Love in Action Journey

Anybody else feeling like your week has been a little something like this? Shew! This week feels like it is flying by as quickly as a speed train. Last I blinked it was Monday morning and I had a host of things that I planned on slipping into all my free time. Free time??? What novel thinking! Everywhere I look there is something more to get done, meetings to attend, responsibilities to fulfill and a busy home to run. This is pretty much "life as usual" for most of us these days. I find myself eating faster (if not skipping meals), talking quicker, heck ... even typing quicker than ever (who knew I had such speed skills - hee hee). Hmmm ... a little balance is in order.   If you are feeling anything like me today, here are some promises to encourage your heart as they have me today. "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 God ...

Over this last weekend we were so blessed to have my mom come and stay with us for 5 days. She has been living in Virginia for the last 5 years and came home for the holidays to spend some time with her mommy and all of us. My handsomeness snapped this pic just before I drove her back to the airport. My girls adore their "Lala". She always makes them laugh and has wonderful ways of imparting truths to them without them seeing it as another lecture from mom ;0) Since she left on Monday afternoon the house has been too quiet, but my heart is filled with beautiful memories of countless cups of tea and coffee shared together; long marathon scrabble matches (my sis is the only other person who plays the game with me); heart felt conversations about life; watching romantic comedies and laughing until the tears rolled down our cheeks and  our tummies ached with laughter ... oh how I miss her already!  This blog is a place for me to highlight what is closest to my heart and family ha...

Lately I have been having some of my paradigms shifted (always a good thing ;0) It can only lead to greater freedom!). I was 5 years old when I surrendered my heart and life to Jesus Christ. I remember it clearly, and as small as I was it became a defining moment from then onwards. When I grew a little older and temptations became more obvious, hardships made me question or hurts made me want to run ... I could never deny the very real presence of a loving God that had always carried me through. In my experience, God is not a God who wants to hide from us. But somewhere along the line, like so many, I picked up the mentality that to please Him I had to live a very perfect life. Always make the "right" choices. So much of my searching became about what He wanted to "use me to do". Obviously it is impossible for us to live perfectly in our humanity. Surely that's why we needed a Saviour in the first place =0) We all have our melt downs. We stumble or fall. We make...

Hey lovely ladies. This is just a quick warning for you to regularly check your followers pictures on your blog page. I happened to look to the side of my blog page to witness a REVOLTING porn picture! I hadn't checked in a while and just happened to see that I had a rather unsavory follower as spam on my page. Thought I would let you know in case the same happens to you. Much love xxx Janine

After what seems like a very long wait, our sweet little Cosmo finally arrived today! We are all absolutely in love with our 13 week old pup. He has the sweetest nature.  None of us could leave his side all afternoon until finally, all loved up, he collapsed asleep =0) We are so thankful for our little blessing! BIG love to you this happy Friday xxx Janine

Today has been full of wonderful gifts and surprises. I was totally surprised to be nominated for a Stylish blogger Award from Melissa at The Chronicls of a Rookie Mom . Thank you so much Melissa for this sweet surprise today! I encourage you to check out her blog. I love reading other mommy's journeys through parenthood. She has such an awesome heart!   There are 4 duties to perform to accept this award: 1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award 2. Share 7 things about yourself 3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers 4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award! So here goes ... 7 things about myself: 1) Surprisingly I find it really hard to shop for myself ... it's always the kids first, but my one weakness ... SHOES!!! I can totally make a plan in the budget for the right pair of shoes ;0) 2) I don't know what I would do in life without spell check! Lord knows my posts would definitely be a lot more...

So I walk outside to deliver some tea and treats to my little princesses and here's what I see ... My big boy keeping an eye on my colorfully and creatively dressed little princesses enjoying their late summer afternoon spread out on the lawn.  I would love to be in their head-space for a day! I love the freedom, creativity and inhibition that they live with! It captures my heart each day! Sunny afternoon hugs to you today xxx Janine

Yesterday we made the long drive home after a 3 week holiday with all our family and friends in Johannesburg. It was a full and busy time, but I have come home with some fabulous memories. Here's a peek at some of our holiday. Half the time was spent at my hubby's family farm in Rustenburg with all his side of the family and the other half was spent at my sisters house with all my family.  Lots of swimming and running around in the sunshine at the farm. Catching up with lots of extended family members from far and wide. Learning new swimming strokes. Such a patient and fun daddy! Playing with cuzzies for hours in the pool. More special times with cuzzies ... Getting cuddles from my main squeeze =0) I even got some of my family out to the farm. I got to spend special moments with my precious mom and sis. (They'll have my hide for this pic with no make-up on! hee hee ... this is what farm life does to you!!!). I also got to spend some more time with my Granny before sh...

I had such a delightful day today. As I am still on holiday at my sisters house we kicked off the day with some good exercise in her gigantic pool. There is nothing like feeling Summers warmth on your face as the fresh water wakes up your entire body! Makes you feel so alive. It also makes me so mindful of the blessing of a strong and healthy body that I can so easily take for granted in the rush of everyday life.  We then got the house ready for lunch with some family. I just love it when lunch turns into afternoon tea and then before you know it, it is almost supper time! It was time well spent in great conversation and laughter which left me encouraged, inspired and enriched.  This evening all the cousins and my little sister from my dad's lovely wife are having a sleep over. The giggles of 5 excited little girls makes me smile. Too precious for words =0) We guzzled down sushi and pizza's and ended it all off with Cinnabuns. Could this day get any better??? Yip .....

Yesterday I wrote down a few of the words that I want to live by this year. The very first words that I wrote in my diary on the the 1st of January 2011 were "let go" .  How often have you heard the phrase "let go and let God" . I must admit that I have often thought that to sound so vague. How exactly do you "let God". One of the things that I love about God is that He is interested in answering our questions. To let go and let God is not just this whimsical act of "whatever will be will be". It is an active step of faith. It requires trust. Trust that when we lay down our control issues and actually allow God to lead us, we will actually find the peace and abundant life that He has promised to each of us each day. This is an area that I certainly want to grow in! I find so many moments in each day where a choice lies before me. You know those moments where misunderstandings creep in ... or differences of opinions. Sometimes it's disappointm...

At the start of a new year these are the words that I want to live by ... Let go ...                                      Laugh ...            Live fully...                             Love Deeply ...        Truth ... Sweetness ... Patience ...                            Tolerance ... Acceptance ...   Surrendered Faith ...           Trust ...        Creativity ... Adventure ... New Songs ...                    Courage ...           Freedom ... Abundant Favour ... May 2011 be a rich year for you in every way ... full of breathtaking moments, side splitti...