27 on the 27th

I went to a friend's blog today and it seems that on the 10th of each month she and other friends make a list of 10 things they've done recently.

Well...it has been 6 months since I've written on my blog...so I figured I had enough to do 27 things on the 27th! Hopefully, this will catch everyone

up on what has been happening in our family and on our side of the world.

1. Went to World Cup Soccer matches!

2. Participated in ministry during the World Cup.

3. Made proper rusks for the first time. Rusks are like biscotti but bigger...hard biscuits that you dip in tea or coffee.

4. Decided to homeschool Joshuwa.

5. Rode Ivy in a Quadrille with Ruth Anne and two other young ladies.

6. Made a beautiful cake for Ruth Anne's "Going Away" party.

7. Celebrated Kurt's return from Japan.

8. Forgot to celebrate our 21st anniversary on 19 August...

9. Put Ruth Anne on a plane for the USA on 20 August!

10. Helped Bellevue Baptist start a tutoring program at their church

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11. Ran a 4K race with King's School.

12. Went to Cape Town for Spiritual Retreat.

13. Found a lump...but had it drained. All is well. God is so good.

14. Celebrated Kurt's parents' 50th wedding anniversary in the USA.

15. Saw my parents. Saw Ruth Anne!

16. Found a wonderful hair product! Now my curly hair is my friend. It's the little things in life!

17. Watched Josh play the drums at a school assembly! Now he practices almost every day!

18. Rode Ivy in a Pas-de-Deux.

19. Won the Quadrille with 3 other wonderful young ladies (and our horses)!

20. Got a new freezer!

21. Got my oven fixed after 6 weeks (learned to cook many meals on the stove and in crock pot)!

22. Decorated for Christmas. We have nativity scenes from all over Africa and from the US.

23. Hosted 5 people in our home for a week. Baseball players that came to teach baseball and share the gospel. About 50 people accepted the Lord that week!

24. Took Josh ice skating with Joburg kids that are also being home schooled.

25. Sang Christmas carols all through December (because I led worship)!

26. Celebrated Christmas eve with friends and Mexican food!

27. Enjoyed a lovely Christmas day. Went to church, opened presents, spent time with friends and talked with family.

That brings us up-to-date. I will be doing a much better job at writing on my blog. I'm sure a lot of entries will deal with Josh and home schooling! Should be fun!

I hope you all have a happy New Year!

JK

Winter's Top Ten

Well, it is obviously the first day of winter here in Joburg. The low this morning, with wind chill, felt like 26F!! The wind is gusting fiercely outside and the temperature inside the coldest house in Joburg (our house) is 45F at 12 noon! Ouch!

So, I've decided to compose a list of the top 10 in expensive ways to keep warm this winter, since it's only the beginning. If your house spends the day at less than 50F (10C), try some of these ideas!

10. Drive your car to a really sunny place and park there for awhile. Bring a good book, even your computer...but keep an eye out for carjackers!

9. Go to the shopping centre (mall). It's always warmer there. The shops might even have heating! At least they don't have windows. And, the cappuccinos there are wonderful!

8. Layer, layer, layer! Wear 3 pair of socks, thermal underwear, at least 3 long sleeve shirts, a sweater (jersey), gloves and a hat!

7. Wear your pajamas all day (with a robe) or wear your clothes to bed that night. That way you only have to change clothes once a day!

6. Take a hot shower for an hour! But, expect your family to be upset that you've used up all the hot water! And, get ready for a blast of cold when you get out.

5. Wrap up in blankets. Don't forget your hot water bottle. When it cools, you can recycle the water; heat it up again!

4. Go to the gym. Work hard, get hot, sweat. At least you'll be warm for 30 min to an hour!

3. Drink hot tea all day long. Eat soup for lunch and dinner. You may want to keep a small heater going in the bathroom (loo) because you will spend a lot of time in there!

2. Snuggies are in style in Joburg! They are no laughing matter. Use it!

1. Go visit a friend. Their house will be warmer than yours! And, it's always fun to drink tea with a friend.

In case it seems like I'm bellyaching too much, here are 3 things I love about winter in Joburg.

3. You don't sweat! So you can take less showers and you can wear clothes more than one day before washing!

2. Hot tea and soup. I love them. I love normal black tea, rooibos tea, flavored tea. My favorite is (ok, it sounds weird, but it's delicious) grapefruit and lavender!

1. The clear, cloudless blue sky. The bright sunshine! Winter in Joburg is beautiful!

Whatever the season where you are, enjoy it! God created the seasons and they are to be enjoyed!

JK

Ice Skating Party

Joshuwa is 8!

Wow! I can't believe it. Time is really flying!

