Man Makes his Plans

I really appreciated this quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones posted on Miscellanies. Babel's Tower and my Schedule - it's worth a read.

Sometimes we get to thinking, planning, fretting so much over every aspect of life, we forget to say, if the Lord wills, I will do such and such a thing. We make our plans but God directs our steps. We should look to him for guidance before hand, and look back and see his hand upon the outcome of every situation, even those which at the time seem grievous. God is working all things together for good, to them that love him!

Enjoy a blessed, enriching and restful Lord's Day.

Limericks

A blogger by name of Blue Stocking,

With quaint limerick challenge is mocking,

The rest of us mums

To write a few puns

But alas, my efforts are shocking!

Skip across to Beyond Blue Stockings and have a read of her limerick post. Then join in the fun and write one yourself.

When we were kids we composed lots of little, silly limericks and when I read BB's post I had a few giggles remembering some of them! You have to remember that I came from a place with a quite long and obscure Aboriginal name. The only real words that rhymed with it were pigeon and smidgen so we had all sorts of fun with making up silly words to fit!

Thanks BB. Love those Limericks. Keep them coming!

School Room Blitz

This week I am blitzing the dreaded school room!

Pop over to Organized Everyday to learn more about blitzing.

I chose to blitz for one hour each day this week to conquer this little project.

Imagine 17 years of accumulated books, resource materials, white boards, puzzles, books, pens, pencils, folders, blocks, phonics cards, books, wall charts, catalogues, atlases, encyclopedia, rubbers, books, rulers, staplers, blue tack, books, sticky tape, glue, nature displays, art work, books......

That's just a micro list!

Of course, this area gets straightened up each Friday. It gets tidied every holidays.

But it is many years since we actually got rid of anything from this room!

Now don't panic (talking to you Jeanne :-) I am not intending to throw away, as in a rubbish bin, any good, usable books. I have however, packed up several boxes of encyclopedias. This set of late 1960s World Book were given to us almost 20 years ago. It is a beautiful set, with the full set of Childcraft Books as well. Of course , we Google everything these days and these are very out of date.

Any readers collect this sort of thing? Will they one day become collectables? I think we will pass them along to Life Line as they have a big book sale every year.

The set at the top are Harvard Classics. They have so many all time Classics I cann0t part with them, even though they may not be read any time soon.

Over the years, I have saved every scrap of material which I thought might one day be useful, and much of it has been, but realistically, we are not using a lot of it and probably never will. This includes one off texts from curriculum and many kind donations.

I have also saved almost all of the children's workbooks and exercise books. That's a lot of trees stored in that one room! So, putting sentimentality aside I have turfed it all out except for a few treasured pieces . :-(

The boys have been enrolled with Groves School of Distance Ed for a couple of years now, so I do not need to keep all their work for any legal reason. The girls have long since left the school room behind and they certainly don't want to have to store it all at their places.

I have kept all the children's books, of course. I am still reading plenty with my big boys, and love to read to the little grandies when they come. Reading with Grandma is a special memory my kids have of my mother and I'm enjoying building that memory for my little boys.

My (step) grand daughter will get the benefit of all the girlie, horsey, farmie, Little House, Anne of ... and Mabel O'Dell type books which my daughters loved but big boys find are not to their taste.
Will try to post about some of the poetry books I unearthed soon.

First Art Work!

To Mumma

27 October, 2009

Hand and foot prints and stamps

By GS2

Rain!

Thank you Lord!

It rained here last night!

(only 15-20 mls around town but higher falls in places)

Thanks to all who have been praying and please continue to do so!

Beauty in the eyes of the beholder

Have you ever gone into the change rooms, you know the tiny little 1.5m x 1.5m box with mirrors on three sides and a flimsy curtain? Yikes! You just can't get away from it. Your large, mis-shapen, even grotesque body is right there. In your face.

Well, I am rather plump anyway so these little cubbies don't do me any favours, but can I admit, I just hate fitting on clothes in those rooms. Sooo... here is a cartoon which tickled me!

Simple Pleasures

Our Homeschool Group had a great afternoon competing in a challenge, devised by one of the motivated mothers.We have a large group which meets regularly but as with most activities that look a little more exciting than normal, we had a huge turn up! Approximately 60 children not including parents and preschoolers!
We always have a great time but I must admit having so many turn up meant we were less than organized. I think the children behaved well for such a crowd and the mums and dads always rally to help out. The Mum who organized the competition did a great job and has a Winter challenge already planned for next year. (Yay for the up and coming new mums!)


