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!