Archive for the ‘Adventures’ Category

Notes to Self

Sometimes I forget that I live in Africa because here mostly just feels like  home.  But other times, I’m very aware that I’m not in my proverbial Kansas anymore.  Along this line of thinking, here are some notes-to-self inspired during my solo road trip:
- No shirt and no shoes does not equal no service. Should [...]

African Giants

That’s what they call the millepedes that are really common here.  I don’t know about you, but I will never be comfortable enough with any creepy-crawly to feel okay about “giant” being a part of their name.  But alas, my son feels differently.  He’s spent hours the past few days “caring for”, hunting, and making [...]

Wednesday’s Window

One highlight of being back in South Africa has been watching Silas reconnect with his african brother Thuledi (Abram’s son).  Today, they were jumping off of our front porch, hand in hand:

Made For This

Today, as I’m traveling back to my home in South Africa, and my eyes are likely puffy from tears and my heart tender from tough goodbyes- I’m reminding myself that I was made for this.  I don’t know why- I just know that it’s true- that I was made for South Africa. And  in my [...]

TIA: This is America…

When I use the acronym TIA, I’m normally referencing something that makes me shake my head and say, this is Africa.  Having been stateside for 48 hours now, I find myself saying TIA a lot… but referencing the culture shock and “new” experiences I’m having here at home (which feels totally bizarre).
So- here are my [...]

Gear-Up, Tune-Up

This is a big week.  Take a long, slow inhale with me…
One thing I know for sure- is that our family has never really done things on a small scale… especially when it comes to change.  When something changes, everything changes.  But more on that later…
So back to this week:  I have a crazy work [...]

The Best Of…

Our week in Gonubie:
and I can’t leave out the “bests” that weren’t captured in photos:
- having time with friends was totally priceless
- talking over Starbucks coffee was pure bliss
- enjoying the Indian Ocean was fantastic!
- hitting up Gonubie’s fabulous grocery stores and stocking up on imported goods just totally made me smile
- watching Silas play [...]

I’m Away

I was going to try and plan ahead- schedule some posts so that blogesphere wouldn’t even notice that I took a vacation. But then life got in the way. So, here’s the truth:
I’m in Gonubie, South Africa, a block from the Indian Ocean, staying with some fantastic people that I met face to face for [...]

At the Border

If you’re on Facebook and I’m your friend- you might have seen that yesterday was a tense day for me.  Dave had been gone to Lesotho for a week, (with his friend and interpreter, Lucas) and I was more than ready to have him home.  When my phone rang about the time I was expecting [...]

Listen with Me

On Friday afternoon, we hosted all of the farm staff for an appreciation braai (cookout) at our house.  I should have known that in an attempt to bless them… I would be the one left feeling overwhelmed with gratitude.  The staff came all dressed up for the lunch- Ntate John (older man, probably close to [...]

Living (In)Courage

I’ve been lurking- waiting for this new site for women to actually launch- and it has, and I’m so loving it.  If you haven’t already discovered it, let me  introduce you…

So what does it mean for me to live in-courage?  It means walking forward with strength of heart when all I want to do is [...]

Look Up With Me

I talk a lot about the Southern hemisphere stars that often take my breath away… and now, I invite you to look up with me.  A mission team member took these pictures a few weeks ago… and they capture my night sky perfectly…

That bright clump that you can see… it’s the Milkyway… here’s a closer [...]

The Mountain

The weeks ahead are big ones.  Challenging ones. In some ways, I’ve felt like I’m facing a mountain.  So, yesterday I decided to bring my inward journey outward- and I climbed a mountain.  It was empowering. It reminded me how the things I’m facing this month will be conquered in just the same way: one [...]

The Village Will Hear

As part of Dave’s field research- he got introduced to Ntate Tatsi; and 80-year-old man who is considered an expert on Sotho culture; he’s even a featured weekly radio guest in Qwa Qwa.  Dave meets weekly with Tatsi at his modest home made of mud bricks and a tin roof.  They sit together and go [...]

Pep-Talk

Now that the air is turning cold (remember- no indoor heat) and I’m resisting the urge to have a pity party for myself (since you are entering Spring/Summer)… it’s time to focus on the perks of living in South Africa:

I have house help, and as of a few weeks ago- “Emily” comes Monday through Friday.  [...]

