tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76808562904207887002024-03-12T21:43:40.985-07:00RennaSouthAfricaRennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-28964551694995242272011-05-02T01:09:00.000-07:002011-05-02T01:09:03.455-07:00SO Blessed, Although Growing Weary...<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">May 1, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">RABBIT.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Today was the LAST day at BI! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I woke up at 8:00… I couldn’t sleep in!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I took the opportunity to finish 2 Samuel. It was kind of depressing. But it really opened my eyes to this statement:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">God is as merciful as He is strong.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Which is awe-some. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Today was a hard day for me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I think a million emotions are just bubbling inside of me, looking for the right time to burst. Actually… bubbles are not the right sentiment here. More like a VOLCANO.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I had a really hard time today with insecurities and other fun shtuff in the same category. Bleh. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">We went to our lovely home stay at 11:00 for a last lunch. It was quite nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">When we left at 4:00 PM and boarded the bus to return to BI, I had a flashback to four months ago. It was 4:00 AM. My family waved out the window and I sat on the left side of the bus, nearest the aisle. I was about three or four rows back. The exact same thing happened today. The only differences: It was 4:00 PM, not AM, and I was waving goodbye to a different family. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">This made me miss mine horrifically. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">And THAT made me mad. Because now I am wishing to be home, and not appreciating being here in Africa. I LOVE AFRICA! I honestly do!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">But I feel like this WHOLE four months, I have been FIGHTING. I have been fighting to gain confidence. I have been fighting to grow closer to God. I have been fighting to learn about who I am. And these are AMAZING THINGS! I am SO glad to have endeavored into these lessons! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">But I have grown weary. I am tired of fighting. I am ready to go to a place where people <u>know</u> me completely and love me for who I am. I am ready to see those beautiful faces belonging to my family. I feel like it’s time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">But, it’s not. Because I am BLESSED enough to have an extra week. And I want to be excited for that! I’m sure I will be! But it’s kind of hard right now, with everyone talking about seeing their family in a few days!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">And… It’s going to be sad to not spend my birthday with my loves…(Speaking of. I have 8 days to do something wild and crazy and not get seriously punished! WOOOO!! What to do, what to do…)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">We have officially arrived at the Lady Hamilton.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">The people in my house got in trouble for something that I wasn’t apart of… and it turned out to be no big deal, but it was a fright!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">We went to dinner at the Bazaar. I love it there! I feel like I’m traveling just by eating there! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Then, surprise surprise, Karissa and I had a life-changing conversation and a kick-butt prayer session. I LOVE THESE TIMES!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Karissa told me that I have a God-given gift of conversation. That I know EXACTLY the right questions to ask about what God has been working on in their hearts. And God prepares them for me, so they feel safe sharing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I have always enjoyed deep conversation. But I had kind of never put two and two together that it was God-given. I LOVE IT!!! So blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Sigh. I am hanging in. But I want to be doing more than that. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Prayer, prayer, prayer PLEASE.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Love to you.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-55342795242605416392011-04-30T13:31:00.001-07:002011-04-30T13:31:34.737-07:00Time For Change<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">April 30, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Hello world! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Today’s verse:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“I was filled with DELIGHT day after day REJOICING ALWAYS in His presence in His WHOLE WORLD and DELIGHTING in MANKIND.” –Proverbs 8:30-31. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I love this. I wish to spend every day of my life DELIGHTING in the Lord, REJOICING that I am allowed to be in His presence. And I DO get to REJOICE in His WHOLE WORLD—or at least Africa, and this is also a great reminder to delight in the people God has made. They are created in His image. And I want to delight in them as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">This morning at the B&B was delightful. Not going to lie. I kind of wish I had been there this week… Sigh. But that’s ok. God taught me a lot this week in the house. So, all in all, positive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">We were playing with hair this morning. And I have ridiculously long bangs. They are way past my chin. Debs said, “Hey, Ren, do you want me to cut those for you?” I thought about if for like a second.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“YEP!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">SO we hunted down scissors, and Debs gave me some bangs! I love them! She did a quite excellent job. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then Morgan, Shayna, Debs, Melinda, YoYo and I were off to Muzinberg! We stopped on the way to have a photo shoot by the magical orange wall. The whole day was filled with pictures! Then we took the train exactly two stops to Muszinberg. It is a beautiful beach with a boardwalk. It was pretty empty. But it was lovely. Such a great chill day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">When we returned, I had an awesome talk with Shayna. I love you, girl! I’ll always be here for you </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then I undertook the challenge of PACKING and trying to decide what I can donate and what I need for my last 14 days in Africa. I did pretty well, if I do say so myself!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">For dinner, I didn’t really have anything. So I stole some tuna from Shelli and bread from Debs and made a tuna melt with some cheese I had and the Panini machine in the kitchen! It was awesome. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then just some chilling while everyone came over.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">You guys. It feels kind of weird to still be here. I am done with classes. I am not donating my time at Ethembeni. I am just not contributing. Which is… awkward. (Have you ever noticed that “awkward” is spelled awkwardly?)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">It’s definitely time for change. I am glad to move to the hotel tomorrow night.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Tomorrow, Debs and I are having lunch with the Georges! Hooray!! That should be lovely. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I don’t want to want to go. But maybe I am just ready for the change. Is that so bad? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I have to keep reminding myself that God IS my HOME. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">If you guys could pray that I remain present here, that would be great. I really want to be content where I am. But that is quite difficult when everyone around me is dying of homesickness and restlessness. Not EVERYONE. But it’s definitely a major theme.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I keep reminding myself that this extra week is an AWESOME idea!! I will be SO GRATEFUL for it! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But right now… all I can think of is my family. And friends. And home. But… I’ve got that one here with me </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Prayers appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-87054567553908826872011-04-30T13:28:00.000-07:002011-04-30T13:28:06.837-07:00Graduation Day!<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';">April 29, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Today. Was a monumental day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Because today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I had my LAST CLASS of freshman year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Therefore.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I AM NOW A SOPHOMORE OF COLLEGE!!! Wooo hooooo!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Everyone here loves calling me “Freshman,” and rubbing it in my face. But now! No longer!!! I am FREE from mockery! Free from degradation!!! (It was all joking, of course. But still.) The world has to come up with more intellectual verbal sparring now! AHA!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Had lunch with Janet, Noelle, and Debs. Woot woot!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Then, a million of us watched GILMORE GIRLS in the lounge!!! My favorite thing of my LIFE!!! YESSSSS. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Then… I went out to the lawn and read my Bible on the lawn. It was kind of depressing because I got to the part where Tamar was raped and David had an affair with Bathsheba… SO sad. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">But. My sadness wouldn’t last for long! Debs and I piled into the stuffed Quantum and headed to the B&B for a sleepover!!! It was SO fun!!!! I got to spend a lot of time with Morgan, Shayna, Melinda, and YoYo. We had a wonderful time </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "American Typewriter"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "American Typewriter"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">We watched <u>A Walk to Remember.</u> I have to admit that I cried. THIS is why I want to be an actress. I want to give people a chance to cry all of those tears for other things in life that they couldn’t cry before. Does that make sense? I wasn’t really crying for Jamie. Oh no. I was crying for many elements of my African learning’s and life, etc. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Then Shayna and I hung out with Olivia in the hall for some tears. Oh yeah. We’ve reached emotional instability in the South Africa Semester. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Then Shayna let me snuggle with her, and I had a wonderful sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-14455756961941109992011-04-30T13:27:00.001-07:002011-04-30T13:27:18.554-07:00Injustice and Chats, etc.<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">April 28, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">What a day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">It’s been a good one.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But it’s had a lot of emotional roller coasters. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">We woke up bright and early- 6:15, to be exact, to go to Robben Island. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I got to sit with Mackenzie on the way there, which was positive. He reminds me so much of Tommy! I MISS YOU, BROTHER!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">On the ferry ride over to the island, I sat with Kelly, Heather, Zach, Ally, and Shanyna. Super fun, dude.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then when we were on the island, I got to hang out with Kelly for a bit. She is so great. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Alright, Robben Island: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Robben Island’s main purpose was to hold political prisoners during apartheid. Not just political prisoners, however—they had to be black males. Black guards were removed from their positions when Robben Island was turned into a political prison, to be sure the prisoners wouldn’t gain grace or support from their fellow blacks. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">What really hit me about Robben Island was how recently it was in use for imprisoning innocent freedom seekers. When I think about “injustice,” I think of America’s 1776! (Mostly because there’s a musical about it.) That is quite a while ago. But apartheid was literally during my lifetime. It was ended in 1994! That is so ridiculous! I am embarrassed for white people. I have to wonder at the creator of apartheid. How on earth did he think it would be a good idea to discriminate people based on what they looked like? How does that even make sense? WHO said that whites were supposed to be supreme over the indigenous people of this land? The more I learn about apartheid, the more imbecilic it seems! I can barely stand it. It also makes me think that the government must have done a fantastic job of hiding what was really going on! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">They disguised apartheid with the term, “Good Neighbors.” Are you serious!? What is GOOD about apartheid?! Literally, it sucked in ALL areas, because besides people’s rights being completely taken away and losing family, which is bad enough already, it caused violence on both sides and just about killed the economy. WHERE are the positives?! I just don’t understand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">After the tour, I was able to talk to the tour guide. He was a former prisoner. I was so curious as to why he worked on the island and how he felt about it. I certainly would have no interest in being in the place where I was held captive! He explained that when he was offered the job, he had no source of income. He took the position reluctantly. At first, it was exceedingly difficult for him. But as time went on, he became grateful for his job because it helped him heal. He also felt proud that he was conveying the truth about the jail, and not some cleaned up version of the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">On the way back to the mainland, I got to have an awesome talk with Allie. She’s great. Then, I had a super positive lunch with Morgan and Wailana.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Before getting on the bus, a man came up to Janet and me and asked for the time. His accent suggested of Afrikaans. We told him the time. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“You are American?” He asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“No, I’m South African, and she is American,” says Janet. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“And you are from Cape Town?” Janet asked him. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“NO, actually,” says the dude… now with a FRENCH ACCENT! “I am from France! But now, I have perfected the Afrikaans accent!” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Oh my lanta. I was so excited. That is TOTALLY something I DO. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“You’re French? Je parle le Francais! En petit peu!” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then he rambled in French. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I gave him my oh so winning “WHAT?!” face. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“You should go to France and learn French,” he tells me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Or,” I said in my French accent, “I could just talk like this!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Zat ees not bad! You would do very well in France!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Merci!” And off we were. It was fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">On the bus, I had a God-moment with Karissa. Seriously, a God thing. Karissa and I hung out a bit more after we got back.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then it was time to hang out with Janet! She bought me a mocha and we had a very therapeutic talk staring at the gorgeous ocean. I swear, there is no place more beautiful. AMAZING.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Hung out for Heather a bit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then I got dinner with Yolanda! Super positive! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And to finish my lovely day, Debs and I watched “Waiting for Guffman.” Debatably, it’s the best movie of all time </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">It was all topped off by a very good night’s sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-44072246210218352042011-04-30T13:26:00.001-07:002011-04-30T13:26:32.632-07:00Stairway to Heaven<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">April 27, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">SO last night, Debs and I had the most amazing talk ever. And it lasted until three in the morning. It was TOTALLY worth it, but it made for a tired day!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">In class, we watched “Amandla!” A documentary about the role of music in apartheid. It was fascinating. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I think one of my favorite aspects of South African culture is the music. I love it, love it, love it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The weather was fair enough today for us to hike Table Mountain! WOOO!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">It was QUITE daunting. Ahem. It looked JUST like the “Cliffs of INSANITY!!!” (from my all-time favorite movie…)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I hiked with Janet and Lauren. We were in the back, taking it slow and steady so we could really enjoy the beauty on the way up. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">It was quite the bugger of a hike though—SO STEEP!!! We hiked for about 3 ½ hours non-stop, STRAIGHT UP. WHEW!!!! SO intense. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And this was the first serious exercise I’ve had since my lovely waterfall hurrah, so… let’s just say I was winded. And my ankle isn’t currently feeling too hot. But that’s totally cool. I’m so happy I got to climb at all!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The beauty was so exquisite, it was hard for me to believe it was real. I kept thinking it was a film set! Hmm… that tells you that I spend a whole lot of my time in nature, hey? NOT. But I am looking forward to some more nature this summer! Woot, woot! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">To entertain us on the way up, I shared the story of “Hind’s feet on high places.” I thought it was fitting, considering we were climbing a VERY high place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And I definitely took advantage of the cavernous echo-y quality and sang, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I lift my eyes up<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">To the mountain<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Where does my help<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Come from?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">My help comes from you<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Maker of Heaven<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Creator of the earth<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Oh how I need you, Lord!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">You’re my only hope<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">You’re my only prayer!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">So I will wait for you<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">To come and rescue me<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Come and give me life!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I lift my eyes up<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">To the mountain<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Where does my help<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Come from?