Well, despite all our email troubles and having to use different computers, we are having a lovely time. Thanksgiving with my dad and sisters and Glenda's children was absolutely wonderful. It has been years since I had seen some of them.
Yesterday was special, visiting the Eastside church in Baytown. I was "loved to death" (one of my son's expressions from the distant past:) by a very friendly group. The lessons were excellent and the singing was in English!
We begin our travels next week and already I'm stuffing corners of my suitcase with gifts and necessary items for our return to Africa.
Oh, it was indeed joyful to read all your comments. I'm having a great time visiting with family, sampling remembered foods and discovering new ones. My, but America has Such an overwhelming selection of choices. We haven't had our anticipated Mexican meal yet but I have discovered that American chickens lay really Clean eggs!
I'm enjoying talking to young mothers who are teaching their children at home, including teaching from the word of God. It reminded me of my years past in doing the same. If you have not made this a daily priority, please, please slow down and do so.
TEACHING CHILDREN – My story
We chose to live in a foreign country in order to spread the gospel in that part of the world. In doing so, we felt the burden of realization that we were without the support of other Christians available to help us teach our children. The significance of this weighed heavily upon us the entire 14 years our sons were with us in South Africa.
Leaning on the example of my father who filled my summers with a Bible, butcher paper spread out over the kitchen table, and an old Bible atlas, Dave and I decided that he would read the Bible with the boys every morning before breakfast (school began at 7am, so this made for early risings!) and I would provide a 30 minute Bible class situation for them every afternoon, five days a week. This required preparation every morning on my part and soon I was trying my hand at writing class material suitable not only for myself but for other mothers here in southern Africa -- and eventually for mothers in the States.
I had been taught that the Bible is a history book and that God used history to teach us – so I did the same for our sons. I learned I could throw anything at them and they could learn it and memorize it. Then as they grew older and their understanding continued to develop, Dave took over. We felt it was important that our boys have his example and influence. Of course bedtimes were still full of questions and we would pull out the Bible for answers. We wasted no time.
Living without the overwhelming boredom-breaking "advantages" American parents have at their fingertips proved to be a blessing and we found joy in centering our lives around Christ. We NEEDED one another – and we knew it. But oh, how wonderful it was when a family visited us or passed through our home on the way to somewhere, and we could share our worship in song and prayer.
When our eldest son entered Florida College, he phoned us after several weeks had gone by. Tim wanted to share a sincere compliment with us. "Mom, my teachers keep asking me why I know so much Bible -- and I told them!. . . .Mom, Dad, thank you."
Thank you for sharing...I have many regrets that I did not teach our girls better when they were young and at home. They left without being really grounded in the truth, as a result they are not as faithful today as they should be. Now I have a granddaughter who needs those bible stories and lessons. I hope I can do better in helping her. You are an inspiration and hopefully young mothers will see the necessity of teaching their children. Thank you!
You are such a wonderful encouragement to me. Thank you for all the time and love you have put into the materials you have written. Thanks also to your parents and the love they implanted in you for the Word.
I have the sniffles but it's not too bad. The fussy baby makes things the hardest. And I tried to email you but when I replied to your email it came back undeliverable.?
That was very encouraging. It is so true that the distractions around us keep us from focusing on God. While there are great hardships you have endured over the years, I'm sure these same hardships have proved to be a blessing over and over.
You made me cry as I read this... When I homeschooled my children, that is something we did every day, as part of their schooling... now that they are in Public Schools, and their schedules are all different and the days are crazy, we rarely sit down together for anything! I treasure those times, when we get everyone home at the same time... I miss my children!
I love this blog. Yes^ They've risen up and called you blessed!
Your comment on my blog is one of the sweetest in the world to me. It is strange, I guess, how some comments touch us so much. I remember when the oldest three were tiny--3, 2 and a baby.
I was at the grocery store, pushing Jonathan II and Hannah in a cart, while Sarah was in a back carrier. A woman came up to me who I did not know personally (she was the general's wife...this is when Jonathan was an airman--pre-preaching days) and said to me, "I have been watching you and I am touched by how much you love your children"...
It has been over thirteen years since I heard that and I remember it plainly. It touched my heart. Your comment touched me the same way.
Great story! Thank you for your comments to my blog. I'm glad you have always "taken the time" to teach good things. :) Take care of yourself on this busy trip, now.
Awesome you are enjoying Family time! Care to share any "new discovered food recipes"? Awww...the most heartwarming words any child can say to their parents, "Thank You". God Bless You Granny! Hugs!!!!
