Disclaimer: The chaplain gave his full permission for the writing of this post (I think).
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Those who know the chaplain know him as cautious and as described by his daughter in law “usually poised.”
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Well, after a full day of work we jumped into the truck and took off to a little fishing hole not too far away from the homestead.  The weather was perfect…all systems were go for a late afternoon fishing excursion. On these after work outings the chaplain relaxes as he casts his line and I enjoy the quiet pre-dusk hours with a good book.
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On this most recent excursion, as the chaplain was doing a double check on the trolling motor I suddenly see arms flailing, legs flying and water splashing! I hear myself laughing hysterically as the chaplain is yelling: “Oh! Oh! Oooohhhh! I fell in! I fell in! I can’t believe I fell in!”

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Oh, I wish I had the presence of mind to capture the moment with video.
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The moment was too funny to not share it with others.  So I did…
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…and I am.
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Plan to shop for some water shoes

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May also add a change of clothes to keep in the boat

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Time for a new wallet...and cell phone

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The cool thing is the chaplain laughed too—so much so that he could hardly get back into the boat. I think we’ll be laughing about this one for a long time. Oh, but it didn’t keep him from fishing!

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We can go overboard with work and life, can’t we? The chaplain has realized he needs to make time to relax and do something fun. Work hard and play hard, laugh at yourself—and once in awhile go overboard!
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©Brenda Pace, 2012

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The refrain of a song from yesterday’s Easter service is playing over and over in my head:

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The same power that raised Christ from the dead
Lives in me, lives in me!

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What does that mean for me today, on this day after Easter–and every day?

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A. W. Tozer wrote that the resurrection brought about a change of direction for the believers–instead of a focus on death, there was a focus on life:

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“Let us be confident that our power does not lie in the manger at Bethlehem nor in the relics of the Cross. True spiritual power resides in the victory of the mighty, resurrected Lord of glory, who could pronounce after spoiling death: “All power is given me in heaven and in earth.” The power of the Christian believer lies in the Savior’s triumph of eternal glory! Christ’s resurrection brought about a startling change of direction for the believers. Sadness and fear and mourning marked the direction of their religion before they knew that Jesus was raised from the dead-their direction was towards the grave. When they heard the angelic witness, “He is risen, as He said,” the direction immediately shifted away from the tomb “He is risen, indeed!” If this is not the meaning of Easter, the Christian church is involved only in a shallow one-day festival each year. Thankfully, the resurrection morning was only the beginning of a great, vast outreach that has never ended-and will not end until our Lord Jesus Christ comes back again!”

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What will resurrection power look like in my life–in your life–today?

©Brenda Pace, 2012

Man, those big skirts were great,weren’t they?

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It’s pretty obvious from the photo below that I enjoyed dressing up for Easter! Check out that pose!

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I also remember when I realized Easter wasn’t just about a new outfit.

One day it dawned on me that the new outfit was simply a symbol of the new life I have in Christ–

all because of the resurrection.

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I miss the days of Easter bonnets and frilly dresses,

but I still love to celebrate the holy-day of Easter!

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He lives! He lives!

Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives

Salvation to impart

You ask me how I know He lives:

He lives within my heart!

(Alfred Ackley)

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©Brenda Pace, 2012

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Time has been the greatest separator for sibling closeness.  As we grew up I was in junior high when he was in elementary school. I was in high school when he was in junior high. I was in college when he was in high school. I married and moved away as he became an adult.
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Well, I’ve moved back to the town in which my brother homesteaded.  My little brother has the reputation of being an excellent contractor. He’s known for his work ethic, his attention to detail and his integrity. My desire was to live in a house he built and today that desire is a reality. My brother built me a house. It is a good and solid house. It is a well-crafted and carefully constructed house. It is a house I am so very proud to say, “My brother built it for me.” Thanks little brother! You are THE BEST!

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©Brenda Pace, 2012

This says it all! The chaplain and I are in serious nesting mode.

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Things are finally settling from boxes and paper to normal living.

For over 30 years the chaplain and I have been moving to places we knew would only be home for 1-3 years.

