Wondering where I am, well I find myself in Nelspruit, with some friends I met in Mozambique last year. What am I doing here, well not much....
If you read the definitions of Hibernating and waiting they seem similar, If I try and describe the season I am in I feel like I am Hibernating, yet also waiting.......
hi·ber·nate
1. To pass the winter in a dormant or torpid state.
2. To be in an inactive or dormant state or period.
wait·ing
1. The act of remaining inactive or stationary.
2. A period of time spent waiting.
Some of you might be wondering what am I waiting for? Well in my mind I am waiting for clarity and confirmation of what is next on my plate. These past 2 months have been rather choatic and confusing at times and in a way its been good to have time to try piece things together but also hard. I have no updates on where or what I will be doing or going next, but am trusting that God has me in the palm of His hand and is guiding me every step of the way.
Thats about it for now.
Love
Catherine
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Sudden Change!Sad news.
Hi
I had planned to stay in the states for a few more months, I have had some really sad news, and need to return home this week. My mom passed away on Monday, it was unexpected. She got double pneumonia and was in the hospital on Sunday, my brother and sister in law were with her on Monday, and she passed away Monday afternoon. Lisa is returning with me, and we have a lot to sort out before we leave. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and that God maps out each step for us.
thanks
love
Catherine
I had planned to stay in the states for a few more months, I have had some really sad news, and need to return home this week. My mom passed away on Monday, it was unexpected. She got double pneumonia and was in the hospital on Sunday, my brother and sister in law were with her on Monday, and she passed away Monday afternoon. Lisa is returning with me, and we have a lot to sort out before we leave. Please pray that everything goes smoothly and that God maps out each step for us.
thanks
love
Catherine
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Another Lisa's update
Hello once again--from Oregon!
Catherine and I made it home a couple of weeks ago and just have not yet gotten around to writing yet. Oops! The last month of our trip really took a lot out of us so we have been trying to rest up and get back on our feet again.
NATIONAL PARKS GALORE!
The month of July took us to just about every National Park in Colorado and Utah, it seems. It seemed silly not to take full advantage of our new annual pass! We hit most of the famous parks (Arches, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon), and discovered some lesser known ones as well that were pretty amazing. We enjoyed the beautiful creation--but not the heat so much!! I have been wanting to see the Grand Canyon for years now and got to fulfill one of my dreams--watching the sunrise over the canyon. It was sweet!
LV
After making our way through Arizona, we met up with my mom and her brother in Las Vegas for a night. I am not a huge LV fan, but it was really fun to see my mom and Catherine was glad to see yet one more thing that she has only seen through the movies.
YOSEMITE--MY FAVORITE!
Our last stop was Yosemite--a personal favorite of mine. We didn't have reservations for a campsite, so we found a nice lady who was willing to share hers with us! We had a blast playing in the river and soaking up the beauty of the valley. We were even able to borrow bikes from our camp-mate, something we've been trying to do for months now!
SEATTLE
A couple of weeks ago, we got to meet up with some friends in Seattle--our friend Denea who lives in Lubbock, TX and Dawn from Seattle (both of whom we met in Mozambique). We were plenty busy as we saw lots of sites and went to lots of coffee shops. It was a blast. Catherine has come a long way from her first hesitant cup of coffee a few months ago. She was drinking lattes without sugar and doing espresso shots! Ha! I love it! She even wouldn't let me leave the city without going to get "just one last cup"! =) Who would have guessed?!
LATEST NEWS--CATH'S STAYING!
Catherine's flight back home was supposed to be last Saturday, but she has filed with the US to extend her stay here. So assuming all goes well, she should be here a while longer. Neither of us was ready for her to go yet!
Well, that's the short version of our last few months. Hope you are all well.
Love,
Lisa (and Catherine too)
Catherine and I made it home a couple of weeks ago and just have not yet gotten around to writing yet. Oops! The last month of our trip really took a lot out of us so we have been trying to rest up and get back on our feet again.
NATIONAL PARKS GALORE!
The month of July took us to just about every National Park in Colorado and Utah, it seems. It seemed silly not to take full advantage of our new annual pass! We hit most of the famous parks (Arches, Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon), and discovered some lesser known ones as well that were pretty amazing. We enjoyed the beautiful creation--but not the heat so much!! I have been wanting to see the Grand Canyon for years now and got to fulfill one of my dreams--watching the sunrise over the canyon. It was sweet!
LV
After making our way through Arizona, we met up with my mom and her brother in Las Vegas for a night. I am not a huge LV fan, but it was really fun to see my mom and Catherine was glad to see yet one more thing that she has only seen through the movies.
YOSEMITE--MY FAVORITE!
Our last stop was Yosemite--a personal favorite of mine. We didn't have reservations for a campsite, so we found a nice lady who was willing to share hers with us! We had a blast playing in the river and soaking up the beauty of the valley. We were even able to borrow bikes from our camp-mate, something we've been trying to do for months now!
SEATTLE
A couple of weeks ago, we got to meet up with some friends in Seattle--our friend Denea who lives in Lubbock, TX and Dawn from Seattle (both of whom we met in Mozambique). We were plenty busy as we saw lots of sites and went to lots of coffee shops. It was a blast. Catherine has come a long way from her first hesitant cup of coffee a few months ago. She was drinking lattes without sugar and doing espresso shots! Ha! I love it! She even wouldn't let me leave the city without going to get "just one last cup"! =) Who would have guessed?!
LATEST NEWS--CATH'S STAYING!
Catherine's flight back home was supposed to be last Saturday, but she has filed with the US to extend her stay here. So assuming all goes well, she should be here a while longer. Neither of us was ready for her to go yet!
Well, that's the short version of our last few months. Hope you are all well.
Love,
Lisa (and Catherine too)
Saturday, July 21, 2007
A few Highlights!
Hi all!
You may ask where I am saying hi from, well we find ourselves in Dallas, Texas! Yip we did not think we would make it this far but God seems to be leading this journey not us.
So while in California God told us to head to Lubbock Texas(some friends we met in Mozambqie stay there), so we packed up and left. To get htere we had to drive through some desert land. We headed to Arizona, it was interesting and kind of hard on us as we thought we were not hearing right and going in the wrong direction. After much heat, tears and praying we kept going. As we were driving out of Arizona there was this slight rain that came out of no where, and God told us there is refreshing coming. We had no idea what to expect. We hit New Mexico, and stayed in a place called Lus Cruces, it was really amazing there, we could breath again. we camped 2 nights there. We went to go see White sands, which really was incredible it was miles and miles of white sand dunes....white sand dunes strecthing for miles. And scary thought we were driving through the area where America first tested the Atomic bomb. Yip we were in the middle of missile territory, but we were safe! They werent testing any that day and am sure that the road where people drive is not the place they test them.
The next day we headed for Caldsbad Caverns, still in New Mexico. We got hit with a crazy storm on the way there, I could hardly see in front of me while I was driving, we kept going as we had no idea if it would stop, just black clouds lighting everywhere, and of course the relief that we were out of the desert! It eventually stopped and we felt ok again and well refreshed!We headed straight for the caves once in Caldsbad. These caves are the biggest in the US not sure about the world. You could fit 14 football fields in them. It was fascinating, we caught and elevator down 750 feet and took a stroll around, it was fascinating. We hung around till dusk, watched the bats take flight out of the caves interesting little creatures those bats are. The next day we went back and decided to walk in the caves, so we walked down 750 feet, took us about 2 hours. Next stop "Alien territory"
We headed for Roswell, now if any of you know this is the place to see UFO'S, well this is what the town seems to think. It was kind of weird. We went and found a camp site and decided to explore Roswell in the morning. Trust me, not much to explore, most shops have some Alien/UFO memrobilia and we went to the museum but decide that paying $5 was not worth the information we might see or read. Sure is a strange place, Lisa and myself decided to be funny and put some foil on our heads and take a picture of us by a Roswell sign, yip we thought well we might as well laugh at the oppurtunity we had of seeing this strange little town(you want to see the picture, let me know i will email it to you). We left pretty soon after htat and reached Lubbock, Texas
We had no idea what was going to happen here. But we had fun. Our friends spoiled us, we met lots of people and got to just hang around Lubbock. God had been planning some stuff we loved doing. So some of the stuff was, praying and encouraging people we got to meet. It was such fun just watching God move and Holy Spirit being poured out onto people. We even got the oppurtunitie to speak at a church on a Sunday morning. It was such fun, the pastor just let us do what we felt Holy Spirit was wanting to do. Lisa and myself had no clue until it was our turn to stand up and speak what God wanted us to share, but we got to share and pray for people to have Holy Spirit, (I love doing this). We left a few hours later after sharing our hearts and praying till the last person left, no one seemed to want to leave.
I also got refreshed with some pure South Africans, a friend of a friend new these two crazy South Africans that come to Lubbock once a year to minister at a Church here. They are pure afrikaans South Africans, they made us milk tart and then pulled out some sausage that kind of tasted like borewors, and ALL GOLD tomatoe sauce and Mrs Balls Chutney.....yummy it felt like i was back home. We spent some good time with them and laughed a lot because we could understand each other and the things we were saying. So I have started teaching Lisa some afrikaans, our secret little language, so no one else can understand us here in US, especially when we need to communicate and we dont want everyone to understand.It fun and Lisa is a good learner. We left Lubbock and headed for Dallas, been here just over a week, have been staying with a family that Lisa kind of knew, they welcomed us in and we have had some good times with them and their 3 daughters. We will be leaving in a few days, we kind of know where but have not finalised it yet,
So keep praying for us, we have good days and bad days but have learnt that each day is just another day of grace!
Love you
Catherine
You may ask where I am saying hi from, well we find ourselves in Dallas, Texas! Yip we did not think we would make it this far but God seems to be leading this journey not us.
So while in California God told us to head to Lubbock Texas(some friends we met in Mozambqie stay there), so we packed up and left. To get htere we had to drive through some desert land. We headed to Arizona, it was interesting and kind of hard on us as we thought we were not hearing right and going in the wrong direction. After much heat, tears and praying we kept going. As we were driving out of Arizona there was this slight rain that came out of no where, and God told us there is refreshing coming. We had no idea what to expect. We hit New Mexico, and stayed in a place called Lus Cruces, it was really amazing there, we could breath again. we camped 2 nights there. We went to go see White sands, which really was incredible it was miles and miles of white sand dunes....white sand dunes strecthing for miles. And scary thought we were driving through the area where America first tested the Atomic bomb. Yip we were in the middle of missile territory, but we were safe! They werent testing any that day and am sure that the road where people drive is not the place they test them.
