Back to the Grindstone.

Today is the first day back to Term 2 for my 3 girls. The two younger ones are in primary school and my older girl is year 8 in high school. Their ages are Laura, 7 (nearly 8). Kathryn 9 (nearly 10) and Genevieve who is 13.
All of them are very different in the way they express their creativity, opinions and in the way show their love for Jesus. Yet they are all amazing in their own unique way.
I see in Genevieve this beautiful quality of a mixture of joy, love, fashion, compassion. She inspires me to be the best woman I can be. She really has well defined ideas for her future and is very goal orientated. Sometimes I think she is more like 17 and other times I see she is just like 12.
Kathryn is  a very peaceful individual, she loves music and literature. She is finding it the hardest out of the girls to adjust to a new school. Although she is quieter, she is also friendly, and very pretty, like Audrey Hepburn. She loves Jesus, we have been having a little devotion in the car every morning before she goes into school.
Laura, is having a blast! She has made friends with everyone in the class! (Grade 2)She had a sticker system the first week she was there where she handed out stickers at lunch time if you could make it through the morning without swearing. She is not a goody two shoes though. She is really good fun, loves animals, and is probably a little bit of a hippy. Out of the girls, she has informed me that she is 'not religious'. I think that means all the church type stuff doesn't appeal to her, but she loves Jesus, just not church. Out of the mouths of babes. She certainly challenges the status quo of 'church' life that is for sure. But she is genuine in her love and care for some of the most unlovely people in our society. Some of whom fellowship in our church from time to time.
Due to 2 job losses in 2009, we had to move the girls from a private Christian School to a state school. It was a very difficult thing to have to do. I was fearful of how the girls would 'turn out'. Would they follow the rest of the kids at the school and turn into the monsters I pictured that their classmates would be. I had misjudged the children and teachers and staff at the state school and my fears were unfounded.
Now they are not angels I can assure you of that. Since helping out in the reading groups I actually have grown quite fond of the kids. They come from all walks of life Some are funny, cheeky, some are really smart and others are struggling, unable to read a fairly simple book in year 5. They all need to experience love, friendship, guidance, respect. To know that there are safe boundaries, and that they have a second chance when they cross them.
The principal is a no nonsense sort of guy and I like that. He likes the kids and doesn't take one bit of nonsense from them either. Neither do the teachers. I have noticed, over the course of time, that some teachers definitely do not like children, and shouldn't be teaching them. I am not saying that about the teachers at this school, it is just an observation I have made generally speaking. I hate to see them (the teachers) short changing themselves and our children by persisting to stay in education.
I am blessed by getting to gradually meet the mums in both the high school and the primary. I love living in the same community as them, within walking distance even. It is a wonderful privilege to have them in my home and to meet the kids and their brothers and sisters.
We moved into this area 18 months ago with a specific goal in mind. That was to  co labor with Jesus to make disciples in this area . To be like missionaries in this suburb and to get down and be real with our neighbours. When I look back, that couldn't have happened in our exclusive little christian experience that we where all having. It was extremely comfortable, but unfruitful.
My heartfelt desire is for  Jesus to  move into this suburb BIG TIME. To send poverty, shame, grief and sin packing and to establish families that have renewed hope. I have been so blessed since living here. I can't explain in words why.

This is a poem I found, written by an unknown Confederate Soldier. Maybe it is familiar to you? But it sums up beautifully how I thought the Lord would work in our lives, and how he actually has. 

I asked for strength that I might achieve;

I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health that I might do greater things;

I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.....

I got nothing that I asked for, but everything that I hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered, 

I am, among all men, richly blessed.........

Go and have yourselves a gorgeous day!

Easter Holidays with the Children

At the moment I am enjoying having my children home from school for a little 10 day Easter break. I have 3 girls at school and one son who is 24 and at Bible College.
We have had a wonderful time over the 3 main Easter days visiting Easterfest. Easterfest is a Christian Gospel music festival. It was such a great time. I have energy issues, due to women's health and kidney stuff. It helps having a husband who is more than willing to to and fro with the girls to various things.
One very exciting thing that happened is about Teen Missions International. Our daughter Genevieve has signed up to do a Teen Mission during the 6 week school holidays at Christmas time to Thailand at an orphanage in the north. She is so excited. I know that we will all have a lot to do to support her to get there, spend 6 weeks away from her family for the first time in her life,but I love the spirit of young people. That coupled together with the Holy Spirit is an amazing combination.
Our other littler girls, enjoyed catching up with their friends. All the rides, concerts and face painting, sock puppet making and Easter egg hunts.
The next exciting thing that happened a couple of weeks ago is that one of our cats Ruby Rose, a beautiful tortoiseshell pussy had 4 gorgeous little kitties. So this holiday we are having the best fun playing with and watching them grow. Next week they will be ready to go to their forever homes.
To top the holidays off, before the girls return to school next week, is it's my birthday tomorrow. My girlfriend Beth is having a (surprise) morning tea on Friday for Ruth (another girlfriend who shares my birthday) and myself.
Looking forward to a fabulous week, filled with fam, friends and fun.

