Cape Town Chronicles: Lasts

Whew! What am I doing writing when I should be packing? I just don't want to forget ANY of these last days and experiences! We fly out a week from today. ONE WEEK! We've been soaking up all of our "last" moments. We've had our last team time, our last time at the orphanage (sad goodbye), our final braai with our Western Cape team, our last trip in the cable car up Table Mountain (only to encounter the FREEZING and fierce wind, have a coffee in the cafe, and come back down), our last time in our car (it sold on Sunday, praise God!), my last time running out of petrol on the way home (oops...I mean the first and last time! Borrowing a friend's car, and there was no final indicator! Luckily we were only a block away from home and a kind man stopped and pushed our car to the shoulder. Christian was there within minutes), our last holiday in South Africa (we LOVE Hermanus!), Lily's last play date with her best friend from school, Therese, our last date night (enjoyed watching the sun set over Table mountain) and quite possibly our last blog from Cape Town (crazy!). We just keep giving thanks. How timely Thanksgiving was this year! It was actually full of firsts! First time cooking a turkey (make that 2), gravy and pecan pies. First time celebrating Thanksgiving with a pool party! Thanksgiving day we were hosted by my good friend, Lauren, who had looked up and recreated decoration and celebration ideas on pinterest, and made delicious new recipes from Southern Living that will now be incorporated in future Thanksgivings! Both days of Thanksgiving were such a special celebration with friends.
Lily and Anya have been processing leaving in their own little ways. Anya keeps things positive with all the things she has waiting for her at home (family and Christmas make the top of the list). Lily has shed some tears and talks about how she's going to miss Therese. She keeps taking "pictures in her mind" to remember each place we go. It's been so sweet. Our holiday in Hermanus was such a special time together as a family, full of cherished memories. We got to see whales breeching, and enjoyed beautiful warm days on the beach. We ate out for dinner one night and had a good chuckle at Anya. Often times at restaurants in Cape Town, they will bring mints or candy when they bring the bill. So in the middle of our meal Anya always asks "Can I please have some of the bill?" That night she asked "Mommy, can I please eat the bill?" She really thinks the candy is called "bill"! Lol! And she is so sad when the bill doesn't have candy. One time at Woolworths, the waitress saw how sad she was and she went and BOUGHT candy in the grocery section just for Anya! Now that's service! :)
Lily cried when we left Hermanus and went to each room of the house we stayed in and "took pictures in her mind". She said she was really going to miss that place. I think it was the first of the "lasts", and has helped her to begin to process leaving. So sweet. The other day when we were leaving Thanksgiving dinner, Lily excitedly told me "Mom, someday I'm going to meet my prince, and he is going to love God, love me, and he is going to be beautiful...I mean handsome!" Sounds good! :)
My head is so full of details and things that need to happen that I don't always know what I'm feeling each moment. But I do know that I am overwhelmed with gratitude. The Lord is so good, faithful, loving, attentive, personal, sustaining, persistent, gentle, and kind. This year has been more than I could have ever imagined it would be. We're grateful to have shared it with you! I'll have to post the pictures later...need to get some sleep!