Was it worth it?

Procrastination of EPIC proportions.

One whole year since my last blog. I could make up a whole bunch of excuses but none will suffice.
You know that feeling when you know you need to do something and it sits there nagging somewhere in the back of your head? And, as time passes you think, "I don't even know where to begin now, its been so long." More time passes and then you think, "Its really too late now, Im sure people have forgotten."
Well, that has been me.
And to be very honest, I actually don't know where to begin or what to say. But here it goes...

I am going to start off with where we are at now...

Pete is pretty much half way through second year at BSSM. Only half of the first year students stay on to do another year, so his "class" has gone from roughly 1200 students down to 700 this year. While first year deals with identity and base-level-heart-stuff; second year focuses on leadership and empowerment. Its kind of like going from primary school to high school. Last year I saw Pete climb out of his skin and this year I've seen him step into his heavenly sonship and authority. Its been so beautiful to see.

I am at home with both of the girls as we stepped into the new and totally overwhelming world of homeschooling this year. It has been a dream of mine to homeschool for a couple of years now but I had no idea that there were so many curriculum choices, styles and opinions out there! Wow! But we are happy and taking it slow with the help of Pinterest and Redding Library. Amy loves being at home with Katie and their little relationship has flourished into something precious and deep - something school cannot bring. We spend our days baking, drawing, painting, reading and exploring. LIFE is our little school I suppose.
On the side I have been attending a few classes too; including some prophetic training and a parenting course. I am also still volunteering in Sozo Sessions twice a month.

BUT...let me go a little deeper here. 

What have these past 16 month's taught us? What has been the biggest change in us? Has it been worth the sacrifice? When are we coming home?

So let me tackle the last question - one that keeps popping up for us is "when are we finished?" I wish I could answer that, for your sake and mine :) We want all that God has for us this side and we don't want to cut it short because of finances or time. We are still on student visas and so finances are a real concern (especially with the Rand's position) but not a concern at all for God. We have been incredibly blessed by friends and family! The financial side of our journey would take another blog all together but what I will and can say is we have never been without. Incredible!

The word 'sacrifice' is not what it has been for us. Our biggest priority as a little family is having a big YES to God, even when the world around us says "no" or "maybe". The reward of saying yes makes the sacrifice seem pale and petty. Its hasn't been an easy 16 months and there have been lots of tears and fears. But all we know is that God NEVER says no to us. His 'yes' to us is bigger, stronger and safer than we can ever imagine. He looks after His own, in the most subtle and incredible ways...and in lavish and huge ways too :)

From the depths of my heart... These last 16 months have been huge for me. I have been on a road of learning how to focus on His 'yes' to me. For so long I have been striving to find my call and my gifting, what I have to offer, where I fit in etc. Working hard, serving and pressing on has been a habit, and its often a habit to many - all competing to be noticed or heard by man. Its exhausting guys! And to be honest, I didn't once think of going to the quiet water and hearing God speak His 'yes' and His design over me. It sounds so simple and yet its been the biggest breakthrough of my life.  I realised that Gods place for me over this season has been to "be home and to do it WELL." To plant healthy seeds into my children's lives and watch those seeds closely. To watch over the gate of my mouth and to praise Him even when its hard and lonely. To be aware of whats happening around me spiritually, and to worship when I feel heavy, tired and want to cry. It has been in these hidden moments where I have felt the pleasure of God all over me. I knew I was in His 'yes' and I felt heaven back me. This has been my biggest victory and its all been behind my apartment door. I don't always get it right and some days are particularly hard but I am learning. Ha! I have been in school too I guess :)

YES! Its been worth it.

We haven't changed. We are still Pete and Lis. We still have South African accents and so do our girls. I still go online and check the price of milk at Woolies and Pick n Pay. I still burst with pride when I hear someone talking about Africa. I still make curry and bobotie. I still chat to my friends and family often and I still say howzit to everyone.

But we have changed. I am Lisa, I now know what I can offer and what I have to offer is enough. Its always enough because I know that His love never runs out.
I now know what peace looks like and how powerful it is.
I know that fear is actually just a lie and is often a ploy to hold you back from your biggest destiny.
I now know that words carry HUGE weight and can move mountains and can expose gold.
I know that I can stand in the pleasure of God always and His grace and goodness is sufficient ... always.
I know that worship changes atmospheres and praise is a weapon.
But most of all...
I know that living for His pleasure alone is the greatest honour and its become my greatest prize.
I live to make Him known.

