Sorry I haven't written for so long!! SO much has happened. It has been a week of intense and very sad goodbyes, then sightseeing, then a lot of joyful hellos!
My last day in New York I spent with my very special friend on the beach, having some final quality time together on a perfect sunny summer day. That was then followed by frantic final packing and then a rush off to the airport in the evening for the first of 2 overnight flights (and I don't sleep on airplanes!).
But actually I managed to get a few hours of interrupted sleep, however I got a terrible migraine and ALMOST threw up in front of everyone during landing!
Recovered quickly to rush into my 10 hour lay-over in London! Met a friend for lunch and then walked and "Tubed" around the city! It was such a peaceful and beautiful city. I had never been there and was able to see a lot of the main attractions. Then back to the airport for my second overnight flight. And THAT one was pretty hard.
Then I had a 5 hour lay-over in Johannesburg where I had to continually walk around or move, as I would instantly doze off if I didn't.

BUT I MADE IT! And I was bombarded with hugs and screams! And that moment made it all worth it!! Now I am starting to unpack my job and find my barings with my daily routine. One day at a time!

I can't believe I'm here again!!!

The past few weeks have been characterized by much running around, especially countless times to the South African consulate. Luckily there is never a line (or I should say a Que!). Today, I went for the last time, retrieving my visa! DONE!!!! On the way, I pass a corner each time at 42nd street and 2nd Ave, where Nelson Mandela meets the Chrysler Building. It is a special sight, and each time causes me to stop for a moment.




Another part of my days has been cleaning up and cleaning out! I have so much stuff that I haven't looked at for years! So going through my stuff has been quite a process, throwing it away, giving it away, organizing it. Luckily the summer has not been so hot, so I can spend the days in my NOT-air conditioned room. One week it was over 100 degrees, but otherwise, it has been tolerable. But definitely I have been a beach bum! Taking trips on the subway to get out to the beach nearly every weekend!

I am thankful for God's grace. He is patient and kind with all my crazy emotions, one day to the next is a new and crazy thought process and emotion-mostly of course super dramatic. FEAR, EXCITEMENT, JOY, SADNESS...DOUBT...TEARS. The goodbyes will be so hard but the hello's to the kids will be SO wonderful!