I Want You Back

It's been forever!

I got a call from a girlfriend saying "You haven't blogged in a while..." so here I am.

I killed both laptops via someone else's disease ridden external hard drive :( they stopped scanning my husbands laptop at 8500 odd viruses found. Needless to say, I will not be doing that again.

I've had wonderful weekends with some of my beautiful nieces. My Dad recently travelled down for our Men's Conference and he and Ma brought three of the girls down - it was the best weekend!! (in spite of the lost hours of sleep)


They're so full of life!! I loved the squealing, (but not the screaming) they were so cute with the whoppee cushion. And the dog. Emptied a brand new bag of dog food, right in front of his run (I don't know how they got it out there!) and then proceeded to throw them at him handfuls at a time.

This beauty needs at least a day to warm up to me. The Big Fella too. She adores her Koro and her favourite word is "no" 

She loves her cousin like crazy so being his Mama plants me on pretty good standing, but doesn't give  me the Golden Ticket Access to kisses and cuddles as I like! 

And we got to celebrate this little cherubs third birthday! Nothing spectacular - she wanted to go to Church for her birthday! We wanted to take them to Maccas for lunch but Ma and Pa got lost (I know - there's like ONE main street here, but anyway) so we had hot chips, cake and milo at home. 

She went home singing "You Are Good" by Planetshakers! Neither of her parents are Christian, but now want a copy for her to listen to! Praise God!

She looks super bored! Haha!

This one's better!

 

I can't believe how fast the year has gone. You may already know The Big Fella was ordained in February, it has been all go ever since. 


I feel like I have more time and yet I don't, I'm not even sure how that makes any sense :) but I am loving the change. The journey is fun. God is so SO good.


Autumn has come and gone. My favourite season. 

Love the richness of colour and that it seems to linger even as Winter takes over. 


Bed seems snugglier and the couch seems comfier. The sun seems to set more radiantly. Lots for me to photograph anyway - loving the iPhone gifted to me!

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A musical interlude, my new favourites: The Civil Wars

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Psalm 103
  ¹¹ For his unfailing love toward those who fear him
      is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
 ¹² He has removed our sins as far from us
      as the east is from the west.
 ¹³ The Lord is like a father to his children,
      tender and compassionate to those who fear him.
 ¹⁴ For he knows how weak we are;
      he remembers we are only dust.
 ¹⁵ Our days on earth are like grass;
      like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
 ¹⁶ The wind blows, and we are gone—
      as though we had never been here.
 ¹⁷ But the love of the Lord remains forever
      with those who fear him.
   His salvation extends to the children’s children
 ¹⁸ of those who are faithful to his covenant,
      of those who obey his commandments!


Still praying God's wisdom will be my wisdom. Praying that my legacy will be beyond my years. Praying that God will take hold of this region. Praying for Partnership. Praying that "Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."


Thanks for reading x

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.

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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

Happy New Year!

Psalm 23

The Lord Is My Shepherd

That's Relationship!  

I Shall Not Want 

That's Supply!

He Maketh Me To Lie Down In Green Pastures 

That's Rest!

He Leadeth Me Beside The Still Waters 

That's Refreshment!

He Restoreth My Soul 

That's Healing!

He Leadeth Me In The Paths Of Righteousness 

That's Guidance!

For His Name Sake 

That's Purpose!

Yea, Though I Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death 

That's Testing!

I Will Fear No Evil 

That's Protection!  

For Thou Art With Me 

That's Faithfulness!  

Thy Rod And Thy Staff They Comfort Me 

That's Discipline!
 
Thou Preparest A Table Before Me In The Presence Of Mine Enemies  

That's Provision!  

Thou Anointest My Head With Oil 

That's Consecration!

My Cup Runneth Over 

That's Abundance!  

Surely Goodness And Mercy Shall Follow Me All The Days Of My Life 

That's Blessing!  

And I Will Dwell In The House Of The Lord  

That's Security!

Forever 

That's Eternity!

I did not right this and make no claims to it.

It declares, the care, grace and wonder of God and I had to share it.

A year-ish a go I started blogging and have had highs and lows on display for all to see (sheesh!) but always, always, always God has held me. Encouraged me. Lifted me.

I'm forever grateful to You.

She's very crafty

Cracks me up the double meaning for the word 'crafty' and the care you must have when using it in 'mixed' company.

Anyway - I have a fabulous friend who is very crafty and seeing as I am a Craft-Amateur, I leap on every little thing she deems 'simple' but this one has step by step instructions with photos and even the photos are gorgeous. So here I share: The Purl Bee

We have a Women's Conference next weekend - probably should've posted this a long time ago - but should you find yourself at a loose I would love to meet you! Come on down!