He wanted to have his birthday party at the ice ska

ting rink. He loves skating.

We had it on a Monday right after school. It was the perfect time, because the rink was practically empty.

The kids skated for nearly 3 hours! Two fell pretty hard at the beginning, but got back out there and did great.

My indoor pictures didn't turn out very well...but I've put them in anyway.

JK

Culture

The other day at the mall, I went to draw money from the ATM. As I approached, a black woman came up to me and asked me to help her draw money. This was the first time she had a ever used the ATM. When she was finished, she looked at me and said, "Thank you." Then she added that she had been waiting for a white person to help her. She said that she didn't trust black people; that they would cheat her.

This made me very sad. A person can't trust someone from their own culture. It is a stereotype, because I know many people from several cultures in South Africa that are wonderful and honest. But, crime is very bad here and that makes it hard to trust anyone. Shame.

South Africa is a beautiful country with lovely people.

JK

New Baby

Friday morning, Josh wakes up and comes into the kitchen all "worked up." He's talking about seeing something white running in his room. "Hurry, come see it," he says. And then he adds, "It's freaking me out!"

I thought it was some kind of bug (he absolutely hates them)...like a big lizzard or grasshopper. Kurt goes into his room to see what is going on. Josh finally calms down. He returns to the kitchen to tell me that our guinea pig had a baby. I rushed into his room and sure enough, there it was! A little white piggie!

If you've read my blogs at the beginning of the year, you'll

remember that while we were in the United States, our "piggie sit

ter" told us that one of the piggies had a baby. Unfortunately, it was deformed and had died. She said that happened about a week before we returned from the States. It took us another week or so to find a cage (at a decent price) so we could separate our piggies. Well...I guess that was a little too long!

Also, when it comes to determining the gender...don't ask me! All along I thought Spikey was a boy and Popcorn was a girl. I even looked at the pictures on the internet that shows you how to check and what it should look like. I got it all wrong. Spikey is the Mama!

We are hoping that the baby is a girl so we can keep them together. Oh...if it is a girl, Lacey will be her name.

JK

Making Sushi

For my birthday, in January, I got a sushi "kit." I got 4 plates & bowls, a bamboo mat, rice spoon, chop sticks, and 2 cook books. I do have a tendancy to put things off, especially if I've never done it before.

So, Friday, I went out and bought smoked salmon and seaweed. We finally pulled out all the ingredients for sushi tonight (Sunday). I decided to start with veggie sushi that way if it didn't go right, I didn't waste a lot of money. I didn't get it rolled quite right, but there was promise.

I made a few adjustments when rolling and the next ones came out well!!

Josh, Ruth Anne & her friend, Chene, enjoyed it. So did I!

The only thing I wish is that I let Josh help. He really wanted to do some of it, but I was caught up in getting it right.

So tomorrow, I'm going to let him make some for his lunch!

JK

Sundays?

Did I say my Sunday evenings were lazy? Where did this one go? And the last Sunday evening?

Oh yeah...2 Sundays ago I was cleaning the guinea pig cages...yes...cageS!!

We got back from spending a month in the States over Christmas and the young lady who took care of our guinea pigs told me that one of them had a baby! Yikes!

So, I checked into getting one "fixed." The cost R900 (that's about $120)! It only cost R50 ($6) to buy one!

So, we bought another cage and separated them. Now, I have 2 cages to clean each week! Fun!

But, Josh often says to me, "Thank you for buying me guinea pigs." Awwww....who can resist that!! :)

JK

Resolutions

Well, it's a new year and time to make resolutions. A resolution is a "firm decision to do or not to do something." It seems that everyone makes them in January, hoping they will see them through in the new year. "Hoping" doesn't sound very firm. But that is exactly what I'm doing. My friends are so good at keeping up with theirs. Many movies depict people blogging and doing a great job keeping it up. That is what I am resolving to do. So, I am planning on using my lazy Sunday evenings to update my blog.

There...my 2010 New Year's resolution! (At least one of them!)

Blessings,

JK

Christmas 2009

Our family spent Christmas 2009 with family. We had a wonderful time. Our holiday lasted a month. We spent most of the month with my family, going between Houston and the Rustic Star (near Schulenburg, TX). Of course, shopping was done in Houston, but Christmas day was spent at the farm. We also made an overnight visit to Baylor. Kurt's parents met us there and we all went to a basketball game. The next day, Ruth Anne went on a tour of Baylor. She had a great time and loved the campus. It was wonderful being with my family and, of course, I loved every minute at the farm! I really enjoyed going to Mom's and Dad's new church in Schulenburg.

