My friend Debbie Mitchell lost her son to Testicular Cancer on the 27th of April this year. Freedom Day will forever have a new meaning for Debbie and her family. Darren as you can see was a beautiful handsome boy with his whole life ahead of him. He has recently qualified as a helicopter pilot. He was young gifted loved by so many, but mostly his mother. Darren was her world for the last three years in particular as she stood by him and encouraged him to fight the good fight of faith.....in the end Death took him Life seems so unfair at times like this, we question God we question our faith. As believers and followers of Jesus we don't question the fact that He is Sovereign, He gives and He takes away. We know that in our heads, He is the Giver of Life, He is Sovereign but when we loose someone with the potential for so much to offer life cut down in his prime, taken from his family who have stood by him, loved him and encouraged him to believe God for his healing it is difficult for us to make peace in our hearts. The natural course of life is for a child to bury his parents not for a mother to bury her child. So how can we try and find some sense in this ..... I think of Mary the mother of Jesus, she had watched her son growing becoming a man, at 12 he had baffled the Rabbi's in the synagogue, then after his baptism for three years he healed people challenged political and religious leaders, form friendships with 12 close men teaching them everything about the Kingdom of God. The one night a friend betrays him and he faces certain death. Even in the garden of Gethsemane he calls out to his Father, "Please if there is any other way" The next day he is brought before Pilot and judgement is passed. He will die. Quietly without even being able to say goodbye to his mother the one who had birthed Him, raised Him knowing He was not hers to own, watches as He is forced to carry the cross where He is to die. She meets him along the way desperately trying to catch His eye desperate she organises Joseph of Aramethea to carry the cross, right to the end she was trying to save Him. But His death was imminent. He had to die He had a mission and it was His love for us that held to the cross. Not the nails. He was born to die. Death on a cross to bridge the great divide between man and God. He cried "It is finished" That was is history changed forever. Man given the choice. We can choose life or death. If we choose life in Christ we choose life, if we choose to walk away from God's plan for salvation of mankind we choose death. Darren chose life, and today we rest assured in the knowledge that He walks with His Saviour, free from cancer, free from pain, alive and dancing on God's great dance floor. One day we will join him...if we have chosen life. Jesus had said to His mother go and find my brothers and sisters.It seemed harsh but he knew what lay ahead and because HE was fully God and Fully man He knew that Mary would need the comfort of those around her. Love and support from friends who truly cared. Spending time with Debi and her lovely family was truly a blessing for me. I got to know the beautiful Kimberley who kept telling me I was weird, I would tell her she was weirder and we would laugh until our bellies ached. What a gift from God she was and still is. The future which God had forseen .... the purpose and love of a little girl with wisdom beyond ours

Thank you for an amazing week Kimmy I learnt so much from you I cannot wait till you come and visit and rock our world in Cape Town. Farewell Darren until we meet again..................in the Sweet By & By until then .....Find your wings and Fly!

