Chicken curry and Roti

Tonight I decided to be ambitios and make chicken curry from the seasonings I brought home, and roti, and it turned our really good. I even made the rice with tumeric powder in it, the way

they do it over there, so that was seriously fun, and delicous. I like making good South African food way over here in central California. This goes out to all my buddies in South Africa... :)

Valerie's Visit

This past week was a refreshing week. My friend Valerie du Mee came to visit me and my family. We had lots of things planned and it was really nice to just be with each other, encouraging eachother, and sharing a little bit of life together. I have realized that when I make a really good friend, it is really worth putting in that effort to continue that relationship. Valerie and I keep in contact letting eachother know what's going on in our personal lives and continue to encourage eachother in the Lord, it's good to know I can have such a good friend like her. When she got here we went over to Monteray to some music concerts and hung out at the beach, then on Sunday my Grandma Dorothy had her 80th birthday party, so Valerie got to meet my whole extended family on my dad's side. We worked on invitations and spent time with my family. It was fantastic.

All kinds of stuff

This past month has been a busy one. We have been planning, planning, planning, for the wedding that is coming up October 11th. It has been stressful at times but fun at the same time because my mom and I only get to do this once, and we are thoroughly enjoying it. I have not had a job this summer, but I feel like it is a blessing from the Lord that I don't because I am getting to spend a lot more time with Mormor and my family every day, and I don't take that for granted anymore. The house and the yard is continually being worked on. As you can see the before and after picture of the patio that is in our back yard. My dad is having alot of fun with the project of putting the back yard together with goals of finishing it before the wedding. The picture of me with the cake is for the Farrans because they gave me a huge baking Bible for my birthday, and I just cooked out of it for the 2nd time, so I'm documenting. The last picture is of one of the rooms that was added on to our house, we just bought a futon, and are all hanging out in the new room.

August 23rd I get to go to Michigan and Ohio to speak in a couple churches that supported me in my ministry in South Africa, so I am excited about that, and I get to see some old friends that I went to school with in Michigan. When I leave there I am headed to Florida to stay with TJ's family for a week, then TJ and I will come back here to California to be here a month before the wedding, and those are my planns for the next couple of months. After we get married we are going to move to Florida, and work there for a year, I am going to get my (CNA) Certified Nursing Assistant certificate, and work in a medical situation for a while, and see if I like that, and then I might go on to do more nursing school. But eventually TJ and I are going to go on to the the second phase of the training with New Tribes Mission to be missionaries with them. As far as us that's what our plans are, but a lot of times God has something else to show us, so we are open to what He has, and we will be searching Him out in everything, that is my desire anyway.

can I say where I'm registered?

So... I'm discussing with the parents tonight about whether or not it is polite to send in the invitation where we are registered. They say it is not polite, I say it is informative and that it would be okay. What would you say? comment if you would, I would like to know what you think or if you have any ideas.

Good Day

Oh dear...
My mom and I are doing lots of planning for my wedding, it is fun, but a little stressful at times. I found a dress, so I was really excited about that. For some reason all the dresses were fitting me really nicely, at two different stores 2 ladies asked me if I would model dresses in a bridal show they are having, so that was fun. I have been away from my TJ for a week, we would not choose to be away from each other, but this is the last time for now.
Today was a good day. I shared about my time in South Africa with my church, and it went really well, I think they understood what I wanted to get across, so that was fun. I also shared a powerpoint of pictures. So I think they got a picture of what my life was like a little bit there and how God worked, and that's what I wanted them to see.

On to the next phase of the summer

Today TJ left after being here for a month. A lot of things have happened this month. He left, and I was sad, but this is the last stretch, and then we don't have to say goodbye anymore. These next couple months are going to be busy because I am planning a wedding, but fun... I'm excited, especially to do this with my mom because I know we like to do these kinds of things together. TJ is going to be working, and preparing a place for us, and help me as much as he can from over there. That is what is going on right now.

The happenings of June

In this past month a lot has happened. TJ suprised me, and has spent this month in our home. We are now engaged, and planning to get married in the fall. I have got the chance to hang out with my family, and spend time with my boy. I have been looking for a job, I think I have one, we will see for sure in the next few days.
This month has been emotional, discouraging, encouraging and exciting. Sometimes I feel a little out of sorts just coming back into the country. The past month I have not been making as much time to spend in God's word, and seeking Him, and I have really regreted that. One of my goals for this summer is to get in God's word every day no matter what that means. Nothing is worth getting in the way of my relationship with God, I find that when I am living without seeking God I make more fleshly decisions, because my mind is not being contunually changed by the word. So I encourage us all to continue to search out who God is and let ourselves be sponges, and soak Him up.
So what am I doing right now? Planning a wedding... I'm excited... :)