Two very different picutres of our Sunday morning at church… one of them is hilarious.

I'm sitting in the counselor’s office at Lifa’s primary school…

Kacy: "Hey Benjamin, do you think God gave you special powers?"

Benjamin: "YESSSS!"

Kacy:"What are they?"

Benjamin: "VEGETABLES!"

Welcome to the Ladd Family Update! If you're reading this, THANK YOU. We are so grateful for a relationship with you and a few minutes of your time. We hope to hear back from you and have an opportunity to invest in you - you matter!

Chris called me with a chuckle in his voice when he arrived at the church men's retreat to tell me he was bunking with Ted Mirtle. "TED'S MY MAN!"

Ted and Margaret Mirtle have been married for 58 years. Their hands and hearts are softened from years of praying together. We look forward to seeing their ever-bright smiles each Sunday morning for church.

We had a baby! And we officially miss you.

It's high time for a Ladd family update. Let’s jump right to the highlight reel, shall we?

I was bummed to be too sick to make it to Chris and I’s normal Tuesday night Facebook live stream this week. I was VERY happy, however, to be able to still gather with the church virtually on Thursday night to pray together… though I coughed through it!

We had much to pray about this week as some of our beloved church members are really battling with Covid. Their small groups showed up, and we prayed with passion. And God has started moving!

It was a warm winter's day today, so Benjamin and I sought a shady afternoon adventure. Lifa has started rugby practice at school again, and I wanted to keep Benjamin distracted with nature rather than despair. I drove to a park in the first Cape Town neighborhood we lived in.

I carried tension with me everywhere I went yesterday. I didn't know I was doing it, but I found myself over-stimulated, extra sensitive, and compelled to check in on friends I haven't heard from much since lockdown started….

President Cyril Ramaphosa held a "Family Meeting" for the nation of South Africa on Sunday night to address the rapid rise of COVID-19 cases. The anticipated 3rd wave has arrived, and the government was quick and wise in their response! ALL social gatherings, including church and church-related activities, was prohibited for a minimum of 14 days.

Tuesday night’s presidential address threw a spanner in the works! On top of 3 Help Club teachings this week, we’ve been busy re-configuring Sunday mornings and all the other days in between. It’s honestly thrilling to lean into where God is and let Him be God. We’re just the vessels, and it looks like we’re going to be spending a lot of time online!

Last night after Benjamin was asleep, I was preparing the teaching I was going to do for Help Club. I popped my head into Chris’ office and found him deep in thought, scribbling notes and sending messages at the same time. He was watching President Ramaphosa’s “Family Meeting” speech regarding the 3rd wave of COVID-19 in Africa. The president was wisely saying, “The massive surge in new infections means that we must once again tighten restrictions on the movement of persons and gatherings.”

Church was amazing this Sunday! We expected a quiet morning as rumors of a third wave of COVID rippled through the nation. I took my place next to Chris on the front row ten minutes after the service started. Several new families had poured in the door at the last minute, and I was helping them get their kids checked in. Chris leaned in to me when I joined him and asked, "Is it empty in here?" I whispered that I couldn't see any open seats.

Chris was on the trampoline with Benjamin. Benjamin was hurdling his body from one side of the net to the other, ricocheting like a wrestler in the ring. Chris kept his knees bent, lightly moving up and down so Benjamin could "jump" with his dad. I stood beside the trampoline scene with deep joy and great conviction. "I'm done," I told Chris while he half-bounced. He looked a little nervous.

Have you ever hoped so hard and so long that you ran out?

Have you ever been been so close to the miracle, or that one thing you needed, but just couldn’t get to it yourself?

Things got real at church on Mother’s Day! Moments before I walked on stage to talk to the mamas and pray for Chris’ message, he whispered, “Oh, I forgot to tell you. I’m reading your blog at the end of my sermon.” My response, “Oh wow - full disclosure… let’s do it!” The 7-Year Miracle blog was as real as it gets, but so is our church family. Chris’ message was impassioned, powerful, and we all cried through the end. Check it out here!

Today's call to worship is an excerpt from a famous sermon by S.M. Lockridge. Enjoy your day, and remember that Sunday's is a coming! 🙌

I love Wednesday mornings! Lifa’s school starts later, and he plays with Benjamin while Chris goes to the office and I tuck into our room for a Facebook live prayer session. The church, friends and family come together for a quick early morning boost of Scripture, encouragement, real talk and prayer. I shared very openly this week about our family’s lowest lows and what God did in them. Right before we started, I received a message telling me that a very sick baby we prayed for the previous week was recovering. Prayers and praises are pouring in. I can only imagine heaven’s celebration. Please join us on Southpoint Church’s Facebook page - wherever you are! Wednesday mornings at 8am (GMT+2).

We had the BEST Sunday this week! We have been leading church virtually since Chris became the lead pastor at Southpoint Church. Lockdown restrictions have lifted some, and we were finally able to meet in the building again! It was an incredible morning with a full house, vibrant energy, and a lot of personal stories about our marriage on stage! I got to host the service this week, and even Benjamin made his debut. Check out the service. It’s worth the time.

My husband looked at my crossed eyes today during the inevitable afternoon slump and asked how I was. We had just squeezed in a meeting with our immigration lawyer before going our separate ways for the day again. I smiled and said, “I am so good!” I was still wearing a COVID screening sticker from the hospital where I’d just been to see Benjamin’s paediatrician after another night of high fevers. (He is fine!)