Lockdown 248

Lockdown Day 248 - 29 November 2020

Moving day 6:

They say when one moves with a cat, their homing device needs to be activated so they don't feel like traveling back to the previous home. I remember from school days how we used to put a smear of soft butter on a new cat's paws to activate its homing device, kept it in one room until the butter was licked off and the paw clean. 

Unpacking is a kind of human homing device. You move in and don't go anywhere, just open up one box after the other and keep going. It's as if you cannot focus on anything else but getting each thing in its place. 

For the cat, the butter tastes good at first, but then it turns into a time consuming irritation and all it can do is keep on licking untill its clean. And then, when it is let out of the room and everyone fusses, it thinks, what's this fussing all about, I'm home, aren't I ? 

So it is with us, today we just kept on opening and unpacking box after box. Hubby mostly in the garage and myself in our quarters upstairs. 

Homing device 2 was a spectacular snack platter for the day Charmiane dropped off early this morning. It had absolutely everything we all loved and more than enough of everything and that hummus was amazing- I am converted (never liked it much but now I'm a fan). 

With the frogs croaking and other night animal sounds in my ears I retire with my Creator's Name on my lips and as I drift off to sleep, I feel His joy in my spirit. And I know for sure He's got this.

Lockdown 247

Lockdown Day 247 - 28 November 2020

Moving day 5:

First morning in my new home was wonderful to wake up with a vision of a neat home. It is a lot like homeopathic medicine, you first feel a worsening of symptoms before you start getting better. 

At one point I thought I had been swallowed by a box, because my mind just froze when I tried to decide where I should put the mugs and the plates. The first bad symptom was the realisation that we had nothing to boil water with while hubby was busy installing our filter and dispenser. I knew I had a kettle somewhere and frantically started opening all boxes to see if I could spot it. 

After what felt like eternity, I eventually found the kettle for the gas stove I had used 3 years ago in Nam. But then the second symptom appeared, I couldn't get it ro work!  

Finally, after contacting the previous owner, the water was boiling and we had brunch tea with Laurette's fantasmagorical carrot muffins. Even the pooch was happy with her usual rooibos. 

Funny how a cup of tea just changes perspective. Suddenly the kitchen space spoke to me and by the end of the day it was done and dusted. Late afternoon sped by with my Bestie popping in after work with warm Woolies pies and and a fabulous succulent terrarium. The perfect addition for my christmas wreath on the stoep table. 

We could tick off our first day. My housemates, you guys rock! After tackling the garage and electronics we have made very good progress and are starting to see the picture of our mind's eye the day the day we first saw this house. 

Oh Yahweh my Father You are the creator of everything, tonight we give you praise for wanting to live and walk our earthly walk with us. We give You permission to be the "control hub" of our lives. To be the steering down our river of life. 

"Truth’s shining light guides me in my choices and decisions; the revelation of your word makes my pathway clear."

Psalm 119:105

#Ggt

Lockdown 246

Lockdown Day 246 - 27 November 2020

Moving day 4:

Wow, today was hectic. Next level. And thoroughly exciting. We woke early and hit the ground running, sorting out the off-loading arrangements and starting the last leg of the truck people's work. 

After an entire day of uncrating furniture that had been in storage, the truck people left. We were in a house that looked like those cluttered home programs on Style Network. I was at one point very emotional because it looked like an insurmountable task. I wondered how on earth those hoarders live with such clutter, all I want to see is a clean floor, and not have to navigate pathways through it all. Even if it is our stuff, it needs to be organised and sorted so life can be simple and clean. 

My friend Laurette arrived with a pot of blue hydrangeas and a delicious meal, and after she left my friend Charline who lives in the same street, came walking in with some gin and tonic, just as a humongous storm broke. As the heavenly blessing splashed onto the stoep, we chatted and enjoyed dinner together, catching up on missed years of friendship since our Harrismith days. We popped a bubbly in the rain and toasted new beginnings and it didn't even matter we had cardboard place mats with mismatched glasses, squished inbetween stacked boxes and misplaced furniture. 

 After hubby went to bed and the youngest headed to his own place for the night, I went back to the kitchen, motoring through about 10 kitchen boxes. I felt a whole lot lighter. It was a near full and shiny silver moon when I decided to slip into the little splash pool. What a wonderful delight!! 

And so I offer up a prayer of praise for our most high God who brought us to this moment. As the moon glided through the clouds I saw His glory in the night sky and rested, knowing He's got this.

Lockdown 245

Lockdown Day 245 - 26 November 2020

Moving day 3:

Once upon a Lockdown I lived in Bloemfontein 

Moving house is not rated as one of the 5 most traumatic life happenings for nothing. We can truly say we know. 

Although happy about the move, going through the motions does stir the spirit and soul even if you don't feel it. 

Driving out of Bloem on the N1 North, I was lost in thought over all the good of Bloem and the adventure ahead. 

We stopped for breakfast in Ventersburg and a much needed coffee to push away all remnants of the previous day's challenges. We arrived at our new place of residence after lunch, and spent the afternoon with estate registration and unloading personal stuff. 

After being treated with ice cold cold drink and fabulous eats from our estate agent friend, we pushed to finish and then retired at my Bestie's place for a delicious dinner, and well deserved night's rest. 

As I fall asleep, I think on things heavenly and heartwarming, my love for my man who is the backbone of our family. I shall dream of our evenings on the stoep that are yet to come and breathe a thank you to God for having us in the palm of His hand. Yes, He definitely has got this! ✨

😎 

Lockdown 244

Lockdown Day 244 - 25 November 2020

Moving day 2:

Today we hit the ground running. With much to do in preparation of the moving and loading teams arriving, I kept thinking it feels so weird to be inside a day like this. When other people move house, you always look at them and marvel at how easy and quick it looks. 

But it isn't quick nor easy and time doesn't quite feel the same. It's as if it stands still and you're in a bubble (wrap🤣) once the packers arrive. Suddenly it's you and your stuff being boxed to go. 

I counted 9 moves (including this one in total since we got married and decided we definitely ) have progressed since the kids were born. And downsizing is not an easy task if youre not prepared to let go. 

And just like that, the day was done, the truck was loaded, I sweeped the floors of the matchbox, the memories of these 3 years flashing from my memory bank. 

Like the day it rained so much, the matchbox nearly 'drowned', the Friday feeling in the green room when hubby lights the fire for a braai, the pooch's little muddy footprints on the floor on rainy days, the incredibly hot days and the incredibly cold ones. 

The most vivid memory would be Lockdown and all its facets. How we exercised indoors and got cabin fever  at the same time. Who would've thought we would come to Bloem for a Lockdown. 

So tonight, sleeping over at friends, I offer up a prayer of thanks for having been blessed with a matchbox and the things life brought into it. And in repentance of those days I just didn't want, I praise God for sticking by me even if I didn't. 

#Gbwy

#Ggt

Lockdown 243

Lockdown Day 243 - 24 November 2020

Moving day 1

The packers arrived and basically wizzed through the kitchen, garage and living roon and by 4pm they and I had finished. Every cupboard was empty and in a box. The garage turned into storage and we called it a day. 

My youngest arrived to come and help and soon we had the last personal things done and loaded into the car. 

To experience closure is one of the things you go through when leaving a space you've occupied for a while. 

Because even though you are passing through and know full well this isn't your forever home, it somehow becomes home reality, albeit temporarily. This is natural law. A seed that falls to the ground wanting to grow, will have to sprout roots and leaves to have any chance at all of surviving. 

So it is with our spirit too. If we want to grow we have to become rooted in the Word and bear fruit. We don't have to merely survive, but should rather thrive because of the Source we are tapped into. Then it doesn't matter if you're uprooted physically, spirit law says you're firmly rooted. 

"Your spiritual roots go deeply into His life as you are continually infused with strength, encouraged in every way. For you are established in the faith you have absorbed and enriched by your devotion to Him!" 

Colossians 2:7

#Ggt

Lockdown 242

Lockdown Day 242 - 23 November 2020

I decided to label "the move" from the day the moving company's packers arrive. So Day 243 will be Moving day 1. So day 242 is funnies day, for fear of the rest going crazy🤪 :

😎

#Ggt

Lockdown 241

Lockdown Day 241 - 22 November 2020

I have come to realise there is no such thing as the perfect move. You can plan all you want and do everything right, but there will always be little things and last minute stuff. Add to that end of month things combined with the end of a year such as this, you end up going with the flow. 

The flow I went with today was slow in my department (🐌) especially when I decided to call it a day (or rather, a night). The flow can also become a bumpy ride which, like building a house, can challenge the best of relationships and bring the worst out of everyone involved. 

But this is how you grow, get to know yourself, and just like the move, start taking aboard what life has taught you and inadvertently throwing out what does not become you. Moving house is traumatic and painful, but oh, so sweet when you are nearly unpacked. 

