I have a lot to be thankful for.

For example…today my uncle set up skype in my grandparents nursing home so I could talk to them face-to-face.

Seriously, it was the second best thing that’s happened this month.

My grandpa’s had a rough couple months. Even when I lived in Florida, I thought I had sort of prepared myself for the inevitable. But, when something really happens and someone is described as “terminal”, I don’t think you’re ever really “prepared”. Earlier this fall, I had looked at plane tickets and contemplated going home for a quick visit, but it just didn’t work out. So, it was SO good to see them today.

And Marc got to meet them via Skype. Way cool! And a fantastic way to start Thanksgiving week!

Last week I began going through feedback forms from the most recent term of Thrive’s AIDS Prevention Program, Leadership Summit.

It’s encouraging to see how much God uses it to influence the lives of these 7th, 8th and 9th graders–at such an important time in their lives. But, my favorite part has been seeing the response to the question “have you shared what you’ve learned with others?”…students said they shared what they were learning with their families, friends and one girl shared with her whole soccer team (how cool is that?!).

There are thousands of kids in the program that are being directly impacted, but it’s awesome seeing how the indirect impact goes much further than just the students sitting in the classroom…that entire communities are being impacted for Christ.

This time a week ago Marc was proposing! Whoop whoop. Yep, that means we’re engaged. Yay!

He posted pictures on his blog a few days ago. You can see them here.

An unintended consequence of the engagement is the whiplash I’m getting looking at the bling. I’ll be doing something totally mundane like washing dishes (okay, that doesn’t happen too much–but if it did, I’m sure it would happen then too), reading, driving. And all of a sudden my eye catches the diamond on my left hand and it hits me all over again. Whoa, we’re engaged!

And, I’ve gotta tell you, he did a fabulous job with the ring. He even designed it. I know, how cool is that?!

Dear Thieves,

I understand how you love being on the property. It is beautiful! You seem to be especially fond of lurking around at night, and stars are like no where else I’ve been in the world. Because of that, I understand you wanting to sleep on the side of the mountain after stealing from our houses.

However, enough is enough. As much as we love being hospitable, I think you’ve officially warn out your welcome.

Kind Regards,

Katie

I’m stubburn. And overly independent.

My recent refuse-to-go-to-the-doctor protest might have been a combination of both.

When I woke up this morning with my eye swollen half-shut, I figured I probably should call the doctor.

Seven different medications and one butt-shot later (my first), I was on my way home with a sinus infection that was so bad it infected my tear ducts, causing them to clog and thus my red, swollen eyes. Yeah, how nasty is that?

My boyfriend is graciously handling his right to say “I told you so”.

In January, I’ll have lived in South Africa for two years. Living cross-culturally in a country with 11 official languages and countless more cultures, creates some distinct challenges, particularly relating to so many new ways of life.

Reading a book on South African culture from the early 90’s this weekend, I was really encouraged. A lot of it was pretty outdated, the country has changed a lot in the past 15 years. But, basically it said that when relating specifically to Afrikaans culture, people coming from similar cultures will struggle more to adapt than people from very different cultures.

We’ll that explains it.

I have a South African friend who spent a year living in Orlando. When we see each other, we end up comparing and contrasting cultures. She talks about how American fruit and veggies taste like plastic compared to South African produce (I agree) and I talk about how much I miss Dr. Pepper. On the surface, our cultures don’t seem that different. But, there are all of these differences that I struggle to identify.

On the plus side, the longer I’m here, the more it feels like home. And, I’m even starting to crave Wimpy coffee–that has to say something!

A friend asked me yesterday if I was happy.

I was able to answer “yes” confidently.

It’s funny though, I had a five year plan. And I’ve failed miserably.

I’m living off less than a fourth of what I was making in Orlando. I am 8000 miles away from the majority of my close friends and family. I live three hours from a mall. I swore I’d never live on a farm.

But, I wouldn’t change any of it. I get to live out having to completely trust Him for provision every month. I’m part of something I’m passionate about. I’m where I feel like God wants me for this season and am able to witness first-hand all He is doing here. And even though it’s $10 in gas to get to the grocery store, at least I have a fabulous view on the way there.

God is good. His plans are far greater than mine. He’s blown my five year plan out of the water. And as tough as it is sometimes, I wouldn’t trade this season for anything.

I went to camp every summer growing up. My friend Emily never seemed to get homesick. I always did.

So, I guess I shouldn’t be all that surprised that it comes in waves here too. And for the most part it’s not so much that I miss “home”, just the people there (okay, and maybe Mexican food…).

I’m a little confused why we didn’t do it sooner, but I talked on Skype with my best friend tonight. It was so good. But, it always is. I got to see some of her new house and hear about her new life as a homeowner (I know, how cool is that?!).

And then, I got to talk to my cousin Lindsey. I’m hardly ever logged into Skype, and I was so excited when she called.

It’s so fun seeing people’s faces–despite the miles between us, it makes me feel like I’m not so far away.

We were planning on going camping this weekend. But, when we could only find one tent and there was an available hut to sleep in half-way through a two-day hike, we took up that offer.

I’m really sore, sunburned and I’m pretty sure that it’ll take me a few showers before I stop noticing spots of dirt on my body…but it was fun. We hiked 5 hours yesterday and today blazed our own trail and ended up back to my car before we expected (that’s code for we lost the trail and just started heading east…).

The backpacks and camera are still in the car and as much as I’d like to post photos now, the walk to the car seems daunting at the moment.

But, I have to tell you that I’m absolutely amazed, once again, at God’s creation. I’ve been lucky so see some amazing natural wonders, like Victoria Falls. But, the last couple of days were right up there…the mountains were breathtaking and even though the water was FREEZING, it was definitely worth it to take the plunge and swim in a river this morning.

And, even though it was supposed to rain all weekend, we had great hiking days. Yesterday, there was an amazing thunderstorm that started minutes after we arrived at our hut. Being up in the mountains and hearing the thunder echo was awesome. And it stopped just in time for us to cook dinner on the braai.

Now, I’m just hoping I’ll be able to get out of bed in the morning…

I’m a proud owner (not sure if that’s the right word) of my first international library card.

I love South Africa, I really do. But sometimes, they make things extra difficult here. For instance, it took me months to get my car registered (the only downside to this is that now if I speed the traffic tickets will actually come to me instead of the previous owner…bummer). And then I had to go to the local tire store to get my license plates made (I thought it was a little weird too…).

So, I wasn’t exactly surprised that they gave me a hard time about the library card. I was grilled of course…why are you here? Oh, you’re not South African? What if you steal our books and take them to America with you?

But, after giving references so they can track me down if I run off with their books and nearly signing my first born child away, I have a library card.

When I was leaving, she said I could utilize my borrowing privileges, so I figured I better take her up on it before she changed her mind. I grabbed the first semi-interesting looking English book in the “new section”.

It starts with something along the lines of “they were two well-educated virgins on their honeymoon night…”. So, eh, I’ll pass on this book, but I’m sure I’ll have better luck next time…