Simply Gorgeous

Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.

These were a thank you from one of the beautiful and one of the most humble families that Loving Arms has helped. We don't usually get gifts ....in fact I don't think we ever have in the whole time we have been operating. Although everyone we help is at least on some level thankful...most are very much so. Sometimes I guess I lose the momentousness of what it means to be on the receiving end of the help we give. Today not only did the Loving Arms team get the opportunity at telling our story on camera but I got the chance to catch up with one of our past mums and see her wee boy.

She's has done remarkably well for herself and for her wee man. I am so proud of her. She told me how much it meant to her and her family that we helped her to the extent we did...how much pressure it took off them. Its connections like those and stories like that that will stay with me forever and that I will hold on to when times are tough. Loving Arms started as a God given prompting, to help one mum. Its was birthed during a very dark and extremely difficult time of our lives for our family. I remember how much it impacted me to be able to help this one mum...how much joy and satisfaction...how much blessing I got out of it.

Isaiah 58:7-12...is one of my all-time favorite passages in the bible and I believe that this time is a clear illustration of it.

"Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house - when you see the naked that you cover him.... Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose water never fail."

We are never going to be fully healed, and perfect.

God is real. His love for us is real. And his Word has stood the test of time in my life, time and time again and it will continue to do so. God is Good!

Six Months Today

Charlie Grace 6 months old today and has her Christmas outfit all sorted...!

Guys if this doesn't make you feel at least a wee bit Christmassy then I don't know what will!

She seems to be rocketing through her first year at lightning speed.... slow down already. I can't imagine life without her as she has just slotted on in like she's always been here. She is very well loved by everyone that she meets.... her squishy-ness quite possibly has a lot to do with that.

Charlie Grace

Lover of snuggles and nighttime drinks, food and sitting with her toys, bath time and her jolly jumper. Loves to give sloppy kisses and one-toothed grins.

Dislikes being in the car too much, sweet food and sudden loud noises.

Full of joyful faces, da-da-da, chunky rolls, and quiet and contemplative chilled moments.

Growing out of size 1 clothes and into 1 1/2s. These 6 months has been full of huge changes for us as a family and for me personally. Our family looks different now and certainly feels different. I am slowly getting my head around having the kids in school and Kindy and all that encompasses.... mufti days, homework, class trip and book character days.

I am sensing that God is really working in me at the moment as I am processing these momentous events, working through physical and mental remnants of a very difficult birth and adjusting to the changing seasons of roles, responsibilities and relationships. I see that God is removing and scaling things back.... but at the same time amping things up in other areas. I am spending a lot of time alone and in conversations with Him....so much so I am beginning to wonder if He ever gets sick of my voice. I don't think the process is over yet. But I do know that if God is in it...then it can only be good.

God is good. So good. All the time.

A Leap of Faith

Taking a leap of faith.... scary right? Sometimes it's just darn right petrifying. By nature, I am NOT a risk taker. I like to be comfortable and feel safe and secure. But if I have learnt ANYTHING at all about our journey over the past seven years and being in ministry is that being comfortable gets you nowhere. Being uncomfy in the stretch is where it's at people....and I am feeling the burn.

I have been learning a lot about myself over the last few months.... about where I fit, my weaknesses and my strengths. What I am ok with and what I am not. And I am not ok with being complacent and resting on my laurels.... not when there is such need still out there. I have been working with some fantastic people who are calling me forward as a I seek to grow the reach and portfolio of @lovingarmsnz

Words like '5-year plan, forecasting, key goals, mission statements and key values' are now part of my vocabulary. Who even am I? Today I took one of those scary steps.... I pressed the send button on something that is now open to the ears and eyes of some key people. Can I just say I am freaking out? Again, who even am I? I do not like being in the centre of attention, do not like leaving myself open for criticism or negativity. All the 'what ifs' are flying around inside my head right now.

But I take my strength and comfort in one of my life verses....one that's seen me through HUGE tests and leaps.

"So do not fear for I am with you;

do not be dismayed for I am the Lord your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." - Is 41:10

I may be afraid, but I am still walking forward.