Knysna

I don't really know where to start telling about our recent vacation. I guess starting at the beginning ... and all the prayers we prayed for this vacation.

Since we have many children, the success of our vacation depends 90% on the weather. Any one who has children will agree that a vacation locked inside a wooden cottage, due to bad weather, is no fun!

Over the years it happened that we took our vacation between August and October. We don't need to plan our vacation around school holidays, therefore these months are 'out of season' and a little cheaper. When we started planning our vacation, 4 months ago, we were hesitant to go the same time as last year - the beginning of October. Although it was a great vacation, some of the days were rainy and others weren't warm enough to play in the waves and on the beach for long. On top of that, Christo's shop manager’s wife was expecting their first born during the first week of October, so we could definitely not leave the shop during the first 2 - 3 weeks, and we also had to take into account that babies don’t count all that well... So it happened that we booked our vacation for the end of October into the first week of November. I had no idea how the weather would be, but strongly sensed the Lord was asking me to trust Him. It was like He was telling me, He is planning the date of our vacation.

For the next 3 months at least one of the eight of us who could pray at the breakfast table, asked the Lord to bless the weather on our vacation. The Wednesday before we left on Friday, the children and I checked the 7day weather forecast on the internet. It didn't look good... Strong winds, clouds, rain on at least one day, the temperature only in the high teens. For the children sake I held my faith high and declared that God would make a way, we just have to keep praying and trust in Him. But I had to admit to myself I was questioning God's timing for our vacation. It cost a lot of money and we can only afford a vacation once a year. Also we were desperately in need of a break and now it seemed like God's Hand wasn’t on our vacation. Still I could hear God's soft voice asking me to trust Him, even asking me, why I don't trust Him! So I made a mental decision to forget about the weather forecast and only trust my Heavenly Father, who knows exactly what my family and I needed in the next 10 days.

On the Friday we arrived at Brenton-on-Sea, the weather was beautiful. We arrived at 16h00 and quickly took a walk down to the beach.

On Saturday morning, David's birthday, every one was ready for the beach at 8h30. It was the perfect day! No wind, no clouds... Perfect in every way! We played for hours in the waves and sand.


















On Sunday morning it was totally overcast! We didn’t really mind too much, we needed a break after hours in the sun the previous day. Heidi-Mari, CJ, Josua and Christo got a little too much of the sun, while boogie boarding. As a rule we don’t put on sun block due to all the bad chemicals in this stuff, only drink a supplement specifically for protection and we have studied the benefits of Vitamin D for the body, which you don’t absorb when you use sun block. But Christo will write more about this on his health block. Christo also needed some rest after the stressful drive on Friday and I was thankful just to be with my loved ones.

We went to the Knysna Waterfront, ate pizza at our favourite Italian cafe and had ice cream. The children NEVER get ice cream, due to their diary and sugar sensitivity, but on our annual vacation we spoil them as often as they like. Since they take in a lot of Vitamin D and fresh sea air, they show very little of the side effects of diary and sugar that we are used to at home.

Daniel’s first ice cream! He was only 9 weeks old with our previous vacation.

Monday morning it was only partly clouded and we went down to the beach, to discover a very strong wind. CJ had a lot of fun, flying his kite, at stages hanging on to it for life!











Christo, CJ, Heidi-Mari and Josua tried to boogie board but the strong wind made it extra cold. Josua very easily develop hypothermia and got out of the water first.


















Christo took the little ones to collect sea shells.








Christo and Heidi-Mari trying to pack up the sun screen tent, before the wind blows it away. They weren’t very successful, until CJ gave a hand!








After a few hours we decided to go back to our cottage and CJ made Christo a nice espresso and for me a decaf cappuccino. CJ is a real barista and makes the best espresso and cappuccino you can wish for (Yes, we took our espresso maker along - Christo and I cannot get out of bed without real coffee!)











The rest of the day we just enjoyed each others company.

That night Christo went on the internet to check the weather. I didn’t even want to look and felt the familiar disappointment and doubt – What if God wasn’t going to bless our vacation? The weather forecast was dooming: from Thursday it would rain every day till Monday!! Christo and I prayed together. After praying Christo said he knew God’s Hand is on our vacation, God knows better than us what we need and we still need to trust Him. Again I made the decision to trust God, although it seemed like the weather was not exactly what we’ve asked for.
That night ever thing changed. Tuesday and Wednesday were beautiful days. Only a light breeze on the beach and the children had a ball.








