Against the Grain

The past couple of weeks have really been busy....not only have we been physically on the go, but it seems that spiritually too.....there is much that I am learning. Sometimes I get afraid that all these beautiful treasures will be forgotten before they can become a permanent part of who I am. Maybe we keep going around and visiting the same place more than once, so that our perspective and depth can deepen on the various sides of the diamond that is Torah.
The one thing that is becoming more and more evident to me is that this wonder that is the Torah life, Life in YHVH..... is definately 'going' and 'growing' against the grain. The world is no longer a place that I feel at 'home' in. I have been walking and growing in Torah for the last two years, and every-thing has changed.....and will never be the same. The way I 'see' and 'understand' things is a universe apart from where I used to be, and I give praise and thanks to YHVH for showing me and giving me His heart (Torah), and for awakening inside of me the desire to know Him, to understand His ways, and to love Him with all of my heart. This new life, has given me new patterns and train of thought....about every-thing. My philosophy on education has changed (we have been home-schooling for 9 yrs), the way I see my marriage and my role as a wife and mother has changed, and the way I see my husband has changed. Abba is dailing working in me the things that are pleasing to Him, and out of me the things that are not.
This new life has also brought with it loneliness......something I have never really experienced before. Most of our friends are no longer around, and our once social weekends are now really, really quiet. I find myself questioning myself alot.....have I made the right decisions concerning school and keeping my children out of the system, have I really 'heard' Abba's voice concerning all the outward changes that He has and is making to this temple. I have stopped colouring my hair and started wearing a head-covering, the way I dress has changed and I now understand 'why' modesty, not only on the outward, but in the inward too. He has taken me back to my birth name (I changed my name without my parents consent at 18 yrs of age), and brought much healing to my family and myself :o)
Would I change this walk for any-thing that I have left behind?? Never, I have life.......for the first time.

As He calls us on,  a little higher up the mountain.....it will get more challenging, the way ever steeper and yes, the loneliness maybe a little more intense, but the sweetness of the reward...a relationship and intimacy with the Creator of the universe....and life.......far outweighs the cost. May He continue to strengthen and give each one of us the courage and strength to keep placing one foot in front of the other as we learn to love Him with all of our hearts.


Le Cheim, Le Cheim.....to Life!!

We went into Gaza and God went into Gaza with us

Deut: 31:6  'Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee, He will not fail thee, nor forasake thee'

This Shabbat let us remember that our God is a God of covenant. His promises and covenant stands sure forever. Praise Yah that He is faithful to all of Israel, including those of us who have been graciously grafted in!!!

Still here!!

Things have been really busy around here the last week and a bit........ as soon as things calm down a bit and reach some sort of 'normal' (I don't think that exists!!! - not around here at least) I will be back with a post or two :o) It's been good keeping up with all your doings though....
Shabbat is upon us again!! How wonderful!! Today is one of those days when there seems like too much to do and not enough hands :o) but by Yeshua's grace we will (as always) get done :o) I am trying a new recipe this week........'dense date cake with peanut butter frosting" mmmmmm...the picture really looks good. I will share it with you if it turns out OK :o)
I wish all my sisters out there a beautiful and peaceful Shabbat, may His love surround you and your families on this.....His day :o)

Shabbat Shalom

That Blessed time of the week again!

Preparing for Shabbat is truly something I REALLY look forward to :o) The whole day is filled with the expectancy of the rest to come...... . I love the smells that waft from our kitchen and fill our home on this day of preparation...mmmmm.....Rachel's challa, and usually a dish that I would not normally prepare any other time of the week. I love the way all of this sets the day apart from all the others in the week and makes this time special and something to look forward to. I love that time just before sunset when the candles are lit, and  quietness seems to descend, and the security of being in YHWH's presence is tangible.
Some preparation days do not go too smoothly, at the end of which  I feel as though I am falling over my feet entering into our rest :o), but then we have days like today....where everything just flows beautifully. When our work in the kitchen seems to be so well choreographed and orchestrated and we have time........time to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea, and to write a post on my blog!! Time.....I hear the sound of the sewing maching in the background with Rachel busy with another project. Oh how I love days like this!!!
On this day where time seems to be strolling along I thought  I would share one of our Shabbat regulars with all of my readers. It is one of our favourites, and a truly 'South African' dish :o).....and just to make it a little more 'fun' and interesting I thought I would challenge my beautiful sisters to making this dish.......you can let me know how it turns out and the first reader to let me know will be receiving a wonderful box of real South African 'Rooibos tea'. This is a caffeine free tea highly beneficial to ones health, and a tea that we absolutely love. It is best enjoyed with some honey and no milk. Now for the recipe....

Milk Tart

Ingredients:

Pie Crust:

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup castor sugar
1 egg
2 cups cake flour sifted
pinch of salt

Soften butter, add castor sugar and 1 egg, pinch of salt and 2 cups sifted flour and mix well into a pastry. Butter a pie dish and divide mixture in two (as this makes two pies). Press pastry into pie dishes bottom and sides. Place in an oven for approx. 10 minutes (until sides are slightly golden brown) and remove. Place to one side.

Filling:

4 cups of full cream milk
1 tbsn butter
1 cup castor sugar
2 eggs
3 tbsn corn starch
3 tbsn cake flour
1 tspn vanilla essence

In a bowl place the castor sugar and add 2 eggs and 1 tspn vanilla essence, mix well, then add the three tbsn cake flour, mix well, lastly add the 3 tbsn corn starch and mix well.....put one side.
In a saucepan melt the butter and then add the 4 cups of milk and slowly bring to just before boiling point. Remove from heat and slowly add the flour, corn starch mixture stirring continuously. Place back onto a low heat and continue stirring, the mixture will thicken. When it is the texture of a nice thick custard, you can remove and pour into pie crusts. Allow to cool, and lastly add a sprinkling of cinnamon.

I really hope that you will enjoy this pie as much as we do! Maybe you have a recipe of your favourite pie that you would like to share with me? (Lina......I have my eye on your cherry pie recipe!!)

I pray that this Shabbat will be wonderful for all of us, that we will come to understand that much more of this deep rest that YHWH has given to us by His grace, and that much more of His love!!

Benefits of Rooibos Tea


Shabbat Shalom!!

Welcome!!

Wow!! I decided to check in on my blog today.....and was pleasantly surprised by all the beautiful sisters that have joined with me on this incredible journey. Now that I have some new friends....I guess the idea of blogging and sharing becomes more exciting. I just want to say a really big 'Welcome' to all of you!! And a really big 'Thank-you', your personal journeys that I follow have encouraged and strengthened me on days when the loneliness seems to catch up with me a bit. Our family are the only Torah Observant within our social circle and community, and even though we have very dear friends, we often do not get to share our hearts because we are so misunderstood. Most of the time this is OK......but some days when one is learning something new and beautiful there is no-one to really share in the joy.....or maybe it has been a bit of a tough week, and you find yourself second guessing yourself in many different areas and there is no-one who understands the journey Yah has you on, and so cannot offer any words of encouragement. I think that there are many advantages and pitfalls to the technology that we are surrounded by on a daily basis.....but .....being able to 'meet' new sisters and make new friends is definately an advantage and a blessing. I look forward to walking a part of this journey with all of you :o)