Swaziland - here I come!

I'm waking up really early in the morning to drive to Swaziland!! I am so excited about seeing the Allens again and spending some time in the beautiful country. I love Johannesburg now (it's home after all!!) but it's oh so nice to get away from the rush and the smog. And I can't wait to play with the Allen's little girl, Lacie. Yay - babies - you gotta love 'em. Well, since I plan to be awake in 5 hours, I'd better be going to bed!
Goodnight friends. :)
Bonnie B.

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Who's praying for the ME?!

(I realize that if you read this with an air of seriousness, you may think I have issues, so please read with a smile!! :))

Tonight after church Dan said that some nice lady told him at church that she's praying for the pastors, and him, and for him to get a wife. hehe It's funny that people seem to think that you just have to pray for those nice young pastor men to get a nice young wife. I mean, I'm sure they want a nice young wife. :) But here's my qualm. Why does no one ever say to the nice young missionary girl "I'm praying for you to get a husband"? I mean, I know I can't have one now as a journeygirl, but I'd like one someday! And finding a man in ministry (who is still single!!) is no easy task for a nice young missionary girl! The older I get (and by no means am I saying I'm old!), the more married the guys in full time ministry are. Grr! Oh well, I'M praying for me to get a husband... even if no nice old ladies are! haha :) If you're a nice old lady, will you pray for me to get a husband?! ;)

:)
Bonnie B.

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Is your but in the wrong place?

I went to church this morning at Kaleo (the church were my friend Jason is a pastor). Justin, the lead pastor, preached on putting your but in the right place. A simple concept, but one I’d never thought of before. He talked about how we so often mess up with this one simple word. Let me give you some examples…

“I know God wants a relationship with me, but I just don’t have much spare time.”
“I know I should be in church, but Christians are hypocrites.”
“The Bible says I can trust God, but this is a really tough situation.”
“God is telling me to go, but that place is really scary!”

See what I mean? Justin said that we oftentimes make our buts bigger than God. By not doing what we know we should be doing because of whatever our “but” is, we’re making that circumstance bigger than him. If I know I’m supposed to do something or go somewhere “but I’m scared” and I don’t go… that fear has become bigger than God. And in reality, nothing is bigger than God. Rather, he said we must strive to put our buts in the right place, like David does in Psalm 31. Have a look…

For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. For I hear the whispering of many-- terror on every side!-- as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God." My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
(Psa 31:10-15)

Now, David was having some rough times… being chased down by King Saul and running from just about everyone. He could have very easily said, “God I know I’m not supposed to kill Saul, but he’s trying to kill me, it’s self defense!” Or, “I know you’ve called me to be King, but this is too much for me!” But David didn’t say that! Yes, he has plenty of reason to complain, but he chose rather to make God bigger than the situation. Likewise, we must do the same. Let me show you what I mean by using the same examples I used above…

“I don’t have much spare time, but I know God wants a relationship with me.”
“Some Christians are hypocrites, but I know I should be in church.”
“This is a really tough situation, but the Bible says I can trust God.”
“That place is really scary, but God is telling me to go.”

You see, in these sentences, you’re acknowledging that something is wrong or difficult, BUT you’re recognizing that God is over these circumstances. So I’m trying to focus on my speaking and thinking and when I say the word, “but” I’m trying to make sure I am putting it in the right place! For example, here’s my thought for today, “I love being in South Africa and God has blessed me and used me incredibly and I am sad to leave, but I know God has a plan for my life in the States and I am trusting Him!!

I encourage you to do the same with your thinking this week! God bless!!

Cleaning...