We went to the beach in the mornings and returned at about 12h00 for lunch.

In the afternoons we either went into Knysna for dropping off or collecting of our laundry and a coffee (our personal barista need a vacation too), or let the children have their afternoon nap (Christo and me too), while the older children read.

In the afternoon, Christo would take CJ, Heidi-Mari, Josua and Danika to the beach to fly their kites and take a walk,











while I would play with the little ones in front of our cottage. Daniel, David and Andrew were so content to just play on the grass in front of our cottage.











Wednesday afternoon Christo took the older ones, CJ, Heidi-Mari and Josua for a boat trip on the Knysna lagoon and to the Knysna Heads.








The Knysna Heads are famous, not only for the grand sandstone cliffs, which tower above the entrance to the Knysna Lagoon, but also for the many recorded shipwrecks which have occurred over the past 150 years. At first glance, this entrance does not appear to be dangerous but submerged rocks and moving sandbanks, which deflect winds and powerful currents, make it highly respected by even the most experienced skipper. In the past it has been described as one of the most dangerous harbours in the world!

They took a walk through the Knysna Waterfront looking for books and had pizza afterwards at Cafe Mario. The little ones and I had supper and we went to bed early (we needed it).

Thursday, with some clouds, was perfect timing. We wanted to drive to Plettenberg bay for ice cream and a walk on the Plettenberg bay beach, showing the children where CJ, Heidi-Mari and Josua played in the lagoon in front of the Beacon Isle Hotel, six years ago.


CJ, Heidi-Mari and Josua six years ago in front of the Beacon Isle Hotel at Plettenberg Bay.

At Plettenberg bay there wasn’t a trace of rainy weather and the clouds was passing.

Friday was perfect again. No trace of wind or clouds and hours on the beach playing in the sand and waves. Friday night CJ and Heidi-Mari baby sat their siblings while Christo and I went out for supper. For the first time in 15years we had an evening out by ourselves, while on vacation. In the past I often felt our vacation is only about the children, with very little, if any time for Christo and me. This vacation was different. Thanks to our older children, who became very responsible over the last year, Christo and I had precious time together - especially the evenings. We had a braai every evening (for readers outside South Africa – it is almost like a barbeque, roasting meat over an open fire). CJ took responsibility for the braai, every evening.

Heidi-Mari and Danika prepared the extras. We alternated mixed salad, potato salad, baked potatoes in the oven, ‘roosterkoek’ (bread dough – made in our Panasonic Bread Machine, yes we took it along - roasted over the open fire);

‘Stick bread’ (putting the bread dough over a wooden stick and baking over the open fire;

and ‘braai sandwiches’ (sandwiches spread with butter and a little honey and topped with onions and tomatoes and toasted over the open fire).











Saturday and Sunday were perfect again!! No sign of the rain forecasted earlier the week. God turned the weather totally around. While having pizza at our favourite Italian Cafe on Saturday, the owner told us they are expecting heavy rains from Sunday night, even floods…! He was surprised that Knysna was having such nice weather, we weren’t surprised - we have connections in High Places!

As we drove back on Sunday, we literally drove into a storm. The Cape had stormy, rainy weather the whole weekend. Christo had a hard time getting us home safely, but also in this God was faithful.

The mountain streams running down the mountains as we enter the Hex river Valley showed us just how much rain the Cape had over a very short period.

Today is Wednesday and it is still raining in the Cape – it feels like we’re having winter again. Friends of CJ went to Port Elizabeth over the weekend. Port Elizabeth is 500 km to the other side of Knysna on the Eastern coastal area of South Africa. Rain normally starts in Cape Town and then move along the Eastern coast. While CJ’s friends were in Port Elizabeth it rained. How strange, over the weekend it rained in Cape Town and rained in Port Elizabeth, but in Knysna, right in the middle, we had the most beautiful, fair weather!

The Lord was so faithful during this vacation – although it was a huge test for our trust in Him. Thanks to the Lord of the Universe!

Commit your way to the Lord,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
Ps 37:4

Are They ALL Yours?

This is the most common question I am asked, when we are out in public with our seven beautiful children and my pregnant tummy! This last week on our holiday, was no exception! We got the question several times a day. On our way down to the beach; at the beach playing in the sand; in the supermarket, walking at the Knysna Waterfront; in the coffee shop; in the restaurant etc.

