Wow, time really is moving on so quickly.  Neil and I "graduated" yesterday from our course "Intro to Ihop" which means we have been here for six months already.  And yet even though it has been six months I am still often amazed at the way the Americans are so service orientated.

Neil and I recently went to a Honda Dealership, looking at trading in our "Big Ass" car for a van that was a bit more family orientated....in other words....even bigger.  While there I felt like a cup of coffee, so the salesman directed me to the customer lounge.......you can imagine what was going through my mind.  A little room with one or two chairs and a pay coffee machine......WRONG!! This is what I walked into.....

Big screen TV's, snacks. popcorn, fruit, sweets, juice etc.....and two waitresses ready to serve.  As I walked in, one of them met me near the door, escorted me to the coffee machine and offered to make it for me, and to help me with anything else I might need....otherwise to make myself comfortable and help myself to whatever I want!  I was gobsmacked...and I must admit, a bit embarrassed to take a biscuit with my coffee.  As South Africans I think we are too proud to take something for nothing, we see it as a sign of weakness or failure, yet here in USA, everybody is happy to help themselves to the freebies, but I must say they do not abuse it or go overboard, and all done very politely!

That's our new van by the way!  8 seater Honda Odyssey.

So  our course if over....not sure what I am going to do with all my time yet....but I'm sure I will think of something......Here is Neil and some friends in our team doing our last assignment....a presentation of Hell!  Quite a scary and daunting topic to research, but a very real and true one that was quite an eye opener.

We got to talk to a few people who have testimonies of experiencing Hell, in either a dream given to them by God, an actual experience there in an open vision from God, or one man who died in hospital for a short while, and in that time visited Hell.  The reports are terrible, and very scary.  And all support each other, even though from so many different sources.  Hell is a very real place, and a horrific place.  The bible shows that the main reason people go to hell is for unforgiveness and these people we spoke to all confirmed that.  They felt God reveal to them that unforgiveness leads to eternity in Hell.  Even when we pray the Lord's prayer we say that very verse yet we struggle to live it out...."Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."  God is just and righteous, how can he forgive our sins and grant us access to heaven, when we have not forgiven others theirs.

 Benjamin went to his first birthday party at a Chucky Cheese....I thought that only existed in the movies, but it is real and genuine....and makes our play places look like a boring day at home!

Rides, video games, live show, jungle gyms etc.  He really had lots of fun.  Ben is still so social and loves doing anything that involves other people.

 Summer holidays are in full swing here now.  It seems crazy that they can be on holiday for three months...what would we do with our kids and the parents that work????  Well, I have now found out how they manage....camps!!  There are summer camps for everthing here, some last 6 days, 6 weeks etc.  We started off with a golf clinic in Lee's Summit, which is a neighbouring town. They really had fun and realised how much they miss their golf.  Hopefully when granny comes in July she will be able to bring their clubs with her!  We holding thumbs.

Nathan and Joshua then went on a Signs and Wonders Camp, which is hosted by IHOP, and is a ministry and worship camp for kids 6-12.  Nathan was on the support staff as a Teen Helper and Josh was a camper on the worship track.  Which means he spent a lot of his day time learning worship with the keyboard.  That was for a week.  Then this week Nathan is attending the Awaken Teen Camp, same kind of thing, but for 13-18 year olds and Josh has gone to Mississippi as a Teen Helper for their Signs and Wonders Camp. Wow, the house has been really quiet, they were away for 5 days, home for 3, now away for 10 days!!!  Strange not having them here, but they are having a really good time.

My mom finally arrived last Friday with my sister, Karen.....and true to American style, all we did was eat!!! Went out for nearly every meal we had....and boy was it good. It is so good to have my mom here, and Neil's mom arrives in 6 days time.

Baseball is going really well.  Joshua has done quite a lot of pitching and in our first game he got all 3 strike outs in all 4 innings.....no hits off him and they never scored a single run....for you cricketers that basically equates to 12 wickets for 0 runs! In our next game, Nathan hit a home run 235m over the fence!  And granny was there to see it...very exciting.  The coach said it is the first home run he has ever seen in this age group!!!  Sorry I am bragging now.....but that's my son!!!  Nathan has also starting pitching now, and in our last game he did similar damage to what Josh did.  I'm learning the rules slowly but surely and starting to enjoy the game, even though it can be really slow at times.

4th of July is quickly approaching.....probably the biggest American holiday that there is....I'm looking forward to the fireworks displays.  Am looking for somewhere to take the family to enjoy the festivities...will keep you posted on that one.  

Still love and miss all of you in South Africa......but not missing the cold weather...Just to rub it in, it was 32 degrees yesterday and predicted for tomorrow is 36 degrees with a low of 26!!!  Enjoy the cold my friends, snuggle up and keep warm.