Tonight I was hanging out with Rachel and Laura (the journeygirls at BIMS) and I thought, "hey, I should invite people over tomorrow night so that Rachel and Laura can spend some time with some other young adults for once!" Then my next thought wasn't as fun. It was something along the lines of, "oh, crud... my apartment is really messy!!!" So now I've been cleaning for the past few hours, and I think I'm too tired to finish the rest tonight. I'll leave the rest for tomorrow. I guess I still have a lot to work on in the area of keeping house. Hey, Rome wasn't built in a day! I've been learning to cook, and take care of kids... let's take one step at a time. ;)

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Thank God for Moms :)

I talked to my Mom on the phone this afternoon and she has been doing some “behind the scenes” work for me, without me even knowing!! In case you don’t know, when I go back to the States I’ll be looking for a preschool (pre-primary) teaching job. In North Carolina there’s a programme called “More at Four” which target underprivileged children. In Lee County (where my parents live) there are 4 of these programmes, and they seem to have a large focus on the Spanish speaking community. Also in case you don’t know… I have a love for the Spanish language. God has gifted me with the love, as well as the ability. I know I’ve lost a lot of it since I’ve been in South Africa, but I know it will come back as soon as I have the chance to use it again! The first time I ever lead someone in the prayer of salvation was in Spanish. I’ll never forget that! I am really hoping that God will give me opportunities to use Spanish again once I get back to NC. So… back to where I started… my Mom has been in contact with a lady who has something to do with these More at Four programmes in Lee County. She said they’re often looking for people, and that it is required that they have people with an actual B-K (birth to kindergarten) degree on staff. That’s the degree I have!! I’m excited that there’s at least a chance for me there! It’s something to look forward to for sure. Now… if only I’d packed my English/Spanish dictionary with me when I came I could start reviewing. Guess I figured I wouldn’t have too much use for it here (and I was right!). Oh well… the Spanish music I brought with me will have to suffice for now. :) So… THANKS MOM! I’m a pretty blessed gal to have a Mom who’s always looking out for me, even across an ocean! I love ya Mom!!
G’night all…
Bonnie B.

I felt like a Mom today...

and it was quite fun!!  Last night I spent the night at the Lechners’ house so that I could wake up early and watch the kids so that Angie and Charlie could go out to lunch to Bill Steeger.  These kids rock. Really.  They are the coolest kids.  (well, actually I think my nephews and nieces are the coolest… but the Lechner kids are the coolest in South Africa!!)    Anyway, once the parents left we had a lovely afternoon.  For a while I worked on reading Mark (for the study we’re doing at church) while the kids watched a DVD of the Little Rascals.  It was kinda cool… I really did feel like I was practicing for what it’ll be like when I’m a Mom someday.  Like, I was so thankful that all 4 kids were happily doing the same thing so that I could get some time with God.  :)  (Angie, I have such admiration for you, just so you know!!)  Anyway… a little bit later Abby, Luke, Coleson and I had a “tea party” with all of Abby’s little plastic fake food and little tea cups.  Coleson is a real stand-up big brother.  I mean, the kid’s 12, and he was in there with us “preparing the tea” and “serving” us whatever we wanted with our tea.   After that the 4 of us decided to have a real tea party in the dining room.  (Will was watching a movie, as he wasn’t really feeling the tea party vibe;))  So the 4 of us made some real tea and had tea and Oreos.  Oh yeah… we were livin’ it up big time. ;)  All was well until Coleson spilled his drink all over the table… but oddly enough, he cleaned it all up himself.  Amazing.  After that the little ones played in Abby’s room and Coleson joined Will watching the movie.  I proceeded to wash and put away dishes.  Hey… Moms do it all the time, so I had to get a feel for the real deal.  Eventually it was time to start getting lunch ready.  Coleson and I made pizza from scratch!!  Fun times.  We made the dough, the pizza sauce and put the pizza together.  We made a good team, and the pizza was quite nice, I must admit.  Eventually everything was ready, and all 5 of us sat down for lunch.  We all held hands and a couple of the kids argued over who was going to pray (arguments are usually not good things but atleast they both wanted to pray!!).  A decision was finally made, and Will prayed for us.  And for a second I just kinda sat back and watched them.  I love these kids.  Aside from just being cool kids, they really are training me for the real thing some day.  And I just thought, “wow, put a husband in this picture, and God willing, this will be my life someday!”  I really can’t wait to be a wife and a mom.  I mean, I will wait.  But when God decides to bring him into my life, I’m going to be so excited.  And he’ll be so worth it.  He’ll be just right for me – just like Angie and Charlie are so right for each other.  I’m so thankful that God has given me such a Godly family to pattern my future family after! Man… I wish I could express real emotion on this thing.  I’m just so smiley right now thinking about all that I know God has planned for me, as well as thinking about all that He has blessed me with in the now.  He’s so good!!  Anyway… back to the kids. :)  After lunch, Coleson actually helped me clean up… the kid washed dishes… how cool is he?!  Soon after that Angie and Charlie came home and my day with the kids was over.  All in all it was so much fun though… a pretend tea party, a real tea party, making pizza from scratch…Intermix all that with the occasional, “boys, stop fighting!” and “stop picking on your sister!” and I’d say I had a nice practice run today.  Can’t wait for the real thing! :)