We left the day after Christmas for Susan's house (Kurt's sister). We spent a week with all of Kurt's family there and at his parent's lake house. When we got to Susan's house, there was some leftover snow in the backyard. Josh was able to make a snowman with the help of Uncle Kent (Kurt's brother). Ruth Anne went to an all-day concert with her cousin, Kaitlyn. Everyone took turns playing the Wii. We also played 'Apples To Apples' until midnight one night! Grandpa took Josh duck hunting one morning for about 45 minutes. Josh told Nanna that he and Grandpa waited for 10 hours to shoot a duck !!

Josh got plenty of opportunity to ride his quad-bike and Ruth Anne drove Papa's truck every chance she got. We all took turns riding with her.

Enjoy the pictures!

Blessings for the New Year!

JK

Latest Events

Joshuwa had a school concert this past month. With Ruth Anne's "big date," I forgot to post pictures of the concert.

The theme of the concert was Music Through The Ages. Each class had several dances to perform. And a few individual students were chosen to portray a famous singer. Josh was chosen to be Michael Jackson! He moved and twirled on stage and even tried to "moon walk"!!

Last weekend was the annual "Fancy Dress Musical Kur" at our stables, Riverleigh. Ruth Anne's theme was "The Kur That Will Put You To Sleep." My theme was "Pinkalicious." Both of us got 2nd place and received nice gifts. Over R19 000 was raised for a home for orphans. Check out our beautiful horses!

JK

Ruth Anne Dances & Josh Drums

Last Thursday our kids had a big day.

Ruth Anne was invited to the Matric Farewell (same as prom). It was her first big date. Here are some pictures before the dinner and dance.

Josh had his first drum exam Thursday

afternoon. We are not sure how he did. His results will be ready sometime in November...so I'll keep you posted!

JK

New Pets!

We just got two new additions to our family! Meet Spikey and Popcorn!

Now we have 2 dogs, 2 horses and 2 guinea pigs!

Oh...when Kurt took Josh to buy them, he forgot to check on the gender! Yikes!

JK

Spa Day

Feeling like home...

Last Thursday, 8 women from our church went to an African spa.  Ok...it was "buy one get one free" day...so we couldn't pass that up!

It started out with a light breakfast and coffee.  They we enjoyed 3 "treatments."  We had a facial, body scrub and jacuzzi.  After lunch, we received a hand treatment, full-body massage, foot treatment and head/neck massage.  It was an amazing day.

But, as amazing as all 7 treatments were, the best was spending time with friends.  We chatted and laughed the whole day.  On the way home, I made the comment that, except for Texas, I've lived in Joburg the longest.  One of my friends then asked me, "What place feels like home?"  I answered that in the last two years, Joburg really felt like home.  Being a part of a wonderful church family, having great neighbors, and getting to really know people you see regularly (like those at the stables) is what makes this country feel like home.

I do miss family.  I do miss friends in NC.  But I am so grateful that God has blessed me with friends here and a family of co-workers!

BTW - no pictures were taken at the spa (for obvious reasons)!!

JK

Josh's Party

May 30, we celebrated Joshuwa's birthday with his friends.  He turned 7 on the 21 May, but his favorite restaurant was booked for parties that weekend.  I say that it is his favorite restaurant, but not because of the food.  He rates it #1 because of the video games!  In fact, he calls it "The Games" instead of its real name, "Spur."

Josh had a great time with his friends.  It was a great day, so I don't think he minded waiting a week for the party.

JK

Second Saturday in Soweto

The second Saturday of each month our team and members from 3 other Baptist churches make a trip into the township, Soweto, to share the gospel, hand out tracts and pray with people.  This month (May), Ruth Anne and her friends, Chene and Tammy, went with us.  This was Chene's and Tammy's first time into Soweto!  They were a little nervous at first, but ended up having a wonderful and eye-opening experience!

It is my prayer that many more suburban South Africans will desire to reach their neighbors in Soweto and other townships/settlements throughout South Africa!

New Job, Old Home

The week after Easter, we had our Annual Missionary Training Meeting.  Missionaries from all over Southern Africa, Angola to Zambia, met together in Johannesburg for some training and to talk about the new, huge changes that are happening in our organization.  It was a wonderful time of worship and it was great seeing friends we don't get to see often.

On Friday night, Kurt was asked to be the Urban Associate Cluster Strategy Leader.  Big title which means he is overseeing missionary teams in urban centers around Southern Africa.  God has gifted Kurt with the ability to administrate.  He has a vision to reach the cities we love!

But the best news...we don't have to move!  We can stay on the West Rand!  Kurt will have to travel, but there is a small airport he can fly out of easily.  

