happiness is...

...togetherness.

waiting to exhale

I'm holding my breath.

Niel will be back with me in less than 12 hours, and I can't wait! Even though our "40 Days of Partition" seemed to go by extremely fast, I am anxious to hug my Hombre again.

I am married to my perfectly-suited match. God, indeed, knows what He is doing!

I am so proud of my husband; he is a wonderful man of God, with a boundless passion and a drive that pushes him to work even harder than I do! He has spent the last few months going at an exhausting pace; we are both looking forward to the upcoming month of rest...

Together.

presidential pardons

There's a turkey farm not too far from my parents' house. All autumn long, there are hundreds (thousands?) of white turkeys roaming the field. The day after Thanksgiving, however, the field is empty. Not a bird to be found. A moment of silence is required when we drive by...

Each year, my dad jokes about springing the turkeys -- freeing them before they become centerpieces on dinner tables. Of course, we never do. This year, we at least paid these rather unbecoming birds homage by taking their pictures.

Although we didn't spare any of our local turkeys from their doomed fate, I take pleasure in knowing that our President will pardon a few...

Happy Thanksgiving!

day with dad

My dad and I went out for lunch yesterday. To Costco. It's been a long time since I've strolled the aisles of Costco with Dad, enjoying a "meal" of free sample foods. Aaah, good times...

We ventured from there to our local grocery store. As we walked down the toiletry aisle, there was an elderly gentleman perusing the shampoo items. As Dad sauntered by, the guy called out for assistance.

Old Man: "Excuse me. Do you know which one of these is a shampoo for men?"

Dad: "Uh... I think Head & Shoulders is for that."

Dad & I in Ballito, South Africa
Christmas 2004

lake effect

It is pouring outside. And very windy. So when my computer let me know that there's a "severe weather alert" for my area, I figured I should check it out.

I followed the link, and was greatly concerned by what I read...

It's a little frightening to know that Lake Ontario is going to cross our area tonight. Think I'll be staying indoors this evening... And now I know they're not playing around when they say "severe weather alert".

the red cup of happiness

For years I've said that my favorite time of year (in America) is the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love the whole atmosphere of this month leading up to Christmas---the white-light-outlined homes, the Christmas music, the holiday scents and sights... Today, I discovered a new marker for the start of my beloved Christmas season: the launch of the Starbucks red cup.

Most stores have had their Christmas decorations on display since right after Halloween. Some were so brazen as to put them up before Halloween. So seeing the mall decorated for Christmas was no surprise today.

But when I walked into Starbucks and saw not just Christmas decor, but someone walking out with a red cup, I couldn't help but smile really big! The cup is great, and my gingerbread latte in it was perfect.

There's just something warm-fuzzy festive about drinking a holiday flavored coffee in a holiday themed cup. It doesn't get much better than that.

Now I guess my new favorite time of year is: from the launch of Starbucks' red cup through Christmas...

resisting change

I've had my Bible for 10 years. I got my Student Bible just before my second mission trip to Botswana. It has served me well this past decade, traveling with me throughout Africa, Europe, and America.

It is well-worn and comfortable. My notes, underlines, papers, highlights, photos, and stickers that completely surround and fill my trusty Bible have made it my own. When the cover started falling off, I patched it with duct tape. I've had to add many layers of duct tape since, the most recent being right before we left for the States in August.

I decided the time had unfortunately come for me to retire my Bible. I found and purchased the replacement: a compact NIV Study Bible in black leather with silver trim. It's much nicer to look at than my old Bible -- and much more useful, with all its notes and a concordance actually worth using. But it's not very comfortable...

I need to make it my own. I need to transfer my thoughts and heart from my old Bible to this new one. In thinking through how best to do this, I decided on methodical and orderly -- going through my old Bible, page by page, and copying my underlinings and notes into my new one. This will take me a while.

I've breezed through Genesis and Exodus. I know some books will be fairly quick (not a whole lot of underlining action in Leviticus). I am, however, a bit concerned about Psalms...