YES! He is worth it.

First year complete...

This blog has been long overdue I know. And now as I sit, typing with the intention to share parts of our journey, I don't even know where to begin. The only image I get when I think of this season of our lives is a treasure chest FULL and overflowing with gems, precious stones and priceless possessions. Every part of this puzzle is and has been so valuable to us, like a pearl of great price.

My heart is so full and quite emotional looking back at what God has done over the past 9 months. Pete received his graduation certificate yesterday: A certificate that holds the entirety of this years experience: the tears, the laughter, the risks, the prayer, the battles and the victories. The best year of our lives. 

BSSM 1st year done!

The BSSM first year curriculum has been very intense. Kind of like eating steak for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Along with attending school four days a week for six hours each day, the homework has involved reading and writing book reports on twenty books, reading three quarters of the Bible and doing other assignments. Pete has also attended a Church Leadership track (course) and a Union with God track this year. The first year groups also get involved in city service where they maintain and clean up various parks and public areas in Redding. Added to this was a Mission trip in March where Pete got to go with an amazing team to a town called Mammoth in California for five days where they ministered into two churches. That was certainly a highlight for Pete as he got to put into practice everything he had heard and learned. 

I admire and respect this man hugely because through all of this he has been an incredible dad and husband. He has not dropped the ball once. I could spend the next page writing about how amazing he is … but I won’t. :)

Pete applied for a second year at BSSM and has been accepted. So we are in the process of extending our student Visa’s while we stay in America. All seems to be going smoothly and so we will brave a red hot 115 degree (40 degrees) summer in Redding California (we rough and tough Africans can do it no problem ha! grrr! oh and we have aircon).

Family news:

During the spring break I had the opportunity to attend the Bethel School of Creativity which is a five day intensive school run by Theresa Dedmon. It absolutely changed my life seeing and hearing so many people express their love for God and reaching the lost through so many creative avenues: music, dance, drama, art and writing. In the beginning God created…and He hasn’t stopped creating. I get to create with Him. What an honour.

I have also been increasing my Sozo training and have the opportunity to sit in on Bethel Sozo sessions once a month. Again…what an honour to see people walk into freedom with Jesus. 

Our girls are blossoming everyday and they absolutely adore each other. Katie will be turning two in July (someone pinch me!) and Amy is “just over four and a half” as she puts it. Amy has almost completed Pre-K1 and we have decided to homeschool her during our second year stay. Amy is “super duper” excited to “do school with mommy” and so am I. It is such a precious thing to watch my baby girls grow into beautiful and strong young ladies. Amy is a leader of note and has wisdom beyond her years. She sees every detail in life and her ability to love is incredible. She has seen angels and things in the spirit realm that I long to see. I think this year I will be a student of my child :)

Katie is a wild and free little girl and her gentle and expressive heart is too cute. She has a love for shoes and dancing. She melts us all the time! 

One of the highlights of the year was having my parents stay with us for a week. I was so excited to show them the little home Pete and I had created from yard sales, dumpster finds and blessings. We had an absolute blast together exploring the Redwood forests, doing late night Walmart shops, an entire day of garage sales and many laughs and deep chats. The week went far too quickly and the goodbye was heart aching.

We have made some deep and precious friends here in Redding and these friends have become our family. Some are leaving Redding and some are coming back for second year. Its hard to say goodbye to people who have forever changed your world, but you know just how small the world is and these connections are not by chance.

We miss South Africa dearly and we are in touch with all the happenings, both politically and personally. It feels strange to not be voting with all of you (we would’ve had to drive 10 hours to LA to make our mark). But we see the spotted thumbs are all over Facebook :)
Our friends and family are constantly in our thoughts and prayers. We love you guys! 

We are so grateful to everyone for the support, prayers and Facebook messages. They mean more to us than you know. Keep 'em comin Ya’ll! (don’t worry my SA accent is still thick and I still greet everyone with a “howzit!”)

So that is us, stuffed into a nutshell. We sometimes still have to pinch ourselves as this life we are living feels surreal. We have never felt more alive, He is worthy of it all!

"Through it all, through it all my eyes are on Him."

