What a year it has been! On the 3rd of January this year, I asked Jo to marry me. We had been dating for about 5 months but friends for many more. After much planning we were married at Glenridge Church in Durban, on the 18th April. I have to say, of all the weddings I have been too, ours was my favourite. We had do many friends and family there and so enjoyed being the center of attention for the day and the fuss that was made. Our friends worked tirelessly to make the day exceptional and everything ran very smoothly. As as for Jo, once again I have to admit, she was the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. And if you don't believe me, send me a mail and I will send you a picture. She was stunning. I was the proudest groom on that day.
Settling into our home together has been a lot of fun. I do find I wash more dishes than ever before, but its worth it. I suppose that means that we are eating a lot of food. The change in our flat is remarkable. It now has style and colour and is pretty much clean most of the time. Jo has really good taste in decor.
To our delight we found out in August that we were pregnant. Our baby is now at 17 weeks and we are almost half way on our journey. Jo has been coping very well and is so looking forward to being a mom. We have had our second room painted out to get ready for the little one but I still have to hang a few paintings and give it some more colour.
Other fantastic news is that my parents have relocated from Johannesburg to Umhlali. After 21 years in Edenvale they have built a home on Umhlali golf course and what a beautiful home it is. They have settled in well, apart from getting used to the humidity, and have also brought KO and Whiskers (our one eyed cat) with them. They are now living about 30km north of where we are and are looking forward to more Sunday family lunches.
Jo's parents were meant to be joining us for Christmas, but unfortunately 2 weeks ago she broke her ankle whilst assisting a pregnant lady in the township in Clarens and 3am! She slipped down a bank and broke her tibia and fibula. So they are a bit housebound until Val has the strength to move around. We look forward to visiting them in Clarens in the new year. Len is a genius and is busy building unmanned drones for an aerospace company! He is phenomenal with his hands and can pretty much build anything.
Caryn, my sister has also been out for a few weeks and we were also joined by her boyfriend, Kai, for a day, but he had to head to the Caribbean of all places to see his mom for Christmas.
And today we picked up the grand parents from the airport - they flew in from Cape Town for a few days because it is my mothers 60th birthday tomorrow, and we are all going out for lunch.
Glenridge Church has also been doing well this year. 2007 and 2008 were difficult years for many and we have really seen Gods favour this year. We had a new church plant our of Glenridge into Westville and there is rumour of another early next year. We have seen quite a few miracles this year - from Cancer being healed to backs and ears being opened and we are excited to see more and more in 2010.
We are very excited for 2010 and know that it is going to be an incredible year. We have a few of our friends getting married and also having babies, but we are really looking forward to finding new ways to make an impact in this world and leave our mark.
We wish you all a very good Christmas break and hope that you will find peace and rest to hit the new year running.
Lots of Love and Blessings,
Clive & Jo
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
2 weeks and 6 days - by Jo
Time has flown! I'm going to be a married women very soon. Can hardly wait!!!
Things are falling into place - just some last minute meetings to finalize details, numbers etc. God has been amazing in helping us with the details - I spent way too much worrying about stuff instead of just letting go and trusting God, who has the best ideas of all, to share his ideas with us :o)
Clive was in the Berg this weekend with his mates - sounds like the fresh air and wide open spaces did them the world of good. My man came back with pink cheeks and a happy face - except that he's still fighting a head cold and producing bucket loads of snot ... gotta love him though. He is just amzaing and I'll take him in sickness and in health :o)
Next weekend the guys from Glenridge are off to the Men's Camp at Hilton College. Sounds like they are going to have a blast. Clive is rooming with Patrick Kenny so I don't know how much sleep they'll get - when Pat and Clive get talking about the deep things of life, there's no stopping them. I'm looking forward to a "quiet" weekend in Durban - will probably hang out with the girls and have some fun. I need fun - the past 3 months have just been about planning and admin and trawling Gateway Theatre of Shopping for wedding bands, gift registries, bridesmaid's dresses and loads of other things.
Clive and I headed watched the movie "Marley and Me" today. We thought it'd be a fun romcom but we both ended up bawling and quite unashamedly at that. It's still Hollywood but the movie was very real - and abit sad too. I highly recommend people to see it - it's not Slumdog Millionaire and it probably won't win any Oscars but it's a wonderful story.
Take your tissues though ... and plan to have a cuppa afterwards - to think abit, chat abit and appreciate the amazing memories in your life. Some happy, some sad, some painful, some exhilerating.
But they all make up the tapestry of who you are today.