Eventually, my new Bible will feel more like it belongs to me, like I'm at home in it. Someday I'll be able to easily find verses in it as well -- verses that I can quickly turn to in my old Bible simply because I know where they are on the page.

For now, I'll keep using my battle-scarred, duct-taped, comfortable Bible...

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!

man of the year

Yesterday Niel and I celebrated our six-year wedding anniversary. In spite of the crazy week, we were able to go out for dinner last night.

What I love about Niel:

• His strength (he was my rock this week!)
• His visionary, big-pictureness
• His passion to transform Africa
• His fun goofyness and sense of humor
• His beautiful eyes
• His big smile and huge laugh when he's really laughing about something

I love you all the way to the moon and back, Hombre...

a mother's heart

We flew into New York on Sunday evening. On Wednesday, we were scheduled to fly out to Dallas. Tuesday morning, we finalized our decision to cancel the Texas trip and spent the day making all the necessary phone calls and "cancellation arrangements". Thus, we found ourselves still at home in Wading River with my mom on Wednesday. (My dad had left on Monday morning for a business trip.)

I am so glad we didn't go to Texas!

Wednesday afternoon my mom was gripping her chest because of severe pains. A 911 call, ambulance ride, and thirty minutes later, we were in the Emergency Room of a local hospital. My mom was admitted and has been in the hospital until today. After a myriad of tests, they determined that she did not have a heart attack. We're going to be following up with a cardiologist to figure out the cause of the chest pains, but in the meantime we are grateful for mom's health and her discharge from the hospital.

My mom and I always have a good time together, resulting in lots of laughs. This is true even of our time in the hospital. A few hours in, something funny happened--to which my mom remarked, "That's blog material right there!" She also said that we should have brought the camera so we could have a picture to go along with the blog post. I laughed because I figure if I had made that suggestion, she'd have whacked me one! Anyway, don't worry, this blog post is mother-approved!

One funny moment (amidst the un-funny situation taking place) occurred while we were still in the ER. The worst was over and we found ourselves just waiting. Mom was hooked up to all sorts of monitors as well as an IV drip, but she was feeling okay. She was in good spirits and cracking jokes, so I knew she was really feeling much better than just an hour before. To pass the time as we just sat there waiting, I started to read the poster on the wall. It was full of medical jargon--long, unpronounceable words that I had no idea the meaning of.

I commented to mom, "I can't read half the words on this thing!" To which she answered, "That's because it's in Spanish, Alece!" When she looked again and realized it was in fact English, we laughed really hard. So hard in fact, that the nice, evenly-flowing-up-and-down line on mom's heart monitor started racing wildly all over the screen. Inevitably, that led to even more laughter.

There is much I am thankful for about the past few days. I am grateful that we canceled our Texas trip and were home when this all began. I won't even think about what may have happened if no one had been home with mom at the time...

I am also thankful that I am in America, where a 911 phone call had an ambulance at our house within 5 minutes (a luxury I am not granted in South Africa). There are numbers that can be dialed to reach medical services, but they are not as simple as "9-1-1" and, at least where I live, it would take MUCH more than 5 minutes to get a response.

Which reminds me, months ago Niel, Dave, and I were up in Johannesburg and had some time to go watch a movie. About halfway in, the guy next to me started having some type of seizure. He began shaking violently, with his eyes rolled back, and was completely unresponsive. His girlfriend/wife started shouting for someone to do something. As Niel ran out to get help and I joined the lady in shaking the guy's arms, the people in the row behind us starting telling us to "Shush!". I guess they didn't realize the situation and thought we were just being chit-chatty.

I looked back at them and, in my panic, shouted loudly, "It's an emergency! Someone call nine-one-o...Nevermind, we don't even have that here!" As I shook my head in frustration, not knowing what to shout when my instinctive "Call 911" was wrong, the guy came to and was totally fine.

Anyway, I am just grateful that on Wednesday, when I told Niel, "Call 911", we actually "had that here".

And I am very grateful my mom is okay!

