What Was I Thinking?!

I have been wanting to get back into bike riding for needed exercise and just plain pure enjoyment. But alas, no bike was to be found for me to use. Until one brilliant day I was outside in the shed of a house I am dog sitting at. I was looking for something to clean with and what do my eyes feast on? You guessed it…a shiny bike screaming my name!!! I was so eager to jump on and try it out. I restrained myself so far as I could drive my merry little self to the Savannah Rapids. I proceeded to walk the bike down a little hill of gravel before putting my foot to the pedal. I lifted my head, took a deep breath and was OFF! What a glorious feeling to have the wind on your face and blowing your hair. I was enjoying a beautiful ride with AWESOME scenery. I passed several people with whom I did the courteous “head nod” of acknowledgment. I typically don’t look directly into people’s faces because I am a chicken, but for some reason I did with one man. And who is it, you ask? None other but George Eskola, Senior Reporter at WJBF News Channel 6

I soon decided that I needed to turn back because I wanted to make it back home for the finale of the Biggest Loser. While peddling as fast as I could, I came across a mile maker…#3. Wow! I realized just then that I had biked over 6 miles!!! WooHoo! As I came to the end, I decided to walk the bike up the little hill to my car. Just as I came to the rear of my car, I shrank down because I was on the verge of blacking out. I could feel the blackness creeping in. I was also the most nauseous I have have ever been…and couldn’t actually throw up (sick, I know). But maybe that’s worse, because you feel so sick to your stomach but can’t get rid of it. Sad. I then sat down for 20 minutes while trying to focus on getting my head to stop spinning. I finally picked myself up (with zero pride left ) and made my way back home.

What an adventure, to be sure! I make a vow to go much easier on myself next time…which might be tomorrow!

T

Shoulder Pads. Oh No!

So, how come we can’t just let some things die? Is it so hard? Well we, as an intelligent society, have decided to resurrect the dreaded shoulder pads…and have tried to mask it as creating “sculpted shoulders.” Sick. Frankenstein should never have been created and shoulder pads are on up there, too.Here is a little snippett I found on how this TRAVESTY is coming back to life…

“Oh, the return of those those easy-to-hate 1980s, with the big hair and big shoulders.
The hair we can forgive. Plenty women today shell out big bucks to add faux
bulk to their thinning locks.
But BIG SHOULDERS? Wasn’t one of the decade’s travesties that should have stayed dead and buried?
Well, they’re baaaaack. 

For several years, they’ve been appearing in dribs and drabs. Now major department stores are touting this as one of the strong fall trends. And designers including Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu and Diane Von Furstenburg are peddling jackets with quarterback silhouettes.
Should we succumb?

Absolutely not. Even if it’s possible to retrain the eye so big shoulders no longer elicit the vomit response, give this trend one or two seasons — max. After that, the garments will be all over cast off faster than you can say “Tom Brady.”
If you really must follow this trend, fake it. “

 

Hahahahahahahaha. Um…NOT!

Summer Bucket LIst

After all the semester chaos, I am back I have been thinking about what I want to do and accomplish this summer. Here is a list of some…a few are ambitious, but you never know…

 

1. Relax in the sun!

2. Read for pleasure  (just about anything…any suggestions?)

3. Do a colon cleanse by Dr. Natura…check out the site if you dare http://www.drnatura.com/colonix_program.php

4.  Learn to play an instrument~either guitar or piano  (anyone know who can help with that?)

5. Possibly get a tat

6. Travel~maybe a mission trip to another country…Peru? for a month?

7. Learn to sew better

8. Learn to paint better on canvas

9. Get a new hobby

10. Examine my behavior (comes from social work class) and where i want to go in the future…

 

What you all think? Has anyone else created a summer bucket list???

T.

What would you do?

I have a good life. I have great parents. But, I am part of what the social work world calls a  ”blended family”. This simply means that the man who is married to my mom is my step-dad and he brought with him my step-sister. Now, it must be known that I have always considered him my dad…I love this man who has always gone to great lengths to provide for us. This may seem odd to some of you, but this may be due to the fact that I have never met or even seen a picture of my biological father.

