I’m not sure why I’m still surprised when God shows up.

There have been countless examples of Him showing up tangibly over the last three years.

But, it still blows me away.

We needed a washing machine. Pretty badly (I had a seriously unsuccessful attempt at hand-washing sheets and towels last week…).

I went online this morning to see how much a used one was going to cost. We can’t afford it now, but at least we could put it in our budget for next year.

The first post was for a free one.

Yep.

So, it apparently makes a ton of noise because the bearings need to be replaced–but they had purchased new ones and then decided just to buy a new washing machine. So we got the new bearings too.

So, now, instead of it being on our “to-buy” list–the washing machine just moved to the “honey-do” list.

How has God showed up for you today?
Thankful,

It’s not an exaggeration to write that I’ve been mulling over this post for days, even weeks, amazed at how God orchestrates our lives.

As we were moving,  Marc & I drove over 50 hours in 6 days—so, between the books on tape, ipod playlists and naps, there was plenty of time to ponder.

And I couldn’t get this out of my head…

Nearly four years ago, I boarded a plane to Cape Town, for vacation. As I got back on the plane to go home, I knew that I’d be back.

Something about this place got to me in a way I can’t quite put words too. Her beauty, her hope, her passion—are overwhelmingly part of me.

When I decided to move to South Africa later that year and it wasn’t to Cape Town, I assumed that my feeling had been to South Africa in general—that God was calling me to this country.

But, as we were driving through the endless Karoo earlier this month, I couldn’t help but think…

Maybe it was Cape Town all along.

Maybe the last three years have just been preparation.

For such a time as this.

The last few weeks have been crazy. And I don’t really have words.

But, here’s what I do know…

Even as Thrive Africa closes, and our hearts grieve in ways that are difficult to explain, Marc and I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that we were supposed to stay in South Africa.

But, we also knew that we needed to move on. So, we’re in Cape Town (not too shabby, if you ask me…).

Between being sick and moving, it’s been a crazy couple of weeks. But, we managed to make it to the beach for the first time this weekend. It’s 2 blocks from our house.

Bliss.

We don’t have internet yet. And, sadly, South African coffee shops haven’t quite caught onto the free wi-fi trend (sad…). But, I’d love to hear from you…what’s been going on in your life for the last month?! Details, por favor!

Happy to be back…

I live in Africa.

Before moving here I didn’t know a lot of things could be made from scratch.

Tortillas.

Pitas.

Broccoli Cheese Soup.

Hummus.

Shredded Cheese.

Yeah, you read that right. Shredded cheese.

I’m a little embarrassed. But, every time I needed cheese shredded, I bought it that way. It had never occurred to me that I could use a shredder to shred it.

Until I moved here. Now, if we want shredded cheese, we’ve gotta do it ourselves.

Until today.

Is it weird that this gave me warm fuzzy’s? Kind of like driving past McDonald’s in the city. Or buying WAY overpriced Dr. Pepper.

It’s the little things…

What’s the highlight of your Monday?

It’s been winter-cold this week. It’s supposed to be summer, and I could see my breath in our house at noon yesterday. Not okay.

Which makes the blue skies even more of a blessing today.

There are WAY too many things on my to-do list for this weekend. But, I spent the first half of the day cooking. A great avoidance strategy.

Apple Coffee Cake for breakfast.

Homemade Broccoli Cheese Soup in Bread Bowls for lunch.

(Recipes to follow on Peas in a Blog…)

And I’ll probably bake some Chocolate Chip cookies this afternoon. I mixed the dough last night, so I just need to bake them.

But first, I MUST knock something off my to-do list (besides, adding to my newlywed nine, of course…).

What’s on your to-do list this weekend?

I don’t feel like I had a lot of “deal-breakers” when it came to relationships. But, Marc and I did have one in common, adoption.

Somewhere before we met, God had placed that heavily on both of our hearts–the desire to adopt.

Living in South Africa there is a huge need. When people say that “it takes a village to raise a child”–they aren’t kidding. The relational nature of African culture is amazing, generations live in homes and many times extended families are raising family members children. But the AIDS pandemic has wrecked havoc on communities and families here. It means that sometimes, there are children who really don’t have anywhere to go, and they end up in orphanages.

I’ve held babies who were left in garbage heaps or found in bathrooms. It’s heart wrenching. Talk about righteous anger.

And as much as I want to hold that baby tight and run out the door with it. I know the timing isn’t right. I know that God has a plan and we’ll know when it’s time for us to make our family three.

In the mean time, you better believe I’ll keep praying prayers of blessing over these precious babies as I wonder orphanage halls, holding them close to my chest and begging God to shower them with His love and comfort.

All the while knowing that the affection I feel for them is NOTHING compared to the love our Father has for His precious children…

Two years ago I attempted the mountain race. It’s 15k. Which wouldn’t be so bad–except the whole up the mountain part.

Two years ago, I didn’t finish.

Today I did.

(I’m glad I didn’t have my phone to tweet on the way up, because I’m pretty sure it would have freaked people out–the tweets in my head were seriously overdramatic…)

It was totally worth it.

Photos to come.

(My man gets back in 4 days…not that I’m counting…)

Much Love,

I’m sitting in the airport in Johannesburg enjoying a bottomless coffee at Mugg & Bean. My husband flew to America from here on Wednesday. Today I dropped off a friend on her way to Mozambique for 10 days.

I’m feeling a little left out.

I digress…

I’m a little (lot?) spoiled. I work with my husband. So, we spend a ton of time together. We eat all of our meals together. We share a car, so we go everywhere together. You get the idea.

Which is making the distance seem even further.

But, I totally don’t think it’s a coincidence that last night my internet worked well enough to have a skype date (even with video!) for over an hour.

And today, I’m using public wifi at the airport and I called him using skype from my iphone. It was clear as a bell. It (almost) felt like we were on the same continent. Sweet relief.

If you’ve ever used South African internet you know that this definitely qualifies as an everyday miracle.

I love how God shows up in our lives in just the way we need Him.

Thankful,

There hasn’t been a day that my husband and I didn’t see each other since before we were dating.

He left for America today. For a week. He’s spending as much time traveling as he is on America soil. And his itinerary is rough. He’s traveling for 16+ hours domestically before he even gets on the 17 hour flight to come back to South Africa a week from today. Eish.

All that to say, I’m feeling a little (lot) tender today.

Definitely a good day for my first “What I’m Loving Wednesday”

I’m loving that when my hubs gets back on African soil, I’ll also get a replenished supply of Tootsie Rolls. Eeee!

I’m loving that this weekend I’m running a 15k mountain race with June & Amy. So, I’m not so much looking forward to the running part…but I am looking forward to conquering this mountain!

I’m loving my husband. So much.

What are you loving today?!
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