oh thank Emmanuel in all joy and pain

In case you hadn't heard me shout it from the thatched roofed tops over which ever side of the sea you are on...after a few detail such as Charlene's in full time school, the ring's finish date needs extension, Charlene's...uh left the country once again in a few hours notice, my man Mawande had his work cut out for him to secure a fiance for himself...but yes indeed folks...WE ARE ENGAGED!
Some got socks, some got grandpa's suspenders, but my goodness gracious Christmas morning 2014 topped my charts with the most prettiest pink and pearly gift Ive ever laid my eyes on!

The story goes as follows: Christmas Eve sleep over for Claudia, Mawande and myself at my brother's family house, check. (separate beds for clarification, check)
Wake up with that festive joy and expectancy in my merry heart, check...though had i only known what was to be expected!
So glad I applied an extra layer of deoderant...check!
Sang happy birthday to Jesus, Papa Mike read the best story of hope for all mankind, our husky morning voices cracked out an astoundingly beautiful rendition of Oh Come All Ye Faithful...presents galore, check!
Post presents Pancake fiesta, nephews covered in chocolate sauce goodness (ok me a bit maybe too)...and slump off to the couches for some digestion/story time commence!

Who could say anything but 1000% yes please!

First Raph shares a little story with a game to go along, next Uncle Mawande volunteers to go...starting off with, "There once was a story about a boy and a girl and how much the boy just so happened to really like that girl..."
And you can guess..ended with an "infact he liked her so very much he wants to know if that girl will say yes and be his forever and ever?" Then pulling out a pretty little red box, with an extraordinary dreamy rose gold ring inside, He waited for my answer with the handsomest grin I've ever seen in all known history and of course I said yes!! I mean come on look at the guy!!

And thus the dancing and prancing and skyping with friends and family began and hasn't slowed down much since! We have been praising our beautiful Father for bringing us into the next leap of love and faith together. Details we have established is the wedding will be in Capetown this coming November, 2015. The rest, to fall into place in the coming months. Stay tuned!

On a very opposite end of my heart, as a few of you know, I last minute headed to Canada this past December before all of this proposal business came about. I needed to go home to walk with the dearest friends of mine through their time loss. This was personally a time of greatest sorrow... to help bury my best friend's daughter Penny Noelle. She was alive for a few hours at birth, she is now more alive than ever incessantly laughing with Jesus running along
hand in hand on those golden beaches we all yearn for more by the day.  What a previledge this was to be there, to cry there, I praise God for making a way. Continue to get down on your knees on their behalf if you know them, January is cold and lonely during the best of those long prairie winters.

Mama bear and her beautiful copper Penny

My three pretty stooges out for a little white dress hunt 

So as some of this joy and sorrow has been settling in, Ive officially started my new apprenticeship, working under one of the most highly sought after counselors on and off the missions field. In order to start heading towards the dream of working with families in various communities, I have been advised to start small and start local. I am learning more specialized care for cases that go beyond just being a support role as I played at the safehouse. As I have walked in this counseling role all my life, now more than ever I believe God has chosen me to walk into very broken circumstances with the authority, wisdom, humility, discernment and hope of his Spirit. As I have been stepping out boldly into a few cases already, I'm finding that as I'm walking under His yoke, at His speed, the weight is on him, and I only channel his compassion and counsel, not somehow create it myself for these beautiful people.

I have so much to learn (including being tutored three mornings a week in Xhosa, the most common African language here for future counseling purposes), but I am amazed at how I already am seeing Father God use his daughter for such great purposes. He is so kind and patient, I am so grateful and humble to have been qualified by his grace alone for such. Your prayers continue to reap reason to praise Him in my life, thank you for beginning this new phase with me...though forgive me...Ive got no little red box for you!
 
Lastly, today being the first day in the last five, I have not cried my eyes out due to my most beloved Malawian pair, Thoko and Claudia, leaving the country permanently. They received me here upon delivery into this nation in 2012, being Mamas and sisters who walked with me through days of greatest light and darkness.  Their companionship irreplaceable to me, what I could best describe us as David and Jonathon type of love. The simplest grocery shop has now changed to the smallest sized milk, half as many bananas and no more surprise chocolate treats to hid under their pillows. Though my heart will ache for a while, the most beautiful part is God's masterplan being so incredible. After sorting papers and finding funding in Malawi for six months, they are both off to live in Manitoba with my family where they will be studying at Providence Bible College and having life long dreams fulfilled before their eyes! So get ready Manitoba family, the greatest blessing is coming your way full speed ahead, get into their lives, never will your joy and faith be the same again!

Our last Muizenberg Sunrise where we must let go..and let his dreams grow

My last question is, what would we do without a Father who takes his turn wildly and joyfully dancing when we are twirling about by day, and simultaneously takes our grieves into his deepest heart and weeps with us in the dark of our nights? There is no Daddy like Him. Join me on his lap this morning in which ever hour you find yourself, there's a place for you there. Why not stay awhile and rest.

Love Charlene