I have a house to live in next year! We are going to live in a three bedroom, double storey town house. It has a seperate kitchen, a living/dining room and a family room as well as the three bedrooms and a study/storeroom. Compared to where we are living now, it sounds like a mansion.
I'm very excited because it has TWO toilets. No more children banging on the door and crying because they are near bursting point when I am trying to have a quiet moment to do my business. You may think it strange to be so excited about something like this, but until you live in a teeny, tiny house with six other people (with at least one still learning bladder control) and have one toilet (which is IN the bathroom) you probably can't understand.
The children are excited because it's a 'stair' house. Abby said recently, "If we can't have a pet, can we at least have a stair house." Well, the pet is still not possible, but I feel like God is providing small blessings by giving us the stair house instead. I imagine by the end of the first day of moving in, I may not be so sure it is a blessing, but at the moment I'm excited about it.
My biggest concern at the moment is the fact that we have a likely two week gap between moving out of our current home and moving in to our new home. I'm somewhat puzzled by what we are going to do with the entire contents of our house in this gap. Should we try to fit it in the back of the car and take it camping? I'm sure God will have it figured out. He's pretty good with that kind of stuff normally.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Fathers Day
Today is Simon's ninth Fathers Day. He was on music for the first time at church today, so I had to wake the kids up to give him his presents. The older three chose their presents at the school Fathers Day Stall, so the gifts were mostly edible. Ezzie made a keyring and a card at playgroup on Wednesday.
I think the best present was when Ezra came in later on and said he wanted to belong to God's Family. Simon sat down and had a simple talk with him and prayed with him, then quickly left for music practice at church. A few minutes later Ben was being somewhat nasty to Ezzie, so I had to talk to him and he also said he wanted to pray like Ezra had.
This afternoon Abby came in to Simon and started asking questions about how you talk to people about God. She also wanted to sit down and read some Bible passages with her Dad. This was rudely interrupted by the entrance of Ben screaming whilst Tim tried to strangle him. It turns out Ben had borrowed a makeshift slingshot from our neighbours and had hit Tim in the forehead with a rock. This obviously was not appreciated, and Tim retaliated by chasing him and attempting to strangle him. Such loving brothers as they are.
It all turned out for the best because soft-hearted Ben was so distressed at having hit Tim (like David hit Goliath) that he was afraid Tim was going to die and he began to cry about how he deserved to go to hell because he couldn't be good. Tim didn't have a mark on him, however Ben had some unpleasant scratches on his neck, and eventually Tim also was sorry for what he'd done. Simon was able to talk to the three older children about it whilst I rushed Ezra off to have a bath and contemplated how to explain the strangle marks on Ben's neck to the teachers at school tomorrow.
So, all in all, it's been an interesting day for the children's spiritual growth. Not what I expected when I woke up this morning. Sometimes one or the other of them will ask a difficult question, but we don't normally have all of them asking about spiritual issues in the same day. I hope God provides extra wisdom for parents of growing children.
Now I guess I should do the good wifely thing, and cook Simon tea for Father's Day. I suppose I should let him have a break from cooking sometimes... :-)
I think the best present was when Ezra came in later on and said he wanted to belong to God's Family. Simon sat down and had a simple talk with him and prayed with him, then quickly left for music practice at church. A few minutes later Ben was being somewhat nasty to Ezzie, so I had to talk to him and he also said he wanted to pray like Ezra had.
This afternoon Abby came in to Simon and started asking questions about how you talk to people about God. She also wanted to sit down and read some Bible passages with her Dad. This was rudely interrupted by the entrance of Ben screaming whilst Tim tried to strangle him. It turns out Ben had borrowed a makeshift slingshot from our neighbours and had hit Tim in the forehead with a rock. This obviously was not appreciated, and Tim retaliated by chasing him and attempting to strangle him. Such loving brothers as they are.
It all turned out for the best because soft-hearted Ben was so distressed at having hit Tim (like David hit Goliath) that he was afraid Tim was going to die and he began to cry about how he deserved to go to hell because he couldn't be good. Tim didn't have a mark on him, however Ben had some unpleasant scratches on his neck, and eventually Tim also was sorry for what he'd done. Simon was able to talk to the three older children about it whilst I rushed Ezra off to have a bath and contemplated how to explain the strangle marks on Ben's neck to the teachers at school tomorrow.
So, all in all, it's been an interesting day for the children's spiritual growth. Not what I expected when I woke up this morning. Sometimes one or the other of them will ask a difficult question, but we don't normally have all of them asking about spiritual issues in the same day. I hope God provides extra wisdom for parents of growing children.
Now I guess I should do the good wifely thing, and cook Simon tea for Father's Day. I suppose I should let him have a break from cooking sometimes... :-)
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Moving
So... it's happening. We are moving to the grand old city of Sydney next year. My emotions are swinging again. Excited, terrified, expectant, tired, hopeful, scared, challenged, exhausted. This is the beautiful view I am going to miss every morning.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
God's sense of humour
I think God must have a sense of humour, or maybe He is just very compassionate. I am learning not to assume that I can know what my future will hold. Each time I think I know what might be going to happen, God adds a new twist to my story, just to remind me that He is in control, not me.
