so... i'm here! (8/16)

And I love it, so much. It has overcome any and all expectations. Everyone here is so wonderful. The community is an absolute blessing. I now have friends from UK, New Zealand, Switzerland, Australia and Ethiopia of course. There is so much to tell I’m not sure where to start. Bingham is absolutely beautiful. There are beautiful flowers and plants everywhere. My flat is so precious, and very large. We only have electricity every other day and water is in and out. It takes some getting used to, but its really not all that bad. Its kind of nice to be away from the distractions, but sitting in the cold and the dark gets a little old.

I’ve been in language tutoring, it’s a funny language and my tutors are wonderful! Hirut and Lydia. Lydia and I have become very good friends, she is wonderful and we have so much fun together! The food is great, and I’ve had zero problems adjusting. I find myself hungry all the time, but if you know me, then you know that’s nothing unusual, haha.

The sky & the stars are breathtaking. Its so hard to believe I’m here, so far away.

God has been so good, and being removed from the everyday and the distractions has been so nice. And I’m learning so much about relying on God. He really is it. Everything. And that has become so clear to me already. I’ve slept pretty well and almost all through the night since I’ve been here. I usually wake up very hungry so I eat something and go back to bed.
I found out on my first day that I will no longer be teaching art, but I am the new grade 4 teacher. Which means I will have 28 precious 9 & 10 year olds that I get to spend everyday with! I could not be more excited. I love them and am praying for them already. School starts august 25th so I’ve got about a week to figure out what I’m going to do for the first couple weeks of school.

I miss everyone a lot, but I am having the most amazing time. The Lord is so present in this city, he is doing great things and I feel so blessed to be a part of it and be in the company of some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met.
I love you all and hope to be hearing from you!
laurakboyd@hotmail.com

the final countdown.

it is hard to believe that it is already august 8th. the summer flew by so quickly, but it was absolutely perfect. i have been anticipating these next three days for so long, it is going to be a whirlwind of fun, excitement, and emotions. this week at home has been great, relaxing, packing, eating lots of my favorite foods, and lots of hang out time with my family and the lakeside kids that i love so much.
packing was an undertaking for sure.

i had to fit all of this...














into this...


and somehow i managed to do it.
it only took 4 days and 4 people staying up way too late.

tomorrow is my commissioning service at Lakeside.
monday i graduate from Auburn.
tuesday i fly out of atlanta.

its going to be a crazy next couple of days. but that also means in just 3 days i will be in Addis! please be praying for me over the next 3 days and they days that follow. that i will quickly adjust and get settled in.

i am excited because my next post will be filled with great details about my new life. :)
love & peace.
lb