A Full Heart.

Mmmmm as I sit here at home outside in the sun with filtered coffee..my heart smiles thinking of South Africa..It has been a week now that I have been back in California..1 week ago I arrived on a thursday with messy hair, and lugging luggage around the LAX airport..was that really a week ago..Mmm we said our goodbyes a week ago..and for some I said goodbye a week and a day ago..to faces that became like family these past 3 months plus..can this be real? A part of me feels missing not complete with out the other 52 plus people in my life..and the big Blue Sky.. Was it a dream? My head hurts..My heart and mind race everywhere like riding on a train into Cape Town..// I can't help but wonder what everyone is doing now that they are back, and there are some that stayed back in Africa for travel, fun, and more mission/service adventures. I just pray that everyone is blessed no matter where they are at.

I have to admit, I have opened this blog post many times this week and tried to write, but it was hard to write, I think today I am finally ready. Mmmm it has been so good to be home though, I have loved being with my beautiful family again, my heart leaps inside..I have missed them so...Where do I even start. How can I even begin to fathom everything that went on these last couple months...

The day after I got back from South Africa, I went on along walk with my dad and dog Kiah..we caught up as I began to process everything ..thinking and laughing about the memories made, the funny stories, jokes, moments, ..and then contemplating and discussing the challenges and the things that scorned my eyes, the things I saw that my heart will never forget, the brokenness..the poverty, but also the joy that many have because of there hope in Jesus.~ It was a hot California day, we stopped at Starbucks a usual place where our families seems to have the best conversations..Mmm as my daddy and I talked he told me that he has never seen me more happier then I have been in Africa// He had the chance to see me in my element there// Mmmmm as he said that tears streamed down my face, for I knew he was right. Tears came down that hadn't been able to fall for days...as we sat outside a Starbucks in California.// Mmmm God has truly blessed me, as I said in my last blog I just feel Full..and I believe that is something that God is going to use now that I am home, to spill over back home in my own community and back at school in the Fall. I do not know what the summer holds, I am leaving that in the hands of my Savior..., but I am going to be available to wherever the Spirit calls~Goodbyes are hard to do, but in my heart I know I will be back somewhere, somehow, in sometime, someday, in God's timing, in another season of life..I will be back in Africa...~ I cannot thank the Lord for such a marvelous time in my life~ I have loved every aspect of this season of my life..through the joy and the painful moments..God remains sovereign and faithful through it all..Mmmm my heart is full. No words can fully describe, this has been a beautifully broken adventure. Thank you Abba Father..I have seen your heart once again.

Mmmmm one of my favorite Psalms that I read quite often on my trip~

Psalm 33~

Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.

For the word of the Lord is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.

The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars;
he puts the deep into storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him.

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.

From heaven the Lord looks down
and sees all mankind;

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth—

he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

No king is saved by the size of his army;
 no warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
  despite all its great strength it cannot save.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death
 and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord;
 he is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.

May your unfailing love be with us, Lord. 

even as we put our hope in you.

Mmmm goodbye for now until we meet again, thank you everyone who has followed this blog, it has purely been my heart poured out on paper or should I say word document~as they say happens..a part of your heart will always be in Africa and that is so true..I have learned so much..and yet have so much to learn and share ~ Mmmm what a gift.

Shalom& Love

SarahRae

last morning look at Fish Hoek

Last South African Sunrise for this beautiful season of life~

http://vimeo.com/65947616 (Riv Life Video-Check it out)

Heading Home~

Mmmm it is weird to start, well saying that I am heading home. Can that be true?! I guess it is, I almost do not even want to write this right now, but I am giving it a try. I have just finished packing up my life in 2 suitcases and my handy backpack..our room looks clean for once so that is good:) It has been a beautiful day as it has been this whole week...

This morning I woke up and felt so much joy, contentment...Mmm utterly blessed..My cup has runneth over, And with thinking of what I have experienced over the last couple a month makes my heart sing~I literally have no words that can describe such an epic adventure that I have been on...from here to there and everywhere!

Today we ventured in to the city of Cape Town..and hung out outside of the University of Cape Town as we had our re-entry orientation..what an amazing campus..~It was good to reflect, but difficult at the same time..my mind was wandering much of the time, but it was so fun to recall the moments that happened along the trip...Got my last ice cream cone in Kalk Bay today..that has become sort of a thing..I have always loved Ice Cream, especially by the beach..haha that is something I will not to as much when I get back home..Had our last dinner at Wellwood..we had some yummmmmy chicken..aha, spent the last of my //Ran// today..aha on some goodies for the long arduous journey of the flight back home. Tonight we spent the last night on the South African coast..as we ran and chased eachother on the beach front...the starts were gorgeous..and some shooting stars appeared..the water wasn't even that cold...haha sand everywhere though as we played lap tag..ahaha. one of the funniest games I have ever played. haha it is almost like wrestling. Such a fun night underneath the stars...