And now I’m very sleepy!  Tonight after the school of the Bible at Northcliff, a few of the young adults went to get coffee and we stayed pretty late!  It was so nice though… just sitting and chatting with people who are all ministry minded and completely God-focused.  Quite a nice way to end the evening.  Actually, that didn’t end the evening.  After I got home, I phoned Taryn (she had been at coffee with us) and we talked for another hour and a half about things we couldn’t really talk about with the rest of our company before. ;)  I’ve only recently become friends with Taryn, but she’s pretty amazing and I’m glad I’m getting to know her now.  Better late than never!!

And on that note… it is way past my bed time!
Cheers…
Bonnie  B.

The beginning of the end!

Well, today is Monday and it’s probably going to be a slow week.  I can’t believe I’m not at school teaching today like I have been for so long, but it’s nice to be relaxing!  I actually have a few things to look forward to in the next couple of weeks.  One of my fellow journeymen, Rachel, is here from Botswana. She’s in Jo’burg for medical.  One of the perks of being a “Joburg journeyman” is that when people come in from other countries, I get to visit them!  So I’m going up there this afternoon to hang out with her and another journeyman from Zambia.  Fun times. :)  Then Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night at Northcliff there is a mini “school of the Bible” that is being taught by Bill Steeger, a guy from Ouachita Baptist University.  He taught Charlie, and if I’m not mistaken, he’s part of the reason the Lechners are in Southern Africa today.  Small world, hey?  Anyway, I heard him preach last night and he’s good!  It’s funny to hear an American preaching, especially a southern American!  Tonight I’m spending the night with the Lechners after church so that I can be there in the morning to watch the kids so Angie and Charlie can go out with Mr. Steeger.  That’ll be fun. :)  

Next week I’m going to Swaziland for a few days!  I’m so excited to hang out with the Allens one last time, and especially their daughter, Lacey.  She’s so cute!!  

After that I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m sure something will come up between now and then. I’m just gonna sit back, and let life happen for the next 7 weeks.

Until next time…
Bonnie B.

An interesting quiz...

I found this quiz through a friend's website (and she needs to update it... especially with exciting news like going to another countrty!! ;) haha) Anywho... check it out... I approve!



You are Psalms.

Which book of the Bible are you?


Cheers,
Bonnie B.

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

I'm finished!

Halelujah!! (to recieve the full affect of my actual emotions, please envision a large black preacher man saying that....)

I'm finished with my exams, and what a wonderful feeling that is. :) I think I'm going to chill now. I may go to the gym...may do some Tae Bo in my room... I've done Tae Bo 2 days in a row now - yay for me. ;)

I think a nap is called for first though. I mean, really, I must keep my priorites straight. haha

cheers all...
bonnie

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

One down, one to go

I wrote one of my final exams this morning… advanced counselling. I’m so glad to have that over. I think I did fairly well though. It was all essays… and I’m a fairly decent writer when I need to be, so as long as I remember the material, I’m usually fine. I really liked that class… although I feel like I counselled myself more over this past term than I’ll counsel others! It was cool though… going into this term I was a bit of a mess. It was right when I was having to make a final decision about whether I was going to go home and stay home, or work on getting a job here and coming back next year. The very first day of class we talked about decision making… funny, hey? Anyway, it’s been an awesome class… I’m sad that it’s over! I’ve really enjoyed the people in that class too. I met my friend, Jason, in the counselling class last term. He’s a church planter here in Jo’burg and he’s from Port Elizabeth. He also just came back from 2 weeks in the States and he said America’s a really great place. I have to agree with him. ;)

This past Sunday morning I visited Jason’s church, Kaleo Bible Church. It was really great… the kind of church I’d envision myself in when I go back home… a new church that is starting from scratch and seeking to do everything according to the Bible – that’s my kinda place.

Monday night I had an awesome conversation with Craig Richardson, one of the best friends I’ve made here in South Africa. He wanted to encourage me and thank me for being an encouragement to him in the past few months since we’ve known each other. Cool, huh? More people need to be open like that and let others know when they’ve made a difference in their lives!! I think we’d live in a happier world. :)

Well, I have one more exam on Friday morning (comparative religions) and I need to be studying for that right now. Thankfully I have a day in between the 2 exams where I can relax. I can study all day tomorrow except for when I am going to babysit the Lechner kids (or “hang out” as the older kids call it – hehe).

I’d better get back to studying… thanks for checking in on me!!
Cheers,
Bonnie

And the Gold Medal goes to.....

TEAM LECHNER!!!!

Check these kids out ladies and gentleman. Notice the precise angle Mr. Luke Lechner achieves in this difficult vertical stunt. And never did we think we'd see a 4 year old master the incredibly difficult arial-360, but here we have evidence of Ms. Abigail Lechner in perfect form. Watch and be amazed. Look for these two in the next circ de sole.

Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Funny...

Tonight I took a lot of pictures at Bible study... After my friend took this picture of Moses and I, I said, "do we look good?" And she said, "no... you look too white." What the heck!?! How else am I supposed to look?? I think she meant washed-out (because the display on my camera tends to look that way)... but I just had to laugh. I look too white... who would've thought!? hehehe You gotta love friends!!

Here are some other pictures that I took tonight.... enjoy!!

Here's the run-down of who's who...
1)Erin B. (she always calls me gorgeous... therefore I think she's my new best friend -haha)
2)Dan (the new youth guy at Northcliff)
3)Taryn (she's the one who's new at Rand Leases! Praise the Lord for her!!
4)Greig (a newer friend whom I can't say too much about because he reads this - hehe)
5)Erin Smylie (is she beautiful or what? she goes out with the Bible study leader... so I guess that makes her our first lady!)
6)Erin B, Taryn and I again :)

night all...
Bonnie B.
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Labor Day...

It's an American holiday today and I didn't even know. I'm supposed to get those off, since technically I work for an American organization, but what am I gonna do, tell my South African schools that I'm not coming in because I'm celebrating an American holiday? I think not. So, I went to Lakeview today and the kids were just aweful. I hate saying that, because I really love teaching and I love kids. It makes me sad that in all this time I haven't learned how to handle them. You know though, I had a handle on everything, but then once Nurse started teaching with me they got used to her, so now when I go without her it's mayem. I'm grateful for her teaching though, and I'm almost finished teaching anyway. Last week is my last week - how insanely crazy is that? Tomorrow should be better... the kids at Emadlelweni are usually better behaved.

I saw a very emotional movie tonight called Losing Isaiah. It's about a white couple who adopt a crack addict baby who'd been abandoned and almost killed in a dumpster. Then the Mom (a black woman) cleans up her act and wants the kid back a few years later. Talk about yanking at my emotions tonight. I tend to get really wrapped up in movies... I figure if I'm going to watch a movie, I'll go with whole 'suspension of disbelief' thing for a while to get the full effect. I've always thought I'd love to adopt some kids from different cultures and what not, but this movie makes me scared to do that! It all ended up happy in the movie, but now I'm just thinking about all the adoption cases that don't end up happy... so now I'm sad. Dang movie. I was spending some time with the Morans though, so that was fun. I can't believe they leave for the States in less that 2 weeks! Time is flying... and I'm not happy about that. But I can't stop it, so I'll just go with it I guess!

Lala kahle...
Bonnie B.
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Answered prayers...

God has really been answering my prayers like mad the past few days. I mean, God always answers my prayers in one way or another, but lately I just seem to be seeing it more obviously. Last Tuesday Mark, the young adult Bible study leader, had us write down on a sheet of paper everything that’s bothering us, whether it be personal sin, worries, or anything else going on. I tell you what… I went to town on that poor defenceless sheet of paper! And almost everything on the paper had to do with my fears and anxieties about leaving. One of the major ones though was about Nurse. She means everything to me, and I hate the thought of leaving her. I have had such an amazing opportunity to watch her grow. I’ve been praying (and asking people to pray) that God would provide someone to come to Rand Leases and work alongside Nurse and take my place (kind of). Lately a young lady named Taryn (also from Northcliff Union Church) has been coming and she is going to be coming from now on!!! Hooray! She is going to plan the activity/craft for next week, which is what I usually do. And she seemed so excited about it when I asked her if she’d do it. That’s what we need… someone who is excited about working with these kids and with Nurse. What an answer to prayer!! Also, on the way from Rand Leases to Braamfischerville today Nurse said, “Bonnie, I don’t know what’s happening to me.” And I thought, “oh no… what now!?” And she continued, “Bonnie, this power that is over me… everywhere I go I just can’t help but to preach and tell people about Jesus and the Bible.” WOW!!! I was blown away. She also said that yesterday she was on a taxi (and here those are vans slam packed full of people) and she was sitting up front and started talking to the driver about the Bible and she said that everyone on the taxi started listening to her and some where saying she was wrong, but she said she didn’t care and she kept on preaching. Oh my word… I was speechless, and to be honest, I almost cried. Here I am supposedly “discipling” this girl and she’s blowing my spiritual socks off. And then… right then in the car… I felt this amazing peace. I know she’s going to be ok when I go. I don’t have to worry about her. God has her in the palm of His hand and He’s guiding her and teaching her more lately than I ever could. Is He great or what?
I’ve also had a few “I can’t wait to get home because…” moments lately. JUST a few… but a few is better than crying every time I think about leaving South Africa. Don’t get me wrong, I am still VERY sad about having to leave and not knowing when/if I’ll get to come back home again. But I’m calming down I guess you could say. I stopped fighting God about having to go, and since then, I’ve felt more peaceful. God has a plan in it all, and though I can’t see much beyond 2 months from today (which is when I board the plane), He sees every tiny step I’ll be taking. I love the peace I have in knowing that He’s got everything under control. I really don’t know how nonChristians make it through each day…
So ya… I’m loving life still… trying to make the most of every moment I have left! Tomorrow I’m showing the kids a video, so that’ll be nice and easy on my nerves. Nurse can’t teach with me on Monday and Tuesday anymore (long story) so the kids are so unruly it’s insane. They have zero respect for me anymore, which is really sad since I’m about to finish teaching them. I’d really like to end on a good note with them!
Well, it’s getting late for me… the morning comes early tomorrow. Thanks for checking in on me… and if you’re stalking me, it’s ok… I know…I’m cool. ;) hah… kidding. :) Goodnight!!
Cheers,
BonnieB.
Link to pictures:
http://community.webshots.com/user/bonnieb81

Deep Thought for today...

I just had a thought… As you should know by now, my time in South Africa is quickly drawing to an end. (9 weeks from today I’ll land in the U.S. of A – crazy…) Lately I’ve found myself mentally labelling things that I plan to give away to people. Today I thought to myself, “it’s so easy to give stuff away now because I know I can’t take it home with me, and I know when I get home, I’m going to get cool new stuff anyway.” And you know what hit me?? This Earth really isn’t “home” for me anyway. And it isn’t for you either, if you know Jesus. It should always be easy for me to give away my things here on this Earth, knowing good and well than soon (well, soon in the grand scheme of eternity) I’ll be going home. And then I won’t be taking anything with me! And I’ll get brand new everything and I won’t give a second thought to those silly things I’ve left behind. So, my challenge to you all, and to myself, is to live each day knowing that soon you’ll be going home. What can you give away that really doesn’t mean all that much to you, but would make someone else’s day? Or what can you give away that does mean something to you, but could change someone else’s life? Think about it…

Love you all…
Bonnie B.