Yes indeed, my down-the-road neighbors are so awesome, that they get their own blog post. They are just too great to muddle in along with my other blithering posts.
The Lankfords are a family who moved here last October, also from my home church, Brentwood Baptist. I didn't know them before moving here because our church is rather large, so I was anxious to get here and get to know them! In less than a day, they made me feel right at home and my heart instantly felt a connection with their delightful family.
The first time I met them was 6:45 in the morning at their house when they invited all the other volunteers over for an entire day of quality time. You know that they are nice people, when they are nice at 6:45 am! All the roads around Cape Town were closed for the entire day due to an annual bike race, so the Lankford’s graciously opened their home to us for the day so we wouldn’t be stuck at home alone. In the first 12 short hours we spent together, I got a clear picture of what they as a family are all about.
Let me introduce you to:
Briley is one heck of a smart savy and sweet little 9 year old. She’s my hero. As the oldest, she's the second mama in the house and she is doing a great job helping out with the little ones. Just as unafraid as the boys she runs the pack barefoot with the best of them.
Braxton seems quiet when you first meet him but he is incredibly observant and smart, always curious, as you can tell by whatever he's examining in the water. He's always counting something, organizing the UNO cards by color and making wizened statements about the state of the world. This kid is a genuis! Plus... he beat out all his little South African schoolmates at rugby which he has never played! You go bud!
Baron is sass-and-a-half in a three-year-old tough-dude body. He lately has refused to respond to any name but Spiderman. He runs like the wind, climbs trees, has a cute little lisp and overflows the bathtub to boot! Watch out world!
And then there is Bristol, sweet-precious-angel-baby with her little knock kneed self and crazy curly hair. My favorite Bristol activity is to ask her to show you her surprise face, and on command, she opens her eyes really wide and acts surprised. It's adorable!
Courtney is the mom to beat all moms. She is super laid back and so at home in barefeet. Naturally gorgeous, her heart and spirit are just as beautiful. She makes raising 4 kids in a foreign country look like a walk in the park. Joey refers to her as "his hot chick" on a regular basis which is what anyone who's been married for 11 years should be striving for, in my humble opinion.
And then there is Joey, the local neighborhood celebrity. I'm convinced Joey knows everyone in the valley. He also has great patience with his children and the fact that he was able to have a quiet time at the breakfast table with 10 people in his home tells you a lot about this guy. Joey really is a good 'ole boy from TN and not ashamed of it. He's bringing the "below the Mason Dixon line of thinking" to "the below the Equator kind of thinking" and the locals love it!
So in case you every get worried about me, don't... Joey & Courtney and their awesome family have me covered!
Plus they know the way home to Tennessee...
L-O-V-E
So awesome.
amy... you rock in our book too! so glad you are here serving with us. we are blessed b/c of you. you are an inspiration to many and your heart for Jesus and others shines brightly.
love you sister!
court
Amy....Wow!!! I am so humbled by your kind words! We love you being here and our house is always open to you. Let me know if I can ever do anything to help you!!! I mean it!
Joey