So with an adventure ahead, I keep on keeping on, pushing aside the onslaught of those recurring autoimmune symptoms. Trudging through boxes and things lying ready to be packed, avoiding collisions with already packed crates and battling to find the end of the packaging tape.  All with the end goal in sight. 

And all the time thinking if God's got me and He's got this, He will provide me with what I need just like He did up to now. 

With the words of Hebrews 13:5,  I resolve tonight to be content with what I have, for I always have God’s presence. He promised me, “I will never leave you alone, never! And I will not loosen my grip on your life!”  

Amen. 

#Ggt

Lockdown 240

Lockdown Day 240 - 21 November 2020

Rainy summer days are most wonderful! I finished my last leg of cleaning and organising today. I left the garage 'till last because of the heat factor, figuring if I went for an early walk to cool down and keep my walking gear on, it would keep me cool for long enough. 

So when we left the house it was cool and overcast with a fresh and welcoming breeze. After that, it became more overcast with rain hovering on the horizon. How wonderful it was to get the garage done in the cool morning air with the promise of rain. 

When the rain eventually came, my car got a much needed bath and I finished while the heavenly blessing cooled down mother earth. 

This evening we spent a very special evening with some of our longest standing friends from way back when we lived here 30 years ago. Through all these years we have been in contact our friendship grew into a deep christian faith sharing friendship. 

We saw them get married, each other's children being born, worked together and what a pleasure it was to be able to catch up again and have office coffees together. It was great to be close to you again, and to share an occasional braai at each other's houses. 

So now we keep in touch as before, at least now we're in the same country! C&A we carry you and your boys in our hearts forever.💛

So as I retire with the raindrops hanging from every branch in the green room, I see the reflection of good times in every drop. I offer up a prayer for mother earth and ask for rain for all the drought stricken places in our country. And I'm eternally thankful my spirit is not drought stricken and barren, but filled with joy, love, faith and hope. The God kind. God's got us. And as sure as rain He's got this too. 💦

Lockdown 239

Lockdown Day 239 - 20 November 2020

This has been a week I'll remember fondly. Having coffee with all my friends throughout the week just reminded me of the unique and wonderful jewel called friendship. 

For all of you who said goodbye and are yet to do so, I am truly thankful our paths crossed. Every single one of you impacted my life in ways only God knew I would need during my stay in Bloem. I feel blessed with a crown studded with the shine and shimmer you all brought in my life. And I shall wear it proudly as a testimony to all of you and the beautiful hearts you are. 💙

To me, you are all the stuff unicorns are made of. A unicorn to me is not the mystical creature of weird spiritualism, but rather represents a special kind of person who brings something unique into one's life. 

So tonight I offer up a prayer for every single person who brought their own unicorn-bling into the last 3 years. Bloem is Bloem because of all of you! May you be blessed with the best heaven has to offer and enjoy an abundant return on your time, love and attention you invested in me. May the glory of God always go with you wherever you are! 

#Ggt

Lockdown 238

Lockdown Day 238 - 19 November 2020

Today was a blitz and time flew. Tonight, as I finished up I noticed the moon was in conjunction with what looked like two planets. I did a little research and found the following information:

From November 18-21 the planets Saturn and Jupiter will be visible in conjonction with the moon on these days. But look out for the December solstice on 21 December 2020. The Jupiter - Saturn conjunction wil be the closest since 16 July 1623! 

Sunday 16 July 1623 was 397 years, 4 months and 4 days ago. (you can look this up on howlongago.com)

Wow! I have been so busy the last couple of weeks I forgot to visit the green room to see where the moon was. But I am sure it was the Holy Spirit who prompted me to look out of the back window while folding washing. This was not visible from the green room. Once again the night sky grabbed me, reminding me of God's eternal presence inside of all He created. 

As children of God, you and I house the Spirit of the Almighty, the One who created us, the One whose breath gives us life. The complete fullness of God resides in our spirit. This is why we have a connection with everything that has breath, including nature. 

So tonight I go to sleep knowing God's all-surrounding and inhabiting presence will be with me wherever I go. And I offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for Him Who so gently reminds me of this each day. Yes, He's really got this.

Lockdown 237

Lockdown Day 237 - 18 November 2020

Day 3 of pre-moving organising and decluttering. Today I realised why the Spark Joy method works. It is because you aren't weighed down by having to choose what to get rid of, you work with the things that spark joy. You organise them with care and enjoy giving them a rightful space. And when you're done with the joy items you just stuff the rest into the purge box. And I have to say, that thing about taking it out immediately....  it really works. 

