The Ring...

Samantha has asked that a better photo of my ring be made available for my fan club . . .

this is my fiance's hand btw :)

Got engaged...

So how's your week been?

I tried to post this yesterday but the internet disconnected, I thought I had lost this but I found it again! I'm so thankful!

Mine has been utterly hectic! I had to fly out of the country urgently on Sunday morning, so I missed doing music at church that I had prepped and practiced for . . . landed in Botswana where Andrew and Sandra Freeman were graciously waiting for me! They were so sweet to have me stay with them last minute for a few days. It was a really refreshing time, I enjoyed talking with Sandra. I should probably mention (which I probably should have said firstly - if you know what I'm alluding to here you get a prize) that they are a missionary couple from Australia. Sandra's parents and my parents go to the same church so it's always enjoyable to see them and be reminded of home (AND they always have vegemite, so I get to have vegemite on toast each morning, yay)! I had the privilege of seeing their bookshop/library. The books in the library needed to be sorted, so my numerical skills were sufficiently tested (I probably should have mentioned my numerical dyslexia, there might be a whole section of 284's between 222's and 237's!! Hopefully I was a help not a hinder. It was really quite nice to just shelve books, it was a bit of a break from the business of life. That said, I'm glad to be keeping busy, there's nothing worse than boredom, all I do is eat when I'm bored.

I arrived home on Wednesday morning and had a list of chores a mile long, including phoning this Sunday's music team and organising songs and people etc, as well (of course) as a nap, 5 am starts aren't my favourite I must admit, laundry, cleaning the house, calling for visa things (as always) etc etc and the list goes on. I had lunch with Lyle and he dropped me home. We had a bit of a chat at the front door, and he had to go back to work. While we were chatting I told him a few things that I'd been contemplating over the days away. I had time to think about how lovingly he responds to me in every situation and how much he constantly tells me and shows me how much he utterly loves and adores me. It's so special, he's basically awesome bloke. We said goodbye and he got in his car, then he came back to my front door to give me a magazine I'd left in his car. When I got to the front door, he'd dropped the magazine on the floor next to him which I thought was weird, then (and this all happened in about 46 seconds) he got on one knee and said "will you marry me?" while pulling out a beautiful ring from his pocket. I was SHAKING, I was so surprised I literally staggered backwards, and when I gained the strength and my lung capacity was restored I said "YES!" and that's about all I said for the next 10 minutes. I think we were both in shock. he actually decided to do it about three minutes before it happened. He later told me that he had picked up the ring on Monday and had an entire day planned for next Monday but couldn't wait that long - I love that he couldn't wait! I'd been back in the country for all of 2 hours.

So yes. I'm getting married . . .

This is the ring. It's very beautiful.

btw, what I was alluding to was Mr Collins. I know you won Tashy :)

Puppy Dogs and Tim Tams

OK SO....let me fill you in on the last two or so weeks. (I’ve finally found time to move my photos from my camera to a computer!!)

I found a Gloria Jeans coffee shop. HOORAY. It eases the homesickness slightly.

One Saturday afternoon we had a few of Lyle’s friends over for a Braai. Alistair (Lyle’s old housemate) and Jo’s wedding (in the back) was the one I attended when I first arrived. Jaco and Jacqui are sitting in the front. Note: TIM TAMS!

Kerry’s Birthday was at the end of August and we had a birthday week for her (she was away on her actual birthday) so Monday last week we went to s sushi restaurant – this is Josh Barnes, his family is the one I stayed with when I first arrived. Please pray for Joshy’s salvation!! We love him dearly and we’re waiting on the Lord to smack him lovingly up the head...we don’t seem to hit hard enough.

Last week was SA Fashion week. Amanda Cherry is a lovely lady in our church and she is also a fashion designer. As her show was displayed the background music was by her daughter Raqel! So Raqel and I went to a recording studio and she very cleverly recorded a couple of her songs for the catwalk. I love Raqel. She rocks. (get it? get it?!)

Last Sunday afternoon Lyle and I went to Kloof Gorge for a little hike. It was really fun.

Hiking with Lyle is like this...

He was scared of heights...

Then he got over it and very bravely stood on the edge to get some loverly photos.

On the way home we passed an “Interpretative Centre”

And apparently they don’t allow Cocker Spaniels.

THE END

Ugly face competition . . .Lyle wins!