15 Days of Senegal -- Days 1 and 2

Two fellow Dakarois, (Kari and Jenn) issued a challenge for the rest of us. It was a photo challenge, in which we would take at least one picture of life in Senegal every day for 15 days in February. Each day we would be given a prompt to follow in taking our pictures. (To see the lists, click on either Kari's or Jenn's names.)

Day 1's prompt was "Traffic." How fitting for Dakar, the capital city, which is where I live. Dakar usually has crazy traffic, where most drivers typically do not follow normal rules of the road (if there are any rules to begin with, that is...). And honestly, that's one of the main reasons why I choose to not drive in this city. I love Dakar. I love living here. But it's pretty cheap and safe to get a ride in a taxi. So I'm good. :)

Back to the photos... I took this first photo on the way to a friend's house Friday night. The lack of traffic surprised me. And look, people seem to be driving in an orderly fashion too. It seems like they're disproving my above paragraph. Hmm... 

I took this second photo on the way home from my friend's house later that night. Due to my lack of knowledge in working some of the super basic, but I'm technologically challenged hard settings on my camera, you can't see the traffic very well, but trust me... It was there. This is entering my neighborhood of Hann Maristes. I really like how the lights of the car facing us look in this picture. 

Day 2's prompt was "Red." Senegal is full of colors. It's fun to see such bright bursts of colors in such a dry, sandy place. Since I didn't venture out of my apartment today, and instead chose to be super productive at home (go me!), I just went back through pictures I've taken over the past 3 1/2 years, and found lots with the color red in them.

These first two of are Christmas stockings made by Samba. Samba is... Well... Let's just say, he's an interesting guy who is very, very talented in the area of sewing and who definitely needs Jesus. Side note... If you're reading this now, pray for his soul. He seriously does need Jesus. 

I took this next one on the road going to my apartment. I love these "flame" trees. I'm not sure what their name is in French. Anywho - These are my favorite trees here in Senegal. When they're in bloom, they're absolutely beautiful. 

I took this next photo at a hotel in Saly, which is an approximate 2 hour drive from Dakar. It's so nice to go, especially in the dry season, because you know you'll see all the green (and red). It's proof that Senegal is not just sand.

These next two photos are of red seen in the area of food and drinks. There's nothing like an ice cold coke from a glass bottle. Pair it with ice and a slice of lime and it's perfection in a glass (minus the sugar and caffeine, of course). 

The second photo is of a Royal Burger, which comes with all the usual stuff, plus a fried egg. I love it! I love the way the color of the huge, red, chunk of tomato "pops" in this picture.

The 48th Dear ______ Post

Dear My Dad's Heart, Could you stop giving him so much trouble? Don't you think you've given him enough trouble?

Dear Monday Night, You're when my dad had his heart cath done. Monday night, you were good to my dad. :) The doctor said that when he got in, he found that the artery was only 40% blocked, so no surgery was needed, and my dad was able to go home that same night (and go back to work the next day). This is a total miracle! 

Dear Church This Past Sunday Morning, I really enjoyed you. I could definitely feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. You were just such a nice service.And I actually understood the majority of you, even though you were done in French. So yay for that! :)

Dear N'ice Cream, You have the best ice cream! I love visiting you and bringing home some of your yummy goodness :)

Dear Structure, My class really thrives on you. While last week was definitely fun and spiritually refreshing for my kids, the whole lack of structure really didn't go well for some of my kids. So, having our normal, typical daily schedule back, was a big help to my sanity this week (theirs too). :)

Dear 100th Day of School, You were Wednesday. We celebrated in style in 1st Grade. We did 100 math problems. We wrote 100 words. We read 100 words too. We measured things with 100 paper clips. We did art work with 100 pieces of construction paper. We read books about the number 100 and about the 100th Day of School. And we made our own class book about the 100th Day of School. You were such a fun day 100th Day of School. We all really enjoyed you :)

Dear Funny Conversations Between My Students, You are a highlight of my job. And sometimes it’s really hard to keep a straight face after hearing stories, like the following which occurred after I introduce the Science topic of “Solids, Liquids, and Gases”… (Conversation of the day… (Boy) I know a gas. (Me) Which one? (Boy) Well, I don’t want to say. I’m shy. (Girl) It’s ok. Don’t be shy. We’re all friends in first grade. (Boy) Well, it’s the stinky gas that comes out of my bum. (Girl) Ewww. That’s yucky. Don’t talk about that. (Boy) Everybody has gas. Even my mommy did it.