Faithfulness and the greatness of my God

Wow the last 24 hours has been completely bizarre. Yesterday my precious 2nd born, and first born son Jason Michael Blignaut suffered his 3rd seizure. On January the 7th when he suffered his first seizure which I witnessed first hand. My first instinct was to call on the only name that I new and that was JESUS the second was to yell for my husband. As I yelled Jesus Jesus come now bring your peace bring your calm my husband came running(probably wandering why is mad portuguese wife was screaming)calling on God to restore calm and bring healing to her son. When he arrived and did all the basic first aid things like make sure Jason didn't choke put him in the recovery position, I ran to grab water and a cloth to cool him down. In the process I ran past my other son Jesse, on his way to check if his brother was okay, and in true unthinking Debbie fashion yelled at him that in no uncertain terms is he to go into his bedroom. This sent my other poor child into a complete tearful frenzy, my other child Ashleigh just calmly went to console her other brother who now was totally distraught because in my panicked unthinking state I had yelled at him, when all he was was concerned for his brother. Thankfully I have raised a level headed daughter who acted mature and calmly to console her baby brother. I returned to the room bucket and cloth in hand and proceeded to wipe my sons face and talk to him continually reminding him that he is loved more than he knows and that our great God was here in the room with us and that He is in complete control. I then proceeded to sing over my son the words I had sung 19 years ago all through my very brief labour with Jason. "Faithful God oh Faithful God you lift me up and You up hold my cause You give me life You dry my tears You are always near You're a faithful God" Oh in my mind it sounded like a sweet melody washing over my boy as he lay there in a state of deep sleep.I am sure to those around it was more like a cats' choir. AS the peace of God continued to descend and calm was restored, my son opened his eyes completely unaware of what had just happened, woke up and asked if it was the next day. His first words were "did I sleep the whole night and is it Uncle Kevin's birthday today?" Relieved that my son was okay, had not suffered a stroke and knew who he was I breathed a sigh of relief. We called our Cape Town family The Edwardians as they are affectionately know and told them what happened and asked them to pray. They arrived at our house in about seven minutes after that phone call. We all gathered around Jason as two families and called out to God for healing and peace. About an hour later my son and his buddy Anton joined our families in the lounge and Jason and Avril had some friendly banter about Manchester United and Chelsea and I knew my son was back and I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. But that was the start of a journey for me which last night took on a whole new perspective. I was busy finishing up at work. It had been a long and tiring day at Silikamva, and as I was dealing with a teacher my husband called. I hit the "I am busy button", he called again and I picked up my phone and answered what don't you understand by "I am busy". Not reacting to my rudeness he calmly sent me a text "Urgent" I sent the teacher packing and called him. He told me my son had suffered another fit and that he was now home and resting. I went into Debbie mode. I told him to get Jason to False Bay hospital that I would leave immediately and meet him there. I packed up and left the office in a whirl wind, trying to remain calm and in control. inside my head was screaming " God I know You whispered to me when this happened the first time that our children are a gift from you, they do not belong to us You have loaned them to us..." Well I was having major conversations with God as I sat stuck in traffic. I screamed at Him told Him I am not ready for this that he must heal Jason and restore him. I was crying so hard that I could bearly see through my tears. I then called Andre and told him that we must go straight to Groote Schuur and not False Bay as we already had a referral letter for the 14th of April for a cat scan. Andre told me that Jason had just suffered another seizure at home when they were about to leave for the hospital and that he would wait for me to get home and that we would go together. While driving my friend Sandy Fisher what's apped me to say that they were praying for Jason. I called her a burst into tears, she asked if her husband Josh who is a doctor could help, I said he must phone Andre at home, she then proceeded to pray for me, which completely undid me and the tears flowed again. Traffic home was insane it was like some cruel joke, I crawled up Constantia nek bawling my eyes out and wishing that I had a car like the one from Harry Potter that I could just hit flight mode. But I did't so I phoned my daughter, told her to pray for her brother, then I phoned my sister and told her to call my mom and what was happening and then proceeded to beg God to clear this traffic so that I could just get home. I did get home, an hour later to find my son now relaxed and lying on the couch, Avril was sitting having a beer and my amazing husband was packing Jason's bag feeding the dog and just being his usual practical self. I don't even think I kissed him hello. And so we left for Groote Schuur. On the way we chatted about what we would do if we got there and they were unhelpful. We decided we would if necessary cash in all the money we had saved sell my car do whatever it took to go to a private hospital. We also prayed after that that we would be treated well and speedily at Groote Schuur that we would see God's favour upon us and that Jason would quickly get the help he needed. So on the one hand we were willing to bankrupt ourselves again, and on the other hand we just put it out there to God that we would like His help and favour. Aren't I glad that God doesn't depend on my stupidity. Of course He showed favour, of course He was faithful because that is His nature. He is faithful even when I am faithless. We arrived about 6.30pm at Emergency, I took Jason in while Andre went to park, We were 4th in the queue. it took about forty minutes for doctor to see us. The doctor happened to be a member of our churche's Rondebosch PM congregation. He was amazing treating Jason with dignity and such amazing professionalism. Once again I stood in awe at our Government hospital's I had been super impressed by False Bay last Friday when I went with Jason for his first appointment, once again I was super impressed with Groote Schuur. Grateful to God for His provision of an amazing young Doctor who not only could relate to my son and his condition, but understood my worry as a mother and we were helped swiftly and painlessly. It was confirmed that Jason probably has epilepsy and was immediately put on to appropriate medication. He will go for his scan as planned on the 14th of April. We got home just after 9pm. My son had a bite of pizza and then went straight to bed. He sleeps peacefully now. Tomorrow and the days to come will hold some challenges, he will not be allowed to drive for 6 months, or at least until we feel that he is stable on his medication. This will involve some changes as Andre and I will need to be more available to cart him to his work shifts, he works as a waiter for Peddlars part time, he continues to be very involved at Commonground. We will have to rely on friends to help cart him to and from his church functions as well as be available ourselves to do this. Small sacrifices in the greater scheme of things. SO glad that I will have a weeks holiday soon, so we will ease into our new routine, how gracious of God. So thank you to all who prayed,support us and will continue to do so as we journey in this life, holding on to the hope we have in Jesus. He is our anchor our strong foundation,our friend,our Redeemder, Forever Faithful, we will worship Him.

