Little Blessings

When life's a whirl, sometimes I just need to stop and take a moment to count my blessings. Little as they may seem, they far out-weigh the difficulties in the long run.



An 8 yr old brother who's a whit and a cute one at that!

 

Moments when African culture plays a huge role in babysitting. Struck out on the blankie, songs, rocking part. But flip the kid on you back and he's out like a flash.

A dad who gets creative during the song service. 

Brothers who know how to make me laugh.

New sights in the neighborhood. 

God always providing for our needs. Last month, friends gave us Wildebeest. This month, the neighbors supplied us with fresh pork. What does next month hold?!? (Dad says, "Roadkill." That I sincerely hope not!)

One year ago today...

 In a while,  in a word, 

Every moment now returns

For a while, seen or heard, 

How each memory softly burns.

Facing you who brings me new tomorrows, 

I thank God for yesterdays, 

How they led me to this very hour, 

How they led me to this place...

Every touch, every smile, 

You have given me in care.

Keep in heart, always I'll, 

Now be treasuring everywhere. 

And if life should come to just one question,

Do I hold this moment true?

No trace of sadness, 

Always with gladness...

'I DO...'

Happy 1st anniversary to one of my best friends , Kate & her groom, Tino! Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives~

(photo credits: Kristina McNabb & Jared Boyd)

(Lyrics sung at the wedding)

First Day of School

First day of school! First day of school! I feel like the fish, Nemo, swimming about all happy like. Till I hit the reef. Really? Only 4 kids left in school? What will we do with such a small group of kids? Hmm. Adopt a few more? Okay, so maybe not. But the school table looks so empty. Guess I'll just have to adjust. Too bad my excitement didn't spread over to the kids. Of course, leaving my textbooks behind 8 yrs ago when I graduated, or matriculated as is said here, may or may not have something to do with it. : ) We opted for an earlier start this year, as our next furlough is rapidly approaching. Probably not till the spring/summer of 2014, but traveling & school just don't get along together.

Joel's arm is doing well and recovering. He still loves grossing me out with it, but I'm working on the whole "not getting grossed out at disgusting things" bit...in the meantime, I've taken to calling him Frank. Short for Frankenstein, which is what my vivid imagination pictures when I see those staple marks. He just laughs and runs off. 

Chemisty. Proving to be Drew's least favorite subject, after only 1 day. 

Reading was always the favored past time in our household. We wake up and read our Bibles. We fall asleep with a mystery novel tucked under an arm. Dad reads to us in Family Bible time each morning, and every evening we gather around the fire or his bed for another adventure in the life of a missionary, game ranger or historical figure. 

 

 

After school hours, Dad took the 4 kids into town to run errands and find shoes. With the onset of a nasty flu season, it was high time to replace the kids' worn out tekkies. No sense trekking around the house barefoot and then trying to battle the sniffles. Perks being that Brianna now wears the same size shoe as I do. I can finally steal her cute shoes. Oh wait. That also means she can steal mine...not sure I want an 11 yr old climbing trees in my heels (trust me, she would!). 

Adventures in Babysitting

A week ago today I was babysitting these munchkins...Seeing as we live a good hour apart, Josh & I just spent the weekend with them. 

Making pretzel bites together is fast becoming a tradition :)

Over a 4 day span, we played many games of Uno, Phase 10, baseball, etc. When Luke says, "I'm gonna be hard! I'm not gonna be easy on you," he means it. By hook or by crook, this kid is out to win. 

Playing baseball all afternoon. Boys vs. Girls 

Anna & Ginger, the new puppy.

The Sunday morning church service was held in Nkowankowa (N-coe-ah-n-coe-ah). Just before the service started, Joel Hammett plunked this fellow onto my lap. Boys & bugs...what's new?

That's one way to wear a scarf :)

Koko (grandma) explaining something about African culture.

While the other 3 kids were expending their energy outdoors, Lukey & I were having just a bit too much fun with webcam :)

Kabokweni

Wow, this holiday blogging just drags on and on, eh? The holiday certainly didn't. Sunday morning, Bro. Scott, Miss Donna and I were up early to prepare the noon meal before church. Just after the morning service, Bro. Scott had several of the college guys share a testimony of how God's provided for them while away at university. A sweet time, to be sure. Then came chow time...mealie pap (staple diet made from cornmeal boiled in water), chicken dust, spinach, and a carrot salad. Now if we were truly African, we would have served chicken feet (commonly known as runaways...pretty tasty), chicken heads, tripe (cow's stomach), curdled milk (NOT at all like cottage cheese), intestine or some other delicacy. No, I've not eaten  all those, preferring to keep my stomach in place :) Just the feet & intestine. Wow...talk about a rabbit trail!

Morning fog

 

Some of the guys in Kabokweni. 

African cuisine eaten African style (no utensils)

College guys' send-off 

Bro. Eric, Itumeleng, Victor & Bandile

On our last evening in White River, we attended a Bible study at Metropolitan International College. It was great meeting the young Christians and sharing a good laugh with these sweet girls.

With my parents in town for the night, we had an impromptu meal with them & several guys after the study. At times, I go from one ministry to another. It was so nice being in one place for a bit, really getting to know the people there. All in all...great stay!

Kaapsehoop

Back to our adventures in White River...Tuesdays are “Family Day” at the Kuzels. We headed up to a quaint old mining town in the mountains where wild horses roam free.

On our way, we stopped by a kwekery (nursery) where they had a variety flowers and animals. The whole dog-in-the-pram thing is just whacked! Made us laugh!

It wasn’t until we were leaving that we noticed the “Do not feed the horses'” sign…which is up for a very good reason. One mare was way too impatient and bad tempered, resulting in several kicks & a nip in Bro. Scott’s direction. He & I (ones carrying the food bags) had to take refuge on an fenced porch of a nearby lodge. It was such fun, though. Bri was a natural with the horses.

Picnic lunch in a boulder field. This tree looks like something from a Dr. Seuss book!

Chatting it up in an old phone booth :)

It was simply gorgeous up there!