Lockdown 628

Lockdown Day 628- 14 December 2021

After struggling through umpteen house chores and a mountain of washing, I was treated to lunch by my varsity pal Riëtte, as a belated bday prezzie. This was a welcome pause-moment in my week.

I realised how very few pause moments we allow ourselves in our 'busy-ness' of going about life. Our time is often hijacked by others unintentionally, and also many times by ourselves because we can't say no and fail to press the pause button.

Today on day 628, I am sharing Psalm 62:8 from The Passion Translation:

"Trust only in God every moment! Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to Him. Believe me when I tell you—He will help you! Pause in his presence "

How utterly awesome and comforting is this Word for us in a time such as this, when we are speeding towards Christmas, in need of a reminder to stop and look up. To know He is our Companion who walks with us, our Teacher who guides us, the Author and Perfector of our faith. And of course, the One who's got this.

Lockdown 627

Lockdown Day 627- 13 December 2021

A simple little dance of a little girl on the beach, inspired me just because of the simplicity of dance as a life hack. The kind that breaks open boundaries and triggers life to flow right through to expel all toxins.

When music plays, we have the ability to tune into the rhythm and feel it in our core. All cultures have some connection to music as a form of worship, entertainment and ritual. Music is a universal language proven over and over to communicate across boundaries.

Dancing at least twice a week has also proven to reduce anxiety, depression and stress, resulting in a more positive attitude, happiness and a sense of peace and tranquility.

In my world, dance is extremely profound in its ability to shift the mind into a positive gear. Toxic build up as a result of a fear-based life can be effectively expelled from the body through letting go in dance.

Where and when you choose to catch the rhythm, even if you're alone, moving to the beat activates a process to release neural pathways stuck in a negative rut.

David danced before the Lord. Spiritually, healing and restoration happens in our mind, body and soul when dancing before the Lord. Just do it. And see how you transform. 

#Ggt

Lockdown 626

Lockdown Day 626- 12 December 2021

Sunday number 89. Today's image focus is on fun shadows of ordinary people, animals and things:

Dust on car window's shadow looks like a mountain range:

Container ship cityscape:

Wolf pooch:

Cat window:

Labrador golfer:

Unicorn giraffe :

Toothbrush knows its job:

Water bottle pen:

Window labels dog:

Pegs on a line dance:

Friendly chevron:

Fishy swim:

Leafy giraffe:

Bat-cat and bat-crab:

Birdy shoot:

Artsy steps:

Town shows its true colours:

#Ggt

Lockdown 625

Lockdown Day 625 - 11 December 2021

After an extremely humid day yesterday, we woke up to a cool morning after some rain fell during the night. Although our long walk was later than usual, the breeze from the bay helped keep us cool.

We left for home just as the clouds rolled in, thankful for the cool air. We busied ourselves with house things pending the arrival of our friends Louis and Nina from Groot Brak rivier.

Taking a drive with them to Canon Rocks to check out camping digs for their family, we used the precious time to catch up on all the news.

After giving Canon Rocks the stamp of approval, we stopped in at our Bloem friends Peet and Marna's magnificent holiday home for coffee, enjoying their breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounds.

Lunch was the famous home baked pies at Nanaga farm stall just outside PE. I had the Lamb Mint. Although small, it was filled crust to crust with succculent soft lamb and distinctive minty notes. 😋

Our afternoon consisted of a welcome nap, afternoon Nespresso and a late drive around Cape Recife from Schoenmakerskop to the beachfront.

The stoep was warm and we chatted until late, strengthening anew the special bond of friendship we share. I thank God tonight for these two special friends He has sent into our lives and their incredible testimony imprinted on our hearts.

#Ggt

Lockdown 624

Lockdown Day 624 - 10 December 2021

And so a year has passed since my last birthday in Swakopmund, 2020. Who would've thought where the Lord would take us next. Never did I think I would have an early morning Flat White at the sea front in PE to celebrate my next bday. What a privelege.

My day was filled with calls, whatsapps and messages from my rich library of friends and loved ones from all over the world and I was lucky enough to also see a friend from Pretoria who is here on holiday.

The humidity was extra high today, signaling rain on the horizon. We even had thunder and lightning, but unfortunately only a few drops. Hoping for more during the night, we retire while the lightning flashes patterns through the blind.

While watching the "laser" show against the bedroom wall, I realise something:

a birthday has a way of breaking down all kinds of barriers, from the walls we build around our own hearts to the fences we put up around our lives. Fallen barriers are often the way God wants us to go in order to overcome or break through.

So tonight I celebrate my strengths and vulnerabilities, relieved that God is my compass, and celebrating Him who is in full control.

#Ggt

Lockdown 623

Lockdown Day 623 - 9 December 2021

The PE weather has taken over my hairdo. And I mean taken over.  The curl has moved in.

At first I tried to blow dry them straight from wet to dry, and it worked. But only for about 8 hours. Platinum hair also have a life of their own, apparently more prone to curling.

After four months of frustration, and a summery humid day, I succumbed to the curl  and gave it permission to look however it wanted. Now I have to get used to this look I don’t recognize when walking past a mirror or window.

To top it all, I am confronted with looking older even though I feel like a million bucks. I will have to make my peace with this. Botox and any invasive skin treatments are not my thing. Making peace with oneself is probably one of the most difficult things to do.

But, being a creation of God, I have the steadfast knowledge that He completes me and makes me whole. He is my waking up and going to sleep, my energy, my eternal hope and my JOY!!!! And I shall exalt Him and give my utmost to make Him known throughout my earth existence. For He has most definitely got me and He's got this too.

Lockdown 622

Lockdown Day 622 - 8 December 2021

So this morning I heard the Prez is getting his virus council together. Wondering whether anything will be changed, I realised once again how we have become accustomed to not knowing, some of us even enjoying this void in our future.

For all the control freaks this is a nightmare and for the bohemian types, the flow has become their daily grind. Others find solace in permanent axiety and stress while many have reverted to just getting by, adopting a serious no-care mantra.

Whoever you are, the one mantra to follow amidst trying to cope, is that of God alone. He fully understands the gravity of the time we live in.

Truth be told, He has known from the foundation of the earth all of this was going to happen to all of us and what each and every one of us would go through, see and experience.

Today is day 622.

So, here is Psalm 62:2 in the New King James version, "He alone is my rock and my deliverance, my strong tower; I am not greatly shaken."

I would also like to also share The Passion Translation of this verse as interpretive inspiration:

"He alone is my safe place; His wraparound presence always protects me. For He is my champion defender; there’s no risk of failure with God. So why would I let worry paralyze me, even when troubles multiply around me?"

Thank you God my Father. Thank you Jesus my Saviour. Thank you Holy Spirit my Teacher.

#Ggt