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

Pies. But not the kind you bake and eat...

 Last week Marnie and I made a trip to the Purple House Wellness Centre at Forth...

As well as some lovely gardens you can wander in...

and amazing trees

They have just opened up a new cafe which we really wanted to try...

Marnie

and me :)

No, I'm not baking pies...

But I do seem to have my finger in a few 'pies' (aka yarn projects)...

the shawl is growing

as is this baby blanket

And I have all the squares done for this blanket...

just need to sew them together (the not fun part)

I'm re-reading the Love Comes Softly series (8 books) by Janette Oke...

I first read them about 30 years ago 

I'm reading the 3rd book (Love's Long Journey) and in the prologue, Janette writes...

"I often think about those pioneer women.  What it must have cost many of them to follow their husband's dream!  To venture forth leaving behind the things that represented safety and security; to birth their babies unattended; to nurse sick children with no medicines or doctors; to be a mother, teacher, minister, physician, tailor, and grocer to a growing family; to support their men without complaint through floods, blizzards, sandstorms, and droughts; to walk tall when there was little to wear, little to work with, and even less to eat.

God bless them all - the women who courageously went forth with their men.  And bless those who stood with tear-filled eyes and aching hearts and let their loved ones go.  And grant to us a measure of the faith, strength, courage, love, and determination that prompted them to do what they did."

The above images are from this book...

Which I now want to read as well...

So many 'pies' and not enough time :))

xx

It's a good day when...

 You wake up without a headache...

And it's not too hot, so you can go for a walk...

Your new Keepers at Home magazine arrives...

And you are blessed with some bargains at the op shop...

$2 each, and I didn't have the Long Winter or Farmer Boy in my collection

Another Janette Oke book ($3) to add to the Women of the West series...

And this lovely boucle yarn ($5) - 77% wool/23% acrylic

Started knitting a shawl with it...

but I'm not sure how far it will go

Count your blessings, name them one by one;

And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!

I hope you are having a good day too :)

xx

Think on These Things...

 From A Celebration of the Simple Life...

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8

With all of the negative things going on in the world, it's easy to become depressed and allow our minds to be filled with negative thoughts.  However, the Bible clearly states in Philippians 4:8 that we are to think on positive things.

One thing that became clear to me when we began making friends with the Amish was their positive outlook on life.  Not only do our Amish friends enjoy telling jokes and sharing stories, but they like to focus on the beauty of God's creation.  I've noticed that most Amish gardens are abundant with colorful flowers.  Birdhouses and feeders can be found in their yards.  Observing the beauty of flowers and watching the birds at the feeders is not only enjoyable, but fills our minds with positive thoughts.

To be happy and to keep from having negative thoughts, we must focus on the positive things around us.  Flowers, trees, birds, sunsets, and newborn babies are just a few of the things that bring me joy and fill my mind with positive thoughts.

If we don't think positive thoughts, we can easily become negative, cynical, and depressed.  Take a few moments to write down several things you appreciate about your surroundings.  Make a list of things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.  When you do, your heart will feel a little lighter and your outlook will be a little brighter.

Heavenly Father, when my mind becomes filled with negative thoughts, remind me that Your word tells me to think on positive things.  Amen.

15 Years!

 I visited my friend Sharm's blog today and she was commenting that it had been 15 years since she started her blog (5th February, which also happens to be my birthday!!), so I looked back on mine and apparently, I've been going for 15 years too (on 8th October).  

Here is my first post.

Maybe I'll do something special (blog wise) for my 15-year anniversary.  I'll think on it... :)

There's been lots of changes since then.  I did have a previous blog when I lived on the farm, but I deleted that.  I'm glad I've kept blogging all these years, even though sometimes it's hard to find the time to sit and write, and to think of something to write about :)

And speaking of changes, I've decided on a few...

Instead of writing Weekend Words each weekend I'm going to incorporate them into my general posts.  But in a smaller way.  Perhaps just a thought or short devotional I've read that day or week.  I'm finding the pressure of doing a post every weekend leaves me little time for my general posts, and I want to pick up on them more.  So, we'll see how it goes.  I have already typed up my weekend post for this weekend, but from then I will go to more general posts, which I'm thinking may be shorter but more frequent :) 

Last Thursday Marnie and I took a day trip to Stanley where it all started 15 years ago.  I've been back a few times, and always love it there...

We had a quick stop at Little Peggs Beach on the way...

This is the view of the Nut (and Stanley) from the beach...

And we bought fish and chips for lunch and ate it at the wharf at Stanley...

Today I made Banana Bread...

And made a start on some patchwork...

My Canadian Mennonite pen friend and I have been exchanging fabric squares with our letter for a couple of years.  We decided we had enough last year so now I need to make something with them. More on that to come.  A lesson on how not to do it :)

And this is for Lisa, as she had mentioned the lovely print she got from the Goodwill store in her post, and I was telling her about the one I got recently from our local op/thrift shop...

I'll finish with this quote I read recently, about thanking and praising God for the little things in life...

I found the sun for me this morning.  I thank you, Lord.

I found the warm water in the shower.  I praise You.

I found the bread in my kitchen this morning.  Lord, I thank you.

I found the fresh air as I stood at the door.  I praise You.

For all that I see You do for me.  I thank You.

for all that I do not see that You do for me.  I praise You.