The last month has been a blur. School, homework, athletics meets, sports day (I came second last in the moms 100m), school gala (I swam the parents race and did much better than sports day), high school investigations for 2021 (see below), meals (40 suppers, 90 school lunches, they get their own breakfasts), some quick work for a bullion company (I felt like a treasure hunter), a family trip to the mountains one weekend. Yay for breathing and splashing in rivers!
Three trips to Khayelitsha for my non profit client who awesomely won a R10,000 voucher from Shoprite-Checkers and in just one hour spent it by filling five trollies with food and stationery for the preschool age children they work with. That was fun!
We have visited six high schools to see what is out there and allow our girl to explore her options. Racing from Fish Hoek to Wynberg with a quick interlude to help fight a fire in our street - our neighbour's home caught alight from something on the stove and she only escaped because a young man jumped her wall and got her out of her house wearing not too much and with burns on her hands and head. An info evening with load shedding and canapes at the one private school we looked at. Six very different principals who either wowed us or bored us. Let's be real, death by powerpoint is not a drawing card for a school or any company!
Today we have a short list of five schools and the online application has just gone in. Now I need to get the applicant to write motivating letters and fill in her part so I can drop off all the paperwork. I have certified umpteen copies and delivered cupcakes to the wonderful and kind police officers who stamped the pile of documents required. They were chuffed :)
PTA has held 3 meetings which I keep missing due to high school visits (eek). We have our annual fun run this coming weekend and I have been woefully absent from meetings. I have kept on top of the Class Rep portfolio though (thumbs up! does that count?) I know I'll be doing my 24,000 steps around the school on Saturday however as we keep things moving along with games and rides and foodcourts and more.
Grade 7 is a busy year! Our daughter is playing sax, piano and marimbas and is now committed to a wind ensemble. She's also in swim squad twice a week and does hockey once a week. Still reading bazillions of books. She'd do more if she could! Is it legal to mention that I have hidden her latest NatGeoKids so she does her homework first? Miss J is now taller than me and wearing size 8 shoes. I can't quite believe it actually.
Our son has been on school camp, given up drums as he has had four teachers in two years, is still adjusting to Grade 5 and absolutely LOVING his sport, spending every spare moment either playing tennis or cricket. Running is a bit more boring though he won the Grade 4 and 5 best athlete award at Sports Day! Yikes. He must get the running bit from his dad as I came second... last!
Ah, add in Mr L turning 11 and his party which Adam was panicking about but which turned out to be the simplest and best party ever. I have wonderful videos of the boys dancing. 21st material! Give some boys burgers, music, a pool, table tennis and a soccer ball. Done deal!
So the God-moment? When Clint called on Friday as I was helping Dad find shoes to wear as I am the designated parental shopping assistant whenever they come down. Dad hates shopping, I must add. I was feeling streeeetched with so much month before pay day and hosting and gifts to purchase and life being a bit grit-your-teeth-y. And a wonderful client I helped out two years ago dropped a second payment into our account. God has such amazing timing.
It's like playing hide and seek. Or rather, kissing catchers. Where is He? Where is He? Kiss!
And on Sunday morning I was dressing for church and carried on the every-day conversation that we keep going, Holy Spirit and I. We talk about most things. Big and small. It went something along the lines of "you know, I think I'd like a pair of long pants that are not jeans or hiking pants". Answered with silence, but a smily silence. Then I sprinted out the door.
C handed me a bag just 12 hours later - a huge bag - of clothes she'd sorted out. And boom, I had to CHOOSE which pants I wanted 'cos there were 8 pairs that all fit me and all were different styles. Plus a skirt or two and oh, He just added a few t-shirts.
Why I am surprised? Every time?
My love language is gifts. I simply love choosing gifts for and giving gifts to people - whether a loaded pretty lunchbox for my kids with their favourite foods, or rusks for a teacher or friend, or a visit out the blue. Nothing expensive, but the gift of time or an item or an experience. It's definitely more fun to give than to receive!
Yet God surprises me again and again with gifts. The gift of His heart. His friendship. A sunset. Something I need. Something I want but no one else knows about. Time. Phone calls from people precious to me. A connection in the rush from school to home. WhatsApps.
Sure, the last month has been crazy. It's also been so rich. God in a school counselling moment. God in a silent hand-held moment with my hubby. God in the splashing girl playing in a mountain stream. A small boy's laughter and tears. God everywhere.
In my breath.
In. Out. Kiss.
My heart glows today.
