Today we (the girls from my team, and Brittney and Liz from Team One) get the keys to our house. We're going at one to meet our landlady and to check out the security system. The previous tenants (four boys) didn't even use the security system, so we're not sure what kind of shape it's in. Brittney is calling the security company this morning and asking them to have someone meet us there at one, so we can get all that figured out. Because the sooner we get the security system up, the faster we can move into the house. Ken and Judy won't let us move in without one. We're hoping to move in tomorrow. I can't wait to get the new house because that means I can finally stop living out of my suitcase, and I can have a place to call home that I won't have to move out of soon (hopefully). Plus, I can't wait to see what the inside looks like, what my room will be like and how the kitchen and living room are. This is the place I will call home for the next year-and-a-half-ish, so I'm excited to see it.
I told you I would tell you more about what Jeffreys Bay (heretoafter referred to as JBay - that's what they call it) was like, and how our retreat went. JBay itself was beautiful. It's a surfer town, and they have a surfing competition there every year that's internationally known, and (for the girls!) a festival where companies like Billabong and Quiksilver have booths set up and you can buy things. Apparently it's a pretty big deal. Maybe we'll go to it next year.
The house we stayed in was amazing. Carolyne (from last year's team) got it for us - her friend Nyasha knows the owners and they let us stay there for free. They actually live in PE, but this house is their weekend house in JBay. It was amazing. The girls all slept in one room (bunk beds!) and the boys in another room (bunk beds, but with an amazing ocean view), and Ken and Judy slept in another room (no bunk beds, same amazing view). The rooms facing the beach all had huge windows, wide open. I got to watch my first-ever South African sunrises, but I didn't have to get up that early - the sun rose at about 7.15 each morning. It was amazing. I just went out on the deck and watched it come up over the ocean. Speaking of the ocean, the beach was just a few steps away from the back door of the house. It literally took about 30 seconds to walk down there, and then your feet were in the water. So amazing. Momma Judy cooked awesome meals for us (pancakes, lasagna, soup, chocolate cake, salad, the works!) and there were a lot of dishes to wash after every meal! But it was so much fun. The teams split up and had to do skits about themselves (the teammates had play each other). It was interesting to see the little mannerisms that other people say you have. Even though we were dramatizing each other's personalities, we still learned about each other and had a lot of laughs doing it. I played Tyler (I stood on an ottoman, because he's so much taller than the rest of us!) and Sasha played me. It was so good to laugh like that with each other, and to just have some simple fun - I don't think we've gotten that chance since we've been here. We got to learn about the old team and how they think of each other. I loved it.
On Saturday we did pretty much nothing. It was nice. :) The girls colored for a while (Momma Judy brought coloring sheets!) and then we went to town to shop. I bought a pink Billabong hat and a teal colored wallet. I never thought I would be in a store that sells surfing gear! Oh, life in South Africa. Surprises everywhere.
Saturday night, we took a personality test. The four main personality classifications are Popular, Powerful, Perfect, and Peaceful. I turned out to be a Popular Perfect - which means (I think) that I like to be social but I also like details. I have a lot of Peaceful in me as well; I'm sure you can guess what that means. I liked taking the test, and it was cool to see everyone's results.
It was a great weekend. The sunrises, the waves, the sand, the couches, the bunk beds, the meals, the rest. I'm so glad we went, and that Team One took the time and effort to plan this weekend for us. We all needed it.
But you know what they say - all good things must come to an end. But who is "they" anyway? I wonder if They are sad that They didn't get the credit for coming up with that. Probably not, because They are probably dead by now. But still, it's true. Well, about most things. I think it's conditional - not all good things come to an end.
But our weekend did.
Good thing we have high hopes for this next week!
Hope you have a great day today.
PS: If you're praying for me, thank you.
