Have you mopped out lately?

I am not the world's greatest house keeper. I hope I am a great HOME maker!
I love this little anecdote I read some years ago.

Woman 1 (The perfect house keeper) : My mum's kitchen floor is so clean you could eat a meal off it.

Woman 2 ( The homeschooling mother of many) : Yes, you could get a good meal off my floor too!!!



I am reminded that, where your treasure is there will your heart be also.

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Thoughts on life, goals and blogging

As I have been starting to look at more ladies blogs, I have been thinking more about the purpose of my own blog. Truthfully, I first opened a blog so I could easily comment on the few sites I liked to visit. I didn't make another entry for about 6 months. All the while I was thinking - what worthwhile, edifying, things can I contribute in this vast network of soooo many words?


My conclusion was that my desire was really to express myself, to create a record of my life and thoughts and primarily for the eventual benefit of my children. I am delighted that others may want to know a little about me and my life but not at all concerned that I might never have a following.

I don't know, I just do not have lofty aspirations! In all things I want my Lord, Jesus Christ to be glorified, but I do not see myself as having a "ministry" to the internet world. Just as in my real life I see myself responsible to speak and discuss the things of God, so on my blog. Perhaps I am not an ambitious person. My goals have never been too grand!


Sometimes, I wonder, what is my talent, my gift?

Do I have to have one?

For many years, because of health dramas and personal, I felt like a constant drain on my family and friends. I was almost frightened to mention to my parents different things that were happening for fear of the grief I was causing. Praise God! He brought faithful people into my life, who so reflected his unconditional love to me that I was never allowed to slip under. And marvellously, he endowed me with a personality which always bounced back. I guess I am a naturally optimistic person. Again, Praise God! My cup runneth over!



Then, about 10 years ago I noticed an interesting thing. The more trials I had, the harder I had to lean on the Lord, the more I was able to be of some use to others! People would come and some times confide the most devastating things, sometimes moan over the most trivial seeming trials, but also share wonderful blessings. I found a niche in sharing the highs and lows of life with empathy and compassion borne of some very challenging situations of my own. I no longer wonder why the Lord has brought a certain trial upon me because I know that somewhere along the line the lessons learned will benefit others..

Basically, I love people. I love to share what comfort and encouragement I can from the Lord.I realised then that this must be the gift I am meant to use to bless others with.

ENCOURAGER

So as I ponder the aim of my blog, I think I am content to doddle along. I hope to bring some deeper thoughts when I have something beneficial to share, to include some poetry, both of others and my own attempts from time to time, to include memoirs of childhood and teens as I recall them, as well as a more mundane day to day log of my life. I know how much I value the diaries and memoirs of older relatives especially my own mother.

One day I hope my children will be able to read and appreciate the history, spiritual life and love of their Mum (Mumma). This is for you guys. I know I say it all the time but I love and thank God for you and pray that you will come to know him, love him and serve him, all the days of your life.

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12

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Laughing Kookaburra

A Kookaburra being teased
by a Peewee.




This lovely kookaburra
posed on our kitchen trellis
for quite a while this
morning. We often hear
them laughing in the tree
out the back.

Beautiful Bloggers

Another lovely friend has taken the boys with her and her children this afternoon for a play. It has meant I can keep my foot up, but I must say it is heaps better. A little bit achey, but I don't think it will
be so for long. Praise God for a quick recovery! I've frittered away a couple of hours here at the computer. I try not to do that as I know I could easily become a junky!!! I am new to blogging and have previously mostly visited sites that I have been familiar with, making a comment here and there but not following too much of people's personal blogs. I did a bit of a meander around various ladies sites. Sigh! So many good places to visits, so many precious sisters in the Lord, so many friends I've never met!

As one can tell from this blog, artistic creativity is not one of my gifts.

I am in a dream land of all the possibilities for decorating and presenting a blog! I feel this way when I get home from scrap booking days, craft and art days with the children, and seeing my sisters' quilting efforts. Frankly, even visiting others houses. I long for the cosy, rustic look but alas even if I had the money to finance it, I don't think I could pull it together. Some of these ladies' sites dazzled me!

But, aside from the beautiful way they looked I read some very inspiring and interesting articles.
I have often mentioned how blessed I am with family and Christian friends so I have no lack of support and encouragement. But this afternoon I feel uplifted by the spiritual insight and genuine desire I read of for people, namely women, to live lives more deeply committed to God. It is heartening too, to read articles by Reformed folk, like minded to ourselves, as often one can feel rather isolated and odd in the minority camp of Christendom. Of course, ideally there should be no camps, for is not Christ one body, but the sad reality of division is there. I feel at once an affinity with those closely alligned in doctrine. Many of the same convictions are shared regarding home, family and education.

