בַּיוֺם

In addition to this day being the first of Elul, it is also my paternal grandfather's 67th Yartzheit. This is the first year in the history of my family that Yartzheit's are being marked (by me) in the merit of my paternal grandmother, whose funeral I was unable to attend. To make up for that, I was directed to remember her every year on the day of her passing. So I just added all my other family members' dates too. What a blessing it is to be able to keep your loved ones' memories alive.

    He passed 7 years before I was born, so I never knew him. He was a soldier (I know not what rank) in the British Army in South Africa and I have a photo of him walking down Oxford Street in his uniform, looking very dapper. I do so very much wish I had known him.

    How meaningful that his Yartzheit falls on the first day of Elul this year.

    Some friends and I gathered online to welcome Rosh Chodesh Elul last night after sunset in South Africa, even though it was still day for some of them!

    We read from Deuteronomy and the Psalms, said some prayers and parted company after about an hour, happy and content in the Love of the Father. This morning a remnant of us gathered for Selichot, Shacharit and hearing the sound of the shofar. Again, very beautiful and meaningful.

    As I started working through Day 1 of the 40-day Teshuva programme for this year, I decided to make better notes than last year. So I began by writing down the 6 things I had decided to work on last year this time and improve on my observance - and I even added a Number 7. Of course, I was very careful last year to say and note on my written list that I knew I couldn't manage any of this in my own strength, so I asked God to help me - Bezrat HaShem - and also noted that it was said without a vow -  Bli Neder - meaning I wouldn't be guilty of lying or breaking my word if I was unable to perform my commitments to the fullest extent. I am very blessed that I did fully succeed with a couple of my intents last Yom Kippur, partially and minimally succeeding with the others. All this was and is only possible with the King of the universe in my corner. And I thank Him!

    Onward and Upward in Him!

Another very sad thing is the happenings in Israel. Please pray for the people in the land and for the government and other leaders in Israel. There is so much disunity and inner battles going on in the country that it is on the verge of being torn apart from within. People are also starting to lose hope. Someone posted this morning that he was struggling to believe the Scriptures in which God promises deliverance to His people. Our prayers for Israel are more needed than ever before.

    America has declared that it will lay murder charges against Hamas for the murdering of American Israeli citizens in captivity. That is what should happen. Israel should do the same. On Sunday just past, this group of evil people murdered, in cold blood and at close range, 6 Israeli citizens who have been in captivity since October 7th 2023 - and have been ill-treated, malnourished, tortured and sexually abused this whole time - nearly a YEAR! And this is just ONE incident! The world must wake up to the Truth!

    A lot has happened since my last Blog. Let's see if I can fill in the highlights:

    I have been blessed with a piece of ground in the yard to plant my veggies and herbs in. So now it's not only pots. But I did order some Thumbelina Carrot seeds and they are coming up now - I'm so excited! I also ordered a Blanco Yakon tuber and stuck it in a pot immediately. I'm thrilled to announce that it now has 6 very strong green leaves above the surface! It will go into one corner of my newly created veggie patch in the yard as soon as it is almost 45cm tall. I can't wait to eat from it!

    I also have Pansies that are growing nicely - it seems almost cruel to just be growing them to eat their flowers! But you simply won't believe how full of, not only nutrition, but also health benefits flowers are. The same is true for many others, like Calendula and Lemon Balm. I grow both of those. When God gave us the grass and herbs of the field for food, He certainly knew what He was doing!

    Father God has also blessed me with 2 new Hebrew students. What a privilege it is that He has trusted me with teaching others to read Lashon HaQodesh - the Holy Tongue. I am still constantly amazed that He has brought me to this place of doing these things and more for Him. I feel so honoured, and yet so humbled. Yet I know that it is not that I, Penny, am able - it is only His Strength that enables me. I constantly run into His Name, it is a Strong Tower.

    I had a dream the other day that I was holding the hand of the Messsiah, as He walked me through water that was encroaching onto the road. The water was coming from the sea, but gently. I was fearful because I cannot swim and am quite afraid of any body of water. As He took my hand, we started talking and my fear left me. Then suddenly the road before us was free and clear of any water. It was somehow a comforting dream, though I have no idea what it means. It was just lovely to think that the Messiah would have the time to take MY hand and walk me through my fear.

I wish you all

Rosh Chodesh Elul Tov!