When people notice the rather large group of people, you see the surprising look on their faces as they observe the different ages, next you will see them counting, then the question in their eyes and the words will just spill out - most of the time halfway through the question, you will see the sheepish look on their faces as they realize that it’s a rather silly question, and that you have obviously heard the question many times before!

How do I feel about the question? I absolutely love people asking: “Are they all yours?!”

There are two kinds of people asking The Question and even before they ask, I can tell in which of two categories they fall.

The first category are those people who just don't like children or they think you are stupid having children in this 'overpopulated' and evil world. They are mostly women in the age group between 40 and 65 years - sad and bitter....!

You will see the expression on their faces, the negative body language and the way they look down on the children, when asking The Question. I love to answer them - almost like having an opportunity to have victory over evil - my already smiling face will grow bigger and I will proudly declare: 'Yes they are ALL mine and they are such a blessing'!

Next you will see how irritated they become with the way you answered them, they will utter a sneering look at my children and try to find a flaw, a wrong move by one of the children - something that will confirm their believe that so many children can by no means be a blessing, only a unnecessary nuisance and exhausting. Then they will walk away and if in the supermarket, make sure they don't enter the same aisle as us again.

But, there is also another group. These are mostly younger women and older men (grandpa's). You immediately see their amazed faces, the delight when they look at, especially the little ones, the interesting look of adoration in their eyes when they look at or me and they cannot wait to ask The Question. The Question will most often be the introduction to a conversation about the children, admiration for people that have the courage to have large families, how seldom you see large families now days, how blessed big families are and bits and pieces of their own family and children. Often telling about their grandma or grandpa who where part of a large family. The conversation always end with applause to the well behaved children - taking in account more of half of them are six years and younger.

To answer The Question to the second group makes my day! It gives me the courage to keep going, to train my children to be even more well behaved, look out to help people in public wherever they can and to let their lights shine to the glory of God!

Every time we open our bus's doors and seven children pop out, I feel proud, but small too.

Proud that they are mine, proud to know I love being their Mom; proud that I'm a Life-giver; proud to know the Lord entrusted me with these eternal souls!

But small too. Small to see the love in my children's eyes when they look at me; small when I think God trusts me, a sinful human being, to train His children; small to know I'm no supermom, only moving one step at a time, but still He can use me to influence the world!

Yes, they are ALL mine! And you know what - often I cannot believe it myself!

David’s Very Special 3rd Birthday

Everyone was looking forward to David’s birthday! For weeks there was a count down, but not exactly to the day of his birthday, since David’s birthday was the day before we left on vacation. We decided to postpone his birthday to Saturday the 31st of October. We would then be able to totally focus on his special day, Dad would be with us and we could enjoy a day of fun at the beach.

I baked the birthday cake on Thursday night and wrapped it in brown paper for the trip to Brenton-On-Sea near Knysna.

On Friday night CJ and I decorated the cake. David wanted a cowboy cake and we kept the cake very simple, since I was exhausted after a week of preparation, packing and the long trip.

On Saturday morning, Daniel woke up at 5h30, not exactly what I would have preferred for the first day of my vacation and David woke up shortly after. Within a few minutes all the children were awake and appreciating the birthday cake and decorations Heidi-Mari brought along. We have never had a birthday party at 6h30 in the morning! But we have also never had a birthday during our vacation!

The children still in their pajamas but ready to blow the candles and enjoy the birthday cake for breakfast!

David blowing out the three candles!

David who just loves horses, showing one of his presents, a horse that is part of a car and horse box. Just the way brother CJ takes Silverball to his horse events.

After having cake for breakfast and trying to get some real food into their bodies, we headed for the beach! The Lord blessed us with the most beautiful day and we spent hours playing in the water and sand.

It has become a tradition to built airplanes in the sand. They will sit for hours in their sand airplanes, pretending to fly to different places and do all kinds of aerobatic tricks.

David, very true to the meaning of his name - Warrior for God - holding out his ‘sword’!

Little Daniel was only 9 weeks old when we were at Brenton-on-Sea last year. He was very suspicious of the sound and look of the waves, but after some time he started enjoying himself in the sand!

Josua, as always running, having the time of his life!

Danika and Andrew playing in a world of their own.

By 14h00 we headed back to our log cabin, for lunch. Daniel fell asleep in my arms as we walked back and slept for two hours. The rest of the afternoon, the children played around the cottage and had fun.

By 18h00 we were looking for David, and found him on the couch - fast asleep! The birthday boy could only take so much fun and excitement.

I am sure he will never forget his 3rd birthday and neither will his siblings!