I'll Lend You A Child

A little while ago I came across this beautiful poem. It is for all parents, irrespective of whether or not you have lost a child - or, as this poem puts it, had them "called back". 

"I'll lend you for a while a child of mine," He said.
"For you to love the while he lives and mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years, or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?
He'll bring his charms to gladden you, and should his stay be brief,
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief."

"I cannot promise he will stay; since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there I want this child to learn.
I've looked the wide world over in My search for teachers true
And from the throngs that crowd life's lanes I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love, not think the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call to take him back again?"

"I fancied that I heard them say, "Dear Lord, Thy will be done!
For all the joy Thy child will bring, the risk of grief we run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay;
But should the angels call for him much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand!"

Edgar Guest

Merry Christmas!

I think this just might be the most adorable retelling of the Christmas story ever.

Wishing all of my readers a wonderful and happy Christmas!

Remembering and Rainbows

Originally, this post was just going to be about a rainbow badge I made for my niece, whose birthday is today (she's currently into rainbows), but I also want to say something to acknowledge all the courageous men and women who have fought to keep Australia free. 

Thinking about these two things, the rainbow and Rememberence Day, I realised that there is a connection - for me at least. For me, the rainbow is all about remembering. When I see a rainbow, it reminds me of God. I'm filled with joy and thankfulness that my God is faithful and trustworthy. I can honestly say that God has never disappointed me. He has made even the hard and difficult parts of my life into something beautiful.

This post is getting much deeper than I intended!

Here is the rainbow badge I made for my neice:

To make it, this is what I did:

• I crocheted a flat disk (sc), using the usual increased (6, 12, 18, etc) until it was 36st around, then did a round of slst (blo), doing an extra ch in each of the six corners.
• I then embroidered the rainbow on, using chain stitch and some running stich, and I used the yellow to sc around the outside.
• I then sewed a piece of felt onto the back, and sewed on a brooch pin.
• To flatten it, I boiled the jug, held the badge in the steam (being careful not to burn myself!) and then pressed it flat.

Here's the back, all nice a neat with a bit of felt covering all the mess! I really enjoyed doing some handsewing again.

To give it to her, I am planning on putting it in this little bag. I think she'll love it! I hope so!!

And now to the Rememberence Day part of the post...

Several men from my family have been in the army, including my father in Vietnam, my maternal grandfather in WWII (I think - he was stationed in Darwin), and my great uncles in WW1, one of whom died. The other was literally saved by the Bible in his breast pocket, which prevented shrapnel from wounding him. 

I have seen the damage war does, even decades later, to those who give their time in service. I love my father, and I recognise that his service in Vietnam took it's toll emotionally, physically and mentally. It's is all due to God that my father and our family is as whole and healed as we are. I count myself blessed when I see how other veterans and their families are still suffering in a very real way.

I honour these men, and I pray that my brothers, my husband, and my future children will not to bear the burden they did. 

Day 05: A Non-Fiction Book I Actually Enjoyed

I love non-fiction books: biographies, autobiographies (I'll talk about these more on Day 25), and history books. I've read several non-fiction books for each of my degrees, but I can't say that any of them would be my favourite non-fiction book.

My favourite non-fiction book was found on my "Christian" bookshelf, the one with all my devotional books, Bible reading guides, etc. At first I thought it would be Jesus Freaks, which has dozens and dozens of stories of martyrs, from Stephen in the Bible, to people killed within years of the book being published. However, just as I was about the grab it off the shelf, I saw this book and knew it this was my favourite non-fiction book:

Heaven has a Blue Carpet is a funny, inspiring, heart-breaking, challenging book, in which Sharon Niedzinski talks about what it's like to look after sheep, and then uses that to explore what this means in regard to the Biblical metaphor of the sheep (Christians) and the Shepherd (Jesus). 

As someone who grew up in a Christian household which also had pet sheep (sort of... we ate them...), I had a good understanding of the sheep-shepherd idea, but this book really brought a lot more insight and understanding. It's inspiring and encouraging and I throughly recommend it if you're struggling with understanding how much you are loved and cherished by God.

Day 02: My Least Favourite Book

My least favourite book is one that I read for uni, while completing my honours year.

I can't actually remember the name of the book, so thoroughly have I attempted to forget about it.

Basically, this book was a rewritting of the Noah's ark story. In it, God dies and Noah is a pedophile, and that's just the start. As a Bible-believing Christian, I found this novel incredibly offensive: I think it was slanderous and blasphemous.

Other students in the class who also read this book enjoyed it - and it was certainly well written. But what some people like, others do not, and this time I fit in the latter group.

I guess the main thing I don't like about this book is the way it depicts God as an old, imcompetent, unfaithful and untrustworthy man. This is so opposite to how I think of God, which is as a faithful, trustworthy and loving father who delights in those who love him, just as a human father adores his own children. 

If you've written about your least favourite book add a link in the comments so I can check it out!

Day 01: My Favourite Book

I have many books which I love and consider favourites. I think, however, that my all time favourite book is The Last Sin Eater, by Francine Rivers.

 The tag-thing (what is that called?) on the front cover reads:  

A little girl's quest for redemption uncovers a dark secret... but the truth shall set her free.

The blurb:

All that matters for Cadi Forbes is finding the one man who can set her free from the sin that plagues her, the sin that has stolen her mother's love from her and made her wish she could flee life and its terrible injustice. But Cadi doesn't know that the "sin eater" is seeking as well. Before their journeys are over, Cadi and the sin eater must face themselves, each other, and the One who will demand everything from them in exchange for the answers they seek. A captivating tale of suffering, seeking, and redemption.

I'll say straight up that this book isn't the most brilliantly written book I've ever read, and there are a couple of sections which at first I wasn't sure about, though on reflection, I think they actually are appropriate: for example, the way the preacher talks is quite long winded, but I think that's actually a fairly accurate representation of how they may have spoken in the mid 1850s. Despite its imperfections, this book has that "something" which keeps drawing me back.

I love the theme of redemption, and the romance woven throughout the narrative. Even though I've read it several times I always somehow manage to forget the reason Cadi's mum doesn't love her, so that's always a fresh discovery, which is nice! The "last sin eater" referred to in the title is Jesus, hence the strong themes of redemption (Francine Rivers often writes on this theme: her book Redeeming Love is very popular, though I prefer Atonement Child, which also has this theme, though not as strongly). For those of you who are Frank Peretti fans, The Last Sin Eater reminds me of some that he has written, though it doesn't (in my opinion) compare to This Present Darkness or Piercing the Darkness, both of which has a massive impact on the Christian community.

Just incase you were wondering, a "sin eater" (according to the author's note) was a person who was paid a fee or given food so that he would take upon himself the moral trespasses (or sins) of a deceased person and their eternal punishments. Sin eaters were apparently common in the early 1800s in England, parts of Scotland, and the Welsh border district. The custom of sin eaters was brought to the Americas by immigrants and practices in remote areas of the Appalachian Mountains. In a very real sense, sin eaters were scapegoats.

Funny(ish) story: this book has been adapted into a movie, and the copy I have has an insert with pictures from the movie set. One night, I dreamt the whole movie! I was convinced for months that I'd actually seen the movie in real life, my dream had been so real (and the adaption was brilliant!). It wasn't until I actually saw the movie that I realised it had all been a dream. The main difference was the accents: in my dream the cast had a 'normal' Hollywood accent, but in the real movie they all had a Scottish (I think) accent.

In the interest of full disclosure, when I was in my teens my favourite book was King Solomon's Mines. I was a strange one! (I still am strange...)

This post was way longer than I was intending! If you are also taking part in this challenge, leave a link in the comments so I (and other readers) can check out what your favourite book is :D

Grateful

I just read Erin's most recent post, and though I'm not going to join in with Curious Girl's month of gratitude, Erin's post made me think about all I have to be grateful for. Or, to put it another way, it made me think of some of the ways in which I have been blessed.

I have a wonderful husband who loves me and cares for me.

I live in a cute unit in a good location, with a great landlord.