Things are falling into place - just some last minute meetings to finalize details, numbers etc. God has been amazing in helping us with the details - I spent way too much worrying about stuff instead of just letting go and trusting God, who has the best ideas of all, to share his ideas with us :o)
Clive was in the Berg this weekend with his mates - sounds like the fresh air and wide open spaces did them the world of good. My man came back with pink cheeks and a happy face - except that he's still fighting a head cold and producing bucket loads of snot ... gotta love him though. He is just amzaing and I'll take him in sickness and in health :o)
Next weekend the guys from Glenridge are off to the Men's Camp at Hilton College. Sounds like they are going to have a blast. Clive is rooming with Patrick Kenny so I don't know how much sleep they'll get - when Pat and Clive get talking about the deep things of life, there's no stopping them. I'm looking forward to a "quiet" weekend in Durban - will probably hang out with the girls and have some fun. I need fun - the past 3 months have just been about planning and admin and trawling Gateway Theatre of Shopping for wedding bands, gift registries, bridesmaid's dresses and loads of other things.
Clive and I headed watched the movie "Marley and Me" today. We thought it'd be a fun romcom but we both ended up bawling and quite unashamedly at that. It's still Hollywood but the movie was very real - and abit sad too. I highly recommend people to see it - it's not Slumdog Millionaire and it probably won't win any Oscars but it's a wonderful story.
Take your tissues though ... and plan to have a cuppa afterwards - to think abit, chat abit and appreciate the amazing memories in your life. Some happy, some sad, some painful, some exhilerating.
But they all make up the tapestry of who you are today.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
34 more sleeps - by Jo
Or 4 weeks and 6 days. And counting!
What a weekend. Both our parents came down this weekend and we had an amazing time catching up together ... AND doing some more wedding planning :o)
Yesterday Clive had his bachelor's party and I had my bridal shower. We knew the parties would happen yesterday but we had NO idea what would go down. I've yet to see the pics from Clive's day, but I believe there was a Zorro outfit, a braai, some rugby watching (the Sharks had their butts kicked) and a whole lot of precious, encouraging words shared. What a wonderful blessing that my man is so loved, honoured and appreciated by so many people - it just makes me love him more :o)
My bridal shower was a scream! I arrived and was promptly dressed up in butterfly wings, a tiara and a fairy wand! Jeannie asked me to share why white butterflies are so special to me which was wonderful. We ate lots and I received so many stunning gifts! Jeannie (my only local bridesmaid!) outdid herself. She asked Clive a whole of questions about himself and recorded him giving the answers - she then played the DVD at the bridal shower, asking me the same questions and I had to guess the answer. It was so much fun but I must admit I was soooo nervous! But all the gifts had me in stitches so that definately broke the ice! The ladies also got to play gift bingo - they each had cards with a variety of potential gifts on and they marked off their cards as I opened gifts. I think Emmy won her Easter egg and got to shout BINGO first! The moms also shared some amazing words and the ladies prayed for me - what a treat :o)
And so we get to the end of another busy but wonderful weekend! We don't have too mnay left until the wedding (like FOUR - and Clive will be away for 2 of them!) but thankfully most of our planning has been done and it has gone so smoothly. We're so excited now - can't wait for the big day but we're totally enjoying the journey.
I am very much in love with Clive Bredenkamp.
What a weekend. Both our parents came down this weekend and we had an amazing time catching up together ... AND doing some more wedding planning :o)
Yesterday Clive had his bachelor's party and I had my bridal shower. We knew the parties would happen yesterday but we had NO idea what would go down. I've yet to see the pics from Clive's day, but I believe there was a Zorro outfit, a braai, some rugby watching (the Sharks had their butts kicked) and a whole lot of precious, encouraging words shared. What a wonderful blessing that my man is so loved, honoured and appreciated by so many people - it just makes me love him more :o)
My bridal shower was a scream! I arrived and was promptly dressed up in butterfly wings, a tiara and a fairy wand! Jeannie asked me to share why white butterflies are so special to me which was wonderful. We ate lots and I received so many stunning gifts! Jeannie (my only local bridesmaid!) outdid herself. She asked Clive a whole of questions about himself and recorded him giving the answers - she then played the DVD at the bridal shower, asking me the same questions and I had to guess the answer. It was so much fun but I must admit I was soooo nervous! But all the gifts had me in stitches so that definately broke the ice! The ladies also got to play gift bingo - they each had cards with a variety of potential gifts on and they marked off their cards as I opened gifts. I think Emmy won her Easter egg and got to shout BINGO first! The moms also shared some amazing words and the ladies prayed for me - what a treat :o)
And so we get to the end of another busy but wonderful weekend! We don't have too mnay left until the wedding (like FOUR - and Clive will be away for 2 of them!) but thankfully most of our planning has been done and it has gone so smoothly. We're so excited now - can't wait for the big day but we're totally enjoying the journey.
