Success

"Consider the postage stamp. It secures success through its ability to stick to one thing until it gets there"

-Josh Billings

Beauty

Admittedly- Yes.. I am procrastinating from going to bed. Unsure why...I love sleep?! However- whilst sitting listening to the new church worship playlist I was looking at the flowers one of my besties (Ramon :) ) got me for my bday- 5 weeks ago!!!

They're not just any flowers- they're my favourite- he knows me well! They always last for ages and are simply exquisite. For a few weeks, I've been picking off some of the dead ones and trimming back the stems. I'm looking at them now close up and there is still quite a few in that phase- where implosion is seconds away....the outside petals are about to burst with life but they haven't quite made it. Then there are several buds that have been permanently stuck in that phase, as they start to wrinkle and die off.

Although the buds still look stunning- it makes me sad to think that their one purpose in life never got fulfilled. All that was ever seen was the outer beauty they had to display. From my perspective I can see the potential beauty and life that could have been. But that's the sad part- the buds have died off as "could have beens".

As girls in today's world we have that same opportunity hey. I don't want to rely on my 'ridiculously good looks' to get me noticed in this world. I know and believe with all my heart that my Father in Heaven looks down and whilst seeing my outer looks (that He Himself created) He more importantly sees my Heart, and the life and beauty that it beholds. He sees a heart that is given opportunity time and time again.

I want to unleash the inner beauty that is lacking in the world today. I want to fulfill my purpose in life and not be a "could have been". After attending my auntie's funeral last week it reminded me of how any one of our lives can be cut short at any moment. We don't have any time to waste- every day and moment that it with holds is too precious to let slip by.

Let's actually live up to the potential God sees in us...!!!

1 Peter 3:4- Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

Memories

I love my Aunty Sue

* I loved that she was my God mother

* I loved that she was cheeky and always made me chuckle

* I loved that she faithfully prayed for us kids that we would know the love God has for us.

* I love that she spoke encouragement and prayers at my Baptism.

* I love that she was still saying silly things making us laugh when she was fighting for her life...

* I love that on the day she knew she would be with Jesus she wanted to wear the silliest pajamas she owned... to look her finest. Cookie Monster haha... we're talking a 53 year old women here. Ahhh we're so similar.

* I love that nursing staff from near and far would make detours whenever they could to pop in, give her a kiss and a cuddle to check how she was doing. Always a fave.

* I love that she gave her life for God, such a true woman of God. Girls ministry, schools ministry, prison ministry.... she gave it all.. through treatment and pain. What a role model for faithfulness & perseverance.

* I love that she financially gave whatever she could, despite her own circumstances.

* I love that despite us missing her and wishing she could have stayed...she's no longer in pain.

* I love that I can write this knowing I'll see her again someday...

... I wonder what i'll be wearing ;)

I love you Aunty Sue.. until the day I see you again. Kiss Hug Kiss Hug

Reminder

After an exhaustive weekend and emotions running wild....I found a little reminder

Grace

Precious Abba,

"My heart is ever at your service!"

I love learning about the intricate ways you have weaved yourself through the pages of our History. Again and again we failed you, and again and again your Grace permeates...

The wonder of your love.... I'm left looking heavenward. Smile on my face. I'm in awe.

I love you. 

Chuckles with God

As if God doesn't have a sense of humour.....

Anonymous

I love you anonymous bloggers!

You make my day xox

Mother Teresa

So on Tuesday at work I stumbled across a little rainbow. Unfortunately I missed out on the leprechaun but my little pot of treasure awaited. There upon boxes and boxes of stuff delivered to our office was a heap of second hand books. Did someone know my birthday was nigh?

Mel and I searched all through these two boxes of books, collaborating a mini library for the bookshelf up at Stringybark. There in the midst of dust bunnies, sneezes and dead spiders lay this book. "Something beautiful for God." Ahh... I'd finally found it. A book on Mother Teresa's life.

What an amazing woman. To think that a life lived simply devoted to her King could impact the world in the way she did. Of course I imagine she would have struggled living in slums surrounded by death, disease and destruction. But obedience and perseverance prevailed.

I love her. I love what she stands for. I love her cheeky smile and I adore her humility. She was gracious and overflowing with a heavenly love. She was in all of my opnion...

Beauty!

Can't wait to finish the book- soo excited to finally have found something on her.

"What the poor need more, than food and clothing, is to simply be loved and feel wanted."

- Mother Teresa

On the 5th September, Mother Teresa would have passed away about 13 years ago. Hmm... can't wait to chill with her in heaven.

Book- "Something beautiful for God." by Malcom Muggeridge

Relationship Advice

Hmmm what to write ...what to write. I walked out of my door tonight and was hit with amazing smells from my mother's garden, fresh clear night ...and I wasn't freezing.

Spring.

It seriously does wonders for my soul.  I love Spring.

The first two days of the season have been pretty epic days. I could list details of yesterday but let's just say... I saw an echidna at work!! Need I say more... it was awesome. I was excited!

And today....well wow! I left the house at 7 am and am now sitting down to rest at 10:45 pm. Such a great day! Just got home from catching up with such a gorgeous girl- ahh she makes me smile. God's daughters are incredible creatures- the world underestimates their strength!

She lead me to ponder the following thoughts... Basically centered on this...

Relationship advice.

Haha...it still makes me chuckle. 

I've had increasingly more and more young girls chat to me about there frustrations, hurts and pains with the boys in their life, asking for advice- seeking answers.

I do my best, I guess most people just need someone to listen to right and encourage them... build them up. I always laugh though as to why they'd seek advice from me.. when I haven't had a relationship in the past 6 or so years. Surely people IN a relationship have a better chance of giving more convincing and real advice and encouragement than what i could offer...right?

Well no... I guess I disagree. As i thought about it. I have plenty of advice. Plenty of experience to draw from. Not only does years of listening and observing friend's relationships prove to be worth something. I've managed to continually mature and fall more and more in love, in a relationship based on faith.

I am content on focusing significant effort into my r'ship with God so that when the day comes, my cord of three strands will be tight as tight can be. I believe it to be the foundational relationship that every human relationship should be based on... and after 8 years of growing, seeking, loving, learning, struggling and celebrating....

I guess I do have just a little advice to offer.

Now that I've reinstated some confidence in my own ability...

Continue to ask away... and i'll do my best xox

Today

So today was a bit on the crap side.

Just one of those days with one thing effecting you after another! Meanwhile I am consciously aware that with each situation that comes my way I know I am the only one who can choose how I will respond. It's a challenge some times... automatically feeling a certain way- disappointed, anger, loneliness or whatever it is, and then knowing that God is more often than not calling you to respond differently...!

I went to worship practice tonight and appreciated these words...

I know that my Redeemer lives,

And now I stand on what he did

My Saviour, My Saviour lives

Every day a brand new chance to say

Jesus- You are the only way

My Saviour, My Saviour lives

It's reassuring that from one day to the next, no matter what type of day I've had, I have the privileged opportunity to stand in relationship with the Redeemer who lives. Every week, every day, in whatever situation, conversation, thought process in my head...I have a brand new chance to declare Jesus and seek His answers for my never ending questions!

Love x