Do you sometimes do things during the day that don’t necessarily have to be done because you are trying to avoid something you have to do? Or is that just me? Procrastinating is the word. Suddenly you are oh so busy doing some long needed cleaning. The dust that has accumulated on the fans. All the bathmats need soaking and washing thoroughly. The linen cupboard or the pantry needs cleaning out. I used to be very good at this when an assignment or study for university was due. I have not lost this skill, I found out the other day. I had a deadline for some writing I had to…

Living out of a suitcase lately and having irregular times for meals and the normal chores going out the window, really makes me appreciate routine. But I also chose to toss out my regular timetable of work and home life for a season of Ministry. A season of reaching out to others wherever we were. This season was special. Mainly because God turned up. So, when sometimes the tiredness was seeping into my bones as the days progressed God was ever before me nourishing me with His Word and showing me His miraculous love and mercy in people’s lives. It was God’s presence that spurred the team on. It was…

I was sitting outside beside flowing water having a prayer time. Speaking to the Lord about where I was at and how my life was going. Asking Him many questions about the future.  Trying to listen to any response that He might give. Life had been very busy lately but not just busy in my own personal life and in the Ministry, there were also many questions that needed answers and I wanted to do the Lord’s will. I was feeling quite empty, unsure at my discernment. What next Lord? Guide me. I called out to Him, “Lord I believe but help my unbelief.” I needed some encouragement. I was…

I’m not OCD but I do like a bit of order. My life has been so busy lately and my body has not felt up to pushing it too much. For if I do, I’m up most of the night with niggling pain. This has frustrated me at times. In this busy time, my chores have gone by the by. I have had my washing on the line for 3 days because I have had no time between 6 and midnight to bring it in and put it away. Meals have been haphazard, floors have not been cleaned, the minimal housework has been done. Again, so frustrating for it is…

Listening to the voice trying to share their needs, their problems through the sobs was a little bit difficult but I got the gist. It did not matter that I had not heard every word. Jesus had. It was not my response that was being depended upon, even though it helps. It was God responding, the Holy Spirit responding that was most important for this persons prayers of need, of desperation, of hopelessness. The action of letting it all go, letting it all out – for it had been held in for so long a time – was a balm for the soul. Then the Loving comforting Spirit of God…

As we approach the greatest week in history of all time, the Passion of our Lord, I reflect upon where I am at. Is not that, part of the purpose of the Lenten Season? To think about your life in regard to where is Christ in your life? Does He make a difference? Or have you pushed Him to the side? I feel very unprepared on the one hand and on the other, there was nothing more that I could do. Part of me feels very raw, exposed, vulnerable due to my body starting to not work as well, my energy levels get depleted quicker, I can’t do as much…

I met a few of them all within a couple of days. They just happened to be older men and women but I’m sure younger ones would have acted the same. They were sitting all by themselves portraying loneliness, dissatisfaction. They portrayed an ‘I don’t care’ attitude, ‘don’t come near me.’ Their folded arms and demeanour said ‘keep out’ but how could I do that? We were in a talk and were asked to turn to the people around us and say ‘hello.’ As I turned, I saw no movement from the man near me. No movement from the lady in front of me so I stepped out of my…

I love watching sports. I used to play quite a few when I was younger. During high school I was in the athletics team, the swimming team, the tennis, and netball teams. After high school I just did not have the time but got my enjoyment from watching anything to do with any sport on tv. I especially love the Olympic games – summer and winter. Of course, I would like my team to win (my country) but I applaud anyone who gives it a go. At the moment there are pre-Olympic trials occurring all over the world in the different sports. Sports men and women competing to attain that…

I have seen things where a few years ago I would have been in awe, been astonished at the beauty of God’s creation. I used to live on the east coast of Australia and naturally over the ocean see these amazing sun rises.  Then I moved to the west coast and no longer saw this. But then the majestic sun set over the water in the west, and I was wowed! The colours in the sky took my breath away. Further up the tip of the west coast, I even saw the sun setting in stages – like going downstairs – simply amazing! The more I saw the splendidness of…

I was listening to a program on the radio about how the food we cook does not often taste as nice as the same food someone else cooks. I found the discussion very interesting. Food, cooking involves our sense of smell, sight, and taste. When we cook a recipe ourselves, our senses are already overloaded with the aromas and tastes of preparing the dish that we are “over it” by the time we sit down to eat. But if we taste someone else’s completed dish, our senses are fresh to delve into the aromatic flavors and delights that cause us to say “Wow, that is delicious. Better than when I…

The black poly-pipe tubing was being untangled so as to complete some reticulation. Bruce and I had planted some plants that needed watering. Bruce was snapping connection pieces together to cover the whole area. I was boiling hot water to soften the ends of the pipe so that Bruce could mould them. This meant the connection pieces could snap on more easily. We were working as a team with Bruce definitely being the leader and me the apprentice. We had started this chore at about 6.30pm at night when the sun was going down and completed it using a torch when the light began to fade. It had been too…

It started very suddenly. The first thing that happened was the blurring of my vision and a slight feeling of sickness. I thought I was just tired but then I remembered that you could get headaches after a general anaesthetic. Last week I had dental surgery and now the anaesthetic was wearing off. So possibly it was just a side effect. Don’t you hate it when you have things to do, and you just can’t do it! And so even putting aside the jobs that I can’t do I feel debilitated to even have a normal prayer time. So, let’s make it not normal! I can go into a dark…

I don’t know how people live without a calendar. I often have so many appointments, meetings, things to do, babysitting, visiting people listed on it that I need more space to write on the page. If I don’t write it down, my memory cannot retain it all and things get missed or forgotten. Of course, there are some things which can be moved, like a doctor’s appointment. But if it has taken 2 months to get in to see this doctor… well I’m not shifting it and the catch up with the girlfriends will have to go. Priorities. That word and what it means designates what I consider doing first,…

