Pebbles in my Boots: I'm back in the US and misisng Uganda like crazy!

Well folks,
I am back on American soil.

Jace and I had done gone crazy waiting for the airplane out of Uganda.

Amelia got me cookie dough when I arrived!! :)

I have been back since August 9th. I just haven't had the time to post yet.
I arrived into Phoenix, AZ to surprise my brother for his wedding that was happening on August 11th.

Getting ready for the wedding

It was a wonderful surprise!! I love him so much.

He looks very happy with his new wife, and I am so glad I was able to make it to his wedding:)

Me and Danny :)

I was informed that the 3,020 glasses that we received the day I left Uganda were put to GRAND use in those last two weeks! They were able to organize outreaches super quickly and distributed many glasses around Lugazi and somewhere that is kind of near Gulu (I haven't received the update from Kristen who became the project lead after I left, so I don't know a ton yet).

It was so good to hear that we were able to help many more people with their eye sight! :)
Moses keeps me updated on my children with disabilities. I miss them so much. Those children are what made my experience the best it could be! They have such sweet spirits.
Here is the most recent update from Moses!

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Hey, Jessica. Hope your fine and Julia. Here is a small up date about Daphine when I visited her yesterday. When I lived at their home. Dahine, her brother and a cousin run and gave a big hug they were very happy to see me. After Daphine brought a mat for me to sit on from their house. Then she sat close to me and leaned against my shoulder also her little brother and the cousin did the same.
They started asking me about YOU GUYS, DAPHINE SHE WAS USING SIGN'S POINTING TOWARDS ROAD DIRECTION'S.
Then I was able understand what she meant. Then in the process Daphine she was showing me her hands and legs. Then her little brother was able to tell me what she meant "He told me that Daphine she was abused by their previous care taker with marks of a cane on her legs. I think you remember a girl we met at their home mopping the cement floor, she is the one. I was told through the conversation I had with them that the Naan used to beat Daphine severely for no reason and abused her vulgar language about her disability. I was shocked but, nothing I could do at the moment since she was expelled by Daphine mother from her Job. But it is so sad!! Again they reported to me that the neighbor's children stole (Daphine soft flyer). Then immediately I asked them to escort me to the home of children they suspected, to have the Flyer which they did. So I was able able to discuss with the mother "I told her that Daphine and the brother told me that your children stole her Soft flyer". Then she answered me "Ssebo, it is true my children stole Daphine Flyer but they did get time to take it back" I answered her . "That is why I have come to visit you Nnyabo and get it back" Then she entered the house and gave me back Daphine Flyer. I was able to rescue Daphine Flyer back. She was very happy.
Moses Musasizi ( Uniting Children)

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I'm glad I have someone there who is looking after these children. I am very grateful to Moses for what he has done and continues to still do. :)

My Young Women's class! I got to teach them my last Sunday.

I have days where all I can think about is Uganda. I miss everything about the place. Mainly the people and the friends I met there. The Musana women.

Eve!

Rosette!

The children with disabilities. My friends from the Jinja branch. I miss seeing their smiling faces all the time. I miss speaking in my "Ugandan accent". I miss the dirt roads and amazing scenery.

These girls always remembered my name each time I visited Seya School

I miss living there. It will always hold a special place in my heart. I will go back. :)

Me and my good friend Sam! :)

Me and Moroni - he was thee cutest baby ever:)

Although I miss Uganda so so much, I am glad to be back. Being back is bitter-sweet. It's nice to have hot showers again and electricity constantly. I don't have to sleep under a mosquito-net anymore!! There are some perks to being home, but I sure do miss Uganda a lot and I think about it quite often.
I've started school again and I've started working again.

All moved in!

I was even able to attend a REAL Salt Lake Soccer Game, thanks to my brother, Loren. Definitely a different experience compared to the soccer game in Uganda!

When I got back home to St. George, I was able to go to the St. George Temple and do baptisms for the dead. Boy oh boy! How I have missed going to the temple! It was a great experience. :) The closest Temple to Uganda is in South Africa. What a glorious day it will be for those faithful members when a Temple of the Lord will be built in Uganda. :)

Dried Banana Leaf art of the St. George Temple done by Robinah:)