The next day we headed for Caldsbad Caverns, still in New Mexico. We got hit with a crazy storm on the way there, I could hardly see in front of me while I was driving, we kept going as we had no idea if it would stop, just black clouds lighting everywhere, and of course the relief that we were out of the desert! It eventually stopped and we felt ok again and well refreshed!We headed straight for the caves once in Caldsbad. These caves are the biggest in the US not sure about the world. You could fit 14 football fields in them. It was fascinating, we caught and elevator down 750 feet and took a stroll around, it was fascinating. We hung around till dusk, watched the bats take flight out of the caves interesting little creatures those bats are. The next day we went back and decided to walk in the caves, so we walked down 750 feet, took us about 2 hours. Next stop "Alien territory"
We headed for Roswell, now if any of you know this is the place to see UFO'S, well this is what the town seems to think. It was kind of weird. We went and found a camp site and decided to explore Roswell in the morning. Trust me, not much to explore, most shops have some Alien/UFO memrobilia and we went to the museum but decide that paying $5 was not worth the information we might see or read. Sure is a strange place, Lisa and myself decided to be funny and put some foil on our heads and take a picture of us by a Roswell sign, yip we thought well we might as well laugh at the oppurtunity we had of seeing this strange little town(you want to see the picture, let me know i will email it to you). We left pretty soon after htat and reached Lubbock, Texas
We had no idea what was going to happen here. But we had fun. Our friends spoiled us, we met lots of people and got to just hang around Lubbock. God had been planning some stuff we loved doing. So some of the stuff was, praying and encouraging people we got to meet. It was such fun just watching God move and Holy Spirit being poured out onto people. We even got the oppurtunitie to speak at a church on a Sunday morning. It was such fun, the pastor just let us do what we felt Holy Spirit was wanting to do. Lisa and myself had no clue until it was our turn to stand up and speak what God wanted us to share, but we got to share and pray for people to have Holy Spirit, (I love doing this). We left a few hours later after sharing our hearts and praying till the last person left, no one seemed to want to leave.
I also got refreshed with some pure South Africans, a friend of a friend new these two crazy South Africans that come to Lubbock once a year to minister at a Church here. They are pure afrikaans South Africans, they made us milk tart and then pulled out some sausage that kind of tasted like borewors, and ALL GOLD tomatoe sauce and Mrs Balls Chutney.....yummy it felt like i was back home. We spent some good time with them and laughed a lot because we could understand each other and the things we were saying. So I have started teaching Lisa some afrikaans, our secret little language, so no one else can understand us here in US, especially when we need to communicate and we dont want everyone to understand.It fun and Lisa is a good learner. We left Lubbock and headed for Dallas, been here just over a week, have been staying with a family that Lisa kind of knew, they welcomed us in and we have had some good times with them and their 3 daughters. We will be leaving in a few days, we kind of know where but have not finalised it yet,
So keep praying for us, we have good days and bad days but have learnt that each day is just another day of grace!
Love you
Catherine
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Highlights from Lisa!
Hello from the Rockies!!
It has been many, many miles since we last wrote.... Yesterday marked a month since our last oil change and we already crossed the 3,000 mile mark--just since then!
THE DESERT IS HIGHLY OVERRATED!
We've covered a lot of territory in the last month and a half! We decided we weren't so fond of the desert of Arizona and New Mexico, except for the amazing caves in Carlsbad! We spent a morning in Roswell, New Mexico and that was quite enough. No, we didn't see any aliens this time!
LUBBOCK-(where?!)
Our time in Lubbock, Texas with our friends from Mozambique was absolutely amazing. We saw God moving very powerfully in people there and we were given the opportunity to speak in a church there, which ended up being such fun. We let the Holy Spirit lead and he really spoke through us and touched people there. We enjoyed praying for people afterward for over 2 hours! Such fun!
CAMPING IN DALLAS WITH GREG AND JEAN
The next day we headed to the Dallas area and met up with my (Lisa's) aunt and unlce, who happened to be there camping at the same time we were planning to be there. Cath and I went for an impromptu swim in our clothes in the lake there one evening at sunset--beautiful and refreshing!! Reminded us of our early morning swims together in Mozambique when we were first getting to know each other!
REST AND BLESSING AT THE KYPUROS HOME
We have been amazingly blessed all throughout our trip of finding amazing "strangers" who have opened up their homes and hearts to us. One such family, the Kypuros', are friends of friends from CA. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them, playing (and coloring!) with their three beautiful girls, and praying with them on several occasions. After our first few days with them, they left town on vacation and let us stay in their home for a few more days while they were gone. A blessing for sure!
A REAL TEXAS RODEO!
After that, we headed to our friend, Andrea's, parents' house--also "strangers" to us. They welcomed us with amazing "Tex Mex" and upon discovering that we had not yet seen a rodeo jumped up from the dinner table, packed us in the car and took us off to see one! I was a bit skeptical at first, but ended up having an absolute blast! I liked the bull riding--and the kiddie version (4-6 year olds) on sheep!
MORE STRANGERS--and FISHING! (see picture below)
Our friend, Denea (from Lubbock), was in Dallas for a family reunion and invited us to join. It was great fun to see her again and to meet yet more wonderful people who welcomed us so warmly. A favorite part of our time there was going on her dad's platoon on a lake at sunset to fish. Once again, I didn't think I would enjoy myself, but ended up not wanting our time to end. We laughed a lot, and I caught....a log, some plants, and the bottom of the lake on numerous occasions.
OOOOOOO-KLAHOMA WHERE THE WIND COMES SWEEPIN' DOWN THE PLAIN....
After a long drive, we made a stop in Oklahoma City, where (once again) we were rained on while camping. Seems to be a theme... Anyway, we thought what better thing to do in Oklahoma than go see the musical "Oklahoma!" on stage. It just happened to be playing that week we were there and we caught opening night. Such fun to be in an audience of real Oklahomans who were so excited about their State.
NEXT STOP--KANSAS CITY AND DAGWOOD'S DINER (see picture below)
Once again, we were taken in by a complete stranger--this time on 2 hours' notice. We stayed 3 nights with a friend of a friend of a friend of a woman we met in Lubbock. We visited the International House of Prayer there and were happy to escape the crazy rain that has been pounding the mid-west. Our favorite part of Kansas City was discovering a dingy little diner on the Kansas side one morning. After a failed attempt to find a restaurant we were familiar with, we finally stopped, incredibly hungry, at Dagwood's Diner. Wowee--AAA needs to get this one in it's tourbook! We ate with the locals and watched as the 60something, overweight woman in the kitchen made our pancakes, licking the batter off of her fingers before carrying on with the next order. Next to her stood two women in the kitchen taking their smoke break... It was absolutely an amazing experience--and the food was so fabulous that we went back the next day for more!
A LOOOOOONG DAY OF DRIVING LEADS TO DENVER, COLORADO (see picture below)
Through Kansas we went in one day. Not too much to see, really. We found a nice place to stay in the mountains of Denver and Cath got to see another baseball game--the Rockies vs the Mets. Good fun as usual. I enjoyed watching the cotton candy man speed down the stairs, the amazing sunset, and the cute baby that was sitting in front of us. Oh, ya, and the baseball was good too. "We" won. =)
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH! (see picture below)
We are currently (that is, for the next hour or so) just outside of Colorado Springs, enjoying some tremendous beauty. We've decided that we officially like Colorado! Yesterday we visited the "Garden of the Gods", which is a park consisting of all sorts of crazy rock formations. The sky was bright blue, the trees super green, the clouds white as could be, and the rocks a beautiful red. We took tons of pictures and enjoyed just sitting and enjoying the scenery. Last night we went to Seven Falls, all lit up with lights. We missed the fireworks, but this was better than fireworks! It was calm and very pretty. We felt like we were in a movie set and that when we left they would shut off the lights and turn off the tap to the water!
NEXT STOP??
We're off in a few minutes and aren't sure where we'll sleep tonight. However, we have been scheming about the next few weeks and have a good idea about our route back to Oregon. This could well be the last chance I have to update until we get back home. We will likely stop at a coffee shop for internet here and there, but I probably won't be able to take the time to write another long update for a while. I hope you all are well!
Lisa and Catherine
It has been many, many miles since we last wrote.... Yesterday marked a month since our last oil change and we already crossed the 3,000 mile mark--just since then!
THE DESERT IS HIGHLY OVERRATED!
We've covered a lot of territory in the last month and a half! We decided we weren't so fond of the desert of Arizona and New Mexico, except for the amazing caves in Carlsbad! We spent a morning in Roswell, New Mexico and that was quite enough. No, we didn't see any aliens this time!
LUBBOCK-(where?!)
Our time in Lubbock, Texas with our friends from Mozambique was absolutely amazing. We saw God moving very powerfully in people there and we were given the opportunity to speak in a church there, which ended up being such fun. We let the Holy Spirit lead and he really spoke through us and touched people there. We enjoyed praying for people afterward for over 2 hours! Such fun!
CAMPING IN DALLAS WITH GREG AND JEAN
The next day we headed to the Dallas area and met up with my (Lisa's) aunt and unlce, who happened to be there camping at the same time we were planning to be there. Cath and I went for an impromptu swim in our clothes in the lake there one evening at sunset--beautiful and refreshing!! Reminded us of our early morning swims together in Mozambique when we were first getting to know each other!
REST AND BLESSING AT THE KYPUROS HOME
We have been amazingly blessed all throughout our trip of finding amazing "strangers" who have opened up their homes and hearts to us. One such family, the Kypuros', are friends of friends from CA. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them, playing (and coloring!) with their three beautiful girls, and praying with them on several occasions. After our first few days with them, they left town on vacation and let us stay in their home for a few more days while they were gone. A blessing for sure!
A REAL TEXAS RODEO!
After that, we headed to our friend, Andrea's, parents' house--also "strangers" to us. They welcomed us with amazing "Tex Mex" and upon discovering that we had not yet seen a rodeo jumped up from the dinner table, packed us in the car and took us off to see one! I was a bit skeptical at first, but ended up having an absolute blast! I liked the bull riding--and the kiddie version (4-6 year olds) on sheep!