Challenges fell into 8 categories including Cooking, Science, Physical, Puzzles, Maths .....
Each challenge cost the team a certain amount of money (used Monopoly money for the children to budget the best cost for the best outcomes) and earned them a certain number of points if completed within the allotted time.

The pictures show the children crowding to buy their next challenge, molding and erupting a volcanoe and making damper.




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We enjoyed the Presentation Night, for the Boys' basketball club on the weekend.

My second son won this trophy for the Coach's Award.

All the children (and adults) had a great evening at the Waterslide, a barbecue and then prize giving.






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I've been washing the little baby clothes for my daughter, in preparation for the new arrival. She is due in about eight weeks, but I thought I would do this little job now while the weather is still nice. 000 and 00 clothes seems so tiny, yet her first little boy was only 5.5lb and wore 0000. He looks such a whopper now!All of my own babies were early and stayed in the little sizes for a good while. The line hung with all these little things made me very excited about the new arrival. (and clucky!)

M. Henry says it so well...

Matthew Henry, commentary on Matthew 6: 14-15

We must forgive , as we hope to be forgiven; and therefore must not only hear no malice, nor meditate revenge, but must not upbraid our brother with the injuries he has done us, nor rejoice in any hurt that befalls him, but must be ready to help him and do him good, and if he repent and desire to be friends again, we must be free and familiar with him, as before.

Note: Those that would find mercy with God must show mercy to their brethren, nor can we expect that He should stretch out the hands of His favour to us unless we lift up to Him pure hands, without wrath, 1 Timothy 2:8

oo0oo

Since we are still going through Matthew 6, the recurring theme of forgiveness is once again in my thoughts. I have posted this quote from Matthew Henry, as it sums up some of what we heard in our message yesterday.

I can say, that although this subject comes up regularly as we read and study God's Word, there is still so much to learn. As I examine my own life I know that I am far short in fully forgiving other who have hurt me. However, having tasted the forgiveness of our merciful God, I also know that I must forgive, and that he will give grace in my time of need.

Hope everyone who is reading has a great week!

Aftermath of the Bush Fires

The Mt Archer National Park is usually a tranquil place to visit.

Typical Australian bush land, inhabited by lots of native birds and animals.

Gorgeous bush walks, with a kiosk and picnic area at the top of the mountain.Look out for swooping magpies and kookaburras!

After years of drought and not enough clearing and bunrning off done in the National Park a bushfire has been raging on Mt Archer for thwo weeks.

Last weekend these fires threatens lives and houses in the suburbs which join the park area.

This family is the only one which has lost their home due to the fire. Locals and businesses have quickly come to their aid to set them up in a house with clothes and furnishing. Aussies are always generous in these situations.

This is how the area looks now.

We are very thankful to our local firies and all the voluteers from other places who have battled these blazes, risking their own lives, in the last couple of weeks.

Apparently the fire is expected to keep burning until it rains.....

My Golden Childhood XII

Provoking Thoughts

I have one Golden Childhood post in draft form and one in my head, which for various reasons I have not published yet. This post is prompted by the reading this week of a novel, Dust, by a women who grew up close by to us. I am not writing about this to recommend her book as I think most of my readers are Christians and/ or homeschoolers and this is very much a book directed at modern teenagers. Having said that, it was a fascinating read for me personally!

The author, Chrisitne Bongers, was a year or two older than me and lived outside the neighbouring township from us. Our families attended Mass at alternating Roman Catholic churches. All of the place names are real places in the Callide Valley so I had a clear picture of her house, the bus stop, the railway bridge, the dam, the state school, the local high school .... Just amazing to read a book and be able to actually "be there"!

Christine states that the characters are fictitious and "any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, is entirely coincidental". {Giggle} Any one who grew up and lived around our area will be able to identify some of those characters, and I'm chuffed to say, that includes my own family!!! Other characters are a good melding of various locals. Truly, this is a weird sensation to read a story which you feel is so close to home.

So, why am I posting this under My Golden Childhood?

Christine Bongers book has stirred up some thoughts for me. About my childhood, as I compare it to hers. (The main character is obviously based on her own experiences.) We were not friends, didn't attend the same school, but we had that church connection and our families knew one another reasonably well)I certainly remember her and her six brothers very well. Ironically, the childhood post I am having so much trouble in getting to publish is the one on my upraising in a staunch RC family in the 60s and 70s! One of the themes she emphasises in her story.

