In preparation for my husband’s birthday party this weekend I have gone to great measures to give him the best. I’m going to make him a cheesecake. Not just any cheesecake…THE cheesecake. American sweet creamy style cheesecake! Sorry South Africa, your version just doesn’t hit the mark. THE cheesecake I’m talking about is made with three spendy Philadelphia cream cheeses, graham crackers and mini chocolate chips. Here is where the great measures came in; I haven’t found mini chocolate chips in South Africa. You can buy regular size but they come in a small container and cost a very pretty penny. When I make sweets that require chocolate chips I usually just chop away at a slab of dark chocolate and throw it into the batter. However, I am not a super woman and cannot chop exact same sized pieces for mini chocolate chips. Instead I painstakingly melted my chocolate and carefully through a Ziploc bag dripped tiny drops of fresh gooey chocolate onto some tinfoil. I needed a cups worth of those precious drops! It took me almost an hour of delicately placing each chip and then testing to see if the chocolate was still good, you know - that it didn’t all of a sudden go poisonous in the plastic bag! They turned out very cute and fun…too bad they have to go into a cake and be eaten. In fact no one will really see them. They will just crunch right through them and never notice their perfect size, shape and how they are made out of sweat and love. Sigh, maybe I should make a banner that tells of the great mini chocolate chips instead of a “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” banner. I’m learning more and more what it means to be a wife and for the future as a mother. We do things carefully and with love so that when people do bite through us they get something very sweet and crunchy. Hmmm…and I know that the reward of a full belly and a hearty “YUM!” will bring a happy smile to my face. So husbands, children and creatures of all kind, next time you put on that clean shirt, eat your dinner or see that the house is swept fresh and tidy, think of all the little mini chocolate chips that were put into it and give a nice big contented “YUM” for all to hear!
YUM YUM!! La mamma mia! E Papa!
I’m a BIG fan of the Olympics. I have fond memories as a little girl watching the different sports and feeling the thrill and anxiety of the competitors, the nations and the life time commitment everything takes. A stranger from a far away land that I had never heard of would touch my heart and rush all my adrenaline into cheering for their victory. I would practice in our family living room all the gymnastic bending and eat my “magic” candy that would make me run faster…always in hopes that I would one day be like the great “Flo-Jo”. I never made it very far; I blame it on the lack of “magic” in my candy. My speed and tumbles never reached Olympian celebration. However there still may be hope for me. Since moving to South Africa my husband and I have not acquired a television. We find life without it dandy, except when that occasional flipping through the channels yearning overcomes our lazy bodies. There is hope for my Olympic dreams because since there is a lack of “boob tube” in my home, I am forced to go to my local gym to catch the latest thrill of global victory. While I stretch, lift, expand and sweat I shall gaze with adoring eyes up at the 10 or so brightly colored motion boxes. I will become quite the athlete with all this extra exercise I will be receiving. I just might find myself one day at the great global gathering of athletes! …hmmm it will probably be for buying a hot dog as I stand in line waiting to watch the next event. Sigh. Probably not even that. I’ll have to stick to doing my tricks and stunts in the living room. My husband can cheer me on and give me all the medals! Take some time in the next few weeks to check out the China Olympics. What an event! What stories and grueling work! Yikes, life commitment, sacrifices, and the need to be very mature and sure of what you are aiming for….
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
In two months and 13 days my husband and I shall be flying high all the way to Oregon! We shall reside there long enough for me to legally change my name to “Elmarie Tianda Hofer.” With this name change comes all the fun nitty gritties of renewal of everything and anything that identifies me, the biggies being my passport, visa and SS card. It cost big money and time to change ones identity…anyone know a short cut? J During this trip I’m looking forward to meeting my new little niece, drinking root beer and hugging Corissa Nestlerode. (Which I recommend you trying as well!)
Before I can leave the country of South Africa I must complete a list of chores. The first one being the mission of re-typing a data base, I’ll leave it at that because it is quite the long boring process that make my fingers cold and my eyes blurry. My next duty is to throw a golden birthday party. My husband will turn 27 on August 27th. We will munch upon pizza, cheesecake and play some sort of fun game. Clever friends, do you have any ideas for me? Hmmm, my list is longer and as I think about it I groan just like I did to my mother when she asked me to clear the dishwasher. Throwing a party is fun but the clean up afterwards! How I wish I had that dishwasher to clear…Anyways, back to Oregon… Get ready for me my webbed feet friends! Besides changing my identity and raising support I shall be free to pester you all once again! Like I’ve always said, “My spiritual gift is pestering.”