Merry Christmas. Love the Haynes'

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas

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 :)

Simply Detailed

Hi my name is Lisa and its been 5 weeks since my last blog :)

Seriously, I can't believe how quickly time flies!! We arrived in the peak of Redding's 45 degree summer and over the weeks we have observed the weather cool down, the leaves turn fiery red and the snow form on Mount Shasta.
We have been in the USA for 12 weeks now, and in some ways it feels like we are still these wide-eyed little Africans wandering around lost in the grocery store. Yet in other aspects we feel totally American; greeting people with a "hey there" instead of a "howzit."
We are so happy and at peace here, loving and appreciating every second!

Patterns...

After writing each of my blogs, I have been noticing a pattern forming: I write about something, and it gets established or confirmed afterward. After I wrote about the Puzzle Pieces, the pieces fell into place; and when I wrote about Rejoicing in the trials, all the trials resolved. I am not sure why this is happening but hey, let the blogs roll baby!! :)

My last blog was about Provision and how we surrendered our finances, and the stress of living off our savings, to God. After I wrote that blog I felt God challenge me even more about entrusting this journey to Him and allowing Him to provide and bring it through to completion.
Since the day I financially surrendered everything to God; I have seen His hand so evidently in the area of my greatest stress: grocery shopping :) He is in the little things like finding $10 grocery coupons in the mail to random half price specials on meat. We have also discovered that every week the girls get $4 tokens to buy fresh homegrown veggies from the farmers market as a part of a Kids Farmers Market Club. Every bit helps and it has been so encouraging for us; fun actually :).

Amy turned 4!

Last weekend was Amy's birthday. We wanted to buy her something special, not only because we love her but also to let her know that we see the sacrifices she has had to make in order for this dream to come alive. We want to bless her and reward her for it.
When we packed up for America, she had to give away most of her toys and put some very special ones in a box and say goodbye to them. Not once did she cry or complain, in fact she loved giving toys to under privileged children or to other friends. One of those special items was her dollhouse. She knew we couldn't take it with us and she understood why. She even cleaned it before we took it away. My hearts desire was to find her a dollhouse here for her birthday. And we did....boy did we find a special dollhouse!!! We bought it second hand and its a real beauty! Amy was absolutely thrilled when she saw it. She just gasped and said, "Wow its so beautiful, thank you for getting this for me!"

Something happened during her birthday that made me realise how much God cares about us and knows our desires and wants. Even the things that we may think are silly to ask for, God actually cares about them. He is a father, and a father loves what His children loves.

Amy had a little birthday ring at school and when Amy's teacher asked her what she would like for her birthday she said, "a blue barbie doll!!" (yes, a strange request) so her little friend prayed that God would bless her with a blue Barbie. Lo and behold, while Amy was at school I was shopping at Target for a present from Amy's granny. I saw these two little ballerina Barbies and got them for her. One of them had a blue dress on - she opened it and shouted, "My blue Barbie! Thank you Jesus!"
It was such a testimony to her friends at school that God hears their prayers.
Her faith has exploded and now, whenever she hears Pete and I talk about something we would like, she comes over and asks if she can pray for us and she simply asks God to give us the things that we we desire. Faith like a child :)

I thought that this blog should include some finer details about Pete's experience at school and how we are managing life here on a day to day basis.

What does a students week at BSSM look like...

Pete has been at school for 2 months now. His school hours are from 10:30am to 3:45pm Monday through to Thursday. There are 1200 first year students and so, in order to develop relationships and accountability, the students are divided into smaller groups, called Revival groups, of around 60 people. In each Revival group there are approximately 10 small groups consisting of about 5 or 6 people.
Pete's Revival group meets once a week to share testimonies, encourage and pray for each other. His small group also meets once a week to do the same but on a more personal level. The whole object of these groups is to "do life with each other".
The students have AMT classes (Advance Ministry Training) on Tuesdays and they are also involved in City Service projects which, for Pete, is currently weekly treasure hunts (street ministry).  Yesterday he did his treasure hunt and led a man to the Lord!

The first year at BSSM is very intense because the students deal with a lot of character and heart issues as they learn about the truth of who God is as a Father and who we are as sons. Pete says it feels like he has been in open heart surgery for 2 months! In addition to everything I have mentioned above; he has homework :) So far he has read four books and has written four book reviews along with reading the Bible daily and going through text books on various subjects with many accompanying assignments.
Looking back, his full time job at a corporate company was easy man! But definitely not as rewarding.

What does a stay-at-home wife of a BSSM student's week look like...

