I’m just in that comfortable space between finishing outstanding assessments and the release of my next subjects – a feeling of freedom and ease.
…of course, I sent off the last assessment past midnight last night, so it may just be tiredness! 🙂
I’ve been reading this book – I saw it in a catalogue and found it at the library. It was hard to get into at first – the language is a bit “flowery” – and I’m still not totally sold, but I’ve persevered. It’s basically about recognising and counting God’s gifts in each day, even in the midst of pain and grief, everyday sameness and boredom – the minutiae of life.
There’s always a gift in each day. It can take time and effort to “catch” them, but it changes us when we accept and name them… even if it feels like betraying the grief sometimes.
I’m thankful for the gift of my life today. For little yellow butterflies dancing around each other in the garden, and for old TV shows I can share with my Sweet Bean and have a giggle over together.
And I’m thankful for a break in the study time and the chance for a cup of coffee and music this morning. 🙂
Ever have one of those weeks that veer between “I feel the world is out of control and can I just punch something/one?” and “All is right with the world – I shall now randomly sing”? I’ve sort of had a week like that…
First – here’s a heart I found in the car park at the markets I went to yesterday.
🙂
It’s the first time I’ve made it to the Rocklea Markets for months now. We brought back pastries for breakfast – we had to get back in time to get to a book sale…
Rhubarb crumble brioche, and sour cherry and coconut. Yum!
This week I’ve been trying to finish an assessment – everything I searched for, every book I read, I just couldn’t find the answers I was looking for. I think I’ve finally figured it out, but I felt hopeless for most of the week…
Also this week – Hubby went for a job – his first interview for around five years. It didn’t go well, but because of a good phone interview the week before, he’ll be in the second intake of trainees. It’s commission only, but the best offer we’ve had for years…
The world goes on, and in our little corner it may all change soon!
We went out for coffee to celebrate 🙂
There’ll apparently be travel involved 😉
A very chocolatey brownie and a pineapple/coconut muffin with lime infused icing…
We’re back from holiday – actually, we’ve been back since last Wednesday, but various things have prevented me from posting…
School’s back, and we’re settling in to everyday life again.
We went to Caloundra for ten days – it’s quiet (and a lot cheaper) when the schools go back. We were quite close to the beach – here’s the view from our verandah –
Here’s the view inside the unit –
(The bedding is ours)
The place was nice – there were some little issues, but the view was gorgeous, the location was good, and we really enjoyed that sofa!
Every breakfast time was spent looking at the sea. There were some huge mugs to set the mood…
…Biggest Boy colour coded his breakfast.
Healthwise I had some days where I couldn’t leave the unit, but by the time my birthday came around I was coping, and we went to Maleny for the day. By the time our ten days was nearly over I was able to go down and walk along the beach, and I’ve been feeling quite energetic since we got back!
I treated myself to a haircut for my birthday, so it’s quite short now. Takes some getting used to! I spent most evenings on the verandah, listening to music and the sea. I was also able to watch the sunrise on one of the mornings –
So calming, and so easy to spend time in prayer.
We had time to recharge, but it was great to come home – ready for a fresh year…
I was given some roses at church yesterday, for my birthday – here they are!
The week between Christmas and New Year tends to be a quiet week for us. Life does tend to intrude… you can’t hide away from pain and tragedy. You can still your heart and focus on God. It’s been a time to take a breath – to “reset” from the hurtling months, slowing into the year’s change. It’s odd, really. Just another day. But tomorrow marks a fresh year, so somehow it seems significant.
I was listening to some songs this morning, and felt these spoke to the past year, and walking on into the future…
The gates of 2017 are about to open…
Let the King of Glory enter into your year!
While finding those, I also found this. It’s an old song, but still good! I love finding new songs, and have listened to some great ones over Christmas. Sometimes, the old favourites give a bit more comfort.
One of my favourite carols is “O Holy NIght”. There are variations on the lyrics, but here’s one version…
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of our dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O’er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wise men from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
Of course, there’s prophecies that speak of the coming Hope. Just the thing to meditate on if your year has been less than wonderful…
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)
We may not feel that “thrill of hope”, certainly not every day… Hope still exists, and He is always available!
We have had a sweet, joyous Christmas Day so far 🙂 We still do the stocking presents on our bed first thing in the morning, even though we have two teenagers in the house now. They’re still excited… Then it’s breakfast time and the opening of the tree presents after.
My primary love language is gifts – so is Littlest Bean’s, I believe. That means we love receiving gifts 😉 , but also giving them. It’s just as much fun watching everyone else opening their gifts and seeing their reactions!
I had a bad day, health-wise, yesterday (had to miss the Christmas Eve service) and today was shaping up to be similar. Thankfully, I’ve been able to take it a bit easy. There’s something a bit decadent about reading in bed, with chocolate and coffee at my side!
I have many gifts – not just the tangible ones. I am truly blessed. Today is another opportunity to look again at where my blessing comes from, and meditate on Hope. ❤
One week till Christmas! (Well, Christmas Eve…) After a week of illness, I’ve finally finished the assessments that I wanted to get done before Christmas – although there’s always more to do. I’ll definitely take the week off between Christmas and New Year.
Here’s a flower…
It’s a lone flower in a garden down the road. A bit like I feel… older than it used to be, a bit tattered round the edges, but still with its face toward the sun. At least the petals haven’t dropped off!
Here’s some more flowers I came across in our complex – small, but sweet. The white ones smell sweet, too. There’s always something beautiful to contemplate, even if its easy to miss.
Today we finally put our Christmas tree up. We didn’t think we’d get it done till next week, but Little Bean came back early from his week away, working at a friend’s farm. He seemed to come back a bit taller, tanner and with a deeper voice…
We had a lovely excited family time hanging the ornaments on the tree. I’m glad we still do it as a family, even though the boys are a lot older now.
a bit of creativity, a bit of eco consciousness, a bit of inspiration.... hopefully not a lot of pompousness and blathering :D
i'm not entirely sure what's going on here... let's travel along and see...
1000 Fields of Roses 