Getting my home in order.

What a work in progress! The other day I tackled the Tupperware cupboard. Today I am going to tackle two large linen cupboards that I have. One, in my laundry room caters for all the things in my kitchen and dining area, plus table runners and doilies for throughout my home. The other, in my hallway, holds all our bathroom and bedroom linens. Bath mats, towels, hand towels and face washers, as well as the single bed sheets. My downstairs linen cupboard, which is a job for another day houses all my sheets, quilt covers etc.
Sounds pretty grand, doesn't it? Well, it's not, it's just spacious.
Now, I am not going to tell you all how I am going to clean my linen cupboards. That is a no brainer. Just put the same kind of things together, and don't get too hung up about it. Sometimes a washer might get mixed up with some towels. No worries. Think of the lovely surprise some one is going to get when they pull that out.  They might have had a boring day at work, and, well, you have just made their day.
So when you get that job crossed off the list you can make yourself a cuppa and think of the next thing to do.
I just want to share with you and easy recipe that I make which is really popular, quick and yummy.
We call it Weet Bix slice. It is made from weet bix which is a breakfast cereal. You can google it if you need to see what Weet Bix is.

Weet Bix Slice.

3 Weet Bix(crunched up) ; 1 cup SR Flour; 1 cup Coconut; 3/4 cup brown sugar (firmly packed) . All together in a bowl. 

Add 125.g. butter (melted) Mix together. Press into a greased lamington pan and cook in a moderate oven for 15 minutes. (You can do 20, but it goes too hard).
The other thing I add is choc chips or any other thing that your family likes. If I am going to the trouble of making something  yummy, I never try to spoil it with something healthy. ;-)

When it is cooked and cooled I ice the slice with Chocolate Icing and sprinkle with coconut.

This is just so easy, I can do it in my sleep. I really mean that. I don't sleep very well, maybe only two or three hours and I am always exhausted, so I often make it at 2 or 3 in the morning when I can't sleep.
 I hope everyone has a beautiful Easter. Remember Him. He has purchased for us Relationship with our Creator, Freedom to grow and develop as His child, Forgiveness, Mercy and Grace. Amen.

Breathe.

I have really noticed since Christmas past that 'things' have gotten very expensive. We have always managed fairly well on one income, but between then and now some invisible bubble has burst and we are straining to make ends meet. This is not just in our family, but other homemakers like myself  are feeling the pinch as well.  Things are still extremely tight. Frugal websites and blogs are popping up all over the web. Families doing things leaner and many suffering genuine hardship.
Victorian images embellish pages, prettily displaying faithful homemakers demonstrating the domestic arts. Making things by hand, or from scratch, the return to simple living again is much on the mind of many women fighting for the home and the family. Many women are 'rising while it is yet night' to prepare the bread or some other meal for the next day despite the fact that modern appliances take all the hard work out of doing everything.
As pretty as those Victorian images are and as romantic as the domestic engineer is represented we most certainly do not live in that era, nor would I have wanted to. We have come to have a certain view of what a Christian homemaker looks like, who she is, who she isn't, and like everything else, we have turned it into a fashion statement and aspire to meet the criteria adhered to by some who have 'got it all together'. To cover or not? What style of  modest clothing is acceptable? Will I be accepted?
I have found many of these blogs to be very encouraging and helpful in my call as the keeper of our home here in Toowoomba. They have not been afraid to address difficult topics and have approached those topics with a scholarly and biblical approach, but with some I would ere on the side of caution and others would not even consider.
If you are heavy burdened, weighed down or feel suffocated reading some of the information on web sites, close the page, open your Bible and read what the Creator tells you about how to live your life. Read its words, love your husband, laugh with your kids, please, just don't get stitched up trying to have the perfect house and the best behaved kids. LOVE THEM, HAVE FUN WITH THEM, LIVE WITH THEM. Mess up sometimes. Then you can all do the family thing and clean the place up.
Economic trends peak and ebb, but Our Lord is ever faithful to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose. The Christian life simply put should be about Christ. He encouraged us every step of the way to trust in Him, to follow Him, to worship Him. See, I don't really identify frugality with Jesus Christ. He talks about things being pressed down and overflowing, has gone to prepare a mansion for us, so I don't think God is stingy. Just take a look at His creation, and it is beautiful and bountiful, except if you're in the desert, but even then there is an oasis. You just have to find it.
I urge you, please, check today, examine yourself, follow your Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let Him be your guide in raising your family. Don't march to somebody else's drum, when it comes to your family.
As the Last Days rush in, I believe it is going to be more difficult to follow the Lord, and for those who listen to the Spirit concerning home and family, it will become more difficult to finance a one income situation for the lie that more money is mightier. Nothing can replace a peaceful atmosphere in the home, Nothing, no after school programs, vacation care, day care, can replace a committed, prayerful mother dedicated to raising a loving, godly family.

