A Special Weekend with a Bonus!

This past weekend was a very special weekend!  

We celebrated my Father-in-Law’s 80th Birthday.  Dad had the privilege to celebrate this special birthday, with the wife of his youth for more than 50 years, special friends, some of whom for more than forty years, his son, daughter and ten grandchildren at Neethlingshof Wine Estate near Stellenbosch on a perfect, wind still day! 

The name tags Heidi-Mari made for each guest

The highlight of the weekend, was Michael that started crawling on his Grandpa’s birthday!  

For the past week or two, Heidi-Mari would playfully encourage Michael to crawl every afternoon, while I made the boys asleep. Thus we were expecting him to start crawling any day and I was closely watching him, in anticipation, when he played on the floor next to me.  How big was the excitement when he reached for a book and took the first two ‘crawling steps’!

I’m always amazed at the excitement of the whole family when one of our baby’s start crawling.

From experience we know, we are now entering a new season with a baby crawling every where and getting into all sorts of trouble. 

But that is what I love about motherhood - entering the same season for different children and experiencing it totally different, because it is a total different person. A unique person made by God, for a unique purpose! 

Thank you God for the privilege to be center in the development of my children.

Please give me the kindness, grace and wisdom to train every special child, you entrusted to me, for his/her very specific work in your kingdom!

With love

Linnie

Walking Memory Lane

Since 2003 we have been going to Knysna for our vacations.   We love the beautiful garden route along the South African coastline.

Every time we went, we took pictures of our family at The Heads in Knysna and by now it has become a tradition. As I was looking at the pictures we took over the past 7 years, I was filled with thankfulness and praises to the Lord, for blessing us more than I could ever have imagined!

August 2003

Danika was our baby and only 8 weeks old, Heidi-Mari 6yrs, Josua 3yrs and CJ 9yrs.  When I look at my children I cannot believe how much they look alike.  Danika is now 7 years old and look just like Heidi-Mari at that age.  

This holiday was our first in five years and signified the turning point of a very difficult financial, physical, emotional and spiritual time of our lives.  Before this holiday, I thought we would never be able to own a car or house of our own again, let alone go on holiday!  CJ and Josua, both celebrated their birthdays while on this holiday and had very special memory making moments.  

Before we went to Knysna, CJ did a unit study on Knysna, a little about it’s history and the tourism attractions - the forest, the rare indigenous trees, the wood and furniture industry, the gold rush of 1885, the Knysna elephants, George Rex - the founder of Knysna, the sea horses and oyster farms. 

While in Knysna we got a tour through a saw mill; visited the Knysna elephant Park; drove up to Millwood in the Knysna forest, near Homtini, to see what was left of the town which grew tremendously during the gold rush and then died just as quick again; visited the old churches in Knysna and Belvedere, went to the oyster farm, where CJ and Christo even tasted very fresh, live oysters - it didn’t go down well, to say the least!  We even managed to see whales a few hundred meters into the sea at Plettenberg Bay.

In the picture Danika is sucking my pinkie finger and is so content.  She was my baby who could be soothed the easiest by giving her my pinkie finger to suck on, when it wasn’t possible to nurse her right away.  When I happened to drive and she started crying, she would even sucked CJ’s pinkie finger.

This holiday will always be one of THE holidays!

April 2005

I'm 32 weeks pregnant with Andrew. Josua is 4yrs, Danika 22months, Heidi-Mari 8yrs and CJ 11yrs old.

During this holiday we stayed at Brenton On Sea in a beautiful raised log chalet.  What I cherished most about this holiday was the quiet evenings (after the children went to bed) with Christo on the balcony of the chalet, looking out over the dark sea with it’s constant rhythm of waves in our ears.  

Since I was in my 7th month of pregnancy, we didn’t drive much, the weather was good and we mostly went down to the beach, but I had to climb 100 steps down and back up again! The children had hours of fun in the sun, boogie boarding and flying their kites.  At one stage I tried my hand at the kite too, but lost my balance and fell!  Everyone had a terrible fright and I thought my waters had broke!  Christo ran up the stairs and fetched our vehicle and tried to get as near as possible to the beach, so I didn’t need to walk the steps.  After Christo picked  Danika and me up, and rushed us to our chalet, my courageous oldest son, CJ only 11 years old, took responsibility for Heidi-Mari and Josua and got them safely up the stairs back at the chalet! 

My waters didn’t break and after a warm bath and tucked in bed early, I was all well again!

The rest of the holiday was pure bliss and we were hooked on Brenton on Sea! 

