Bushveld Christmas

Well, on Christmas Eve, I managed to get a few lines out to some people, but certainly not as many as I would have liked!  Here was my letter....
My heart is smiling! Yes, we do have so much to celebrate! After the worst drought in 85 years....... We said over and over again that it would be nothing short of a miracle that would get us through! And here we are on the other side of it! The rains came early this year, in September, and we had the immediate relief of fresh new growth and green "abundance". We are now seeing little impala and blesbuck lambs frequently, and had the joy of a glimpse of a new baby buffalo just two days ago. Its still very very dry, and we are in desperate need of good soaking rains.
Ken and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary this year, and wow - so many moments together and yet still we have new things to celebrate! Like our new home / office / lodge telephone number! Sadly Telekom is now no longer able to supply us with service on our old telephone or fax numbers! Please note our new contact number : 015 518 4081. From outside South Africa, you would dial 27 15 518 4081.
We also had the misfortune of spam attack on our old email address, so that is also no longer operational. If you still have our old email addresses of BOTH shiawela@mweb.co.za or mail@shiawela.com please delete them both as neither of these work.
Our only contact email address now is shiawela@gmail.com
By far the highlights for this year have been the USA family trip we took and our time at Disney with you .... And also watching JohnD come into his own with all of the hunting and guiding he has done this year.
We have just had the immeasurable joy of my sisters visiting from Zimbabwe and Australia respectively with their families. What a special three weeks it has been for us 3 sisters, but also for the cousins (ages range from 4-15). Their own relationships have been strengthened and reconnected. Dad and Mom Ball have Ken's sister, Cathy, visiting from Namibia at the moment too :).
Micaela will be going into her grade 9 year next year and JohnD will be going into his grade 7 year. I can't believe how they are now both so grown up and functioning as "little adults" in our world! :) We certainly are blessed with our two Treasures from God.
Dad and mom are both doing well, and keeping busy. Both of Mom's hip operations are now well and truly behind her and she is so enjoying her new found mobility. Both she and dad are in very good health.
Ken has been working so hard to get the new cattle kraal finished...... Lots and lots of hours have gone into this "selection kraal", and we are hoping that by early next year it will be finished.
In preparation for our trip to the USA this coming February, lots of work needs to be done. We are fraught with connection difficulties and power problems..... This time of the year is always interspersed with reminders of our "This is Africa" mentality. Not fun, but we somehow seem to get through.
This comes with much love and fond greetings to you. Blessings for you all and may His presence be the centre of all of your festivities.
Ken, Jo, Micaela, JohnD, Dennis and Carol xxx