In the Middle

I've discovered the hardest part about moving.  For me, anyways.  It's waiting.


And waiting.


And waiting some more.  


We have to wait to hop on the airplane.  Yes, that car has to be sold.

We have to wait to finish school.  Yes, those exams must be taken.

We have to be patient with those around us.  Goodbyes must be said, advantage taken of all the remaining time.  

And then when we get back to the states, we have to wait more.  

Wait for the container to arrive.

Wait for school offices to open so we can sort of schedule our lives for the next year.  

Sometimes it would be really, really nice to just find out we're moving, say goodbye to everyone all at once, and hop on the plane the next day.  Oh, and our household goods?  It's being teleported.  It'll be there waiting for us.  

But *sigh* life doesn't work like that.  It's probably a good thing it doesn't, too.  We would leave a huge mess in our wake, a mess of finances, stuff, and emotions.  We would have burned all the bridges we made with our South African friends.  Also, if everything happened in an instant, we wouldn't have to trust God that the car will sell in time, we wouldn't have to rely on him through the difficulties. Times are tough, but God is tougher, and the hardships will help us learn.  

Admittedly, as you may have picked up from the above post, there were several points where I just wanted it to be over and done.  I was sick and tired of goodbyes and over scheduled time.  Now that I'm back in the states, I wish I could go back and spend more time with the people I now miss.  

So we are waiting at the moment.  Because all our furniture is somewhere in the middle of the ocean, we are living with my grandparents for a month, and then we'll camp out in our home until the ship gets here.  Soon we have to start school and soccer, Bible quizzing and music lessons and jobs, but for now we get a bit of peace.  A bit of quiet waiting time.  

To all my South African friends and followers: I miss you so much and I can't wait for you all to visit me!
To all my American friends and followers:  It's good to be back and I'm excited to experience life with you for the next while!  

Gallo Pinto

This is one of my favorite recipes from my mission trip to Costa Rica five years ago, made often by my mom for breakfast.  The recipe was given to us by the locals who hosted us.

GALLO PINTO
1 medium onion, minced
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 celery stalks, fairly well chopped (include the leaves).
˝ sweet pepper, finely chopped.
˝ bunch of cilantro, chopped.
One stick of butter
2 cups of white rice (cooked, preferably a day or two in advance).
1 pound can of black beans.
ź cup of Salsa Lizano.
˝ teaspoon of salt (optional).

1.  Cook the rice (it usually takes four cups of water to cook two cups of rice).  Set aside.  It is best to set the cooked rice overnight.
2.  Cook the minced onion, garlic, and celery with the stick of butter (margarine) on medium heat in a Dutch oven pan until the vegetables are soft.  Add the sweet pepper and cilantro and continue to cook for about 3 minutes.
3.  Add the beans and stir them in with the vegetables.  Cook about 5 minutes.
4.  Add the rice and stir the beans, vegetables and rice together.
5.  Add the Salsa Lizano and salt.  Stir everything together. Continue heating until warm.

Good served with scrambled eggs and sour cream.

The quantities and times can be varied to taste.

You can also cook the black beans instead of using canned beans.

Enjoy!

Life is an Adventure

     A few weeks ago, I posted on Facebook: "The thing about life is, you never can be sure what's gonna happen." One of my friends posted a comment which became the inspiration for this post's title: "It's forever an adventure."  That friend was the only person on Facebook who knew my reason for posting because she was who I had turned to in a moment of overwhelm.

     That Friday, Dad came home from work and told us things had changed and we were moving out of South Africa, and while it was probable we would return to the US, it was still unsure.  Prior to that dinnertime conversation, it had been very likely Dad would get another job here in South Africa and we would be staying another two years, but God obviously has other plans for us.  While Dad was telling us, I went into a state somewhere between frozen shock and hysteria.  While those words may seem big and exaggerative, that's how I described it to my friend at the time.  I had been disappointed that I wouldn't be moving back to the states, but what good was a negative attitude?  So I had allowed myself to become excited about staying, since it was so likely.  I had mentally prepared myself for staying in South Africa, continuing to build relationships with my new friends, and graduating in a year and a half.

     When you're ready for something to happen, and the opposite does, it's stressful and harsh; change so often is.  I knew moving back would probably be as hard as staying here, since things have changed there and I wasn't there to change with them. I have changed in a different direction, and I've gotten a firm footing here, made good friends, and gotten involved with church; I'm going to miss the people here.  That's why I cried that night, and why I've been more stressed since then.

     After a couple days passed, I started to find the positives again - as I said earlier, what good is a negative attitude?  I'll be able to get my driver's license, we get to become involved in Bible Quizzing again, and the houses are warmer.  It was likely we'd be leaving just after mid-year exams end, in late-July, so we still had two and a half or three months with friends, but just as I got used to that idea it changed again - there was a possibility we were leaving early July instead... more tears.  And once I'd gotten used to the idea of leaving earlier, it reversed, and it was likely we would again leave just after exams.  Another round of tears.