My daughter, Melissa, has four girls. The two youngest share a room. They are close in age. They get along well together and often do the same things together. The eldest one, Aubrey, stayed at a friend’s place one night and this made Willow (who is 6) feel a bit lost and lonely going to bed. Mum and Dad put a mattress on the floor of one of her big sister’s rooms so Willow would have company. That night Melissa heard screaming from the other room.  Dad went running. A big spider had crawled onto Willow as she was drifting off to sleep. Her big sisters had seen it too…

Does anything bug you? Let me put it this way – Annoy you like a bug? Now I’m not talking about people as such, but it might be someone’s habit that grates on your nerves. The other day I was driving my husband’s car. It’s bigger than mine and has most buttons in the same places but has its own idiosyncrasies to that particular model. I turned a corner in the road and put on the indicator (flicka, blinker) to indicate that I was turning left. It was a very, very hot day and I had the air conditioner in the car up high, with all the Blowers blowing the…

Most of the year I have so many chores on my list. My list has lists! (Remember I am a list person.) I do this so that I try not to forget anything that needs doing. That does not mean that I get to complete my list. It just means items not done yet go on my list for the next day. Some of the items might be things I would like to achieve for the month, not necessarily on a particular day. So, my list has a list of priorities first and foremost. The last month, over the Christmas season, I have had time to knock off a lot…

I have never been one for making New Year’s Resolutions. As a child and young teenager, I always felt a bit weird at the New Year’s Eve parties my family went to with some close friends of my parents. They would walk around at midnight hugging everyone, wishing “Happy New Year” and then singing “Ole Lang Sign” as we stood in a circle. I did not get it.  As you can tell, I did not get the meaning of the wishes nor the song for I even got the title of the song wrong. It is Auld Lang Syne. A song sung to bid farewell to the old year. As…

When you were a little child did you sometimes not ask for help in some things because you thought people would laugh at you? It would make you look silly, stupid even? Does this feeling even happen now as you are older? You don’t want people to think you are weird, incapable, un-educated…… You don’t want to even have the possibility of embarrassment if people think your thoughts or way of thinking is strange. Do we take this mindset with us when we ask for God’s help? Maybe He will laugh at us? Roll His eyes and think we are so incapable. Ahah No! That is NOT the way God…

I’m watching the cricket matches at the moment on tv.  The stats come up for the best batter in the world, the best bowler – how many people they have bowled out. How well the different countries around the world have performed – in the World Cup, in test matches, in the summer BBL series….. Maybe you don’t follow this sport, or sport at all?  Maybe you follow the cooking shows with the latest foods or dishes that are popular. Not you? Maybe you love fashion. Car-racing. Home renovation shows. The latest movies, series that keep you enthralled.  But really none of those things are really that important.  They are…

It’s definitely feeling a lot like Christmas! The work Christmas parties, the over-eating of the rich food, the end of year school Christmas concerts, the choir rehearsals for the coming weeks, the checking of the lists upon lists…… Then the exhaustion the next day and the aching feet and knees. As I sit and contemplate what to organize for dinner, after a long day of festivities. (Yes, we can still eat more!) My thoughts go to Our Lord and what is happening in the heavenly realm. The angels would be getting prepared for the Saviour’s birth, excitement plus for the Glory of Himself soon to come to the Earth. Would…

As I was getting ready to go to work today, I looked in the mirror at my face. I sighed. Yes, the bags underneath my eyes told everyone how tired I felt.  How tired I was. The bags could have fitted two sets of luggage in them! My mind went to how was I going to cover that up? What was the secret about getting rid of dark circles? Putting cold teabags on them? Covering them up with lighter foundation? The things we do to pretend to everyone that meets us that we are all ok. That there are no problems. No issues. No sleepless nights. Ok that is us…

As Father leaned over and blessed the baby with the sign of the cross, he verbally stated to the newly baptised one, “Now that did not hurt, did it?” Her 5-year-old sister piped up, speaking and looking directly to Father. “She does not understand you. She is only a baby.” Now the soothing tone of the Priest I’m sure helped but yes, the baby in question, being only 4 months old, probably did not understand.  How many times have we said things to babies, to children, to adults even, and they did not understand what we said?  My husband, Bruce, often states that’s what spurred him on in the first place…

Bruce and I have been gardening. We have bought some trees to plant in the backyard. We don’t know very much about plants, so we have gone to the experts. The people who work with plants and trees in nurseries. We found out that some people just work there and know no more than us. While others have a plethora of knowledge which we so eagerly delved into. If we were going to get our small trees to grow to their full potential, we needed to know the soil to put them into, how much water and fertilizer they needed and what type of sunlight was best for their growth.…

The runny nose started it off with a splitting headache. I was coming down with a cold. The aches and pains and feeling rubbish continued that night as I tossed in bed to get comfortable. It was not happening. The weather was warming up and so was I. If I sat up in bed the runny nose flowed but if I lay down, I felt like I was choking on the saliva and mucus. Getting a cold once a year was quite common for me years ago but in the last few years with covid and the increase of hand sanitizer etc., I have avoided them.  My regular routine went out the…

“I’m very proud of you.” These words came out of my lips as my young grandson was telling me about his accomplishments on the athletics field. Then not long after it was followed with the words – “I would be proud of you no matter where you had come, just as long as you tried your best. That’s all God asks of us in life.” Jesus describes it like this. You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?…   You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid… let your light…

The older brother, Freddie (who is 8), nudged his younger brother, Emmett (who is 5 ), and said, “why don’t you tell Grammie?” All of a sudden Emmett’s face went bright red and he looked angrily at Freddie. His eyes turned to mine, and you could see his mind going back and forth trying to decide if he should share the news. I waited patiently for him to make his choice. All of a sudden, he blurted out, “I have a girlfriend.” I smiled and said, “that’s nice.” It was beautiful to watch his face change from being a bright red beetroot to his normal complexion and his body change…