Pretty busy :) Pete takes Amy to school at 7:45am and then he comes home to do homework. I sort out the housework in that time and get ready to take Pete to school at 10am. I hang around town until I fetch Amy at 11:45am after which we return home for lunch and a rest. At 3:30pm the girls and I go the Civic Centre field (BSSM first year site) for a walk and a play while we wait for Pete to finish at 3:45pm.
During the week I attend some evening courses at Bethel; one of which is SOZO training on Wednesday nights. I have also joined a ladies group on Tuesday nights and I attend church on Sunday night, which is my favourite! Friday and Saturdays we have "off" to enjoy time together as a family.

That is the "nutshell" version :)

Halloween is over (thank God) and the Christmas music and decorations are coming out. I will hopefully manage another blog before the holidays season starts...(and it will be a bit shorter)
;)

Provision

Declaring and Shifting...

It's amazing what happens when you praise your way out of dark holes. When I wrote my last blog, "Rejoicing through the trials",  I was in a bit of a hole and doubted our whole "American Adventure". I honestly felt like we were crazy and irresponsible and the thoughts in my head sounded like, "what on earth are we doing here, what were we thinking?!!" 

Yes I felt like Eeyore with a dark cloud over my head and I had many good old moans at God :). Thank goodness He loves me so much!

Its amazing what happens to your "atmosphere" when you praise your way through it. While I was typing the last blog I actually physically felt something shift and lift; hope rise and the childlike excitement we had throughout our journey returned. When I read the blog aloud to Pete it was like I was declaring truth and it put all my icky emotions back into line with what God had said. 

The Car...

The day after I wrote my last blog, we received a phone call from Toyota to say that our car actually had nothing wrong with it. The mechanics were apparently quite confused as, three days prior, there had been a blown or cracked head gasket which would've cost $3000 to repair. Now, after 2 days of testing,  there was absolutely nothing wrong with it. They had test-driven it for 120 miles, stuck cameras down almost every pipe, checked and re checked the head gasket and .... well it was perfect. With relief we went and fetched our car and received a full three page report of all the tests done. The car salesman (who goes to Bethel) actually said, "Dude God totally healed your car!" ha ha!!! Come on!! 

The Girls...

When we arrived in Redding we found out that formula is quite expensive compared to South Africa! And so the advice we were given was to put Katie onto cows milk as she doesn't need formula because she is over 12 months old. I think mums need to trust their gut more because a mother does, after all,  know her child better than anyone else ever will (can I hear an amen?!). So often we doubt ourselves and look to everyone else for help when, in fact, the Holy Spirit often tells us what to do first. After 2 weeks of being on cows milk Katie fell really ill and after running back and forth to the doctor and trying different medicines; I finally trusted my gut and took Katie off cows milk. Well the difference was frightening!! Katie's ear cleared up and her rash and swelling disappeared after a few days. Once her ear was totally clear she started to walk and is now unstoppable :) Peace returned to our home and hearts.

I guess it has taken us about 6 weeks to find our groove. Pete is loving school and is receiving so much! I have been doing some courses in the evenings at Bethel and am spiritually feeling so alive and inspired. Amy is loving her school and is growing daily into a confident, kind and beautiful little lady. I really am SO blessed and feel totally humbled at what God has given us.

Provision...

Do I miss home? Yes! Sometimes I miss home so much that my stomach actually aches. I miss my own culture; being fully understood by my friends and having a support structure of family around me. I miss going to the shops and knowing my prices. I miss Ina Parman's spices and Woolies Sales :) 

I miss knowing that money will be coming into our bank account at the end of every month ha ha!!! 

Over the last six weeks God has really been showing me that HE is our provider. When we did our first grocery shop I was shocked at how expensive it is to eat healthy food here and I actually got quite stressed every time I went to the grocery store. My stomach would be in a knot with every item I put in my basket, and my small basket of basic foods would ring up to $50. My hand would shake as I handed over the cash knowing that it was actually R500 and especially knowing what R500 could get me at home. It sounds silly, but our money in the bank has to last us for the year and if we are really diligent, we can stay longer which is our hearts desire. We aren't allowed to earn any money during our stay unless it comes in the form of donations or offerings.

The word "budget" was coming out of my mouth far too often and I didn't like it. "It was for freedom that Christ has set us free" and I know that we are designed and destined to be free. Not free to be stupid and irresponsible; but FREE from fear, FREE from anxiety and FREE from the poverty mindset that always says " I cant" and "I don't have enough" or "I can't afford". We are sons and daughters and part of being a son and a daughter means that we are ALWAYS provided for and NEVER in lack. 