We have lived here for four years, so our rent is well below what others pay due to prices rising drastically during the last couple of years.

I don't need to work, as my husband earns enough money to support both of us.

Even when my husband's job finishes on Christmas Eve (great timing), we will still have enough money to live on - one of the benefits of living in a welfare state.

I have a cute cat with LOADS of personality.

Now that I have finished university for the year, I am free to spend my holidays doing whatever I want. Like writing the first draft of a novel (yes, I have realised that I am slightly insane).

I have my own laptop (which I am typing on right now).

Though I don't need to, I can make enough jams and marmalades to last a year when fruit is cheap or even free.

There are many, many more things I am grateful for, even the opportunity I have to share what I think and do with you, most of you who I have never met.

It has made me think though... I have such an easy life, even when money is tight we've always had enough, and I have so much leisure time. It might be a good life, but is it a blessed life? It makes me think of the Beatitudes, where Jesus teaches huge crowds that those who are mourning, those who are merciful, pure in heart, those who are peacemakers are blessed. Not that those who have time to rest, that have all the food they need and all the stuff they need are blessed.

Just a thought. 

I am grateful that I can think.

Vision

It's important to have vision... it gives us purpose. Other words for vision are "goals" and "ambitions". Even desires are a type of vision. Vision is something more that goals or ambitions though. It is like something outside ourselves - bigger than just us and our hope to keep the house clean for more than a week.

A vision can be something so big, you might not even be able to see how you can do it in your lifetime, but it gets hold of you, deep down in the core of your very being. To be without vision is to be without hope for the future, to see no point in living, to have no joy in life.

I have a friend who has a vision to finish writing her book, and she is working hard and setting daily goals in order for that vision, that desire, to be fulfilled.

I have a vision to be a teacher, which is why I am still at university, studying.

Do you have a vision? 

If you answered no, then today is the time to do something about it!

This is where backwards planning comes in handy.

Get out a piece of paper (or open up a Word document) and answer these questions:

1. What would I like to accomplish in 5 years? 

2. What will this give me? What will it free me to do?

Now start to break down that 5 year vision into smaller, achieveable chunks:

3. What would I like to accomplish in 2 years?

4. What would I like to accomplish in the next 12 months?

To start making your way towards this/these goals, write down what you want to achieve in 90 days. Then write where you want to be in 4 weeks. Now write what you need to achieve in the next 2 weeks in order to reach your 4 week goal.

Do the same for everyday of week 1. 

Now start doing it!

{I found this poem while trolling the internet. I think it's funny and I hope you do too!}

The local church, Bicheno. One week it is Anglican, the other week it's Catholic. All services are presided over by the same person. Welcome to Tassie!

No Excuse Sunday

To make it possible for everyone to attend church next Sunday, we are
going to have a special "No Excuse Sunday".

Cots will be placed in the foyer for those who say, "Sunday is my only day to sleep in."

There will be a special section with lounge chairs who feel that our pews are too hard.

Eye drops will be available for those with tired eyes from watching T.V. late Saturday night.

We will have steel helmets for those who say " The roof would cave in if I ever came to church."

Blankets will be furnished for those who think the church is too cold and fans for those who say it is too hot.

Score cards will be available for those who wish to list the hypocrites present.

Relatives and friends will be in attendance for those who can't go to church and cook dinner, too.

We will distribute "Stamp Out Stewardship" buttons for those who feel that church is always asking for money.

One section will be devoted to trees and grass for those who like to seek God in nature.

Doctors and nurses will be in attendance for those who plan to be sick on Sunday.

The sanctuary will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who never have seen the church without them.

We will provide hearing aids for those who can't hear the preacher and cotton for those who say he is to loud.

by Unknown

 

P.S. This post was written on Friday and scheduled to publish today. I'm at church.

Guard Your Words

(and a giveaway reminder)

We all know what it is like to be crushed by someones words. I think we would all agree that words have power.

Those who read yesterday's post will know that I'm being careful not to call myself a "terrible student" anymore. The reason for this is twofold. One, I watched this video (it's funny):

Love Life Conference 2010 - Session 3 - Joyce Meyer from Joyce Meyer Ministries on Vimeo.

