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

The Hope Of All Hearts

I was surprised at my surprise today when the preacher said
"You are important! What you do matters."
I pondered this: Two weeks ago at Connect Group, I asked the Crew to pray for me and said "Just guess guys! Whatever comes to mind!" expecting them to pray for The Big Fella and I and our financial security (it is always a concern to me, I have a teeny bit of trouble letting things rest in the palm of Gods more than capable Hand) what they actually prayed for was me. Just me. ONLY. Me. (I'll say again that I do not like to cry but) I cried. It was a very touching, nice, prayer time. I, seriously, can get caught up in the busyness of our life, and just go, go, go. And here was God taking me aside and once again showering me with his love. I didn't know that I needed it but I must have otherwise I wouldn't have cried, right. Anyway, things were said, similar to the above "You are important. What you do matters. You are a Leader. I admire you. I look up to you. You inspire me."
I'll be frank and say: Sometimes I've looked at my life and asked "Who would want this?" but that very question helped me realise today that I've been doing it wrong.
I've been topping up, when I should be overflowing. Almost like a Pak n Save petrol station; pulling in, entering the necessary info, getting what I need and pulling back onto the 'road'.
I have no idea what it looks like to give out of overflow - I simply cannot comprehend it. Nor can I comprehend doing more than what we do right now, but I'm excited that there is more! I'm excited that, as always, God provides hope. Luke 11 says "...he will get up and give you what you need because of your shameless persistence. And so I tell you, keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you..." NLT

Hope Restored

Hello Blog Beauties!


I love this from the book of Luke 21 vs 15: "For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." 


We've wanted another baby for the past nine years but late last year, I gave up. I was tired of waiting and hoping and praying and failing. 
This morning I Googled the meaning of (the name I had chosen for my next boy) Joshua: Jehovah is generous. Jehovah saves and just like that - hope restored. I spent the rest of my day with the biggest grin thanking God for all He has given me.
Blessed in the city, blessed in the fields, blessed when I come and blessed when I go.