We’re learning, we’re learning our happy ABC’s!

Well, the past two days here have definitely been better than the first few! I can truly see how God has answered prayer. Not only am I finally in Kenya's time zone, but the overwhelming sense of loneliness is far less consuming. While it was painful, and still is at times, I'm thankful for the experience of complete solitude. I got to spend a TON of time with God that I've never really had before. I mean when you wake up at 2:30AM and your ride doesn't come until 8:45, there's a lot of tie to spend just hanging out with God and seeing what it means to dwell in His presence. I would highly recommend it. Just get away for a few hours and, as many of you I'm sure understand, God will work in you in amazing ways. Aside from getting to know God better, I've also met some really great people and gotten to know a few of the people volunteering here. Today I actually met a girl from Finland, Laura. She's only a few years older than me and is staying with some family in Nairobi during her gap year from university. She'll be here until May volunteering. Can you imagine?! Almost an entire year dedicated to service. Anyway, she's really nice and since we're both here (kind of) alone, we're going to grab coffee or something here. Pray that God brings of some interesting conversations! I've also felt very nostalgic the past few days too. The title of this post is also the name of a song I heard maybe 32 times since I've been here. Every now and then I'll get flashbacks of when I was little. I even remembered lying in my crib when I was about four. Crazy! I tell you, these kids have it great. NLH is really nice, not just functional, but very pretty. I've heard that some other orphanages around here are concrete and cinderblock type places, strictly built for function. NLH has hardwood floors, tons of bay windows and even a gazebo. You can tell they really want the kids to feel like they are in a home, which brings me to the kids themselves. There's probably about 40 or so kids here, ranging from just a couple months to 4 years old. I'm must say, I'm particularly drawn to the babies because they are just SO CUTE! They're always giggling in their little bouncy swings or squirming around. I fed one little boy, Sidney, who is being "promoted" from the infant ICU to be with the other babies. I swear I could have looked into his eyes forever, but then his diaper got a little active so I had to hand him back to one of the house moms. I'll make sure to get a picture of him up soon so you all ca see what I'm talking about. Then, there are the crawlers, who are always funny because they're at that just-about-to-walk phase. I've grown especially fond of watching Enoch assemble Mr. Potato Head in a variety of ways. Hey, I guess if he has all five senses it doesn't matter if his nose is above his eyes! The oldest group, the toddlers, is definitely the craziest in my opinion. Many are at the "terrible two" stage, so you know what I mean. That's not to say that they are in any way horrible, but 12 little boys running around is pretty insane. Did I mention that it's really only boys here? There are a few baby girls and a couple crawlers, but the majority is definitely boys. So, you can imagine the testosterone… Another thing that's definitely been on my life lately is something I kind of expected to be thinking when I got here. We have it SO, SO easy back in the US. The traffic here absolutely blows my mind. I haven't seen any stoplights and the roads are about as bumpy as a 13 year old with acne. Like all third world countries, tap water is a no no for drinking and, at least at the Savelburg, hot water, or water at all, is a miracle sent from God. I took a shower with a bucket of water and a Nalgene water bottle the other day. Awesome. Anyway, it's just kind of hit me, especially since last night. I met a group of high schoolers that have been here for about 2 weeks and last night was their last night in Kenya. They invited me to their "reflection time" after dinner, and the majority of people's comments were regarding the slums of Nairobi and how it made them realize how easy we all have it back home. They've been helping out at a school in Kiberia, one of the biggest slums here, and were blown away by how much these people struggled on a daily basis. These kids live to survive. Anyway, the overall feeling in the group was that they didn't want to go home and have things go back to normal, forget the smells, sights, sounds. I've been in their shoes before, and I can say that the first week they're home will be the hardest because it'll be so easy to slip back into the same routine from before they left. I'm sure the night before I leave Kenya will feel the same. I want this trip to change me, and you know what? I've been here for only 5 days and it has. I won't be the same when I get home. My mindset is completely different, especially in regards to my relationship with Christ, is completely different. I don't want to go home and be "Emily Nycum, the student at UNC." I want to be "Emily Nycum, the girl who is utterly enthralled with her God." Ok, I'm going to stop now because this post is really, really…..really long. I figured I'd make it long since I probably won't write another one for a couple days. Thanks for all your love and prayers! love, emily Micah 6:8 (Thanks Cam for sharing this one with me!)