Well this
post not only has me writing from a new
address and new surroundings but with
a fresh sense of expectancy for the year ahead.
 |
| Thanks for the cake Laura! |
It's
true, I celebrated turning 27 {ahem} 37 yesterday. Whaaat?
Okay I
admit I feel kind of old saying that.
Since I
wrote last, we have moved house from the bustling city which we'd come to love
to somewhat more peaceful surroundings of rice fields and, more importantly, good
friends. We are closer to the children's home too which is a massive
bonus and we are enjoying discovering all the local spots to eat.
One of
the first things I loved about this house when we looked through it was the view
of the rice fields out the master bedroom window. It was so completely
different to our view in the city. Ahhh… that view instantly took me to a happy
place.
So when
moving day came and I took a load of small items in the car along with the
2 boys, we couldn’t wait to race upstairs and fling back those curtains and
breath in the exhilarating, fresh air…
smoke!!!
What? Where
were the beautiful rice fields we’d been dreaming about? The boys and I stood
there in disbelief.
It’s funny now,
looking back to that moment because actually, that pretty much summed up my
feelings of the entire year just been.
Have you
ever had those moments of realising, hang
on, I didn’t plan this, this wasn’t how it was meant to be, I wasn’t expecting
that!!?
How often
in the name of being ‘proactive’ and ‘organised’ do I try to plan and… control,
only to be standing there, mouth gaping wide breathing in the smoky air of a
burning rice field?
Umm okay,
don’t answer that!
Ever had
that experience?
Our pastor
had been doing a series on ‘seasons’ lately.
It’s really helped me to once again remember that just like the
appearance outside my window may completely change and go from beautiful to
ugly. So too in time will it change
again.
So, after
keeping those curtains shut for the first few weeks here, and not actually
spending much of the daytime in my bedroom, I finally had a good day of
cleaning and sorting out last week where I flung open those curtains once more
and let the sunlight and the fresh air seep in.
I also looked out to the fields again and immediately smiled as I saw
the sight I’d longed for a month or so ago, the beauty of the lush green fields
before me. It took my breath away. Thank you God.
Well, we’ve
heard it all before, seasons come and
seasons go but seriously, sometimes when you’re stuck in a challenging
season of life, ‘that season’ can seem to be unending. Life lesson: it will pass.
And so here
I sit, 37 years old with a new season stretched out before me, and I’m all giddy
like a kid in a lolly shop gripping my pocket money tightly in my hand asking,
what should I do first?
I am
excited to say that we will be heading back to Australia for a visit in late
September-October!! Yay. That has been
unexpected but very cool all the same. So I will be putting that trip together. Our kids
have not experienced Melbourne spring weather since 2009!! Needless to
say, they’re hoping it won’t be as cold as the past few years of winter and I
hope so too.
Many of you
have asked whether our children’s school found a teacher… no! Not yet! But we are still praying and believing that
one or more will come. The teachers are
doing a great job to cover everything but they are very stretched. I will be helping out by relief teaching. I have already done 1 day and I have another
8 lined up over the next few weeks.
And on the
days that I am not needed at school, I am able to scoot around town helping to
get things that Dave needs for work (although I think I still need to work on
my attitude a bit before I could officially be his PA or anything).
I am
enjoying baking and exercising and more time to mull over things (like my heart
attitudes!!). It’s all good!
So if you’re currently stuck staring out into
the open fields of smoke and ugliness wondering, when is this season ever going
to end? Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you! (James 4:8) You are not alone for the Father is with you
(John 16:32). And remember, it will
pass!
