two homes and one good cup of tea

"Home" is sort of a funny thing for me. When I am in South Africa, I refer to America as home; when I am in America, I refer to South Africa as home. I don't think that's a bad thing. While I have definitely settled in South Africa, and that nation has truly become home to me, I am still American and America will always feel like home as well. You know what they say -- "Home is where your heart is." Well, my heart is in both countries at the same time.

I've heard some missionaries say that after living so long in their new country, their home country just seems so foreign to them. Some have said that it's hard to go back for visits because their own country/culture disgusts them now. That just amazes me. I don't feel that way at all. Yes, there are aspects of American life and culture that I disagree with -- but I would disagree with them even if I lived here full-time. I cherish every opportunity I have to be back in America and to connect with my family and friends across the country.

That said, while I am in America, there are things I really miss about South Africa. I miss my friends and our TV line-up nights; I miss my African grey parrot, Starbucks; and I miss my own house (or, as Niel would put it, our couch!). I also miss my tea.

South Africa has made me a tea drinker. Before I moved there, I had been working a job that demanded long hours and a lot of energy; I, therefore, drank a lot of coffee. Then I moved to South Africa, where most people drink and serve instant coffee. I struggled through it a few times until I decided it wasn't worth the effort. I quickly switched to tea.

We now have a "regular" coffee pot in our home, and I'll occasionally indulge in a cup o' joe, but really, I have to admit, I am now a tea drinker. My South African hot drink of choice is Five Roses Lemon tea. I drink at least one cup of this a day at home in South Africa. In the winter, I probably drink 3-4 cups a day, easily. As we traveled around America over the past 2+ months, I was really missing my lemon tea...

Now that I'm back in New York, I've been raiding my mom's old stash of lemon tea that I had sent her in a care package. I love being able to enjoy a cup of my favorite tea while answering emails, reading a book, or watching TV.

Hurry home, Niel! My stash is running low!

plate tectonics & mi casa

Niel and I have grown further apart...

We "fell back" an hour for Daylight Savings Time, and South Africa did not -- "moving" Niel an extra hour away from me. The time difference between us is now 7 hours instead of 6. I know it seems as though that one extra hour shouldn't matter, but it does! I much prefer it when we're only 6 hours apart.

In spite of the time difference and the ocean between us, Niel and I are able to stay more in touch than we normally have in situations like this. Our high-speed internet and Vonage phone have made the world seem smaller. I'm grateful that we've been able to talk on the phone just about everyday since he's been gone.

In spite of missing Niel and my family-of-friends back in South Africa, I'm enjoying my extra time on Long Island. (By the way, for those wondering: the island truly is long: 120 miles in length and only 20 in width, at its widest part.)

It's wonderful to be staying with my parents in their new home! It's a long story, and it's been a long journey, but, suffice it to say, our new home tells a tale of restoration. As I enjoy the many things I love about our house (more than one bathroom, for starters!), I thank God for His hand on our lives...

plate tectonics & mi casa

Niel and I have grown further apart...

We "fell back" an hour for Daylight Savings Time, and South Africa did not -- "moving" Niel an extra hour away from me. The time difference between us is now 7 hours instead of 6. I know it seems as though that one extra hour shouldn't matter, but it does! I much prefer it when we're only 6 hours apart.

In spite of the time difference and the ocean between us, Niel and I are able to stay more in touch than we normally have in situations like this. Our high-speed internet and Vonage phone have made the world seem smaller. I'm grateful that we've been able to talk on the phone just about everyday since he's been gone.

In spite of missing Niel and my family-of-friends back in South Africa, I'm enjoying my extra time on Long Island. (By the way, for those wondering: the island truly is long: 120 miles in length and only 20 in width, at its widest part.)

It's wonderful to be staying with my parents in their new home! It's a long story, and it's been a long journey, but, suffice it to say, our new home tells a tale of restoration. As I enjoy the many things I love about our house (more than one bathroom, for starters!), I thank God for His hand on our lives...

signs of autumn

This afternoon I went for a walk to soak up the beautiful autumn scenery. A short walk from my parents' home is a state park, complete with trails, beach access, and breathtakingly gorgeous foliage. I ventured off to explore, camera in hand.

The day was perfect. The sky was strikingly blue; the air, refreshingly crisp; the leaves, the most exquisite range of colors.

My peaceful serenity was interrupted by my rudely nagging bladder. My need to pee became so urgent that I contemplated a missionary-squatty-potty maneuver behind a tree. As I pondered this more, I thought things like:

Will anybody see me? Why did I put on my bright blue jacket instead of something more camouflaging? If someone does see me, is embarrassment the only consequence I will have to endure, or might there be a fine as well?

Before I got so desperate as to actually start looking for a suitable, secluded spot, my eyes beheld a wondrous sight:

banana split

We split up.

Thrown in the towel on this "staying together" business. Said farewell to each other and went our separate ways. Niel hopped on a plane and left me behind. We've officially split up.

That's how rumors get started, ya know. That's how they have gotten started. Twice already on this USA trip, Niel and I have "split up"--he's gone one direction and I've gone another. When people asked Niel where I was, he told them, "We split up, and she's in Seattle while I'm here." Their puzzled looks and quizzical expressions were lost on Niel until someone finally said, "I think they think you literally split up--as in separated... en-route to divorce."

So let me clarify. When I say that Niel and I have split up what I mean is:

We are physically residing in two different locations on the planet for the time being.

Niel left today (as planned!) to head back to South Africa. He'll be there until the Sunday after Thanksgiving. I am staying in New York: spending time with my parents, working on ministry projects, and eagerly awaiting my husband's return. When Niel comes back, we'll be Stateside--together!--through early January.

Before Niel left today, we had a few minutes to walk down to the beach for the first time since we got home. My parents live only a few blocks away from the Long Island Sound. The water was so still and peaceful today; it was absolutely beautiful. We walked a bit and took some pictures. It was brief, but special.

I'm looking forward to having Niel back in 39 days! Splitting up sucks!