In case you needed some reminding...

True Tales of Gumption - Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, Madiba of South Africa

Yesterday, the late president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, was laid to rest. I thought it only fitting to feature him as this week's true tale of gumption.

There is so much that I could try to say; so much that has already been said, about this incredible man who is one of the truest examples of gumption in history. Living in South Africa for three years makes his passing far more meaningful and emotional for me, than it probably ever would have been otherwise. He is an inspiring man who I still need to learn so much more about and from.

Rather than try to write something profound, I want to share a few things that, to me, display Mandela's triumphant gumption and that inspire me to live a courageous life. The below clip is from 1999. The artist is Johnny Clegg, who I have seen in concert a couple of times - which is a true South African experience. I love this video. I feel like I know Mandela a little more after watching it - his spirit, his joy, his contentment. I hope you enjoy it and feel that too.

Almost a week ago, on Tuesday, 10 December, the entire country of South Africa held a memorial service for Madiba. (Madiba means "father"; Mandela is the father of South Africa.) There was one main location, FNB Stadium in Soweto, which I am sure you either watched or saw clips or pictures from. Almost 100 dignitaries came from all over the world to honor Madiba. But many other stadiums around the country, from Johannesburg to Cape Town to Durban, participated as well by watching the memorial being held in Soweto and having there own tributes with song, dance, and words of remembrance.

On that day, my husband and I went to the Nelson Mandela Square which is just a few minutes from where we live. We had planned to watch the memorial there but the rain was relentless that day, so we watched some from home. The weather was extremely unusual for this time of year, but as the rain only got heavier and heavier as the day went on, it seemed quite appropriate as the whole nation mourned.

Have you read Mandela's book, Long Walk to Freedom? Or seen the new film, "Mandela", based on A Long Walk to Freedom? I have to confess: I have never finished Long Walk to Freedom. I feel a bit embarrassed now that I haven't, but more motivated to, after learning so much more about this incredible man in the past couple weeks. Husband and I went and saw the film yesterday - go see it. It is moving, inspiring, and challenging. I always knew Mandela advocated a peaceful and equal end to apartheid, but I had no idea how much that went against what so many people - especially black South Africans - wanted. Madiba is truly one of the greatest examples of gumption in my life.

And one last bit of wisdom from Madiba that sums up what I hope you often find, gumption and a full life, by coming back here to read:

Love,
EF

Christmas cheer!

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! Despite the fact that South Africa does not celebrate Thanksgiving, I was able to participate in turkey-laden festivities for three, blessed reasons:

1)      My husband appreciates and goes along with all my holiday activities (I’m a lucky girl),

2)      I have friends here – both American and South African – who wanted to create a full-fledged Thanksgiving meal,

3)      And I work at an American institution, so I got the whole Thanksgiving weekend off! Hooray!

Now that Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas season has officially begun! I have always been one of those “no-Christmas-music-before-Thanksgiving” people…although the longer I live abroad, the earlier and earlier that rule bends. But especially with living in a country that is in summer during Christmas, I try to work extra hard to make the season feel festive.

Christmas music (as previously mentioned) is a must. 

Especially George Winston and Frank Sinatra (among many others).

And embarrassingly, the Chipmunks are also a must. As a kid, my mom and I would bake and dance around the house to this album (can I even call it that?), so it's just kind of stuck with me. 

Snickerdoodles. And they must have red and green sprinkles. Must. (Sorry the picture isn't great...I made these for Thanksgiving and only took a picture on my phone to send to my mom. Please ignore the plastic wrap.)

Christmas movies. Where do I even begin?

I’m trying to do more crafty things this holiday season, a) because it’s cute and b) it saves money. I’ve already started putting this garland together (above) and it’s so fun!

Also necessary: Snuggling with family on the couch, reflecting on the year passing, praying for the year to come. 

What makes it feel like the holiday season for you? And if the holiday season is not a particularly festive time for you, or you are far away from family, how do you cope? I'd really love to hear.

Hoping you are filled with lots of joy and love,

EF

True Tales of Gumption - the first installment!

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

I am so excited to introduce a new feature to the blog!

This quote encompasses so much of why I started this blog. I’m sure many of you have heard this quote from Marianne Williamson before. It is possibly my most favorite, inspirational quote (aside from anything in the bible). I think that often is our biggest fear: ourselves and the great things we can/could do. It takes courage and confidence to see your talents, skills, gifts…and to admit what you really enjoy in life…and pursue it. And not just pursue it but give it everything you’ve got. Although I’ve learned lots in this regard over the past few years, I’m still trying to figure these out myself. Sometimes I think the hard work required to get the job/life you want is half of what is so intimating. Hard work and fear of not being good enough – big life traps. But that is why I love the new feature: True Tales of Gumption.

