730 days ago....

April 20th, 2010--I stepped on a plane after spending 13 months of my life in South Africa to come back to America. Wow. The last couple years have had its shares of ups and downs. Sometimes I feel like it was just yesterday that I was in Africa...other times, I feel like it has been forever. Things were different when I returned--not only with others, but with me. Life moves on when you are gone for a period of time, even though you don't expect it too. There were lost relationships, and new ones gained. There were hopes that I would go back, and all to soon they were dashed. There were interviews for jobs, and no results. I found myself in a waiting game--one that seemed to last FOREVER. I honestly can say that going through it was the hardest thing in my spiritual walk I have ever had to do. There were days when I was upset and angry at God because He wasn't working in the way I wanted him too....or desires and passions that I wanted to see fulfilled, and nothing was happening. And yet looking back, I can see His hand in EVERYTHING. He has used these last 2 years to mold me. To shape me. To show me things I needed to see. And to break me more than once to RELY on him more than I have ever had too. It has not been easy--Satan has done everything He could to tear me apart--and truthfully, there were some days that he got the better end. Those dark days when I decided to try to make it on my own, knowing that the one who created me was the only thing that would carry me through. Isaiah 55:8-9 is the verse I have clung to the last 2 years. Why? Take a look.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." 

His ways are better than mine, and I have to trust him, knowing that his ultimate plan for my life far succeeds anything I can imagine. How thankful I am that I have the Word of God to go to for all my needs!! It was only 2 months ago that I realized that I cannot keep saying that I am waiting for God to open doors for overseas ministry. Truth is, he may never do that. And by his grace, I have peace. TOTAL peace. Do I want to be overseas? Absolutely...I'm ready and willing to go anywhere and do anything -but I know without a doubt that it is not his plan right now. It may change, or it may not. What I know is that I am called to serve him wherever I am.

2 years later, I still think about Africa a lot--different situations or circumstances bring back the memories. Certain smells will take me right back in a heart-beat. What do I miss the most?
-the land/culture and slower pace of life
-the time people MADE to spend with one-another producing amazing fellowship-kinda a no-brainer that just doesn't flow here
-My bosmont youth gals--oh, I would give anything to study Jesus with them again
-Slovo-because those children had NOTHING and were SO happy
-The Embrees, who are family to me
-The Hawkins, Kuehls, Brittens, Donaldsons-these amazing TEAM/ZEMA missionary families and ladies who invested, encouraged, and poured into me over the course of that year
-BOOST! The best smoothie place known to man
-ICBM and the joy the students have in learning/studying the Word of God
-Braais-there is nothing that can compare here
-Cricket games
-Game parks and the thrill of searching for God's amazing creatures
-and with that, playing/cuddling with baby lions
-Beth Moore with the ladies of Bosmont
-Teaching Science to Hannah, Max, and Bronwyn
-Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens
-The Summer heat with no humidity so you could sit outside with your dinner daily
-Denali (even though she died last year...LOVED that dog)
-Sleepovers with the girls
-Ella's yummy food
-Clearwater Mall/Silverstar
-Jillian Michaels with Lee-Anne and Elle
-Camping, even with those darn monkeys who stole everything
-Soft-serve cones from the ice-cream man
-Sweet-chili sauce and milo-not together of course

This list could continue forever--it has been refreshing and good for my soul to reminisce and reflect on  what God did in those 13 months, and look back at the blessings of the last 2 years, even with the hardships. I'm thankful for life-and for a God who is a steady rock when things crumble around me. May he continue to be MY everything--my source of strength, my Redeemer, my ALL.

Amy and Alex

Being silly with the little ones of Slovo

Smile!

The youth of Bosmont that I worked with weekly

The beautiful children of Slovo

One of my FAVE Bible studies ever--with some amazing friends!

Going for a walk!

Love with my family

One of the precious boys of Slovo

LOVE these gals!

The final goodbye--at OR Tambo Int'l Airport

South Africa-you will be in my heart FOREVER.