Fortunately, and to my surprise those items were minimal, whereby I concluded I had not accumulated very much clutter over these past 3 years. Apart from old documentation, empty boxes and the odd broken item, I just had to re-organise what lockdown brought with my housemates taking over my work space, resulting in me stuffing things into leftover spaces. 

And now for a couple of moving(😆) jokes:

I decided to become a school teacher after moving to Germany.

Kids there are kinder.

I'm moving to Greenwich in a couple months.

Don't know what I'm going to do in the mean time...

What game do you get when you are moving house?

Pac Man

Found a bunch of kittens in a suitcase on the street and immediately rang the RSPCA...

They asked, “are they moving?”.

I said, “I’m not sure, but it would explain the suitcase”. 

Gosh time is moving so slowly

Seems like the longest February in a while. 

How does NASA organize a party?

they PLANET.

Joyous dreams to you all! And remember God's got this. 

Lockdown 236

Lockdown Day 236 - 17 November 2020

Still on the declutter topic, there are some super tips I came across in the Kondo archives.

#Tackle categories not rooms,, i.e. sort out all the books in your house, or all the media in your house together/all at once. 

#Respect your things. They may be lifeless but squishing them in a cluttered closet does not preserve or respect them. 

#Nostalgia is NOT your friend. It is a dumpster chute that swallows up time. And best not let your family see what you are throwing out. Take pictures of the best old things and put it in a frame. 

#Purging is the best feel-good exercise ever! When in doubt, chuck it out! 

#Fold, don't hang. This is the most amazing thing I've learnt from her. And it really works! Take a look at the video at the end of the post and prepare to be amazed! 

#Hanging items' hems should slope from longest to shortest. Dump the colour coding, it never works long term. 

#Fall in love with your cupboard again. There's nothing like opening uo a clean uncluttered cupboard with breathing space between items. 

#Rediscover your style. Go for the forgotten pieces you bought because they sparked joy. 

And the result after a month? 

Getting dressed is a joy, identifying your wardrobe needs is easier and no more mindless retail therapy. 

https://youtu.be/IjkmqbJTLBM

https://youtu.be/Lpc5_1896ro

And if all this scares you, renember the joy of the Lord is your strength! (Nehemiah 8:10) Spiritual decluttering is almost always one of the positive outcomes from physical decluttering. It refreshes and redefines your relationship with God. And sparks joy! 

#Ggt

Lockdown 235

Lockdown Day 235 - 16 November 2020

The very first thing I read back in 2012 in Marie Kondo's book called Spark Joy was the following:

"The best way to choose what to keep and what to throw away is to take each item in one's hand and ask: Does this spark joy? If it does, keep it. If not, dispose of it. This is not only the most simplest but also the most accurate yardstick by which to judge."

Following our move to Windhoek, I decided two things: one, I would never again move with clutter and two, I would never again move without organising every single cupboard beforehand. And I stuck to those vows when we came to Bloem 3years ago. Part of my motivation came from Marie's book Spark Joy. 

Her mantra was simple: unpack the whole cupboard or room in question, throw everything on the floor and start extracting the items that spark joy. Clean the cupboard and return the spark joy items to their spots. Then take the rest out to donate, sell, whatever, just immediately take it to your car and be off with it. I just loved it. And my clutter turned into lustre as the joy was sparked. 

So today, one week before the moving company will come to pack their part, I decided to start organizing and cleaning each cupboard, following Marie's mantra. The kitchen, matchbox and all, took me all day, bearing in mind that my body is still recovering from our ill weekend, but I retired satisfied with what I've finished. 

So tonight I offer up a prayer of thanksgiving for having cutlery to eat with and a cup to drink from. And I praise God for providing. And that He's got this. 

"But let everything be done decently and in order. "

1 Corinthians 14:40

Lockdown 234

Lockdown Day 234 - 15 November 2020

Sunday. Day 234. Sunday number 34 of Lockdown. I share with you Psalm 34 from the TPT translation. 

"Lord! I’m bursting with joy over what you’ve done for me! My lips are full of perpetual praise. I’m boasting of you and all your works, so let all who are discouraged take heart. 

Join me, everyone! 

Let’s praise the Lord together. Let’s make him famous! Let’s make his name glorious to all. 

