23 May 2007
I have arrived in South Africa, safe and soung and my luggage all together the way it was packed - thanks to my Mom and Tisha. Duct tape sure is great.
When Rich and I pulled in, I was met by hugs from each kid and Michelle and handed a card from the kids welcoming me to their country and home. We had dinner together and then some of their friends came over to hang out who are from Oregon and Washington doing missions work here as well. I am all nestled in bed now as I write this with an electric heater going, under 3 blankets, winter pajamas on with socks and multiple pillows to block out some of the cold air. Amazing how cold 50 degrees feels when you don't have central heating. But the weather is supposed to warm up throughout the week.
Just wanted to send a big shout out to everyone who has supported me throughout this process of getting here, financially and emotionally. It has meant the world to me. As time goes on I hope to provide updates more frequently than I have been. I will send an email out later next week with contact information once I learn of it and how the postal system here works.
03 May 2007
I have learned a lot through out this time of planning and working towards relocating to South Africa. Me being the planner that I am and one who has everything figured out, cannot figure one key aspect out about this venture. I have figured out how to get a visa (3 years at that), how to pack efficiently and purge the unecessary, how to make the time I have left exciting yet somehow running out of it sooner than what I thought I would...there are other things that have worked out. The one thing I cannot figure out is how this year will be financed. I have learned that I can do what I know to do to raise funds/support, but the bottom line is...it is not my reponsbility. Now yes taking care of ones self if their responsbility and I feel that I am doing just that, going through the things I know to do and know how to do. This whole experience is a stretch - not moving to another continent (I am sure I can write more on that stretch once I am there), but letting go of the responsbility of providing for myself. People have been asking me - how do you feel about the finances and the fact that I don't have my year 100% funded at this point.
Obedience is what is required, not the know how. Meaning I know that what I am doing is in the "cards" so to speak, it is something that is required of me and something that I know is in my destiny. Therefore how everything unfolds is up to God, He is the one who put the plan in motion before I was even born, therefore I have to just be obedient and He won't let me down. He never has before, so why would He now. Sure things might be tight at times, I might not have everything at my fingertips like I have had and I am okay with that. But will I have shelter and food - yes. That is all that is required to live. Am I blessed beyond measure in this current, fluid life as I know it? Yes I am - more than I could have imagined. Am I loved unconditionally - yes I am and He makes it known to me daily.
The God who makes us alive with His own life says..."I am God. I have called you to live right and well. I have taken responsibility for you, kept you safe." He has done that in the past, He won't leave me high and dry now.
So here I sit - 20 days away from flying out, and supper relaxed - taking every day as it comes, whether it is working late or having dinner with a friend, I am very content and at peace in this place. I am half way packed, have 7 more days of work, a going away party, a birthday party to attend, hosting a friend from Colorado for a couple of days, donate my hair to locks of love, and drive to the beach to hang out with my parents some and then head further south to my cousins wedding...and everything seems right.
South Africa here I come.