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Aaand my current personal favorite… <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Up to the mountain<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I went up to the mountain<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Because you asked me to<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Looked over the clouds<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">To where the sky was blue<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I could see all around me<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Everywhere<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I could see all around me<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Everywhere<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Sometimes I feel like<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I’ve never been nothing but tired<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And I’ll be working <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">‘Til the day I expire<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Sometimes I just lay down<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Lord, no more can I do<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But then I go on again<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Because you asked me to<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Some days I look down<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Afraid, afraid I will fall!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And though the sun shines<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I see nothing<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Coming and going <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Lord telling me softly<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">You love me so<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Love that song.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Lauren and Janet and I definitely had bonding!!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Every SINGLE time we passed someone coming down, they would give us a time estimate. The trouble was, every estimate varied GREATLY.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“10 minutes!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“An hour and a half!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“20 minutes!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">By the 10<sup>th</sup> person, I was annoyed. WHY did this annoy me? I don’t know. Haha.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">When we were nearing the top, struggling for every step, for every breath, and my ankle was throbbing, and Lauren was having trouble with the big steps (she is not the tallest of the tall… </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">), and Janet was encouraging us, Lauren says, “It’s just like the stairway to heaven!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I laughed so hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Because it WAS!!!! There was an angelic mist that was encircling the top of the mountain! We were suddenly the only ones up there! How did THAT happen?! There was a rock formation that looked like a throne!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Jesus?!” I called. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Here I am.</span></i><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Yep. There He was. His beauty just about knocked me over.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">SO worth it!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But it was ffrreeezzzing!! What I would have given for a pair of gloves!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then we went to the lovely Table Top of the Mountain Café. Pizza! Woohoo! I got to hang out with Janet for a bit, which was awesome. We have a date for tomorrow </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">For the way down, we took the cable car! My ankle couldn’t deal with down hill! No, siree!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The cable car was AWESOME! It had completely windowed walls, so you could see out, and the floor ROTATED so you got to see all aspects of the mountain as we came down. It was legit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">On the bus ride home, I had a God-ordained chat with Miranda. SO beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Jessie and Amanda and I went to dinner at Tribecca’s. SO fun!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The rest of the night was spent KILLING my paper! That’s right! I’m DONE!!!! WOOOO!!!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I can’t believe we have so little time left. It’s weird. But it feels about right. It’s going to be ok. I’m ready for new journeys and adventures. <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-92139789217280210382011-04-30T13:25:00.003-07:002011-04-30T13:25:55.924-07:00It Is Well With My Soul<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">April 26, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!! Went my alarm clock at 6:45 AM. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">There are few things I hate worse than alarms. But one of those things I hate more than alarms in general is MY alarm. Because you have to hit it multiple times for it to STOP BEEPING. And then. It was dark. Ohh. Waking up in the dark is just not positive. Aaaand it was raining. So it was freezing. And then there was no Internet!!! SO I couldn’t Skype Jenn!!!! AH. My soul. SO SAD. NOT ok, man. NOT ok. And then it was awful because I couldn’t even contact her to tell her I couldn’t skype! The agony. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Eventually, I gave up, and went back to sleep.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I don’t really know how to describe this day. I feel as though it was one of those days when I was caught up in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">living.</i> Too caught up in it to really realize what was going on… <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Last night, I prayed that God would help me to really BE HERE! “Number my days aright” was the actual phrase. I also prayed that He would allow me to spend my time with awesome people that would fill me up, as opposed to weigh me down with negativity. (Not that that happens here, OF COURSE) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">So today, I was super blessed in conversation. I got an AWESOME time with Debs and Morgan. God really outdid himself on that one </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"> Then I got to hang out with Tyler. Which is always fantastic. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The Internet is still too lame to do research for my paper, which is frustrating. But I’m not worried. I have until Friday, so I’m bound to get some research in by then!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">This morning I was reading 2 Samuel, where David decides to build a palace of cedar for the ark of God, as David was living in a palace of cedar and the ark of God was staying in a tent. But God appeared to Nathan the prophet and told him not to build the ark a palace. God does not dwell in a house! And He is not defined by where His ark stayed! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Ok. You guys. How stinking BLESSED are we that THIS is our God?! He let His servant David live in a palace, while His ark remained in a TENT. That is unlike any other ruler in the universe. That just shocks me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">God is bigger than any dwelling place. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Which is cool. Because I have seen a variety of dwelling places here. They have ranged from mansions, suburban houses, to shacks, and the street. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Let us not be defined by where we live. But what’s in our hearts, hey?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Is it weird that I ALWAYS discover Biblical parallels to life in South Africa? Is that bad? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Shelli has a 16 year old friend named Abby. Abby has a tumor in her back. Tonight Shelli asked us to pray for her, because she was going to find out tomorrow if the doctors wanted to continue treatment, or if her case was hopeless. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Shelli just found out that Abby had a stroke, and then seizures as implications. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">WHY, GOD?! Has she not been through enough?! What about her family?! Why are you allowing this suffering Lord?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then I come back to my room, and the song “It is well with my soul” is playing. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">No, Lord. It is not well with my soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Oh, my soul, praise the Lord.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I don’t want to praise Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But in this moment I think I understood the true meaning of joy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Being in this pain and crap is life. But choosing to see that God is bigger and has a plan. I don’t know if that helps at all. But for me it does. God is steering this ship. He knows the way home. <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-66446100860214481102011-04-30T13:25:00.001-07:002011-04-30T13:25:06.451-07:00Hit in the Face by Glory<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">April 25, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Sharing a bathroom with 7 other girls is a great way to start the morning! Lots of super close love… or something like that.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">This was a chapel/ class day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I LOVE chapel days. So positive. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">In worship, we sang beautiful songs that were such great reminders of what Jesus did for us:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Mighty to Save<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Everyone needs compassion<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">A love that’s never failing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Let mercy fall on me<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Everyone needs forgiveness<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">The kindness of a savior<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">The hope of nations<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Savior, He can move the mountains<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">My God is mighty to save<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">He is mighty to save<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Forever, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Author of salvation</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">He rose and conquered the grave<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Jesus conquered the grave<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">So take me as you find me<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">All my fears and failures<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Fill my life again<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I give my life to follow<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Everything I believe in<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Now I surrender<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Shine your light and <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Let the whole world see<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">We’re singing<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">For the glory<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Of the Risen King<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">We also sang “Holy is the Lord.” Not going to lie. That song has been SO OVERSUNG my entire life. So much so, that it never held much meaning for me, as I began to block it out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Today, however, I decided to munch on the lyrics.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And… they’re pretty spectacular. I guess. :P<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Holy is the Lord,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">God Almighty!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">The earth is filled with His glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I feel like I’ve never truly liked or understood the word “holy.” I immediately associate the word with “holy cow.” Which… you know… is definitely NOT what Chris Tomlin meant. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But when I truly stop and think about the word “holy,” I think of the word “sacred.” Sacred means too clean, too perfect, too magnanimous to be defiled by ordinary people like me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Often, I have found that Christians don’t take their relationship with Christ very seriously. I wonder if that’s because we are encouraged, and BLESSED, to enter into a RELATIONSHIP with Christ. That’s the purpose of Christianity in its essence, and that’s how we grow and learn and become more like our Father. (That’s my opinion, anywho!) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I believe that we forget that our God is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>holy</u>.</i> He is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>sacred</u>. </i>We are not entitled to be in a relationship with Him. We are not worthy, or pure, or clean enough to consider ourselves as an equal in a relationship, of course. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I want us NEVER to forget that we must humble ourselves to be with Him! It is a PRIVELIGE, not a right. And that deserves respect. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I am reminded of this when I am face to face with His glory. Which is pretty much always, because the earth is filled with it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">It can be hard to notice in our busy lives in the same place.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But I’ve been so lucky to go somewhere new.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And His glory is hitting me in the face.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The rest of my day, I pretty much worked on my final paper. I am writing 6 pages on art used as a form of protest in South Africa. Besides a group project that is due tomorrow, I will be DONE with assignments for Quinton’s class as soon as I knock out this paper! Which… may be a while… because I am just NOT motivated. And… with the internet being what it is… let’s just say, I am predicting a bit of a process. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Got to hang out with Morgan for a bit! Super positive! We were going to have a dinner date, but, alas… she is staying at the Bed and Breakfast, NOT BI, so there were transportation issues. Sniff, sniff. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">For dinner, Noelle made our house wannabe Mac ‘N Cheese! Which was AWESOME because I MISS IT!!!! I definitely expect to be eating that a lot next semester (AHEM, Roomies ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">So, tonight, I leave you with this thought. I can’t take credit for it; I stole it from Mackenzie (he spoke in chapel this morning.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Live a life as full of love as you can possibly muster, in the victory of Jesus Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">(Yep. That’s pretty much my life goal. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Peace out.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-42569486570901800872011-04-30T13:24:00.001-07:002011-04-30T13:24:28.458-07:00And I Will Follow<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">April 24, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">HAPPY EASTER!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am so sad I don’t get to spend this significant day with my family!!! (Nightingales, Loney, Pryors, Bosloughs)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yet, every cloud has a silver lining.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today has been idyllic. I woke up simply grateful to be living. And grateful that somebody cool rose from the dead for me like a kajillion years ago. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For breakfast, Debs, Noelle and I went down to Olympia bakery. I got a loaf of bread for breakfast and a chocolate croissant for the week.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just kidding. Switch that. ;)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then we went to Tribecca for some delectable beverages. Debs ended her water fast today! Congrats, my dear! Rooibos for Debs, mocha for me and chai tea latte for Noelle.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was when we were staring out into the mist in the café themed to be New York City, and I was drinking my magical mocha that I realized… I am inexplicably, incandescently happy. (Girls. Name that movie <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I also realized that I am SO excited for life. Here are some reasons why:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-I am in South Africa. Duh. But still. I am hit by this realization QUITE often. As it should be <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-I am constantly reminded of Christmas. It is officially California Christmas weather here. Debs and I have been watching Christmas movies. The spirit of Christmas is in the air!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-I made grilled cheese today. BAM. Oh yes. I am going to start my own restaurant selling foods with ONLY bread and cheese: pasta, quesadillas, grilled cheeses, toasted cheese, garlic bread with melted cheese… the possibilities are ENDLESS.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Debs and I made Rice Crispy Treats in honor of Easter! They only and pink AND white marshmallows. So they’re totally festive.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-My lovely roomie and I watched Love Actually. SO GOOD!!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-I am getting positive internet today! Glorious. I am exceedingly thankful.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-I am going to New York the second I get back to the States!! I miss theatre SO much. I am so psyched to travel MORE! </div><div class="MsoNormal">I know it’s weird. But I’m even excited to travel back to America. Planes… airports… travelers… they all have stories… AH. I should be an author. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-And THEN I’m excited for my life!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal">*ZIMBABWE AND ZAMBIA</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Turning LEGAL in AFRICA with dear friends!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal">*NYC</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Working at church</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Beach house for a week (WHAT?!)</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Singing for Angels and Dodgers</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Wyoming</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Bridges</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Alpha</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Rooming with my best friends!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Back at APU!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal">*CHRISTMAS!!! (It’s ABOUT TIME.)</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Rome with my love, Katherine!!! </div><div class="MsoNormal">*And then another birthday!! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dudes. I SWEAR I’m not trying to brag…. I’m just so dang EXCITED!!! Truly, truly blessed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The rest of my day was spent chilling doing homework and catching up on my APU blog. Woot woot. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">For dinner, all the girls in my house made chicken quesadillas. SO good! Then we watched 10 Thing I Hate About You.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then I was blessed enough to be able to skype Francesca and Danielle! It was awesome, but made me miss them so much more. THANKS, GUYS. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">THEN I battled it out with the internet and got to see Jenn for about 30 seconds, and Tommy, Mommy, and Nana for about 5!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I got to type Jenn for a bit! Looking forward to our date!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then I got to type Mike, Tommy and Dad!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tonight, God reminded me of something.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Truly, I am living the road less traveled by. And I need to choose to be ALL where wherever I am. Does that make sense? I feel like I’ve never fit in anywhere. And I’m sure a LOT of that is my fault and my own insecurity. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But still, I feel like I never really truly have found a place to belong.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But I’m realizing that I don’t really care.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">God has given me people who are walking alongside me: Mom, Dad, Tommy, Nana, Mike, Jenn, Francesca, Danielle, Demaree, Debs, and SO many more wonderful individuals that have changed my life in FANTASTIC ways. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And if “fitting in” means giving up the life path God has planned for me… well, heck. I don’t want it anyway.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t need to fit in anymore.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Because I’m not afraid of who I am, and who God is molding me into. I am His jar of clay. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, my song of the day:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And I will Follow<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ask me something easier<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A smile, a kiss<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Look, I’ll give you anything<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But don’t ask me this<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t ask for faith<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When there’s no great supply<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Don’t ask for love <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When I’m just now beginning to feel it <o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And don’t know quite why<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Here come the waves<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Here comes the ocean<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How to decide<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s there to risk?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Why is the course unclear?<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Practical fact<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Foolish emotion<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Terrible Pride<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What’s there to fear?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Take me from here!<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I will follow<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anywhere<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I will follow<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anywhere<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And You will lead me there<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I should resist<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I should refuse you<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ask me again<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See how I’m strong<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See how I keep my vow<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Maybe I’ll trip<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Maybe I’ll lose you<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What happens then?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What happens now?<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Just show me how</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I will follow<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anywhere<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I will follow<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And you will lead me there<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh all the voices that tell me to stand my ground<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh all the voices that beg me to stay<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All representing a life that I’d planned around<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do what’s expected <o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do what’s accepted<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Do what you’re told to<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Until today<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Til today!<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I will follow<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anywhere<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And I will follow<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And you will lead me there<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You will lead me there.<o:p></o:p></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-59382830449961988682011-04-30T13:23:00.001-07:002011-04-30T13:23:49.533-07:00Don’t Fear Death, But Rather the Unlived Life<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting';">April 23, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Handwriting';"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Happy Saturday!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Debs and I got to sleep in!!! Well… a little… but there’s this little thing I like to call “the Alarm Before the Alarm,” the lovely Parker. She loves to make noise in the morning! Well… any time, really…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">But hey! We got to sleep a little longer than usual!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">After breakfast, Corinne, Luke, Jordan, Debs, Parker and I went to the mall. It was awesome! Debs and I got some groceries for the week:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-Granola (addicted)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-Strawberry Yogurt (divine with the granola)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">-Cheese (to go on the break from the nearby bakery!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Francesca and Danielle! I was practicing for our apartment! Woooohoooo!!!! (Love you guys. Just in case you forgot </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Then I got to go to Clicks and pick up some toiletries. Super Positive! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Apparently, Mama Corinne wanted to reward us all for being such good children, so she took us to Wimpy’s for ice cream! I swear. I have never eaten so much ice cream in my life. This won’t last much longer, folks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Then Corinne had to go back to Pick ‘N Pay. The crowds were HORRIFIC in there! The cues were MILES LONG! I realized I needed toothpaste. So I had my one item in a line that was taking years. But I decided to be super fine with waiting and grateful to be in Africa. The man behind me said,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">“I think it’s totally unfair that you have to go through all of THIS just for THAT.” What’s wrong with this toothpaste, pal?! Just kidding.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">“Oh, it’s really no big deal. I don’t mind. Thanks, though!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">When I FINALLY got up to the front, the man said, “You are a very patient girl. Good luck to ya.” Well. Perhaps I was a shining non-complainer for the day? Cool beans </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">When we returned home, there was just an hour before departing. SO sad! Corinne sad with Debs and me and told us a very significant story of her life. I will never forget it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Then we drove to the church. It was really sad to say goodbye to my family AGAIN. Gosh dang. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Corinne gave Debs and me a picture frame of us with the Georges! It is so cute! I love it. SO sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Then we headed back to BI. I am currently in an apartment with Debs, Jessie, Kim, Carmen, and Noelle. Should be good! Looking forward to getting to know them better!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">PLUS!! I HAVE BETTER INTERNET!!!!! PRAISE JESUS!!!!!!! HOLY HOSANNA!!!! AH. So happy. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I only have 20 days left.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">That sounds so SHORT!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">But really… that would sound so LONG to me before I came here. The longest I’d really ever been anywhere was about two weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">So, I have about three weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">OH my. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">God, what do you have for me in these twenty days?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">For dinner, the people at BI and I went once again to the pancake and waffle house. I got a chicken and avocado crepe! Woot! It was surprisingly tasty. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Once we were back at the house, I began my South Africa slideshow! I have high hopes for it! It should be positive </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I got to skype with Mama for a bit tonight!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Debs and I are sharing this room that we assume used to belong to kids. On the walls, there are random quotes. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">My favorite?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">“Don’t fear death, but rather the unlived life.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Amen. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Are you truly living? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I think I am. And I am learning how to be true to myself and my Lord in a PLETHURA of situations. And I’m doing my best. I know I don’t have it down perfectly yet, but I am LIVING. And I believe I am living life to the full </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">It may be a bit of a hard week. Prayers are appreciated!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">But I think it will result in a lot of Ren-and-Jesus time. And… I am missing the down side of that </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Hey… this applies to Easter!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Jesus didn’t fear death.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">He feared that we would lead lives that weren’t truly lived. He feared that we wouldn’t be able to live eternally for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">So he defeated death so that we might spend forever living with Him in Heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Happy Easter Eve </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Lucida Handwriting"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-83999732658341301192011-04-23T08:40:00.001-07:002011-04-23T08:40:47.212-07:00While You Were Sleeping<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">April 22, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Hey Y’all. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Guess what I did this morning?!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I went to an Anglican church service to celebrate Good Friday.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">For three hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Yep.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE Jesus! I truly do. And church. I love it. But THREE HOURS. Of Anglican.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Oh my lanta. I was POSITIVE Christ was going to come back before it was done!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Yikes. I am kind of scarred for life. Whew. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Jordan, Luke and Parker didn’t have to go to service! But of course, the Americans had to. I’m not bitter. :P<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Who has heard of Pickle Fish? And Hot Cross Buns?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Apparently every family in South Africa eats them on Good Friday to celebrate Jesus feeding the 5,000. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">After the torture of the morning, Debs and I took three hour naps.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Then I did some homework… <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Super chill day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Then we played UNO!!!! WOOOOHOOO! But not thermo-nuclear. So not as exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Then Debs and I watched “While You Were Sleeping.” SO POSITIVE!!! I love that movie an immense amount. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">I feel like “While You Were Sleeping” is a positive summary for my day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Lucida Handwriting";">Indeed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-33605764479334085762011-04-23T08:14:00.001-07:002011-04-23T08:14:08.639-07:00Is This Real Life?<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">April 21, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This morning, I was excited for life. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Breakfast was absolutely phenomenal. There was something magical about the granola, yogurt, and fruit… maybe it was the super cheesy soap opera in the background?! (Marion discovered her father was alive after a WHOLE lifetime of thinking he was dead, and now she doesn’t have to sell the dance studio!) I don’t know WHAT it was. But it was a party. Thanks, Corinne! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the taxi on the way to BI, I was staring out the window. I thought… “This is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my Africa.</i>” I truly love it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You guys. I just feel so incredibly blessed to be here. And yes, it’s getting harder to be here… I miss my family, especially as Easter approaches! But still, there’s no place I’d rather be. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I feel like Peter, when he’s in the boat with the disciples. When I keep my eyes on Jesus, I can walk on water! All is well! I LOVE being here!!! But when I lose sight of the Lord, and His purpose for me here, I start wishing for my family and the states, and many other things that are silly, like my room, a shower, etc. Wanting family isn’t silly. But the other stuff is. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today was field trip day! On the bus, I sat with Mary Bette and Melinda and Shayna. Mary Bette and I had a FANTASTIC talk about self worth. Woot woot! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our first stop was a look out point. Truly breath-taking. It was here that Tyler showed me his tattoo! He got “Ethembeni” above his heart in bold lettering. It looks amazing. Ethembeni, of course, is where Tyler and I worked for service sites. Ethembeni also means “Place of Hope.” Therefore, Tyler got the tattoo to symbolize that his heart is indeed a place of hope, as well as to remind him of EVERYTHING he learned while there, as it was a life changing<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>experience for him too! I am so excited for him. Thumbs up, dude ;)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At this time, 11:00 AM, our tour guide decided it was time for lunch. Alrighty, then. The options: Pick ‘N Pay, or McDonalds. There was a mall right across the street. Heather and I weren’t feeling these options… so we dashed over to the mall in search of yummy goodness! We found it in the form of Mug and bean. Oh, how I shall miss you when I return to the States, dear M&B! We both got mozzarella, pesto, and tomato salads for “take away.” Unfortunately, our salads came at 11:32, when we were supposed to be at the bus at 11:30. We made like Donald and ducked (as Paul says)! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ok, side note. Our semester is not incredibly punctual. We’re about 7 minutes late generally. But of COURSE, the ONE TIME I was late, everyone was super on time. Everyone was staring at us and “ooooohing” as we clambered on board. So embarrassing! But hey. We had ROCKIN’ lunches. And they didn’t! Hmph!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next, we drove to the MOST South-Western point of ALL OF AFRICA! ‘Twas called the Cape of Good Hope! I have read about the Cape before, so it was exciting to see it in actuality!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the Cape is one of the most BEAUTIFUL places I have ever seen. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We climbed up to a light house to get a better view (who knew it could be any MORE gorgeous?!). There was this point when I stopped on the way up, caught by the beauty, and I realized that I was alone. But I also realized I didn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">feel</i> alone. Because I wasn’t alone. Not really. And then I discovered that I was spending time with someone I honestly <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wanted</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to spend time with! I stood there admiring my father’s creation. And a small thought popped into my mind: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I did it.”</i> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As a seventeen year old, I left my country, my family, my friends, and everything I knew and I came to a foreign country with 54 strangers. That was one of the scariest things I have ever done! And I was successful! I have been blessed beyond belief! I have learned SO much. I am not the same person I was when I got on the plane. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My hugest goal I wanted to accomplish when studying abroad was acquiring confidence. I didn’t know whether or not I would be able to. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I was admiring the Cape, I remembered a conversation I’d had with my friend Heidi when I was fourteen years old, and in the show Magdalene. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Heidi was the most confident person I’d ever seen! One day, I decided to ask her, “Heidi! How did you become so confident?!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I went through a very lonely time in my life. God grew me so much! And it was really, really painful. But it was so worth it, because look at me now!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Today I thought, was this my lonely time? If so… it wasn’t even that bad! And how BLESSED am I that it wasn’t that painful, and that it happened in SOUTH AFRICA?! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thinking back, it was painful. I have felt a lot of hurt. But it was all because of growing pains. And I would go through them again and again to learn the valuable things I’ve been lucky enough to learn! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I know I have a long way to go… but I think I have—rather, I KNOW I have—gained more confidence! I am so excited. Sigh. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After this lovely adventure, it was time to go. But no one was on the bus… and Heather and I naturally REALLY wanted some coffee… SO we ran away to find some! Lucky for us, there was an award-winning little store right outside the bus! With COFFEE!!! Unfortunately… I believe they won their award for the slowest coffee-making in South Africa. Ahem. So once again… we were the LAST ones on the bus!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have NEVER been the last one on the bus, besides today! So, obviously, I had to make up for it. I was making an entrance! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our final field trip stop was to see the penguins!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">WHO KNEW THERE WERE PENGUINS IN SOUTH AFRICA?! When you think penguins, don’t you picture icy slopes and Eskimos and igloos? So do I. We are both wrong, my friend. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Their mating call is like a LAWN MOWER.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s great, because on the way there, I asked Shayna, “What does a penguin sound like?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We never could have suspected the answer. You couldn’t miss it for MILES. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On our way back to BI, Janet and I hopped off the bus a bit early to go to my doctor’s appointment. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This I was real excited for. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">NOT.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have been PRAYING and praying that he would not find it necessary to pull out that scalpel again…!!!!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On the way to the office, I told Janet (my Bible buddy) that I was reading through 1 Samuel and LOVING IT, and she says to me, “Renna… did you know that I’m studying David right now??”