We had had a busy day. Actually, a busy week. We (the family) were all bushed! – flat out tired – if you don’t know what that word means. As my granddaughter got into her Mum’s car she stated, “Mum when I get home I’m going to have a super duper quick one.” Mum replied, “A quick what?” “A shower so then I’m all nice and fresh and can relax for the rest of the day. That’s what you always say.” This was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon. Oh, that sounded so nice. To have a fresh relaxing shower and then to sit doing nothing in front of a…

Are there things you have to do in life that you don’t particularly like to do? This question struck me when a few of my grandchildren were being fussy at the dinner table. One of them, called Willow, had for many years eaten nearly everything but in the last year or so had become very fussy and did not like anything that was placed before her at dinner time. This particular night as she pushed the food around on her plate she stated to her Mum and Dad, “I can eat it, but I don’t like it. It’s not like I’m going to die from it.” Oh, this brought a…

I was watching a morning chat program on television as I had my morning coffee. A psychologist was asked how do you stop your children watching social media? The focus of the question was really about how you stop your children being affected by social media. The topic that had previously been discussed before this was the increase in numbers of young people with depression. The psychologist’s answer was good but what stood out to me was this: “You cannot stop them on social media, unless you take away their phones, iPad’s, and computers and then they will blame you for their ‘lives going wrong.’ But you can try and…

Some of the grandchildren, as a treat for the school holidays, spent a day and night staying at a hotel. It was such a blessing for them especially because their Mum and Dad had organized it free with points, they had earned from a loyalty program. Aubrey, who is eight, was impressed with the luggage trolley which delivered their overnight bags to the room. She commented that it was just like in the movies.  Then they went and got a milkshake downstairs and Aubrey commented, “Wow! This is luxury!” She wanted to get a photo in the foyer. In the morning after breakfast, (where they had ‘coco pops’ cereal and…

Oh, a letter I just received from an acquaintance showed me that we do not know someone else’s journey, so be careful about judging others. I thought that I had been dumped. A friendship that had started well just stopped. The friend seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth. Well, she sort of really had. Her life on earth changed after she fell ill with Glandular Fever. She had had it for a while before the doctors found what was causing the fatigue, the depression, the mood swings….. Now I know some of these symptoms are not typical glandular fever ones, but the virus affected her pituitary…

Chronic pain is such a pain. Excuse the pun. It makes you feel physically fatigued, sometimes brain fogged. It so often stops you doing normal things around the house.  At times you feel like your whole life evolves around the pain. The levels of pain are always there but exacerbated at different times, doing different things seems to be debilitating. I’m not complaining. So many people, children, elderly put up with so much more chronic pain than me. I feel for them. I have more compassion nowadays due to my discomfort. During the day I can distract myself at times but at night when all is quiet, I toss and…

Little children are so perceptive. They listen and understand way more than we think. There are also certain ages when their questions surprise you. You often wonder what started this train of thought? At the office just recently Willow, who is my six-year-old granddaughter, came with her Mum to work. She had been sick and was recovering, just left with a lingering cough. (Since covid you cannot send them to school if they have a cough.) She was quietly colouring in at a spare desk when she got up and walked over to her Mum. “Mum, you is the Boss here?” After her Mum replied she walked over to John’s…

The wind was howling, blowing into all the crevices it could find.  The 12-foot trees were bending backwards with the force of the wind.  The windows were rattling in their tracks. It seemed worse in the night-time when there were no other noises to distract my ears. As I looked out the big windows at the back of our house, I could see my pot plants had no hope. Scattered across the pavement. New plants that I had just procured and planted in our new garden were getting a beating. But there was no way I could protect them.  They were open to the elements of the weather. Thank goodness…

Willow asked her Mum, while I was travelling in the car with them, “Which world is Pa in now?” Because Pa had been travelling a lot and moving from place to place, we all did not know where he was at any certain time. The different countries, to Willow, are different worlds. As Willow’s sixth birthday approached, I remembered this conversation. I found a map of the world with a compass and stickers of landmarks of the world such as the Pyramids, the Eiffel tower, the Himalayas, the Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, Uluru etc. and animals like whales, dolphins, kangaroos, eagles, moose, deers, bears, giraffes, elephants etc. She could…

As I locked the door and spun around on my heel, the next few seconds were a bit of a blur. It had been a rainy day and just coming in from the outside my shoes were wet. Not a good idea to spin I thought but too late. One leg went to the left, the other leg to the right and my bottom landed on the floor. Within the few short seconds I had before I landed on the hard tiles, my brain told me to protect my arm and leg.  God was very good to me, except for a few bruises and aches and pains, I was fine.…

The phone rang. It was my Mum! Just her ringing me warmed my heart. She lives four and a half days drive away in another state and I don’t see her as often as I would like. I even shared with one of my daughter’s how special it was that Mum rang me. She asked me about the newborn granddaughter and her Mum, to see how they were going. She is such a caring mother of six, grandmother of twenty-three and great-grandmother of thirty. As I started the day, I looked at the Christian Calendar. The Assumption of Our Lady. My thoughts turned to Mary, the Mother of God. Our…

My week has been so tumultuous, packing, cleaning, moving, unpacking…… I still don’t know where most things are. No, I lie, they are in a box somewhere in one of the rooms. I was going to be so organized. All the boxes are labelled but the removalists and the helpers were coming in at such a “rate of supply” if there is such a thing, that I got overwhelmed.  As they entered the front of the garage, I tried to direct them to which room or where to go at least. I was inundated so much with an onslaught of boxes; I ended up just stating “Leave them here.” (In…