I should sleep well tonight. My dreams will be pleasantly filled with pages of insightful writing, all decorated in patchwork and butterfly designs......

Let all be done to the glory of God!





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A job well done

The chook feeding and garden watering has gone on for a couple of weeks now. The boys have done a good job and have been diligent to go over each day. They are tiring of it though! I've mentioned the extreme heat and humidity and the size of the garden. Unfortunately, some of the beds look a bit wilted : ( The good news is the neighbours should be back tomorrow. The hens are alive and well, most of the garden looks okay. Lord willing, if a storm doesn't hit this afternoon, (it's building up now) hubby and the boys might even get the yard mowed for them.
They are wonderful neigbours, in a day and age where people are often too pre-occupied to bother about one another. Her parents lived there previously and were lovely friends as well. Now it is delightful to have this young couple and we always know they'll look out for us which is a blessing. Again, it has been great ecperience for the young guys to have this responsibility.
(And I think they are in for a little, unexpected, monetary reward too!!)

Ready to Roll!

The plaster is off!

No broken bones. It's very tender but I think it will not be long before I am back running. Hang on, it's actually quite a while since I did any running! Needless to say it is a relief to get the plaster off. In this heat it was quite uncomfortable and it was very heavy.

We have made a token start at formal school work and will get fully into the swing on Monday.

Then swimming will start back, guitar lessons, basketball and the activities with other home schoolers. No wonder we need holidays!

The supervising teacher for the boys is very enthusiastic and I hope I can be likewise enthused.

As usual, after a long break they are quite keen to get back to work. I think it is the routine of school days which keeps things going smoothly and everyone knows what's coming and what is expected of them. We will miss not seeing the babies so much but hope to have regular times with them too.



Each year brings new and exciting challenges.

My little girls are now beautiful mothers!

I plan to write more about them soon.

Aussie Land Marks

The Sydney Opera House

The Great Barrier Reef

Uluru

Advance Australia Fair

On most Australia Days, January 26, since I've had children at least, we have gotten up early and joined the masses, queuing for free breakfast and enjoying the traditional festivities. My sore foot has put a dampener on that but we'll try to make it an Aussie day anyway.

Bethany W. has commented on a couple of words like "chook" in my posts.
Australians have a very colourful and sometimes strange slang language. Some is a bit like Cockney, rhyming slang, (trouble and stife - wife, billy lids - kids, frog and toad - road). Some are just words like chooks, sheilas, togs, bickies - either shortenings, or absolutely nothing to do with the original word!

Almost every Aussie has a nick name. "Blokes" especially will shorten every longish first name and if you happen to have a short first name will probably find something longer for you. We seem to pretty much understand each other, but no doubt it can be confusing to overseas visitors. We also have that distinctive, flat accent. Aussies traveling OS can always hear one another on crowded buses etc!!!! My own voice is , disappointingly, very toneless and flat and if possible my singing voice is worse. We do however, pick up other accents very easily because of it.

However, I love poetry, the psalms especially, and favour the King James Version of the Bible.
I love the eloquent flow of language. Many people find the language of the KJV difficult yet I have noticed that many children brought up on it have a better level of English than the average school child. I remember the preschooler who astonished the teacher by saying someone slew some one!!

( I have always been fascinated by the development of our language, hopeless though when I've tried to learn a little French, Italian and Spanish. I do find the etymology of words interesting, and enjoy crosswords and other word puzzles.)

But today these blokes and sheilas might grab a pie or fire up the barbie. Maybe organise a dunny race or make a hundred in the back yard at mums or go waltzing Matilda. We'll put on our akubras and RM Williams jeans and boots and have a real shindig. The norms will have a few tinnies while they watch the 20/20 or the Aussie open and look forward to the start of the footy.

Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Oi! Oi! Oi!

Give me a home among the gum trees.....


Australia - there's no place like home!!

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My Country!

G'day mate!

Have a bonza Australia Day!

