Winter's Arrival

Well, this week has turned bitterly cold. Bitterly, bitterly cold.

I live in sunny Queensland - trust me, for us, this kind of cold - well, it's bitter, and kind of a shock to our systems.

So the jumpers, gloves, scarves and beanies have all made their appearances. The laundry basket fills more quickly with all the extra layers. We all appear a couple of sizes bigger. ;) And with all the hot tea and coffee I'm drinking, and the winter warming foods I've been enjoying..... if I'm not careful I soon will be a couple of sizes bigger! Just today I've started filling up on fresh fruit again instead of other things. Feeling inspired with health again is good. :)

Today I've enjoyed some peaceful alone time as the older children are at school and William is at kindy. It's been delightful - peaceful music, a little reading ("Picnic at Hanging Rock", which I haven't read since high school), a nice hot shower, cooking tonight's pasta dish...... and now, packing. Tomorrow morning after I teach my music students, Saraya, Elijah, William and I are driving 2 hours south to the Sunshine Coast to stay with my parents, brother and his fiance for the long weekend. I'm really looking forward to spending time with my family.

It's kind of funny packing jeans and jackets for a weekend at the beach...... but when winter comes early, and with a bite to the air, it's necessary! Hope you are all having a delightful Friday.

Mid-Winter thoughts

Tonight I am so very thankful for God's provision. For his love, protection, timing, faithfulness, forgiveness, and most of all for His provision to my family.

So many times we may feel we are letting God down. I know I struggle with certain sin areas on a daily basis, and it always astounds me how much grace God offers to those who love Him. No matter my shortcomings, I know each day is a new day and that His grace is never-ending! What a wonderful, beautiful gift we have been given.

We have reached the middle month of Winter, and the cold has certainly settled in. We are using our fire place often, and enjoying the classic Winter comforts- feather doonas, lying in bed and chatting (always with little visitors!) in the mornings, very warm lavender baths, endless cups of tea, hot chocolate, coffee, warm soups, and of course cuddles by the fire. :) All good things.

And today? We were gifted with a surprise day of fellowship with our special little friends, Chloe and Declan. Their Mum, my sweet friend Cathy, is now 31 weeks and was having some pregnancy concerns which saw her require some hospital check-ups today. All is fine, but could I ask you to keep her in your prayers these coming weeks? She is just desiring a natural, healthy birth in God's timing and by His hand. Thank you for your prayers!!

We had a great day with our visitors, and got up to all sorts of holiday fun. We were so busy, I only took a couple of pictures.......... here they are.

Chloe brought these matching friendship necklaces over today. These two girls share such a special bond, I pray it will last right through their childhoods. They not only play and create and be little girls together, but they also share lots of deep thoughts and issues they are thinking through- I love catching bits of their quiet chats! They truly are a comfort and blessing to one another. So so sweet.

Two Pale faced Rosellas visited our bird feeder this afternoon. What a treat. I had two very excited little children running in to tell me to grab the camera!!

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In other family matters, Stuart and I are working on a few negative character habits we have seen creeping in with our older children these past months. It is so helpful having him home for the holidays to help me 'spot', train and encourage the children in these areas. How I wish he could be around all the time!! It has been an encouragement to us both to see some improvement, just in the past few days. I have found that children are so responsive when we are clear, intentional and consistent in our expectations of them.

I am hoping that the seeds we're sowing these holidays will bear some good fruit once we get back into our homeschool routine next term. I am feeling very optimistic about this!

God has opened my eyes to many things as I have spent time reflecting on our first term of homeschooling. Oh, He keeps opening my eyes to many many things in every area of our family life and although overwhelming at times, I do feel blessed and inspired and so thankful once again for his provision and care! It's good to keep in mind that being challenged is a positive thing. We are meant to keep growing spiritually throughout our lives and this can happen when we identify our weaknesses, hand them over to God and trust in His help in improving them. Remember, we have been promised:

"........... with God, all things are possible". Matthew19:26.

"Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you". Matthew 7:7.

I look forward to implementing some changes to the way we were doing things last term. I have been planning out the next term and look forward to sharing more with you soon.

Most importantly, Saraya (and Elijah too) is very enthusiastic about learning and is loving being home with me. I am so grateful for this! I too am loving and appreciating all the extra time I have been given with her.

Oh, and she is turning into quite the avid photographer too. :)

She spent rather a long time just before baths tonight trying to get the 'perfect' photo of her chicken Tulip- looking at the camera. She got it in the end! I was inside cooking dinner when she finally came in, satisfied at last that she had captured what she'd wanted to capture. I tell you, this girl sure is determined.

God bless you this week!