Life Changes

Ray and I have have recently been to New South Wales to visit my mother.
She is almost ninety four years old. 
Her body is frail but her mind is alert.
We took her, together with my nephew, to a restaurant for lunch.
Living in a Nursing Home and having companionship, she no longer desires to travel around as she once did. 
Yet she requested this day out. And she enjoyed it very much.

 Its strange but I never think of mum as old.
To me she is still the younger woman who could do anything, and did.

 I found this black and while photo of her aged in her late forties with her pet Joey (baby kangaroo).
I don't know how she got him, but she loved and treated him like a beloved child.
He went everywhere with her in the car.
Finally he grew large enough to hop over the fence and finally, he was killed on the road.
It devastated her. 


Over the years mum had many pets, but he was one of a kind.

I wonder how my children will reminisce about me as time goes by?
They'll probably remember some of the funny or silly things I do.
I wonder if they will see me as old,.... or how I once was?
Life changes for all of us.

  Me holding my son Peter, my nephew Bradley, my daughter Femia, and niece Cindy.
About 1970.








 

Never Give Up

Sometimes Life Is So Hard.....But!

Psalm 46:1 
God is my refuge and strength and very present help in times of trouble.

RESTORATION

There is no one alive who hasn't suffered Hurt, Pain, Humiliation and
Frustration.  
I don't know why I am writing about this today? Or maybe I do...
Yesterday I had the wonderful privilege of being visited by three special ladies.
First came my daughter Daniella, bouncing into the house with her usual vibrant self, coming to share with mum.

 Then I received a phone call from Lynn, 'would I like a visit?' She came bearing a meal and prayers.
Finally Dawn, another sweet lady came.... another two meals, and much sharing.

I can look back over the years and remember times of need when no one came.
When I felt alone and deserted.

As people read what I am writing, many could never imagine, what my past has been, or what I have come through... Much I have blanked out because of the pain.

We all have a story to tell. 
All of us walk through life hopefully learning lessons and gaining wisdom.
Becoming Better and not Bitter.
Wisdom only comes by realisation and understanding. 

Many feel in times of desolation that God is punishing, or that He is not there, He simply doesn't exist.
Yet if God did not allow us to have a free will of discovery we would never experience the trails we do..
We would never learn to pray or come before him..

"For when we are weak, He is strong."  2 Corinthians 12 :10.

We would never understand the joy of having restored, all the devil has taken from us.


"And I will restore to you, the years the locust hath eaten."
Joel 2:25

  Granddaughter Shiarn (Daniella's) running free with her chooks.


                                                       

PERRRRFECT is what You are..

"You are altogether beautiful, my darling, And there is no blemish in you.

 Song of Solomon 4:7     "The Bible"

This photo was taken at an outback store in central Australia

You know,  no matter how we see ourselves...

Our Heavenly Father sees us as perfect and beautiful..

Doesn't that make you feel good....

 

I dedicate this to my beautiful daughter Femia-Hope.

Who joys in her Heavenly Father..

PEACE AND CONTENTMENT

My son Pasquale Joel, who I call Lee-Joel turned Thirty two last Sunday.

                                                   Photo by daughter Femia.

I wasn't sure if he would come to visit or have a family day out with his wife and son.
And, it wasn't easy for me to cook up a great feast and I didn't..
But one thing my children love is mum's Italian pasta.
So thats what they got.. and I got them all here with the promise, not to disappoint..
They all helped and cleaned up after and I enjoyed them and the rest.

As a grandparent its great to sit back and watch the antics of my two youngest, Izaiah and Shiarn.
They are more like siblings than cousins, and Shiarn always reminds Zai that he needs to have manners.


"If you don't say please Zai, I won't share with you.." she prattles on....
"Pweeze Shiarnie"... he pleads adoringly.

Here they are with a green tree frog....

 

Isn't it marvelous!

  

 

and....Two fingers display the Sign of Peace.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

John 14:27

In these times of uncertainy and world dilemma, its not easy to feel peaceful or unafraid.
Yet when we believe in a Creator God who promises Peace, we know He has all in control.

Be Glad, not Sad

Well I am playing the Glad game..
I didn't invent it, Pollyanna did, but I love to be reminded just how much there is to be thankful for.


While in hospital recently I lay in bed and thanked God, people were looking after me.
Think of all the poor wounded soldiers, who have lain in wet cold mud.


I thanked God for the hospital food that I didn't have to cook serve or clean up after.
Think of the starving millions.


I thanked God for the injections and medications to make me better.
Think of those in third world countries with none.

I thanked God for the Australian medical system that looks after everyone without them worrying sick about how to pay back. And I thanked God, I was also given two weeks of physical therapy, no charge to me.
Think all all the countries who don't have this.


I thanked God my hospital room opening onto a long veranda where I could walk out onto to watch for Ray.
Thanked God for the sweet fresh air and views to the mountains..
Thank God, being sick could be positive, instead of negative. 

Then Thank God, I was able to return back home...


Ahhh  there is so much to be thankful for that my heart sings that wonderful hymn.
"Give thanks with a greatful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He's given, Jesus Christ, His son."

 

Thank God for my colourful home.

There is no place in the world, like your own.

 

"Oh no." said the lorakeets, "She's back." lol