Two, I heard someone read this:

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

In essence:

Negative Thoughts = Dismal Destiny

Positive Thoughts = Delightful Destiny

You know what? I want to have a Delightful Destiny. I am determined to stop thinking things like "I'm a terrible student" and "I am no good at housework" and "I am such a failure." Instead, I am going to choose to think and say that I am successful, I can care for my house well, that I will succeed. I will enjoy life.

And I can do this intellectually interesting, stimulating and achievable essay. (How is that for postive speak? hehe)



And don't forget that the giveaway closes tonight (Tuesday 5) at 12midnight AEST :) xxx

Loving My Home

In the past I have struggled a great deal with taking care of my home. This was hard, because I love to have things looking welcoming and cozy. However, mild depression and harsh criticism from others did wonders at making the simple task of washing the dishes an overwhelming THING that I felt I cannot "cope with".

Happily for me, the depression has gone now (at last) and I am focusing very hard on correcting myself with "yes I can!" whenever thoughts "I can't do this" creep in. I'm so pleased to be able to tell you that I am enjoying getting my house beautiful - I'm planning on dusting sometime within the next week - would you think I was strange if I told you that I'm excited about it?

I believe that the home is not merely somewhere to eat and rest your head, but a place to find rest that restores you and to welcome people who need encouragement. It has upset me deeply in the past when I have looked around and seen a place that needs a thorough tidy-up and clean before being ready to welcome anyone. This only served to add to my depression and feelings of failure. 

But now... oh my! You should visit me just to see how tidy and lovely it is right now! I am feeling so good about it and that makes my feel all happy inside.

This is a quote which has encouraged me greatly:

Cooking, cleaning and beautifying your home are not small things - they represent a slice of the creativity and beauty or Christ and we literally minister to our families and those who come into our homes by the simplest of these acts ~ Kelly Crawford. 

(Go here to read the full post.)

As if to reaffirm how important the home is, I recently stumbled upon this blogpost, which talks beautifully about having a Biblical perspective on the importance of the home. It really made me think about how I look after my house and how to make it a welcoming place for visitors - and for my husband when he gets home from work.

I'm so happy with how my home has changed over the last couple of weeks. My only issue is that my house gets messy again so quickly - keeping it cosy and lovely is a full time job!

Nine Things

Gentleness... when I want to kick the cat.

Patience... when I have already repeated myself half-a-dozen times.

Goodness... I want this to influence my actions.

Faithfulness... even when I feel like I have been abandoned.

Self-control... chocolate is not always the answer (nor is that skein of yarn).

Kindness... not just in my actions, but also in my heart.

Peace... even when it is one of "those days".

Joy... like a rainbow on the inside... are tears the transformed waterdrops?

Love... which never fails, always hopes, always trusts.

Never Never Never Give Up

In April 2009 I went on my first practical experience in a school, as part of the teaching degree I was doing. I thought it went beautifully: I had good feedback throughout and the lessons I had done went well. 

Nearly two weeks after finishing and being thrilled, I was told that actually I had failed - completely and irrevocably.

I cried. For about 3 months.

I have almost always wanted to be a teacher, even playing 'schools' with my siblings. It seemed as though my dreams had been shattered... my confidence was completely broken and I had lost direction... how could I fail my teaching prac? Everyone had always said I would be a great teacher.

The university did not do anything to revoke the unfair assessment (yes, it was unfair). I found out that my degree would take an extra year, all because I failed a 2 week prac.

I tried to continue in my course, but could not function for trying not to burst into tears. I decided to defer for a semester, and thought seriously about quitting entirely.

I could not shake the feeling that I needed to go back, even though I did not want to because I had been so adversely affected by what had happened. It took almost 8 months before I finally handed in my application for acceptance into the new Master of Teaching course. After submitting the application I cried because it was so emotionally difficult for me to do.

I remember thinking, "God, if you want me to do teaching, you need to give me the desire to do this or I will fail again." 

God heard my prayer. One day, towards the end of January, I realised I was starting to get excited about returning to university and studying teaching again.