Life Lessons

This enforced lay up is showing me lots of things. Firstly, how busy my life is and not always necessarily so. Then, that I need to learn to sit back, relax and trust that the world (read my world, my home) will not fall apart because I am not driving the ship. Well, I probably am still doing the driving, but not the hands on work. The crew are going great! And last but not least how very blessed I am to be surrounded by loving, thoughtful people.
Again today, a friend visited with flowers, patty cakes and tomorrow's lunch. She had a coffee and filled me in on our meeting last night, which I missed. Also D2 and SIL2 and bub came over. Hadn't seen them for a couple of days and little babies change so fast. He is also getting very clever! and starting to laugh out loud! They also bought a delicious meal for our tea which was greatly appreciated by all.
Then our Pastor and the elders here visiting for the meeting called over. This was very thoughtful as they have only a short time here and a lot of other things to attend to. I really value the gentle and Godly manner in which they spoke and exhorted us and their obvious care for souls in general and us in particular.
I am reminded again of a verse I added here a week or so ago. We know we have passed from death to life if we love the brethren. Sometimes Christians, even ones I love, astonish me with the bitterness and pettiness they display to other Christians. I am grateful for the love and support of christian friends, but they are the ones who are easy to love in return. The challenge is to love the difficult, the eccentric, the picky, the critical, the self righteous, and greater still to not be one of those myself. Praying for a meek and gentle spirit, and a greater interest and love for the Lord than for the trivial things of this life.

"Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that God is gracious."

A friend indeed

My friend arrived for our coffee date this morning, which I always look forward to. The boys were having the day at a cousins place which was great for them and we could enjoy a quiet "ladies chat". But you know what? She then spent about two hours doing loads of washing, vacuming and mopping out! I say again - I am truly blessed. I felt rather useless having a friend doing my house work while I sat with my leg propped up. I started on a book which she had also kindly bought over for me. It was hot today too, and very humid. Not a pleasant day for work. A true labour of love.

I also opted to miss the activities at church tonight. The meeting was quite important to me to attend and I had hoped I would feel up to it. I'm afraid my clumsiness and the weight of the plaster is making my leg ache quite a lot and I have yet to master the crutches around the house, let alone stairs etc. I thought I should probably rest it until I feel confident.
Again, I am trusting God's timing . I had wanted to be there to discuss some important decisions for our little group. Instead I am praying for God's Spirit to lead and guide the brethren and that wisdom and charity will prevail.

"....In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths...."

Give me a Break!

Well, yesterday turned out to be quite an eventful day! After 6 very relaxing weeks of Summer holidays, I had planned to get some major house work done these last few days, a big grocery shop, organise the school room and books as well as a church fellowship meal and meeting tomorrow night and a birthday party
on Saturday! Wow, I must have really needed to slow down and take a break! In fact, I don't think it is broken but they couldn't be sure from the xrays. It seems I have given the

muscles and ligaments a really good twist and stretch. Yowch!!!! I did it early yesterday morning and didn't stress too much but the pain and swelling got worse as the day wore on so I eventually thought I had better go and get it checked out. I have a half cast along the back and a wad of bandaging and it looks very impressive! In fact it is quite heavy and I am absolutely hopeless on crutches! No upper body strength. As my daughter pointed out, only young fit men can manage crutches. So, an enforced rest. We will start back to school no problems. We'll just have to curb the outside activities for a while. D2 is coming to help with house work and D1 is sure to when she finds out the damage. Meanwhile, Dad has done groceries and the boys have stepped up to the household chores.
Times like these make me realise how hectic my life is. Having had some health dramas in the past I know my family can cope just fine but I find it hard to relax about it. I especially miss my girls at times like these as they are just so capable. When I was out of action, I always knew things would run pretty much as normal because they knew my routine and did things the way they'd been taught (often better than me.) I find the boys need a lot more reminding and supervising, even though they have had similar training.
It is a reminder to me that we can make our plans but God directs our paths. What seems like a case of really bad timing is in fact in His perfect timing so I will await what is to come out of it.
Yesterday, I played the Pollyanna game, finding things to be glad about. I'm glad this happened at the end of the holidays - I have been blessed with a great holiday. I'm glad it's not a break and especially glad that it is under the ankle and not the ankle itself. I'm glad one of my good friends is coming over for coffee tomorrow, that's always a treat. I'm glad my boys who struggle so with reading are growing up useful, helpful and willing. I'm REALLY glad my husband and the kids will eat almost anything and also that they REALLY appreciate my cooking when they have had to do it themselves for a while.


"While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being."
Psalm 146:2

Getting into a Scrap!

Home tonight and tired but contented after spending a lovely day scrap booking with friends. We've had a regular scrapping day most holidays now for nearly eight years. These are precious sisters in the Lord. We have been friends for between 10 and 17 years. Between us we have clocked up over 90 years of marriage and birthed 26 children. We have cheered, encouraged, supported and sharpened each other through pregnancies, births and miscarriages, personal, marriage and church difficulties, raising children, dealing with teens, home schooling . We have celebrated many special milestones, birthdays, and especially marriage and the births of grand children. Hey, and we think we are still young!!!

