So you're a mom of 4 and your husband is away for the weekend. You have an extra child at the house because #2 needed some bonding time with a friend. It's Saturday morning. Everyone has been fed waffles. The kitchen is mostly clean. Everyone is dressed except the baby. You have a few minutes to maybe do something you WANT to do for the first time in a long time... what do you do?
Do you veg online and look at Pinterest, which only serves to fill your mind with tons of wonderful ideas that you'll never actually have time to do?
Do you read one of the many parenting books that you long to read and glean helpful information from, but are so busy parenting you don't have time to read more than a paragraph at a time? (one of these books I've had for like 5 years, and am on chapter 3!)
Do you spend more than 2 minutes on Facebook, which is normally just time spent scanning the news feed in order to keep tabs on your closest 300 friends? (I usually hope to catch the ones that share big news like a father who has died, or a baby that's just been born, but lately it's full of links to blogs that I also have no time to read)
Do you do a bit of spring cleaning? Make an effort to have the house look presentable for your husband who will come home after spending 3 full days with 3,000 teenagers who camped and ate disgusting food all weekend?
Do you work on the crochet baby blanket you started as soon as baby #4 popped out a girl instead of the boy you assured he'd be? (Baby is now almost 2 and the blanket is about 1/4 done... by the time I finish it, it'll need to be an afghan that she can take to college with her!)
Well, my free time is up, and I spent it writing a new post on my blog that I haven't had the time (or made a priority) to update in a few years. It's been so long since I've been on here that I forgot my password or even how to get to the place where you can compose a new post!
It's been fun though. Now, off to make the kitchen ALL clean....
Until Next Time....
Friday, March 21, 2014
Monday, July 25, 2011
Sold!!!!
About 4 years ago God provided us with the car we have now- a Honda Odyssey. We had given away our car a few months previously and I was now very pregnant with Lily. We knew God was going to provide, we just didn't know how. The bank refused to give us a loan. Some friends gave us some money towards a down payment, but the bank wasn't satisfied. God provided in a different way, which He often does!
Some very loving people in our church gave us a personal loan at a very low interest rate which allowed us to buy the car. On top of already giving us a great interest rate, last month they lowered it yet again which allowed us to make our final payment on the car today. I felt so blown away when the gift first came, and then to have them be even more generous 4 years later was icing on the cake.
Sheldon and I are looking forward to using the "car payment" each month to pay off a huge car repair bill that had to go on our credit card.
Our Father never stops amazing me with the ways in which He provides for us. It's not always easy going and stress-free, but we are never truly in want.
I know our benefactors want to remain anonymous, and I will respect that, but I want them to know what a huge blessing they have been to us, and how much their generosity has changed our lives. And I also want to say we are the proud new, debt-free owners of a great car... SOLD!!!!
Some very loving people in our church gave us a personal loan at a very low interest rate which allowed us to buy the car. On top of already giving us a great interest rate, last month they lowered it yet again which allowed us to make our final payment on the car today. I felt so blown away when the gift first came, and then to have them be even more generous 4 years later was icing on the cake.
Sheldon and I are looking forward to using the "car payment" each month to pay off a huge car repair bill that had to go on our credit card.
Our Father never stops amazing me with the ways in which He provides for us. It's not always easy going and stress-free, but we are never truly in want.
I know our benefactors want to remain anonymous, and I will respect that, but I want them to know what a huge blessing they have been to us, and how much their generosity has changed our lives. And I also want to say we are the proud new, debt-free owners of a great car... SOLD!!!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Thank You Daddy...
Sheldon and I have had some pretty major ups and downs, financially, in our 10 1/2 years of marriage. Actually, honestly, they've been mostly down times, but somehow God always sees us through, as He promised he would (Phil 4:19). I remember, clearly, in our first year of marriage, the electricity being cut off because we didn't have enough money to pay the bill. I totally freaked out. I was set and ready to pack my bags and go back home to my mom and dad, who-although they also saw some tough times-never had the electricity cut off. I felt very scared and unsure and questioned what in the world I was doing with this "stranger of a man" (you have to know our story to understand that statement) who couldn't provide for me. I can also remember, in that first year, opening the fridge and seeing nothing but a bottle of ketchup and a partial block of cheese (which is YELLOW here!!!!). Anyway, there was no possible way for me to get home, which was a good thing. The Lord knew it was my tendency to run and hide, so if I could have gotten home I would have gone. But I was stuck and He made us stick it out. I'm so glad He did!
