So I want you to know that I am absolutely falling in love with this place and these people.  I am meeting friends and other Americans, and establishing a life here.  And it is only through God that I have made it thus far.  As I have read in Psalms this week, and continued to ponder….”Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness.”  How true that verse is.  Nothing has happened, or will happen because of me; rather it is all because of God.  So to Him be the glory!  He has proved His unending and deep love for me and proved His faithfulness once again.  How in awe of Him I am and more in love with Him everyday!

With that said, here are a few more facebook status thoughts.  It truly is the best way to give you a glimpse into my life here without a novel in an email.  I have edited this down some to just include most the new things I am learning.  So hopefully it doesn’t seem negative, but rather that I am truly a student to this new place!

…was told today that she needs help learning to clean the floors.

…these silly Africans.  You think I’m gonna polish my floors everyday?  You are crazy!

…is gonna go visiting.  Unannounced.  How un-American.

…learned to shake hands in Zambia.

…thinks it’s interesting that Zambians “sweep” the grass and the dirt driveway.  But it works!

…doesn’t understand why her ipod uses the time in America when the time in Africa is listed first.

…is trying to learn Bemba.  But it’s tough using your brain like that!

…had a skype date with her mom!  Yay.  But skype, you are failing me.  So many dropped calls!

…just made hot chocolate.  Who cares if she has to have the fan on to enjoy it?

…sat outside all morning and just read and prayed.  Wonderful.

…is hoping to meet more people.  And if all she does this year is hang out with them, she’s ok with that.

…does shower daily!  For all of you who were worried she wouldn’t…..

…and also cleans her chacos daily.  It’s so dusty here!

…hasn’t had meat in um…..a long time.  Too long to remember.  She just keeps forgetting to thaw the chicken ahead of time.  Cooking takes planning!  Wait, she does have ham for lunch some days, if lunchmeat counts as protein….

…is loving all this time with the Lord.  What a blessing!

…is supposed to be wrinkle free to follow the dress “code” in Zambia.  Ha.  Good thing she doesn’t have an iron so that can be her excuse!

…started a list of all her blessings.  What an encouragement!

…is really terrible about remembering the anti-malarial meds….Hope she doesn’t get it.

…has a mailing address!

…learned to polish and shine floors today.  Now the floor feels great….but for real, that was a lot of work.  I think I’ll hire a worker.

…fresh bread.  Yum!  I’ve got to get out more to get nice things like that.

…wow, how refreshing it is to have a made bed with lots of pillows!

…clean laundry.  Mmmm…

…is feeling comfy at home right now.

…likes this whole, two hour lunch/rest time.  Seriously America, you are missing out.

…now likes pears.

…’s closet is just a wooden rack next to her bed.  And there’s not a lot on it.  Wonder if she’ll get tired of the same clothes for a year….

…does feel better with a clean house….especially with guests arriving.

…is learning she can eat the same in Zambia as home.

…is thankful she doesn’t have a car to worry about putting petrol in during this fuel crisis.

…now uses the phrase “I think, maybe yes/no…” etc a lot.

…thinks those fireworks are directly over her house.  She can hear the whistle as they fly upwards, and yet still jumps when they explode.

…had lots of fun today with her new friends.  They used the word “crib” when talking about their home.  And said that the reason I have no lizards at home is because we ate them all and they no longer exist there….hm….They also used the phrase “TIA.”  I love it!  And they informed me of African time, and that I should not conform, but that I probably would, “they all do…”

…is getting into a routine.  Is that really possible?

…’s grammar is going downhill for sure.  Please bear with me and try and translate it correctly.

…is fascinated that when she goes for a walk she can observe young ladies wearing the latest fashion in America, or the traditional dress with chitenges.

…likes to think of her mosquito net as a canopy.

…had some pretty decent coffee tonight!

…has learned the meaning of culture fatigue.

…feels very out of date with world happenings, even though she never kept up while in America.

…had the same lady who told her walking would burn fat make sure she was eating today so she wouldn’t “slim down.”

…had her first Zambian meal…..hopefully she won’t be served that a lot or she’s gonna have some problems.  Not only was the food “different” eating with only one hand and no cutlery really got to her.

…is learning to guard her words with people she does not know.

…is confused how Obama was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.

…homemade popcorn.  Yum!  Perfect for a movie night!

…is learning about the indirect communication way of Zambians.

…is learning that when you leave a conversation in Zambia, you might realize you didn’t really come to a conclusion or a plan of action.

…no longer screens phone calls.

…found an orphanage to volunteer with!

…is loving time spent with friends!  And they even bought her ice cream and gave her bananas!

…is a continual student when it comes to Zambia culture.

…is slightly perplexed by the fact that it is ok to pick your nose in public or do the farmer’s blow, but sneezing and blowing into a Kleenex are taboo.

