Lockdown 484

Lockdown Day 484 - 23 July 2021

Friday. Day 484, and the rain kept coming for most of the morning, the rain gauge measuring another 10mm. Although still cold and overcast, we managed to get our daily walk done by coffee time and decided to go have that cuppa by the seaside.

The Tokyo Olympics is underway! Our country's athletes proudly boast their colourful uniforms, respresenting our rainbow nation at the official opening ceremony. After the speeches the Tokyo logo was displayed in the arena.

I knew Tokyo would at some point display their tech prowess, and sure enough, above the stadium a 3D ball of lights appeared, depicting this logo. 

The presenter said there are more than 1800 drones in the air, magnificently choreographed to change the ball from the logo to a globe, depicting the continents of the world. Imagine being there and seeing this live.  

The only people in the spectator seats are the contingents of all the teams' various country representatives and people from Japan working at the event. Seeing the black and white checkered empty seats serves as a reminder of what the world has gone through.

And then, the whole city of Tokyo lit up. All the sights and attractions were displayed electronically, another tech feast to literally feast your eyes on!

Japan went to town and displayed their best, from musicians to dancers, and of course, Mount Fuji. Last, but not least, the Olympic flame arrives. This flame always evokes great emotion across the globe. It is a symbol of unity of the world through sport.

Today, in 2021, this flame also carries the testimony of the humble resilience and survival of mankind. In the end, Naomi Osaka carries the flame to the top of the Mt Fuji replica in the stadium, where she lights the flame that will burn throughout the event.

Tonight I drift off with the flame in my thoughts, praying a prayer of thanks for the rain and more to come and for the Light of the world to shine bright through us all. #Godsgotthis

Lockdown 483

Lockdown Day 483 - 22 July 2021

It started raining yesterday evening, and hasn't stopped yet! We woke up as the patter on the window grew heavy and melodic, signalling the arrival of ice rain. The little balls of ice stick to the glass at first, then slide down very slowly.

Throughout the morning the ice rain kept coming, ushering in a short bout of tiny hail for a few minutes, melting fairly quickly after touchdown. By lunch time we had recorded 40mm and were extremely excited.

As we had not yet heard a word of whether it had rained in the Langkloof, I decided to call a guest farm in the middle of Langkloof to ask if it is raining in that area.

Morné from Louvain Guest Farm was happy to share the good news of rain in Langkloof. They measured 20mm last week and 32mm last night and today. He said they expect more and it is still raining. What wonderful news!

I'm told we need a flood to fill a dam. So the prayerwalking continues. This is a huge lesson in faith against all odds.

The Creator of everything also created natural laws and intricate weather patterns. I also believe He absolutely loves it when we call things in faith; our faith in His absolute power and omnipotence.

I remember when I was little I would believe things the grown-ups would say "won't happen". It was like giving me a fizz-pop, but telling me there's no sherbet centre.

I just always had this voice in my inmost being telling me there's more than just what is seen/science. That I should keep digging for the "sherbet", the pure untainted taste of God. 

So tonight I go to sleep with the sound of God's intent embedded in the patter on my window, thankful for the now 60mm and to say yes, it does rain here this time of the year. Because God can fill dams. And because God's got this.

Lockdown Day482

Lockdown Day 482 - 21 July 2021

Still on the topic of therapy with God's Creation, there are many available for all of us to access without having to trek to the arctic or through the Amazon to find a remote pool or herb of some sorts. The common denominator for all are a soothing and relaxing environment. 

A therapy that caught my eye was balneotherapy. This is therapeutic bathing which involves immersion of some sorts. It resonates with my spirit, because just as we should immerse our spirits in God's Word and presence, immersing our bodies and souls in a tangible and therapeutic way can be extremely powerful and beneficial.

Types of balneotherapy include water, light or air immersion and body wrapping. Getting creative is part of the fun. Water immersion can be a steaming session with mineral salts (if your water is scarce) or a cold dip in the sea. It can also be a heated dipping pool with charcoal and herb smoke on a senser (like a sauna) or walking in the rain!

Light immersion can include typical heliotherapy (outside or sun bed), a multi colour light room or portable photo-therapy lights. Walking in a forest (or concrete jungle) when the sun is either setting or rising while facing the rays of light, is also worth a mention.

Body wrapping is a fun way to enjoy a body scrub you can make with your own locally sourced salt and herbs or oils, and air immersion can be ozone therapy or a diffuser in an enclosed space filled with the essential oil of your choice. 