MORE STRANGERS--and FISHING! (see picture below)
Our friend, Denea (from Lubbock), was in Dallas for a family reunion and invited us to join. It was great fun to see her again and to meet yet more wonderful people who welcomed us so warmly. A favorite part of our time there was going on her dad's platoon on a lake at sunset to fish. Once again, I didn't think I would enjoy myself, but ended up not wanting our time to end. We laughed a lot, and I caught....a log, some plants, and the bottom of the lake on numerous occasions.
OOOOOOO-KLAHOMA WHERE THE WIND COMES SWEEPIN' DOWN THE PLAIN....
After a long drive, we made a stop in Oklahoma City, where (once again) we were rained on while camping. Seems to be a theme... Anyway, we thought what better thing to do in Oklahoma than go see the musical "Oklahoma!" on stage. It just happened to be playing that week we were there and we caught opening night. Such fun to be in an audience of real Oklahomans who were so excited about their State.
NEXT STOP--KANSAS CITY AND DAGWOOD'S DINER (see picture below)
Once again, we were taken in by a complete stranger--this time on 2 hours' notice. We stayed 3 nights with a friend of a friend of a friend of a woman we met in Lubbock. We visited the International House of Prayer there and were happy to escape the crazy rain that has been pounding the mid-west. Our favorite part of Kansas City was discovering a dingy little diner on the Kansas side one morning. After a failed attempt to find a restaurant we were familiar with, we finally stopped, incredibly hungry, at Dagwood's Diner. Wowee--AAA needs to get this one in it's tourbook! We ate with the locals and watched as the 60something, overweight woman in the kitchen made our pancakes, licking the batter off of her fingers before carrying on with the next order. Next to her stood two women in the kitchen taking their smoke break... It was absolutely an amazing experience--and the food was so fabulous that we went back the next day for more!
A LOOOOOONG DAY OF DRIVING LEADS TO DENVER, COLORADO (see picture below)
Through Kansas we went in one day. Not too much to see, really. We found a nice place to stay in the mountains of Denver and Cath got to see another baseball game--the Rockies vs the Mets. Good fun as usual. I enjoyed watching the cotton candy man speed down the stairs, the amazing sunset, and the cute baby that was sitting in front of us. Oh, ya, and the baseball was good too. "We" won. =)
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH! (see picture below)
We are currently (that is, for the next hour or so) just outside of Colorado Springs, enjoying some tremendous beauty. We've decided that we officially like Colorado! Yesterday we visited the "Garden of the Gods", which is a park consisting of all sorts of crazy rock formations. The sky was bright blue, the trees super green, the clouds white as could be, and the rocks a beautiful red. We took tons of pictures and enjoyed just sitting and enjoying the scenery. Last night we went to Seven Falls, all lit up with lights. We missed the fireworks, but this was better than fireworks! It was calm and very pretty. We felt like we were in a movie set and that when we left they would shut off the lights and turn off the tap to the water!
NEXT STOP??
We're off in a few minutes and aren't sure where we'll sleep tonight. However, we have been scheming about the next few weeks and have a good idea about our route back to Oregon. This could well be the last chance I have to update until we get back home. We will likely stop at a coffee shop for internet here and there, but I probably won't be able to take the time to write another long update for a while. I hope you all are well!
Lisa and Catherine
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
A Porsche PART 3
Cath drives a PORSCHE?!!
Down to the Los Angeles area we headed, where Lisa's parents stay. The first night we actually stayed at Lisa's aunt's house since we were going to go "yard sale-ing" the next day near her house. (Those of you South Africans out there may be asking, "what is a yard sale?" Well, it's where people put out their junk, or stuff they don't use, and sell it for really cheap.) But little did Cath know she was going to experience more than a yard sale the next day. Early in the morning we agreed to go with Lisa's uncle to go for a coffee run and we walked outside and there it was--his car... A PORSCHE! Now Cath is still trying to get used to the coffee thing, but her comment was, "Well, I don't mind going to get coffee if I get to ride in the Porsche." The reply she got was...... "Well would you like to DRIVE it?" Now who would pass up an offer like that?! Certainly not her! So, like an excited kid, she jumped in the driver's seat of an amazing Porsche.....Lisa got to sit all scrunched up in the back, bearing with her friend as she got to live out another dream. WOW! It was such fun sitting behind the wheel and actually driving it. It brought new meaning to the words "fun" and "excitement." Definitely a car she would like to have one day--it kind of made up for a bit of her sad story back home, as her car was stolen a few days earlier... yip, her beautiful car.
OK, so back to earth. From the Porsche drive she did not stop smiling the whole day and giggling like a little child. Then off to "yard sale-ing" we went--lots of houses with lots of junk--but Cath did pick up some baseball mits for her nieces, her brother and herself... all for an amazing price of about R100. It was a real deal, but her bargaining skills weren't up to scratch. Lisa thought she could have got them cheaper, but wait till next time!
Living in a movie...
Troop Beverly Hills.....if you have not watched it, Cath think it's about time you did! It was one of her favourite movies as a kid. After much searching we eventually tracked it down. The video store even sold it to us for $2--think it's not popular anymore....but Cath needed to watch it before "Troop Lisa and Cath" headed out to Beverly Hills/Hollywood for a tour. It was a good laugh and got Cath all excited for the next adventure. So off we went the next day to the place of the stars. Well, Hollywood was kind of interesting. We walked on the path where the stars are in the ground, took some pictures, saw some sights, and decided that lunch was just more important--especialy when it was "In-N-Out" burgers on the menu. So we sat on Sunset Boulevard and ate In-N-Out and prepared ourselves for the next leg of the journey--Beverley Hills. Now, as a kid Cath dreamed of being rich and having a house here one day. Yip, it's shocking, I know, but hey as kids it's always good to dream of weird things. So we found the Beverly Hills Hotel. Now, if you watched the movie, you would see a scene from there (go watch it--I tell you its worth it!). We took some pictures to say we were there, drove through some streets of Beverly Hills, then headed down to the famous Rodeo Drive, where if you hang out a long time you might see some famous star come buy something. Needless to say, we walked down the street, went to the bathroom, took some pictures, and left. Seemed like it did not live up to all that Cath had thought, but it was worth the visit as now Cath can say she has walked the famous Rodeo Drive where you could easily spend thousands of dollars on a shirt! Scary, I know.
Disneyland, here we come!
So Lisa and Cath would like to have gone to Disneyland, but since it costs lots of dollars they decided that God needed to give them some tickets. Well little did they know He had it all planned 25 years ago! So on the 3rd of May Lisa turned 25 and her mom sent us to Disneyland for her birthday. It was a day to remember. We woke up early, left the house by 6h30, and headed out to the Place of a Million Dreams!!! Lisa got to wear a badge for her birthday and every employee who saw her wished her "happy birthday!" We saw Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Winnie the Pooh, and after much tracking down eventually found Goofy and of course Cath could not resist taking a picture with Goofy. We did most of the rides and did not even have to stand in long lines to get on them-- 30 minutes tops, and that was a kiddy ride. But it was all leading up to the best part of all...the parade. It was Cath's favourite. The music played as all the different characters--some on floats and some just walking and dancing--came down Main Street. If you asked Lisa what her favourite part of the day was, she would say...having lots of people say happy birthday, not waiting in lines for rides, and watching Cath experience Disneyland for the first time. And if you ask Cath what was her favourite part of the day she would say....the parade. Here is her comment: " It was like a dream-come-true seeing all the Disneyland characters that you only see in the movies and remembering all the songs that came with them. Yet it was not a movie anymore--it was real life!"--- "Yippidee do da yippeedee yay my oh my what a wonderful day..." So after a full day of being on our feet we headed home to rest our weary legs. Nothing could have taken away the day we had full of a million dreams!
Cath's summing up:
When I re-read all we've written about in the last few days, I realise that Jesus is really just taking us through a time where He is spoiling us and letting us live some of our dreams even though they might seem like nothing to some people and stupid to some--especially in the bigger scheme of things. But I know I am in a season of just being and having fun. I can't explain it, but I sure am enjoying it. But it does not stop me from wanting to see God's Kingdom come on earth, because in the midst of all that we are doing, we wait for oppurtunities to show God's love and share His heart with people we come across--whether it's smiling at someone or talking to someone or praying for someone, we are learning about what Jesus is in us and how we are to function from that and not strive in that. So to end off, all I can say is..."go live your dream--it's worth it!" I am, and a few days ago I got to go to yet another baseball game--this time a Dodgers game--and ate a Dodger Dog!
The next stop? Well, that is still in the works. We'll let you know as things develop!
Love you all, and next time we'll try to write sooner so it doesn't have to be a book!
catherine and lisa
Down to the Los Angeles area we headed, where Lisa's parents stay. The first night we actually stayed at Lisa's aunt's house since we were going to go "yard sale-ing" the next day near her house. (Those of you South Africans out there may be asking, "what is a yard sale?" Well, it's where people put out their junk, or stuff they don't use, and sell it for really cheap.) But little did Cath know she was going to experience more than a yard sale the next day. Early in the morning we agreed to go with Lisa's uncle to go for a coffee run and we walked outside and there it was--his car... A PORSCHE! Now Cath is still trying to get used to the coffee thing, but her comment was, "Well, I don't mind going to get coffee if I get to ride in the Porsche." The reply she got was...... "Well would you like to DRIVE it?" Now who would pass up an offer like that?! Certainly not her! So, like an excited kid, she jumped in the driver's seat of an amazing Porsche.....Lisa got to sit all scrunched up in the back, bearing with her friend as she got to live out another dream. WOW! It was such fun sitting behind the wheel and actually driving it. It brought new meaning to the words "fun" and "excitement." Definitely a car she would like to have one day--it kind of made up for a bit of her sad story back home, as her car was stolen a few days earlier... yip, her beautiful car.
OK, so back to earth. From the Porsche drive she did not stop smiling the whole day and giggling like a little child. Then off to "yard sale-ing" we went--lots of houses with lots of junk--but Cath did pick up some baseball mits for her nieces, her brother and herself... all for an amazing price of about R100. It was a real deal, but her bargaining skills weren't up to scratch. Lisa thought she could have got them cheaper, but wait till next time!
Living in a movie...
