lion, rhinos, giraffes, Oh my!

Can you guess what we did last weekend?

South Africa and Kenya are known as the top two safari countries in Africa. So, being that we are in S.A, we of course jumped at the opportunity to do just that. :) We went on a two-day safari with friends and had a blast!

After hitting the road in the wee hours of the morning, we spent the entire first day in the park (Imfolozi). We got to see four of the "Big Five" (rhino, buffalo, lion, elephant, minus the leopard). We were very lucky. My favorite "safari"animal, hands-down, is the giraffe! They are SO tall; amazing to see in person. Tim's fave was the rhino.

Here are just a few of my favorite photos, it was hard to choose :) ...

hippos, crocs, birds, and cheetahs

The next morning we took a boat ride along the river, viewing hippos, crocodiles, and birds up close in their natural habitat...

After going to a Zulu artisan market, we finished our trip with a visit to a rehabilitation center for wild cats... we got to see cheetahs!! :)

prayer request

Dear friends,

In just a couple weeks, the beginning of October, our renters of two years will be moving out. Although we have been so incredibly blessed with consistent renters, it has come fairly unexpectedly.

We have been very fortunate to have had them in our home for as long as we did. We realize that two years is unusual. We are also grateful to have a such an AMAZING and trusted property management agency working with us, along with my sweet Dad. We couldn't ask for a better situation.

October, however, is not typically the time of year for house hunting. Ideally, we would love a quick turnover.

Can you please join us in praying for new renters... who can move in soon, and who will value our home and take good care of it and our property?

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Love,

t & h

life at 'the bosch'

Tomorrow we'll have been here three weeks. I love it here. I'm pretty sure we are country kids at heart. :)

These six weeks here brings a new season; a time of rest and renewal of the spirit. The change in pace and job responsibility, coupled with our surroundings, has created a quiet haven for me. I have time to seek the Lord more earnestly and simply be still.

We are reveling in the small blessings He has given us here. Its the little things. Oh how they make such a difference... like fresh milk in cereal and tea, and not only fruit at meals but in such variety! I am energized by a good run in the mornings and waking up by the sun streaming into our room with the chirps of the birds singing, rather than the alarm (yes, its true).

I love the fact that the evenings are cool enough for the need of a sweater and bundling into the covers. Its an even simpler lifestyle from the ship in a way. Its hard to believe, I know. :) Its different in every way, yet still the same. We are who we are; we are a community.

Our days are slower, but full. Tim always seems to stay busy; it seems to come with the territory. :) In fact his responsibilities have been more demanding these last few weeks, as it is a new system here and every department is having to adapt and make adjustments.

As for me, to my surprise, I am enjoying the new job of writing policies and procedures. It is a collaborative effort and we are having fun together. Plus, I am gaining some experience in the world wide realm of nursing administration. :)

We have especially enjoyed the weekends here. We are taking advantage of the outdoors and trying to make the most out of our short time here. A couple weekends ago we drove an hour away to Albert Falls. The scenic drive and the fresh air of the outdoors alone would have made the trip worthwhile. The highlight, however, was the wild life all nature-al. We saw ZEBRAS! If that was all we saw, this heart would have been happy. :)

anniversary jump!

September 18, 2004

Me and him; him and me... Still CRAZY in-love 6 years later!!!