only the best friends show up at the airport with signs…

I love it!

The last few days have been full of amazing animal sitings. We saw two male leopards early this morning…one laid on a tree branch, much like you would picture a house cat on the back of a sofa. The other tried to find a spot to cool down from the hot African sun by laying under a bush in tall grass.

Also this morning, we saw a baby elephant trying to eat. It was amazing watching him try to figure out his trunk. He watched his mom, and then tried on his own. Occasionally, he would make it to his mouth. But, my favorite was last night. We (by that I mean our ranger and tracker) tracked a pride of lions right after sunset. As it was getting dark they started to stir (they’re pretty lazy, it’s rare to catch them up and about), and we were able to track them as they hunted. We nearly saw a kill, which would have been pretty awesome.

But through all of this, it’s so cool to see God’s glory, to spend time in creation and see how intricate even the animals were created for a specific purpose. There is a buck that has white spots specifically to break up his silhouette so he isn’t as identifiable to predators. Termite mounds are created with a natural air conditioning system that keeps them cool, and they position them so that sun barely hits them in the summer, but yet, in the winter, the sun keeps them warm. It’s crazy!

“So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are.” — Matthew 5:26-27

In 46 hours my best friend’s flight will be landing in JoBerg and I will be patiently (or not so patiently) waiting to greet her.

Life is good!

Today is a good day. 

I suppose I should explain. I’ve been praying for something for awhile and my prayers were answered today in a big way.

It was my first happy tears experience. And it was good.

done.//

When I walked into Hope House yesterday I was greeted by Lindo, he kept saying, “baby, baby”. He took my hand and led me back to the babies room. We found 9 day old Busisiwe sleeping in her little bed. She had arrived at the orphanage that morning.

I don’t know if I’ve ever held a baby that small…aww, baby Busi. so cute!

My friend, David, is our interpreter for LaunchPad. He usually hates photos…but, he looked at this one and said he actually liked it [he gave me permission to put in on facebook, so I assumed that applied to my blog too...]

When he looked at it, he said, “look at us, we’re going to change the world.”

I’m definitely up to the challenge.

This progression of pictures cracks me up! There’s nothing like a good water balloon toss…

I’m not a huge fan of Mondays. Probably because I’m a big fan of sleep, but more than having to roll out of bed, I think it’s the whole alarm clock thing…

But, it’s always good to start the week on a good note. I can’t sing, so I’m instituting five good things…a weekly post of five good things [as if your deductive reasoning couldn't have figured that one out. sorry, i wasn't trying to insult anyone's intelligence, I promise!...], however random they may be.

Here’s to week numero uno! 

1) We were at the beach this weekend. I love the beach. I just love hearing the beach. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m tempted to buy one of those cds that are supposed to help you sleep…I can totally see how they would work.

2) I had a few firsts this weekend,: my first trip to Durban, my first Global Leadership Summit conference, my first kayak experience [and the soreness that came the next day], my first authentic Indian food [a personal favorite...].

3) oh, this deserves it’s own number….I also had my first shark diving experience. Here are some pictures (oh, and I can’t take credit for taking them…all the credit goes to my friend Jody)…

4) McFlurrys. I had 2 in a row yesterday afternoon. Pathetic? perhaps…but, seriously, it was oreo goodness…

5) a good half hour phone call with the rents Sunday night. The internet only cut out twice during the convo…whohoo!

done.//

Mandie, from Thrive Trip, is an amazing photographer. She took this when she was in South Africa this summer. It’s one of my all time favorites….

done.//

We were sitting in a house in a local village talking to a woman named Joyce. Six or seven people live in the small government home she inherited from her parents. Tattered calendars decorated the cement walls. Despite the size, Joyce, like many other Basotho women, takes great care of what she has; doilies sit delicately on the arms of the small couches in the living room, gospel music played softly in the background. Curious kids peeked around the corner, looking inquisitively at the first white people to be in their home. Eighteen year old Gugo continued cleaning in the small kitchen as chicken feet boiled on the stove. She filled a bucket of water using the spiket outside, no running water in their house, and came back to wash the windows. She worked quietly, listening intently to our conversation.

A few minutes into our visit, we prompt Joyce, “tell us about yourself…”

She paused for thought. After a moment of silence, Joyce answered confidently in broken English.

“I am a mother.”

“I am a born again Christian.”

Another pause.

“Well, I guess that’s all.”

How simple! I struggle to come up with how to tell others about myself. Usually spouting off something about being a college graduate or, before I came out here, I would have answered something about working in marketing. Maybe adding where I was from or what I like to do. As Americans, our identity is so wrapped up in what we do, how we contribute to society. Instead, Joyce’s identity is WHO she is. Not what she does or where she’s from.

Funny how profound two short sentences can be.

done.//