A full house – a house full of dreams

Last night we hosted a Royal Wedding Braii (I should have called it the post-wedding party) I started off with a handful of friends, then I went on facebook and invited some more, then I went through my text messages and invited some more and then my email contacts. Fourty people popped in on us. It was a lovely atmosphere, and there were such a lot of lovely conversations. Early in the evening I was really busy making sure the tables were laid, that everyone had a drink, that there was enough food to go round (there was, almost…….!) that the children were happy, that all of my friends were introduced to each other.

What I was most delighted by was that each person there was so unique. Each with their very own personality, and individual call. There was a lot of destiny in our home last night (there’s still some here!). After talking to inspirational friends last night, and friends in general, it really does seem like there are a lot of people in preparation stage. Almost waiting in the wings for their BIG entry.

Psalm 139 [Amplified]:

¹³For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well.

¹⁵My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret [and] intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery].

Yes, I know this part! We are formed by God, knitted together, never hidden from God as we were stitched/embroidered with various colour – colour: The uniqueness of character and individuality.

¹⁶Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.

The book of my life was written before I had taken shape.  For years I have known about this book of life for my life. I was amazed when I first read and understood it. I know God has ordained my days, and like I’ve said before, if I go off course (by using my free will) the most precious and graceful Father will redirect my steps to come into alignment with this book. Imagine your Dad hoping that you would succeed in life, and you made choices that led to failure. Perhaps ‘dad’ would have made opportunity for you to come home, to be recovered and to live a life of success. If you didn’t take that opportunity, don’t you think there would be another opportunity, and perhaps another? As I reread this, I have almost paraphrased the parable of the Lost Son.

¹⁷How precious and weighty also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!^(E)

¹⁸If I could count them, they would be more in number than the sand. When I awoke, [could I count to the end] I would still be with You.

In our home last night we had managers, designers, architects, manufacturers, child-minders, mums, graphic designers, dads, teachers, cake-makers, social workers, jewellry designers, business people, armoured car fitters, missionaries, youth workers, web designers and a doctor.  The teenagers who were here also have big dreams too: one wants to work for pixar, another already has a web design business, another a budding photographer. And I never got round to finding out what the 2 and 3 year olds dream of – must have another meet to ask them!

Not only were people’s professions important (look at how varied our group of friends are). But there was a real depth of personal qualities – people who care, love, share, encourage, look after, inspire, have wisdom, intelligence and so much more.  If I really did count them, they would outnumber the sand!

As I stood in the kitchen with the girls who wanted to load the dishwasher (THANKS A MILLION ) we chatted about where we are headed in life. What God has instore for us. And although everyone I spoke to was content in their life right now, there was an underlying sense of ‘there must be something more’. Not at all in a negative way – but in a way that gives thanks to God for what He has done, and waits for that page to be turned in the book of your life.  I know my page was turned recently, it was more like a new chapter and I am delighted with the new season I am in. It is easy to become frustrated with your present situation, as you wait. But be like those in my home last night – getting ready but content!

With a heart that is thankful for precious friendships A xox

Just another day?

I am becoming increasingly aware that each day is becoming months, each month a season and each season a year. And then there’s a decade. Maybe because Ryan and I will soon be together for a decade. And that I can count. I already have passed the ten year reunion from Secondary School. And the ten year reunion from College. Not yet though for University.

Or maybe it is because I can see how quickly life goes past. Watching my baby grow inside of my tummy, watching her look at me after she was passed to me when she was first born. Counting her life in days. Then weeks, months and now years. Her favourite thing to do when introducing herself is say “My name is Bethie and I’m four – aren’t I mummy?’ She does this with a cute look in her eye and twizzles her blonde ringlets around her finger. Yes, she will melt your heart. She melted mine in the first second I met her. That second will never be forgotten.

Now, seeing Benjamin when he was first born was equally amazing but totally different. I had a water birth and I got to hold him first. I remember seeing his little tiny face and the gush of emotions as I whispered ‘I love you Benjamin’. Those hours that I held him turned to days and then weeks. And what? Then he was one year old. And now he is my almost one and a half year old. 16 months of boisterous, gorgeous, bustling with energy and a cheeky – oh so cheeky smile.

The thing I love most about them growing up is getting to know them. So although having life on pause for a new born where you can cuddle them all the time. WAIT… no you don’t: you wake up every hour to feed them, they cry a lot, they sleep a lot in the day and that’s when you cuddle them! Oh and you burp them I know. So glamourous.

