Returned

I'm back! :)

Ok, truthfully I've been back for over a week now.

But the idea of actually getting on here and typing was too tiring, and I'm not actually sure when I would have had the time other than when I should have been sleeping.

I really really wish I could post a few photo's of all the fun we had in Kowanyama, but I can't post photos of the kids :( and after trawling through the ones I have, they just aren't interesting without the kids big grins in them :(

* So I found one photo from the slip n slide! I cut some kids faces out of it. That was one fun afternoon!

But don't fret. Saturday is the big teaparty, and trust me. I'll definitely be posting photo's from that day! And in saying that, I really do have a lot more preparation work to do for it, which means I shouldn't be sitting at the computer!! Enjoy your sunny day!!

Anticipation

I'm getting so excited!!

I leave for Kowanyama on Saturday and today Amie and I handed out the first of our invitations to the tea party!!!

YAY!!!

So Amie and I have been organising a Tea Party. Go. Be Love.

Everyone is bringing something for mums and babies in need. It will be split between the homeless shelter and The Salvation Army family store for emergency packs.

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

It is going to be the most amazing tea party EVER!

Well... in our minds it is, so hopefully we can take it from there and make it reality.

Cupcakes, teacups and saucers,laughter, cookies, punch, sunshine, teapots, quotes, joy... seriously, I can't wait!!

Tomorrow more planning and crafting will be happening!! So excited!!

Then Saturday I'm off.

Off for a week of full on fun, laughter, games, craft, swimming, songs, dancing (well... I can't dance, but I can follow actions well enough), a community fete, making a community vegetable garden, day trips...

I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Tonight I'm just about jumping outta my skin I can't wait for these joys to be here already!

Don't worry, I'll stay in my skin. I'll pour over tea party pictures on the net and look through old trip photos and feed my excitement tonight, before I get crazy busy for the rest of the week organising.

rest

I've not been up to posting anything for a lil' while now.

I have sat down, intent on writing something, anything, and my fingers have been lifeless and my mind blank.

I'm exhausted when I'm at home. I'm exhausted right now... don't quite know how I'm able to type properly.

I've been so busy lately. Work, Salvo's and way too rarely I fit in a friend or two.

If I'm not at home I'm fine. Somehow the body keeps going, though my mind might not always function at its highest level.

I don't feel like I'm doing too much, I'm looking after myself to the same degree as usual. I just have lost spare time for me.

I wonder if it will catch up on me? At the moment I rest in God's grace and call on His strength. Do I need more? I think many people would say "YES!".

But this week I've been wondering... Do we really need more? Or is that the world's point of view?

I really only feel I need to make sure I'm not making myself too busy working as well as doing what I feel is God's work, to keep in touch with Him. Which I admit, I've been doing lately. How can I do it in His strength if I don't even have time for Him?

I'm glad I've noticed. Can't fix a problem until you know it exists right?

Enjoy your weekend, sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy basking in the peace and rest only the Lord can provide.

If...?

Unsure of picture source, I made the poster for the kids room, probably google images...

Only one

It's become a bit of a joke that I'm out to save the world.

One of my close friends, her partner and mates have started to refer to me as Mother Theresa.

Honestly, I don't like it.

Not even the slightest bit.

I don't like being compared to a saint, and not someone so amazing and such a women of God as her. And I don't like the image of being a save the world crusader.

Is that wrong?

Should I be embracing this?

Do you know what God's will is for your life? I believe it's quite simple.

To love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.

To love your neighbour as yourself.

And to look after the widows, orphans and those in need.

Those in need... Those lacking.

Those lacking in companionship

Those lacking in conversation

Those lacking in friendship

Those lacking in food and drink

Those lacking in shelter

Those lacking in nappies, formula & bottles

Those lacking in love

Those lacking in self esteem

Those lacking in family

Those lacking in a listening ear

The list is never ending.

My all time favourite quote is...

"I am only one, but still I am one.