As I sat down all my muscles were crying out – ‘Enough! Give me a rest.’  We were near the end of moving day and every bone in my body could tell it had been a long day. Someone called out, “where do you want to put this?” I looked up wearily and said, “Wherever you want to.” My brain was mush, and I could no longer think, all I wanted to do was to rest for a while.  Tomorrow was another day; The rest of the boxes could wait. I told everyone it’s time to stop. Relief splayed across a few faces. As my whole family sat looking at…

So many people have been asking me, “How are you going? I hope “IT’S” not too stressful for you.” “IT’S” refers to moving house. We are finally moving into our new house after 2 years of renting. Moving house is frequently cited to be one of life’s most stressful events. I don’t feel that way. I am looking forward to the move. I am looking forward to being able to cook properly again. To use my winter clothes again. We had packed up so much of our things so as to live simply (we thought for only a short time.) Part of me has got used to simple but the…

As I was trudging through sand measuring a pathway, that at the moment is non-existent, laying out with rope the size of the path, my thoughts went to my steps. I was deliberately walking slowly, watching where I placed my feet on the uneven sand. Every step brought me closer to my destination. As I measured my steps my mind was thinking – Do I think of where I am walking everyday? Or do I just walk with no thought of where my feet are taking me? Where my life is taking me? Do I even consider if I am on the Right path, walking in the right direction for…

The other day someone met me for the first time and said, “You look different in real life. I thought the first time I saw you in a video that you had not done your hair and I could not even see your eyes for your fringe was all over the place and the glasses took up half of your face. But I see that you have very fine flyaway hair and you’re not unkept at all.” I literally laughed, not offended, but amused. But it made me think – we humans (speaking generally) in society, feel we can say anything nowadays to anyone. No holding your opinion to yourself.…

Rush, rush, rush. It often happens in all our lives.  As a young woman, going from working full time, volunteering to sing in choirs and church and other groups, going to family functions, studying part time for my second degree, I was busy. Then I got married and it was another phase of busy. Then children came along, and I was flat out busy! I often thought finally after nine years, no nappies to be rinsed, washed, and cleaned every day. (Disposables were just coming into usage but were very expensive so I had used cloth nappies.) Then school years were always many days of being rushed, juggling all that that…

She was lying on the couch with a flushed face. Feeling her body, it was very hot, so out came the thermometer and the Covid test kit. Yes, Willow had a temperature, but no the Covid test was negative. For now, anyway. It will be needed to be used a few times over the coming days to check. So, no more school for now. She was not up to it anyway. Over the coming days her symptoms escalated but the worst thing was the persistent cough. It appeared to just be the flu or a heavy cold. It was very phlegmy and made her vomit a few times. Often in…

Yes, I can find every excuse under the sun to not go do my exercises. I injured myself a few weeks ago and finally went to the physiotherapist. I need to do exercises on my knee joint. It may never fully recover but will repair a bit and will get better mobility. Let alone hopefully reduce in the stiffness and pain. But unless I have another appointment the next day which pushes me to go do the exercises, the weights just sit on the floor. I need to strengthen some of the surrounding muscles to support the weaker area. When I get up quickly or awkwardly out of a sitting…

I have 598 unread emails. It is an email address that I don’t use for work, only privately. No, I am not rude for not opening them up. They are all too much of a temptation. They are all emails from shops selling their wares. Do you sign up for stores emails to be sent to you? When they have sales. When they are showing you the latest seasonal stuff? This is all well and good but for a while now my computer has been inundated with emails about sales etc. I don’t want to waste my time, waste my money on stuff I don’t really need. I don’t want…

Have you noticed that young children have so many questions? Here are a few from some of my grandchildren. “Did Jesus visit Australia when he lived on the earth?” “Mum, in the 80’s were dinosaurs real?” “Why can’t we breathe under water?” “Is Pa in another world?” “I can go to school tomorrow, can’t I ?, cause my belly does not hurt, I’m not sick anymore and my little bit of a runny nose is ok cause I can blow it at school. (From Someone who loves school) Some of these questions are easy to answer. Others are more difficult to articulate. Then I realised, I too, always have so…

They were interviewing a lawyer who gave up her work a year ago to become a commander fighting in the army because of where she lived in Kyiv, Ukraine. Like many civilians, she could not stand around “doing nothing” while her beloved country was being invaded. She sent her seven-year-old son away to be safe, to live with an aunt in another country. My hat goes off to her for her bravery. Would I do the same if our country was invaded? She went on to say, “You see buildings and houses blowing up and people dying, and you understand at that moment that we have something more important than…

A myriad of colours splashed across the canvas for the artist’s pleasure. But also, for ours.  Their gift seen in all its splendour, but do we truly know them. Only part of who they are is depicted in their drawings, their paintings. Sometimes the artist’s innermost self is displayed for all to see while others represent a fantasy, a possibility of a better life. I’m standing at the Lume Art display and all these thoughts transverse across my mind.  Some artists more than others enthral me. I desire to know more about them personally. I desire to know their story. I am drawn to what they create. As I am enjoying…

We have just celebrated Mother’s Day here where we live. A time when we honour our Mothers for who they are and what they have done for us. We know they are not perfect but most Mothers try their very best to love and give of themselves to their family. I find it a privilege and an honour that my children want to come and visit me on this day. To tell me, even in a small way, thank you for your giving of yourself to us. For those who maybe are not physical Mothers, we honour you for being Spiritual Mothers to people in your lives. To do this…

The little one was so excited to show me his mouth. As he opened it wide and smiled at me, I first thought what is he wanting me to see? Then I saw it. A gap in the bottom row of teeth. He was so proud. Why? Emmett has recently turned 5. He has a big brother and two sisters. For some reason He always wants to be the same as his big brother, Freddie. If he is not wanting to be the same as his big brother, then he is wanting to beat him. NOT beat him up but better him in sport, in trying, in anything really. He…

