Something More.

“Dreams are fuel.
They fuel us to victory.
But most of the time they stay just that.
Dreams.
I lived most of my life “about” to do something.”

“But we also realized that the American dream of white picket fences and a 9-5 isn’t our shtick.
And here is the harder truth.
It isn’t a lot of yours either.”

I love these quotes from this post mostly because I’m right there.  Right there knowing I could play it safe.  I could get that 9-5 and the steady paycheck.  But I’m not.  I know that I only go to the 9-5, white picket fence, happily ever after because it appears safe, comfortable and a great decision.  Except it’s not what I’m supposed to do right now.  God calls me to jump into the water and get completely wet while not holding back anything.  Complete surrender of my heart, desires, hopes, dreams, and life.  Except the amazing thing is that He’s right there beside me ready to bless me and show me what an abundant life looks like when I’m walking with Him.

Women’s Conference

Headed to a Women’s Conference in QwaQwa today!  I’m excited to see what conferences are like here and get a chance to spend some time with the Thrive ladies as well as everyone else.  I’ll let you know how it goes. Enjoy your Saturday and sleep in for me since I couldn’t!

I Can.

Running on base proves to be a little tricky here because I’m not a huge fan of hills.  I avoid them if at all possible.  I much prefer running downhill or on flat ground.  Lately, running proved to be a struggle since I took a week off for Cape Town and then was sick for a while during Family Days.  I’m just now trying to get back into the groove of things.  Though, I’ve been frustrated with my lack of motivation and lack of results.  I hadn’t ran in two days and then started talking with another intern, Allen, about running last night and the upcoming Flatberg race (15k including going up a mountain…).  The conversation gave me the drive to finally get out and complete a “good” run.

I started out this morning determined to get up and go.  I set my alarm and was out the door by 6:05 a.m. with my iPod Nike+ set to a distance of 7k.  About 2k into my run, I got this ridiculous idea that I shouldn’t just run 7k, but, no, I should run a 10k.  Mind you, the farthest I’ve ran in the last week or two has been around 35 minutes.  But, when I decide something that’s that.  So, I kept running and running.  Being bored, I did some run there and then run back along with some circles in the field.  Basically, I did everything possible to not go up hill and still complete a 10k.  All of that to say that I did.  I ran 10.02k in 55:30 min. which translates into a 5:32 min/km pace or a 8:54 min./mile.  This was only 1 minute slower than the 10k I ran in July. Woot!  For being out of practice, I was happy.  Also, I was reminded of the power of determination, persistence, and the need to set my eyes on an achievable goal while not letting my feelings get in the way or let my mind start believing the lies of “I can’t.”

So, what’s been your greatest accomplishment this week?

Lindo

Totally missing my buddy tonight and wishing he would be there tomorrow to give me a big hug.

Stand Still

“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!”
-1 Samuel 12:16

Good-bye’s the Saddest Word

We started the year as a group of 8 interns with Thrive Africa.  Today marks the first day that we will be 7 interns.  Due to surgery and a prognosis of a long recovery time, Sam headed home with her parents who thankfully were here throughout the time for Family Days.  Already, we feel the gaping hole within our group and the difference the last two months will be with only 7.  We’re definitely missing you, Sam!  And we’re praying for you and for a speedy recovery.

Safari, Part 2

Lion! After driving around for like 2 hours, we finally saw a lion.

We also saw a baby rhino!

Other animals we saw included elephants, jackals, birds, warthogs, croccodile, hippos, wildebeast, springbok, blesbok, urdu or kurdu or whatever they’re called and monkeys!  We had great animal sightings, delicious food (yummy stir fry and desserts), and a nice time relaxing before saying good-bye.

Safari Time

I love giraffe!  They are one of my favorite African animals (I’m bad at picking favorites). Do you have a favorite African animal or animal?

p.s. come back tomorrow for some more pictures and thoughts about Safari with my parents.

Love

We made t-shirts at Hope House.  Zodwa wrote this on her shirt…

B’ahava=with love.

What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?

Often when you ask kids what they want to do when they grow up here, you’ll receive and “I don’t know” or some other response.  But, today, I loved the response I got from these two boys.  They both play soccer.  They’re about 13 years old.  One of the boys told me that he wanted to be an engineer and the other wants to be a policeman.  One even had a computer in his house.  I felt like I was back in the States for a second hearing that they play video games, watch Transporter 3, computer games and play sports.  Sometimes I find myself entrenched in the culture that I need a healthy reminder that kids in the States have a completely different life.  They have parents, shoes to wear, toys galore, events to attend, sports to play, new clothes, dreams for the future and so much more.  I love helping these kids see their potential and see that they can grow up to be something amazing.