We've never been through times where we didn't have to live off of a very tight budget. There was never anything left over at the end of any month for savings or anything like that. We didn't go without though. We've had countless people bless us over the years with various things. Food, money, clothes, holidays... it's amazing to look back and see all the miracles God has done simply because He loves us.
He's challenged us with giving as well. We actually love to give, and this has become harder as our family has grown. It's hard to 'give' knowing that it's the last of what you've got, and tomorrow you're going to need diapers or milk or bread or all of the above. We've tried to be obedient in giving, and I can tell you that God is NOT good at math, because He gives us in return far more than we ever expect He would. Once we gave a lady who'd been mugged of her groceries R50. A day or two later someone gave us $500 toward our trip to the US that year... come on people- 50 RANDS compared to 500 DOLLARS!!! God is good.
I have to admit that it hasn't always been rosy or exciting. Some people can face their needs with seemingly endless amount of carefree-ness. Not me. I tend to worry and freak out. But as the years have passed and I look back I can certainly see how the Lord has used these challenges to make me grow. However, the Lord has this way of taking you to a place, and just when you think you've 'arrived' He says "uh-uh, I want you to move a little bit further." This happened this past month.
I want to make it clear here that we don't struggle financially because we are 1- not looked after by our employer, nor 2- because we are irresponsible. But what do you do when your gear box breaks and it costs R18,000 to repair??? yeah, you go into debt. At least people like us do! And when you've never had enough at the end of each month to save, how do you now pay off an extra R18,000??? It takes time.
So this year, for the first time in 10+ years, we enjoyed a month where we actually had some money in our check account the day before payday. Granted, it wasn't much, less than R50 I think, but it was something. HURRAY! Thank You, Lord. It was soooooooooooo nice to be able to go buy milk and bread and eggs on the 20th (pay day is the 25th) and know I wasn't borrowing the money to do so from the kids' piggy banks. It felt great and I rejoiced daily. I felt so spoiled by our gracious God. You might think He's not very gracious if we struggle each month, but if I didn't struggle I wouldn't have the character building that I've had over the last decade. I'd be a spoiled brat and probably far less likely to give because I wouldn't understand the joy of the whole giving/receiving process.
Well this month was back to old times. There were extra expenses due to our trip to PMB for Comrades. Just gas alone set us back quite a bit. So by the 15th we were broke. Nothing left. Nothing in the checking, nothing even left in the credit card (thanks to that gear box repair job). We were back to beans and lentils. Fine. It was fine. I was used to this and although it was a bummer, I could handle it. I kept my mind on things above, and was reminded to be thankful and grateful for all that we have. It wasn't easy, but it was doable. We got creative with school snacks and drank more water than usual. No big deal. But as each day passed our needs grew greater. I spent a lot of time praying "Lord, you know our needs. Help me to keep my focus on you and not our needs. Please provide for us as You've promised you would. Thank you for all that you've blessed us with." But I guess my heart wasn't fully 100% in that prayer because one day late last week I cracked. I fell apart. We were running out of everything, time was up, 99 had come and gone and it seemed like God had simply forgotten about us. Electricity was almost gone. Fridge was nearly empty. Dry goods running low. Last dose of daily meds taken.... all this and a holiday to look forward to. How were we going to manage a holiday (accomadation was a GIFT!!!) with 5 kids and no cash? I had no meds left and that was going to be dangerous. Sheldon wrapped me in his arms and tried to console me as he prayed aloud and shared what was on both our hearts with our Father. I got my act together and felt better after that.
On Monday an email arrived from my mom saying some friends in the US sent them a check for us for $500!!!!!!!! (I can't access it yet, as I'm still waiting for my ATM card to arrive in the mail.) Today, Sheldon got an SMS saying "R5,000 deposited into your account. Reference: Holiday money." As Sheldon read me the SMS tears came to my eyes. We hugged and both started to cry. Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe how we felt.