Troop Beverly Hills.....if you have not watched it, Cath think it's about time you did! It was one of her favourite movies as a kid. After much searching we eventually tracked it down. The video store even sold it to us for $2--think it's not popular anymore....but Cath needed to watch it before "Troop Lisa and Cath" headed out to Beverly Hills/Hollywood for a tour. It was a good laugh and got Cath all excited for the next adventure. So off we went the next day to the place of the stars. Well, Hollywood was kind of interesting. We walked on the path where the stars are in the ground, took some pictures, saw some sights, and decided that lunch was just more important--especialy when it was "In-N-Out" burgers on the menu. So we sat on Sunset Boulevard and ate In-N-Out and prepared ourselves for the next leg of the journey--Beverley Hills. Now, as a kid Cath dreamed of being rich and having a house here one day. Yip, it's shocking, I know, but hey as kids it's always good to dream of weird things. So we found the Beverly Hills Hotel. Now, if you watched the movie, you would see a scene from there (go watch it--I tell you its worth it!). We took some pictures to say we were there, drove through some streets of Beverly Hills, then headed down to the famous Rodeo Drive, where if you hang out a long time you might see some famous star come buy something. Needless to say, we walked down the street, went to the bathroom, took some pictures, and left. Seemed like it did not live up to all that Cath had thought, but it was worth the visit as now Cath can say she has walked the famous Rodeo Drive where you could easily spend thousands of dollars on a shirt! Scary, I know.
Disneyland, here we come!
So Lisa and Cath would like to have gone to Disneyland, but since it costs lots of dollars they decided that God needed to give them some tickets. Well little did they know He had it all planned 25 years ago! So on the 3rd of May Lisa turned 25 and her mom sent us to Disneyland for her birthday. It was a day to remember. We woke up early, left the house by 6h30, and headed out to the Place of a Million Dreams!!! Lisa got to wear a badge for her birthday and every employee who saw her wished her "happy birthday!" We saw Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, Winnie the Pooh, and after much tracking down eventually found Goofy and of course Cath could not resist taking a picture with Goofy. We did most of the rides and did not even have to stand in long lines to get on them-- 30 minutes tops, and that was a kiddy ride. But it was all leading up to the best part of all...the parade. It was Cath's favourite. The music played as all the different characters--some on floats and some just walking and dancing--came down Main Street. If you asked Lisa what her favourite part of the day was, she would say...having lots of people say happy birthday, not waiting in lines for rides, and watching Cath experience Disneyland for the first time. And if you ask Cath what was her favourite part of the day she would say....the parade. Here is her comment: " It was like a dream-come-true seeing all the Disneyland characters that you only see in the movies and remembering all the songs that came with them. Yet it was not a movie anymore--it was real life!"--- "Yippidee do da yippeedee yay my oh my what a wonderful day..." So after a full day of being on our feet we headed home to rest our weary legs. Nothing could have taken away the day we had full of a million dreams!
Cath's summing up:
When I re-read all we've written about in the last few days, I realise that Jesus is really just taking us through a time where He is spoiling us and letting us live some of our dreams even though they might seem like nothing to some people and stupid to some--especially in the bigger scheme of things. But I know I am in a season of just being and having fun. I can't explain it, but I sure am enjoying it. But it does not stop me from wanting to see God's Kingdom come on earth, because in the midst of all that we are doing, we wait for oppurtunities to show God's love and share His heart with people we come across--whether it's smiling at someone or talking to someone or praying for someone, we are learning about what Jesus is in us and how we are to function from that and not strive in that. So to end off, all I can say is..."go live your dream--it's worth it!" I am, and a few days ago I got to go to yet another baseball game--this time a Dodgers game--and ate a Dodger Dog!
The next stop? Well, that is still in the works. We'll let you know as things develop!
Love you all, and next time we'll try to write sooner so it doesn't have to be a book!
catherine and lisa
Monday, May 14, 2007
Journey part 2
Lisa and Cath update: Part 2
California, here we come!! First stop: San Francisco.
Over the border from Oregon to California we went! Now Cath can officially say she has set foot in CA. We headed first for San Francisco. We found Lisa's generous friend who let us stay with her for a week. We were so glad to have a warm, dry bed and some dry clothes--it was like staying in a 5 star hotel! Some fun things we saw and did? For one, we walked the bridge... the Golden Gate bridge!! We braved downtown San Francisco--ya, we got off the train a few stops too late and ended up in the scary part of town. But what would a trip to San Fransisco be like without seeing its scary, dangerous side?! We spent some time at Golden Gate Park, ate some ice cream there, and went to the beach. Cath is rather disappointed that you can't smell the sea here. Cape Town is the place to smell the sea, she says. Oh yes, and Cath had her first "In-N-Out" burger experience. Mc Donalds just does not even come close! Yummy yummy!
Field of Dreams...
It was a dream come true--the night Catherine and Lisa got to sit and watch as the San Fransisco Giants played the St Louis Cardinals. For 27 years, Cath had dreamed of attending a Major League baseball game in America. Boy, was it a night to remember as free tickets landed in their laps just hours before the game started! Cath was all excited as she got ready to go to the game...and Lisa just enjoyed the sheer childlikeness of Cath's reactions. As Cath entered the big stadium and stared everywhere, taking in every moment, she slowly approached the entrance to where it was all to take place. The excitement was almost too much to bear, but the two braved it as the game had already begun! WOW! What a moment! The game was amazing and in the 7th inning they got to sing the ball park song.... "Take me out to the ball game..." And, of course, they could not have gone to the ball game without having a hot dog and a Coke! If all that wasn't enough, Barry Bonds hit a home run! (check out his website http://barrybonds.mlb.com/players/bonds_barry/index.html if you're not familiar with who he is) . As Cath and Lisa watched, they could not help but smile and giggle at each other because Jesus really blessed them with a special evening of fun and dreams!
Sonoma, California--and then stumbling upon beauty in Big Sur
After San Francisco, we went to see a friend of Lisa's in Sonoma. It was fun to hang out with her, and this time we got to DRIVE over the Golden Gate bridge.... After two days, we left her friend's house late in the afternoon and headed down the coast. We wanted to find a camp site that we could stay at for at least 2 or 3 days--we were kind of tired of just staying one night at a camp site. We drove and drove, looking for the perfect spot. It was getting late--nearly 10h30pm--and it was a dark and windy road. Fortunately, we stumbled upon a campsite just before we ran out of gas. We just decided that this was going to be the place--either that or sleeping in the car!-- so we set up camp and went to bed. To our great surprise, we woke up in the morning surrounded by great big redwood trees and a river just a few feet from our tent. Wow, it was perfect! We looked at each other and said, "Well done!" It was an amazing 3 days of resting (with no rain!) and just spending time alone with Jesus.
Sea Kayaking
Realizing that we could not stay there forever, we packed up and headed towards San Luis Obispo, staying there 2 days with some of Lisa's friends. We got spoiled again with some sea kayaking...oh how Cath loves the water--that was so much fun!
California, here we come!! First stop: San Francisco.
Over the border from Oregon to California we went! Now Cath can officially say she has set foot in CA. We headed first for San Francisco. We found Lisa's generous friend who let us stay with her for a week. We were so glad to have a warm, dry bed and some dry clothes--it was like staying in a 5 star hotel! Some fun things we saw and did? For one, we walked the bridge... the Golden Gate bridge!! We braved downtown San Francisco--ya, we got off the train a few stops too late and ended up in the scary part of town. But what would a trip to San Fransisco be like without seeing its scary, dangerous side?! We spent some time at Golden Gate Park, ate some ice cream there, and went to the beach. Cath is rather disappointed that you can't smell the sea here. Cape Town is the place to smell the sea, she says. Oh yes, and Cath had her first "In-N-Out" burger experience. Mc Donalds just does not even come close! Yummy yummy!
Field of Dreams...
It was a dream come true--the night Catherine and Lisa got to sit and watch as the San Fransisco Giants played the St Louis Cardinals. For 27 years, Cath had dreamed of attending a Major League baseball game in America. Boy, was it a night to remember as free tickets landed in their laps just hours before the game started! Cath was all excited as she got ready to go to the game...and Lisa just enjoyed the sheer childlikeness of Cath's reactions. As Cath entered the big stadium and stared everywhere, taking in every moment, she slowly approached the entrance to where it was all to take place. The excitement was almost too much to bear, but the two braved it as the game had already begun! WOW! What a moment! The game was amazing and in the 7th inning they got to sing the ball park song.... "Take me out to the ball game..." And, of course, they could not have gone to the ball game without having a hot dog and a Coke! If all that wasn't enough, Barry Bonds hit a home run! (check out his website http://barrybonds.mlb.com/players/bonds_barry/index.html if you're not familiar with who he is) . As Cath and Lisa watched, they could not help but smile and giggle at each other because Jesus really blessed them with a special evening of fun and dreams!
Sonoma, California--and then stumbling upon beauty in Big Sur
After San Francisco, we went to see a friend of Lisa's in Sonoma. It was fun to hang out with her, and this time we got to DRIVE over the Golden Gate bridge.... After two days, we left her friend's house late in the afternoon and headed down the coast. We wanted to find a camp site that we could stay at for at least 2 or 3 days--we were kind of tired of just staying one night at a camp site. We drove and drove, looking for the perfect spot. It was getting late--nearly 10h30pm--and it was a dark and windy road. Fortunately, we stumbled upon a campsite just before we ran out of gas. We just decided that this was going to be the place--either that or sleeping in the car!-- so we set up camp and went to bed. To our great surprise, we woke up in the morning surrounded by great big redwood trees and a river just a few feet from our tent. Wow, it was perfect! We looked at each other and said, "Well done!" It was an amazing 3 days of resting (with no rain!) and just spending time alone with Jesus.
Sea Kayaking
Realizing that we could not stay there forever, we packed up and headed towards San Luis Obispo, staying there 2 days with some of Lisa's friends. We got spoiled again with some sea kayaking...oh how Cath loves the water--that was so much fun!
Sunday, May 13, 2007
The Journey part 1
I can get more out of God by believing Him for one minute than by shouting at Him all night.
Smith Wigglesworth.
Wow! It has been a while since we wrote about where we have been and what God has been doing. The time has really passed like crazy, but we have enjoyed every moment of it! We've had lots of adventures in the last 5 weeks, so rather than overwhelm you with one long email, we'll split it up into easy-to-swallow chunks for the next couple of days. =) Love, Catherine and Lisa
Silver Falls, Oregon--and the "back side of water"
Leaving home and heading about an hour away, we stayed in a cabin for 2 nights at a place called Silver Falls. There we got to see the backside of a waterfall! Yip, it actually exists--believe it or not--and it was fun to walk behind it! We liked it so much there that we stayed another 2 nights--but this time in a tent. That was the beginning of the rain that just didn't want to leave us alone on the first part of our journey. Camping is fun, but when you camp in the rain, it takes on a whole new meaning. The up side? We learned how to put a tent up and take one down pretty quickly!! We are pros now.
