My latest Update

August 9-10 2009
This weekend was a long weekend because of the public holiday (women’s day).
Friday was amazing. Church was so powerful- I can’t begin to describe to you how the Holy Spirit is moving in my life.
On Saturday I went to a local game park for a picnic lunch with les and Pauline’s daughter, Ruth. She invited me along with a few of her friends. She lives in England and is back there now.
On Sunday I was at home again J I went to church with my mommy Suzette and daddy George!! They are the most special people in the world- I love them so much!! After church I got to spend some time with them again.. it was nice to feel at home again after a rough week adjusting to new people.
After I got some “Green Time” I went to the most energetic, fun-loving, and inviting home for the night and next day! I stayed at Rob and Kate Benyon’s home on the Rhodes campus(pretty sweet). I’m officially in love with my soon-to-be younger sisters!! They are so sweet oh and we have fun!! Everyone hears a lot of “Alison did you..Alison do you know.. Alison guess what.. Alison Alison Alison!!” haha it’s so great J I answer many questions, laugh a whole lot, and had a really fun few days with the girls. I really can’t express how fun they are!!! I’ve started the countdown…
Rob and Kate want to take me places, show me things, and do everything we can while I’m with them. Special people huh? I think so!! I am blessed!! So with that being said- on Monday morning we all got up got ready and headed to the ocean!(as we were in the car, we all were blowing bubbles. And it started out kind of rocky, with spitting out the gum accidentally only on occasion. Haha but by the end of the day everyone was a pro! Paula is a great bubble blower now.) First stop was Port Alfred.. it’s beautiful. Rob has a brother that owns a boat and they live in Port Alfred. We met up with them and they took all of us on a nice ride up and down a river. It was beautiful weather, beautiful countryside to take in- and of course fantastic company! It is so beautiful here. You must all come and see. After the boat ride we headed to the beach! We went over to Kenton.. About 15 mins from Port Alfred I think. I want you all to remember it is the middle of winter in sunny South Africa and I had my swimsuit on! It was a bit too chilly for Kate, Jess and me to swim- but Rob Paula and Jess’s friend Kaylee swam! It’s amazing how a little sun and sand can put everyone in a happy mood!
But wait it even gets better…
On our way home, we travel through many game farms… I got to see 3 rhinos up close- from the side of the road. It was the coolest thing ever!!! They are huge muscular animals.. Kinda scary but thrilling all at once. I got to spend the day with a really cool family!! I’m looking forward to living with them soon.
Some days are good and some are not. Tuesday 8/11/09 was one tough tough day. The “vacation period” felt like it was ending and I wanted to get on the next flight home. I felt very alone and sad. I got a wonderful package from my mom, with a new iPod and special notes and things that made me want to jump over to MN and give her a big hug. This just set off my “waterworks”… I was missing the familiar things I took for granted. The sense of being safe and protected, having freedom to go anywhere do I anything whenever, and the precious family and friends that I got to see every day. This was also a BLAH day at school. It is hard to have motivation and want to be in that freezing building every day.
Oh a happier note—after a good cry, call home to mom, and a good night’s sleep, the next day was better!! I took my calculator to school today (light pink graphing one) and the girls went NUTS!! Haha they thought my calculator was the coolest thing in the world! It is so funny to see their reactions to everything- and observe how they do things! The black girls laugh at me because I’m the silly white American who makes everything into jokes and keeps everything chill. Haha they’re great!! And I’ve made some good friends. They are all very nice and I met some grade 8’s today- they thought they were SO cool because they have now spoken to an American! Haha the girls make me laugh. You can’t rush the process of making friends. And I could never replace my Jen Jen or Carissa… but each day is new and it gets better and better. It’s great how God helps us when we’re down!!
On Thursday 8/14/09 we had church youth—it got moved to Thursday because the youth leadership team was going out of town on Friday. But anyways, on Thursday, everyone gathered at the church, bringing any type of sandwich making material they could. We all made sandwiches.. and walked out along the streets handing them out to all the people who needed one. We also handed out any gently used blankets and clothing that we could gather. As we handed them all out, we asked the people if we could pray over them. I have NEVER had any experience with this, but God helped me through it and I was able to pray over about 5 people. It’s a pretty powerful thing. I’m being tested, pushed, and encouraged in my faith- I’m soaking it all up and loving every minute of it.
This week was good- tonight 8/14/09 I’m headed to a friend’s house for a movie night! Then tomorrow I’m going on a hike with Les and all his former students. (He taught at a school in the township) It should be a pretty cool experience and it will be great to get some fresh air and exercise. Sunday will be a day to work on projects and prepare for another week of school.
When you are in grade 11 here, you are considered the leaders of the school. It’s very formal and stuff. We sign up for committees and kind of run the school. So this past week we signed up for committees and I’m on the money box committee (in charge of expenses and stuff), the dress check committee (make sure girls wear nice things to dances), and the grade 11 and 12 formal dance committee. It’s good to start getting involved. Pretty soon I will start athletics (basically track and field). I’m looking forward to it!! So in the end, everything is going great. A few hiccups but I’m getting through it and that’s what this experience is all about!!
So there you go!! You are all filled in.
Love and peace-
Alison
August 17, 2009
Today is my momma’s birthday!!!! J I’ve been thinking about you all day Mom! Love you so much- have a great day!!!
And after my hectic weekend… I realized I’m a bad hiker. Haha!!! I’m pretty sure my Uncle Jeff and Brother Glenn would’ve gotten a good laugh- I was so busy trying not to trip on things, that (more than once) I hit my head on a tree branch or some really random weed hanging from a tree… haha!! It was nice to get fresh air and be tested( in a way). This experience can be compared to a hike. There are times you want to look back, turn around, go home. But in the end, you know you did something good and you can wait for the next thing to come..
On Sunday I slept in and later went to church. I love church!! And I get to see my Mommy Suzette. J I run right to her when I arrive- no matter who’s watching or what’s going on. I’m surrounded with great people. J
And also- EVERYONE READING THIS: please don’t get angry or frustrated with my poor father if he has nothing to update you with(about me). Haha it’s my fault!! I’ve been keeping really busy, and I’m going to try to update you more.. I promise!! But it’s not his fault, so patients please! J
Love, peace, and God’s blessings to all-
Alison