True Tales of Gumption will be a feature that highlights someone who has shown true gumption in their life. Our news is so filled with the negative and with stories of people who are everything that is the opposite of courageous, bold, or inspiring. So, each feature will introduce a real-life story of someone who has shown some of those qualities in their life.

Today's story comes from my side of the world. With all the negative attention Africa receives, I believe it so important to highlight the good and amazing things going on in the continent of Africa. This story is especially inspiring because it is one of the many examples of someone who doesn’t have much, butdoesn’t make excuses or play the victim. (How easily I can do that, when I do have so much!): It is the story of Kelvin Doe from Sierra Leone. I hope you are moved and inspired by his passion, talent, compassion, and vision!

Love,

EF

So much greatness is ahead!

Two months.

Two months is not a long time, really. But two months is a fairly long time not to blog and actually, a lot can happen (and has happened) in two months.

Thanks so much to everyone who has asked “where” I’ve been or told me they missed reading posts here. It encourages me and inspires me so much more than you know.

Since the last time I wrote, probably the two biggest and most immediate happenings over on our little side of the world are:

- I got a new job!! (This has been a TREMENDOUS blessing) and

- Hubby is almost (like TOMORROW-almost) done with final exams and done with university!

I cannot begin to explain how excited I am that G is almost finished! It has been a long few weeks (in terms of finals) for both of us…obviously, he’s doing all the hard work (and an absolutely brilliant job, I must add) but I’ve kind of felt like I’m missing my husband. He’s not totally himself when he’s this busy and ever so slightly stressed. And neither am I. So, it will be so wonderful to have both of us “back to normal”. :)

Also, on the first of October, I started a new job. This has been a gift from God. For various reasons, I very much needed to get out of my other job. Naturally, though, I couldn’t resign until I had another job lined up. After searching and praying, and God just being incredibly kind to me, I have started something that I am enjoying so much! It is pretty out of my norm and skill set, but it might just end up being my future career (if blogging doesn’t work out). ;)

I’ve been learning a lot over the past two months. A lot of life lessons, a lot of marriage lessons, and a lot about myself. It’s been challenging but amazing. I hope to share some of these lessons and discoveries in the days to come. But one of the most exciting realizations I’ve had is about how much I love blogging. Not just love, but it’s one of the few things I can see myself doing everyday, for almost ever, and it’s one of the things in life that “gets me going”. Not going in an irritated or angry way, but going as in pushing me to keep growing, trying, and push passed the tiredness that can build up in life. I think everyone needs that. So, I started taking an e-course on blogging that is awesome! It’s been helping me define the purpose and future of my blog so much more and I seriously can’t wait to unveil the betterments over the course of the near future!

Thank you so much for sticking with me! Whoever you are – whether you read every post I write or just one every now and then; whether you comment or just observe silently – I am so grateful for you. You are making my dream job a developing reality. I hope you keep coming back, for many years to come. So much greatness is ahead!

(Arguably) The Best Trip Ever

Hubby and I just spent three weeks visiting my family in the US of A, and it was honestly one of the best trips I've ever taken; not because we went somewhere exotic or did something new and exciting - we didn't, really. (Although Disney World is pretty exciting. And so is summer. And the Fourth of July.) But because we were so refreshed, encouraged, inspired, and filled with so much joy and hope. (When I write that out it sounds pretty cheezy, but that's really what the trip did for us.)

We hadn't seen my family since our wedding reception, so our time with them was overdue and needed. Our three weeks was a perfect balance of "at home/family time" and "doing things". We made smoothies at home, swam in the pool, went to the beach, went to Disney's Hollywood Studios, watched movies, reconnected with lots of friends, made new friends, played lots of Mexican Train Dominoes, had a second wedding reception(!), and so much great conversation and sunshine.

Here are some pictures, if you'd like to see. Really, I can't wait to share more than just pictures, because God really did a lot in our hearts in three weeks. I hope some of the things we learned and are changed by can encourage and inspire you. More on the emotional details of the trip soon. :)

Love from the freezy Southern Hemisphere (we're totally missing the summer sun and warmth!),

Ellie

Excited to start our 24-hour travel time! No, not really. Excited to get to the States!

