A wonderful week so far

I have been having the most wonderful week so far! My obsession with the vibrant protea continues - Ray and I keep seeing them everywhere we go, and I cannot resist but take a quick picture!

On Monday Ray wrote the very last exam for his degree. It has been pure bliss having him on holiday with me! I love it when he asks me, "Love, what will we be doing today?" And anything is possible :) 

Following an end-of-year tradition, once exams finish at BISA, the boys play an intense game of action cricket and then we have a braai together as a college. This year the game played was brilliant, with Ray's team winning the match (I was just thrilled that I got to kiss the captain, hehe!) Like all good South Africans, not even the rain, thunder or lightning could stop us from having our barbecue - we just huddled under dripping umbrellas, close to the flickering flamers, and stayed warm wrapped in Ray's arms. 

Tuesday evening was BISA's Christmas social, with this year's theme being "Another Culture" The entertainment after the meal left me gasping for breath I was laughing so hard! Nothing like some quality comedy acts and the usual graduating students' written and performed play to get everyone wiping the tears from their eyes :)

This morning was the final chapel service of the year. It was a solemn but joyful occasion, a time to look back at the past year, reflecting on God's great goodness, grace and provision, to give thanks and simply celebrate all that has happened. 

Then, under sun blazed skies, Ray and I, with friends, went to Tribeca in Kalk-Bay for milkshakes and coffee. While walking through the glorious heat, I could not stop smiling, so tired but so very happy, seeing excited BISA students in the cafes, the fishing boats still in the quiet harbour, ocean shimmering in the sunshine, the locals selling strawberries, flowers and handmade beaded ornaments along the side of the road, wandering in and out of shops, losing track of the time as the conversation gently flowed... this is what holidays are all about.

It is my lovely mother's birthday today! (The phone has been ringing constantly, followed by shouting in German, and then we know that it is family calling!) I find that as the years go by I become more and more aware of all that my parents have done and continue to do for all of us. Their selfless, sacrificial love, prayers for us, the wisdom that they possess, how they have graciously brought us up on the Gospel truth... For my mom, especially with all this wedding planning, she has been so patient, kind, generous, helpful, supportive, encouraging, ecstatic for us, I cannot fully express how grateful we are! All that she does to protect and provide, caring for her family, serving the women at church, teaching and counselling... looking at all the friends she has that love her so dearly remind me how precious she is! (Thanks mommy - we love you so very much!!) I know that without my mom our home would not be a home at all. I have to say though, that my older sister's gift voucher, saying that my younger sister and I would do housework for a month, was rather clever (and that's never going to happen!)

While my parents went out for dinner to celebrate, us at home made pizza with the kitchen smelling of yeast and Italian herbs. We devoured our delicious creations in just minutes! Our evening drew to a close at Bible study, the best group of friends sitting around God's Word, congratulating those finished for the year, or done with their degree, munching chocolates and singing along to Mumford and Sons on the drive home, watching the city lights twinkling below. 

Well this exhausted girl, who didn't manage to make it to the beach with her favourite people or that braai with friends or read another novel today from her stack, is off to bed, knowing that the next few weeks of summer will bring plenty more memories to be made :) 

Before the storm

Ahhh... I have had such an incredible long weekend with Ray (You make me so SO HAPPY!!) I never cease to be amazed and grateful for who he is and all that he does. 

My week ended with Ray picking me up from the train station with a chocolate in his hand, rain pouring down (the umbrella not helping in the slightest), ready to snuggle down for the weekend. Time has passed filled with  indulging in hours of much needed sleep (sigh of pleasure), watching movies, writing down a list of books that I want to read when the holidays come around again and somehow attempting to study. 

My mother is away visiting family in Namibia and after less than one day already we were eating ice-cream for dinner (and it hasn't stopped!) We love going shopping with my dad - he ends up buying a million unnecessary, yet very yummy, treats. I can only laugh at the plan we all have come up with - deciding what we will eat on what day. So far it is basically eating out or ordering in food for the next two weeks - half price sushi on this day, then two-for-one burger special on that day, but what about getting fish and chips from the harbour, or takeaways from our favourite Indian restaurant, and how could we have forgotten about pizza? (I think that I may start missing fresh fruit and vegetables after a few days...) 

Nao, our dog, runs down the stairs and waits expectantly, tag wagging and ears up, every time she hears the gate open, thinking that mom is home again - it is really sweet but sad (we miss her too puppy!)

Sunday, the wind blew and an icy rain fell, with the fabric of our temporary church tent billowing about, pulling against its constraints (it has been quite an experience these past weeks!) Holding Ray's hand singing "Hallelujah! All I have is Christ. Hallelujah! Jesus is my life..." brought everything back to its rightful perspective, remembering what brings everlasting joy.  

Ray and I enjoyed Heritage day by going for a walk down passed the beach to the lower Silvermine wetland. The thick clouds along the horizon melted into the ocean, both shades of grey, the cool and crisp breezes causing the petals of the flowers to close. Over the wooden walkways we went, alongside the swollen streams, talking about the future like we always do, working through the fears and uncertainties together, coming out reassured and at peace. There is no greater comfort in life than knowing that God has a plan, it is good and right, and whatever happens is in His hands! He has blessed us so greatly so far that all we can do is humbly trust in Him and give Him thanks. 