Wednesday's Window: Pure Bliss

I got swept away this week. A total surprise, that was pure bliss. On Sunday, I left the base with Jennifer and Gator Dave (not my hubby) to take a mission team to Mabula for overnight safari.  On Monday, we dropped them off at the airport and said our goodbyes- and “decided” to eat [...]

The Circle of (Farm) Life

*disclaimer: graphic farm-life described…
I live on a farm. In South Africa.  More than distance makes it a long-way-away from what I’ve always known as home.  And this week, I’ve realized that part of me will always be a city girl (did you know I’ve always wanted to live in Chicago???).  We’ve had some hunters here [...]

Don't Believe the Sign…

I went on a road trip to Pietermaritzburg yesterday with Charlene and Marc. Since I’m reluctantly adding another digit to my age tomorrow- Charlene arranged for a babysitter (thanks Cassie!) while Dave was working- so that I could enjoy some “big” city fun… a mall, a movie, and dinner out.  It was a great day- [...]

Cape Town Baby!

That’s the phrase that Emily and I keep saying to each other… over and over and over again.  She landed in Joburg yesterday- we spent the night in the city and then flew to Cape Town early this morning.  We (i.e.- SHE) got incredibly sunburnt on an open-bus city tour, followed by some serious retail [...]

Hiatus Happenings

My internet hiatus was prompted by many things… it was just a good time for me to be unplugged. But did I miss you? You bet! So lets catch up…
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind. My parents came for a visit- which was absolutely phenomenal. We spent a few days [...]

Think of Me? Pray for Me…

Happy New Year!!
Today- I am on a plane, with my little princess… flying about 9,000 miles back to my home in South Africa.  From door to door- it’s well over 24 hours of non-stop traveling.  So… if you think of me today… say a prayer for me too.
I can hardly wait to scoop up Silas [...]

I Went Away

Emily and I had an unexpected beginning.  I was introduced as her practicum supervisor at child protection services nearly a decade ago… with the tag line “Amy came back to work for us after being a missionary in Africa”.  In Emily’s version of the story- I was wearing a long khaki skirt and had my [...]

Pressed In

It’s still before 7am and I just put my daughter down for her morning nap. That means I was up way too early.  But now, with a few cups of coffee fueling the engine of my mind… it would be pointless to try and sleep.  So instead… I opened my email and one had just [...]

Single Serving Strangers

The three female Kitties (aka… Amers, Lizzy, and Alece) spent the last 34 hours traveling from South Africa to Ohio. Needless to say, we racked up lots of tell-worthy tales… but for now, I’m going to tell you about our single serving strangers (aka… the crazy people we met along the way):

Most notably, was comatose [...]

Our Day @ Royal Natal

One of our favorite places in South Africa is Royal Natal National Park… and we went there for a family outing a few days ago- on kind of a spontaneous whim… but we had a fabulous day.  And it was awesome… to share a place that is so special to Dave and I with our [...]

Giving Thanks…

We had a wonderful day… just have a look:

Field Work

So- this day has been a crazy one… but I’m going to ignore all of that and just share this… it was field work day!  Want a few more details?… Dave has been filming a documentary on the Basotho custom of painting houses.  Today was his last day with this family… finishing up their house… [...]

Lovin' Some Lions

Dave made a great video of our outing to the lion park… but for some reason we can’t get it loaded. It’s probably the rain interfering with our internet connection again (TIA…this is africa!).  So, for now… I had to share these pictures…

A Day In Our Life Part II

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A Day In Our Life…

Here’s part 1 of a video series on life here in South Africa.  What better way to begin than with a morning cup of coffee?!  Check out our view…
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAJJqgMSnWg&hl=en&fs=1]

Flavors to Savor?

South Africa has some serious variety in potato chip flavors.   What would you make of these choices…  which are all really available in our local grocery stores:

Caribbean Onion and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Fruit Chutney
Beef Jerky
Mexican Chili
Ketchup (called tomato sauce in S.A.)
Lamb spitbraai (grilled)
Thai sweet chili
Chicken and Thyme

This brings a whole new meaning to a sandwich and chips [...]

Wednesday's Window

The biggest new happening this week….

Cereal!!!
And for Si-guy… being a huge hit in Lesotho… he was very unsure of all the attention…

Setting Up House

We moved several tubs of our belongings up into our house today.  It made my heart excited to know that within the next week, we’ll have our own spot to call home.  We’ve been co-habitating with friends and family for four months now…
So, as we’re setting up house- I’m excited but I’m also struggling a [...]