You know, although I've walked with Christ for as long as I can remember, I'm still a human mess. I still worry and fret even though I don't need to. I don't know why God works out his timing the way He does. And yes, He's allowed us to "suffer." We've gone through times where all we had to eat for days on end were potatoes (which happened to be a gift from a local farmer) and we all got sick from it. Why did He allow that? I don't know. Maybe we needed a greater reality check to what most of this country and this continent live through. Why would he allow my meds to run out, knowing their could be serious consequences? I have no idea, but I know that it has to be for a reason. But the blessings far, far, far outweigh the hard times. The list of blessings in the back of our blessing book isn't longer than a list (which I've never made) of rough times.... but they weigh far more. The hard times may have lasted months on end, but then that needed holiday when you are just desperate to get away, makes up for the months of hard time, and then some.
Yesterday was the last day we could get our car re-licensed without a penalty. Today we were able to get it done(and although we deserved a penalty for being late, we were't issued one!). Yesterday we ran out of bread and milk. Today we bought some. Yesterday we owed money at Kebar for lunch we'd gotten the week before, today I paid the bill. Yesterday I ran out of medicine. Today I got a refill. Yesterday I didn't know HOW we'd be able to manage this holiday, today I know we'll not only just get by, we'll have an incredibly fantastic time. We'll be able to spoil the kids like never before and the best thing of all is that Mandisa and Andiswa will be with us. We cannot wait to take them to the beach for the very first time in their lives. They have never seen dolphins or even been to a mall. "Mall" is one of the boys' spelling words and I asked Mandisa if he knew what it was. He didn't and so I explained to him. He was quiet for a moment and then said, "wow... I've never seen anything like that."
I sat and worried and cried and doubted and God still came through.
What an amazing God we serve.
Thank You, Daddy, for your love and care.
And, thanks, to whoever it is of you out there who was obedient to the Lord's prompting and sent us the holiday money. You'll never know just how much it means. My words can never express our gratitude adequately. God bless you.
Until next time....
We've never been through times where we didn't have to live off of a very tight budget. There was never anything left over at the end of any month for savings or anything like that. We didn't go without though. We've had countless people bless us over the years with various things. Food, money, clothes, holidays... it's amazing to look back and see all the miracles God has done simply because He loves us.
He's challenged us with giving as well. We actually love to give, and this has become harder as our family has grown. It's hard to 'give' knowing that it's the last of what you've got, and tomorrow you're going to need diapers or milk or bread or all of the above. We've tried to be obedient in giving, and I can tell you that God is NOT good at math, because He gives us in return far more than we ever expect He would. Once we gave a lady who'd been mugged of her groceries R50. A day or two later someone gave us $500 toward our trip to the US that year... come on people- 50 RANDS compared to 500 DOLLARS!!! God is good.
I have to admit that it hasn't always been rosy or exciting. Some people can face their needs with seemingly endless amount of carefree-ness. Not me. I tend to worry and freak out. But as the years have passed and I look back I can certainly see how the Lord has used these challenges to make me grow. However, the Lord has this way of taking you to a place, and just when you think you've 'arrived' He says "uh-uh, I want you to move a little bit further." This happened this past month.
I want to make it clear here that we don't struggle financially because we are 1- not looked after by our employer, nor 2- because we are irresponsible. But what do you do when your gear box breaks and it costs R18,000 to repair??? yeah, you go into debt. At least people like us do! And when you've never had enough at the end of each month to save, how do you now pay off an extra R18,000??? It takes time.
So this year, for the first time in 10+ years, we enjoyed a month where we actually had some money in our check account the day before payday. Granted, it wasn't much, less than R50 I think, but it was something. HURRAY! Thank You, Lord. It was soooooooooooo nice to be able to go buy milk and bread and eggs on the 20th (pay day is the 25th) and know I wasn't borrowing the money to do so from the kids' piggy banks. It felt great and I rejoiced daily. I felt so spoiled by our gracious God. You might think He's not very gracious if we struggle each month, but if I didn't struggle I wouldn't have the character building that I've had over the last decade. I'd be a spoiled brat and probably far less likely to give because I wouldn't understand the joy of the whole giving/receiving process.
