Nothing without Jesus

Two donkeys were gracing in the field outside Jerusalem.

First donkey: I don't understand it, day before yesterday everyone was cheering me on, throwing their clothes and palmtree branches in the street so that I can walk on it with Jesus on my back. But since yesterday I'm again just nothing. Nobody notices me anymore.

Second donkey : Yes... that's how it works, without Jesus you are nothing in life.

God Bless 

Just Granty 

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! 

Stop and find Love and Happiness

 

It’s been an intensive few weeks for Jill and I.

There’s my personal endeavor to write for my blog every day. There’s my project to raise enough funds to take ten young men to the Karoo Mighty Men Conference. There’s all the DIY projects I want to finish around the house. Then there’s just life, like eating and sleeping....Oh and how can I forget all the doctor and hospital visits, enough to last us till next year.

Jill and I talk a lot about how overwhelming life can get. So we’re trying to figure out
ways to just lighten up. Take breaks! Enjoy life! Go out to a decent restaurant. Go on
a road trip. Get out with friends/family (besides the kids). Take a walk. Have a date night once a week. Watch a movie. Hang out with our amazing kids.

No matter how serious and important the projects we are involved in are, we have to
take care of ourselves or we might become morbid, sad, exhausted, lonely, grumpy and
resentful people who no longer enjoy the life we’re trying to enrich for ourselves and
others. We can become so burdened with the intensity of our missions that we become
as enslaved as those we’re trying to free.

I’ve discovered something like a miracle; when I am forced (like by Jill) or I force
myself to take a break and find love and happiness, my important projects will still be
there waiting for me when I get back!

God Bless
Just Granty

1 John 4:9  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.

Life without a Nanny sucks

Life without a Nanny while having two babies aged 3 and 2 is not easy, not if you use to having a Nanny like Marie, a little loud at times but we love her and she is part of our family. 

With our Nanny in hospital for an operation things is a bit hectic at home. Coming home 23h30 at night and getting up at 07h00 in the morning gets to a person. I have more respect and appreciation for Marie now that she can't be here.

Even Madison and Levi is asking when is Marie coming cause they love her to the moon and back. I haven't help with dishes in more than two years and now I must pull my weight seeing that Algrano's arm is in cast.

We pray that Marie get well soon and take in her place in the family.

God Bless
Just Granty

Philippians 3:13-14  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

A brand new week

Madison on Marie's back when she was still small.

The past week was one I never want to experience again. Everything just seems to have gone wrong.

First Algrano broke his arm, Levi contracted an eye infection together with flu and bronchitis.

And like that wasn't enough our nanny Marie who is 6months pregnant, went for a routine checkup at the hospital on Thursday and the Dr gave her devastating news that she has 2 massive growths one on each ovary and they may have to terminate the pregnancy as it is too dangerous for her and the baby.

She went back to hospital today(Monday). Marie means a great deal to us and is really part of our family loud mouth and all...I want to ask all of you to pray for her and the baby that a maricle happen and she don't loose the baby .

Jill, the kids and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

God Bless
Just Granty

Romans 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Trampoline and playing wrestling don't match

 

Always adhere to these warning signs

Kids clearly don't take warnings seriously (We as adults are culprits as well sometimes) warnings are there for our safety. Like with wrestling they would say "Don't try this at home or at school" and on the trampoline it says "only one person on the trampoline at a time as multiple jumpers may result in collisions & injuries". And then the combination of wrestling and trampoline = disaster. 

Algrano discovered that on a really hard terrible way on Wednesday when him and a friend were playing wrestling on the trampoline. As they were jumping and playing his friend fell on his arm and they just heard a cracking sound. There he is with a broken arm.

In a situation where a child or a loved one gets hurt it feels like 5 minutes is an hour. I was at work and when Jill called me, I immediately left work and rushed him to hospital. It didn't look as bad as I expected to be. His wrists was swollen so I thought it was only a sprained wrist but the xrays revealed the worst. His arm was broken just behind the wrist. Algrano is such a brave strong young man. He didn't shed a tear even though we could see that he was in severe pain. 

Thank you to Dr. De Jongh and the stuff at Cuyler Clinic for the profesional service we received.

Algrano's swollen wrist

Dr De Jongh putting Algrano's arm in cast

The Sister on duty showing us how to put on the sling

God Bless

Just Granty

Ephesians 2:1-3  And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you onced walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience - among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature chidren of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Winner of the delicious Q-tea Cupcakes

Zimasa Gela the lucky winner of the delicious Qtea cupcakes

Congratulations to Zimasa Gela on winning the dozen of cupcakes.  Hope you gonna enjoy it with your family and friends.

