A Month in China ~ Part One

I cannot describe how wonderful China was and how thoroughly I enjoyed the month I spent with my dad...
I came home with so many precious memories...stories to share and treasures to keep, that I honestly don't know where to begin...

I loved every minute of my trip and hope to convey these feelings of awe and delight in the next few posts...
Thus...how about you pop the kettle on to boil and make yourself a steaming mug of tea before you settle down to this, the first part of my Month in China series...
{{smiles}}

~

I flew out from George on Thursday June 7.  (Thank you all for your prayers for my safety!)

How strange to embrace to my mom, sisters and Caleb in a big hug one last time before walking out of sight and onto the airplane, bound for China...

I landed in Johannesburg later that evening, picked up my suitcase and headed to the arrival area where I met the person the lodge had sent to pick me up.

For me, this was the most daunting part of my trip as it was my first time in Johannesburg, first time to book a lodge and to stay overnight in a strange place all alone.

The Lord was merciful and the lodge I had booked turned out to be the perfect place for me to catch a few hours of sleep before I headed to the airport again early the next morning.

I was pleasantly surprised at how little time it took for me to check in and go through security - I think it helped that I arrived early. 
I was able get some coffee and breakfast and enjoy some plane spotting before waiting at the allocated gate for my flight...

At this stage an overwhelming sense of excitement began to well up in me!

Once I had boarded the airplane, I was delighted to see that I had an entire row to myself which meant I could lie down during the flight. 
There were no good movies on the plane and my eyes burned terribly anyway, so I ended up listening to music for the duration of the flight...

14 hours later, we landed in Beijing and about 40 minutes after that, we were inside Beijing airport where the fun and games really began!

I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer size of the world's second largest airport!

I know that it is only by God's grace that I managed to catch my connecting domestic flight to Hefei.  Beijing airport was something of a nightmare - no one spoke English for starters and then finding where to go to collect my luggage (which involved a train ride to the correct terminal), where to check in for my domestic flight to Hefei, etc. was extremely exhausting and stressful. 
However, I don't remember feeling at all panicky, even when my phone didn't work so I couldn't contact my dad (I had signal for about five minutes shortly before boarding which meant I could at least let me dad know I had arrived safely in China)! 

Eventually I found my way to the right gate. 
I felt a huge sense of achievement when I boarded the next and final flight to Hefei!

It was pouring with rain when we arrived in Hefei which delayed our disembarking of the aircraft by about twenty minutes...

What joy to collect my bag for the last time and make my way to where my dad was waiting for me - it all felt so surreal... 
I couldn't believe that I was finally with my dad in China after such a long, grueling journey!

I actually recovered fairly well from my trip, only I had the strange sensation of being on an airplane for a few days afterwards...

The first week I spent recovering and enjoying a walk once, sometimes twice day...
We also went into the city for coffee one morning which was thrilling!
I didn't take as many pictures as I had hoped in that first week as I found myself simply wanting to take everything in without having to worry about getting a good shot...
Here are the few pictures that I did take...and perhaps I should warn you now that part two more than makes up for the lack of photographs in this post!
{{smiles}}

^Coffee at Starbucks on my first Saturday in China

^Area surrounding the lake...
I walked here quite often as it is relatively close to the school my dad teaches at.

^This track goes around the lake  

^I loved this place!  We stopped in here several times over the course of the month...

And thus concludes this first part of this little series...do stop by next week for part two on Nanjing!

Have you been to China?  Have you ever traveled overseas alone?  

It is always a joy having you stop by, sweet friends...

I truly appreciate your kind notes!

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Wintry Beach Walk

Hello lovely readers...

As you may already have guessed, I am home from China...

I am actually in the process of sorting through and uploading photographs from my trip which I hope to share in a series of blog posts soon.

But in the meantime I thought I would share these pictures of the winter's day beach walk we went on this past Sunday...

How do you enjoy spending your Sundays?

May your week be blessed!

"My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. I will praise you, O Lord among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples. For great is your love reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Be exalted, O God above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth."

~ Psalms 57:7, 9:11

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Rebekah's Bake-Off Inspired Birthday Celebration

Hello lovely friends...

I just realised that I have yet to share pictures of sweet Rebekah's bake off inspired birthday celebration with you.

In the weeks leading up to Rebekah's birthday we had been watching the first three seasons of The Great British Bake-Off and decided that creating something of our own bake-off, on a much simpler and smaller scale, would be a lovely way for us to enjoy her ninth birthday.

We had a wonderful day creating beautiful celebration themed cakes and afterwards enjoyed a slice of cake and a cup of tea...

We divided ourselves into teams - Beth and Gabrielle baked a cake together, Sofia and I made up another team and Nancy and Rebekah were the third and final team.  