So, I finished the book thinking...what is that makes me see my childhood through rose coloured glasses? Was I, am I, naive? gullible? ignorant? Probably yes to all of those. I would like to think it is that I am saved, forgiven and pressing forward!

This author writes her story from the point of view of a girl raised a Roman Catholic who on her web site says that she is not religious but thanks God for.... I think that sums up the two roads that one can take. A nominal faith or a life committed to serving the Lord. As we lean upon the Lord, accept his providence and are thankful for ALL he has done in our life, our glass becomes half full. The past becomes a part of the road to the Celestial City and even when we have tarried in Bypath Meadows, it has been for our good!

If any one comes across this book, be warned, it does contain some course language, adult/ teenage themes, sexual references and I do not think it promotes Christian principles in general though there are some wonderful life lessons taught. Having known the parents whom these characters are based on I can see their strong ethics portrayed in this fictitious account. The climax of the book is heart wrenching and I trust, IS totally of the authors imagination.

I do want my own memoirs to be honest and true to life. I do not think Christine Bongers has been anything else... remembering her story is fiction. It just struck me how deep, intense and sometimes dark her story is, with glimmers of gold as compared to the way I see those days of my childhood as golden just tinged here and there with shadows .

keeping house

I have had the great privilege to join the ladies at "keeping house" as an author. Heidi and her friends have a cosy little blog there which is encouraging and edifying to all. Pop on over if you want to get a taste of what these lovely ladies have to say. Some posts are deep and inspirational, others very practical and some just plain comical!

Mao's Last Dancer - The Movie

Last night I went to the movies with JJ to see Mao's Last Dancer. It was a wonderful adaptation of the book, which I read a couple of months ago and posted about here.

As with any one's life story, based on a book, a great deal of detail is left out of the movie. The focus is on Li's ballet career, with flashbacks to childhood. While I found the history and detail of Chinese life so interesting in the book, I thought the movie has handled it really well. It especially highlights the gorgeous and graceful dancer he became. (I love the classical ballet which most of it is, not so keen on the modern ballet which is showcased in one very emotional family reunion scene) .

The dancers who play Li, (Chi Cao) his eventual wife Mary Camilla Vergitos, and others are just breathe taking!

Mao's Last Dancer is directed by Bruce Beresford with an Australian cast (names like Jack Thompson, Penny Hackforth-Jones) and was shot in Australia, China and the US.

JJ and I both really enjoyed this movie and having a Girls' Night out!

Gorgeous Bloggers

Jillian at HomeschoolingforChrist has very kindly bestowed this award upon me, and all that I have to do is to tell you six unknown things about myself, and pass the award on to six Gorgeous Bloggers. The trouble is I am way too talkative on my blog and I've had a lot of trouble thinking up six unknown things. Forgive me if you already know these!

xxx

♥ I was born in Mt Morgan. Look it up! This was once one of the booming gold mining towns of Queensland. It lies about three quarters of the way from my childhood home to Rockhampton. Dad and Mum were aiming for me to be born in Rockhampton but got a flat tyre about 20klms out of Mt Morgan and only made it that far....apparently with only minutes to spare!

xxx

♥ I am the sixth of eight children and the fifth girl. My older brother was a bitterly disappointed eight year old when his number five sister arrived. Apparently, he locked his bedroom door from the outside, slid the key in under and ran away, on hearing the dreadful news!

xxx

♥ I love coffee. Long black with a dash of milk.... must be hot!

xxx

♥ The Lord called me and graciously saved me in my early 20s. I have worshipped and fellowshipped in the same congregation for 24 years. Praise God!

xxx

♥ False, lazy and untrustworthy people are my pet dislike. I really value honesty, hard work and contentment. I grieve at my own laziness at times or lack of ability to complete things I have started. I most long for contentment, for along with Godliness, it is great gain.

xxx

♥ I love and mostly wear blues and greens and I think they suit me best. However, I do love the colours maroon and deep purple. Apparently these are not in "My Colours" but occasionally I get something just because I like it! I wear mostly denim skirts.

xxx

I have a lot of difficulty in passing on these types of awards. First to pick people and second all the fiddling around with addresses etc! So to all my blogging friends who haven't already recieved this one, here is your Gorgeous Blogger Award. Please take it and tell us your six unknown snippets about yourself.

My Strong Rock

Psalm 62

6 He only my salvation is, and my strong rock is he;

He only is my sure defence: I shall not moved be.

