June's Jottings Day 7 - Sowing and Harvesting

I am quite fond of this photo of some of this years pumpkins. Not totally sure why.....it's like they represent a rustic, simpler life that part of me longs to live. The self- sufficient or subsistence kind of lifestyle. But the way we are heading and they way God is leading us I don't think it's to be....for now anyway. We won't be moving to Alaska any time soon. (A dream realistic or not that Jamie and I talk of). 

All these pumpkins came off one plant therefore out of one seed and get this a seed we didn't intentionally plant. For these are compost pumpkins! Pumpkins that were indirectly sown and have been germinated, nurtured and nourished in our compost heap. A seed just thrown out with the food scraps! Now that ladies and gentlemen is free food! Awesome! 

Not only are they free food but a very real illustration of the concept of sowing and reaping. Something we can do both intentionally and unintentionally. Just one little seed can reaped an abundance of harvest. One little tiny seed. Intentional or not. So are we intentional about the seeds we go around sowing? Because if we aren't it's a very real possibility that they will be unintentional ones. The harsh word, the lack of patience, the look....a seed will be sown. But on the other hand....the smile, the kind word, the forgiveness, the generosity, the help, the Good news. 

Everything will sow a seed of some description. And either way the harvest will be great. Scary or encouraging. What do you think? Definitely makes me more aware of my actions and words! 

"So let us not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up. Therefore, whenever we have opportunity, we should do good to everyone - especially to those in the family of faith." - Galatians 6: 9-10

June's Jottings Day 6 - Blank Canvas Day

*cue contented sigh. Bliss. 

A blank canvas day, a day where I had nothing planned, didn't need to go anywhere or had no one coming over. Don't get me wrong I LOVE to hang out with people but days like today are really few and far between. There is always something that is needing to be done. While I do have some Loving Arms work to do I could choose to do it at my leisure. I had a long leisurely chat on the phone with my bestie....I didn't have to worry about kids having to be anywhere at a particular time. I did however have to lie in bed with.my snuggly soft dressing gown on and snuggle my three and one year old. Sounds awful ah? 

What my favourite thing ever about blank canvas days is that there isn't any pressure on my kids and they aren't being hurried off anyway or dragged away from whatever they are doing. Most of the day I hardly saw them to be honest. Most of them spent the entire day in the next door paddock playing in the long grass. I don't know what they were doing but whatever it was they were having fun. 

This made me smile because I imagine me saying to them...."go play in the grass next door with nothing but each other" they would of probably kicked up a stink and moaned about how boring that was and how mean I was. But because they came up with it themselves it was a huge day of fun. They didn't fight they just played. Granted they came in freezing, with grass stained clothes and muddy feet but to me that is the mark of a very very good day. 

I tried to snap a photo but couldn't get one of them close by. Can you see those specks of colour off to left of the centre? That's them. Really isn't that what we all want in a childhood? Space and freedom just to be. My empty and quiet house made it so I could sneak in a bit of extra reading, a workout without being climbed over and I even cleaned two drawers and a cupboard. Wahoo go me! Oh and a very slow-drink-while-sitting-down cup of coffee. A very rare occurrence around here. I didn't even need to reheat it once! Pleased to have my husband home though. 

June's Jottings Day 5 - Some Things About Sunday

How was your Sunday? Did you get a sleep in? Did you relax? Did you read a good book name drink copious amounts of coffee? 

Our Sundays are usually pretty busy which is why we have chosen as a family to make our "weekend " Friday and Saturday. You can do that when you home-school. Together as a family enjoy those two days more or less like a weekend. Seeing it is Sunday and I am usually tired on a Sunday evening I thought I would share some of the Sunday's activities with you.  

Woke @ 7am. Not so cool when you know it's Sunday. Fought the kids for the hot water to shower. Church at 830am. Got to listen to my husband preach with a sense of both pride and humbleness that God has chosen us for this journey PLUS I get to journey with a super hot hubby (seen here). Fantastic message. Lunch at church and got to connect with some super lovely people. Some old friends some new all equally wonderful. Said goodbye to husband who is disappearing with two mates hunting/camping with friends. Brrrrr cold! 

Home to tidy my house which looks as though a tornado has hit it. I would of been highly embarrassed if someone was to pop in. Hang two loads of washing. Iced yesterday's slice. Cautioned kids on bonfire safety. Made beds. Think about dinner. Enjoyed coffee whilst chatting to my mum on the phone while trying to lose squabbling kids at the same time rescue the choc chip jar from three and one year old. Round up children for chores. Drive to pick up son from friends. Get two different loads of washing in. Cook dinner. Enjoyed the company of a lovely friend and her kids for dinner and chats. Snuggle baby girl to sleep, snuggle three year old son to sleep. Convince two girls it's time for bed. Set time limits on boys gaming time. Sit. Look forward to watching an episode or two of Code Black and feed my inner wanna-be ED nurse from long ago. 

So there you have my seemingly normal busy average Sunday because that's what we do around here. How bout you? What did you do in this normally average kind of Sunday? 

Photo by Phil Strong

June's Jottings Day 4 - An End of Day Treat

Yes the pink sparkly running shoes are at it again and this was my training ground today. I have had a wee break from running over the past few weeks, choosing to follow an Interval Training workout online by Jilliàn Michaels. She is both great and awful at the same time. I guess they don't use her on The Biggest Loser for nothing. 

