I’ve mentioned a few times lately that my husband I raise support for what we’re doing in South Africa.

It’s a crazy lifestyle that neither of us expected.

But, God always provides in such amazing ways. He’s uses people in our lives to bless us tangibly.

When we were coming back to America before Christmas I was wanting a new winter coat. The one I have is nearly 10 years old. But, I moved to Florida in 2003, so I’ve barely worn it. So, it totally would have worked.

But, you know how it is…it’s nice to have something new.

Within the first couple days of being back, someone called and said they’d found a coat at a thrift store and wanted to know if I needed one.

Um, yes!

And it turns out, it’s exactly what I wanted.

It’s not something I’d even bothered to pray about. I mean, I didn’t need a new one.

But, God provided anyway.

The years we’ve been overseas, that’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned.

God likes to over-the-top bless us.

Really.

He does.

He loves blowing my expectations out of the water.

How has God over-the-top blessed you lately?

{Photo from our wedding…}

I have the greatest friends. Really.

They’ve supported us in such incredible ways. So selflessly. It’s truly humbling.

(Especially because most of the time, I feel like a pretty lame friend. Living 8000 miles away, with a 8 hour time difference has it’s challenges. Ones I’m not so great at overcoming.)

I’m not sure how I would even start to express my thanks.

My friend Amy and I have been friends since 7th grade.

The whole through thick and thin thing, totally applies to our relationship. It’s fun to see how far we’ve come. Like, back in 1996, I couldn’t have imagined us spending hours in kitchen stores. By choice. And loving it.

Yesterday, she flew to Detroit from Orlando.

For the day.

That’s a lot of travel. Just to see us.

We had such a good time.

We showed her around Detroit, ate at Slows (you can’t miss this if you’re in Detroit!), shopped at thrift stores and caught up.

Sigh.

I’m overwhelmed.

How is God loving you through your friends?

It’s funny because there are so many things about “coming home” that feel so normal.

Like knowing everyone at the grocery store.

Or driving to my favorite restaurant-it’s almost like muscle memory kicks in and automatically takes me there.

Ordering at Starbucks–tall skinny latte just seems to slip off my tongue.

But other things just aren’t feeling so normal.

Shopping just isn’t the same when I’m limited on space. Two 50 pound bags fill up awfully fast. Especially when I have to take all the clothes home that I packed to come to America (how do I always overpack?!).

I used to love to shop. After a stressful day, one of my favorite things to do was to wander through the racks at a thrift store. Bliss.

In our mid-west/Florida tour, we’ve been hitting thrift stores in every city (so far we’ve been thrift store shopping in 4…). I’ve gotta tell you, not being able to buy anything totally takes some of the fun out of it. No longer can I kind-of-maybe-I’ll-wear-it-like it.

I have to think it’s going to the new favorite thing in my closet.

But, as I’ve felt a little sorry for myself about losing one of my favorite hobbies, I’ve realized that I hope that this is something I hold onto.

I hope that I don’t just do this because I have to.

I can still shop. Just differently. It’s more of a challenge AND we’re saving money.

(And, I have found some favorite-thing-in-my-closet things–a super cute skinny belt for $1.95, a vintage skirt for $4 yesterday…)

Who doesn’t love that?!

What’s 2011 teaching you?

God shows up in unexpected ways.

And, as 2010 continued to teach me, His plans can be very different than ours.

While in college and later working in corporate America, I had big plans for my life. You know, one of those 5 year plans you’re supposed to have.

But, His calling on my life was different. And, as I later learned, an amazing adventure. Discovering what it means to follow Him has brought me unimaginable blessings.

Today, I’m honored and blessed that my guest post is part of Mary DeMuth’s Thin Places series on her blog.

Read my post on this amazing adventure…

2010 has been a crazy year.

Full of the unexpected. Some disappointments and plenty of tears.

Lots of lessons learned.

Chalk full of unimaginable joy.

As we close the pages on 2010…I’m so thankful that God knows the bigger picture–even when we don’t.

Here are a few of our favorite memories:

Marc & I traveled home in the spring to get hitched…

We had a great bridal shower in Michigan…

And Iowa…

I feel like there’s something about bachelorette parties and boas that just go together…

And we got married…!!!

I love my husband.

So many of our friends and family traveled for the festivities…we’re so blessed!

Marc & I went to his family’s cottage in Canada. My first time in Canada…and it was totally worth it!

Marc’s parents threw us a party in Michigan as well…

We LOVED our honeymoon in Greece!

We moved into our first house together.

Spent great times with our interns.

Ran a 15k mountain race.

Went on some amazing game drives.