Now it just so happens that I was exploring on the wonderful world of Facebook. One of my friends is a photographer (Haley Lamb…shameless plug ) and has some amazing photos! In one photo, I saw a very happy family sharing joy with each other. But what caught my eye was the family name under one of the photos. .I sat back in my chair and staired in wonder because the name I saw used to be my last name before I legally changed it to take on my dad’s at the age of 12 or so. And the wheels in my head started to turn with questions…”Could this be my father?” Still with me? Now, this name just happens to be a little more than the average last name. Until now, I had never seen or heard it repeated. So I knew this was probably something to look into. I typed up a message to send to my friend to ask for any other information, but I struggled to hit the send button. “Was this intruding on his privacy? Did I have any right to seek him out?” Crazy mix of emotions!!! Welp, I did exercise my finger and hand muscle to make the move to send it.

A little while later, I received a message back that gave me his name. I do know that this man’s first name is not my father’s, so I got up the nerve to ask my mom if this man was related. She told me that he is my uncle! Weird…

I have not pursued anything further since knowing this. So, what would you do with this strange revelation? Comment if you please

Liberty Mutual

So…it has been so long since I have posted a blog, and the time is now! I felt that this was something worthy of sharing and a good “re-start” to this whole bloggy thing. I was making spaghetti and my back was to the television. I had just turned it on for some noise while fixing dinner. I was minding my own thoughts when I heard a song come on that I really liked and turned around to see what it was about. You know how if you’re doing something and the tv gets your attention for a second and then your back to the taks at hand? Well picture this…I could not stop watching the screen and the message it was presenting. I was stirring the pot of three cheese sauce with turkey meat and started to cry. Now, some of you who are reading this just hear me out and don’t judge my sensitivity too harshly

I am not sure if I have ever been as touched by a commercial before. Perhaps a show or movie, but never a commercial that lasts for a minute or so. This comm really got to me because it shows in very practical ways that EVERY individual on the planet Earth has the ability to show kindness, whether to a stranger or someone closer to the heart. I LOVE this commercial! I love that this  is still the goodness shining through…and every bit of it is God

So, keep cranking out the good ones Liberty Mutual! Kill ‘em with kindness…so to speak.

Here is the link, since I know you are dying to see how much of a sapp I am Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMwoexR1evo

Shine, Shine, Shine

So, I am currently reading a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss called Brokenness, Surrender, Holiness. It hurts. The book’s material is geared to helping one experience true freedom~~~a life acted out in living color! This sounds so great, and it is, but the process requires hurting. We have to be ripped, torn, crushed, seared, gashed, carved, shaped, molded, filleted during the process of brokenness. This is to cleanse us of our pride and the MANY fears we may incur along our life’s journey till that point of breaking.

Wow! We might say, “Um, no thank you. I don’t want any part of that!” My friend, the story is not finished. There are so many quotes in the book by Nancy herself and others that brilliantly express the process. Here is just one.

“But as is so often the case, brokenness was the name of God’s battle plan…Break the pitchers so that the light of the lanterns within can shine forth. Out of brokennes comes light, and in that light the enemy is thrown into disarray, the victory is won.”

While reading this today, I was trying to think of how I could tie this into the holiday fastly approaching us…HALLOWEEN. I thought of how a group of us got together for a pumpkin carving contest earlier this month. Every group had so much fun and there was much anticipation at what the other groups were creating and who would be the ULTIMATE MASTER PUMPKIN CARVER by the end of the night. When it came time to display them all, we put lighted tea lights inside each one, gathered around and admired the handywork…or just the attempt given After a few minutes, someone made the comment that one pumpkin had less light shining through. This was due to the fact that not much was carved from the original shape.

Like good,old Jack O’ Lantern, we have to allow ourselves to be carved. To the greater degree that we are carved from our original shape (fears, failures, attitudes, sins, etc.), the greater God’s light and glory will SHINE through for all to see.

I suddenly want baked pumpkin seeds, pumpkin pie, and candy!!!

MIA

A BIG sorry to all my family and friends. It has been very hectic here with my move to a new flat. It is a huge blessing and very comfortable. However, there is no easy way to get internet and give you guys updates. I will work to get some new pictures up as soon as possible. 