I felt that I needed to watch the words that came out of my mouth because with those words and that poverty mindset I can disqualify us very quickly from receiving blessings. And with words of LIFE and faith we open ourselves up to blessings and freedom. It really is simple hey?

So yes, God spoke to me clearly on that one!! AGAIN the familiar words, "Lisa do you trust Me?" YES I do Lord! "Then feed your family and feed them well." :) 

Trust...

So on my way to the store I began to surrender to God; our money, our lives; our children; our marriage; our future. I cant hold onto anything anymore, its just so exhausting and stressful. My quiet prayer turned into a song-type-shout-of-praise and I am sure the people in the cars next to me could hear, but I didn't care! Joy and freedom flooded my soul!! Amy was in the back of the car, as quiet as a mouse :) When I was done she piped up, "Mom what are you doing?" 

I actually forgot she was there ha ha!

A couple of days later we received very timely financial gifts from dear friends and a dear family member. 

God really loves it when we trust Him!

The Message says it pretty well in Proverbs 3 from verse 5...

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
dont try to figure everything out on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
He's the One who will keep your on track.
Dont assume that you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health,
your very bone will vibrate with life!
Honour God with everything you own;
give Him the first and the best.
Your barn will burst and your wine vats will brim over."

:)

Rejoicing in the trials

This week hits the one month mark since we left South Africa. In a sense it feels like we have always been here yet every morning I wake up thinking I am still in Hillcrest and it takes me a second to remember that we aren't.

This blog post is a bit of a tough one for me to write because these last two weeks have been incredibly trying for us. I am not the kind of person who moans and likes to let everyone know when we are struggling. But in my very first blog I wrote that this would be a place where I would be honest and open about our journey :) (blush) so yes, its been a very hard week. Pete starts school tomorrow and it seems like everything; including the paw paw; has hit the fan lately. We know where and why its like that... intense opposition means we are obviously doing something right eh?

Rejoice in trials for they are a testing of your faith...

So after a very long and frustrating search, we finally found a Toyota Camry with a relatively "ok" mileage of 130 000 miles...yes miles. (Yup, every car we looked at within out price range had almost 200 000 miles on the clock. Shucks deluxe!)
When we saw this car at the Toyota dealership, it had just come in and we had to make a decision about buying it that afternoon, otherwise it would be taken quickly. The reason why we hesitated was because it was $1000 over our budget. The Rand was not in a good place and we felt a little confused as we had really been praying for a car within our budget but it was proving to be very difficult. At this stage, the more money we spend, the less time we have to live here; and we are really believe we are here to stay for 2 years.
That afternoon I went for a walk and asked God what He had for us and what He wants us to do. I felt Him whisper, "Lisa do you trust Me?" "Yes Lord." "Then spend the money, get the car and I will handle the rest."
GULP, I walked inside and Pete called the dealership.

Three days later Pete noticed the coolant fluid was empty after it had just been filled the day we got the car. So we took the car back and they said they would have a look at it and let us know. Straight after that happened SARS lets us know that they are going to audit our tax return this year. Thanks for that!!
So we had to source all our docs while we are half way across the world!

Then Katie got sick and when she gets sick, she does it properly! As a mother I felt very helpless and worried being out of our usual comfort zones and our usual support systems. We don't know any doctors here and we aren't familiar with the medicines either. We went to a walk in clinic that is for low or no income earners. We aren't medically covered in the USA and we told them we are not allowed to earn money while we are living here and we are living on savings and they allowed us to see a doctor for free (praise God). Turns out our poor child's ear drum was about to burst! The three days after that visit we had to go back to the clinic twice as she had major fevers and an allergic reaction to the medicine they prescribed - she had a rash all over her body and her face and throat was swollen - and Amy got a nasty cold and ear infection too.
Then we got a call from Toyota saying that our car has a blown head gasket and it would cost $3000 to repair! Pete and I looked at each other feeling totally discouraged and exhausted.

Again I say REJOICE!!

NO! Anger rose up in me like a volcano and I refused to let this take our joy, rest and our peace!
We had a family prayer time and we asked God to handle all this because He is our Defender and our Protector; our Healer and our Saviour. HE called us and HE will sustain us because we are HIS and not   ruled by the world and the things of the world. We lifted our heads and chose to rejoice in this time because every morning when we wake up, the enemy gets scared! Yeeehhaaa! I actually want to do flick flacks when I type this. Gods children are victorious in everything.