September 2008

Since our last visit to Knysna, 3 1/2 years past. During the time between our Knysna holidays the Lord added Andrew, David and Daniel to our family!

Daniel was 6 weeks old, Andrew 3yrs, Danika 5yrs, CJ 14yrs, Josua 8yrs, David 22months, Heidi-Mari 11yrs old.

Since we had so many little people, the raised Log chalet, with all the steps up to the chalet and inside the chalet wasn’t practical anymore.  We stayed at a log cottage on ground level and since we mentioned we had 7 children, they gave us a cottage at the outside of the group of cottages more to the side, with more running space for our children!

We visited the Knysna Elephant park again and also Monkey Land just outside Plettenberg Bay!  When Daniel was born I bought an Ergo and a special missionary couple who went to America to have their 5th baby, sent it back to me!  I carried baby Daniel in the Ergo where ever we went. Even on the beach I could carry him in the Ergo and he was protected against the wind and sun.

Our family reconnected during this holiday. Over the past 3 1/2 years a lot has happened in our home and we could just be with each other, rubbing our fingers over our children’s hearts, filling cracks with love and attention! We had perfect weather and the little ones played for hours in the sand next to me, while Christo and the older children boogie boarded and had fun in the waves!  In the evenings we had a ‘braai’ (barbecue), having ‘stokbrood’ (bread dough rolled over a stick, grilling over the open fire) and melted marshmallows dipped in chocolate flakes! 

October 2010

Since the last picture in 2008, the Lord added little Michael to our family!

Josua 10yrs, Daniel 2yrs, David 4years, Michael 9months, Danika 7yrs, Heidi-Mari 13yrs, Andrew 5yrs and CJ 16yrs.

Although we went for the 5th time to Knysna and in the same cottage as 2008 and 2009, it was a total new experience.  We prayed for weeks for the weather, but the Lord knew better. We needed time close together and we got more rainy days than sunshine.  The first day or two we panicked, but then made peace with God’s best for our family and had a wonderful time together! We celebrated David's 4th birthday, played board games and went to see things we never did before.  The three days at the beach were champagne clear days, with no wind at all and just the right temperature to play in the water! This year even I could go boogie boarding - in the past I was either pregnant or had my hands full with a new born baby! 

By now our family knew the routine and what were expected of each one and with the least effort we had such a relaxing, restful holiday!  

This time Josua studied Knysna and we visited specific places as part of his learning experience, but more on that in a separate posting.

I praise the Lord for the ability to look back on my life and count my blessings!  

The Lord blessed me with a very special family - unique children, who each contribute to my character and experience of life and fill my days with love and laughter, not giving me one dull moment!

But most of all, the Lord blessed me with a husband of faith!   A man of God who trusts Him in providing for our family and who leads us in God’s ways!  A man who loves me like his own body and lays down his life to take care of me and our children! 

I’m a blessed woman! 

With love

Linnie

A Great Work!

Sometime ago I stumbled upon a link to an article on Christian Birth Control Options. The article was written by a Pastor and he summarized the various options that a Christian couple has to consider regarding birth control, distinguishing between no birth control, contraception, and abortion. With five levels of birth control in between, ranging from no birth control to abortion.  

Without going into the detail of his five levels of birth control, I was shocked about the pastor's way of justifying the different kinds of birth control (not from the Bible) and his clear antagonism to people who choose No Birth Control as their “family planning” and how these people are legalistic!  

The most shocking however, was his advice on the use of the birth control pill - level 4 - Potentially Abortive Birth Control. 

He pointed out that one of the three ways the pill prevent contraception is by thinning and shriveling the lining of the uterus so that it is unable or less able to facilitate the implantation of the newly fertilized egg, thus making it a “potential” abortive birth control. But that being said, he didn’t take a stand against the pill. No, he advised Christian marriage couples to “prayerfully” consider the use of the pill and take an informed decision according to their own conscience and the leading of God the Holy Spirit. By implication, Christian marriage couples may use the birth control pill (that causes abortion) if they felt lead to do so by the Holy Spirit! 


His next level of birth control is level 5 - Abortive Murder.  I quote: "the taking of a human life through the killing of a fertilized egg.  Biblically, it is also known as the sin of murder."

Something is wrong with this picture!  In just the above paragraph he pointed out the birth control pill is potentially abortive, I quote: “it seeks to disrupt the ongoing life of a fertilized egg” but he only advice Christian marriage couples to “prayerfully consider” the use of it, God the Holy Spirit might even allow them to use it...while in the next paragraph he calls killing of a fertilized egg, murder!

I couldn’t help but remember 2 Tim 4:3 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.” 

