A day of family

Today, Ray's family and my own, headed off into the sunshine to look at our possible wedding venue. We have our hearts set on this beautiful location - hope it works out! But again we are overwhelmed by God's gracious hand, clearing fears and generously providing. It can be difficult surrendering your dreams to the Lord when you want to control everything and by your own power to somehow make it happen. All we can do is trust in our Saviour day by day. 

After meeting with a very kind events co-ordinator, who was busy with a wedding that was happening later that day, we wandered about, under shading trees, along the flowering gardens, glimpsing the vineyards and majestic mountains in the distance, taking endless photographs, while our parents lounged on the lawns. 

Oh! I love my fiance so very much!!

We all came back to Kalk-Bay to luncheon at the Annex Restaurant. It was soooo good!

We played while we waited for our meal :)

Best lime milkshake in town! (I totally stole sips when he wasn't looking!)

I devoured a classic BLT with avocado and a tangy mayonnaise on a croissant. 

My little sister had a "Gourmet sausage roll" with Dijon mustard, caramalised onion and tomato chutney. Her plate was clean in just minutes! 

I could not resists taking bites of Ray's steak roll with the most rich and creamy, peppery mushroom sauce. The rest of the family enjoyed dishes such as freshly baked quiches, penne with roasted butternut and blue cheese crumble, Karoo lamb chops with roasted vegetables, sautéed potatoes, and minted Muscadel sauce, line fish caught just this morning from the harbour within sight with with crushed potatoes, mange tout, bella rosa tomatoes & a prawn bisque reduction, chicken saltimbocca and aubergine moussaka. 

My days, with Ray now officially on holiday, just keep getting better and better!

A wonderful week so far

I have been having the most wonderful week so far! My obsession with the vibrant protea continues - Ray and I keep seeing them everywhere we go, and I cannot resist but take a quick picture!

On Monday Ray wrote the very last exam for his degree. It has been pure bliss having him on holiday with me! I love it when he asks me, "Love, what will we be doing today?" And anything is possible :) 

Following an end-of-year tradition, once exams finish at BISA, the boys play an intense game of action cricket and then we have a braai together as a college. This year the game played was brilliant, with Ray's team winning the match (I was just thrilled that I got to kiss the captain, hehe!) Like all good South Africans, not even the rain, thunder or lightning could stop us from having our barbecue - we just huddled under dripping umbrellas, close to the flickering flamers, and stayed warm wrapped in Ray's arms. 

Tuesday evening was BISA's Christmas social, with this year's theme being "Another Culture" The entertainment after the meal left me gasping for breath I was laughing so hard! Nothing like some quality comedy acts and the usual graduating students' written and performed play to get everyone wiping the tears from their eyes :)

This morning was the final chapel service of the year. It was a solemn but joyful occasion, a time to look back at the past year, reflecting on God's great goodness, grace and provision, to give thanks and simply celebrate all that has happened. 

Then, under sun blazed skies, Ray and I, with friends, went to Tribeca in Kalk-Bay for milkshakes and coffee. While walking through the glorious heat, I could not stop smiling, so tired but so very happy, seeing excited BISA students in the cafes, the fishing boats still in the quiet harbour, ocean shimmering in the sunshine, the locals selling strawberries, flowers and handmade beaded ornaments along the side of the road, wandering in and out of shops, losing track of the time as the conversation gently flowed... this is what holidays are all about.

It is my lovely mother's birthday today! (The phone has been ringing constantly, followed by shouting in German, and then we know that it is family calling!) I find that as the years go by I become more and more aware of all that my parents have done and continue to do for all of us. Their selfless, sacrificial love, prayers for us, the wisdom that they possess, how they have graciously brought us up on the Gospel truth... For my mom, especially with all this wedding planning, she has been so patient, kind, generous, helpful, supportive, encouraging, ecstatic for us, I cannot fully express how grateful we are! All that she does to protect and provide, caring for her family, serving the women at church, teaching and counselling... looking at all the friends she has that love her so dearly remind me how precious she is! (Thanks mommy - we love you so very much!!) I know that without my mom our home would not be a home at all. I have to say though, that my older sister's gift voucher, saying that my younger sister and I would do housework for a month, was rather clever (and that's never going to happen!)