God is so good.  His plans and His ways are perfect, if we just have the patience to wait on Him!

4 His Glory,

JK  

School holidays started on March 20th.  We started full-on!  Kurt's parents came to visit us.  They arrived on Friday the 20th and we headed out Sunday for Cape Town.  We stayed 4 nights and the weather was perfect (which makes you want to live there...until you remember it rains 200 days a year and most of that in the winter! Yuck!).  Our family had been there before, with my parents.  But we did a few different things this time.

We went to The Castle of Good Hope.  They have an art studio there and we met an artist that wanted to paint a picture of Joshuwa!  They shot a cannon off...it was really tiny...but made a HUGE noise (sounds like me)!!

We went by ferry to Robben Island.  Our tour guide through the prison was an ex-inmate.  We saw where he stayed and where Nelson Mandela stayed.  Long before apartheid, the island was home to many lepers.

We also went to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.  We had a picnic and enjoyed walking and looking at many different plants.  My favorite was the medicinal plants.  There was enough of a variety to cure almost anything you have!

As with my parents, we made it down to Cape Point, to see the penguins in Simonstown (the Boulders) and to the V&A Waterfront.  The kids visited the aquarium.

We didn't get up Table Mountain this time, but we got some great pictures of the "Table Cloth."  It was my first time to see the clouds just covering the top.

After our trip, Kurt's parents were able to see Ruth Anne ride in a dressage show and his dad saw one of Joshuwa's gymnastics lessons.

We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and so glad they were able to visit us!

JK

Update

Well, the first term of school is coming quickly to a close as well as summer.  So I thought a quick update would be in order.

Ruth Anne competed in the 800m race for a chance to go to the district level competition.  She came in 2nd place.  Two weeks later, she ran in the district competition and came 3rd!  This did not qualify her for provincial level competition but we are very proud of her effort.  She ran against girls that were a year older than her!  As far as horse riding goes, she will be moving up to novice level dressage with her horse Roxy.  She is very excited about that.  School is going fairly well.  She has several new teachers and is getting used to how they teach and give exams.  She is also loves her youth group.  We are so thrilled she has found a group of friends who love the Lord and have fun together.

Josh is doing great in school.  We kept him in grade R (kindergarten) and the report from his teacher says that he is right on track.  He loves gymnastics...of course...he gets to do lots of flips!  Today, he played in the sprinkler and even turned the hose on his slide!  He had a blast.  As summer fades, so will the times of playing outside in the water!

We are all looking forward to Kurt's parents coming for a visit over the school holidays.  We will be going to Cape Town with them.  I know they will love it!

Until next time...

JK

Trust in the Lord

Within the last two weeks, four very close neighbors were robbed.  Two weeks ago tonight, the two houses directly across the street from us were robbed.  Three nights ago, the neighbor two houses down from us was robbed, then the next night, the house next door was robbed!  All were robbed in the middle of the night while the families were at home sleeping!

Needless to say, I was very nervous about going to sleep last night after our next door neighbor's house was broken into.  I wrote about it on Facebook.  I had several people pray for our safety.  I do appreciate it so much.

But this morning, I read Psalm 33 for my quiet time.  This is what I read when I got to verses 16 & 17, "The king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.  The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue."  

Wow!  I began to think, "What am I putting my trust and hope in?"  I put up a picture of our house so you can see how I changed the words of this psalm to fit what I was thinking.

This is what I wrote.  "This wife is not saved by my strong husband next to me; this mom is not delivered by the strong bars on the windows.  The palisade fence is false hope for this family's salvation, and the guns of the security company cannot rescue."  Verse 18 concludes, "Behold the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine."

We did find someone who is going to put brighter lights around our house and add security bars to windows that don't have them.  I called the security company to learn how to leave one motion detector on in the house at night.  Yes, I was putting my trust in people, iron and technology.  But ultimately, if robbers want in, they can get in.  I need to trust in the LORD my God, who is my refuge and shield and strength...and get a good night sleep!

May His name be glorified!

JK

Horse of the Year

This week my daughter, Ruth Anne, took her horse, Roxy, to a "beauty" competition called "Horse of the Year."  She showed off her horse in four competitions.  Roxy did very well and Ruth Anne enjoyed the shows.  She didn't let her nerves get the best of her!

She finished 2nd in Show Riding and 8th (out of 16) in Potential Dressage.  She also got some very good comments about Roxy's potential as a dressage horse.

On Friday, Ruth Anne showed her horse at 12:20pm then travelled and hour to run the 800m race in an athletics competition.  She came in 3rd!

Oh...I got to drive her everywhere!  Taxi Mom!  But what a privilege watching her compete!

Blessings,

JK