Outspoken Women of God

09/08/2023

Thank you for allowing me to share 💖🤗 Happy Women's day!

WOR STORIES DAY/

However, I’ve always felt I wanted a large group of girlfriends. As I grew older and moved from Cape Town to Johannesburg, I had to make new friends. It was a journey of trying to find my friendship circle. I was longing for friends who I could call to pray for me and stand in agreement about decisions, but who also wanted to hang out by the pool, watching our kids play, or swop recipes and do lunch with me. I was longing for a SISTERHOOD of friends – prayer warrior, Christian women, who had my back and could do life with me.

Fast forward to 2021 (I think it was just after Covid): I remember watching a reel about God building a table for people to sit around, and I prayed and asked God for a group of friends who would be able to sit at this table with me. At the time, I still had my few close friends, whom I value so much, but I was also experiencing a shift in some friendships that I was holding onto, friendships that weren’t really serving me or them. And so, I made the decision to let go and be open and willing to see what God was going to do with new friendships for me.

Our guest contributor, Samantha Lockhart is sharing on SISTERHOOD.

You can read the full blog by clicking on the link below:

https://www.womenofreverence.co.za/post/take-a-seat-at-the-sisterhood-table-by-samantha-lockhart

06/08/2023

Starting this Bible Study today with a group of my special friends and sisters in Christ. 💜

It is so important in today's times, to hear God's voice clearly, over all the other voices we have to contend with daily.

If anyone is keen to join via zoom or in person (fourways area) feel free to let me know. ALL are welcome 🙏🏻 🤗

The books can be purchased from my wonderful friend of Reverence

https://www.womenofreverence.co.za/product-page/discerning-the-voice-of-god-workbook

20/06/2023

This is me. ➡️➡️
This is also me.

For a long time I've been feeling that people...They feel the need to put on a show. Put on their best faces. Dress the part.

And while there is nothing wrong with looking picture perfect and looking good, it's the "hiding behind the mask" that isn't aligned with God's plan for you. 🙏🏻

We know God created you to be unique, individual and exactly who he created you to be. So if he made you a certain way, why are so many people trying to be something they are not? Don't be afraid to show others who you really are behind the makeup and the hair and the fake nails, who you are inside. Behind the money and the fame.

I know God made me to have a voice. I'm loud. I am outspoken about things that matter to me. I cry ugly tears because I care. DEEPLY. I wear my heart and emotions on my sleeve. I love to cuddle my kids. I love to feed people and love on them through food. I don't wear makeup all the time and I prefer camping over hotels. 😂 I hate corporate office politics 😑 😒

I'm not afraid to be me, show the world who I am. Because that's exactly what people need. Real. Authentic. No hiding behind masks. No hiding behind the job. Behind the MONEY.

People need REAL connections with real people who aren't afraid to be themselves. And in that way, that person will be allowed to be themselves too.😍🥰

So let's create spaces for mistakes and imperfections, real and authentic conversations, and caring and kindness, even if it's seen as a weakness.

I challenge you to be exactly who God created you to be without pretense. You might be surprised who likes the real you.

16/05/2023

The other day I met with the amazing

It was such a divine appointment ✨️👀 see what I did there. 😂

"divine" meaning pleasant or delightful. Also, "𝕆𝕗 𝔾𝕠𝕕"🔥

Guess what...we were having such an amazing conversation that we didn't get to post a selfie or tell the world we were meeting. There was no fanfare or making a big deal of it. We just enjoyed our time together and spoke of God's promises and future plans for our lives 🙏🏻 it wasn't about us, it was all about HIM.

And I'm reminded that God helps us choose the right friends. Proverbs 12:26

It's something I've been really praying into for the last 2 to 3 years. GODLY friendships. He brings the right people into our paths and will take or w**d out the ones that aren't praying for your path to succeed. TRUST him.

29/03/2023

🙏🏻✝️ sooo good!!!