Loved spending time with our favorite kiddos…

One of my favorite fellow vegetarians, Carolina, & I started Peas in a Blog. Which means I started photographing nearly everything we ate…like this…

We said goodbye to friends…

(not sure what I’m doing with my face…)

We moved across the country (South Africa)…and into our new home in Cape Town.

And now we’re in America. Loving our white Christmas!

We wish you and yours a very Happy New Year! (I’m totally impressed you made it this far…excuse the 30+ photos…).

All my Love,

When we’ve been in back in America during past visits, it’s been refreshing. I’ve felt like I can beeline for necessities in the grocery store–I know where things are and what the packaging look like. My instincts kick in and I know what side of the car I’m supposed go to and driving seems much more “normal” than it does in South Africa.

Not this time.

I feel like a fish out of water.

I’m scared to drive. I know I’ll have to get over it at some point (I think my hubby might get sick of chauffeuring me around eventually…). But between the snow covered roads and how, as a passenger, I’m constantly thinking we’re on the wrong side of the road, I’m a little nervous.

Today, at the grocery store I couldn’t find anything. I needed feta cheese and eggplant. I told Marc that they didn’t have eggplant because I swear I looked everywhere. Of course, he found it later. And it looked nothing like the eggplant I know (okay, it was just 4x the size…). The feta cheese was crumbled and not in liquid, we buy it by the slab.

I’m starting way to many sentences with…”In South Africa…”

As we stroll the aisles at big box super stores, I’m converting dollars back to rand to determine whether it seems expensive.

Even silly things, like how I keep reaching for the toilet flusher on the other side.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m enjoying all American has to offer (probably too much–less than a week in, and my skinny jeans are feeling extra skinny…).

It’s just that America has always been “home”…and that’s feeling a little blurry these days…

A HUGE thanks to everyone who came out to our jewelry party last night and today! It was fun seeing people I haven’t seen in forever.

We have tons more stuff-so if you’re in North Iowa give me a call at my parent’s house if you’d like to check it out.

It’s a bit of a winter wonderland outside my parents house. Even though it’s BITTER–it’s actually really pretty. And, it feels like Christmas. We tried so hard to get into the Christmas mood in South Africa–but the whole summer thing got in the way. We’re thankful to be home this year with our families.

What are you thankful for this Christmas?

Our time home for the holidays got off to such a great start yesterday.

The hubs and I played board games with my brother most of the afternoon.

Those moments may feel normal to you.

But, for us, they’re rare.

And priceless.

What are loving about this holiday season?

We’ve definitely had our share of challenges since we arrived in Cape Town three weeks ago. Here are just a few…

• An emergency room visit within the first few days (the GPS paid for itself that afternoon–me and a map in new city in an “emergency” would not have been a pretty picture).
• Both of us being sick. Marc got the worst of it–nearly two weeks with the stomach flu. Eish.
• Getting pulled over the only time we’ve both forgotten our wallets and had NO form of ID. (Got off with a $100 ticket we’re hoping to be able to get out of since Marc has a license, just not with him….prayers for favor are appreciated!)

But, despite some of the challenges. God has blessed us immeasurably.

We feel like we’ll be heading back to America with the start of friendships with big potential.

We’ve gotten connected to a church we really like. Hillsong Cape Town moved into their new building this weekend–it was neat to be there for such a historic moment for the church community. Brian Houston spoke–it was really powerful.

AND I attended Hillsong’s Sisterhood event in Cape Town Saturday. Bobbie Houston spoke about embracing small beginnings. I wish I could put words to what it felt like to be with 1500 women worshiping God together. It did such good things for my heart.

And, we’re off to the beach to spend some time with friends from Harrismith this evening. The beach and friends–doesn’t get much better than that (one question, though…why do spontaneous beach trips always come when I haven’t shaved my legs…oh well…).

Blessed…

Calling all North Iowans….

Marc & I are really excited to be heading to Iowa next weekend (understatement of the year…)!

We’re bringing back a ton of jewelry all made in South Africa as part of a job creation program for people with HIV/AIDS–my mom is hosting a jewelry party at her house on Wednesday, Dec. 15th, from 3:30-6. (All purchases directly benefit the ministry).

Everything is priced between $4-30…with most things between $10-20–so it’s affordable and perfect for last minute Christmas gifts!

Please pass on the invite–the more the merrier!

If you can’t make the party, give us a call and stop by my parent’s house if you’d like to check out the jewelry (or just come and say hi!). We’d love to see you!

(Okay, and besides, there will be food and tasty Christmas goodies–who can pass that up?!)

Merry Christmas!!