South Africa!!

This summer I got the once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to South Africa (by myself!!) and visit my amazing sister who is serving there with the IMB (International Mission Board) for 2 years. To say that I miss Suz is a major understatement! She is my very best friend (besides my hubby;) and to have her on the other side of the world has been difficult for all of us (especially my kiddos who all adore their Aunt Zuzu!)

I asked for this trip for Christmas last year (thank you, family!) and I was so excited to hug Suzanne's neck and be there on her birthday. The trip was definitely a long one (about 24 hours of travel on the way there and 40 on the way home!) and I was there a week. I became an expert traveller (never travelled alone before!) and on the way home I got to see both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans in one day! (Once I got into the States, I flew from New York to L.A. and then to Dallas. It was crazy, but the quickest way to get home!)

LOVED getting the opportunity to see my sister's new world! From her flat to the city of Jo'Berg to all the new adventures of food and driving on the other side of the road! This a picture of us getting a pedicure done on her birthday (and we got massages too!)

If you know my sis, you know that birthday's are a BIG DEAL. It was so fun to have some of her missionary friends come over for dinner to celebrate my sister. Suzanne is loved no matter where in the world she is!

We spent a lot of the week bundled up (because it was winter there and pretty cold!) doing not much at all except hanging out talking and watching movies. We did go to a Lion's Park one day and it was awesome!

This lovely picture is of me about to feed a very friendly giraffe. Not too excited about it, but did it for my sis. ;)

Look at that tongue! It was long and SLIMEY!! It was fun. We laughed a lot that day!!

We also spent an afternoon with two of Suzanne's sweet new friends from her church. They are sisters as well and have such precious hearts for the Lord. We had a great time together and I loved getting to know people my sis is connecting with and building friendships with in SA.

This is the last pic we took before we drove to the airport for me to board the plane back to America. It's very bittersweet having my sister there in Africa. Sweet because I know she is living out what she has felt called to do since she was in jr. high and she is doing an incredible job at it. But also bitter because we don't get to talk as much as we would like and I just plain miss her. If I am being truly honest, I just don't like sharing her with the world. ;) I am so proud of this girl!! How many people have a dream of serving the Lord no matter where He puts you (even if it IS Africa), and actually accomplish it?? God is using her in a mighty way and I know HE delights in her as she submits herself to the gospel of Christ! Nothing better or more satisfying!! I love you, sis!!