Easter in the tulip fields
On Easter Sunday we got to walk through fields and fields of tulips--wow, what a day! It seemed unreal, and the colours were just incredible. Made you want to dance and sing!
"Yurt~sweet~yurt"
Heading down the coast, we hit HUGE amounts of rain. It was crazy! And as Cath played games on Lisa saying, "Sure! We can camp in this weather--no problem!," Lisa (not realising she was joking) was thinking "Wow, Cath is more adventurous than I thought!" But after some communication, and even more laughing, God blessed us with a place to stay--a "yurt"--that was dry and warm and the same price as a tent site on that particular night! Wow, what a blessing...
Caves? What are those?!
This time it was Lisa's turn to fulfill one of her dreams. Lisa had been wanting to go to the Oregon Caves for about 5 years; she just needed some crazy South African to go with her... then she found Cath! So off we went to see the caves with our fun and adventurous tour guide. Be sure to check out the picture--he was quite a character! He was great and took us on an extended tour of the caves (we were in there for 2 1/2 hours, when a normal tour is only 90 minutes). Just as we were about to exit, Lisa was smelling some strange smell so she looked on the walls with her mini flashlight to see what it was. Instead of finding the cause of the smell, she found dozens of spiders and Cath's hand right next to them! Freak out she did, but praise Jesus she missed putting her hand on them! And, no, we never did find out what that smell was.... (check out the site for the caves if you want... http://www.nps.gov/archive/orca/home.html )
Smith Wigglesworth.
Wow! It has been a while since we wrote about where we have been and what God has been doing. The time has really passed like crazy, but we have enjoyed every moment of it! We've had lots of adventures in the last 5 weeks, so rather than overwhelm you with one long email, we'll split it up into easy-to-swallow chunks for the next couple of days. =) Love, Catherine and Lisa
Silver Falls, Oregon--and the "back side of water"
Leaving home and heading about an hour away, we stayed in a cabin for 2 nights at a place called Silver Falls. There we got to see the backside of a waterfall! Yip, it actually exists--believe it or not--and it was fun to walk behind it! We liked it so much there that we stayed another 2 nights--but this time in a tent. That was the beginning of the rain that just didn't want to leave us alone on the first part of our journey. Camping is fun, but when you camp in the rain, it takes on a whole new meaning. The up side? We learned how to put a tent up and take one down pretty quickly!! We are pros now.
Easter in the tulip fields
On Easter Sunday we got to walk through fields and fields of tulips--wow, what a day! It seemed unreal, and the colours were just incredible. Made you want to dance and sing!
"Yurt~sweet~yurt"
Heading down the coast, we hit HUGE amounts of rain. It was crazy! And as Cath played games on Lisa saying, "Sure! We can camp in this weather--no problem!," Lisa (not realising she was joking) was thinking "Wow, Cath is more adventurous than I thought!" But after some communication, and even more laughing, God blessed us with a place to stay--a "yurt"--that was dry and warm and the same price as a tent site on that particular night! Wow, what a blessing...
Caves? What are those?!
This time it was Lisa's turn to fulfill one of her dreams. Lisa had been wanting to go to the Oregon Caves for about 5 years; she just needed some crazy South African to go with her... then she found Cath! So off we went to see the caves with our fun and adventurous tour guide. Be sure to check out the picture--he was quite a character! He was great and took us on an extended tour of the caves (we were in there for 2 1/2 hours, when a normal tour is only 90 minutes). Just as we were about to exit, Lisa was smelling some strange smell so she looked on the walls with her mini flashlight to see what it was. Instead of finding the cause of the smell, she found dozens of spiders and Cath's hand right next to them! Freak out she did, but praise Jesus she missed putting her hand on them! And, no, we never did find out what that smell was.... (check out the site for the caves if you want... http://www.nps.gov/archive/orca/home.html )
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Is it a bird.....
Is it a plane.......
No its a dream of Catherines coming down from heaven delivered by God!
So here is a short email just about a dream of mine I have had since a little girl. I grew up playing baseball and loved it, and always wanted to go to a baseball game in america. So one of the things I wanted to do here was go to a game. So the other day we drove past the stadium, oh sorry by the way I am in San Fransisco now, I was so excited I felt like a little kid again. So I went online to check out ticket prices etc, realised its much more then we had expected. I kind of put the idea on the shelf for the moment. yesterday we drove past the stadium again, we quickly took a picture of me standing by the gate and then road off.
So today Lisa and myself are sitting in our room praying and her friend walks in and says to me,"what would be an amazing gift from God to you?" At that particular point I was not sure what God was going to give me. So she says well a friend of her's which is not someone she really speaks to a lot, called her up and said she had two tickets to go watch the baseball game tonight and wanted to know if she wanted them, and she said yes as she knew I would love that. I was kind of overwelmed and still am just because God knows the little things of my heart and He just loves making my dreams come true. He is just my provider and lover of my soul! So in a few hours we are off to go fullfill a dream that was mapped out just for me by Jesus! I love it when He does these things.
So to all of you out there......follow your dreams........!!!!!
will write more about the trip so far later, God has been great to us and we have been having an amazing time!!
love
Catherine
No its a dream of Catherines coming down from heaven delivered by God!
So here is a short email just about a dream of mine I have had since a little girl. I grew up playing baseball and loved it, and always wanted to go to a baseball game in america. So one of the things I wanted to do here was go to a game. So the other day we drove past the stadium, oh sorry by the way I am in San Fransisco now, I was so excited I felt like a little kid again. So I went online to check out ticket prices etc, realised its much more then we had expected. I kind of put the idea on the shelf for the moment. yesterday we drove past the stadium again, we quickly took a picture of me standing by the gate and then road off.
So today Lisa and myself are sitting in our room praying and her friend walks in and says to me,"what would be an amazing gift from God to you?" At that particular point I was not sure what God was going to give me. So she says well a friend of her's which is not someone she really speaks to a lot, called her up and said she had two tickets to go watch the baseball game tonight and wanted to know if she wanted them, and she said yes as she knew I would love that. I was kind of overwelmed and still am just because God knows the little things of my heart and He just loves making my dreams come true. He is just my provider and lover of my soul! So in a few hours we are off to go fullfill a dream that was mapped out just for me by Jesus! I love it when He does these things.
So to all of you out there......follow your dreams........!!!!!
will write more about the trip so far later, God has been great to us and we have been having an amazing time!!
love
Catherine
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Lets walk on water
Walking on Water: Insect's Secret Revealed
"The amazing water strider doesn't just walk on water. It skips across it with the grace of an Olympic skater and the power of a hockey player. The insect dances up and down to avoid being submerged by raindrops, and it can pack 15 times its body weight without sinking. the water strider's legs are covered with microscopic hairs that trap tiny air bubbles, allowing the insect to simply float. It is critical that water striders legs not get wet, in order to avoid penetrating the surface during their rowing stroke, If they do happen to fall through, they must generate forces ten times their body weight to return to the surface."
Don't worry we don't have to be water striders to walk on water, imagine if we were that would cause coaos in the world, but I do know that just having that tiny extra bit of faith to be out of our comfort and be out of the box for Jesus will cause us to want to be like Peter and just get out of the boat and walk towards Jesus.
As Lisa and myself have been praying and walking with Jesus, he has been showing us that being out of our box is good and He loves it when we just take that extra step and be adventurous and hold His hand and walk. even in the little things.
Some of you might think this is crazy but I tell you its fun, so the other day we were talking about being out of the box and doing something that was just not us and I suddenly thought well I dont like coffee, maybe I should begin to taste it more and then I might develop a taste for it. For those who know me that is just not me, I hate coffee, even the smell of it sometimes is just yucky! I can not understand why people drink it! anyway we were going to meet a friend of ours at a coffee shop so before getting there I asked Lisa to give me some reasons why she likes coffee, still not really convincing me that this is the way to go. We standing at the counter deciding what would be the best coffee to go for and should it be flavoured or just plain, should I get a mocha with maybe just one shot of espresso or two, all these decisions to make, the lady at the counter is giving some suggestions and then asks why am I doing this, I kind of hesitated for a bit then said well I am trying to be out of the box a bit and this is just a small way of doing something out of the box, "Why" she asks, well wondering to myself, Cath just be out the box again, I asked her if she was a Christian, she replies yes, and I say well God is teaching us about being out the box and not living contained by boundaries, even though this seems like a small thing it just a sign of willingness to be out of my comfort! So we chatted to her more about what she had done etc and what she was planning to do etc, was just an amazing time! We got our coffee, and went and ENJOYED IT! Yes I actually enjoyed it! (by now I am sure some of you who know me are laughing, thats great)
We ended our little outing by just writing an encouraging note to the lady who served us, believing that God was going to use her to see more radical things for His kingdom.
I am excited about walking out all the Jesus has planned, I have began to realise that its not worth holding back and missing the adventure of a lifetime. I know as Lisa and myself prepare to leave and just go where ever God directs us, its going to take faith and hope and knowing that what He says is true. Our hearts is to be able to bless people and encourage people along the way, we don't just want it to be a holiday full of sight seeing, we want it to be a time where we get to see lives touched by Jesus, whether its speaking to some stranger and giving them something to eat and loving them, or whether its visiting someone we know and encouraging them and praying for them! All these things and more is what we want to see. Being in Mozambique was just clear that I can't be normal and live normal, how ever you define normal. My life belongs to Jesus and all I know is that I want to walk on water and see the kingdom of God come on this earth. So taking every moment I live as a moment defined by Jesus and living it out as though He was walking with me on the water. Not wanting to look down to see if I will sink but looking ahead to see Jesus and know that He wont let me fall!!!
So we are heading out on Wednesday, we have out first destination which is a place called Silver falls, we will be there for 2 days and then well lets just see what God does.........! Please pray for us that God will direct us and encourage us on the way, also pray for divine appointment and just Gods love to be shining through us!