Well this month was back to old times. There were extra expenses due to our trip to PMB for Comrades. Just gas alone set us back quite a bit. So by the 15th we were broke. Nothing left. Nothing in the checking, nothing even left in the credit card (thanks to that gear box repair job). We were back to beans and lentils. Fine. It was fine. I was used to this and although it was a bummer, I could handle it. I kept my mind on things above, and was reminded to be thankful and grateful for all that we have. It wasn't easy, but it was doable. We got creative with school snacks and drank more water than usual. No big deal. But as each day passed our needs grew greater. I spent a lot of time praying "Lord, you know our needs. Help me to keep my focus on you and not our needs. Please provide for us as You've promised you would. Thank you for all that you've blessed us with." But I guess my heart wasn't fully 100% in that prayer because one day late last week I cracked. I fell apart. We were running out of everything, time was up, 99 had come and gone and it seemed like God had simply forgotten about us. Electricity was almost gone. Fridge was nearly empty. Dry goods running low. Last dose of daily meds taken.... all this and a holiday to look forward to. How were we going to manage a holiday (accomadation was a GIFT!!!) with 5 kids and no cash? I had no meds left and that was going to be dangerous. Sheldon wrapped me in his arms and tried to console me as he prayed aloud and shared what was on both our hearts with our Father. I got my act together and felt better after that.
On Monday an email arrived from my mom saying some friends in the US sent them a check for us for $500!!!!!!!! (I can't access it yet, as I'm still waiting for my ATM card to arrive in the mail.) Today, Sheldon got an SMS saying "R5,000 deposited into your account. Reference: Holiday money." As Sheldon read me the SMS tears came to my eyes. We hugged and both started to cry. Overwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe how we felt.
You know, although I've walked with Christ for as long as I can remember, I'm still a human mess. I still worry and fret even though I don't need to. I don't know why God works out his timing the way He does. And yes, He's allowed us to "suffer." We've gone through times where all we had to eat for days on end were potatoes (which happened to be a gift from a local farmer) and we all got sick from it. Why did He allow that? I don't know. Maybe we needed a greater reality check to what most of this country and this continent live through. Why would he allow my meds to run out, knowing their could be serious consequences? I have no idea, but I know that it has to be for a reason. But the blessings far, far, far outweigh the hard times. The list of blessings in the back of our blessing book isn't longer than a list (which I've never made) of rough times.... but they weigh far more. The hard times may have lasted months on end, but then that needed holiday when you are just desperate to get away, makes up for the months of hard time, and then some.
Yesterday was the last day we could get our car re-licensed without a penalty. Today we were able to get it done(and although we deserved a penalty for being late, we were't issued one!). Yesterday we ran out of bread and milk. Today we bought some. Yesterday we owed money at Kebar for lunch we'd gotten the week before, today I paid the bill. Yesterday I ran out of medicine. Today I got a refill. Yesterday I didn't know HOW we'd be able to manage this holiday, today I know we'll not only just get by, we'll have an incredibly fantastic time. We'll be able to spoil the kids like never before and the best thing of all is that Mandisa and Andiswa will be with us. We cannot wait to take them to the beach for the very first time in their lives. They have never seen dolphins or even been to a mall. "Mall" is one of the boys' spelling words and I asked Mandisa if he knew what it was. He didn't and so I explained to him. He was quiet for a moment and then said, "wow... I've never seen anything like that."
I sat and worried and cried and doubted and God still came through.
What an amazing God we serve.
Thank You, Daddy, for your love and care.
And, thanks, to whoever it is of you out there who was obedient to the Lord's prompting and sent us the holiday money. You'll never know just how much it means. My words can never express our gratitude adequately. God bless you.
Until next time....
Monday, June 13, 2011
Need some help!
I have started to write something a few times over the past couple of weeks, but obviously nothing has gotten done until now.
Comrades has come and gone. It was a good event overall and I'm incredibly proud of my hubby for sticking with it on the day (when he felt quite sick!).
