Finding joy in the everyday

If every house had rules (guidelines) like this, can imagine what our modern society would be like? A happier world. A more caring world. A kinder world. A more gentler world. Children who were not as spoilt and far more grateful Teachers would be able to teach, police would have a much easier job, our prisons wouldn't be full of criminals, our roads would be safer.  Of course, it wouldn't be perfect, but it would be far better compared to what we have now.  We need to keep moulding our children (even when they are all grown up) even if the world seems to have given up.  *****

I love doing jigsaws, I find them relaxing and rewarding.  I don't do them very often, but I do try and do one each Christmas.  My dad works on his jigsaw every evening. He loves doing them and very good at remembering shapes, colours and patterns. He says they help him frelax and a perfect activity just before bed.  My trouble with jigsaws is getting too engrossed in them, wanting to do "just a little more" before bed!! Are you a fan of jigsaws? What sort of jigsaws do you like doing? Its hard work making jigsaws - one needs tea and cake to make it through a session!! I always leave the sky to last, this one wasn't very difficult.  When we bought this coffee table, I deliberately selected one big enough for jigsaws! Finished. There was a moment there when I couldn't find two pieces - Ruby had hidden them under the table!! My favourite jigsaws have at least one building in them. I'm not overly keen on landscapes.  ...

~ Lighthouse ~ New Brighton lighthouse..Wirral..Merseyside... by jetbluestone I always thought it would be so romantic to live in a lighthouse! Perhaps I have read too many books about lighthouse keepers!! How much reading and sewing could I get done!!  However I would need a little more land than this one provides!! Isn't this an amazing photo? *****

Painting by  Daryl Urig  What I mean is that modern women . . . to a greater or less extent (are) hard . The yearning you all display to prove your worth, to show that you know this and that, to ensure that you can have it all. The yearning to succeed and, even more, the yearning not to fail; the yearning not to be seen as inferior, but instead even as superior, simply for being exactly what you believe you are, or rather what you’ve been made to believe you are. The inexplicable yearning for the world to give you credit simply for being a woman. from The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera (page 285-286)   I came across this paragraph whilst reading a novel the other day. This isn't from Christian literature but it resonated with me and it made me think . Are modern women becoming harder and harsher?  I think the answer is yes.  I know the answer is yes. Women (in general) are loosing their ...

Art Friday: Alexander Volkov I love these and I hope you do to. How has your week been? My week has been a bit bumpy to say the least. I didn't enjoy watching the nasty fires burning in the Adelaide Hills (via the TV) which came very close to where my dad lives and my two brothers. I rang my dad each day to see how things were unfolding and making sure he was doing ok. The Lord watched over them and they have remained safe and the fire is no longer a threat. It was my sister-in-law's birthday and I hear that she had a lovely day out with lunch, shopping and movie. My son has been sleeping very badly (he suffers from chronic insomnia) but after a trip to his GP he has been a little better. He resigned his job this week, which we are all very pleased about as it was one of the causes of his anxiety/stress and depression. Now I wait on the Lord to see what the next chapter will bring.  Trusting in the Lord is critical. We have had thunderstorms every afternoon br...

I read this when doing my daily devotional from The Excellent Wife by Karen Eiler and thought it was important to share.  How often are we really following what God wants us to do?  How often do we say "this is what God has directed me to do" and maybe thats not entirely correct, maybe its what you really want instead.  I could leave my job tomorrow and come home -- but is it what God has asked me to do? No, it isn't, so it would be very wrong to say God had anything to do with my decision but we do use God as an excuse for what we want, even if it is done for the best of intentions. God doesn't always give us what we want, no matter how much we pray for it - believe me, I know. He sometimes does something completely opposite and its not what we have been praying for and it can be very frustrating.  Just follow God's will.  ***** What we often try to do is "signs and wonders" as indications that God is moving in a particular direction. ...

My perfect scene in life!! If only I could do it all day long!! Painting by  Vladimir Volegov It is lovely to be at home during the day -- sitting in the garden contemplating life and watching my little world go by.  I would love to be able to do this all the time, especially when the weather is warm, sunny and not too hot (as it can be in summer) as it is presently. But, this is not to be at present so when I can, I enjoy every minute of it. It can be tempting to get annoyed and feel sad and frustrated about not being at home 24/7 -- but then I remind myself, this is God's will and not mine and He knows what He is doing even if at times I don't understand. I have been on extended leave (6 weeks - I took leave that is called Long Service Leave in Australia) and these are some of the photos I took during my time at home. I do hope you enjoy them as much as I did!! Here is one of our favourite spots to sit, its cool, peaceful and quite serene among all the trees. ...