7 In God my glory placed is, and my salvation sure; In God the rock is of my strength, my refuge most secure.

8 Ye people, place your confidence in him continually; Before him pour ye out your heart: God is our refuge high.

Psalm 62 : 6-8

Scottish Metrical Version

Bush Fires

"And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey him!" Mark 4:41

Please pray for the people of Rockhampton who live in places affected by bushfires.We live about 8 kilometres from the base of the mountain, where the fires are threatening homes, but still have thick smoke and falling ash.

The setting sun was like a crimson fireball in the smoke-gray sky this evening.

It is quite hard to breathe even here and very difficult for friends right in that area, which include JJ, our Pastors family and several home schooling friends.

Bush fires have been burning for a couple of weeks and we've had haze most of that time,

but this is the closest they have come to the city.

We are in desperate need of rain, everthing is tinder dry.

Lord be merciful on our city!

Another Park, More Art

The Lamb's Book of Art starts off with some basic lessons on Primary and Secondary colours. So last week we took a diversion from the book and had a paint session. We used only red, yellow and blue and did some mixing to create the secondary colours. Then the children made some lovely butterfly prints to observe the colours they could make. Some of them were really lovely. We mums laughed at how paint deprived some of the older ones were. They loved this! I remember when I would get out paints for the boys as littlies the older girls loved to come out and make butterfly prints, too.

Then we had each of the children collect three things from the surrounding park area to make other prints. Some made interesting use of cans and caps. Mostly they chose leaves and sticks and did a nice job with them.


A fragile leaf.


The veins are effective.

This interesting picture was made with a bunch of leaves still attached to their branch.
All our sessions as a group so far have been very basic but it has been worthwhile.
The children are enjoying it, hopefully learning something and the mums are certainly enjoying the time the families are spending together.

Happy Birthday, Darling 2!

My boys put in a great effort at their cooking session with JJ this week. I had suggested they make a birthday cake for their little nephew. JJ had them make this delicious, and fairly simple Chocolate Fudge Cake. Then she left them with a template and we cut, shaped and iced it at home. I think they did a great job and everyone agreed it not only looked good but tasted delicious!





The birthday boy - busted!


One year old boys are just so cute and mischievous! GS2 enjoyed a wonderful day being the centre of attention. He and his cousin are starting to recognize and enjoy one another.

I know I have said it before :-) but I am just so loving this season of life. My grandsons are so affectionate and responsive and just plain gorgeous! They warm the cockles of my heart ♥♥ And my own kids are such great company!
What more can this Mumma ask for?

Party Fun

The little boys were treated to tireless rounds of "sleigh" rides by their willing big uncles. This is the sort of fun that the little ones love but wow, do they get hyped up ! Still, a little bit of this makes it a special and memorable day...and look at those gleeful faces!!

Appreciating your Pastor

I read this Matthew Poole quote at "Virginia is for Huguenots" .

"Ministers are living Books, and Books are dead Ministers; and yet though dead, they speak. When you cannot heare the one, you may read the other."

I had also been reading some disturbing statistics concerning men in the ministry at "Reformed and Loving it."

For those of us who are blessed with a great Pastor, one who loves the Lord, His Word, and His people we should be very thankful. Do you pray for your Pastor regularly? for his wife and family? that the Holy Spirit would fill him with wisdom and show him the right words to preach? Do you assist him in any practical way you can?

We also need to remember to pray that God would raise up men equipped for the job. Surely the field is ripe unto harvest but the labourers are few!

P.S. If you don't have a Pastor or perhaps don't get on so well with the one you do have (Kevin suggests hugging your Pastor!) that needs a lot of prayers, too. Pastors are people just like us. It touched me when Kevin mentioned how they often don't have others to turn to for support and advice and when they do their confidences are sometimes betrayed. May the Lord also raise up Godly men and women in his church.

I would not feel comfortable hugging my Pastor, or that it would be appropriate, but we can show our thanks, love and appreciation in so many ways. Especially I think they must appreciate some feedback from the messages and studies, when they have devoted so many hours and so much heart to them.

Come on girls! (I think about how a compliment on my dinner makes my whole day worthwhile.)

The Love of the Church

"Brethren must be loved as brethren, as one who belongs to Christ, stamped with the image of God and sealed with His Spirit. Self-love is great in every one of us, and therefore to love the brethren in sincerity is a very difficult thing. Most have their own ends in it, and make a marker of their religion. It is brotherly kindness when we love them out of a respect for their holiness or because of the image of God in them."

Thomas Manton

In 2 John 1 we are told to have love for the church (the elect lady) and her members (her children). In these verses, 2 John 5,6 it speaks of love of the church. This love, one member of the body to another, is a major characteristic of the church.