God Bless

Just Granty

Romans 8:29  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers

Win a dozen of delicious Q-Tea cupcakes

Cupcakes Made by Q-Time Creations

 Today one lucky person will win a dozen of delicious mouthwatering cupcakes with compliments of Q-Time Creations.

In my attempt to raise enough funds to take ten young men to the Karoo Mighty Men Conference I made a raffle where one lucky person will win a dozen of Q-Tea cupcakes for only R10. (Wow that's a bargain.... If you are lucky).  The winner will be announced later today. If you missed out on this opportunity to be in the draw today DONT WORRY another raffle or two will follow soon seeing that I'm not close to the amount we need to get to the conference. 

So the best of luck to everyone that have a number in the draw, may you be the lucky one. Thank you very much for your support with this project.

If anyone still wants to sponsor a young man or donate anything towards this worthy cause, please feel free to contact Jill or myself for more details on;

• Grant Groenewald  078 994 0065   email >  grantgroenewald@gmail.com
• Jill Groenewald       0852 314 6751  email >  jillgroen@gmail.com

God Bless

Just Granty

Deuteronomy 8:17-18  Beware lest you say in your heart, "My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth." You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

DIY Paint Job (with the help of family)

If you are reading my blog for a while now you would know that I had a list of DIY projects that was suppose to be done in the december holidays but I didn't get to it for different reasons (mostly having fun with my family). I promised that I will have it done before this years december holiday. So with the help of my family (big and small included) I started with the painting of the house. See how it unfolded.

Now I realize what DIY experts mean when they say that preperation takes the most of the job and is also important for getting that excellent end result.

Here Algrano and I are busy wit the preperation (He is also learning valuable skills that he can apply one day when he has his own house)

Making use of a high pressure water spray gun we removed all peeling paint (and believe you me this house had some layers of paint). Then we filled the small cracks with polyfiller ( which Madison calls porridge) "Daddy why you putting porridge on our house?" I just LOL(laughed out loud). We spray with the water spray gun the entire wall to remove dust and left it to dry.

  

Everyone was now curious to help because they saw an opportunity to mess with paint. Jill, Madison and Levi was quality inspectors. Algrano, Viteshnia and myself did the painting.

Befor picture after preperationn was done.

The after picture. (We DID IT again YEAH!!!)

A special thanks goes out to Jill, Algrano, Viteshnia, Madison and Levi for their part in making this project a success. I Love You all to the moon and back.

God Bless 

Just Granty

Psalm 100:4-5  Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

A Shocking story

A certain rich businessman had a beautiful daughter, who fell in love with a guy who was a cleaner. When the girl's father came to know about their love, He did not like it at all, and so began to protest about it.

Now it happened that the two lovers decided to leave their homes for a happy future.
The girl's father started searching for the two lovers but could not find them. At last, he accepted their love and asked them to come back home in a Local newspaper. Her father said "If you both come back I will allow you to marry the guy you love, I accept that you loved each other truly."

So in this way, their love won and they returned home. The couple went to town to shop for the wedding dress. He was dressed in white shirt that day. While he was crossing the road to the other side to get some drinks for his wife, a car came and hit him and he

died on the spot, the girl lost her senses. It was only after sometime that she recovered from her shocked. The funeral and cremation was the very Next day because he had died horribly.

Two nights later, the girl's mother had a dream in which she saw an old lady. The old lady asked her mother to wash the blood stains of the guy from her daughter's dress as soon as possible. But her mother ignored the dream.

The next night her father had the same dream, he also ignored it. Then when the girl had the same dream the next night, she woke up in fear and told her mother about the dream. Her mother asked her to wash the clothes which have blood stains immediately.

She washed the stains but some remained. Next night she again had the same dream she again washed the stains but some still remained.

Next night she again had the same dream and this time the old lady gave her a last warning to wash the blood stain, or else something will happen. This time the girl tried her best to wash the stains, and the clothes nearly tore, but some stains still remained. She was very tired.

In the late evening the same day while she was alone at home, someone knocked at the door. When she opened the door she saw the same old lady of her dream standing at her door. She got very scared and fainted.

The old lady woke her up... and gave her a blue box, which shocked the girl. She asked "What is this...?" The old lady replied...

“Omo Washing powder... it will remove all stubborn stains!!!”

Have a fantastic weekend.

