God started his salvation plan even before Jesus even set foot on earth. This week, Chris told the story of Abraham, and how it was the beginning of God’s great love story. He said, “Count the stars, Abraham. You will have more descendants than this.” No part of Abraham’s life was pointing to God’s promise. In fact, it seemed like it was too late. But God.

He is. And He always will be. All you have to do is choose to believe. He does the rest. Isn’t that GREAT news!?!

My life's direction has pivoted more than once while knee-deep in hurricane floodwaters. I have fervently prayed for more water as Cape Town faced "day zero", when we would run completely dry during a record-breaking drought. We need water to live - not too much, not too little.

One of my favorite parts of the week is called Southpoint Prays, when I livestream from Southpoint Church’s Facebook account. It’s a safe, encouraging space for the church to rally in the teaching Chris shares, take it a step further in practical application, and pray together. It’s been amazing to watch the church rally for prayer and find a sense of belonging virtually.

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.)

With the very deepest, greatest, furthest, widest kind of love, Chris stood on stage on Sunday and said, “We are all doomed!” He preached a powerful message with a hard to grasp truth. We have to realize we’re lost to be found. The GOOD news is that when we realized we are doomed without Jesus, His restoring loving, power and His fullness rushes over us like a tidal wave and changes everything.

I've been breaking social norms for the last few weeks when people ask, "How are things going?" Instead of the anticipated "Fine," I've been exclaiming things like, "Shockingly good!"

If you've been reading the Call to Worship or my blog for a while, you might know our family has been running fast and hard after the things God has spoken to us - only to hit wall after wall. For years, we've armed ourselves with verses like Isaiah 40:31, yet I still grew weary from running and faint from walking.

Yesterday, Benjamin and I went to a nearby park for a playdate. We had a very unusual encounter as we were getting ready to leave. It went something like this...

This is going to be so fun! Chris has just started a series at church that Is bringing us all back to ground zero. He asked us, “Who is Jesus to you?”

That’s where it all begins. Even if you don’t believe in Him - that disbelief started somewhere - and shapes much of your worldview and life decisions. At the end of the day, this short lifetime always turns us to what’s beyond today and tomorrow.

A dear friend bared her weary soul to me this week and said, "I don't even recognize myself anymore." Another storm and another crisis had rocked her family's world. Her soul was taking a beating. She wasn't responding the way she wanted to. She couldn't find the strength to be who she wanted to be. She could hardly stand the juxtaposition of hope and hurt.

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.

Church was AWESOME!!! Chris talked about baptism, and I learned how to make a pickle! (Baptize that cucumber!) We are walking through some fundamentals of faith as the church expands, and God is unleashing so much. Check this one out!

I love weightlifting.🏋️‍♀️ We rent a weight set so I can exercise at home, and I train virtually twice a week with a personal trainer. I have gained surprising strength in the last year of training. It has NOTHING to do with my abilities and everything to do with consistently showing up and the calculated pushing of my trainer, David. The past few weeks have been full of extra meetings, deadlines and event planning. I had to cancel training sessions to make room for urgent needs.

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 gone to bed weary and heavy-laden most nights this week. We've had some loss and strain in our family recently that has made for restless nights. Exhaustion was building and rest was fleeting as I re-played my list of longings and re-prayed the cries of my heart, again and again, night after night.

When I ran out of words, I started listening to the song, "I Shall Not Want". I

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.

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!

In Mark 2:1-5, the dramatic story of a paralyzed man lowered through a roof by his friends always stirs up questions in me. There was too big of a crowd to get to Jesus that day, so they just went through the roof.

I wonder how the man on the mat felt. He was fully exposed, could do nothing for himself, and the text never said anything about his faith.

Have you ever had a hope hurt so badly you couldn't pray for it anymore? Do you know the deafening silence that follows your "amen" night after night, year after year?

Take a journey with me through our last 7 years...