CI miss those days with all my boys home and the chance to tell stories. Our sons enjoyed learning the Rainbow Series of verses and now our grandchildren are learning them. Alayne at Spiritbuilding told me you asked about the book. I have a friend who is doing some art work for the book so we decided to publish it ourselves. It will be done before Christmas if you need some mailed or I will be setting up at the lectures and you can buy then.
The way we handle our daily Bible time now, is that each day, I post a Scripture on our family website, which sends the message to their e-mails. Whenever they get home, they are to read the Scripture, hit reply, and share their thoughts. This virtual devo, though better than skipping Bible altogether, is just not the same as when we sat down and discussed it together. It is just not possible to do that all at the same time right now, so I devised this system to at least keep us connected in the Scriptures each day.
Thank you for your kind words. I treasure them, as my life has changed so much from what it once was - from what I wish it. It is easy to wallow, but that is not productive nor helpful... I just have to accept that it is what it is, and work with where we are!
It is clear you never really take a vacation from teaching. Few of us can look back at the early years with our kids and say we accomplished this much. We are thankful that all of our children and grandchildren serve the Lord still, but we could have done much better. See you soon, now. Bless you.
I tried to email you again and it said you were over the email quota. I think that means that you have to delete some old emails with large file sizes.
Thanks for that beautiful story. I must admit that I struggle to know how to talk to kids about the Bible. I can speak to 500 adults, but haven't mastered the kid thing. Our daughter is five weeks old now, so I guess I'll be getting some training soon! Thank you for your example.
Okay, I'm awake now! This is why we were homeschooling in the first place and we have drifted so far from the ideal in just a short time. On this holiday, I am thankful for this wake-up call to slow down and make it count! God bless you!
Dear friends
We experienced a very calm, uneventful flight -- really exciting stuff to describe -- more hours than I want to remember sitting straight up. Not much sleep accomplished that way. . . But my back did fine and Dave insisted on a wheelchair at Atlanta, remembering we only had two hours and Joanne not up to running a marathon. We went straight through customs and the guy pushed me allll the waaaay. Nice!
Best of all my Daddy met me at the door and neither of us wanted to let go.
I'm still overwhelmed when we go into a grocery store -- well, anywhere. So MUCH STUFF! Fortunately I don't need any of it (well, that Dr Pepper surely tasted fine) and none of it will help me get to heaven. But oh, my heart is feeling quite full as we begin our journey to see loved ones throughout our stay over here.
I'm on sloooow internet, so I'll see if I can send pictures now and then.
Again, thank you sincerely for your prayers. (You should see us reminding each other to get back on the other side of the road!)
Please continue to pray for my daughter's boss and for us as we continue the effort to teach him. He is planning on bringing all of his family to the worship services Sunday night. He had a nice, long conversation with Dennis last night. (This news couldn't wait for an email.)
I can picture the reunion with your daddy. What a sweet man! Hope you have a wonderful time in the U.S.A. And don't let the "plenty" overwhelm you. We don't buy most of it, either!
I like the important things that you posted about - just little lessons along the way for those who listen closely, I guess. Always the Granny... good! :)
Welcome to the states! I'm glad you got to feel your dad's loving arms around you once again. I saw your sister across the room last weekend at 1000 Voices, but didn't speak to her. She writes such beautiful hymns.
Welcome back over! I'm so glad your flight went smoothly and you even got a wheelchair ride at the end. :) I bet it was one of the most wonderful feelings ever seeing your father again. Enjoy seeing grocery stores again! I shall be praying for you both to be able to remember which side of the road to drive on! :-)
Glad you are safely on American terra firma! My daughter-in-law, Sheila, likes to have her Dr. Pepper fix when she comes home too. Enjoy! I missed singing the most when we lived in England and remember crying my first service after we returned stateside at the beauty of all the voices singing God's praises. I know my Mexico kids feel that way too. So...enjoy the singing. :)
Welcome back...glad to hear you had a safe journey across the "pond"...I remember how long it was and no sleep. It's good your back survived. Grocery stores here in the states are quite different. It's the little things you miss but as you said very well, these things won't get us to heaven. Bless you and your husband and do hope we get to meet. Take care and enjoy being with your loved ones.
So glad you have been able to make this journey. I have never been outside the states to see what I would miss here but I do know without a doubt family would be at the top of the list! I hope you have a wonderful trip.
Safely here, thank God. I can't imagine the length of those plane rides. Be very attentive to the side of the road. Habits are not as easy to break as they once were. See you soon.
One more time with our itenerary. Four suitcases and sitting on them -- I think too many gifts. Can hardly wait to see my daddy! I've made notes of all of you who have supplied me with contact numbers and locations. We shall see how things go -- and hoping :)I hope to keep writing, so check back now and then - please.
Love to each of you. Dave and I request your prayers during these three months -- lots of milage going down.
Joanne
Itinerary
Nov 12 - Fly out,
Nov 13-Dec 6 Houston area (Family)
Dec 7 - Austin/Burnett TX
Dec 8 - San Angelo/Snyder/Fort Worth TX
Dec 9 - Sulphur Springs TX
Dec 10 - Shreveport LA
Dec 12 - Conway AR
Dec 14 - Mountain View AR
Dec 17 - Paducha KY
Dec 20-Jan 3 - Florence KY (Family) with possible trip up to Flint MI
Jan 7 - Mt Sterling KY
Jan 8 - Chesterfield VA
Jan 9 - Newport News VA
Jan 10-11 - Somerset KY
Jan 12 Whitehall TN
Jan 13 Murfreesboro TN
Jan 14-17 northern Alabama area
Jan 18 - Birmingham AL (Huffman church)
Jan 19-27 - Chipley FL (family)
Jan 28 - Montecello FL
Jan 29 - Valdosta GA
Jan 30 - Live Oak FL
Jan 31-Feb12 - Lakeland FL (Family, including attending Florida College Lectures)
Feb13 - back to Houston.
Feb 18 - return to South Africa
RATS, don't see my area on the list... maybe I will meet you at FC! I will be sure to watch out for the knitting bag, as you previously mentioned would be the easy way to find you! :-) Godspeed your journey and keep you safe!
I was using your E-Mail you provide but it is not working. Does telko and msa go togetheer without a space? I hope to maybe get to see you, siiiince Florence isn't to terribly far. Have a safe trip.
Whew!! I hope I can seem as organized and prepared as you seem, a day before we leave... our trip isn't as long or involved... but I'm already a little overwhelmed! We're excited for you and for all those who will benefit from your encouragement!
I can see your arms would probably be too tired to "fly" around the NC coast! I'll do more than pray for you & Dave...I dedicated my new blog to you and my fellow female friends. I would have loved to have met you~ God Bless You & Dave!
What an exciting trip you have ahead of you. You've warmed a lot of hearts from this blog...and now we all want to meet you! Hope you keep a journal of sorts and of course take lots of pictures for your memory book and treasure box!
With all your beautiful Fall pictures and talk of Christmas decorations, have a look at our Spring colours of red and green that serve us for the holidays. I love it!
Now, don't you think these blossoms make great tree decorations?! There are actually four different trees with red right now as we drive down the roads.
beautiful pictures there! the situation in Zim is very difficult. We pray daily for the families of our members. We are also hoping to make a trip there in 2009 to meet with Christians there and see if there is anything we can do to help. All the Zims that worship with us(about 30 counting children) have been converted here, so they don't know about any churches there. If you can provide me any contact info for groups there, I would really appreciate it! you can find my email addy on the top left of my page.
How pretty! When I look around me at nature and all the pretty color and interesting shapes and designs, it just further impresses me that we have Father Who created a beautiful world for us!
The beautiful colors of flowers and trees is one thing that I remember from my trip to South Africa. Especially the Jacaranda trees in Pretoria. Unfortunately I was there in early September and did not see the full effect that I have seen in other pictures.
I was in South Africa for only a bit over two weeks in Aug/Sep 2001. I was in CapeTown, Joburg and Pretoria. I worked for a Medical company and was there training service engineers on the repair of medical equipment. I worshiped with a congregation in Joburg and also one of the suburbs of CapeTown. The preacher in CapeTown was Robin Bauer sp? if my memory serves me well. He was orignally from Zim. I also know some of the Joubert family who have come to the US.
How beautiful!!! Ed and I joke about the brother I need to know situation. They moved to Perth shortly after my wife and I married....so we have been getting to know each other over pleo mostly. He is my brother-in-law/brother in Christ, and our wives are sisters. If you know Ed, it seems we are both very blessed. He and Laine dish out encouragement in sooo may ways. We are so thankful for them......just wish they were closer sometimes:) South Africa...what brings you there?