Check out the new tab, “Zambia, Specifically to Me” to find out more about logistical things such as housing, etc!

So if you know me you know that I’m really obsessed with facebook.  Mainly because I had the many hours to spend on there.  So as I’ve transitioned, I’ve had many thoughts come across that are perfect facebook status thoughts (or so I think).  So I’ve listed some below, starting with my flights from the States.   I think it might give you a better idea of what is going on with me!

But before that, I have to say that God is teaching me so much right now.  There has been so much transition, but the people of Zambia are so friendly and welcoming and helpful.  I am starting to make a few friends, and for that I’m thankful!  And I’ve also met another missionary family and they have been incredible in helping me get more settled here.  God is providing everything that I need – from the physical to the emotional to the spiritual.  I love seeing him prove His faithfulness!

Ashley Smith…..

…is stuck by the window with two guys who are conked out and she can’t get up to pee.

…is about to throw up.  Continuously.

…’s emotions are an unbelievable rollercoaster.

…is pretty in love with London’s old buildings, fun places to see and walk around, and cool accents….not in love with the gross smokers or slightly different fashion trends.

…come on London!  It’s only October and you are already dressed in gray and black.  How dreadful and depressing.

…is sooooo over security and flying in general.

…hopes Ndola feels like a small town.  She’s kinda over cities.

…thinks traveling alone is really dreadful.  (and bc she’s in London likes to use that word.)

…didn’t even make it through her flights without spilling stuff on her shirt.  Fabulous.

…sees people in the airport and wonders if they are missionaries because of the way they are dressed…..

….is anti anti-malarial medicine.

…shoulda learned military time.

…thinks Heathrow’s airport is set up kinda weird.  And it’s so busy.  Soooo unlike KC or Tulsa.

…chose to keep the spider alive because he would eat the mosquitoes.

…just went swimming in Africa.  Good thing she brought her suit.  There seem to be plenty of opportunities for a nice chilly swim.

…now sleeps under a mosquito net.

…now goes to bed at 10 pm.  Or tries to.

…is deeply afraid of roaches.  Especially ones that are two to three inches long (yes, I know they can be bigger, but this is big enough for now.)

…is starting to look right before crossing the street.

…smells minty fresh b/c yes, she got burnt the second day in Ndola.  Even though she was only out a coupla hours…..yikes.  but only her shoulders, not her face.  She’s fascinated.

…hopes the minty fresh doesn’t attract mosquitos.

…has a night club across the street.  And now is looking forward to Friday and Saturday nights.  Not.

…is officially living in Ndola on her own.

…is learning about culture.  Even if ya know it, you can still forget it when it comes to living it out.

…is getting brave and walks around the house without shoes on.  Until another cockroach appears.

…was told to never go out at night.  So her first night alone in Ndola, she got home way after dark so braved the dirt paths with no light.  But at least she wasn’t alone.

…just called Ndola home!

…will not have clean feet for longer than five seconds for the next year.

…is reading.  A lot.  Send her books.

…now journals every night.

…is being humbled.  But God is doing great things in her because of it.

…is weak.  But glad He is strong.

…is overwhelmed by the Internet.

…lives hour by hour.  More than that freaks her out.

…always takes cold showers now.

…has a Chaco tan after a day.  And it’s not dirt.

…doesn’t like the fish smell that comes with her water and cooker.  Makes it hard to eat.

…would not make a good Zambian wife.  She really is lazy when it comes to cleaning and cooking.  Bring on the PB&J!!

…is truly humbled by the youth in Zambia.

…is so full of weaknesses.

…loves the encouragement God sends through what may seem random because He knows we need it.

…is learning.  So much.  About life.  Love.  Zambia.  God.  It’s so good.

…is adapting.  And learning what juice to not buy in Zambia!

…is not liking hot season number two.  One a year is enough.

…is glad she likes reading.

…lives in a home.  By herself.  Wow!  It only took me moving to Africa!  (Tammy does that mean I’m allowed to adopt now?!?!)

…is still jumpy because of lizards.  But not freaked out like with the roaches.

…wants a latte from the café very badly.

…had forgotten the intensity of the sun in Africa.  Fry skin fry.

…now has hot water!

…is not feeling ready to cook quite yet.

…is translating.  Even if it is from English to English.

…is gonna watch a movie.  Yay!

…thank you chacos for hurting my feet.

…the youth were allowed two questions upon my introduction.  #1.  How old are you?  #2.  Are you married?….Of course I’m married.  He was perfectly okay with me leaving him in America for a year….

…a mixture of Indian fireworks and African night club.  She can feel the booms and the bass.

…can hear the fireworks but not really see them.

