Sisters? Twins?

I don't think that Joy and I look very much alike. I guess it's obvious we're sisters. But we don't look like twins much less the same people. Especially since going out regularly to the restaurants people keep mistaking us for the other one. It seems to happen more to me. I'll be out and one of the waiters will look at me all surprised and say, "Oh, you cut your hair!" (shock and horror in their voice) Or people will ask if I was wearing a wig last time...
Joy and Noah go as a team and Steve and I as another team. One day Steve and I did the lunch hour at Mug and Bean where Joy and Noah usually go. The waiters thought Steve was Noah without the painted clown face and they thought I was Joy with a drastic hair cut. The really funny part was the next day when Joy and Noah went back to Mug and Bean. People told Noah confidentially, "You know, the other day your girlfriend was with another guy!" (most people think Joy and Noah are engaged, don't ask me why) Joy was met with disapproving looks and someone told her, "I saw you with another guy yesterday." and basically asked "what's going on." Poor Joy had to explain that it was me(her sister), and no she wasn't cheating, and no she was not even engaged to Noah.
Well, that's life when you have a look-alike sister! But I love Joy and think she's wonderful, so I don't mind when people think I'm her.

Bitter or Better? You Choose.

This evening Steve and I went to Spur to do the dinner hour. It's usually from 6:30--9:00 with the busiest time being somewhere in the middle. Tonight however, the restaurant was rather quiet and more on the empty side. So it was slow, not many people and not much business. I do prefer things being more busy as time flies when you're occupied and having fun.
Some of the people we met were sour, stuck up, or mean. Seeing people like this was a little discouraging to say the least. It's hard to keep smiling when people are rude and snappy. But all this just made me think: do I want to be like that?
Do I want to be remembered by people I meet as an unpleasant character?
Do I want to be remembered as rude and mean, selfish and unloving?
Do I want to be remembered as the person who ruined an other's day?
Or:
Do I want to be remembered as a pleasant and cheerful person?--Someone who's considerate, well-mannered, kind, and loving? I want to be remembered as the person who brightened an other's day! I want people to see Jesus shining through me.
When you really stop and think about it you choose who you're going to be. You can let circumstances get you down, cause you lash out at others, or; let it make you into a better person. Like the story of the two old people, you can choose to be bitter or better!

News

Being here in East London has been a lot of fun, new, and challenging too.
We got to go to the beach this Monday. I love the beach! And living so far inland in Pretoria makes me like it all the more. Before coming down to East London I hadn't seen the ocean in more than a year. We only got there in the afternoon so it was windy and cold. Joy and I didn't go in the water. The cold wind didn't stop the boys though. They swam and had lots of fun while us girls kept warm on the sand. I wish I could've taken some pictures but sadly we have no camera.
Last week Joy and I did face-painting for a children's birthday party. We had never done face-painting before so this was a first. Of course like you we've painted our faces for fun or even others' faces for dress-up, but never professionally. The kids were so excited to have their faces painted even very young ones. We didn't get to do anything fancy. There were so many kids all waiting in lines so the teachers told us just to keep it simple and quick. Almost every girl wanted a butterfly and the boys wanted dogs. Some of the little one were so cute. One little girl was scared and she even started crying when getting her face painted. The hour went by so fast and before I knew it it was time to go home.
It's going pretty well at the restaurants. We've been going quite regularly to certain ones and the waiters and managers are friendly and welcoming. Today Steve and I did the lunch hour at two restaurants next to each other. I think because it was a public holiday there were so many people.--All over the mall and everywhere! Things were a bit noisy and hectic. It was a slower day with not many people wanting to buy our material. But it makes one happy for the times when it does go well.
Bev's car also broke down today so I'm not sure how this next week will pan out for us. We were counting on a vehicle to get to our different functions. Bev needs transport as well, as she does the gift wrapping at the mall everyday. I'm sure we'll make it...I don't know how, but we'll work out something.

Brendan and Kiara

Latest pictures of those darling rascals. Oh how I miss them!

Restaurants, Tiredness...

Today I helped Bev at the gift-wrapping table and I got to do some Christmas shopping as well. Later in the evening Steve and I went to Spurs to do the dinner run. We go around offering to make balloons for kids, and while Steve makes the balloons I talk to the parents and get to show them our different material. Steve and I were at tables till almost 10 and we just got back home 10:15.
Now I'm so tired! I can feel tiredness in every molecule of my body. Sigh. I'm looking forward to a hot shower and my cozy bed. Good night all!

Christmas Time

Christmas time comes once a year,
It's here and then it's gone.
But if we have Christ in our hearts,
Christmas will live on.

Christmas time, oh Christmas time,
Always live in my heart and mind.
Lord help me not to go astray,
But to live each day like Christmas day.

Gift Wrapping

Today we went out to help Bev(Steve's mom)with gift wrapping. We wrap gifts, charge a little fee, and get to sell our tools at the table. It's more fun when people have time and you get to talk and witness to them. Selling our products always brings out the witness anyway, and so many people love our material. Bev had another project to attend to so between Noah, Steve, Joy, and myself, plus hired help we had everything covered.
Things were slow as it's Monday. Noah and Joy went out shop to shop to promote our material. It went well and they were able to meet a few really nice people. Joy and I went out together a little later but because of lunch break none of the managers were available and most people didn't get their paychecks till Friday. We had fun anyway witnessing to people and trying to spread a little of the Christmas spirit and cheer to brighten their days. Many wanted to buy a CD or book but couldn't till the end of the week. No matter--we left them with the Christmas Activated mag and a smile on their faces.

On The Road Again

Travelling down to East London ended up being better than I thought. I usually get really sick on buses and am miserable most of the ride. This time was a lot better. We boarded the bus in Pretoria around 5pm and went to the station in Jo-burg. On the way one of the drivers made an announcement about tickets and who should get off or stay on at the Jo-burg station. So according to what he said Joy and I were supposed to stay on the bus and go straight to East London. This is a little relieving as changing buses can be quite confusing at a busy station.
So we get to the station and I got out to make sure Joy's suitcase wouldn't get taken out of the bus. But there's this guy, trying to help, and he's just pulling everything out of the bus and not listening to anyone. Ok fine, have it your way. I got Joy's suitcase and waited so I could put it back on the bus. Next thing I know, amidst all the confusion of people milling about with bags and wondering where to go, one of the bus drivers starts shouting for East London passengers to go to another bus up ahead. I was like, what can't they make up their minds? I managed to call Joy who was peeking out the bus window and we grabbed out stuff and headed for the new bus. It was indeed going to East London and apparently taking a more direct route. PTL, at least we were on the right one. We were directed upstairs and were pleasantly surprised to find it much nicer than the first. The seats soft and comfy, you could push them back very far, and there were footrests--cool! We couldn't sit together but we settled down as best as we could and prepared for the next 10 hours or so.
I was so thankful for being in such a nice bus. I hardly got sick and was able to sleep a couple of hours at a time. We had two proper stops in the middle of the night. One at Bloemfontein around 12, and the other somewhere in the boonies (at a town that I can't remember the name of) a while later. It's nice to stretch your legs a bit especially on these looooong trips. The facilities are also a lot nicer, and easier to use since they're not in a moving vehicle.
Joy and I were able to witness a bit to the people we were next to. The lady I was sitting next to just had her sister pass on and now she was going home. And the lade across was a grandmother taking home two of her grandchildren. She told me a testimony of how the Lord protected her during a hijacking.
Our bus arrived in East London ahead of schedule. Very amazing as we had left late and had some long unexpected stops. Joy's phone battery had died so we borrowed a friends' to call the boys and tell them we had arrived. So that was our eventful, or rather uneventful, trip down to East London. Steve and Noah came to pick us up. I was so happy to see Steve and Noah teased about "capturing the moment with Kodak"--but I didn't care.
So East London here we are.

