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 dropped our 2-year olds at school, paused responsibilities, and met at a cafe to celebrate our "South African birthdays". Melanie and I are both American missionaries who came to South Africa solo in January 2010, never expecting to start families and build lives here. We became fast friends when we met a few years ago, both trying to figure out how to care for our newborns a hemisphere away from our home churches and families. Our sons ADORE each other, and it's a precious gift to find a friend that understands both my home culture and the beautiful tension of cross-cultural families.

My heart is still overflowing from Thanksgiving. We had a traditional American Thanksgiving celebration with two South African families on Saturday. Generosity and pumpkin pie flowed freely. I still can't stop smiling!

Abundant feasting, laughter and love is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. I could easily keep myself busy wrapping presents and planning parties for Christmastime, but that long, slow feast (and all that goes into preparing it) pivot me toward true joy first.

Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday. I will be teaching a Bible study on gratitude this morning and trying not to dream of pumpkin pie while I do it. We will have a Thanksgiving celebration of our own on Saturday, and I can't wait!

I got live on Facebook on Thursday nights for “Southpoint Prays”. It’s a short, but powerful time for us to gather virtually and pray. This week, I got fired up about who Jesus is and the power in His Name and His Church while we gathered. If you have a moment, join in here. Send me a message with your prayer requests!

We have started to love our silly Tuesday nights online. Chris and I pop onto the church’s Facebook page to do a live broadcast. It’s the best way we can “get together” with people during Covid. We’ve been in some version of lockdown since we started leading Southpoint Church, so it also is a fun way for people to get to know us. This week, we started our online chat semi-normally…

remain safe, but many lives and livelihoods are lost to fire and fury of epic proportions. The nation, hearts and hope have been shaking for 7 days.

We love having a prayer team of family and friends around the world. We’re calling in everyone for this one!

On Sunday night, President Ramaphosa addressed the nation to extend our Covid lockdown. Vaccinations are rolling out now, but numbers are still rising rapidly.

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.

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.”

Chris Ladd is the man of my dreams, BUT he's got a few things to learn about life. Ok, its' just one thing: BIRTHDAYS.

I love to celebrate and have infused that love into my children. Lifa is an absolute boss at celebration, and one of Benjamin's first words was "Hooray!" (Future daughters-in-law, you are welcome.)

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.

We had a beautiful, wintery afternoon tea for moms at our church last week. A group of super-dads (and Lifa!) took on childcare of over 15 kids while 32 moms laughed, cried, played, indulged and prayed over each other. It was life-giving and absolutely gorgeous. I am blown away that God has built a team of strong, powerful women who love the Lord around me. They are my team any my closest friends. I am overwhelmed with gratitude!

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?

I've found myself accidentally daydreaming about visiting the US lately. This morning I picked up Benjamin's US passport from the American embassy, and I'm sitting next to a stack of paperwork to apply for my new South African visa right now. It's all still surreal since the 7-year miracle. I haven't crossed an ocean since 2015.

Chris Ladd and I could not be more opposite types of human. Some key differences are played out most obviously in the kitchen. When were dating, and our differences were intriguing and charming, we loved to try new recipes together after Lifa had gone to bed. In marriage, we view our differences as strengths to work together… and also the very things that make the hair on the back of our necks stand up. We now do zero cooking together. Sometimes we even take turns being in the kitchen! We consider it finding a way to win.

Big leaps of faith inspire awe in the faith-leapers and those around them. Lofty sacrifice turn us to Jesus' words in Matthew 16:24, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."

We were born to hope. To believe in something, to seek something, to continuously become… If we get our eyes stuck on what’s in front of us, our heart set on what it within reach, we are missing something… Someone eternal.

This week, I was CRAZY tired. I planned my entire weekend around taking a nap while Benjamin slept. Guess what… COULDN’T SLEEP. While the rest of the house was super peaceful and resting, I was busy cracking away at my keyboard.

Two years ago, the Ladd family was at the bottom of our barrel, in our lowest of lows. (Except for Lifa. He’s consistently wonderful.) Chris and I KNEW God directed us to build His church. Not just any church - a church that could reach the nations. We did all the faith-filled things people do. We labored for three years with nothing but failure and rejection.

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!)