I have been blessed with many friends and a wonderful family, but it a true gift from God to have friends, sisters, walking the same path, loving you enough to show you when you are thinking wrongly and just joyful to be in one anothers company. Our dear hostess set the tone of the day with a devotional reading on the faith of Sarah. We chatted, ate and drank coffee while the lovely teenage daughters prepared and cleared up lunch. We even managed a few pages of scrap booking to round out the day!!

"Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17

And a woman her friend......

If we confess our sins

After a couple of weeks break, our Pastor was back in the pulpit yesterday. The elders always bring a good message, and we still enjoy fellowship, but it is such a blessing to have a message brought by the preacher.
Continuing in 1 John.
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousnes.
If we we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." v 8-10

Christians often fall into 2 errors: Legalism (sinless perfectionism). He thinks he can be entirely santified in this life by keeping the law. And the Libertine - he is not under the law but under graceand lives accordingly.
We should not hide our sin but bring it into the open, acknowledge it, own it. If we are not honest about our sin we make God a liar, for His Word tells us in many places of our nature.
Yet with Him there is forgiveness. If we confess our sin He is faithful and just to forgive.

Later, talking with friends who have a loved one who has become a Muslim, we were so thankful to God for His forgiveness. In Jesus Christ we have joy and peace and freedom. Their daughter is in bondage to works and a joyless life of ritual. I am praising God this morning for so great salvation and keeping this friend in prayer that the Lord will draw her back from that false religion.

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Holiday job

The boys have a short holiday job caring for the neighbours place while they are away.
Since the neighbours have a LOT of garden and the weather has been VERY hot, they have been doing a lot of watering and trying to keep things alive.
The most exciting job has been feeding the chooks!! Goldie and Jet are beautiful specimens. They dutifully lay an egg each every day and always look and sound delightful scratching around the yard. For safety sake, the chook's and the garden's, the boys are to keep the hens locked up. What a drama the other day when one got out! So much garden to hide in. Eventually they called for back up - Mum - and managed to herd her back in.
This has been really good experience for the boys. Having to get their chores at home done and take care next door before play time.

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New School Year

The long Summer holidays are drawing quickly to an end. We've had some wonderful days with friends and relatives and visitors here holidaying themselves. The hot and humid weather for most of the break has meant that I have not done everything on the "To Do" list. It's just too hot to tackle some of those big cleaning jobs and hey, they'll still be there in April! The most important thing for me has been having a complete break from school work. Because my boys are struggling with learning problems, I found towards the end of '08 we had all become very flat and unenthusiastic. Where I have always loved teaching the kids and tried to make the school day interesting and appealing, as well as the necessary grind, I felt all out of ideas. We were struggling just to get through the (very repetitive) exercises and activities needed for their Auditory Processing difficulties.
January 27th will be the start of my 17th year of home education. Having had a good break I feel ready to meet the challenges, persevere with the day to day routine of it and hopeful I can inject a little more spark into the day! The boys are bright, average at maths, excellent at sport, love to be read to, eager to learn about the world and everything in it - they just cannot get the hang of reading. This is becoming a real grief to my 11 year old, who tries very hard, but is well aware how far behind his friends he is.
God has graciously enabled me through all of my homeschooling trials. Last year as I contemplated whether my guys would be better off at school, I knew He had hedged me up in this decision! In my heart I know that my two future men would be swallowed up in the school system. Not just because they've always been home and had a Christian basis to education, but because kids can be so cruel. 10 and 11 year old boys who cannot read would be perfect targets for the school bully. I know, homeschooling mums are softies - smother mothers ! Guilty!
Once again God has renewed my strength and my commitment.

"I will go on in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only." Psalm 71:16

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Brothers and sisters in the Lord

"We know that we have passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren.
He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."
1 John 3:14

I am going to write a post about my beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord, as I have been thinking about relationships in my life and these are VERY important to me. But, I began by
looking up verses on loving the brethren, how they will know us by our love for one another
etc. and I think I just need to contemplate this a little first. It is quite challenging to love the Lord's people despite our many differences and idiosyncrasies. While we should have that strong spiritual bond, having the same Father, trusting the same saviour, drawing us together, yet it is much harder to maintain than the natural, fleshly bond and a life time of shared experiences which overcomes so many hurts in our families. Some of my most beloved friends and mentors are those Godly men and women that the Lord has graciously placed in my life. Some of my closest friends are those in the same season of life, looking up to our Titus examples, reaching down to children and others in our sphere of influence, journeying together on our pilgrimage. Some of the hardest and most heartbreaking relationships are also with the His people. Sigh......