Equippers Women

While I cannot guarantee you will meet Crafters, you'll definitely meet Gifted women, passionate, with a heart after God.

What else is happening at the moment...

TODAY - two of the sweetest people I know are getting married!! About time many would say, but God's timing is perfect - they were made for each other in the sincerest sense of the words... I love a good wedding and am determined not to cry (seeing as I have to sing shortly after the Bride arrives and knowing a runny nose will do me no aide!) 

And the sweetest engagement too: They had agreed to no presents for their anniversary and decided on a picnic dinner at the beach... then he surprises her with this box.... a photo of his hand, with the engagement ring sitting on top, two glasses filled with her favourite sweets, yummy grape juice - who knew romance was still so alive and well!

Hm, wedding anniversary next Weds - not sure if we'll do anything - nine years seems a little flat to celebrate - never know maybe I'll get a surprises too! Haha.

Ok, I better get going - usually I leave the Getting Ready too late and then I'm in a flap!!

Hugs to you!

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.

Amazing Grace

Ha! I am so far behind the times - have tonight heard Chris Tomlin sing Amazing Grace and love the bridge which states:

"My chains are gone

I've been set free

My God, My Saviour 

has ransomed me

And like a flood

His mercy reigns

Unending love

Amazing Grace"

(sigh) it is always so good to be reminded of Gods grace and love.

I heard those words and just thought "YUSS! That is me."

Pretty cool, hey.

So today is day 16 of a 21 day Daniel Fast and at lunch I was asked

"So what has God been saying to you?"

My immediate response was "Nothing. I don't know." followed quickly by "I'm sure He's been saying stuff..."

It made me wonder, in all seriousness, how do I define how I hear God? How do any of us define how we hear God?

Roughly nine years ago, PB and I were sitting in a connect group with about 20 other people, we both turned to each other at the same time and said

"We need to get married." Without a doubt, that was God. We had a son together, had been on and off dating over a three year period, we were friends but not a couple at the time and yet exactly the same moment in chorus shared the same thought. We married three months later and we were BLESSED!! The church, the reception venue, the band, the cars, the photographer, everything fell into it's perfect place. God confirming His voice.

Happened again moving to Hawkes Bay. Though I have missed my family immensely, it has only highlighted that I am where God wants me to be.

So, today, 16 of 21 days of Daniel fasting and I am asking again,

"What have you for me , Lord?"

I Hope I Never - Split Enz

I love this song. I can't fault it. 

It is beautifully written and composed and sung. Faultless. Even the re-recording with NZSO and Annie Crummer is incredibly done. Even seeing Tim Finn wearing eye shadow and lipstick doesn't put me off

Please allow me to share with you.

I fall apart when you're around
When you're here, I'm nowhere
I can't pretend that I'm not down
I show it I know it
I've been a fool - more than once, more than twice
I'm gonna move to a new town where the people are nice

I hope I never, I hope I never have to sigh again
I hope I never, I hope I never have to cry again
I still want to beam and smile
Happiness is back in style yeah
I hope I never, I hope I never have to see you again
Again, oh oh oh oh

It should be possible I know
To see you without stress
But I can see I'll have to go
I'm changing my address
My urge to cry I have failed to conceal
Life it's no fun when your haunted by things that you feel

I hope I never, I hope I never have to sigh again
I hope I never, I hope I never have to cry again
I'm for living while you can
I'm an optimistic man
I hope I never, I hope I never have to see you again
Again, oh oh oh oh...

I hope I never
I hope I never
I hope I never, never, never...

I hope I never, I hope I never have to see you again

Again.


I know. Lyrically it is a little bit of a downer, but I think it displays the writers heart every single time. There's none of the "...you hurt me so I'm gonna sleep with your best friend" tit for tat rubbish, it's just... sore...just heartache


Do you think sometimes we have forgotten what heartache is? Nowadays it seems about revenge.
Have we taken it too far with sayings such as "Build a bridge and get over it" or "Here's a teaspoon of cement so you can harden up"
Are we building generations of people "with baggage"?
Is it the foundation stone for the addictions so prevalent in our Youth?
Do they bury their hurt under alcohol? Under drugs? Do they try to scrub it away with promiscuity?


I wanna see a generation rise who KNOW who they are. Who know where they come from. A generation that lifts not just their peers but their elders, their communities.
A generation that causes change to happen. But from the inside.... out.