Bruce took a bite and said, “This tastes nice, different to mine, but nice.” He asked me what I did. Let’s retrace our steps a few months. Bruce was Bachelor-ing (if there is such a word.) He decided to cook for himself, which he has not often done over the years, mainly due to lack of time. Now it was a necessity if he did not want to get take-away every night. Bruce had also decided he wanted to eat healthy, hence the cooking himself. He looked on the internet at some recipes from a few different websites and chose three involving chicken and one with mince. He had also…

I know I share often about antidotes from my grandchildren but sometimes the wisdom that comes from their mouths stop me in my tracks. This is one of them. Willow was sitting in the front room of her house and was crossed legged on the couch. She was looking out of the big, large bay-like roof to floor front window. The picture in front of her eyes was magnificent. These glorious Cumulus clouds in a bright blue sky. The clouds were very low lying fluffy white cotton balls. Willow turned to her Mum after gazing out at this scene. Pointing at the clouds she asked, “Was that the city of…

You never know the time. I heard some sad news a week and a bit ago. One of my beautiful ladies who was in my HEART zoom small group (that started during covid in 2020) has died. Linda was younger than me. So unexpected. We are all still reeling. Many tears flowed when I heard this tragic news. The pain was intense. Many prayers were said and will be continued to be said for her. Then only this morning, Bruce got a phone call, from a man that we have known for about ten years, that his best friend died unexpectedly this morning. They were both leaving this morning to…

I pummelled the pillow for the umpteenth time. Why can’t I sleep? I’m trying to empty my mind of things but it’s not happening. I just think of more things that need to be done! It was one of those nights. Up and down like a yoyo. I’ve learnt to NOT stay in bed but get up and tire myself more by reading etc. Sometimes it’s laughable really. I’m so tired that my eyes do not focus on the words on the page but not tired enough to sleep. Anyone else been there? Is it a symptom of menopause or old age? Whatever it is, it is so frustrating! I…

There I was seated on the plane. A place I really don’t choose to be because I don’t like flying. I’ve not been one ever to enjoy the bumpy rides. You know those rides that toss you around and some people are exhilarated by them. NOT ME! I had two experiences on two different rides as a child, and the memories of them are not good. It ended in pain and injury. So, NO BUMPS FOR ME. The funny thing is my sister is an air steward and my brother-in-law is a pilot. I have had many a conversation with them about different “air bumps” or turbulence to find out…

Daddy says to his little girl (One of my 4-year-old granddaughters) “How’s my Princess?” My granddaughter says, “I’m not a princess Dad.” “I’m a girl. I’m just a little girl.” Do we need to be reminded that we are Princesses? For that is what God Our Father, our heavenly Dad, calls us – His Daughter and so therefore His Princess for He is the King. We are not just His little girls but His little (or big) Princesses. He wants us to come to Him. He draws us to Himself. He loves us. “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of heaven…

A conversation with Willow, my five-year-old granddaughter, and her Mum went something like this… They were driving in the car. “Mum, I need water.” “Well, did you bring your water?” “No, you have to bring it.” “It’s not my job to bring you water. If you want it, you need to bring it. I bought water bottles for you all.” “But humans need water to survive!” was Willow’s reply. “I’m sorry, I don’t have any, you should have brought it.” “But Jesus is the one that provides water.” Willow said. Mum’s reply to this drew a major eye roll and glare from Willow. “He has…. it’s currently raining.” Mum then…

Keep Left. I had one of those days. Seem to have a lot lately. Rushed. List upon list of things to do. It was later in the day when the incident happened. Just when the traffic was starting to get congested from everyone leaving work and going home. I had just dropped off one of my granddaughter’s birthday presents.  Then I was heading off to a different daughter’s house for dinner. Without thinking, just basically driving robotically, I had nearly reached the stop sign at the intersection. “Oh no!” I said out loud. Not this intersection. It is one of the deadliest intersections you can try and cross, especially at…

Have you ever felt very empty? The brain is not working, the body is too tired. It’s just all BLANK in the mind. I don’t often get that way but sometimes when I have over-worked on a shift, pushed myself with night after night lack of sleep, the brain is mush. Nothing is going in and nothing is coming out. That’s when I often sit in prayer and just sit. God must be enjoying my silence, for some days I open my mouth and go on and on with my issues and problems and prayers. He must think, ‘oh no Rosemary going on and on again.’ Actually, that’s how we…

After a long few days of lifting and unpacking boxes my muscles were feeling decidedly sore. I have a couple of injuries involving damaged muscles and tendons that I did a few years ago, where if I do not care for them, they can develop into more damage and pain. So, when part of the team I was on were going off to relax over the weekend, by going to the movies, I took myself off to have a deep tissue massage. I was lying down on the cushioned table, getting pummelled, prodded, and poked while the soft music played over the speakers in the roof. I could feel the…

What do they say about Murphy’s Law? “If something can go wrong, it will go wrong.” I’ve had that type of few days. That type of week. The order that I needed for the next few weeks doing Lenten Missions was now not available. The stock levels on the computer were wrong and they had NO STOCK. I was scrambling to fix this problem. The flight I was flying on was cancelled and had to organize another one to make the destination in time. One member of our small team could not come now due to health reasons. A piece of equipment has gone “missing.” No one knows where it…

The other day I was talking to a friend of mine. I could tell she was very worried about stuff happening in her life. Actually, it was happening in her adult children’s lives and was causing her much heartache. How many of us, as women, as Mother’s, have heartache from and for our children.? It could be our children are ostracised from us. There is no longer a relationship there. It could be our children, young and older, are suffering, struggling in their own lives, and this affects our hearts, our minds, our peace. We often take on other people’s problems and this causes us to worry so. The sorrows…

