Colour in Your Life

What things make your world bright? Colourful? Wonderful?

I sometimes get so rutted in routines and house work that I fail to look beyond both to see and appreciate things of beauty.

Today I had a few moments of deliberately doing that and taking a few seconds to actually think about what was happening and enjoy it.

And you know, it was again, the simple things that have added colour to my world today....

.....looking at the cute little smiles of a 3 month old and remembering when j was that small...

.....a kind message from a friend......

......a quiet 20 minutes in my room with a Bible and my best friend.....

....writing a spicy text to someone who wears sexy small black running shorts.....

....visiting with a new friend.......

Lots of colour, especially considering the day is not done yet.

But as I look at that list I am also reminded that in the routines and house work that just has to be done, there is also colour...

...how thankful I am that I actually have a house to clean...and the gear that makes it easy to do so...

....how nice that a routine of afternoon sleep for j actually happened today...

....it was a delight to cut my homegrown pumpkin up to prepare for dinner....

.....my little one is alive and well and creating mess for me to clean - again - as I speak (see 99 Balloons on youtube to fully appreciate this one.)

Can I encourage you again this day to take time......get perspective......and realise you have so very many colourful blessings to count?

Australia...The (VERY) Lucky Country

A little late I know...but at least it's still in the week that we celebrated Australia Day.
Here's just a few reasons why it's great to celebrate being residents of The Great SouthLand. Thanks for that privilege God!

Infant Mortality: PNG - 44.59 deaths/1000 live births
Australia - 4.67 deaths/1000 live births

Life Expectancy: Afghanistan - 44.65 years
Australia - 81.72 years

HIV/AIDS Prevelance Rate: South Africa - 18.1%
Australia - 0.2%

Literacy Rate: Bangladesh - 47.9%
Australia - 99%

GDP/Capita: Zimbabwe - $400
Australia - $41, 000

Blessed to be a blessing! Be grateful for it and live it!

P.S. For more interesting (and visual) comparisons check out these pics

Friday Friends & Faves #10

Friends....
I made a new Facebook friend this week, thanks to my sister. Hello Kate! (Her name is Katelyn but she prefers Kate:) Here's a few things about Kate before I tell you about the GREAT thing she is doing. She turns 21 in January.  Her Dad is a pastor and her Mum is a midwife and has recently been through a battle with cancer. Kate is currently deferring her uni studies and is a huge sports lover, keen hockey and soccer player. She took up photography as a hobby and stress relief in high school. Her dog Nala just had 9 puppies. (Thanks T for the details:)

Now, the reason Kate makes it onto Friday's Friends & Faves is because she is doing something terrific with her photos.....31 Days of Gratitude. I hope that if you click the link, you'll find and enjoy the photos and comments that she has creatively put together. Thanks Kate for reminding us to walk through life with our eyes wide open to see the blessings God has placed in our life and to be thankful for them...even the rain!


Faves...
I guess Kate's 31 Days of Gratitude is a favourite. But I also wanted to post a couple of links to Christmas ideas that I really like. This is a great time of year for celebrating with friends and families and we can make it even more special with some of these clever, inexpensive ideas.
Question Jar....although we would probably NOT do this cozying up with a hot chocolate on the couch in front of the fireplace.
"May your Christmas be Merry & Sprite"...a little bit of festive fizzy:)
Christmas Decorations recipes...from one of my favourite on-line recipe websites.

Have fun being festive my friends!

A Moment

Yesterday morning I had a moment...one of those that takes your breath away.

Jacob was in my arms when the Newsboys' rendition of Presence (My Heart's Desire) came on the radio. We cranked up the volume (ok...I cranked up the volume) and with my little boy in my arms we danced and I sang along. And as we did, the words of the song became a reality. And boy! What a sweet reality it was.


Presence (Heart's Desire) - have a listen on youtube if you don't know this song.
I lift up my voice
To The King, The King of glory
I hold out my hands
To The One who is worthy
I long for Your presence
I long, Lord, I need Your touch

[Chorus:]
Come, oh Lord, and fill up my life
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire
Oh Father, come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence
This is my heart's desire

I long to be washed
In the well of Your mercy
I long to be warmed
By the fire of Your glory
I long for Your presence
I long for Your healing touch

[Chorus:]
Come oh Lord and fill up my life
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire
Oh Father, come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence
This is my heart's desire

It's my desire

(I wanna feel Your presence)
Lord, it's my desire
(I wanna feel Your presence)
Lord, You're my desire
(I wanna feel Your presence)
I wanna feel Your presence
I wanna feel Your presence
I wanna feel Your presence - Jesus

Lord, You're my desire
Lord, You're my desire


I just love the lyrics....full of words that speak of life and hope. Words like worthy, desire, light, presence, glory, mercy, long. Words that when we experience their reality, they change our lives. Words that speak of God's goodness, His provision and His incredible blessing in our lives.


And as Jacob and I danced and sang, I did feel His presence. It made my heart lighter...my lips curve upwards in a smile of delight and my soul sing. 


Take time to enjoy His blessings today....live with an awareness of His presence...even if just for a moment.