Spring has Sprung

The tree outside our front window is suddenly covered with bright new green leaves.

The days are getting longer.

It is light when I get up.

There is warmth when the sun shines.

I ran around a friends backyard with bare feet today.

Every year the seasons change, but every year I am still in awe. Every year I anticipate the warmer weather, pretend it is here before it is, become impatient for it's return.

Spring is here. I am happy.

I am a summer girl at heart.

(Photo Credit)

Secret Garden

One day all children will be able to go to a preschool like this.



And it will make my heart glad to see children without fences and walls. To be able to climb and discover and be.
To experience the outside world without soft fall or plastic climbing frames.

Check out the Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery school, hat tip Irresistible ideas.

Being

The last few weeks at night service at church we have been listening to Kirk Patstons talks from 2009 Easter Convention about a Biblical perspective on time, from Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes is a difficult book to read, but for the first time I was beginning to understand the perspective it was written from, and the imagery it uses to provoke thoughts.

I have been really challenged by the talks and can't recommend them enough. There is so much in each talk to think about and consider. I could go on about them all - but really Kirk says it so much better than I can :), you can download the talks here. (scroll down a little)

One of the things that I was challenged about was 'being in the moment'. Whatever I'm doing now is important, and I should be doing it well. Whether it's playing with kids, getting dinner ready, talking on the phone. I find I have gotten into the habit of always doing more than one thing at a time, distracting myself from the moment at hand.

So it was a good reminder to be, not constantly rushing and multitasking.

A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

 

A before work break

I wandered along the beach, the beach in winter is almost nicer than the beach in summer. There are less people. The sun does not beat down relentlessly. The wind tugs at my hair creating sea salt curls.


The beach is deserted except for a few children playing in the sand, looking like they’d stepped out of a Pumpkin Patch commercial.

The waves thunder a few meters from shore, but are meek and mild as they lap at the sand. The water is warmer than the air, but too cool to swim. I like to look out and see nothing but water and sky. If you sit down here, you can pretend that there is no one else in the world. That you’re it and it doesn’t matter how long you sit because time has stood still.

(photo credit)

Not your average wake up call

Home again all safe. Now working on an assignment.

Thought I would pop over and show how God was watching over friends of mine.

Danny and Helena use to go to our church (and were my youth group leaders, way back when) and are now studing at Moore theological collage.

Last night at 1:30 a garbage truck plowed into their house, missing their little boys bed by 3 meters. Thankfully all the family and the truck driver are safe. They are now staying with family.

News story avaliable here.

Day dreaming outside

Today I spent the entire day inside, as I was working at the store from open to close.

The weather the last few days has been so beautiful. Real go-outside-and-lie-in-the-sun-weather.

I've started some of my observation days for prac. Spending your day with under two's teachers you many things. One of the most important is to delight and wonder at the world around you. I laughed with the children as bubbles floated across the playground and popped when we tried to touch them. I delighted with the children in the different noises we can make from simple toys cars (more than you would think!). I wondered at the blue sky and the birds the flew around.

This is your task; get outside and wonder with childlike delight at the world around you. Don't try to explain it away and don't try to make sense, just wonder.

(picture credit)

This video made me sublimely happy

Hat tip to Kacie

Joy in the simple things

My arms were so sunburnt over the weekend that I couldn't raise my arms above my head. Which limits alot of activites, like putting my hair up in a pony tail, slipping a t-shirt over my head, or washing my hair.

I've been surviving by hiding my hair under head bands and bandannas. Today I was finally able to wash my hair properly, and it felt so good. It's easy to forget the little things in life that give the simple joy to everday life.

So I'm going to make a special effort this week to take joy in the little things in life;

- Slipping between freshly washed sheets that smell of sunshine and crisp air.

- Driving up to a red light just as it turns green.

- Having fresh clean water to drink all the time.

- The smell of jasmine when I walk down to the letter box.

- Cleaning out your wardrobe and discovering that gorgeous skirt that you forgot you owned.

What little things bring a smile to your face?

We can not tame the sea

One night when I was away I went down to the beach at dusk and spent an hour just looking out to sea. The waves crash at my feet, and I can taste the salt in the air.

I love that we can not tame the sea.

We have caged wild animals, encrouched on forests and dammed rivers.

But we can not tame the sea.

The sea will do what the sea wants.

It has no master except The One who controls all.

All are tossed amoung the waves without thought.

The waves eat up the shore with white hands,

and no one can stop them from withdrawing again.

I love that we can not tame the sea.

.

(photo from sxc)

I am Blessed

I am blessed
To live in a land of wide open spaces
Of dense gum tree forests
Of sun soaked beaches

I am blessed
To live in a country where many people come together
Where differing opinions doesn’t equal persecution
Where I am free to worship my God

I am blessed
To live in a land where ever person can have their say
Where our leaders are held accountable
Where we are free from conflict and war

I am blessed
To live in a country which has a history
But, more importantly, has a future

I am blessed to be Australian

Happy Australia Day!

.

(photo from sxc)

The stars danced tonight

Everything seems quieter at night.

The air has a beautiful crispness to it, and the wind is more settled.

The stars danced tonight.

They swayed and they swirled in a silent dance of praise.

There is a stillness you can feel.

Time stood still, only the moving moon marked it's passing.

(photo: ksvignette )