Birthday

Well the baboons returned! Unfortunately I wasn't here for this adventure. While at work on Wednesday, which just happened to be my birthday, the baboons came back to surprise me obviously! haha no but the only people home were Katrin, who is the lady we rent our place from. She said that there were two big males that were here and you might not believe me when I tell you how they got in. But its true...she witnessed it. So all over this house we have huge windows and sliding glass doors, like the one I showed you in my room. Well upstairs in the kitchen area there are 4 places with these type of doors. What these two baboons did was literally pulled the sliding door off the hinges and set it to the side and walked right in. WHAT?!? At first I didn't believe here but sure enough they did. Holden was all mad they got into his food this time. I just laughed and said thats what you get for being the new guy. But anyways I have a feeling since they'll be back. 

ANYWAYS like I said Wednesday was my Birthdayy. woo big 2.3! Nothing really special by any means but another year non the less! That morning we got to sleep in a bit which was nice then we went up to the head office where I was greeted with many hugs and sweet wishes. I work with some super awesome people :] Then Jennifer and myself went out to Red Hill, which is one of the townships Living Hope works in, and we sold some clothes. It was our first day to do it out there so we had no idea if anyone would come but plenty of ladies did and they were super excited, even gave us some ideas of what to bring next time! So that was good. After that we went back to the main office and got some lunch. Now all day Jennifer has made it her job to tell EVERYBODY it was my birthday. We went and grabbed lunch at KFC and she told the lady there. She asked how old I was and Jennifer said 35. Why I have no idea but I did appreciate the lady telling me I look REAL good for my age haha. I told her I was 23...we then got on the topic of my 'big party' (that really wasnt happening, but you always want to hear that when its someone's birthday) she asked if she could be invited...I told her absolutely. Leave it to us to make friends everywhere. ;) 

I think my favorite part about this day was when I got out to club. On Wednesday we are out in Overcome so we drove up and right as I opened my door I was swamped with kids trying to give me hugs and yelling Happy Birthday Shelby!!! I couldn't get out of the car...so I just sat there enjoying the special moment. Then during story time they all sang for me which was precious. I'd take that over a big party any day! 

 love them

 my older boys I loveee 

 Brian. Bradley. Warenita 

Some of my kids out in Overcome. LOVED getting to spend my birthday with them :] 

After kids club we hurried home to get ready for dinner. A few of us went to my favorite restaurant here called the Toad! It was delicious as always 

 Danielle 

the boys. Holden && Will 

 my gifts!! I have fantastic friends here :] 

me && the rooms Jennifer. 

the ladies! Danielle.Me.Jennifer.Tammy 

the gang! Thank yall for making my birthday so funnn :] 

THEN I got a little package in the mail! I was SO excited to see what it was because I'd been quite anxious from the moment he said he sent me a gift. Needless to say, when I opened it I couldn't help but have the biggest smile on my face! Eric, you did so good. I absolutely love everything about it!! I'm one lucky girl :] haha Nanny told me he sure knows where I belong. 

But this was his gift. Fits me perfectly! 

love it. :) so thanks again Eric! Love you!! 

So that's pretty much all thats been going on here in good ole South Africa. Yesterday it was a nice day so Holden, Will and myself walked down to the beach and watched some surfers for a good while. 

this view never gets old. 

Well in Living Hope news. Our parkinglot has been flooded! All the work cars that were parked there last week got completely flooded. water up to the seats! So they all got sent to the car place to get fixed...just all kinds of mess. 

 Couldn't help but laugh to look out and see a duck just hanging out in our new addition to the main campus! 

Also. 

Whoever reads this knows I'm part of the Men's Outreach Ministry here. We started it since I got here and I've kind of been the face of it. When I go out with the health counselors I'm the one that targets the men and gets them to fill out a survey for me. Well we had another small meeting this last Friday about my findings and what not. I printed up an overview from it and we went over it. We decided that we want to start doing more education to men about their health and well being. We obviously want to get them to come to get tested for HIV but I think it'll be more appealing if when advertising to these guys we don't just make it out to be come get tested for HIV because some don't want others to see that and assume. So instead we should make it to where its also testing for high blood pressure..diabetes..BMI..as well as HIV. But we have actually decided to put together curriculum to teach to men about their well being. We hope to be able to have forums or something like that where men can come and learn about their health and be educated on different topics that only relate to men. I get to help build the curriculum and i'm really excited! I think it will be good experience and also will keep me busy in the mornings for the next few weeks. I know I won't be here if and when this takes off. But I was talking to Eric about it last night and he mentioned that when we come back to visit...how awesome it will be to see where it has come and how I was a part of starting this. So that made me even more excited about doing this. But time will tell! 

Hope everyone is happy and healthy back home. We passed our 6 month mark of being here a few days ago! Can't believe I will be back in Texas with everyone I love in 2 months! Holy Smokes. excited...but it'll certainly be bittersweet leaving here. 

You have the opportunity to be that one person to someone who needs what you have to offer. And what you have to offer is never small & insignificant. Again, the great picture of what God is doing in our world is incomplete without your unique puzzle piece -- the one that only you posses. But you must choose to place your piece in the puzzle. No one has ever lived the same life as you...and that is one of the things that makes your 'puzzle piece' extraordinary!