A very berry week

This past week we have really had many berry moments. We were given about a kilogram of cherries from the church food handout. They were somewhat over-ripe, so we made some jam, which is really delicious. We also went strawberry picking with the Hickey family. It was fun, I applied the biblical instruction to test all things and keep that which is good, so we didn't bring home any berries. We also went camping at Nuuksio, a large national park outside Helsinki, where we spent a whole morning picking blueberries by hand. We got about 5 litres, and have been making more jam, and also froze some for later: blueberry pies, blueberry icecream, blueberry cheesecake....

(The pictures are: blueberries on a bush, me picking, bluberry processing)

We had a friend of Kath Embling stay with us for two nights this last week. Richard is an archictect from East-London, and he really encouraged us. He came to us after a long flight from SA, and was clearly tired, but as we talked God revealed several things to him. This confirmed many things we have been feeling God say to us, and has left us amazed at God's timing and care.

We went for the 22 week checkup this week as well, and everything is going as it should at this stage. Thank you Lord! Tracy is feeling much more relaxed with these checkups, and was not nervous at all for this last one.

We also had my youngest brother, Martin, stay with us for a week on his way back to South Africa after studying one year in the Netherlands. We had a very relaxed time, playing squash, going for picknics and braais, watching rugby and playing Bohnanza. This is a really cool card/strategy/trading game, I am sure we'll teach it to you if you spend any length of time with us in the near future. We hope you find that job soon, Martin.

Our cell group/bible study has grown to 5 regular members, and we are starting to see the beginnings of a little community here. We are hoping the influx of new students in the next 3 weeks will add to our group, both Christians and people who are seeking to know more. We are also teaching a new song every week to the congregation, and some of these are sticking and becoming favorites fast.

It's a Girl!

We went for the 20 week scan yesterday, and the midwife found that everything was in order. All the measurements point to a birth on 20 November, and everything seems to be developing at the right rate. We are so happy!
She also told us that it is a girl, which is a very unusal thing in the Odendaal family. I am not sure that I know what to do with a girl.
She is moving a lot, and the midwife said she is quite an acrobat, with legs going all over the place. Takes after her mom then...
She also has the qutest little 'wipneus' (a nose that goes up at the end) just like her mom.
In the picture on top, you can just see the little fingers, and in the pic below, the lips and nose. The thing that looks like an arm is a leg - don't ask me to explain how that is possible.
If you click on the pictures they will go to full size.