"Love is the heart of life. God's love is the heart of christian life."

Once again I was challenged to look at the motivations for doing good to one another. Guilt, pity, pride, fear etc are wrong motives, only serving self. Positive motives are gratitude to God for his goodness toward us, acknowledging our unworthiness of all his good gifts, esteeming the other as brethren. As we show our love for one another it should be seeking the glory of God and not to promote ourselves in any way.

Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to live together in unity!

Into The Home Stretch

Despite the already climbing temperatures, which I find hard to cope with, we are excited to be starting the final term of school for 2009. I have been trying to post about bits and pieces that we do each day in our work which deal with the Auditory Processing Delays. I seem to never get to finish such a post.

Most days we work on Maths,a little below age level but where my sons are able to achieve alone. (That's a great boost to be able to work ALONE!) Their English consists of reviewing Phonic sounds, vocabulary words, some grammar and writing, again at the level they can read at. Science and Social Studies are very basic and as many practical activities as possible. I read a lot of General Knowledge type books to them as well as novels, poetry. They also have to read to me each day. Our allotted subsidized Speech Pathology sessions are over for the year but we try to work on the various phonics activities and games suggested there as much as possible. After a couple of years, this has become a repetitive grind for us all. (Trying to keep positive)

This term, our support teachers from Groves Christian College, have sent some new activities which the boys are keen on. One is Signs and Safely. This is a practical workbook which we can follow up in our day to day life. This is something they can do almost entirely on their own, so they are loving it. I have always tried to give the boys the skills they need to function normally, even when they can't read everything around them so this will be great reinforcement.

The other is a comprehension book using all non-fiction pieces. This is helpful, as most of the comprehension they have been doing has of necessity been babyish stories which are of no interest to them. This gives them snippets of useful general knowledge, written at a level they can mostly read and comprehend.

Memorizing and retaining information are areas where delay is most noticeable, especially in details. We do a lot of reading aloud, me to them, covering almost any area which I feel they need to be learning. I really want my lads to be able to converse and understand what others are talking about in general conversation.

Can a non reader really complete their schooling and lead a useful and fulfilling work life? The Lord knows. I pray constantly for patience and wisdom . If I refer too often to it, please forgive, it is very heavy on my heart.

What I know is that they already size up possible future occupations by whether it will require reading.

When S2 was at the hospital the other night, he told me, after the very kind young doctor had walked out of the room, that it would be great to be a doctor. I said that they work very long, hard hours and they have to do a great deal of study to be able to treat patients. He thought that over and said, "University?" I replied " Yes, many years of university." He said no more but his face spoke volumes. :0(

We are continuing with our practical approach and plan a couple of skills days with the dads this term. We are also doing our Lamb's Book of Art session weekly with our small group. Swimming squads training is back on for the Summer, with our regular home school group, and basket ball fixtures with a local club. I'm exhausted just writing about it all!

Apple Crumble

My family gets very excited when we have visitors for dinner. Yes, they love the company but I think the fact that I break out and make dessert is part of the general enjoyment!

Did you all make Apple Crumble in Year 8 Home Economics classes? I remember we used a great little practical recipe book called Day to Day Cookery. My copy has disappeared long since- somewhere in a move? Who knows, but Apple Crumble is simple. I'm sure you know it too but I'll post it anyway,

for Justin.

Apple Crumble

1. Peel and slice 6 green apples.

2. Cover with water. Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar, nutmeg and cinnamon.

3. Stew until just soft.

4. Drain off most of the juice and place in a dessert size baking dish.

5. In a bowl mix approx. half cup plain flour, half cup coconut, half cup brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon.

6. Rub dabs of soft butter through the mixture.

7. Cover the stewed apple with the crumble.

8. Bake in moderate oven until top is golden.

Serve with ice cream/ custard or cream.

"Better a dinner with herbs where love is, then a stalled ox and hatred therewith."

The Law of Kindness

The Law of Kindness

with heart and hands

Mary Beeke

This book of interest to all christian women, seeking to grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, was published by Reformation Heritage Books in 2007. I was a little surprised that it had not reached our circle of ladies as this is just the type of book we love! I would certainly recommend this book, but I can also see that perhaps there is a bit of an overflow of Proberbs 31 and Titus 2 type books circulating at the moment.