Whatever you choose, know that it will significantly impact your physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. Win-win. In a time like this, it is an investment in yourself that will definitely pay off. Be kind to yourself so you can be kind to others. And most of all have fun, because God's got this!

Lockdown 481

Lockdown Day 481 - 20 July 2021

While sky-gazing in the sun yesterday, I wondered if there was such a thing as sun therapy. You know, like forest bathing.

For health benefits. I suppose God did create the sun for light, but He is not a one dimensional God and I am sure He had other uses in mind apart from solar heating and light.

After doing some research I found that heliotherapy is indeed used for mutliple benefits such as healing for various skin diseases and extensive research has also now proved a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and cancer with actual results of  heliotherapeutic protection against the development of cancer.

Of course, as with anything, too much of a good thing isn't good. But, the same sun that can cause damage can, with controlled exposure, become a healing vessel.

So instead of listing the do's and don'ts of heliotherapy (pretty much common sense), I decided to share two scriptures. The first refers to the Son of God as the Sun, thereby implicating Light that cannot be put out. The second calls sunlight kindness from God.

“But to you who fear My Name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings. And you shall go out and leap for joy like calves from the stall."

Malachi 4:2

"For that will reveal your identity as children of your heavenly Father. He is kind to all by bringing the sunrise to warm and rainfall to refresh whether a person does what is good or evil."

Matthew 5:45

So tonight while the rain is filling our gauge fast, I offer up a prayer for God to never let go of us, ever. And a prayer of praise that He's got this.

Lockdown 480

Lockdown Day 480 - 19 July 2021

Today I did a "dumb blonde" thing which could've been a disaster. Instead, it turned into many little personal victories with an angel in the mix.

After cleaning house, I headed out for a few to-do things on my list, which included on-tap honey at Grass Roof. Back at the car I popped the boot to put the honey away.

The wind suddenly came up and instinctively I grabbed hold of the boot, pressing the 'close' button.

Guiding the boot with my hand to stop the wind from catching it, I accidentally dropped the key into the boot. It clicked shut, and my heart froze: I had just locked the keys into my car!

My car's central locking stays locked if only the boot button is pressed. When the boot closes, the car sounds its signal to say it is locked again.

At that moment the full implication of what happened, hit me. My spare key was at home. But my house keys were also locked in the car. Hubby is out of town for business, and the rental agent doesn't have a spare set of keys. To top it all, my phone battery was on 10%.

Facing 4 hours waiting time, I first 'parked' myself on the grass under a tree, watching the clouds roll in. Then I called my long standing varsity friend Riëtte. Without hesitation, she immediately came to pick me up and took me to a wonderful place with lovely treasures, after which we had coffee at her house.

In between it all, it dawned on me that not once did I get upset or freak out on myself (normally I would have) for letting this happen and not being mindful in that moment. And what's more, I could actually think on my feet and not be a "numb blonde"!

So tonight, after hubby and I charged to fetch the car just before closing time, I am thankful for little victories, God's protection, provision, an angel-friend and a hero-hubby!

I feel blessed beyond measure by my Father YHWH who is beyond anything anyone can imagine, my Master Saviour and coming King Yeshua, who has got my back and His Spirit Ruach who prompts me as to where I should/shouldn't go and what I should/shouldn't do.

God is in the details, that's for sure. And He's most certainly got this.

Lockdown 479

Lockdown Day 479 - 18 July 2021

Sunday number 69.

Part 6 of the Sunday series of real life weird, wonderful, magical and funny wildlife photographs:

#Ggt

Lockdown 478

Lockdown Day 478 - 17 July 2021

The Grass Roof trail proved to be everything I hoped and more. Winding through the thick coastal vegetation, paddocks and veg tunnels with pockets of sea views and passing the nearby estate, we finished the 5km trail in about an hour.

The trail has plenty of little ascents and descents and shady canopies of lush trees, making for an ozone overdose and vitamin D boost. Testimony to the fact that sun and air are healing components sent from heaven.

The rest of the day was spent following the all important penultumate stage of the Tour de France. A time trial of note to confirm the winner. Well done Tadej Pogačar, you are indeed the Czech "Tornado".

With the Olympics due to start soon and most of the world's sport championships back on the circuit (with or without spectators), the tenacity of the human spirit shines like a beacon of hope. 

True to our design, we have a fighting spirit coded with management skills to work together in a leading role with the soul(mind) and body.

God deposited His fullness into our spirit. All we need to do is accept Jesus as our Saviour and His Holy Spirit will come in and inhabit our spirit. Then faith in His omnipotence and omnipresence can grow to help us stand strong in the trials of life.

#Ggt