I had to laugh when I sat down to write this blog. I had just spoken on how to cope with stress on our latest Heartbeat and guess what God sent me this day? A situation where I had to put into practice coping with stress or forever ‘eat my words’. I had just dropped Bruce off at the airport and was driving a van that had been given to us to use. I was in another city and did not know the roads at all. Well, this side of the city anyway. The van was a late model and did not have GPS in it or even a plug…

Who does not love a good story? A story of someone or some people down and out, less than in their walk of life, finally attaining freedom, attaining the career they dreamed about, attaining the best in their particular sport, in their particular gifting. It makes you feel you want to celebrate with them, to acknowledge that finally they have made it, that their dreams have come true. And then there are the heroes. Doing it for others. Selflessly for mankind. Many who don’t receive any rewards or acknowledgements. Many who have been injured, hurt for their craft, for their compulsion to tell the truth, to tell the real stories.…

What is happening to me? I’m normally such an organised person, but not this day. I plan my day off so that I make it as fruitful as possible. Are you like that? Ok, so after my shower in the morning I’ll put on the washing while I’m having breakfast so that I’m not wasting time. By the time I have washed the few plates or cups I have used the washing machine is finished and I can hang it out. Then in the afternoon after more chores, grocery shopping, running errands, it will be dry, and I can bring it all back in to fold and put away. It…

It started out as any ordinary day but ended up literally me being flat on my face. I am an avid sports fan. Ask any of my children. I have been so blessed this holiday season with the number of games I can watch from my own loungeroom.  If it’s not swimming (the short-course championships), it’s been rugby, cricket (either T20 or Test matches), tennis, basketball, soccer and even American football. (Yes, I’m slowly learning the rules.) The opportunity arose to get cheap tennis tickets to see Greece play against Bulgaria. Tsitsipas was playing, for any of you tennis fans. We arrived early and parked underneath the stadium. The doors…

It’s only been one week, and I’m not doing well but the heat here is so depleting of my energy. Well, that’s my excuse anyway. The exercise regime that I had planned just has not occurred. But ladies I am not beaten, just a false start. I’ve actually changed my plan of attack, I’ll either go to the swimming pools and exercise there, or at least somewhere where there is air-conditioning. I remember seeing a walking class in the middle of a shopping centre. The group were wearing all their gym clothes with sneakers and walking up and down the aisles at a reasonable pace. I did not pick it…

I have decided this year to try and change three things. One mentally, one physically, one spiritually. Well to be honest, I will try and work on those areas, but it is God who will change me. So, looking firstly at the physical part of me. I’m aiming to try and get fit. To have more stamina, more strength, to work hard. As I am getting older the saying “use it or lose it” is so true! So, I am diligently going to try and put in more and more consistent exercise days in my life. (Oh, dear did I really say that? – YES.) Secondly, I’m going to work…

Well, the jingles and the bells have been put away till next Christmas (the tree is still up) but I am looking forward to the new Year. Mentally it makes me feel like a fresh start for my life, even though you can have a fresh start every day. Remember the scripture… “His mercies are new every morning.” Lamentations 3:23 I looked at the scripture reference here and the book of Lamentations is a collection of poetic laments for the destruction of Jerusalem in 587 BC. It describes the humiliation, suffering and despair of Jerusalem and her people in that time. What rises out of that despair is this beautiful…

Ever written down stuff you have done in one day. You’ve felt like it is very mundane, not out of the ordinary at all. Like caring for the needs of loved ones, doing chores around the house, going to the shops for groceries, doing washing, attending meetings, writing, reading……. Nothing glamorous. Sometimes a “normal” every day can leave you wondering if what you are doing even matters to God. What if I turn my mundane moments into worship and sacrifice to Him? As suggested in Colossians 3:17: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father…

There they all were, excited for the show to start. Parents, students, grand-parents, friends. Yes, I’m talking about the end of year concerts, Christmas shows, assemblies. The laughter and clapping rang out as the first item was presented and the people in the audience were oohing and ahhing. I had a smile on my face too, even if no one I knew was in the item. There was one young boy sitting in front of me that was so infectious. His excitement was through the roof. His clapping and cheering were full on and everyone around us was smiling and laughing at his enthusiasm. Even when the raffle (midway through…

The weariness hopefully has not set in. It’s just going to take longer to recover from the jetlag, right? The glazed over feeling, the brain fog should lift soon. My body is still functioning – thank goodness. Bruce and I have been away for a month and are now home. But travelling across the International Date Line to another country definitely upsets your system. No matter how we are feeling, the sleep we are getting or not getting, whatever the journey we are on, I have learnt something very important lately. That God accompanies with us on our journey of life. Even if we do not recognize Him, acknowledge Him.…

Our travels are nearly over for this season. God’s provision has simply been God-smackingly good (Not gob-smackingly), as only God can be. His gift of provision of all that we would need on this trip was supplied to us every day. His gift of His presence was in every meeting we went to, on every step of our journey. His gift of faithfulness to His promises, especially the promise found in Matthew chapter 6. Starting with Verse 25 (Bruce and my Gospel reading at our wedding): And I say to you, do not be anxious about your life, as to what you will eat, nor about your body, as to…

You organize, plan, account for time for everything in the day, at least I do, and especially when I have a day to myself. Ok, I will first sleep in. Yes, I heard that sigh from many of you jealous of me – I get it! Then I’ll next get onto the washing that needs to be done. Then I’ll go to the room we will be using tonight to check that it had all been set up correctly.  From there I’ll go and have a breakfast coffee, then I’ll read and pray and write. I have nothing else on my agenda until the evening for Bruce was busy in…