While my parents went out for dinner to celebrate, us at home made pizza with the kitchen smelling of yeast and Italian herbs. We devoured our delicious creations in just minutes! Our evening drew to a close at Bible study, the best group of friends sitting around God's Word, congratulating those finished for the year, or done with their degree, munching chocolates and singing along to Mumford and Sons on the drive home, watching the city lights twinkling below. 

Well this exhausted girl, who didn't manage to make it to the beach with her favourite people or that braai with friends or read another novel today from her stack, is off to bed, knowing that the next few weeks of summer will bring plenty more memories to be made :) 

Happiness ahead

Summer vacation. Months of Summer vacation have arrived!! 

I wrote my last wearying exam today and have already packed stacks of notes, books, files and textbooks away in my cupboard, not to be seen until next year (YES!!) The 3am mornings, many, many nights in a row, while quietly studying, I would glance up and gaze at the proteas Ray gave me, and smile, knowing that soon we would be on vacation together, filled with beach days, lazy Sunday afternoon naps, sunshine picnics, eating melting ice-cream, having not a care in the world... 

I cannot even begin to express my thanks... for all those who have walked beside me this year. For Ray, sunrise to sunset and beyond, holding me when I was too tired to hold myself up, praying when I had no words left to say, wiping my tears when I had almost given into despair, making me laugh when I didn't think I could. The constant, secure, all-encompassing, unconditional love of a best friend truly works a miracle each and every single day. Love you babe, would have never made it without you. 

And my family. Oh my wonderful family! Last night my dad said, "So apparently you're having a bit of a brain malfunction?" (They had obviously heard of my ritual pre-exam meltdown) But this afternoon, when I had returned, he said, "Looks like we have some sunshine in the house again!" (HEY!!) 

But most importantly, my Heavenly Father. When I look back on this year, all the beautiful happenings, more than I could have ever dreamed possible, life just getting better and better each moment, in the midst of challenges, stretching us, breaking us, growing us... He has sustained and He has blessed. He is so incredibly good. 

Varsity may be over for the year, but the busyness does not stop! At the moment Ray is writing his final FINAL exams (he graduates in just days!!), his family will be coming down to Cape Town (YAY!), there are end-of-year events to attend, Christmas socials, my best friend's wedding (CANNOT WAAAAIT!!) and my very own WEDDING PLANNING to do!! Exciting things are happening everyone, very exciting things :)

For the first time in months I have raided my mom's library bag and am reading a novel in bed. I am crying I am so happy. Oh sweet, exhausting relief. 

Goodnight :)

Flower picking

Do I really live in such a beautiful place? Yes! When my dad was offered the position of teaching at the Bible Institute of South Africa he always says, "They said there was no pay, but I said, 'There is a view of the ocean - we'll take it!'" And on stunning, sunny days like these, it is only the greatest pleasure living in Kalk-Bay :)

After dancing, Ray and I went walking along the mountainside with the dog, admiring the natural beauty quietly surrounding us. I laughed as I watched Ray throw sticks for Nao to chase after, disappearing into the tall, swaying grasses, my clothes getting caught on thorned berry bushes, their grey-green velvety leaves brushing against my legs, red-tipped succulents and aloes underfoot. 

The Spring flowers are in full bloom and I was desperate to capture but a glimmer of their bright, brilliantly coloured petals and vibrant promises of Summer, but I had no camera! I started by picking a single flower, one that I could not resist to enjoy, and before I knew it I had handfuls of flowers!! 

Standing on the top of the mountain, overlooking the bay, wrapped in Rays arms, I could only feel happiness. But soon I was stumbling over rocks, trailing behind Ray and Nao, searching for precious fynbos to add to my collection, suddenly aware of the magnificence of God's glorious creation, how each and every flower is so intricately designed, some so tiny, yet rich in detailed colour, unique in textures, sweetening the air with their own fragrances, the bees buzzing about... 

After I arranged my treasures into vases, bringing joy to the kitchen table, Ray and I sat outside, him with his coffee and me with my tea, having a late (well actually second) breakfast. Oh how I love these lazy moments! 