04/01/2023

So...I've started this year with lots of prayer into remaking this page into what God wants. Some of you might have noticed last year I began these changes. ✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️

When I started ThatJoyfulMom it was a way for me to just share some thoughts, inspiration and hope in 2020. It was a way for my creative juices to start flowing in writing and in sharing my food because that's who I am. I love through food and encouragement. 💕

As I've prayed over what I want this to become, I've felt God clearly highlight to me that he wants me to use my voice to help others. To stand up and be outspoken on behalf of those who feel they don't have a voice. For those who might not be ready to take such a bold step. And to share his word boldly and without shame, fear of judgment or persecution.

This has been a journey for me even, as a generally outspoken person, to really start to share my deepest thoughts, prophetic words, my spirit of discernment, words of knowledge and basically to help others be able to share what God is saying to them in a safe space.

There is alot I DON'T say, but always take note of. I've held myself back many times, for fear of what Man would say. For fear of offending. It's quiet ironic that, me, Samantha, is probably the most outspoken person (as people tell me) and yet even I've struggled with being outspoken. So now I'm honoring what GOD told me to do.

Welcome to ✝️✨️💕

19/09/2020

GOOD MOMS! 🧏🏻‍♀️👱‍♀️👩👩🏾👩🏿‍🦱

Calling all moms, even the ones who think they are failing right now🤚🙋‍♀️P.s. You're not btw

Being a good mom doesn't come with a manual. There is no guideline of how to do everything perfectly. Not everything will fall into place and the kids will inevitably wreck the house as soon as you've cleaned it, dump out the toys in the lounge before guests arrive, or leave half eaten bowls of cereal and countless spoons around the house 🥞🥣🥣🥣 🏠

*Even under the bed...Why there, I'm still trying to figure out🤔🤣😂🙄*

But I'm here to tell you it's ok. Not everything has to be instagram perfect all the time. So stop giving yourself such a hard time, because you are probably doing better than you realize😍🥰

I have this stuck up in my kitchen, to remind myself that my kitchen doesn't always have to be clean 🍳🥘 & the laundry can wait a few hours as long as you have happy children.🥰

THROWBACK to a year ago, Layla wanted to make mini donuts for her school picnic 🍪🍩🏡🌲🌳🐛 and only told me she wanted 100!!! Mini donuts that evening.

Needless to say, I always have ingredients for baking in the pantry and chocolate and icing hiding 😋

I can remember the whole kitchen was trashed after this, sprinkles were all over the counter and the floor, icing sugar dripping down the cupboards and yet, even though the house was a mess, I had the HAPPIEST daughter around. She was so excited to be able to share the different mini donuts with the whole grade and teachers. 🌸💐

So just for today, I want you to remember that even when things seem imperfect, you are probably the perfect mom in their eyes.

10/09/2020

Anyone else want to eat cookie dough?🤚🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♂️🙋‍♂️

Just look at this delicious bowl of vegan cookie dough that is going to make someone's stomach very happy shortly 🤣

I'm getting into this vegan and gluten free baking as part of my Hashimoto's lifestyle, and also to give my vegan friends something divine to eat!

03/09/2020

You don't have to be a professional chef to make a decadant dish like this↘️↘️

Seafood and Chorizo Paella
🤤🦐🦪🍖🥘🍋

I PROMISE with my quick & easy one pot recipe, you will be the envy of all your friends at your next dinner party!

03/09/2020

I absolutely loved baking these vegan treats for a friend...🤫🤭😍

Had to stop my kids and husband from eating them all.

I will definitely be taking orders for these and a host of gluten free sugar free baked goodies as well that I am going to make.

So watch this space for Vegan and/or Gluten free baked goodies.

03/08/2020

Who wants a Gluten Free Sugar Free chocolate lava cake to end off their Monday?🤤🤤🤤

Ok I'll admit it didn't turn out too Lava cakeish 🤭🤭🤣🌋 because I cooked it a bit longer than I planned...but it's a great excuse to make it again.