I am very much in love with Clive Bredenkamp.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
41 more sleeps - by Jo
It's almost the end of another weekend - we only have 5 to go before The Big Day and they are filling up quickly!
Last w/e Clive turned into Handyman Extraordinaire and the kithen is now looking amazing. It is quite a small space but it's amazing what some well positioned shelves can do to one's sanity. YAY! I am so SO proud of my husband-to-be.
Today we cleared out the spare room - and I thought I had loads of stuff ... oh my HAT! But it's looking good now - we've thrown out junk, made piles of clothes and things to give away and I reckon spring cleaning (even in mid summer in a very hot room) can be very therapeutic. I also got to see some very old photo albums (which also features David Drew ... he he) and Clive says he'll explain them all to me one day. I look forward to hearing more stories from my man's life - he has great ones to tell and I get to travel the world, just hearing his wonderful heart.
So I'm blogging, sending Facebook messages to friends and watching the 7de Traan (I mean Laan) omnibus, which is great given that I don't have a TV. There really is nothing that great on TV at the mo - where does SABC find all those old, dodgy movies with bad hair and very toit jeans???
Both sets of folks are coming down next w/e which will be great. I do hope we have a braai somewhere along the line :o) And I hope we get to just kuier abit without too much wedding planning!!!
So the bridesmaids are struggling to find gunmetal dresses - that's probably because we're going into winter here and the overseas gals are going into spring/summer. It's a tough colour but I'm happy that the girls won't be all matchy matchy - when has it ever helped to be a control freak??? (Ha ha, I am still a work in progress. Help Lord!!!)
So I have discovered that there is no such thing as The Perfect Wedding. It's about two people choosing to love each other til death and picking a day to celebrate this joyous union with beloved family and friends and even colleagues. So much emphasis is placed on ONE day but there's a whole marriage on the other side. So while the prep is totally worth it, doing a whole bunch of external things does not make a woman a great wife, mom, homemaker, friend, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law ... it's allowing God to have His way on the inside that leads to the abundant life we dream of. And that He dreams of.
Psalm 139 says that the Lord knew each one of our days before one of them came to be! So often we make plans and later ask God what He thinks. How glorious to ask Him first and to let His dreams become our dreams, and let the desires of His heart become ours?
1 Cor 2:9 says
"no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive
what God has prepared for those that love Him.
but He has revealed it by His Spirit"
He is the author of life and I am on the journey of realising that when I am painting the picture of my life, the picture stays very small. But when I allow Him to paint the picture, the possibilities are endless, and more wonderful than I could hope, dream or imagine.
As Casting Crowns sing,
"I want to sign Your Name at the end of the day,
and know my heart was true.
Let my lifesong sing to You."
Last w/e Clive turned into Handyman Extraordinaire and the kithen is now looking amazing. It is quite a small space but it's amazing what some well positioned shelves can do to one's sanity. YAY! I am so SO proud of my husband-to-be.
Today we cleared out the spare room - and I thought I had loads of stuff ... oh my HAT! But it's looking good now - we've thrown out junk, made piles of clothes and things to give away and I reckon spring cleaning (even in mid summer in a very hot room) can be very therapeutic. I also got to see some very old photo albums (which also features David Drew ... he he) and Clive says he'll explain them all to me one day. I look forward to hearing more stories from my man's life - he has great ones to tell and I get to travel the world, just hearing his wonderful heart.
So I'm blogging, sending Facebook messages to friends and watching the 7de Traan (I mean Laan) omnibus, which is great given that I don't have a TV. There really is nothing that great on TV at the mo - where does SABC find all those old, dodgy movies with bad hair and very toit jeans???
Both sets of folks are coming down next w/e which will be great. I do hope we have a braai somewhere along the line :o) And I hope we get to just kuier abit without too much wedding planning!!!
So the bridesmaids are struggling to find gunmetal dresses - that's probably because we're going into winter here and the overseas gals are going into spring/summer. It's a tough colour but I'm happy that the girls won't be all matchy matchy - when has it ever helped to be a control freak??? (Ha ha, I am still a work in progress. Help Lord!!!)
So I have discovered that there is no such thing as The Perfect Wedding. It's about two people choosing to love each other til death and picking a day to celebrate this joyous union with beloved family and friends and even colleagues. So much emphasis is placed on ONE day but there's a whole marriage on the other side. So while the prep is totally worth it, doing a whole bunch of external things does not make a woman a great wife, mom, homemaker, friend, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law ... it's allowing God to have His way on the inside that leads to the abundant life we dream of. And that He dreams of.
Psalm 139 says that the Lord knew each one of our days before one of them came to be! So often we make plans and later ask God what He thinks. How glorious to ask Him first and to let His dreams become our dreams, and let the desires of His heart become ours?
