Christmas is Coming...

I know for some others, the sight of tinsel in the shops sends them in to a terrified panic. Not me... I love the anticipation of celebrating Christmas. This year has been no different. After the first announcement of the Christmas Pageant I have been counting down the days...waiting to put up our Christmas tree and decorations. I love the sparkle and lights, the colour and even the aroma of Christmas. I even have some scented candles that come out only at this time of year to scent this special time. Do I get caught up in the materialism and party mentality of Christmas...? I make it my aim not to and I specifically aim to choose decorations that bring me back to the truth of Christ in our celebration.

I love our Nativity set. (A gift from my wonderful motherinlaw.) and our Nativity wall hanging which has parts made by my mother and parts made by me.

On our tree I have colours of purple and gold to remind me that Christ in the manger is Christ the King. The christmas balls tell me that He came to save the whole world, the angels and stars bring me back to the first Christmas story and the musical instruments remind me He is worthy of all praise.

Each year, when we and my husband's side of the family go camping together, I find a Christmas ornament in one of the local gift shops. Lately they have been beautiful birds. To me they speak of His sacrifice. The poverty He found when He came to this earth. His earthly parents could afford only the poorest offering as they presented Him to the LORD. "and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the LORD, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons."" Luke 2:24

What an amazing contrast.

The spectacular King of the universe, clothed in the majesty of purple and gold, too poor to offer more than two ordinary turtledoves, yet rich enough to give His all. Praise Him!

(I have tried to upload a few pictures but only the Nativity set picture will work. Seems fitting.)

What I'm Reading

This will be a bit of a catch up as I have just discovered that I can't update my book list as I had planned.

I have just finished reading "Wuthering Heights." know it is a classic, that's why I read it, but what a sad and depressing story. Maybe it had something to do with trying to read it at the hospital on a DS console?

I enjoyed reading "Do Your Kids a Favour... Love Your Spouse" by Kendra Smiley and John Smiley. It was nice to see a book about relationships written by a couple. Having read lots of books about marriage there wasn't anything new... just a great condensensed reminder of what we all should know. Do yourself a favour...read it!
PS Every time I read her name...I do:)

Not being a big fiction reader I approached Tricia Goyer's "A Whisper of Freedom" with a little hesitation. Whilst I managed to keep up with the Spanish Civil War story and the myriad of characters, I sadly, didn't get lost in their story. Maybe you will enjoy it more.

God is in Control

This fact calms me, encourages me, inspires me, challenges me and uplifts me! Over the last few days it has been what helps me to sleep tho' I am prone to worry... to function when I feel like giving up.
In his book "Spectacular Sins and their global purpose in the glory of Christ" John Piper says..."When God permits something, he does so for a reason. And that reason is part of a plan. God does not act whimsically or haphazardly or aimlessly. So when he permits this spectacular sin of... he knows exactly what he is doing and what his response to it will be."
When life and plans spin precariously out of my control, I am lovingly reminded that they never were in MY control. They are only and always in the hands of a glorious God!

Do I fully understand this? No, not really, not fully, not yet. Do I believe it? Yes, wholeheartedly!

Lord, let me line up my thoughts with yours, my plans with yours. Let my response to every situation shine to give you glory.

Detox Dramas

Last week the family began the 'great detox!' After complaints of feeling 'yucky', overweight and just unhealthy, I began plans to get some 'healthy' into our eating lives. A bit of a spring clean for the digestive system, you might say. So armed with what little knowledge of nutrition that I had, it began.
Day 1 was fruit and water, yes, for breakfast, lunch and all snacks. Being that it was also a cold, grey, miserable day we finished off with roasted veges for tea.
Day 2 was fruit and veges and then the complaints began... no butter? no milk? no bread?... Number two son felt it the hardest, probably because he is the most active of us all. For snacks we had raw nuts and then some steamed fish and grilled chicken for tea.
Day 3 and some carbohydrates were added, organic puffed rice cereal with fruit and some wholegrain bread with tea.
Day 4 was a combination of all the above. Fruit, veges, protein and carbs but still no dairy or refined and processed foods.
So how did we survive on hardly any processed food and almost no refined sugar? The weekend confirmed our worst fears. Jack had coke and chocolate on Friday night and Ryan ate corn chips on Saturday and both complained of bellyaches. So, the general consensus was ...we love fruit and veg and want to eat healthier on a regular basis. This week is much more salad and fruit than usual. I haven't even bought any chips or processed snacks for two weeks now and we really aren't missing them. I can't say I am feeling any spectacular improvement in health and vitality but I am enjoying making our ordinary eating a little more healthy.
PS Hubby says he's lost 3 kilos so far!

Hospitals, Lego and Cricket

How time flies! Last week saw a trip to the hospital for number 1 son, Ryan. Day surgery to repair his damaged minisci (sic). The hospital staff were fantastic and the whole experience went with a minimum of fuss. Not that my highly phlegmatic first born would cause much fuss. As a mum it is so hard to watch your child (no matter how big they get!) be in pain. Even harder when it's emotional pain rather than physical. Ryan sailed through his pre op and operation with a great attitude. After the op was a slightly different story... My volleyball loving boy came to the realization that against all hope, he would not be making it to his school beach volleyball competition this year, in fact at this stage he is not to play any sport for six months. He was crushed and his attitude left a little to be desired. What an opportunity for a teaching moment! When things don't go as you planned or even as you prayed, can you wait patiently on the one who knows all, knows best and knows why, even when you can't see any good reason for it. My heart broke a little for him but I'm glad God is working in his life.
The rest of the week was spent preparing for the "great garage sale". Many hours were found with me hunched on the floor, reassembling all manner of Lego models to make sure all the pieces were there. After clearing cupboards, sorting through boxes, labelling and pricing everything and setting it all out for the neighbourhood to see it began. What an eyeopener! So many different folks, the silent searchers, the hagglers, the chatters and even a few friends popped in. Lots of things sold... not much Lego... then what was left taken to the local charity. I love the feeling of a tidy up, clear out or spring clean!
While I manned the garage sale, Hubby took number two son, Jack, to his cricket match. This was part two of the match, with Jack having watched and fielded last week. He was hoping to get to bowl this week... and bowl he did. His first ball was caught out! A whole different set of emotions to deal with. How easy it is to feel joy when a child succeeds in his efforts. These few days have given us many opportunities to practice godliness. Patience in disappointment, graciousness in success, and peace in amongst the confusion.