Today, I completed my first practical experience for the course. I passed with great marks. 

I am so happy, so pleased with myself and so thankful!

When I failed the prac last year, I could not cope with the thought of returning to try again, but I did, and I succeeded. It was hard won, and others would have given up, just as I nearly did.

There might be other negative experiences while I do this course, but I believe I am meant to be a teacher, and by God's grace I will persevere and I will complete what I have set out to do. 

God does not give us dreams or desires for no reason.

Never, never, EVER give up!

Oh Happy Day

Well I am a bit excited right now, because it has been a while since I have received a blog award. Thank you, Erin, for my Happy 101 award!

Now I get to share 10 things that make me happy and 10 blogs that make me happy, then the people I tag get to repeat the process if they want to :)

Things that make me happy:

1. Music. Especially Steven Curtis Chapman and also, at the moment Lincoln Brewster. Unfortunately, one of my Steven Curtis Chapman cd's (my favourite one) is very bady scratched and either has to be repaired before it drives me up the wall or thrown out :(

2. Finishing something, whether it is the cleaning or a crochet project (or even a blogpost) I love that feeling of achievement.

3. Chatting to people over facebook chat! Especially my mum!

4. Cooking a dinner that my husband cannot find any fault with. Not that he is a complainer... just pedantic :S

5. Smiles, laughter, cuddles and 'smileys' too :D :) :* ;P :/ :S :O

6. My husband. Hello!!!!!!! Comment this time, sweetie! Go on the other computer if you have to! (The work computer he usually reads my blog on doesn't allow him to post comments.)

7. Seeing people make the designs I have on Ravelry.

8. Seeing people change and grow and blossom.

9. My three neices. Hello my neices mum! Give them all a cuddle for me!

10. Jesus, he makes me 'smileinsideallthetime' happy :D

Ten blogs that make me happy:

1. Alaskan Purl by Allison

2. Attic24 by Lucy

3. Generation Cedar by Kelly

4. IndieHomeEc by HollyLynne

5. Joli House by Amanda

6. Laughing Purple Goldfish Designs by Sharon

7. Planet June by June Gilbank

8. Posie Gets Cozy by Alicia

9. The Toby Show by Jonah Lisa

10. Trends and Traditions by Heather
and one extra, because I am happy when she posts, my sister in law's blog, Meika's Little Treasures.

I am looking forward to seeing happy lists!

Today in the History Books

Today I am...

Making:

A variation of my Urban Shell's Scarf - a neckwarmer! This will be the prototype for a handmade stall I am taking part in with my SIL and another friend. I will be writing up the pattern for it, too!

Reading: 

Hind's Feet in High Places, a really sweet story that is also an allegory about living as a Christian.

Going to Cook:  

Banana Muffins - I have 5 bananas that are so ripe they are black. They are going to be so easy to mash.

Planning on implementing:

Family Dinners - we need more talk time! However, it also means clearing the diningroom table, which can be a bit of a challenge.

Listening to:

Lincoln Brewster's album, Today is the Day. I love this so much! Here is the title song. (Sorry! I can not remember how to get the video to show up here!)

Thinking About:

This Easter weekend, and all the things we are going to - church and family dinners. Also about what else to put in this post :)

Grateful for:

University Holidays! Also my husband (who is barely able to contain his excitement about two 4-day work weeks in a row), my friends (I had a great time last night!) and my cat. I love how his whole body vibrates when he purrs. I am also grateful for chocolate and homemade hot cross buns. Bring on the weekend!

What is making history for you today?

A Letter About Marriage

This morning, while reading the blogs I subscribe to, I came across a gem. Those who know me will know that I do not have any children yet (just a husband and a cat) but I think this post is relevant for everyone, whether married, engaged, dating or single.

Here is a excerpt:

If your wife or husband does something really stupid, forgive.  If they do it again, forgive again.  Forgiveness must be the propelling force in your lives each day. Dwell on the strengths, push out thoughts of their weaknesses.  Take every thought captive–choose to love.

Go on, read the rest. It is good food!

Kathy xx