Ps. That totally didn't stop me from devouring it🤪

*𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆*
Hehehe 😊🥰😋🤗

And anyway it gives me a chance to share this recipe two different ways....because this cake is so versatile it will make a great Tiramisu 🍫😍

Recipe will be on the blog soon I Promise🤞🤜

03/08/2020

So it's a little raw and might hit a few nerves for for a Monday Morning, but as we kick of Woman's month I truly feel so many woman need to hear this🖤💙 and to know they are not alone.

Ｉｔ＇ｓ ｏｋ ｔｏ ＮＯＴ ｂｅ Ｏｋａｙ

I want you to know it's ok to not be okay right now. It's ok to admit that you aren't coping.🥺 And its ok to get help.

There is too much stigma of pretending we can be the perfect wife, mom, teacher, cook, business woman and everything else in between, yet we are not coping.👩‍⚕️🙎‍♀️👩‍💼👩‍🏫👩‍🌾👩‍💻🤰🤱🦸‍♀️

When you try to tell people you are not ok, they say to you "Oh you will be fine, just go do some self care like take a bubble bath." 🤔🙄

*self care is NOT dealing with the heart of a problem*

𝗜𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗿𝘆

Why do people downplay the seriousness of how, by not dealing with issues correctly, it can actually cause long term damage to one's health?

We were never designed to carry this amount of stress and worry, but once we can truly make peace with the fact that its OK to not be okay, we can find ways to heal ourselves so you can be the best version of YOU.

Read my story on the blog

https://www.thatjoyfulmom.com/2020/08/01/its-ok-to-not-be-okay/

01/08/2020

This made me giggle😂 I'm not the biggest exercising fan out there🤭

Who doesn't love some cripsy crunchy streay bacon?🥓🥓

𝕎𝕒𝕪𝕤 𝕥𝕠 𝕔𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕤𝕥𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕪 𝕓𝕒𝕔𝕠𝕟

The more traditional way to cook streaky bacon is in a sizzling hot pan with some oil or butter 🧈

My favorite way to cook streaky bacon is on a sheet pan in the oven at 180° C for 10 to 15min. I find this means it cooks in its own juices and stays juicy yet crunchy.😋

Some people have told me they use their airfyer to make crunchy bacon 🥓 as a healthy alternative.

What is your favorite way to cook streaky bacon and what do you eat it with?🍳🥓🥞🍕🥑🥓😍

21/07/2020

It wasn't easy convincing my husband that lentils could be delicious, because he is a true South African 🥩🍖🍗 meat lover....but I know I knocked it out of the park with this meal. (Because he told me so😂)It is now a firm family favourite that gets requested every week🤭

So I have made my amazing🥰
Lentil stuffed orange sweet potatoes🥔 with gacamole🥑
and bacon🥓

*simply leave out the bacon and you've got a great meat free meal*

Total cooking time 45min

Ingredients:

👉1/2 cup lentils, cooked & drained
👉1 medium sized onion, diced
👉1 clove garlic, chopped finely
💙 seasoning salt *season to taste
💚
Spare rib marinade *3 tablespoons
👉Tomato paste-1 tin
👉2 tsp mixed herbs
👉1 tsp Sugar
🧡4 cooked orange sweet potatoes
👉Diced bacon

For the Guacamole🥑🥑

🥑1 ripe and ready avocado, mashed
👉1 small red onion, diced
👉Chopped coriander🍀
👉A squeeze of lemon juice🍋
Ina paarmans seasoning salt to taste
*Crumbled feta for topping*

Directions:

*Cook lentils according to instruction on the packet

1. Poke orange sweet potatoes with a fork, coat in olive oil and lay on a sheet pan, in a 180° oven for +-30 min or until soft.

2. Meanwhile, in a saucepan with oil, cook onions and garlic until soft. Add diced bacon and cook until brown.

3. Next add the cooked lentils, herbs & spices and spare rib sauce, as well as the tomato paste. If needed, add 50ml of water. Lastly add tsp sugar to break the acidity of the tomato.