I can not do everything, but still I can do something.

And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something I can do"

~ Helen Keller.

There are a LOT of people out there lacking in physical and emotional and spiritual essentials to life.

Don't look at the large, gigantic, terrifyingly huge percentage of the population this encompasses.

Instead look at the one.

I am only one.

I can do something.

I will not refuse to do the something I can do.

That's all I'm doing.

The something I can do

He didn't listen

Mr Frog, he didn't listen to my polite request.

He instead has given me the GREATEST incentive to wash my dishes before leaving the house no matter what. This could be seen as a good sign, because I have no other incentive and am lazy.

Tonight I come home and he is enjoying a relaxing chill out in the dirty, chocolate icecream water in my bowl. That's so gross!! I'm disinfecting that bowl in the morning.

Dear Mr. F

Dear Mr. Frog

I do enjoy your company. Yes, I do.

I enjoy seeing you sleeping on the blinds during the day.

But I must tell you, I am rather getting sick of finding your poop on the kitchen window sill.

I also do not appreciate you taking over my kitchen sink when I am home.

Cooking and doing dishes may not occur daily, but I would like the chance to do them still the same.

In the future, please try and refrain yourself from taking over my kitchen till I am in bed.

Many thanks.

Elizabeth.

Colour and fun!

Having such a fun week with the kids at the homeless shelter.

Playdough was a winner on Friday.

Blue Bubba, was cradled for half the morning, hugged to her chest.

One creative girl was so proud of this one

And today the masks were the greatest hit ever!!

Had to share some of their awesome work with everyone.

Love it!!

Can't forget, they ALL helped clean up the room afterwards.

Sweeping, picking up every last sequin. Little Champions!!

I'm just ignoring the fact chocolate was in the equation...

Sunday Citar

A drop of beauty in this world brought to you by Fresh Mommy

The sweetest sounds to mortals given
Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.
~William Goldsmith Brown

It's Mothers Day today! And I love my mum to bits!! I love this photo. It was taken the first day my mum came home with my big sister!

Enjoy your beautiful day Mum! I wish I could be there to share it with you!

2nd LEAST sexy

It's my little sisters 14th Birthday today :)

She is so excited. And Funny!!! Of course I was so much more mature at 14.. haha

She wrote a lovely status on her facebook page... "thanks for all the birthday wishes :D im 14!!! scary i thouught id be an aunty by now *hint hint* :D"

Discovered still too sick for laughing, caused a massive coughing fit.

Apparently the poor girl will be waiting a long time yet.

I read a lovely little article in the paper today with the top sexiest professions.

Nurses/doctors are up there at number one.

And me?

I'm in the 2nd least sexiest jobs.

And considering number one is unemployment, which isn't a job, it by default bumps me into the least sexiest job as decided by 9000 Australians.

Hannah, my dear sister. I think you will have to work on our other sisters to make you an Aunty before your next birthday, looks like I'll be getting a cat soon... 9000 people can't be wrong.

Ha ha! I just glanced at the next 3 least sexiest jobs (I didn't read further before, I was to busy daydreaming of what I should name my cat...) and I can't believe I'm ranked less sexier than retirees!!

1. Unemployment (as mentioned, not a job, thus we ignore)

2. (1). Volunteer/charity/community work

3. (2). Retired

4. (3). Transport/logistics/warehousing

5. (4). Consulting

Alas I'm allergic to cats!!

So I'm sorry dear people of Cairns and Kowanyama I can no longer volunteer in your communities, it just doesn't make me look sexy!

And Youth Work, I should give up on starting that certificate, should not think about helping the next generation on their walk and better start looking at enrolling into a Medical Degree.

Bummer I thought I had it all worked out.

Hmmm.. maybe I can get hairless cats..... no that's too gross.

oh n i am totally not saying sister who will make Hannah an Aunty is unsexy, just not in an unsexy occupation.

back for the second...