Caleb enjoyed helping here and there and sampling as we went along. {{smiles}}

Mom and I made Rebekah a gorgeous pink apron which we gifted to her on the morning of her birthday.  We made a matching apron for her doll too which I unfortunately didn't photograph.

This is the stunning cake Nancy and Rebekah made...I think the result was quite professional! 

Oh, I just have to share a picture of the sweet birthday girl and her mommy!  

This is the gorgeous cake Beth and Gabrielle made...I love how they chose to decorate it!
I think I may try this technique sometime too...

The happy bakers - Team Beth and Gabrielle

Sofia had a very definite picture in her head with regards to our cake.

She wanted it to be pink.

And we had to use plastic icing.

We ended up spending so much time baking our cake though (I will humbly confess that our cake did taste the best...) that the decorating was a little hurried towards the end.

All in all we had a delightful day in the kitchen - I think the bake-off was a wonderful success!  

Everyone was exhausted afterwards, though.

It is also over a month later and I still have no desire to eat cake.  

{{winks}}

Have a blessed Lord's day, sweet friends...

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A Little Note...and a Prayer Request

Hello sweet friends...happy Thursday!

Just popping in to say that I am leaving for China today...{{smiles}}

I would truly appreciate your prayers for strength and safety for my trip.

I am incredibly excited about this opportunity to travel to a different country and spend quality time with my dad.

I am hoping I will be able to stop by every now and again to share an update with you...

With love and blessings,

Kelly-Anne

A Little Women Review...

How delighted I was to discover BBC had brought out a wonderful new adaption of Little Women in a three part miniseries...

This week my mom and few of my sisters sat down to watch this adaption of Little Women for the first time.

Today I would like to share my thoughts on this brand new adaption...

~

First of all...let's meet the March Family...

 

Emily Watson played strong and gentle Marmee.  Personally, I love her in this role.  If, like me, you enjoy period drama, you may recognize her from Belle, Miss Potter and War Horse to name but a few...

 "My child, the troubles and temptations of your life are beginning, and may be many; but you can overcome and outlive them all if you learn to feel the strength and tenderness of your Heavenly Father as you do that of your earthly one. The more you love and trust Him, the nearer you will feel to Him, and the less you will depend on human power and wisdom. His love and care never tire or change, can never be taken from you, but may become the source of lifelong peace, happiness, and strength. Believe this heartily, and go to God with all your little cares, and hopes, and sins, and sorrows, as freely and confidingly as you come to your mother."

~ Marmee to Jo, Little Women 

Meg has always been my favourite character in Little Women. 

I think I preferred her in the 1994 film adaption, but Willa Fitzgerald does a good job of playing Meg...

  Maya Hawke was a wonderful choice for Jo!  I really enjoyed her performance...

"I like good strong words that mean something..."

~ Jo, Little Women

 

Annes Elwy played the part of Beth to perfection. She was sweet, gentle Beth in every way...

 

 Kathryn Newton played Amy.  I always find it difficult when an actress plays both the part of a child and the grown woman. 

Seeing Amy as a mature young woman just didn't work for me - I kept imagining her as a naughty, spoilt child!

 Laurie... There is a boyish innocence about him in this adaption. Jonah Hauer-King played the part of mischievous Laurie quite well, but as with Amy, I found it difficult imagining him as an older Laurie. 

 

And I do think he has some way to go when it comes to showing emotion in film. The part when he is refused by Jo felt so dreadfully unnatural!

Aunt March was played by Angela Lansbury.  What a joy she was and brought an element of fun to the screen!

I love Michael Gambon (You may recognize him from Emma, Wives and Daughters, Cranford), and he really was a fantastic Mr Laurence!

 

 One aspect of this mini series I genuinely appreciated, was that there was more interaction between Father and his family shown. I feel this draws the viewer in to the story in a very real way - this is a closely knit family and the bond between father, mother and daughters is plain to see.

 I thoroughly enjoyed this mini series. Even though I am something of a purist when it comes to film adaptions of classic novels like Little Women, I actually liked the fact that this adaption was not completely true to the book. Maybe it is because I have read the book so often...or seen the 1994 movie over and again that I quite appreciated the new twist! 

 I felt I could connect with each character in a special way.
The soft lighting, the scenes of the countryside and animals as well as the touches of lace throughout gave it real charm and made it feel very real which is ideally what you would like to see in any film!

I was, however, disappointed with the soundtrack of this particular BBC mini series. BBC usually does an incredible job of creating beautiful music for their work... Think of the soundtrack from Emma... Or the opening title in Call The Midwife.
However, Little Women sadly does not qualify. I found the choice of music somewhat random and a bit too modern...

 This mini series could have done with another part...things were slightly rushed at the end so as to tie up any loose ends.  But then maybe I simply would have liked this series to never end...{{smiles}}

 

If you decide to watch Little Women, let me know what you think. 