It was an early morning start. Left the hotel at 5.30am to go to the airport and catch the plane to our next destination. I was already tired from previous flights and lack of sleep. We arrive in heaps of time for the flight, but it is delayed leaving by an hour due to a malfunctioning toilet door! Then when we are all onboard, the announcement states that the forward door is closed and get ready for take-off. After waiting a few minutes, the pilot announces there will be a delay while they look for the other load of baggage on a trolley somewhere???? After about half an hour the…

Something really struck me the other day when I was listening to a bible story that I’ve heard many times before. I remember as a child colouring in a depiction of the story. The story of Zacchaeus. A tax collector, actually a senior tax collector, who collected taxes for the Romans from the Jewish people. He was a Jew himself but used to skim an amount of money over and above the tax amount for himself.  He had become very wealthy due to this dishonest act. So hence no one liked him. Now Zacchaeus had heard that Jesus was coming through his town Jericho. Something about Zacchaeus’ behaviour surprised me.…

The other day I read two very funny stories or memes about two saints we would recognize by name. The first is Saint Anthony. “Saint Anthony asks God what He did to deserve an eternity of looking for Everyone’s Car keys.” When I read this, I chuckled. Why the Saint for Lost things? It made me wonder. Supposedly it all goes back to a story from his life. A novice stole a book of Psalms that belonged to him. St Anthony prayed to God for it to be recovered, the novice returned the book.  So, in our prayers to him (to any saint) we are invoking the aid of the…

Do you have those days when you’re not sure what you’re doing? I don’t mean you have nothing to do. But how can I be effective today? Make it worthwhile and not just another day gone. There is only 24 hours in the day, which is 1,440 minutes. How can I make the most of the time I have? I often have lists. I am a list person. I find this helps me with my memory but also with my personality. I get a sense of achievement when I cross things I have completed off my list. I have shopping lists. Christmas ideas lists. Books I desire to read lists.…

My thoughts were inspired by a story of a young boy sick with cancer and his Dad. They were sharing stories and memories with each other. “Remember the time dad when we…” Laughter ensued. “Yes, and remember when you…” The joy that was there was breathable. The atmosphere then changed. The boy and His Dad touched hands and hugged. Their eyes met and my heart melted. Tears came to my eyes. I don’t remember the young boy’s name, but I remember his words. “My Dad is always there for me. He will do anything for me.” He stated to the journalist. Later, I started to reflect upon my Dad. He…

The chatter in the backseat was non-stop but very enjoyable. Three of my grandchildren, Freddie who is 7, Mackenzie who is 6 and Emmett who is 4, were in my care for the day, and I had just picked them up from school. Freddie was talking about meeting the other two when they were babies and had just come home from the hospital. He was describing how little they were and so cute and that he had cuddled them. They were asking him questions about themselves and he was trying to remember. He then sighed and said out loud, “They were enjoyable, the good old days.” I had to smile.…

The alarm went off and I groaned. It’s not that time already. Peeling my eyes open and squinting at the time, I was hoping the clock was wrong. I laughed thinking about that thought. As if the clock could be wrong, probably more like ‘user error’ as my daughter states. Time in life just keeps ticking on. I seem to be rushing from one event to the next. I do remember now why I enjoyed school holidays so much. The tyranny of keeping to a time schedule was relaxed and sleep-ins were a pleasure. Relaxed meals at the dinner table accompanied with enjoyable conversation, with no time master sitting on…

There was one very excited little girl on the morning of her sixth birthday. Actually, Mackenzie had been excited all week, to the point when her Mum picked her up from school on the Monday and her birthday was not for two more days, she had plans. She told her Mum that she had been “inviting people” to her birthday and her Mum was like “what??? We’re not having a party, any parties this year.” Mackenzie’s smile on her face dropped. “What do you mean?” Mum explained that one year they will have parties, the next year they won’t. “But what about my friend Evie? Who was so excited about…

Oh, what a remarkable lady! All the world could see it and now they are acknowledging it. Queen Elizabeth II has died at the age of 96.  The tributes start rolling in from many people. What stands out to me is how so many of the ordinary Englishmen talk about how the Queen was always there for them. She was constant, reliable, true. Many spoken to by reporters felt that they would miss her because she had always been there. She had this constancy about her character and her failings were rare. She was greatly admired by many. Queen Elizabeth was appointed to the role at a very young age,…

I know I’m getting older but after the few days of painting, measuring, carrying, cleaning, driving, walking, picking up things, holding tools, acting as a labourer’s assistant, making drinks for many (and the list doesn’t stop there) … I am tired. My bones and muscles ache. My knees feel wobbly, especially if I try to bend down. It made me laugh really. Shows me how unfit I am. Or at least the lack of usage of some of the muscles. The funny thing is the whole team of people with us are feeling the same.  We gave our all. On the day after the event, we just looked at each…

Rush, rush, rush. Have I remembered everything? I start going through the list in my head as I glance at my watch for the time. Oh, I have not long, so again I ask myself, do I have everything? I send up a prayer to ask for assistance for the day as I grab the bags ready to walk out the door. I start going through my mind the jobs for the day. Working it out in my head as if I had a map, how can I fit it all in?  So, my thoughts went progressively through the tasks. I can go here, backtrack and then go there, then…

All the different questions were going through my head. How am I going to get it done? What do I say? How do I approach the topic? Can I even do this? The expectations are so high. I feel so incapable. Then I glanced down at the new clean pages of the scrap book that I had bought, and these words were emblazoned on the edge of the cover. “Don’t overthink it.” Oh God you have a great sense of humour! God can talk to us through anything if we have ears to hear, eyes to see. I was overthinking it all. How many of you does this happen to?…

