The Purposed Trek

John Stephen Petko lived a full and wonderful life just shy of 92 years. He passed away at 4:14pm peacefully, sitting with my Gram and full of love. John is my Gramps - the most amazing Gramps any kid could ask for. I have had the privilege of having him a part of my life for 30 years - I am so blessed to have had that honor and opportunity.

Gramps had so much love in him to give and he never stopped giving it even when he was sick himself. He took on 4 kids when he married my Gram 50+ years ago and loved each of them as his own. He had 11 Grandchildren, 17 Great grandchildren and 2 on the way. It is always noted that he made everyone laugh with his witty sense of humor, his charm, his songs and his stories. At the nursing home where he lived the Administrator said he was a friend to everyone, made the nurses laugh all the time and sang up and down the hallways. On valentines day this year he was crowned King of Atlantic Health Care and proudly wore his crown everywhere he went. The picture above was taken days after the celebration at my Grams 90th birthday bash.

There is so much I could say about him and this blog could become very long. I just wanted to honor him, the man he was - Dad, Gramps, GreatGramps, Friend, Husband, Lover, Golfer, Dancer, Singer, Jokester, Story-teller, Card Player, Glazier, etc. He will always remain in my heart - his songs will always play a tune in my mind and all the memories he gave me are ones that will be shared with many. I love my Gramps, always have and always will.

Here is a link to a video that was taken over a year ago - a little blurry, but it is the audio that is so very sweet. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXkVgK7QPsY

Many people have been asking me what I have learned during my time in South Africa, what areas I have grown in, etc. since they know I will be departing come September. I share with them some basic things and some more deep things depending no the setting and/or person I am speaking with.

Yesterday I was researching different personality and gifting tests online that we can do with our short-term staff that will be coming in June. I decided to take the personality test since it had been a while since I had taken it last.

Previous Results (in order): Choleric (58%), Melancholy (40%), Phlegmatic (2%), Sanguine (0%) Those are rough percentages, but it will show the change in me.

Current Results (in order): Melancholy (38%), Choleric (34%), Phlegmatic (28%), Sanguine (0%)

So the biggest change for me was a whole lot of phleg in my life and much less choleric. I am a little bit more rounded out, just need to work on those life of the party, center of attention, skills. Not sure what type of a situation would work those in me, but we shall see.

If you are interested in taking the personality test or want to learn more about it visit http://www.oneishy.com/.

I have been living in South Africa now for almost a year and I really love being here, doing life here, working with the Franzen’s, all those I come in contact with for work, my friends, and cheap movie tickets. Sometimes good things come to an end though and this is one that will be ending

I am sure there is a litany of questions that I could/will be bombarded with so I will try and answer them here, but if there are any I miss please let me know and if I know the answer I will be happy to share with you.

When are you coming “home”?
I don’t have a “home” per se so I will answer as if you are referring to the States and that is sometime in September. Once that ticket is bought I will post the updated itinerary.

What are you going to be doing?
Well, that is a really good question and one that I would love to know the answer to myself. As of right now I am not sure at all other than earning that green stuff again. If anyone has any leads to jobs let me know. The search is on.

Where are you going to live?
Another great question that I would love to know the answer to, but one that is hard to answer being that I don’t have a job which would kind of dictate where I live. For the time being I am sure I will bounce around for a bit and visit with family and friends and squat with a few families until I figure things out. Stefano’s and Yanov’s get ready for me or anyone else who wants a visitor for a little bit.

Why are you leaving South Africa?
The time has come to an end, this chapter is closed so to speak and I am ready for whatever God has next. I am very open and would like to pursue opportunities in other parts of the world possibly, experience another country, continent or a different state within the U.S. All I want to be fulfilling the purpose that God put me here on this earth, and I learn what that is each step of the way.

Are you excited about getting to come “home”?
To be honest it is all bitter-sweet. I really do like it here and the life that has developed around me. I love my friends & family here and I will miss them terribly. There are so many things here that I will miss and I could list them, but I will save that for another post. However there are so many things that I am looking forward to back in the States and one of them is seeing all my friends and family, and making new friends and family wherever I land. So bitter in leaving, sweet in seeing smiling faces when I arrive and walking in God’s will.

What have you learned during your time in South Africa?
I have learned a lot when it comes to cultures and all the people that are from here – black and white. It has been an enlightening experience, one that I will never forget and most assuredly one that I will never regret. I have also learned what to do with time by myself. I have learned to be a friend to myself and then I will never be lonely because I enjoy being with me. I have learned that what it took to come here isn’t as big of a sacrifice as I thought it was originally or because everyone kept telling me what a sacrifice I was making in coming here. On some level it was and I don’t discount the process of giving up the so called “American Dream”. I have learned that a sacrifice isn’t just about things and giving them up, it is also about giving up you for the sake of others. It isn’t just about living without; it is about living with what you have. Sacrifice should be a constant place that one lives in; it should be the very nature of your heartbeat. I am reminded of a song by Jason Upton called No Sacrifice that was played often when I learned South Africa was my destination. The words are listed here: To You I give my life, not just the parts I want to To You I sacrifice, these dreams that I hold onto To You I give the gifts, Your love has given me How can I horde the treasure, that you designed for free To You I give my future as long as it may last To You I give my presence, to you I give my past Your thoughts are higher than mine Your words are deeper than mine Your love is stronger than mine This is no sacrifice, here’s my life

This is the life that I am living. My life wasn’t a sacrifice, but something that I gave to God that already belonged to Him because of the sacrifice that He made. I want to continue life in this place of surrender and obedience to my purpose. That doesn’t mean I will know each and every step I am to take before I take it, but taking the steps and trusting that the path will be made clear before me and that my steps in faith will align with my purpose. So far this has been the case....                                         .....and so the Purposed Trek continues.

Yesterday I got a call from Rich asking if I minded going by the house and hanging out with the kids because him and Michelle were running behind schedule and they wouldn't be home in time. Sure not a problem at all - I know the routine, what they like to eat, their bedtime routine, what they are and aren't allowed to do. Arrive around 4:30 - get supper going and serve it up around 5:15 or so. The funny part is the kids didn't even flinch or wonder why are you here and doing all this. It is normal to them. In the mean time I had invited Angela over to enjoy some pasta with us.

The kids eat their dinner and lots of it and we decided to watch Herbie Fully Loaded. We are all watching the movie and I painted Skyler and Tori's nails. I asked Blake if he wanted me to paint his too and he looked at me like I had 4 heads. I took that as a no :) Fortunately kids nails are quick to pain and to dry because at 6:00 the power goes off. I know what this means. The rest of the evening with no power. I apologize to Ange and convinced her that I didn't invite her over to help me entertain the kids in the dark. The kids helped me get all the candles rounded up and found matches for me. Her and I ate and the kids ate another round of supper too over candle light. How romantic!

Now what - the kids don't go to bed until 8 because it is holiday for them. So we tell stories, watch them sing and dance, play games all using torches (flashlights) and then finally at about 7:50 we call it quits and start the brushing of the teeth and get to bed.

One thing I learned from this whole experience is how grateful I am for electricity, lights and light switches. I can't imagine raising children in the dark - it wouldn't be so fun.