So yes, that has been our week so far. We wait and see what God does and we will be fine. Little Katie is on the mend in Jesus name and our car will be a blessing and not a curse! We spoke to the salesman and he said he will see what he can do with regards to fixing it.

Thank you to everyone who has held us in prayer and supported us.

I keep hearing the words of my God... "Lisa do you trust Me?" And I do with all my heart....

Trust without Borders

We have only been in Redding for 12 days and yet we feel totally at home here. Its amazing how quickly roots can grow in the right soil.

Hello Redding....

The day after we landed in San Francisco, we rented a car and drove to Redding. It is such a beautiful drive and we drank in every mile. Driving on the other side of the road took some getting used to, especially amongst the massive trucks and pick ups. (South Africans: you think a Prado or double cab is big? You should see the monsters on these roads! My Hat! I swear they growl at you when you pass them.)
We arrived in Redding and drove straight to our apartment complex. We opened our car doors and BAM! The heat hit us like a brick wall. The car thermometre read 110 degrees Fahrenheit (around 40 degrees Celsius).  We were given our keys and we were greeted by our clean and perfect little apartment with new carpets and new appliances. We took a deep breath... this is our home! Then ran upstairs to turn the central air con on.

We arrived at 3pm and by 6pm we had all our furniture in our home. People we hadn't met before; but who had heard we were coming; helped us move all our stuff in. We were given almost everything! Sheets; towels; a couch and coffee table; a cot; a bed; duvets; a dining room suite; more toys than Amy and Katie know what to do with AND a whole kitchen of appliances, cutlery and crockery - even cookie cutters!! And as if that wasn't amazing enough, our new friends gave us a home cooked meal to enjoy that evening. Pete and I sat at our dining room table, eating the delicious meal and looked at our instant home in wonder..."How did this all happen? And why was it so easy?"
Before we left South Africa I had really been praying and asking God for an apartment and a bed for Amy and Katie within the first 2 days of our arrival in Redding. I didn't even think it was possible to arrive in a foreign country and have everything we needed in one afternoon! The funny thing is that some of the stuff we have been given here is BETTER than what we had at home.
I shouldn't be so surprised because God, You are SO good!

It took a few days for the jet lag to wear off and by the weekend we were somewhat familiar with our location and surroundings. We have set up a bank account, got cell phone contracts, put Amy into Bethel Pre School and are currently looking for a car. Pete starts school in September and I have registered for a ladies group and a few other courses the church offer during the evenings.
We are just loving our little home and we have all adapted so well. We even have some daily entertainment: there is a man that walks around the apartment complex all day and each time he does a round he wears a different hat. His hats are amazing and so creative. He has a gold Aladdin turban, a joker hat, a hat with a parrot on and one hat even has a poodle on it. He also has a green radio around his neck and walks while listening to music. Every 2 hours or so he walks past our window and we all run to see what hat he is wearing. Its such fun and Amy thinks its the best thing ever. :) Poor dude is probably thinking we are the crazy ones. (chuckle)
Grocery shopping is an adventure in itself, the variety is unbelievable and everything is bigger - gallon  milk jugs, longer loaves of bread, bigger bags of chips, shinier apples and yellower bananas. My eyes were like saucers on our first grocery shop.

Sunday morning arrived and we all got dressed up for our first church service at Bethel. During worship it hit me, "We are here. We made it." I actually got on my knees and burst into tears. My heart felt so blessed and overjoyed. It is such a privilege to be involved and to be taking part in a culture and a church that has understood the Kingdom of God. Since the day we arrived we have felt that culture through the love and support of new friends and the people we have met here. They certainly have something right!

Trust without Borders...

I have been listening to a song by United Live called "Oceans". The lyrics of this song are amazing and it honestly is the cry of my heart. Its scary to take a step out onto unknown waters. But throughout this journey I am beginning to realise that when He call your name, you cant help but respond. When He calls, He sustains and you find out who you are meant to be and what you have been created for. We have been designed to trust in His love and to rely on Him, we weren't meant to be independent; we weren't meant to do life all on our own. Sure it takes guts to make that step, but looking back now, we were actually carried the whole way :)
We have never felt so alive. There is something about taking risks, making that jump and finally finding out that the dream you've had in your heart for so long is a possibility.

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders, let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me. Take me deeper than my feet will ever wander, that my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my saviour..."