Love you all
Catherine
"The amazing water strider doesn't just walk on water. It skips across it with the grace of an Olympic skater and the power of a hockey player. The insect dances up and down to avoid being submerged by raindrops, and it can pack 15 times its body weight without sinking. the water strider's legs are covered with microscopic hairs that trap tiny air bubbles, allowing the insect to simply float. It is critical that water striders legs not get wet, in order to avoid penetrating the surface during their rowing stroke, If they do happen to fall through, they must generate forces ten times their body weight to return to the surface."
Don't worry we don't have to be water striders to walk on water, imagine if we were that would cause coaos in the world, but I do know that just having that tiny extra bit of faith to be out of our comfort and be out of the box for Jesus will cause us to want to be like Peter and just get out of the boat and walk towards Jesus.
As Lisa and myself have been praying and walking with Jesus, he has been showing us that being out of our box is good and He loves it when we just take that extra step and be adventurous and hold His hand and walk. even in the little things.
Some of you might think this is crazy but I tell you its fun, so the other day we were talking about being out of the box and doing something that was just not us and I suddenly thought well I dont like coffee, maybe I should begin to taste it more and then I might develop a taste for it. For those who know me that is just not me, I hate coffee, even the smell of it sometimes is just yucky! I can not understand why people drink it! anyway we were going to meet a friend of ours at a coffee shop so before getting there I asked Lisa to give me some reasons why she likes coffee, still not really convincing me that this is the way to go. We standing at the counter deciding what would be the best coffee to go for and should it be flavoured or just plain, should I get a mocha with maybe just one shot of espresso or two, all these decisions to make, the lady at the counter is giving some suggestions and then asks why am I doing this, I kind of hesitated for a bit then said well I am trying to be out of the box a bit and this is just a small way of doing something out of the box, "Why" she asks, well wondering to myself, Cath just be out the box again, I asked her if she was a Christian, she replies yes, and I say well God is teaching us about being out the box and not living contained by boundaries, even though this seems like a small thing it just a sign of willingness to be out of my comfort! So we chatted to her more about what she had done etc and what she was planning to do etc, was just an amazing time! We got our coffee, and went and ENJOYED IT! Yes I actually enjoyed it! (by now I am sure some of you who know me are laughing, thats great)
We ended our little outing by just writing an encouraging note to the lady who served us, believing that God was going to use her to see more radical things for His kingdom.
I am excited about walking out all the Jesus has planned, I have began to realise that its not worth holding back and missing the adventure of a lifetime. I know as Lisa and myself prepare to leave and just go where ever God directs us, its going to take faith and hope and knowing that what He says is true. Our hearts is to be able to bless people and encourage people along the way, we don't just want it to be a holiday full of sight seeing, we want it to be a time where we get to see lives touched by Jesus, whether its speaking to some stranger and giving them something to eat and loving them, or whether its visiting someone we know and encouraging them and praying for them! All these things and more is what we want to see. Being in Mozambique was just clear that I can't be normal and live normal, how ever you define normal. My life belongs to Jesus and all I know is that I want to walk on water and see the kingdom of God come on this earth. So taking every moment I live as a moment defined by Jesus and living it out as though He was walking with me on the water. Not wanting to look down to see if I will sink but looking ahead to see Jesus and know that He wont let me fall!!!
So we are heading out on Wednesday, we have out first destination which is a place called Silver falls, we will be there for 2 days and then well lets just see what God does.........! Please pray for us that God will direct us and encourage us on the way, also pray for divine appointment and just Gods love to be shining through us!
Love you all
Catherine
Friday, March 2, 2007
A Journey!
"TELL ME WHAT IS IT YOU PLAN TO DO WITH YOUR ONE
WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE!!"Mary Olivier
I guess thats what Lisa and myself have been asking ourselves a lot lately, what is it Jesus wants us to do! I have been learning that, God is really bigger then i can imagine or even comprehend at times. I have been walking an interesting 3 weeks. It has been a change from the busyness I am used to but its been a huge huge resting time and spending time getting to know Lisa, surprise surprise i actually did not know Lisa that well!! It was definately a divine God appointment for me to be here! As Lisa said the other day which made me laugh, she prayed before she had gone to Africa, that God would send her a friend, well little did both of us realise it would be one from across the world, yip out of all the people in america God decided that a South African will do, well as Lisa puts it a crazy South African princess! YAY!! And this princess is having such fun. So i am going to begin with all the intesresting things I have been seeing and then go into telling about what God is doing in me more and more each day. I realise this trip is God just showing me that I can have fun and enjoy Him and see USA because its been a dream of mine! So God piles all of himself into Lisa and myself and says ok go have fun and see all you like and watch Me do the miraculous along the way!!
So the other night at 12pm we switch our clocks forward to make it 1am and then we call it day light saving! that was weird i have to say! Never in my life have i had time pass so quickly, was strange everytime you look at the clock and you think to yourself, well actually its not really that time its an hour fast but we kind of believe its the time on the clock! yip besides the fact that i was already in a time zone, it changed even more when we decided to save some light and switch our clocks!!
Interesting things i have had to eat while being here.......
Pumpkin pie - its for desert believe it! and served with cream! was strange to think i was eating pumpkin for desert but as i tasted it there was no turning back, it was yummy!!!!
PEEPS - marshmallows with some sugar coating that look like chickens, a favourite in this place around easter, they were actually very yummy and aaddictive, but I was told to save one so we can go blow it up in the microwave, the things we do for fun here! check out the website it will add to just that little bit extra humour to your day! - http://www.peepresearch.org/
............will keep you posted of any more interesting things i get to eat in this big world i am living in!!
We went driving to Multnomah Falls - wow was incredible, but along the way we got to see some yard sales, interesting stuff, the one we followed the signs and kept following the signs and kept following the signs, we got there and it was in the middle of no where really, it was not as exciting as we expected considering we drove a while before getting there. but the other one we stopped at, we bought a movie - the matrix, for only $0.50, hey thats less then a dollar, which in SA Rands is about R3.50......! And Lisa with her classic bartering skills got a purple mug thrown in for free! So after all that we headed off to see the falls!Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. The water of the Falls drops 620 feet from its origin on Larch Mountain. I just stood in amazement, realised this is just another one of Gods beautifull creation tricks that He exposes us to to see that He is one big creative Daddy! follow the link below to see some pictures if you want!!! http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2006-16,GGLR:en&sa=N&resnum=0&q=Multnomah%20Falls&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&tab=wi
and while we are on the topic of mountains we got to go see the Movie "The Alps" it was previewing at OMSI (Oregan Museum of Sicence & Industry) - Lisa's cousin works there and got us in and we also got a behind the scenes tour of the musuem, was so interesting to see what goes on behind the curtain of a museum, kind of reminded me of the movie - Night at the Museum, but nothing came alive and tried to kill us, good thing! so back to the movie - this guy wanted to climb the Alps and it was filmed, but the movie theater we watched it in was a big dome, so the movie was extra emphasised, felt like I was on top of the mountain at times! Was seeing the height of Gods creations and realising that we all have the strength of God within us to do more then we can dream or imagine, and how Gods love is deeper and higher then those mountains can ever be!!
DRIVING - its on the wrong side of the road!!! - but i am getting used to it, i braved driving the other day, actually its not that bad, i just have to remember that i need to be using the right side of my brain and not the left!!! And actually it works and have gotten used to it, now i dont feel like cars are going to drive into me, aaahh!!
Whats God been doing you might be asking?? Well here are somethings on my heart that i will share!
As i was driving around the other day, and also walking in the actual city, i was suddenly just overwelmed by the fact that actually I am seeing this country for real, its not a dream or me watching it in a movie anymore, this is real life! I then felt God say that all that i dream for and hope for in Him and in HIS WORD is true and real and can be lived out! And it was such a yes cry within me and I saw the difference between watching something like a movie and actually living it out! I dont know about you but I am frustrated alot that we dont get to walk out what the bible says, and when we read it, it can begin to become just like a story and that we begin to see it as a story, so challenge I am to really believe all that is said in the word and really live out Gods heart! I know i want to see all that God has for me, i also know i need to believe all that God has for me! My normal life has been shattering more and more each day, God did a lot of shattering of my life and ideas when i was in Mozambique, but wow is he doing it even more here!
Lisa and myself have been praying a lot and God really shows up and has been taking us on a journey of installing in us confidence and hope! I believe that as we have just been longing for more of him and resting and being as He has told us we have come across part of Gods heart that is new to me! I know God wants me to rest but I think the resting i know and Gods resting is two different things! so i have decided to follow Gods resting, mine is to much work! so We have spent a few nights up praying, and now if we dont pray for a few hours a day i feel like i am missing something. I have a hunger in me that is reaching deeper depths then i have ever known to just touch Gods heart! and feel what his heart is for more and more people! my longing is to meet more strangers on this journey and be able to minister Gods love to them, in what ever form that comes in!
At the moment it feels like I am hanging on the edge of a cliff, and am excited on one hand that I cant wait to see what God is going to do in me and through me, but on the other hand i hve to admit its scary! My reliance on Jesus is growing more and more, and I know that He has brought me to this place of absolute desparation that if He doesnt come through for me i am actually dead! Its kind of scary but so freeing as its not up to me to do anything! Thats the resting thing I am talking about!!!!
So where to from here, well at the moment I am in Oregon, Lisa and myself have kind of some idea of where we are heading! The first part of the trip would be down towards california! so that might be happening next week! but will keep you all posted, Jesus goes before us we just have to follow! We want to see more then just the beauftiful landscape that God created, we want to see some miracles along the way!! Divine apointments!!!!
Love you all!!
Catherine
WILD AND PRECIOUS LIFE!!"Mary Olivier
I guess thats what Lisa and myself have been asking ourselves a lot lately, what is it Jesus wants us to do! I have been learning that, God is really bigger then i can imagine or even comprehend at times. I have been walking an interesting 3 weeks. It has been a change from the busyness I am used to but its been a huge huge resting time and spending time getting to know Lisa, surprise surprise i actually did not know Lisa that well!! It was definately a divine God appointment for me to be here! As Lisa said the other day which made me laugh, she prayed before she had gone to Africa, that God would send her a friend, well little did both of us realise it would be one from across the world, yip out of all the people in america God decided that a South African will do, well as Lisa puts it a crazy South African princess! YAY!! And this princess is having such fun. So i am going to begin with all the intesresting things I have been seeing and then go into telling about what God is doing in me more and more each day. I realise this trip is God just showing me that I can have fun and enjoy Him and see USA because its been a dream of mine! So God piles all of himself into Lisa and myself and says ok go have fun and see all you like and watch Me do the miraculous along the way!!