On our way to the US, we had a layover in London, so my aunt and uncle (who live in London) met us at the airport for  some coffee. So wonderful!

I decided that if I'm going to put a slightly embarrassing picture of my hubs online, it's only fair I'm slightly embarrassed too. He is sleeping great because of that lovely JetBlue eye mask, and I am not sleeping (who knows why)....which is why my eyes look a bit crazy. (Notice I did not make this picture as large as the others. :)

Brother/sister beach time. :)

My (unofficially adopted) big sister and her daughter (my unofficial niece). :)

Disney World with the fam! Hollywood Studios is def my favorite!

I seriously have the coolest brother in the world. 

Honey, we're shrunk. 

Watching Disney fireworks on the Fourth of July! One of my most favorite holidays. 

My campus ministers from college, but really, dear friends. So, so great to spend time with them!

Tom (on the far right) and I went to college together. This was a double date with our spouses...gosh, how times have changed. :) 

More friends! (I can't get enough of seeing old friends again!)

We are Aunt Ellie and Uncle Gordon. :)

Just a Sunday morning. 

Beach. Miami skyline in the background. 

Coming soon...

Our second wedding/reception! :)

Thank you!

I know it's been a while, but first off I have to say: I love you! Yes, you! My reader(s)!

Hubby and I just got back from visiting my family in the US for three weeks and we had the most wonderful, encouraging, inspiring, refreshing time! One of the many things that was so encouraging was that I had a number of you tell me that you love reading this blog. I know that probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but it actually means a lot.

I love when life reminds you that life is still so good...ok, it's not life, it's God - God reminding you through little or big things that life is really good. It doesn't always feel that way and maybe sometimes it's actually not, but more often than not, there is so much more good around us and in us than we see.

So, thanks for reading. Thanks for enjoying something I love doing so much and inspiring me to work harder at it. :)

Here's a short teaser of our trip, until next time.

Love,
ef

Friends!

Family!

Practically family!

And something I can't wait to tell you about!

Life happens

Hi all!

It’s always intimidating picking up blogging again, after I’ve been out of it for any length of time. And usually long breaks are not because life is no longer filled with…well, life; actually, quite the opposite. There has been so much going on! Some of it has been wonderful and happy, some of it not. My mom recently commented on my Facebook page and said that my life looks so amazing (on Facebook); and often, I agree…my life is amazing! J I know that even in hard times, I am so blessed. But the hard things in life happen everywhere…sickness, death, testing times…even here in South Africa. I'm not going to share everything that has been going on, but saying what I just did and anything else I might share – I share in order to hopefully encourage you that: you are normal. I’m normal. Sometimes life is so fun and great and other times it’s not; that happens to everyone. And hopefully, knowing that we all experience ups-and-downs, strengthens us a bit more in the downs, to keep persevering – to let the tough times refine you, strengthen you, and help you see the good things in life. I know it helps me. (I’m always a basket case until I talk to a friend and find out that my feelings, situation, etc is not new.) I hope I don’t sound all doom-and-gloom; I want to be relatable. J

So here are some of the great things that have been going on: My major award redeemed, Bon Jovi LIVE (O.M.G!), and a quick trip to Cape Town! Hope you’re seeing the good things in your life right now…share some with me! What are they? 

Love,

EF

Taking advantage of a dinner that is normally very much out of our budget - all from my major award! :)

Restaurant: Tribes

So much food!

Our Bon Jovi group! So much fun to go with so many friends!

It was REALLY cold that night, and it was an open air stadium! But it added to the excitement. :)

The stadium as it was filling up. We were all the way in the back - but the back and sides were also completely full. 

Far away, but there he is!! I've wanted to see him in concert for so long!

Isn't this picture crazy/so impressive?! I've heard there were 90,000 people there!

So excited!

And on a totally different note: I traveled to Cape Town for work last week. It was such a fast trip and I didn't have time to do anything but work, but I sure did enjoy my 5 star room! Too bad hubby couldn't come!

I thought this was so cute! Each room had a teapot and kettle, plus a box of teas, hot chocolates, and coffees to choose from. I know a lot of places do something like this, but it just seemed extra cute here! One day when we have a guest bedroom, I want to put something like this in there for our guests! :)

Heaven. 

THAT TUB!

Yeah, I was really excited. 

The hotel is on a wine farm. This is the view from my room of the vineyards, at dawn.

How cute?! And look at those stunning roses!

Flying back to Joburg at sunrise. Just thought the mountains were beautiful. 

And I hope you don't mind seeing one more...

Love him.