But now Beth has her character and Ben is developing his – or was it always there and now they can express themselves more we see more of who they are. More of who they are created to be? I know that you could totally shut their precious characters down. You could ignore the life within them. Yes they want to get into everything, and safely they can. They can explore. They can figure things out. But with me around! I want to be the kind of Mum who allows them to find things out, in a safe way, where I am there to help them when they ask or when it looks crazy. I want them to develop their characters fully, I want to see what God has placed within them and to nurture their call and allow them to step into destiny. Just as I was.

So no. It’s not just another day at all. Is it? Today is important. Who will we meet? What will happen? I know that each day is ordained for me. But I have to take opportunities given to me. Like yesterday. I went out for the WHOLE morning First stop the village slim club…. Met a lovely, lovely lady with a boy similar aged to Ben. If I hadn’t gone there- I wouldn’t have met her (obvious). If I hadn’t commented on how lovely her son was (also obvious) I wouldn’t have started talking to her. If we hadn’t gotten into a deeper conversation, it would have ended there. I am always amazed at the way people enter your life at certain seasons, on ‘just a normal’ day. I want to pay attention to the details that have been etched into my day even before I know about them.

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].

Thankfulness day 3: done 50 thanks so far

1. My blog:writing has enabled me to get my thoughts laid out clearer and to catalogue events
2. My journals, started me off with my writing…..
3. My calendar – reminds me of what to do
4. My iphone.
5. Friends who call with blessings
6. Friends who call
7. Friends who text
8. Actually the 2 friends who texted me yesterday asking if they could help in any way…….. THANKFUL FOR YOU xoxoxoxoxxooxoxoxoxxoxoxoxoxooxoxxo I think they already knew in my reply: but you girls read this! xo
9. Ebay. I love the way my junk makes money.
10. Money. I love the way it stretches so far. And by some kind of divine power(!) there is always enough.
11. The internet. I love browsing, researching, reading, youtubing etc.
12. Books (novels). I love the way you can get totally drawn into a new book. And before you know it. It’s finished.
13. Books (Inspirational). I love the way they can take you on a journey and you can develop yourself by reading them
14. Children’s books – now my children are older they love to come and share a story. I waited for ages for Beth to ask ‘Can you read this to me?’ and my answer is always ‘yes’. Ben isn’t too keen on sitting still yet!
15. Magazines. I was given the subscription to Home and Garden for my birthday from Ryan, and I love the glossy covers, the smell of the fresh pages. The designs……

That takes us to 65. The children are waking so I will go get ready for my day. My wonderful day: We have a Princess Party to dress for

May you find beauty in the mundane, and treasure in the normal routine. A xox

Wide eyed in the dark night.

So. it’s midnight. Apparently, there is a big scary monster in the house and for that reason Bethany needs to come in my bed. We prayed. The monster fear was gone. I tucked my princess into bed, and lay there.  Couldn’t sleep. Soon enough it was 1am. Ben was crying. Ryan went to him. I went to him. He cried some more. I went back. Ryan went back. Now it’s 2am. Couldn’t sleep.

I start thinking of all the jobs I have to do tomorrow (which is now today)

* Clean * Laundry * Iron * Bake 50 cupcakes (for sale, not for me to gobble up) * Buy things * Check my ebay for what has sold * Feed the rabbit * Find the rabbit * Prepare for the wedding address for my sister’s wedding.

Then I begin think of opportunities I have been given.

Have I taken every opportunity I have been presented with? Would I always say yes and take a chance to succeed. Succeed? I love that is the way we think. First option is success. Not in a proud, boastful way. But in a thank you God for everything you present to me, if I’m given an opportunity it must be to stretch me in a way  that I couldn’t otherwise do by just going about my normal every day life. Not that I think every day is normal. No day is ever the same. EVER. This week is conference week. For me that means being home alone from tues-sun. Usually (well. last year) I would have been freaking out. This year, I am different. I can’t exactly work it out. I am more peaceful. I am more settled. I am more confident that I can cope. Ha. And this year I have 2 children!

I started to worry that I wouldn’t cope this morning. I worried that I would get upset with the children. That I would miss Ryan. That my family would be too busy. I prayed. Silently. As I brushed my teeth. ‘Help me find peace, please’. I know. Short and Sweet?! But it was answered. I checked my fb and I had a friend from Canada write me asking to meet for lunch. Ahhh. What a beautiful opportunity! I said yes. And this week will be wonderful, I will succeed, my children will have fun with me. I will love. x