Greetings!! Well it has been a while and SO much has changed, but the one thing that hasn’t is that I am still in “HamaBama” (for those just tuning in, that stands for Hamilton, Alabama, a.k.a. small town Alabama). Since I blogged last I’ve traveled about 30,000 miles, nearly 60 hours of that traveling in a car, 50 hours traveling by plane. I’ve fallen asleep in 15 different beds, but my trusted gray and blue suitcase has remained intact and by my side. If there was one word for this season, it would certainly be TRANSITION.  There are many exciting things going on, but I am excited to get to Dallas and get settled in my new job there!

 If you don’t already know, I am ENGAGED!!!! To the wonderful Stephen Kuert :-D He proposed on safari in Kenya on the Equator last month! It was truly an unforgettable moment and you can read more about it here; http://dreamscometrueinafrica.tumblr.com/ He is the most incredible man that I’ve ever met and his love for the Lord and me astound me! I am more than honored to be his fiancee and one day sooner than later, his wife!

My time in Africa was truly remarkable. I wrote in a post while I was overseas that Kenya was like a home, but not one I’ve ever known before. I am simply amazed by how God marks us with His fingerprints and as we walk out lives in obedience to Him, we see His divine DNA all over us! I mean how weird is it that this SUPER white, red-haired girl from south Tulsa would have a passion for Kenya having never been there before?! Then to be marrying a man who was born and raised there as a missionary and get engaged there…! Only God! May His fingerprints continue to be displayed on Stephen and I’s lives as we move forward in His purposes.

I am excited about the Dallas Zoo being within 5 minutes of where I am moving! However nothing can compare to seeing animals in the wild like I saw in Kenya and in Madagascar! It made me fall in love with God’s creation in greater depths. Kenya was everything I thought it would be and more. I cried the two morning that I woke up there and had to leave the country. I will be back though. Madagascar was unlike anywhere I’ve ever been or dreamed of. I have a huge heart for it and currently think I can convince any missionary to go there ;-) Really though, it has been overlooked and often forgotten about. Just in the past week as I have been seen 4 different artistic globes or maps without Madagascar on there. Granted many “islands” are left off of maps when they are so tiny, but Madagascar is huge and home to 22million people.  The parts of the island that I saw were blends of Africa and Asia and rice fields were everywhere. The people are probably the most kind people I have ever met! It was incredible to meet the people and minister alongside of Stephen. The missionaries that Stephen introduced me to in both nations were incredible and rejoiced with us in our engagement!

For now, I’d be satisfied to just have a wedding date! Hopefully that will be finalized in the upcoming weeks as I move to Dallas. If not, I will start paying rent by collecting a dollar from everyone who asks, “Do you have a date yet?” “When is the big day-do you know?” ;-) It is an extremely exciting time even though I am separated by a few oceans from my fiancé. God has graced both of us for the seasons we are in and I am expectant.

I am looking forward to life in the big city of Dallas, but it will be quite the culture shock from here in Hamilton so pray for me ;-) There won’t be cows outside my door (I’ve gotten used to their soft moos lulling me to sleep). Instead of grass and open forest, there will be about  6 highways surrounding me. Lastly, I will have to remember to lock my doors on everything again! While in Dallas last week I noticed that almost every single place had signs saying, “Lock your doors, Take your keys, Hide your valuables.” No more southern open door policy there folks! I’ll be sure to update a couple of more entries to tie up this small town life of 6,000 people to my big city life of 6,000,000 people! Goodness! Nothing drastic going on in my life or anything;-) As long as I can stow my beloved suitcase away and find a resting place for my close and head at night, I’ll be fine. Until then, I’ll soak up the smells of onion grass, gaze at the stars at night, and listen for cows for my weather forecast!