27 August 2011

I woke up this morning only to be surprised by a gift from God. He has provided for the Blignaut family once again! We are amazed at His timing and faithfulness.

I feel like spring is in the air, there is a spring in my step and I am having the urge to clean out again and re- arrange.

I was wanting to get blogging again by writing something long and profound but find myself having only these few words to say.

God is good All of the time! Happy week end everyone, Enjoy the important things in life like FAMILY!

13 August 2011

My lack of internet at home is my main reason for being so scarce on line. But I am hoping to sort out the problem by next week!!!!

I haev been working with Andre helping at Hi Q. Interesting times, but last night I decided I need to get creative. It was wonderful I felt alive again! I really love scrapbooking.

Here are some results of my fun

8 August 2011

Gosh this year is really beginning to fly by.

I have been working for and with my husband for the past three weeks now. Its been interesting and fun. I must say the tyre business is a tricky one. I think he is amazing with customers. There are so many differnt types of people out there and he handles them all with the same finesse and charm regardsless of how they are! And trust me there are some reall dumb asses he has to deal with.

Saturday I helped with the Izantla Zethemba Fun day we did a movie at Rosebank Junior school. 80 kids from Gugulethu enjoyed a morning of popcorn movies and fun games. My son Jesse was amazing how he organised the projector and was so amazing with the kids. I will post some photos later

26 July 2011

When I think back a year ago today I remember how sick I was feeling, I had contracted measles and no one even picked it up. How my life is so different today. It is amazing what a different year 2011 has been. I am overwhelmed at God's goodness and grace on my life.

When I look at how the pieces of our life are put together. Think of this, 1986 I meet Hlubi who back then I was introduced to her as Theodora, We work together on the Doulos for 2 weeks as the ship is docked in PE harbour. We have our photo taken, share ice cream together and as young carefree girls spend a lot of time laughing. Three years later I walk into a shop at All Nations college in the UK and I see Hlubi and myself on the cover of a little book called 10 Myths about Christianity.

We do not see each other again. 2009 Hlubi googles me and we connect via Facebook. A few visits to Cape Town and PE and we are chatting and sharing our lives as if we never parted ways.

God presents an opportunity for me to assist this amazing woman in her business. I am humbled as she chooses me to help her in this small way. She is Business Woman of the Year in PE two years ago, I am self trained in books and I am able to help,and as we work it does not even feel like work. I am revived enthused and excited about life as I walk along side this strong woman with a VERY big heart.

Our families have an affinity to one another our kids love being with her kids and are so similar in many ways. Who would have know that Hlubi and I would both break new ground in SA both marrying across the colour bar, 21 years ago for me and 18 for Hlubi. Who would have imagined our lives would become so interlinked.

I think God has a way of joining all the pieces together and when we leave things to the Great Architect of life and allow His hand to build into our lives something beautiful and almost delicious if you give me poetic license is created. I call it TOPDECK!

22 July 2011

So life has been pretty ordinary but things are about to get a little more interesting. On Sunday one of the Feul team members is moving in for 6 weeks - so I will aquire another "son" There is going to be a lot of testosterone in the Blignaut household.

Then these little men will have to cope without me for 2 days as I am flying off to PE on Monday but will be back Wednesday. I will make sure I prepare a meal for them for Monday night but Tuesday they will have to fend for themselves!

I am loving life at the moment each day brings new challenges and God continues to show me new things.

God’s presence is robust. He’s not nervous or timid, and He is always present, never failing, never out of time or out of action

This is how I am feeling at the moment.

I love the fact that my God surprises me daily and His whispers are beautiful and gentle