Sausages for Dinner

I have been thinking what to have for dinner tonight, since it's Thursday and not much in the larder until I shop again next Monday. Did find some very frozen sausages that I am thawing out now to have with some vegies and gravy but made in a hotpot kind of way.
Having a lovely day at home today. Enjoying the company of all my animals. Went to my littlest sugar pea's class for reading today, and enjoyed having her in my group, (showing off a little as well, tee hee).
Since I have last been on here, I planted some little lettuces in one of my tubs in the garden. Hope they grow. I just love lettuce, and particularly that variety. Slowly getting things in a vegie garden when my energy allows me.
It is a gorgeous autumn day here in Toowoomba. The temperature is about 22 degrees Celsius and there is a gentle breeze outside. This is my favourite time of year, and I love winter too.
Having a lovely time each morning with my girls. We are managing to have a short family devotion with dad before school in the morning. Trying to keep getting up a little earlier so that there is no usual morning rush and it can continue.
The beginning of this year has been a challenge and I will blog about that at a later time. but I am finding it a real challenge to function as a sahm now more than ever. I believe the Lord put on my heart, that, as the end times draw near, it isn't going to get any easier to follow him and his word. That is our challenge I suppose. To live in this world,  but not take it on and not take on the worries and fears that it threatens us with, but to trust Jesus, with everything we have.

"Father, I pray today that you would strengthen us. First in our faith, secondly in our hearts and minds that we would continue to walk this narrow path of following you into our heavenly city. They we wouldn't grow weary in serving you, but count it all as joy until your son's return. In Jesus name. Amen"

A Lovely Surprise!

I am surprised every day at the way that God chooses to work his beautiful weave into our ordinary little lives.
It is amazing that I can never predict how he will do this. I will explain myself more fully.
The week of Christmas, I had a phone call from my brother in another state, whom I rarely hear from. He needed to come and stay with our family for an unspecified period of time.  He is not a christian and has, in the past, ridiculed our faith and our simple lifestyle. So.........I was assuming he was fairly desperate!!!!
My husband said to him on the phone that we would love to see him and that yes he could stay with us for as long as he needed too. This was another indication to me that may be this was from the great I AM as it is unusual for him to agree so readily to something like that.
I cannot say how much we have been blessed with his being with us. We have rejoiced in the experience of getting to love him and his beautiful German shepherd dog. Our daughters, who only had ever a couple of interactions with him prior to this, have welcomed him into our family and love their uncle living with us.
We have a granny type flat downstairs, so that has proven to be a great resource for us to be able to serve him at this time, and for as long as the Lord wills for him to stay with us.
It has exposed him to living with a Christian family and to fellow shipping with Christians; something he has never done in his life before. I give thanks for my brothers and sisters in Christ, who have been the model of God's graciousness, and a powerful witness to him.
The funny thing is that, God has moved in our family and used us in a way that I never supposed to be textbook "Christian" or God. Yet, it has given us the opportunity to really serve, never knowing what the reason or outcome will be. Just being happy to water any seed that He cares to plant.
Praise you Lord, your love and mercy towards us is so precious. Help me to be worthy Lord, of your calling and the ministry of this family in the life of my brother and others Lord that you are bringing across our path. Find in us Lord, a faithful heart. In Jesus name, AMEN.

What Am I Up to Today.

Well, for me, the day is already well underway. I have washed those sheets that I was supposed to wash yesterday. Left it too late.
I have to get cooking today. Tonight is family group at the park with our church. During school holidays we meet at the park instead of each others homes. We have had some beautiful nights there, both with the weather, and the company.
I want to bake some bickies today, and I am going to do a potato bake for this evening and a dessert, not sure which one yet.
For lunch, I am going for the delicious salad sandwiches that we had yesterday, and some ice cold cordial.
Washing machine needs fixing so I have to call someone about that.
Sleep Apnea Clinic still has a 3 year waiting list. Good thing though is I am number 3 on the 2008 list. Who's complaining????????????