Less than one week until Christmas. Jeepers, I cannot believe 2013 is fading and 2014 is around the next corner.
We arrived in August; the peak of summer with temperatures of 40 degrees (celsius) and pumping aircons; and four months later, bundled up with only our eyeballs exposed, we had the chance to played in six inches of snow. We are loving the way America celebrates the holidays and seasons. Fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving and now Christmas. Every house is decorated appropriately and, as the celebration ends, the decorations come down and new ones appear to celebrate the next holiday. You should see the Christmas apparel. America knows how to be festive and its gorgeous!
November is the month of Thanksgiving and it is so wonderful to hear everyone expressing their gratitude for what they have throughout the month: family, friends, freedom, food, finances.
We had our first Thanksgiving meal ever and we were invited into a home to experience the wonderful food and family time. It was incredibly special and we rolled out of the door feeling very loved and happy :)
The pumpkin seems to be the popular fall vegetable and it gets put into absolutely everything!!! Pumpkin spiced lattes; pumpkin pie; pumpkin bread and bagels; pumpkin cream cheese and even pumpkin ice cream. It is surprisingly delicious!!! But wait for it...they even have pumpkin spiced Rooibos! Yeah!!!!
BSSM update
Pete is almost half way through his school year and it has been a very intense and incredibly good time of growth for him. As a proud wife I get to stand and watch my already tall husband grow into a huge spiritual giant in the Kingdom of God. Its kind of like watching something shed its hard old skin; there are moments of pain and discomfort but what comes out is always something bigger and more beautiful.
Even though I haven't had the opportunity to attend BSSM, I feel like I have gained everything that Pete has experienced. I feel so incredibly blessed to be here. I have just completed my basic Sozo training (www.bethelsozo.com) and am looking forward to starting a new course in January. I am enjoying my ladies group and God has been so faithful in providing good friendships thus far.
There is still so much more and we both really feel that we would like to stay for another year and be available and ready for what God has for us as a family. Where God leads He always provides and we are so excited for the future. We rest in Him and we know that He is good and always faithful. No better place to be :)
Family
The girls are happy and well. Amy is loving the Christmas season and she had an absolute ball in the snow. When we first told her about us moving to America for a season, one of the first things she asked for was to play in the snow. Well it turns out that Redding hasn't had this much snow in over 10 years :) It was beautiful!!
Katie is almost 18 months old now and is copying everything her older sister does. They absolutely love each other. Their favourite thing to do together is dance in the lounge and Amy is coming up with the most beautiful moves...watch this space! Katie mostly spins around and falls over.
In the last four months the girls have been nailed with colds and flu. I suppose their little bodies are adjusting to the new viruses and allergens. Its been rather challenging not having medical cover but the one thing I have realised is how powerful their little bodies are at getting rid of these nasty bugs.
The day I heard the news of Madiba's death I burst into tears. My heart ached to be in South Africa and mourn with my country and I felt incredibly homesick. Its funny because I never thought I would react that way. I guess I am realising more and more that my country is in my blood. That day we drove through Redding and saw all the American flags at half mast and knew that the man who had passed away was not only a South African leader, but a world leader. The world was in mourning with us and we felt quite comforted by it.
Christmas is less than a week away and we have been so blessed. Thank you to those who have supported us, prayed for us, written to us and encouraged us through this time. We feel so incredibly humble and honoured to be in your thoughts.
Have a very merry Christmas and a BLESSED New Year.
2014: Here's to seeing what no eye has seen :)
