It's our last week before the Thanksgiving break and it is our last week for both "Every Woman's Grace" and "Sem Wives" for the year.
Izak had a big paper due for this week and here he is preparing for his Hermeneutics paper in the library:
Look at his pile of library books!
Then we had a "South African braai" this weekend! We were invited to the Plodinec's place (they have been back in the States for a while but are usually stationed in South Africa in Polokwane- at Christ Seminary...)
Here is a link to their info:
http://www.gracechurch.org/ministries/outreach/international/missionary/?id=91
Well, we had Dr Drew (also a South African) providing some REAL South African Boerewors, Biltong and Droe Wors! WHAT A TREAT! We even had milk tart for dessert! Here are some pics from the braai:
This is Lynette and Mr (Dr) and Mrs Cruygen:
Here are Andrew and Vicky and Dr Drew's wife, Holly:
Here are the men mingling! (Steve Plodinec is the obvious braai-er! Ie note the apron!) :) The other men are all African seminary students...
And your very own friendly South Africans:
Izak had a 'teachers' meeting for our Bible study on Friday evening and I went and wandered around an impressive mall in Glendale! I witnessed this incredible musical fountain to a great Frank Sinatra song. Soooo romantic! Here are a few glimpses: (I simply stumbled upon it and it was so well done- the fountains water movement was synchronized to the music!)
Then, here are some pics of the little walkway of the shopping centre... Such a pretty setup:
Vicky took pictures from this morning's Every Woman's Grace time and we'll try and get some pictures of the Sem Wives Finale too for you to see...
Izak has to work extra hours during the break and he has plenty of work to do in exam preparation as well as a big research paper that is due when school resumes.
We are having our first "Thanksgiving celebration" with Andrew and Vicky plus we plan to go and visit the Hauser's in Ventura next Saturday...hopefully! So, more pics to follow.
Speak to you soon!
Well! We got our first ever package all the way from South Africa! Wow! Thanks Jeffreys Bay Bible Church ladies! We noticed the Christmas detail on the package but could not resist! Thank you so much for being so thoughtful. We finished the 'Chuckles' chocolates within 5 minutes of receiving the package! Here are the contents sprawled out on our couch- minus the chuckles chocolates!
Here is a closer look of some of the South African items:
'South African Protea' Fridge magnet:
A J-Bay keyring:
This one made Izak and I laugh! Great souvenir Liz! This fizzer was customized by little Kara! When I last saw her, I wouldn't have imagined her teeth having this sort of impact! And now after seeing a video of her walking... I can believe it! Makes us feel like the Olivier's have come to visit LA! (hehehe- you knew I would love that Liz!)
We appreciated getting the parcel so much. The DVD with all the pictures made me cry and we have used the tea, read the notes and put everything else on the fridge! (Except the earrings, which I have worn numerous times and love both pairs!) Here is a look of our fridge 'full of love'!
Since we have been here, I have been trying out some world recipes, this Stir-fried cashew chicken recipe was so easy and actually had Asian flair! (I would add more chilli next time...)
Here is a pic: (I found some rice noodles, which were so quick to prepare!)
Here is the link to the recipe:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1839,155172-254196,00.html
Then, we went to visit with Bob and Lenore for Sunday lunch and it was great to see them again! (We will be house-sitting for them for the first two weeks in December and we'll be looking after their very friendly rottweiler too- called Gracie...)
Meet.... Bob and Lenore!
While we were at Bob and Lenore's place, she showed me these Origami flowers that her grand-daughter had made and let us have one! (Our first American Christmas decoration for our home!) I think that it is such a great idea for a homemade decoration! (The Christmas paper just makes it so festive!) So here is a how-to-make-origami-Christmas-roses site!
http://www.ehow.com/how_4465247_make-origami-roses.html
I wish you could try these! We discovered them from Christine (our friendly TMS admissions lady!) and we have been hooked! I believe they are especially made for Halloween... Here are some pics- which just doesn't allow the flavour sensation to quite arrest you as it has us! I look forward to seeing what they make for the other holidays! Such a great plan. I am definitely a fan! Check out their site: http://www.brachs.com/product_categories/halloween
I was sick for the first time since being away from home and Izak was Sem student, book-shop worker and nurser extraordinaire! :)
We only have two weeks to go before the Thanksgiving break and we are looking forward to that. However, Izak has exams directly after the break and two big papers that are due before the exams, so please pray for him!
We are so encouraged by the Lord's kindness to us. We are almost done with our first semester and it has been an incredible blessing. (Trials and hard work have abounded but also the memories to cherish and lots of growing!)
We'll be in touch!
Wow, we heard about this prison ministry in Angola Prison in Louisiana. What an astounding encouragement. This prison was once the bloodiest prison in the US and they started a seminary inside the prison and now the whole place has changed and there are 80 churches or so within the prison and there is a massive drop in crime and the men have hope. They are even sending missionaries to other prisons in the country! Only the Lord could change hearts in such an evident way.
Check this five minute video clip on it if you have a chance:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT1XYSz0cE0
(It's on Youtube)
We had Vicky's surprise birthday party on Friday night and I am just so relieved that we all managed to keep it a surprise! Here are some pics of them arriving! (Vicky confessed to not knowing anything was going on and that is the essence of a true surprise party!)
