Yesterdays devotional reading from My Utmost For His Highest was a great reminder of what life is really all about. And it made me smile! Was this one just for me?? Can you guess which part? :)
. . . do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on —Matthew 6:25
Jesus summed up commonsense carefulness in the life of a disciple as unbelief. If we have received the Spirit of God, He will squeeze right through our lives, as if to ask, “Now where do I come into this relationship, this vacation you have planned, or these new books you want to read?” And He always presses the point until we learn to make Him our first consideration. Whenever we put other things first, there is confusion.
“. . . do not worry about your life . . . .” Don’t take the pressure of your provision upon yourself. It is not only wrong to worry, it is unbelief; worrying means we do not believe that God can look after the practical details of our lives, and it is never anything but those details that worry us. Have you ever noticed what Jesus said would choke the Word He puts in us? Is it the devil? No— “the cares of this world” (MatthewMatthew 13:22). It is always our little worries. We say, “I will not trust when I cannot see”— and that is where unbelief begins. The only cure for unbelief is obedience to the Spirit.
The greatest word of Jesus to His disciples is abandon.
May 24, 2011
May 22, 2011
May 21, 2011
this weeks library book
While We Were Out by Ho Baek Lee is absolutely gorgeous! Nicholas, Audrey and I had so much fun reading it, and when we finished we read it again. Unfortunately it is out of print, but I have tracked down some second hand copies and plan to accumulate a few to give away. the illustrations are beautiful, and I am always a sucker for well illustrated childrens books.
What happens when the family go away and the pet rabbit is left home alone? Who forgot to close the door?
literary things
Also in the pile is a title that was started a year or so ago, but as often happens, I was distracted by other books and never finished it. In the past week three people have mentioned to me how much they enjoyed People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. So it will have to be next. I have only read one Geraldine Brooks book - a non-fiction piece based on her times working in the Middle East as a foreign correspondent. It is called Nine Parts of Desire and delves into the world of Islamic women. I have bought her books as gifts for people and hear good reviews, so will also have to catch up on March, Year of Wonders and Caleb's Crossing. (Her website is gorgeous by the way...)
Others in this pile are translations from international works. I remember the Housekeeper and the Professor when it was reviewed on First Tuesday Book Club, as the saddest but most tender book read. It is by Japanese author Yoko Ogawa. I think some of the reviews given were from a very Western perspective, so I look forward to reading it. A short novel I don't think it will be daunting. I saw it for a reasonable $10, so figure you can't go wrong.
And an important one - Pride and Prejudice has made it to the pile beside my bed! Having just bought Becoming Jane for $5, I really need to read one of Jane Austen's works!
Another bargain buy was Out Stealing Horses, translated from a Norwegian novel by Per Petterson. Years ago I read Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow, by Danish author Peter Hoeg. I enjoyed this one very much, although it was made into a dismal movie...
Last two in the pile are The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I enjoyed Little House in the Big Woods so much, particularly the family stories of daily life - storing food and curing meat for the winter, celebrating Christmas in the snow and dealing with daily life as pioneers. I am hoping The Long Winter has more of this.
Following a theme developing of sparse spaces is Annie Proulx's book Bird Cloud, about her experiences building a house in a remote part of Wyoming. I read some reviews that weren't overwhelming, mainly due to the minute detail and descriptive nature of the book, but this interview about the book intrigued me, so I hope I get through it! The only novel of Annie Proulx I have read is The Shipping News, which was eventually made into a fine movie. I have been given Accordion Crimes as a gift, but it is one of many that sit on my bookshelf yet to be read. A bit of a recluse, she was recently in Canberra. No surprises, tickets to her reading at the National Portrait gallery went quickly, so I missed that one.
So I am not saying I will read all of these this year, but this is the pile that is currently by my bed, along with a couple on parenting and spiritual growth. These get picked up and a few pages read here and there for inspiration and guidance when needed!
