So, it's been a week now that I've been battling this cold/flu junk. I hate being sick. At the moment it consists of lots of sinus issues, sneezing and congestion. Does not make for fun times when trying to care of six kiddos.
Even with all of that, it's good to be back in the swing of things. There's been lots of talk lately about what the future holds, esp regarding the opening of the new house. I'm really pushing for limiting it to six kids ... I think that's all I can handle should I have to do the job on my own. Sounds crazy, huh? Going from zero to six kids sounds like something I can handle. God has such a sense of humor.
Another popular topic is that of my marrying a South African since I'm looking to be here for a while. Don't know why people are so focused on it. I feel bad when I tell South Africans that South African men aren't my cup of tea. I think it makes me sound a bit like a snob, even though I am sincere when I say that I'm not sure it's likely. But, hey - I would' ve said my being sent to Africa long-term wasn't likely a few years ago. So, who knows?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Adjustments
Wow, it seems like the last few days have been a whirlwind. I've moved (again!) ... this time to Child Haven. I'm having to get used to kids yelling, crying, whining and running all the time. New schedule ... I'm up at 6 every morning now. Yikes! And, I've been sick with the flu. Nasty.
I had a few days off to get settled, move in, and then spent my days off recovering from the flu. Work technically starts tomorrow. I pray for God's strength in the midst of it all!
I had a few days off to get settled, move in, and then spent my days off recovering from the flu. Work technically starts tomorrow. I pray for God's strength in the midst of it all!
Friday, July 11, 2008
another favorite moment ...
I was sitting on the picnic table in the Child Haven courtyard/play area, reading a book to one of the three year olds. The book was about why giraffes have such long necks ... and the premise was that the giraffe wanted to eat fruit that was at the top of a tree, so he asked his rhino friend how to get at it. The rhino didn't know, so they asked the farmer. The farmer said if they swallowed a bone, it the would be able to eat it. Well, the rhino said no, the giraffe said yes and the rest is history.
Best part of the story? When the three year old points to the rhino and asks me what that is. "A rhinoceros," I say. "Oh? Ri-RO-cerous?"
So, all week she's been crawling on the ground on all fours saying, "Look mama, I ri-RO-cerous!"
Priceless.
Best part of the story? When the three year old points to the rhino and asks me what that is. "A rhinoceros," I say. "Oh? Ri-RO-cerous?"
So, all week she's been crawling on the ground on all fours saying, "Look mama, I ri-RO-cerous!"
Priceless.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
The cutest thing ...
So, I've just finished my second shift at Child Haven. The kids are fun, but disciplining them seems to be an around the clock job. I think I've put on the serious face more than the happy one in the last 24 hours.
I have to admit that the highlight of my time happened while I was preparing the afternoon snack of tangerines and bananas. As I'm peeling the tangerines, Angel (age 3) comes and stands right in front of me and is very excited to see "orange". I look down and she's trying to capture the spray from the peel as I'm taking it off and put it in her mouth.
Priceless.
I have to admit that the highlight of my time happened while I was preparing the afternoon snack of tangerines and bananas. As I'm peeling the tangerines, Angel (age 3) comes and stands right in front of me and is very excited to see "orange". I look down and she's trying to capture the spray from the peel as I'm taking it off and put it in her mouth.
Priceless.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
You know you're back in South Africa when ...
you're standing in line to pay for your groceries and the guy who's checking them looks you up and down, then asks what you speak.
"English."
"What's your mother tongue?"
"English."
"Where are you from?"
"America."
"America? Oh."
I sometimes wonder if I'm the only person this kind of stuff happens to.
So, I've been back for about a week now and am almost fully back in the swing of things. I started working 3 24 hour shifts at Child Haven on Sunday. It was good, but pretty exhausting. The kids are adorable and love having a new person around, but I don't think I was fully prepared for how different they are to my nieces and nephews. It felt like all I did during the day was correct, discipline, and correct some more. There are eleven of them, and they come from some pretty horrendous situations (physical abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment ... one was even witnesses to the murder of his mother). There are four younger ones (all 3 years old), and the rest are between 6 and 8.
