Home Sweet Home

For friends and family too far away to stop by, here are some pictures of my new home! I just started moving, so as you can see, no furniture yet :)

My quaint little home :)

Living room, with a perfect place to hang my favorite picture

Dining room

Kitchen and laundry room

Kitchen and coffee nook

Bedroom 1

My teeny tiny bathroom

Bedroom 2, the only ugly room that needs a paint job

Living room/hallway

Back yard

Lemon and orange trees

Lots of other trees, including peach, apricot, lime :)

Giving Thanks

Just a few of the many reasons I have to be thankful this year:

*A short but sweet break from school and work, which means time to write a blog post, time to enjoy family, and even time to do a little pleasure reading.

*A job I absolutely love, that makes my heart beat.

*Students who help me grow, laugh, and most of all, keep me on my toes (you have no idea).

*Brussel sprouts. They are in season, which is reason to celebrate. I don't think people are thankful enough for brussel sprouts and all their goodness.

*The cutest little brother who I prayed earnestly for, who God delivered over 25 years late but right on time.

*Amazing friends who do things like help me take my dog to the vet (easier said than done), spend hours and days house hunting with me, and super glue my computer back together in a time of freak-out and despair.

*Good music.

*Kind people.

*Education. There are many women in the world who are much like me, but because of where they were born have never had the right or opportunity to go to school. And there are many children in the world who are much like my students, who are deemed unworthy and not teachable, who will never be given the opportunity to pursue their dreams and strive. It makes me feel sad for the world, because they are truly missing out.

*The seasons. Here in Central California we are having the most beautiful fall that I can remember, and I get to see the best of it as the sun rises on my way to work every morning.

*And last but not least, a place to call home.

That's right. I feel like I did the impossible...I bought a house! I will get the key and sign the final papers the beginning of next week. It's 1,000 cozy square feet of possibilities. It was built in 1937, back when houses were made with quality and character (yes, I realize I sound like an old lady). The backyard is full of fruit trees and planters ready for lots of goodness to grow (maybe even some brussel sprouts). I can't wait to show you the inside, which I will do as soon as I find a working camera. I feel like someone built this house in 1937 with me in mind.

Hope you all have a beautiful Thanksgiving and that you have time to give thanks for all your blessings.

Shine

First of all, here is an updated photo of my sweet Tadiwa.

Doesn't she shine?

Now, in other goodness...

Do any of you remember this handsome young man,  Panashe?

Back in May I wrote this post hoping to find him a sponsor. Although some of you were also able to see the specialness in this boy, no one was able to make the commitment to sponsor him.

Confession time: The first thing I did after signing the contract for my new job/promotion? Sponsoring Panashe.

How could I not (and why would I not)? This boy is always on my mind, and I was and am sure that God has placed him there for a reason.

Last week my dear friend, Melissa, who is the founder of Beautiful Feet Global Outreach (the organization through which I sponsor both Tadiwa and Panashe) returned from Zimbabwe where she, among many other things, delivered mail to sponsored kids and announced the good news to those with newly committed sponsors.

Panashe has been described as quiet and laid back, an observer, and maybe a little shy and withdrawn (it has also been said that at times he will start laughing uncontrollably, which I love, because everything I have learned about Panashe sounds a lot like me at his age).

Melissa told me that Panashe "came alive" when he learned that he was sponsored.

And here, my friends, is the proof.

Oh, Zimbabwe, you hold so many who hold my heart.