4. Mash your avocado with a squeeze of lemon juice, seasoning salt and add diced red onion and chopped coriander.

5.Slice your sweet potato in half, and using a spoon make a well shape in the centre.

6. Spoon lentil mix into the sweet potato halves 🤤🤤🤤 and the guacamole ontop.

7. Sprinkle with crumbled feta and Enjoy.

Follow me on instagram, 📍pinterest or Facebook
🥑

19/07/2020

I love a good quiche, don’t you?💕

Quiches for me, are super easy to prepare and a great healthy option for a dinner in a hurry.

Just add a salad 🥒🥗🥑and you have a great meal for a family.👨‍👩‍👧‍👧

My children also tend to eat 2 slices each of quiche, and so this doesn’t last very long in our house. You can get 8 good size slices out of a quiche.✅

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥'𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕗𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝕢𝕦𝕚𝕔𝕙𝕖?

I have a range of quiches that I love to prepare, not only for dinner but also for birthday parties. They are always a hit for the adults.

Don’t worry I will be making them all for you and posting the recipes so you can rate your favourites!😂😂😂

Read more on the blog-link in bio🥰

https://www.thatjoyfulmom.com/2020/07/19/bacon-mushroom-quiche/

13/07/2020

Baked up a storm for my daughters' 11th birthday🥳🥰

Not too sure who I'm planning to feed as we still in lockdown but hey....cookies make me happy😂😉

👈Custard melting moments
👈oatmeal raisin cookies
👈Dark chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream and dark chocolate ganache 🤤🤤🤤🤤
👈peanut butter cookies

Recipes will be on the blog soon

12/07/2020

𝘿𝙞𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙢𝙚?💡

Something that people perhaps didn't know about me is that, while these asparagus inspired meals look so delicious...I can't eat them. 🤕😵

🥒🧄𝕎𝕖𝕚𝕣𝕕 𝕗𝕠𝕠𝕕 𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕚𝕖𝕤🧅🧀

I first found out I am allergic to asparagus when I was about 20.

I remember being at a friends house and trying asparagus for the first time. Not even 30 minutes later my lips were swollen 😂 and I looked like I had some major botox done on them.

*𝓕𝔂𝓲. 𝓣𝓱𝓲𝓼 𝓼𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝓮𝓯𝓯𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝓲𝓼 𝓬𝓪𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓭 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓪𝓬𝓽 𝓾𝓻𝓽𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓲𝓪*

It took about 5 hours for my lips to deflate and I haven't touched asparagus again....until oneday at the children's creche.😱

We had a parent event at the kids creche about 3 or 4 years ago, and I decided to eat this rolled up ham that was on a platter. About 20 minutes later, I could feel my throat closing up and I went to check the ham.

Guess what? Yup you guessed it! Tiny cut up tinned asparagus inside the ham.🤦‍♀️

Needless to say I raced home, barely breathing and took some allergex asap. Told my husband to monitor me and make sure I can breath. Eeek!

So, on this subject of weird allergies, I have a friend who is allergic to cheese. 🧀🧀🧀Poor guy😱😪 this is my worst nightmare of food allergies. No PIZZA. No grilled cheese. No mac and cheese. Arghhhh😜

I would love to know what food are you allergic to?

04/07/2020

So I decided to write a little bit on our experience living through a pandemic....and just a few things I've learnt through this time so far.

I would love to know what are the biggest lessons you've learnt during this pandemic?

Link to the blog post below😉👇

https://www.thatjoyfulmom.com/2020/07/03/what-ive-learnt-during-a-pandemic/

25/06/2020

Anyone for a bowl of comfort food? 🍲🥣🥔🥬 First recipe up on the blog is my quick and easy Potato & Leek soup.

This is a firm family favourite because of the secret ingredient inside 😉 but also because it invokes that feeling of comfort to withstand the cold winter nights. 🥶

My brother actually hates soup and yet this is the ONE soup he will eat, so you know it must be good. 🥰

Let me know what you think? Can be a great vegetarian option as the bacon is optional.