Dear New Pencil Top Erasers, You were such a treat to my first graders. It’s funny sometimes to see how excited they get over the simplest of things… :)

Dear Ladies Night, You happened last night with my fellow A/G ladies. It was a nice night. We had a delicious meal, watched a really good movie, and had a nice time chatting with each other.

Dear Study Guide for my Comps Exam, I printed out my notes for you yesterday and OH MY GOODNESS! You are looking harder and harder. Ugh... Have I mentioned lately how much I truly do not like taking tests?

Dear Ed.S. Degree, I'm considering working towards you next. But I'm just not sure. Decisions, decisions...

Dear Cancer, You're stupid and horrible and I hate you and what you do to people. ...just thought I'd let you know how much I truly detest you.

Dear Robberies and Violence, You're happening a little to much in my neighborhood here lately. I'm not a big fan. This is supposed to be a safe place. People aren't supposed to be mugged. People aren't supposed to be robbed and shot. We're not supposed to have stuff like that going on... And yes, I (along with everyone else) am taking precautions. But at the same time, I know I can't live in fear. I have to put my trust in God, the main Protector.

Speaking of which... 

Dear Bible Verses Telling Us Not to Fear, There are a lot of you. Hmm... I wonder if God's trying to tell us something.

Dear Google Images, Thanks for this picture :)

                                 

A Blog Post Guided by YOU

Source

What do YOU want to know about me, about my life and ministry in Dakar, about Senegal in general...anything? 

Just ask. You can leave a comment on this post. You can email me or you can Facebook me. 

I'll answer all of your questions (within reason) in an upcoming Q & A blog post.

January Photo Challenge Days 28-31

In case you're wondering what the January Photo Challenge is... This is a challenge to take a photo a day, using a prompt given here. I'll post my photos for the week every Sunday and then make a photo book using my 365 photos at the end of the year. Feel free to play along. :)

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Day 28's prompt was "Through..." Here is my class, through with school for the day, all lined up ready to go home. This group of kids is such a blessing to me. I thank God daily for the joy of being their teacher! They have taught me so much this year. They've challenged me every day (and that's a good  thing). They're sweet and lovable and pretty adorable too. I must say :)

Day 29's prompt was "Grow..." I was working in our school's library this afternoon, checking in some books and came across this Berenstein Bears book. And since I hadn't yet taken a photo for today, I thought this would be perfect.

Day 30's prompt was "Down..." Looking down into my backpack, I spy...  a baguette, the cord for my computer, the cord for my camera, and my wallet. P.S.  (of no relevance to the prompt...) I love the way the red "pops" in this picture.

Day 31's prompt is "Yourself..." I was checking out this blog today and came across this quote. It says "Be yourself. Everyone is already taken," and is by Oscar Wilde. I love this!