     I tried my hardest to maintain that positive attitude, but I have my downs; I've succumbed to tears.  Change is hard - that's all there is to it.  But God works through the change; He makes us stronger and draws us to Him, and He has plans for us where He's leading us.  Now Dad's been offered a job back in our hometown and we're going to be moving back to our old house, old church, old friends.  That's where we're at right now, but who knows what could change tomorrow?  And I intend to trust God through it - what more can I do?

Mission Trip - Kitima Mulilo, Namibia

     Last weekend, I got the chance to go on a mission trip up to Katima Mulilo, Namibia.  It was a very short trip with 48 hours out of the five days spent driving, but it was amazing.  Our aim was to teach the local churches how to evangelize on the streets.  That wasn't something I had done before either, so it was a learning experience for me as well.

     It wasn't something that could be described by an everyday journal.  That would have captured what we we did, where we went, the funny moments, but it wouldn't have captured the emotions and the way God worked because it was something that grew even when we weren't doing anything.    There were moments I want to remember like the quality of the stars, playing Warlords and Scumbags (a card game) in the 13 passenger van, a couple of the grade 8 boys labeling me as the "Russian Spy", and pushing the bus out of the sand and then noticing the elephant by the side of the road and sprinting to catch up with the bus.                                                                           

     Refreshing.  Invigorating.  Reviving.  Awe-inspiring.  Releasing.  I went because I wanted to know how to share the gospel, but God worked a much deeper change in my life.  Being around people who are passionate and unafraid before God released something in me.  Who you hang out with affects who you are.  

     Sharing your faith with other people makes your spiritual foundation even more solid.  Two of the ladies I shared with were standing outside the hospital, and after they accepted Christ they asked me and my group to come in and pray with a male relative.  Later, we found out that Dr. Pier, of our team, had been refused entrance to the men's ward - God opened that door.  We later talked to a group of ladies and children and we were at first met with a "this is ridiculous" attitude, but then I started speaking and they got very quite and then gave their lives to the Lord,  our translator later told us that they were whispering "how can one so young preach like this?" The oldest girl was also especially affected - there's a demeanor, a way of acting that shows the person is listening and being touched.

     20 seconds of courage.  At first, I was nervous, but I don't have to be.  I might have to summon up the guts for the initial push, but it's not me doing it, it's God.  That night, we held a Crusade and did a drama and worshipped.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.  

     The style of worship at the African churches is amazing.  I don't know what's different, but no one - including me - minded being at church for three hours (we left at that point so we could start heading home, but I don't know how much longer the service extended for).  And the singing!  The whole, albeit small, congregation joined in, harmonizing.  Our team was asked to pray for the sick and whereas I'm normally unsure of what to say, the words just came.  God was speaking through me.

     Something God's placed on my heart this weekend is that He works through imperfection.   Even if I make mistakes in my presentation or something, He uses me. 

     At first, the way the team prayed seemed strange because it seemed like everyone was talking all at the same time and competing to be listened to, but I came to realize that everyone is just praying together and individually with  God.  Sometimes one person leads the prayer and everyone else joins in with 'Amen' and 'Yes, Lord's.  Also, speaking in tongues.  I was skeptical on this point; it sounds like absolute gibberish.  But I asked, and my team members explained it to me.  It's God's language that He gives each of us, and no one but He can understand it; it's different for each person.  Like any gift or talent or language, practicing it makes it easier and more fluent.  It's like praying emotion, especially when you don't have words.  You have to have faith that you're not just making the words up, and that the Holy Spirit is giving them to you, but you have to open your mouth.  

     On the last night, Eden originally approached those of us playing cards with the suggestion that we minister to the other lodgers, but we ended up with one of our own young team members being born again, and my questions about tongues being answered.  We were all sure that God put ministering on Eden's heart, not for the other lodgers, but for us as a group.  

     I continue to be confirmed that God brought me here to South Africa to bring me closer to Him.  Not just because I lacked friends and support, and so I relied on him, but also to open me up to the workings of the Holy Spirit and the depth at which I could KNOW God. 

YOLO!

