without president

Today I woke up in a South Africa that had no president. this is the first time something like this had ever happened to me. And again I learn something new regarding the ANC. I had already learnt that the party has a pecking order. The strongest always wins. So it was no surprise to me that Zuma won in Polekwane. Slowly Zuma has become stronger until now he is stronger then Mbeki and so the weaker of the two must take the fall. I am very proud of the way the older wiser man stepped down. I dread to think about our Country being run by someone who has proven over and over again that he has a price and can be bought.

But I respect Romans 13 and I will obey the leaders God has appointed over me. I will pray for the leaders of this beautiful land.

I am reading an excellent book pathway to purpose for women by Katie Brazelton. Excellent for anyone searching for meaning with regard to their present path and for direction when the road seems to bend either to the left or right and both look equally attractive.

She quotes John Ortberg (another challenging author and teacher)

"Whatever our season of life, it offers its own opportunities and challenges for spiritual growth. Instead of wishing we were in another season we ought to find out what this one offers."

So I intend to do just that. I'm firstly going to really make sure I understand the present season then go on to understand what to do with the way I feel about it.

The country is going through a spring cleaning and I feel I am doing the same thing. Right now I am cleaning out cupboards and sorting through papers and filing etc. In my head space I am preparing for two big training opportunities that are coming up next month. I am also preparing for two exams in January. And in between I have to think up an original Christmas programme and keep smiling while my children prepare for their own exams and end of year activities. So life is good and expensive!

My prayer for now is that God will allow me to focus on the important issues of life. Family, friends and constantly placing Him at the centre of all that I do. Time management and not allowing myself the constant need to self-destruct.

musings on a Friday

We've just had the Home League Rally at our Corps. It was exhausting but really a great morning was enjoyed by all. It was such a blessing to see the hall so completely packed. Wow I long to see that every Sunday.

As an Officer I am going through one of my philosophical moments. Is this what God really intended me to do until the day I die and is there life after Officership and what do I do when people I trust to make right decisions regarding my life make such obviously wrong decisions regarding my friends and fellow officers.

I guess the one thing that attaches itself to this mode of thinking is the lack of resources for the Corps programmes, the lack of resources for our allowance - we just got a huge increase (absolutely great) the Corps can't afford to give it to us neither can they give us our back pay -
But the Territory is in the process of centralising allowances etc. So maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel - who knows???

Enough of that I have been stunned at how God just always shows up at the party. We needed dog food. Visited a friend whose dog had just died and she asks me - can I give you the dog food we have here - OK thanks God! Then we needed something for one of the kids and again a Friend calls out of the blue offering me that very thing - these God incidents keep me on my feet and hold my heart carefully.

Nicole (my daughter) is getting ready to write her final exams!! I find it difficult to know that she will soon be at university and then out of the house. Teaching her to fly has been a difficult process but watching her fly alone has been tough for me.

Matthew and mark are great. They are really nice boys who make my heart so proud. Natalie will always be the one who pulls at our heartstrings because she always seems to be lost in a crowd. I pray for all four of these precious young adults that somehow each of them may make a positive change in everything they do and with everyone they come into contact.

Aristotle once said "for things we have to learn before we do them, we learn by doing them." - I have proven that statement over an over in my life. The best teacher is experience. Even in the writing of this blog I have had to learn while writing. I'm enjoying having a place that I can express my feelings and my emotions openly but at the same time I am aware of the potential risk factor as well. they dichotomy of feelings is what keeps me doing it - i think. I don't have to make sense to anyone other than myself - and even then I don't always understand all I think about either.

Monday clear out

I had the awesome privilege of attending a wedding yesterday. Its becoming the norm to have weddings on a Sunday - still a bit strange though. Major Alister and Marika Venter's eldest daughter Alison was married to a wonderful young man. He was amazing from arriving at her Kitchen tea and presenting every lady there with a rose to speaking wonderful words to his new wife at the reception.

The wedding was conducted by Captain Garth Niemand and took place at a beautiful venue out in the Magaliesberg range. It was truly a beautiful place to be married. The colours were blue and white and looked beautiful.

Alison was beautiful and Branden was amazing. I wish them all the best for the future. They love the Lord and they have built their relationship on God. So they have everything going for them.

We were having such an amazing time at the wedding and someone said to me - this feels wrong - this is a Sunday. But I think weddings should take place on a Sunday. Its a covenant relationship! Why not celebrate it on the Lord's day.