2013's 2nd Thankful Thursday

• people that have been praying for my dad and family.
• that my aunt (mom's sister) and brother were with my mom at the hospital when my dad had his procedure done. It was nice for me to know that she wasn't alone.
• my dad's miracle of his artery being only 40% blocked, meaning there was no need for surgery.
• a dinner invite this past Monday night.
• nice neighbors. I've been blessed since living here and have always had such nice neighbors. It'd stink to have neighbors you didn't get along with.
• the knowledge that my mom mailed me a package a week or so ago. The anticipation is almost as exciting as the actual arrival :)
• fresh veggies and fruit from my veggie guy, who is careful to pick out only the best ones for me.
• a gift of a ziploc bag full of strawberries (already cleaned) from friends. YUM!
• adding that big bag of dried cranberries to my Wal-Mart shopping cart back in December. ...such a nice treat. P.S. To anyone in the States reading this, feel free to send me more. :)
• broccoli being for sale yesterday at only a slightly more than normal price. ...and the vendor giving me a smaller one as a gift :)
• the possibility of me getting to go to General Council this year. I haven't been since I was a kid. So if the dates will all work out, I'll be set :)
• a great class that challenges me every day. And yes, this is a good thing :)
• a principal who's a dream to work for!
• a job where I get weekends off. ...perfect for doing my own classwork (as a student).
• the opportunity to be living out my dream of being a missionary.
• plans to hang out with the AGWM Senegal ladies tomorrow night.

Miscellaneous Monday #1

Thanks Dictionary.com :)

Each Monday, I'll post a miscellaneous list of blog-worthy items going on in my life. Sometimes it'll be pictures. Sometimes it'll be words. Sometimes it'll be something different. Who knows? :)

So without further ado... Welcome to the 1st ever Miscellaneous Monday post on The Elisabeth Chronicles. 

1) I started the next phase of my "Get Healthier in 2013" goal today. Starting today, my coke (...as in all soft drinks) intake will be cut dramatically. I will only allow myself 1 coke a week, starting this week. Wish me luck!

2) I'm getting together with a friend once a week on Mondays to have dinner. We take turns cooking each week. So that'll be nice. Plus it's nice to not have to eat alone for a change.

3) The price of bell peppers have gone up. Oh my word... They were 2300cfa per kilo (2.2lbs). That's almost $5. That's crazy!

4) The 100th day of school is on Wednesday. My kids are pumped! :)

5) Valentine's Day is in 2 weeks. I'll have a party for my class, but personally...I've pretty much boycotted the holiday. 

6) Kids Club starts back next week. All weekend I looked through my craft supplies, trying to find something fun to make with them, but nothing "felt right." Then today, a lady from the team that was at our school last week, asked me to come over and guess what she gave me... Yep, a craft that goes PERFECTLY with what I was planning on speaking about in Kids Club next week. How awesome is that?

7) My dad goes into the hospital today at 1pm (central) for his heart cath (with the knowledge of a potential surgery). My heart feels guilty for not being there. My mind keeps reminding my heart that God has me where He wants me and that He's got everything under control.

January Photo Challenge Days 21 - 27

In case you're wondering what the January Photo Challenge is... This is a challenge to take a photo a day, using a prompt given here. I'll post my photos for the week every Sunday and then make a photo book using my 365 photos at the end of the year. Feel free to play along. :)

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Day 21's prompt was "What you do..." I love my job. It's such a joy to be able to teach such an awesome group of kids :)

Day 22's prompt was "Corner..." Every Tuesday afternoon, I work in the library for about an hour and a half. It's a nice time to get a little work done and to be able to meet and interact with some of our older students. Not to mention...the library has A/C. So it's really nice in the hotter months :)

Day 23's prompt was "Electric..." We've been in Spiritual Emphasis Week this week at school. It's such an amazing thing to see students from all around the world, representing multiple religions, all standing together, having fun while praising the Lord through the singing of Christian songs. :)

Day 24's prompt was "Stripes..." I think this might've been their favorite game...playing with the parachute :) 

Day 25's prompt was "Landscape..." I got together with some friends today to watch Duck Dynasty and eat some delicious Cajun food :)

Day 26's prompt was "Together..." My dad had a heart attack late last night and I wrote this Facebook status on Saturday. It's so hard, not being there together with my family at a time like this. I know I'm where God wants me to be. It's just hard...

Day 27's prompt was "Sun..." One of my sweet girls drew this picture for me last week and taped it to my wall. It was the first thing I saw when I walked in my classroom this afternoon to do some work, so it was a nice thing to brighten my day :)