Right now I'm needing some support in various ways. Mostly it concerns Mandisa, who many of you know about. For those of you who don't, there's a longer story, but the short of it is Mandisa is a little guy who Myles met in preschool a few years back. Right now he's back at Maranatha in 2nd grade with Myles. Sheldon and I have taken Mandisa and Andiswa (who's in K with Hannah) under our wings. We've been trying to get financial support for them to remain at Maranatha (which is a private Christian school) as well as trying to help Mandisa catch up with his school work. He was at a public school where the standards were incredibly low. We had hoped with a few months of extra help and tutoring that he'd catch up with the rest of the class, but he hasn't. He's not the slowest in his class, but I feel certain he's got potential... however he's not where he should be academically. I don't know what else to do. I'm not a qualified anything, especially a teacher... In my heart I really, really, would like Mandisa to pass 2nd grade and move along with Myles. They are very good friends, but on a selfish note, it'll be easier for me to help 2 kids in grade 3 and 2 kids in grade 1 (next year the girls will be there), than 1 in grade 3, 1 in grade 2 (again) and two in grade 1.... Lily will still be in preschool.
I'm seeking advice, materials and mostly wisdom from our Father. I want to know how how best to help Mandisa. I just don't feel satisfied with the answer that he's slow. Maybe he does have some learning difficulties,and I need to just submit to the fact that keeping him back is for the best. HOWEVER, if that potential is in there, but just needs to be unlocked, I want to unlock it. I just need a word from our Father of what the truth is with M.
((School vacation is in less than two weeks and we are taking Mandisa and Andiswa with us to the beach! Some very loving and caring friends have given us 1 week at the beach for free!!! HURRAY!!!! We feel so spoiled!! M & A have NEVER been to the beach before, so they are really excited. Our kids are praying for some spending money so we can take all of them to the aquarium in Durban. ))
The other area where we just need wisdom from God is our spiritual input into the lives on A & M. The other day I was driving them home after homework and Mandisa saw a clam shell on the floor of our car (left there by some of the kids' other friends). He told us about how you can pray to Jesus and the clam shell will open and then you can talk to your ancestors. Oi vey. Very typical of African Christians... they call out to Jesus but so often aren't taught to leave their old ways behind. I told him that it wasn't right to do that and he said "but my Granny has a whole vest made of shells." Oi. ((Sigh.)) I love these kiddos and want what is best for them. I'm feeling incredibly unqualified, which I am really, but know that God can use me if I let Him.
Please pray with me for wisdom, for financial provision, and for God-ideas on how to help the kids with their school work! Thanks friends.
Until next time...
Comrades has come and gone. It was a good event overall and I'm incredibly proud of my hubby for sticking with it on the day (when he felt quite sick!).
Right now I'm needing some support in various ways. Mostly it concerns Mandisa, who many of you know about. For those of you who don't, there's a longer story, but the short of it is Mandisa is a little guy who Myles met in preschool a few years back. Right now he's back at Maranatha in 2nd grade with Myles. Sheldon and I have taken Mandisa and Andiswa (who's in K with Hannah) under our wings. We've been trying to get financial support for them to remain at Maranatha (which is a private Christian school) as well as trying to help Mandisa catch up with his school work. He was at a public school where the standards were incredibly low. We had hoped with a few months of extra help and tutoring that he'd catch up with the rest of the class, but he hasn't. He's not the slowest in his class, but I feel certain he's got potential... however he's not where he should be academically. I don't know what else to do. I'm not a qualified anything, especially a teacher... In my heart I really, really, would like Mandisa to pass 2nd grade and move along with Myles. They are very good friends, but on a selfish note, it'll be easier for me to help 2 kids in grade 3 and 2 kids in grade 1 (next year the girls will be there), than 1 in grade 3, 1 in grade 2 (again) and two in grade 1.... Lily will still be in preschool.
I'm seeking advice, materials and mostly wisdom from our Father. I want to know how how best to help Mandisa. I just don't feel satisfied with the answer that he's slow. Maybe he does have some learning difficulties,and I need to just submit to the fact that keeping him back is for the best. HOWEVER, if that potential is in there, but just needs to be unlocked, I want to unlock it. I just need a word from our Father of what the truth is with M.
