Oh my hat!!!!

Like many Aussies and no doubt folk all around the world, we watched the marriage of Prince William and Katherine tonight.  That is, my daughter and I watched a little of it and the men folk of the house hold gave a running critical analysis or whinged about how long, pompous and boring it was!

While shindigs such as this obviously cost an astronomical amount, I read with interest the comments of an Englishman on a Christian board that I read.  He maintained that the monarchy cost them individually very little and that the members worked hard and earned an enormous amount for their country through tourism etc. Here in Australia we have our share of yeas and nay's (for the monarchy)  but most of us seem to enjoy a good wedding.  That is, unless you are a footy fanatic.  Some of my relatives were quite indignant that they had to forgo live coverage of tonight's game for the big event.

I have some thoughts about the suitability of all that fuss when a couple have been co-habiting, the service etc. (the repeated showing on the broadcast of a particularly awful icon) etc. etc.  But when it all boils down I am pleased to see a couple making the commitment to  marriage and wish them all the best.  They seem like lovely young people, happy and relaxed and I loved Kate's dress which was sleeved, feminine and not flashy at all.  Loved the veil, too.

Another  dignified royal beauty
Elizabeth Bowes Lyon
Queen Consort of George VI
Later the Queen Mother\

But what about the mad hatters ??!!
These look as though they are not created by milliners but by sculptors!
How would you like to be seated behind something like that.
Beatrice and Eugenie had to take out the worst offenders award in this category. Two beautiful young ladies who really did not need those gawdy accessories. Their exiting from the car was quite a skillful manoeuvre!












And on another theme entirely

You will have heard of the terrible tornadoes that swept through part of the US yesterday.  Any of my readers over there I hope you are in safe havens.  We send our prayers and sympathy to you.  Kelly from
Generation Cedar has tragically had her house entirely devastated.  Praise God all her family have been spared but apparently they are in one of the worst hit areas.
Lord give them comfort and reassurance of your love and grace at this tragic time.

We Will Remember Them

I can hardly believe that it is Anzac Day already.  My blogging efforts have been minimal this year.  Sometimes as I am busy around the place I do compose a little something in my head (yep, still addicted :-) but either it never gets into draft or by the time I get to the computer it has escaped - my grey matter does not retain so well these days.

What splendid, busy days they are!
All of our family have been "Spring cleaning" here.  Although it is now Autumn it is better late than never.
We seem to have accumulated a LOT of STUFF over twelve years in this house!  Not only have we ditched a heap of hoarded things but gotten rid of old, broken, never likely to be used again items which for some reason in the past have been hard to part with.  Also clothing, stored clothing, maybe one day clothing and I used to fit that clothing!  4 bags at lease to Lifeline.  And books..... not many books have been culled but some, a few.  Many old girlie, horsey books, not much else.\

It is good to have incentive.
It now seems almost certain that my daughter will stay here with us until after her twins arrive and the early months of their lives, Lord willing.  We are very keen for her to do this and she can see the advantages, though she still may go into her own place earlier if the right place comes up.  (She is checking out a house only around the block from us next week.) With only twelve weeks to go, she is getting large and she and her boys are benefiting a lot from the family support.  Anyway, for this reason we have rearranged our sleep out area and she has moved some of her furniture in there in readiness for the arrivals..  I would appreciate prayer for the safe delivery of these twins and for my daughter and family.  She has had a great deal of stress but is coping well and we are very encouraged by her maturity and commitment to her little ones.  Also for my second daughter whose baby is due in October.  Although her situation is much better I still have a heavy heart for her.

Anzac Day 2011

We will attend the Dawn service and the local march.  We will talk about old family wartime stories.  We always  remember and pray for those Australians in areas of conflict at this time.  We will be thankful for the great sacrifice made by those who have given there lives and those who have given their precious loved ones for the sake of peace and safety in our country. We have pledged...

From the going down of the sun and in the morning.....

We will remember them.

LEST WE FORGET

In the absence of any new thoughts I will link to my post from Remembrance Day last year in which I reviewed the book "A Rose for the Anzac Boys" and told a little of my own Grandfather's story from the horrendous years of the Great War.

Vanity of Vanities...

There is no new thing under the sun..

Ganeida reviewed  "The Red Queen" a few months ago and kindly loaned me her copy of "The White Queen" to read. Since then I have read quite a few of these historical novels by Phillipa Gregory.  I am not a history buff, though I do enjoy learning more of history, so I am not going to comment from a factual point of view.

I have vacillated about whether I like these books.  So much scandal, corruption, sex, politics and intrigue.  Hey, that sounds a lot like society today!  This has really struck me - the immorality and lack of ethics in 1500s England.  While the Victorian era heralded a somewhat more austere life style and a turn to family life and morals, the Yorks, Lancasters, Tudors and other great names of the medieval period showed no such restraint.

When discussing  this with a friend, she commented that they were immoral but today people have become amoral.  Hmmm... there is no new thing under the sun.  What makes the 1500s scenario even worse/ sadder is that most people lived  a facade of Christianity and did much of their wickedness under a cloak of "church".  Today, people for the most part, do not pretend to be believers, though sadly many still use the guise of "church" to give some respectability to their wicked behaviour..

If the Lord tarries, one wonders how our own generation will be remembered in historical novels of the future.  While wickedness and ungodly behaviour abounds, perhaps we will be viewed in much the same way as our forefathers.  I pray that the Christians might make a clear and committed stand for the Lord and His ways which is for the glory of God and not for our promotion as so often has been the case.

In these bygone days, many lost their lives defending what they believed was truth and standing against the blatant abuse of power that was wielded over the common people. Whether we agree with their point of view or not, they had the courage of their convictions. Today, many of us are still appalled by similar heresy and ungodly behaviour but do we speak out and make a stand for the truths of God's Word?  Are we lights in a dark world?

Ecclesiastes 1
4One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.

That Little Member

Ephesians 4
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I haven't  posted anything under "Sabbath Thoughts" for a long while now.  It's not that I don't have any thoughts on the Lord's Day any more :-) Getting those thoughts on paper, or onto a post is another matter.  As mentioned previously, our household has expanded and having little guys about once again, has changed the way our days progress, the availability of the computer and my own ability to think in any sort of sensible order!
.
We've had many challenging messages from Ephesians over a year or so now and the end of chapter 4 is no exception.  The putting on of the new man, the new way of life we live as believers.  As we looked at verse 29 this morning, I was struck anew by the great influence we wield as wives and mothers in our homes.  We are the heart and the tone setters for our household.  That little member, the tongue, can bless and caress or it can wound...painfully.

Pastor spoke of the three logical themes from the verse as Eroding, Edifying and Elevating.
Let us purpose this week to never use our words to put some one down, to hurt and to burden.  Rather, let our communication be to lift up and encourage those around us.  Let us minister the gracious love and forgiveness of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and glorify him in all of our dealings, who ever our hearers may be.

With that thought in mind I will re post this little poem, which I have mentioned before, has been around in my family for quite a few years.  Seventy at least.

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.......

One of the joys of babies in the house is that "happy" time in the morning when everyone greets one another on first rising.  I remember it fondly from my own childhood and have tried to give my own family that same bright and cheery start to the day.  Now, with little ones up and raucous in the morning, sometimes quite early, it is challenging us all once again to start the day in a positive way!

And how could one not be cheerful in the morning with this little cutie around?!

Have a wonderful week, all.