Where did January go?

The sun was out in New Zealand, probably for the whole time we were away!
Delicious to come back to.

I was asked to share at church on the persistent widow (Luke 18) last Sunday.  She, the widow, kept bothering the old horrible judge, in her state of desperate need. He hated people and didn't care for God either.  Eventually he gave in to the rambling persistent lady.  Then Jesus reminded the people that the Judge was nothing like God - that God hears his people and that He loves them.   A timely reminder to not give up in prayer (Jesus main focus with this particular parable).  It's a challenge when asked to speak on something specific, you kind of live in the passage you're given and have it change you or remind you of His ways.


We went to see the classes that the girls had been put in for twenty eleven.  Last year we had prayed for Liv to be in a class with some lovely friends.  Joy joy joy when i saw those class lists, some good wee friends that she needed to be with.  Over the last few days i've been able to remind her how we persisted in praying.  The layers in her heart where she's learning about how God cares, will have just been added too again.  Choice bro!


Had an amazing night away in Wellington with these three lucious ones.  We ate, had nails and stuff done, ate some more, dressed up for din dins, relaxed without the kiddies, laughed, cryed, ate again and talked about Him who carries us wherever we are.  

So thankful for January things, so thankful for thoughts of new adventures where we are at.  

We remember the time in Ausi well, the girls don't recall the rain as much as their old ma.  Thank you to J and K for the gift of staying, flying, eating, hanging with them.  Loved the jet-ski ride and aunty shirleys chicken esp!!  


I'm thankful for the road ahead - i was not sure about getting a new job, how i'd do something i hadn't done before (one day a week at our church doing pastoral work overseeing all sorts of stuff!) but my big brother encouraged me that often that's the best person for a job.  

Just a wee quote from Eugene Petersons book ' Running with the horses'.  Nothing to do with what i'm writing but a good quote for me to remember:  

Experienced mountaineers have a quiet, regular, short step – on the level it looks petty; but when this step they keep up, on and on as they ascent, whilst the inexperienced townsman hurries along and soon has to stop, dead beat with the climb …. Such an expert mountaineer, when the thick mists come, halts and camps out under some slight cover brought with him, quietly smoking his pipe and moving on only when the mist has cleared away ….

You want to grow in virtue, to serve God and to love Christ? Well, you will grow in and attain to these things if you will make them a slow and sure, an utterly real, a mountain stepplod and ascent, willing to have to camp for weeks or months in spiritual desolation, darkness and emptiness at diff stages in your march and growth.  All demand for constant light, for ever the best – the best to your own feeling, all attempt at eliminating or minimising the cross and trial, is so much soft folly and puerile trifling.

Baron Friedrich von Hugel


Hope to see you this year in the flesh or via the world wide web. xx

The sun will come out tomorrow .....

  .......  and it truly did.
So much so that we all looked like little red lobsters!  Well the girls red turned immediately to beautiful olive tan and mine still hurts a little. 


We got to zoom around on my brothers jetski at some faraway beach.  He took me right out to where the ocean meets the inlet area we were in and i had the time of my life!


I am so glad the sun is out.  Don't blame it on the sunshine though - too much can be hard work!
Girls spent 4 hours in the pool this morning. They got out for lunch, and then got straight back in basically. they are loving it. K has taught herself to dive, with some adult help.  L is loving the flippers and the fun of bombing into the water.  Go girls! It's just about 8pm and the girls have jumped in for a midnight swim with their uncle jeremy!


I've been thinking over the past few days how great it truly is to be away from the distractions of home and the attention it needs.  I've been able to indulge in reading and other relaxing things that come with holiday.  There are plenty of adults around so there is no lack of help with children.  
I've also noticed how i've felt a little closer to cracking.  Tears or whatever. feelings of vulnerability and the like. I'm wondering if it's the lack of distraction or busy-ness that can cause one to come closer to the surface of their life or closer to themself.  At times i've felt maybe it's the bigger city i'm staying in and feeling like i'm just a little pea out of a big pod. I also think i've felt alone more, not able to share the fun thoughts or hard things with another who knows you so well.  


I love God's timing.  I heard a message on Sunday about Him, the great one.  The Great I Am.  He is. He is God and that's that.  It was much better than those few phrases i've written.  I was also reading something in the book of Luke about how Jesus was coming and how he was the Main character and us being the stagehands.  Something stirred in me about putting God first again, trusting him. Not trying to  rule my life or control my circumstances but allowing Him to be the one that I turn to immediately, trusting or crying out to him.  


I'm asking him to flood me or change me or clean me (all of those things) from the inside-out.  Last year was a good year but i ruled a lot of my life in reflection.  It says in the Bible that my maker cares and loves, forgives and carries.  I am hopeful that this time away, even in the uncomfortable sunny or rainy weather, can boost me toward Him and help me to walk holding his hand, not dragging Him behind as a mere afterthought.


It's time to put the girls in bed.  Precious ones have hardly seen their ma today ....  hoping the sun will come out tomorrow again for me to jump in that pool!