walking with...

...dolphins!!!

This morning the tide was very high when I went for my walk.



I could hardly believe it when I looked out to sea and there were about 10 dolphins following me along the beach. I tried to get some photos, as they surfaced, but by the time I took the photo they had dived again. If you look really hard you can see one in this photo...they are there!
It was amazing...just me...the sky...the sea...the sand...and the dolphins...and no people!! I had the whole beach to myself, except for a few birds, but I don't mind sharing with them :o)


The dolphins followed me the whole walk down the beach. When I got to the end and turned to walk back, they headed out to sea. I couldn't stop smiling the whole walk back...it really made my day...thank you Lord!!

church

The church I have been attending did not have a service last sunday, so I went to the Presbyterian church in town. I think I will be going back :o)

I arrived just as the church bell was ringing to announce start of service...it sounded so nice.
The message was good, the old hymn singing accompanied by the organ was good, and it was good to sit in an old church that felt like a church.
Lovely old wooden pews and lots of ornate woodwork.
Sadly only one stained glass window was left.
Will try and get some inside photos next time.



After the service we went next door for a cuppa in the big hall :o)

Less is More

I collected this book, that I had reserved, from the library today Less is More by Cecile Andrews and Wanda Urbanska...



...I think I am going to really enjoy it. It is full of essays by lots of people on various aspects of simplicity...perhaps in a similar style to Scott Savage's The Plain Reader.

Here are some 'bits' from it to entice you to read it:

*What is Simplicity? Simplicity is a complex concept, but at the core is voluntary limitation of our outer wealth so we can have greater inner wealth.*

*Most people see Simplicity as being only about frugality, and while that's a key element, it's something much wider. Simplicity is a lense through which to view all of life.*

* A theme all of our writers echo - our lack of connection with each other..."in place of our dependence on one another for support, today, wherever possible, we tend to rely on machines and services. We find modern living organised so that it demands the least possible direct dependence on others...we find a high degree of loneliness and alienation"*

*What we'll find our authors saying is that we're happier and more fulfilled when we limit our outer riches. It's not about impoverishment - where people do not have enough - particulary enough food, or shelter or safety. It's about everyone having enough. Simplicity is about having enough, but not too much. Affluence...brings inner, spiritual impoverishment.*

and lastly,

*..."live simply so others may simply live",as Elizabeth Seton (1774-1821)...said.*

And that's just from the introduction :o)

out and about...

Zak at the park



Dylan at the park



Oliver at the park

The 7-Ups

1. Wake Up !! Decide to have a good day.
"This is the day the Lord hath made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.
A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.
Man looks at outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!!Say nice things and learn to listen.
God gave us two ears and one mouth,
so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.
"He who guards his lips guards his soul."
Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!! . . . for what you believe in.
Stand for something or you will fall for anything.
"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,
we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..."
Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!. . . to the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me".
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!. . . for something higher.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and lean not unto your own understanding.
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path."
Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!. . . your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; instead
PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."
Philippians 4:6


(by Doc Angel Koerner)

family visit

My eldest daughter and 3 of my 4 grandsons came to visit for a week. She has put nearly 1000 photos from her camera card on my computer to sort through...don't worry, I won't make you look at all of them, but I will try and add some to my blog over the next few days.

Hearts of gold

'When our houses were of wood, our hearts were of gold; but when our houses became golden, our hearts became wooden.'

Hans de Ries, Dutch Mennonite (1553-1638)

new knitting project

Well, it's not really new...I started it about 12 months ago, but it got put aside as other projects came along. They have been finished now, so I am back at it. A lap blanket in lovely 'autumny shades' and lovely merino wool to knit it in :o)

Should have enough wool to make 30 squares (5 squares x 6 squares).

picking up where I left off...

I did not get the New Testament finished by year end as I had hoped. I stopped
reading a few days ago as I realised I was just rushing through and my mind was always elsewhere even though I was reading.

I do better at taking it slowly. So I have been thinking about 2011.

I am going to get back to a Psalms exercise I started Nov 2009 and stopped Feb
2010. Reading a Psalm a day and picking a favourite verse from that Psalm and
writing it in my journal. I am going to start again today - 1st Jan 2011 :o) - I
will be picking up at Psalm 73.

I find writing down what I am reading helps to reinforce it in my mind and I
remember it better. It's also harder for my mind to wander while I am reading
AND writing :o)

I will probably also do some bible word/subject studies, but haven't decided on
what yet, as well as reading where I feel led, but at this stage I don't plan on
reading the bible from cover to cover.

What about you? Do you have bible reading plans for 2011?

PS - if you enlarge the picture you can read the verse I picked from Psalm 71 back on 1st Feb, 2010...I thought it was rather interesting :o)

In case you can't read it, it says: verse 18 "even when I am old and grey, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation"... :o)