I enjoyed the wedding it was great and we enjoyed the company as well.

I am busy reading a life of purpose for woman and again I am looking at what I am doing and how my passion is involved in what I do. I want to work in my passion but maybe my work needs to become my passion. Am I supposed to change my passion or my work???? Every time I try to do something to do with my passion I hit against people in position of authority over me shoot it down. Is it because I should not do these things or is the devil trying to keep me down???

south Africa is beautiful today. The sun is shining where I am and I am enjoying a day off. I'm at home and doing things but I allow myself not to worry about everything and everyone today.

this is going to be a hectic week as we have our Home League rally this week and its at our Corps (church)! We are doing the decor and getting the tea ready etc. etc. its going to be great but its going to be alot of work!!

anyway enough from me and my thoughts. Praying God's blessing over all who read this blog.

The clouds have moved in over the highveld and today is a little bit chilly. On my way to work at the school tuck shop. Serving at least 700 boys in a 20 minute time span is not a task for the light hearted.

I was asked to produce our Home league Magazine for South Africa. Its been a fun but really hectic task and a good friend Heather helped me by taking on a few months of work. Thanks Heather! I divided the magazine up into seasons which made me think a lot about how nature reflect human emotions. We all have our dark and dreary days when tears are the order of the day and we feel almost dead. Then we have those days when Sunshine reflects back at us and we enjoy the day.

I love spring and Autumn the most. They steer away from the extremes and just allow us to enjoy life as it comes. I realise they are the shortest of seasons but they are the best -moderate that's what I like!

risk taing

Today is a beautiful day in South Africa. Everything is great. I have found a UNISA assignment not done yet so will have to work really hard to get it in by tomorrow. I'm reading a really good quiet time book Praying for purpose for women by Katie Brazelton and it really is a prayer experience rather than a quick run through before the day begins.

I am beginning to admit a few things to myself. As an officers Child (In the Salvation Army) I learnt - from very young - not to wear my heart on my sleeve. To defend myself and my beliefs fiercely. I learnt that I had an opinon and I expressed it freely.

But over the years the Holy Spirit worked with my spirit and began to soften the edges. I began to allow certain emotions to come into my day to day life. I still knew how to keep people at a distance - so made an excellent counsellor. Able to help others without getting emotionally involved.

But over the past year the Holy Spirit has been softening the centre bits. I'm exposing myself to more emoional risk taking. I've been hurt, disappointed, angry, frustrated more in this time then ever. But its all good because I'm allowing myself to feel. There are still times when I shut down and cloak myself with a hard shell that no one can penetrate but its at those moments that the Holy Spirit works really gently with me.

I've always known the Holy Spirit is the comforter but to be honest I have only just begun to really understand and personally experience this in my life.

So here we have another risk taking step but a good one for me.

ok so I thought I would try this new technology thing out. I love just being able to speak about the things that touch my heart so here goes.
Last night I visited my nephew who is turning 21 today!! He's a great young man with a beautiful little one year old boy named Jayden and a lovely fiance named claudette. He is stuck in hospital because a drunk driver wrote his car off!! I don't know what happened to the the driver of the other vehicle. At the hospital they told us he had minor injuries Johnny has a crushed pelvis.

Life isn't always fair but I know this that God has had his hand over Jonathan's life and has kept him from near death so many times that he must have something amazing for him to do. What am I saying he is already a great dad, has a lovely family is facing life full on and enjoying every moment. - Perhaps God is already working out the miracle that is Jonathan right now.

Isn't it strange how we always think the miracle is still coming when in fact most of us are living miracles every day.

Its been a very hectic time in my life. I am studying at UNISA which is distance studies and I'm not giving it all I have, I am co-pastoring a church with my husband, I am raising four amazing children, (sorry young adults) and my second eldest is doing matric at the moment. I am also managing a shelter for abused women as well as running a few training courses for Precept.

Bla, Bla sounds like a pity party but its not. Just writing that down I felt encouraged. You see my person is not a simple idea but a complex joining together of so many ideas. I sometimes get a bit confused as to which roll I am playing but all in all I think my life is good and fulfilled.

My prayer is that my life would reflect the God I serve and that all I do may not bring me any glory but be to His account. that takes a lot of pressure off me and puts a lot of pressure onto Him.

This has been fun. Will try again later today.