We`re the Kings of the World!!

Well done to the Proteas (Our National Cricket side) for their first ever series win in Australia! It was worth getting up at 01:30 this morning to witness such a historic event!

Merry Christmas everybody

Quick update

Thanks so much for all the comments on my previous post. I am having such a nice time with the family, it truly is a blessing having them here for the holidays. Obviously blogging has taken a back seat but I promise to keep you guys updated (maybe not everyday but as often as possible).

For this update I have a few photos, which will give you a good idea of what we have been up to.

I just want to add that I miss all my blogging friends tremendously! I hope you guys are all having a wonderfully blessed festive season.

Lots of love and God bless!

Helloooooo Kevin!

I am so sorry for being such a bad blogger! I know it`s been ages since my last post but we have been so busy here that blogging has unfortunately taken a back seat.

I will try to do a post with a bit of an update in the next few days but suffice to say, we have been having a really nice time with friends and now family. We are off to the beach in the next 15 minutes again. What a tough life we have here in Africa... :)

Ps. Kevin, thank you for your concern, you can call of the search party and drop the Amber Alert to Red....

Wallets - check, ID`s - check, car keys - ........ ?????

It`s been a few days but do not fear, the Running Golfer is here. We had an awesome weekend away and got back late on Sunday night. Since then I have not even been on a blog. For some reason I just didn`t have the inclination. So today is my first day back in the blogosphere

We spent the weekend in Umhlanga, which is situated on the East Coast of South Africa in Kwazulu Natal. I loved every second of it. Hayley and I are not too fond of the East Coast mainly because the humidity is terrible. We are creatures of comfort, as you probably know! But I must say, Umhlanga was awesome. We had the best time

The reason for our visit was that my Father-in-Law, Clive, turned 60 on Sunday. It was such a privilege to spend this time with such a wonderful family and more especially with my Dad, who is my role model in so many ways. Dad has timeshare in Umhlanga and the rest of the family go there every December for a week. Hayley and I joined them for the first time. It`s not that we`re not invited, it`s just that we have always been working during this week. So this year we finally got to spend some time with the family

My real story is something that happened at approximately 16:00 on Sunday afternoon. Hayley and I flew back at 18:00 on Sunday and Mark had to fly back to Johannesburg 30 minutes later. We had a 30 minute drive to the airport, so we all got ready to leave. We had just packed the last stuff into our tiny rental car. I was playing with Devon when I suddenly heard a commotion behind me. I looked around to see Hayley`s face a whiter shade of pale. She had locked the car keys in the car. The doors were all locked and although we could see the keys, we had no way of getting to them. So, there we were, all our luggage had been packed into the car, including our house keys, my car keys etc. We only had her handbag with our wallets in it. Dad phoned the AA and they said that they would send somebody to assist in getting the keys out the car. Dad would wait for them and then race to the airport as soon as the car was open again. We however, were running out of time fast

So after figuring out that we would be able to fly back and get the spare keys from the "dog sitter", Hayley`s Mom jumped into Dad`s Murano and we RUSHED to the airport. We got there just before 17:00 and saw that our plane had been delayed by 15 minutes. I went to the BA office and explained our situation with the luggage. The nicest lady helped me and got pour luggage checked, without it even being there! How cool was that? She said that we could just bring it as soon as it arrives.

We stood waiting and 5 minutes before boarding, the little Hyunday Atos came zooming around the corner with Clive Schumacher behind the wheel! We grabbed the bags, raced to get them checked and made it with literally a minute to spare!

I wish I could day this was an anomally but I can`t. There is never a dull moment with Hayley and her family and I have gotten used to something strange happening, always!

10 Things I love about you

My wife is an original. I have met nobody else like her and I doubt I ever will. So I decided to do a list of things that makes her unique and totally awesome.

1. Hayley will try any dance move. We`d be sitting watching tv and somebody would bust a move on MTV. All I would need to say would be "can you do that?" and she would be up in a flash. I`ve seen her do all kinds of moves. Some don`t even have names (and most of them don`t even exist). Her signature move is "the running man". Truth be told, no moves look like the ones on tv but she tries and that makes me love her.