Please Note: This picture was not taken in or near the hospital.
It was taken on our Alaskan vacation. I did not give in to mom's request to bring a camera into the hospital. I knew she'd regret having asked me once she saw the picture on my blog!

alone at the pump

I pumped gas for the first time today. This was pretty shocking to my friend Natalie, as it may be for others. Let me explain... I grew up in New York, where gas stations were always full-serve until about 7 or so years ago. Even now, gas stations typically offer both full-serve and self-service. I was already living in Africa when New York starting shifting to self-serve. On our USA trips, Niel and I have always done the bulk of our driving together. So when a fill-up was necessary, my knight in shining armor would handle the task of pumping gas (and usually in bitterly cold winter conditions...Shame!).

In South Africa, it is illegal to pump your own gas. So even there, all I've ever experienced is full-serve. And to clarify, "full-serve" in South Africa is largely different than "full-serve" in New York. In South Africa, your full service gas-pumping includes a windshield wash (and, at times, even a good cleaning of all the windows and side mirrors, too!), a tire check (and pump, if needed) upon request, and an offer to check your oil and water. In New York, "full-serve" is a non-English-speaking, non-smiling man pumping your gas. No chance of getting the other amenities. You're lucky if you get a, "Hi, how are ya?"

I have been in the Atlanta area since Tuesday, having some ministry meetings and attending Catalyst (which has been a powerful leadership extravaganza that I've learned so much from). I'm here with my mom (fun times yet again) and Natalie. I am the designated driver of our rental car. Our almost-empty tank necessitated a stop at a gas station, which, of course, was only self-serve.

I didn't let on that I was a bit nervous because I didn't really have a clue what to do. I simply read--and followed--the instructions on the pump. I filled up without a hitch, pumping my own gas for the very first time in my entire life. Note-worthy occasion.

As a side note, because I live an ocean away from many friends, my friendships have lacked the typical daily interaction that most are built upon. I am blessed to have some solid friendships despite that missing component, but it is still interesting to me that after a decade-long friendship, I've had these types of dialogues with friends:

• So, when is your birthday?
• What's your favorite restaurant?
• Which kind of candy do you like best?

Getting to spend some good, quality time with Natalie on this trip has deepened our friendship to Grand Canyon proportions. And now I know that she's partial to York Peppermint Patties and Reese's Pieces...

my sunday

6:30 - Alarm rings
7:50 - Picked up from host home
8:00 - First Starbucks run
8:15 - Arrive at church, set up display, get miked up, pray with pastor
9:00 - First service
10:30 - Talk with people by our display in lobby
11:00 - Second service
12:30 - Talk with people by our display in lobby
1:00 - Party with the mission team that came this year
3:30 - Second Starbucks run
4:00 - Meet with church leadership team
5:30 - Get miked up, pray with pastor
6:00 - Third service
8:30 - Arrive back at host home
9:00 - Collapse!

u pick

While in Michigan last week, Niel and I went to an apple orchard with a friend (who, because of her twitching eye, shall remain nameless). It was a blast! I hadn't been apple picking since I was a child, and Niel hadn't been since...well, forever. We couldn't help but chuckle at (and mock) the sign that said:

$100 fine for apple throwing!

Are they serious?! Being unsure of their definition of "throwing", we tread delicately on the fine line between dropping violently and actually throwing. I think Karen (oops! no longer nameless!) may have unintentionally thrown an apple. (Pay up, lady!)

Of course, all the best-looking apples were high off the ground, far beyond the reach of us ladies. We kept pointing them out to Niel so he could get them. He finally hoisted me up so I could grab some on my own.

VICTORY!

Living in Africa where we have no autumn to speak of, I love being in the States in the fall. Being out apple-picking on a brisk day was a perfect way to embrace the autumn. Back at Karen's that evening, we even made an apple crisp with our freshly-picked apples. Nothing is better than that! I love apple desserts...and since raisins are added to any apple dessert in South Africa (to which I just have to ask, Why?), I eat apple-anything every chance I get here in the States. Being able to make--and eat--apple crisp with my new friend was a real treat!