1 Cor 2:9 says
"no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive
what God has prepared for those that love Him.
but He has revealed it by His Spirit"
He is the author of life and I am on the journey of realising that when I am painting the picture of my life, the picture stays very small. But when I allow Him to paint the picture, the possibilities are endless, and more wonderful than I could hope, dream or imagine.
As Casting Crowns sing,
"I want to sign Your Name at the end of the day,
and know my heart was true.
Let my lifesong sing to You."
Thursday, February 26, 2009
50 more sleeps by Jo
So there's only 50 more sleeps until we get married. Wedding planning is very, very hectic which is why we don't have time for the blog anymore. But thank you to our faithful followers (like Dave and pregnant Sherrin) and for the comments.
We still don't have wedding bands. I think Clive's ring finger may need a joint supplement to help it recover!
But we do have loads of other things. Like Clive has found his suit and if the pics are anything to go by, I may wear a t-shirt over my wedding dress that says HE'S WITH ME. Mmmm... the great thing is that he already is with me ... YAY!!!
We've paid the deposit to hire the crockery, cutlery, table cloths etc. The invites have gone out. The bridesmaids have their colour swatches and are hopefully feeling inspired to find their dresses. I have my wedding shoes. My dad is making candalabras for the big day ... around 20 of them. So much is happening but it's really wonderful to be doing this with such amazing family and friends whose love, support, encouragement, generosity and concern has just carried us. We are truly, truly blessed.
Father God really continues to surprise and remind us that He is in intimately involved in every detail of our lives. Which makes me realise that I am a control freak!
Thank goodness His mercies are new every morning and His grace abounds.
It's a beautiful day indeed.
We still don't have wedding bands. I think Clive's ring finger may need a joint supplement to help it recover!
But we do have loads of other things. Like Clive has found his suit and if the pics are anything to go by, I may wear a t-shirt over my wedding dress that says HE'S WITH ME. Mmmm... the great thing is that he already is with me ... YAY!!!
We've paid the deposit to hire the crockery, cutlery, table cloths etc. The invites have gone out. The bridesmaids have their colour swatches and are hopefully feeling inspired to find their dresses. I have my wedding shoes. My dad is making candalabras for the big day ... around 20 of them. So much is happening but it's really wonderful to be doing this with such amazing family and friends whose love, support, encouragement, generosity and concern has just carried us. We are truly, truly blessed.
Father God really continues to surprise and remind us that He is in intimately involved in every detail of our lives. Which makes me realise that I am a control freak!
Thank goodness His mercies are new every morning and His grace abounds.
It's a beautiful day indeed.
Monday, February 2, 2009
You'd think "just a simple wedding band..."
... but who would've thought there were SO many options for men's rings??? Oh my HAT! This weekend Clive and I escape the revolting Durban summer and headed for Gateway Mall, monthend mayhem and all. It was worth it in some ways, but in others ... I'm not so sure.
So we DO know that Clive is after a titanium wedding band, after trying on about 50 rings in 2 days, but the question is - flat, round, patterned or plain and how wide does he go??? And then, depending on the heat and how swollen his finger was from trying on rings, is he a size S or a size T? I reckon he just gets my name tattooed on his finger and that'll save us a lot of trouble.
He has 74 more days to decide :o)
So we DO know that Clive is after a titanium wedding band, after trying on about 50 rings in 2 days, but the question is - flat, round, patterned or plain and how wide does he go??? And then, depending on the heat and how swollen his finger was from trying on rings, is he a size S or a size T? I reckon he just gets my name tattooed on his finger and that'll save us a lot of trouble.
He has 74 more days to decide :o)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
What happened to the blog?
That's a very good question.
I'm not used to blogging so I've got to remember to write. The past 3 weeks have been crazy and right now, all MR B and I have to show for it is food poisoning from bad chicken/pasta (Clive) and bronchitis (me). I've been booked off work til next Monday and been told to REST.
Rest? What is that??? We have a wedding in 81 more sleeps!!! But we booked our photog yesterday so the big things are pretty much in place. Just got to decide on invites and get them sent out SOON.
So Mr B and I are feeling poorly today and not looking too radiant. But we're digging each other and can't wait to get married :o)
I'm not used to blogging so I've got to remember to write. The past 3 weeks have been crazy and right now, all MR B and I have to show for it is food poisoning from bad chicken/pasta (Clive) and bronchitis (me). I've been booked off work til next Monday and been told to REST.
Rest? What is that??? We have a wedding in 81 more sleeps!!! But we booked our photog yesterday so the big things are pretty much in place. Just got to decide on invites and get them sent out SOON.
So Mr B and I are feeling poorly today and not looking too radiant. But we're digging each other and can't wait to get married :o)
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