"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you."
John 15:12

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Grandma's Wisdom

Almost 70 years ago my grandmother wrote this verse in her daughter's (my mother)
autograph book. From a child the wisdom of these words has stayed with me.

Keep watch on your words my loved one,
For words are wonderful things.
They can bless like the warm glad sunshine,
And brighten a lonely life.
They can cut in the strife of anger,
Like an open two-edged knife.
Keep them back if they are cold and cruel,
Under bar and lock and seal,
The wounds they make are very deep,
And very slow to heal.......

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Brothers and Sisters in the Flesh

As mentioned before, I have had the blessing and privilege of many brothers and sisters.
Born of the same parents, with many obvious similarities in looks and personalities, yet also
many glaring differences in these.

"Blood is thicker than water".

The love and commitment of siblings is a remarkably strong bond.
My extraordinary brothers and sisters have loved and supported me through some
very difficult, and potentially dividing conflicts and traumas.
I only hope my love has been as unwavering.

It is remarkable that spats and differences which would usually divide friends have not done so among my family. Is it loyalty to parents, so loved and admired by all? Is it a lifetime of shared memories and experiences which can never be repeated or replaced?

For me, it is those things, and a steady, solid love, a love which seems to have just always been there. Perhaps taken for granted at first, but carefully built upon over the years. A love which is now deep, sure, comforting.

Once I wrote that family is a haven. A place where each member can run for protection, where one is accepted no matter how different they are and this is what my family has been to me.

Having had the great privilege to know Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord, I now know that He is my Rock and my Haven. Thankyou Lord for placing me in a loving home and family.



"God setteth the solitary in families...." Psalm 68:6a

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For meditation

Taken from "Daily Readings from J.C. Ryle" Vol II -John -

For meditation: Your minister may have many faults -
and is probably more aware of them than you are-
but, if he preaches Christ,
value him....

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Boys Toys

Here is a fascinating arrangement of

"Green Army Men".

These were set up and photographed

by my son.

I thought the very real looking fox hole

was quite amazing.

Though we talk about the horrors of war

and some of the harsh realities, it seems to

me that boys just play these type of games

naturally. If they don't have toy guns or

soldiers they soon find a few good sticks or

even pegs to use!!

I'm thankful for...

This is a good time to look back over the last twelve months and "count my blessing". And there are many!

I'm thankful for:



My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and for the upholding and guidance of His Holy Spirit.
Over 20 years of marriage,
The good health of my children,
The blessing of grandchildren.
The faithful preaching and teaching of a Godly and committed Pastor,
The love of parents and family,
The love, support and encouragement of Christian brethren.
Enabling and strength when my health has been poor.
Support in the stresses of teaching children with learning problems.
A roof over our heads and abundant food.



I continue to pray for...


Growth in grace and knowledge of my Lord and Saviour.
The salvation of my children.
My in-laws and grandchildren.
Unsaved relatives and friends.
Our Samuel in Ghana.
Patience and wisdom in dealing with "school"
and in my dealings with friends and relatives
especially those in need.

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Aging Parents

As a middle aged woman, my parents are now quite elderly. How amazing is the human body - fearfully and wonderfully made. Yet, these two bodies which were once fit, athletic even, and supple are now frail. The eyes and the ears are failing, the legs are unsteady and the mind no longer sharp. Yet how beautiful and how dear are these two to me.

On Saturday, we had a family gathering and it touched me to see my mum and dad surrounded by their seven surviving children, their in-laws, many of their 21 grandchildren and their spouses, most of their great grandchildren, including the 2 yet unborn! What a marvellous dynasty!

This relationship is one of the strongest bonds, and yet at times one of the most difficult. From golden childhood, through rebellious and selfish years (mine not theirs!) through illness, poor decisions, through spiritual seperation, humiliation. Every extreme of human emotion has been shared with these two beloved ones! Thank you Lord for placing me in a family where love was, and still is shown.

And although our paths have divided over religion, I can truly say that in every way moral and practical my parents taught and trained me. I believe their own commitment to God and church lay a good grounding for me in my own relationship with God. Lord, I commit them to you. Draw them to yourself that they might trust in you alone and one day we might all meet again in your presence.



April 2002 I wrote:

My mother


Thankyou Lord for my mother,
I always loved her
but not until I married,
bore and lost a child,
fed babies through the night,
washed endless nappies,
wiped bottoms and runny noses,
mended wounds,
watched anxiously over little sick ones,
experiencd the great joys
and the desperate lows
of motherhood,
that I really appreciated her.

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