…is pondering the reason why when she hears the fireworks she thinks she MUST watch them even if she doesn’t really want to go outside.  It’s like passing up an once in a lifetime opportunity feeling.  Weird.

…thinks maybe church in Africa isn’t so bad – she actually followed the sermon today and it had some solid meat to it.

…is gonna be a preacher.  Whether she likes it or not.

…will try not to preach and rather integrate discussion.  We’ll see how Africans respond to that.

…thinks the Wegener’s are just heavenly.  A place to wash AND dry my clothes?!??

…’s third encounter with the roach went better.  She didn’t jump or freak out at all.

…noticed how the lights get dimmer at night – especially if every light is on in the house.

…has decided that regardless of who you really are – if you are an American in Zambia, you will be my new best friend.

…has experienced cry number two.

…thinks she might be ready to take on this week.  The week that has absolutely nothing planned in her schedule, yet she still feels overwhelmed.  Or bored.  Not sure.

…the nightclub still going on Sunday evening?  Really??

…made a fool of herself at church today.  Oh well.  The missionary motto:  Learn to laugh at yourself.

…still has a sunburn.  Colgate you fail me.

…now sees internet as “Work” and must have a list.

…thank you Harry Potter for making me feel at home.

…shoulda brought more flip flops.  One pair isn’t doing the job.

…leaves the lights on until the last possible moment to keep the roaches away.

…is deathly afraid of roaches it seems by the large amounts of thoughts they create.

…doesn’t like dogs in the States.  And definitely does not like them in Africa.

…is officially over jetlag and ready to sleep at 9 pm.  Wow.

…cooks on the floor.

…is tired of juice.  Not a good sign.

…scrubbed her bathroom today.  Now it doesn’t feel so grimy.  But she still will always wear shoes in it.

…is not so overwhelmed with cooking anymore.  Maybe she’ll try something more than noodles tonight.

…is feeling more at home.  And sees potential friends.

…had wisdom shared with her today – “Friends are the people God puts around you.”

…found boneless chicken breasts today!  Wow!  That will be for sure in my budget!

…just heard the “alarm.”  Sounds like a power tool.  What will I do if I hear it and it’s for real?  Good question.  Huddle on my bed and pray.

…is trying to convince herself to do the workout video.

…did the workout video.  Thanks Billy Blanks.

…actually cooked a meal!  That was more than a sandwich or noodles!

…is thankful for God’s presence.  And knowing exactly what I need.  At the exact moment.

…is feeling more confident in her home.

…is wondering….if I can’t remember what day I left the States does that mean I’ve lost track of time already and have integrated into Africa?

…doesn’t have to use an alarm.

…wishes the States celebrated something for a whole month that had fireworks every night.

…is so thankful for garlic.  How did I ever live without you?

So I’ll just share with you a story from my first night in Ndola.  I had been in Africa about four days, thankfully having been here before so some things came much easier and quicker to adjust to.  But we arrived into Ndola, after taking the bus, which is quite the experience, and hauled all my luggage to the ECZ Guesthouse.  We walked into the house which was to be mine, and there was absolutely nothing in it but a bed.  The kitchen is pushing it to call it a kitchen (but there is a sink with running water) and the bathroom is pretty skuzzy compared to what Westerners are used to.  We spent the afternoon pulling furniture out of the container they use for storage and kinda setting up house.  We also made a trip to ShopRite to get some groceries and a few things for the house.  But by that night, I was feeling pretty overwhelmed.  None of the locks worked, the hot water didn’t work, and there were problems with most of the plugs in the house.  So needless to say I was feeling pretty overwhelmed.

And then it was time for bed.  We had gone out to dinner and so I came back to a dark, and pretty empty, house.  My mattress was on the floor which didn’t bother me too terribly much.  Until I walked into the house that night turned on the light and watched a giant cockroach skitter across the floor, along the wall where my mattress was lying.  I freaked out.  Normally I can handle bugs of sorts and will kill them quickly.  But this time it just was the last straw for me.  I tried to step on it to kill it but just kept freaking myself out.  So I found the bugspray we had bought and attacked it with that.  After following into all the rooms in the house.  Where all my luggage was lying on the floor, open and very easily accessible.  I finally got it sprayed and watched it curl up and suffer.  And then I just sat for about twenty minutes, trying to calm myself down.  I never knew the depth to which I was afraid of roaches.  Thankfully last night was much better and I’m feeling a little bit more confident about my next encounter!  As for the lizards, I’ll take them any day over roaches.

But the best part of Ndola so far…..The avocado tree right outside my house.  Literally.  It’s limbs almost touch my roof.  And not those puny things they call avocados in the states.  But real, massive ones.  Oh, I’m excited!!  And the mango and papaya tree.  Maybe I’ll grow a liking for those fruits.