Embracing Sacred Spaces: A Kalahari Journey (and some pie)

We are back in the Kalahari after a blessed Easter weekend spent with our children. The season is slowing changing. Mornings arrive gently, unhurried, as soft rain clouds gather and drift across the green savannah on the Kalahari. The landscape seems to breathe more slowly now. Even time feels less insistent.


By late afternoon, the sky begins its quiet transformation — muted golds deepening into burnt orange and soft reds. Autumn reveals itself not in sudden change, but in layered colour: in the fading light across the grasslands, in the long shadows stretching over the earth, in the hush that settles before evening.

As I sit and watch a storm forming in the distance, slowly moving across the open landscape, I am reminded of something I read in a devotional by Lysa TerKeurst. Yes, I always want to fill in the blanks, have all the answers, and find solutions quickly. But without the blanks in my life, I leave Him no room to enter and write His answers.


He does not make mistakes. He purposes the gaps.


And this thought lingers with me — not as something fleeting, but something that settles deeply in my heart.

He allows sacred spaces. Blank places. He leaves room.


And perhaps that is what these Kalahari afternoons are teaching me too. There is a particular kind of stillness here — one that cannot be manufactured or rushed. The wind moves slowly across the open land, the horizon stretches endlessly, and even the rain seem to pause before it arrives.


In these pauses, life feels uncluttered. Honest. Spacious.Sacred.


It is here, in the quiet in-between, that I find myself drawn to simple rituals. A pot of tea. A well-worn plate. Something sweet from the oven, made not in haste, but in rhythm with the land.

So, make this quick coconut pie with me. Brew your cup of tea, grab your journal, and sit with me. Allow the gaps. It is sacred spaces.

– Aldalene


Porch Mornings, Thankfulness, and a Milk Tart Cheesecake


The Kalahari sun was just brushing the horizon this morning as I stepped onto my porch. The air was crisp, the land stretching endlessly before me, a quiet reminder of God’s care. I wrapped my hands around a warm cup of coffee and opened my Bible, and Isaiah 61:3 greeted me:

…to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.


How powerful these words feel when the world seems heavy, when the news brings sorrow, or when our own hearts carry burdens. And yet, even in the difficult moments, God’s goodness shines. He has a way of transforming the ashes of life into beauty, of turning mourning into joy, and of dressing our spirits in praise.


Over the past weeks, I’ve been reminded that nothing catches Him by surprise. What seems planned for harm can be woven into something beautiful, for our good and His glory. It’s a perspective shift that doesn’t deny reality—it embraces it with hope, trust, and thankfulness.


Sitting here, with the gentle rustle of Kalahari grass , I feel a deep sense of peace. Gratitude begin to take root in my heart—not for the challenges themselves, but for the God who meets us in them, who redeems and restores.


And it struck me: the life we live is meant to tell a story—a story that has impact. God uses our scars, our trials, and our moments of surrender to connect with others, to comfort, to encourage, and to shine His light. Living a life that leaves a mark isn’t about perfection—it’s about faithfulness, transparency, and allowing God to work through our experiences for His glory.


And yet, in the midst of reflecting on these deeper truths, joy often finds its way into the simplest things. In my kitchen today, that joy is a Milk Tart Cheesecake Dessert. (Recipe on page 2) So as we bake together, may your day be filled with reflection, gratitude, and sweetness. And let your life continue to tell a story that points to Him.

—Love from my Kalahari Kitchen, Aldalene


When the Kalahari Sings: Rain, Renewal, and Rustic Bread

Sitting on the porch with my cup of coffee, my heart is full. It has started raining in the Kalahari. It is a feeling of thankfulness that one can not describe in words. The smell of the earth fills every longing prayer and sigh of the last few months. The parched land, which has endured relentless heat and months of drought, is finally receiving its blessing.

“Take a long, hard look. See how great He is—infinite, greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out!

He pulls water up out of the sea, distills it, and fills up His rain-cloud cisterns. Then the skies open up and pour out soaking showers on everyone. Does anyone have the slightest idea how this happens? How He arranges the clouds, how He speaks in thunder?”

