In 5 weeks we leave South Africa. Even though there are lots of things that I want to do in Canada, SA feels like home. Some of the things I am looking forward to in Canada is seeing friends and family. I also am looking forward to skiing and doing new sports.
I am going to miss so much about SA. Some of the things are friends, (I can’t believe I am saying this next one…) school, sport and just SA entirely. Probably the biggest thing I will miss is friends. Although I do have one awesome friend in Canada, I have stacks of incredible ones here.
I don’t want to leave. Like I said in the first paragraph, South Africa is home. It is all we pretty much ever knew. I feel happy at the same time though. I guess it is good sometimes to start a life somewhere else as well. I know I will enjoy the trip there too. I have always enjoyed plane flights. We are also going to England, France and the USA. It will be awesome! One thing I hope to do on the way is get a stone from everywhere I stop. I started my stone collection last year and I am going to try to keep it up.
Nate
Hi everybody! As with Elise’s I have included a photo gallery of Nate’s life in South Africa. Hope you enjoy it. And I am sure he would love to hear your comments, too! Thanks everyone! Hopefully Marae will do one next week. Michelle
We hadn’t moved to SA yet in this picture. This was on our first trip out in 2006.
Looking for hippos with Auntie Trish
We moved here when Nate had just turned 2.
A little boy and his trucks and dirt. All good!
Already learning his letters. He loved the “bowels.” 🙂
Awesome big brother!
Thankfully the beach photo shoot was already done when he decided to slide down the dunes!
So fun when grandparents come to visit!!
South Africa introduced him to soccer – his first love!!
His first soccer match ever – and it was torrentially pouring! Didn’t stop those boys!!
Teaching his little sister the joys of snakes. (No, they aren’t real.)
Ooops. When the urge hits on the soccer field, what’s a boy to do?
Friends and the beach!
Loving life in the back of a bakkie! (Pickup)
Can you find Nate in amongst all those spies? Birthday parties rock!
Nate loves his creepy crawlies!
Oh for the love of snakes!!!
Loved dearly!!
Rugby won him over finally! And he LOVED it!!
Friends can be like brothers!
Awesome memories!
Learning to braai like “real South African men!”
So many wonderful friends Nate has been blessed with!
What a beautiful country we have been blessed to call home.
11 Responses to Nate’s Blog
Paloma February 23, 2017
Nate, You I am accustom to seeing as a young man. I have forgotten that you really were that little when you moved. I hope you find great rocks on your travels before you get here. I still have a couple from when I was a little girl.
Michelle March 1, 2017
That’s cool. Maybe you can show me your rocks when we get there. I will bring mine. Thanks! Nate
Trish February 23, 2017
Wow great job Nate! Yes SA has been your home and it will be a major transition and change for you. We are praying for you all the way, that you will feel God near you in every part of it. You are a great kid! Have always enjoyed being around you and looking after you when we’ve been there! Your family is very special to us! Love Auntie Trish
Michelle March 1, 2017
Thanks Auntie Trish! We love you guys too! Looking forward to visiting you in Calgary. Love, Nate
Gerry February 23, 2017
Heh Nate – I have no doubt that in a very short time you will be surrounded by “stacks” of new friends here in Canada. You are going to be an ambassador to Canada when you hook up with your new friends – you can teach them how to play real rugby and “football” and just think about the fact you will get so share much more time with your wonderful grandparents. You are going to be a thrill for them as you share your personality and your time!! God will bless you in ways you cannot even begin to dream about – be an adventurous boy as you come home and explore Canada.
Michelle March 1, 2017
Thank you so much! I am looking forward to Canadian adventures! Nate
Luana February 23, 2017
Nice blog, Nate! It’s great you have so many special memories of SA! Soon you will have to Skype from here to there, to keep in touch with the special friends you’ve made in SA. I still Skype regularly with one of my Korean friends. Perhaps you will meet her when we Skype sometime or even in person someday. It would be great if some of your friends could come here for a visit in the future and you could show them around. We love you lots and can’t wait to have you nearby again soon! Nan
Michelle March 1, 2017
I can’t wait to see you soon, too! Love you, Nan! I am hoping that some of my South African friends can come to visit someday. I would love to show them the mountains! Nate
Grandma February 23, 2017
Nate, it will be an adjustment, but you will always have those friends. You will always have wonderful memories. Best of all you will have all your stones! By the way- good writing! Love you!
Michelle March 1, 2017
Thank you, Grandma! Love you, too! Nate
Shelley March 6, 2017
I LOVE collecting stones! I also brought some sand and dirt from SA and used that in some art! You have such a great personality that soon you will have a lot more that just one great friend here. I know what it’s like to leave SA, but you’ll be back and can share new experiences with old friends. Soak up every moment you have left there. I can’t wait to see you on this side!