“Now that you’re five, you are a big girl!” said Willow’s mum, Melissa, as she tucked Willow into bed after an exciting birthday. Willow replied, “Yeah, and I can’t wait till I’m a new student in high school.” Melissa laughed, “Ah no… you still go to kindy tomorrow.” Oh, don’t little ones bring a smile to your face. We are not very different in our thinking to this. How often do we want to move from the season we are in to something that appears better? We very quickly want to jump from a young girl to a teenager. Then when we are early teens, we can’t wait till we…

As I read, I pray. Someone needs prayers and assistance with their Mum who is being tested for Alzheimer’s…. Waiting upon test results for themselves for suspected cancer… Someone needing strength to cope with the ravages of cancer… Some parents just finding out their child has a learning disability and wanting to know the next step for help…. A family asking for prayers because a loved one had died…. Another family asking for prayers and answers for a family member who took his own life… Many families asking for prayers because someone they know who is close to them is depressed… Struggling financially and prayers asked for… Heartache for loss…

As I rushed out the door and took a final sip of coffee, (for I knew I would need all the help I could get today) a message came up on my phone, “Could you bring…… with you when you come.”  Two minutes later and I would have already left the house. So, I turned around, grabbed the item needed and slammed the door shut. ‘Huge schedule today’, I thought, and I was not wrong. I ran into the shops to grab all the stuff for hospitality that I would need this morning. Then drove (under the speed limit I might add) to the office to set up everything. Then…

Mum asked the children to clean their rooms. Aubrey who is 6 and Willow who is 4 share a room. They asked their Mum, Melissa, to set a timer for them while they cleaned it. So, Melissa put on a stopwatch timer to time how long it took them to clean. This has often been a way Melissa has got the children to pack up their toys when they were younger. Making it a bit of a game, to see how fast they can do it. After 8 minutes, both girls came out of their room and said they were done. Melissa was surprised it only took that long, so…

Some people just have a gift. A gift of welcoming, a gift of hospitality. They make you feel at home and it’s as if you have known them for a very long time. That’s how it felt this weekend just gone. Both Bruce and I had never met this couple, who opened their “retreat house” up to us. We were spoilt by their company, their cooking, their home, their time. Their Ministry to others is very evident and genuine. 1 Peter 4: 8-9 came to mind.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:8-9 NIV This wonderful…

Humph…. oh….I groaned as I looked at my watch. Why is the queue taking so long? I looked ahead at the lady at the front of the counter and saw an old lady getting something out of her purse. She was moving very slowly and so again I sighed….. Ah well it is going to take a bit longer. My mother’s words crept into my mind. “Patience is a virtue, possess it if you can ……” I started thinking over this saying. A virtue is a trait or quality that is deemed to be morally good and valued as a foundation of principle and good moral being. So, patience is…

It was school holidays. And as it so happens my little three-year-old granddaughter did not sleep in as her parents would have liked. She woke up her usual early time and came into their bedroom. “Time to wake up.” There was no movement in the big bed but a groan. “I’m ready for breakfast.” Again, no movement but a deep voice from her Dad from the depths of the blankets said “You go, I’ll meet you there.” She replied, “I’ll help you.” And proceeded to pull off all of the blankets. Because her Mum was holding onto the blankets on her side of the bed and would not let go,…

Have you ever done a whole lot of washing and then things happened in the day that you got so busy that you never got a chance to fold and put everything away? Then the next day and the next day it occurred again and, coming from a family of 7, the piles of washing grew into mountains, or so it seemed. The loads of folding that came from those loads of washing, once added to the original pile, became a mountain of clothes. Added to that pile was 3 days of baby’s cloth nappies. (No, I did not use disposables – they were not around much when my children…

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10b NRSV I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. John 10:10b AMP Many of us, if not all of us have heard this scripture many times. But have we truly heard it?  I heard it the other day with a different mindset, a different slant. Jesus came to give us abundant life. Another way of putting it is that Jesus, the son of God, is the God of abundance. What does this abundance mean? The dictionary meaning is – a very large quantity of something. The spiritual meaning…

My mind can’t concentrate. I feel very blah, blank even. So even though my thoughts seem to be in a fog, and I can’t see a light in the tunnel (or even where the end of the tunnel is), I know God is with me. I feel like I am groping in the dark but still have God’s presence with me. Past experiences, past knowledge and truly knowing God tells me this. God is still near me. I, for whatever reason, can’t rely on my today feelings. I don’t need to dig deep, to push through, to be positive, to try harder. To do it in my human effort. No.…

The nurse called out a name. No one moved. The name was called out a bit louder and there was movement to my left side. A gentleman stood up and stated to the nurse that it was ‘this lady here’ but she was hard of hearing. I turned to see an elderly lady in her dressing gown, sitting in a wheelchair. The nurse came over pushing a blood pressure machine on wheels. After taking the lady’s blood pressure the nurse went back into rooms on the other side of the sliding door. A very chesty cough could be heard over to my right, behind a barricade. The few people sitting…

The new building’s roof was painted. The walls also. But the floor…… it needed pressure hose spraying to get it clean. Many hands got to work and after three long days the work was completed. I had gone along a few times to see what I could do. The pressure hose seemed to be too powerful in its vibrations for my damaged muscles (due to some ongoing past injuries.) So, what could I do? I made coffees. I got out the broom and swept the extra water down the drain as it built up in the room. It made me feel useful. I was participating as much as I could.…

The little 2-year-old climbed the stairs carefully up to the enclosed trampoline. As she reached the top Abigail turned to look to see if I was watching her. I called out, “Be careful. Watch where you are walking.” She laughed and then started to bounce up and down with delight, her golden curly hair blowing in the wind. Along comes her big brother. He is four. Emmett is a bundle of energy waiting to burst out into any activity where he can use it. I laugh as I watch because He does not use the stairs. He runs at the trampoline full pelt, dives for the handle holds and swings…