My laptop died and for some odd odd reason, tonight it is turned on. Don't know how it did it, the power button won't work for me when I push it, but oddly it is on.

I will not complain!!

I've missed blogging and reading other blogs SO MUCH. It's almost sad how much.

And to top it off I was sick in bed (couch) all week and with no television reception or laptop it really made it seem worse.

So now I'm quickly typing this before I crash for the night and start my crazy hectic day again tomorrow... really can't wonder why I'm sick... "are you making sure you have time to look after yourself?" is a question I try to dodge my way around.

Fingers crossed laptop stays working now. But considering it gave no warning to crashing, and hasn't turned on for weeks, I'm not going to hold my breath.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day tomorrow all you mums out there :D

And the photo is a bit totally random. But I felt like adding one, and it is an abandoned old canecutters cottage that is falling apart and I had heaps of fun exploring (when I wasn't terrified, frozen still n thinking of snakes!).

Sunday Citar

Life is what passes while you're busy making other plans ~ John Lennon

A drop of beauty in this world brought to you by Fresh Mommy

image source

You Hold Me Now

Not a good thing

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There's a saying about if you waste money you can always earn it back. But if you waste time, it is gone forever.

And I waste SO much time!! It's such a sore spot for me.

Sitting around watching movies at home on my own.

I can justify watching movies with friends; on my own, being lazy not so much.

Wasting precious sunlight instead of going for a walk to the creek or beach.

Wasting time that could be spent writing letters to friends, sewing, reading a book, reading my bible, praying.

Really I think my TV is the biggest suck of time in my life.

And I'm not going to get it back.

Then the next biggest suck is this, my laptop...

Oh how I do love wasting time on here Looking at pretty pictures, reading status updates n facebook stalking.

But it isn't doing anyone else any good for about 85% of the time I spend on here. Probably more actually.

So I better do something productive with my time don't you think?

Maybe once this movie finishes...

an apple a day

mmmmmmmmmmmm

This made me hungry.

A letter to Satan

My friend Faith shared this over on her blog.

It's such a great letter I wanted to share it with you guys too.

Waiting is never any fun

An unsaved world can't wait for us to take the 'safe' path.

image source

Take hold of your potential now, no point waiting.

Stalked by God

My sister has been stalked by God for the last month.

He can do exceedingly abundantly above and beyond what ever you could dream or imagine.

It's a great thing to be stalked with I think.

Sunday I realised I was being stalked too!

I've continuously found Isaiah 61 coming up. And then on Sunday there it was again!

My verse.

My purpose...

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,

² to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.

A constant reminder is a good thing I think.

A lovely walk

Went for a walk today with my new young flat mate. It came from nowhere having a flatmate, but I am quite enjoying it.

We decided to get off our lazy bums and walk down to the creek.

It was so lovely.

Stink'n hot, but beautiful :D

Sunday Citar

"You should make a point of trying every experience once, excepting incest and folk-dancing" ~ Anonymous

I could probably add a few extra things on to that list, but it really sums it up well I think :)

Enjoy trying everything!!

A drop of beauty in this world brought to you by Fresh Mommy

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

I put Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on tonight.

I was exhausted and thought it would be nice to fall asleep to.

It's a classic.

I love it.

How quirky it is.

But now the "Child Catcher" is on.

Argh, I was terrified of him when I was younger.

So creepy!

And that NOSE!

I could almost stop watching it when he's on.

And I'm so tired I should stop, but now I'll dream of that greasy hair and long nose.

I hope I can stay awake long enough to watch everyone escape!!

Taught by God

"Tozer (A.W. Tozer) believed that a lot of people knew a great deal about God- they knew the language, the songs, and the culture - but they did not know God Himself. They were taught about God, but not taught by God; and there is a difference." (emphasis mine)

I've been reading Profiles in Faith by Harold Sala. And today when I read about Tozer, this paragraph jumped out at me.

