An Unusual Morning

Life has been just life lately. Sometimes I am at a loss of what to write because everything feels so normal. However, I do have a rather funny experience to share!

My housemate Brittany and I went for a little getaway this weekend to just relax and recharge. We went to a small game park in South Africa called Templehof where they have baby lions to hold! So fun! On Saturday night, we went to bed early so we could watch the sunrise over the beautiful South African mountains. We went to the balcony of the lodge but couldn't see much, so we went down to a small play area on the swing set. It wasn't long before the emus came... We knew them to have a poor sense of personal space, so as they started getting closer we didn't think much of it. We were told they were more afraid of us than we are of them. But how the tables turned...

Soon they were far too close for comfort, and despite our attempts to shoo them away, they continued to come closer. Much much closer. Now but three feet away, Brittany found refuge on the top of the  merry-go-round while I stood atop a swing, hoping our height would add some intimidation. Brittany was safe, but the two emus got closer and closer to me, my heart beating faster and faster. But then, the strangest thing happened... The one closest to me began to crouch. I don't think emus can jump, but it sure looked like he was ready to pounce! But the other one followed suit. So there I stood on the swing, two emus kneeling in front of me, still way too close for comfort, but there they sat. One inched closer while the other came around the back side of me. I had this great fear that they were ganging up  on me and were gonna start hammering away at my flesh any minute. They didn't peck, but they began bumping me with their necks and faces while I pleaded for Brittany to do something. As one began fluffing his feathers, Brittany hopped down from her perch, successfully shooing them away enough for me to get to a higher spot. As we stood there puzzled by what we just saw, one emu walked away. The other, however, kept his eye on us, feathers fluffed, and very slowly circling our jungle gym of refuge. I did my best to enjoy the sunrise, but I had a hard time slowing down my heart after thinking I was going to be pecked to death. The light stretched across the sky, the emu was far enough away for us to make an escape, and we quickly relinquished to our cozy rondavel by the lion cage. My heart restored to its normal pace as I enjoyed a rusk and a cup of tea. 

We found out at breakfast that the kneeling was actually a sign of respect. They said they were welcoming me and saw me as an authority. What!? Though this may be true, I have decided that I do not like emus, despite how much they seem to like me. But hey, I'm in the animal kingdom club now! I've got birds bowing to me! 

An Overdue Update

Hello! Hi. This is long overdue. Sorry.

These past few weeks have been such a whirlwind! Since my last post, a team of 21 came from my church which included my parents and boyfriend. It was such a blessing to have them here to experience life as I have been living it. Though it was overwhelming at times to have my two worlds collide, it was also so beautiful to see them understanding why I love it here so much. I know this post will not do it justice, but time is limited and there are too many words to be written.

They came on the 29th and it was such a joyous reunion. My mom got to work with me in my house, and my dad and Brooks also got opportunity to pop in on my "normal" life, as well as help out on campus and at Beautiful Gardens. We were able to see a bit more of the country on day trips and evening getaways, and those moments were so refreshing. To end the week, I joined the team for a two day safari in South Africa. Let me tell you, it was incredible! Though we didn't see everything we were hoping to, I loved soaking in all of God's creativity and handiwork. Even just the landscape around us was enough to cause awe. They left on the 7th, and though it was difficult to have to say goodbye again, it also marked me being half way! Hokey toots! I had a lot of fear that when they left I would feel very alone, but I was pleased to find out that instead I felt very encouraged. A member of the team said something that really lightened my spirit. I feel silly for not being able to remember what it was, but whatever she said replaced fear with a great sense of calm and hope in the fact that I now have an even bigger cloud of witnesses who understand and can support me. The first few days were still a bit lonely and quiet, but The Lord blessed me with such deep joy in my work here. I wish I had time to write more. Though the week was crazy, it was also such a gift to have the three people I love most experience my day to day life.

Another big event became two. The last Friday that the Haven team was here, we said goodbye to two of our precious children. Their sister called and said she was coming to pick them up, so just as soon as she called, they were taken away. This was such a hard departure for so many. For Brittany (one of my housemates) and I, it meant two less kids in the soft play room where we work in the morning. We had really been working hard with these two to reach their milestones as they are quite behind, so we had really bonded with them. For their housemother, it meant saying goodbye to her children. And for so many others on campus, it was a day of heartache, for the nature of their departure was uncertain and not very hopeful. However, now the event has become two! A week later, we received calls from their neighborhood that they were not being looked after well, so our social worker brought them back home, and home it truly is. They adjusted very easily back into life at Beautiful Gate, and though we grieve whatever they must have experienced in that week away, we rejoice in knowing that this is not defeat. God has brought them back to good hands, and now they will be on their way through the adoption process! The sorrow of the goodbyes made the joy of the hellos even greater, and I praise our Lord for His mighty plan.

Life otherwise has just been life. There are beautiful moments of joy, moments of exhaustion, moments of sorrow, but above all else, each moment is a moment of grace. For this reason we praise. I am so excited to take time during this Holy Week to just spend with my savior, and I hope you can find the time to do the same. As my kids so enthusiastically say, "God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!"