Easter 2012

I spent Easter with my "second" family. (My besties family) I've spent many holidays with them, and am so thankful that they see me as another daughter/sister. They are an incredible blessing to me, and have been such an encouragement to me over the years. So here is Easter in pics. :)

Not sure how to get my pics not to go crazy, but I guess it doesn't matter. :) Hope you had a wonderful Easter celebrating Jesus' death and resurrection!

7 states with 40 gals=AMAZING!

Hello blog world again! Finally have a chance to sit down and write. (on my friends computer) My computer chord is dead, and truth be told, I haven't really cared to get a new one--just not yet at least. So you'll be getting a few posts, and then it will end for a bit again until I get my hands on one.

So much has happened since I last wrote-not even sure where to really start. After Alaska, I had the amazing opportunity to go with the Women's Choir from Moody for 2 weeks. The day before we left, I ended up in urgent care with horrific back pain. I'm not sure if it was a result of falling on the ice the day I left Alaska, or from jerking up when I awoke Wed. morning after I thought the couch was falling on me. (big time vertigo!) Long story short, they told me it was sprained and gave me muscle relaxers and tylenol with codeine, along with a heating pad and ice pack. The following morning, I boarded a charter bus with 41 others, and we made our way down to West Virginia, and then through the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and  Kentucky before returning to Moody. What a blessed and encouraging time for me, even being knocked out cold the first 4 days non-stop because of the meds. I was thankful for the prayers of the gals each night, and grateful that my back was better about 5 days in. My job on tour? Sound. The gals would ask me all the time if I got sick of hearing the same thing every night. My answer? NEVER. I gained something new every single night--and the words of their music ministered to me daily. The 2 weeks were incredible-out of the 10 tours I have gone on now,  none have been as refreshing as this one. I don't know if it was because of where we were geographically or what, but we were blessed with amazing host homes, and a lot of wonderful down-time. The gals sang each evening, aside from our Saturday off, and twice on Sundays. And there were stories: from a man who had just received cochlear implants and was hearing his first concert, to the women whose husband died in front of her in a fiery airplane crash--peoples hearts were touched. I love how the Lord does that through music. We enjoyed beaches, parks, gardens, sunsets, the Ocean, historical sights, shopping, and lets not forget Starbucks! (an almost daily stop thanks to Dr. Lynerd!)

While on tour, I also got to visit with my parents, who were on vacation in FL. I also got to visit with some friends that I have not seen in a long time--we laughed for hours, and enjoyed catching up on each others lives.

When I found out where tour was going, I immediately contacted the Thompson's. Mr. T was the conductor of Women's Choir my first year I was in choir. Along with Mrs. T, they were so special to so many of us! I have enjoyed keeping up with them, and I got word that they were in fact coming to our concert and he would be conducting Eternal Life. (insert here the AAGGHH!) Eternal Life is a song that has been sung since the founding of WCC 57 years ago. It is our final song, and each night, we invite former choir members who are at our concert to join us for it as we spread into the aisles. It's a special moment for everyone, and having Mr. T conduct it again brought back so many memories and tears to my eyes. I'm so glad my friend Meg, who happened to be in the area because they are raising support for Ukraine, was able to join in on it too. It was an evening I will never forget.

I was sad to see the 2 weeks come to an end. The encouragement and love these gals showed me is something I cannot convey through words. I love, love, LOVE them all dearly and am so thankful for their friendships.

Faithful God!

While in Alaska, I received an e-mail from a lady looking for a nanny for her child. I had decided that I was done looking at nanny jobs, because nothing was happening. I wrote her back, telling her that I was not available for 2 months. She wrote back and said, "That's ironic, because I don't need anyone until April." Hmm...really? Long story short, I am now nannying for a sweet, 12 yr old boy. I LOVE it. I'm in my second week, and am excited for what lies ahead. God's timing is PERFECT. And this job came at the exact moment I needed it. He knew that--even when I didn't, and I had doubts the last few months. I'm so thankful and blessed to have such a loving and all-knowing God.

 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:19