It is exactly how you could say my life has been. I've been taught all about God, but I've never been taught BY God, until now.

And the difference is unbelievable!!

It's inspiring.

It's amazing, life changing and addictive.

It's teachings I want to embrace now forever.

secret # 2

I LOVE drinking milk straight from the bottle/carton, standing in front of the open fridge.

Pure Bliss

Only endorsed when no one else is drinking it...

Higher than you've ever been before

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God wants to take me higher.

And not just me.

He wants to take YOU higher as well!!

When I saw this picture, God gave me a nudge in the ribs and said, "hey, I wanna take you higher. Come on the journey with me, it's going to be crazy". Can't wait :)

It's still raining

Rain

It's beautiful.

I'm enjoying it.

Outside is such a gorgeous green.

Then I look again.

Everything is mouldy.

Everything damp.

Every living pest thinks my house is the perfect shelter.

...But I still love it.

I've learnt vinegar cleans mouldy walls.

And now have the snake handler's number beside my phone.

Always good to learn something new don't you think?

Sunday Citar

A drop of beauty in this world brought to you byFresh Mommy

The joyful news that He is risen does not change the contemporary world. Still before us lie work, discipline, sacrifice. But the fact of Easter gives us the spiritual power to do the work, accept the discipline, and make the sacrifice. ~Henry Knox Sherrill

The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear. ~ Herbert Agar

It's Easter and what greater example of this statement could there be? The truth gets quite cleverly ignored behind the chocolate and hot cross buns.

Enjoy the extra day off work and don't forget what we are celebrating.

just for giggles

Obviously I'm not vegetarian. This made me giggle!

image source

secret # 1

I LOVE Jaffas!

Okay, that's not really much of a secret. But mmmmm, they are soooo yummy!!! xo

Rainy Day

With all the rain, today I miss my frog.

Can't really call him "My" frog.

But he lived in my shower, we were friends.

We followed the rules.

"I won't touch you, You won't touch me."

He now rests in peace.

I miss the excitement of finding him in there after a day or week off exploring.

And that's what it's all about.

How perfect for Easter Weekend...

ABC

A is for Apple pie

B is for Burger

C is for Childhood Obesity...

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Late night visitor

Arrive home 1040pm

Turn light on and walk to bedroom.

Drop bag on bed and walk back out to look at weird gecko above doorway.

Not gecko.

Snake.

Snake now not happy.

Try not to scream.

Do a little dance but try not to scare snake more at same time.

Ring Amie.

Freak her out.

Run around house and get to bag and mobile from other doorway.

Ring Ex.

"You're kidding!!" "No, there's a SNAKE in my house!!" "You're *%@$, I'm not going near it, ring the wildlife people"

Ring other male friend.

No answer.

Leave weird freaked out voice mail.

Ring another male friend.

"You've rung the wrong person, I'm no help to you, I'm no good with snakes"

Ring Miss K ... no answer.

Look up S for snake handler in phonebook... Nothing...

Look up Wildlife.... safari/experience/zoo.... no handler... hmmm...

Ring Amie back. Offered a bed.

Miss K rings back.

"Do you have a fork?... Have you got spray?..."

"I'm NOT going near it! I'm not going to try and catch it!!!"

"close the door and put towels around the bottom so he can't get in."

Realise how exhausted am.

Weigh up options of staying or leaving house.

Driving unsafe :(

Leave lights on.

Close doors.

Push towels into little crack at base of door.

Don't sleep.

I don't want to think about actually having to open the door in the morning!!!

Wish it was made of wool :(

Maybe that's where the last of my mice went?

image source

Lazy Sunday

The weather was wet, dark and perfect :)

So I decided to stay in bed all day...

How did you enjoy your day?

Sunday Citar

Sunday Citar is brought to you by Fresh Mommy, somewhere we can all share a bit of beauty in words and images.

So first off I wanted to share just a little of the beauty I live in :D One of those tiny figures is me, enjoying the gorgeous swimming hole in the middle of the Daintree rainforest!