Temporary Residence Permit

Today is a day of miracles because...ta-ta-da-daaa...I got my visa!--or temporary residence permit as they like to call it. It's been frustrating and annoying all the trouble we've had because of trying to get this little sticker for my passport. Joy and I are finally leaving to East London tomorrow instead of today as was planned. But I don't really care because I have my visa.
Yesterday we were at the visa office all day. A sweet lady found my application papers that were lost and no one else could find. She helped us take care of the papers and said to call the next day at noon. Then we would find out if I had a visa or if I had to leave the country in 30 days. I admit was praying that I would just get a visa and that they wouldn't think up some reason to kick me out of the country.
So today rolls around and we can't get in contact with this lady so we decide to go ahead by faith to the office. Our bus tickets to East London were already booked so we needed to know. We're in the car racing down the road as we only have a small window of time before the office closes. Gabe passed me his phone and I repeatedly tried calling her. After the 4th or 5th time she picks up and Gabe talks to her for a while. Then, YES! She tells us to come in to the office because they've approved my application and I have to come and get my little sticker. Oh, that was such a happy and relieving moment. I don't have to leave the country in 30 days.

I Miss Steve!

He's only been gone for a day now, but still...I miss him.

East London...I'm On My Way

I know it's December, the month of Christmas and all...but I don't really feel christmasy!? Any suggestions? Well, it's usually like this for me and sometimes I don't feel christmasy till after Christmas. Is that crazy or what? But I figure it's not really how you feel that counts, but how you make others feel. I was just thinking, maybe I should try to give others lots more hugs and kisses. You know, share the love? Then I remembered I still have laryngitis...scrap that plan. Oh well, I'll just have to think of something else.
Anyway, this December will be a little different for me. I'm going down to East London. Noah, Joy, Steve, and I are going there on a road trip. Apparently lots of people from Gauteng go down there for the holidays, and we're going there after them to tell them about the real meaning of Christmas. Whoopee, an adventure for me at Christmas-time! A big thanks to our home for letting us go even though it leaves a small team for all our other work. GBY.
Noah and Steve left on the bus this evening, I think it's a 10hr or more ride. Joy and I will join them on Friday if all goes well. Tomorrow morning I'll be going into the office for my visa, so as you can guess I'm praying that all does go well and according to His plan. I've never been to East London before so I'm excited to go. It's also where Steve spent most of his childhood so he's anxious to show me the town, where he grew up and all. I think it'll be fun.

The Joys of Teaching

Life is full of surprises and changes. I finally have a classroom and I'm so happy! I've been teaching Kiara for two years now and for that whole time we never had a classroom. It was always the living room, the dinning room, or my room, but never a proper room where I could teach. But now my dream has finally come true.
I also have a brand new pupil--Brendan, Kiara's new little brother. He's almost 4 months. I know that's kinda young, but who says he can't learn? So far he can hold his head up, stick his toes in his mouth, and of course make the scariest poop packages you've ever seen! He's so lovely I wish you could see him. He smiles more than any baby I've seen so far.
Things are so different now being with the two of them. Kiara takes being the big sister really well and loves to help. She likes watching when I change his diaper and then throwing the used diaper in the trash. (So funny the things that make little ones happy!) When Brendan wakes up from naps he's usually content to amuse himself by playing games like: "let's see if I can get my toe in my mouth". Reading is the most important subject with Kiara right now and when little man is busy I get more focused time with her.
Now Reading is a whole 'nother subject. I'm so excited and thrilled to see Kiara progress in reading. I always knew tiny guys could learn how to read, that's what I was told. But I never really got to see it till now. Kiara can read! I think I have to say it again because I'm so happy. Kiara can read! It's like a teacher's dream to see the results of what you pour into that little one. There's so much more she can do and I'm so proud of her, reading is just the latest thing right now. We have a little book just for her that I write words and sentences in. Then we draw a picture about what I wrote, and she gets to color it after reading. She's a little shy and whenever I encourage her to read to others she's a little hesitant. But when she gets the courage to read to others a page from her book, she gets all excited and a little proud too. Oh, it's so cute to watch!
In spite of all the little frustrations, times of fatigue, poopy diaper after poopy diaper, or the constant "why,why?", teaching is fun--and I'm proud to be a teacher!