But today I thought I would treat myself to a run because it was such a beautiful day. I am saying it was a treat in hoping that I might trick myself into believing it. But as much as I usually loathe running, today's run was great! Did I just say that? Out loud? Forty mins of me time....rubber hitting the road, me and God time. He and I have loads to discuss and I have a whole heap more to be thankful for. 

You know sometimes it's really difficult to squeeze time into my day to do a workout because as you probably already know....life gets busy. But I really want to, need to push for it. So if it means me clearing a spot in amongst Lego and blocks then darn it I am going to do it. If it means being climbed over and under by a three and one year old then so be it.
Probably much like many of you I want to look and feel better about myself, I want to feel good in the clothes I wear, look nice, feel strong and healthy. I don't when I don't workout and that's not good for everyone else around me. I need to be healthy and happy for my family and for everything else I take on.

But in saying all that I need to be ok and make friends with the few extra curvy bits that I have managed to acquire....almost like a badge of honour for having kids. I highly doubt I'll ever look like I did pre-children but I will do my best to be as healthy as I can be. And seriously I have birthed seven children into this world.....I need to give me a break! So whether or not I run or workout I'll go hard because I want to be able to live full on and take on everything God has for me and have oodles of fun along the way!

 "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Ps 139:14

June's Jottings Day 3 - Preacher Man

I know I have used this photo before but I love it so much plus the photo I thought I took this afternoon isn't there. Apparently I didn't take it according to my phone. I need a new phone! 

I snapped off a shot of my hot hubby at his laptop,  bible open, studying, muttering away and preparing for his message that he is sharing this coming Sunday. I can not wait!  Its so good. I guess its the perks of being a preacher mans wife that I get a sneaky preview of the message!  Yes I can testify its a goodie!!  I am so proud of my husband...can you tell?

Jamie and I have entered into a new phase in our journey together. God is doing amazing things and we can testify to his goodness. Although I don't think perhaps you can tell just by looking at us because its an internalthing. God has been reveling himself to us in HUGE ways, with new thinking, new revelation, new Word, new knowledge and new wisdom, We see the world differently now. 

I'll admit up until recently I guess we have just been merely surviving. Keeping our heads above the water. Just doing our thing. Our journey as you know has not been a smooth one nor easy but we have come out the other side totally better for it. We could of easily chosen at any point in the past four years, to walk away or throw in the towel or declared its not worth it. BUT please let me tell you IT SO IS WORTH IT!  

So my dear friend...I feel I can call you that now..... keep your eyes on the prize, keep steady and run your race well.  We are stronger, better and more convinced of Gods greatness and goodness than ever before.  Your journey will not be for nothing, it will be for everything.

"I called on your name Lord, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: "Do not close your ears to my plea for relief." You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear". You, Lord, took up my case; you redeemed my life." - Lamentations 3:55-58

June's Jottings Day 2 - For Those Doing Hard Things

He sees you you know. He watches over you constantly. He for you and not against you. He loves you and wants you to see how much. 

You are doing some hard things, today, this week, this month, this year. Hard things that you weren't expecting, hard things that happened because of life, because of others, because of your choice. He sees you and he cares. He loves you so much He wants you to see, lean on Him, learn and grow. He loves you too much to leave you where you were. He wants the very best for you. Not your best, that's second best but His very best. 

He is with you in the midst of bad news, sickness, dark valleys, failed plans, unwise decisions, bankruptcy, a difficult child, a hard decision, an awful job or just a dumb day. He is there, He sees and He knows. He is for you. He wants you to surrender all to Him. Let Him take it all and give you peace, strength, confidence, power, grace and most of all love. Receive it, feel it. You need to know this.....You are loved. He is in this. He has gone before you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. You will have victory in this through Him. You have people that care. You have people that love you. You can do this. You ROCK. 

"Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." - Is 41:10

"For I hold you by your right hand - I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, Don't be afraid. I am here to help you." - Is 41:13

I wrote this for me as much as anyone else today. Sending big love! You and God have got this! 

June's Jottings Day 1 - Joy

Happy first day of winter! If you are anything like me you will be saying "Gee thanks! " There isnt too much I like about winter except perhaps the roaring fire and electric blankets. It's been a beautiful day here in Te Awamutu, beautiful and cold. A nice little bite in the air which tells me that winter is here. 

Still it was nice to be outside today just pottering around. It was also super nice to FINALLY be able get my washing dry on the line! Its the small things ah? This wee button so enjoyed her time outside. Can you tell? She isn't at all camera shy as she smiles away and pulls cute faces for me to take pictures. Bless her. 

Not only has it been a glorious day weather wise but as we have seen God move and provide for my boys......only 12 or so hours after they prayed to God about a desire they had. Jamie and I just can't stop grinning! What's even more awesome is that they are continually witnessing God move and do miracle after miracle. That's is what we are living, what they are living! God is almost tangible to them. Oh boy am I ever so thankful for that. What a privileged life!!! 

God is good ladies and gentlemen, so good. Keep watching this space for more because there will be! And I am excited!!!!