Like all good South Africans we had a braai (barbecue) today :) Finishing off the afternoon with ice-cream sundaes and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies as the weather warmed.  

I am thankful for brief moments like these, because looking ahead, counting the days till exams and Ray's graduation (with all the tests and assignments inbetween!) time is flying, and we always wonder how we will get through... yet somehow, we suddenly look back, and realise that we have made it through the storm. I do know, though, that I would never have made it through these last years without my King, my family and my phenomenal fiancé!! 

My life of roadtrips and travelling!

The madness of packing, everyone rushing around, trying to squash all the bags in the back of the car, so stressed that all they can do it laugh... roadtrip!

I have been on countless roadtrips...

... Around the beautiful South Africa, the quiet and quaint West Coast fishing villages, up garden route to see the Spring flowers, stopping at wine farms and any unique farm stall, driving up North to Kruger National game reserve, backpacking through the park, watching the sunset while elephants, giraffes and buck drink from the waterhole...

... Up to Namibia (so many times!), along the straightest roads, stretching unendingly into the horizon, flanked by orange sandstone mountains and golden sand dunes rising up out of the desert floor. I love driving over the Orange River, stopping on the bridge between the two countries for a photograph, then standing under the scorching sun in winding lines for hours waiting to get our passports stamped. Hot, dusty air breezing through our open windows, stopping in a small, abandoned mining town, to our favourite German bakery for delicious pastries to eat under the shade of trees. Spending time with family, playing card games with my cousins late into the night, so much laughter, so many memories...

... Around Europe – Germany, Austria, Italy, Swizerland! The breathtaking countryside, rolling green hills, snowcapped Alps, driving through tunnels under mountains... Walking through Munich at night, a Starbucks cup in my hand, admiring the fountains, the busy streets, the glockenspiel, dancing and spinning about as the clock strikes. Salzburg – Mozart’s home town, beautiful in every way – I remember standing in awe in the Royal rose gardens, taking a horse and carriage ride around the city, the wheels rattling over the cobblestones taking cable cars up to castles that seem to be on every hill, exploring those stone corridors, fascinated by the suits of armour, ancient weapons, marionettes, surrounded by such rich history!  And Venice! No place like it on Earth – the walkways over the canals, rooftop gardens, weaving through tight passages between towering, crumbling buildings, pushing through the crowds of tourists, crushed in San Marco square, hearing hundreds of church bells tolling, the wavering flicker of candles burning in the sanctuaries, the marble statues and ceiling paintings in the cathedrals, eating gelato every day, riding a gondola down the Grand Canal, sitting at the edge of a pier on the island of Lido, feet dangling, listening to the water lap against the stones, snacking for supper, watching the sun sink below the Venice skyline into the waters below. Magical. Driving around the famed Lake Como, dipping our hands into the water, driving around the Colosseum in Verona, standing in the stone courtyard staring up at Juliet's famed balcony, then up into the Bergamo mountain regions, like a dream, a distant dream...

... And of course those days and days of driving all around the USA! This is where all my roadtripping began and I am still astounded when I hear the story – my brother and father drove in an old van filled with all our possessions while my mother, sister and I, a newborn baby of nine days old, took a train ride from San Diego, Southern California, to Philadelphia – West to the East coast. Since then we have driven through/across/to nearly every state. Days spent watching the countryside change through the car window, watching those billboards, turning off the highway, stopping at Cracker Barrel and other curio stores, eating fast foods, annoying each other in the backseat of the car. I remember the “small town” feel of big town Chicago, Illinois, the lighthouses watching over a frozen Lake Michigan, standing in the spray of Niagara Falls, ski’ing in Yosemite National Park, staring at the reflection of El Capitan in the dark waters, skating on a frozen lake, licking dripping icicles, taking shelter in Native American tepees, the thunderstorms of Orlando, Florida, swimming at the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, the charm of Charlotte, South Carolina, the Golden Gate bridge rising out of the mists and rain, the eternal bustle of New York, the busyness, constant sounds of moving meet, standing in the shadow of the Empire State building, wandering through Central Park, riding the subway, holding onto the ferry railing as we sail past the Statue of Liberty, visiting all the famous museums (of course) in Washington DC, running up the stairs to the stairs to the Lincoln Memorial, the tulips in front of the Capitol building, the themeparks in Los Angeles, the wonder of Disneyland and Disneyworld too many times to count, wrapping my scarf tightly around my neck as we build snowmen in St Louis, going up into that silver arch, passing through Texas, Tennessee, Georgia...

... But there are still  a million places I still want to visit – so many places I dream of discovering in the US, old world Europe, travelling through Asia – India, the Indonesia islands, Thailand, Japan – and up through the diverse continent of Africa!

I have come to realize that what makes all of these roadtrips special (and so memorable – the laughter, the irritation, the complete catastrophes, the horrible weather, the most wonderful moments!) is that it was because of the people that went along with me – or who took me along! It’s my family, my friends, my loved ones. Tomorrow morning my best friend and I will drive back home and nothing excites me more than the thought of hours of new adventure just waiting to happen... happy roadtripping!