God Bless 

Just Granty

1 Peter 5:10  And after you have  suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to this eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, stengthen, and establish you.

Making generic "Fake" Nesquick

Our babies just love their pink milkies (Nesquick) after supper. Last night after supper they wanted to have their usual pink milkies, but to our susprise there wasn't anymore. There our babies were sitting with sad faces, sulking for there pink milkies. It was to late to go to the shops to buy some, so my intelligent Wife came up with the clever idea to make our own generic pink milkies and I thought I'd share it with all of you.

All you need is: 

• Milk
• Sugar 
• Food Colouring (any colour of your choice)

Glass of milk

 

Add a drop of food colouring (the babies love pink)

 

Stir the milk and colouring together. (They love it when I make magic and turn the milk pink. GO!! Daddy The Magician) 

 

 

Add a teaspoon or two of sugar for a little extra sweetness and enjoy your "pink milkies" 

God Bless

Just Granty

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intends of the heart.
 

Nothing is too big for our God!

Do you have a medical condition that the doctors have given up on? Or a wayward child you long to be reconciled with? No matter how insurmountable the challenge you may be facing, I want you to be encouraged by this truth today- God wants you to know His heart of compassion for you today and confidently cast your cares to Him, expecting Him to meet you at your point of need.

My friend, God takes great pleasure in taking your every care, and pouring out His goodness on your life. When you pray in faith, drawing from His abundance, His strength, His grace - God is pleased!
I encourage you to receive all that Jesus has for you in the days, weeks and months to come. He is your provision. He is your wisdom. He is your peace. Jesus has provided everything you need - there is no request to big for Him.

Beloved, Jill and I are so thankful for you. Your faithful prayers and generous financial contributions will make it possible for us to take ten young men to the Karoo Mighty Men Conference, which we believe will be a life-transforming gospel of grace to the young men, and make a difference in their lives through this initiative.

Don't hesitate to contact Jill or myself if you can assist in anyway.  Or click HERE

Grant Groenewald Cell: 078 994 0065
                                email:  grantgroenewald@gmail.com

Jill Groenewald Cell: 082 314 6751
                           email: jillgroen@gmail.com

Thank you for your part in all of this.

God Bless 
Just Granty

John 16: 23 - 24 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, He will give it to you. Until now you have have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full. 

What an awesome weekend

I had a really blessed and fun filled weekend with my family.

Making mud cupcakes and roti

On Saturday afternoon Jill an the babies made little mud cakes and roti. Every few seconds Levi will come running to us saying "Here Mummy, Daddy I made you cupcakes and roti." We might have picked up a few kilos with the imaginary  cupcakes and roti we've been eating.

Sunday morning after a blessed service at our church, Elim Assembly of God we went on a outing for the afternoon. We went to Homeleigh Farmyard and the beach. Homeleigh farmyard is a fantastic small farm in Port Elizabeth (situated just on Kragga Kama Road) where everyone bbig and small can go relax and see and feed different kind of animals. They  also offer pony and tractor rides. 

Here's some pictures of the visit to Homeleigh farm yard.

 

Some of the different animals at the farm. Sheep, Cows, Tortoises, Donkeys, Horses, Ostriches, Birds, Chickens, Ducks, Bunnies, and Goats. I learned that a female donkey is called a Jenny and a male is called a Jack. (You never to old to learn,)

 

Feeding time. Algrano and Madison had a exciting time feeding the animals Madison is really her Daddys child (not afraid to touch bugs and animals). She is even scaring her baby brother with Algrano plastic bugs at home. Just as Levi was getting confident to start touching the animals the miniature goat sneezed right next to him, giving him a fright. 

 

Touching and holding the bunnies. Levi watching from a distance. Madison enjoying it so much.

Jill, Algrano, Madison, Levi and myself on the tractor ride

  

Riding the horse (they said its pony rides, but me coming from Haarlem knows this is a horse). To our surprise Levi wasn't scared to get on the horse at all. He really enjoyed this ride, even waved bye to us as he went on the ride. Madison also loved it.

Kids on the double decker bus,  boat and train

 

Carousel rides and enjoying ice cream at the boardwalk. This is how you look when enjoying an ice cream

  

We ended the day at the beach. This is Levi's first visit to the beach since he was born. We stay just around
 the corner from the beach and never took Levi to the beach. One thing  of our bucket list. (Take Levi to the beach. Check)

God Bless 

Just Granty

Proverbs 11:28  He who trusts in his riches will fall, But the righteous will flourish like foliage.