** To keep up the literary theme, later today I need to publish a post about the kids latest library book...
And look at this link Ruth sent me. Could I do an afternoon tea party for me, just so I can relish in the book theme??
May 11, 2011
Remembering
Lately I have been reading Becky Higgins blog. I like how she organises her scrapbooks etc.I want to do a scrapbook of Nicholas' first year of school... hmmm, term 2 already so I'd better make a start!
What has been on my mind though lately is when she spoke about remembering what your children say.
Yesterday morning David and Audrey left for his mum's. I was feeling less inspired to rush around this morning. I hadn't packed lunches or bags the night before so had a fair bit to do. After breakfast I asked Nicholas to get dressed and he simply said "ok mama". Some mornings he is not so keen to go to before school care. By the time I got around to packing bags, making beds etc it was already 10 past 8 - the time Nicholas gets to school the mornings I work.
After having read this a few days ago, I thought, why rush? So we left home later than usual, meaning I would take him straight to class and get a later bus. While walking to school Nicholas enjoyed trying not to step on any cracks in the path. We hold hands. I pulled him along making him have to step quicker to miss the cracks. He laughed and thought it was a great game. He said "you are the best mum!"
When we got to school his friends ran up so he would come and play with them. he stood still so I kissed him goodbye and told him to run along. I was talking to another mum, when he came back and stood with me. I realised it was now 9:00 so took him to his class. Still, he stood with me. He hugged me tightly and then I noticed his eyes were tearing up. He was trying to smile and look happy. I told him to come and sit by me and asked what was wrong. He just hugged me tightly so I reassured him and said I would be there to pick him up from after school care and would bring him a surprise (a puzzle book I had bought). I kissed him and sent him off to sit with a friend. As I looked back when leaving he was still blinking tears away and trying to smile at me.
That evening David was late home with Audrey so Nicholas and I did homework together. We finished reading Fantastic Mr Fox (Nicholas was impressed we had read a book with 82 pages!) and ate dinner. I took the opportunity to ask why he seemed sad at school this morning.
His reply made my heart swell. he said "I just love you so much and was wishing I could stay home with you."
Sometimes I wish that too. Time ticks on so quickly. I read a quote somewhere recently that said with children the days are long and the years are fast. It is so true with little ones.
What has been on my mind though lately is when she spoke about remembering what your children say.
Yesterday morning David and Audrey left for his mum's. I was feeling less inspired to rush around this morning. I hadn't packed lunches or bags the night before so had a fair bit to do. After breakfast I asked Nicholas to get dressed and he simply said "ok mama". Some mornings he is not so keen to go to before school care. By the time I got around to packing bags, making beds etc it was already 10 past 8 - the time Nicholas gets to school the mornings I work.
After having read this a few days ago, I thought, why rush? So we left home later than usual, meaning I would take him straight to class and get a later bus. While walking to school Nicholas enjoyed trying not to step on any cracks in the path. We hold hands. I pulled him along making him have to step quicker to miss the cracks. He laughed and thought it was a great game. He said "you are the best mum!"
When we got to school his friends ran up so he would come and play with them. he stood still so I kissed him goodbye and told him to run along. I was talking to another mum, when he came back and stood with me. I realised it was now 9:00 so took him to his class. Still, he stood with me. He hugged me tightly and then I noticed his eyes were tearing up. He was trying to smile and look happy. I told him to come and sit by me and asked what was wrong. He just hugged me tightly so I reassured him and said I would be there to pick him up from after school care and would bring him a surprise (a puzzle book I had bought). I kissed him and sent him off to sit with a friend. As I looked back when leaving he was still blinking tears away and trying to smile at me.
That evening David was late home with Audrey so Nicholas and I did homework together. We finished reading Fantastic Mr Fox (Nicholas was impressed we had read a book with 82 pages!) and ate dinner. I took the opportunity to ask why he seemed sad at school this morning.
