Birthday celebrations!

As I reflect on my birthday just days ago, I can't help but think about the other 25 birthdays I have had as well. I must say I missed having a family celebration with enchilada casserole and spice cake and being surrounded by family...but be assured, I had fantastic day.
The day began at 5:03 am when I woke up frantically. I was supposed to pick up Mary at 5, so I was already late. We made our way down to Kings Park Stadium and ran a 10K race. It was fantastic! The route went right alone the waterfront and the sun was still rising over the ocean. Amazing! We ran a great race, 6 minute kilometers.
For the main celebration, Anna and Drew prepared a Mexican Fiesta! complete with homemade corn tortillas, guacamole, salsa, beans and rice. There were about 15 people who came to have a good time and celebrate life. 'Happy Birthday' was sung in at least 7 different languages. It was fantastic and very special.
Huge thanks to all you, my family and friends for your warm thoughts and love. I definitely felt special by all your e-cards and phone calls. (I have pictures that I will post soon)

consequences of procrastination

the walk home was spectacular today. the stormy wind wisping through my hair, the sun streaming through the clouds onto the harbor- it made me smile. Upon arriving at my house, my clothes were hanging beautifully on the line; dry, fresh and ready to be collected. In my laziness I thought to myself, I will come out later... well, later happened after thunder struck and the sky let lose. all my fresh clothes are now sopping wet clothes laid gently throughout all the furniture in the living room.

plan for tomorrow:
stop procrastinating
write my a poverty analysis paper for my class
post pictures of yesterday's fantastic birthday celebration

for wednesday

Trust

It's like so many other things in life
to which you must say no or yes.
So you take your car to the new mechanic.
Sometimes the best thing to do is trust.

The package left with the disreputable-looking
clerk, the check gulped by the night deposit,
the envelope passed by dozens of strangers—
all show up at their intended destinations.

The theft that could have happened doesn't.
Wind finally gets where it was going
through the snowy trees, and the river, even
when frozen, arrives at the right place.

And sometimes you sense how faithfully your life
is delivered, even though you can't read the address.


-Thomas R. Smith, from Waking before Dawn.

my tummy is smiling

happiness = 3 thick whole wheat buttermilk pancakes covered in fresh applesauce
mmm... delicious dinner!

God is good- all the time

I received a phone call from my bank about 9:45 this morning informing me that my wallet had been lost. My only response was, thank you for informing me. It wasn’t until this call that I started to think... hmm, true, I did not see it in my bag this morning. I was carrying 3 bags yesterday, so I assumed it had to be in one of the others. It was not. It had escaped my purse last night at the shopping center. A kind couple picked it up and went immediately to my bank to put a stop on my debit card and had the bank notify me of my wallet’s whereabouts. They returned it with all the cash, debit card, my CA driver’s license and the USPS stamps. It was incredible! In a country that speaks so frequently of theft and lack of hope for humanity- here is proof that not all is what it seems. Proof that there are truly so many good people around who desire to live the best and fullest life possible.

Other highlights of this particularly astounding day include:
- Safe keeping from an almost accident. I was within inches of hitting a couple who turned right in front of me. Whew!
- Finally having my registration and school paperwork completely taken care of (good thing it’s only May!)
- A super delicious eggplant curry for lunch and fantastic friends to eat with.
- A great pastor who is willing to take moments out of busy busy day to talk
- Real tortilla chips! chapstick and gum arrived with several other goodies- THANKS MOM!
- Good conversation over tea at Mugg & Bean
- Prospects of a great weekend!

for all this I am grateful

So a lot has happened in this last month!
After all that diligent work, I successfully finished my first quarter of courses! Wahoo! So the moment after I turned in my last paper, we took of to the central part of the Drakensberg Mountains to a camp place called Injisuthi. It was absolutely gorgeous!! These pictures don’t do it justice. We stayed for two nights and three days in a cabin or what they call a chalet. It was simple and clean and extremely nice. We did all our own cooking and they powered off the generator by 10pm, so we got lots of well needed rest. In the central Berg is also where the rock paintings are. We took about a 4 hour hike out for our viewing. It was pretty neat. Courses for the second quarter started right away, or we would have stayed there for at least a week. It was amazing!

The last weeks have been fantastic. It seems that with every passing day I begin to like it here a bit more. I am feeling much more adjusted and settled in. Anna and I moved to a new flat at the beginning of April. We live with Karina and her six year old son Matty. Drew, Greg, and Nolan live in the flat above us. It’s wonderful to have people around. We have a lot of meals together and help provide motivation for each of us to get our work done.
I have also been embraced by a beautiful church here. It’s lovely. The folks are extremely warm and inviting. I am grateful. Furthermore they are very supportive of me as pastor invited me to preach the sermon the last two Sundays. It was a beautiful and affirming experience.





Going to the Berg for some R&R!
me, Anna, Jim and Drew







this is when Drew's car broke down... ah, shame.
we were about 10k from the camp site. but everything worked itself out.








Hanging out beneath the rock paintings






Absolutely Gorgeous!

everyday life stuff...

for those of you who are curious, here is what I am doing today: I woke up at 7am after six and a half hours of sleep, ate oats with lots of Cinnamon and natural chunky peanut butter...mmm. I made a salad with tomatoes, mushrooms and cheese to take with me for lunch along with an apple and banana. The walk to school took 40 minutes today, a bit longer than most days. Anna and I were going at a leisurely pace and enjoying a refreshing morning after a night of rain.
Now I am in my 6x6 study office sitting in my red plastic chair, surrounded by articles that I have yet to read and others that will give me good direction. I am currently writing a paper on the post-WWII development strategies of Mexico. Until I turn it in next Tuesday I will be spending a lot of time in this little office. I do have fun pictures of all you family posted and also of scenic places in California, so my walls are nice to look at and it is not claustrophobic. sometime around 7pm I will go home to a bowl of supper yummy borche soup that I made on Sunday and then study for my economy exam that is scheduled for Friday. this means that tomorrow I will get up and do much of the same.
I am sustained by the friends I am making and the anticipation of completion of school work.
Life is beautiful.