(Nah, I’ll just change my name to the last part…Hofer!)
My husband has an incredible memory. Math sticks to his brain like sap, books, facts, names and words all tack themselves up in his noggin. Yes, I am the better one at remembering events and images, but he usually has the upper hand. Today all of the 13thFLOOR got to see his skills at work. Every other Tuesday we all gather for a chapel. Brandon was given the opportunity to share for today’s chapel and he figured some good ‘ol fashioned hearing of the Word was at hand. He presented and recited all of 1 John. It was done in such a way not as a monotone voice reciting a fact but with love, confidence and knowledge of the power the Words have. It is amazing to me…people didn’t just comment on Brandon’s brain ability but also how when he shared it this way they listened. They got it. It struck chords with their lives. They said they wouldn’t have gotten it if they had just read alone or if someone read it aloud. It wasn’t Brandon’s reciting, it was the power of the Word being spoken and proclaimed. We are to learn the Word, use it and study it. When that is displayed people pay attention, their heads bob up and their eyes awaken! Even though I was the listener to the practices of 1 John, it caught me and reminded me of the power, love and truth we have in the Lord and why He gave us these words. How can we stop listening to the Bible and start hearing and understanding it? Should we as well speak it aloud? Has the ancient script become just that? Typed words and old hat? Ah! It is nothing new but it is! That is what 1 John is all about….
“What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.”
May we proclaim.
I’m preparing a teaching called “Knowing Jesus”. The basic idea is to get the students to think of how they view Jesus - how as a Christian you cannot have a Jesus that is just your friend…you need to know and see the whole aspect of Him: to know Him as your Friend, Master, Healer, Shepherd, and so on. In my process of preparation I’ve been googling images of Jesus to show that many people view His physical appearance differently. From the Renaissance paintings of Jesus with the glowing orb behind His head to the gun toting Jesus who is “bringing justice” I’ve become rather disturbed. When people are left to their imaginations, Jesus becomes rather offensive and desecrated. It reminds me once again that I need to consciously live with all of Jesus. He isn’t just some image that can be molded into a gruesome tattoo shaped as a Hello Kitty with a bloody thorn of crowns. The Son of God, God Incarnate is whom we Christians find freedom from death and sin; we need to be aware of false advertisements. No, Jesus isn’t your Homeboy. No, Jesus isn’t your Chief of War. If He is viewed in one aspect you will be unfulfilled. Christians even market Jesus in any way to gain financially. From cartoons on a mug, His picture on a shirt or a bumper sticker, do we even take our Savior seriously in all He is?
Heh, I always learn when I teach.
It is very hard to stay warm in the winter time here in South Africa. One must be very creative and willing to take the steps towards warmth. I’ve developed a little routine that is almost helpful…
Upon awaking in the morning, I try to stay in bed for as long as possible, once the sun pierces my eyes and the neighbor’s dog doesn’t stop barking, I get up quickly and put on as many clothing within reach. (Helpful note: leave clothes on floor next to bed.) I then proceed into the rest of the house opening all the curtains, testing the outside air, if warmer than the house’s air I open up all doors and windows in hopes that the sun will seep in. Skipping around the house gets my blood and body moving…hopefully it creates a sauna effect within all the fleece layers upon me. Boiling our kettle not only adds moisture and heat to the kitchen but allows hot tasty beverages to be poured into my cold blue mouth. I try to drink it as hot as possible. At this point if the cold is still stinging my legs and arms, I run down the hall swiftly, jump as high as possible making sure to land back in bed…right where my husband wisely stayed because of the cold.
Hotel Hofer has closed its doors! Well…just for a week at least.
After almost 3 months of constant business which numbered beyond my count of 20 overnight patrons, the maid has put up the “Do Not Disturb” sign and shut the doors. The general manager is even gone, so I the faithful maid and cook, perhaps will jump on the beds and eat all the pillow mints!
After the “renovation” is complete, we shall open our doors to the new and improved luxurious home away from home hotel. You are all invited to come and experience sunny South Africa in the comfort of our generous queen suite, or if you are in need of a brief get away from the daily grind, our cozy room for one with a window view of the neighbors will embrace you happily.