2. Hayley considers herself an introvert. Yet, I have never met anybody who talks more than her. She would sometimes talk just to hear her own voice. I shut down sometimes and will just throw in a nod, every few minutes. This is enough to keep her going.


3. Hayley loves food more than anybody I know. Last night for instance, she had a whole chocolate egg in her mouth and asked me "why can I not stop eating?". I didn`t have to answer that one.


4. Hayley has a heavy foot when it comes to driving. If you see a Hyundai Getz zooming around Somerset West, that`s Hayley. She of course denies it but my wife is the Fernando Alonso of the Western Cape.


5. Hayley adores Christmas more than anybody I have ever known. Christmas had been a pretty sad time for me until I met Hayley. I had been far away from my family (My Mom, Sister, the kids and Brother-in-law emigrated to NZ) and I was always depressed on Christmas. Hayley gave me a love for Christmas again and spending Christmas with her family has certainly made it easier for me. I now heart Christmas thanks to Sweetie.


6. Hayley sleeps with the light on when I`m not around. Enough said.


7. Hayley gets so involved in her tv shows that she is completely oblivious to everything around her, especially me. I can talk and she would not even know it.


8. Hayley is the disciplinarian when it comes to the dogs. I cannot bear to see Elvis upset, so it`s up to Hayley to keep the discipline going.


9. Hayley will be able to name any animal in the Kruger National Park. She is absolutely brilliant and one of the best spotters I have ever come across. We would spot a buck and she will tell you exactly what kind it is and add a few facts. I am truly in awe of her knowledge of the wild.


10. My wife is a clever lady and a tough one to get into an argument with. She should have been a lawyer cos she can argue like nobody I have ever met.

So there you have it, a few reasons why my wife is so awesome and so special to me. A unique person especially designed for me.

An African Sunset made in heaven

You know me and my sunsets, I heart them. This was the magnificent sunset that greeted us on Monday night. While watching this spectacular sight the lyrics to one of my favourite Live songs went through my head.

I don't need no proof when it comes to God and truth
I can see the sunset and I perceive

It certainly rings true.






Thanks to my Sweetie for the awesome pics.

God, me and the number 34

As you guys know, this year has been a pretty tough one for the family. A lot of things have happened, some of which I can share and some of which I can`t. The one thing I can share with you guys and that I have done previously is that my company was liquidated in February. In fact, somebody told me that we were probably one of the first companies in South Africa to be affected by the Sub-Prime crisis in the States. Like I always say, if the USA sneezes the rest of the world catches a cold. In this case, our company got pneumonia and died.

Now, being out of a job is no fun place to be. I have always been pretty succesful in my career and things have come pretty easily. Blessed probably describes how lucky I have been. Promotions came pretty quickly and the money was good too.

Just to show you how lucky I was, consider this. The day after the company folded, I got a call from one of our main competitors and they offered me a job there and then. They promised me a whole lot of things and of course I took the job. Unfortunately it was a question of over-promise and under-deliver on their side. I stayed loyal to them for as long as I could but eventually I realised that it is not something that would be sustainable. The business plan was never gonna succeed. I ended up leaving.

So for the last few months I have been looking for work. That is not the best place to be in you`re a white South African male. You see, we have a thing here called BEE or Black Economic Empowerment. Companies have to employ black people to eradicate the inequalities of the past. What it comes down to is that white men are last on the pecking order when it comes to jobs. So, even though you might have the best credentials for a job, the fact that quotas have to be attained might mean that you lose out to a less qualified person. This is our society and I understand this completely.

This coupled with the bleak economic outlook worldwide has made the last few months a very tough time to be a jobseeker.

That brings me to my faith. I would be a liar if I said that my faith never waivered. I have had many a day, sometimes weeks at a time, where my faith ebbed away. Every prayer went unanswered, or so it seemed. Every time an opportunity came up, something happened and it was taken away. One example. I got a call from a previous company and they were getting ready to offer me a job, an awesome job at that. Something I would be really good at and that would have meant good things financially. Then, the day where they were to call me with the good news, the company`s Exco sat and made a decision that an immediate freeze was to be placed on all external appointments. I was devastated. I had prayed so hard and so long and basically begged for this job. God decided no. I could not understand it. So close but yet again an opportunity was taken away.

