He is finally here!

This time last year I was in tears.

I was so fearful of the unknown and sad about the distance.

I broke down on several occasions and wanted to run to the nearest airport and give up.

I felt guilty, alone and insecure about my decision of leaving my son behind.

What I didn’t know at the time was that God had me alone for a reason. He needed me to have this year of solidarity for reasons that I may not fully be aware of at this point but I know it was in purpose. #Hindsight is 20/20.

Well, here I am- 1 year after making the decision to go to Uganda…and I can truly say that God turned things around for me. Christion is FINALLY with me in Uganda! YES!

He is happy and enjoying it thus far, although it’s only been 2 days since we touched down and he’s handling the changes and culture shock with ease. Christion is a true champ and I am so thankful for his resilience.

This testimony is so real for me because of the many emotional struggles that I’ve had this past year without him. To make matters even better, his father was very helpful and supportive in the process and didn’t give me a hard time at all. The first time I moved overseas, I stayed in court for 6 weeks trying to gain permission to take my son with me. I almost gave up hope and didn’t go. I’m so thankful I stuck in there and kept trying because this experience is truly invaluable for him…and me.

What’s been going on…?

Before we arrived to Uganda, we had a layover in Abu Dhabi, my former overseas stomping ground for 2 years. Well, it was actually Al Ain but I was in Abu Dhabi a lot of the time. There, I met with Jenny, a friend of mine, and her family. It was really good to see them, explore the new and fancy Yas Mall and get a taste of the Emirati life for a hot second. That experience will always be in me, no matter the good, bad or ugly of it.

Now that we are in Uganda, it is definitely apparant that these last few days have been extremely tiring. With the jet lag, moving of apartments and adjusting Christion to life in Uganda, it has been more than an experience…and this is only the beginning.

He is on a different sleeping schedule than me. I am still on Chicago time so getting up at 1 a.m. and staying awake has been the norm the last few days. Christion on the other hand wants to go to sleep by 5 p.m. which is the time I’m ready to go do my apartment shopping!

“Oh Shift”: Drama at every turn…

Now you know with every shift in your life there is bound to be a sprinkle of drama…really becomes a matter of perspective. One of the reasons I came back so early is because I moved to a new apartment. Unfortunately, it is behind a nightclub which just happens to be outdoors. Oh boy, so you can imagine the level of noise. I stayed at my old apartment the first night and didn’t hear as much. However, Thursday was my first time in my new apartment and the noise was unbearable. There must have been some type of show because it sounded as if the speakers were right next to me. It was much louder than normal. And…to top it off, it didn’t stop until 6:30 a.m..! Ugandans love a good party…

It seems as if I’m more cautious and annoyed by the noise level because Christion is here. Now, he usually sleeps really solid so it doesn’t seem to have that much of an effect on him as it has on me, although the other day he says, “Mommy, they really are having a long party!”(SMH) I live in a residential area so I’m not sure why they would open a club in the middle of the neighborhood.

Christion had his first official Ugandan meal the other day and compared the Ugali (posho), a Ugandan traditional food, to the likes of rice. He likes rice with sugar (country, I know) and kept wanting to add it to the posho. He didn’t care too much for the squash and kept commenting that the beef and chicken were extra chewy. He also tried Matoke, beans and rice and cassava. Bless his heart.

This is completely random but…

I went car shopping the other day because am in desperate need to be more independent and have the chance to get out and explore more of this beautiful country. I can’t go another year without seeing more and more and more of this gorgeous place…did I say more? Christion definitely needs to see this!

I, however, am not looking forward to driving in the horrendous traffic, void of signal lights. Go figure.

In the midst of it all, I can celebrate all that is happening and smile with a grateful heart.  Mother Africa has a place in his heart as well as mine and will take care of him. All is well and I am so excited that my son is here to share this journey with me.