them. The sun is my friend. I let it shine all over me, filling me up with warmth and joy. I missed it when I was in Kenya. Plus, I was on Cipro for a chunk of my time there, so I had to stay out of whatever sun I saw.

I think my body is more than fine now. I was really sick for a few days, and in the middle of a long bus ride, a game park tour and visiting a children's school and orphanage. I am so glad that I am now feeling completely healthy. So much healing has come since then, both emotional and physical. I learned about some fear I had been carrying around for the last two years, and I left so much in Africa. I didn't even realize I had fear, though it was deep and threatened to control. The sleeping issues I have been fighting since the attack in Liberia are now gone. So much was wrapped up into that robbery that only lasted a few minuets of my life. But it's no longer controlling. I have such a new sense of freedom and hope for the future. Life is good. Perhaps even more than good.

I wonder if the desire to go back to Africa will ever go away. I want to live where I am and not worry about where I will be next, but I want to happy where I am. I am much loved in Kenya, and quite a few people there want me to return as a missionary. I would, if that is what God wants, but I'm not as convinced as they seem to be. They tell me all I need is the plane ticket, and they will feed and house me. But life is expensive, and as much as I don't like it, money still rules the world.

I think I'll escape into my fantasy world again, and spend a few hours reading. Hopefully I'll finish the book by tomorrow. Then it's time for a movie marathon with Jessi, watching all the movies based on the books, in order. The third one is in the theaters now. I do love the girl time! I totally love summer.