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Um. “NO!!!” Jesus. What’s up. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">SO I told her all about my excitement with David and we were super happy about it… and then—</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Renna, the doctor will see you now”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">GULP. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“How is your arm doing, Renna?”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“SO much better, sir!” Do you like the sir?! Will it keep you from your power tools?! “I have been taking my meds every day and changing the gauze and putting savlon (South African Neosporin) on it and keeping it clean! Did I mention I was taking my meds?!” See, Doc? No surgery necessary!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Let’s have a look.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In literally about 30 seconds, he checked it, gave me new gauze, said I was fine, wished me happy Easter, and charged me 315 Rand. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">THANKS. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO apparently, I am single handedly paying for his Easter party or something. Right on.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Janet and I didn’t have a ride home, and we decided to skip the train. This gave us great time for some hardcore conversation. She blew my mind with her new revelations about David and Jonathon. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And then she told me her story. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am struggling to see God in it. She has been through so much. And her faith is solid as a rock. I have so much respect for what she’s gone through. It’s amazing to see how God has shaped her amidst much ugly. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I don’t understand, Lord. I really don’t. But thankfully, I don’t have to. I trust that you were at work the whole time, Father. And that you will reveal your purpose in due course. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I honestly believe that nothing we go through is in vain. Take hope in that in whatever pains and struggles you’ve gone through. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was super blessed by my time with Janet. I don’t know what I’d do without her. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">On the way home, Debs and I convinced our taxi driver to drop by Pick ‘N Pay so we could assemble the necessary items to cook spaghetti for our family! Mission: Successful. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When we made the spaghetti, I don’t know how much our family liked it! “I’ve never had this before!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was SHOCKED. At home, pasta is all I eat. ALL combinations of pasta… I couldn’t imagine my life without it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Therefore, Debs and I changed their life tonight.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I think they were kind of iffy on it though <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We were then off to Ghost Town. We got rid of Jordan and Luke. We have officially replaced them! WOOOOO HOOOOOO! Just kidding. They are staying the night at their grandparents so that they don’t have to go to the THREE HOUR church service tomorrow.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Don’t get me wrong. I love Jesus AND church. But a three-hour Anglican service may be a bit too much to handle. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was about this time that Debs and I REALLY needed chocolate. It was an emergency. And the horrible part was that there was LOADS of chocolate in the house! But it wasn’t for us! It was for the kids at church! NOOOOOOO!!! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I volunteered us to help stuff the Easter “packets,” hoping there would be chocolate left over. It was TORTURE stuffing packet after packet with chocolate Easter bunnies, chocolate eggs, Kit Kats, and giant chocolate bars, knowing I couldn’t have any. Sniff, sniff.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">However! When we were done, there were a bunch of Kit Kats and mini chocolate eggs left. Paul let us eat them!!!! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">HAAAAAALELUJAH!!!!!!! THEY WERE SO GOOD!!!!! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I honestly believe that chocolate has the ability to make things better. It’s true. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And now, Debs and I are sitting having our blogging/ picture uploading/ journaling/ Bible reading time. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s quite the party. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No class tomorrow! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Woot Woot!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Hey. Today I went to the South-Western edge of South Africa. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Is this real life?</div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-90727852933081429582011-04-23T08:13:00.003-07:002011-04-23T08:13:24.778-07:00Rain, Tatoos, and Kings<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">April 20, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">We were greeted this morning with a lovely pitter patter of rain. When it’s raining, there is nothing more positive than staying inside and watching movies with hot chocolate, OR exploring outside in a raincoat and rain boots. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I couldn’t perform option number one…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">SO after class, Debs and I adventured off into the now crazy hardcore rain, in order to go to Pick and Pay. We are cooking dinner for our family tomorrow and needed supplies. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">About of the quarter of the way there, the side walk ended… just like Shel Silversteen said… and we had to choice but to turn back! The wind was biting! And there were no rain boots for Renna </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">. Sad day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">When we got back, everyone had gone to get tatoos. So I thought, HEY, WHY NOT get a TATOO in SOUTH AFRICA!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">So I got an outline of Africa covering my whole shoulder blade! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">IT WAS SO SCARY. I hate needles. But Debs held my hand. And now I’ll have it forever!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Just kidding. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">HAHA. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But I am thinking about getting one when I get home. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Snell Roundhand";">Joy </span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><- something like that really, uuber, super small on my wrist, possibly in white. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">After turning back dejectedly, Zach, Kristina, Debs and I were the only ones left at BI! Kristina and Debs did homework. Zach and I decided to explore the tide pools in the rain. QUITE the party. I may or may not have accidentally killed a starfish by holding it out of water too long </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">It was beautiful. I am in love with the beach here! So spectacular!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then Zachariah and I headed back to find people to go on an adventure with. Unfortunately… no one wanted to come and we were super hungry. We went to Fish & Chips! I have yet to have fish and chips in my life… I figured it was ABOUT TIME.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Zach had been to this place FOUR TIMES already! He was super tight with the manager. This resulted in free rolls. Woot woot! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">My fish and chips were quite delightful. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">When we returned, we got together with Melinda to schedule more of our extra week! I’m SO excited! I just can’t hide it! (It’s a song. Duh. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">When I got home, I was so excited to discover that for dinner, we were having…. FISH AND CHIPS!!!! WOOOOO!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">It was really good, of course. But not going to lie. I felt DISGUSTING. So much grease in one day! BLEH!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">We watched a super fantastic movie called “Into the Blue” with Jessica Alba. It was about treasure and drugs! A real winner, right? I very much enjoyed it </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I missed Mom a lot today </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait to hang out with you, Mommy!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I learned the most AWESOME things about David in 1 Samuel today!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Ok. First off. I did not know that David was Saul’s harp player! Therefore, he watched Saul rule! Almost all of the time! He was learning how to be a great king, either by example, or learning what not to do! WAY to be a planner, God! And he was used to being a servant, so when he later became king, he wasn’t all big-headed! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And THEN I didn’t realize how much David went against the world’s standards. The entire army, as well as the king, was pressuring him to use armor and shields and weapons, etc. And David KNEW how to use armor; he was Saul’s armor boy! Can you imagine telling the entire Israelite army: “It’s cool guys. I’m just going to use a rock and a sling.” NO FEAR. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">PLUS! God prepared David <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">differently.</i> He knew how to kill lions and bears; not people. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I was real excited about that </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I want to be like David. COMPLETELY in tune with what God wants, and choose to be oblivious to what the world wants. <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-14053141971728055302011-04-23T08:08:00.000-07:002011-04-23T08:08:04.471-07:00Home: Homesick for a Place I’ve Never Been<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">April 19, 2010<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Wisdom from the one and only Francesca Fromang: “Listen up to what God has to say. He tends to be the loudest when we’re the loneliest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Today we visited a township called Langa. It was named for the chief, Langa Libalele. Although it is mostly a Xhosa township, “Langa Libalele” means the same in Xhosa as it does in Zulu. Translated, it the township’s name means “the sun, it is hot.” I was so excited to know the true name of the township! All my hardcore Zulu studying this semester definitely paid off. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I was super surprised at the level of development in Langa. It seems to have evolved into a tourist attraction. Our tour guide commented that the residents like it when tourists come. I assume that is because tourists generate revenue and excitement in the township.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I was also shocked at the contrast between the homes. In one section of Langa, there were exceedingly nice homes. They looked like they could have belonged in a rich suburban area in Los Angeles. But then, across the street, there would be crumbling shack composed of assorted trash. The polarity between the disparity verses the wealth was alarming!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">My favorite aspects of Langa were it’s art programs! They have a dance studio, a stage for theatre, music programs, a picture framing school, a fashion store, a recording studio and a radio station! The township’s goal in these programs is to educate youth and grant skills to adults so that they may have a better life, as well as attempt to provide AIDS prevention. At the radio station, they talk about difficult issues such as the effects of HIV and AIDS. These programs allow the kids to express themselves in creative ways, as well as allow them to dream for their futures. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I am so passionate about arts programs! I believe they have the most significant impact upon youth. If I was given the choice of something to do to benefit a township, I would have dreamed of beginning a program exactly like this. I hope that it can continue and flourish!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">(^Sorry if that was dry. I had to write about the field trip for class. Instead of writing about it twice, I have pasted my assignment above. I promise to make up for the lack of excitement NOW.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I got to play the drums today! I FOUND MY CALLING!!!!! WHOOO HOOOOOO!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">My absolute favorite part about walking around Langa today: I was sauntering with Kelly. And all of a sudden, this beautiful little girl runs up to us, and slips her tiny hands in ours, and continues with us on our journey!!! It was the most precious thing of my entire life!! And in that moment, I felt perfect love. I loved her. I had only known her for 30 seconds, but already, she had stolen my heart, because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">she loved me.</i> To think. I traveled all the way around the world to search for more about God’s love, and I found it in a four year old child. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">So today, I really wanted to talk to my mom. It’s been weeks. And what with my traumatic surgery (HAHA) and lack of internet, I just needed to talk to her. She didn’t even KNOW I’d been sliced, so she couldn’t pray for me! I was quite dismayed!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Morgan and I strove to find positive internet! We went to an internet café and ordered random coffees (mine was surprisingly good) just to attempt to secure skype time! But a-stinking-las. The internet at the café was shotty too. And I had to way to tell ma mama to get online! It was kind of torturous. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And I was crying out to God. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“DADDY! WHY will you not let me talk to my mom?! It’s been forever! And I need her!!!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">(Don’t read this next part, Mom.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And God was like, “Ren. I am all you need. You are whole in me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I processed this.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“Yeah. God, you are so RIGHT!” Because, let’s face it. Mom can’t be with me now, thanks to stinky internet and, oh yeah, THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS of miles and oceans and all that jazz. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">But God CAN be with me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And He IS.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">When this epiphany sunk in, and I relinquished any intention of skyping the madre, GUESS WHAT. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Ding! SKYPE WAS WORKING! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">HALLE-FREAKING-LUJAH!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Ok. Now you’re just showing off, God ;). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">So I got to skype Mom.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">PS: MY BABY BROTHER, MY FAVORITE HUMAN BEING ON THIS EARTH, WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">He is fine. But I just about had a heart attack!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Tommy: I’m sorry. But I forbid you to drive until all bloodthirsty soccer moms have rid the road of their killer mini vans. I don’t care if it wasn’t your fault and you were going 22 mph. You’re not allowed to drive anymore. Capische?! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Tommy. I am going to cry. I miss you SO MUCH. Come to Africa, PLEASE. You would LOVE it. In fact, you WILL come some time in your life. I am positive. And I’ll be darned if I don’t come along. Just saying.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Just when the internet worked well enough to carry on a conversation, we had to leave OF COURSE. But it was ok. I caught Mom up and let her know there was air in my lungs. Therefore, all is right in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">So, because Debs is legitimately AMAZING, of course we had a life changing conversation on the way home. Duh. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">We were talking about being homesick. (A common topic these days.) Debs commented, “I’m already homesick for Pietermaritzburg. And when I get home, I know I’ll be homesick for Cape Town. So I know that I’ll always be homesick for somewhere else. Because even now, I’m homesick for a place I’ve never been.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">She had puzzled me on that last one. “What do you mean?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“I’m homesick to be with God in Heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Oh, DANG. This goofy, GINORMOUS smile crept on my face and WOULD NOT GO AWAY!!! It was great. Debs couldn’t stop laughing and my goofy smile and I couldn’t stop smiling goofily. We were obviously meant to be roomies </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">When I finally gained control of my face, Debs asked, “Have you been reflecting on your time recently?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">“Absolutely! I feel like I almost reflect <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">too</i> much. At the beginning of the semester, I felt like I learned lessons EVERY DAY. Which was awesome. But right now, I feel like I’m on the brink of this HUGE lesson that’s taken a while to be taught to me. But I can’t quite decide what it is.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">After dinner, I totally decided what that lesson was. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Here it is:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">God is teaching me to place EVERYTHING in Him. Seriously, EVERYTHING: my confidence, my worth, love, belonging, trust, hope, dreams, desires, fun, attitude, and HOME.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I realized today that if I was somehow able to make God my home, that would pretty much fix ALL my life’s problems. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Where do you feel most comfortable? Where are you always loved? Where do you always feel safe? Where do you want to go when you hurt? Where do you store your treasures? Where are the ones that will <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i> love you, through thick and thin, pain and joy?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Home.</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">God <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i> our <u>home.</u> I don’t have to try to BE anyone else when I am with Him! I am enough for Him, JUST as I am! But I’m not JUST me. Because, really? It’s FOUR for the price of one:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Me, God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">They live in me. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">So, I’m never alone. And I can’t place worth in JUST myself, because that would be like ignoring ¾ of me! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Basically, I’m never alone, I don’t have to fight for acceptance, I never have to feel like I’m not at home, or feel afraid because God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are with me.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I’ve found my home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">And just like Dorothy and Toto, I had to leave my house and go to another world to find what I’ve been looking for, even though it’s been there the entire time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Ladies and Gentlemen:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I have found my home.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">I am home. No matter where I am or who I’m with, or what my situation is, I am at home. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Home<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">It’s such a great word, isn’t it?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-bidi-font-size: 16.0pt;">Home.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><br />
