Happy Anniversary!

One year ago today, our family landed at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg with eight suitcases and five serious cases of jetlag.

I thought our one year anniversary would be a big event, a significant milestone. It is, I suppose, but I feel more pensive than anything else. Maybe it's the weather. In any case, to commemorate the event, I thought I'd write down what I've learned this past year:

• I have learned, above all else, that I have a lot to learn!
• I have learned that you can live without a lot of "stuff" - more than you think!
• I have realised that even if you had the best government in the world, it could not solve all of man's problems - only Jesus can do that.
• Love can make up for a lot - maybe even everything. Without love, you have nothing. With love, it doesn't matter what you don't have - you are pretty rich.
• I am learning to be less task-oriented and more people-oriented. People are ultimately more important than tasks.
• Being in a hurry in a long queue only makes things worse. It's much easier to just relax and enjoy "being" for a while instead of "doing." Whatever needs to get done will get done... eventually.
• Sometimes the best food is the cheapest - fresh bread, fruit, perfectly cooked maize meal and gravy. Who needs five-star restaurants?
• The beauty of the land, the sounds of the birds, and the incredible sunsets are worth more than money can buy. Movies, TV and music don't hold a candle to the greatest show on earth.
• It takes time to make friends. In the meantime, you can learn a lot about yourself in times of loneliness.
• Jesus is... EVERYTHING. He gives meaning to all of life - the joys, the challenges, the adventures, the heartache. Without Him, it's all pointless, and with Him, it's a process of learning, growing, discovering, and incredible purpose.

So... happy anniversary! I think I'll go stand in a long queue to celebrate and just bask in God's grace for a while.