I have been busy working up in Grabouw for the past two weeks. I still do not have a car to get around, but I have been blessed with rides to everywhere I need. I am being very stretched this trip…I am being made to learn how to drive a manuel on the opposite side of the car and then to drive on the opposite side of the road. It is intense! But the good news is that I have not hit any children yet; thank you Jesus!!! There is a possibility that the Thembalitsha foundation will by a car and I would be allowed to drive it while I am still here. 

I have also been spending time with two separate mission teams from Texas. They have both been a breath of fresh air from home. I can hardly wait to see some of my friendly faces! I took the girls from one team to the local state hospital to deliver Bosom Buddies bags. It was a very touching time for all of us. We must have all cried at least four times. We had many opportunities to pray for the new moms and the mommies-to-be. Later, we will travel up the mountain up to Grabouw and visit the townships. 

I still hope you guys are lifting me up in prayer…I feel that I need it more now as I am coming closer to the end. I need God’s direction and wisdom. Thanks so much!

 

Tiff

Picking Up Speed

So, all last week I was literally laid up in bed. I was pretty miserable and frustrated. However, I got through 3 books and started on the 4th one…call me crazy. Yesterday, I got up early to help Mel at the local hospital to help with Bosom Buddies. We arrived with several goody bags (that looked awesome!) and headed in. I must say that I was first assaulted by the smell of hospital food…will talk about that later. We took the bags to one room where several moms were laying in beds sleeping or feeding their little ones. We left them alone for a little bit and walked across the hall where the mothers are up and about watching tv. Mel started to talk to them and we eventually prayed for all of them their. One mother’s baby girl was too tiny to leave the hospital and another’s baby boy was said to be having a possible brain problem due to a lack of oxygen. I then prayed for a mother who was in bed due to pain. She had her baby boy next to her in a crib and he was absolutely beautiful!!! We met one woman who was about to give birth to her 5th child and was very excited. We prayed for another woman who looked like she could have been Muslim, but had decided to name her soon to be first-born son, Caleb. How great! I was so excited to be handing out the bags to the very needy moms. You could just see the excitement and relief flood their faces as they accepted them.

However, there were two women who were in the midst of labor and that was such a fascination to me. One woman looked more like a young girl. Mel and I walked in and tried not to grow too angry as this woman, Janette, was not given a blanket or pillow or any loving support. The nurses were very harsh with her and basically paid her no attention. It was inhumane and barbaric…Mel agreed. Mel was so good with the two women. She just oozed with a Godly confidence and strength that every woman soaked up. I wanted to stay and watch a live birth happen…I was revved up!!! That was not going to happen though. Bummer. Mel could hardly believe that I could get queasy at the smell of the hospital food but not at a birth. Oh well.

Today, I also woke up early to travel up to Grabouw and the farmlands. The weather was miserable and permitted no picture taking. We even had hail at one point. I was introduced to all of the ladies who work so hard to keep the place running smoothly. (Side note:Dad, you are famous in this little part of the world for your mustache and being the “master carpenter”…be very proud ). During the stormy weather, I got an all-inclusive world tour complete with cows and apple orchards and horses and farm houses and bumpy roads that make your insides jiggle. It was wonderful!

At the present time, there are no babies in this facility. As far as I can see, there are about five patients who are sick and in need of in-patient care. ThembaCare Grabouw’s main vision is to see the community to develop and train others to take care of themselves and their families. There was a sad moment when we first arrived this morning, as one of the woman who is boarded there had passed away around half past 6. She had been on treatment for several months, but did not have any impact on her sick body because she came to the clinic in the late stages of AIDS. Her son is to be left in a neighboring facility until further notice.

Here are some pics from the hospital…

Stir Crazy and all Sleeped Out

I have to apologize to everyone again. I have been sick since Sunday with another flu and am still not doing so well. It is very frustrating because my work down at the campsite is over and on this past Monday, I would have started at ThembaCare Grabouw. But alas, I am still sick and having to stay in and sleep…bummer. Please pray for me to get 100% better as soon as possible. I can not perform any of the things I came to Africa to do while being in this condition. I dearly miss the babies and can hardly wait to see them again!!!