After my last blog entry, I slowly adjusted to the possibility of a move to a new house and some adjustments to my life by reconciling myself to the fact that at least I would still be close to the friends I have made here and the church we are beginning to feel at home with. I reached the point where I was actually excited about the move, and looking forwards to what next year might hold, as well as the exciting thought of living in a REAL house again, with our own backyard and kids bedrooms that actually fit two (or even three) beds in them. "Yep, I can live with that. Bring it on!" I thought to myself.
Foolish, foolish move on my behalf. As I adjusted to this idea, God brought up a new possibility: study at a completely different Bible College, in a completely different city, in a different state. Probably almost the last city in Australia I would choose to move to but, it keeps coming up again and again. Now, as I adjust to the new possibilities and ideas, I am constantly wondering what change to my ideas tomorrow or next week will bring.
So many questions are raised. Do we go ahead and make inquiries into this move? Do we ignore it and hope life will go on with nothing changing? If this move does go ahead, it will require a great leap of faith on our behalf. There seem to be a few possible scenarios. Life may go on as it is, with nothing really changing, which would now leave me feeling somewhat disappointed. Life may involve a move to a new house, with much of the rest of life going on as usual. Both of these options do, however, leave certain questions regarding our future direction unanswered, or unsatisfactorily answered, with future options we are uncomfortable with.
The other scenarios involve an enormous move, with a HUGE step of faith on our behalf. We MAY end up with an employer who pays the study fees, pays a wage along the way and provides accommodation and good support in other areas, or we may find ourselves scraping the bottom of the barrel each week in an attempt to survive in a larger, more expensive city. This option however provides a more desirable long term result.
I know God can and will provide, He has so far, but I'm still nervous about that first step. May He lead us clearly, opening and closing doors as we begin to enquire about our options.
After my last blog entry, I slowly adjusted to the possibility of a move to a new house and some adjustments to my life by reconciling myself to the fact that at least I would still be close to the friends I have made here and the church we are beginning to feel at home with. I reached the point where I was actually excited about the move, and looking forwards to what next year might hold, as well as the exciting thought of living in a REAL house again, with our own backyard and kids bedrooms that actually fit two (or even three) beds in them. "Yep, I can live with that. Bring it on!" I thought to myself.
Foolish, foolish move on my behalf. As I adjusted to this idea, God brought up a new possibility: study at a completely different Bible College, in a completely different city, in a different state. Probably almost the last city in Australia I would choose to move to but, it keeps coming up again and again. Now, as I adjust to the new possibilities and ideas, I am constantly wondering what change to my ideas tomorrow or next week will bring.
So many questions are raised. Do we go ahead and make inquiries into this move? Do we ignore it and hope life will go on with nothing changing? If this move does go ahead, it will require a great leap of faith on our behalf. There seem to be a few possible scenarios. Life may go on as it is, with nothing really changing, which would now leave me feeling somewhat disappointed. Life may involve a move to a new house, with much of the rest of life going on as usual. Both of these options do, however, leave certain questions regarding our future direction unanswered, or unsatisfactorily answered, with future options we are uncomfortable with.
The other scenarios involve an enormous move, with a HUGE step of faith on our behalf. We MAY end up with an employer who pays the study fees, pays a wage along the way and provides accommodation and good support in other areas, or we may find ourselves scraping the bottom of the barrel each week in an attempt to survive in a larger, more expensive city. This option however provides a more desirable long term result.
I know God can and will provide, He has so far, but I'm still nervous about that first step. May He lead us clearly, opening and closing doors as we begin to enquire about our options.
Monday, March 23, 2009
A life in turmoil
The last two years of my life have been filled with a roller coaster of emotions I never expected.
First there was the decision to move to Bible College so my husband could commence full time study. That decision in itself brought a change of emotion about every 5 minutes. One minute I would be excited about the way God was leading us and the possibilities of what the futuer may hold, the next moment I was terrified at the thought of the changes that would occur in my life.
Then there was the whole process of settling into life in the community environment of a residential Bible College. The daily swinging emotions between enjoying friendly neighbours and feeling as though I had no time to myself and no privacy.
Finally, at the beginning of this year, I thought I had it all under control. I could look at our life and be glad we were here, look to the prospect of being used by God at some time in the future, but with the security of another three years in a familiar environment.
Three weeks ago today, the swinging, roller coaster emotions began again, with the announcement that this campus of Bible College may be closing next year and we will possibly be without a place to live and possibly unable to afford to continue to study... depending on various circumstances beyond my control. My safe, secure environment was thrown into turmoil once more and I have had to deal with the five minute change of emotions again.
Then, today, an hour long phone call that my husband received has added to the turmoil we feel. He could potentially have the support of his future employer, assistance with the cost of study and a minimal wage... BUT... it would require extra work on his behalf now and in the next few years, facing some stiff competition through a highly competetive selection process. The benefits if he could make it through the selection process would be many, but so would the extra pressure on our lives, our family and our relationship. To not even attempt the process now, would mean a longer, slower process with no guarantees at the end of it.