Reservations in advanced are required.
My husband and I got locked into our own home today. It was bound to happen with all the different people coming in and out.
Most of my blogs are and will probably be about how my life differs from my former life but yet still remains life…meaning how an American experiences South Africa.
Back in Oregon in the small yellow mobile home that I grew up in, getting locked into the house was something we did not know. If by any chance the front door was locked, one could squeeze threw a bedroom window or jump over the pile of laundry to get to the back door and escape to sniff the fresh air of outdoor freedom! However, here in my wonderful new home, if the front door is locked I can escape out the back door but am faced with the perplexing obstacle of how I shall get myself and the car over the big pointy black gate that is sealed with a giant half rusted padlock. Without a key there is no hope of freedom! After many long hours of being caged and shut into our very own home, sweet release was brought to us, the front door opened and the long gone keys returned! Cheering went up and a short jig ensued. We then went quietly back to our work - meaning we sat right back down in our “cage.” Hmmm….this is beginning to sound more like an application than an amusing story. Man trapped in his own sin and blindness, finds the key, rejoices and then eventually sits back down right where he started. Oh dear. May I be someone who runs quickly outside and jumps into the car and into the life waiting outside!
Today is Cinco de Mayo! Everyone celebrate!
Heh, it isn’t an American holiday, we have just adopted it as an excuse to eat tasty enchiladas and guzzle cold Coronas with lime. I shall do my best to put a tantalizing Mexican feast on the table for my home. Luckily enough for me, at outrageous prices I can purchase taco seasoning and shells here in South Africa! Bring out the piñata South Africa! It is time to party Mexican style!…
Actually tonight after a quick taco meal, we shall dash off to watch 13thFLOOR’s new show “Wigs”. It would be very nice if I could do a quick drive-up to a Taco Bell but that would be a VERY long drive! (Mexico might be closer!) I’m very curious and excited to see the new show. It shall be fun for me to watch and not have to worry about scene changes or which dance to prepare for next. I’m glad this year finds me on the staff/teaching side of things. For 4 months many staff people poured into the students’ lives and the shows. There are teachings, dance classes, outreaches and more - all in the hopes that by the end of the year the students will have personal growth in the Lord and many people will have given their hurts, hopes and life to Him as well. Oddly enough, I cannot really teach this. Just speak the truth that I know and pray that it lands upon fertile soil and then pray that people will recognize and know God’s abundant grace…
Yes, He has abundant grace! Even to the extent that a silly American in South Africa can celebrate Mexico’s defeat against the French. Ah! It is all from the Lord’s joy, may we see the reasons to toast that everyday!
I’m a foreigner.
This fact didn’t strike me until I was trying to do some garden work the other day. A foreigner to me has a funny accent and finds shopping at the mall life’s greatest adventure. I think of the Japanese exchange students we had in our home from time to time when I was young. They ate things like dried seaweed and incredibly sour pickled cherries. To me I’m me! Not a stranger at all! Living here in South Africa is normal enough…with a few exceptions, one being gardening!
We have this little strip of grass just outside our fence; it is becoming quite the jungle since we only own a pair of small clippers. It is right on a fairly busy street with lots of foot traffic. I’m slightly intimidated about going out on the street to work the dirt, but yesterday I gathered my courage and began digging away. Not to my surprise, within 1 minute of being out there a man stopped and asked if he could do the work for me. He said he would do it for only R10, which is about $1.30… in America we would not even pay that little to the neighborhood boy to mow the lawn! I’ve been cautioned many times not to hire people off the street, but my foreigner-ness didn’t know what to do so I ran inside to my husband for help. We hired the guy and he did a beautiful job with the few tools we were able to give him. Were we crazy to do such a thing? I don’t know. The experience helped me to feel more South African within my own home but also made me realize that my mind and thoughts will have to drastically morph in order for me to be less foreign…and that is hard! It is not just a lifestyle that I must get use to but a mindset and other peoples history. People are people but your homeland really does affect the way you approach life. I’m still learning how to integrate myself into my new work and living environment; it is truly by the love and grace of God that we humans can be reunited to work for His glory and purpose! May I learn to change my mind and thoughts but also graciously bring who I am and where I’ve come from into this great and foreign land. Heh, it is funny that I am a foreigner even in my home, but I think I’m starting to get the feel of it!
