Footprints behind me, blank slate ahead: Zulu in Vienna, book cafe, and an Irish pub birthday

Bad, Hilary. I told my grandmother I'd have a new post up last week. I'm sorry Gran! Please forgive me and don't cancel our July lunch date for that new Loleta cafe!

So, can someone please explain to me how it is March 7th already? The last couple weeks were so wonderful. The weather has been stunning. Winter is retreating and spring is giving us glimpse of her sunshine.

Last week was warm enough to spend some time at the park. The skies have been clear and blue. In the sun, it's almost too warm in a jacket. It's just so relaxing.

The girls of my church's young adults group had a little sleepover at the end of February. That weekend was so incredibly energizing! We cooked a delicious dinner, made friendship bracelets (because what else do you do at a girls' night?), and (my favorite part!) sang songs together.

The only picture taken at Girls' Night. Once we got started, we forgot about the camera.

You see, one of the girls at the sleepover was from Cape Town, South Africa (for my SA semester friends, she knew Kalk Bay and we even talked about one of the fish and chip places on the water!). She's a white African, and doesn't speak any of the tribal languages, but they were brought to my mind regardless. Then I realized that Angel, our friend from Namibia might know the songs--and she did!

So I spent the evening singing Zulu praise songs, bringing me so vividly back to Esther House, the battered women's shelter I served at during study abroad. Singing loud and strong, in this beautiful language, about a beautiful Creator...I could have cried from how happy I felt.

After church that weekend, we went to my new favorite spot in Vienna. Phil is a cafe with book-lined walls, mis-matched old furniture, and old lamps hanging all over the ceiling. We enjoyed some salad and toasted sandwiches with wine on the comfy sofa and lounge chairs, with great conversation and plenty of laughter. I shall be returning there in the next few months.

I'll leave you with these last few pictures from Andrea's 24th birthday party at Molly Darcy's Irish Pub, where we went Saturday to listen to some FANTASTIC live music!