Here are her and Andrew arriving: (And the group of surprise guests:)
The happy couple! :)
Also, the theme was 'Fall' and look at what Lynette managed to do:
We all enjoyed lots of Dominoes Pizza:
And finally Vicky got to blow out the '25 year' birthday candle:
Up next, we went to grab lunch on Sunday at In-N-Out to use our gift voucher. Now, if any of you are wondering whether or not In-N-Out is a popular 'LA thing', here is proof at 2pm on Sunday afternoon:
(This is us waiting in a line for the drive through...)
Above, you can see the little kitchen where they all work on the orders... To produce... THIS! Two cheeseburgers and Animal Fries (Creamy Cheese and onion covered fries!) And... no, I don't think that America is good for our weight! Hehe.
This is the road - called Roscoe Boulevard- we drive everyday to get to the church and seminary. (It is also the road we use to reach In-N-Out. It is normally way busier than this):
Then, this was very exciting! I got to meet 'Christopher Robin D'Angelo! I have heard so much about him from Izak and Jansie and also I first learnt to surf using the wetsuit he left in Jeffreys 'for those that would need to borrow a wetsuit in the meantime til he returned...'.
Here is one of him and Izak and one of him on his own: (Specially for those of you who haven't seen him in ages!)
Well, we have an intense week ahead.. with a Hebrew exam on Tuesday and a book review on Thursday! Please pray for us and have a great week!
This has been such a fun week. First, unfortunately we had to say goodbye to Rachel (who worked at Grace Books.) We all had farewell lunch together:
(Izak was the only one that got the 'farewell expression' right). You can get a look at almost everyone that works with Izak at Grace Books.
Rachel is the one in purple and they one we were saying goodbye to... (Andrew and Vicky managed to be in both pictures!)
Then, my friend Belle (Many of you may have met her when she was volunteering in South Africa) came to visit me from Washington. We met in Pasadena and she took me to the Cheesecake factory. I LOVE cheesecake!
Here is a picture of my South African-American-flatmate:
...And me with my beloved cheesecake! I really wish you could try some of this cheesecake specifically! It was a red velvet cheesecake. I can't even find the words to describe it! (I should probably have taken a picture of it before eating most of it but that just goes to prove my point!) It is a cake layered with this decadent red velvet cake and cheesecake...
And here is a picture of Belle and I together! (Awww! It meant so much to me to see her again.)
Then, on Saturday morning, we had our fall woman's event: (Pat and Ina got me a ticket and it was such a blessing!)
Here is a link to the ad on the Grace site: http://www.gracechurch.org/highlights/?MinistryID=68
Here are some pics of the event: (Taken with my little camera...)
(It was Vicky's birthday!)
This picture is taken in the main 'big' church auditorium and you can barely see the speaker, Rosie Martinez... but she is there, speaking to us!
I had lunch with Pat, Ina and Vicky (note the new birthday camera!) We enjoyed a Mexican salad. Very tasty.
Here is the salad:
Now, Vicky got a new camera for her birthday and here are some pics she took of the event. (note the change in quality for the better! Ie you can see the speaker!)
This young lady, Angel Taylor played and sang this incredible song for the ladies: She is verrrry gifted!
This is the Gospel choir led by Logan Carr- quite spectacular!
I took a video clip with my camera of the Gospel Choir- but it hardly captures the moment and someone seems to be speaking simultaneously plus my hand is anything but steady! But here you are!
Then, something that Izak and I have been looking forward to for for a while is meeting a couple that have been such a great support to us... Dave and Mary Gillies! (They live in San Jose- close to San Francisco and about 5/6 hours away from LA if I remember correctly...)
We met them at the Masters College, so that they could show us around there. (The Masters College is affiliated with the Masters Seminary and all the Gillies' children have gone to the college. We had our own personal tour.) Here we all are in front of one of the Masters College signs:
Here are Izak and I:
We went to have dinner with their son, Peter and his wife, Christine. It was such a lovely time filled with interesting discussions about Peter's work as an LAPD helicopter operator and testimonies regarding what the Lord has done in all our lives!
Here are some pics from the evening with the Gillies! Here are (from left to right) Mary and Dave, Christine and Peter and our Izak!
We also got to see the Gillies at Grace on Sunday evening:
...And we went and enjoyed our first ever piece of Boysenberry pie with them afterwards. I forgot to take a picture, but this is a very close representative of the pie we had:
Dave and Mary have invited us to visit them up in San Jose during Christmas time and we are very excited about the prospects of a road trip plus being able to spend more time with them! (We would get to see San Francisco etc too which would be amazing!)
We were so spoilt this weekend! We got a bag full of goodies and money for gas/petrol! (Note the box full of Ferrerro Rocher chocolates and popcorn that has dark chocolate and caramel melted all over it!) and notice the little red gift card on the right. This is an 'in-N-Out Burger voucher'!
This is a closer view of the little voucher. In-N-Out Burger is a little take away franchise that makes delightful burgers! If you turn your In-N-Out take away cup upside down, it has John 3:16 printed on the bottom of it! Here is a link to their website, in case you want to see more! http://www.in-n-out.com/menu.asp
As a once off thing, we went to visit Calvary Bible church- which is where Jack Hughes is the Pastor. It was great and we went with the Zekveld's: (I love how these pics make us look like BIG friendly giants!)
We have to look back over this last week or so and just smile when thinking about all the blessings! It has definitely been a highlight so far!