((School vacation is in less than two weeks and we are taking Mandisa and Andiswa with us to the beach! Some very loving and caring friends have given us 1 week at the beach for free!!! HURRAY!!!! We feel so spoiled!! M & A have NEVER been to the beach before, so they are really excited. Our kids are praying for some spending money so we can take all of them to the aquarium in Durban. ))
The other area where we just need wisdom from God is our spiritual input into the lives on A & M. The other day I was driving them home after homework and Mandisa saw a clam shell on the floor of our car (left there by some of the kids' other friends). He told us about how you can pray to Jesus and the clam shell will open and then you can talk to your ancestors. Oi vey. Very typical of African Christians... they call out to Jesus but so often aren't taught to leave their old ways behind. I told him that it wasn't right to do that and he said "but my Granny has a whole vest made of shells." Oi. ((Sigh.)) I love these kiddos and want what is best for them. I'm feeling incredibly unqualified, which I am really, but know that God can use me if I let Him.
Please pray with me for wisdom, for financial provision, and for God-ideas on how to help the kids with their school work! Thanks friends.
Until next time...
Friday, May 20, 2011
It's About That Time...
The living room is finally painted!!! Took longer than I wanted, and it's far from perfect, but I'm happy with the colors and until we can afford to paint again, it'll just have to stay the way it is!
I also managed to do something for Hannah's birthday which came out OK:
At the moment I'm trying to finish up a sweater for Hannah that I started during the summer. If I don't hurry up it'll have to wait 2yrs till Lily can fit into it. No pictures of the sweater so far ;)
So, yeah, (sigh), it's that time of year.... COMRADES!
I know anyone can run (well, anyone with two legs, who isn't 100yrs old or riddled with some degenerative, crippling illness or disease)... but you have to love to run if you're going to train for the Comrades. Sheldon loves running. He doesn't always "love" it while he's doing it, but after it's done he never has any regrets for putting himself through the pain. He sees it as a challenge which he wants to overcome. I see it as a punishment. I tried running. I'm INCREDIBLY unfit and could most certainly get heart-healthy and tone up my body... I thought with all the buzz around Sheldon and his running group that maybe I'd get into it. Didn't happen. It's soooooo not my cup of tea. I like to do stuff- like tennis or squash or basketball... and I'll work hard and long at those things. THOSE I enjoy. THOSE things I could get fanatical about, but running 86.something KMs, UPHILL from Durban to Pietermartizburg isn't one of them.
I have, however, grown to love supporting my husband in this endeavor. I appreciate what his running group has meant to him on a personal/friendship level. It has seriously changed our lives. His running group feels like family to us. We wives all get together while the men run and we talk about all their moanings and groanings and injuries and share all the stories our husbands have told us about their early morning runs. We wives get a work out too, just in a different way. It's called stress, or maybe a high level of concern!
Last year was Sheldon's first turn at running Comrades, in fact, it was his first year of truly running (at least since army days). Each milestone for him was also one for me. He didn't know it, but each time he left to go run 6 or 15 or 20 or 32 or 42 or 50 kilometer runs, I was there with him. I was praying, wondering... and waiting. Waiting to hear the key in the door to know he'd made it home safely. Wondering how the run went. Praying he wouldn't get hurt. As we prepared for Comrades as a family I heard a lot about the "let down" after the run. It was probably in Runners World where I read an article about runners going into a kind of depression after Comrades was over. It made sense. All year long they train for THIS marathon. They've run others, they've done endless training runs, but all of it is in preparation for Comrades. What I didn't know, and certainly did not expect, was that I, too, would experience the "let down." While Sheldon exerted himself for just over 9hours of non-stop running, I exerted just over 9hours (actually way more) of constant prayer, worry, wondering, concern... "where is he? is he OK? is his back holding out? did the injury flare up?" For all I could know, sitting 2/3 of the way down the route, he'd gotten plowed over by someone and never made it past kilometer 5. But how would I know? It's not like our Star Trek Communicators actually work here in South Africa. ;)
To see him come past the finish line, along side his best friend, was just incredible. I was so so so so SO proud of him. Words could not express how proud of him I was. I did see him at the 2/3 route, which was certainly helpful, but seeing him make it the whole way was just plain awesome.