So the other night at 12pm we switch our clocks forward to make it 1am and then we call it day light saving! that was weird i have to say! Never in my life have i had time pass so quickly, was strange everytime you look at the clock and you think to yourself, well actually its not really that time its an hour fast but we kind of believe its the time on the clock! yip besides the fact that i was already in a time zone, it changed even more when we decided to save some light and switch our clocks!!
Interesting things i have had to eat while being here.......
Pumpkin pie - its for desert believe it! and served with cream! was strange to think i was eating pumpkin for desert but as i tasted it there was no turning back, it was yummy!!!!
PEEPS - marshmallows with some sugar coating that look like chickens, a favourite in this place around easter, they were actually very yummy and aaddictive, but I was told to save one so we can go blow it up in the microwave, the things we do for fun here! check out the website it will add to just that little bit extra humour to your day! - http://www.peepresearch.org/
............will keep you posted of any more interesting things i get to eat in this big world i am living in!!
We went driving to Multnomah Falls - wow was incredible, but along the way we got to see some yard sales, interesting stuff, the one we followed the signs and kept following the signs and kept following the signs, we got there and it was in the middle of no where really, it was not as exciting as we expected considering we drove a while before getting there. but the other one we stopped at, we bought a movie - the matrix, for only $0.50, hey thats less then a dollar, which in SA Rands is about R3.50......! And Lisa with her classic bartering skills got a purple mug thrown in for free! So after all that we headed off to see the falls!Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. The water of the Falls drops 620 feet from its origin on Larch Mountain. I just stood in amazement, realised this is just another one of Gods beautifull creation tricks that He exposes us to to see that He is one big creative Daddy! follow the link below to see some pictures if you want!!! http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2006-16,GGLR:en&sa=N&resnum=0&q=Multnomah%20Falls&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&um=1&tab=wi
and while we are on the topic of mountains we got to go see the Movie "The Alps" it was previewing at OMSI (Oregan Museum of Sicence & Industry) - Lisa's cousin works there and got us in and we also got a behind the scenes tour of the musuem, was so interesting to see what goes on behind the curtain of a museum, kind of reminded me of the movie - Night at the Museum, but nothing came alive and tried to kill us, good thing! so back to the movie - this guy wanted to climb the Alps and it was filmed, but the movie theater we watched it in was a big dome, so the movie was extra emphasised, felt like I was on top of the mountain at times! Was seeing the height of Gods creations and realising that we all have the strength of God within us to do more then we can dream or imagine, and how Gods love is deeper and higher then those mountains can ever be!!
DRIVING - its on the wrong side of the road!!! - but i am getting used to it, i braved driving the other day, actually its not that bad, i just have to remember that i need to be using the right side of my brain and not the left!!! And actually it works and have gotten used to it, now i dont feel like cars are going to drive into me, aaahh!!
Whats God been doing you might be asking?? Well here are somethings on my heart that i will share!
As i was driving around the other day, and also walking in the actual city, i was suddenly just overwelmed by the fact that actually I am seeing this country for real, its not a dream or me watching it in a movie anymore, this is real life! I then felt God say that all that i dream for and hope for in Him and in HIS WORD is true and real and can be lived out! And it was such a yes cry within me and I saw the difference between watching something like a movie and actually living it out! I dont know about you but I am frustrated alot that we dont get to walk out what the bible says, and when we read it, it can begin to become just like a story and that we begin to see it as a story, so challenge I am to really believe all that is said in the word and really live out Gods heart! I know i want to see all that God has for me, i also know i need to believe all that God has for me! My normal life has been shattering more and more each day, God did a lot of shattering of my life and ideas when i was in Mozambique, but wow is he doing it even more here!
Lisa and myself have been praying a lot and God really shows up and has been taking us on a journey of installing in us confidence and hope! I believe that as we have just been longing for more of him and resting and being as He has told us we have come across part of Gods heart that is new to me! I know God wants me to rest but I think the resting i know and Gods resting is two different things! so i have decided to follow Gods resting, mine is to much work! so We have spent a few nights up praying, and now if we dont pray for a few hours a day i feel like i am missing something. I have a hunger in me that is reaching deeper depths then i have ever known to just touch Gods heart! and feel what his heart is for more and more people! my longing is to meet more strangers on this journey and be able to minister Gods love to them, in what ever form that comes in!
At the moment it feels like I am hanging on the edge of a cliff, and am excited on one hand that I cant wait to see what God is going to do in me and through me, but on the other hand i hve to admit its scary! My reliance on Jesus is growing more and more, and I know that He has brought me to this place of absolute desparation that if He doesnt come through for me i am actually dead! Its kind of scary but so freeing as its not up to me to do anything! Thats the resting thing I am talking about!!!!
So where to from here, well at the moment I am in Oregon, Lisa and myself have kind of some idea of where we are heading! The first part of the trip would be down towards california! so that might be happening next week! but will keep you all posted, Jesus goes before us we just have to follow! We want to see more then just the beauftiful landscape that God created, we want to see some miracles along the way!! Divine apointments!!!!
Love you all!!
Catherine
Summer to Winter!
Hey all!
After spending my last few hours having a swim in the Sea in Cape Town, i headed off to the airport to endure one very long flight!
i have changed season in just 2 days, never thought that could happen did you?
So i spent 16 hours on a plane( wow lets just say my butt really well aquinted to the seat) then io arrived in NEW YORK(never thought i would say that) i had a whole day at the airport, was really long but interesting. it was so funny i looked outside and there were so famous yellow taxis you see in the movies, i alsmost ran outside and took a picture, but thought i would try behave myself! felt like a kid! I then headed off to portland,Oregon on another flighjt of 5,5 hours. i cant really remeber the plane taking off i was so tired i fell alseep as i sat in the chair!
I saw my friend at the airport, was good to be able to speak to someone! got my luggage and headed off to her house. yip its cold out here! but what an incredible place, am living in a forest, and there was even some snow on the ground when i arrived! ok so now am sepnding a few days adjusting mysself to the difference in time and weather. its great here and amsure God is going to do amazing things! but for now i am off to bed and you are probably waking up, weird i think!!!
Love you all
Catherine
After spending my last few hours having a swim in the Sea in Cape Town, i headed off to the airport to endure one very long flight!
i have changed season in just 2 days, never thought that could happen did you?
So i spent 16 hours on a plane( wow lets just say my butt really well aquinted to the seat) then io arrived in NEW YORK(never thought i would say that) i had a whole day at the airport, was really long but interesting. it was so funny i looked outside and there were so famous yellow taxis you see in the movies, i alsmost ran outside and took a picture, but thought i would try behave myself! felt like a kid! I then headed off to portland,Oregon on another flighjt of 5,5 hours. i cant really remeber the plane taking off i was so tired i fell alseep as i sat in the chair!
I saw my friend at the airport, was good to be able to speak to someone! got my luggage and headed off to her house. yip its cold out here! but what an incredible place, am living in a forest, and there was even some snow on the ground when i arrived! ok so now am sepnding a few days adjusting mysself to the difference in time and weather. its great here and amsure God is going to do amazing things! but for now i am off to bed and you are probably waking up, weird i think!!!
Love you all
Catherine
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Unexpected God Adventure
Hi to all!!!
Well I just thought i would give an update as to what is happening next in my life and what God has been doing!!! for those of you who dont know i was in Mozambqiue for 2,5 months on the Holy Given Scool, at Iris Ministries.
When i was in Mozambique I had a change in direction as i thought i would maybe go back to Mozambique, but God thought differently!! So i am heading off to America, who would have thought, definately not me!!
You might be wondering what i am going to be doing in America well, i am not 100% sure yet, but i am going to a friend of mine i met in Mozambique, she stays in Oregan, Portland. and we will be waiting on God to tell us where to go and what to do!!but of course i will be going to see a baseball game, thats just a must do thing i have always wanted to do!!! i really feel God is going to give us divine appointments and see so much more of what God is wanting for our lives!!! so its also a faith trip and that to me is such fun! i realised i actually enjoy living on the edge a bit makes life more interesting, who needs bungy jumping when you can have even more fun with Jesus!!!!
so the expected date of departure is the 27 Feb..... still confirming my flights. God did pull off a miracle with my visa, even though i have no job and no reason to come back to SA they still gave me a year visa for the states! PRAISE THE LORD!! The plan is to stay for 6 months, but we will see what God does whenever he wants to do it!
I have realised that God is so big and has so much in store for us that we sometimes dont see it or realise it at all, but i have just watched God do incredible things in me, and i love Him for it!! so to all those out there, if God has told you something trust me it will happen!!! but it can come at a cost and the cost is that of laying die your life for Him!!!!
love you!
Catherineh
Well I just thought i would give an update as to what is happening next in my life and what God has been doing!!! for those of you who dont know i was in Mozambqiue for 2,5 months on the Holy Given Scool, at Iris Ministries.
When i was in Mozambique I had a change in direction as i thought i would maybe go back to Mozambique, but God thought differently!! So i am heading off to America, who would have thought, definately not me!!
You might be wondering what i am going to be doing in America well, i am not 100% sure yet, but i am going to a friend of mine i met in Mozambique, she stays in Oregan, Portland. and we will be waiting on God to tell us where to go and what to do!!but of course i will be going to see a baseball game, thats just a must do thing i have always wanted to do!!! i really feel God is going to give us divine appointments and see so much more of what God is wanting for our lives!!! so its also a faith trip and that to me is such fun! i realised i actually enjoy living on the edge a bit makes life more interesting, who needs bungy jumping when you can have even more fun with Jesus!!!!
so the expected date of departure is the 27 Feb..... still confirming my flights. God did pull off a miracle with my visa, even though i have no job and no reason to come back to SA they still gave me a year visa for the states! PRAISE THE LORD!! The plan is to stay for 6 months, but we will see what God does whenever he wants to do it!
I have realised that God is so big and has so much in store for us that we sometimes dont see it or realise it at all, but i have just watched God do incredible things in me, and i love Him for it!! so to all those out there, if God has told you something trust me it will happen!!! but it can come at a cost and the cost is that of laying die your life for Him!!!!
love you!
Catherineh
Thursday, January 25, 2007
USA Visa God miracle!!!
Well where do I start, if this is just the beginning of the journey then definitely the rest is going to be such fun with Jesus!!!! When the Embassy moved my appointment I was wondering what was happening but was relieved in one way as it seemed it was just a bit much and was just not wanting to be in a rush and needed all my things that they want done correctly. So the Friday I am sitting chatting to a friend of mine who has been to America and applied for visa before, she says Cath just be honest about your intentions to go, because what I just could not get around was proof that I was coming back which to the Embassy is a key area, also the fact that I am unemployed does not help me. But as I was talking to her it was just making sense that I just needed to be honest and completely open about what I want. And also use the Mozambique time as proof that I am now a "missionary" and that travelling places is just what my life is about now. And the fact that I came back to South Africa after being in Mozambique shows that I do have intentions of travelling and coming back home.
So then I needed to also get a photo, they are really specific did not realise it, thought I could just take a picture of myself and print it out. Anyway so I did take a picture of myself and go off to town the one day and now I want to get it printed, I go into this one photo shop, they guy is a bit useless cant really help my I just got frustrated and walked out. So then in the centre of town I stand wondering where can I go to get this printed, so I am wondering around town, my friend says there is one in this one centre, we end up going there I ask the guy can he print my photo out he says their machine is broken, he then asked me what it is for, I tell him for American visa, he says oh, well they used to do the pictures for the American visa's all the time as the embassy used to be close by, so I show him my picture he laughs and says they would never accept that, and says he will take my picture and make sure it's the standard they need. To me this is just little things that God does to make sure my life is just made one step simpler and He is so gracious that He sends me in the right direction even when I don't have a clue where I am going, by the way this photo thing happened Tuesday afternoon at like 3h30 and the guy was gracious enough to do it for me as he says usually I would have to wait a day for it, which would not have been good as my interview was the next morning.
I arrive at the embassy on time but stand in this queue, but sometimes God uses my disability to get me to the front of the queue and so the security guards take me in and sort me out sooner then all the other people, they saw I was walking strangely!!! Anyway I then saw them turning people away because of the wrong size photos, and I just praised Jesus for mine!!! So off we go to the next thing, I give them my documents, the guy says you are unemployed I said I know, so he highlights this fact on the sheet and gives me a number and says wait to be called. So I am sitting in the waiting area, just praying in tongues, and just before I get called I sense these angels that went ahead of me to prepare what was to come. So I went up when they called, now you stand in front of this glass window and speak through a phone to the guy interviewing you, its quiet a guarded place, so the first thing he says to me is so you are unemployed, what have you been doing then, so I told him I was in Mozambique for 3 months on a mission school. Then he wants to know well what am I going to do when I get back to South Africa, so I said I don't know God has not told me yet, so he looks at me and says so when did you get struck by lighting, so I just laugh at him and say why, he is like how can you live like that, so I just am kind of laughing but also knowing that God needs to speak now because I could just talk myself into the wrong thing here, so he says you are a qualified accountant what were you doing before Mozambique, so I tell him I was working with churches and NGO and i felt God tell me to resign and go to Mozambique. In Mozambique I felt him say I should go to America and well this is what I am trying to do, so he looks at me again and says you really got struck by lighting didn't you, He says to me you are a very unusual case, and so we carry on talking about denominations churches, how organisations need help etc. then he says ok well here is the story, we really don't have a category that you fall into(so now I am thinking that he is going to deny me a visa) but I will give you a 1 year visa, under the fact that you seem to be serious about following what God tells you and you proved it by the fact that you quit your job and went to Mozambique, and got struck by lighting, and he is putting on my visa that I work with NGO doing accounting and that what I plan to do when I get back as I need some kind of reason to tell the guys at the airport when they still need to give me access into the country. Then he takes my finger prints tells me I am sweating to much as my hands were sweating, and asks me am I nervous, but I just laugh and say no its hot, but I was nervous a bit but it was such fun because I realised God was so there and helped me speak what I needed to and the guy had fun talking to me as he was amused by my thoughts and way of life. So I guess if I was in the world they would have denied me a visa, but because I have big God on my side, he just opens doors for me and I just have to walk!!!!! Its such fun!!
So then I needed to also get a photo, they are really specific did not realise it, thought I could just take a picture of myself and print it out. Anyway so I did take a picture of myself and go off to town the one day and now I want to get it printed, I go into this one photo shop, they guy is a bit useless cant really help my I just got frustrated and walked out. So then in the centre of town I stand wondering where can I go to get this printed, so I am wondering around town, my friend says there is one in this one centre, we end up going there I ask the guy can he print my photo out he says their machine is broken, he then asked me what it is for, I tell him for American visa, he says oh, well they used to do the pictures for the American visa's all the time as the embassy used to be close by, so I show him my picture he laughs and says they would never accept that, and says he will take my picture and make sure it's the standard they need. To me this is just little things that God does to make sure my life is just made one step simpler and He is so gracious that He sends me in the right direction even when I don't have a clue where I am going, by the way this photo thing happened Tuesday afternoon at like 3h30 and the guy was gracious enough to do it for me as he says usually I would have to wait a day for it, which would not have been good as my interview was the next morning.
I arrive at the embassy on time but stand in this queue, but sometimes God uses my disability to get me to the front of the queue and so the security guards take me in and sort me out sooner then all the other people, they saw I was walking strangely!!! Anyway I then saw them turning people away because of the wrong size photos, and I just praised Jesus for mine!!! So off we go to the next thing, I give them my documents, the guy says you are unemployed I said I know, so he highlights this fact on the sheet and gives me a number and says wait to be called. So I am sitting in the waiting area, just praying in tongues, and just before I get called I sense these angels that went ahead of me to prepare what was to come. So I went up when they called, now you stand in front of this glass window and speak through a phone to the guy interviewing you, its quiet a guarded place, so the first thing he says to me is so you are unemployed, what have you been doing then, so I told him I was in Mozambique for 3 months on a mission school. Then he wants to know well what am I going to do when I get back to South Africa, so I said I don't know God has not told me yet, so he looks at me and says so when did you get struck by lighting, so I just laugh at him and say why, he is like how can you live like that, so I just am kind of laughing but also knowing that God needs to speak now because I could just talk myself into the wrong thing here, so he says you are a qualified accountant what were you doing before Mozambique, so I tell him I was working with churches and NGO and i felt God tell me to resign and go to Mozambique. In Mozambique I felt him say I should go to America and well this is what I am trying to do, so he looks at me again and says you really got struck by lighting didn't you, He says to me you are a very unusual case, and so we carry on talking about denominations churches, how organisations need help etc. then he says ok well here is the story, we really don't have a category that you fall into(so now I am thinking that he is going to deny me a visa) but I will give you a 1 year visa, under the fact that you seem to be serious about following what God tells you and you proved it by the fact that you quit your job and went to Mozambique, and got struck by lighting, and he is putting on my visa that I work with NGO doing accounting and that what I plan to do when I get back as I need some kind of reason to tell the guys at the airport when they still need to give me access into the country. Then he takes my finger prints tells me I am sweating to much as my hands were sweating, and asks me am I nervous, but I just laugh and say no its hot, but I was nervous a bit but it was such fun because I realised God was so there and helped me speak what I needed to and the guy had fun talking to me as he was amused by my thoughts and way of life. So I guess if I was in the world they would have denied me a visa, but because I have big God on my side, he just opens doors for me and I just have to walk!!!!! Its such fun!!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
Love for Everyone!
Hi All!
well time has flown and its nearly time for me to get on a plane and
come back home, i leave here the 8 January. i know that so much of me
just wants to stay but i also know so much of me wants to leave and
pour out Gods love in other places!
I tried a bit to begin to express what this time in Mozambique has
been for me, but at times its so hard to get out of my mouth what God
has done as its deep heart stuff and so showed me that the Christian
life is far more then i could even dream or imagine. but as i walk out
my little life that i have given to him over and over here, wanting
just him to lead me and him to mould me like a jar of clay i trust
that where ever i go from here i will be able to express what God has
done in me here, to all those i meet and come into contact with!
i have leart that my life means nothing unless its laid at the foot of
the cross and Jesus has full control, to the point of giving up
everything for him, whether its hugging a child or giving someone some
food, or smiling at someone who has never seen a smile before, trust
me i saw some interesting things here, especially at the hospital we
went to visit!
the past few days have really been a blessing from God, have been able
to have a break and spend a lot of time on the beach and swimming in
the sea, its hard to get me out the sea, its so warm and wonderful, i
like being a fish, in the sea and also a fish soaking up the Holy
Stream of water from heaven!
i think to share one of the biggest things God did, was the point he
brought me to and showed me that its not about me, its about the body
of christ and about the lost people out there. and how the body of
christ functions together and we are a sign to this walking out of the
body we are to represent the fragrance of christ! its a prophetic walk
i experienced here and will never forget even as i continue to walk it
out!
think thats all i have to say for now, will catch up with you when i
get back to Cape Town.
love
catherine
well time has flown and its nearly time for me to get on a plane and
come back home, i leave here the 8 January. i know that so much of me
just wants to stay but i also know so much of me wants to leave and
pour out Gods love in other places!
I tried a bit to begin to express what this time in Mozambique has
been for me, but at times its so hard to get out of my mouth what God
has done as its deep heart stuff and so showed me that the Christian
life is far more then i could even dream or imagine. but as i walk out
my little life that i have given to him over and over here, wanting
just him to lead me and him to mould me like a jar of clay i trust
that where ever i go from here i will be able to express what God has
done in me here, to all those i meet and come into contact with!
i have leart that my life means nothing unless its laid at the foot of
the cross and Jesus has full control, to the point of giving up
everything for him, whether its hugging a child or giving someone some
food, or smiling at someone who has never seen a smile before, trust
me i saw some interesting things here, especially at the hospital we
went to visit!
the past few days have really been a blessing from God, have been able
to have a break and spend a lot of time on the beach and swimming in
the sea, its hard to get me out the sea, its so warm and wonderful, i
like being a fish, in the sea and also a fish soaking up the Holy
Stream of water from heaven!
i think to share one of the biggest things God did, was the point he
brought me to and showed me that its not about me, its about the body
of christ and about the lost people out there. and how the body of
christ functions together and we are a sign to this walking out of the
body we are to represent the fragrance of christ! its a prophetic walk
i experienced here and will never forget even as i continue to walk it
out!
think thats all i have to say for now, will catch up with you when i
get back to Cape Town.
love
catherine
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