Chillax

Couch, Kids in Bed, Wine, Living Alaska

Just taking a moment to chillax before I head off to bed. Trying not to think about my day tomorrow.... Tomorrow, we hold our first workshop day for our new initiative 'Kaiawhina'. I'm both excited and nervous. We have such beautiful ladies on board that are volunteering themselves for this role...I'm absolutely positive they will be such a blessing to our community.

What you may not know 'Kaiawhina' has always been part of the Loving Arms original vision, but it's taken five years for my vision to come to fruition. And now it's here.... teetering on the brink of it being out there for all to see and for some to experience. Can you see why I'm nervous?

My heart longs for every mother to feel valued, feel beautiful, feel seen, feel like the count and matter, feel cared for and feel loved.... especially our precious gorgeous new mamas. Kaiawhina is the beginning for the mamas we'll serve ....to see themselves and feel this way! Because EVERY mother deserves this!

If you're the praying type...please pray for a fantastic day tomorrow.... hopefully I'll remember to take some pics!

Always Watching

 I do hope you hear my heart and how this post was intended to be received.

This guy feigned sickness today.... but seeing as I was flying solo this morning I didn't fight it. And typically, when the kids are sick mama has stuff to do. With an appointment in Cambridge and a bunch of drop off in Hamilton...it was going to be a long, boring day driving around. But with a promise of McDonald's, they happily came along. Let's be honest though we hadn't even left town and they were complaining. After a myriad of stops and waiting in the car we got to my last drop off in a dubious part of town.

Jesse decided he wasn't having a bar of waiting for me, so he got out and claimed he was coming with me. I didn't even get a chance to argue. So, I called over my shoulder to Jayden saying if I wasn't back in ten minutes to call the police (just being honest).

We walked down the long driveway and after asking neighbors we found the right house. A big burly gentleman came out to meet us. I loaded him up with the boxes of baby stuff, made small talk and we left. We were halfway up and Jesse who was quite quiet suddenly said to me "mum you're a good parent"...I was taken back and then I asked why he thought that. He simply said, "because you save babies...all the babies". I actually teared up even though this isn't an accurate interpretation of what I do.

So, here's my point...kids. Kids are always always watching, listening and taking everything in. They know. And I know this thought can be scary.

But even though he feigned sickness and missed a day's 'learning'.... if what he learnt and witness today was service, an unconditional-no-strings-attached, Christ kind of love...then I'm all for it and I'll consider it a win. My hope for my children is not academics or sport prowess but of beauty, respect, joy, character, commitment, compassion, work ethic, love and a relationship with God Almighty. To me that is success.

Time for Prayer

This morning and what will be every Monday morning a small group of faith-filled people gathered just inside the college gate. Standing in a loosely formed circle that can and will easily make room for more faith-filled people. Heads bowed and undeterred by the freezing cold and the threatened rain we prayed. Each and every one in agreement with the other and the Word of God. All praying for the college, its students and its teachers.... praying for inclusion, love, culture-change, hope and growth. Praying that no one feels alone, unloved or hopeless. Praying for the burden that the teachers feel and carry for their students. Praying for the love of the Heavenly Father, God Almighty Himself will invade and bring the kingdom to earth.

Truth is guys, school isn't what it used to be, there more hurt, more confusion, more chaos, more brokenness than ever before...a true reflection of our society. Schools need our prayers...desperately.

I firmly believe out of the obedience of one girl who heard Gods prompting to pray for her school.... that this circle won't stay this size, that we will see miracles happen and people touched, and many saved. We will see 'Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven'

If you are local and would like to join our band of merry men and women.... young or old...it doesn't matter. We would love to see you. Its only 20mins.

Small Wins

Tonight is burger night and right now I feel like crying.

See that plate of chopped up pattie...its Frankies plate and it's the FIRST TIME a beef patty has passed her lips! I mean EVER!!! She has only ever eaten sausages and a while back she ate a couple of mouse sized nibbles of cormed beef. But tonight she ate TEN pieces!!! This is such a big deal for us and for her. Having a child with such issues around food is exhausting and don't talk to me about the mum guilt or the outside pressure I feel....let alone the stress.

We have since discovered that when she experiences stress especially around food, she throws a high temp and goes pale and lethargic. It's so crazy! (It's called a psychogenic fever). I just counted on my fingers...there is nine things she eats. 9 that isn't junk food. Ain't nobody going to be healthy on that. So, we truck in the multivitamins for her.

So, this is such milestone for us. I have been praying and working on her even to touch new food. Her AMAZING Kindy (Creators) have been so accommodating and working with her too.... she now eats sandwiches thanks to them!

And before anyone messages me...no she is not on the autism spectrum. I don't know why she is like she is.... she's the only one out of the 8 like it.... even Charlie eats more than her.

It just goes to show you can be a mum of many and still don't know everything!

Doing a happy dance here and celebrating this small win but a win nonetheless!