T.I.A. #2

This is South Africa…

Joyce, one of the basotho staff people here, got a total kick out of my Bjorn (front baby carrier).  After her chuckles… she explained that in her culture, they would never wear the baby on the front…always on the back.
When you’re at the pump and totally aggravated by how much of [...]

Wednesday's Window

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Our History Here

There’s some history that makes us being here seem almost surreal.  I think it’s worth sharing.  When Dave and I worked with Niel and Alece back in the day (2000-01) we lived in a flat in town, that was connected to a house that served as the ministry base.  When we needed a break from [...]

T.I.A. (This is Africa)

So it’s time for another bulleted list series- all about South Africa. There are lots of things that we’re experiencing everyday that could be full posts in and of themselves… things that I don’t want to forget, things that I want to share, and things that will probably become so commonplace for me that I [...]

Traveling Tales

Departure day came quickly… we woke up around 7am on 9/11 and loaded our 7 packed pieces of luggage into two vehicles- and the journey began.  Silas could tell that something was going on- and our arrival at the airport was hard on him.  Saying goodbye to his Poppy (my dad) was even harder.  He [...]

Down to Hours

Can you believe it?  Our departure for South Africa is now hours away. Part of me wishes I could just fast forward to Thursday morning- when the goodbyes are over with and we’re on our way (…or if I’m skipping time… perhaps I should skip the full days worth of travel too!) because the anticipation [...]

Down to Days

Tomorrow is the last day in the month of August.  Then my calendar will flip to September… and starring at me will be September 11th.  Obviously, this date stands out to all of us… but this year it is also my departure day. My family is moving to South Africa in 12 days.
How am [...]

Five Weeks

Five weeks from today (which happens to be 9/11) I will be en route to South Africa, with my two precious children and my husband.  We’ll be starting a new adventure.  One that just fits us… that feels right… one that excites me to the core of who I am… and one that also gives [...]

It's Complex

Inevitably- it seems that whenever I share about our future plans (such as our upcoming excursion to South Africa)… a common phrase gets relayed to me. Normally I don’t linger on it. But this week- when someone (basically) said it’s your life, do what you want with it- it did not go in [...]

Lost in my thoughts…

I think I’ve realized why blogging has been challenging for me lately. It’s because I usually write to process my thoughts and feelings or what is going on in my life. In a way- I think God uses the act of writing for me as a way that He speaks to my heart. But in [...]

Good Times…

My few days in KY were wonderful. Lots of rest, lots of movies, lots of laughs, and a girls night out. We did home spa treatments (facials and highlights for me!) and we got mani’s and pedi’s…which I’d never done before! They say a picture is worth a thousand words…so here’s my trip…

I came back [...]

I Love It Here…by Dave

This post is by Dave… a fabulous tale if I don’t say so myself… enjoy! Love, Amy
The trip started off a bit rough. I arrived at the airport nearly 2 hours early and was greeted with the female equivalent of “Mesaba Dave.” I guess it was finally payback time. My luggage was over the 50 [...]

Greater Distance

Remember- you were warned in previous posts that I’m a sentimental-emotional type. I talked to Dave one final time on the phone last night- knowing that his journey across the Atlantic began this morning. And today- I’m aware that each passing hour brings a greater physical distance between us. It just feels strange. The last [...]

Adventurous or Crazy?

So- on a whim I decided to drive back to Ohio for a week with my family. I know- it’s only been three weeks since we were in for the holidays… but it’s kind of an impromptu family reunion. My aunt Ingrid and my cousin Jenna flew in from California and I couldn’t not see [...]

NY Highlights!!

Have you heard of the Naked Cowboy? Kind of a sudo-celebrity- he plays the guitar all over the world in nothing but his tighty-whiteys! Alece and I were walking in time square and stumbled upon him. In the surprise of the moment we decided I needed a photo to document this rare siting:). The [...]

And We're Off…

For the next 3 weeks we’ll be traveling. We’re heading to Ohio tomorrow to be with Dave’s family- then I’m going to KY to visit my friend Emily, then we’ll be with my family from Christmas to the 28th and then it’s off to NY for a Kitty Reunion until January 3rd (The litter includes [...]