A thousand golden suns.

1600km. That is how far we traveled in four days, and I would do it again in a heart beat. Having never traveled to the Karoo or even to Bloemfontein, this past weekend has been one of new places and experiences. The adventure started Thursday afternoon, half past one where Alet (dear friend and Cradock local) and I caught our lift headed to Bloemfontein. We arrived late afternoon and were met by Alet's sister Marlè and her school friend Cathy. From the beginning of the journey, I was overcome by the sense of being privileged and blessed to endeavor onto ground that I had never trodden, and it all began in Bloemfontein. We drank a quick but very needed cup of coffee (little did I know that it was the first of MANY for the weekend) and then headed to meet Alet's mom at the house we were staying for the evening with pizza and wine in tow.  After supper, which was accompanied with plenty of laughs, we decided to grab an ice cream. Being adventurous with eating ice...

In honour of Mandela Day Source:http://www.idainternational.org/ada/nelson-mandela/ This day, as seen on every possible media platform, is put aside by not only South Africa but in fact around the globe to commemorate Nelson Mandela's contribution to making the world a better place. This day provides an opportunity for us to take a step back and measure the impact we are making on those around us.  In an attempt to promote the culture of Nelson Mandela Day and not just the idea, I have compiled a list of 67 random acts of kindness which will make the 'making a difference' process just a little easier.  “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” –  Nelson Mandela I challenge you to complete as many as you can and to challenge the one next to you too!   Give the lady carrying herself half to death...

So let's start with a cliche... Time flies! It feels like just yesterday that we were building tents out of sheets and playing Sing Star until we were blue in the face and now you are officially 21. I suppose this is the point that you are supposed to start growing up and adulting full time. I, however, have a request.  Treasure your childlike wonder, never lose your thirst for adventure and never allow the light within you to fade. It is what makes you, you! oh, and how precious you are... You were fearfully and wonderfully made by Father with the greatest love and care. He looks at you and sees your beauty, not only physically but your soul too. He sees your generosity and your unconditional love. He sees His beloved child.  You are now officially past the two-decade mark, which may seem like a really long time. But my wish and prayer for you is that these last twenty-one years were preparation for all that is yet to come. That you will fully be equipped to ta...

R E L E A S E:  allow or enable to escape from confinement; set free. Cutting my hair was not an impulsive decision. It was not an attempt at feeling better about life or boosting my self-esteem... quite the opposite. The last few days Abba Father has revealed His heart and intention to me in such a way that I could not simply ignore it, I couldn't look the other way. I had to pay attention and hear Him and what a journey it has been. Where does my hair fit into all this? It was my symbolic way of releasing and here is what I let go of along with that 25 centimetres. 1.  Yearning for worldly acceptance   As a flawed human being, I have found that I had a need for finding acceptance and confirmation from the world. This "acceptance" I quickly learnt was incomplete and unsatisfactory, it never quenched my thirst for belonging. It still left a gaping hole. And enter grace... Abba Father's heart is one that longs after me finding myself within Him, and His ...

Post advert, proud of the end product feat. Pappa's beloved Landy  Being a communication student, I am always ready to jump in to help with any assignment or project that requires creativity or language skills. Over the weekend, whilst visiting with family here in Potchefstroom, my cousin, Christine, took advantage of the opportunity to pick my brain concerning her English assignment - making an advertisement. A few ideas came to mind and after a few minutes, we had a basic blueprint laid out. After procrastinating the whole of Saturday, when Sunday afternoon was upon us we realized that it was now or never. We made quick work of arranging a set from a white table cloth and costumes out of Oom Christiaan's old khaki shirts and caps. Wikus, Christine's brother was roped in as cameraman and sound effect- maker, Jandri, the little sister, was in charge of lighting and Christine and I the actresses. After a few humorous attempts in the house and a rehearsal of lines, we ...

The cliche quote," Good friends are like stars, you don't always see them but they are always there. " pretty much sums up the relationship that I have with one of my best friends, my dearest Claire. Now originally Claire and I were sworn enemies and could barely stand the sight of each other. We fought with each other up to a day when we realised that we needed to fight for each other, and so the beginning of what I know will be a life-long friendship. I can still so clearly remember the day I had to say good-bye to Claire when we moved to South Africa, both of us crying uncontrollably next to the road outside our apartment at the school and both refusing to let go of each other until we had no choice but to release one another... by far one of the toughest good-byes yet. But what I didn't completely grasp that day was the solid foundation that our friendship had and that that would carry us through the challenge of distance that we still face today. One of ...

An epiphany is defined as the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles or the moment of sudden and great revelation and realisation.  The godly meaning of this word is so accurate in describing my experience this afternoon, my epiphany. Now to most it might not seem as extreme or wondrous but to me, in that moment it was like a light bulb being switched on and more than that a relief. Sitting and chatting to my friend over spontaneous coffee and cake we reached the subject of faith. Perhaps a subject that is discussed and pondered by many which makes it ordinary, nothing to write home about and in that I started sharing about my journey over the last two weeks and more so the loss that I have experienced. In that I found my revelation. I asked dearest Alet, how do people who don't believe cope with grief? How are they consoled without believing in the Saviour and more than that that we are saved ? I have reached rock bottom and I had my faith and hope in my heavenly Father t...