more of the fun stuff from south africa.
i think you can tell who was in charge here…

this is just one of the highlights of the trip. we were able to observe a Grade R (Kindergarten) class learning and practicing their English. the native language of this province is Xhosa, a language famously containing 15 click sounds. such a unique and beautiful language. English is introduced mainly in school only and is said to be very difficult for them to learn. these little ones were so cute and not shy at all about showing us their skills!

enjoy.

Hello friends. I am officially home from South Africa. Presently, I am just trying to stay awake to more easily adjust and avoid jet-lag.

In case you missed it — check out the 3 entries I was able to make from South Africa on our team’s blog. (chooselife08.wordpress.com)

I will be writing about the trip, but I am right now, just 3 hours removed from a plane and too tired to be coherent. I am looking at some video right now (I took a lot more video footage than pictures this time) and am so excited to post some of it.

This was an absolutely beautiful trip… and an important trip that I can’t wait to share all the many details about with you. Thank you for your prayers and support up until now. AND thank you to the guest bloggers that kept my blog busy while I was away.

Here’s a sneak peak into some of the shenanigans that went down…

Rich Kirkpatrick can be found messing around at http://www.richkirkpatrick.com.

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The Words of a Father Must be Spoken…especially to daughters

My daughter: “Dad, high school is just so hard…” She says this with tears welling up.

Me: “God has made you for something special. Unfortunately, special is not going to mean easy.”

My daughter: She smirks and laughs through her swollen eyes.

This interchange comes after what to my daughter Emilie was three weeks of learning what it is like to go from small town Christian school to a freshman class of over 700 peers in a suburb of Southern California. Her first weeks proved tough.

There was the transgendered kid who harrassed her before class and even during a verbal report at class. She had to move desks. And, lesbian girls as she left class flaunted there kissing of each other every day after one of her school periods. Then, there was the boy who just stared at her. Some of her youth group girlfriends call her a nun at school since she points out how she will not date since her parents won’t let her and of course it something she does not feel ready to do.

This week put her over the top. A boy and his friend asked her for money with the threat of punching her in the face. My daughter responded that she would take him down since she knows karate.

Needless to say, on Friday tears and hugs and words were in order. But words seemed to be most important, especially coming from a dad. I had to speak to her. I had to tell her that she means something very special to me and that I thought she was worth more than how she was being treated.

Yes, this transition to school is a bit tough for her. It would be even more so if I just did not say a word. Dad’s, we need to speak to our daughters. It makes more of a difference than you or I will ever know.

What words do you think dads need to speak to their daughters?

Krissie Allen can be found messing around at http://www.kraedesign.com/blog.

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Thirty, Flirty and Thriving

I have been in 9 weddings that I can remember (27 dresses here I come), I was a bridesmaid in 3, I sang in 3, and I read scripture in 3. In two of those weddings I was asked to read that ever popular wedding passage from Ecclesiastes, how 2 are better than 1, and if 1 person falls down who is there to help them… in other words it’s really horrible to be alone… I found it rather ironic, that they asked the token single person to read those verses. Like here’s some salt, why don’t you go ahead and rub it into your own wound in front of a large crowd. Now I’m pretty good natured, and it wasn’t a major deal to me, but I’m not gonna lie, it did sting just a little.

Being single is something that I struggle with and I imagine I always will, until God willing, I find the right man. Now I just want to say this for the record… It’s okay to want to be married. For some reason in our society though we’re not supposed to admit stuff like that. We’re supposed to be thirty, flirty and thriving (anyone see 13 Going On 30?). And I’ve definitely played that game. We’re often told to be content in our singleness, that we need to focus on God, and that somehow magically when we aren’t looking, then it will happen. I remember hearing this quote in college, and to some extent buying into the lie that there is a formula to it. “God is like the sun, men are like trees. If you stare at the sun, you’ll run into a tree.”
In the past several years as I’ve seen my friend’s love stories unfold, I’ve observed that there is absolutely no formula to it. So read all of the Christian dating books that you want, but just so you know if you follow all of the steps, stand on your head, put your finger in your ear, and “date God” for a year, it’s not going to move you any closer or further away from marriage.

Now I’ve also learned that there is a big difference between being content and being complacent, and I think we get these ideas confused, which is some of the problem. I am content, I love my life, I mean really enjoy my life. I have some stellar friends, a great church and ministry, an incredible job, etc. etc. I’m happy, but that doesn’t mean that I’m complacent about my single state.

I have to find that balance as does everyone between how much effort I make, and how much I rely on God to provide. I think it’s appropriate to focus on bettering myself as a person, enjoying life, and being the right person, but I also think it’s appropriate to put myself in the right place and be open to meeting single guys. Trusting that God is going to provide the right one for me, if I’m faithful to make myself available.