But then it was over. He'd done it, but now it was done. He'd gotten up 5 out of 7 mornings every week somewhere between 4:14 and 4:45AM to go running. Now that was over. What was I supposed to do with myself? What was I supposed to do with him??? Running has been such a great outlet and form of therapy for Sheldon. Now he was doing nothing. There was nothing for me to worry about... I just had to encourage him to wait his 6weeks and this would all start all over again. Just relax and rest your body. Let it heal, let it REST (darn it!). But what I didn't do was let myself rest. I was feeling the sort of depressing "let down," just in a different way from Sheldon. I was not resting. I was always wondering how he was coping deep down inside. I knew he was badly missing his running buddies. I mean, come on, they were calling each other to say hi. What guys do you know that do that? Girls maybe, but these guys are so closely knit they just can't seem to function apart for too long. It was a relief to not only the guys when the 6weeks were over, but to us wives as well. Phew. We'd made it through the let down. The men had rested their bodies (which were all skin and bones just 6-8weeks before), put some fat back on, and were ready to hit the road yet again. We wives were ready to have them run, have their guy bonding times, their outlets, etc... We just forgot to rest ourselves.
So now Comrades #2 is just days away. Sheldon's been struggling with a hamstring injury for most of the season. He needed a solid 6 weeks off to let it heal, but if he did that he wouldn't have followed the training plan for Comrades, so he's run through the pain. (something I could never do. My mind is not strong like that!) He's got quite a chest cold as well. I've been doctoring him best I can with allergy meds, VIT C and immune boosters, but that is all I can do- the rest is in God's hands. I've been on my knees (well, not literally) for an entire year over this man and this race... Sheldon's best friend was injured last week and we are storming the gates for a miracle healing there as well. God did it for Sheldon last year. His back was messed up, and God healed it for like 3 days, just enough to get him through the race, and then the pain came back. It was amazing. I don't think Sheldon even minded that the pain came back, we just knew God had taken care of it so that Sheldon could run. Afterall, it was a life-long dream. How depressing would it be to have wanted this all your life, then spend an entire year preparing, only to find you can't run it on the day...
So it's that time. We're leaving tomorrow for PMB. We'll spend the week before Comrades there... just waiting. Sheldon will be resting, relaxing, and waiting (he'll only do 3 days of short runs just to keep the muscles loose). I will be praying, praying, praying. Praying for Sheldon. Praying for his best buddy. Praying for everyone in the running group...
This year, after it's over, I'm going to take 6 weeks off. ;)
proud of you my babe. xoxo
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Update
I'm always surprised at how much time passes between my postings. Life just flies by, as everyone told me it would. On top of the time thing, I've been spending most of my online time on my new cell phone (a BB curve), which has free internet access. It's not conducive to writing anything of notable length, however, so that's another reason for the few and far between posts. (By the way, my right thumb muscle is SO sore!!! Still getting used to typing on the bigger phone!)
Quite a bit has happened in the last few weeks, one thing I tried to blog about but just couldn't get down on 'paper' what was in my head- which seems to happen to me a lot. Yesterday, while mowing the lawn, my mind composed all sorts of wonderful, well articulated 'articles' about which I could write and post, but now that I'm at the computer all that information is gone. Sometimes while mowing the lawn I have cases or arguments which I present to congress and it's all so amazing to me. But it's just STUCK up there in my head. And, what, seriously, would I have to say to congress? By in my head my arguments about education and stuff are really good.
Some of you may have read my post about 'equal giving, equal sacrifice.' That theme has not left our lives since that time. I did sacrifice my nice coffee for the sake of Hannah taking pottery classes, but now it's more about time. Sheldon and I, through a series of circumstances, have taken two children under our wings. Some of you may have gotten a letter in your FB inbox about it. Mandisa is in grade 2, and just transferred back to Maranatha. He's in class with Myles. He can't read. He's been in school but hasn't been taught to read. So Sheldon and I are now helping Mandisa everday after school. Today I'm going to be attending class with him to try and assist the teacher with Mandisa in class. We'll see how that goes. Having Mandisa and Andiswa (his little sister, in K/R with Hannah) has also provided another challenge for me- food. As you all know I HATE cooking, and coming up with something to eat everyday has always been a challenge for me. Yesterday I forgot they'd be coming and didn't have enough food. I'll really have to get my mind in gear over that one- feeding 7 instead of 5. Being at Kebar each afternoon adds another flavor to the mix, as we juggle homework and the coffee shop. But all in all I'm happy and content. Knowing I'm where God wants me to be gives me perfect peace, that peace which surpasses all understanding. And, it has to be peace from God b/c I'm doing all sorts of things that are so NOT my cup of tea or in line with my giftings. I mean, come on, teaching? (first Sunday school, then substituting, now tutoring???)
