The Lord Is My Strenght

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" - Matthew 11:28

Today I urge you to rest in Him....all you who are tired, hurting, burdened. You do not need 12 coloured highlighters, a scented candle, a pretty journal, absolute peace and an immaculate house. Just come as you are, where you are, how you are and He will meet you there.

Today is my self-appointed day off. I'm tired, weary and burdened. So, while the kids are at school and the husband is away.... I'm taking time. I turned the tv on and let my 2-year-old watch Paw Patrol so I could come.

We all know this year has been long and crazy. And for me my life simply does not the same as it did at the beginning of the year. I'm no longer an "at home mum" but working full-time, my husband left his job as Associate Pastor to be an "at home dad" and business manager, my eldest son moved out and we've left the church we called home for over 15 years. I am still adjusting, my heart still healing.

I am deeply overwhelmed with the need I see on a daily basis, wishing I could do more to lessen the desperation in families, to provide more, provide food, to provide a safe clean home for families. I am burdened by the pain and sadness I see in family and friends.

But in all of this.... God is still on the throne, and I get to rest in Him, let Him minister to my heart, let Him replenish my joy and let Him strengthen me. What a blessing!

"The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10)

Frankie Rose Budd

This girl....as wild and free as her hair that crowns her head! Six today! Every single day she astounds us with her vocabulary and her flamboyance....and also makes us laugh. At her best wearing dresses that sparkle and twirl, her crazy hair let loose and boots. Loves to draw and create, and is extremely messy! Loves her family, loves her friends and loves school.

Frankie l simply can't wait to see l what God has in store for you!!

Happy 6th Birthday Frankie Rose

Thankful: Day Two

Day 2 of my quest to remain thankful and see out the year stronger.

Why thankfulness? Because when you are thankful it lightens our hearts, keeps our eyes off ourselves and the problems we might be facing and keeps us joyful. And wouldn't you rather be joyful?

1. Faithful Friends

I am so blessed by friends that are encouraging, supportive and are their to prop you up when its needed. Quietly going about their lives in the background, seeking only to help, lend a hand and be there when they are needed. I'm very blessed indeed.

2. Healing Sleep

Baby girl has slept most of the day away today which has been so needed after days and nights of high temps and sleeplessness. Thank you Jesus for the gift of sleep.

3. Soul Music

Music that speaks into your soul, to where you are and lifts you up and propels your forward. Music that puts your feelings to music and into songs. Music that is healing, heartfelt and holy.

What are you thankful today?

Three Things!

To be honest the mood I'm in today made it hard to be thankful. Days of being stuck to the couch or bed with a sick toddler glued to you.... makes me weary and grumpy. BUT it did give me the chance to finish a book.

So heres my 3 things I'm thankful for today.

1. Lemonade Ice Blocks.

Sweet glistening trails of stickiness the slowly make their way down her hands as she slowly slurps on the cold white ice cooling her throat and giving her energy.

2. Warm Spring Sunshine

As I sit for a breather on the deck, eyes closed I tilt my head to the sun I allowing the spring sun warm my face and smile on me.

3. Chubby Toddler Hands

The way she tightly holds me in her hands, squeezing tight as if to never let go. Her safe place. Very soon these hands will roughen, be less chubby and grasp pencils and bike handles. I want to etch the feeling of her in my heart for always.

Finish Strong

Let's be honest 2020 hasn't been the greatest the year. For just about everyone it's been filled with uncertainty and helplessness. I don't know about you but while I might want to see the end of this crazy year....I'm determined to beat this year and see it out stronger than ever! And the only way we can do that in these uncertain times...is by being thankful. Thankfulness turns our eyes off ourselves and turns them outwards. Turns them off our troubles and fears and back on to the One who deserves all the praise. No matter if you are a believer or not...we all could go out of this year stronger than we started. Let's not let 2020 beat us any longer!

So, I have decided for the remainder of the year (Nov/Dec) ...I'm going to document 3 things I'm thankful for every day. Why? When we are thankful, we can reclaim the joy that is stolen in our everyday lives by the everydayness.

Loosing Yourself

I feel my urge to write is coming back....and this makes me happy. Very happy. I haven't felt like writing much for months and months perhaps even over a year...I actually thought maybe my passion, my heart for it had disappeared.

For a time, I think I lost a piece of myself over the past year or two. I've struggled to hold my head above the water at times.... you dig way down deep when you have a husband to connect with, kids to love and parent, a job to do and a role to play.

However, over this time Loving Arms has gone to seemingly new levels this year.... we are having at least two registrations from families every day. The pressure is real knowing that families are relying on us to help them provide for their babies, but more so to see them beyond who they are in their current situation. In March this year just before Covid-19 hit and put us into lockdown, Jamie and I believed that it was time for me to commit to full-time work driving Loving Arms. So, he resigned from his position as Associate Pastor at Zion Church and came home to be a stay-at-home dad/business manager for Loving Arms.

This was a time of huge adjustment for all of us especially seeing as weren't drawing an income. But God has been ever so faithful at providing for us and allowing us to find favor in working alongside agencies that are allowing us to do what we do. I fully believe Loving Arms wouldn't have been able to have helped like we've helped and accomplished what we have if we hadn't been obedient to His voice.

If I could encourage anyone it would be to have faith, be strengthened by His Word, His love and be bold as you take that very first step into what you know God is calling you to do. It might be hard and scary at times, but you won't regret it.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. - Matthew 14:27 - 29 ESV

Books, Covers & Judgement

I have been thinking a lot about judgment. You know the old saying "don't judge a book by its cover" .... well to be honest we all do it consciously or subconsciously. I had the privilege of being interviewed last week by a online magazine who wanted some photos to go with the article.... including one of Jamie and I together. Even though this is one of my favorites I was reluctant to send it to her. I felt it was too blingy therefore too deceptive. We look like a nice well put together couple... your normal white middle class family.

Why was I so reluctant to send it to her? You see this photo was taken at a family wedding that was held in the garden at our house...our rented "falling-down-just-had-paint-slapped-on" house. This photo was also taken when we were the poorest, we have ever been.... zero dollars in the bank and very minimal food in the pantry. The dress and jewelry I was wearing was bought with money gifted to me by a friend. I mean we were poor! Not to mention six months later we were homeless and living with friends. But you would never know by looking at that photo.... deceptive don't you think...which is why I struggled sending that photo in.

Doing what I do.... serving the families we serve is very challenging and every day I am challenged deep within myself about passing judgment. We truly have no right at all and like I just shared it goes both ways. You can NEVER know someone's back story just by looking at them or meeting with them for 5 minutes. To truly know someone is to walk and talk with them...to learn something of them. Then and only then do we truly see, truly value who they are, their journey and their story.

So, my challenge for myself.... how can I best represent Christ to the people I meet? How can I best serve them, so they feel seen and valued? How can I best love and serve them like we have been called to? How can I leave a lasting mark in their lives, a seed some might say ...of the love of Christ. How can I see them how Christ sees them...beautiful, valuable, lovable and so very precious.