</span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-63258897783119034332011-04-19T08:05:00.001-07:002011-04-19T08:05:56.314-07:00God is Bigger (than a scalpel)<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'American Typewriter';"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">April 18, 2010<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">SO last night, I stayed downstairs longer than Debs because Paul and I were watching Spiderman 3! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I had been planning on asking her for Tylenol before going to sleep for my silly arm. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">But when I got up there, SHE WAS PLAYING SLEEPING BEAUTY!!! NOOOOO!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">By this time, my arm was in excruciating pain. NOT positive. But I was like, ok, there’s the consequence for watching a stupid movie. Pshh. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">At this point I really missed my mom. There’s never a time you miss your mom so much as when you’re in pain. I didn’t really NEED my mom when I fell off the waterfall. But BOY. I needed her last night! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I started bawling annoyingly. I HATE crying. And I decided that sobbing was a really good reason to wake someone up. So, I tip-toed into Deb’s room.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Debs, I’m so sorry but I hurt really bad and I’m really homesick and I need meds could you please help me?!” I blurt out as fast as I can. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Debs, merciful as she is, grants me Tylenol, water with which to consume them, and allows me to sleep in her bed with her. THANKS, DEBS!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I had a CRAZY dream about a hotel and all of the students and dinosaurs and rhinos and lions. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Morning was a relief. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">We had chapel this morning at BI. Reagan was awesome. He talked about Jeremiah. God told him that from the beginning of time, he KNEW him, and called him, and destined him for great things. God also said that He would be with Jeremiah and that He would aid him in his trials. Therefore, the road would NOT be easy. And God would NOT accept Jeremiah’s lame excuse: “I am young, Lord!” Uh uh. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Something else cool? Jeremiah never left Israel. But God has used him around the world over and over and over again and for THOUSANDS of years!!!! This gives me hope for my loved ones in Mpophomeni and in Ocean View who will never leave their townships. God reminded me this morning that HE is BIGGER than the confines of space. He has the power to work in ANY way that he wants to. Thanks, God.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Class was…weird. It was the first time I was able to have internet in quite a while… And then Quinton made us close our computers…. So I was annoyed… and then I was hungry and had been saving this glorious juicy apple for CLASS to keep me awake, and THEN Quinton was all, “No eating in class.” SO… I was super super annoyed. Ahem. Yes, I didn’t really have a right to be. But HEY. These are my feelings. And once upon a time, someone told me to validate my feelings. So hurrah. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I went back to the Pancake and Waffle House with Aimee, Morgan, Melinda and Shayna. I got a “berry cocktail pancake.” I was very surprised when it was a crepe filled with pears and peaches… It was still good though. We all had fun </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "American Typewriter"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "American Typewriter"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I convinced Janet to take me to the doctor. Zach, Janet, and Shelli were convinced it was a cist. LOVELY. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Had I known what I would have experienced at the doctor’s, I would have convinced Janet NOT to take me. Ay yi yi.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Before I went in, it was totally positive. Janet and I had some much needed convo. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Ok, PAUSE. Can I please take a moment to mention how GRATEFUL I am for Janet?! I swear, she has saved my life like a million times!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">UNPAUSE. “Renna? The doctor will see you now.” Here goes nothin’!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“What’s wrong with you, Miss?” he asks me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Well, I have this nasty-mcnast <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">something</i> on my arm… I’m not sure what it is. It could be a bite…” I lift up my sleeve to reveal the horror.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“WOW. That looks REALLY BAD.” Um, THANKS, Doc! That makes me feel GREAT! Positively PEACHY! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">He ushered me to the elevated patient table with the annoying light shenanigan. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Ok. That’s absolutely FILLED with pus. We have to drain it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">HOLD UP. Shelli and Zachariah AND Debs told me that they wouldn’t have to slice and dice! They said I would only have to get antibiotics! WHO DOES THIS GUY THINK HE IS?! A full-fledged DOCTOR or something?! …….. Oh.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“DRAIN it?? Are you going to have to cut me?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“We <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must</i> get the pus out. Or else it will get worse and worse” (he is currently demonstrating with his hands my lovely tumor, which is bigger than a silver dollar [GROSS, I KNOW] grow and grow to the size of a hamburger. EWWW. Doc, you are NOT HELPING!!!!!) and THEN you will have to go to hospital.” (PS: in Africa, you don’t go to “the hospital.” You go to “hospital.”)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">It is at this point that I go into full-blown FREAK OUT mode. Janet holds my hand, and goes into full-blown survival status.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“RENNA! What is the FIRST thing you want to do when you get home?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Blubber, blubber.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Uh… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sniff sniff…</i> g-g-g-go to t-t-t-twenty-one ch-ch-ch-oices…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Doctor Evil brings over cleaning supplies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“DON’T look, Renna! Stare out the window!” Janet warns me. Ah. Too bad the window had closed blinds. I thought about opening them, but decided that the unsuspecting passersby shouldn’t be subject to such atrocity. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">And then I heard it. The clink of a scalpel. DEAR GOD, HELP ME. Did I mention I was in full-blown freak out?! I think I revved it up to over-the-top freak out-ness.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“JANET I am SO scared!!!” I don’t think I have ever wanted my mom so badly.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">---Side note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I think about it, maybe it was good that it was Janet and not my mom. I was trying to keep some semblance of dignity. With my mom, I would have let my guard completely down and would have been a disgrace to humanity. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Here came my favorite person with his favorite toy: “Whatever you do, Miss, don’t moo-ove!” he said in a sing-song-y voice. Ohhhh I wanted to SLAP HIM.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">And then he did it. I felt it pierce my skin (on one of the most sensitive parts of the body, so I’m told!). It wasn’t a little prick. I felt it go through layers and layers, and each layer it defied, the more the pain was magnified. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">And before I knew it, I was yelling. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“THERE’S the pus!” Screeches a delighted doctor. WHO IS THIS GUY?!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“There is SO MUCH <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">PUS</i>!” Really, now?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">And he decided to help the pus along. LOVELY. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">You guys. This was seriously the WORST pain I have EVER felt. I would rather fall off that waterfall FIVE more times. It was excruciating. I kept thinking, “Is this what child labor is going to be like?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Soon-to-be-murdered Doctor Evil was squeezing my oozing and sliced-open wound. Oh, how I hated him. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I am pretty sure I sounded like a banshee. I thought about those poor patients in the waiting room… And then considered opening the blinds. Hopefully someone on the street would notice my AGONY and come rescue me!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">FINALLY, the Slicer was done. He left my gushing arm all by it’s lonesome. He didn’t clean it after or anything. He just slapped gauze on it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">But what he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i> do was continue saying things that were OH so comforting. AND he continued using one of my favorite words. (HINT: it rhymes with “gus.”)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“I cannot BELIEVE how much PUS was in that!” Shut up.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“You were SO BRAVE amidst all that PUS!” Liar!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I tried to set him straight. “Thanks, but I was NOT brave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“That was serious pain right there. I mean, that was a big deal. I don’t think many people could have handled it so well as you.” Are you for real?! I was a stinking teenage scream queen!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Does it hurt now, eh?” You mean, does my gaping tumor that you have recently CARVED without numbing me on one of the most SENSITIVE parts of the body, and then proceeded to squeeze poison out of, and is currently just chillin’ as it oozes, hurt? Wow. This guy’s a smartie pants. I can just tell.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Um. YES.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Well, of COURSE it does! With all that PUS, I am just so surprised how you handled it!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Is it done getting gross stuff out?” I ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Oh no. What it will do is ooze PUS for days and days. There is just SO MUCH PUS!” Ok. This guy has got to go. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“I’m sorry, sir, but could you please stop using the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pus?</i>”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">He LAUGHS. “Alright, there, Miss. Hang out there while I get your medicine.” OH the nerve to laugh at me in my pain!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">By this time, I have gone a bit ballistic. I was in shock. I was shivering and sobbing and I couldn’t breathe and snot was gushing… I was really a sight for sore eyes, eh? [Woah, how many “s”’s did I just use?]<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">And my arm HURT SO BADLY. I cannot explain to you. I needed pain meds. PRONTO. And I am not someone who enjoys taking meds. I do it sparingly, only in emergency situations. And THIS was an emergency situation FOR SURE. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">But the doctor wasn’t ready to make it feel better just yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">He decided to tell me about what would happen, what with the stupid PUS and all. I couldn’t pay attention, it hurt so bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“I’m sorry,” I interrupt him, “but could I please have some pain meds? I hurt SO badly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">He gives me two pills. They are huge. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“I’m sorry, but is there any way to get some water, please? I’m sorry…”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">The dude gives me ‘tude and goes to find water. LAME!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">When he brings me the water, I am currently having a hysterical fit. Great. I try to take the meds, but I end up laughing (out of shock, I’m pretty sure) and shoot snot out of my nose. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Doc doesn’t like snot. He shoves Kleenex at me. THANKS. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">When we are FINALLY done with this silly (I’d prefer a different word.) man, [ok. To be fair, he could be a perfectly decent man. Really. Honestly, I can’t imagine being too keen on anyone stabbing my arm.] we go out to the receptionist who is just TOO SMILEY for the situation. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“And that’ll be 800 Rand please.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Botox lady say WHAT?! I just paid 100 American Dollars for that jerk to STAB me and use the word PUS a thousand times?! NO WAY! UGH.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Oh. And did I mention Doc wants to see me again on Thursday? We are gonna be SUPER tight if he decided to knife me again. HA. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">At this point, I am a MESS. It was embarrassing. But I could not stop shaking and leaking tears. I wanted my mother SO horrifically. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">It was time for me to return to my home stay. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">As much as I love them, I couldn’t bear seeing them then. The only word to adequately describe me was MESS. I couldn’t pull myself together enough. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Then beautiful Janet offered to take me to coffee. YES! And after more bawling, she invited me to dinner, and said she would take me home around 9! That gave me four hours to pull myself together! Hurrah!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Janet’s kindness made me cry some more.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Yesterday, I was feeling lonely. I prayed that God might help me feel loved today. Hey Janet? You were an answer to prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">And so was Tyler. I went inside BI to wait for Janet to get ready to go out, and the second Big Brother Tyler saw something was wrong, he came up to me and hugged me on my good side. He listened while I told him what happened. I was still shaking (but trying not to cry) and he gave me his jacket. It’s so nice to have a brother. Love you, man!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Liana, Heather, and Kara blessed me as well. Thanks, guys </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "American Typewriter"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "American Typewriter"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Janet and I were making dinner with her friend Natasha. We had ciabatta bread with soup and a brownie. But we needed an appetizer. SO I suggested apples and caramel! It was a HIT!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Tyler taught me a more positive way of slicing apples, Janet saw to the bread, and Natasha took care of the soup. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Supper was delicious.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">As we were cleaning up, I recounted to Nurse Heather the details about my adventure. When she found out Doc didn’t numb me, she FREAKED OUT. She’s watched doctors operate on similar issues before, and she insisted that they would NEVER do ANYTHING without anesthetic because of the pain caused by those suckers, “ESPECIALLY under the arm!!!” Yep. NOW I feel better about how much it HURT.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">We had about an hour left. I joined the gang for the first bit of Braveheart. It did NOT go so well. They had to tell me every time something gory happened. Which was like ALL the time. I ditched when the girl was about to get raped. I could NOT handle it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Amazing Janet helped me change my gauze before dropping me off in Ocean View.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">When I came up to the door, Luke burst out and yelled, “RENNA! ARE YOU OK?!!?!?!?!?!!” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">“Yeah! I’m ok!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Paul ran forward and scooped me into a huge bear hug. Which hurt, but was totally worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Corinne cried, “My baby is home! Come to Mama! Are you alright, my darling?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I told them a less graphic version of what happened. And they FREAKED.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Paul offered to send Doctor Evil to one of two places. He lifted up his right arm and showed his muscle. “THIS will send him to hospital.” And then the other arm’s muscle. “But THIS baby will send him to graveyard! I’ll even let him choose!” He was totally kidding, guys. Just so you know.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Corinne made me some tea. “I called BI TWICE because I knew you had to be hurting so badly, my love!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Paul chimed in, “We didn’t even know which hospital you were at, so we couldn’t come visit you and offer support!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I was overwhelmed with love. I have known this family three days. And already, they have love for me. I almost cried…. Which seems to be a theme of my day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I am so thankful for them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Please pray for my arm’s healing! No more scalpels, PLEASE!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">But you know what? God offered me major perspective today. Yes, this was the worst pain I have ever felt. But I am going to be fine, no problem. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">As we were driving away from the clinic, I saw a man with one leg struggling to use crutches. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">Now, that is something to be upset about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I just have a story that will be funny tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">I am so blessed. And thankful. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "American Typewriter";">And once again, God has proven that He is SO MUCH BIGGER than this little situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-81861783101541934722011-04-18T05:09:00.003-07:002011-04-18T05:09:44.004-07:00A Dark Day Has Come<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">April 17, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So… I may or may not be experiencing a bit of homesickness! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(Slow motion.) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!</i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This morning, I attended my first Anglican church service, which is how I had my first taste of wine. Communion was a bit of a surprise to me. Where was the Hawaiian bread and grape juice?! That wine was BITTER. I literally have no desire to drink that stuff again for at LEAST a very long time. ICK. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was a pretty chill day. I got to take a little cat nap, which was positive. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Lunch was AMAZING. I swear, anything Corinne and Paul make is touched by Jesus. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At about four, we went to a market. It was good family fun <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yeah. SO I pretty much missed my family horribly today. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Mom, Tommy, Dad, Nana, Mike, Jenn, and Mocha. You guys. I miss you. Yep. That pretty much sums it up. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was nice to have a chill day. School tomorrow!!! I have 6 more days of class to finish up History and Culture. Which I don’t get credit for. But, I am kind of excited… Don’t know why… but I am <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My lovely host family doesn’t have a shower, so I braved the bath tonight! Not going to lie, it was a bit of an adventure. I do believe I shall take a bubble bath upon reentry. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So I realized something about parenting today. It is a FULL TIME job. Like, EVERY minute of the day! I do not know how parents have the energy to raise small kids! It will be by the grace of God if I’m successful as a parent!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I would love some prayer support. I do NOT want to spend my next 3 ½ weeks wanting to go home! Not that I want to go home. But I am really missing it. I know that God still has things to teach me here, so I want to be open and receptive to those lessons!!! Help. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It also stinks to have super duper limited internet access. Translation: no connection to my support group. And I can’t post my blogs daily. It was a real comfort to know that you, my lovely readers were with me day by day, if that makes any sense. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yep. I’m feelin’ it. And I’m rambling. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So I suppose I’ll stop now… Yeah. I’m pretty sure I’m sounding pretty dang pathetic. </div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-27892262428053630712011-04-18T05:09:00.001-07:002011-04-18T05:09:10.856-07:00Cold and a Carnival in Cape Town<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">April 16, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">This morning I woke up to a hurricane.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Not really </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"> But it SOUNDED like it!!! Corinne prepared a beautiful breakfast for Debs and me- Milo Cereal and bran muffins! The Milo cereal is chocolatey goodness that Debs is OBESESSED with! And the muffins were fresh out of the oven. SO delish. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Papa Paul walked us down to the church where we were to be picked up by the API bus driver. It was SO COLD and WINDY!!! Fun fact of Ocean View: True residents NEVER walk on the sidewalk. Or so says Paul. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Once we were on the bus, I got to have a good talk with Kallie. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">This morning’s destination: TABLE MOUNTAIN. I was so excited!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The plan was to climb up this glorious, God-made land mass. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Unfortunately, as soon as we exited the bus, we could tell that our plans were going to have to be rearranged… It was so windy, I could barely WALK STRAIGHT! The park ranger advised that we NOT climb this ginormous MOUNTAIN. Yet… many in our group still wished to battle the climate. Ahem. Props to them if they think they could complete an intense hike when the weather is peachy—let alone when one can barely stand!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Yet, those crazies—I mean, adventurers—were overruled. We scrambled back onto the 80’s cheesy bus and tried to decide how to fill our day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The conclusive decision: A day in Cape Town. Hurrah.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I hung out with Heather, Aimee, Morgan, and Melinda. We walked EVERYWHERE! We explored markets and found our way to the Waterfront, and then to a train station! BAM!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Not going to lie… there was a heck of a lot of negativity splattered into my day, which was sad </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I think we’re all just getting to that time when America sounds really good and nerves are high and patience is low. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I began getting a little homesick today myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I have had NO ALONE TIME in QUITE a while. Which isn’t a bad thing. But. Being an introvert, that doesn’t result too positively.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Being with my home stay family has made me a bit homesick myself </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">. This family is AMAZING. Corinne and Paul truly and evidently love each other. Jordan and Luke are so phenomenal with baby Parker! It touches my heart! Both of the boys remind me of Tommy. I MISS YOU! And Clinty!!! And I missed my mom. It’s nice having that one person in the world who completely understands you. Plus, she always thinks I’m funny. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"> And having Paul makes me miss my dad. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Paul is one of the best fathers I have ever seen. Every time I watch him interact with Parker, I think, “Wow. That’ s an incredible father,” and I also think, “That’s what God must be like.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">One time, Parker and Paul were playing. They were having a grand old time!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then Paul said, “Parker, turn left!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But Parker was sneaky. SO she turned right and ran into the couch and fell down.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Without a moment’s hesitation, Paul swooped down and picked her up and said, “Come here, Baby. I love you.” He held her close.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">That’s my relationship with my Father in Heaven. We’ll be having a party, then God will give me some sort of direction. But I’ll do the opposite of what he asked me. Then I’ll get hurt in some way, shape, or form. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Instead of running away, laughing, or saying “I told you so,” my Daddy is always there for me, scooping me up, and holding me in His arms, ready to fix whatever mess I made this time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Thank you for exemplifying that, Paul!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Corinne made hot dogs for dinner. In Africa, they use real dogs. I’m going to miss Fluffy…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">JUST kidding. But they DO put butter on the bread before the ketchup. It’s super positive! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">There was a carnival tonight in Ocean View! Although it was FREEEEEZZZZINGGG, it was a BLAST. And it was so great to hang out with Jordan and Luke. It’s almost like hanging out with my best friend. You know. The one that has the same last name that I do? </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">We rode the “Big Wheel.” (Ferris Wheel.) Debs and I were all, “WHERE’S NOAH?!” (If you didn’t catch that quote, shame on you. We shan’t be friends.) Then we rode the scrambler. Jordan and Debs squished me the WHOLE time! But, it was worth it. Love them.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Our family calls me three things: Ren, Daughter, or Sister. I just feel so welcomed and loved.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Church tomorrow, and I’m not sure what else. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Come on, adventure!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And hopefully… some down time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Legger slap! (Don’t know how to spell it. But it means good night.)<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-75867980785060037082011-04-18T05:08:00.001-07:002011-04-18T05:08:39.434-07:00“Vat ees yo nam?”<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">April 15, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">It has been SUCH a big day!! But OH so glorious. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Debs and I slept in until 8:30! WOOO!!! I got to read 1 Samuel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">A reinforcing revelation? HOW could I not trust God?! He is SUCH a deliberate, detail-oriented, organized, artistic, wise, merciful PLANNER! God told Samuel to watch out for a man at a certain time. God sent Saul on his way because Saul’s dad HAPPENED to lose his sheep. Then, Saul’s servant HAPPENED to tell Saul to ask for directions from the prophet. Lo and behold! Saul finds Samuel at the EXACT moment the Lord foretold. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">You guys. God’s GOT IT.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Happiness. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Breakfast was lovely. Then I had to pack for HOME-STAY!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Half of us are going on home-stays, while the other half is staying at the South African Bible Institute (BI), where we are finishing our final course: History and Culture. I am in home-stay group one. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The interesting thing is that we have two full buses. I don’t really understand this because we came to Cape Town in one bus and one fifteen-seater. But now we have two buses, and ALL of us could fit on one, including the extra 15 people that couldn’t fit from last time…? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“All shall be revealed in due course.” (<- That one’s for you, Debs!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The bus for home-stays smelled delightfully near to that of a beach bathroom, and looked like a cheesy 80’s fiesta! It was jampacked like an airplane with two seats, and then three across the way, reminding me of one of my FAVORITE days: flying to Africa. Ahem. Which will soon be repeated… but flying in the opposite direction…<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I sat with Debs on the bus. Can I just say something? I LOVE HER. I am going to miss her SO much when I’m not living with her. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">We arrived at BI and got to explore. Yay!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Morgan was my exploration buddy. God seriously blessed me with her. Walking around was amazing. Cape Town may be the most beautiful place I have ever seen. I am simply flabbergasted! YES. FLABBERGASTED. The sea air was brilliant.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Did you know that Cape Town is called the Windy City? (YES, like Chicago.) Therefore, it is SO WINDY! As I currently type this, the window sounds like it is going to BREAK. HURRICANE status! Yikes! But I’m almost used to it… ish. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Morgan and I were being clever and made sandwiches this morning at breakfast so we didn’t have to spend money. We went to get a shake at a Waffle and Pancake house with Reg and 10 other girls.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">African Fact: African “pancake:” Crepe. Just in case you were wondering </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Reg paid for all of us! It was so sweet! Reg is like my grandfather. I am in awe of this man. He cares for each of us specifically and individually. He asked me about my ankle today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">(My ankle is still sore. I’m hoping I can still hike up Table Mountain tomorrow!!!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Reg’s birthday is tomorrow, and he is also leaving tomorrow! I thought he was staying the whole time. Nope. Not going to lie, I got super upset when I heard he was departing. Reg has impacted me so much. I hope to acquire his loving personality and wisdom. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">At 6:00, we arrived at a church in Ocean View (the township where we are living!) where we had dinner and met our host family! Debs and I are living with Paul and Corinne, and their kids Jordan (13 year old boy), Luke (8 year old boy), and Parker (1 year old girl). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I LOVE THEM!!! Paul is HILARIOUS!!!! Corinne is so beautiful and loving and caring. She made me feel at home RIGHT away! Jordan wants to be a fisherman, then go to the UK and become a mechanical engineer (I told him about you, Uncle Jim! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">). Luke is my buddy. He reminds me of you, Tommy!! I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! I love and hate having new adopted brothers. I love them, but I hate it because it is really making me miss you dreadfully.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">They speak Afrikaans as well as English. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The only Afrikaans I know:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Vat ees yo nam?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“My nam ees Renna.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Ya.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Buya Donkey.” (Thanks a lot!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">After dinner, there was a talent show put on by a program that was created 27 years ago to keep kids from gang violence and substance abuse. It was really cool! There are 700 kids in the program! Some of the kids were AMAZING. I know they could have careers in America. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">But most likely? They will not leave Ocean View. I was talking to Paul. The farthest he has ever traveled is the Northern Cape. He doesn’t like airplanes and sees no reason to leave Ocean View. Corinne feels the same way. They both grew up here, and just don’t want to leave. I hope Jordan actually gets to go to school in the UK!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Jon Wallace was here again with Kate. I was sitting next to Paul. He told me to call him Dad. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">This really made me miss my daddy </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Overall? Excellent day. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Praise Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-28834867439700853232011-04-15T07:56:00.000-07:002011-04-15T07:56:03.312-07:00Risking All of Who I Am<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Handwriting - Dakota';">April 14, 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">This morning, we sang a song called “Jabulani.” Translation: sing for JOY to the Lord.” HELLO, Lord. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">This was one of my favorite days ever! We were split up into groups of 11 to explore Cape Town. I was in Janet’s group- such a God thing! We had serious bonding today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Some highlights:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*We had to go to a museum, called “The Slave Lodge.” There was a HUGE sign on the door announcing that entrance was FREE for those under 18! BAM!!! Normally, I totally do not promote my youth, but today, I was ALL OVER IT! I went up to the lady who was selling tickets and said, “Hi! I’m 17! I swear!” She eyed me suspiciously. “My birthday is in May!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Fine,” she said. “Just make sure you stay with an adult. Who is your guardian?” <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Ok for REAL?! I’m SEVENTEEN with a bunch of college students! And I need a guardian?! WHAT IS THIS?!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Luckily, Janet shoulders the great responsibility of watching me in the museum. “I’m her guardian.” HA! Janet’s like 7 years older than me! But, sure. I’ll take it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*We went into a Cathedral. I think it was one of my favorite sites in Africa so far. Oh my lanta. It was unbelievable. SO much holy beauty I have never seen in a building. I literally could have stayed there ALL day. The stained glass windows were breathtaking. I wanted to burst into song, but also was afraid to whisper; I dared not disrupt the serene silence. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Our mission was to take cool pictures. So I suggested we reinact the nativity. BAM. I was the angel Gabriel because I was in white. And I’m am an angel. Duh. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*I loved walking around today SO MUCH. It made me miss New York!! But… I kind of liked it better than New York, not gonna lie. If only Cape Town had Broadway!!! Cape Town is definitely more scenic, more green, more CLEAN, and less crowded. So, overall, POSITIVE. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*Mary Bette bought five sunflowers. She would randomly hand them out to people we passed. My favorite interaction was when she gave a sunflower to a homeless man. His smile was brighter than any I have ever seen. It was so precious. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*Janet and I had an amazing talk about the Bible. Of course. We planned to have a Bible Study on Esther, because we are both kind of obsessed with the story of Esther!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*After walking around Cape Town all day, we went to the mall. THEY HAD FRO-YO! Mary Bette, Janet, Melinda and I had a party. It was excellent.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Melinda and I spent the rest of our mall time searching for fake engagement rings to fend off unwanted suitors on our week long adventure. We haven’t decided if we’re going to propose to each other, or make Zach and Tyler propose to us… either way, it will be a candid moment! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*I got my favorite proposal today: “You are my DESTINY! You marry me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*For the taxi ride home, it was interesting. We were trying to get one cab driver to take us, but he didn’t know where we were going. Then, another cab driver named Philip that didn’t know the other, went up to the first driver and tried to tell him where we were going so that the first guy wouldn’t loose money. But the first driver didn’t like that too much and drove away without us. So we rode with Philip </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">. When we got in, he was all, “Let me play you my favorite song!” He put it on. It was this ridiculously cheesy 80’s techno pop. And then… IT WAS TAYLOR SWIFT! His favorite song was a horrible remix of Love Story! SO FUNNY! So we all belted out Love Story in the Taxi in Cape Town </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">. A beautiful moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">When we left, Kallie yelled, “We had a magical time in your taxi!” Thanks, dear. Super positive </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Just like Kallie said, I had a magical time today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Jon Wallace came today!!! I was so excited. I have legit respect for this man (he is the president of APU.) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">After dinner (good times, Morgan!) Jon Wallace spoke to our group. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Two main things I want to share from what he said:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">In the Gospel of Luke, women are mentioned. They are set apart because of how Jesus touches them spiritually, emotionally, and sometimes physically. I want to be a woman who is set apart by Jesus!!! Heck YES!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Best quote of my life:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">“Risk all of who you are for all of who you can be.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Let that sink in for a moment please.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Has it sunk?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Positive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">President Wallace said he thinks there are two categories of people. The first are people who are content with who they are. He can pretty much guarantee that in 10 years, they are going to be EXACTLY the same people. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The second group consists of people who are constantly changing. They are always reflecting and growing and seeking the Lord and trying to discover their purpose in every situation and attempting to discern His will.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">He asked us, “How are you different because of your experience in South Africa? Which category are you in?”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Well. I certainly hope I qualify for the second group. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then Jon shared that in 2005, he was told he had cancer. He went home and cried out to the Lord, “I just want my life back!” He called a friend who also had cancer, and shared this statement with his friend.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“Never say that,” the friend told Jon. “God has decided that at THIS time in your life, you need to be in this situation to learn and grow and come closer to the person He created you to be. I guarantee that you will thank God for cancer. Never ever say that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“You do not want your old lives back,” the president told us. He said that even though our American lives and old ways were comfortable, it is not the life we are meant to be living. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“I’ll bet the lives you want to live in the future are not even the kind of lives you want to be living. All that matters is that you are living a life where you get to glorify God EVERY DAY with your specific gifts and talents. You want to live a life where you are seeking the will of God every day and are working in His kingdom.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">YES!!! That’s all I could think! That is TRULY all I want!!! I want to live a life DEPENDING on God and seeking to serve Him everywhere I go! THAT IS WHAT I WANT!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And you know something cool? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">God wants that life for me too. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">So… If I play my cards right, the odds are, I’m going to get to live the life I’m dreaming of.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Whoa, man. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">That’s crazy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">After my life had been changed, Janet, Morgan and I went to Janet’s room to do a Bible study on Esther. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I LOVE THE BOOK OF ESTHER. SO positive!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Janet has so much insight into this book… I’ve read Esther many times, and it just gets BETTER and BETTER. Praise Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then I was able to be open and honest. I haven’t seriously opened up in a while. It was such a blessing to be provided with a safe environment where I trusted my dear friends enough to be seriously vulnerable.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And then we prayed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">You guys.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I prophesied over Morgan!!! I am not sharing this for self-glory, I SWEAR!!! It was so cool to be apart of God blessing Morgan!!! It was an incredible experience. Thank you, Father. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Dude. All I can say is, <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Blessed be the name of the LORD.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">SO. This day kind of rocked my socks. And by “kind of,” I mean “seriously, totally, and completely.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">New life goal:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Every day, to risk all of who I am for all of who God wants me to be. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">This is my Hallelujah song. <3<o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-7123776100247512662011-04-13T13:34:00.001-07:002011-04-13T13:34:40.440-07:00God of This City<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">April 13, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Commencing: the FINAL leg of our Road trip to Cape Town!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our road tripping is officially complete. AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! (The crowd goes WILD!!!)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Shelli was my bus buddy today. We had a party making bracelets! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The movies of the day:</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Princess Bride. My favorite movie of ALL TIME!!! I had to restrain myself from quoting just about every line. Cough, cough.</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Star Trek. Ok, I was totally surprised, but I LOVED it! Who knew there was a resident sci-fi geek livin’ in me?!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After Star Trek, I took a glorious nap.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I awoke to our AMAZING bus driver, Emmanuel, announcing, “Welcome to Cape Town!” My eyes fluttered open. I took in the sight to behold. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And almost fell out of my seat.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There loomed Table Mountain. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Table Mountain is indisputably the most majestic, regal, awe-inspiring sight I have ever laid eyes upon. It was breathtaking. I cannot WAIT to climb it!!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We arrived at our hotel. Cape Town reminds me SO much of Beverly Hills or Newport! Rich, Beach-front homes. There is a cooling, refreshing breeze whispering through the air.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After settling in, we had Orientation: Cape Town status. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dear ones. I AM SO EXCITED!!! This seems like these last few weeks are going to be GLORIOUS. Absolutely MAGNIFICENT!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After this meeting (I don’t know if anyone else is as excited as I am… WHAT IS WRONG with me!?) we walked over to Eastern Bazaar. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I LOVED it. Cape Town is RIDICULOUSLY beautiful. Picture a CLEAN New York with the architecture of Europe with the back drop of… oh yeah… AFRICA. The mountains and the sky…. Oh my word. SO BEAUTIFUL. Oh, and with buildings that looked freakishly like Pomona College. (Where is Some Crust, Mom? <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span>) </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The homeless people here look very different from the homeless people in LA. For some reason, the homeless people I saw today have a very wild look in their eyes. I am not someone experienced in the art of drug usage, but even I could tell these people were on something. It was a bit scary…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I felt God tell me that His hand is on this city. It was awesome <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Eastern Bazaar was AWESOME. I thought I was going to HATE it. It was bursting with people, loud, busy, crazy… it made me want to go to India! There were foods from all over the world. It was great. LOVED it!!! I got Chicken and fried rice. YUM.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Janet and a bunch of the girls stalked me tonight on Google. It was great.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is an amazing comment I received from on one of my APU blogs:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I take pleasure in, cause I found exactly what I was having a look for. You have ended my four day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Um. YES. Glorious.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Tonight was my first night with internet since Saturday. It was kind of nice </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Debs and I are planning to watch “While You Were Sleeping!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">NIGHT.</span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-80719050471403182092011-04-13T12:26:00.000-07:002011-04-13T12:26:21.453-07:00Caves and Tigers and Superheroes, OH MY<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">April 12, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">What history geek knows what happened 99 years ago TODAY?!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">IF you guessed, TITANIC SUNK, then you’re a successful history know-it-all. WOOO!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have no idea why this date sticks out to me. But I always remember it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Perhaps Titanic can be a metaphorical symbol of my day as well.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Just kidding <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our first activity of the day: CAVING. Ok. Who can guess how Renna feels about caving? Any takers?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I tried to convince Janet SO many times that I <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">couldn’t do it</b>. But she was CONVINCED that I could do it. “I’ll hold your hand the whole time, Renna. You’ll be fine.” EHHHH.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There were two cave options: Standard, or Adventure. There were about 15 of us who chose Standard. It felt so lame being all, “Yeah, I didn’t bungy jump. Aaaand…. I’m claustrophobic, so I’m not going to do the adventure one. I am NOT A WIMP; stop looking at me like that!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ick. Just like Janet promised, she held my hand the whole time. The first cave was ginormous. But then they decided to turn the lights out so we could feel like the discoverer dude did when he was playing Christopher Columbus. Initiate freak out. EHHHHHH. GROSS.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Confession: I don’t really like Indiana Jones at Disneyland because of the line. It is a claustro-stinking-phobic CAVE. And NOW, I was in the REAL THING!!! IN AFRICA!!! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">PS: I KNOW I keep coming back to this. But DISNEYLAND. Way to do your homework and prepare me for my trek across the WORLD. SO proud.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Gehhh. The more we “advanced into the next chamber,” the smaller and smaller the caves got. Ahem. The only way to keep from freaking out was to talk to Janet about the Bible. It was super interesting, because our tour guide was suggesting that the cave formations had been around forr upwards of 700,000 years. But according to many in the Theological field, the earth was created around 5,000 years ago. That doesn’t exactly fit. But SJ suggested that God placed the rocks on the earth already aged. Just like in the Garden of Eden. God didn’t plant the trees, and then wait for them to grow. God placed the fully grown trees in the garden. Therefore, He could have done the same for the caves. But I thought that was pretty cool. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There was one cave that was entitled “The Chamber of Good and Evil.” There was a formation that looked like a devil. But there was also a formation that looked like an Angel wing, a Bible complete with a bookmark, and an alter. You guys. I just can’t look at the world without seeing God. And neither could the discoverers of this cave. BAM. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then we reached the VERY LAST CHAMBER! HOLD ON, REN, YOU CAN DO IT!!!! ALMOST THERE!!!! Ok, I’m good! It’s all ok! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This was the smallest cave by far. We were deep into the rock. I have never let myself come anywhere CLOSE to this nastiness. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But I was holding on! Janet kept saying encouraging things like, “Renna, I am SO PROUD OF YOU!” and “Picture telling your mom you did it!” FOR YOU, MOMMY! <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There’s NOTHING that can keep me from conquering NOW!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Except…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our dang tour guide flipped the light switch. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">PITCH dark.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In a CAVE.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">MILES INTO THE EARTH.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(I have no flashlight.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And then the WORST possible thing happens.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our tour guide says, “Uh oh.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">DEAR GOD GET ME OUT!!!!!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We are in the dark for what seems like FOREVER!!!!!!!!! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The humidity was already a struggle to breathe in so far into the earth. Now, there was definitely no breathing going on. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am helpless. All I can do is latch onto Janet and BAWL.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ok, not BAWL. But definite crying.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I hated it. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And I didn’t even feel successful doing the caves because I broke down at the end. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As we say in South Africa, “Shame.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We didn’t stay at the caves all day, thankfully! Our next stop was the Cango Wildpark! (or some similar title)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I HELD 6 WEEK OLD BABY TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Kara convinced me! It was a bit pricey, but come now. I didn’t bungy jump and there is NO WAY I am going shark cage diving and I had just cried like a baby in a cave. Therefore, I found it fitting to play with baby tigers. Sniff, sniff.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was AMAZING!!! They were so cute! They were so playful and they just kept climbing all over me! I loved it so much!!!! Best decision of my day. THANKS KARA!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I had an amazing bus buddy today: Allie! Ohmygoodness. It was such a God thing I sat next to you girl!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If I am being completely honest… I have been kind of disappointed in the community especially recently. I am sure some of this is purely me… But I feel like most people don’t really care about me. I have witnessed a lot of self-centeredness. And another thing? I have been feeling like I have to carry the conversation all the time, if that makes sense. Like, the person next to me will be SILENT unless I talk and talk and try to be an awesome friend to them. This has been a real theme. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But I also got to talk to Kate Wallace. She is so great! I know that if we had more time together, we would be great friends. She was telling me about her experience studying abroad in Oxford. She explained that she belives God hardens people’s hearts to teach us lessons. That was how she felt she came to rely so heavily on God in her time abroad. And I kind of feel like that situation has been applying to me recently. And it’s ok, but it just gets tiring to pour out into people with no one pouring into me, you know?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I felt slightly homesick for the first time today. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Mom? I missed you.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Tommy? We’re going Bungy jumping when I get home.</div><div class="MsoNormal">Francesca and Danielle? I REALLY wish you were here, my loves.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Back to Allie. For the first time in a long time, I felt like someone was pouring into me. She actually cared about how I was doing and wanted to help. It was such a beautiful God-send. Thank you, my dear <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before getting deep, we created super heroes for ourselves.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Allie’s:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Awkward Allie transformed into Aqua Allie, with Steve the Stingray for her sidekick!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Mine:</div><div class="MsoNormal">Rambunctious Renna transformed into Rainbow Renna, with Oscar the Ostrich for my sidekick! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We created a good THREE episodes. Not going to lie. I was THOUROGHLY entertained! I plan to write it all down one day <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal">At dinner, I got to sit next to Allie and Wailana. SUCH a pleasure. Love them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After dinner, hung out with Debs and Tyler for a bit. Then I hung out with Matt and Zach. Zachariah tried to teach me about football. We can all guess how that turned out… <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It was a big day.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And hey. I’m a survivor. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-26022363055443240842011-04-13T12:23:00.001-07:002011-04-13T12:23:44.448-07:00Jump.<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">April 11, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">BUNGY JUMP DAY!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I did not jump.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“WHYYYYY?!?!?!?!?!?!?” </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">^That was the common reaction. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ok, here’s the deal.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The MAIN reason I didn’t jump: My ankle still hurts. And they attach you by your ankles. I’ve heard SO many stories of people who were ALMOST better! But then! ALAS! They do something stupid. (Something WAY less stupid than bungy jumping.) And then they have issues for the rest of their life. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The SECONDARY reason I didn’t jump: I admit it. This morning, I was SCARED! Scared out of my wits like a little bunny.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And everyone was coming up to me, asking me WHY I wasn’t going. And for some inexplicable reason, I was starting to get a little irritated… can’t someone just not have the desire to jump? Or maybe a legitimate medical reason?? And still, everyone thinks they know how my foot feels. I SO appreciate the concern. But… You can’t really get inside my foot, you know? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I left the room to get some Ren-and-God time. I want His complete will for my life, hey? If that means jumping off a 700 foot bridge, then gosh darn it, I’ll do it!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Lord, please give me a sign. Tell me what you want me to do.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cue my chalet mate, Kristina. She was the very FIRST jumper. And also, a NURSE. Bam.</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Renna, are you going?” She asked me.</div><div class="MsoNormal">“I’m thinking about it… I mean, I don’t want to regret it, you know?”</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Ren, I don’t think you should go.”</div><div class="MsoNormal">“Really!? WHY?!”</div><div class="MsoNormal">“When I was going, I honestly thought, this would be really bad on Renna’s foot. It pulls REALLY tight and there’s a heck of a lot of pressure. I think it could damage your foot if it’s not all the way healed.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks, Jesus.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So then I felt super positive about not going.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Heather also gave me moral support. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">She helped me remember not to seek the approval of others. I don’t need to prove that I’m hardcore by JUMPING OFF OF A BRIDGE. I really don’t. And I know that right now, I am doing the best thing for me. I DO want to go bungy jumping in life. Really, I do! But I also realized this:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Tommy</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Jenn</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Mike</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Francesca</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Danielle</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Mae</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">(Sorry Mom and Dad… I don’t think you’d actually go. And Mike… on second thought, you probably wouldn’t either!! Haha.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I would want at least one of you guys to go with me! I would want that support GOING with me. It’s a memory I’d like to share with you guys.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Plus? I’m going to be back. I’m only 17! SEVENTEEN!!! My life isn’t over! I can totally come back. And there is nothing wrong with bungying in America. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">By the time a million people went and I’d been watching for 3 ½ hours, I totally wanted to go. I didn’t even feel scared. But I still felt like I shouldn’t. There will be other times. My life isn’t over yet <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We watched Dark Knight on the bus. I felt so proud because I was explaining to Liana what was going on!! Proud, Tommy??</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our hotel is GORGEOUS!!! It’s a Christian resort.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This time around, I have not one, not two, but THREE roommates! Lindsay, Karissa, and Debs. Hurrah!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dinner was crazy. 3 courses! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After dinner, Melinda, Zach, Tyler and I had a meeting to plan our week long adventure. Without internet, it was pretty pointless. But I still had fun <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After, I hung out with Debs, Tyler, and Morgan (HAPPY BIRTHDAY!) We gazed at the beautiful stars <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And, at 10:46, I am clocking out. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Whew. What a day <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-62499600368575527142011-04-13T12:21:00.001-07:002011-04-13T12:21:52.579-07:00If Life Was a Race...<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">April 10, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I woke up to one of my favorite sounds: the ocean tumbling on the shore. The first thing Debs says to me is, “I want to stay here forever.”</div><div class="MsoNormal">I second that!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Another bus day!</div><div class="MsoNormal">We watched:</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Step Up: LOVE. Joy to my HEART! And now that the two leads are MARRIED?! AH. Dude. Nuff said.</div><div class="MsoNormal">-John Tucker Must Die: I enjoyed it more the second time around. I love Brittany Snow.</div><div class="MsoNormal">-Taken: AHHH!!! So GOOD! So stressful!! But it shows you an earthy depiction of what our heavenly father will do for us. AH. We have yet to finish it.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">At lunch, we stopped at this diner-ish place called “Wimpy.” I convinced EVERYONE that the reason it was called such a lame name was because of THIS:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Once upon a time, there was a boy who LOVED to cook. He cook all the time!! But he tended to overindulge on what he cooked because it was SO DARN TASTY! This resulted on him having a less-than-model-worthy body. All of the kids at school mocked him and called him wimpy! He decided the best revenge was to become a millionare by creating a world-renowned restaurant and dedicating it to all those out there who are made fun of because they enjoy eating!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Yep. They all believed me. Suckers. :P </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Dude, I have been feeling SASSY all day! Whew, watch OUT.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After lunch, we drove .2 seconds to our hotel. Debs and I are roomies! SHOCKER! I just can’t get rid of her… :P </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I played BS and Spoons with Callie, Jenny, Micah, Allie, and Melinda. It twas quite loverly. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then Tyler pushed me in the pool. JERK!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">BEACH! Ah! It was so beautiful!!! But it was fffrrrreeezzzzzing by the time we got there, so I didn’t go in. But oh, the beauty. Hey, Lord? SO good. You really outdid yourself on the whole creation thing <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A bunch of us found this playgroud! It was awesome! We played Lava Monster. Here’s the deal: I don’t think I’ll ever be super positive at games that requite coordination and speed and skill. Ahem. But I still had a good time. The best part was when I found a legit hiding spot, so no one chased me! WINNER!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then we ate dinner at some fancy shmancy place of which I cannot completely comprehend or remember the name. Mogran and I split an AMAZING plate of Lasagna! Oh my lanta. De-lish. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We all met two foreign guys! One was from Ireland, and one was from Germany! Hurrah!!! I HAVE to go to those places, PS. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Something cool about our location: Right on the beach, they were having an Iron Man Marathon. For those of you who are sports illiterate (myself included, don’t be sad!), an Iron Man is a triathlon (<- apparently that’s how you spell it?! WHO KNEW?!) that includes swimming, biking, and running. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The first thing that pops into my mind: EW.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But after that, the word RESPECT rings and rings in my mind! AH. We watched these people pass for HOURS. I don’t even understand how they have the skill, preservation, determination, focus, and TALENT, to attempt, let alone accomplish this! CRAZY, man!!! Woah. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But as far as life goes, I think I can relate. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I want to finish my race. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And I want to finish it strong. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">But it’s really really about the finish. It’s about the journey. And so far? My life’s journey has been remarkable. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Thanks, Jesus.</div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-30441356920051631012011-04-13T12:19:00.001-07:002011-04-13T12:19:57.506-07:00On the Road Again<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">April 9, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">ONE MONTH UNTIL I’M LEGAL!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">At 7:04, we drove away from African Enterprise for the last time. It was like driving away from a fairytale. The sun was smiling beautifully to remind of the sparkling enchantments provided by AE. A piece of my heart will always remain there. I went and stood on top of the waterfall one last time. I couldn’t help but let a small smile grace my face and silently laugh. I will always remember the waterfall as a physical example of God’s great strength. Words can’t even begin to cover the awe I feel when I think about it. STILL. So completely CRAZY. Oh my. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">On the bus, I took it upon myself to attempt to catch up on EIGHT days of blogging!!! Such a task I do not recommend for innocent bystanders. It is not a challenge suited for the weak of heart! It’s my new goal to stay up to date on blogging. And I WILL. BAM.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Our first bus film was Mean Girls. I forgot how epic that movie is! For real! The script is GENIUS!!! And Rachel McAdams, Lacey Chabert, and Amanda Seyfried are SO GOOD. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Debs was my bus buddy </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Then we watched sleepless in Seattle. Totally love it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Then we watched 500 Days of Summer! FRANCESCA!!! MY LOVE!!!!! OUR MOVIE!! AHHH. CONGRATS ON YOUR CALL BACK, LOVE! You deserve it </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">When we stopped for lunch, I switched into the smaller, less luxurious bus. I liked it better </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;"> I had great company: Kelly, Melinda, Jessie, Yoyo, Liana, Debs, Jenny, Wailana, Noelle, and Karissa. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Then we got to our hotel. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Mom and Nana! You two would have been in HEAVEN.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Ladies and Gentlemen: a more beautiful sight you have never seen. It is GLORIOUS. The hotel is RIGHT on the beach! My window has a heavenly view!!! Morgan and I went exploring. It’s gorgeous. Father, you are an artist. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">It looks JUST like Narnia 2! There is a forest right on the sand! The water shines like a thousand diamonds and the sunset was breathtaking but soft. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande"; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt;">Debs and I had a chill night. We watched Aladdin! I love Disney. Again. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><br />
</span></span></div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-1057822956076393492011-04-13T12:18:00.001-07:002011-04-13T12:18:51.691-07:00Longer Than This Road I Travel<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">April 8, 2011<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Last day at my beloved African Enterprise! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Chapel was AMAZING. The worship hit me so hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Your love is deep<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Your love is high<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Your love is long<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Your love is wide.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Your love is deeper than my view of grace<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Higher than this worldly place<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Longer than this road I travel<o:p></o:p></span></u></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Wider than the gap you fill.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">God has been teaching me so much about love. I feel like love and grace are intertwined. When I think about grace, I just imagine diving into a huge pool and being covered by grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And I am currently on a long road. I never really realized how HUGE the world was before coming to South Africa. God is so big. And His love for me is so much greater, bigger, longer, wider… <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Reg spoke! He talked about how goals should be called “life-arrangers.” We need to create goals about how we are going to implement the changes and lessons we’ve been learning. We need to arrange our lives in a way that IS different. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">My goal is to be like Joshua: “I, however, followed the Lord wholeheartedly.” (Joshua 14:8) <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Living wholeheartedly for the Lord is a daily decision. To live wholeheartedly means to transform my worldview to be that of God’s. Something beautiful? That connects to the African ideal “Ubuntu,” which means<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>we are here to serve each other. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">God’s goals are impossible goals. We can’t reach them alone. And how do we know if we’re following God’s plan for our lives? Reg says you’ll be scared to death. HA! I was DEFINITELY scared to death to come here… So I’m feeling pretty positive that I’m on the right path currently. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">After chapel, musical theatre packing party with Debs! OH YEAH! We rocked out to Legally Blonde, Anastasia, and the Little Mermaid. It was definitely a party. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">More and more, I’m realizing how much I miss theatre! My heart hurts for it!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Mall run after lunch. Morgan and I were excellent shopping buddies! We kind of rock.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">When we got back, I played in a picture scavenger hunt across AE! It was so fun! Colton, Leslie, Annaliesa, and Wailana were on my team. On this hunt, I went into the reserve for the last time. It was so beautiful. That reserve may be one of my favorite places on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">We may have lost the game (RUDE!!!) But it was still awesome good times </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Then I took a quick shower before the farewell dinner. See, for some reason, everyone thought that the farewell dinner was a dress up occasion… and I missed it. How? I don’t know! But I did! So I showed up looking so silly with wet hair and my army green pants and giraffe shoes </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The farewell dinner was so lovely! The staff from everyone’s service sites was supposed to come. It was our way of saying thank you. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">And unfortunately, everyone’s staff DID show up… except ours! It was so tragic! We sat there waiting for them, eyes glued to the door, hoping for their magical entrance. Alas… they never came </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span></span><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";"> I just hope they were ok! I would WAY rather they forget than for something to have happened! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Tyler and I had so much fun. Best big brother in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">PS: I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT!!! TYLER IS COMING ON THE EXTRA WEEK!!!!!! So officially, it’s going to be:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*Melinda<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*Zachariah<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*Tyler<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">*Me! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I am so excited. This is going to be excellent! We are still in the process of changing plane tickets… pray it’s as cheap as possible!!<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">In honor of the Ethembeni staff, I am going to include the poem that Zwe wrote in honor of the SA Ethembeni team: <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">A Gift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">A heart that loves is a gift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">A heart that cares is a gift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">How can I thank that heart<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">You did not know me<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">But yet you have showed much love and care<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">You have opened your heart for me to stay<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">The memory you have created will never be replaced<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">How can I thank this heart,<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">A heart that loves is a gift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">A heart that cares is a gift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">You have come a long way with a treasured heart<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Gold might be precious and bring wealth<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">But a heart that cares is a gift, a heart that loves is a gift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Never to be compared with gold<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">How can I repay you<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Well the answer is I can't<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">But there is someone who sees that heart<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">A gifter of life, a man who connects the veins in our blood systems<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">With that heart you will touch many<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">A heart is a gift, a gift from God<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">You are that gift brought to us by God<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">You are precious<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">You have made a mark in God's Kingdom<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">All the best to your journey with God<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Bless His people with that gift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">You are a gift<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande"; font-size: 13.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">-Zwelihlie E. Sokhel<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">The last night at AE… I sat by the waterfall for a bit and sang. I don’t know why, but there was something funny about sitting there atop the waterfall. It was like sitting there, I could see everything. I could see God’s plan in my fall… I could look back and remember all the times I spent in THAT spot. Studying, hanging out with friends, talking, silence, reading my Bible, praying, singing, reflecting… It looked beautiful. All of the trees, lit by the nearby chalets… Bittersweet bliss. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Goodnight moon, goodnight AE. I am grateful for all you provided for me. You have stolen a bit of my soul, and I hope that someday I can come back. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">I can’t die without going in that game reserve again!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Handwriting - Dakota";">Goodnight world. Onto a new adventure. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 418.5pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680856290420788700.post-8624257418801297642011-04-13T12:14:00.001-07:002011-04-13T12:14:43.557-07:00One Day More<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">April 7, 2011</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We woke up to many, many, MANY animal noises. AHEM. HEYYYY there, rooster and cows!! Glad to hear you’re alive and well this fine morning!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our first activity of the day was milking cows. Don’t get me wrong. Cows are great. Really. But I can’t say I’m a huge fan. I keep learning new things about myself. Hurrah!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Then we made pots! This was SO fun. All my years of Play-doh playing came into use! And, hey Mae, remember that ceramics class we took at the Lion Center? I totally have leftover talent from that time! (I was 6 years old, people. I could have been a great pot maker!!!)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was an artist! I was so talented! I was having a party with my clay! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">And then one of the workers walks by my beautiful creation and gives it a dirty look. As IF I was going to let him get away with that!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">“What?! Do you want to help me fix it or something??”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">He says nothing. He leans down and scoops up what I have spent SO long on, and then, in the blink of an eye, he FLATTENS IT. SQUISHES IT!!! My jaw DROPS. And I couldn’t help but GASP. Annaliesa, who’s next to me, grabs my arm. </div><div class="MsoNormal">“Renna! Are you ok?!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">No words. I am in shock. </div><div class="MsoNormal">“Eh—Uh- Pot! My! DEAD!”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was devastated. Then he remade my pot and gave it back to me. It was super nice of him… but I mean… a perfect pot wasn’t really the point of the exercise, hey? Wasn’t it supposed to be a chance to take a moment in the shoes of the Zulus? I liked my slightly deformed pot. It had character. And I’ve always wanted to be original, as opposed to perfect. So that was interesting.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While I was pot-less, I had an amazing talk with Annaliesa. I hope I get to know her better on this trip! She is a gem. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">After pots, we made bracelets! I liked this a lot <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> Mine is super bright and colorful. Which, I’m sure, is surprising. Cough, cough.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This concluded our Zulu experience. It was quite lovely.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I sat with Reagan and Liana on the way home. Love them.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">When we got home, I was so excited to see Debs and Morgan!!! I missed them!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">That night, we had a dance party! Mary Bette was SO FUNNY! She loves dancing, and got us all excited about it <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The dance party was super fun! I showcased my brilliant moves. I am more of a classical dancer. Therefore, I selected moves such as the sacred Sprinkler, the showy shopping carts, and the cute Q-tip. Karissa and I created dance moves for each of the Big Five! My personal favorite is the Elephant!!! SO great, Karissa!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I was so proud of myself for lasting an hour. That’s big for me in a dance! Wooo! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">You know something? The more confident I become in myself, the more confident I become in dancing. Hmm…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Great day. So sad that tomorrow’s our last day!!!!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">One more dawn<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">One more day<o:p></o:p></i></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Cambria; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">One day more</span></i><!--EndFragment-->RennaSouthAfricahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16589397485153047842noreply@blogger.com0