Nurture & Nourish

Nurture & Nourish

Remember my post about my 'WORD' for this year.... well it turned out to be these two.

Today as I finalized my reflections and wrote out my goals for this year for all things.... personal, family, ministry (@loving_arms_nz), house and relationships. I can see the definite theme of these two words running through them all.

How do feel? I am excited. Such warm, cozy and intimate feelings rise up inside when I read these. Feelings of holding close those things that matter the most....my God, my people, my home, my ministry.... myself. I expect the last might be a wee bit of a challenge. Focusing on myself isn't something I'm crash hot about. Is anyone though?

I took the entire day today to get some work done including setting goals and completing some admin work. Not going to lie it's been tough.... even though I have told everyone to pretend I'm not here.... short story...they can't. I did sit for an hour or so and ate a massive almond croissant and enjoyed a coffee on my own at a local cafe where I ploughed through some it. Perhaps I should have stayed there all day .... I thought I'd share one goal from each category.... Personal - Seek 'Word before World"...always

Family - To be intentional about creating "Family Time" and scheduling it into the calendar.

Ministry - To finish role descriptions for key areas and to release those people to work their magic.

House - To create and maintain clean and organized living spaces.

Relationships - To make the connection with the people in my circle a priority and love on them.

There you have it, just a few. I tell you there is nothing like seeing what you want written down on paper to get and keep you motivated. I'm excited.

Do you take time to set yourself up for the year? If so, how?

What's Your Word

2019. A brand new year. Isn't it just fully pregnant with oodles of possibilities and millions of opportunities.

I truly love this time of year.... the wondering of what this brand-new year will bring. What lessons will I have learnt? What people I would of connected with? What facet of God will I discover? What roads will I have journeyed? Are you not just ridicously excited?! I have been thinking about my WORD for the year. One that will intertwine throughout. One that will wrap moments high and bandage moments low. I am an inkling of what it is, but I need to be sure.

Last year's word was "strength". Of course, when you embark on the year you don't exactly what that means. But as I look back to the year that was...I most certainly had to have strength to carry our 8th baby, for her journey earth side and to walk the healing process. To walk through the challenges that teenagers, pre-teens, and small kiddies bring. To find strength in the culling and pruning back of things, roles and identities that I once tightly held on to. The strength to admit to and to seek help for anxiety, PTSD (from Charlie's birth) and almost burnout....to move forward to good healthy mental health. To see the end of our home-schooling journey and embrace the 'school mum life' again. To wave my husband off to Indonesia on a mission trip. To bear the sadness, the hurts and hopelessness of stories told by the mums we help through Loving Arms.

But in all this it has not been my own strength...but His strength I have sought out. Purposely seeking out His face and His Word for guidance and strength. For in all things God is gracious. And merciful. And strengthening.

God is good.

But this year.....its so brand spanking new....and I am excited.

Do you have a word?

Self Reflection

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

Galatians 6:4‭-‬5 MSG

I don't know about you, but I find this time of year has a soft, dreamy feel to it. It's like God has given us a gift, a chance to sit and take stock of the past year but also to project forward into the coming year. Most of you would probably know that this is my jam.... a queen at reflecting. However, this year I am finding it a trifle hard to slow my mind and my body and embrace this. I am struggling to make sense of all my thoughts and wants that is in my head and put it so even I can understand them. How did 2018 change me? What is it that I want from 2019?

But alas God is good and I have found this!!! A gorgeous way of putting all that is in my head on to paper. Thank you @jenniesallen Now I can be excited! I just love the above scripture that she included at the beginning of this

It cements the need for good reflection and purposeful planning and fully living.... otherwise, life just happens and I end up meandering along.

If you want to join along with me, please do. If you do tell me how you get on

Summer and Books

Eek! The beginning of my summer reading haul and I am so excited! I love a good novel but find ever so hard to find decent reads. I tend to lean towards historical stories that are based around actual events.... got any other good recommendations? I love to learn new things along the way, and I get very frustrated with a lot of novels that have weak and predictable storylines. The book on top I plan to save for last, but it looks to be a real goodie (think of the movie The Help it's set in a similar era). I am determined to get a bit lost in reading this summer. I need to.

Honestly, I cannot remember the last novel I read...it's been that long. Most of the time books that are stacked on my bedside table are personal growth, church/community growth, ministry and leadership books. (I am seeing you all yawn over there) I have been listening to a few books of late as I put Charlie to bed at night or am travelling in the car. The latest one was "Everybody Always" and am now in the middle of "The Broken Way". Both EXCELLENT reads (or listens) and both mind- blowing and challenging in the own right! Both get thumbs up from me!

So, show me what's on your bookshelf this summer!

So Much Cuteness

 WARNING

***CUTENESS OVERLOAD***

Our wee bonus baby Charlie Grace is a whole 7 months today! She truly is such a blessing not only to us but to everyone she meets. Being a ministry kid she is loved on and cuddled by oodles of "sisters", "aunties", "papas " and "nanny's.....she's a pretty blessed wee girl. I mean just look at her.

Charlie Grace - 7 months

Rolls upon rolls, two teeth, little hair and cheeks for Africa.

Loves mama snuggles, mums silly songs, big brother Jesse's funniness and hugs with Tom. Christmas lights, paper, baths and kitchen utensils.

Hates food, carseats, getting frights, getting out of the bath and not being heard.

Can roll from back to front, sit and shuffle forward to get to things she's not supposed to have.

Charlie Grace .... you are such a delight! A beautiful bookend to our family

Living in Peace

Helping out a friend with decorations for her tree at our church's pop-up Christmas tree forest. This is surprisingly quite therapeutic. I think it's the enforced sitting down and unhurried pace of it all. I don't have to think too hard...just focus on the job at hand lest I stab myself with a pin. After a tough week it's clearly what is needed.

I was reflecting on the happenings of my life yesterday as I drove to the dentist .... we often think if I can just get through this next little bit or if I just get on the other side of this storm THEN it will he smooth sailing and I can enjoy life or all will be well. You know what God showed me.... life ALWAYS throws things at you, there is ALWAYS speed bumps, challenges, sickness, deadlines, ages and stages. There is very rarely a smooth road. Um gee thanks for sharing that with me I hear you say.

I think the secret is finding joy in amongst those hiccups. Seeking His face, finding rest in His peace and not looking for the world or your life to give it to you. It's in Him and in handing over every part, every hidden hurt, every secret challenge to Him and resting in the knowledge and assurance that He holds it all in His palm and that "He works all things together for good for those who love Him" - Romans 8:28

My life can truly attest for that time and time again. So now I will choose to live in His peace while the sometimes chaos of life threatens to topple me.

"Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

More Word Less World

Unapolegictally scaling back this December. I am seeking wisdom, strength and guidance in the Word. Sometimes the world is crowded with too much noise and too many well meaning voices and its especially true come December and I am tired.

Yes, 'tis the season and all and I am no grinch but this year I want to reflect more on the season of advent, be present more with my family and expend my time and energy on things matter and I can't do that if I am running around like a crazy woman