Lockdown 553

Lockdown Day 553 - 30 September 2021

The Eastern Cape is still shrouded in cold weather, sighing with anticipation for the great rains as forecast by the weather gurus. Looking to the skies, everyone is watching and waiting for the blessing of rain. News from the Langkloof sadly reports a 0 mm drizzle.

After an all-day drizzle came in with low lying clouds (and a blizzard-like wind), we measured 12 mm rain in our gauge. Just the blessing of seeing the drops on the window and hearing the occasional glug  from the gutter into our newly installed tank (kudos to our lessor and hubby's innovative ideas), is uplifting.

We spend dinner time at André and Riëtte's, chatting about their upcoming "birth" as grandparents and muse about kids and siblings, and our beloved pets. We laughed a lot at the funny things life throws at us and left feeling blessed with crazy fabulous  friends!

Standing outside on our little stoep, I hear the soft rain on the corrugated roof. I am intensely aware of the heaviness of more rain to come and breathe in the smell of rain.

Water is life. Life is water. One cannot exist without the other. I look up to God, our only  'rain guru', because He makes rain. Trying to exist without God or water will have the same effect on the body and soul as on the human spirit. So hold on tight to Him, and you will never die or thirst, because yes, He's got this!!

Lockdown 552

Lockdown Day 552 - 29 September 2021

After a day of soft non-stop rain, we had 10mm in our gauge by nightfall. And of course, I dug out my boots and vests again! My friend Riëtte told me how her mother used to say, "in PE you never put away winter clothes before 1 December"!

With yesterday's horse video still fresh in my memory, I am still inspired. Being mentally strong and staying positive are key skills we need to develop quickly in times such as these. Recognising that we need each other to get through all of this, is a key ingredient to remain standing strong.

Just look at how the dogs in this video working together to keep a balloon in the air:

https://youtu.be/2NIYD7K4hq8

Believing in yourself and your ability to get out of the mud, frees your mind from the control imposed by worldly standards.

Once your mind is free, you move into the "I can" category of survival and soon you'll find yourself running with other free spirits under God's watchful eye and  guidance.

So tonight I offer up a prayer for God to show me where I am stuck and to look out for those I need to draw strength from to get out. I also ask Him to show me where to run to help others who are stuck to be free. I ask this knowing God's firmly got this.

Lockdown 551

Lockdown Day 551 - 28 September 2021

Today I spoke to a number of people who are inspired with hope. People who have been hoping against all odds for different things. Things such as peace, happiness and health. And things such as that big break in their business and windows of opportunities to follow their passion.

The resilience of people to hope in times such as these is amazing. Hope is a kind of faith. Hoping for something is believing it can happen. Faith is a kind of trust. Believing something will happen ignites and implies trust in a process or relationship. Even the Bible talks about faith, hope and trust:

"Now faith brings our hopes into reality and becomes the foundation needed to acquire the things we long for. It is all the evidence required to prove what is still unseen."

Hebrews 11:1

"Now may God, the fountain of hope, fill you to overflowing with uncontainable joy and perfect peace as you trust in Him . And may the power of the Holy Spirit continually surround your life with His super-abundance until you radiate with hope!" Romans 15:13

"For You are my only hope, Lord! I’ve hung on to You , trusting in You all my life." Psalm 71:5

So tonight I share with you video of profound insight with Godly inspiration and comfort. May you be blessed by this incredible message:

https://m.facebook.com/iiuischoolfatehjang/videos/d41d8cd9/569734614156176/?_rdr

(if your volume is off check the on screen volume icon while video is playing) 

#Godsgotthis

#Godspeaks

Lockdown 550

Lockdown Day 550 - 27 September 2021

SnowReportSA posted a message this morning of possible low level snowfall in Drakensberg and Eastern Cape mountains. Subject to change, of course.

The day started out sunny with a strong breeze, later turning into a manic 50-70 km/h wind, the hovering at 16° C most of the day.  After making the call to finally put away all my thick winter clothes today, I hope I don't regret my decision (haha).

Through all the wind and cold, while arranging the washing, I looked up, where the clouds were layering themselves. There was a cotton wool-like layer, over which a dreamy steam-like layer slowly rolled in. It was followed by small, but dark and heavy pockets of promise.

Although incessant windy conditions can affect any soul negatively, wind is connected to all processes in nature and has many a purpose beyond the obvious. It isn't visible or tangible, but can cause movement and can bring rain to the parched land.

So it is with the Holy Spirit. He causes movement in our spirit. He isn't visible either but that doesn't mean He isn't there. So tonight I thank God for His ever present Spirit, moving where He works, coaching me in my walk with the Father and Son. I thank Him for the Spirit's incessant preoccupation with my spirit, affecting my soul positively.

#Ggt

Lockdown 549

Lockdown Day 549 - 26 September 2021

Sunday number 79. Adverts part 1.

Tonight my image focus is on brilliant adverts that are not only educational but inspiring on many levels (tap on the pic and zoom in to read the fine print on what the ad is about). Enjoy!

#Ggt

Lockdown 548

Lockdown Day 548 - 25 September 2021

While hubby was in a meeting I went  to see if Meade House still exists. And sure enough it does. The interior shop I remember has been transformed into a lovely, tranquil restaurant decorated with a hint of the victorian era, extending into the garden. Good coffee and good food.... What's not to like! Amy, thanks for your excellent service!

We left George at 11 and meandered through Knysna, making a pitstop at one of my fave instagram deli's, the Knysna Deli. The shop boasts fabulous fresh daily delivered local produce, and the barista makes a mean flat white. Definitely worth the visit.

We arived in Plettenberg Bay early afternoon and spent a wonderful afternoon with our friends Norman and Elsje. We have never really been to Plett, apart from visiting the famous Beacon Isle in our student days.

We took a drive to take in the real beauty of Plett, with running commentary from Norman and Elsje to explain and show all the digs of this beautiful bay with its breathtaking views all over.

We spent the evening catching up, sharing deeply and laughing loudly. We said goodnight after a thoroughly enjoyable and heart warming meal, thankful for another friendship firged many years ago that stood the test of time.

#Ggt

Lockdown 547

Lockdown Day 547 - 24 September 2021

Heritage Day. Today we will be driving through the Langkloof towards Mossel Bay. The air is crisp and cool and the sunshine coast is getting ready for action.  We pass many wind farms between Jeffreys Bay and the off ramp to the R62.

We were surprised to see how green the Langkloof looked. Although just surface green, the new grassy layer covering the ground is ultrathin and stems from the rains that fell in May this year.

Parts of the Langkloof showed signs of the terrible drought and in some places I could've sworn I heard the dry and arid mountains sigh as we drove past. My spirit let out a sigh in response, silently asking God to bless the Langkloof with full dams.

We caught up with one of my friends from school, mesmerised how we could just pick up where we left off about 40 years ago. Memories were flooding my thoughts as we chatted, enjoying little things like the way we pronounce words and the sayings we still use.

We said goodbye with plans for future visits as the men in our lives also clicked well. Gerhard and Marissa, thank you for taking the time to meet!

So tonight, we pray for rain in the Langkloof, Baviaans and full dams in both. We are thankful for both new and long ago friends and thank God who holds our diary in His hand.

We drift off with the ocean sounds from Mossel Bay in our ears, knowing God's got this.

Lockdown 546

Lockdown Day 546 - 23 September 2021

Tomorrow is Heritage Day, lately also dubbed as 'National Braai day'! So today began with busier-than-usual traffic, and the beach vibe can be felt all over in anticipation of a long weekend. The temperature suddenly climbed to 29 °C by 10am. By 18:00 the temperature plummeted to 17°C brought on by an icy cold wind clocking up 30 km/h.

I have been following world lockdown trends for a while now, and seeing as this blog started out as a #lockdowndiary, I felt it needed a mention. Bear in mind the information is based on statistics from 1 September 2021 which are ever-changing.

Due to a new surge of infections, the Seychelles have reinstated restrictions even though they are the world's most vaccinated country.

In India, New Delhi is back into lockdown with a surge in new cases of the "Indian variant".

Faced with a 4th wave, Japan declares its 3rd state of emergency with highest reported number, 2004 cases, in 24 hours. (Fun fact: PCR tests are now sold in vending machines!)

Italy reported 8006 new cases and restrictions are contemplated, but not yet imposed.

Austria declares wearing of FFP2 masks compulsory in public transport and shops.

Vienna and 2 other regions enter their 4th Lockdown.