The fact that this could be the final time to unpack brings mixed emotions.

I certainly won’t miss unpacking over and over again.

I’m wondering as time goes by what things I will miss, though. Time will tell…

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On the day we moved into our house I found this sweet hummingbird fluttering in the garage.

I identified with the sense of disorientation communicated by the frantic fluttering of this little bird.

As I went from room to room I didn’t know where to begin

in the process to make this new space a home.

But, slowly and surely it is becoming home–truly Home Sweet Home.

©Brenda Pace, 2012

Me too! Especially in the spring.

These beautiful pink blossoms announce spring in Tennessee!

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On spring days we should travel in pink…

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via society6artists

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via google images

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Eat in pink…

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via pink food

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Live in pink…

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Work in pink…

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Yes…

Our beautiful B&B in South Africa was truly an oasis.

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The South African accent makes everything sound so charming…even the signage.

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Some South African school children allowed me to snap their picture.

They told their teacher I was “a very kind American lady.”

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Our host took us to the South African Voortrekker Museum which tells the story of the history of South Africa and the Africaner settlers.

I was impressed with this statue as you entered the museum that pays honor to the strength and courage of women who made the strenuous and dangerous trek to a new land.

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This wall of tapestry told the story of the Great Trek to settle South Africa.

Nine women worked for eight years to complete the fifteen scenes that contains

over 3 million stitches. It was an incredible and moving sight!

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We took a fun trip to Chameleon Village where native wares were plentiful.

Fun shopping!

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I found South Africa to be a most diverse country in every way.

I hope to visit again one day and explore its wonders more thoroughly!

©Brenda Pace 2012

This is a typical South African dish called bobitie.

It is primarily seasoned minced meat served with a type of gritty rice.

The chaplain and I decided it tasted like Cincinnati Chili.

We also decided we weren’t very impressed with the food

and we would save some calories on this trip.

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Until we ate this at The Pancake Place.

A pancake in SA is really a crepe.

This one was topped with cinnamon sugar,

butterscotch topping and stuffed with ice cream.

This was lunch!

The pancake came with a lemon wedge to squeeze over the top,

which didn’t sound good at all.

But oh my, it was delicious!

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Then there were the scones eaten at a lovely working dairy.

Of course they were served with fresh cream!

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A fun place called the Mugg & Bean offered the biggest muffin I’ve ever seen!

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Did I mention the crumpets…again with fresh cream straight from the dairy?

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I didn’t see a Starbucks anywhere–but the South African’s don’t need them.

Delicious coffee is in abundance!

My favorite three words during this trip:”Cappacino foam please.”

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Check out the 8th entry down the list.

I didn’t try “monkey gland” sauce,

but it sure caught my attention!

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The best meal however, was prepared by our host Colonel Addie.

We gathered in his backyard for a traditional South African braai (i.e., barbecue).

The food was delicious, the hospitality warm and the fellowship sweet.

from the book Women Travelers

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The African adventure continued…

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The sleepy lion cubs were so cute and innocent.

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The full grown lion is not cute and innocent, but majestic and powerful!

Truly an amazing sight. We had the opportunity to watch the lions feed.

This guy was an ALPHA male!

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This zebra wanted to get up close and personal.

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Amazing and beautiful! The giraffe is truly a gentle giant.

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On a ride through a game reserve I

spotted a water buffalo–one of the African Big 5 Game

(elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and water buffalo).

We saw 3 out of the 5.

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The ostrich–proof that God has a sense of humor.

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My brave husband!

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I did! I went on a GREAT adventure!

The chaplain and I began the month of March in South Africa. I took hundreds of photos and over the next few days I’ll post a few highlights from the trip. This trip served to whet my appetite to return and see more of this beautiful and diverse country.

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Elephant footprints with factoids welcomed us in the airport.

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The skull of an African elephant was proof that

“The African elephant has the largest brain in the animal kingdom.”

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I used the quick drop method to feed this big guy.

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IWalking with this giant fellow was completely out of my comfort zone–but I did it!!!

©Brenda Pace 2012