One of my mom's favorite childhood pictures of me was from a family apple-picking trip upstate NY. I'm standing in front of a tree, with a green jacket on (if I remember correctly), and I'm holding up a perfect apple which I look so proud to have picked. My joy is evident in my chubby, round face and scrunched up shoulders.

Since it was my first time to be apple picking again, I took another memorable picture for my mom...

It's not nearly as cute when I'm 28 as it was when I was 6!

drum roll please...

My husband is quite the funny guy. He was tearing it up on Sunday when he preached! It makes me so proud when I'm cracking up (because Niel is being so funny!) and I look out and see an entire congregation laughing as well. (And as you know, I was right up on stage -- so I had a full view of the entire congregation!) This one guy on the front row looked like he was having the time of his life, he was laughing so hard.

Of all his jokes and funny sayings on Sunday, one of the funniest moments was when Niel said:

As you can hear in my accent, I am South African. I am born, bred, and raised South African. My wife, as you also heard, is American. I believe firmly that in marriage, the two become one. So I guess that makes me an African-American.

Ba-dum-bum-CHING!

transitions

I'm not a very good transitioner when it comes to speaking publicly. Niel ministered at a church on Sunday. As is typical in this scenario, I shared a 10-15 update on the ministry before he shared a message from the Word. There are a few things I always share during my time behind the pulpit, and my recurring challenge is how to transition between them.

Main Point 1: General greeting (blessed to be here to share with you, etc.)
Main Point 2: Overview of vision (who we are, what we do - broadstrokes)
Main Points 3, 4, 5: Three main areas of ministry (pastoral development, village discipleship classes, AIDS prevention)

Amidst the nervousness, shortness of breath, and the fluttering family of butterflies who take up residence in my stomach, which I experience anytime I have to hold a microphone, I find it a challenge to segue between each of these points--and worst of all, to bring it all to a close in a nice, neat, wrapped package.

{{ Insert Transition Here }}

On Sunday we had to sit on the stage with the pastors during the service (yes, the entire service!). I cannot tell you how much I dread this sort of thing and how self-conscious I am the whole time I am enduring it. I feel like quite a spectacle, always thinking things like, "Did I just accidentally make a weird face? Did anybody see me? Shame, I don't know the words to this song! Should I be smiling or serious while I watch Niel preach?" It's all a bit overwhelming for me.

{{ Insert Transition Here }}

Niel was a fireball on Sunday. He always preaches well, but on Sunday he had a new zeal and fervor about him. He spoke more passionately and articulately; he was challenging, yet inspiring; he was very funny, but also very heart-piercing. It was a great service -- Niel was on fire!

{{ Insert Closing Here }}

speechless in seattle

I feel as though I have so much to say yet no words with which to say it. My mom and I just returned to Seattle from our Alaskan cruise; I cannot even begin to describe how wonderful our trip was! We laughed incessantly and made so many amazing memories. We saw Humpback and Orca whales on our whale-watching trip, rode a train up to White Pass (high in the mountains), experienced a modified (no-snow) version of a dog-sled at a musher camp, stood in awe before enormous glaciers, and zip-lined across thousands of feet of cable 150 feet above the ground!

Most who know me know that I easily get motion sick. Some have even had the unique privilege of seeing me...vomit. (Jealous, aren't you?!) I get this propensity for nausea from my mother. But thanks to the amazing motion-sickness patch, we were both puke-free all week! The first night on the ship was pretty rocky. At breakfast the next morning, we overheard countless people saying that they got sick during the night because of how rough it was. Mom and I threw our fists in the air in victory: "WE LOVE THE PATCH!"

My mom is a joy and a blessing in my life and I am so grateful to the Lord for this time we had together. Many thanks, also, to my hombre and padre for sending us! This was truly a time we will never forget!

We were asked by dozens of people if we were sisters (which hopefully means that my mom looks young for her age and not that I look old for mine!). While we know we resemble one another, we definitely don't see the close similarity so many others saw!

I uploaded a bunch of our photos, if you want to take a peek!