     Either you see where I'm going after just reading the title, or you are planning a way to kill me brutally and slowly because I just used the term You Only Live Once.  Either way, bear with me.  
     Ok, I've actually heard a couple of people use the term YOLO, and legitimately mean it, so perhaps there is a more pleasant, normal second option to becoming a murderer, but generally people scoff at the term YOLO.  I want to correct this concept, though, and I thought it especially appropriate to do so on Easter weekend.  
     Around 2000 years ago, our savior, Jesus Christ, didn't only live once, and that's what we celebrate today.  He died on the cross for our sins, and after three days He rose again, and today He's up in heaven, right next to the Father.  He didn't only live once, and neither do we.  Without His death, we would be damned to hell for our eternal "second" life.  However, because Christ died for us, He gives us the option of spending that "second" life in eternal glory in heaven, with Him.  The Bible says we are saved by grace (His choosing to come and die for us, even though we didn't deserve it) through faith (our choice to believe IN Him and live FOR him). So, first of all, YOLO is incorrect - we don't only live for the short time on this earth; our life extends into eternity, and it is our choice how we will live that "second" life. 
     Continuing off of that correction (and forgive me if this becomes an expression of my confusion regarding the way YOLO is often used), even if you define living once as the amount of time that we will spend in our earthly bodies, I simply don't understand how this can be used to condone using drugs, having sex with every other person you meet, and binge drinking.  In my mind, you only live once, so you need to make something of that life.  Even if you aren't a disciple of Christ, and/or you don't agree with my view on our "second" eternal life, this still applies to you.  Life is short and time is precious, so rather than wasting it by being consumed with self... make a difference in the world.  Change someone else's life, and, at the same time, change your own. 

If something I've said has triggered a response in your heart, and you want to find out more about this Christ that died for you, email us at reflections.on.life764@gmail.com

Forever and Always

Hello my dear readers!
It's been far too long since I have written a blog post. I've just been so swamped with school and life, but I've had a lot on my mind lately that needs to come out in a form of a blog post. So here it goes.

Forever. Always. These are two words of stability, of permanence; words which meanings we come to expect, words that are used often, but aren't thought or talked of nearly enough. Think about it. How many times have you told a friend that you'll always be there for them; a boyfriend that the two of you will be together forever? At the time they are spoken, we may mean these words with all of our hearts, but do we ever really think about these words and the responsibility that comes with speaking them? Until quite recently, I know I never did.

So what do they mean?
According to Dicionary.com, "always" can be defined as:
1. every time; every occasion; without exception.
2. all the time; continuously, uninterruptedly.
3. forever.
4. in every event; at any time; if necessary.

"forever" is defined as:
1. without ever ending; eternally.
2. continuously; incessantly; always.
      Okay, so you may have known the meanings of these words, but have you thought about the problem with them? There are only so many things one can always count on; not much lasts forever. These words are eternal, infinite, are consistent to the ultimate point, are permanent. But very few things in this life are permanent.
So what is?
     I'm the type of person who longs for deep, life-long friendships. And I don't need that many friends, I just need close ones. Therefore, I often have the mindset that my friendships will last forever - that nothing will come between my friends and me. I know things will change, but I always expect my friendships to adapt to change. This leaves me completely and overwhelmingly shocked when a person I was once close to drifts away, or something happens that causes a break in the friendship. I can easily remove myself from unhealthy situations, but I never see them coming, and I am always hit square in the face with the fact that no matter how much I want them to, friendships don't last forever. People grow up, change, and move away, and I have to move on. Friendships aren't permanent.
     Circumstances aren't permanent either. I know a lot of people who get so shaken up when something in their life changes. If they have to move, change schools, change jobs, etc., it's like they expect everything to always remain the same. But it doesn't.
The truth of the matter is, there is only one thing that is permanent. Only one thing that will always last forever. And that is love. But not the kind of love that popular culture promotes these days - the kind that one can "fall out of", the kind that demands something in return, but the kind of love that can only come from Jesus. The perfect, sacrificial, intense, all-consuming love of Jesus. The kind of love that inspired him to die for us, the kind of love that promised us life. That love is something we can always count on no matter what, something that lasts forever, that is infinite, that is consistent, true, and real.
     Now, I'm not saying that we shouldn't use forever and always unless speaking of God's love, but I am saying that in this temporary life, we as Christians can have hope. We can have hope because we know of something that these can be applied to truthfully. We have something that is permanent.

Best Brownie Recipe

These are my favorite brownies:

Ingredients: 
     1 cup butter
     1 1/2 cup flour
     1 cup cocoa powder
     1/2 tsp salt
     1/2 tsp baking powder
     1 cup sugar
     1 Tbsp vanilla extract
     4 eggs
     6 oz chocolate, chopped OR 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Oven 350°F (175°C)
Instructions:  
     1.  Melt butter on stovetop or in microwave.  Lightly grease 9x13 pan.
     2. While the butter is melting, whisk flour and cocoa together with salt and baking soda.  Set aside.
     3.  Combine melted butter, sugar, and vanilla together.
     4.  Beat the eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, mixing well after each, until thoroughly blended.  
     5.  Gradually stir the flour mixture into the butter mixture.  
     6.  Toss the chocolate in a light dusting of flour and stir them into the batter with a spoon or spatula. (The flour will keep the chocolate pieces suspended in the brownies so you have nice bites of pure chocolate.)
     7.  Pour batter into prepared pan.  Spread the batter in the pan, slightly mounding on sides so it will all bake evenly.  
     8.  Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  
     9.  Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from http://www.instructables.com/id/Brownie-Recipe/