I realized how the church bought into the practices of the world, compromising Biblical truths, afraid to offend their followers. The moment we take a stand for Biblical truth we are accused of having no grace and love!  I once read:  The truth will always offend, but is never offensive!  Jesus’ truths offended many! The Biblical truth does offend (the sin in) people!

I got involved in a debate on the blog where I found the link, pointing out Biblical evidence against the use of different birth control methods for Christians and got only opposing replies. While being in the debate, I (again) reevaluated what I believe, why I believe it and my motivations behind my arguments. I also discussed them with Christo, since I never write /comment on a topic concerning Bible truths without his input/approval.

While being in my self evaluation, Christo shared with me one of Dr. John C. Maxwell’s teachings he receives monthly,  on leadership.  This teaching was on “A Great Work”.  There couldn’t have been better timing for me to listen to this  CD. 

What is a Great Work? 

When Mother Theresa wanted to start orphanages in India years ago, her superiors asked her how she would know the work she would do in India is a great work? She answered: “When I can give food, clothes and hold ONE child, it is a great work!” 

A Great work isn’t changing or saving the world, it is making a difference! Even if it is only one by one.

A great work will always have a pull on you and the scars received while doing your great work will never leave you feeling inferior, because it is scars attained in the battle.

Urging women and parents to return to Biblical principles and opposing lies, believed by women and parents, is my great work.  It has a pull on me that I can’t explain to anyone. I know I’m opening myself for scars, but I’m willing to take the chance - the chance to make a difference in one woman’s life, while in the battle!

I believe by opposing the lies on birth control, I can make a difference.  I believe God called Christians to “Be Fruitful and Multiply in their marriage and raise Godly offspring for His glory”, leaving everything up to God and God alone, leaning not on their own understanding, but trusting God!

I want to make a difference for one child! One child who will enter the world, that would most probably not have done so as a result of the lies of Satan to limit family size and ultimately God’s End Time Army! I want one child to give God glory, living out the purpose God had for that child since the foundation of the earth - bringing people to know God, defeating the dark works of Satan, through his/her life!

I do know God’s walk  with every person is at a different level of faith and understanding, but I cannot and will not be silent.  This might just be God’s timing for that person to remove his/her blindness and see the truth!

And this is the motivation behind my blog and everything I am. I will not compromise, I will speak the truth, living a great life, doing a great work, called and enabled by God and God alone!

With sincere love

Linnie

Unexpected Blessings!

Friday was such a special, blessed day!

Early in the morning we discovered I’ve won a card making challenge I entered with the sample card I’ve made for Heidi-Mari’s First Blog Anniversary Card Making Challenge. 

It is the most amazing feeling to open a challenge blog and see your name and/or the picture of your card.  I normally feel like someone who dream when I see Heidi-Mari’s name and have to look twice! She has won quite a few challenges until now (she confesses, she still experience an initial shock every time!), so when I saw my own name, I was pleasantly surprised!  I won 3 digital stamps for Heidi-Mari’s digital stamp collection!  

The rest of my Friday was taken up with normal chores, cleaning the house (how is it possible that a house can get so dirty in a week?), doing laundry, taking care of the many needs of my many children, in between home schooling and driving the older children to their extramural activities in the afternoon.  

I also gave little Michael his first haircut!  

Oh! My baby has grown up so quickly and is becoming a little boy.  It felt like yesterday that my baby was born, but he is already 8 months old.  He is developing a personality of his own, but also amazingly share personality traits of his siblings! 

Since he got his first haircut he is even more adorable (if it is possible).  David (turning 4 end of October) will often tell me “Your baby is very cute”  I’m sure you’ll agree when looking at this precious little face!  

Then when Christo came home after work, Friday afternoon, he handed me a parcel.  Now I’m mad about surprises and since I was not expecting anything, it was even more exciting!  I couldn’t find scissors quick enough to open my parcel!   Inside this unexpected gift was a book, 8 rubber wrist bracelets and a very encouraging thank you letter!  

The book:  Nancy Campbell’s newest book ‘100 Days of Blessing’. 

I couldn’t believe my eyes, for the second time the day! I read about Nancy’s latest book in her  newsletter and decided I just had to have it, but didn’t have the time to order it yet.  What a blessing to receive it as a gift!

While making Daniel asleep that night, I read Day 1 with my LED headlight and already I’ve been blessed!  It was such a powerful message and taking into account the unexpected blessings/rewards I’ve received during the day, it hit home even stronger!  