I LOVE the 3 year olds ... it's the older ones I struggled a bit with. I had to spank one of the 7 year old boys on my first day, which made me sad. But, I was reminded that it was part of my job, and that in the face of willful disobedience I had to set my own feelings aside.
I've also returned to my small group here in Northcliff ... fun times as we talked about the masculine and feminine qualities of God. I was already tired, so while the conversation was lively and full of passionate debate about whether gentleness was a feminine quality and the role of leader/authority was masculine, I'll admit that one of the highlights of the night was the conversation about camping in Botswana later this year. Oh, and a woman's place of submission. Always a good topic in mixed company.
"English."
"What's your mother tongue?"
"English."
"Where are you from?"
"America."
"America? Oh."
I sometimes wonder if I'm the only person this kind of stuff happens to.
So, I've been back for about a week now and am almost fully back in the swing of things. I started working 3 24 hour shifts at Child Haven on Sunday. It was good, but pretty exhausting. The kids are adorable and love having a new person around, but I don't think I was fully prepared for how different they are to my nieces and nephews. It felt like all I did during the day was correct, discipline, and correct some more. There are eleven of them, and they come from some pretty horrendous situations (physical abuse, sexual abuse, abandonment ... one was even witnesses to the murder of his mother). There are four younger ones (all 3 years old), and the rest are between 6 and 8.
I LOVE the 3 year olds ... it's the older ones I struggled a bit with. I had to spank one of the 7 year old boys on my first day, which made me sad. But, I was reminded that it was part of my job, and that in the face of willful disobedience I had to set my own feelings aside.
I've also returned to my small group here in Northcliff ... fun times as we talked about the masculine and feminine qualities of God. I was already tired, so while the conversation was lively and full of passionate debate about whether gentleness was a feminine quality and the role of leader/authority was masculine, I'll admit that one of the highlights of the night was the conversation about camping in Botswana later this year. Oh, and a woman's place of submission. Always a good topic in mixed company.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
It's been a while ...
Wow, it's been almost two months since my last post. That's not good. You'd think I've been distracted or something ...
:o)
Being back in the States was such fun! I had a blast visiting with people, sharing about my experiences here in Africa, and shopping for the strange things people in S.A. asked if I would bring back for them. I'm serious!! Face wash, Altoids and coffee creamer were on the list. I have to admit that I bend over backwards to make it happen, though, because they're such easy things to bring back. No stress at all, and I get to bless someone.
The biggest shock about coming back was learning that while I'd made it to S.A. safely, my luggage had not. It wouldn't be delivered to me for another three days. Good thing I had clothes and toiletries here!
Highlights so far include our 4th of July celebrations with the kids from baby Haven and Child Haven. What a joy to celebrate the holiday with 15 kids ... most of them under the age of 8! There were rice crispie treats and red, white and blue cupcakes galore. And, it was funny watching the three year olds try to maneuver through a three-legged race. I loved watching the joy on their faces!!!
So, it's good to be back. While I have some idea of what's to come, I rest in the fact that nothing's final 'til it's final ... and even then it's not final. I'm once again in transition, and I don't mind at all.
:o)
Being back in the States was such fun! I had a blast visiting with people, sharing about my experiences here in Africa, and shopping for the strange things people in S.A. asked if I would bring back for them. I'm serious!! Face wash, Altoids and coffee creamer were on the list. I have to admit that I bend over backwards to make it happen, though, because they're such easy things to bring back. No stress at all, and I get to bless someone.
The biggest shock about coming back was learning that while I'd made it to S.A. safely, my luggage had not. It wouldn't be delivered to me for another three days. Good thing I had clothes and toiletries here!
Highlights so far include our 4th of July celebrations with the kids from baby Haven and Child Haven. What a joy to celebrate the holiday with 15 kids ... most of them under the age of 8! There were rice crispie treats and red, white and blue cupcakes galore. And, it was funny watching the three year olds try to maneuver through a three-legged race. I loved watching the joy on their faces!!!
So, it's good to be back. While I have some idea of what's to come, I rest in the fact that nothing's final 'til it's final ... and even then it's not final. I'm once again in transition, and I don't mind at all.
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