Let's talk about Headcovering.

This is Tanaya.  She is beautiful Christian lady. If you have an hour (or you can break the video up into shorter time slots), make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, sit down and enjoy.  Her thoughts very much line up with mine :)

Mother's Day

 We had our family Mother's Day lunch yesterday...

Sophie's mum came too

 

Marnie and me

Then Marnie, Tom and I went for a walk on Pig Island...

What Is a Mother?

It takes a mother's love to make a house a home - 

A place to be remembered no matter where we roam.

It takes a mother's patience to bring a child up right 

and her courage and her cheerfulness

to make a dark day bright.

It takes a mother's thoughtfulness 

to mend the heart's deep hurts

and her skills and her endurance

to mend little socks and shirts.

It takes a mother's kindness to forgive us when we err,

To sympathize in trouble,

and to bow her head in prayer.

It takes a mother's wisdom to recognize our needs

and to give us reassurance by

her loving words and deeds.

- Helen Steiner Rice

Simplify

 From A Celebration of the Simple Life by Wanda E Brunstetter...

"Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path." - Psalm 27:11

I love spending time with our Amish friends' children and grandchildren.  I find it refreshing to watch them at play.  I also enjoy watching Amish parents and grandparents visiting and working with one another.  Their simple dress and simple way of doing things awakens a desire within me to simplify my life.

I've noticed with a sense of sadness that many of us "Englishers" are so immersed in TV, computers, cell phones, and other electronic gadgets that we barely know how to communicate with each other anymore.  Even when we do visit, the drone of the TV or radio is often on in the background.  Is it any wonder that so many people feel uptight and stressed out?

We can always find ways to simplify our lives if we just eliminate some of the unnecessary things.  Consider some of the things that make up your day and ask yourself, "Is this really necessary?"  The Amish way of life reminds us that there is satisfaction and joy in simplicity.  God never intended our lives to be so complicated.  This week, carefully examine how you spend your time.  What are some ways you can simplify?

Heavenly Father, when I get caught up in "things", help me to redirect my focus.  Lead me in a plain, simple path that focuses on You and not on things.  Amen.

All images from The Plain Reader (Essays on Making a Simple Life) edited by Scott Savage

Autumn

First of May here today... 

And last official autumn month...

A rare foggy morning

Another outing with Marnie and Tom...

To the Cataract Gorge in Launceston...

Then on to the museum...

Tom was keen to see the dinosaur exhibition...

Remember this blanket I was working on...

It's finished...

Not sure if they'll give it back though.  They seem to be quite comfortable :)

And after reading an article that mentioned this book, I pulled it off my bookshelves and started reading it again.  Another one I read many years ago.  I have 2 copies both picked up second hand... 

I like the cover of this one better, but the print is larger in the other one...

And it has illustrations...

In reading through some of the Psalms it struck me how often the words "I will..." are mentioned.  As in "I will tell of all Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High." - Psalm 9:1-2

So for a little exercise, and to challenge myself, I'm going through the Psalms and writing down some of the 'I will's' I find.

Does my life live up to these 'I will's'?

Does yours?

Do I "(I will) sing to the Lord, because He has dealt bountifully with me." (Psalm 13:6)?

Sometimes I do.  But not nearly often enough :)

Be blessed!

See you next time...

xx

Snapshots from my days...

 I hope you all had a lovely Easter...

I attended church on Good Friday...

St Lukes Anglican Church, Latrobe, TAS

Freya says Happy Easter too!...

Remember this shawl I was working on...

It's finished! ...

I've still got these three projects on the go though...

Easter Sunday we went to Boat Harbour beach for a family lunch at the cafe there....

And then photos on the beach...

Denver and Sophie

Marnie and Tom

Marnie and me

My friend Vicki came for a visit and brought be some pretty flowers from her garden...

And I'm still reading through this series by Janette Oke.  I finished book 5 last night.  Three to go.  It's been good, because it's been long enough since my first read that I don't remember much about them so it's like reading them for the first time.

A thought to leave you with (from In Green Pastures)...

Finding Our Mission

We need never be anxious about our mission.  We need never perplex ourselves in the least in trying to know what God wants us to do, what place He wants us to fill.  Our whole duty is to do well the work of the present hour.  There are some people who waste entire years wondering what God would have them do, and expecting to have their life-work pointed out to them.  But that is not the divine way.  If you want to know God's plan for you, do God's will each day; that is God's plan for you today.  If He has a wider sphere, a larger place for you, He will bring you to it at the right time, and then that will be God's plan for you and your mission.

"Our lives we cut on a curious plan,

Shaping them, as it were, for man;

But God, with better art than we,

Shapes them for eternity."

May you be faithful in the what the Lord has given you to do!

Till next...

xx

A Time to Rest

 From A Celebration of the Simple Life...

"And he said unto them, come ye apart into a desert place and rest awhile." - Mark 6:31

When my husband and I spent a week with some of our Amish friends last summer, I had to give up my computer, TV, hair dryer, and curling iron, because electricity was not readily available.  I didn't mind giving up TV, because I don't watch it much anyhow.  Thanks to a fresh perm, my hair looked okay.  Even though I missed my computer, it was kind of nice to take a break from answering e-mail messages.  So what did I do all week besides visiting with our Amish friends and helping our where I could?  I rested and reflected on the beauty of God's creation and focused on His goodness to us.

It's important to examine ourselves spiritually through rest and reflection.  We can't do our best work with nerves that are taut from being constantly under pressure.  It's not good to spend all our time working and pushing to get ahead.  Jesus invites His disciples to come with Him to a quiet place where they could be refreshed.  

Meditation and time spent with the Lord gives us more understanding and a sense of oneness with Him.  It helps us refresh and renew, both physically and mentally.  We can draw closer to God when we rest and meditate on Him.  If we think about God's Word, we'll gain strength and renewal.  Why not look for a quiet place today where you can rest and find a sense of strength on Jesus?

Heavenly Father,

Sometimes I get caught up in my work and forget that I need rest.  Remind me regularly that I need to rest in You. 

Amen

Resting on the faithfulness of Christ our Lord,

Resting on the fullness of His own sure word;

Resting on His wisdom, on His love and power,

Resting on His covenant from hour to hour.

Accept What You Must

 From A Celebration of the Simple Life...

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

If there's one thing I've learned about the Amish, it's their ability to accept things that happen to them as God's will.  An Amish couple we know are unable to have children of their own.  As much as they would like to be parents, they've accepted it as God's will.  Rather than brooding about their situation, they take pleasure in spending time with their nieces and nephews and ministering to others in need.

Another Amish man we know is confined to a wheelchair due to a childhood accident.  While some might question God and bemoan their situation, he chooses to remain positive and do whatever he can.

Life isn't always fair, but if we learn to appreciate what we have and trust God with our future, we'll feel a sense of peace and acceptance.  Remember this week to accept what you must and change what you can.  Look to the future with a sense of hope and thank God for each new day, for we really do have much to be grateful for.

Heavenly Father,

there are many things in my life

over which I have no control.

Help me learn to accept those things,

knowing that You are in control.

fill me with Your perfect peace,

and give me a heart of acceptance.

Amen.

- Wanda E Brunstetter