I want to beg you, as much as I can,

to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign language.

Do not seek the answers which cannot be given you, because you would not be able to live them.

And the point is to live everything. Live the questions now.

Perhaps you will then gradually , without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer. ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

I am impatient. Yup I am, I'm happy to admit it. There are times where surprisingly I'm not. But the majority of the time I long for the answers here and now.

But I've realised the beauty in not knowing them. In the adventures of pressing through and not seeing the answers. And what if I had known the answers? Would it have been encouragement? Or would it have served to enforce the "That is impossible!/I can't do that" attitude and stopped myself from getting there?

So I want to share that beauty with you all today. In not seeking answers which cannot be given and instead gradually living along into the answer. Where you can look back and go WOW look what I achieved.

Greatest fear

sourced from weheartit.com

Happy Birthday!!

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It's a day late posting, the thought was there earlier, but so should have been this post!! Sorry....

Happy Birthday to my dear beautiful friend!

You are an amazing woman of God and I enjoy being able to talk with you as we walk the journey!! which brings me to..

You are amazing cause you listen to ME and all my blabberings on and on and on and on and on....

You are inspiring!

You are wise!

You are creative, imaginative and talented! You can turn ugly into pretty or funky.

You are an amazing mother, I'm very glad not to have kids right now cause I would be feeling inadequate beside you. I don't know how you do it all!!! And I never say it cause I don't think you'd believe me. But it's true.

You are funky!

You are crazy good at finding the coolest, funkiest things online that we absolutely always "need", some might think it should be "want" but between us we can always find the way to give an object a sense of love and belonging and make it a need :)

You are a blessing to not only me, but to everyone around you!!

You may not believe me for this but it is true! One day you'll see it.

You are AMAZING. and so much more, but I think I'm losing the "flow" with words n won't be able to say it any better than I have thus far.

Now please "own" this and believe it :)

I wish your birthday could have been a thousand times more amazing than it was to match you, but hey there's always next year!

love you lots and lots!! xx

Now!

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Wow, now is the time!! Reading tonight I was continuously amazed what God kept speaking to me!

It's time now!! The urgency stirred up in my soul was something I haven't felt before. It's all to start NOW!

It was amazing to realise that God has truly set me upon this earth for a time, and now it is a call to begin, a call to action.

Funnily enough I'm still a bit unsure what it is that is beginning, but I know it starts now, and the timing of God's is always perfect. He'll reveal it all or in bits as we go along, I just need to remember to trust Him (that's the hard part for me) that He'll keep me in the loop and point out the path for me.

So excited to see what He is going to use me for!! What has God placed in my hands that I can use for His work?

I haven't heard back from the job I was terrified to apply for yet, is it that, or is there something else mapped out for me? Was that a step in learning to not fear whatever is on the path God has called me to walk? Step out and go against that spirit of fear?

It's a bit mind spinning to think of everything. Distinguishing between what I have thought up in my head and what God's placed on my heart.

So it's time again to sit down, pray and stop thinking so much. Time to learn to hear God's voice. Time to listen and learn, and step out and speak.

One thing I do know.

I know that the cry of those who are disadvantaged, lonely and know more injustice than I could fathom, their cries have been heard. The love of God, His mercy, grace and His Holy answers are going to be poured out on them. Their time is now!

"You go, girl! Fight fearlessly the battle only you can win, and wield with strength again the weapons God entrusted to your care. You are the very one we have been watching for. Be empowered to..

Cover others with love.

Raise them with honour.

Empower them with wisdom.

Encourage them with vision.

Restore their dreams with purity.

Recover their strength with joy.

Free them with His truth.

Give them a future with legacy.

Awe them with beauty.

Inspire them with His splendor.

Stir them with holiness and passion." Fight Like a Girl, Lisa Bevere.