* So here is a little quick catch up*

This Weekend~ Saturday&Sunday..we had some free days..a bunch of us took the train into the City of Cape Town..it happened to be Freedom Day~ When South Africa had their first democratic elections.. fun day! We have gotten so use to walking everywhere and dodging traffic.. :) Later Penny and I went to some of her family friends home and they blessed us by having us over and letting us spend the night. It was so wonderful to be with a family again and have some homemade food and they also took us to see some beautiful vineyards and winery places. Pens and I had fun adventures on the train and trying to study for our history exam.

Monday~ had our final exam for history..and then one of our family members Megahnn got baptized in the ocean water. That was such an amazing beautiful moment to witness! We are so proud of her!! Then some of us girls ran into a further away town, it was a great day for a run along the coast, probably one of my favorite runs of the semester! We spent then some time on the beach as we watched some of the guys surf!

// Mmmm and now it is already Wednesday morning..early morning passed midnight! I am thinking I should go to bed soon..and do more of a reflecting blog later, maybe when we arrive in the states!

Mmmm well..it has been a beautiful journey..totally Lord of the Ring style~ Hobbit..Mmmm my heart is full. Blessed again and again. This has been a gift..Thanking the Lord for these moments in my life that I will never forget~

Some little adventure lately..Mmmm

It is another Beautiful Morning in Fish Hoek!! I know it is suppose to be more like fall here and getting close to winter, but lately it has been so nice and hot that I am actually tempted to go in the freezing water with the shark nets :) Yesterday finished my last paper for the semester! YEBO! Today I will be soon going to my last class at Bible Institute, I am going to really miss the walks to class..they have been so much fun, the view is always breath taking. Mmmmm and then have my final exam for History and Culture coming up on Monday, I do have some reading to do, but that is okay! The history is both intriguing and inspiring.

//Mmmm Coffee Shops~Mosques...yummy food{spices}..Mountains..ice CREAM..~Paddle Boarding..<Markets> Moon gazing//

Anyways this past week a quick update on life... tuesday we went into a place in Cape Town called Bo-Kaap a predominantly Muslim area, we got to walk around and embrace the culture. Mmm ate bomb dig food..We visited a Mosque there, and we were all challenged by the young kids who were memorizing the Koran~ Mmmmm made me desire to jump into scripture even more..//We tried some awesome spices along the way toooo..and saw some colorful homes// Mmm our tour guide was a Muslim as well..he is so set in his ways and religion..made me think of my old neighbors in Michigan..and wondering where they are..and praying that they would see the true light..~

~WEDNESDAY..we hiked//climbed// table MOUNTAIN..epic adventure for sure..it was one of the hottest days ever!! But it was so worse all the sweat and sun burn to look and see the view of Cape Town and the Ocean! ..What a day!! Thursday we headed into Stelenbosh...a college town and got ice cream! And Thursday night I got to hang out with Ray and Sue and the girls..got some Fish and Chips..yum yum. Friday..was the last official day of class it was absolutely gorgeous day!! Had our last Chapel..Mmm bittersweet...Then decided to go Paddle Boating with some of the girls..first time..on the ocean with the sharks and jellyfish..we felt like Pocahontas..one of the most freeing things ever..So so much fun..loved ever minute of it :) Then headed to an indoor food market where we saw the Haakosen family! Mmmm so fun! Then headed back to Fish Hoek..and admired the full moon while eating ice cream..and playing on the jungle gym..acting like we were 5 again!! So awesome!! Can't believe how fast this is going by..I absolutely love it here...just been showered with blessings from above..and continuing to learn so much each new day!

shalom and love,

Sarah Rae

Here and there~ Ocean..Rain..Home-stays.

~ Once again can't believe how fast the days fly..I do not have enough time in the day to recap everything..and honestly I just loose track of the days..hard to believe that I will soon be getting on a plane home in about a week in a half already?! Say WHAT?! Where has the semester gone. Mmmm but this has been thus far the most extraordinary semester!

So last week..went by really fast..like most things..It was actually really cold..we had rain a couple days..haha love running around in my rainbows in the pouring rain~

~We ventured to Cape Point, one of the most amazing spots in Cape Town..and got to hike around there in the rain..and ran along the coast when it was raining buckets..one of my favorite days..God's beauty is everywhere..and yes got soaking wet..our bus smelled like wet dog for sure, so many memories made.

//HOME STAYs//... Penny and I stayed in a township called ~Ocean View, many of the people from Ocean View were forced to move from a coastal city called Simon's Town in the 1950s because of the Group Areas Act, passed by the ruling white National Party, (Apartheid era)..they forced physical separation between races by creating different residential areas for different races. This act destroyed communities~