These are the symbols of His sovereignty, His generosity, His loving care.” -Job 36:26-28 (The Message)

Yes, I need to take a long, hard look at myself. My faith was small, my heart heavy as I watched Janneman return from the field without words. Each day, the burden of watching life wither away under the relentless drought weighed heavier.

And now, the skies have opened. The first drops danced on the dusty earth, bringing the scent of renewal. The ground drinks deeply, the once-dormant seeds awakening with promise. Birds call in celebration, every living thing breathes a sigh of relief. As do I!

This rain is more than just water. It is hope. It is an answer to unspoken prayers. It is a reminder that even in the driest, most desperate moments, provision comes in due time. God hears. He cares!

I close my eyes and listen. As the rain nourishes the land, I treasure the simple, comforting things of life. The smell of Kalahari rain, fresh bread in the oven, the laughter of Janneman returning from the field- these small joys remind me of life’s quiet abundance. Today calls for something hearty yet effortless. An easy oats and honey bread, no kneading required, just time and patience—ingredients that life itself often asks of us.

So, as the rain gently soaks the Kalahari, I mix flour, oats, honey, and water, letting them come together in their own rhythm. As the dough rises, so does my spirit, reminded that sometimes, all we need to do is wait. And I am reminded again—provision always comes, in its own perfect time.- Aldalene

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The Art of Simple Living: Purpose & Breakfast Bars (with a cup of coffee)

It’s Monday morning… and there’s nothing quite like starting the day on our Kalahari porch, coffee in hand, watching the first light stretch across the savannah. That first sip of freshly brewed coffee, paired with a crunchy rusk (like these!) or one of these go-to express breakfast bars (recipe on next page), is pure magic.

Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God. – Psalm 46:10

There’s something sacred about these quiet moments—the world slowing awakening, the soft glow of dawn, the gentle rhythm of nature unfolding without hurry. Be still and know that I am God. It’s a whisper in the wind, a reminder in the stillness to let go, to stop striving, to simply be. Let God be.

Too often, we rush from one thing to the next, filling every moment with busyness. But here, in the hush of a Kalahari morning, I am reminded that life isn’t about chasing—it’s about knowing, recognizing…understanding…

And so I sit, I breathe, and I embrace the stillness—fully present, fully at peace—knowing that in this moment, I am right where I’m meant to be. – Aldalene

How we spend our days is how we spend our lives.

– Annie Dillard

The Earth Laughs in Flowers (and Hot Cross Buns)

It is the most special week on our Christian calendar. Easter… a commemoration of Christ’s suffering , death and resurrection. How wonderful to be reminded of His love for us and that it wasn’t nails that held him to the cross but His love for you and me. And that He has risen. He lives!

I love the lyrics of the song “Because He Lives” written by Gloria and William J. Gaither.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living

Just because He lives.

Easter is about family, faith and love. It is a time of togetherness and reflection. And wherever you find yourself this Easter weekend, chances are good there will be hot cross buns on your Easter menu!

The sanctity of hot cross buns, it seems, is bound up in our childhood memories: the innocent scent of yeasty, raisin-studded buns warming in the oven, redolent of butter, allspice and cinnamon filling the house. Growing up I could always count on my mom to bring home a fresh package of hot cross buns, the second they hit the shelves. Over time I followed her lead and toasted hot cross buns found their way into our Kalahari kitchen a week or two before Easter and vanish immediately after. (My kids are not too fond of raisins in their food but will endure and endulge in a hot cross bun at Easter!)


There isn’t one clear explanation for why hot cross buns make their way to our table around Easter. Some theories rest in Christian symbolism, though there are several stories (and even some tall tales) about their origins. Some talk about hot cross buns (which may have at one time been called Good Friday buns) being baked and eaten solely on Good Friday, while others mentioned them being eaten throughout Lent. But one thing is certain, over time they gained popularity, and eventually became a symbol of Easter weekend.

I know there are some great hot cross bun recipes out there, but as my two daughters and partners-in-crime-when-baking, are away at college, I will be resorting to store bought hot cross buns. And serve them with a twist. Hot Cross Buns French Toast. ( Recipe on page 2) Who can resist the smell of butter and cinnamon wafting through the kitchen on Easter weekend.

This is a quick and easy recipe and a crowd pleaser. And it is perfect for those left over buns, even long after the weekend. I wish you a blessed Easter. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow! – Aldalene