1. Seeing Your Kids Stretch And Step Outside Their Comfort Zone
Look who got to play George Washington at school on Friday!! They did a little presentation for the parents at chapel and he had his first on-stage speaking part.
l was so proud of him… This once incredibly shy, would-not-even-look-at-someone-he-didn’t-know boy spoke with poise and confidence and a smile.
Watching your kiddos stretch and grow and step outside their comfort zones and develop character is such a rewarding thing as a parent!
2. Poldark: Season 2 is Coming!
Oh happy day!! Did you see that Season 2 of Poldark is coming?!?!
I’m super picky about what shows I’ll watch. To me, a lot of TV is boring, lacking character depth and engaging storylines.
So most of the time, when we try out a new show that has been raved about, I feel let down. But not Poldark!! From the first episode, we were hooked.
It is 100% my kind of show. I love the rich character development and have high hopes for Season 2!!
3. Photos From South Africa
My phone showed a message from WhatsApp earlier this week — which can only mean one thing: Someone from South Africa was texting me.
I was thrilled to get the text with these photos from the large building you all are helping to build at Reagaboka. After going last year and getting to see the classrooms you all helped build, I’m just ecstatic about this new building knowing what a need it is going to meet in so many ways in this community.
Can you believe that they are putting a roof on it now?? It’s getting SO close to being done. And this could have never happened without you all.
4. We’re GOING to South Africa Next Week!!!!!
You guys, I’m SO excited! And seeing the above pictures just makes me more excited.
Those of you who are long-time followers know how part of my heart will always be in South Africa. And I’m absolutely thrilled that I get the opportunity to bring a team of my readers with me to South Africa.
We leave on Thursday (September 8) and will get back the following Saturday (September 17). The onlyreally sad part for me is that our kids are staying back in the states this time. (We took them with us on our last trip to South Africa and it was such a special time for our family!)
My mom has been so kind to be willing to come and stay with them and they are looking forward to getting to spend a lot of quality time with Grandma while we’re gone.
If you want to follow along with our trip, be sure to follow me on Instagram (if you aren’t following me already). That’s likely where I’ll be updating the most.
I may also post some on Snapchat (I’m crystal.paine there) or see if I can get good enough wifi to hop on Facebook Live. And I’ll be sure to post some details about our trip on my blog — either while we’re in South Africa or after we get back home.
5. Peace In My Heart
I was struggling and stressing over some situations in my life that are outside my control and I read a chapter in Wild and Free last week that kicked my behind. I realized my fear and anxiety was really just my lack of trusting in my all-wise, all-knowing, always-working-for-my-good Heavenly Father.
I can leave my burdens, my stress, my anxiety at His feet and I can rest in the truth that He is in control.
He doesn’t need me to try to fix, solve, or micro-manage all the details of my life and others’ lives. He calls me to rest in His Master Plan and trust His unfailing goodness.
This truth brought so much peace at a deep level. He is good! And this truth sinking deep in my soul made this past week a thousand times better.
What are YOU loving this week?