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

1 Cor 15:58

How easy do we get weary in the very demanding job as a mother!  I almost daily receive e-mails and phone calls from weary mothers! I myself have days that weariness is in every single part of my body! It is no easy job to raise a growing family, with Godly standards, in an ungodly world!  It is a selfless work, serving your family, mostly 24 hours a day, with a joyful spirit, while human strength often cannot keep up the pace! 

Then it is a lowly  job in the eyes of the world - wasting your time and talents!  Often family don’t even understand why you are doing it, giving you moments of heartache and disappointment.  I myself just recently got an unexpected blow from a family member for having so many children, embarrassing them in front of their friends!  

Friends don’t encouraged us in raising our children ourselves, either.  The moment you confess weariness in a moment of weakness, they are quick to tell you they are glad it isn’t their job, they will never manage, they don’t have the patience!  Not very encouraging when you are weary!  

Raising godly children, one need to have a long term vision. Often we don’t feel strong enough for the challenges that lies ahead and fruit or rewards on your hard work is few and far between!

But in 1 Cor 15:58 we read the Lord want us to ‘abound’ in our work for Him!  Where can women find a more valuable work in the eyes of the Lord than caring for the needs of children and train them on His behalf! God also exhort us  not to become weary in doing this work for him - He has a promise with His challenge!  He will be our Rewarder!  

Wow, how encouraged and full of joy and excitement my day ended on Friday, because of my unexpected gifts!  How much more will be our joy and excitement when the Lord returns with our rewards!

To keep going with the work He set before us, we need to renew our minds and think what is important for God!  We need to separate our selves from the thinking of the world and take every thought captive. We need God’s Word in our hearts and minds so we can recall His promises when we get weary!  And to help me with this, I’m so thankful for my rubber wrist bracelets!  

Here is how the Wrist Bracelets where ‘born’ in Nancy’s own words:

When my sister, Kate, was proof-reading my book, 100 Days of Blessing,

I noticed loads of little Post-it Notes sticking to her arm.

"What on earth are you doing, Kate?" I asked.

"There are so many statements in this book that are life-changing. I don't

want to forget them," she replied. "

You should get bracelets with these slogans on them so mothers can look

at them and be reminded of these truths throughout the day," she

continued. 

It sounded like a pretty good idea to me.

It would be too expensive for mothers to purchase fancy embossed

bracelets so I have printed eight different rubber wrist bands with...

Powerful and Positive affirmations for 

wives and mothers!

The ones currently 

available are:

I LOVE MOTHERHOOD

WE'RE A SMILING FAMILY

I'M A COVENANT KEEPER

I LOVE MY HUSBAND

I AM ABOVE SELF-PITY

MOTHERHOOD=ADVENTURE

I AM A NATION BUILDER

WORTH MORE THAN RUBIES

Over the past few days I constantly wore them on my wrist and were reminded of my high and mighty calling as a mother and wife! 

While writing this posting  I’m wearing I’m a Nation Builder!  What an incredible goal and to see it every time when I look down, it is such a strong reminder!

When I received the bracelets on Friday, I immediately put on ‘I love my Husband’!  It was amazing what effect it had.  My husband was really tired and stressed out when he came home!  On top of worked very hard the whole week, the new DVD player he bought the day before, didn’t put out sound after CJ connected all the wires.  He had to work through the whole system to find the fault and that wasn’t good.  While he had all these challenges, I saw my ‘I love my Husband’-bracelet while I took of the washing from the line, bathed the little ones and did the dishes.  It was just so much easier to encourage and love my husband while he was tired!

Over the weekend I went with 6 of my 8 children to buy summer clothes!  Christo and the two older boys were at the WP Junior Show Jumping Championships.

Heidi-Mari and I had to take the 5 younger children with us! What a challenge!  So I put on “We’re a smiling family” Wow it was so powerful!  Every time when weariness and frustration wanted me to give up on being a loving, smiling, patience mother, I saw my yellow bracelet and I could smile with my children, again! How powerful is the smile of a Mother!

I’m going to wear my bracelets every day and change them as I’m facing challenges, to help me win the everyday battles that come with being a Godly Wife and mother!  My only hope is in the Lord! 

“Father God, please help me to have an abounding attitude as I mother in home - abounding in joy, fun, laughter, nurturing, sweetness, love and wisdom. 

Amen”*

“If I only do what is required of me, I am a slave.  When I do more than is required, I am a free person.”*

* Taken from 100 Days of Blessing

by

Nancy Campbell

For South African Readers:  I’m going to import these bracelets and Nancy’s 100 Days of Blessings as soon as possible.  I’ll post here when it arrives.

With Love

Linnie