Listen to my testimony: I cried to God in my distress and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears! 

Gaze upon him, join your life with his, and joy will come. Your faces will glisten with glory. You’ll never wear that shame-face again. When I had nothing, desperate and defeated, I cried out to the Lord and he heard me, bringing his miracle-deliverance when I needed it most. 

The angel of the Lord stooped down to listen as I prayed, encircling me, empowering me, and showing me how to escape. He will do this for everyone who fears God. 

Drink deeply of the pleasures of this God. Experience for yourself the joyous mercies he gives to all who turn to hide themselves in him. 

Worship in awe and wonder, all you who’ve been made holy! 

For all who fear him will feast with plenty. Even the strong and the wealthy grow weak and hungry, but those who passionately pursue the Lord will never lack any good thing. Come, children of God, and listen to me. 

I’ll share the lesson I’ve learned of fearing the Lord. Do you want to live a long, good life, enjoying the beauty that fills each day? Then never speak a lie or allow wicked words to come from your mouth. 

Keep turning your back on every sin, and make “peace” your life motto. Practice being at peace with everyone. The Lord sees all we do; he watches over his friends day and night. His godly ones receive the answers they seek whenever they cry out to him. 

But the Lord has made up his mind to oppose evildoers and to wipe out even the memory of them from the face of the earth. 

Yet when holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles. 

The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain, and he is always ready to restore the repentant one. Even when bad things happen to the good and godly ones, the Lord will save them and not let them be defeated by what they face. 

God will be your bodyguard to protect you when trouble is near. Not one bone will be broken. But the wicked commit slow suicide. For they hate and persecute the lovers of God. Make no mistake about it, God will hold them guilty and punish them; they will pay the penalty! 

But the Lord has paid for the freedom of his servants, and he will freely pardon those who love him. He will declare them free and innocent when they turn to hide themselves in him. "

What a wonderful lockdown blessing! Even if you don't feel it, pray these words out loud so they can wash you with the power the Word speaks of and have faith in our omnipotent omnipresent God. 

He says it himself : He's got this!

Lockdown 233

Lockdown Day 233 - 14 November 2020

Today was my new daughter(in-law)'s Kitchen Tea. I connected with them on zoom with the help of one of my Nam friends. 

Thanks C, you made my day! What a treat to see everyone and it made so many memories flood back into my mind. 

Memories of how we all met and began a strong and steady friendship that will certainly withstand the test of time. How her whole family became my friends. Who would know our children would be married someday. 

I also thought of my own kitchen tea many moons ago and how some things of tradition never fade away. Things like getting dressed with an apron and some kind of veil, guessing the content of a gift and deciphering the giver's name from a rhyme on the card. 

I also remember the glorious eats and of course returning home with a car full of much needed gifts and a heart filled with joy, 

Playing house is such a wonderful journey we tend to put down as a 'schlep' or wishing it to be like the places in a magazine. In reality the anticipation for every change and addition, every little thing in it's place is what adds to the bond of trust in the relationship and life together. 

Such is the river of life: new things are waiting to be discovered and nurtured. You can't be in two places at once or divide your attention, because that would mean you turn your back one to focus on the other. 

So it is with God. When you are in relationship with Him, all your attention needs to be fully focused on Him. Looking away means you turn your back on Him. God-vision makes the rest of your life fall into place just like He ordained. Then you will have a heart filled with joy. Because He's the One with a plan. Because He's got this.

Lockdown 232

Lockdown Day 232 - 13 November 2020

On the back of deciding to cancel a glorious weekend planned long ago because of sinusitis, hayfever, etc, we stayed indoors, nursing our runny noses and sinuses. My depressed soul was distraught with frustration and anger because I didn't want to be home. I wanted to go visit with my 'closest' and had só looked forward to spending tomorrow in Clarens. 

But as the day wore on the frustration and anger dissipated and gave way to quiet resolve. Although my symptoms included the comeback of autoimmune viruses I had way back, I realised we needed the rest and time to restore our energy before the move. 

I also know because God's got this, and He holds my diary in His hand, I need to trust implicitly He knows best for us. As my Bestie pointed out, who knows, maybe He didn't want us on the road. 

It got me thinking about living in trust and reliance on God for literally everything. Do we really? 

The words of Proverbs 3:5-6 say it all, "Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. "

So tonight I go to bed, renewing and confirming my trust in God's judgement, repenting my angry dissatisfaction. I know He sees the big picture and that's enough for me. 

#Ggt