I hope that you all too have a lovely day and notice the beauty of all the little things around you, remembering the One who made them all.

The Proposal!

Today is beautiful and I will cherish it forever!! Here is the proposal and the much awaited details! I will say though, that letting everyone know that you are engaged is a wonderful, never ending, rush - I am hugging friends and talking on the phone to family members, while I am trying to email pictures, tweet about it and skype at the same time! It's an excited blur...

Today began like any other day. When I arrived home from varsity Ray asked me if I would like to go for a walk, like we have done countless times before. The sun was shining high in the sky and a cool breeze was blowing off the ocean. We headed to Silvermine where we had first gone together two years ago, to our favourite place, where it all began :) Walking hand-in-hand, over the wooden walkways, loving how the flowers were beginning to bloom, listening to the rushing waters, talking about nothing in particular. I bent down to dip my fingers into the stream and as I turned around Ray took a black velvet box out of his pocket and got down on one knee. I gasped! (AHHH!!!)

He smiled. I smiled, while wiping tears away, and listened to his heart - words, for me alone to hear, that I will always remember and never let go! When he asked me to marry him I SAID YES!!! (Of course!!) I did not want to leave the embrace of his arms. Sharing this life with my best friend is simply the greatest joy and privilege. I am so thankful, so blessed, so loved that words are just not enough. THANK-YOU LORD! It is God's grace that brought us together, has kept us together, and will keep us together. When Ray prayed tears of overwhelmed, certain happiness flowed. Christ at the centre at the beginning, Christ at the centre through it all, until the end. 

It was just so "us". 

Next came the celebrations of first showing our parents, screaming sisters, hugs and hugs and more hugs, phoning grandparents, a million messages sent, taking and uploading photos, changing statuses (YES!), running around to tell every one in sight, jumping up and down, squealing, laughing, more crying, dancing, lots of uncontrollable gushing and finally having a moment to sit down with Ray, eat chocolate and blog, hands shaking, about it :) My face really hurts so much from smiling so much :D 

In anticipation of your questions: Yes, he asked my dad weeks ago. Yes, I knew it was going to happen and thought perhaps (just maybe) it would be today! We have known for a longggg time that we were going to get married. We had looked at rings and I had tried some on for size a while ago. We had given our design to a jeweller friend of ours a month ago. I wasn't allowed to ask any questions - but each morning, as I came down the stairs to Ray waiting below, I would teasingly ask "Today?" and he would just laugh and kiss me. But when we left for the walk, I noticed that Ray couldn't stop smiling, was acting slightly strange and his hand seemed to be drifting over to his pocket... But I thought to myself, "It's just your imagination, dad is away and it's only my birthday next week... he probably doesn't even have the ring yet..?" Ray had promised to propose before his graduation at the end of the year - so I had been preparing to wait for a little while longer (only a little while though!) Right now I am sort of in a state of ecstatic disbelief, yet calm and sure of it all. I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER!!! (Sometimes it feels like my heart is going to explode)

Our families and friends have been amazing - their excitement, encouragement, love, support, wisdom and prayers. We can't wait to have you all involved in planning the wedding with us :) We are eternally grateful - thank-you! We cannot express how much all of your congratulations have meant to us! 

Now I cannot stop staring at my stunning, sparkling diamond and gazing at my handsome, godly, INCREDIBLE fiancé :) I am speechless at how beautiful my ring is and the feel of it (finally!) on my finger is just indescribable!!

Our plans for the future: We will, Lord willing, be getting married at the end of next year when I graduate. Until then I will keep you all posted with our wedding ideas, photographs and all the great stories we will have to share :)

Dreams, and MORE, have come true! I love you Raynard. 

escape

Varsity is starting again. I still have so many books left to read, so many moments with friends I want to share, so many cups of tea I want to drink, lazing the time away - with no worries and no work. I have sincerely loved this winter vacation - surrounded by those I love the most, visiting family, getting away on our mini-roadtrip, all the photographs we took, new and beautiful memories made, our growth, reviving my weary spirit, renewed for this upcoming semester, challenged and encouraged to trust wholeheartedly and solely in my Saviour. No more escaping for tomorrow it all begins again... here is to insanity!