what it means to be a woman

Although I'm fairly goal-oriented, I've never been one to set New Year's Resolutions. However, something I recently read on a friend's blog struck me as something worth aspiring for. As I desire to be all that the Lord wants me to be -- as a wife, as a friend, as a minister -- this list of attributes seems to be a great target worth aiming for.

I strive to be a woman who:

...has an easy laugh and an easier smile; is a good listener; is always ready with a hug, an encouraging word, or a well-timed joke; follows hard after her passions and dreams; is not easily discouraged; is bold and unafraid; is humble, humble, humble; shares her feelings openly; shares her thoughts and opinions when the timing is right; works hard; takes care of herself, and also her family; is comfortable in her own skin; shows respect to her husband as she does all humans; does not gossip; is not a doormat; knows how to be flexible; is not pushy; makes a great team-player; is a nonconformist; has fine-tuned intuition in regards to communication and friendships; is confidant and capable, and capable of asking for help; is wise and witty; will eat with her fingers from time to time; isn't overly concerned with what others think of her; is not a respecter of persons; can socialize comfortably with middle class, the social elite, or the homeless; tackles challenges head on; is not easily offended; can relax, unwind, and even have fun when the house isn't clean; will clear her schedule at the drop of a hat to be with a friend who needs her; is forgiving and slow to speak; is always looking to grow; helps those less fortunate; is at home at the ballet or a basketball game; has an adventurous spirit; cherishes family times and makes them a priority; is calm under stress; is optimistic and grateful, not a complainer; is genuine; but most of all, humble.

Thank you, Amy, for putting words to my heart. My one addition would be:

...whose life is marked by her passionate love for the Lord and for people.

May 2007 bring me closer to being this woman...

of shoes and men

One of my joys of coming home was seeing Joyce again. (Joyce is our "house helper" and a dear friend.) Yesterday, we had an amusing conversation. Joyce was looking at a pair of shoes I got when I was in the States...

Joyce: "These shoes are so nice."

Me: "Thanks. I like them, too. Niel doesn't really like them, though. He says they look like old lady shoes."

Joyce: "What do men know about shoes anyway?!"

happiness is...

...a group hug.

home again, home again, jiggity jig

After being in the States for almost 5 months, we returned home last night. The night before we left New York, my mom and I pulled an all-nighter, watching back-to-back episodes of one of our favorite shows. We didn't think we'd actually make it all night, but suddenly it was 6:45 AM! We dozed for about an hour before getting up to finish my packing and leave for the airport.

I was exhausted, but this turned out to be just what I needed to be able to sleep through almost our entire 17-hour flight. My concerns that I then wouldn't sleep last night, once I was finally back in my own bed, were unnecessary. One Melatonin later, I was sound asleep again. Although I'm pretty tired right now, my body seems to have gotten right onto SA time.

Coming home is bittersweet. There's much I was missing and am so grateful to be back for. Our own house. Our couch. Our bird. Our friends. Our staff. Our ministry.

But there's much I also miss about my American home. My family. Stores open past 5. Starbucks. Variety and convenience. TiVo. :-)

I'm learning to be content wherever I am.

Since I'll be back in the USA in about six weeks (a rare treat), the transition is a bit easier. I'm looking forward to returning, but I'm also really glad to be home!

Our Home

ringing in the new year

After a wonderful Christmas with my family, some dear friends came to visit us for a few days. It's become somewhat tradition to spend New Year's Eve with Dave and Amy whenever we can. Surprisingly, we've managed to spend 3 New Year's Eves together since 2001 (3 out of 6 isn't bad!). We crammed a lot into their short visit, including a spontaneous overnight in Manhattan.

This being my second time in NYC this year, I've grown quite adept at navigating through the foot traffic. Particularly around the holidays, the city is literally full of pedestrians. Being the impatient, speed-walking woman that I am, I quickly learned to weave in, out, and around the slow traffic. I've become an excellent weaver.

Although we left the city during the day on New Year's Eve, we did get to see the ball drop. Who cares that it was only the test run!?

We also visited the Charmin free toilets (their "holiday gift to New York"), got up close and personal with the Naked Cowboy, took in Beauty & the Beast on Broadway, enjoyed a great meal at my favorite Italian restaurant (where we were served by a South African waiter!), and visited the tree at Rockefeller Center.

What a great way to end one year and start the next! Happy 2007!