The first section examines what kindness is and of greatest importance, our motivations for our kind deeds. Mrs Beeke firmly points the reader to faith in Christ and to doing all to the glory of God. Kindnesses done to ones own glory of course do not serve God, nor earn any merit and she writes well on this.

The second section deals with relationships, Wives, Husbands ( A good chapter by Joel Beeke), teachers, parents. Children and Teens. Mrs Beeke also addresses bullying in this section which of course is a sad reflection on the severity of this problem in our modern society.

The third section is the practical section addressing kindness in our words, thoughts and actions.

Mary Beeke uses scripture extensively. She also uses real life examples of kindness in action. The flip side being the negative effects where kindness is withheld. I found much of the book very thought provoking - for example, that when one uses words to elevate themself (boasting) it is putting others down. Or the wrong in being "neutral", that we should actively seek to be kind, as the Lord has been kind to us.

If you have a book case full of "Women's" books you may find that there is not a lot new being said in this book. However, what is said is valuable, and I will certainly look to share it, particularly with younger women starting out on marriage, child raising and wider opportunities to bless with kindness. Mrs Beeke writes in a gentle and genuine manner which is a pleasure to read.

For interested Aussies I purchased my copy from The Reformers' Bookshop for $23.00 plus postage.

The Heart of the Matter

Thoughts on Modesty

A lot is written on the subject of modesty on christian women's sites. It is an important facet of the christian walk. My thoughts however have been that the actual wearing of certain clothes is fairly easily covered. We must be modest and feminine. Not exposing the body in any way that may cause a brother to stumble, and not attempting to wear clothing to look like a man. (Speaking among women here!)

Phew! Wouldn't that save a heap of debate on dress lengths, hair length, head covering, pants, sleeves, heels, lipstick, etc etc.

You can work that one out yourself with fear and trembling! For what will it profit a girl if she wears all the correct clothes and covers her head, but looses her own soul?

A humble and a contrite heart is well pleasing to God.

Lest I sound judgemental, hear me out. I am sifting through stuff myself, but I don't see hard and fast rules on what we are to wear or forbidden to wear. . What is appropriate for worship particularly, and every day wear might vary from one culture to another, from one generation to another but it must always be modest and feminine.

I do however see clear instructions of what is pleasing to God. A heart submitted to Him.

One of the qualities of the godly woman of Titus 2 is "to be discreet". She is modest, she is one who keeps her own counsel, the heart of her husband safely trust in her, she can be relied upon to keep confidences. "She opens her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness." Proverbs 31:26

The most modestly dressed and pious looking woman can destroy her whole witness if she opens her mouth!

If she lacks that gentle discretion, berates her husband and children, is loud, opinionated, criticises others and continually complains about the lot God has given her in life, she is not modest in heart. "A meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:4

It seems some people have become so strident and opinionated on this matter of women's modesty that all kindness and love for lost souls is lost in a legalistic list of rules, which God himself has not set. If this post seems foreign to you then praise God you do not fellowship with such people. However, if you put great store by the outward appearance but your heart needs attention , then give some thought to these things.

Today, I am thinking mostly that I need to be more concerned with the state of my heart and the souls of those yet outside of Christ, than the height of my heels and whether I colour my hair. Is a stranger, a seeker, welcome when he enters our fellowship, or looked down upon? Does my inward attitude, humility and awareness of how far short I fall reflect in the outward appearances? in the gentleness of my actions?

Head Covering and a Submissive Attitude is something I posted some time ago along this same line. Have a good week all!

ooOoo

I'm thankful for:

*Godly older women who have graciously modelled both outward modesty and inward purity and discretion.

*Younger women eager to learn both doctrine and practice as we journey on this pilgrimage together.

I'm praying for:

*Greater wisdom and grace in my own walk and with dealing with others .

*Unsaved loved ones, whose outward appearance is beautiful but their hearts are not seeking the Lord.

*Charity and kindness toward those I find judgemental and hypocritical in these areas.

All good things come to an end.

The last day of the September school holidays. {sigh}

We've had a wonderful week, which made up for the sickness which marred last week.

It was after 5 pm when S2 ran in screaming in pain. After washing his eye and not getting any relief we decided to whizz him up to the Emergency Room just to be on the safe side.

They took him straight in, anesthetized it and had a good look around. Although very red and painful it looked as though the offending matter had already flushed out.

We were home in about 40 minutes with this impressive eye patch to show for it!

A day of worship and rest tomorrow then back to the regular school week routine. My S1 commented today that it is good to get back to school as there is always something to do. Well, there you go!

You Light up my Life!

Wondering where I've been all week?