Tiff

Interview With Reggie

Below is an interview that I had with Reggie Harris, our campus director at In Focus. A portion of it was published in the Focus Newsletter. You can continue reading it here. Enjoy!

“Eyes Wide Open”
by Reggie Harris

I spoke with Tiffany James recently about her trip to South Africa. For those of you who do not know her, Tiffany is currently serving as President of the Augusta State University Chapter of Every Nation Campus Ministries. She is a junior majoring in Social Work. Over the past year Tiffany has gained a lot of confidence and comfort in her being the woman that God has made her to be.

Over the phone, while she was cooking spaghetti, we talked about some of the clarity of focus that she has gained and how going on a mission trip to South Africa plays into that.

RH What prompted you go to South Africa?

TJ [Since ] majoring in Social Work, I’ve just been more curious, and I’ve wanted my eyes… I’ve just wanted the opportunity for my eyes to be opened to greater things and to experience things. [I want to] experience their culture but just have my eyes opened to more than what my little limited box is used to or [can] even imagine really. Does that make sense? Does that help you a little bit so far?

RH Yes, it does. That makes sense. It sounds like what you’re saying is that you know that there is more to the world than you’ve experienced, and you’ve talked to me some about how you’ve felt like you’ve been in a bubble all your life. [It] has been good [in that] you don’t want to be exposed to a bunch of stuff, but [you're finding] that there is more. You want to be able to contribute in a positive way to help people.

TJ Sure.

RH I really started to get to know you about a year ago, and you seemed like, really like: “Oh, I just really don’t know who I am or what I want to do!”

TJ Yeah! [laughter]

RH You seemed distressed about it. How did you come to understand that “God wants me to do social work.” How did that happen?

TJ To be quite honest, it wasn’t like a huge light bulb [went] off. You know, I didn’t get a big sign or anything like that. I’ve always wanted to help people. [Though] there’s definitely been a need, but I keep going back to the fact that my eyes have been opened up. There is something greater, and there [are] things that I can do. I can go, get a social work degree, and help people. It comes to me that the fact that our church has gotten so involved [in South Africa] made me passionate. My parents going [last year] has made me passionate. Since I’ve wanted to help people, it’s almost a given, “Choose social work ’cause that’s definitely where you help people!”
I’m not saying that I’m going to go and save the country, but because of the stories that I’ve heard, I need to go and experience [it] for myself. I ‘m not content just to sit back right now and just get my degree at ASU. I’m at a place where I’m more than willing to… just give up things so that I can go. And, you know I don’t have anything that’s just tying me down right now.

You know, I’m at a place where I have the opportunity of a life time that’s just opened up. Why not go? Why not give of yourself? Give up some of yourself, [of] your time, and help. Help the world. Help reach the world and, just love people!

RH Yeah.

TJ So, I hope that answers that question.
[laughter]

RH I think it does. I forgot what the question was, but I’m sure it answered it.

RH You’re going over there for three months. Most of us are going over there for a couple a weeks. What is it that prompted you to want to say, “I’m going to spend my whole summer there?”

TJ There’s an urgency for me to find out what is out there. I want my eyes to be opened to what social work can do, what needs to be done, and what my little role can be. I’m all for a two week missions trip, but I just feel for me right now [that] if I’m wanting to experience something on this grand of a scale and this much poverty and culture change, I need [more] time to soak in their culture, experience things, and make relationships.
I want to establish relationship. You know, I just…. I can’t even put into words how I feel about the importance of me going, the importance of me staying for a longer period of time, the importance of me just immersing myself in culture, and immersing myself in just being able, willing, and available to give of myself for other people.
I was talking to somebody today, and she made a good point. She’s like, you know what? Your heart is big enough for tons and tons and tons of love for people. You know, it’s big enough for your heart to love tons of people. Your heart’s big enough. We were created for that. We were created to love people and not just love our comfortable surroundings, our comfortable friends, and our comfortable lifestyle because they fit us, and they fit our norms. You know, we’re created to love people, every people and every person. That’s what I’m wanting to do.

RH Well, thanks a lot Tiffany! I appreciate it. Uh, and uh, I hope your spaghetti came out great.

TJ I’m sure it’s going to be. Let me get back to my noodles now.