Our Family we stayed with: Momma Lynette and Papa Cedrick..their daughter Kim..and their granddaughter Zoe, but during our 5 day stay there, I would say that we got to meet a decent amount of the whole Familia. Momma Lynette was so gracious to us, she runs the house hold basically and cooked us amazing yummy meals..I even enjoyed fish, wish I don't usually..the fish we had was caught by their neighbor like literally fresh..and I would have to say that I liked it :) New things everyday I guess..Mommy and Daddy would be proud..since we never ever eat fish at Home..haha.. Mmmmm. Anyways Lynette and her family live in a little home off Saturn street on a dirt road, it is a small home, but it is quaint..the bathroom is outside in the back..and you have to bathe in some buckets. Penny and I called home in the back flat..where we occasionally saw some mice run under our bed..never a dull moment for sure..we just had to laugh a lot..especially when they would talk in Afrikaans haha :) But it was a good experience and to see a new way of life..We got to hang out with their granddaughters a lot..and ride in our first taxi for 6 ran..yebo..Mmmm :) We walked to get picked up everyday..some funny moments when Penny and I would walk to see some other home stay families with towels on are head..the one day we got to wash our hair..haha "there goes the Americans"..Loved meeting new people and friends and new ways of life styles..a new kind of church service..during this time I missed home the most, maybe because I was with a family..Had some good conversations..and listened to some lectures by our PAPA..who is kinda like a priest. Our families nephew in laws had an interesting perspective about the Group Areas Act and the apartheid.. he approached it by saying that God allowed it to happen, just like God let Pharaoh's heart to become hardened..he said it so beautifully, humbly, and so much forgiveness and grace in his eyes. This man Mervin has truly reconciled, and told us that he sees the bigger picture in life. Much of this has to do with how Nelson Mandela carried his character in the midst of the apartheid era. He also said that even though the cruel horrible things during the pre and post apartheid era, many of the white people brought God to Africa..Mmm he went on to say that History, begins with "His Story"...and God's hand was in all of it.. Mervin's main concern he says is to bring righteousness to the world, and look beyond color, but see the soul~ yet my heart still breaks, it was such a cruel time and so much pain and suffering happened because of the white man..and many of those white men were Dutch..and that is my heritage, I can't help but cringe every time that is brought up..~ The sin's of my forefathers..~ yet I am reminded constantly of forgiveness and reconciliation, and that we serve a God who died for these sins, his blood covers..~

~ Sunday Night in Ocean View Pens and I and 2 other girls from our team and that happened to be living on same street with another Home Stay family, walked to the beach..called Long Beach. I wish I would have taken a picture of this sunset..it was stunning, one of the most amazing views I have ever seen, words do not describe...BOmb dig. I want to go back there...you could see Table Mountain in the background..which we will be hiking this week tuesdays..YES! Last night at home stay watched INvictus, our Papa felll asleep though! Mmm it was a broken and beautiful experience all wrapped in one.

As well as home stays was intertwined class and adventures..we ventured to Robben Island. This had been something I had been looking forward to for along time. It was amazing to see history come alive, besides getting a little sea sick..we had to take the Pirate Ship, because one of the Ferries was out of comission. Going to Robben Island was a humbling and unreal expirence. The suffering that many men experienced is beyond words..they did this to ground break injustice and fight for freedom. What an incredible day.

// Another random thought of the day..I think I am becoming more of a morning person..especially after reading about George Muller..'rising early to meet God..' Mmmm I really want to finish this book before I go home...so much to think about//

..I should probably go to bed now, I am suppose to be working on a research paper for History, but I though I should quick blog while it is fresh..and since I was without Internet for a couple days at home stay..this always happens though I get distracted, but some how the paper will get finished by thursday..~ enjoying the last couple days I have left in this beautiful country..so much to process and comprehend..I feel though I will be ready to come home when the time comes, but my heart will be here ..and maybe in a new season of life I will be back..so much to learn..Mmmm I do not know where God is leading, I have been waiting patiently and will continue to seek and knock..it is kind of scary, but yet there is peace because it is in the will of God..okay my head is spinning now, I cannot think this much at midnight. But had a great Monday..we had class today..love it..South African history intrigues me as it has for some time..our teacher Neil has an amazing story as well..one of reconciliation..wonderful man of God...and is passion about God and his country..he was involved in many youth meetings to end apartheid and was often in jail for standing up for what he believed in. History is so great to learn. //Mmm later in the afternoon a bunch of us hiked up to some caves and looked across a mountain to see the beautiful cape. Love the blue skies...afterwards got some ice cream..that seems to be a normal thing after a long hike..later finally got to take a shower after a couple days of not being able too :) Ohhh the little things in life..then walked from Fish Hoek into Kalk Bay to eat dinner with some amazing people.. we have a pretty awesome group here. I am going to miss this community. Had some avocado pizza yum yum. Blessed. good fellowship. ~We saw a shooting star tonight~ Nothing like walking along the coast of the ocean..in South Africa. I will never forget this nights. Mmmm now it is getting late..I have procrastinated long enough..

~For the Word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love...." ~ Psalm 33

Shalom&Love

Sarah Rae

Mmm the week in pictures...

Hanging out in Kalk Bay

The Cape of Good HOpe!

Pirate Ship ride to Robben Island

Bible Inst. where we have class!

Mama Lynette

I like this Fish

Home Stay

Zia

Zia and Zoe

Our Momma and Home..with Pens