A Girl On A Swing

Just a girl on her swing.

She would probably have me push her all day if she I let her. It's her most favorite thing to do!

Today has me thinking about seasons...quite fitting seeing as we are closing the chapter on Summer and opening the chapter on Autumn tomorrow. But the change of seasons has been in the wind for a while now.... the chirping of the crickets, the ripening of the pumpkins and the cool autumn breeze that has been subtly chasing the summer sun in the early morning and as the sun puts itself to bed.

I personally love the changing seasons.... new seasons brings new things to look forward to. Right now, I find myself excited for the cooler nights, the autumn colours and crispness of the air. Each season brings its own high notes....and of course its low notes...all which takes adjustments in how we live life.

As our family embarks on a new (and exciting) season.... there are things that I'm curiously excited for, things that are still hidden.... and things I'm still sad about leaving behind.

But in everything I do know for a fact.... that God himself has brought us to this place, it will be good and it will be for His glory. Jamie and I prayed a prayer long ago...that we were His and we wanted to live our lives doing as He directed us...whatever that may look like. A brave but scary prayer....and one God will most certainly take you up on.

Changing seasons are good, they are essential to growth. Read that again ESSENTIAL! Nothing and no one will grow without change.

Enjoy the last of the summer sun but welcome in the crispness of autumn. It is good.

Xx

Detoxing

All mamas spend their Friday night cooking a weeks' worth of food for their son, don't they??

Don't fret.... I NORMALLY wouldn't be doing this but our eldest us following the Eczema Detox diet....and we are a week in.

So, its lentil patties, roast veges (potatoes, leeks, Brussel sprouts and garlic), sesame-free hummus, caramelized leeks and spelt pear muffins. Ok ok ok it may sound gross, but I've tasted it all and its quite yummy. And he's been on it for a week and there's been no complaints.

We have been working on eliminating amines, salicylates and glutamates that are found naturally in certain foods.

Once we've detoxed from them, we will introduce them back one by one to see how we get on.

Not a quick fix but a deep one. Here's hoping he'll last the distance

Family Ties

I firmly believe that its traditions that tie us to our past and to our future.

As a couple there are traditions that we brought into this marriage, there are things that we have created together as a family....and look out if you try to change it or skip it. The kids won't let you.... EVER!

They in turn will bring those into their own marriages and families and will create their own.

But sometimes it things too don't you think....

For me its Grandmas button tin which I have. Does anyone have button tins now? A myriad of colours, sizes and shapes. Some are new, most are cut from clothes that are ruined and discarded. I remember sewing on her Singer Pedal Sewing machine.

There is one thing that I so desperately wished I inherited...it was her flour bin. Actually, more a vessel...a large pottery urn shaped thing with a wooden lid that fitted snuggly onto the top. It could hold an entire 5kg bag of flour. I have no idea what happened to it which makes me so sad...as I remember burying my hands into and playing with the soft flour while she baked. Terribly unhygienic I know.

I've been on the lookout for a flour vessel that's not plastic and finally settled on a glass jar...not quite big enough to hold a 5kg bag of flour. But every time I look I fondly think of her.

Is there an item or two that ties you to a loved one or to the past?

Love, Love, Love

I love taking photos even though I don't have a camera apart from my phone. I love capturing memories, moments, expressions and emotions. I do wonder if I was on the other side of the camera what people would capture of me.... probably tears as I cry over EVERYTHING.

It's been quite the reflective day for me today. Wondering in this current climate have I done the right thing with going back to work. Have I done the right thing by my children? What will the little ones remember of me in these days?

As we look around the suffering of the world....it creates an uneasiness in our hearts. What are we to do? My answer.... LOVE!

In fact, it's actually my word for the year ...L'Amour. Love. Passion.

Love my husband well, love my children how they need in the moment with all of my being. Love my family, love my friends, love what I do, love the dear people who I serve, love my home, my work but most of all my God...who without Him I would have none of it. None of it at all.

"I am blessed. There is no doubt.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." - James 1:17

I encourage you all to stop looking at the goings on that surround us in the world but to Him who is the source of absolute peace and love.

Love who you've been blessed with to journey this life with, love where you are, what you have and who you are.

Nothing else really matter...does it?!

Silly Dog

I've never been a dog person. I don't like them sniffing, licking or jumping.

But this dog...this one has wriggled her way into my heart and claimed her place in our family. And I never knew how much so until she got lost hunting.

When Jamie came back to camp in the pouring rain after being away for hours and said...."I've lost the dog".... I fully felt my heart in my mouth beating so fast. I said, "you need to find her.... you need to". Memories came flooding back to the time when she was mauled by a dog off its leash and she nearly died. I knew members of my family would be devastated if she was gone.

Jamie collected my eldest son and went back out into the pouring rain to search the hilly bush knowing full well any scent she may have been able to track will have been washed away but the downpour.

Hours passed and all I could do was pray. Frankie cried ALOT and made Dixie a card while camped out in our tent saying she hoped she was ok. Finally, Casey came back without her and heartbroken. It hurts so bad to see your kids in that much heart pain. More family went out in vehicles looking for her too....it was still bucketing down. After six hours since she took off after a deer she spooked...Jamie found her soaked to the bone, shivering and tangled around a tree by her lead.

I've never been so pleased to see a silly dog in my life. They truly truly do become a part of your family.

The worst thing.... knowing she was lost and not knowing what had happened to her. Knowing that driving away and leaving the area without her really just wasn't an option I was willing to entertain.

God is good....and most certainly cares for those things we love.... even dogs.

Merry Christmas

Always at the beginning of each year, I ask God to give me a word or words for the year. Last year it was Nourish & Nurture....this year it was Grit & Grace.

Really those two words are absolute perfect bookends for what has been ...well quite the year for all of us.

I mentioned a few posts back that my life looks completely different as it did at the beginning of the year. Not bad but very different.

I've needed GRACE with myself, with my family and others as everyone adjusts to our new normal. Grace upon grace.

I've needed GRIT to push through some really hard things.... things that have grown and changed me. To be honest I think we've all need GRIT and GRACE to get through this year.

My lesson here I think...is that while things maybe hard...it doesn't mean it's bad. Hard doesn't just equal bad. It's just hard. Hard could also be good.

I'm looking forward to the new year dawning filled with opportunity and newness. Some might say hope...but hope doesn't come in the form of a new year, a new job or new anything....

Hope comes in the form of our Savior Christ Jesus....not only hope but also peace, love and joy. And we all need an abundance of those things in our lives, don't we?

For He is the reason for the season.

So, from my family to yours....

Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year.

Sharni xx

 

Everyday Blessings

"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness - just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breathe it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm." - Laura Ingalls Wilder

I read this quote many years ago and was pleasantly reminded of it this morning when I read a post from a new friend.

We are living in crazy chaotic times. Most of us are feeling a little helpless, uncertain and just want to go back to 'normal'. Here in New Zealand, we have it pretty easy compared to those living in the US and UK....they need our prayers.

Home is where we should be able to find solace and rest from the harsh realities of the outside world. A safe haven for loved ones, family and friends. No need to be flashy or perfect but of warmth, nurture and grace.

I can only pray that those that enter our home that feel seen, welcome and valued. That's the very least we can do.