I can’t wait for you to meet, Alece.
She’s the shorter, green-eyed, cool-tattooed version of me. And she’s spent more time in my homeland the last decade or so than I have. I try not to hold that against her.
When we met the first time she shocked my socks off by dropping some serious Afrikaans in our oh-so American surroundings (I’m looking at you, Starbucks).
And since I’ll be hanging out with her in person tomorrow, I figured I’d spread the love and invite her to hang out with you guys first.
The Gypsy Mama and I have been living each other’s lives.
Well, kinda.
I’ve lived in South Africa for 12 years. Just about as long as she’s lived in America.
She’s a South African married to an American. I’m an American married to a South African. Or at least I was. But that’s a whole other story for a whole other day.
South Africa has become home for me, although it was certainly an adjustment. Things are just different. Like the common practice of not refrigerating condiments. And grown men grocery shopping in their bare feet. And the fact that jam means jelly and jelly means jell-o.
We drive on the wrong left side of the road in cars that are more ladylike than they are in the States. They have bonnets and boots instead of hoods and trunks.
There’s no central heating (even though we get snow where I live!) so I’ve had to learn to build fires in my fireplace the old fashioned way. I’d make Bear Grylls proud. The windows, which are permanently open in summer, have no screens. And I hate bugs. ::shudder::
I’m still trying to understand the difference between the South African phrases now, just now, and now now. Because basically they all mean I’ll get to it when I get to it.
Speaking of… Things happen slower in Africa. Which often causes a flare-up of my Kinko’s-quick American impatience, but has taught me some valuable lessons: Faster isn’t always better. God cares more about the missionary than the mission. Relationships matter.
Nuggets of wisdom lace every contrast between my here-home and there-home. And I love that. There is a unique joy in discovering more about God and myself in the tapestry of cultural diversity.
I love my altogether different and altogether beautiful Africa.
In all her grit and glory.
Alece blogs at www.gritandglory.com
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Ah! I love this and seriously those pictures make my heart so happy…
love me some lindo!
I would love to hear the story of how y’all met. I bet you have amazing stories to share. Love these pics so much!
i SO wanna hear LJ tell that story!
Let’s just say it had blind date-esque qualities that took me to 3 different Starbucks and found me in a a crowd of 17 other folks all looking to spend time with Alece as well!
Looked all over blog earlier today, Alece. Wow! What an amazing testimony. Thank you, Lisa-Jo, for the introduction!!
thank you, teri lynne! i’m loving getting to meet all of lisa-jo’s friends!
I know – isn’t she something super delicious with sprinkles on top?
Well, aloha, Alece! So very nice to meet you! What an awesome post! My favorite: “There is a unique joy in discovering more about God and myself in the tapestry of cultural diversity.” Amen, Sistah! This Okie-girl living in Hawaii receives that message loud and clear!
Looking forward to chatting with you again!
oooooh! i bet you are learning a lot in that cultural exchange! and i have a friend who just moved to honolulu. if you know of any great women’s groups or anything i could connect her with, please let me know!
Totally subscribe to The Grit, Kristen – it’s an awesome read!
Alece,
You are so photogenic it makes me sick.
And wise…that makes me sick too.
“Faster isn’t always better. God cares more about the missionary than the mission. Relationships matter.”
See that is good stuff!
But at least you are not too sweet. That would send me over the edge. You are the good kind of sweet. You know…the real, honest, and engaging kind of sweet?
“but at least you are not too sweet” – ha! glad to hear i’m just-enough sweet rather than the nauseating kind!
2 days!
I could agree with you more. In fact, I may have to refuse to take any photos alongside her tomorrow in protest!
whatever! we’re takin’ pictures, girl!
I love that you mentioned Bear Grylls. Oh yes. I do.
i’ll never forget the time we were comment-chatting on the Grit and happened to be watching at the same time! (i was in a hotel in CA.)
poor turtle…
Um, the owner of this blog has no clue who Bear Grylls is.
ummm… seriously?! with all the boys in your house, i’m so surprised!
you need to watch some more discovery channel — specifically man vs. wild!
yes, love that memory!
I didn’t know you were in a hotel in CA!
Every time I see pics from Africa I want to get on a plane and see it for myself. Love that the two of you get to have the experience of sharing your lives like this!
she’s down in my neck of the woods on business, so we’re gonna be hanging out tomorrow afternoon. LOVE IT!
Seriously, if you ever have a chance to go to Africa -grab it! It will change your insides in amazing and unpredictable ways!
gitz can’t go to africa, so i’m bringing africa to her!
gitzapalooza, baby!
You just wrote about Australia there
tell me you don’t do the “now now” thing too… do you!?!?
That’s because half of South Africa has moved to Oz! What I wouldn’t give for corner stores that sell rusks, marmite and Appletizer like they do over there! Big fat, sigh!
i want a buttermilk rusk so bad!
No, a melktert! Did you know I actually make a mean melktert? Oh yea, baby, mama got game!
::shudder:: i can’t do melktert. it’s a texture thing.
I love the sharing-in-reverse of your connectedness!
And my heart resounded a loud yes when I read: “Nuggets of wisdom lace every contrast between my here-home and there-home. And I love that. ” You said it beautifully- and I love you, Kitty
mmmm… thanks, kitty. i know you know what i mean! i love you!
unexpected friendships are so much fun!
Alece: “now”, “just now”, and “now-now”… being Barbadian, whose ancestors came from Africa… it hit me – all those mean, “whenever I get to it” here in Barbados,too!
haha! really?! awesome.
Yeah – I’ll come back and read the rest of this blog just now….
Bwahahahahha! Classic!
That wonderful series of phrases that makes perfect sense drives my husband batty
I LOVE the way you talk about Africa, Alece. That you still have a sweet place in your heart for your mission, your life, and your memories there. I LOVE that you choose to continue to learn and look for nuggets of wisdom. And, I LOVE that you have someone who understands…even if it IS in reverse!
Lisa Jo, I’ve stopped by here a few times since the Starbucks meeting in DC and love the way you write about your family, your life, and your home in God.
Big smiles right now! (And, A-ness, I was all chuckles over the fire building because I seem to remember that Tre is the master fire maker…)
mmhmm! tracee is the ultimate bear grylls fire-starter!
Thanks for not saying “blower” either!
Oh, what a great description of the only constant in our lives, “our home in God.” That’s exactly what we try to focus on when we are at our most homesick. And hanging out with folks like Alece who so totally get that is such a joy! Thanks for saying hi – it’s great to “meet” you again
It’s always fun to see you all swap blogs for a day.
Thanks for sharing about Africa.
I love reading it!
thanks, anna!
It was the first time for me having a guest poster over and Alece sure set a very high standard!
How cool that you guys met. Thanks for sharing and posting pictures…love ‘em!
i know! i love that we got to meet… AND that we get to hang out tomorrow afternoon again!
Although you’ve been in America for along time…In your words you still miss “her” deeply and love “her” so…
Nkosi!! (little man you warm my heart)
i knew you’d love seeing nkosi!
So fun!! Thanks for letting us travel with you both! Even though I’ve visited Alece’s digs in S. Africa, it was many moons ago and for now am stationary in B’More! So, keep the travel stories comin’!
~kristin
loved your email this morning… i absolutely remember you (even though it was “many moons ago”!)
So, now you and I share the same stomping grounds, eh? One more thing Alece and I have in common!
I miss Africa so much! This post makes me want to move there “now, now”! I would pick up and move in a second if God laid it on Dans heart. And then I would make him wear the short shorts like all the good men do (I personal love this look especially when it is paired with boots. Haha).
the short rugby shorts, tall socks, and boots. classic!
I can’t tell you how many times my American husband has made fun of my brothers for that “short shorts” look!
Ahhh I love Alece.
::blush:: thanks, prudence!
What’s not to love, right?
I loved reading this post!
learn anything new?
“Faster isn’t always better. God cares more about the missionary than the mission. Relationships matter.” I wouldn’t say this is new but something that keeps coming up to me from time to time. I really had to learn about this while living in Hawaii… “Islander” time was so hard to wrap my mind around especially coming from a time oriented world. Oh and no central heat! eeek!
oh i hear you. african time still frustrates me. but underneath the frustration i appreciate that it forces me to slow down.
i’m notorious for saying TIA — This is Africa!
How awesome that you two have found friendship in one another! I read your story, and this line… “And through the din of my own heart noise, I hear again God’s whispered promise of wholeness. Nothing missing. Nothing broken. Life as it was meant to be.” just touched my heart. When the world seems to be crashing around our feet, His desire is that we rest fully and completely in the wholeness only He can provide! Thanks for sharing!
mmmmm… i discovered that’s the literal translation of the word “shalom”. it means SO much more than peace.
and His promise of “nothing missing, nothing broken” is one i need a daily reminder of. so i got it inked on my wrist!
I had never known that true meaning of “shalom” either till I met Alece. I can’t recommend her site highly enough – it’s always and honest, vulnerable, beautiful place!
Alece, you are gorgeous! Seriously, those pictures are beautiful and as always I loved your post. “Relationships matter. God cares more about the missionary than the mission.” Such provide words to remember. Thank you for sharing today. You have once again given me much to think about.
thank you, makeda! you are always so encouraging. i appreciate you!
but if only I can write correctly that would be helpful. I was supposed to say “such profound words to remember” (as opposed to provide words
)
She’s something special, right?!
Friend! you are so freaking gifted!! (Can i say freaking on here? how do you say that in Afrikaans?)
I love your stunning heart! you have an unbelievable 2nd mile life in you. Just you is contagious!! seriously!! I “EEEEEEE!” at how much God is doing in and through you right now. You have some serious favor on your life, a delighting in from him that is undeniable. I can’t believe that i get to be your friend! sigh….
so believe in you!
i can’t believe that *i* get to be *your* friend!
Great post! I love reading about you write about Africa.
Looks like a great blog…love the banner.
Your post caught my eye. Thanks for offering this information.
o my word! o my word! during the boys sleeping (i have all boys in my school) i have been feverishly catching up on “you!” ahhh Lisa Jo, i love you! i cant’ tell you the joy i have in reading about SA and the USA. wow. just wow.
and Alece, thank you for the introduction. i love her already. what a gem.
and the little differences…oh, the bare feet! always! everywhere! in the MALLS! its unreal. and the obsession with biltong….
just unreal!
Yes, yes, YES! The bare feet everywhere!! It’s funny how many times here I will find my boys heading out the door with bare feet and it’s so “unheard of!” here Stateside. My American hubs has absolutely given in and lets ‘em run bare foot (in the mall) and bare everything else (in the backyard)!
It’s so fun seeing SA through your eyes! Are you on twitter?
I’m not gonna lie, the bare feet still freaks me out a bit! Give me 2-5 more years and it will be homey and endearing.
I love that the hubby lets you take the kids out in bare feet! Oh, the looks you must get!!! Especially in D.C!! hahaha I can picture it now!
I’m not on twitter. Yet. I go back and forth. I could so easily become obsessed with it, so I’m holding off, but its just a matter of time!
I think I’m spending Easter in Pretoria with adopted grandparents here. It will really be my first time there more than an hour or two. Any suggestions on must see/do’s?!?!
Safari Nursery in Lynnwood Ridge – tea and scones over the waterfalls.
Menlyn Mall – Ah-ma-zing
The Voortrekker Monument – so you can appreciate how far we’ve come since our uber racist history.
The Lion Park or Cheetah farm – both just outside Pretoria
Drive past the US Embassy and laugh at what a massive ugly monolith it is – testament to the late 80s and the police state it was built during
Eat at the Pancake King – YUMMMM
Eat at Ocean Basket – to die for – favorite seafood in . the. world!!
Drink appletizer; drink lots of appletizer