Happy 60th Birthday Dad

Over the weekend on the 31st of August I went home to be with my dad for his 60th birthday.  A party was planned for that Saturday evening and over 30 people were expected to enjoy a spit braai.  Sadly however, my brother and sister in law could not make it up from Richards Bay.

Or so he thought...

 

Friends in the community collected money so that Cristo and Lee could come up and surprise dad.

 

All dad wanted was his family together and with my uncle and aunt coming through from Machadedorp, that is exactly what he got.

 

 

The entire community came to celebrate with dad and really enjoyed themselves.

Mum, looking lovely in her pink top.

 

    Sunday morning, the 2nd of September was dads actual birthday and while we all had coffee together, he got to open his gifts!

 Cristo, Lee & myself bought him a digital video camera!

Dad, you are so special to us all!  We pray that you will have many more happy and healthy years.

Above all, we pray that you will be blessed Spiritually beyond your wildest dreams!

 

A Fresh Start

The elders of Christ Baptist Church had decided to renovate part of the old hostel into a little flat for me.  They also decided to higher me at the church office.  So I went from being jobless and living alone in a 4 bedroom house for 3 months to living in a beautiful, quaint little flat surrounded by people I know and love. Working in an environment where people know me and my capabilities.

Though I am very thankful to the Lord for those 3 months of 90% isolation.  He taught me many things during this time.  He was and still is my companion.  I NEVER went to bed hungry.  During this time, I did not have any serious falls or threatening incidents.  Though the house is in full view to the main road, I was never exposed to any form of crime.

Bev helped me pack and on the 30th of  June so many people arrived to help move me.

Not only did they move me but they unpacked most of my belongings and set me up beautifully.

My mum and dad kindly came through to Polokwane that next weekend and did so much work in the flat.  They very kindly put up shelving, my bookshelf, pictures, bathroom curtains and so much more.

Mike and his assistants came and mounted my TV onto the wall last week Thursday.

My little kitchen is a totally separate room.  Kea and Debs unpacked and went to great effort to ensure that this room was setup in such a way that it is user friendly and comfortable.

So very thankful for my beautiful private bathroom, it even has a door! 

The bathroom in my previous flat was a little cubicle separated only by a curtain.  Needing to use the bathroom was always awkward when I had visitors (for myself as well as for my visitors).

We put all my plants outside, opposite this window so that I can enjoy them while sitting at the table.  My big plant trough is also here and I so look forward to getting some really nice plants for it in the summer.

A huge big 'THANK YOU' to every single one who made this transition possible.  

I am so very thankful.  I think few realize the great significance of this move.

May you all be blessed!

 

My Trip to Richards Bay

Over the last long weekend I traveled down to Richards Bay with good friends of mine, David and Vonè.  Vonè's mother was turning 60 that Monday and Vonè had planned a surprise visit to Durban to celebrate her mums birthday with her.  I tagged along to see my brother and sister-in-law in Richards Bay.

Cristo and Lee collected me in Durban and we traveled another 2 hours to Richard's Bay, a total of 12 hours travel but well worth it.

Cristo and Lee were very excited about my visit and went all out to make it special.

They took me sight seeing around the harbours

The views were stunning

  We went out onto the pier and enjoyed such awesome scenery

 including a few rock spiders/crabs hehehe

 Check at this unusual one...

 The magnitude of some ships on the sea still amazes me

 Cristo kindly arranged with a friend of his to take me out in his boat around the harbour

 I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Really took me back to my childhood and our days spent out on lake Kariba fishing

 We actually saw a man fishing from the balcony of one of these quaint little houses

 I enjoyed seeing this very old yacht 

 Cristo enjoyed it even more, he kept comparing and referring to Kariba days

 The boat we went on

 A pic of Cristo and myself with the owner of the boat and its skipper

On our way back David and Vonè stopped in Vanreenen's Pass to show me the smallest church in SA

The church was built by Maynard Mathews in memory of his son Llandaff Mathew who died while saving the lives of 8 co-workers at the Burnside Colliery mine on 19 March 1925.

Initially Maynard Mathews wanted to erect a plaque in honour of his son at the Roman Catholic Church in Ladysmith, but could not secure permission to do so. Determined that a memorial to his son will be placed in a church, Maynard decided to build his own, have it consecrated a Catholic church and become a priest himself. 

The church seats just eight people, apparently the same number of people Llandaff saved in the mine accident. 

 The three tourists 

 We had a late breakfast at a little coffee shop next to the church overlooking beautiful rolling hills

 Thank you all so much for making this SUCH a special weekend!

My Krugersdorp Visit

 Well, at the end of February my job as PA came to an end.  I had to accept the fact that the job was not suitable for me and I was just not coping.

Earlier in February Pheobie, my adorable kitten was run over and killed, I was devastated!

Around that time I left my job, Liz and her dog, Charlie left Polokwane.  

The thought of not having a job and living in this huge house on my own was almost too overwhelming.

In the beginning of March I went down to Glen and Antje in Krugersdorp for 2 weeks.  Here I found rest and tremendous encouragement.  

This family is so dear to me, I thank the Lord with all my heart for them.

Rachel and Amanda were my very efficient photographers

 Couldn't believe how big the girls had become.

Eden is just too gorgeous.  

 She and myself had such a wonderful time together during my stay.

 Rachel, my gentle soul...

budding model,

 and comedian 

 Just like her father, had me in hysterics 

 As part of schooling, the girls are learning business ethics.  

They make and sell very yummy brownie pops.

The girls made brownie pops decorated with crosses for Easter, much more original and appropriate than the traditional chocolate Easter bunny.

Claire, a beautiful young Christian lady, staying with Glen & Antje while completing her metric year.

 

 Really enjoyed getting to know Claire

Claire with Zanie.  Zanie is doing her Year for Life at the church and helps the girls with running their brownie pop business every Thursday afternoon.

My little hug-a-bug 

 A lovely pic with all three special girls

Glad I have at least a couple of Amanda, I think she was the main photographer:)

 Rachel tried so hard to get a picture of her and myself but "Auntie Debs kept closing her eyes"

 Precious Eden xxx

My time in Krugersdorp was so special.  Everybody at the church embraced me a treated me as one of their own.  

This time was SO refreshing for me physically but especially spiritually. 

I LOVE YOU GUYS DEARLY