Luxemborg announces partial restrictions following 71 new cases.

Belgium tightens entry and exit controls at all border posts, also increasing surveillance on tracing, testing, quarantine and isolation.

Only time will tell if the coming European winter will see a new wave of this abominable virus. The human governance of this world has definitely not got this. But God does. If you are struggling to see that, don't think about it too much. Just blindly put your faith and trust in Him. He really has got this.

Lockdown 545

Lockdown Day 545 - 22 September 2021

With a lunch date ahead with hubby, I decided to go to the beachfront to see the ocean. Although it was low tide, it seemed high because of the gigantic swells caused by another epic wind.

The far end of the bay wasn't visible at all and covered in a mist-like shroud. The swells were pushed by the wind towards the shore, making it look like a river in flood rather than breaking waves.

A pod of dolphins sauntered past the rocks close to the beach,  cutting seamlessly through the water as if it were flat and calm, making the outing totally worth the drive.

Later the wind takes its toll, fuelling a veld fire close to where we live, making it impossible to hang out the washing or even go for a walk. I stood in front of the window, watching the trees 'dancing' in the wind.

Seeing the beauty of the dancing trees brought a smile to my lips. It was as if they were sending a message. They were standing in the most adverse situation with a monster wind and a smoke cloud so thick that breathing was almost impossible.

No matter what, if you can dance at all, just dance!

So tonight I offer up a prayer for all of us to embrace the life God has embedded in our design. To dance through fire and spread our wings when the wind is strong, knowing He is right there in the thick smoke leading the way.

Thank You God for having us firmly in Your hands.

#Ggt

#prayforrain 

Lockdown 544

Lockdown Day 544 - 21 September 2021

On my errands today I saw a few children dancing to some music outside a supermarket where they were selling goods on special. One of them was trying to coax their mother to join them, who refused.

This made me think about something I read a while ago. The human brain ages over time as the body does, and although there are many ways to curb the process, there is one thing that has a profound impact on brain rejuvenation: dance!

From my line of work I know the value of movement and the effect it has on the ability of the brain to learn. It increases blood flow by a minimum of 15%, virtually bathing the neurons in oxygen-rich blood.

The elevated heart rate also induces better sleep cycles and patterns, helping the body's production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin which impact everything from mood to concentration.

Dancing specifically trains sequencing in the brain, which plays an important role in cell repairs and the restoration of tissue. When dancing, the use of limbs on both sides of the body individually acts as a powerful catalyst for higher thought patterns.

Wow! How incredible is that! So, the next time you find your foot tapping to music, go one step further and get up! Forget about who's looking and think about your intricate design. Not only does dancing grow the brain, it also sparks joy. The joy that comes from our spirit, embedded into this design.

Try it! The only thing that can happen is to you is a happy brain! In a time such as this, that is a gooood thing.

#Ggt

Lockdown 543

Lockdown Day 543 - 20 September 2021

As with any adverse event, people pay with their lives. The world is slowly seeing the early non-medical results of the effect of the pandemic (although, I suppose, these things have been happening for as long as there have been humans walking the earth).

In the last couple of days, we have heard of a student shooting at people on a campus in Russia, injuring 24.

In New Zealand a newly immigrated South African doctor murdered her three little daughters, ending up in jail. 

In the same town teenagers also died in a crash after using alcohol - rebellious behaviour said to be because of lockdown prohibitions.

In Australia shops were trashed due to anti-lockdown regulations.

To me, the aftermath when Covid eventually leaves, will prove to be the ultimate survival test for us all.

In all of this, we still have a daily choice to make. In view of the accompanying infodemic as well as a fast changing world on all levels with the prospect of more bugs to come, it is easy to forget we still have that choice to make a difference where we are planted.

Choosing to drive back the curtain of hopelessness and despair by looking up and remembering God has designed us for a time such as this, will usher in His Light for us to see the path we are walking on. His love and beauty shines brighter than anything on social media and His hope and strength is bigger than this virus or anything else yet to come.

Choose to hope in Him and choose to talk to Him every day. He is faithful and true. And He most definitely has got this! ✨

Lockdown 542

Lockdown Day 542 - 19 September 2021

Sunday number 78. Today my image focus is on vertical gardens and green buildings. Be inspired!

#Ggt