Personally, I would give this mini series 3/5 stars. The acting was a little forced at times by one or two actors, but overall I thought it a lovely version of one of my very favourite books.

  "Now and then, in this workaday world, things do happen in the delightful storybook fashion, and what a comfort that is."

~ Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

 

What is next on my list of period dramas to watch?

Goodbye Christopher Robin should be coming out in South Africa very soon... I have been eagerly anticipating this film and was dreadfully upset when it didn't show in theatres here.

Happy Sunday to you, dear readers...

Thank you for your sweet visits - it always brightens my day to have you stop by!

Blessings in Christ,

Kelly-Anne

A Prayer for Today...

 "Loving Lord and Heavenly Father, I offer up today all that I am, all that I have, all that I do, and all that I suffer, to be Yours today and Yours forever.  Give me grace, Lord, to do all that I know of Your holy will. Purify my heart, sanctify my thinking, correct my desires.  Teach me in all of today's work and trouble and joy, to respond with honest praise, simple trust, and instant obedience, that my life may be in truth a living sacrifice, by the power of You Holy Spirit and in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, my Master and my all."

~ Elisabeth Elliot

Thursday Pearls

   “Have regular hours for both work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.  Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.”

~ Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women

~

Happy Thursday, sweet friends...

I simply had to share this beautiful quote in honour of the lovely new BBC adaption of Little Women!  

Look for a review coming very soon...
♥

Blessings in Christ...

Kelly-Anne

 ~ I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content.  Philippians 4:11. ~

May Ponderings. . .

 How I love the month of May. . .

Winter days are upon us once again; it is time to cuddle beneath soft blankets; bring out our boots and warm coats and spend many a happy hour pottering about in the kitchen. . .

  

In my world. . . 

Ah, where to begin.   

My head is in a whirl as I cast my mind back over the last few weeks; I feel as if I need to slip my running shoes on in order to keep up with the happenings in our home at the moment. . .  {{smiles}}

First and foremost, let us talk about something most exciting. . .

I am busy preparing to visit my dad in China for just under a month.  I fly out on June 7th, which also happens to be the day that will mark one year since the event of the fire, and return home with my dad on July 5th.  

Last week I traveled to Cape Town to apply for my visa.  Praise the Lord, my application was successful with there being only one or two hiccups along the way.  {{smiles}}

Whilst in Cape Town, I had the blessing of visiting with two very dear friends and spending time with my grandparents whom I also stayed with.

To say that I am excited about my upcoming trip would be an understatement!

I am concerned about traveling across the world by myself considering I have zero airport/airplane experience, but I am praying that the Lord would watch over me and give me the strength of mind to cope with the stress of traveling on my own.  The thought of being able to experience the unique sights and culture of China is simply thrilling. . .  From the time I was a young girl I wanted to visit this incredible country. 

And. . .how special to spend almost a month with my dad!

But. . .  Before I make this epic journey to the other side of the world, a lot has to happen. . .  

I am working part time as a shop keeper again which has been a tremendous blessing, but has also tied up my time.  

I have thankfully been able to sew whilst at the shop (yes, it is the very same shop I worked at last year) and increase my stock for Heartmade.  I have applied to do a big Christmas market at the end of the year and should hear whether or not I have been accepted by next month.  If I have, I'll need to spend hours creating enough items to fill my stall for a week.  {{smiles}}

I find it quite thrilling to have my hands full. . .I find a deep satisfaction in being busy and accomplishing a great many things.  I love having a plan for each day and feeling as if I have purpose.  However, I am careful to give each day to the Lord so that He would shape my time to bring glory and honour to His name.

I love the time I have at home.  On the days I am not working (I usually work Wednesdays/Tuesday, Friday and Saturday), I find true joy in being involved in the daily grind.  Often I will run errands for my mom and take a sister or two along for some quality time.  Ah, the perk of (finally) being able to drive. . . 

Other days I'll pop Caleb in the pram and take him for a nice, long walk to the park for some fresh air and exercise.  We love spending time together which is truly precious considering there is almost twenty years between the two of us.

Thus, in the midst of the difficulty of being without Dad and adjusting to a whole new way of life, among many other things, I am finding a peace and joy in the ordinary.  My heart is filled with thankfulness and I praise the Lord for the way He is working in our lives.

The final picture has yet to be revealed and some days it feels as if the paint is simply smudging, but we rest in knowing the Father has us in the palm of His mighty hand and will never let us go.

Blessings and love to you, dear readers. . .

Have a blessed, peaceful Sunday tomorrow. . . 

I hope to pop in again next week with a few pictures of a certain little person's 2nd birthday party!  {{smiles}} 

Oh, and be sure to visit Heartmade's very own Facebook page right over here!