my highway to zion

Simon and I are blessed with an AWESOME life group through Jubilee Community Church.  Simon joined this group about 3 years ago, and I followed suite once we were seriously dating. Simon and I have made life group a priority. By this I mean we do not find quick or sudden excuses to miss life group, even if we feel really tired or we have to rush on a Thursday to make it on time. Last Thursday was one of those days when we had to rush. Penny was meeting us at the mall close to where life  group was happening.  We needed to stop and buy a birthday gift for Simons mom, I had to work late, we didnt have a dinner plan, Simon was leading worship and needed to prepare, and before the night even began I was STRESSING...unfortunately one of my more frequent sins. So I called my friend Diana who was hosting life group that week to ask for a bit of help.  She and her husband Steve ended up taking us all in and feeding us, letting Penny meet at her house, and just letting us be part of their famil

Once a month we come to hopefield and I LOVE IT! it feels like Tennessee :) we have like-family friends living out here and being here with them feeds our souls. here's some pics: My evening walks with Julia:) Mexican wrap spread for us! Yummmmmm The new kitty on the farm. Chickens almost ready to range free (and then be slaughtered)  Preggie piggy! Hope Farm band practicing for worship tomorrow. Tonight's Ashley-alone-time walk:):) I love my life! Xo

Today at living grace we are watching 28 Days with Sandra Bullock. I have seen this movie many times now as it is part of our program. If you haven't seen it, I would recommend it. In my opinion, it's one of many views into what "recovery" might look like for someone coming out of drug addiction. It is set in a very upscale rehabilitation centre in New York, where access to doctors, nurses, guest speakers, and residential facilities are part of the set up. In this way, living grace is very different. Let me tell you how... Living grace is an outpatient centre, clients come in at 8 and leave at 3. Also, we don't have residential facilities. Most of our clients stay in shelters for homeless people. This highlights another difference, in that our clients typically cannot afford a "28 Day Rehab", so we have fundraisers and applications for support on the government of South Africa. This is so that we can offer help to those in the city who cannot afford any