a hand to hold

I went to the doctor yesterday for a little check-up, which included some blood tests. Maybe you know this, maybe you don't, but I go into freak-out mode around needles. Well, specifically when they are aimed at me. Somehow, I can muster the inner strength and resolve to be there with and for a friend who needs one. But when it's for me? Whole different story. So as the doctor walks me over to the table, I warn him.

Me: "I really dislike needles."

Doctor: "Don't worry... Just this morning I had to give a 7-year old girl an injection, and she didn't even cry once."

Me: "I'm worse than a 7-year old girl!"

He didn't believe me.

I turned to Niel and asked him to come with me to hold my hand. "I can't," he said. "I'll pass out." Apparently, he's worse than a 7-year old girl, too.

The doctor had me lay back; he pulled up my shirt sleeve, and started swabbing. That's when my typical-freak-out-response hysteria set in. I started to laugh uncontrollably as my eyes let loose a stream of saline. I looked away and said, in Afrikaans, "Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

"I haven't stuck you yet," replied the now-believing doctor.

I continued to "ouch", laugh, and cry as he stuck me, took the blood, and removed the needle. As he taped on the cotton ball, I finally stopped hyperventilating.

The best part? When I ripped off the cotton ball hours later, adhered with amazingly strong medical tape, it hurt far worse than the needle did! Oh well...

where i've been...no, really

Amazingly enough, I spent the past week on an exotic island. A friend treated us to an incredible vacation in Madagascar. We stayed at a fantastic resort on the beautiful island of Sainte-Marie. The water was (seemingly) 19 shades of blue; it was absolutely gorgeous. I read 4 books, and even polished one off (start to finish) in a day -- I can't remember the last time I had the chance to do that! I swam in a wonderfully warm pool, got a few shades tanner, and ate a croissant every morning.

I also got to use my French. Not swear words, silly... the language. French is what they speak in Madagascar. You didn't know I was fluent? You should hear me say "seven," "deviation," and "croissant" with my impeccable French accent.

I do wish I'd watched this before I'd gone... You know, to brush up on my vocabulary.

I'm off again for another week. This time for safari -- in search of lion, leopard, and elephant. (You should hear me say "elephant" with my pseudo-French...)

Au revoir!

where i've been

"Why haven't you been blogging?" you wonder. Well, for starters, thanks for asking. For enders, here's a list of possible reasons, excuses, and justifications for my prolonged blogging absence. Take your pick and cast your vote in the comments. A - I've been knee-deep in decorating my house for Christmas. Snowmen galore are everywhere.

B - I was sunbathing on an exotic island. Just picture palm trees and cold frothy beverages...

C - Niel and I hiked to the top of Mount Everest (the one on our property, not the one in Nepal), which of course necessitated that we spend several days recovering.

D - I spent the week on my couch, engaging in a movie marathon. 7 days, 19 films.

E - Remember when the roof blew off our house? Niel and I spent the week reading "Thatching for Dummies" and then repaired it ourselves.

F - Publisher's Clearinghouse called; we won a million dollars and immediately left for a shopping spree around the world.

G - I kept a close eye on my parrot, Starbucks, keenly observing his fecal matter since he's had the runs for weeks. (I'm happy to report, he's on the mend.)

H - None of the above. Insert your own reason here: _____________

my thanksgiving poem

'Twas the night before Thanksgiving
And the power went out
We thought it'd be short-lived
But then we started to doubt

The pumpkin pie in the oven
Was nowhere near ready
But the rain kept on pouring
Hard, heavy, and steady

The thunder clapped loudly
The lightning flashed bright
And we knew we were in
For a very long night

Normally I'd worry
My to-do list was shot
I still needed to do
A whole heck of a lot

But we sat on the couch
And watched the lightning have fun
I decided not to stress
About what didn't get done

We eventually gave up
And headed to bed
The storm raged all night
And the power stayed dead

I was awake off and on
Almost the whole night through
The rain was so loud
And the thunder was too

Around five in the morning
I said a quick prayer
We needed power to cook
And I knew God would care

When I woke up at seven
I smiled indeed
The electricity was working
The day could proceed

The power stayed on
While we cooked the birds
I kept sending up "thank you"s
I had no other words

We had twenty-four adults
Round the table, squeezed tight
Again the power went out
So we ate by candlelight

But it didn't last long
And then it came back for good
We had a wonderful day
Like a true family should

I collapsed into bed
Later that night
I was full and content
As I turned off the light

As I put my head on my pillow
I had but one thing to say
I gave thanks for electricity
And how God saved the day

flotsam and jetsam

Let's see...

• It was wonderfully encouraging to look around last Thursday and Friday and see all the women being ministered to at the conference. God was clearly present.

• We took the interns for a day-trip through Lesotho. It was a gorgeous day, and the scenery was absolutely breathtaking.

• I've been having a great time with my friend Laura (who's visiting from Seattle). I love having people we are utterly comfortable with, stay in our home.

• I sat for a long while today on a hammock swing on my porch. It was peaceful and relaxing. (I had to stop myself from swinging a few times, though, because it was making me nauseas. iii!)

• This year feels like it's slipped through my fingers. I'm trying to hold tightly to the bit that's left as I know it'll be gone before I know it.

• Laura and I have shared many a laugh over this: