repost-but still a beauty

“By your words I can see where I'm going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I've committed myself and I'll never turn back from living by your righteous order. Everything's falling apart on me, God; put me together again with your Word. Festoon me with your finest sayings, God; teach me your holy rules. My life is as close as my own hands, but I don't forget what you have revealed. The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don't swerve an inch from your course. I inherited your book on living; it's mine forever— what a gift! And how happy it makes me! I concentrate on doing exactly what you say— I always have and always will.” Psalm 119:105 MSG

A Beautiful Exchange

"Every time we think of you, we thank God for you. Day and night you're in our prayers as we call to mind your work of faith, your labor of love, and your patience of hope in following our Master, Jesus Christ, before God our Father. It is clear to us, friends, that God not only loves you very much but also has put his hand on you for something special. When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions." 1 Thess 1:2-5

More sharing:

Nov 8

Who ever lived here before me, blessed me heartily.
Loving these roses in my garden x

Nov 9

My son. Always up for a photo shoot,
though not always with Mama

Nov 10

I like the texture...

Welcome to November

2011 is coming to a close! I am so excited about Christmas! 

My family are all coming to spend it with us!

Yay! Yay! Yay!

Anyway - I had every intention of posting a photo every day for the month of November!

I am a few days behind...

Nov 1

Marine Parade Fountain, Napier
New Saeson, New Day, Fresh Anointing/Favour/Dreams
Flowing my way!

Nov 2

Ah yes, a good suggestion and a great way to step into summer
"If you're going to do it, do it properly."

Nov 3

"The Green Patch" in Waipukurau has what looks like a Phoenix to me!
I LOVE IT! Speaks to me of hope, renewing, uprising....
Can't be bad for a Church here to win a region! LET'S DO IT!

Nov 4

Beautiful garden surprise, we have a 'waterfall' of pink roses.
Gorgeous!

Nov 5

Church Bonfire - Guy Fawkes
(I didn't take this actually TBF did)

Nov 6

Pastor Helen Monk!
Phenomenal Woman!

Nov 7

So today is my husband birthday (The Big Fella)

I was going to take a pic of him eating cake forgetting that he is away for the next few days.

Instead, I took this.

This is a speaker in my car
Not overly interesting BUT I love music and I have THE BADDEST
stereo in my car - thanks to my awesome husband.
to coin a phrase #iamthankful

Phew! Up to date.

I loved this idea! The Uniform Project raising money to pay schooling for kids who can't afford it!

So In Love

I love this song. I think it will be my summer anthem x

It's been so long since a 'feel good jam' was released, this song is a breath of fresh air to me.

Quick gym update - I have been going for about 3 months I think and it just keeps getting better and while I have actually only lost about 5kgs in weight, I lost six centimetres from my butt (OMgee!) and more from my waist and thighs (but the six of my butt alone was pretty shocking) I was upset at first saying "Oh no! I still wanna be bootylicious..." she glanced back and said to me "Oh, you're still bootylicious." Praise the Lord! Hahaha. So I do Step, Pump and Kick Boxing - it rocks!

I love the Lord. I gotta say.

Psalm 20:4, 5, 7

May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. 

May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory 

and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. 

May the Lord answer all your prayers.

Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, 

but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.

Just a collage of beautiful Aotearoa skies - I love where I live.

No Monday-i-tis for me!

Psalm 121:1-2 "I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." 

Psalm 8:9 "LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

This could quite possibly be my Wordless Wednesday equivalent seeing as 

Monday is my day off!

I always forget about Wordless Wednesday and miss it.

Anyway today I did "nothing much"

I lay in bed till mid morning.

Had pikelets for breakfast (YUM) 

And watched a movie.

Then goofed with The Boys:

(Hmmm, young fella doesn't look sick does he... I think it was a father-son scam...)

Haha - he just loves the camera! 

Behind it, in front of it - he doesn't care as long as he's got it.

(I, on the other hand, prefer to be behind it)

Oops - clearly I missed the wordless part of Wednesday posts!

Ah - I'll try it next time!

It's a new season

I'm not a fan of Summer.

I don't like to be HOT.

I have survived balmy nights and scorching days thanks to a generous friend with an 'open gate' policy and her lovely salt water pool! I bless the Lord for Raewyn! She didn't even mind my midnight dips! (AND while beach swimming usually dreads my hair her pool jhuzed my curls - LOVING my hair this summer!) 

While I was on a Cruise to Noumea with my sisters; my husband (what a Legend!) moved our entire home! The need to move arose suddenly and we moved only twenty minutes away but My Big Fella packed and moved the WHOLE house!

I came back from holiday, voila, all done. Incredibly blessed! We haven't unpacked entirely yet but we have space for all our knick knacks and there is still room to breath!
We can sleep people marae style in our lounge! Yay!


My sweet, sweet nieces.
You know it's love when they are teething and it's 3am and you haven't gone to bed yet for pacing the lounge with them, you are due to be somewhere at 8am, but it's OK. No worries!

 

They stayed for the weekend. I cried when they left.

(What a sook, right. I think my husband enjoyed the novelty of a sobbing wife. 

I didn't mind the vulnerability)

Four of six! My two younger brothers are missing from this photo, occasions where we are all together and looking presentable are SO rare! Love that God moved me away so that I could love, appreciate and know my family better. I always thought we were close but moving showed me we were not. 

Every minute together is treasured now. Thank you God.

(Do you love that all three of us girls wear glasses the same style - maybe cos we all have round faces)

Praying Salvation for my brothers. Knowing Gods will "that none would perish" I thank Him for the day!

Television became a distant memory this Summer.

(though Facebook could do with a kick in the pants!)

I am loving board games! And parks. Snoozing under trees on warm sunny days.

Bonfires. (Oh bonfires!) Toasted marshmallows. Walking the dog.

SAUSAGES AND BREAD! Fresh fruits!

(I didn't pick strawberries this summer but BOY did I eat them)

Sharing: Life. Fully.

Getting a glimpse of Gods bigger picture.

My husband was ordained (I am a Pastors wife - eek) along with two others!

My son started at Intermediate (aaah!)

My Boss gave me an iPhone!

My sisters shouted me on a Cruise.

God is good. All the time.

All the time. God is good.

*************************

Psalm 119:30-35

I have chosen the way of faithfulness; 

   I have set my heart on your laws. 

I hold fast to your statutes, LORD; 

   do not let me be put to shame. 

I run in the path of your commands, 

   for you have broadened my understanding.

 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, 

   that I may follow it to the end.

Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law 

   and obey it with all my heart. 

Direct me in the path of your commands, 

   for there I find delight

Jesus: Change My Life... please

I love my God.

I cannot tell you how much I heart this post... my life has become simpler since reading it.
I have, for a long time, been stewing on John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  mostly, I've been trying to figure out how I can live my abundant life. I still don't know BUT I am toning down the drama. (!!) I wouldn't have considered myself high maintenance however I am more than qualified in making life difficult and have been busy putting my qualification to good use! Naughty. Life has not been easy and I have not made wise choices or contributions.
How do I stop being so selfish? Do I immerse myself in all that is unfair in the world to sweep me out of my inward view? Do I pray it out? Do I decide it out? Is it as simple as a choice? Am I not busy enough? Am I too busy?
I KNOW; put God first and everything else will fall into place; but imperfection being what it is, I struggle so much, especially when I think I am always right and can fix all that is wrong with the world if only people would listen.
Again, cannot say it enough, I am so awfully grateful that God is God and I am not, He is grace when I need it most. He doesn't judge me as cruelly as I judge others.

___________________________________________________

Love our youth: This chap in the middle is Dalen.

He is Year 9, goes to an all boys school, predominantly PI and Maori, got a mouth on him like nothing else! (Makes up for his stature I'm guessing) You can hear him clearly in the above video, singing out of tune, but loving waiata with the boys!! I'm gonna miss hanging with these guys. My husband is stepping out of Youth into a new direction. I'm gutted actually. I have been so selfish and precious with my family time in my struggle to find balance and I haven't appreciated what was always in front of me. I do think I had a lot of growth on the cards - I was a lot grumpier as a Youth Leader than I am now, leaning more towards the love and less toward the discipline and structure. (Though... I am still grumpy - had a kid say the F word right in front of me while sitting in my lounge - BOY did he get it! Same kid actually.)

I will miss the vibrancy. The life. The laughter. I will miss the free way they live life, old enough to make their own decisions, too young to carry any real responsibility.

Still I need to ask God how we channel all that life into Him!

Blurry pic but it is clear our lounge is full... 

When we serve such a great God who does so much for us how can live life and not be CONTAGIOUSLY filled with Him.

How do we show the love of the Creator to those who need Him and don't know it yet?

God who intricately created each spot on each bloom of this flower

Each little knuckle on the toe of this foot....

He created this moment for my eyes to see!

How do I live life with such a wonderful God, and become so good at containing His splendour

When I should be letting it all out.

He has His best work on display for me daily...

And yet I feel like I keep Him locked away for none but me.

Job 26:7-10 He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it. He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters for a boundary between light and darkness.

I've ended up on a tangent. 

Still... any ideas.....?

My solace. My comfort. My refuge.

<sup>Psalm 18


1</sup> I love you, O LORD, my strength.

 ² The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
       my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.
       He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

 ³ I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise,
       and I am saved from my enemies.

 ⁴ The cords of death entangled me;
       the torrents of destruction overwhelmed me.

 ⁵ The cords of the grave coiled around me;
       the snares of death confronted me.

 ⁶ In my distress I called to the LORD;
       I cried to my God for help.
       From his temple he heard my voice;
       my cry came before him, into his ears.

 ⁷ The earth trembled and quaked,
       and the foundations of the mountains shook;
       they trembled because he was angry.

 ⁸ Smoke rose from his nostrils;
       consuming fire came from his mouth,
       burning coals blazed out of it.

 ⁹ He parted the heavens and came down;
       dark clouds were under his feet.

 ¹⁰ He mounted the cherubim and flew;
       he soared on the wings of the wind.

 ¹¹ He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him—
       the dark rain clouds of the sky.

 ¹² Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced,
       with hailstones and bolts of lightning.

 ¹³ The LORD thundered from heaven;
       the voice of the Most High resounded.

 ¹⁴ He shot his arrows and scattered the enemies ,
       great bolts of lightning and routed them.

 ¹⁵ The valleys of the sea were exposed
       and the foundations of the earth laid bare
       at your rebuke, O LORD,
       at the blast of breath from your nostrils.

 ¹⁶ He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
       he drew me out of deep waters.

 ¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
       from my foes, who were too strong for me.

 ¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
       but the LORD was my support.

 ¹⁹ He brought me out into a spacious place;
       he rescued me because he delighted in me.

 ²⁰ The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
       according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.

 ²¹ For I have kept the ways of the LORD;
       I have not done evil by turning from my God.

 ²² All his laws are before me;
       I have not turned away from his decrees.

 ²³ I have been blameless before him
       and have kept myself from sin.

 ²⁴ The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
       according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

 ²⁵ To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
       to the blameless you show yourself blameless,

 ²⁶ to the pure you show yourself pure,
       but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.

 ²⁷ You save the humble
       but bring low those whose eyes are haughty.

 ²⁸ You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning;
       my God turns my darkness into light.

 ²⁹ With your help I can advance against a troop;
       with my God I can scale a wall.

 ³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect;
       the word of the LORD is flawless.
       He is a shield
       for all who take refuge in him.

 ³¹ For who is God besides the LORD ?
       And who is the Rock except our God?

 ³² It is God who arms me with strength
       and makes my way perfect.

 ³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
       he enables me to stand on the heights.

 ³⁴ He trains my hands for battle;
       my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

 ³⁵ You give me your shield of victory,
       and your right hand sustains me;
       you stoop down to make me great.

 ³⁶ You broaden the path beneath me,
       so that my ankles do not turn.

 ³⁷ I pursued my enemies and overtook them;
       I did not turn back till they were destroyed.

 ³⁸ I crushed them so that they could not rise;
       they fell beneath my feet.

 ³⁹ You armed me with strength for battle;
       you made my adversaries bow at my feet.

 ⁴⁰ You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
       and I destroyed my foes.

 ⁴¹ They cried for help, but there was no one to save them—
       to the LORD, but he did not answer.

 ⁴² I beat them as fine as dust borne on the wind;
       I poured them out like mud in the streets.

 ⁴³ You have delivered me from the attacks of the people;
       you have made me the head of nations;
       people I did not know are subject to me.

 ⁴⁴ As soon as they hear me, they obey me;
       foreigners cringe before me.

 ⁴⁵ They all lose heart;
       they come trembling from their strongholds.

 ⁴⁶ The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock!
       Exalted be God my Savior!

 ⁴⁷ He is the God who avenges me,
       who subdues nations under me,

 ⁴⁸ who saves me from my enemies.
       You exalted me above my foes;
       from violent men you rescued me.

 ⁴⁹ Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD;
       I will sing praises to your name.

 ⁵⁰ He gives his king great victories;
       he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
       to David and his descendants forever.

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Would you keep a friend around who lied to you all the time?

Seriously - what is with the mind and the things we tell ourselves, the things we take seriously and the things we ignore.


I'm not really sure what I'm trying to say here.


Ok, I'll start with me. Everyday I have to tell myself: I'm awesome, I'm funny, I'm good at my job, I'm not a d!ck, I'm loved, I'm valued, I'm kind. Because everyday I forget. Seriously. I'm 32, and the only thing I am certain of is that Jesus Loves Me as I am and He created me for greater. Yet, still, with the everyday reminders. What does it take to get to that space of absolute confidence? To live in that space. I just wanna be there.


I'm sick. I think that's why I am so BLERGH (you have to make that sound aloud to know exactly what I mean by it) 


It's actually pretty straightforward Romans 12:02 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Am I being dumb? Should I paint it on a canvas and hang it next to my mirror so I see it everyday, is that all it's gonna take? Or is it a work I am desperately in need of (the answer is 'yes' isn't it?) Is it a work in progress?


Oh Jesus, I'm glad you have me.

Yes sir!

I am a daughter of The Living God!
________________________________

I'm not letting go!
I'm holding on for more!
I'm living what You've got for me!
Pushing through fear
Shaking off all doubt
I'm ready now!
Knowing You're with me to the end

I'm gonna live for You!
I'm gonna live for You!
I'm moving forward!
I'm breaking ground!

Knowing You're with me, Lord
I will run the race of my life
Never losing sight of who I am
In You

I know

I can

Live a life of Overcoming
Live a life of Victory
Live a life of Freedom
Live a life of Joy
Live a life of Peace
Live a life of ... everything You have for me....

I'm gonna live for You!
I'm gonna live for You!
I'm moving forward!
I'm breaking ground!
________________________________

Thanks for making me a fighter!
________________________________

Sometimes life and everything in it seems so....... AGH!

I remind myself WHO I AM.
Ever thankful that He loves me still.
So pleased that He has not given up, like I often want to.

Thank you Lord.
________________________________

"Makes me that much smarter

Makes me work a little bit harder

Makes me that much wiser

Thanks for making me a fighter

Made me learn a little bit faster

Made my skin a little bit thicker

Makes me that much harder

Thanks for making me a fighter"

Creative me

Oh dear - it is Day 6 and I have made NOTHING.

I have a painting on the go but am not happy with it so it won't be gifted to ANYONE in the state it is in :o(

AGH! This Winter Challenge is harder than I thought it would be *help* and I set it myself... what was I thinking! Am I yelling? I'm anxious and nervous - this is not how it was supposed to happen.

Well I will keep you posted my friends.

In the meantime - here is a wee clip/poem that I am loving right now.

How To Be Alone - Tanya Davis

More thoughts

"...I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10

My husband received a promotion and we moved to Hawkes Bay five years ago. 

I was rather relaxed about the whole thing considering how much I rely on and love my family. 

And I was leaving my Bestest. I didn't drive at that stage, I was a little anxious thinking about moving to a new place where I knew no-one. I didn't have a job either. I was aware of these 'problems' but strangely at ease. 

Arriving was another story.

Things were very different. I wasn't used to seeing mob (gang) members walking around town proudly patched up. 

I wasn't used to walking past Maori in the street and they didn't look me in the eye or acknowledge me. Actually, I was disgusted. When I said 'Kia ora!' and they still didn't acknowledge me, keeping their eyes on the ground. 

I complained to my mother about that! Lots of other things, people are quite cliquey and I noticed a lot of what I called 'small town thinking' as if nothing else existed outside of Hawkes Bay. 

The service was awful (it still is) You could walk into a store, slowly do two or three laps of the shop and not have a single assistant actually assist you or even acknowledge you are there. When people bump into you they carry on walking like nothing has happened. Again, no acknowledgement. It was a shock to the system. Actually when we first moved here I was yelled out of two stores by the owners! 

Literally walked in the door and told to "Get out!" 

I have assumed prejudice was the factor because seriously the only thing you could assume about me could be based on my skin colour, right? Or maybe  they were weightist. Lol.

Anyway, life has been a steady journey here. I have walked it rather casually, meandering along the path. 

Taking the scenic route my Dad would say. Predestined. 

I thought we had made a rather foolish mistake at first - how could I be called to such a place? 

"You often see a need, because you are called to fill it." 

Hopelessness is a killer. It is easier to think change can not happen, then it is to hope that it will. 

It is easier to believe that you cannot make a difference than it is to believe 

"Every great change in history started with someONE, somewhere!"

To own being: "...the change this world needs!"

God bankrupted heaven when he sent Jesus Christ.

He did this for me. But it is not mine alone. Christ died for all.

I need to live with more purpose!