Merry Christmas!!!
12.12.2012
New Blog
I have started a new personal blog over at WordPress to share my thoughts and what God has been doing in my life lately. Feel free to visit or leave comments if you'd like.
10.10.2012
EIGHT
It has been eight whole months since I've posted and I don't even know where to start.
The biggest news since then is that Johan's father, who lived in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa, passed away on my mom's Birthday last February. It was a complete shock to us.
We had been praying for a trip for our whole family to go visit Oupa Lotriet (the boys had never met him) and our other family there in the spring. Just one week before we received the news, the Holy Spirit had stirred in me that we would be seeing Johan's family in 2012.
One week later, Johan and I were on a plane to South Africa.
I cannot even pretend to describe the hurt in our hearts as we said goodbye to our kids for two weeks and flew off to say goodbye to a man so dear to us, who we hadn't seen in over 7 years.
Out of everywhere we had friends and family step up and take care of our children, bring food, offer rides to the airport,
give cards with money to help with plane tickets food and gas, people stopping over to pray with us, and so much more.
God's hand was in every inch of it.
That two weeks in SA was the most healing time for Johan, and I was privileged to be there with him through every bit of it. We saw and felt God's awesome presence with us everywhere we went.
The hardest part for me was that Oupa Peet never got to meet his two grandsons whom he loved so much even though he had never held them in his arms.
Even today, Johan and I still struggle with the fact that he is gone, since we are across the world from the reality of it. We think of him often and still wonder if it will ever feel really real. If we will ever stop grieving for the years we did not see him. But we know now, that God had and still has His hand in all of it. He brings good out of every situation for those who love Him. We are thankful for being able to say goodbye and for the time we spent with loved ones there.
It was a time we will never forget.
The biggest news since then is that Johan's father, who lived in the Kalahari Desert in South Africa, passed away on my mom's Birthday last February. It was a complete shock to us.
We had been praying for a trip for our whole family to go visit Oupa Lotriet (the boys had never met him) and our other family there in the spring. Just one week before we received the news, the Holy Spirit had stirred in me that we would be seeing Johan's family in 2012.
One week later, Johan and I were on a plane to South Africa.
I cannot even pretend to describe the hurt in our hearts as we said goodbye to our kids for two weeks and flew off to say goodbye to a man so dear to us, who we hadn't seen in over 7 years.
Out of everywhere we had friends and family step up and take care of our children, bring food, offer rides to the airport,
give cards with money to help with plane tickets food and gas, people stopping over to pray with us, and so much more.
God's hand was in every inch of it.
That two weeks in SA was the most healing time for Johan, and I was privileged to be there with him through every bit of it. We saw and felt God's awesome presence with us everywhere we went.
The hardest part for me was that Oupa Peet never got to meet his two grandsons whom he loved so much even though he had never held them in his arms.
Even today, Johan and I still struggle with the fact that he is gone, since we are across the world from the reality of it. We think of him often and still wonder if it will ever feel really real. If we will ever stop grieving for the years we did not see him. But we know now, that God had and still has His hand in all of it. He brings good out of every situation for those who love Him. We are thankful for being able to say goodbye and for the time we spent with loved ones there.
It was a time we will never forget.
2.23.2012
Yes, I have an 11 year old
Today Zian turned 11!
it has freaked us out (yes, both of us).
we have an 11 year old.
maybe if I keep saying it, somehow it will seem more real?
My tiny baby girl with long baby legs
who played in boxes for hours,
danced in her diaper with undies on her head until we laughed tears,
dressed up as animals and crawled around roaring at us,
stood on the church benches hands raised,
singing worship loudly trying to see the music,
couldn't wait for her 1st day of school and to ride the bus,
sat reading books for hours when she was just 3,
loved having picnics with grandma and mommy
and adored Blues Clues and Bear in the Big Blue House...
so many wonderful memories she has made with us.
but really wanted to post some of the old memories
for her Oupa & Ouma (G'pa & G'ma)
back in South Africa
and the rest of our family over there.
(It has been 7 years since she has seen them.)
1.08.2012
"Is it SPRING??"
After church today, Adon asked me "Mommy, is it Spring?!?"
This wonderfully warm weather
is an answer to so many Minnesotan prayers!
While I am writing this post,
all 3 of them are outside playing
...in jackets and hats ONLY.
I quickly snapped a few photos of them on the front step
after we got out of the car..
....and that will be the closest thing
to our family 2011 Christmas photo
that you'll get :)
they are growing up so fast.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
&
A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Love,
the Lotriets
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