Much prayer will be required as we are already feeling that there is not enough time in each day to do the absolutely essential requirements, let alone anything extra. We have a month to think, pray and consider our possibilities, before we will be asked to make a decision.
My initial response is "Go for it!" but then the wifely/motherly side of me kicks in and wails "What about me?" I don't want to take on the extra required of me if my husband is even busier (although, I'll have to get used to it later on), and I want MORE time with him, not less.
Please God, help us, give us wisdom, and make your path clear to us.
First there was the decision to move to Bible College so my husband could commence full time study. That decision in itself brought a change of emotion about every 5 minutes. One minute I would be excited about the way God was leading us and the possibilities of what the futuer may hold, the next moment I was terrified at the thought of the changes that would occur in my life.
Then there was the whole process of settling into life in the community environment of a residential Bible College. The daily swinging emotions between enjoying friendly neighbours and feeling as though I had no time to myself and no privacy.
Finally, at the beginning of this year, I thought I had it all under control. I could look at our life and be glad we were here, look to the prospect of being used by God at some time in the future, but with the security of another three years in a familiar environment.
Three weeks ago today, the swinging, roller coaster emotions began again, with the announcement that this campus of Bible College may be closing next year and we will possibly be without a place to live and possibly unable to afford to continue to study... depending on various circumstances beyond my control. My safe, secure environment was thrown into turmoil once more and I have had to deal with the five minute change of emotions again.
Then, today, an hour long phone call that my husband received has added to the turmoil we feel. He could potentially have the support of his future employer, assistance with the cost of study and a minimal wage... BUT... it would require extra work on his behalf now and in the next few years, facing some stiff competition through a highly competetive selection process. The benefits if he could make it through the selection process would be many, but so would the extra pressure on our lives, our family and our relationship. To not even attempt the process now, would mean a longer, slower process with no guarantees at the end of it.
Much prayer will be required as we are already feeling that there is not enough time in each day to do the absolutely essential requirements, let alone anything extra. We have a month to think, pray and consider our possibilities, before we will be asked to make a decision.
My initial response is "Go for it!" but then the wifely/motherly side of me kicks in and wails "What about me?" I don't want to take on the extra required of me if my husband is even busier (although, I'll have to get used to it later on), and I want MORE time with him, not less.
Please God, help us, give us wisdom, and make your path clear to us.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
To blog or not to blog....
Everybody seems to think blogging is a wonderful thing. I'm really undecided, but since I like to imagine that I could be a writer one day, I thought perhaps it would be a good idea to actually write... somewhere... sometimes.
I'm really not entirely sure of my purpose with this blog. Am I writing just for myself, or am I going to use it as a way to keep family and friends up-to-date with what is happening in my life? I don't know. I guess time will tell.
This week has marked the ninth anniversary of motherhood for me. My little Princess turned nine on Monday and I find it hard to understand where the years have disappeared too. We had a nice little party for her with a few school friends and her brothers.
TJ had a zoo excursion this week with school. Unfortunately it rained that day. Don't get me wrong here, the rain was wonderful. It was just a bit of a pain that it was on their excursion day.
BI is very excitable today for some reason. Loud and bouncing off the walls seems to be a fair description. I thought EJ was toilet trained finally, but he got so involved with watching 'Alice in Wonderland' today that he wet his pants twice... on the couch both times! Aaaarrrgghhh! Very frustrating.
As for Hubby and I, we are both busily studying (well, he is and I should be) and trying to complete homework that is due in this week or next. I'm also keen to see about writing an entry for the FaithWriters challenge this week. The topic is "Kingdom of God" which we are studying in my Old Testament class at the moment. The Kingdom of God, according to our lecturer, is defined as "God's people, in God's Place, under God's Rule".
Anyway, speaking of study, I really should do some. Enough playing now, let the work begin.
I'm really not entirely sure of my purpose with this blog. Am I writing just for myself, or am I going to use it as a way to keep family and friends up-to-date with what is happening in my life? I don't know. I guess time will tell.
This week has marked the ninth anniversary of motherhood for me. My little Princess turned nine on Monday and I find it hard to understand where the years have disappeared too. We had a nice little party for her with a few school friends and her brothers.
TJ had a zoo excursion this week with school. Unfortunately it rained that day. Don't get me wrong here, the rain was wonderful. It was just a bit of a pain that it was on their excursion day.
BI is very excitable today for some reason. Loud and bouncing off the walls seems to be a fair description. I thought EJ was toilet trained finally, but he got so involved with watching 'Alice in Wonderland' today that he wet his pants twice... on the couch both times! Aaaarrrgghhh! Very frustrating.
As for Hubby and I, we are both busily studying (well, he is and I should be) and trying to complete homework that is due in this week or next. I'm also keen to see about writing an entry for the FaithWriters challenge this week. The topic is "Kingdom of God" which we are studying in my Old Testament class at the moment. The Kingdom of God, according to our lecturer, is defined as "God's people, in God's Place, under God's Rule".
Anyway, speaking of study, I really should do some. Enough playing now, let the work begin.
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