Tina Francis delivered these stunning photos to me this month capturing our shared memories in Uganda and Burundi this summer… cheers!
Yes, that’s Leigh & I pumping water from a new well in Bubanza, and yes, we’re happy!
And one of my favorites… Tina catches Claude and I together with Idelette laughing in the foreground. Priceless!
I’m also into this new flipbook! Claude and I collaborated in August with Sarah Richardson (aka Resident Creative at SheLoves Magazine) to show and tell A Story of Hope straight out of a community in Burundi. This is the story of the new school, Kwizera Academy, so far…
I’m also into Voxer… the ability to enjoy one-on-one conversations with Emily in Portland, Antonia at Duke, Sarah in Abbotsford and Leigh in Nashville… just to name a few! And then there are the conversations with my writing coaches/friends where we all pile into the same conversation about journal writing, editing process, music we do (or don’t) write to and what books we dream of writing someday. And a bigger, more motley crew of friends who pray together, encourage each other and talk about a lot more than just stories! How fun to hear everyone laugh, to notice accents and connect without the need to type!
This August brought a bit of rain to Arizona – breaking the heat for hours at a time. Enter one of my favorite old songs… I love a rainy night by Eddie Rabbitt. I know, I’m dating myself here. But now my daughter and I can sing this song together, word for word! Also, I’ll go on the record saying I like Bruce Hornsby and the Range still. We reconnected.
I will limit my book notes this month to two: Prototype by Jonathan Martin and Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo. Both are worthy of highest recommendations. Okay, I have to mention a third even though it won’t be available until November – Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey. You should just go a pre-order this book now, it’s a must read. I’ll be sharing more in the months to come, because this is an important book!
And finally, I’m into my new writing studio. This month I reorganized a shared office space into a personal haven for writing inspired by shades, patterns and textures of the peacock. The room has pops of bright color, plenty of bookshelves to bring my books in from the garage at long last and six feet worth of bulletin board space. I love working/writing here!
August has been my first month stateside since a summer in Burundi. I loved my time in Bujumbura alongside Lake Tanganyika, listening to birdsong in the morning and the call to prayer punctuating the day. I loved being together as a family and hosting so many friends. But it must be said, I was glad to turn the key and enter my own house once again… home.
Aww. I’m so glad you like the pictures. This makes me smile.
xoxo
Love keeping up with family Nikondeha through Theology in Transit. And love all the progress of your writing career, Kelley. Hope all is well between the lines and behind the scenes.
Tina’s pictures are the best! I haven’t had a chance to look at the flipbook Sarah made yet but I can’t wait. I can’t believe it’s almost time for school to start, too! Amazing. I, of course, am a big fan of Voxer for the reasons you mentioned. xo