capturing the moment

Today we experienced with John's dad and his wife our first African Safari.  I think I have wanted to go on one since before high school.  I don't know why for sure I have always wanted to, but I have.  It was wonderful!  We had been warned ahead of time, that if you want to see real African animals you need to go to Kenya, so don't get your hopes up to see animals and look forward to the hot springs......

It took about 3 hours or so to get there and honestly it was just a beautiful day, the drive was so "stereotype" of what you picture Africa, huts, villages, herding animals, etc...  the kids were getting along, we took a nigerian friend with us and we were having in-depth theological conversations about muslims, christians, culture, etc...

Then when we arrived, there was no one else there (tourists anyway) and we saw so many animals:   a ton of baboons that came right up to you, waterbucks, warthogs, bats, deer, gazelles, lots of animals that I have no clue what their names are, and we saw a beautiful male lion, super close.  In the middle of this african adventure, I took note and soaked up all the sights and sounds and smells around me: family, nature, adventure, animals, thoughts....

Tomorrow is my 37th birthday and I feel blessed.  My spirit feels old and so does my body, and maybe with that comes the awareness of "enjoy each moment while you can"  It is something I feel so blessed in because the Lord has truly allowed me to stop and be very engaged in these moments....  as if they won't last forever and I am all too aware of this fact.  I sense a change in seasons and I want the memory of this one to be forever etched in my mind and captured there forever. 

It has been great having the grandparents in town and tomorrow we go to the kids chapel service as Sarah is part of her grade's Esther play and then on a field trip with Sami's class.  Capturing each moment while we can is our desire and we are thankful.

God Bless.