I love this!! It spoke so much to me, and reminded me of the word God had given me a few years ago. And how awesome that I'm not the only one hearing this?!! Others are being called forth as well, together with God at our head, it's unfathomable what will be achieved!

Isaiah 61 (new living translation)

Good News for the Oppressed

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me,
for the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted
and to proclaim that captives will be released
and prisoners will be freed.
² He has sent me to tell those who mourn
that the time of the Lord’s favor has come,
and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.
³ To all who mourn in Israel,
he will give a crown of beauty for ashes,
a joyous blessing instead of mourning,
festive praise instead of despair.
In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks
that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

Owl-o-rama

image- unsure of source

I've fallen in LOVE with Owls.

Such wise cute creatures :D

So here are just a couple of really cute ones...

image

image

image

image

Sunday Citar

Do the maths, count your blessings.

A drop of beauty in this world brought to you by Fresh Mommy

Image source

Mice

"The early bird gets the worm. The second mouse gets the cheese."

I have mice!

Yes, MICE!!

They eat my food, poop EVERYWHERE, and use my house as a playground :(

So the mouse traps came out.

Peanut Butter does work wonders.

One was down, millions more were to go.

Then tonight number Two was caught.

It was tiny.

And only his little back leg got caught.

He cried and cried.

Now he has been 'disposed' of (so glad my cousin n his mate are visiting).

And now I'm upset over those cries, I can't get to sleep.

I feel evil.

I'm trying to stay focused on poop and loss of food, LOTS of food.

image source

Totally NOT fair

Went for a walk down to the creek this morning with two Canadians... it rained... it was cloudy and windy... I got sunburnt... both PALE WHITE boys didn't even turn a faint shade of pink... where is the fairness in that?

p.s. I learnt when you take a photo over your shoulder you get back clevage, wish it worked that way also from the front :)

Beat of my own drum

"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away" ~Henry David Thoreau

I've decided to take up a life of risk.

A life of daring, adventure, uncertainty and mystery.

A life worth living, no meaninglessness, no "boredom".

This is the beginning of a life instep with God.

A feat which is not going to be easy.

It will involve each day taking up my 'cross' and dying unto myself.

How hard will this be!!!

My human spirit is one of selfishness, lust, greed and laziness. One where I totally do what to live a cushy life with no hassles, no decisions harder than "juice or softdrink?", "skirt or jeans?".

No, now my life is to be in tune with God. My feet are to follow the path unknown.

A path undertaken by Christ alone. He has dealt with all the issues and difficulties I will face, He alone is sufficient to get me through them.

Though others may take up the same challenge, our journey will come to the same place, but our feet will all march to our own drum.

What use has God with an army of clones?

I have been created unique and individually for a mission only I can full fill, same as you.

I have been created for such a time as this.

A relationship rekindled, a fire to keep ablaze

Cleaning up my mouse infested unit (seriously I was only gone 4 days, and left it relatively clean!! With no food!) I found a piece of paper amongst the piles of books and cds on my desk. On it I had written what I wanted from this weekend.

I got all of it and much more. Wish I had the words right now to say it. But for now I'm glad I found that paper and got to see yet again, God knew what I needed before I did.

Now back to disinfecting my house and sweeping up insane mountains of mouse poop.

Let's Fly Away

I'm off on a trip to Sydney tomorrow morn.

Terribly exciting!!

4 days of fun, friendship, family and fellowship.

Get to see my little sister who I haven't see since May last year.

Spend time with two wonderful friends.

Enjoy the splendour of a conference celebrating Women of God!

And one day of exploring the surrounds before jetting back home.

I'm hoping for a little bit of chilly March air, revelations of God, and Joy; lots and lots and lots of Fun and Joy.

Sunday Citar

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy.

They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

~ Marcel Proust

I'm really grateful to those friends who bring a smile to my face everyday. I couldn't imagine what life would be like without them.

Some beauty and joy brought to you by Fresh Mummy

image by Lomo_Cosmos on Flickr