So on one of these days, where I was crying out for something, anything, I drove to Gordonsbay (which is about 10 minutes from here). I was on the way back when I noticed on my cars computer that the kilometers done on the tank of petrol was 341 and the distance I could still travel was 341. I thought that was quite a coincidence. I mean the distance left on the tank changes so much and so quickly, depending on the speed etc etc. Literally a minute later I drove past a little sign and I still don`t know what the purpose of this sign is but it just had 34 on it. A white 34 on a blue background. Was God talking to me?

Now I am a numbers guy. I am and have always been very good with numbers. So for me, I saw this as a bit of a sign. You do tend to hold onto the small things when you have nothing to hold onto anymore. So with Hillsong playing in the background, I had a feeling that God was using something I understand, numbers, to show me the way.

I raced home and immediately checked the Bible for clues. I checked for the 341st chapter of the Bible, page 341, every chapter 34:1 and so it went on. Nothing. Then I reckoned that I would get a call with good news at 3:40 or 3:41. Yet again a dead end. But the number 34 stuck in my head.

That was 2 months ago. A few opportunities have come and gone in that time. I have had good days and a lot of bad days. All the while I kept looking for 34 and the sign that I was so sure was around the corner.

That brings me to Monday, 24 November. I woke up and decided to read my Bible. I opened it up at Acts 13 and started reading. Then something caught my eye and I saw at the top of the next page, where it shows the last verse on the page, it said Acts 13:34. It said the following:

The fact that God raised him from the dead, never to decay, is stated in these words: "I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David"

Immediately I knew that God was talking to me. I was expecting a call that day with feedback on a possible interview. Suddenly I knew that the interview was going to be confirmed. This happened later that day. The person who gave me the lead for this job is another Christian who has walked the same path as me during this year. He was also affected by the liquidation, maybe more than anybody else. I phoned him to tell him that I got the interview and when I put the phone down I noticed that the call was made at 3:40 pm.

So on Tuesday morning I read my Bible and opened up at Matthew 21. I looked up at the top of the next page and what dit it say? Matthew 21:34. It read:

When the harvest time approached, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his fruit.

I have been using my Mom`s Bible since she passed away and it is full of her notes and markings. It`s one of my favourite and most special things on this earth. She marked Matthew 21:22 and it read:

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer

On Wednesday morning, I opened up the Bible to Matthew 6. Guess what was at the top of the next page? Matthew 6:34. It read:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Wednesday night, Hayley and I were in bed and I opened up my Bible at Acts 10. At the top of the next page it said Acts 10:32. I was a bit disappointed as I was expecting another miracle cos I had been spoiled! I read the chapter and when I turned the page my heart nearly stopped. So guess which verse was marked, by my Mom in pencil? Acts 10:34 and it read:

34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right.

So yesterday I flew to Johannesburg for the interview. Before I left I took a card out of my Bread of Life box, which has promises from the Bible in. Well, the one I picked was Matthew 21:22, the same verse my Mom had highlighted and which I read on Tuesday night.

If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer

As a final incident, while I was waiting for my rental car the tv caught my eye. It was some netball match (in which I have no interest whatsoever) but the one shot I saw the player wore the number 34.

Now I don`t know exactly what all this means. I am obviously on a journey with God and I really don`t know what He has planned for me. What I do know is that He is with me always and I do not need to worry or feel alone anymore. He has truly rejuvenated my faith.

I do not know if the interview I went to was THE one. I do however know that I don`t have to worry anymore. I can trust God cos He has made it clear to me that He is interested in my lfe and that He cares for me deeply.

What is your 34?

Ps. A Google search for 34 revealed Psalm 34, Praise for Deliverance from Trouble.

How much does our God rock?

Happy Thanksgiving

Just a quick one today, I`m off to Johannesburg in an hour or so.

I just want to wish all my awesome American friends a very, very happy Thanksgiving. May the day be filled with fun, laughter, family, an incredible amount of food and a lot of thankfulness.

God bless!

Ps. A shout out to all the turkeys out there. Thanks for taking one for the team man, you guys are awesome.