​Let me share a part of my life with you so that you can get to know me a little better.

 

Life is an adventure. From my early days growing up on a farm in South Africa, I had a deep sense that I wanted to know who I was;  and why I was here on this earth. I struggled with my "identity" and searching for more meaning beyond the here and now.

 

After living in Cape Town, South Africa for about 5 years, my very adventurous husband decided to move to Zimbabwe (his home country) which was in"deepest, darkest Africa,"according to my parents. My pharmacist father thought it wise to kit us out with anti-venom for snake bites and other various medicines so we would survive the unforgiving African bush.

 

We made it to a hospital on three separate occasions after the birth of our three boys and another three emergency visits - a head injury, a broken arm and a very sick child. No snake bite traumas occurred and we did survive life in Africa :)

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While home educating our sons and together with 8 dogs, 1 bird, 2 cats, 2 ducks, numerous rabbits and guinea pigs, we experienced an"African safari lifestyle,"camping in the wild with lions, elephants, hyena; witnessing a python strangle our little dachshund; facing a hissing cobra as it darted out of its hole; losing one of our ducks to the same cobra; chasing monkeys away from ravishing all our vegetables; fighting wild fires; climbing huge rocks in our yard; keeping pet scorpions, snakes and lizards; collecting butterflies and observing insects under the microscope; fishing in Zimbabwe`s many dams and much more.

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In fact, to this day our sons tell us various stories that I`m pleased we didn't actually know about back then! One of the stories that comes to mind is when they almost fell off the high rocks in our yard helping each other maneuver these obstacles. God`s guardian angles were certainly working overtime!

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We loved our home school journey. Learning is life. It happens all day long. Real life hands-on, interactive learning helps children  make real world connections. Our boys loved learning about science through nature and living in Africa. I came alongside them as we experimented together, read books on our discoveries and learn`t about nature in our own back yard. These times will remain "our golden moments," always to be treasured around building special relationships. Creating experiences produce young adults who are excited about learning, avid problem solvers and critical thinkers.

 

These were the good times but then Zimbabwe hit some turbulent, political chaos early in the year of 2000.

 

Through my faith in Christ and coming to realize that "life is an adventure," and "..in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,“I tried to embrace difficult changes and challenges as I view my circumstances through these life perspectives which have helped me cope during tough times.

 

We have moved at least 20 times in our married life and after this turbulent, political time back home, we moved to the United States in 2013. Since living here, our biggest move has been from the east coast to the west coast. Somehow, I have a feeling that our moving days are not quite over yet? 

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And I continue to dream of Africa and the wild days and a very  blessed upbringing for our sons......... maybe one day our paths will meet again and future dreams will be realized..........

 

With all our moving, our family relationships have remained a priority, having to adapt to a different culture and find community. We continued our home school journey as our sons pursued their interests and today two of them have their own online businesses in web design and film/media. We encouraged them to become entrepreneurs, and life long learners.

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We often used to tell them, "Be producers, not consumers." (create the video game instead of always playing it)

 

Coaching addresses mindsets and changing negative, unhealthy thought patterns. How we see ourselves, God and others plays a big part in how we respond in situations and what actions we choose.

 

This requires the "renewing of our minds" to adjust our thinking to God`s word, to get His perspective.

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Life coaching is successful because it enhances inner growth as the coach asks powerful questions that helps clients reflect and learn more about who they are, where they want to go and how to make  choices in alignment with their faith and values. Students begin to understand their personalities, strengths and gifting which changes  perspectives, improves relationships and supports them as they transition into healthy adulthood.     

 

I would love to connect with you sweet family, parent, friend or student. I coach parents in "The Coach Approach" to parenting and home education that builds more responsibility and relationship.

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​​With love from my family to yours!

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(these photos show our boys growing up in Zimbabwe and the family photo of our young adults. And yes, little boys do have to grow up:)