The Sea, The Sea!

Finally I've got around to posting some pictures of our June/July holiday (mid-winter here in South Africa). We did so much and went to so many places so here's hoping you'll enjoy the glimpse we can share with you. :)

We stayed in Wilderness for a few days. 

We stayed in a cute log cabin just on the side of this house.

Dad and Rachel jogging along the beach - Mom and I went for a slow walk :P

I love the sea and can spend hours just watching it and walking along the beach.

The week before we arrived here, the weather had been stormy and there was even flooding. The sea had washed tons of driftwood (in the background of the picture) and other things, up onto the beach.

Seaweed washed up during the storm as well as a jellyfish (pic below).

Keurboom -  one of the places we stayed at - forest at the back of our chalet...

...and the sea in front.

We had the place practically all to ourselves. :)

 Many of the wild bird are quite tame and we had a number of them, like this pair of red-winged starlings, coming right up to the chalet and sometimes even inside. :) 

No matter where we go, we always land up with a dog or cat following us around. This dog belonged to the manager of the resort but it stayed with us for most of the time we were there. :)

A steep path leads from the chalet to the beach. 

One afternoon Rachel and I stayed down on the rocks watching the tide come in (Mom was keeping an eye on us from the chalet and had her camera handy too!) :P

The tide crept closer and closer and then, of course, the inevitable happened ...

... We were washed off the rocks. :D

...which we found hilarious (and cold) :P 

Well, we were drenched, and our jacket pockets were full of sea sand

But it was fun so we shed the water-logged jackets and played around on the beach.

Dolphins swimming by.

It was good to have a warm shower that evening, enjoy a braai (barbecue) for supper and watch the full moon rise over the sea. 

And then to bed listening to the sound of my beloved sea.

Happy 16th Birthday, Rachel! :)

Today is my sister's 16th birthday! :) This poem is so true and although I have shared it elsewhere before, I'd like to post it here too for Rachel. :)

~Poem For My Sister~

What a miraculous blessing it is 

The love that sisters share,

A love that began the day you were born

And grows stronger within me every day.

I thank God He brought you to me

And for the person you've become,

A beautiful and wonderful sister

Unique, a very special one.

I see God's goodness in your works

And the wisdom He has given you,

His guidance and presence blessing you

Day after day, your whole life through.

Each new day and every night

Standing strong by my side,

Sharing, caring and loving me

Like only a sister can.

I am so very proud of you

Words alone cannot describe,

The blessing I received

The day that you were born.

I ask God for His mercy and care

Bestowed upon your life,

For when it comes to you, my sister dear

No one else can take your place!

Above Clouds and Mountains

Recently our family spent some time in the South/East Cape. We used to live in this area but hadn't back for quite a while so it was really nice being there again! Although Jessica and I have flown in a helicopter, this was our first time to fly in a passenger jet so it was a new experience for us. :) 

Sorry, the pictures are not great but we decided to post some anyway. :P

Despite bad weather predictions, we basically had clear skies all the way except for some patches of cloud beneath us at times.  

At times we could see rivers and dams way down below - it really looks like a huge aerial photograph come to life! :)

Coming into George we flew over the mountains and experienced a bit of turbulence. 

The Toyota Corolla we rented for the holiday - we were all pleasantly surprised by how well it drove and how comfortable it was. :)

After a wonderful holiday it was time to head back home again ...

Sunset from up high... It was soon dark and towards the end of the flight we could see what seemed like millions of lights as we flew over the city. We made really good time - instead of the expected almost 2 hours, it took exactly 1 hour and five minutes - thanks to a tail-wind and a pilot who was in a hurry! :)

Winter Update

Well, it's been a while since we posted on here! I suppose one could say that we've been having a blogging break for a while. :) We have also been extra busy these past few months and have been away from home quite a lot as well. We've been to lots of lovely interesting places and done fun things - and have tons of photos so hopefully we'll be able to get back to blogging more often and share some of them with you all. :)

We're still in winter here, but we are blessed in this country to enjoy mild weather mostly though we have had a few really cold spells - cold for us but probably not really that cold compared to many other countries, as you can see from the pictures below. :)

Choose You This Day

14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

~JOSHUA 24:14-15

God gives you your choice. 
"Choose you this day who you shall serve."
In the garden of Eden there was a tree of knowledge and a Tree of Life. Man was given the privilege to choose either one he desired. And so is it today; you're given your privilege, as free moral agents, to choose whatever you want to choose. My advice to you is, don't look at the modern things around you, and the popularity, and the glamour that you could be, but choose rather, by faith Him, that give the promise that someday He will come and will right all wrongs, and will give you Eternal Life, and raise you up. No matter if you take the despised way with the Lord's few, make that choice.


If there is troubles in the hand... If there's troubles in the land, if there's troubles in the church, if there's troubles in the home, no matter where it is, make your choice, "By faith "I'll serve God. I'll humble my heart in His presence. I'll take the way with God's children. I see them despised, and rejected, and drove out, and made fun of, but I'll still take my post of duty. I'll stay right by them, and when they cry, I'll cry with them. And when they're sorrow, I shall sorrow with them. The way they live, I'll live."


Like Ruth said to Naomi, "Your ways be my ways; my ways be your ways; where you live, I'll live; where you go, I'll go; the God that you serve, will be my God." Take that choice, though it pulls the very skin off of your conscience, of thinking that you're somebody. Skin yourself down and take your way with the Lord's despised few, and stay loyal on the field of service and at the post of duty.

~Bro. William Branham -BY.FAITH.MOSES 58-0720M 

The Road Back Home

Well, here at last is our final post about our trip to the Kruger National Park. Thank you to everyone who viewed the posts and also for all the lovely comments. :) 

We really had a wonderful time and the Lord blessed us so! Just being out in nature is a blessing itself, and it was wonderful to be in the bush, to see millions of stars in the very dark night sky, breathe such pure air and just relax and enjoy everything. Our time there seemed so short though and soon it was time to take the long road back home.

Leaving the Kruger Park at Phalaborwa Gate

This photo was taken just outside the town of Phalaborwa.

The long road stretching into the distance, at least the drive home is a scenic one. :)

Part of the Drakensberg Mountain Range, the "Dragon Mountains" as it translates in English. In Zulu these mountains are named, "uKhahlamba" (the Barrier of Spears) - this mountain range is the highest and longest in South Africa.

Passing through the town of Ohrigstad.

The road winds up and down through mountain passes, some are long and high with sheer drops on the side down into valleys.

Villages on the side of the road

If you look carefully near the top of this picture you will see the road winding up again.

Wind-swept :)

Looking back at part of the road we had traveled and the tunnel we had to pass through.

South African roads are not always in the best condition and one often has to swerve and zig-zag to try and avoid the potholes.

So thankful to the Lord for a lovely time away and a safe journey!

"Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name."

~Psalms 103