Category: 366 days of novice motherhood

Place: hospital

Poison: water

Favorite things: Maximus Andries Viviers (of course)

Well at 00.29 this morning after a full day of labour, on the 26th of February I gave birth to my first born, a son named Max!

He takes my breath away.

All day today we have had a family only visit day and as I sit here an reflect upon my Dad holding our son, my brother holding his nephew, my sister holding her nephew, my Mum her grandson, my Granma her great grandchild…I am overwhelmed at the power of your clan.

The group of people who make you, the group that mark you with culture and history. Those who share your deepest darkest secret.

For today only Im taking a Lenten break from my 40 day Bible meander, to honor and place value on mine and my husbands clan.

Without them we would both be the poorer, without them my world would be significantly smaller, without them I am unsure how my flavor of life would be reciped!

As I lay here completely exhausted I am overwhelmed by our new contribution to the clan but also I eagerly have been awaiting their footsteps down the hospital corridor, knowing my clan know my story and how much of a miracle max is in my arms.

If you find yourself clan-less, it’s never too late to gather one and foster it.

If you have a clan you take for granted, then make an effort today to prioritize their potential.

I love my clan. Even the annoying, the frail, the heartless and the broken.

Without them I’m not sure who I would follow in the footsteps of, for my little Max.

Mummy V is exhausted yet completely fulfilled.

Lord teach me

Mummy v

Place: in the car

Poison: flat white

Favorite things: the potential of this day…

Secret squirrel, after a full nights sleep last night at 7am I woke to my waters breaking.

Today ish is the day!

It was only last night I was thinking about today’s blog content and I wanted to tell you about the miracle that I am having a baby.

When I was 5 Years old I had a terrible turn of events where my appendix burst and spread a major infection, which meant I had major surgery on my baby making factory.

As a young girl I didn’t understand the consequences of what had happened, so all through my childhood/ teen years until I was about 19 or 20 I thought I was unable to conceive.

After some tests, I realized this was false and the hope that flooded into my heart was tremendous.

Then through my 20s I pursued career and life with fervor, but the reality of a man to share these hopes and dreams with seemed few and far between.

Finding mr right didn’t happen until I was in my early 30s and then a doctor once again broke the news. She said I was getting older and one consequence of the surgery from my early years was that I could go through menopause early.

Despite this, Charl and I felt really assured from God that he would bring our family, in his timing and in his way.

So here I am 35 years old, waiting in the car as my husband calmly gets us coffee ( I couldn’t face this day without starting it with one)

And I sit here basking in the unexpected.

Day 5: the promise

Jesus responded, “First let me ask you a question. You answer my question and I’ll answer yours. About the baptism of John-who authorized it: heaven or humans?” if we say ‘humans,’ we’re up against it with the people because they all hold John up as a prophet.” They decided to concede that round to Jesus. “We don’t know,” they answered. Jesus said, “Then neither will I answer your question. “Tell me what you think of this story: A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’ “The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went. “The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went. “Which of the two sons did what the father asked?” They said, “The first.” John came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him. (Matthew 21:24-32 MSG)

Today’s reading is all about the promises of God and following Him no matter what He asks.

I can honestly say, although it was difficult and although often many questioned it, I followed God with all my heart. I placed his kingdom first and scripture says those who put Him first ‘All will be added unto them…’

Truly I believe no matter where you have been, no matter what you have done, his promises are available to those who believe.

Today is part of a promise that God gave me more than 15 years ago Marriage, Motherhood and Ministry

There were many days, months and years that I truly believed this couldn’t happen.

Today is proof of this promise.

God is faithful.

Mrs V

Place: home

Poison: flat white

Favorite Things: pink booties for Chloe Joy

I so often encounter people who are stuck in the mire of yesterday.

Yesterday provides insight.

Yesterday provides history.

Yesterday provides foundation.

But life cannot be lived backwards.

The challenge of the society we live in, is its ever changing nature. What we purchased yesterday is out of date before we’ve even finished unpacking its instruction manual.

Living out the lessons provided from our past, with our eyes on the future embracing the new opportunities and the life proposed before us is essential to staying present in our potential.

Day 3: Lenten season Embrace life.

In the morning, walking along the road, they saw the fig tree, shriveled to a dry stick. Peter, remembering what had happened the previous day, said to him, “Rabbi, look-the fig tree you cursed is shriveled up!” Jesus was matter-of-fact: “Embrace this God-life. Really embrace it, and nothing will be too much for you. This mountain, for instance: Just say, ‘Go jump in the lake’-no shuffling or shilly-shallying-and it’s as good as done. That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. And when you assume the posture of prayer, remember that it’s not all asking. If you have anything against someone, forgive-only then will your heavenly Father be inclined to also wipe your slate clean of sins.” (Mark 11:20-25 MSG)

On their journey towards the passion of Christ, the disciples were often found facing backwards, reflecting on past occurrences, rather than embracing the opportunities right in front of them.

I am a loyal person who loves history and insight, but I want to live progressively towards my future. I want to live presently in my today, throwing off constraints that hold me back from pursuing the new and numinous.

What is in your today, that you are missing because your attention is focused on yesterday?

Determine to let go of the past and Embrace life!

A