Saturday 14th April 2012
What a relaxing day! We woke early and before we looked at the time, we started our guessing game.-
Helga: “What do you think the time is?”
Mike: “I’m not sure – it’s early though.”
Helga: “I think it has a five in it….I’d say 5-15am”
Once I’ve made my guess, I look at the time.
Mike: “There’s not a sign of the sun, I think it’s about quarter to 5.”
Helga: “Ha ha, I’m wrong, but you’re more wrong!”
Mike: “What time is it?”
Helga: “6-15am!”
And so began one of the laziest days we’ve had this year.
We had coffee, I did my Bible reading and read a bit, then at just after 7am went back to sleep again until 10am!!! Then we got up, had breakfast, which was pretty spectacular…
I relaxed drinking tea and reading the Joy Mag. Then (at about 11am) went back to sleep again until 1-15pm, when I heard Mike say ‘would you like some coffee?’ Oh man, what a wonderful way to wake up! Crazy that I’ve had 5 extra hours of sleep since we woke up at 6 and it’s only lunchtime! Feel fabulous though! The first drops of rain have fallen….
After reading for a while, we decided to go down to the beach. Mike wanted to get in the water (which was freezing cold) so his arm could get a dose of salty sea water, hoping to facilitate healing…
He had a melanoma cut out of his left arm…this is what the scar looks like right now…
It started out as a regular ‘freckle’ that became darker and eventually got a black spot in the middle. If you are fair-skinned, block out and visit the dermatologist if you have any freckles or moles that change colour. He had another one taken out of his shoulder but it’s not nearly as bad as this.
We had fun on the beach. Shoes…
Making memories…
Afterwards, we went to Cafe Jack for dinner. This is the view from the window next to our table. The arrow is where we are staying…
I absolutely LOVE coming here. There are three reasons. Firstly, in about June of 1985, after I had had my heart broken, I visited Betty’s Bay for the first time. It was with a group of friends…all girls. We had a great time. At one stage I walked down to the beach on my own and prayed. My prayer, specifically, was for my future husband, wherever he was, whoever he was. I prayed fervently, that the Lord would keep him for me, that whatever difficulties he was going through, the Lord would bring him out of them. Little did I know that THAT very weekend, Mike was having a difficult time. In fact, at the time, I had just recently begun to attend the Fireside Fellowship meetings on a Saturday evening at the YMCA which Mike led. I phoned him prior to this getaway weekend, asking if he wanted to join us as ‘security!’ He declined, saying he had ‘other plans,’ which turned out to be quite tricky. I didn’t know I would marry him just over a year later! Every time I walk on this beach, I am reminded of that prayer and God’s faithfulness in answering it.
The second reason why I love Betty’s Bay is because this is where we came the weekend we married. 🙂
The third reason is because the peace and tranquility seeps into your bones. Adrenaline is replaced with what feels like valium! Relaxation is the order of the day. It is a wonderfully quiet place to rest and think and pray and read and just chill…(and eat and sleep!)
While here, I’ve read the short early biography of Trevor Goddard. It’s called Caught in the Deep, published in 1988. I really enjoyed it. He quotes Psalm 84:11
“For the Lord is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless.”
A lovely verse.
God bless you loads!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂 