Things we do

This morning I woke up, glanced out my window, admired a glistening ocean and started smearing on the sunscreen. Ray and I rushed to the beach only to realise that thick clouds were gathering, a strong wind was blowing, and that it was definitely not beach weather! We were on the beach for a grand total of two minutes before we headed home. So this is us, our bags still packed and towels ready for the perfect beach day. 

Days are swiftly passing until my beautiful best friend gets married. This last sunny Friday I joined her for her makeup trial in Kalk-Bay and on the way home picked up a takeaway coffee from Tribeca for Ray. 

When we first started going out every week Ray would buy me treats from one of the bakeries in Kalk-Bay - brownies and hazelnut-chocolate-dipped-meringues from Olympia, cupcakes from Tribeca, scoops of ice-cream from the Italian ice cafe in crunchy sugar cones... so to get him a little coffee every now and then (especially when he still constantly buys me my favourite chocolate - said while she eats it right now!) is the very least way I can do to say thank-you :)

Something else Ray and I love to do is make pizzas - usually when we are really hungry and nothing in the fridge or cupboard tempts us - it is quick, easy and really fun! (Although the pizza dough sticks to your fingers like superglue no matter how much four you sprinkle on your hands - which is not so awesome). The kitchen is warm and smells like yeast, it helps make the wait worthwhile, while the dough rises and the pizza bakes in the oven, the cheese melting and crust becomes golden. Yum! 

More graduation celebrations!

Tonight Ray and I attended the GWC's Graduation ceremony to celebrate with great friends as they walked across the stage and were handed their degrees to the sound of roaring applause and excited cheers. I loved seeing so many wonderful, familiar faces, both graduating and in the audience - years of ministering, of growing up in a church culture, going on youth camps every year where all the churches come together, seeing past students, the friendships formed through all of these. It is at times like these where I am amazed at the Church's sheer diversity, yet unity, only because of Christ - the family of God. 

This beautiful couple both graduated this evening and in just nine days time become "Mr and Mrs" - a new adventure awaits!

Indescribably proud of my lovely best friend!

Saying farewell to the legendary Dr David Seccombe after twenty years of incredible service and the astounding work he has done at GWC.

Congratulations!! May the Lord bless you in whatever you do for His Kingdom, His name, His glory. 

Bride-to-be!

Last night's Bride-to-be celebrations - we laughed, we ate and ate and ate, we gushed, we embarrassed,  we blushed, we "awww'ed", we rejoiced, we covered our eyes, we shared in sweet moments, we teased, we huddled under blankets, we drank hot chocolate with marshmallows, we sang Taylor Swift, we saw her dance, we witnessed the love of two beautiful people with the Bride-to-be glowing with happiness and excitement, we had an amazing time!!

Thank-you to all the lovely ladies that made it possible! 

(Photographs taken by the phenomenal Vicki)

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!

Ray's Graduation!

I am so incredibly proud of Ray - for all his hard work, his brilliant results, his growth, maturity and godliness - for his graduation this evening!! (Can you believe you are actually done love??)  

Growing up at BISA (the Bible Institute of South Africa) I have been to many graduation ceremonies, but tonight's was by far my favourite. Especially seeing all my old (and awesome!) classmates receive their well deserved degrees. They are not simply a group of students, but a family, with friendships built that will last into the next lifetime - and that is the beauty of the Gospel. 

It was wonderful having Ray's parents drive hundreds of miles to come and see him up on that stage, their joyful smiles reflecting their bursting hearts.

Something I love about BISA is the Christian Leadership Programme. It is when lecturers go into the communities of the Western Cape to teach, train and equip men and women, young and old, Biblical truths - from understanding the Bible and interpreting it in its correct context, to foundational doctrine, to practical preaching or missional skills in their cultural setting, to church history... They are pastors, Sunday school teachers, elders, youth leaders, ordinary people with a passion for learning, wanting to deepen their knowledge and love of God, to make a difference in the lives of those around them - which they do! Many of them never finished school and live in areas of extreme poverty, gangsterism, violence, rife with HIV/AIDS, unemployments... but it was so encouraging to hear their life changing testimonies in the difficult circumstances through which they minister and persevere. Over and over again it was the story of God's grace, His provision, the cross of Christ always at the centre and utter thankfulness at this great opportunity to learn. (It humbled me to see how they treasured the privilege of sitting under the teaching of God's Word and how I so often take it for granted...)

Dr. David Seccombe spoke, reminding us all of the power of the truth of the Gospel, how God's Kingdom is unstoppable, uncontainable, how one day every single knee will bow, whether willingly or unwillingly, and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord! All glory to God!! 

After awards were handed out, the celebrations began - the rushing about to give hugs, to snap pictures, and (of course) to eat some cake! 

Congratulations class of 2012!!