Anyway, that's what I've been up to.
And if you're curious about the painting- it's still undone!!! The living room is a big mess, but for now it's the way it'll have to be. I just need to get my ducks in a row and then I can finish that frustrating job!
Until next time....
Quite a bit has happened in the last few weeks, one thing I tried to blog about but just couldn't get down on 'paper' what was in my head- which seems to happen to me a lot. Yesterday, while mowing the lawn, my mind composed all sorts of wonderful, well articulated 'articles' about which I could write and post, but now that I'm at the computer all that information is gone. Sometimes while mowing the lawn I have cases or arguments which I present to congress and it's all so amazing to me. But it's just STUCK up there in my head. And, what, seriously, would I have to say to congress? By in my head my arguments about education and stuff are really good.
Some of you may have read my post about 'equal giving, equal sacrifice.' That theme has not left our lives since that time. I did sacrifice my nice coffee for the sake of Hannah taking pottery classes, but now it's more about time. Sheldon and I, through a series of circumstances, have taken two children under our wings. Some of you may have gotten a letter in your FB inbox about it. Mandisa is in grade 2, and just transferred back to Maranatha. He's in class with Myles. He can't read. He's been in school but hasn't been taught to read. So Sheldon and I are now helping Mandisa everday after school. Today I'm going to be attending class with him to try and assist the teacher with Mandisa in class. We'll see how that goes. Having Mandisa and Andiswa (his little sister, in K/R with Hannah) has also provided another challenge for me- food. As you all know I HATE cooking, and coming up with something to eat everyday has always been a challenge for me. Yesterday I forgot they'd be coming and didn't have enough food. I'll really have to get my mind in gear over that one- feeding 7 instead of 5. Being at Kebar each afternoon adds another flavor to the mix, as we juggle homework and the coffee shop. But all in all I'm happy and content. Knowing I'm where God wants me to be gives me perfect peace, that peace which surpasses all understanding. And, it has to be peace from God b/c I'm doing all sorts of things that are so NOT my cup of tea or in line with my giftings. I mean, come on, teaching? (first Sunday school, then substituting, now tutoring???)
Anyway, that's what I've been up to.
And if you're curious about the painting- it's still undone!!! The living room is a big mess, but for now it's the way it'll have to be. I just need to get my ducks in a row and then I can finish that frustrating job!
Until next time....
Monday, March 28, 2011
Paint Troubles
Well, I did a lot of playing since Friday night, but only in the living room. The north side of the room is about 5 shades of greenish yellowish stuff. Some of it looks OK actually. I should get a camera and take photos. Last night I painted a 2nd coat of the 2nd 5L, light greenish shade but had just a little left over in the pan, which I decided to play with. I added some dark green (too much!) and some of the Hazelnut from the 1st 5L tub. It's pretty cool actually, but there's no way I can mix it the exact same to paint anymore of the wall that way. So now I've left myself with a section of darkish green wall which will need to get painted over.... ugh. Why do I do this to myself? I'll have to sand it and probably put some white over it... I'm thinking though, of keeping the north wall as it is, the light greenish shade, but making the rest of the room slightly darker, so I think today I'll play some more.
This is what happens when your kids are all sick and you can't leave the house! I don't want to take them anywhere and infect the populous more than they are already infected with TB and HIV and Hepatitis and all the other awful things that plague this poor continent. For now I'm grateful we have a nice yard in which they can play. It's a sunny day and prefect for being outdoors. It won't do their coughs much good to be running around, but they've got cabin fever too... so I'm choosing the lesser of two evils, for this morning anyway.
Hi ho, hi ho, off to mix paint I go...
Until next time....
This is what happens when your kids are all sick and you can't leave the house! I don't want to take them anywhere and infect the populous more than they are already infected with TB and HIV and Hepatitis and all the other awful things that plague this poor continent. For now I'm grateful we have a nice yard in which they can play. It's a sunny day and prefect for being outdoors. It won't do their coughs much good to be running around, but they've got cabin fever too... so I'm choosing the lesser of two evils, for this morning anyway.
Hi ho, hi ho, off to mix paint I go...
Until next time....
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