His reply made my heart swell. he said "I just love you so much and was wishing I could stay home with you."
* picture of Nicholas' day bushwalking with his pop last week
May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day
To ALL the mums I know!
I was woken this morning to beautiful cooked breakfast, lovingly made by David and Nicholas and to Audrey proudly yelling "Happy Birthday!" The table was set with a table cloth and our best china. There isn't a better start to the day. I wish breakfast could always be a civilised sit down affair!
I was woken this morning to beautiful cooked breakfast, lovingly made by David and Nicholas and to Audrey proudly yelling "Happy Birthday!" The table was set with a table cloth and our best china. There isn't a better start to the day. I wish breakfast could always be a civilised sit down affair!We then went to church for another loving and a little teary Mothers Day service. Mum and dad kindly hosted us for a lunch of toasted sandwiches before heading off for a family afternoon tea. It was nice to all be together (minus Dave though who is still in the last days of study).
I am now the owner of the softest most glorious dressing gown, new pyjamas and slippers. I think that is what Mother's Day should always be.
On a final note, I am mindful of the responsibilities of motherhood, and like these Grace Prayers for Joyful Parenting. I have printed off this sheet and stuck it on our make-do notice board - the pantry cupboard. They are each so meaningful. Your can read the whole post here. 
May 6, 2011
Planning
It is exciting to have a new project to turn my mind to. During the semester break David is going to make Audrey a bed. Her first "big" bed. We are lucky that the cot he originally made for Nicholas is so big. She is almost 3 1/2 and she is sleeping in it. Most nights however she climbs out of it and comes to our room.
This gives me the opportunity (excuse, really) to pour over magazines and blogs looking for the style that I want. I have a folder of pictures I have collected from magazines or the internet, organised into rooms. Most of the pictures I have collected of girls rooms seem to have iron beds, but I think I have found the timber one I like.
Soon we will farewell the cot. :(
My question however, is the bedspread. I can't put my finger on the style I want, but I want it to be subtle. Maybe cream with a small floral print?? If anyone has any suggestions I am open!!
On something unrelated, on Easter Sunday morning we had a sit down, special breakfast together. Rather than the grab your weet-bix and run to get dressed breakfast. I thought I'd share the recipe as it is SO yummy, and decedent. I love a good French toast... Nicholas and Audrey slept at mum and dad's the next night, so David and I indulged again. :)
French Toast
Place 2 eggs in a bowl with 1/2 cup pouring cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla paste and 2 tablespoons caster sugar. Whisk until smooth. Dip 4 slices baguette or fruit loaf into the egg mixture. Heat 30g unsalted butter in a non-stick frying pan and cook the bread for 1-2 minutes each side or until golden. Serve with maple syrup. (serves 2) thank you Donna Hay
This gives me the opportunity (excuse, really) to pour over magazines and blogs looking for the style that I want. I have a folder of pictures I have collected from magazines or the internet, organised into rooms. Most of the pictures I have collected of girls rooms seem to have iron beds, but I think I have found the timber one I like.
My question however, is the bedspread. I can't put my finger on the style I want, but I want it to be subtle. Maybe cream with a small floral print?? If anyone has any suggestions I am open!!
On something unrelated, on Easter Sunday morning we had a sit down, special breakfast together. Rather than the grab your weet-bix and run to get dressed breakfast. I thought I'd share the recipe as it is SO yummy, and decedent. I love a good French toast... Nicholas and Audrey slept at mum and dad's the next night, so David and I indulged again. :)
French Toast
Place 2 eggs in a bowl with 1/2 cup pouring cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla paste and 2 tablespoons caster sugar. Whisk until smooth. Dip 4 slices baguette or fruit loaf into the egg mixture. Heat 30g unsalted butter in a non-stick frying pan and cook the bread for 1-2 minutes each side or until golden. Serve with maple syrup. (serves 2) thank you Donna Hay
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